Take It All Off!

Five things you can do to protect your dog.

By Nancy Kerns

I was pretty traumatized recently by a phenomenon I had heard about many times but had never before seen: the intense, chaotic, life-or-death struggle that ensues when one dog gets his jaw stuck in another dog’s collar.
Continued...

Here are five things you can do to keep your dog safe when he’s playing with other dogs.

1. Play Naked! Remove your dog’s collar or harness. A harness may not present the same choking hazard as a collar if another dog got tangled in it, but on the other hand, a harness has many more straps to get caught in.

2. Use a Collar With a Quick-Release Buckle. If you’re nervous about having your dog naked (and without ID), use a collar with a buckle that can be released even under tension. Another option is a safety breakaway collar, such as Premier Pet Product’s KeepSafe Break-Away Collar (see premierpet.com or call 800-933-5595).

3. Don’t Allow Your Dog to Play With Dogs Who Are Wearing Gear. At times, this may mean your dog won’t be able to play at a dog park, because it’s nearly impossible to get everyone to comply with sensible rules at a dog park. If I had a young dog who really liked wrestling and mouthing other dogs, I just wouldn’t take him to a dog park that was crowded with collar- and harness-wearing dogs. Not after what I saw.

4. Spread The Word. I’m now telling every dog owner I know about the way, the truth, and the light. Many people have never considered this potential hazard and may be open to hearing about how they can prevent a tragedy happening to their dogs.

5. Keep Something Sharp Handy. This is quite a long shot – and yet, I now know a young woman who saved two dogs’ lives with sharp scissors. I now have a box cutter in my car, and another one on a shelf near my office door. I hope to never witness this again, but I feel a little better knowing that there would be more I could do to help.

Understanding Your Dog's Vocal Communications

Come on, you know you have wondered from time to time what your dog's whine or howling was all about. I have! The Whole Dog Journal explains it here for us. But be sure to visit their website too to get even more info! ~ Carol

This baying hound is speaking his mind; he’s seen
another dog in the distance and is expressing a challenge.
He’s also a tad frustrated at not being able to go greet the dog.

Canine vocal communications can be classified as barks, growls, howls, whines, and whimpers. Within those classifications, the sounds can have varying meanings. Your dog’s voice must be taken in context with the rest of his behavior and body language for you to truly understand what he’s saying to you.

Barking
Dogs bark for many reasons, including alert (there’s something out there!), alarm (there’s something bad out there) boredom, demand, fear, suspicion, distress, and pleasure (play).

The bark of a distressed dog, such as a dog who suffers from isolation or separation distress or anxiety, is high-pitched and repetitive; getting higher in pitch as the dog becomes more upset. Boredom barking tends to be more of a repetitive monotone. Alert bark is likely to be a sharp, staccato sound; alarm barking adds a note of intensity to the alert.

Demand barks are sharp and persistent, and directed at the human who could/should ostensibly provide whatever the dog demands. At least, the dog thinks so. Suspicious barks are usually low in tone, and slow, while fearful barking is often low but faster. Play barking just sounds . . . playful. If you have any doubt – look to see what the dog is doing. If he’s playing, it’s probably play barking.

Baying
Baying is deep-throated, prolonged barking, most often heard when a dog is in pursuit of prey, but also sometimes offered by a dog who is challenging an intruder. The scent hounds are notorious for their melodic baying voices.

Growling
Growls are most often a warning that serious aggression may ensue if you persist in whatever you’re doing, or what-ever is going on around him. Rather than taking offense at your dog’s growl, heed his warning, and figure out how to make him more comfortable with the situation.

Dogs also growl in play. It’s common for a dog to growl while playing tug – and that’s perfectly appropriate as long as the rest of his body language says he’s playing. If there’s any doubt in your mind, take a break from play to let him calm down. Some dogs also growl in pleasure. Rottweilers are notorious for “grumbling” when being petted and playing, and absent any signs of stress, this is interpreted as a “feels good” happy sound.

Howling
Howling is often triggered by a high-pitched sound; many dogs howl at the sound of fire and police sirens. (Two of my own dogs howl when our donkey brays). Some dog owners have taught their dogs to howl on cue, such as the owner howling.

Howling is generally considered to be communication between pack members: perhaps to locate another pack member, or to call the pack for hunting. Some dogs howl when they are significantly distressed – again, a common symptom of isolation and separation distress.

Whimpering/Yelping
A whimper or a yelp is often an indication that a dog is in pain. This may happen when dogs play, if one dog bites the other dog too hard. The whimper or yelp is used to communicate the dog’s distress to a pack member (or human) when they are friendly. The other dog or human is expected to react positively to the communication. Whimpers can also indicate strong excitement such as when an owner returns at the end of a long workday. Excitement whimpering is often accompanied by licking, jumping, and barking. Whimpering is softer and less intense than whining.

Whining
Whining is a high-pitched vocalization, often produced nasally with the mouth closed. A dog may whine when it wants something, needs or wants to go outside, feels frustrated by leash restraint, is separated from a valued companion (human or otherwise), or just wants attention. It is usually an indication of some increased level of stress for the dog.

Speaking words?
Some dogs are capable of replicating human speech sounds. When these sounds are selectively reinforced, dogs can appear to be speaking human words, sometimes even sentences. It is most likely that the dogs have no concept of the meaning behind the words they are “speaking” – although as we learn more about canine cognition, one can’t ever be too sure.

It’s interesting to note that one of the phrases most frequently taught to dogs by their owners is some version of, “I love you…” Youtube provides some entertaining footage of talking dogs here: tinyurl.com/dogscantalk.

Pet Treats You Can Make in a Flash

Many people have pets and with all the bad treat recalls, why not learn to make them ourselves and save money and the health and lives of our pets?   Here are some good recipes from a trusted veterinarian. 

Nutritious, Delicious Pet Treats You Can Make in a Flash

By Dr. Karen Becker

Pets love treats! And pet parents love being able to offer them to four-legged family members. Unfortunately, the majority of commercial pet treats, while yummy tasting to dogs and cats, are neither species-appropriate nor do they contain high quality ingredients. In fact, most species-appropriate pet treats won't remotely resemble the cute and colorful dog biscuits and cookies you may be used to seeing on store shelves.

Forming treats into tiny dog bone or fish shapes requires the use of undesirable ingredients like grains and other starches, not to mention fillers, preservatives, sugar, and other additives. Wouldn't it be great to be able to offer delicious, delectable treats to your pet that also provide your dog or cat with species-appropriate nutrition? I certainly think it would be, so I asked my team to keep their eyes open for some excellent alternatives to the usual pet treat fare.

I'm sharing a few of the results of our research with my readers here at Mercola Healthy Pets. I hope these recipes, tips and ideas will inspire you to make those treat calories count by offering nutritious, biologically appropriate snacks to your furry loved ones.

Story at-a-glance

• Most popular commercial pet treats are loaded with grains and starches, sugar, preservatives and other ingredients that don’t promote the health of dogs and cats.
• Rather than offer empty, biologically inappropriate calories to their dog or cat, many pet parents are looking for alternative, healthier treats.
• To answer that need, we’ve found several easy-to-make, nutritious, species-appropriate pet treat recipes we think your dog or cat will love.
• We’re also including a great tip on how to turn pet food into pet treats, and some ideas for healthy pet treats that are already in your fridge or pantry.
• And remember… treats should be fed only occasionally and in very small amounts. Otherwise, the calories from treats add up fast and before you know it, your pet is overweight or obese.

Super Easy Nutritious Pet Treat Recipes
Click Here to see the recipes that Dr. Karen Becker shares!

Here is one of the recipes:

Crunchy Beef Cubes

What you'll need:

• 1 pound lean beef
• Baking sheet covered with baking parchment

To prepare:

• Dice beef into half-inch cubes
• Place cubes close together on baking sheet
• Put baking sheet into cold oven and heat oven to 300^oF
• Cook for 1 hour
• Reduce oven temperature to 200^oF and prop open oven door (to allow moisture to escape)
• Continue cooking for 2 additional hours
• Remove beef cubes from oven and allow to dry overnight at room temperature
• Place beef cubes in airtight container and keep refrigerated or frozen until ready to serve

Additional Ideas for Quick-and-Easy Pet Treats

Don't count out people food when it comes to offering healthy treats to your pet. Fed in moderation (meaning fed only occasionally, and in very small amounts – no more than a 1/8 inch square for a cat or small dog and no more than a ¼ inch square for a bigger dog), any of the following items from your kitchen can provide a nutritious snack for your dog or cat:

• Fruit
• Cheese
• Raw almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts
• Blueberries
• Frozen peas

No matter what treats you feed, they should be counted as part of your dog's or cat's daily caloric intake. It's easy to imagine, as you're handing a tiny morsel of this or that to your pet, that those extra calories are inconsequential in such small amounts.
Most pet owners would be surprised at just how many extra calories a treat here and there can add to a pet's daily energy intake.

Pet Myth #5 and #6 ~ Get the facts straight!

Pet Myths Debunked

Get the facts straight to keep your pet safe. 

 

Myth #6: Everyone can afford a pet.

The reality: While in a perfect world everyone would be able to own a pet, the reality is it costs hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars a year just to properly feed your pet and make sure it's getting proper preventive care from a veterinarian. "If you can't afford food for yourself, it's not the
right time to get a pet," Dr. Rubin says.

If you'd like to spend time with animals but don't have the funds, consider fostering through a local animal rescue group or volunteering at an animal shelter. And you will be doing SUCH a great service to the pets and pet rescue agencies.

Hey, I know that my dog for the year + that I've had her has cost me well over $200. I know it will be more next year when I have her spade and more shots. This is not really counting the extra treats and such.  


Myth #7: Flea collars are effective.
The reality: "We know that they don't work—the research on flea collars has shown that the effectiveness is only where the collar touches," explains Dr. Rubin. "You'll find fewer and fewer on the market. I've seen dogs with flea collars in the past and fleas are running all over the rump of the animal."

 Dr. Rubin recommends veterinary hospital-sold products like Frontline to prevent fleas and ticks. Just be sure to never mix up cat and dog products—products designed for dogs can be deadly if applied to cats.

I am a firm believer in using the Frontline or an equivalent every month. If for no other reason than to keep the fleas away, but really necessary during deer and lyme tick season! 

Want to learn more? Click Here!

Pet Myth #5 - Dog Kisses!

I never let my dog near my mouth or eyes, but I must admit to allowing kisses on my cheek.   Is that bad or not?   Here is an article from Organic Gardening to fill us in what they think.

Pet Myths Debunked

Get the facts straight to keep your pet safe. 

Myth #5: It's OK to kiss your dog.
The reality: "A dog's general mouth bacteria may be OK for us, but where the dog's tongue has been…it's not a clean environment," says Dr. Rubin. (Think butt licking, poop-sniffing encounters in the dog park, and such.) In fact, you can actually come down with salmonella poisoning after receiving a dog lick to the face!

While this may not deter everyone from face time with their loyal four-legged companions, people with weak immune systems, such as people living with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy, should refrain from getting schlecked on the face.

While dogs are inherently prone to licking gross things, there are some things you can do as a pet owner to keep your pet's mouth as clean and free of dental disease as possible. The gold standard is brushing your dog's teeth. (NEVER use human toothpaste, though; it could contain xylitol, a substance that causes a precipitous drop in blood sugar, leading to hypoglycemia and possibly death in dogs. Always use toothpaste designed for your pet.)

Some dogs, such as golden retrievers and Labs, can benefit from rope bones. As they cart the rope with knotted ends around like a bone in their mouth, it can actually mechanically clean their teeth to a certain extent. The right-size ridged Kong toy can do the same.

Canine Pancreatitis can be serious

A reminder of this topic was just on Facebook, featured by The Whole Dog Journal and reminded me of Jasmine, pictured below, the dog we had before Honey-Bear. She had Acute Pancreatitis when she was about 8-years old. It was scary.  And was caused from sneaking next door during one prosperous deer hunting season and gorging on the "left-overs" from processed deer that had not yet been cleared away. I think most of you who are familiar with deer season will know what I mean. 

It caused my poor Jasmine so much pain! Once she was back home from her veterinarian visit, her main source of food for quite awhile was rice boiled with part of a skinless chicken breast chopped into it.  

The main point I want to make is to keep your dog away from large amounts of  fats - no matter the reason - especially if they are older dogs and not very active any more.

I only posted the bare minimum in this post so you could see if this is something you want to learn more about. Be sure to click on the link near the bottom if you want a LOT more info and want to read the complete article.  

Pancreatitis can be a serious acute condition, or just a chronic pain.

Your dog has vomited several times, doesn’t want to eat, and is walking around with his back arched up, or lying in a corner refusing to get up. Should you:

A) Try tempting him to eat by adding bacon grease to his food
     or offering something tasty like ham or bologna
B) Wait a day or two to see if he gets better
C) Take him to your vet right away

The answer is C: Take him to your vet right away. These can be signs of pancreatitis. While it’s fine to wait to see if a dog improves on his own after a single vomiting episode with no other signs of illness, repeated vomiting can quickly lead to dangerous dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, especially if your dog isn’t drinking or can’t keep water down.

When signs of abdominal pain accompany vomiting, pancreatitis is high on the list of possible causes. The worst thing you can do is feed your dog fatty food at this time.

Pancreatitis literally means inflammation of the pancreas, the glandular organ that secretes enzymes needed to digest food. When something causes these enzymes to be activated prematurely, they can actually begin to digest the pancreas itself, resulting in pain and inflammation.

Pancreatitis occurs in two different forms, acute and chronic, and both may be either mild or severe. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and is more often severe, while chronic pancreatitis refers to an ongoing inflammation that is usually less severe and may even be subclinical (no recognizable symptoms).

Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis can be extremely painful, and can become life-threatening if the inflammation spreads, affecting multiple organs and systems. Symptoms commonly include anorexia (loss of appetite), vomiting, weakness, depression, and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain in a dog may be exhibited as restlessness or not wanting to move; a hunched appearance or a “praying position,” with the chest down and the rear raised; or vocalization (crying or whimpering). Additional symptoms may include diarrhea, drooling, fever, and collapse.

For mild cases, all that may be needed is to withhold food and water for 24 to 48 hours (no longer), along with administering IV fluids to prevent dehydration and drugs to stop vomiting and control pain.

For moderate to severe cases, hospitalization and intensive treatment and monitoring is required. Supportive treatment includes intravenous fluids to keep the dog hydrated and restore electrolyte and acid-base balance. Potent pain medication is needed. Treatment is generally required for three to five days, and sometimes longer. Surgery may be necessary, particularly if the pancreas is abscessed or the pancreatic duct is blocked.

Causes of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is often blamed on high-fat diets, though there is little scientific evidence to support this. Active, working dogs, such as sled dogs, can eat as much as 60 percent fat in their diets without developing pancreatitis, but too much fat may cause trouble for middle-aged or relatively inactive dogs, who are the ones most commonly affected by pancreatitis. Too much fat can also cause problems for some dogs with chronic pancreatitis.

Dietary indiscretion, such as eating rancid fatty scraps from the garbage, can also lead to pancreatitis, particularly when a dog accustomed to a low- or normal-fat diet ingests high-fat foods. That’s why pancreatitis incidents are thought to increase after Thanksgiving, when people may feed their dogs a meal of turkey skin and drippings.

Read more ~ Click Here

My take? If the dog is not accustomed to fatty meals, and especially is past middle-age, like 7 years old or so, do not give them excess fat or allow them to wander off to previously safe areas where there could now be such to feast on. 

I learned my lesson!  Even if Honey-Bear is only a bit over a year old, she is staying home until such wonders next door are gone during deer hunting season and awhile afterward, just to be safe!  

  

10 Halloween HazardsThat Could Harm Your Pet

Ok, I have to admit, I have not considered all of these 10 tips, but I usually lived somewhere that did not receive trick-or-treaters, or at least not very many.  

If you have pets, please take the time to look over the following tips and visit the associated website.  Thank you!

Number 1: DO ensure your dog's Halloween costume is pet-friendly.
If your pet isn't costume-averse (many dogs and most cats are), just make sure whatever you put on him is:

• Lightweight to avoid overheating
• Doesn't confine or restrain his movements in any way
• Is free of any adornments he might be tempted to chew off and swallow

Number 2: DON'T force an unwilling pet into a Halloween costume.
Some pets don't mind clothing or other holiday accessories, but many do. If your pet is frightened or annoyed by the puppy princess gown or the Darth Vader dog cape, be a pal and don't force the issue. Let your pet enjoy the holiday, too. 

Number 3: DO closely monitor your pet for signs of anxiety or stress on Halloween.
Many dogs and most cats find a constantly ringing doorbell, random shouts of "Trick or Treat!" and people dressed up in weird costumes to be anxiety-producing. Even if your pet seems excited by all the noise and activity, excitement is a form of stress, especially for dogs and cats.

Know when it's time to remove your pet from the action and tuck her away in a safe, quiet spot in your home.

Number 4: DON'T allow your dog or cat (especially black cats) outdoors unsupervised on Halloween.
If your neighborhood tends to be full of trick-or-treaters and fun gatherings on Halloween, it's a good idea to make sure your pet can't escape through an open door or window, either to investigate all the commotion, or to escape it.

Kitties should probably be closed off in a bedroom or other safe area of the house for the night, and dogs should always be on a leash for trips outside.

Number 5: DO keep all Halloween candy away from your pet.
Cats don't like sweet flavors, so you don't need to be overly concerned that Fluffy might dive into the Halloween candy.

Dogs are another story. Most pet owners are aware of the dangers of chocolate for dogs. But there are other types of sweets that also pose health risks for canine companions, so a good rule of thumb is to keep ALL Halloween candy and treats like raisins, trail mix and grapes out of the reach of pets.

Number 6: DON'T leave candy wrappers where your pet can find them.
Halloween candy isn't the only health threat for pets. Believe it or not, ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause life-threatening bowel obstructions, which often require surgical intervention. 

Number 7: DO place candles — including those inside Jack-o-lanterns — out of reach of your pet.
Beware all potential Halloween fire hazards. A frightened cat escaping across a table decorated with lit candles, or an excited dog crashing into a carved pumpkin can spell disaster.

Number 8: DON'T tempt your pet with glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark jewelry.
Glow sticks and jewelry have become very popular, and pets — especially cats — have been known to gnaw on them. The substance that creates the glow is phenol, which can leak out and burn your pet's fur and tongue. Choking on small pieces is another concern. 

Number 9: DO set up a safe spot in your home for your pet before Halloween festivities begin.
It's a good idea to have a quiet, safe spot ready and waiting for an overly excited dog or frightened kitty. Make sure there's comfy bedding, a litter box if your pet is a cat, a few toys, and some "white noise" in the form of a radio or TV playing in the background.

Depending on the situation and your pet, you might want to put her in there at the beginning of the evening, or simply keep the spot handy in case you need it later.

Number 10: DON'T forget to make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date collar or ID tag.
Even with the best intentions and planning, occasionally pets escape into the night on Halloween. So make sure yours is wearing current identification, and if your pet is microchipped, insure your information is current in the chip maker's database. 

I've listed all 10 here, but in respect to HealthyPets.Mercola.com, please visit them to see the wealth of other helpful tips they have for your pet.  Thank you!

click here!

REMINDER!

Halloween Warning to Dog Owners - Dogs can be irresistibly attracted to the sweet flavors of Halloween candy. However, it's not the candy you need to worry about. It's those easy-to-swallow yet impossible-to-digest candy wrappers that can pose the greatest risk to your dog. Swallowed plastic or foil wrappers can create a life threatening obstruction inside your dog's digestive tract. So, don't forget to keep Halloween candies and their wrappers safely away from your pet. And be sure to share this important warning with other dog owners, too. Courtesy of Dog Food Advisor.

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I normally find my posting material from other blogs and shared information on the web. I do not claim to personally own the material unless I truly have authored it. Honesty is key. I usually try to share with you my overall understanding of any given shared post; but, if applicable, I want to give credit where credit is due by sending you to the original author for  the original information and any additional info. 
It's only fair.   

My personal suggestions and opinions are usually in this green italic type - so you will know when it is my own wording/opinion given.

I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog.  Thank you! 

Pet Myth #3

Pet Myths Debunked

Get the facts straight to keep your pet safe.

We used to go by this myth ALL the time, with every dog or cat I've ever had. Guess I won't any more!  See why...

Myth #3: A warm nose means your dog is sick.

The reality: If you want to figure out if your dog's ill, look for signs of

• lethargy, 
• loss of appetite, 
• coughing, 
• vomiting, 
• diarrhea, and 
• other signs of distress. 

If a dog's nose is cool, he or she may have just had a drink of water.

If the nose is warm, the dog may have been out in the sun.

To check for fever, feel the dog's head with your hand—although, remember, normal canine temperature is 101 to 101.5°F, so a dog will feel slightly warm to a human even when there is no fever present.

And as always, visit your veterinarian if you question the health of your pet.

Laser Lights as Toys?

I always thought that these toys were fun for our cats and admittedly the dogs too at times. But according to Dr. Karen Becker ~ they are not good.

 

Why Laser Toys Can Be Bad News for Your Pet

By Dr. Becker

That tiny, bright-red dot of light your dog loves to chase after could have unintended consequences for his psyche. According to LiveScience:

"The lack of closure in laser-beam chasing could be messing with your dog’s head."

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, animal behavior expert and professor at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, explains that your dog instinctively chases laser beams simply because, well, they move. Anything that moves like that is begging to be chased. Movement triggers a dog’s innate prey drive, which is why smaller prey animals often freeze in their tracks. And while dogs don’t see colors all that well, they have a keen ability to detect motion with their eyes.

According to Dr. Dodman, the continuous movement of a laser dot stimulates dogs’ predatory systems such that they cannot NOT chase it. “They can’t help themselves. They are obliged to chase it,” he says.

Chasing 'Prey' with No Hope of Catching It
Isn’t Good for a Dog’s Psyche

So the question becomes, is it a good idea to trigger your dog’s prey drive using an object she has no chance of catching? Dr. Dodman believes it’s not a good plan, because dogs can get so obsessed with chasing the light that they develop behavior problems.

“I’ve seen light chasing as a pathology where they will just constantly chase around a light or shadow and pounce upon it. They spend their whole lives wishing and waiting,” says Dodman.

Never getting to the point of actually catching their “prey” can drive a dog slightly nuts. The same principle applies with bomb or drug sniffing dogs, as well as search and rescue canines. Trainers of these dogs have learned there are psychological consequences when the animals don’t find what they’re looking for, so their handlers occasionally arrange for them to find a target as a way of keeping them emotionally balanced.

Alternatives to Laser Light Toys

The best way to satisfy your dog’s prey instinct at home (short of letting a live mouse or rabbit loose in the house) is with treat-release or puzzle toys that stimulate the canine drive to hunt, and also deliver a reward for your dog’s efforts.

Another option, if you just can’t put the laser toy away, is to first hide a few dog treats around the room, and then occasionally let the laser dot point out a treat your dog is able to actually “catch.”

What About Cats and Laser Toys?

As a general rule, kitties are less likely than dogs to develop an obsession and accompanying behavior problems as a result of chasing laser beams. You’ve probably noticed your cat has a relatively short attention span and loses interest quickly, so she’s not apt to engage in endless pursuit of a tiny dot of red light. In fact, felines in the wild stalk prey for only a few minutes at a time and then move on.

If you use a laser light toy as a way to help your kitty get exercise, and she’s willing to run and jump at the light for five or ten minutes a day, I encourage you to continue your routine. Too many indoor cats are overfed and under-exercised these days, so if yours gets physically active chasing laser beams, I say go for it.

Obviously, if you notice your cat is developing a laser beam obsession, you should switch to another type of toy that gets her active, but also delivers a reward when she catches up with it. Keep in mind your fluff muffin is a predator at heart, so choose toys that appeal to her natural drive to stalk and bring down prey. And toys don’t have to be high tech. Many cats will respond to a piece of string dragged across the floor, or a ping-pong ball.

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My personal suggestions and opinions are usually in this green italic type - so in this way you will know when it is me or the person from whom I am inquiring information. 

I usually give you the overall idea of any given post I find, because I base it on my own understanding. Plus I want to give credit where credit is due by sending you to the original authors posting for any extra info. It's only fair.   

I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog.  Thank you!

 

Pets and Smoking

Click here to go to Dr. Karen Becker's original posting.

You know what I'm going to say, right?  Don't smoke around your pets!  There is a reason it isn't good for you, so you can bet it is not good for your pet.  Again, here is Dr. Karen Becker to tell us why.  I'm also sharing her link on my Facebook page besides on links here -- you can click on the Facebook link or links here to see her post in its entirety. Consider liking her Facebook page so that you get all the great pet related info she shares.

If you smoke, please be considerate of your pets and keep cigarettes and secondhand smoke away from them. Please also remember to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your pet as toxic chemicals can easily transfer from your hand to your pet’s coat.

By Dr. Becker

Most adults who smoke recognize that second- and third-hand smoke is harmful to other people around them, especially children. But not as many smokers realize their habit can also damage their pet’s health.
Animals can develop lung damage and certain kinds of cancer just like humans do when exposed to second-hand smoke, residual chemicals from cigarettes, and even the hands and clothing of a smoker.
According to veterinary oncologist Heather Wilson-Robles of Texas A&M University:

"Animals with asthma or bronchitis may have difficulties controlling their disease. A lot of vets, even though not much literature is published to prove that, would tell you that they have seen similar experiences. The owner quit smoking and the pet’s lung problems or disease improved."

Why Pets Are at Such High Risk from Exposure to Cigarette Smoke

The fact is pets may have an even greater risk of smoking-related disease than children if smokers don’t wash their hands after holding a cigarette. The toxins left behind on human hands can easily wind up in a cat or dog’s fur.
And to make matters worse, while most smokers wash cigarette toxins off their hands several times each day, the family pet often goes weeks between baths. This means the animal is spending every second of every day in between baths basting in the harmful chemicals deposited on his coat.
And kitties, who spend a good portion of their time grooming themselves, often ingest the chemicals deposited on their fur and can become seriously ill.
(more details about this on Dr. Becker's post... click here)

Signs of Smoking-Related Health Problems in Pets

Signs that a pet is suffering the effects of second- or third-hand smoke include a dry hacking cough that gets progressively worse. Animals with asthma, allergy-related lung disorders or bronchitis are at particular risk. According to Wilson-Robles:

“Asthma patients may have more frequent asthma attacks and their symptoms may be more difficult to manage medically. Animals with allergic lung disease will often have more severe symptoms if they live in a smoking household and these symptoms may persist all year round rather than being seasonal.”

Another way tobacco products can be hazardous to pets is if a dog or cat decides to sample a cigarette from the trash or some other source. Ingestion of tobacco products can cause drooling, trembling, and GI upset (vomiting and diarrhea). High doses of nicotine can cause behavior changes, seizures and even death in pets. And cigarette butts are very dangerous because they contain 25 percent of the nicotine found in the cigarette.

Protecting Your Pet

Clearly, the most effective way to treat tobacco-related health problems in your pet is to give up the habit yourself if you smoke. Whether you’re the smoker in the household or someone else is:

“Pet owners need to immediately quit smoking around the animal and wash their hands thoroughly after smoking before touching the pet or anything it may come in contact with,” says Wilson-Robles. "If your dog or cat eats a cigarette, chewing tobacco, cigar, etc. call an emergency clinic nearby for directions on how to treat this toxicosis. In most cases the tobacco will induce vomiting by itself, but if not, vomiting should be induced to clean the stomach out and prevent systemic and possibly even lethal nicotine toxicosis.”

A good rule of thumb is to take the same precautions with your pet as you would with a child.

• Smoke outside.
• Wash your hands after smoking.
• Get an air purifier.
• If possible, change your clothes to insure chemical tobacco residue doesn’t transfer from your clothes to your pet.
• If you suspect your pet is suffering from smoking-related problems of any kind, I encourage you to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

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My personal suggestions and opinions are usually in this green italic type - so in this way you will know when it is me or the person from whom I am inquiring information. 

I usually give you the overall idea of any given post I find, because I base it on my own understanding. Plus I want to give credit where credit is due by sending you to the original authors posting for any extra info. It's only fair.   

I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog.  Thank you!

How to Help Your Pet Stay Mentally Sharp

I love Dr. Becker for helpful suggestions for pets. If you get a chance, sign up for a Facebook connection. You will be glad you did!  

Here is Dr. Becker to fill us  in on the details to help our pets stay sharp in their elder years.

Pet Alzheimer's Disease - (continued)

By Dr. Karen Becker              (click here to go to the actual website for details, stats, etc.)

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help your aging pet maintain good mental function for as long as possible, and delay the onset and progression of cognitive decline.

• The foundation for good health and vitality for pets of any age is a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet. Your pet’s diet should include omega-3 essential fats, such as krill oil, which are critical for cognitive health. Your pet’s body needs an ideal energy source to promote the processes of metabolism, growth and healing. That perfect fuel -- especially for aging pets -- is a healthy variety of fresh, living food suitable for your carnivorous cat or dog.
• Keep your pet’s body and mind active with regular exercise appropriate for your pet’s age and physical condition, and mental stimulation (puzzles and treat-release toys can be beneficial). Make sure your dog has opportunities to socialize with other pets and people. Think of creative ways to enrich your cat's indoor environment.
• Provide your pet with a SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) supplement as a safe and effective way to stall or improve mental decline. Consult your pet's veterinarian for the right dose size for your dog or cat. There are also commercial cognitive support products available.
• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have been shown to improve brain energy metabolism and decrease the amyloid protein buildup that results in brain lesions in older pets. Coconut oil is a rich source of MCTs. I recommend 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight twice daily for basic MCT support.
• Other supplements to consider are resveratrol (Japanese knotweed), which protects against free radical damage and beta-amyloid deposits, ginkgo biloba, gotu kola and phosphatidylserine – a nutritional supplement that can inhibit age-related cognitive deficits. Consult a holistic veterinarian for dosing guidance.
• Cats are often nocturnal throughout their lives, but older dogs can develop problems sleeping at night. They tend to sleep all day and stay awake all night, pacing, making noise, and feeling anxious and uncomfortable. Behaviorists recommend melatonin, which is not only a sedative with a calming effect, but also an antioxidant. I also use Rhodiola, chamomile and l-theanine in both cats and dogs with excellent results.
• Keep your pet at a healthy size – overweight dogs and cats are at significant increased risk for disease as they age.
• Maintain your pet's dental health.
• I recommend twice-yearly vet visits for pets no matter the age, but this becomes even more important for animals getting up in years. Keeping abreast of your dog's or cat’s physical and mental changes as she ages is the best way to catch any disease process early. Ask your vet to perform a blood test to check your dog's internal organ health to make sure you are identifying possible issues early on.

When your pet begins to respond to therapy designed to improve cognitive function, in the case of a dog, you can begin re-training him using the same techniques you used when he was a puppy – positive reinforcement behavior training involving lots of treats and praise.

Of course, none of these recommendations will be terribly helpful for a pet in the advanced stages of cognitive decline, which is why it’s so important to diagnose and begin treating the problem as early as possible.

Cognitive dysfunction is a progressive disease that can’t be cured, but early diagnosis and intervention can slow mental decline and offer your aging pet good quality of life.

HEALTHY PETS DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I usually give you the overall idea of any given post I find, because I base it on my own understanding. Plus I want to give credit where credit is due by sending you to the original authors posting for any extra info. It's only fair.   

I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog.  Thank you!

Signs of Pet Alzheimer's Disease

I love Dr. Becker for helpful suggestions for pets. If you get a chance, sign up for a Facebook connection. You will be glad you did!  

My pets generally had health issues that got to them before age really did. According to the info below my pets may not have had this dysfunction, but I'm getting educated for the benefit of my current and future pets. I thought possibly you would like to also.

Anyway, here is Dr. Becker to fill us  in on the details regarding this heart-wrenching problem.

Pet Alzheimer's Disease - Is Your Dog or Cat Showing Signs? 

By Dr. Karen Becker              (click here to go to the actual website for details, stats, etc.)

Unfortunately, just like people, dogs and cats also develop degenerative brain diseases known as canine or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome. But unlike humans, often the signs a pet is in mental decline go unnoticed until the condition is so advanced there’s little that can be done to turn things around or at least slow the progression of the disease.

Often, even an animal’s veterinarian is unaware there’s a problem because he or she doesn’t see the pet that often and always in a clinical setting vs. at home. In addition, according to Dr. Jeff Nichol, a veterinary behavior specialist in Albuquerque, NM, many DVMs aren’t aware of just how common cognitive dysfunction syndrome is. Vets assume pet parents will tell them when an older dog or cat is experiencing behavior changes, while owners assume the changes are just a natural part of aging.

In a large Australian study published in 2011 on canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), scientists at the University of Sydney reported that about 14 percent of dogs develop CCD, but less than 2 percent are diagnosed. In addition, the risk of CCD increases with age -- over 40 percent of dogs at 15 will have at least one symptom. Researchers also estimate the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in geriatric dogs at 68 percent.

In a study also published in 2011 on cognitive decline in cats, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals estimated that a third of all cats between 11 and 14 years of age have age-related cognitive decline. That number increases to 50 percent for cats 15 years and older.

Your Pet’s Mental Decline Has a Physical Cause

Cognitive dysfunction presents as a psychological problem, but the root cause is actually physical and is the result of age-related changes within the brain.

While canine dementia isn’t exactly the same disease as Alzheimer’s in people, the development of ß-amyloid plaques in pets results in confusion, memory loss, and other symptoms related to mental function. And the condition can come on and progress very rapidly.

According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman, “normal aging” does exist. Some features of cognitive function do decrease with age, but cognitive dysfunction of the type seen in Alzheimer’s disease is not normal. While canine dementia isn’t exactly the same disease as Alzheimer’s in people, the development of ß-amyloid plaques in pets results in confusion, memory loss, and other symptoms related to mental function. And the condition can come on and progress very rapidly.

Diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in a pet is a diagnosis of exclusion. There are many conditions older animals acquire that mimic the signs of cognitive decline, so it’s important to rule out all other physical reasons for a change in behavior. For example, a small seizure can cause a pet to stand still and stare. If your pet seems detached, he could be in pain. Inappropriate elimination can be due to kidney disease. These disorders and many others can result in a change in behavior unrelated to cognitive decline. That’s why it’s so important to rule out all possible alternative reasons, especially in aging pets.

It’s also important for your vet to review any medications your dog or cat is taking. Older animals metabolize drugs differently than younger pets, and if a dog or cat has been on a certain medication for years, it’s possible it is having a different effect as he gets older.

And keep in mind your aging kitty may need a more accessible litter box, and an older dog may need more trips outside to relieve herself.

Cognitive dysfunction is a progressive disease that can’t be cured, but early diagnosis and intervention can slow mental decline and offer your aging pet good quality of life. 

 Tomorrow... How to Help Your Pet Stay Mentally Sharp

HEALTHY PETS DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I usually give you the overall idea of any given post I find, because I base it on my own understanding. Plus I want to give credit where credit is due by sending you to the original authors posting for any extra info. It's only fair.   

I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog.  Thank you!