Breed Focus: Dachshund

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Dachshunds, these small dogs are always a crowd favorite. They are often affectionately called wiener dogs due to their long body. Their name is from German dialect meaning badger dog (source). They were used frequently for hunting as they are tenacious and have very little fear.

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There are two different sizes of Dachhunds. Most of us are familiar with the miniature dachshund but there is also a standard size that can be quite a bit larger. The coat type of can range from smooth, to wire, to long requiring their own grooming schedule. The wire hair and long hair will likely need regularly brushing or grooming appointments, while the smooth coat may tend to shed a little more.

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Being so small they can adapt to most living arrangements fairly easily. They do require exercise but their little legs tend to do better with shorter rather than long walks. Another consideration when living with this breed is they do tend to bark quite a bit if excited. It may be worth while to take to training and practice a command for quiet.

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As far as health problems that occur in Dachshunds the most common is called Intervertebral Disk Disease is one of the most common conditions affecting dachshunds. They end up with severe discomfort in the disc space and then the spinal cord. This can actually lead to paralysis in severe situations. For more information you can go here. While it can affect every dog it seems more prevalent in the longer back dogs. Another concern is their oral health. In general it seems like smaller dogs tend to struggle with tartar and gum disease more so than larger dogs. Encouraging them to eat dry food and training them to allow you to brush their teeth at a young age may prove very beneficial. It is extremely important to watch the weight on these dogs as well. Their little legs and the fact that they are already prone to back disease means any extra weight is bad for them and could cause severe issues down the line.

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One interesting thing about Dachshunds is that there are actually wiener races! These are really fun to watch. It seems like both humans and animals really enjoy these events. One of the most active organization is National Dachshund racing. You can visit there website here for more information.

Doodle Days #5

I don't want to brag but I like to think I have style. I can pull off just about any outfit or accessory my people give me. My first look is a winter Jacket! It keeps me warm when my hair is short (also protects me from the rain some)

My next look is a fun Halloween neck accessory

Here I am showing some school spirit I-L-L

I also have to admit I love bandannas. This pictures shows my friend Sage (sometimes we call her mini me) and I showing off a Halloween one!

I hope you all have fun accessorizing over the next week!

Wormy Wednesdays: Roundworms

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Another fairly common type worm that can be identified in your pet’s stool are roundworms! Unlike some of the other worms (whipworms and hookworms), roundworms are easily found in both cats and dogs. These will sometimes look like spaghetti noodles if you see the actual worm in the stool or even sometimes in vomit. It is also possible to see the eggs under the microscope like many of the other intestinal parasites.

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There are many way dogs can become infected. The eggs can be picked up from the environment or by eating a rodent that is infected with the worm. They can also be transmitted to unborn puppies as well as nursing puppies through the milk. Cats are mostly the same in how they can contract this worm, however they are not passed to unborn kittens, young will typically get it form nursing. It is even more common for grown cats to get from soil. Even indoor cats are at risk as the soil in potted plants can carry the eggs as well. This is another excellent reason why we recommend de-worming all puppies and kittens and routine screening of adult animals.

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As mentioned above the symptoms are usually confined to the GI tract which includes vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with the worms present.

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There is a risk to humans. It is very important to practice good hygiene. This includes regular hand. It is also ideal to clean up stool daily so that it does not have time to contaminate the environment. Discouraging dogs from licking people is also a good idea as their mouths could have been exposed to the worms from the environment. Even if you don’t have pets public areas such as parks where stray animals could have been can pose a threat. This is where active hand washing and keeping things out of mouths is a great idea! It is also wise to check stool samples regularly to ensure your pet is not infected even if they are not showing symptoms.

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Keeping pets on monthly flea and heartworm prevention can reduce the risks of many of these parasites developing. It is also a great way to promote the overall health of your companion. If you are interested in more information on intestinal parasites such as round worms click here. Again you can always call your veterinarian with any questions or concerns!

Obesity in Pets

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Obesity is a growing issue in both people and pets. We love to show how much we care about our animals by the amount of food and snacks we give them! It is so hard to say no to those pleading eyes! However there are many good reasons to keep your pet healthy and fit! Here are just a few of them!

 

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Extra weight can take a toll on many different body systems. Probably one of the most severely affected would be the joints. They pay a major penalty for extra weight, especially if you live with a giant dog breed. All animals rely on their joints to stay healthy so they can enjoy their daily life. A few extra pounds could mean the difference between getting up and down stairs easily or enjoying a nice walk with their owner.

 

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Overweight pets, similar to overweight people are also more likely to become diabetic. This could mean regular insulin injections as well as trip to the vet to get these symptoms under control. Once diabetic most animals will have to be managed the rest of their life! Other body systems affected would be the heart and lungs. This can make exercise even more difficult which can make the road to weight loss that much more challenging.

 

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Let’s be honest pet food is EXPENSIVE! There is just no getting around it. One way to save a little is to feed the appropriate amount. Sure you may have a chow hound that acts like they are starving. But after living many years with a beagle that was NEVER satisfied no matter how much food she got (or stole) I can assure you feeding the appropriate amount does not mean you are starving your dog. It is also important to adjust the food for the number of treats your pet is getting. If it is impossible to avoid treats they need to be in appropriate amounts or have the regular food adjusted so that the calories stay the same throughout the day.

 

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So you realize or your vet has told you that your pet is overweight, now what? Weight loss is a frustrating thing to accomplish. One key is to remember that it is a process, that weight did not go on overnight so it is very unlikely to come off overnight.  Sticking to a protocol that is devised with your veterinarian is a great way to start. If after strict adherence to this there is no improvement it may be worthwhile to visit the vet again and make sure there are no underlying medical issues that are preventing the patient from losing weight. The key to a successful weight loss program is to make sure EVERYONE in the family is on board! No cheating! This will only lead to delays in the results everyone hopes to achieve. A great website to visit for more information can be found here.

Breed Focus: Persians

So our cat enthusiasts won’t feel left out I thought this week we would focus on a cat breed. Persians are an easily recognized breed with their long hair and smushed faces. They do tend to appear a little grumpy but are usually quite friendly! A variety of colors makes them appealing to many people. 

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Persians are definitely one of the most popular pure bred cats around today. However they are not for everyone. Their luxurious coat requires extensive brushing daily. They may also need regular trips to the groomer to clean up various problem areas, such as armpits, private areas, behind ears) where mats can easily form. Getting them used to these activities at a young age will help decrease the stress of handling when they are older. Some people even prefer to regularly groom them in a lion cut which helps reducing the need for daily brushing and the risks of matted hair. 

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As with most purebred animals there are certain conditions that we need to be more aware of in Persians than in other cats. Although all cats are prone to this it is important to screen the hearts of Persians for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a condition of the heart becoming too thickened to function normally. Some symptoms will include a change in breathing pattern where there is more effort, weight loss, vomiting or a heart murmur developing. X-rays or echocardiograms performed by veterinarians can confirm a diagnosis. Another condition to be aware of is progressive retinal atrophy. This affects their eyesight. It typically occurs in very young cats and can progress to full blindness in months. (source) Regular trips to the vet for any cat are highly recommended to ensure that they are overall healthy and this can also help detect early signs of these conditions!   

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Some of you may recognize the Persian from the movie ‘Cats and Dogs’. Mr. Tinkles is actually played by a Persian cat!

Doodle Days #4

Ok guys I gotta tell you I have a new accessory! I have a back pack. At first I wasn't so sure about it but I love it! Here's why.....
1st: I look stylish!

2nd: I can carry water and a water bowl and now we can go on longer walks because we can keep hydrated.

3rd: I can carry things for my people which makes them happy

4th: It is like an adventure every time we go somewhere!

I hope you are all having great adventures too!

Wormy Wednesdays: Hookworms

Hookworms are another parasite that reside in the gastro-intestinal tract of animals. These are one of the more interesting worms as they have several characteristics that can set them apart from some of the other intestinal parasite.

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While hookworms can be picked up in the environment they can also be transmitted from the mother to puppies during gestation. Hookworms tend to be a little more aggressive when invading their host. They can be ingested from a contaminated source but they can also enter through the skin. This is especially important for humans to remember as they can be infected this way as well. Another way they can be infected is by eating another animal (rodent, bird etc) that has hookworms. This makes prevention even more important in our pets. Many heartworm medications contain preventatives for hookworm infestations as well. This can be one easy step that could help ensure your pet does not contract these pesky parasites.

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Hookworms received their name because they have 6 sharp teeth that allow them to ‘hook’ into the lining of the intestines where they do ingest blood. With a heavy enough burden patients can die or at the vet least become quite ill. Again these worms can also affect people. It is extremely important to practice good hygiene. If you pet has an infestation it is best to wear shoes anywhere the pet has or can defecate, or where any animal can defecate for that matter. Interestingly, we can also contract hookworms from eating vegetables from the soil that were not washed properly. Bleach can be used to clean areas that have been contaminated, but freezing (so the winter we had) can also kill the worms.

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Again this is treatable with an oral de-worming. These are also a good reason for de-worming puppies regularly. Some dogs will show no symptoms at all so that is yet another reason to bring in a stool sample at least yearly to check your pet!  For further information the following are great websites (here and here)!

Kitchen Toxins and your Pets

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People (and pets) love to eat! Most of us spend at least part of our day thinking about or planning our meals. While some of the delicious things we prepare are safe for our pets other common kitchen items can be harmful to them. Here are some things to avoid giving to you pets!

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Many people chew gum regularly and with the growing concern for sugar intake sugar free varieties have become quite common. The active ingredient Xylitol can actually be hazardous to our pets. If you gum has this it needs to be kept away from your pet! An even better way to avoid this would be to stick to gums without Xylitol in it. While perfectly safe for us it can cause life threatening changes in glucose or liver values in cats and dogs.

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Grapes and Raisins have been known to cause kidney disease in pets. It is unknown why this is and even what amount will cause an issue but there are many pets that can be affected by this. Not all pets have a severe reaction but there is no way to screen those who might so it is best to avoid them all together.

Chocolate is probably one of the better known toxins in pets. However there are varying levels of chocolate that can cause issues. White chocolate and milk chocolate are least likely to cause toxicity issues, true they may cause upset stomach but not generally the critical condition that needs immediate attention. Dark chocolate and even worse baking (unsweetened) cocoa pose a much greater risk to our pets and are more likely to have serious consequences. It is best to contact the vet right away if you think there has been an exposure.

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If you are cleaning out the refrigerator or cabinets you will want to make sure your pet does not have access to the garbage can. Moldy foods can cause a range of issues from vomiting to seizures. It is best to eliminate these hazards right away, while it may seem unappealing to us, it can be very appetizing to our furry friends.

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This is just a brief overview of some of the common kitchen hazards there can be many more that could cause issues. If you are ever in doubt always contact your veterinarian for assistance.

Breed Focus: Huskies

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Huskies are a fairly well known and recognized breed. Part of this can be attributed to the Iditarod race, which is arguably one of the toughest events an athlete (human or canine) can compete in. It’s 1000 miles over rugged terrain that requires a full year of preparation for the dogs and humans. For more information about the Iditarod go here.

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These dogs were bred for a job! They love to pull and be a part of a team or pack. This is important to remember when thinking about adding this fun loving dog to your family. They will be very high energy and will need lots of exercise. It may be a good idea for them to have a job, such a pulling a sled even if it is just around the yard. It is also important to socialize them a lot when they are puppies. They can become quite bonded with one person or family and so socializing them at a young age will make them more adaptable to different situations. Huskies have a very distinct vocalization that they can sometimes over due when excited so keep this in mind if you are living in an apartment or a place with close neighbors.

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Having a very dense coat protects them in the arctic climates they were bred for, however it can pose two challenges for different parts of the country. The summers can be quite difficult on them so they need to be kept in cool places. Also, remember that there is a LOT of coat there and they will shed this coat frequently. So if you do not like to accessorize your outfits with dog hair, you may want to look at another breed.

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Genetically there are two big areas to focus on when looking for a breeder. Huskies do have a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia and certain eye abnormalities. If you are thinking of purchasing a puppy make sure that the mother and father have been OFA and CERF certified. The OFA stands for the Orthopedic foundation for animals. Their website can be found here. CERF is the Canine Eye Registry Foundation and their website can be found here. This is reduce the risk of these conditions being passed on. If you are adopting a mix just be aware that they could have issues in the future with these two body structures. There is a lot of great information on this website regarding huskies.

Doodle Days #3

Good Morning Everyone! I had a fantastic week last week and into this week! I got to go to my own little Doggy Daycare of sorts!

My friend/groomer/daytime walker had vacation this week and she said I could come over and play all day with her crew! We are all great friends....ok...maybe Hank (the miniature schnauzer) does not LOVE me but I'm sure I can win him over eventually.... I mean who can resist this face? (note he's not an any of my pictures!)

I also love her kids! They keep me very entertained! I can't wait to see what next week holds...I hear something about me maybe getting a back pack for walking so I might calm down a little or maybe to carry my own stuff :) We'll see!

I may have had to take a little break after all my playing. I enjoyed being free in their yard and resting under a shade tree! I hope you all have a great week and get to spend some relaxing time under a nice tree too!

Wormy Wednesdays: Tapeworms

As we continue down our road of worms, our next stop is Tapeworms. This is another type or worm that likes to live in the intestines. They are fairly common all over the United States or really wherever f leas are found.

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These are some of the easiest worms to diagnose! Many times the segments can be seen in the stool or around the rear end of our companions. Sometimes you can even see them where your pets like to lay. When they are dried they look like little sesame seeds. If we don’t see the segments in the stool sample, we can look under the microscope, however these egg packets can be very fragile and sometimes are not seen.

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There are a couple of ways that tapeworms are contracted. The most common is from ingesting a flea. This doesn’t mean that your pet has fleas, but that they have been exposed. This could be from the outside or other animals that do have fleas. That being said it is a VERY good idea to keep pets on monthly flea prevention. Another less common way to contract tapeworms is by eating a rodent infested with the tapeworm or with fleas. It is unlikely for people to get tapeworms as they also have to ingest the flea.

Most of the time there won’t be too many signs that your pet has tapeworms, especially if you don’t see the segments in the stool. Sometimes their coat will look a little more rough or unthrifty. Weight loss is a possibility as well, as the worms are competing with their host of the nutrients. Some cats will also vomit or over groom.  

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While tapeworms are treatable it is important to remember that fleas are everywhere. The best form of prevention is monthly flea medication. Treatment can come in various forms and is prescribed by a veterinarian. It is usually well tolerated but again only treats what is currently in the patient. It is very possible for them to re-infest themselves by ingesting another flea. 

Common Household Toxins for Pets

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Having pets can add so much enjoyment to our own lives. They truly become an important part of our routine. As owners we try to take the best care of them we can, which includes making our house/ their home as safe as possible. One way we can do that is to try and prevent exposure to substances that while safe to use may be harmful to our pets. Here are some common household toxins that pets can be exposed to and how they may cause harm.

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Over the counter pain medication, while quite safe for most of us can be disastrous in our pets. Never use any type of OTC pain medication without explicit instructions from your veterinarian. Many of these drugs can have serious side effects on the liver or kidney as well as can cause ulcers throughout the gut. The same can be said for your pet’s medication if they get too much of it. Many pet pain medications are flavored to make them appealing and an over dose can cause some serious consequences.

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Many prescription medications can be harmful to our pets. Anti-depressants and ADD/ADHD medications can have serious side effects in animals. It is extremely important to keep the medication away from them even if there is no flavor or does not seem appealing to us, never underestimate the lengths pets will go to get to things they want.

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Although it is called rat poison, it is made to be appealing to eat and many times our pets don’t read the labels. There are several different types of rat poison if you have put it down around your home never leave your pet unsupervised even if it seems impossible for them to get to, they will find a way. Another thing that can be extremely helpful for your veterinarian should your pet be exposed is to know the brand. Either taking a picture of it before you put it down or writing down what it is can save a lot of time and money if treatment is necessary.

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If you are ever concerned your pet has become exposed to something they shouldn't have been it is best to call your veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline. Having these numbers at easy access makes things much easier when you need them.