April | 2009 | Hunting Dogs

Dogs get skin conditions like other types of mammals, including humans.  One of the most common types of skin conditions that some bird dogs get is ringworm.  Ringworm can be caused by a fungal infection as well as an infection from a parasite.  In most dogs, ringworm is caused by fleas. 

 

Symptoms of Ringworm In Dogs

 

Dog skin conditions such as ringworm are very common.  It is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of this condition so that it can be remedied.  Ringworm is uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to more serious complications.  Signs and symptoms of ringworm in dogs include:

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  Loss of hair in a circular fashion, usually on the head and legs
  
  


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  Circular patches that are red and may have a dry crust
  
  


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  Excessive scratching, usually at the head and legs
  
  

Diagnosis of Ringworm

 

If your dog exhibits any type of skin condition that is persistent, it is your obligation to take him to the vet so that he can be treated.  Only a veterinarian can diagnose ringworm in your dog; this is not something that you should attempt to do on your own.  

 

Your vet will take a look at your dog and normally make a clinical diagnosis based upon the condition as presented.  Other tests that can be done include blood tests as well as skin scrapings that will be able to determine if the condition is caused by skin parasites.  Most likely, your vet will want to rule out any underlying conditions that can cause this type of rash. 

 

Treatment of Ringworm

 

If the ringworm is caused by fleas, as it often is, the fleas will have to be eliminated to clear up the problem.  This is often done with a flea bath that will kill these parasites.  If infection is also present, then the dog will most likely be given antibiotics.  The sooner you get your dog to the vet for the treatment of ringworm, the better off he will be.   It can take several weeks for the ringworm condition that is caused by fleas or ticks to heal.  

 

Prevention of Ringworm

 

While you cannot prevent all skin conditions and gun dogs, in particular, may be prone to other parasites that can cause this condition, such as ticks, you can take preventative measures.  Examine your dog for signs of infestation and keep his coat clean and groomed.  Flea powder can be used in some cases as can special types of dog soap that is designed to keep his coat shiny and ward off infestation. 

 

If you suspect your dog has ringworm or some other type of skin condition, do not ignore it.  Take him to the vet, get a diagnosis and begin treatment.  The sooner that you get your dog in for proper treatment, the easier it will be to get rid of the ringworm.  Skin is his largest organ and often, things that may be wrong with your dog will reflect upon his coat.  If your dog loses patches of hair, is scratching, or has a rash, it is best to get him checked out by the vet. 

 

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Just like humans, dogs also get ear infections, a condition known as Otitis.  There are a number of different reasons why dogs get ear infections and certain gun dog breeds are more prone to ear infections than others.  Labrador Retrievers and Springer Spaniels are two breeds of gun dogs that often develop this condition.  This is because these dogs usually have a lot more hair in and around their ear canal that can promote the growth of yeast or bacteria that may result in an infection.  In addition, Retrievers can pick up ear infections by coming into contact with bacteria found in water.  Any dog, however, can develop ear infections which is why you need to know the symptoms of ear infections in dogs and how this condition is treated. 

 

Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections

 

Ear infections are painful for your dog and can, in some severe cases, lead to deafness.  Some of the symptoms that you should look for are both clinical as well as behavioral.  Signs and symptoms of dog ear infections include:

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  Discharge from the ears that may be yellow or green in color and foul smelling
  
  


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  Excessive scratching their ears or pawing at them
  
  


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  Shaking their heads excessively
  
  

The above are early signs of a dog ear infection.  If untreated, the infection will usually move from the outer ear to the inner ear.  Signs and symptoms of inner ear infections in your dog include:

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  Disorientation
  
  


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  Falling or uneasy gait
  
  


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  Decreased ability to hear
  
  


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  Unusual eye movements
  
  

It is important that you take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect that he is suffering from ear infections as this is not only uncomfortable for your dog, but can be more difficult to treat as the infection progresses. 

 

How Dog Ear Infections Are Diagnosed

 

The vet will examine the ears of your dog with a special scope to see the infection.  Often, the vet will have a scope with a camera end that can reflect what is inside the ear on a computerized screen.  The inside of the ear will be very red and may have puss present.  Your vet will want to rule out the presence of ear mites in the examination.  In most cases, the clinical presentation will be enough for your vet to make a diagnosis and advise proper treatment. 

 

Treating Dog Ear Infections

 

In most case, the vet will prescribe medication, usually ear drops, that are placed in his ears and then the ears massaged.  Your vet will most likely clean out his ears at the office and then give you drops to use at home.  In some cases, the vet will need to flush the ears out, which usually requires the dog to be sedated.  In most cases, the condition will clear up quickly with this treatment. 

 

If your dog continues to suffer from repeated ear infections, your vet might want to do a blood test to see if there are any underlying causes, such as parasites.  In most cases, however, the condition will be cleared up quickly, however the sooner you act, the better for your dog. 

 

There are many homeopathic remedies on the market today that are used to treat dog ear infections, however, it is not recommended that you try to treat your dog for this condition in this manner as some ear infections that are caused by parasites or bacteria require medical care.  You can help prevent dog ear infections by using an ear wash that is recommended by your vet and keeping his ears clean. 

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Roundworm is another name for heartworm, a very serious condition that can affect your dog.  Gun dogs, especially, are prone to this condition as they are often outdoors and in wooded areas.  Not only can roundworm affect your dog, but it can be transmitted to humans as well.  Although humans do not exhibit the same symptoms of this disease, they can transmit the disease to other dogs. 

 

Roundworm is a parasitic disease that is spread to dogs usually through mosquitoes.  Gun dogs, however, may get roundworm from being around other dogs that are infested as well as coming into contact with other animals often found in the woods such as coyotes or foxes.  Prevention of roundworm is essential in your gun dog as treatment can be very difficult.  Often, roundworm leads to death. 

 

Prevention of Roundworm

 

Roundworm, or heartworm, should be prevented by giving your dog a tablet that he will take every month.  You should mark this date on your calendar each month so that you do not forget to give him the pill. This simple pill can potentially save the life of your dog.  Often, by the time that roundworm is discovered, it is too late to do anything to treat the animal. 

 

Dogs that are pets are often treated to prevent roundworm during the summer months for those that are living in four season climates as the primary carrier of the disease are mosquitoes.  Gun dogs, on the other hand, should be given preventative tablets all year long as they are more likely to come into contact with other animals that may carry the parasite. 

 

Symptoms of Roundworm

 

Early symptoms of roundworm are usually not detected as they are very subtle.  The roundworm will remain in the system of your dog for six months after infestation, after which they will begin to spread through the other organs, including the brain.  Many times, the symptoms will present as a cough.  You will find your dog coughing and not having the same amount of energy as he once had.  He may also start to lose weight.  This condition can persist for months before it becomes noticeable.  Eventually, roundworm often leads to heart failure. 

 

Diagnosis of Roundworm

 

Roundworm can be diagnosed by the use of a blood test.  There is a difference between the female roundworm infection and the male infections with the male infections easier to treat.  The earlier you get the diagnosis of roundworm for your dog, the better his chances of getting the treatment he needs to save his life.  It is possible to treat and cure roundworm in your dog. 

 

Treatment of Roundworm

 

The treatment of roundworm is very extensive and costly.  The roundworms must be destroyed and this is usually done with a prescription.  This is also very taxing on your dog.  After this treatment, your dog will begin to excrete dead worms in his stool.   Follow up treatment is often necessary to make sure that all of the worms are out of his system. 

 

The problem with treating roundworm is that damage is often done to the organs that have been infested.  Treatment for roundworm in your dog depends on the amount of damage that has already been done to your dog, the age of your dog and his general health. 

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If you have a female gun dog that you are planning to breed, you should understand what to expect and how to take care of your bitch during the gestation period.   Dogs have a gestation period from 58 to 68 days after the date of the last ovulation.  Puppies that are born prior to 58 days are premature and generally have health issues.  It is advisable for you to make sure that you have your bitch see the vet during her pregnancy to make sure that everything is going normally for her and that she and the puppies are safe. 

 

Just like humans, pregnant females require additional nourishment, vitamins and may even experience a bit of nausea.  One thing that you can do to make sure that your bitch is comfortable is to feed her several smaller meals on a daily basis, instead of larger meals.  This may make her stomach feel a bit less queasy.   The morning sickness is most noticeable in the 20^th day of the pregnancy and is caused by fluctuating hormones, as is the case with humans as well. 

 

Morning sickness is one of the first signs of pregnancy, although you may notice a slight weight gain when your bitch first becomes pregnant, but most breeders will not spot this until the 30^th day of pregnancy.  By this time, the bitch will have a slight distention of the uterus and the bulge will be noticeable.  Most vets will perform an ultrasound to both confirm the pregnancy and make sure that everything is fine.  They will usually be able to tell you when to expect the litter.  The new puppies will not be visible by x-ray until the bitch is 45 days pregnant. 

 

Your pregnant female will require additional calories in her daily meal beginning at the 35^th week of pregnancy.   Your vet will often prescribe vitamin supplements, although this is something that you will want to discuss with him or her as many vets believe that an excess of vitamins can do harm to the puppies.  You might want to go with a dog food that is created for a pregnant female.  It is essential that she get the right amount of calories and nutrients during this time for the sake of the unborn puppies. 

 

When your bitch is getting ready to whelp, you should provide her with a safe, warm container lined with newspapers.  You will notice her shredding the newspapers and spending more time in the box as she begins to nest and gets ready to give birth. 

 

The birth of the puppies is a natural process, although it is helpful if you have another breeder who has been through this process before, or a vet, on hand to help in case she runs into any trouble.  The number of puppies that are in the litter depends upon the animal, although four is generally a good number for most gun dogs.  The smaller the litter, the better the chances that the puppies are born healthy.

 

Caring for your bitch during this time by making sure she is warm, comfortable and has a whelping box that is kept clean will make the entire experience easier for her.  After the puppies are born, you will have to see to it that they get their proper vaccinations.  The mother will feed and care for the puppies until they about 6 weeks old. 

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05 | November | 2009

Archive for November 5, 2009

H1N1: Don’t be fooled, and don’t be scammed

Spammers waste no time, I’ll tell you what.

We are already getting comments posted (thanks, spam filter!) and e-mails in our in box trying to sell snake oil to “prevent” or “cure” H1N1 in pets.

The FDA has been on these scammers since last summer. Seems now the crooks are just tossing a “pet” label on the old inventory and trying to get scared pet-owners to buy it.

Check out the FDA’s information section.

Update: Great read in the NYT Well blog about how the H1N1 cat was diagnosed. Veterinarians are an essential part of our public-health system, and it’s good to see them getting some attention and respect for their work in this area.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/11/…

November 5, 2009 at 8:50 pm Leave a comment

Veterinary Secrets Revealed Reviewed

Dr. Andrew Jones’ Veterinary Secrets Revealed is a very well done and thorough resource book. At 477 pages, this very complete guide covers everything about the many afflictions and injuries afflict our dogs may have-and teaches us how to diagnose and treat many of these problems ourselves. Dr. Jones has been a vet for over [...]

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November 5, 2009 at 6:38 pm Leave a comment

H1N1, cats and keeping the entire family safe

With the news yesterday about a cat in Iowa who contracted the H1N1 virus from other family members, it’s certain there’s no more timely topic than the one our Dr. Marty Becker already had lined up for today’s “The Dr. Oz Show.” (Check for local times and listings.)

Although the H1N1/feline story broke after the segment was taped, the bottom line remains the same: Get rid of the risk and keep the pet.

Over on the  PawNation site. Helena Sung wrote a good overview of the segment:

On Thursday’s episode of The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Becker (of “Good Morning America” fame) talks about diseases you can catch from your dogs and cats. “Because we’re living more intimate lives with our pets – hugging and kissing our pets, and sleeping with them at night — we’re at more risk for catching certain zoonotic diseases from our dogs and cats,” Dr. Becker tells Paw Nation.

Foremost among those diseases come from MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), parasites and ringworm. The bacteria MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics. A study found that a full 50% of the houses that researchers inspected had MRSA lurking on kitchen and faucet handles, drains, and on high chairs and trash cans. The common denominator was pet cats. “Cat owners are eight times more likely to have MRSA in their homes,” says Dr. Becker. Moreover, the bacteria was “ping-ponging back and forth between humans and pets.”

Another alarming fact? “About 600 U.S. children lose their eyesight each year due to roundworm larvae,” says Dr. Becker, “which they contract from soil that has contaminated dog feces, which doesn’t have to be from your dog, but from any dog feces off the street.” With respect to parasites, Dr. Becker points out that our pets can bring deer ticks into the home, which can cause Lyme disease in humans.

Who is most at risk for contracting zoonotic diseases? “The very young, the very old, and those with weakened immune systems from HIV or chemotherapy, and pregnant women,” Dr. Becker says.

Before you banish your pet from the house or vow to keep them at arm’s length, Dr. Becker points out that the goal is to get rid of the risk, not the pet. “If you lose the intimacy, you lose the healing power of pets,” he says.

Read the rest, and check your local listings — you may still be able to catch today’s airing of “The Dr. Oz Show.”  Our Dr. Becker also suggests a review of the petsandparasites.org site for information on how keeping pets healthier keeps people healthier.

Update: ABC News interviewed our (OK, and Purdue’s) Dr. Tony Johnson after he and Christie collaborated on the story for this blog. From the ABC News site:

This could be a thing that just fizzles out but it also has the potential for huge impact,” said Tony Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. “We have these little fuzzy things living in our house that could be vectors for nasty diseases.”

Johnson isn’t so worried that cats will spread the flu to humans: “Most influenza viruses are not going to kill you,” he said.

Rather, he worries cat owners might abandon their animals at the first sign of a sniffle.

“I think that’s what’s going to wig people out,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to see the shelters filled with cats and dogs tomorrow.”

Neither do we, Dr. T. Neither do we.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/11/…

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November 5, 2009 at 6:38 pm Leave a comment

Pearl The Boston Terrier Dog

This is Pearl, the 10 year old female Boston Terrier dog breed from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Photo and donation sent by Tony.

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November 5, 2009 at 4:52 pm Leave a comment

Pickled Pigs Feet

“What a pig!”

I hear that expression a lot from my mother as we watch Dr. Phil from the safety of our couch. I don’t think she’s calling the good Dr. a pig, although I suspect he feeds at a trough.  She aims her sharp attack at the witless men on the TV screen who seem to have difficulty grasping the concept of fidelity.

Now I can say, “What a pig!” too, but for an entirely different reason. Check out this story.

You can’t get much happier than a pig in muck, or so we are told.

But when this little piggy arrived in the farmyard she showed a marked reluctance to get her trotters dirty.

While her six brothers and sisters messed around in the mire, she stayed on the edge shaking. It is thought she might have mysophobia – a fear of dirt.

A pig, fearing dirt. That’s like a dog fearing social interaction, a cat fearing afternoon naps or Rosie O’Donnell fearing an all you can eat buffet. It’s unheard of.

Owners Debbie and Andrew Keeble were at a loss, until they remembered the four miniature wellies used as pen and pencil holders in their office. They slipped them on the piglet’s feet – and into the mud she happily ploughed.

In case you are wondering, welllies are boots. My parents tried putting some wellies on me once, to keep me from sliding on the hardwood floors in the house. I gotta be honest, didn’t like ‘em one bit. But then again, I’m not a filthy pig.

Here’s where the story takes an interesting twist:

The couple, who run the award-winning Debbie and Andrew’s sausage company in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, named the young saddleback Cinders after Cinderella and her magical glass slippers.

‘Hopefully she will grow out of her phobia of mud before she needs a new set of boots.’

And when Cinder does need new boots, she’ll end up at the breakfast table…well on it, along with a few eggs, sunny side up.

<a href=”http://twitter.com/home/?status=Pickled+Pigs+Feet+” target=”_blank”>http://mo55k.th8.us”>

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November 5, 2009 at 3:45 pm Leave a comment

Rescued abused dog saves owner’s life

A dog rescued many years ago, found as an emaciated stray with baling wire wrapped around her snout, repaid my friend last week by saving her life.

Thanks to a liver transplant a couple of years ago, Linda Mawhinney is getting back to a fairly normal state of health after years of creeping towards becoming terminally ill. She uses a pump for her diabetes, and just recently began working full time again. This past August I saw Linda for the first time in years. She lives in a suburb of Vancouver. She has been too ill to travel, and I just hadn’t made it out there in a long time.

Emma, an 11-year old shepherd mix, woke Linda up around 3 a.m. to tell Linda she wanted to go out. Linda staggered out to the kitchen aiming for the room behind it, which has the door to the back yard. Emma simply stopped by the kitchen counter and refused to budge. Groggy as all get out, Linda thought Emma wanted food, but her dish was full. Emma kept looking at the kitchen counter and then at Linda, then back to the counter, then back to Linda.

I can just see Emma doing this. She is one smart cookie.

“Eventually, I realized that my vision was quite blotchy and what she was indicating was my glucometer,†said Linda in an e-mail to me. The glucometer was on the kitchen counter where Emma was staring. Linda checked her blood sugar and found it dangerously low at 25 when normal is 90 to 140 (or 1.5 from a normal range of 5.2 to 7.6).

“If it had dipped any lower I would have blacked out completely,†said Linda, whose new job is a patient advisor for diabetics. “I started eating Dex4 tablets and Emma went outside, where it was raining heavily.  Normally when it’s raining, she runs out and pees and then dashes back in the house.  Not this night.  She lay down in the grass for 15 minutes.  This is significant because I have been known, in a hypoglycemic stupor, to take a couple of Dex4 tablets and go back to bed without checking to make sure it’s coming up and have subsequently tanked.  After about 15 minutes, she came back in and again went to the counter where the glucometer was.  I tried to get her to go down the hall to the bedroom, but she wouldn’t go until I had taken my blood again and told her that it was okay.â€

Linda’s pump had been sending out noisy beeping alarms, but that night both Linda and her husband John (years ago I nicknamed him St. John) slept through them. It’s impossible to know if Emma was responding to the alarm or to a scent indicating a problem, but she not only knew something needed to be done immediately, she also figured out how to do it.

It’s frightening to think that without Emma, Linda could have died from this one episode after nearly dying two years ago (she was the sickest person her transplant surgeon had ever seen who survived).  Linda’s health issues began almost 15 years ago, around the time I met her through an Internet dog list, and she is one hell of a survivor. I’ve never seen anyone that ill who had such an upbeat attitude every step of the way. In all the years I’ve known her, she’s only cried once that I know of, and not because she was sick or nearly dying: she cried because one of her dogs died in her arms while she was home alone and too sick to race the dog to the vet. Knowing that the dog wouldn’t have survived even if she’d been seen immediately never took away the pain.

At one point Emma was one of several rescued dogs in the house, but because of Linda’s health issues, Emma has been the only pet in the house for a while. Emma wasn’t there the last time I was, so this was the first time I met her. She’s an absolute doll. I took a lot of photos of them, and many of Emma, trying to show how happy she is despite the reasons for the scar around her snout. Linda and Emma have always had an emotional connection that went beyond the one she had with her other beloved dogs.  It’s no surprise to the people who know them that Emma would be the dog to save Linda from a dangerous glucose drop; it would have been Emma if there were ten dogs in the house.

Emma is clearly getting a bit stiff these days, and her gait isn’t quite what it used to be. She has been totally content for years, and is an easy-going, affectionate girl. Whoever cruelly left her to starve with wire wrapped around her snout so that she couldn’t eat will surely get what he or she deserves in this world. Thankfully, Linda and Emma have always deserved each other, and now they have saved each other.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/11/…

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November 5, 2009 at 12:36 pm Leave a comment

Beagle Breed Advice Pet Owner Tips

The general perception of Beagles is that they are all hunting dogs, and one often thinks of a Beagle running after a fox or a rabbit. Despite the heavy hunting association, the charismatic little Beagle is also a very popular family pet these days. So, with this in mind, it helps to know [...]

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November 5, 2009 at 8:41 am Leave a comment

Doggie Bootcamp: Training Guide Pups for the Blind – WHAG

WHAG Doggie Bootcamp: Training Guide Pups for the BlindWHAG… which means up until they are 18 months they will live with a puppy raiser who sets the foundation for their training as a seeing guide dog. …Blind loveChesterfield Observer (subscription)all 2 news articles » More: continued here

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November 5, 2009 at 6:50 am Leave a comment

Jackson The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog

This is Jackson, the 2 year old male Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed from Kansas. Photo sent by David & Aly.

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November 5, 2009 at 5:51 am Leave a comment