How to Take Your Dog’s Temperature

When your dog is feeling ill or acting out of sorts, it sometimes necessary to find out whether or not he’s got a fever. While it’s not exactly a pleasant experience for either one of you, knowing your dog’s body temperature is one of the quickest ways to know if your pooch requires immediate vet care.
While you might have heard that feeling your dog’s nose or ears for heat is one way to verify if he is feverish, keep in mind that it’s by no means accurate. You have to get your dog’s internal body temperature, and the most reliable way to do just that is with a thermometer.
Taking Fido’s Body Temperature Rectally
1. Enlist the help of a friend. Most dogs, without understanding what you’re doing to them or why, will be resistant to having their temperature taken rectally. Have someone ready to assist you in case you need a second set of hands. Even if your friend is only there for moral support, calming and soothing your dog, or feeding him treats during the measurement, it will make the process much easier on you both!
2. Prepare the thermometer. Clean the tip of the thermometer with a sterilizing agent like alcohol. Then, make use of a probe cover to avoid any cross-contamination. Add a dab of petroleum jelly to the tip of the thermometer in order to make the insertion process a lot easier.
3. Get your pooch ready. With your dog standing up (to avoid injury), lift his tail while your friend/helper keeps him calm and still. Talk to him in a soft, gentle voice as you slowly put the thermometer into your dog’s rectum about an inch. It isn’t necessary, and could harm your dog, to insert the thermometer any further. Do not force the thermometer tip into your dog’s rectum. If you have difficulty with insertion, take your pet to his veterinarian for an accurate reading.
4. Take the reading. Because having his temperature taken isn’t fun for your dog, we recommend making use of a quick-reading digital thermometer. Follow the thermometer’s instructions for taking a temperature and wait for the temperature to be displayed before removing it from your dog’s rectum. Make a note of your dog’s temperature and monitor it for changes.
5. Does your dog have a fever? A dog’s normal body temperature should be between 100.5 and 102.5.  If your dog’s recorded temperature in within this range, he is not running a fever. Higher or lower than this range, however, can indicate illness. If your dog’s temperature is outside of the acceptable range by 1.5 degrees or more, immediately take him to see your veterinarian.
While some manufacturers have created infrared ear thermometers for taking your dog’s temperature, these devices do not take into account the drastic differences from one dog’s ear shape and size to the next. And, they require extreme precision and correct use to generate an accurate body temperature. A rectal temperature reading is the most accurate.
Knowing your dog’s body temperature before picking up the phone and calling your veterinarian can be a huge help in determining if immediate care is needed. Keep a dedicated rectal thermometer in your pet’s first aid kit and be prepared!

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Can Your Dog Benefit From Fish Oil?

You’ve probably heard of the benefits of supplementing your own diet with the omega-3's found in fish oil. These fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, ease allergies, and improve the symptoms of arthritis. But, can your dog benefit from fish oil, too? In this article by Diane Watkins of Dog Health Guide, we learn how your dog can benefit from a fish oil supplement to their diet – and another way to get this important fatty acid into their diet by using cold-water fish in their food!

Can Your Dog Benefit From Fish Oil?

Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs

For many years veterinarians have recommended feeding fish oil to treat canine allergies and skin conditions. New research is showing that omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil are good for preventing and treating a wide variety of canine diseases.

Older dogs suffering from arthritis will especially benefit from the healing properties of fish oils. The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for treating the itching and inflammation associated with allergy-related skin conditions.

Supplementing Your Dogs Diet with Fish Oil

You can purchase fish oil supplements for animals, but why not just add cold water fish to your dogs diet? When fish is fed as part of the normal canine diet, there is no need to worry about proper dosing for your dogs size. Dogs will naturally get the proper amount as part of their normal dietary requirements.

Salmon and other cold water fish are high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Feeding two servings a week of a high quality homemade dog food containing salmon as a protein source should be sufficient for most dogs. If your dog is suffering from arthritis, kidney failure, skin diseases or other inflammatory diseases, add a fish oil supplement to your dogs daily supplements.

See Benefits in Six to Eight Weeks

As with most nutritional therapies, it will take a while to notice changes in your pets health. Allow at least six to eight weeks of regular omega-3 therapy to evaluate the benefits for your pet.

Read the rest of Diane’s article here. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before beginning any supplement for your pets and specifically, if your dog can benefit from fish oil in their diet. Have you ever given your dog a fish oil or omega-3 supplement? Did you notice any significant improvements to their health? Tell us about it below!

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The Scoop on Poop: What You Can Tell about a Dog by his Doodie

Okay, so it’s not the most pleasant topic… some might even be disgusted at the thought. Nevertheless, since your dog can’t talk, his bowel movements can provide important clues about his health. Stools generally come in various colors, formation, and consistency; not to mention, different smells. But, by monitoring and analyzing your pup’s poop, you can be alerted to several health issues that could be putting his life in danger.
A normal stool is usually moist, firm, and compact with a light smell. Deviations from this usual pattern may indicate an underlying health condition. By getting the scoop on your pet’s poop, you may just save his life one day.
Assessment Tips and Guidelines
1. Take your pup’s poop seriously. Check his stool from time to time, even when he seems to be feeling fine, to establish what’s “normal” for your dog. Any deviation from the normal poo may be a cause of concern. If you are feeding your dog kibble (dry food), it is typical for him to have large, voluminous, and smelly poo which could indicate that his body may not have properly absorbed the nutrients. Raw feeders, on the other hand,  tend to have small, firm poo with a weaker scent. Depending on your dog’s diet, either of these can be considered normal.
Diarrhea or black, tarry consistency, on the other hand, is cause for concern. Constipation that causes a pet to strain could denote that he is not getting enough water, or it could be the first sign of inadequate nutritional requirements.
2. Watch out for parasites. Fecal sampling and testing by your veterinarian should be done at least annually, even for healthy pups. Your vet can detect worm presence long before the creepy, crawlies are evident to the naked eye.
If you happen to notice during one of your regular poo checks any white or tan specks, scoop up the poop and bring it to your vet immediately. Many dangerous parasites like roundworms and tapeworms will be present in your dog’s stool. But, normally the infestation is well established by the time you spot the evidence.
3. Pay attention to abnormal signs. The occasional poo that tends to be somewhat loose, sometimes containing a bit of mucus, or even a little blood may not instantly indicate a problem. It is when an abnormal amount is present, or when more than a couple of days pass by with the poo deviating from the norm.
You can bet that something’s wrong with your pet’s system if diarrhea in colors ranging from mustard yellow to green to dark brown is seen.
Blood in his stool might make his poo black, tarry, or red which can imply the presence of parasites, infections, allergies, polyps, cancer, or having ingested something sharp and indigestible. While black tarry poo normally suggests bleeding in the upper part of his intestine, red blood signifies a problem in his lower intestine or anal area.
Being aware of what is a normal poop for your dog, and regularly checking his stool for any observed deviation in color, consistency, and smell is as crucial as having a first-aid kit on hand for emergency situations. Make assessing your pooch’s poop for health as natural as taking him out for a regular walk.

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WHOA! This Blueberry Muffin Looks Just Like a Chihuahua!

It was just another day for teenager, Kaelin Bell and her 6-month old Chihuahua, Chico.
That is, until she reached for a blueberry muffin and was stopped dead in her tracks – the blueberry muffin looked exactly like Chico!
Naturally, she posted the picture to her Tumblr blog, with the caption, “”My blueberry muffin looks exactly like my dog. I’m gonna cry.”
Unable to eat the muffin, she’s keeping it safe in the freezer. As for Chico, he’s now an internet sensation!
Take a look at Chico and the infamous muffin… See the resemblance?


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Meet Fun People At a Dog Show

Have you been to a dog show? If not, make it a point to put this activity on your schedule because you are going to be entering a whole new world. Look forward to meeting many people who, just like you, are crazy about their dogs. They might just be there to observe well trained dogs, or they might be competing against all the other doggies entered with their pooch.
A dog show is going to be full of people from all walks of life. Housewives, dentists, engineers, carpenters, pilots, poor and rich, young and old. Many other individuals from every walk of life are going head to head with each other in the pursuit of their dog winning best in class, and overall champion.
This is not a fun form of competition for those who are faint of heart, because these people take this very seriously. Yet most of the contestants and their dogs are great friends and have fun at the same time.
Perhaps a visit to one of these shows will whet your appetite for showing your dog. If so, get ready for more hard work and frustration than you signed up for! Training a dog up to show level is an exercise in your skills as a dog trainer, and will test your level of patience as you and the dog learn the ropes. But the rewards of finally reaching the top will make all this effort worth it.
Continued on page 2…

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INFOGRAPHIC: 6 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe This Winter

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What Would Happen to Your Dog, If Something Happened to You?

We generally outlive our pets as they have a shorter life span than us. That’s why it is recommended that as responsible owners we plan ahead for our dog’s passing. However, what if the opposite happens? What if we become laid up, ill, or worse, die first? Who would give Fido home? Who would provide for his food and water? Who would take care of him and love him?

Preparing for the Unexpected

To ensure that your beloved four-legged friend continues to receive adequate care in the event that you get seriously ill, meet a grave accident, or face death, it is critical that you plan and make arrangements in advance.

1. Call a friend. Find a few dependable friends or relatives who would be willing to serve as emergency caregivers should something unexpected happen to you. Provide them with keys to your home, feeding and pet care instructions, as well as the contact information of your vet.

2. Post notices. Aside from carrying an “alert” card in your wallet all the time, try posting removable “In case of emergency” signs on your windows or doors as well. This way, responding personnel during emergencies like fire or any other home disaster can be notified easily about the number and the kind of pets you have at home.

3. Make formal arrangements. Sometimes, it’s not enough that long ago a friend of yours has promised to take care of your pooch. To ensure that your plans to secure your dog when worse comes to worst are fulfilled, start making formal arrangements that will cover the sufficient care of your pet. Work with a lawyer to draft a special will or other document which draws the specific care and ownership of your dog as well as the amount needed to care for him.

Which is Better: Will or Trust?

There are various kinds of wills and trusts, and choosing which is best for you and Fido basically depends on your situation and your pooch’s needs. It is highly recommended that you consult your lawyer first before making a decision. Your attorney can both understand your need to provide for your dog and assist you in creating a will or trust that best meets Fido’s needs.

So many of us view our pets as members of the family. So, in the same way that responsible parents plan ahead for the care of their children, should an accident or unforeseen illness occur, plans should also be put in place your furry family members.

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Ask the Trainer: How Can My Dog Become Trained & Certified as a Therapy Dog?

Dear Kevin,

I have an English Retriever Poodle named Raven, who is just under 2 years of age. She is so laid back and relaxed and I would like to see what it would take to make her a therapy dog. We are in Michigan and I am having problems finding information about it. Really thinking more in the nursing home and assisted living kind of settings.
Thank you!
Brenda R.
Hi Brenda,
That is awesome that you are considering therapy dog work with Raven. To my knowledge there are two options for where to get a dog certified. The options are Pet Partners (www.petpartners.org) and Therapy Dog International (www.tdi-dog.org). I would research both of those to see which will work better for you. From what I have heard, Pet Partners seems to be more for hospital visits and TDI is more for nursing homes and assisted living.
The requirements of the test do take some practicing. Your dog needs to be able to pass another dog without showing much interest. Another part of the test which is kind of difficult is your dog has to pass something tasty on the ground without going after it.
I recommend definitely getting into some basic/ advanced obedience to get Raven prepared for the test. (Maybe you already have.) But the more practice the better. A lot of training facilities offer some sort of Canine Good Citizen/ Therapy dog class. They may not be able to certify you, but they can at least get your dog the practice it needs. Another option could be private training. I offer this service. I like doing this because it gives the person/dog the individual attention that is needed for some of the difficult parts.
For anyone else that is reading this and is considering getting their dog certified I definitely recommend getting started sooner than later. Just about any dog has the potential to do this; it can just take a lot of training and socialization. A good thing to do is practice going into pet stores, or other “high traffic” areas where pet lovers are. Use these places to your advantage. If someone wants to pet your dog, practice having your dog sit to get the petting it is looking for. Don’t forget to use lots of positive reinforcement. This will help you yield the quickest results.
Thank you for the question!
Kevin Duggan CPDT-KA
Kevin is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT.org)  and is a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through the American Kennel Club. He currently resides in Ohio with his dog, V, a six-year-old Shepherd/Lab mix, where he operates All Dogs Go To Kevin, LLC, specializing in helping build positive relationships between humans and their canine companions using clear communication, not pain and fear. For more training tips and tricks, and to meet his amazing dog, V,  follow him on Facebook by clicking here.
Do you have a tough training question of your own? Click HERE to “Ask the Trainer!”

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Teach your Dog to High Five!

You’ve mastered sit, stay and heel, right? Now you’re ready to move on to some of the cool doggy tricks to show off to your friends! Teaching your dog to give a high five is easier than you think!

There are a few different methods you can try, but we found this one to be the simplest. With a little time, patience and persistence, your pup will be high-fiving all your friends in no time!

All you need is a quiet area free from distractions and some small training treats.

Have your dog sit on the floor. Sit on the floor facing him, close enough that he’ll be able to touch you with his paw.Place one of the training treats in the palm of your hand and make a fist. Hold your hand, palm down, under your dog’s nose a few inches away from his face. Your dog may smell the treats and paw at your hand.Each time your pup paws at your hand for the treat, reward him by giving the treat to him. Repeat this until your dog consistently touches your hand for the treat.Try moving your hand slightly to the side. Make sure he will still reach up and touch your hand for the treat. If he does this consistently, you’re ready to move on to the next step!Open your hand in the high-five position, facing your dog, and raise it in front of him. Each time your dog touches your hand, reward him with a treat.Repeat this and continue rewarding your dog for touching your open palm, and now add the verbal cue, “high five!” each time he touches your hand.Keep practicing and reward your dog along with the verbal cue until he does the behavior consistently.Now try giving him the verbal cue while raising your palm and see if he will give you a high five…

Keep practicing.

Congratulations! Now you can celebrate with your buddy and he won’t ever leave you hanging!

Check out this video of a pup learning how to high five!

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A Match Made in Heaven: 3 Nuns Adopt Senior Pit Bull

Three nuns adopted Remy, a senior pit bull. It’s a match made in Heaven! Photo courtesy Hi Tor Animal Care Center.

For several months, 9-year old pit bull, Remy sat in a New York shelter, waiting for her forever home. A combination of her age and breed made it unlikely she’d ever leave the shelter.

That is, until three nuns from Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine of Nyack visited the Hi Tor Animal Care Center looking for a new furry friend.

The Sisters told News12 they wanted to bring home a dog that might otherwise be euthanized, one that nobody else wanted. As soon as they spotted Remy, with her greying muzzle and gentle, loving demeanor, they knew immediately that she was “the one.”

“She’s a senior, and we are seniors,” one Sister proclaimed. “She’s a gentle dog and seems happy and content and easy to please.”

Pure love! Photo courtesy Hi Tor Animal Care Center.

The Hi Tor Animal Care Center announced the adoption to their Facebook fans last weekend,

Did you ever hear of Divine Intervention? Remy has. Our sweet, senior pup was adopted today not just by one Nun but by three! It is so moving how the Sisters embraced Remy and promised her Heaven on Earth! We certainly believe she will have the best life has to offer. Congratulations to Remy and her new family.

The Sisters say Remy brings a lot of love into their home, filling the void left by their previous dog that recently passed.

“It was hard to find a successor, but we got a good one,” one Sister said through tears of joy. They’ve promised to love and care for her for as many years as she has left on Earth.

It’s truly a match made in Heaven!

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VIDEO: Blaze the Husky Says ‘NO’ to Kennel Time (Really!)

Blaze, and 11-month old Husky from New Hampshire despises going in his kennel so much that he’s learned how to say “No!” when it’s time to go inside it.

Check out the hilarious video below to see Blaze go completely limp and hear him clearly say “No!” when his owner, John Ventresco tries to nudge him.

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Do Dogs Get Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Winter Months?

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that commonly occurs in humans, especially in the winter months when we spend less time outdoors, have minimal access to bright, sunny days, and have fewer hours of daylight each day. While the disorder commonly causes depression-like symptoms in humans, evidence suggests that dogs, too, are affected by the lack of sunlight this time of year.

The dark, gloomy days and longer, colder nights of winter can cause dogs to develop Seasonal Affective Disorder, just like humans. In dogs, symptoms include lethargy, neediness, behavioral changes such as aggression and inappropriate pottying, and a general feeling of “blah.” In extreme or extended cases, even hair loss can occur.

Reporters at AnnArbor.com explain,

Many researchers indicate that although we don’t really know what a pet is experiencing, they are mammals, just like us, and they are affected by the same mammalian hormones, like melatonin. Melatonin has the ability to regulate biological rhythms, among other things.

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland – and is inhibited by light to the retina, and it increases in production by darkness.

With the shorter days in the winter and subsequent higher level of melatonin, it can be a little challenging to try and combat the winter blahs that result for both humans and pets alike, and getting outdoors for a fair amount of time can be next to impossible.

So, how do you combat Seasonal Affective Disorder in your dog? The same way some humans find relief – with artificial sunlight!

Light boxes commonly used by humans for SAD have been found to be effective in treating dogs, too. The premise behind the light box is that it fills a room with artificial sunlight to help balance the body’s production of melatonin, thus keeping sleep cycles and moods in check.

Light boxes vary in size and price, but are typically used for 30-45 minutes each day for optimal results.

Does your dog experience Seasonal Affective Disorder? What types of changes do you notice in your pet?

Learn more about SAD and light therapy for dogs in this ABC News Video:

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Ask the Trainer: Helping a Puppy Mill Survivor Transition Into Life in a Home

Dear Kevin,
My 8-year old mill dog rescue Pom, Sweetpea that we have had for 5 months, has two very challenging behaviors. #1. She barks constantly; sometimes hours on end. Particularly shrill when her “daddy” is around. #2 She will not sleep. We’ve tried crates, pens, allowing her free roam. Nothing helps unless I sleep with her on the couch. I feel as if we are fishing around and being inconsistent.

Feeling sleep deprived with shattered nerves.
-Marti

Hi Marti,

It is unfortunate that Sweepea had to go through what she has. Some people only care about making money and don’t care about the welfare of the animal. Unfortunately most dogs used for breeding like this are pretty messed up mentally due to lack of experience with the world. If they ever do get the chance to live a normal life, it is very tough for them. It is such a big adjustment to go from living your entire life in a cage every day, to experiencing the everyday life of a “normal” dog.

Part of the answer is, time. It is going to take time for her to adjust to her new home. Another part of the answer is, patience. Patience is going to be very important. I would give her a good amount of exercise. I would do physical exercise, like taking her on walks. I would also do mental exercise, like teaching her new tricks, or working on basic obedience. The more tired you can get her, the harder it should be for her to stay awake. Have you tried having her in your bedroom? Also, what has her Vet said in regards to this. I am going to mention some all natural things that could help her relax but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to talk to your vet to see what s/he recommends.

Some “all-natural” options to make her more comfortable include Thundershirts, DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone, comes in a collar, a wall plug in, and also a spray. Using multiple forms has proven to work better for some dogs.) and different calming music. You can try to put these all together as well.

For the barking I recommend increasing exercise just like I mentioned above. That alone probably won’t fix the issue so I recommend doing some confidence building exercises as well. The link below will provide you with the answers to that. I have a feeling that the barking is a nervous response. Probably from living such a sheltered life for so long. Help build her confidence and it could start to fade away.

I hope this helps. Thanks again for saving Sweetpea.

Additional advice at this link: http://dogingtonpost.com/ask-the-trainer-building-your-dogs-confidence/#.UtcjM_0SPFI

Thank you for the question!
Kevin Duggan CPDT-KA

Kevin is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT.org)  and is a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through the American Kennel Club. He currently resides in Ohio with his dog, V, a six-year-old Shepherd/Lab mix, where he operates All Dogs Go To Kevin, LLC, specializing in helping build positive relationships between humans and their canine companions using clear communication, not pain and fear. For more training tips and tricks, and to meet his amazing dog, V,  follow him on Facebook by clicking here.

Do you have a tough training question of your own? Click HERE to “Ask the Trainer!”

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Westminster Welcomes 3 New Breeds in 2014

The Westminster Kennel Club is welcoming three new breeds into their 138th Annual Dog Show this year!
The breeds that are eligible to compete are determined by the American Kennel Club based on population and geographic distribution, as well as growing interest by the breed’s parent club.

RAT TERRIER (Terrier Group)Beyond being a farm dog, Rat Terriers have proven themselves to be a versatile, multipurpose breed with a playful, happy-go-lucky attitude. They are an all-in-one dog-able to do virtually anything they are trained to do-and they are easily trainable and exceptionally intelligent. They excel in conformation, agility, obedience, rally obedience, terrier racing, earthdog, barn hunt and lure coursing. They are capable of hunting rodents and vermin above and below ground. They make fine therapy and service dogs. And they are loyal friends and companions-especially for families.
PORTUGUESE PODENGO PEQUENO (Hound Group)The smallest of the Podengo family, this active rabbit hunter has a history that goes back to antiquity. He is still used today by avid huntsmen in his native Portugal. To manage the terrain in different parts of Portugal, the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno come in two coat varieties, smooth and wire. The word Pequeno means small or miniature. He is the smallest of three sizes… Grand, Medio and Pequeno. The Pequeno is the only of the three that should be longer than tall. With proper socialization this intelligent breed is a delightful companion and willing participant in agility, obedience, hunting and lure coursing, as well as conformation.
CHINOOK (Working Group)Developed in New Hampshire in the 1920s, the Chinook is a true American breed. In 2009, the Chinook was named New Hampshire’s State Dog. Chinooks are highly trainable, intelligent, athletic, working dogs that excel in obedience, agility, therapy work, tracking, and lure coursing, as well as dog powered sports such as sledding, bikejoring, scootering, and carting. Above all, the Chinook is cherished as a loving companion, happily going wherever the family ventures. Chinooks require only an occasional bath, brushing, and toenail trimming. Chinooks are a healthy, robust breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

The show begins on Monday, February 10th at both Piers 92 & 94 and at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Monday night’s event will be broadcast live on CNBC from 8-11 PM. Tuesday night’s event will be live on USA from 8-11 PM.

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Westminster: It’s Not Just For Purebred Dogs Anymore!

For nearly 140 years, the Westminster Kennel Club has closed its doors to mutts, focusing only on the conformation, physical abilities, and skill of purebred dogs. In a big step in the right direction of celebrating and recognizing all dogs, regardless of their pedigree, the WKC is finally opening up it’s doors to mixed breed dogs!

For the first time in the history of the world’s most famous dog show, the Westminster Kennel Club will now be accepting mixed breed dogs into it’s agility competitions. While the entrants in the coveted “Best in Show” awards remain open only to purebred dogs, any dog, from any mix of breeds, will now be welcomed to enter The Masters Agility Competition.

The agility competition held during the Westminster Dog Show is judged strictly on speed, skill, and intellect, not on the appearance or conformation of the dog. The agility competition features a timed course of obstacles, tunnels, weave poles, jumps, and more.

The competition is now open to purebred dogs, mixed-breed dogs that are registered in the AKC’s Canine Partners program, miscellaneous breeds not yet eligible for the conformation competition, and purebreds that cannot be registered.

The Masters Agility Championship at Westminster will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, between 11AM and 10PM at Pier 94 in New York City.

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Need Help With My Border Collie Who Has Hard Time Walking

Dear Dr. Chris,

I have a senior border collie I rescued at the age of 10. To my best knowledge she is now 16. Her back legs will not support her well enough to poop. I have been trying to hold her for support but she will not let me yet. I work and have to leave her alone during the day, I want her to be comfortable and know she can use the pads I’m providing but i don’t know how to teach her. What do you suggest?

Debbie, New Jersey

Thank you for your question Debbie.  It’s always difficult to see our dear friends struggle as they age.  We all know how active Border Collies love to be.  Since this is a fairly common problem, I’m glad you brought it up and I hope I can help you with your sweet girl.  I always admire and respect people who are willing to rescue an older dog and give them the love they deserve.  There are millions of senior dogs out there that need homes!

First  of all, our most important consideration is improving her quality of life.

Providing a surface to give her better footing is a great idea.  If the pads slip or slide, area rugs may be a better choice.  The best way to handle this is to carry her over to the pads and place her on them.  Loop a towel under her abdomen as a sling and help support her weight and have another person with her favorite treat encourage her to walk forward on the pads.  Use lots of encouragement and praise and build up her stamina and steps over time.  Even two steps initially is progress.

Although the pads may be helpful, we need to figure out the cause of her trouble and see if we can improve her quality of life and mobility.  I suspect she either has weakness due to nerve dysfunction or pain.  Being unable to posture to have a bowel movement can be a sign of hip, knee or spinal disease.  Since we can’t ask her if she hurts or if her feet tingle or if she can’t feel her feet, we have to work through this problem in a systematic way.

Neurologic weakness occurs in some dogs as they age from a degeneration of the nerve-muscle connection.  This can be caused by spinal issues such as pressure on the spinal cord or a breakdown of the nerve-muscle connection in the muscle of the back legs.   This is a difficult problem to deal with as it is often not reversible and doesn’t respond to supplements or medication.  Sometimes surgery can be used to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord.  Diabetes can sometimes cause this type of weakness as well.

The other possible cause of your Border Collie’s trouble is pain.  Dogs that are in chronic pain don’t cry, whimper, yelp or moan most of the time.  They just decrease their normal activity.  This is a survival instinct as weak animals are preyed upon.  Us humans are big babies compared to dogs.

It is important to figure out the underlying cause of her trouble so we can help her.

Recently, I saw an older Golden Retriever that came into the hospital, unable to stand in the hind legs. The owner told me that this has been a problem that had been developing slowly but got much worse that morning.  They had been giving a glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplement for possible arthritis. The interesting thing is that the owner said “she isn’t in pain, she just won’t get up”.  I did my exam and found that she had torn cruciate ligaments in both knees and cried when I manipulated the knees.  After further testing with x-rays and blood work, we admitted her to the hospital so we could get her pain under control.  The next day she was up and walking, although with some trouble due to the torn ligaments in her knees.  Her mom cried when she saw her because she thought she would never be able to walk again.

We sent her home with a plan to give a prescription dog food for arthritis, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and 2 other pain relievers that work in different ways.  She had surgery the following week and went through physical therapy and was walking with minimal symptoms within 6 weeks.

Your baby needs a helping hand

Your baby may not need or be a candidate for surgery but may benefit from a pain management program and physical therapy.  We use several different medications and approaches to improve results and reduce the risk of side effects.  Laser therapy, stem cell therapy and acupuncture also help some dogs.

I would recommend taking her to your veterinarian and having an exam, x rays and blood tests done. Make sure she doesn’t have diabetes and put together a plan to include nutritional supplementation, pain medication and physical therapy to improve her quality of life.

You and your veterinarian can work together to help your sweet girl.   You rescued her once 6 years ago.  Let’s see if we can rescue her again with a team approach between you and your vet.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chris Smith

Your Dog’s Favorite Veterinarian

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What is Veterinary Acupuncture & Can It Help Your Dog?

Acupuncture originated in China and has been practiced for thousands of years. It is one of the safest therapies available. It can be used along with other treatment methods and acts in a complementary fashion. The procedure involves the stimulation of very specific points on the body. There are many ways to achieve stimulation; including the insertion of very thin needles at these points, heat (moxabustion), electrical stimulation (electroacupuncture) and the injection of solutions (aquapuncture), or a combination of these various techniques. It helps to maintain the flow of energy (Qi), relieving areas of stagnation and unbalance. Acupuncture may help to restore the balance and allow the body to heal.

Acupuncture is not painful and your pet may only feel the needle as it goes through the skin for a second, if at all. This is referred to as the “deqi” response and is a signal that is strived for as it confirms that the acupuncture point was stimulated at the optimal position. Treatment time and lengths vary dependent upon the patient’s needs and the response to treatment can also vary. Usually at least 3 treatments are required to be able to assess if acupuncture is the appropriate therapy for your pets’ condition. Dr. Selmer will customize the treatment schedule based on your pet’s needs.

Before performing acupuncture on your pet, Dr. Selmer will ask you to bring your pet in for a consultation where he will conduct a complete physical examination and discuss your pets medical history. This will be accomplished to help determine if this complementary therapy is the right choice for you and your pet.

Here are just some of the conditions that respond to Acupuncture:

PainHip DysplasiaLimpingSeizuresDiarrhea and VomitingAllergiesItching and ScratchingBehavioral problemsHeart Failure and Heart MurmursKidney DiseaseLiver DiseaseCancerAnd many many more…..

If you are interested in acupuncture for your pet please email thecaringvet@gmail.com and put in the subject line Acupuncture Case.

To learn more about Dr. Selmer and the Advanced Animal Care Center you can visit our website at http://www.advancedcareforpets.com/ or like our page on Facebook at The Caring Vet (https://www.facebook.com/TheCaringVet) or call us at 631-FOR-PETS (367-7387).

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What Breed Best Suits You?

Have you given consideration to what dog breed best suits you and your family or current living situation? Before selecting from one of over 150 dog breeds, this is a question all future dog owners need to ask themselves. Grabbing the first cute little puppy in the window often turns out to be a poor decision, so we will give you a few tips to consider when deciding what dog breed best suits you.
Of course, if you have owned dogs previously, and have a favorite breed or mutt, then this discussion is probably not for you.
This future canine is going alter your life in many ways, and you should decide what the purpose for bringing a dog home is. Do you want a dog for protection purposes? Or is this dog going to be one of the hunting breeds you can go afield with to pursue game? Or maybe the dog is for companionship to you or for another dog you already own. Decide the true reason and purpose as to why you want a dog. After doing this you will have narrowed down the number of breeds and have a much better idea of what dog breed best suits you.
Of the over 150 breeds of dogs you now can look into the various groupings to ultimately select the best breed of dog for your requirements and tastes. You can find in-depth information on each group, and specific breed that may catch your interest, at the AKC.org website.
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How Does Second-hand Smoke Affect Your Dog?

We’re not here to boast about the benefits of quitting smoking. If you’re a smoker, you’ve already heard it all. But, you should consider the effects your habit may have on your dog if he/she is exposed. So, can second-hand smoke affect your dog? Sure can!
A Brief Overview
Second-hand smoke, also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke or ETS basically comes from anything that is smoked such as cigars, cigarettes, and pipes. ETS is a carcinogen that causes cancer not just in humans but animals as well.
Aside from cancer, second-hand smoke is also associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, chronic lung infections, and eye problems. ETS has been thoroughly studied where humans are concerned, but not as much research has been done for companion animals. Studies show that tobacco smoke comprises up to 20 different carcinogens that can be readily inhaled by non-smokers. ETS contains the smoke that is released by a burning cigarette, pipe, or cigar, as well as those that are exhaled by the smoker themselves. There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in second-hand smoke including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, arsenic, benzene, chromium, nickel, and vinyl chloride.
Related Findings
In dogs, second-hand smoke has been found to be greatly associated with nasal sinus cancer and also linked with lung cancer. A study conducted at the State of Colorado reveals that there is a higher incidence of nasal cavity tumors in dogs that were exposed to ETS as compared to dogs that live in households with non-smoking members. This conclusion was particularly found amongst breeds with long noses such as Collies. There were no significant nasal tumors amongst dogs with short to medium noses exposed to second-hand smoke.
Experts indicate that long-nosed breeds are more at risk because their nasal passages consist of greater surface area on which the carcinogens can be deposited before it reaches the lungs. Also, they pointed out that because their nasal passages have more cells, there is a greater chance that some of these cells get mutated by carcinogens into cancer cells.
The same study mentioned that despite the fact that dogs with short to medium noses exposed to ETS do not have a great nasal tumor risk as compared to those unexposed, they, nonetheless, have a slightly greater incidence of lung cancer. This is likely because their shorter nasal passages tend to be less effective at filtering the said carcinogens out of breathed-in air before it enters the lungs. Unlike human beings who can develop bladder cancer as a result of second-hand smoke exposure, dogs generally do not run a higher risk of bladder cancer when exposed to these harmful elements.
As a pet owners’ bond with their four-legged companions become stronger, they share more of their lives, their leisure time and their living space with their pets, thereby exposing them to the same environmental hazards that they do. Many human habits, including smoking, can affect animals just as they can affect the other members of the household. By designating a separate room in the house or smoking only outside, you can minimize exposure for your pooch as well as the other non-smoking members of the family.

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Finding the Right Dog Food: What to Avoid

Choosing the right food for your dog can be a daunting task. Many of us have found ourselves overwhelmed standing in the pet food aisle, staring down a long line of bags, boxes, and cans, all promising to provide the very best and complete nutrition for our pets.
In an industry that is highly under-regulated, one that basically allows manufacturers to make whatever claims about health and nutrition they want, no matter how truthful, it’s important for pet parents to take an active role, to read labels, and to do their research.
After all, unlike humans that usually have a few different meals every day, with different protein sources, and a variety of ingredients, our dogs typically eat the same food every day, at every meal. Because of this simple fact, finding food that is safe, even after months or years of daily consumption, is vitally important to their health and well-being.
The list below is hardly all-inclusive, but will point you in the right direction to find the perfect food for your furry family. When you find a pet food that leaves out these known harmful ingredients, it’s highly likely you’ve found a food that leaves out all the other junk used by the commercial pet food industry too.
Pet Food Ingredients to Avoid:
By-Products: By definition, a by-product is an incidental or secondary product made in the manufacture or synthesis of something else. In dog food, by-products can include parts of the meat protein source not normally suitable for use such as bones, skin, beaks, feet, feathers, intestines, even urine and fecal waste. Further, by-products, by law, CAN include tissue from dead, diseased, disabled, and dying animals. In the pet food industry, these are normally referred to as “The 4D’s.” By-products do not include healthy “muscle meats,” but rather, the parts normally discarded during meat processing. By nature, by-products can be high in protein and are used by many manufacturers as a cheap alternative to healthier meats.
Sugar: Sugars are a common ingredient in commercial dog food, usually disguised as sucrose, dextrose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, etc., because it makes the food tastier to a dog’s natural sweet-tooth. In addition to contributing to obesity, sugars interfere with your dog’s ability to digest protein, calcium, and other minerals and inhibits the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Studies have also shown that excessive sugar intake can lead to behavioral problems.
BHA/BHT: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are chemical preservatives often added to pet food to lengthen their shelf life. The World Health Organization has deemed these chemicals “suspicious cancer-causing” compounds. Yet, both remain commonly used by the pet food industry to make our dog’s food last longer on the shelf. In addition to proven cancer-causing effects, BHA and BHT can cause allergic reactions, fetal abnormalities, and negatively affect kidney and liver function.
Ethoxyquin: (Also known as Santoquin) Another artificial preservative, ethoxyquin is also a pesticide. Prolonged ethoxyquin use has proven to destroy normal liver function. Although ethoxyquin is banned from use in human food, it can still be legally added to pet food. Still, due to controversy surrounding the ingredient, many pet food manufacturers don’t add the ingredient directly, but add it indirectly by using certain poultry and fish that contain it. In effect, when reading your pet food label, this ingredient may be present even when it’s not listed. Do your research and ask your manufacturer to be certain.
Sodium Nitrate: Sodium Nitrate is added to dog food to help it retain color. Since our dogs don’t see colors vividly, or make food choices based on what color they are, this ingredient is strictly used to enhance its appearance to humans. Besides being a completely unecessary ingredient in pet foods, sodium nitrates can cause cancers, severe arthritic symptoms, abnormalities of the dog’s immune system, and has even been linked to death.
Artificial Colors/Flavors: Artificial colors and flavors have both shown potential to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Choose foods that are naturally flavored with real, whole ingredients, without added artificial colors.

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The Scary Truth About “Free to a Good Home” Dog Classifieds

Every responsible dog owner or pet parent knows that getting a dog is a life-long commitment. From the moment you open your heart and home to a loyal dog, you’re in it for the long haul, through sickness and health, ups and downs, good and bad, through snuggles on the couch to picking up the pieces of yet another pair of shredded shoes.
Responsible dog owners make decisions with their dog in mind. We don’t move to a new home without making sure the furkids are welcomed in the new community, we don’t spend frivolously without making sure the dog is cared for first, and, when times get tough, we’ll skip a meal so that the dog still gets his.
Unfortunately, not all dog owners are responsible. Close to 4 million dogs enter rescue shelters each year in the United States alone, with about 60% of these facing euthanasia. Shelters and animal rescues are busting at the seams as a direct result of irresponsible pet ownership.
Still, even responsible dog owners can sometimes find themselves searching for a good home for their beloved pet. Unexpected circumstances, illness, injury, death, economic collapse. Things happen.
Because our rescues and shelters are packed full, responsible pet owners have an increasingly tough time finding a good home for their pets and are turning to direct-to-consumer classified ads, like Craigslist or the local newspaper, thinking that they’re doing the right thing for their dog. Sometimes, a good samaritan finds a stray dog and, rather than call animal control and risk the dog being euthanized, will put up a classified ad to find a new home.
We visited Craigslist’s pet classified section and contacted several dog owners offering “free to a good home” dogs on the site with questions about their dogs, their reason for re-homing them, and their decision to use a classified ad for their precious dogs. Most advertisers ignored us, but a few responded. Here’s what we found:
A military family was deploying overseas and couldn’t take their pitbull-mix; a single mother was having another child and could no longer afford to care for her Catahoula-mix; another was re-homing his deceased father’s beloved Beagle. Though most of us would find ways to keep our dogs in each of these cases, none of them are particularly terrible reasons to re-home an animal.
All 3 were genuinely concerned for the well-being of their dogs and felt they were doing the right thing. All 3 listed their pets as “free to a good home” because they didn’t want to profit from a “sale” of their pet, but ultimately only wanted to find a loving home for the pets they cared for. All 3 respondents above claimed to have contacted shelters and/or rescue groups before using Craigslist but were denied any help due to overcrowding and felt they had no other options.
All 3 pulled or modified their ads when we explained what really happens to “free to a good home” pets.
So, what really happens to “free to a good home” dogs?
- Last year, Jeffrey Nally Jr. was charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty because of the massive number of dead animal found on his West Virginia property. Nally had obtained at least 29 animals through “free to a good home” Craigslist ads, just like the ones we responded to.
- Patricia Hervey of Texas, is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of animals at her Bexar County home. Hervey prowled Craigslist for “free” animals, claimed to run an animal shelter near San Antonio, took money from dog owners to use to re-home them, then shot and killed them, dumping their bodies in a lake behind her home.
- Dogfighting circles use free Craigslist dogs as “bait dogs” for training their own dogs to fight without risking injury, or they take in free dogs and train those to be fighters as well.
- Other groups, called “Bunchers” scour classifieds for free dogs, then sell them to laboratories for animal research and experimentation.
- And, sometimes, a free ad for re-homing a purebred, unaltered dog will result in the former family dog being picked up by a puppy mill breeder to spend the rest of her life as a caged, malnourished, unloved breeding machine.
The people looking specifically for “free to a good home” dogs will go to great lengths to appear legitimately interested in providing a perfect, loving home for the dog. They present themselves as well-to-do, responsible dog lovers. They often bring children along to meet the dog and owner to avoid suspicion. They will make up elaborate stories about previous pets, a perfect home and yard, and promise to provide a loving forever home to the helpless animal.
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