speakingforspot.com

Axel

speakingforspot — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:34:40 +0000

Rarely do dogs show their true colors during a veterinary hospital visit. Outgoing dogs may become timid, gentle dogs sometimes growl or nip, and normally obedient dogs frequently feign deafness (one of the reasons I rarely request anything from my patients before offering them a treat-being tolerant of me and what I’m doing with them is a trick in and of itself). This out of character behavior is why it’s always so fun for me to catch a glimpse of my patients’ genuine personalities when in their “own element.” Never has this been truer than with Axel, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois. Not only is Axel a beloved family member, he is also an employee of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department. He and his best buddy Sheriff Adrian Mancilla have been partners for approximately two years. I first met Axel approximately nine months ago when he was a 50 pound dog living in what should have been a 65 pound body. Adrian reported that, although Axel’s appetite and enthusiasm seemed normal, he had been vomiting a few times weekly. Diagnostic tests revealed that the cause of Axel’s vomiting and dramatic weight loss was inflammatory bowel disease, a syndrome in which noncancerous inflammatory cells infiltrate the lining of the intestines.

Fortunately Axel has responded beautifully to a combination of medication and a novel protein diet. He’s regained his missing 15 pounds and is back in full force on the force! I recently had the thrill of witnessing this first hand while attending a competition for law enforcement dogs from all over California. The first leg of the competition was basic obedience, followed by a rather daunting agility course including elements such as ten-foot vertical fence. Axel was a superstar and endeared himself to the spectators when, upon being released from the last agility element, he literally jumped into Adrian’s arms for a bear hug- his reward for a job well done!

The “box search” was the third phase of the competition. Multiple closed containers resembling large trash dumpsters were scattered around a field. Only one contained a person sitting silently. The challenge for the dog was to use his nose to identify the occupied box and then alert his partner in the shortest time possible. Most of the dogs cruised the field checking out multiple containers before honing in on the correct one. Not Axel- he apparently picked up the scent before Adrian released him and made a beeline (with the winning time) to the occupied box.

The “protection phase” of the competition was the grand finale. The dogs were required to pursue and subdue several “agitators.” In the process, they were challenged to ignore a “dummy agitator,” jump through a screen of spraying water while in pursuit, and voluntarily release their hold on one agitator in order to subdue a second agitator (who happened to be attacking the dog’s partner). Only a few dogs were successful with all three challenges and, you guessed it- Axel was one of them.

Not only did Axel win the box search and protection phase of the competition, he won the entire competition’s top dog honors, known as the Maverick Award. I feel enormously proud for Adrian and Axel. What a team- they share an indescribable bond whether on and off duty. I felt privileged to watch them compete, and it was so thrilling to watch my patient doing exactly what his body and personality were designed to do- something I could never have fully imagined in the confines of my hospital exam room.

p.s. Something only a veterinarian would notice- Axel was the only neutered dog in the competition, yet he was the top performer. Hmm, food for thought……………

How does your dog’s behavior in a veterinary hospital setting compare to his behavior in his own surroundings?

Now, here’s wishing you and your four-legged best friend a most enjoyable and safe summer!

Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, 2009 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, 2009 Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Website: http://www.speakingforspot.com
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Dogs and Velcro- Who Knew!!

speakingforspot — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:22:18 +0000

In 1941 an engineer by the name of George de Mestral and his dog ventured together on daily treks through the Swiss Alps. It is reported that, following their hikes, Mr. de Mestral spent time grooming his faithful friend to dislodge burrs from his haircoat. This was no mindless task; rather it managed to get Mr. de Mestral’s creative juices flowing. He examined the burrs under a microscope and took note of their teeny tiny hooks that latched onto his dog’s hair. He copied this phenomenon with an invention named after the French words for velvet and hook (velours and crochet). Thus the invention of Velcro!

History indicates that it took many years for Mr. de Mestral’s creation to catch on (no pun intended), but, as you know, Velcro has become a sensationally versatile and popular product. I wish I could provide you with the name or breed of the dog who inspired this invention- of interest to me, but apparently unimportant to Velcro historians! Don’t they realize that had said dog sported long spindly legs and a coarse haircoat- the burrs might not have latched on, and we would be living Velcro-less lives!

The next time you’re painstakingly removing burrs from your dog’s haircoat or a thunderstorm causes your dog to “stick to you like Velcro,” do not despair. Rather, remind yourself about George de Mestral and the amazing invention inspired by the awesome combination of nature and a dog.

Now, here’s wishing you and your four-legged best friend a most enjoyable and safe summer!

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Gastric Torsion: A Horribly Unhealthy Kind of Twist

speakingforspot — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:02 +0000

Torsion, gastric torsion, gastric dilatation-volvulus, GDV; these are terms you never want to hear applied to your dog. They all mean the exact same thing- your dog’s stomach is distended with gas and has twisted on itself, and emergency surgery offers the only hope for saving his life. Here’s a visual aid to help you understand what happens when a dog develops gastric torsion. Picture a fanny pack in your mind. The pouch of the fanny pack represents your dog’s stomach. One strap of the fanny pack is the esophagus that transports food from your dog’s mouth down into his stomach. The other strap is the upper small intestine (duodenum) that transports food out of the stomach. Now hold one strap of the fanny pack in each hand and twirl the pouch until it twists on itself causing the straps to crimp. This is what happens when gastric torsion occurs- the stomach twists on itself, cutting off normal blood flow to the stomach and surrounding structures. Additionally, gas and fluid continue to accumulate within the stomach and cannot flow out via the crimped esophagus or duodenum, so the stomach progressively distends. A dog in this situation quickly lapses into a state of shock and surgical “decompression” or untwisting of the stomach is the only way out of this nightmare. Time is of the essence- the longer the stomach remains twisted, the greater the likelihood of irreversible devitalization (death) of the stomach tissue.

Image Credit: HoundFancy, 2001

Initial symptoms of gastric torsion include a bloated appearance through the midsection (the ribs look like they are expanding outward), drooling, nonproductive retching/vomiting, restlessness, weakness, shallow breathing, rapid heart rate (if it can be felt through the chest wall), and pale gum color. If you observe such symptoms, quickly make some phone calls to find the closest veterinary hospital capable of performing immediate surgery on your best friend. The sooner surgery can be performed the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome. Irreparable damage to the stomach tissue is often the deal breaker if the torsion is not corrected quickly. At the time of surgery, not only is the stomach derotated, it is tacked (attached with stitches) to the inside of the abdominal wall to prevent a repeat spinning performance. Additionally if the spleen or portions of the stomach wall appear devitalized (deprived of normal blood flow for too long) they will be removed. If surgery is successful, the dog typically has a minimum two to three day post-operative stay in the hospital for round the clock monitoring for post-operative complications.

Truth be told, we really don’t know much about what causes gastric torsion. Clearly, there is a breed/conformation association- large deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, Irish Wolfhounds, Boxers, Dobermans, Weimaraners, and Rottweilers are particularly predisposed. Affected males definitely outnumber females. One study documented that elevating the food bowl actually predisposes to gastric torsion. Other studies have indicated that the following factors may also be part of the recipe that results in gastric dilatation-volvulus: eating only one meal per day, eating rapidly, eating dry foods that list oils or fats among the first four label ingredients, exercising in close association to mealtime, being underweight, and being of an “anxious” rather than “happy” personality type. The only known way to prevent gastric torsion from occurring is by performing a prophylactic (preventive) gastropexy procedure (sutures are used to tack the stomach wall to the inside lining of the abdominal cavity). This does not prevent the bloating (stomach distending with gas), but does prevent the life threatening twisting part of this miserable disease process.

Would you like to participate in a study to learn more about why dogs develop gastric torsion? If your dog has ever bloated (distention of the stomach without rotation) or has experienced gastric torsion, I encourage you to take this survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WS2VKFP. It is being conducted by Dr. Cynthia Otto from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with researcher, author and lecturer, Dr. Carmen Battaglia. A summary of the results and findings will be posted at www.breedingbetterdogs.com in November, 2010. If you and your dog did have direct experience with a gastric torsion, I sure as heck hope yours was a happy ending.

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Keep Your Pets Safe This 4th of July

speakingforspot — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:02:26 +0000

You will find some great articles and advice for keeping your pets safe over the July 4th holiday weekend.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/diseasesall/a/petsfireworks.htm

http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Press/InNews/tomfireworks2.html

http://blog.fetchthepaper.com/2007/06/4th-of-july-saf.html

Now, here’s wishing you and your four-legged best friend a most enjoyable and safe summer!

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

A Summertime Reminder

speakingforspot — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:05:58 +0000

Tuffy, a scruffy and adorably sweet little terrier arrived at my hospital earlier this week in a state of collapse with profoundly labored breathing, purplish gums, and a temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit (the normal body temperature for a dog is 100-102 degrees). Tuffy’s well-intentioned family let him accompany them on a brief outing and, while they were in the store for a mere ten minutes, Tuffy remained in the car. The problem was, the outdoor temperature at the time was 92 degrees. The temperature within the car must have quickly soared to well above 100 degrees. Tuffy is one of the lucky ones. He survived his episode of heatstroke without any lingering complications and has gone home to rejoin his grateful (and more knowledgeable) family. Most patients with heatstroke don’t fare nearly so well. Thank you Tuffy for reminding me that it’s time to rebroadcast a blog I posted last summer. I encourage you to share this with anyone you know who loves a dog with hopes of preventing a needless tragedy.

Dog Days of Summer

Some of us take “dog days of summer” literally- we want to go everywhere accompanied by our beloved canine companions! As tempting as this may be, keep in mind that when temperatures are soaring your dog is likely best served by staying home. Heat has the potential to be hazardous to a dog’s health.

Dogs are incapable of significant sweating- their only sweat glands are located on the undersides of their paws. The major mechanism by which dogs dissipate heat is by panting, but this cooling system is easily overwhelmed when the temperatures climbs. Panting becomes even less effective in humid conditions or for dogs with underlying respiratory tract ailments (collapsing trachea, laryngeal paralysis, lung diseases) or dogs that are overweight. Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and others I lovingly refer to as “smoosh-faced” breeds readily overheat because of their unique upper respiratory tract anatomy.

What happens when dogs get too hot? The result can be heatstroke, a life threatening condition. Symptoms of heatstroke tend to occur abruptly and can include increased heart rate, labored breathing, weakness, collapse, purplish gum color, and even seizures and coma. Of all the “summertime diseases,” veterinarians dread heatstroke the most because we know that, even with aggressive therapy, many heatstroke victims will succumb to organ damage and death.

Most cases of canine heatstroke are a result of confinement in cars. Perhaps the vehicle was parked in the shade, but the sun shifted, or a well-intentioned person thought that leaving the windows cracked or returning to the car quickly would be a safe bet. Overactivity in the heat is another common cause of heatstroke. The desire to chase the ball trumps all else, and the person throwing it doesn’t recognize when it’s time to quit.

If you suspect your dog has or is on the verge of heatstroke, spend just a few minutes cooling him off with water from a hose or covering him with towels soaked in cool water. Then get to the closest veterinary hospital as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence- the earlier heatstroke is detected and treated, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Knowledge is power when it comes to preventing heatstroke. Here are some pointers to help keep your best buddy safe during these hot summer months:

-Never leave your dog inside the car on warm or hot days. A panting dog in an enclosed space quickly creates a muggy greenhouse environment that can quickly cause heatstroke. Even with the windows down, temperatures inside a car can rise to 120 degrees or more. If you happen upon a dog confined in a car on a hot day, find the owner of the vehicle or contact a police officer- whichever will most rapidly liberate the dog from danger.

-Exercise your dog early in the morning or during evening hours to avoid the heat of the day.

-Allow for plenty of rest and water breaks during play activity and exercise. Your dog may not know his limits and will continue to enthusiastically chase the Frisbee even when his internal thermometer is getting ready to blow a fuse.

-Keep your dog indoors, ideally in air conditioning, on very hot days.

-If your dog is left outside, be sure he has plenty of shade and provide him with access to a sprinkler, wading pool, or sand pit soaked with water.

-If flying with your dog during the summer months schedule your flight for nighttime or early morning. Check with the airlines to find out whether or not the cargo hold is temperature controlled.

Now, here’s wishing you and your four-legged best friend a most enjoyable and safe summer!

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Dogs, Chocolate, and Smart Phones

speakingforspot — Mon, 31 May 2010 15:09:20 +0000

Here’s a little ditty I couldn’t resist sharing. I’m such a sucker for upbeat stories that involve kids or animals, and this one happens to involve both. An ingenious seventh grader named Parker Stevens was featured in a recent issue of DOGliving, a wonderful magazine out of North Carolina. This young man created an iPhone application called ChocoTox that determines whether or not the amount of chocolate ingested by a dog is toxic. The iPhone user plugs in the dog’s body weight, amount of chocolate ingested, and “strength” of the chocolate (i.e., dark chocolate contains more of the toxic principle called theobromine than milk chocolate). The smart phone then determines if veterinary intervention is indicated (I don’t think it mentions the need for impending carpet cleaning).

Kudos to Parker for his clever App aptitude! I sense this kid will be accomplishing great things in the world of technogeekdom! Keep in mind, there are a few chocolaty circumstances that definitely favor consultation with your vet rather than your iPhone:

-More than one dog was involved in the chocolate fest and it is impossible to know which dog ate how much.
-The container that contained the chocolate was also ingested and is now residing somewhere in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
-The ingested chocolate happened to contain other toxic substances- a leafy green substance seems to be a common ingredient in brownies baked by some of our hospital clients.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Those Frustrating Foxtails

speakingforspot — Wed, 19 May 2010 03:02:43 +0000

My littlest dog Nellie came in the house tonight sneezing. Any other time of year and I would be unconcerned, but in late spring and early summer an abrupt onset of sneezing after being outdoors is a “foxtail in the nose alarm bell”. I’ll be watching Nellie like a hawk for the rest of the evening. Any crinkling of her nose, ongoing sneezing, or bloody nose and she’ll be my first patient tomorrow morning.

If you are unfamiliar with foxtails, count your blessings! These pesky, bristly plant awns grow in abundance throughout California and are reported in most every state west of the Mississippi. Once the plant heads dry, they become hell bent on finding their way into dogs’ noses, ears, eyes, mouths, and just about every other orifice. They can dive deep into a dog’s nostril or ear canal (beyond sight) in the blink of an eye. And a foxtail camouflaged under a layer of hair can readily burrow through the skin (a favorite hiding place is between toes). Foxtails can wind up virtually anywhere in the body and associated symptoms vary based on location. For example, a foxtail within the ear canal causes head shaking, under the skin a draining tract, or within the lung labored breathing and coughing. Not only is the dog’s body incapable of degrading or decomposing foxtails, these plant awns are barbed in such a way that they can only move in a “forward” direction. Unless caught early, they and the bacteria they carry either become walled off to form an abscess or migrate through the body causing infection and tissue damage. Once foxtails have moved internally, they become the proverbial needle in a haystack- notoriously difficult to find and remove.

Take the example of Emma Louise, an undeniably adorable Brittany Spaniel mix whose family told me that her favorite pastime is running through fields with her nose to the ground. They described her as a “foxtail magnet” having accumulated several in her ears and nose over the years. I was asked to help figure out the cause of Emma Louise’s hunched back and straining to urinate. With abdominal ultrasound I discovered a gigantic abscess tucked up under Emma Louise’s spine, extending into her pelvic canal. Given this girl’s history, I just knew there had to be a foxtail in there somewhere. The question was, would we be able to find it?

As is my medical tradition before launching a foxtail search, I recited a prayer to the “god of foxtails.” I then turned Emma Louise over to one of my surgical colleagues for exploratory surgery. After two hours of nail biting and a barrage of expletives originating from the O.R., I heard a shout of, “Got it!” The foxtail had been located and removed, and sweet little Emma Louise made a rapid and complete recovery. Not finding the foxtail would have meant a lifetime of antibiotics to treat her foxtail induced infection.

If you suspect your dog has a foxtail related issue, contact your veterinarian right away to find out what steps can be taken (at home or in the veterinary hospital) to rid your dog of this unwanted plant material. Whenever possible, avoidance of foxtail exposure is the best and only foolproof prevention. If your dog does have access to foxtails, carefully comb through his or her haircoat a couple of times daily- checking ears and toes, too- to remove any that are embedded and poised to wreak havoc! Have you and your dog experienced any foxtail nightmares? If so, please share your story.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Speaking for Spot Gives Back

speakingforspot — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:03:52 +0000

Wonderfully fun names such as “A New Leash on Life,” “Wags to Riches,” and “Fairy Dogmother Rescue,” are to be found at PetFinder.com. This is definitely the place to go in cyberspace when thinking about adopting a new pet. Before I go one step further, rest assured I am aware that the PetFinder site likely features some puppy mills amongst their gazillions of legitimate nonprofit organizations. I’ve no doubt that in spite of the fact that PetFinder performs their due diligence, some puppy mills likely slip through the cracks. In my mind, this does not detract from the profoundly positive outcomes PetFinder facilitates. Rather, it means that we need to perform our own due diligence when using this website.

At the time of this writing, PetFinder features 13,184 nonprofit adoption groups (shelters, humane societies, SPCA’s, and rescue organizations) and over 297,457 pets in need of a new home. PetFinder states that they’ve facilitated more than 13 million adoptions since 1995. Wow, that’s one heck of a lot of animals’ lives changed for the better! I have a tremendous respect for the many thousands of people who invest their time, energy, and financial resources helping animals in need of a new lease on life. Their generosity and desire to “give back” are inspirational. I’ve initiated the Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program with hopes of providing a little bit of support for the amazing work they do.

The Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program is open to all animal-centered nonprofits including service organizations and adoption and rescue groups. Here’s how the program works. Participating organizations appear on a pull down menu on the purchase page of my website (www.speakingforspot.com). When someone purchases Speaking for Spot they can designate which nonprofit organization will receive 20% of the book sale proceeds. The Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program is a win-win situation – not only will participating organizations raise much-needed funds, those who purchase the book will have a wonderful resource that will last a lifetime!

Please support your favorite animal-centered nonprofit organization by encouraging the folks who work there to learn more about the Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program. They can either contact me directly (Dr.Kay@SpeakingforSpot.com) or visit http://www.speakingforspot.com/speakingforspotgivesback.html. And when you are ready to expand your own menagerie, I hope you will begin the search at your local rescue organizations, shelters, and humane societies. Have you already adopted from such an organization? If so, I’d love to hear your story!

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Making Veterinary Hospital Visits Less Stressful for Your Dog

speakingforspot — Sat, 01 May 2010 00:59:45 +0000

There’s no question that trips to the veterinary hospital have the potential to wreak havoc on a dog’s psyche and bring out the worst in their behavior. Normally outgoing dogs may become timid, and confident dogs may become fearful. A dog that would never growl or bite in their home environment may bare his teeth when being handled by strangers in the veterinary hospital setting. Such behavioral changes are typically stress or fear induced. By doing some advance work with your dog, you can help create positive rather than negative behavioral responses to veterinary hospital visits. This becomes a win-win situation in that the experience will be less stressful for you and your dog and there will be a greater likelihood of successfully performing diagnostic tests and providing therapy without the need for sedation or anesthesia.

I asked Chicago based professional dog trainer and behavior specialist Jennifer Hack of Dynamic Dogs, Inc. (www.DynamicDogsChicago.com) to provide some guidance for making veterinary hospital visits as stress-free as possible. Here is her sage advice:

On the way to the vet

Before you leave the house, grab a handful of special favorite treats and a regular leash (extendable leashes are not good for control). Dogs who get into the car expecting a negative outcome will often exhibit immediate anxiety. To prevent this, socialize your dog often and take your dog to fun destinations as well, and he will be much less anxious than if his only car rides take him to the vet. Your attitude will also make a huge difference- the more confident and calm you are, the safer your dog will feel. Additionally, take your dog along for a “just for fun visit” when you pick up food, products, or prescriptions. Do such practice runs at a time when the staff can greet your dog and give him treats.

The waiting room

If your dog is anxious (whining, barking, etc.), do not reinforce the behavior by attempting to comfort him or pet him. Instead, find something constructive for your dog to do that will earn your praise. Rather than sit and let the anxiety build, you may want to do some obedience work with your dog around the room- you only need a small area. It may be difficult to overcome the distractions, but it’s good practice. Teach your dog a “look” command. Start by holding a treat next to your face and say, “look.” After three seconds of eye contact mark the behavior by saying “Yes!” and give the treat. Build up the amount of time longer and longer before you reward, and eventually you can phase out the lure and your dog will be focusing on your face.

Remember courtesy to others in the waiting room. Not everyone’s dog is well socialized with other dogs or humans, and they may be ill, so always be aware of what your dog is doing and do not allow them to approach, sniff, or invade the space of other dogs or cats. When seated, keep your dog directly in front of on a down-stay by your feet.

Behaving for the exam

Accepting handling and examination is essential for every dog, from puppies to adults. From a young age, condition your dog to accept handling from head to toe, and make it fun. Start by doing the handling yourself, and then if possible, have several other people practice handling your dog gently as a vet would. You can also practice with your dog on a table, doing the following:

-Mouth: When routinely praising and petting your dog, don’t avoid their mouth. Touch their muzzle often and gently rub their gums.

-Ears: Gently massage the base of the ears and practice looking inside.

-Front Paws: Start by holding your dog’s paw and then praising and rewarding with a treat. Then touch each nail individually and feel between the toes. To keep your dog from pulling away, have him “sit” and “stay” first.

-Abdomen: With your dog in a standing position at your left side or on a table, massage your dogs rib cage and his abdomen and hips, lifting up each rear leg and also touching the rear paws.

Teach your dog the command, “over.” In addition to all the basic obedience commands, teaching your dog “over”, to lie down on his or her side, is useful for exams. Start this when your dog is feeling relaxed and go at your own pace. From a down position, slowly roll your dog over and praise and reward.

Uncomfortable procedures

Often while your veterinarian is examining your dog, you may be holding your dog’s head. Keep one hand on the collar holding your dog steady, and one hand on the neck. Talk to your dog and give hearty praise in order to distract him while he is receiving a shot or having his temperature taken. The more confident and calm you feel, the more comfortable your dog will feel.

To muzzle or not to muzzle?

A muzzle is a misunderstood tool. There is a stigma that muzzles are only for incorrigible dogs, or that wearing a muzzle is somehow traumatic to a dog. In reality, we must admit the fact that any dog, no matter how socialized or nice, has the physical capability to bite, especially when feeling frightened, vulnerable, or in pain. You want to take every opportunity to prevent bites- better safe than sorry! If you have any reason to believe your dog may bite during a veterinary exam, based on previous history or body language, request that your dog wear a muzzle. I prefer basket-style muzzles because they allow the dog to open their mouth, pant, and feel more comfortable, rather than the cloth-style that holds the mouth closed. You can condition your dog to wearing a muzzle at home for short periods of time; that way he won’t view it as a negative occurrence. If you feel your dog may have an aggression issue, find a professional trainer who is also a behavior specialist.

If you would like to contact Jennifer Hack, you may email her at Jennifer@dynamicdogschicago.com.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends:

Stop That Scratching!

speakingforspot — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:30:33 +0000

If the sounds of a canine or feline “scratchfest” is interrupting your slumber, or you’re snarling, “Stop scratching!” several times a day, chances are you have an allergic pet on your hands. Just as with human hay fever, most dog and cat allergies are the result of an exaggerated immune system response to allergens in the environment such as plant pollens, tree pollens, and mold spores. The scientific name for this inherited allergic condition is atopy or atopic dermatitis. Terriers of any type are notorious atopy sufferers along with Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, Shar-peis, Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers.

Whereas people are prone to runny nose and eyes, dogs and cats with atopy develop itchy skin, often accompanied by skin and ear infections. Symptoms are initially mild and seasonal, but tend to progress year by year in terms of severity and duration. Fortunately, there are many options for treating atopy including medicated shampoos, antihistamines, fatty acid supplements, and drugs that alter the immune system’s overzealous behavior (cyclosporine, cortisone). Just as for people, desensitization injections can be administered after specific testing is done to determine which allergens are provoking the immune response. Elimination of exposure to the allergens may also be an option (a good excuse to move to Hawaii!).

Some dogs and cats develop allergies to their food. This can result in year round itchy skin, ear infections, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, gassiness). If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian will recommend an “elimination food trial.” This requires strict adherence (including elimination of your pet’s favorite treats) to feeding a novel protein diet for six to eight weeks. There are many such diets to choose from these days that contain duck, rabbit, venison, salmon, and even kangaroo! If the chronic symptoms disappear in response to the diet change, voila, the diagnosis of food allergy has been made. One must then hope that, over time, the animal doesn’t develop an allergy to the new diet!

Lastly, some dogs and cats develop an allergy to fleas, more specifically, to the flea’s saliva. Whereas many fleas are required to cause most animals to scratch like crazy, for those with a flea allergy, just one bite is all it takes to set off an intensely itchy reaction that can last for days. The best treatment for this allergy is stringent flea control, or relocation to Colorado; fleas don’t survive in high altitude locations!

‘Tis the season for fleas and seasonal atopy. Do you have an itchy dog or cat on your hands? If so, what will your strategy be to soothe your pet’s itch and preserve your sanity?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Website: http://www.speakingforspot.com
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Please share this blog with your dog-loving family and friends: