Sometimes
it may seem like a cute idea to give someone a pet as a Christmas present, but
it’s important to give that some extra thought before you do it. Most pets that
are given up lose their home because their owner loses interest in them or is
unprepared for the responsibility of pet ownership. This is a huge problem seen
among pet owners who receive their pets as “gifts.” Children especially are
given the mistaken idea that pets are all fun and games, but they are not fully
ready to take on the responsibility of feeding, walking, cleaning, and training
their pet.
Instead
of giving pets as presents, we recommend getting acclimated to the idea of
bringing a new pet into your home. Bringing your children to volunteer at an
animal shelter or babysitting the pet of a friend or family member can help.
Children and potential pet owners (no matter their age!) need to be reminded
that pets aren’t just cute; they are also hungry, need to exercise, and need to
use the bathroom. They can be messy when they aren’t fully trained, and the
training process can be difficult too.
Please,
don’t adopt until everyone in your family is READY.
You have a problem. Your cat is thinking outside the box, and not in a good way. You may be wondering what you did to inspire so much “creative expression.” Is your cat punishing you? Is Fluffy just “bad”? No, and no. House soiling and missing the litter box is a sign that your cat needs some help.
According to the Winn Feline Foundation, house soiling is the number one complaint among cat owners. The good news is that it is very treatable.
An accredited veterinarian can help you determine if the problem is medical or related to social or environmental stressors. In addition to a complete physical exam, the doctor will ask you specific “where and when” questions.
Health factors
Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, a specialist in feline urinary disorders at The Ohio State University, and founder of the Indoor Cat Initiative says that many veterinarians recommend a urine test for every cat with a house soiling problem. The urinalysis will determine if blood, bacteria, or urinary crystals are present — signs that your cat might have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
FLUTD is very common and can cause painful urination. Cats that begin to associate the litter box with pain will avoid it. Other medical possibilities include hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, and arthritis and muscle or nerve disorders that might prevent your cat from getting to the litter box in time.
Environmental factors
If there is no medical cause, the next step is to look at environmental factors.
Start with the litter box. Your cat might be avoiding the litter box because it is not cleaned well enough, you’ve changed the type of litter you use, or there is only one box for multiple cats.
Another possibility is that your cat is “marking” — spraying urine, typically on vertical objects such as walls and furniture, or in “socially significant” areas near doors or windows. Both male and female cats mark. The most common offenders are cats that have not been spayed or neutered.
Buffington says that stress can cause elimination problems too. For example, subtle aggression or harassment by other house cats or neighborhood cats may be an issue.
Even unremarkable changes in your home can make your cat anxious or fearful. Look around. Did anything change right before your cat started having problems? Did you get a new pet? A new couch? Maybe you just moved the old couch to a different part of the room, or had a dinner party. Cats are sensitive creatures and changes that seem small to you can throw your cat off his game. Check with your veterinarian about finding solutions that work for both you and your cat
Veterinarians see a lot of patients with ear infections. In
fact, it's the second most common reason for a client visit, according to pet
health insurer, VPI Pet Insurance. With ear problems prompting so many trips to
the vet, should ear cleaning be a necessary part of grooming your pet?
Generally, cleaning a
dog's ears on a routine basis is not necessary, according to Leonard Jonas,
DVM, MS, DACVIM, a veterinarian with Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat
Ridge, Colo. That's because animals have a naturally occurring self-cleansing
process.
"I've had pets my whole
life," Jonas said. "I don't remember ever routinely cleaning out
their ears."
However, that doesn't mean pet owners
should never take notice of their dog's ears. Certain breeds, lifestyles and
physical characteristics will make a dog more prone to what Jonas calls
"abnormal situations," in which the pet's normal homeostasis is
disrupted. This is when something, either systemically or locally in the ear,
interferes with the normal surface barrier defense system and the normal
cleaning process that keeps bacteria and yeast under control.
There are signs to
watch for if your pet is having an issue with its ears. These, according to
Jonas, include:
Shaking its head
Flapping its ears
Rubbing at its ears, either with a paw or by rubbing
against furniture or carpet
Self-massaging the ear to ease itch, pain or irritation
Debris and/or redness inside the ear
Sores inside the ear
Odor in the ear due to abnormal oils and bacteria
"If you [the pet owner] look in
the ear, you can see sometimes a lot of debris," said Jonas, explaining
what an ear with an infection or problem may look like. "Then [you] see
redness on the ear flaps (inside) or sores developing. And then there's also
odor that occurs when you have an abnormal ear."
Breeds to watch
There are certain breeds of dogs—such as Shar Peis, bulldogs and poodles—that
have narrow ear canals and have a higher chance of incurring ear issues.
Poodles, especially, have more hair in the canals, Jonas explained. "The
hair itself is not a problem, but if they've got something abnormal with their
whole defense system, all that extra hair in there makes it difficult."
Cocker spaniels are notorious for ear
problems, Jonas added.
When to clean your pet's ears
According to Jonas, it's best to consult your veterinarian before going forward
with an ear-cleaning regimen. Unlike cleaning the teeth, cleaning the ears does
not need be done regularly. If a pet owner suspects that something may be wrong
with the ear, it's advised to visit the veterinarian and establish whether the
dog's ear needs to be cleaned by the owner either routinely or for an
instructed period of time.
Cleaning the dog's ears without first
seeing a veterinarian is not a good idea, Jonas said, "because you don't
know what's going on inside. You don't know if there has been a ruptured ear
drum; you don't know if there's a stick or a stone or something stuck down
inside the ear that needs to be fished out by a veterinarian."
A veterinarian can diagnose the problem
and make the proper recommendations, which may be cleaning and/or medication.
Typically, there are two situations for
which a dog's ears would need to be cleaned regularly. The first is when a
veterinarian instructs for it to be done, and the second is when the dog is
frequently in water. "Water in their ears disrupts the normal defense
barrier system in that ear, and can make them prone to getting infections and
irritation and inflammation," Jonas said.
If there needs to be ear cleaning
A veterinarian should show the owner how to properly clean the dog's ears
because "there are a lot of different techniques, and it depends on what
the problem is," Jonas advised.
There are a couple of precautions to
always remember, according to Jonas. First, never use a Q-tip, because it tends
to push the wax and debris further into the ear. Second, be sure a groomer does
not pluck the hair out of the dog's ears, unless that hair is contributing to
an ear problem; Jonas believes that doing so may cause irritation.
One thing pet owners should also
consider is that if the dog has an ear infection, it could be very painful for
them. Forcing the dog to get its ears cleaned or putting medication in them can
be a dangerous situation for the owner and the dog.
"If your pet doesn't want you to
do it, don't, because it hurts," Jonas said. "You're just going to
create a problem, and you need to look to alternatives."
Unfortunately, the only thing normal about noisy breathing
for dogs with "pushed-in" faces is that it is an expected response to
a shortened upper jaw, which creates excess soft tissue in the back of the
throat.
Some dogs are
affected to the point where they experience brachycephalic (the scientific term
for breeds with pushed in faces) obstructive airway syndrome or BOAS. If left
untreated, problems can get worse to the point where an animal can collapse due
to a lack of oxygen.
Owners of affected dogs may be putting
them at risk if they do not recognize the problem and seek treatment, according
to researchers Rowena Packer, Dr. Anke Hendricks and Dr. Charlotte Burn of the
United Kingdom's Royal Veterinary College.
In their 2012 study, the researchers
discovered that owners of such dogs as pugs, English bulldogs, Pekingese,
French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Shih tzus and
others were not aware of the signs of BOAS. In fact, 58% of surveyed owners
said their dogs did not have breathing problems even when more than two-thirds
of the dogs showed difficulties during exercise.
What to watch for
According to Packer, while it is not yet known which are the best predictors of
BOAS, signs to look for include:
Increased and abnormal breathing noise that sounds like
snoring, both when the dog is awake and asleep
A shortness of breath while exercising or playing
Effortful, labored breathing with obvious abdominal
movements
Interrupting exercise, play or eating to catch their
breath
Inability to exercise for reasonable periods of time
without becoming out of breath
Difficulty cooling down after a walk; panting for long
periods
Physical collapse while exercising
Difficulty sleeping and/or periods where the dog stops
breathing during sleep
Restlessness and difficulty getting comfortable at
rest, stretched out head and neck position, forelegs spread and body flat
against the floor
Gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as difficulty
swallowing, and bringing up food, stomach content or a lot of saliva.
"If you notice these signs, take
your dog to your veterinarian for an assessment to learn whether they are
compatible with the disease or due to a different problem," says
Hendricks.
"If left to develop," says
Burn, "BOAS can lead to secondary problems due to the effort required to
breathe—putting pressure on the voice box, digestive system and heart. In
addition, the more severe the breathing problems, the greater the severity of
GI signs. They may reflect inflammation of the esophagus, stomach ulcers and,
in some cases, hiatal hernias, when part of the stomach can become displaced
into the chest cavity during breathing."
Option for severe BOAS
If your veterinarian believes the dog may have BOAS that requires treatment, he
or she may refer you to a veterinary surgical specialist. There, the dog's
airway is likely to be examined under general anesthesia to assess whether it
shows the abnormalities associated with BOAS—an elongated soft palate,
collapsing voice box and narrowed nostrils.
If present, these abnormalities would
be surgically corrected, says Packer. That could mean, for example, that excess
tissue in the nose and throat would be removed.
Surgery may improve clinical signs, she
says, but the dog may never be "normal," because of the head
structure and is likely to remain susceptible to heat stress.
For severely affected dogs, where
significant secondary problems have occurred—for example, severe laryngeal
collapse—then treatment choices may be limited. In some cases, either permanent
tracheostomy or euthanasia may be recommended.
"That is why it is vital,"
says Hendricks, "that owners recognize the clinical signs of BOAS and
perceive them to be a ‘problem' as early as possible, so that these secondary
changes can be avoided by early intervention."
Options for mildly
affected dogs
For all dogs, including those that have had surgery or have been determined by
a veterinarian to only be mildly affected, owners can help with some lifestyle
changes, says Burn. Owners should do the following:
Closely monitor the dog to keep it at a healthy weight.
Being overweight or obese can exacerbate the condition.
Use body harnesses rather than collars on walks so the
airway is not compressed by a neck collar if the dog pulls at the leash.
Avoid walking on hot or humid days. On particularly
warm days, keep dogs calm and indoors in a cool, aerated room with access
to water.
Avoid having dogs in particularly stressful or exciting
situations.
The temperature is soaring, and it’s
only going to get hotter. Make sure you know how to keep your cat safe in the
summer heat.
Watch out forheatstroke. Symptoms
include panting, lethargy, drooling, fever, vomiting and collapse. If you
think your cat may have heatstroke, get the vet ASAP — the condition can
cause permanent organ damage and death. Learn more about heatstroke in
pets.
Offer your cat several ways to
cool off. Leave a fan on
in a place where your cat can sit in front of it, add some ice cubes to
her water or offer her a cool treat (check out our recipe for catsicles.)
Letyour cat find cool spots in
the house. Your cat will seek out the cooler parts of your home, so
make sure she has access to areas with tile floors or rooms that don’t get
much sun.
Play in the morning or evening. Any exercise should take place
during the cooler hours of the day. This is especially important for young
kittens and seniors, both of whom are very vulnerable to heatstroke. (If
your cat has just eaten, make sure you give her some time to digest before
you begin playtime.)
Pets aren’t always easy to take care of, and they often require a
substantial time commitment (something you’re all too aware of at, say, 3 a.m.,
when Bing Clawsby is finally ready to go outside and do his business). But pets
provide an amazing return on that time investment, especially when it comes to
your health. Case in point: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and
triglyceride levels than non-pet owners. But that’s not all. Pets also model
many surprisingly healthy behaviors that humans would do well to emulate. Here
are just a few, according to veterinarians, dog trainers, and other pet
experts.
1. They focus on what matters most. You may get grumpy after a bad
day at the office, but your pooch never does. “Companion animals mostly care
about food, love, and shelter (not always in that order). As long as they have
those things, they don’t need much else,” Mary Gardner, DVM, a veterinarian and
cofounder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice tells Yahoo Health. “Pets also
don’t complain much at all. People believe they hide their pain; I simply think
they manage it differently.” If humans could model these behaviors, Gardner
adds, we’d be healthier, happier, “and more people would want to be around
us.”
2. They practice portion control (even if not by choice). Snowball
might not want to limit her kibble intake any more than you want to limit your
tortilla-chip intake. Nonetheless, she typically eats reasonably sized helpings
of nutritionally balanced food — and never gets to eat straight out of the bag.
Follow her lead. “Both animals and people need structure and regulation when it
comes to portion size,” says Jme Thomas, executive director of Motley Zoo
Animal Rescue based in Redmond, Washington.
3. They know how to de-stress. Your pooch doesn’t pour a glass of
cabernet when the going gets rough (though, yes, it would make a very popular
YouTube video if she did). She may, however, start begging for a walk or to
play a game. Smart dog! “Actively seeking healthy activities — that function as
de-stressors when stress levels are high — helps to reset people as well as dogs,
and bring us back to a productive and functional status, from which many things
feel a lot more ‘do-able,’” Marisa Scully, a certified dog behavior specialist
in Philadelphia, tells Yahoo Health.
4. They hit the hay. People don’t get enough sleep: According to a
2014 survey by the National Sleep Foundation, 45 percent of Americans said that
a lack of sleep had impaired their activities at least once in the previous
week. Learn from your cat or dog, who knows just how important it is to get
enough shut-eye, says Jeff Werber, VVM, president and chief veterinarian of
Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles. “Whether it’s a lazy dog day
afternoon, or a quick cat nap, you won’t find them burning the candles at both
ends.” 5. They stretch! There’s a reason one of the most common yoga moves is
named downward dog. Dogs (and cats) stretch constantly — and we should do the
same, notes certified dog behavior consultant Russell Hartstein. Why?
Stretching can improve flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
6. They’re open to new things. Animals are naturally curious.
“Open a box or empty a bag and before you know it, your cat will have climbed
in to investigate. Walk your dog past a gardener planting flowers and chances
are she will check it out before moving on,” Werber says. “And they’re always
up for some fun. A game of catch, a walk, a visit — bring it on.” Since
research has found that seeking out new experiences can keep people feeling
young and healthy, we’d do well to follow suit.
7. They’re comfortable getting zen. Numerous studies have found a
correlation between mindful meditation and reduced stress, decreased heart
disease, and a stronger immune response — and that’s something your cat already
knows how to do instinctively. “Each morning I sit on the sofa with my cat,
Turtle, while I drink my first cup of coffee,” says Kristen Levine, a pet
living expert. “We spend about 10 minutes together, her getting neck and head
rubs, me enjoying her purring and having a few meditative moments at the start
of the day.It sounds simple, and it can be, but depending on the activity, it
can have a powerfully relaxing or invigorating effect for both human and
critter.”
Science is proving what pet
owners have long believed: Dogs understand what we're feeling. Specifically, dogs
can recognize the difference between a happy and an angry human face, a study
published Thursday in Current Biology suggests.
It's the first research to show definitively that dogs are
sensitive to our facial expressions, says coauthor Ludwig Huber, head of
comparative cognition at Messerli Research Institute at the University of
Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.
In the Austrian study, 20 pet dogs of various breeds and sizes
were taught to play a computer game through a series of exercises. In the
first, the dogs were shown two touch screens, one with a circle and one with a
square. Through trial and error, they learned that a treat would appear if they
chose the right geometrical figure.
Eleven of the 20 dogs were able to catch on to rules of the game
and make it to the next phase, where they were shown photos of faces. Half the
dogs were rewarded for picking a happy expression and half for choosing an
angry expression. The interesting catch: the dogs were shown only the upper
half or the lower half of a face.
It was easier to teach the
dogs to choose a happy expression than an angry one, suggesting the dogs do
indeed understand the meaning behind the expression, Huber says.
As a test, the dogs were then were presented with:
the same half of the faces they saw during the training, but
from different people
the other half of the faces used in training
the other half of new faces
the left half of the faces used in training
In the vast majority of cases the dogs chose the right answer 70 to 100 percent
of the time.
Dogs who had been trained to recognize an expression of anger or
happiness on the upper part of a face could identify the same expression when
shown only the lower part, and vice versa, Huber says, adding “the only
possible explanation is that they recall from memory of everyday life how a
whole human face looks when happy or angry.”
Dog owners know their pets not only recognize emotions but also
feel empathy.
Delilah, a 3-year-old Chihuahua, always seems to know when her
owner Eva Shure is having a bad day.
Delilah knows when her owner is having a bad day.
Making eye contact and cocking her head to the right, the little dog will stare
at Shure's face as if trying to assess her feelings. “It’s weird, I can see her
thinking and processing,” says Shure, a 35-year-old New York City business
owner. “I’ll say, yeah, it’s not a great day and she’ll come up and sit next to
me.”
Beverly Levreault, 57, says her 6-year-old Australian Cattle Dog
mix is always tuned in to her moods. “If I’m not feeling well, like when I have
the flu, Lacey is definitely lower key and will not leave my side, ” says
Levreault, a graphic designer from Williamstown, New York. “If I take her for a
walk, she’s not as rambunctious as she usually is.”
Lynette Whiteman says she’s not sure that her 5-year-old
Yorkie-Maltese cross is using facial expressions to gauge how she feels. “But
she definitely reads my emotions,” says the 58-year-old from Toms River, New
Jersey. “I run a therapy dog program and the dogs are just amazing. They go
into a room and immediately pick out the person who needs help.”
Behavioral experts say the new findings, while important,
wouldn’t surprise anyone with an intimate knowledge of dogs.
Coco and Lynettte
"This new work continues to build the case for just how sensitive dogs are
to our subtle behaviors,” says Dr. Brian Hare, chief scientific officer at
Dognition and an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke
University. “This is the strongest evidence yet that dogs are even reading our
facial expressions.”
That sensitivity may be the
result of generations of selective breeding for a true partner, says Dr. Carlo
Siracusa, director of the behavior service at the University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine. “We have selected animals that are able to
perceive our emotions and communicate with us at a level that no other animal
can,” Siracusa says.
Dogs may not talk, but they are very good communicators, says
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a professor in the department of clinical sciences at the
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and director of the
animal behavior clinic at Cummings.
“Just as we are masters of the spoken word, dogs are experts at
reading body language,” Dodman says.
“It’s almost impossible to hide your feelings from a dog.”
Turns out, reading facial expressions isn’t the only thing dogs
have in common with us.
They can be bitten by the computer gaming bug. “They can really
become freaks for it,” Huber says with a chuckle. “They don’t want to stop
playing. It’s incredible. They’ll play till they are exhausted and fall
asleep.”
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused by
leakage of the digestive enzymes and causing the pancreas to "digest
itself." Pancreatitis can be acute (sudden) or chronic (happening over a
course of time.) Both acute and chronic forms are serious and can be
life-threatening. Middle-aged dogs appear to be at increased risk of developing
pancreatitis. Certain breeds are more prone to the disease, particularly
Schnauzers and Yorkshire terriers.
Pancreatitis is more common in overweight dogs. When pancreatitis occurs in an
overweight dog it is more likely to cause serious illness.
Causes of Pancreatitis
Multiple factors can contribute to the development of
pancreatitis including:
Certain medications: The medications most suspected of
causing pancreatitis include azathioprine (Imuran Rx), potassium bromide (used
for seizure control), l-asparaginase (a chemotherapeutic agent) and zinc used
as a dietary supplement.
Infections
Metabolic
disorders: Including hyperlipidemia (high amounts of lipid in the blood)
and hypercalcemia (high amounts of calcium in the blood)
Obesity
Trauma
and shock
Scorpion
stings
Nutrition also plays a major role. Dogs with high-fat diets,
dogs that have recently eaten the trash, are fed table scraps, or 'steal'
greasy people food have a higher incidence of the disease. In addition, dogs
that have previously had pancreatitis or abdominal surgery appear to be more at
risk.
Preventing Pancreatitis
Because fatty foods are a common cause of pancreatitis, it
is good to limit the amount of fat in your dog?s diet. Be especially careful
around the holidays as extra table scraps and fat trimmings in the garbage can
trigger pancreatitis.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
The signs can vary from mild gastrointestinal upset to
collapse and death. However, most dogs have some signs of GI upset, such as:
Vomiting
Not
eating
Painful
abdomen, hunched appearance
Fever
or below-normal body temperature
Diarrhea
Depression
Dehydration
which can be evaluated by noting sunken eyes, dry mouth, and increased
skin turgor (skin tents when pinched)
Difficulty
in breathing
Heart
arrhythmias
Inflammation
of organs that surround the pancreas
Infection
and hemorrhages throughout the body
All or some of the signs may be present with pancreatitis, but are not specific
for pancreatitis, and can be seen with many gastrointestinal diseases and
conditions.
Diagnosing Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can be diagnosed by looking at blood
chemistries and biopsies. While biopsy is the gold standard, unless surgery is
called for, these are not generally performed because of their invasive nature.
Treating Pancreatitis
The goal of treatment is to rest the pancreas, provide
supportive care and control complications. If vomiting is severe, treatment
usually consists of withholding all food, water, and oral medications for 24
hours to stop the stimulation of the pancreas. Depending on the dog's response,
food can be reintroduced after a day. At that time, the dog should be fed
small, bland, easily digestible meals that are high-carbohydrate, low-fat. Over
a period of a week, meal size and quantity of food can be increased. The dog
may need to stay on a special diet for life, or it may be possible to gradually
reintroduce the former diet. High-fat diets or treats should be avoided. Since
dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common in dogs with acute
pancreatitis and water intake is often restricted, fluid therapy is usually
needed. Fluids are either given subcutaneously or intravenously.
Dogs that experience severe pain can be treated with pain
relievers such as meperidine or butorphanol. Antibiotics are often administered
prophylactically to protect against infection. If the pancreatitis was caused
by a medication, the medication should be stopped. If it was caused by a toxin,
infection, or other condition, the appropriate therapy for the underlying
condition should be started. In rare instances where there are intestinal
complications or the development of a pancreatic abscess, surgery may be
necessary.
Caring for Dogs with Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can be a very unpredictable disease. In most
cases, if the pancreatitis was mild and the pet only had one episode, chances
of recovery are good and avoiding high fat foods may be all that is necessary
to prevent recurrence or complications. In other cases, what appears to be a
mild case may progress, or may be treated successfully only to have recurrences,
sometimes severe. Dogs with severe pancreatitis can recover, but may also
develop fatal complications. The risk of developing fatal pancreatitis is
increased in dogs that are overweight, or have diabetes mellitus,
hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal tract disease, and
epilepsy. Dogs that suffer repeated bouts of pancreatitis may need to be fed
low-fat diets to prevent recurrence.
Some dogs develop chronic pancreatitis, which can lead to
diabetes mellitus and/or pancreatic insufficiency, also called maldigestion
syndrome. In pancreatic insufficiency, the nutrients in food are passed out in
the feces undigested. Dogs with this disease often has a ravenous appetite,
diarrhea, and weight loss. Even though he is eating, he could literally starve
to death. Treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is lifelong and expensive, but
is possible. The dog?s digestive enzymes are replaced through a product
processed from pancreases of hogs and cattle which contain large quantities of
the digestive enzymes. A change in diet with added nutritional supplements may
also be necessary.
Does your dog growl or bark when a stranger approaches your house or when something goes bump in the night? If so, you’re not alone.
Most dogs will vocalize when they are exposed to new or different situations, including strange people or animals entering their territory; being separated from their pack, mother or even your family members; or new or alarming sounds.
Dogs may also bark or growl when they see prey, such as squirrels, and they may bark for attention, food or if they are anxious.
Dogs often growl when they are fearful or trying to assert themselves in a situation. If the dog’s fear or assertiveness is alleviated by growling or barking, the dog will learn that his behavior is acceptable and the behavior may become more frequent or severe. Some medical problems may cause growling or barking and older pets experiencing senile changes may have barking problems. Intense and continuous barking may be considered compulsive.
Check with your veterinarian to evaluate your pet’s barking or growling problem. Behavior training and drug therapy may be helpful in reducing barking for pets with medical, geriatric and compulsive disorders.
Socializing your puppy can help Acclimate your puppy to a variety of different people, environments, situations and noises to help lessen anxiety as your puppy grows. Make sure your puppy spends time alone so that he doesn’t develop separation anxiety while you are away from him. Proper training is essential to preventing behavior problems, such as growling and barking. Ask you veterinarian for more information about puppy training.
Correcting a barking or growling problem first requires that you have effective management of your dog. Once you have achieved this, you can begin to train your dog to lessen his barking or growling behavior by using rewards for quiet behavior. The reward should be something that the dog really likes such as a favorite treat, tummy rubs, or a favorite toy. Punishment is generally ineffective in correcting barking problems.
Too much punishment may even exacerbate the behavior and cause the dog to be fearful or aggressive. Begin your training with situations that you can easily control (such as a family member making a noise that causes the dog to bark) before moving on to difficult situations (such as a strange animal in your yard).
When your dog barks at the stimuli (for instance, a doorbell ring), immediately interrupt the barking. When the dog is quiet offer the dog a reward for their behavior. Without the reward there is no incentive to remain quiet.Reward your dog when, at your request, he has stopped barking. Only reward the dog when he is quiet and gradually increase the amount of time that the dog needs to be quiet for him to receive a reward. As the barking or growling problem decreases, make sure to direct your dog to more appropriate behavior, such as play, and the problem should lessen over time. Don't forget to discuss training options with your veterinarian to find the one that will work best for your pet.
It's summertime and the living is easy, but summer fun also brings
some inherent dangers to be aware of. Dog owners need to take extra
responsibility to make sure their pup is safe when temperatures heat up and
outdoor activity beckons.
Everyone knows you should never leave a dog in a hot car, but it's
also important to be aware that your pup can get heatstroke while they're
outside.
Heat Hazards
If your dog is outside on a hot day, make
sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Doghouses are not good shelter during the
summer as they can trap heat. You may want to fill a child's wading pool with
fresh water for your dog to cool off in. Never leave your dog in a closed
vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees
in a matter of minutes. Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water. Avoid
strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or
evenings, when the sun's heat is less intense. Try to avoid prolonged exposure
to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws. Dogs that are
brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and
Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as
efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with
air-conditioning. Lisa and I just got back from visiting our friends in Wilmington, N.C.
where we were lucky enough to spend a few glorious days boating and going to
the beach. You would be amazed at how many boating dogs there were, it seemed
everywhere I looked there was a dog on a boat. While on the beach an endless
number of dogs were running, playing, and splashing around. So, next I thought
it would be a good idea to go over some safety tips for those planning on
taking Fido to the beach.
Beach Tips
Make sure your dog has a shady spot to
rest in and plenty of fresh water. Dogs, especially those with short hair,
white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit your dog's exposure during the day
and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside. Check
with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for sea lice
and jellyfish. Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of
shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog's
activity. Do not let your dog drink seawater; the salt will make him sick. Salt
and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog's coat, so rinse him off
at the end of the day. Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances
before heading out. Since we're talking about the beach this naturally leads us
to our final tip, water safety. Remember, while you may enjoy swimming, your
dog may not. For those that do, it's important they are not allowed to swim
without supervision. It sounds obvious, but every year dogs drown due to owner
negligence.
Water Safety
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot
swim, and others may hate the water. Be conscious of your dog's preferences and
skills before trying to make him swim. If you're swimming for the first time
with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him in by calling his name.
Encourage him with toys or treats. Or, let him follow another experienced dog
he is friendly with. Never throw your dog into the water. If your dog begins to
paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly
catch on and keep his back end up. Don't let your dog overdo it; swimming is
very hard work and he may tire quickly. If swimming at the ocean, be careful of
strong tides. If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the
stairs or ladder are located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place;
dogs have been known to slip in under openings in the covers and drown. Never
leave your dog unattended in water.
Summer is the time when ticks and fleas
are out in full force, it's important that your pets be treated. If you're not
sure about what to use contact your veterinarian for advice. Dogs can also have
more allergies in the summer so you need to be aware of the signs so you can
seek proper treatment. Lastly, with more outdoor activities comes more
accidents. Knowing how to care for your dog in case of an emergency can
potentially save his or her life.
Nothing says it better than the horror story from Hurricane Floyd:
A man was leaving his flooded home when he noticed a neighbor’s dogs swimming
in circles around the yard. Wondering why the dogs didn’t simply swim to
safety, the man swam over to investigate. To his horror, he found that the dogs
had been left chained to a stake in the yard and were swimming frantically just
to stay alive. He was able to rescue the dogs, but stories such as this
pointedly demonstrate the need for to you to have a good action plan in place
in case a natural disaster strikes your home. In this case, the dogs’ owner
most likely had been told to leave everything behind and flee as quickly as
possible. Unfortunately, his dogs nearly lost their lives as a result.
In the event of an emergency, your life and your family’s lives
are the first you should be concerned with. You should only look to save your
animals once you are sure you and your family will be safe. But once you are
safe, you most likely will want to ensure the safety of your pets. Are you
prepared?
Consider your location
First things first. You can only be prepared with a plan of action
if you know what you’re planning for, so take some time to think about the area
you live in. Some areas are naturally prone to certain disasters California’s
earthquakes, for example. Find out what types of disasters have previously
struck your area hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, etc.
Contacting your local emergency management office or Red Cross will help you to
identify what could affect your particular neighborhood. You should also plan
for non-natural disasters fires, gas leaks, chemical spills, etc. If, for
example, there’s a big chemical processing plant in your area, then you need to
be aware of the possible dangers so that you can react if need be. No matter
where you live, you’ve got your own special brand of disaster just around the
corner, and it may strike at any time.
If You Leave, They Leave
In the event that you have to leave your home, take your pets with
you. If it isn’t safe for you to be there, it isn’t safe for them either. Too
often people rationalize that their pets’ instincts will kick in, and they’ll
be okay. Even if your cat, who has spent the last six years of his life hunting
only the fake mice you pull around on a string for him, does have the instincts
to survive, it doesn’t mean that the conditions are survivable. No drinkable
water for you means no drinkable water for him too. Of course, you have to have
somewhere to take your four-legged friends--Red Cross disaster shelters cannot
accept pets. Make a list of all the places with in a 100-mile radius of your
home where you might be able to take your pet if the need arises, include
boarding facilities, veterinarians with boarding capabilities, hotels that will
accept pets (ask if they’ll allow pets during a disaster situation), and animal
shelters. (Use animal shelters only as a last resort, as they will be
overburdened with other animals whose owners did not plan for them). Also, you
need to gather your critters inside the house as soon as you are aware that you
may have to leave, so that you can easily get them when it’s time to go. Then,
when you do leave, make sure you have your little friends under firm
control--even the best behaved dog can become scared during an emergency,
making his behavior less than predictable.
Be prepared
Like a Boy Scout, you should always be prepared. This means having
a disaster kit in your home as well as a smaller version in the trunk of your
car if your pet routinely rides with you. Make sure that your pet’s kit is
contained in something that is easy to pick up quickly and take out the door
with you. You should replace this food and water every six months and rethink
your pet’s needs for the kit once a year to make sure that the supplies meet
your current needs the same collar that fits your new kitten is not likely to
fit him a year later.
The kit should include a week’s supply of food and water in
nonbreakable, airtight containers to ensure safety and freshness. If you pack
canned food you’ll want to make sure you have a hand-held can opener too. And
don’t forget a plastic dish that can double as a food and water dish. An extra
collar and leash are also important things to have in your kit. You should also
have a portable kennel for each of your critters handy. The San Francisco
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that the official Red
Cross policy is that there are no animals allowed in emergency shelters, but
they have been known to make exceptions if the animal is securely confined.
Pets such as birds will obviously have to have a carrier of some sort as they
cannot be leashed. You will want to make certain that you have a well-stocked
first-aid kit for your pet that includes tweezers, gauze bandages, first aid
cream, antiseptic spray, and hydrogen peroxide. Ask your veterinarian about
storing any medications that your pet may need to take regularly.
All the right papers
Many people have their home telephone numbers on their pets’ ID
tags. You may want to have an extra set of tags made that list the number of a
friend or family member outside the area so that if your phone lines are down,
or you’ve been evacuated, your pets can still make it back to you. Another
option is to simply include an out-of-area number on your pets’ everyday tag,
which can be useful if you’re away on vacation too. And many people don’t have
tags for their cats at all, even though they should. According to the 1996
National Council on Pet Population Study, out of one million dogs and 580,000
cats that were taken in as strays, only 17 percent of the dogs and two percent
of the cats made it back to their owners. The American Humane Association
strongly believes that tags are your pets’ ticket home. You may also want to
consider having your pet microchipped or tattooed. And finally, don’t forget
the paperwork. Have a copy of your pet’s recent vaccination records in your
kit--some boarding facilities may require them before they will take your pet
in. A recent picture of your pet may also come in handy if you should become
separated and need to make "Lost" posters. Hopefully you won’t ever
have to put them up, and hopefully you’ll never have to use your disaster plan.
But if you do ever need it, you’ll be very thankful that you were prepared; it
could make a trying time a bit easier for you and your faithful companion.
Everyone loves spring, with gorgeous flowers in bloom. It’s important to remember though that some plants can be toxic to pets. We recommend taking extreme caution when choosing the plants for your garden, ensuring that no plants that are toxic to your pets will be near where they like to play.
The month of February, seems to be all about love, and our pets are no exceptions. Today is Love Your Pet Day! Give a special treat to your pet or just some extra cuddle time today. We also share in your love for your pets!
“My pet would
never knock over the Christmas tree!”
“My pet would
never bite someone!”
We all know our
pets pretty well, but what we don’t always realize is that stress can make
anybody do crazy things! When you have holiday guests or flashing Christmas lights
or loud holiday music—or all of the above—at your house all at once, your pet
may get stressed and frustrated, causing them to act out in unexpected ways.
Most pet accidents are met with the statement, “He’s never done anything like
that before!”
We recommend
always making sure that your pet has a safe place to sit and relax during your
holidays parties. Just like some people, pets need to get away from the action
and de-stress, but most of the time they don’t know how to ask for their space.
If your pet is comfortable in their crate, we recommend moving it into a quiet
room and letting them spend some time resting during your holiday
get-togethers. Your pet will be happier, and by extension, you and your guests
will be happier! And holiday disasters will be prevented.
If your pet’s nose goes in the trash on a regular basis, be extra careful during the holidays! The trash will be extra interesting when filled with holiday scraps, but it will also be more dangerous. Keep those garbage can lids on tight!
Diabetes mellitus, the medical name for diabetes, is a disease caused by a
lack of insulin, or the inability of the body to utilize the insulin properly,
that affects the level of glucose, or sugar, in your dog or cat’s blood. The
glucose comes from the food that your pet eats. The food is broken down into
very small components by the pet’s digestive system so their bodies can use it
for energy. Glucose is one of these components, and an important source of
energy.
Glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream where it
travels to cells throughout the body. Insulin is required for the cells to
absorb glucose. Insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to the amount
of glucose in the bloodstream. Healthy pets produce insulin easily, but pets
with diabetes don’t. In canine and feline diabetes, unused glucose builds up in
the bloodstream.
Is diabetes in my pet the same as diabetes in people?
The two conditions are very similar. In fact, your veterinarian will be
using medication, equipment, and monitoring systems that are similar to those
used for diabetic people.
How common is diabetes in dogs and cats?
Diabetes usually affects less than 1% of dogs and cats. But experts believe
that it is on the rise.
Can diabetes lead to other health problems?
Yes. Dogs and cats with diabetes can develop other health problems, usually
after living with diabetes for a year or more. For dogs, a common complication
of diabetes is cataract formation. Persistently high blood glucose levels can
make the lens of the eye opaque, causing blindness. For cats, weakness of the
hind legs is a common complication. Persistently high blood glucose levels may
damage nerves, causing weakness and muscle wasting. For both dogs and cats,
controlling high blood glucose levels can lead to healthier outcomes. For this
reason, early diagnosis of diabetes in your dog or cat is important.
Will diabetes affect my dog or cat’s life expectancy?
Today, with effective treatment and monitoring, a diabetic dog or cat should
have the same life expectancy as a non-diabetic dog or cat of the same age.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment helps diabetic pets maintain a good
quality of life.
Is my dog or cat at risk for diabetes?
While diabetes has been diagnosed in dogs and cats of all ages, genders, and
breeds, certain pets are at greater risk for the disease.
Risk factors in dogs
Age (middle-aged to older
dogs are more affected)
Unspayed females
Genetics
Obesity
Breed—these breeds have a higher risk for developing diabetes:
Cocker Spaniels
Dachshunds
Doberman Pinschers
German Shepherds
Golden Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers
Pomeranians
Terriers
Toy Poodles
Risk factors in cats
Age (older cats are more
susceptible)
Neutered males
Genetics
Other insulin-resistant
disorders or diseases, such as chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the
pancreas) or hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones)
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Indoor lifestyle
Are there warning signs I should be aware of?
Some common signs of diabetes in dogs and cats include:
Excessive thirst
Excessive urination—your pet
produces more urine per day or has “accidents” in the house (dogs) or outside
the litterbox (cats)
Excessive hunger while losing
weight
Lethargy (less active/sleeps
more)
Cloudy eyes (dogs)
Doesn’t groom (cats)
Thinning, dry, and dull hair
How will my veterinarian test my pet for diabetes?
Your veterinarian may begin by performing a general health examination and
asking questions about any signs your pet may be displaying. Then, a sample of
your pet’s urine will be tested for the presence of glucose (a type of sugar)
or ketones (acids produced by the body as it breaks down fat instead of glucose
for energy). If glucose is present in your pet’s urine, your veterinarian will
then test your pet’s blood to determine the blood glucose level. A diabetes
diagnosis is considered definite when persistently high glucose levels are found
in both the blood and urine.
How do I take care of a pet with diabetes?
Although there is no cure for diabetes, the disease can be successfully
managed with the help of your veterinarian. Daily insulin
injections are usually required to restore a pet’s insulin level and control
blood glucose levels. Many owners are anxious about giving injections, but it’s
easier than you think, and you can quickly learn how to handle the dosing
routine with little stress for you or your pet. Diet plays a
vital role in helping to keep your pet’s diabetes regulated.
Your veterinarian can recommend a diet that’s best suited to the needs of
your pet. A high-quality, consistent source of protein is an essential part of
any diabetic diet. High-protein, low-carbohydrate foods are
currently recommended for diabetic cats because they provide the extra energy
cats need to get through their active days, without the extra carbs that can
turn into excess sugar. It is important to feed your pet based on its ideal
body weight.
Consistent timing and size of meals is also very important. Exercise
can help dogs with diabetes, but it needs to be regulated because activity
affects blood glucose levels. It’s best to create a consistent exercise routine
for your diabetic dog and stick to it. (There is no clear recommendation for
exercise in diabetic cats because their activity is difficult to regulate.) Regular
veterinary checkups can help identify changes in your pet’s condition
and help you to manage this disease successfully over time.
Managing your dog or cat’s diabetes will require some effort, but the
rewards are well worth it. Pets whose diabetes is under control have normal
thirst, appetite, urination, and activity levels. Their weight is generally
stable and they are less likely to develop complications.
Where can I learn more about diabetes in dogs and cats?
The following websites provide useful information:
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