Recipe for the "almost perfect" dog

It is reassuring to know that the ingredients for an "almost perfect" dog are available to any responsible dog owner. You can enjoy the wonderful benefits of an "almost perfect" dog. The ingredients are:

One clean bill of health. You can help ensure this vital ingredient with current vaccinations and regular veterinary check ups. 

One proper I.D. Make sure your dog has a license and/or I.D. (dog tags, tattoo, canine microchip).

One well-nourished, well-exercised dog. Feed your dog as recommended by your veterinarian or professional trainer. Exercise your dog as often as possible.

One safe, secure, comfortable environment free from abuse and neglect.

A full measure of time. Time spent with your dog should include training flavored with reward, positive reinforcement, petting, grooming and exercise such as walking, playing, fetching, and just being with you and your family.

Missing ingredients result in behavior problems. Over 60% of dogs in shelters are there as a result of behavior problems or lack of identification.

MOST BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTABLE!

(from the Kong website)

All that's left is sadness

Sometimes all that's left is sadness. An abused puppy was rescued. Cute as can be. Adopted. Loved. But there had to be something physically wrong, because aggression started and increased. First toward the other dog, then toward the family. It turned on and off like a switch. Sometimes he was the wonderful loving family pet. Other times he was the evil twin. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Unfortunately as time went on the evil twin visited more and more often. In spite of every attempt to change the behavior, it only got worse. At a year old, the painful decision was made to say goodbye and let his tortured soul rest.

It took me a week to decide to write these words, but I felt I owed him the respect of a final goodbye, since I was his foster mom. I only knew him as a cute, innocent puppy, but have no doubt about what happened, no questions about the end, only respect for the couple that gave him every chance, tried everything to turn it around..

It's sad, but sometimes all the love in the world isn't enough. Rest in peace, Mulligan. Someday we'll meet again at Rainbow Bridge. Till then, play with your foster aunt Noir and enjoy the sunny days in good health.

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

The end came much too soon

My sweet Noir was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver three months ago. This week she hadn't eaten for a few days and wasn't drinking. In spite of all the efforts of the wonderful Dr. DeHaan, there was nothing more to do for her but give her a quiet day without shoving things down her throat.

This afternoon she ate and drank a little, then took a blissful nap curled up with me, a memory I will treasure forever. A little after 4PM, Dr Lisa Shaw from Indian Land Animal Hosp came and helped her cross over to the rainbow bridge. Later her body was removed by Marlow and Brown for cremation.

She is gone, never forgotten. She was a rescue, she became a rescuer herself, and I found my inspiration for rescuing and transporting in her.

Please say a little prayer for my sweet girl, that she have only healthy, sunny, fun days at the Rainbow Bridge while she waits for Jim and I to cross over with her. We know we made the right decision for her, but are inconsolable nonetheless.

She is not gone, she has just run ahead to a better place and waits for us there.

Update on Noir... The news isn't good

Noir spent the day at Carolina Veterinary Specialists. She had an ultrasound, blood draw, etc, etc. The diagnosis is that she has end stage cirrhosis of the liver. She could last 3 months, or a year.

I'm devastated. Cannot believe this. Noir has always been happy, healthy, athletic, trim, sweet... I thought she would live to a ripe old age. She isn't quite 8 years old.

It's just too painful for me to think about. I can't face the thought of life without her.

A rough day... for my dog Noir

Sunday morning I noticed my dog Noir looked pregnant. SHe's always been in great shape, and of course is spayed, so this was a shocker. She's nearly 8 years old but still young acting and active.

This morning we took her to our vet, Dr Lisa Shaw at Indian Land Animal Hospital. She did X-rays which were inconclusive, and a blood test which showed elevated liver enzymes. Tomorrow I'll take her to a specialist for an ultrasound.

She's such a sweet, loving, funny, intelligent dog, and of course she's my best friend. Fortunately she still acts like she feels ok. I can't bear the thought of her suffering, or the thought of losing her.

Please say a prayer for her... I hope I'll have good news to share tomorrow.

You’ve got a HW+ dog? Don’t despair.

The following information was compiled by my friend Pat Shannon, dedicated animal rescuer

We’ve begun treating HW+ dogs with the “slow kill” method instead of the “fast kill” method. The fast kill method is the painful, and expensive, injections of Immiticide. The slow kill method is done with Heartgard and the antibiotic Doxycycline.



In deciding which method to use you’ll take into account the age of the dog, his activity level and the extent of the HW infestation. So long as the dog isn’t showing symptoms of the HW or the symptoms are very minimal the slow method of treatment is great way to go.

The info below is taken from this site:
http://www.dogaware.com/wdjheartwormtreatment.html
It is important to understand that heartworm infections are not detectable until about six months after a dog has been bitten by a heartworm-infected mosquito. (This is why it's not possible to have a heartworm test performed monthly and give the preventative only if an infection is found.) Blood tests generally will not detect heartworms in a dog until the larvae have matured into adult worms, which takes about six months following initial infection. Symptoms, such as coughing, lethargy and difficulty breathing, will not show up until the infection is advanced.

The info below is taken from this site:
http://www.dogaware.com:80/heartworm.html
Recent research has led to the discovery of a parasite called Wolbachia that lives symbiotically inside heartworms. Studies indicate that this parasite contributes to the adverse effects of both heartworm infection and heartworm treatment, including inflammation, embolism and allergic reaction. Treatment with Doxycycline to kill the Wolbachia parasite weakens the heartworms and makes them unable to reproduce, lessens their adverse effects on the body and greatly reduces the chance of adverse reaction during heartworm treatment.

Now, new studies published in late 2008 clearly indicate that treatment with a combination of weekly Ivermectin and daily Doxycycline given intermittently will sterilize the heartworms, prevent the dog from being infective to other dogs, speed up the death of the worms prior to (or in place of) Immiticide treatment, limit inflammation and damage caused by the worms presence, and reduce the chance of serious adverse reaction from Immiticide treatment. All of these effects are greater when the two drugs are used together than when either is given alone.



Three studies used a protocol of Ivermectin (Heartgard) given weekly at the normal monthly heartworm preventative dose (6 mcg/kg), combined with Doxycycline at the rate of 10 mg/kg/day for weeks 1-6, 10-11, 16-17, 22-25, and 28-33 (the end of the studies).

Here’s what we’ve been doing: Start the dog on Doxycycline at 10mg/kg/day for 30 days. Then give the same dose for one week at the beginning of every month until the dog tests negative.

We’ve been giving the Heartgard twice a month, say on the 1st and 15th.

We get the Doxycycline at Walmart. Ask your vet to either write a prescription or call one in for you. It’s costs about $8 for a month’s supply.

The beauty of the slow method, aside from how inexpensive it is, is that you don’t have to keep the dog kenneled. Their activity doesn’t have to be cut back unless you start seeing symptoms. For example, if the dog starts coughing after running, cut back on his running. Regardless of which method of treatment you’re using, if you start seeing a lot of coughing or labored breathing get to the vet.

The slow kill method of treatment is much easier on the dog than the injections. The injections are extremely painful at the injection site and require a pain shot. If you’re going to use the injection method, hopefully your vet will give a pain shot a half hour before injecting the Immiticide.

On the slow kill method have the dog retested in about 6 months. After that, retest about every 3 months. You can adopt out a dog that’s on the slow kill method. Once it’s explained to the potential owner it’s very easy for them to follow this method. We’ve done it.

Avoiding Heat Related Injuries in Dogs

By Nate Baxter DVM

The first thing that needs to be understood is that dogs and people aredifferent enough that most of the info cannot cross lines. Dogs do not loseenough electrolytes thru exercise to make a difference, but if the dog getstruly into heat stroke, the physiology changes will make them necessary. BUToral replacement at that point is futile, they need intravenous fluids andelectrolytes and lots of it.

Cooling: Evaporative cooling is the most efficient mean of cooling. However,in a muggy environment, the moisture will not evaporate so cooling does nothappen well. I cool with the coldest water I can find and will use icedepending on the situation. The best way is to run water over the dog, sothere is always fresh water in contact with the skin. When you immerse a dogin a tub, the water trapped in the hair coat will get warm next to the dog,and act as an insulator against the cool water and cooling stops. If you canrun water over the dog and place it in front of a fan that is the best.Misting the dog with water will only help if you are in a dry environment orin front of a fan. Just getting the dog wet is not the point, you want thewater to be cool itself, or to evaporate.

For MOST situations all you will need to do is get the dog in a coolerenvironment, in shade, or in the cab of the truck with the air conditioningon (driving around so the truck does not overheat and the AC is moreefficient). Up to a couple of years ago, I was very concerned about my dogsgetting too hot in the back of my black pickup with a black cap. New whitetruck fixed a lot of that problem. When I had one dog I just pulled the wirecrate out of the car and put it in some shade and hopefully a breeze. Buthaving 2 dogs and running from one stake to another, that was not feasible.So I built a platform to put the wire crates on, this raises the dog up inthe truck box where the air flow is better. Then I placed a 3 speed box fanin front blowing on the dogs with a foot of space to allow better airflow. Ipurchased a power inverter that connects to the battery and allows the 3speed fan to run from the truck power. It has an automatic feature thatprevents it from draining the battery. When I turned that fan on medium Iwould find that the dogs where asleep, breathing slowly and appeared veryrelaxed and comfortable in a matter of 20 minutes or less, even on very hotmuggy days.

Alcohol: I do carry it for emergencies. It is very effective at cooling dueto the rapid evaporation. It should be used when other methods are notworking. You should be on your way to the veterinarian before you get tothis point. We recommend using rubbing alcohol, which is propylene alcohol,not ethyl, for those of you not aware. So do not try to drink it. Alcoholshould be used on the pads and lower feet area where there is little morethan skin and blood vessels over the bones. Use a little bit and let itevaporate, you can use too much as some is absorbed through the skin. Thereare concerns about toxicity, but you have to get the temperature down.

I purchased those cooling pads that you soak in cold water, but found thatthe dogs would not lay on them. I would hold them on the back of a dog thatjust worked to get a quick cool, but have not use them for years. I alsobought a pair of battery operated fans but found them pretty useless. Spendyour money on the power inverter and get a real fan.

Watching temperature: If you feel your dog is in danger of heat injury,check its temp and write it down. Keep checking the temp every 3 minutes. Irecommend to get a "rectal glass thermometer. The digital ones for the drugstore I have found to be very unreliable, Don't forget to shake it downcompletely each time, sounds silly, but whenare worried about your companion, things tend to get mixed up. This is VERYIMPORTANT**once the temp STARTS to drop, STOP ALL COOLING EFFORTS. Thecooling process will continue even though you have stopped. If the tempstarts at 106.5, and then next time it drops to 105.5, stop cooling the dog,dry it off, and continue monitoring. You will be amazed how it continues togo down. If you do not stop until the temp is 102, the temp will drop waytoo low. I cannot emphasis this point enough.

When the dog is so heated that it is panting severely, only let it have afew laps of water. Water in the stomach does not cool the dog, you just needto keep the mouth wet so the panting is more effective. Do not worry about hydration until the temp has started down. A dog panting heavily taking inlarge amounts of water is a risk of bloat. Due to the heavy panting they will swallow air, mixed with a large amount of water they can bloat. Once the temp is going down and panting has slowed to more normal panting then allow water. The dog will rehydrate it self after temp is normal. If the doghas a serious problem and even though you have gotten the temp normal, getthe dog to a vet, as it can still need IV fluids and some medication. Also,a case of heat stroke can induce a case of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (notparvo), with a ton of very bloody diarrhea and a lot of fluid andelectrolyte loss. These cases need aggressive treatment.

The best method of treatment is prevention. Learn to watch your dog, and seethe changes in the size of the tongue, and how quickly it goes down. Learn your dogs response to the different environments, and be careful when youhead south for an early season hunt test or trial. I have been to Nashvilleat the end of May, only 5 hours away, but the difference in temp andhumidity did effect the dogs as they were used to more spring weather inOhio. Try different things in training to help the dog cool and learn whatworks better. Another very important point=> Do not swim your hot dog tocool it then put in put in a box/tight crate. Remember, evaporation can nottake place in a tight space, and the box will turn into a sauna and you willcook your dog. Carry a stake out chain, and let the dog cool and dry beforeputting it up. I demonstrated this lesson this spring with my 10 month oldpup. After doing a 15 minute session in yard drill on a warm 70+ degree day,she was panting pretty hard and was pretty hot. She was OK but it was timeto stop. Just for the heck of it I took her temp. She was 103.6, abovenormal but too bad for a dog that had just finished working. In my back yardI have a 300 gallon Rubbermaid tub filled with water. I took her to it andshe jumped in and out 3-4 times. She appeared totally improved, tongue wasmuch smaller, and eyes brighter and her full spring was back into her step.So I re-took her temp and it was 104.2, so even though she looked better shewas hotter. This is < /SPAN>a perfect lesson to show not get a hot dog wetand then put them in a box. The water on her skin caused the blood vesselsto constrict, decreasing blood flow to the skin. Therefore the hot blood wasshunted back to the dog's core and retained the heat. You may have felt thesame thing, after exercising but still being very warm, take a shower andget cooled off but as soon as you turn the shower off you start sweating again.

I know this is a bit long, but hopefully this is easy to understand andhelps provide some useful information.

Remember: Prevention, learn your dog. It is worth the time and effort

Nate Baxter, DVM