Monday, January 31, 2011

Pet treat recall for Salmonella




Got this in this morning, check your treats and remember if you touch the treats you also can get contaminated!   Salmonella poisoning in your pet will show , lethargy, depression, weakness, anorexia, fever, diarrhea (with or without blood), and abdominal pain. Seek vet care if you suspect this.


 Jr. Texas Taffy pet treat (ITEM # 27077, UPC # 02280827077, All Lots up to and including 10364)

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm241476.htm

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Tinker Belle Turns Cujo! How to control lunging and barking on a walk.

                                                                
                                                            These two are actually pups getting to know
                                                     each other but you get the idea!



Does your dog have perfect manners inside the home? Isn’t he just the sweetest thing ever? (Or sweetest thing eva as they say in N.Y.)


Sit, Fido.” Fido sits. “Come Fido.” Fido comes. What a good dog! Pat, pat with a side order of biscuit!


Outside for a walk… same scenario using commands only there’s another dog coming up the road and you suddenly have a totally different dog at the end of your leash!



Sit Fido.” Fido pulls at the leash practically yanking your arm out of the socket. Grrr, woof, woof, grr…SIT , FIDO, SIT!” You yell as Fido is pulling you down the road ready to attack some adorable pup that’s attached to a very handsome looking person.



Let’s face it, that’s no way to meet friends and influence people! We all know the magnetic draw that comes with walking a cute well behaved dog, but walking Cujo is certainly no magnetic draw and no way to get a date, if your looking!
(Don't worry hon, I’m not looking!)





One big mistake we as humans make when it comes to getting a new dog, be it puppy or older dog, is that we take them out and we expect that they are going to behave because they do a great job listening inside the home. However the big world carries with it more threats and distractions to a dog then your home ever will. It is easy for a dog to keep its focus on you the holder of food and praise when there are no other distractions in sight.



It’s like taking a toddler to a toy store and not telling them beforehand how you expect them to act.
Oh sure kids listen well enough inside the home with their toys strewn in every room. But take that same toddler out to a toy store to buy a gift for someone else and you’ll soon see that sweet little Timmy is falling into the proverbial meltdown well screaming, “I WANT IT! I WANT IT” until your face is turning bright red and you want to walk away as if to say, “Who’s unruly child is that?”



That happened once to me and I gave my son this warning, “if you have a tantrum, I’m leaving!” Imagine his surprise when he found himself in the middle of the aisle in  full blown tantrum status with mom nowhere to be seen! It never happened again because I learned very quickly to talk to him beforehand at home. In the end, he learned the value of money and how to find the price of an item he would be allowed to get, and I learned that his perfect behavior was not to be expected everywhere when he wasn’t told the rules beforehand. So we both learned from that little meltdown. Today those same actions would probably get me arrested for child endangerment!




So how do you prepare your dog for such walks?


What needs to be done and kept up with on a daily basis with any new dog one gets is obedience training. You want to build a trust between the two of you and you want to be seen by your new dog as the leader of their pack. Dogs grow up in packs and once you bring them into your home your family becomes its pack. Like everything in life, there is a social order and the leader of this pack should always be held by the human.



To hold order and leadership, start to train the dog daily in obedience in a quiet non distracting place. Once the commands are learned in non distracting places you gradually build up distractions until the dog is listening to your commands no matter what is going on around him.



When I suggest obedience training, it does not stop at, sit ~stay, down~stay, come, or heel. Many times commands such as “Leave it” or “Drop it” can play an important role in preventing trouble before it happens or stopping trouble once it has begun.



The "Leave it" command means, “Stop everything you are going for, or thinking of going for, and put your attention back on me!” This command can be used in so many situations yet is rarely taught, or if taught, is rarely used.

The “Drop it” command is pretty self explanatory and it is important for you to teach this command before it is needed to get Cujo to drop Tinker Belle from his jaws!



Emphasizing: First train inside the home where there are no distractions, then go to the yard, then to the driveway, then to the street in front of your home , then start to move further down the street each day until your dog’s total attention is brought back to you with a command.



To use or not to use training aides



There are variety of training aides available ranging from a no pull harness to a head /face halter, to a prong collar, to a shock collar. I do believe that if the dog is a real problem, training aides when used correctly are effective, however they should not be used for the rest of the dog’s life or they will never learn how to behave without wearing one and that is not your goal.

You also need to be very careful with items like shock collars because if the dog is aggressive, the shock can make that aggression much worse, so I do not recommend such an item for an already aggressive or out of control dog and here's why. If you use a prong or shock collar and the dog is out of control already the dog may very well associate that shock or tug on a choke chain/ prong as pain that is coming from that other dog.   The dog's mind is already at a place of possibly no return at that moment, the dog's mind is on the other dog so at that moment you  shock or tug, your dog may start associating every bad thing it feels with other dogs passing by.  I am not a fan of such collars but I know people will use them so I want some thought to go into it before you do use them.    


Should dogs work for nothing?



Some dogs do fine with praise alone, some are not even interested in food rewards. It is important for you to learn what really motivates your dog. In some instances it is a special toy. All dogs are different. But when in training, some type of reward should be given and can be phased out over time.
Let’s face it, I love the job I do, but I still want that pay check at the end of the week!



You will find that the greater the distraction, the harder it will be for your dog to follow commands which means the greater the reward has to be.


This example will be directed at using food as a reward. Most dogs get plain biscuits which are great to start with when training inside the home providing they are small enough for the dog to get down easily. Even Cheerios are good for training in non distracting areas. Start off with basic treats in the home, then when going into the yard use soft treats, then move to hot dogs slivers as you get to driveway training and then up it to chicken slivers when you are in the street.



Always use a treat that can be swallowed quickly without chewing so the dog is not distracted by crumbs that fall to the floor. Your goal is to get the dog’s attention back on you right after the reward is given and this won't happen if the dog is sniffing the floor to slurp up the crumbs.  So basically the faster they can suck it down, the better.


If at any location where you are training the dog, the dog does not listen to the commands but loses focus on something in its surroundings, it means you have to go back and train longer in the last place the dog was listening.



Keep in mind that dogs do not always carry over what you’ve taught them from place to place and if the dog has been pulling and lunging on previous outings before training, then it may take a little longer in one spot to train before moving forward.


You also have to remember that is was over a period of time that the dog learned how to behave in each circumstance that you put him in. This is called a “Learned Behavior” and the dog may try to revert to old behaviors that worked for them in the past.

You mission , should you choose to accept it (what TV show was that?), is trying to show the dog a new behavior which not all dogs get right away until they see the repeated outcome.

For instance: Dogs that have lunged and barked at passing dogs learned that this behavior moved the other dog away.

What you now want to show the dog is that even though they are not lunging and growling anymore, with appropriate behavior the other dog is still going to move away.

You may want to have a few of your dog owning friends help you with this by continuously passing you with their dog on the opposite side of the street so your dog can see that this new “act accordingly” behavior works as well as the barking and lunging did and there is a reward at the end for the good behavior.

With learned behavior it is sometimes important to change your command wording as well, even if you need to use a totally different language. (The command "Sit"  in spanish would be "Sentarse.")

Example: if your command was “Fido Come” and Fido did not come, you may have to change the wording to “Fido, Here” with new training. You don’t want the dog to associate old commands with old behaviors.



Once you have training under way it may be a good time to join a training class because at a class your dog will be exposed to other dogs in a controlled atmosphere and you can work your dog off to the side while other dogs are working together. I suggest you tell the trainer of your dog's problem before you actually sign up for class so the trainer will know how to set up class and be prepared for your dog’s arrival. As well they may want to tell you to bring specific training equipment.



I am once again going to put up my favorite site for positive based training which gives a reward for the behavior you want to see. Know what motivates your dog! Is it Food? Praise? Toys?

The total cost for training beside your time, would be around $20.00 (or under) for supplies, (clicker about 3 dollars, treat bag 5 to 10 dollars) You do not have to use an official treat bag if it is too expensive, one of those tourist fanny packs will work fine for holding treats. Come on, I know you have one, especially if you're in your 40's or 50's!   You just might not look as fashionable!

Train several times throughout the day in shorter increments rather than one long training each day. Why do I say this? Because shorter sessions several times a day show the dog that you as a leader are consistent. No one wants to follow a leader that is inconsistent.   


Watch the site with the videos first so you can see how clicker training is done. It is very important to mark the behavior at the exact time it is done by the dog. If you mark the behavior at the wrong time you will develop the wrong behavior.

Step by step directions http://www.clickerlessons.com/

Videos: http://www.clickertrainusa.com/clicker-training-videos.htm



Training in a controlled environment can help with some dogs.



Sunday, January 23, 2011

Do dogs suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Rosie


Is your dog SAD?


My friend Marjean and I were talking the other day and she said that she thought her pooch Rosie was seemingly a bit depressed. Lately Rosie was not so quick to give up her spot on the recliner or otherwise play until she was brought outside at which time she acted not like a 12 year old dog, but like a puppy again.



So she asked me… well let’s be honest here… Marjean’s retired from all things work related so in a round about way, she suggested I look into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as it pertains to dogs. Humans suffer from this in the winter months (aka winter blues), so there was some curiosity after our discussion if dogs did as well.


In people, Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to bring on crying, fatigue, lethargy, anxiety and an insatiable appetite for Reese’s. Okay, okay, I added the whole Reese’s part, but there is a desire for sweets.


So I went in search for an answer because after all, what are friends for? (Beside taking your money, food, alcohol, and borrowing your car.) Delightfully that brings us here!



I found sites that both agreed and disagreed with the theory that dogs suffer from this during the winter months or even during other extended bad weather intervals. Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to come from the lack of sunlight that affects a hormonal balance in humans.



In reading different articles according to one that I read on Dr. Jon’s pet place, Dr Nick Dodman, professor and director at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine says your dog is more likely mirroring your feelings and not suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
On the other hand, in this same article it is stated that dogs can become depressed or grieve at the loss of a loved one. Is it depression or grief or are we putting our own ‘human emotional’ title to it?



To me it would stand to reason that if you are locked in your house due to gray skies or cold weather, your blues (or lack of energy) may indeed be put upon the dog. Most of us are not likely to go out and play fetch in -15 degree weather unless we are Eskimos, nor would your dog be entertained inside by viewing a great movie or TV show as we would during this period!
So what’s a dog to do? 
I have heard the story of the dog of Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye Terrier whose owner passed and was buried in the churchyard. Supposedly the dog went and lay on the grave of the owner for the next 14 or 15 years until he too eventually passed away.

But theoretically we know that dogs have a keen sense of smell so could the dog have distinguished the odor of owner’s clothing upon burial and so thought it was there he should sit and wait for him? Did the dog suffer from separation anxiety so badly that he stayed by the grave site because it was the last place he detected the owner to be?


These are my thoughts and questions viewed with a little common sense minus the human emotion. Deciphering which is correct is the hard part! Who knows, maybe human emotion and common sense can go together.


Hey, my late Cocker Spaniel Cody suffered with what humans have labeled as separation anxiety and it was first noted when I had to go out to a job related in-service training in the evening hours. The weather started turning gray and stormy. Peter tried to call Cody inside to get him out of the pouring rain but the dog would not move from that gate, which was the last place he saw me. Cody stood in the downpour staring at the gate until I came home three hours later.

So what emotion would we put on that? Sorrow, blues, loss, depression, absence, anxiety, or the fear that if left in Peter’s hands the dog would not be made to feel quite as loved?


To date I have a house full of Newfoundlands and one Golden Retriever. They all sleep 80 percent of the day. So are they mirroring my mood as I sit in my room working with blinds halfway closed as Dr Dodman stated? Are they in need of more sunshine to make them peppier? Or, are they perfectly fine just lying around? Like me, they are older so maybe they enjoy the rest and relaxation. I doubt a puppy would get such pleasure out of this routine, but we’re all practically retired in this house and we’ve earned the rest!



But please don’t underestimate the possibility of your dog’s health being in jeopardy either. If your dog is acting depressed don’t just assume it is the winter blues, have the dog examined for other illnesses. Your vet can take a blood test and rule out serious illnesses that might be the cause of your dog’s sluggishness.

A look at 2 chemicals in the body affected by direct sunlight that may give us a clue to SAD in Dogs



From what I have found, darkness and light (not artificial light) can reduce or improve two chemicals of the brain which can lead to a tired, lack luster kind of feeling or one that will lift the spirit and energy level. Either of the two can lead to behavior changes in both people and dogs.


Serotonin: a serum that gives tone. Serotonin is found throughout the body, but only a small portion is in the brain. In the brain it affects appetite, mood, and sleep. So the lack of it in the brain can possibly have an affect on the mood in animals. Sunlight is necessary for production of serotonin which is the ‘feel good’ substance in the brain and which is also contained in sweets, so that may be why people tend to eat more sweets in a darkened/ inside atmosphere.

Hmm, will opening my blinds and positioning my desk toward the window help me to stay away from Reese’s? Food for thought!




Melatonin : A hormone produced in the pineal gland which plays a role in regulating sleep and reproductive cycles. In many animals, melatonin also regulates the physical effects that occur in response to seasonal changes, such as the growth of a thicker coat for winter months. The pineal gland responds to low light conditions so as the sun goes down the gland begins to produce melatonin. Melatonin, in turn, causes a person to relax and get sleepy. Melatonin levels are affected by light exposure to the eyes which rise during the day and fall at night to help regulate the body’s sleep patterns.



So with the above brain chemicals taken into account for mood, boost the Serotonin levels by increasing sunlight. Open all your blinds and bring some of that natural sunlight into the home. Get yer Long Johns, snow pants, and boots on and drag your pooch out in the sun for a while during these winter months, or realize that the dog may be a bit more moodier than normal if stuck inside the house with artificial light.



In closing, I would like to thank my friend who talked me into doing this blog article because with this expanded information, I have now diagnosed myself as a pathetic, manic depressive, quite possibly with a  twist of by-polar tendencies! Great! No wonder I’m eating my way into oblivion!


Untill next time, eat two Reese's and call me in the morning! 
Steeler


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

how to stop your dog from going berserk in the car


Hurricane, one lucky pup
 owned by Jen Hoffman

Steeler













If you don’t stop now, I’ll  pull this car OVER!


How many times did you hear that as a kid? Did it work? Well, if your dad said it, maybe it worked for a short time!





The problem:




Ah, those wonderful car rides that send your dog into a tizzy jumping back and forth barking like a lunatic when you are passing another car, motorcycle, person, or animal! What’s a human to do?





Sometimes taking the dog along for a ride can be a real delight especially if the dog is social and enjoys meeting people. But what if your Fido gets set off by other cars, bikes, animals, etc. thereby making the drive unpleasant, the end result seemingly not worth it, and possibly causing a bit of danger? Then you may want to rethink taking him.



(By the way do you know why Fido is used so often when people refer to a dog? The answer is at the bottom of the blog. )


This type of behavior might be seen more in herding breeds which have the desire to herd anything that moves, however any neurotic dog can be bothered by things while riding in a car. I once had a person tell me that his dog goes berserk if the blinker or the wipers are turned on. Keep in mind that the noise from your blinker or wipers may become a trigger/cue for the dog if they were in use while the dog was already in this excited state of mental craziness.



These series of events may begin small, a few barks here and there or some subtle body movement that you may or may not notice, but over time with the noise or movement of the passing traffic you’ll start to notice the dog getting more and more aggressive as vehicles pass and then continue to get worse over time until you are screaming at the top of your lungs for the dog to… …SSSTOOOPPP ITTT!





Why does this happen?



Believe it or not the dog is being rewarded in some way and that can come from your words, a touch on the dog’s body, or a treat while the dog is acting out. The most likely scenario though is that he believes  his crazy actions at that very moment are making that car (or other object) go away. He does not know that car is going to pass you anyway (or that the wipers will stop if you turn them off), what he does know is that by behaving the way he did, he got that damn car to move away from you! Remember dogs always do what works for them.

What’s a dog to do? Who knew that riding in a car could be so exhausting?
Can you imagine the stress that the dog must be feeling to think that only his actions will move these undesirable objects away from you?
Wow, a City dog must get really stressed going for a two block ride with its owner!


Once this whole whacky wonder ride begins and you continuously take him for a ride in the car, you are putting him in the throws of something that you know will stimulate him to that crazy point. This is something I would stop doing immediately while driving because this is dangerous to you and others around you, (specifically me!) should the actions of the dog make you lose control of the car.





How do you fix it?



If you have a dog struggling with this behavior, until you can get it under control it is best to use a crate or a doggie seat belt rather than allow him to be loose in the car. You may also want to invest in some ear plugs for yourself as well because you may be in for a long haul!



There are a few commands that every dog should know and listen to very well for a car ride if they are of the crazy excitable type. These commands are, ‘Leave it, sit ~stay or down~ stay, speak & quiet’ as any of these should have your dog remain in a calmer mode. If the dog already has these commands down 100% then use them in the car.



People often tell me “I took my dog to puppy class and the dog is trained and listens to every command I give to him inside the house.”



Sorry, news flash! If he does not listen in the car then he is not fully trained but is trained only when it suits him and that means you have more work ahead of you.’



Why train Speak and Quiet?



In order for the dog to know what quiet means you must first teach him speak, then teach him quiet. When he knows what the quiet command means you can use it at the first sound of anxiousness. The ‘leave it’ command should mean to the dog, “leave everything and anything alone that you want and put your attention back on me!” This means stop looking at the car, stop barking and getting excited and give all of your attention back to the owner. It’s kind of like helping a child focus on something else rather than that toy at the counter that they really want!



Start training the above commands in the house, and gradually take the dog to more distracting places. Go to the yard and teach the commands there, then take him to the driveway and teach them there, then take the dog into a parked car without the engine turned on and work on the commands there.



Gradually take the dog inside the car to sit but do not turn the car on right away, just sit and reward good behavior. Then start the car and wait a bit until you know he is calm then start the wipers, turn them on and off manually so you have control. Praise the dog for sitting nicely then do the same with the blinkers if these are stimuli that bother the dog.



Keep these sessions very brief to start, and gradually increase the time the dog stays in the car. Praise and reward all good behavior. By doing this you are showing the dog how you expect him to act when in the car.



When the above things no longer drive him nuts then you want to take the car to the end of the driveway and park it there letting other cars pass by. Again this should be brief to start and gradually built up over time. Give your command ‘leave it’ as your dog sees a car coming up the street.



If you live in a rural area where cars only pass when a herd of cows come through, well then you’ll need to enlist the help of a friend for a day to drive back and forth in front of you. Obviously a friend who will do this for you would be very deserving of a nice dinner afterward!



If you practice the exercise with a friend you will have more control as to when a car passes which may give you the time you need to settle the dog before the next passing. You can also have the friend stop their car right in front of your car and wait for you to give a signal for them to move. I would not give a move signal until the dog is calm because you want him to think that your actions made the car move, not his crazy behavior.





Have a signal for your friend to stop immediately as needed because sure as I’m sittin’ here typing this, you can count on poor behavior for the first couple of tries once the other car starts moving! You’ll use a stop signal if the dog starts acting up so the dog does not think its actions caused the other car to leave. The more you can do this throughout the day the faster the dog will learn.



Keep in mind that dogs do not always carry over what they have learned from one place to another, this is why it is important to always work on commands anywhere you go.



At the time you start training this new behavior you may want to use a seat belt made for dogs so the dog learns that this new apparatus brings with it new rules. If he is left loose to roam the car then old behaviors may creep back in.





Some people have unfortunately resorted to shock collars to try and curb this behavior but shock collars are not going to retrain the dog and the dog will always know when that collar is not on. As well, what the dog perceives when he gets a shock for barking at a passing car is that the car is hurting him in some way so he may get much worse over the long run which of course makes it harder to train later.



So if your life looks like the video below, it cant be a peaceful ride for you. Start your training now! Heck even the owner that is filming from outside the car can’t stand the noise of the dog!




And how safe do you think this would be while driving? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eThId_-IjxI&NR=1

By the way, the answer to the Fido question above: ( I bet you forgot about it didn’t you?) Fido was the name of President Lincoln’s beloved dog and it became a popular name as names go. Fido is Latin meaning ‘I am faithful’ and so it goes that a dog is faithful to its owner.



__________________________________________________




Sunday, January 16, 2011

Handling the sudden death of a large breed dog




It’s 11:45 on a cold January night. The frigid air is sucked into to the bedroom by the fan that sits in front of the open window as the hum of the air conditioner also sings its nightly tune. This is the way you live when you have many Newfoundland’s as you do not want to be awakened through the night because it is too hot for them. The winter’s chill in my heated home assures me a full night’s slumber. I am snuggled atop a heated mattress pad with blankets pulled up to my ears to keep me warm in this blustery room my husband describes as “a blizzard without the snow.” My eyes peer over the blanket’s top to watch a repeat of the Atlanta Housewives, but I am really awaiting the rerun of Andy’s New Year’s Eve club house gala that is to follow. Aside from the chatter of the TV and the hum of the air conditioner, the house is quiet and still. The holidays have left me with happy memories and my boys have gone back to their prospective homes toting their Christmas gifts with them. Darkness and calm have overtaken my room except for glow of the TV screen opposite my bed and the clock that shines its time on the ceiling.



Suddenly I realize it seems too quiet, especially since my TV is still playing which would normally stir up at least one of the four male dogs that sleep around my bed, even if it’s just to switch places or roll over. I peek over my bed's edge to take a quick look.



“Bentley has not moved. Nor is the grunt like snoring I hear from the others emanating from his snout.”




Bentley who is the father to Chance, Emma, and Steeler, and who is usually the most active through the night has not repositioned his curled up body over the last couple of hours. Horrid thoughts clamor in my mind as my heart beats a little faster.



He could not have bloated again could he? No, he had already gone through bloat and his intestines were sewn in place. Can a dog bloat once the intestines are sewn in place? Who do I call to ask at this time of night?


The questions just came faster and faster! And with those thoughts, a slight panic started making its way up my spine.


Bentley, at the age of 10 years has not shown any signs of illness aside from the regular aches and pains a giant breed would show at that age. He is not deterred easily and he still has much bounce to his step when something is on his mind. ‘Crazy eyed, one track mind Benny’!  That's what we call him because when he sets his mind on something he is relentless at figuring out how to achieve it. You can see his mind working a mile a minute gathering all pertinent information.

I’ve seen him walk across the frozen cover that keeps my pool free from debris because there was something on the other side he wanted. I have seen him problem solve in many ways over the years.



Again my thoughts clamor, my heart beats a bit faster, and the sound of the Atlanta Housewives arguing in the background now seem distant to my thoughts.


Could he have died right there in that curled up position? If he did, would he be stiff? If the van doesn’t start how would I put him in Peter’s car? How would I move him? Where would I take him?
OMG! My mind shouted, STOP THINKING! JUMP UP AND CHECK ON HIM!



So I did, and he was fine. Turns out he was just very sleepy from being left outside during the day a little longer than he was used to. The day’s temperature had been wrapped in the warmth of the sun and had reached close to 55 degrees on this first week of January, so I kept all of the dogs out longer than normal to soak up the beautiful weather. But this nighttime event got me thinking and thinking seriously.



What would I have done had Bentley died at that moment and was stiffened in that position?
Does anyone really think about such things when they get a dog? And a dog of Newfoundland size no less?



In all my experiences with dogs, all but one was euthanized in the setting of a vet office and the one that was not, was a large shepherd mix who died of bloat in his dog house while I was at work and very much stiff as a board when I got home hours later. This stiffness had made it very hard to get him out of the wooden dog house opening! Thankfully my hubby and my brother were there to take care of it. Years later the memory of them trying to stuff this large dog into the back seat of a Toyota Corolla sticks in my mind. After all, they could not straighten him out without breaking bones which they knew would send me right over the edge!



But I digress, back to my Bentley. It’s the middle of winter here in PA and the ground is frozen so digging a hole is out! And the questions? Well they just keep a comin’!


What do people do in the middle of the night if there is no vet to call, or during holidays, or if the ground is frozen, or if the season was a muggy summer’s night? STOP! I told myself. Just email Dr.Jean in the morning!



So the next morning these questions found me sending out many emails to friends.  Apparently this is not an unusual occurrence. One  friend  told me that years ago when her Golden Retriever passed during the night hours, her vet office told her to put the dog in the freezer. This she told me was a bit difficult as the refrigerator was a side by side and could not accommodate a dog of Golden Retriever size!



So, this is definitely a question you’ll want  answered  while your dog is still alive and healthy, not at a time when you are in a panicked or upset state of mind! Although I would rather be prepared for such an event, it certainly would not diminish that lost feeling one gets when their pet passes.



Is burial legal?



In some areas it is illegal to bury your animal in your yard so you would have to know the ordinances of your city/town, although I suspect people still bury a small pet now and then, but digging a hole for a 175 lb. dog is like digging a hole for a human and something like that might be noticed!





The down and the dirty of pet death



What I am told is that most emergency vet offices have freezers to hold your dog if something should happen in the night, weekend, or a holiday. That’s assuming you have an emergency vet in your area which not all people do.



Obviously with the temperature being near freezing in the winter months you may be able to safely store the body outside until your vet opens. I did this once and the memory will never leave me.



Picture it: 1986, my son who was 5 years old at the time had a goldfish named Goldie (of course), his very own first pet ever. Well Goldie passed during a semi cold winter’s eve, but digging a hole for a goldfish is a lot different than digging one for a dog, so I wrapped her up in saran wrap, put her in a brown lunch bag and laid her out on the gas grill so we could have services for her the next day. I put my son to bed telling him I was very sorry about Goldie's passing but that we’ll give her a nice send off in the morning, and of course we can all say something that we loved about his beloved Goldie. Thirty minutes later I slid open the back door to the patio, and there’s my dog Maxie chomping away on a very frozen Goldie! It was at that time I realized that giving Goldie a Sea (aka toilet) funeral might have been easier for a 5 year old to handle! After all, going back to the sea from once you came, is better than going into a Chow/labs belly for a treat!


So, if you have a big enough freezer in the home you could store the body in there, however for me, I think if I did that I’d soon be selling the freezer because every piece of meat I took out of it would make me think I was cooking up my Newfoundland! But hey, that’s just me; others may be able to handle it just fine.



What about hot weather?



Of course I had to ask this also assuming you are not allowed to bury your pet on your property or you don’t want to be digging a hole during the middle of the night lest the neighbors think you are cuckoo!



What if it happens in the middle of summer when the night’s temperature remains in the upper 80’s?” That would get smelly real fast!




Answer: Cold but true



Slide the dog into a large Bag (lawn /leaf /construction) in case of fluid leakage overnight, then place the dog in a wheelbarrow (or maybe your kid’s little red wagon), go to the market and get bags of ice and place them around the dog, then cover the ice and dog with a tarp or large blanket to keep the cold around the dog until you can transport or bury the dog.



Um, yeah, there go those happy thoughts of pulling my sons in their little red Radio Flyer! Hmm, shopping for ice may never be the same again either!



I do not know if it is the same world wide, but in Canada it is fairly similar right down to if you are allowed to bury your pet on your property.



Well, that’s that! Death sucks, there’s no other way to put it!

But if you know your options beforehand you won’t be sitting at the computer trying  to find answers on Google or finding yourself in a panic! I'm not saying there won't be crying goin' on, but you'll be prepared. 

Actually I don’t even know how to Google this one! I tried Google and all I came up with  was a girl that was psychic and was seeing the spirit of someone’s dog walking around her house!




















Monday, January 10, 2011

Are over the counter drugs safe for all dogs?




ASPCA poison hot line (888) 426 -4435
                                 Website~ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/ 



                                  JEEZ! SALLY? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?

I can hear many spewing those very words right now as they read the title of this article. But as Lucy said to Ricky, “Pleez, le’ me splain!” and I will! First, notice that I have placed the ASPCA poison control hotline number and website at both the top and bottom of this article. The ASPCA charges for each new call but NEVER let a few dollars charged to your credit card keep you from seeking proper guidance for your dog; it may be the best thing you will ever charge in your life!

I am not a veterinarian and I don’t advise using any medication without the consult of your vet, however I do come across people who believe that it is okay to give their dogs medications such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol with the belief that since it is okay for a short period of time to give a dog aspirin, the other two must also be okay to give. Right? NO!

Did you know that within 12 hours of giving Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin ) ulcers can occur and as late as 5 days after it is given you may see signs of kidney damage? Or that the wrong dosing of Acetaminophen can within 24 hours cause coma and death?





Since we are only human, people are going to continue to self prescribe for their dogs trying to save a buck without actually reading lengthy precautions in an article. I am keeping my precautions short in the hopes they will be read and someone will say, “Hey, I don’t like the sound of this, I’d better do more research.” Or they will call their vet and ask for guidance. If they fail to do that, then let’s at least give the proper resources and dosing so dogs are not overdosed to the point of becoming severely ill or there’s an occurrence of death.



This is my reason for writing this blog article and before it went to post, I had a certified Veterinarian read it over to be sure the info was correct and to add or change anything needed.

But please, as the monopoly card says, “Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars!” Read the precautions and side effects before you read the dosing of the medication. I have typed out some of the precautions for you to read here, but it is highly advisable you visit the sites where appropriate and read further information before you give that dose of OTC medicine.




Dogs are similar to us in some ways, but they are also breed specific and there are some breeds that should never be given certain over the counter meds even though it may be touted safe for other dogs. For example, Collies, Shelties, Australian shepherds, long haired whippets and some mutts should never be given kaopectate (Bismuth Subsalicylate) or Imodium (loperamide) because these breeds and others can suffer from a mutation in the multi-drug resistance gene (MDRI).




Who would have thought that the very stuff you give your Labrador should not be given to your Collie? This is why it is so important to call your vet before you dose! To see a full list of dogs that should not get this medication click the site below this paragraph. Notice that I said mutts as well because mutts are a mixture of dogs and one of those mixtures may be part of the listed breeds.
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcpl/breeds.aspx




Even though I have listed the below with dosing, contact your vet before use, talk about the dosing for your sized dog as well as what to watch for as it pertains to side effects. Your vet will know if any similar medication did not agree with your dog in the past or if there is potential for an allergic reaction. Hey, it’s only going to cost you a local phone call, but the wrong dosing can cost your dog its life!

                     This information is for DOGS only! Do not use this information for cats!




Aspirin/ASA
(Not Tylenol or Ibuprofen)

Aspirin Coated/buffered ~ given with food and should be used no more than a few days because it can cause stomach ulcers. See your Vet for a safer anti inflammatory if problems persist.

Side effects: Possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach ulcers. If you see vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or dark, sticky stools, STOP IMMEDIATELY and call your veterinarian.


Precautions: Do not use if your dog is allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs, or if your dog is on any other medications. If symptoms last more than 3 days, stop use and call your veterinarian.


Dose: 5 mg per pound of body weight every 12 hours. Give with food.

less than 10 lbs ~ ½ baby aspirin

10-20 lbs ~ 1 baby aspirin

30-50 lbs ~ ½ regular coated aspirin

50-100 lbs ~ 1 regular coated aspirin

Over 100 lbs ~ 2 regular coated aspirin


Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Acetaminophen~ NEVER without vet consult! Can be toxic to dogs (Acetaminophen is the main ingredient in Tylenol. )

Acetaminophen toxicity symptoms- 1st stage: Vomiting, dullness, difficulty breathing, brown gums, and drooling 2nd stage:  Facial swelling ( lips and limbs swelling) uncoordinated, convulsions, coma and possible death. 3rd stage: Liver failure, jaundice gums, eyes and skin, inappropriate mental condition.

For more information on Acetaminophen click here http://www.vetinfo.com/acetaminophen-toxicity-dogs.html

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen~ NEVER without vet consult! Can be toxic to dogs.

(Ibuprofen is the main ingredient in Motrin, Nuprin, Advil check all package ingredients if you suspect it has Ibuprofen in it)

Ibuprofen toxicity symptoms: vomiting, black tarry stool, vomiting blood, weakness, lethargy, dehydration, abdominal pain.

For more information click here
http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-safe-ibuprofen.html


Antihistamines (for allergies)


Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Make sure you use plain Benadryl and not Benadryl allergy/sinus. The allergy /sinus may contain additives such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen or decongestants. Also, Benadryl is a brand name so if you pick up a knock off of it to save money, read the package and make sure the only ingredient is diphenhydramine! Any other ingredient listed may not be safe for your dog.

(Side effects may be sleepiness, nausea and diarrhea).

For more Side effects and precautions click here http://www.marvistavet.com/html/benadryl.html

Dose: 2 mg per pound of body weight orally every 8 hours.



Anti diarrhea meds




Kaopectate/Imodium ~ do not give to Collies, Shelties, Australian shepherds or whippets as these breeds can have an adverse reaction to this medicine click below for information and other breeds this med should not be used with. http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcpl/

Caution: This should not be given to dogs with hypothyroidism, kidney disease, Addisons disease, elderly dogs or debilitated animals. Use with caution in animals with head injuries, lung disease, acute abdominal pain or liver disease. Precaution of overdose for dogs under 20 pounds.


For more precautions and side effects click here http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/loperamide-imodium/page1.aspx

1 teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight (or ½ to 1 ml per pound of body weight ) every 6 hours for 24 hours.




(pure canned pumpkin , not the pie filling, added to meals can also help with both diarrhea and constipation. 1 to 2 tablespoons for dogs over 50 lbs and 1 teaspoon for smaller dogs, this may be a safer alternative to otc drugs )



Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate, highly toxic to cats) Should not use if your dog is allergic to aspirin or other salicylates. May interact with tetracycline, steroids, non steroidal Anti inflammatory (nsaids) and aspirin. Do not give if your dog is on other medications.



Dosing : 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight, every 6 hours. The total dose for the day should be divided into four doses.

 Precautions/ and side effects http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/bismuth-subsalicylate-pepto-bismol-kaopectate/page1.aspx

 
 
 
Constipation



Metamucil (psyllium), this can also be used if your dog ate glass or other sharp object to hopefully encase the object and carry it safely through the dogs intestines. However it should not be used in dogs that have an intestinal obstruction. If you suspect your dog has eaten a non food item then it may be an obstruction rather than constipation.



Caution: water should always be made available when a dog is given this to prevent esophageal and intestinal obstruction. When this drug is given at the same time as digoxin (cardiac/heart) , salicylates, and nitrofurantoin, it can impair the absorption of these drugs.

Dosing: 1 to 5 grams per pound of body weight every 12 to 24 hours

Precautions and side effects http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/psyllium-metamucil-etc/page1.aspx



Cough medication




Robitussin DM (Dextromethorphan)

**Make sure the ONLY ingredient is dextromethorphan**

** Be sure it does not contain Acetaminophen  or Ibuprofen**



Used to soothe coughs due to kennel cough. Should not be used with dogs that have a hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug. Should not be used as treatment for chronic/persistent cough as it is only for temporary relief. Should not be used for coughing associated with heart disease, pneumonia or other lung diseases. Might interact with sedatives, tranquilizer, and barbiturates.

Do not use with anipryl (selegiline ) or Preventic tick collar)

1/4 teaspoon per 5 pounds of body weight (or 1 teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight) ~ every four hours



Side effects / precautions here http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/dextromethorphan-robitussin-dm/page1.aspx




Motion sickness






Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) this is an antihistamine that helps to prevent motion sickness. Precautions~ should not be used for dogs with glaucoma, seizure disorders, overactive thyroid, heart disease or high blood pressure.



Side effects~ sedation, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite

Dose: 2-4 mg per pound of body weight every 8 hours. Try to give at least one half hour before travel.

Small dogs~ 12.5 mgs ~ Medium dogs~ 25 mgs~

Large dogs~ 50 mgs



More on Dramamine here: http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/dimenhydrinate-dramamine/page1.aspx


Stomach upset of acid reflux



Pepcid AC (Famotidine) do not use if there is a hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug. Use caution for dogs with kidney or liver disease. If your dog is taking digoxin or ketoconazole, Pepcid may interfere with these medications

0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound of body weight every 12 to 24 hours



Pepcid Precautions and side effects here:
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/famotidine-pepcid/page1.aspx



Ranitidine (Zantac) Avoid for dogs with kidney or liver disease, known hyperactivity or allergy to the drug. Drug interactions with Theophylline, propranolol and some antacids.

(Ranitidine) 0.25 to 1 mg per pound of body weight.

Ranitidine precautions and side effect click here http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/ranitidine-hcl-zantac/page1.aspx




Famotidine (Pepcid AC) – Ranitidine (Zantac) dosing

Less than 20 lbs ¼ tablet       20-60- ½ tablet            Over 60lbs 1 tablet


Cimetidine (Tagamet) Caution with hypersensitivity, allergy of this drug. Should not be used with liver or kidney disease. Drug interactions: some antacids , metoclopramide, sucralfate, digoxinm and diazepam.

Precautions /side effects: http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/cimetidine-hcl-tagamet/page1.aspx  


Cimetidine (tagamet) dose: 3 to 5 mg per pound of body weight every 6 to 8 hours



Gas X (Simethicone)

Gas X can help not only with a gassy stomach or flatulence but also if you feel your dog is prone to Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat) it is a good medicine to keep in your dog first aid kit however contact vet before dosing for flatulence or irritable bowel syndrome.

Normal Gas X Dosing;

Large breed 1 adult dose

Medium dogs ½ adult dose

Small breed ¼ adult dose


For bloat emergency only! Bloat is mostly seen in large, deep chested, dogs. Give a double dose if you suspect bloat is happening as you transport your dog to the hospital. Symptoms of bloat are dry heaving, drooling, stomach bloating, and being unresponsive.


For information on bloat: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/bloat.html



Supplements and ointments



Glucosamine supplement

Glucosamine used in conjunction with Chondroitin can help joint pain from hip dysplasia, or arthritic joints. This product can Cause stomach/gastrointestinal upset. As for veterinary formula over human formula, the product Cosequin for animals has been verified to have the amount in it that it states it does. The human formulation of glucosamine /chondroitin may vary even it states there is a certain amount. Glucosamine comes in chewable tabs, regular tabs or capsules which can be sprinkled over the pets food.


Directions for Cosequin has the proper dosing on their product.

Glucosamine Dosing:

under 25 lbs~ 500 mgs

25-50lbs~ 1000 mgs

Over 50lbs~ 1500 mgs

 
Melatonin   (Used for noise anxiety /thunder/fireworks etc.)

May interact with traquilizers, corticosteroids or monomamine oxidase inhibitors used for behaviors

More on melatonin here:
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/melatonin-melatonex/page1.aspx

Small dogs~ 0.5 to 1 mg per dog every 8 hours

Medium~ 1 to 3 mg per dog every 8 hours

Large~ 3 to 9 mg per dog every 8 hours



Antibacterial soap can be used to clean wounds and is more effective and safer than hydrogen peroxide.


Triple antibiotic ointments

While this can be used for minor scrapes and wounds it is recommended that you see your vet for deeper bacterial infections. Never use an ointment with Zinc Oxide in it as this is toxic to dogs when ingested

Zinc toxicity here:  http://www.petplace.com/dogs/zinc-toxicity-in-dogs/page1.aspx


Emergency actions




Inducing vomiting

3 % Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean wounds or used as a means to make your dog vomit if the dog ingested something toxic. **Not all toxic substances should be vomited up as some can do more damage to the dog by coming back up than staying down. Always ask your vet or poison control hotline if you should induce vomiting for a toxic substance your dog may have gotten into.
**DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS DIRECTED TO! **

Dosing: 1 teaspoon 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 lbs of body weight to the back of the tongue to a maximum of 3 tablespoons. (3 US teaspoons =1 Tablespoon) If you have a syringe one teaspoon = 5 cc or 5 ml. if vomiting has not occurred in 15 to 20 minutes you can give this safely only one more time. Once you give it to the dog, jiggle the belly a bit and walk the dog around to get it mixed up in the stomach.

More information on inducing vomiting here http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-induce-vomiting-emesis-in-dogs/page1.aspx

                                                ASPCA at (888) 426-4435

                            Website: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

**Have a credit card ready!**













Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Low cost spay/neuter on cats Feb 5th Sunbury PA

Hello all, yeah , you saw correctly!  I said cats, and cats only, even though I am more of a dog person you cat lovers can't let this go by without a look see so I am putting it out over the airwaves of my dog blog. Besides, I do like cats, had one for 17 years, just that now I think a cat here would become dog food! So Here is the information which is put out by Robin Montgomery animal rescuer! Also shots for rabies and Distemper are being given. Schedulee a time though, don't just show up! 


Spay/Neuter Clinic


Saturday, Feb. 5th

For Cats Only

Cost is:

Male Cats $25

Female Cats $40
Rabies and Distemper shots are also available.

Mobile clinic will be in Sunbury from 9am till 4pm on Saturday, Feb 5th

Appointments are going fast!

To schedule a time please call 1-717-732-5377 please follow the prompts and leave a message or send an email to snapofpa@hotmail.com In your

e-mail please include how many cats you want to bring and make sure to put down that you want the Feb 5th date in Sunbury. Someone will email you back with the time for your appointment and directions to the clinic.

If you have any questions please call Tina at 850-0702.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Apartment life, what breed is good for you?


Steeler, Chance, & Bentley






I often hear this question “What breed would be suitable for apartment life?”

 There are many dogs that are suited to apartment life providing one is willing to give it proper exercise. This can mean anything from a long walk a few times a day to an all out jog up hill both ways!




It is always important to read about the breed you are looking at to match your own activity level as well know what the dog was bred to do. Dogs that were bred as companion animals would be the first breeds to look at for apartment life but does this mean other breeds can’t be considered as well? Obviously if you make plans to keep an active dog active, then there probably won’t be much of a problem.


Having a dog walker or investing in a doggie daycare center either a home based one or one on a larger scale, can make owning the breed you really want more achievable but do make such arrangements and have backup plans before you get the dog.


For the most part, depending on the breed of dog and the age, dogs can sleep up to 18 hours a day. If you are a stay at home person you may notice that the dog will only wake up out of curiosity to see where you are going. Some will stick to their owners like Velcro and those are the dogs you’ll see the most movement from and possibly the most destruction from when left alone. Dogs that are content and stable in their surroundings would more than likely just follow the owner around the house with its eyes rather than physical movement, keeping that comfortable, sleepy position! Again this will depend on the age of the dog.


Know that a young pup is going to need to go out and often, so if your elevator is broken and you mind trekking up and down apartment steps, don’t get a pup. Seek out an older dog from a breed rescue. Sadly, people are under the misnomer that older dogs come with lots of baggage and while some do, others do not drag their baggage to the new home, but welcome the change and relaxation a new home may offer.


I am owned by many Newfoundland’s and while they are huge dogs, as adults they don’t require a lot of exercise. Fifteen to twenty minutes in the yard a few times a day (if you are a walker, then a couple of walks a day would do) and they are ready to come back in and lay down.  As I write this, there are four out of five lying near my feet! Sleep space is more of a requirement around here! I actually think a Newf would like apartment life because they would not be thrown out in the back yard alone. They need to be within the family unit. It is when they are excluded from the family that they become the most destructive. However your universe may seem a bit smaller with a Newf taking up space in an apartment, thus they are not rated as dogs good for apartment living.


Some breeds are not in need of many outings for exercise, but are very active inside the home which may not be suitable for some apartment dwellers that don’t want a dog under their feet all the time.


Don’t mistake my saying good for apartments, with not being destructive! Any dog when left alone for a certain amount of time can be destructive out of boredom, it’s just that something like a Newfoundland can possibly chew their way through a whole couch rather then just chewing up a cushion!


So this is one more aspect of knowing the dog's needs and how to satisfy them, it’s not always about room per say. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can do right by a specific breed if you really can’t. That is not fair to the dog.


Dogs that were not bred to do a job such as a Shih Tzu or Bichon Frise are small, as is the West Highland Terrier but the first two were not bred for a job like the Westie, so it is not all about size. A Westie can tear your couch apart in an hour looking for vermin!


There are breeds that were bred to do a job but are still a bit more laid back than their ancestors. The Sussex Spaniel was bred to flush for the hunter, yet they make fine apartment dwellers as do Clumber Spaniels, where others in the hunting family really need to run and be kept active. If you’re looking for more of a couch potato then you will want a Clumber Spaniel over something else in that size range. There are also dogs that were bred for a specific job but don’t actually go into motion until they are put in that element for which they were bred.


With this in mind, there are dogs that might be couch potatoes inside the home, but exercise is still necessary, or as in other cases, the home is sufficient enough for them to get much of their exercise needs met because they are just as active inside the home.


Hmm, Newfie at 170 pounds or Shih Tzu at 16 pounds? I guess it depends on your taste and experience with dogs!

So below is a listing of apartment dwelling dogs, and remember it’s what you do with your dog that makes it the perfect companion.

Active inside dog means they can be satisfied roaming the apartment although it is advisable to take them out to meet people as well! After all, we don’t want your apartment to be just a bigger form of a cage!

(clicking on the breed you are interested in will bring to to a page with information about that breed)

Bassett hound ~ one of those breeds that can be a couch potato inside but will lead you through thick and thin if it picks up on a scent while outside. (example of being put in it's element)

Bichon Frise ~ active inside (meaning it can get the bulk of its exercise inside the home)

Boston Terrier~ moderate exercise

Brussels Griffon  ~active inside dog

Bulldog~ minimal exercise

Cavalier King Charles ~can take a  casual walk or be happy on a couch

Chihuahua ~active indoor


Clumber Spaniel ~~ not a jogging partner!

Dachshund~ moderate exercise

English Toy Spaniel~ moderate exercise

French Bulldog~ minimal exercise ~Lap warmer!

Leonburger (giant breed)~ moderate daily exercise

Miniature Pincher ~Moderate exercise

Norfolk Terrier ~adapts well to city or suburban

Norwich Terrier~ adapts well to city or suburban

Papillon ~indoor activity

Pekingese ~indoor active

Polish Lowland Sheepdog ~adapts to city or country

Pomeranian~ moderate exercise

Pug~ moderate exercise

Schipperke~ apartment or suburban

Shih Tzu ~ minimal exercise

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier ~can adapt to any environment

Sussex spaniel~ moderate

Toy Fox Terrier~ content on a couch but likes to explore outside

Xoloitzcuintli~ limited exercise

Yorkshire Terrier ~limited exercise




Newfoundland 175 pounds
 Steeler,Chance, Emma, & Abby