Fat Dogs, Skinny Dogs & Bad Neighbors

I get calls all the time that are really more about people disputes than anything else. Animals are just a way for angry neighbors to get back at each other. Yes, it's sad.

Recently I got a complaint about emaciated dogs on Azalea Way. Seriously, the woman said "emaciated." (Some people watch waaaay too much Animal Planet.) I agreed to do a welfare check.

I was surprised to see three healthy pit bulls. They were solid muscle. I could feel the ribs (but not put my fingers between them) and they each had visible waistlines when viewed from above. WOW. The owner was pissed to see me. She stated that her dogs eat high quality food and exercise regularly. She even showed me the report from their recent vet visit. The she vented about the bitch next door -- parking, disputes over parties and who does and does not put their trash out according to the HOA rules.

Later that afternoon I visited the complainant (AKA the bitch next door). I told her that the dogs in question were fine. Again, she used the word "emaciated." I tried to explain my findings, but she didn't seem to understand what I was saying. Then I saw her dogs. They looked like giant engorged ticks with Labrador heads. There were no waistlines, and I couldn't feel ribs no matter how hard I pressed. They were so overweight that there were wrinkly, fatty lumps at the base of their tails.

When I suggested that her dogs were "a little overweight" (AKA morbidly obese) she became defensive and started complaining about the neighbor -- loud music, excessive beer bottles in the recycle bin, and overgrown hedges. See where this is going? As an afterthought, she said that the dogs bark too much while locked outside during those loud parties.

I gave the complainant a copy of the ordinance and agreed to talk to the neighbor about barking. I also left her this handout:



Download a pdf version for yourself here.

Obesity is rampant in the United States, among people and pets alike. It seems that our animals are sharing the sedentary lifestyle. Too many snacks and too little exercise has become the American way. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has been keeping track of pet obesity for years. A 2017 clinical study found that 50% of dogs and 60% of cats for classified as clinically overweight (a body condition score of 6-7) or obese (a body condition score 8-9) by their veterinary healthcare professional. That's roughly 50.2 million dumpy dogs and 56.5 million fat cats.

Before you blow this off and give your pet another treat, consider the problems that can accompany excess weight:

• Decreased stamina
• Difficulty breathing
• Intolerance to heat
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes or insulin resistance
• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Bladder stones
• Osteoarthritis
• Increased risk with anesthesia
• Decreased immune system
• Increased risk of all types of cancer

So what if you look down and discover your GSD is a little husky? Been there, done that! We overindulged Roxy after Logan passed and before we knew it she was carrying an extra 10 pounds. That's a lot when you're supposed to be a svelte 65 pounds. Taking weight off a dog is the same process as with people. Basically, less calories and more exercise in a slow, methodical way. And it's a lot easier said than done!

You should consult your veterinarian to make sure there's no underlying health issues causing the weight gain. However, diets that are rich in protein and fiber but low in fat are what work best. Depending on the prognosis, your vet may prescribe a special reduced-calorie dog food. With Roxy we were able to decrease her evening meal by half and add green beans or carrots. The vegetables made her feel full, but had no caloric value. We also increased her exercise slowly, giving her several good walks a day. It took about 6 months, but Roxy lost all the weight. Other tips:

• Cut your treats. To Jedi and Trooper, half a Milk-Bone is just as good as a full Milk-Bone. This is an easy way to stretch your puppy budget. And it's easier than trying to convince your indulgent husband to cut back on the cookies.
• Buy small. There are some great 1-calorie training treats out there. I also buy treats designed for small dogs.
• Account for training. I know we're going to go through a bag of chicken at class, so the dogs will only get half a meal beforehand.
• Be creative. My dogs love ice. I don't know why, but it's a fun zero calorie treat for them. They also like apple chunks, which are lower in calories higher in fiber and a lot better for them than Pupperoni.
• Check around. There are dozens of dog bloggers like me sharing tips. For example, Pamela over at Something Wagging This Way Comes has a nice post on 30 Best Cheap And Safe Dog Treats From The Supermarket with some fun ideas.

Before I go, let me tell you about one of my regulars. We'll call him "Jack." I run into him while on patrol all the time. He's lonely and likes to chat. Lucky me. One of Jack's favorite topics is his American Bull Dog, Brutus. "Brutus is 120 pounds of solid muscle. He eats 7 cups of food a day." Bah, blah, blah . . . I heard Brutus stories for months. Then one day I met Brutus. He's not a muscular American Bull Dog, he's a morbidly obese pit mix. Poor thing. I tried to gently share some of the information above with him but it fell on deaf ears. In frustration, I made another meme ↠ And with that I have a warning:

DON'T BE LIKE JACK.

Do you have any other tips? Please share! -- K

Check That Chip

The American Veterinary Medical Association has declared August 15 Check the Chip Day.

As an animal control officer, I'm a big microchip advocate. I return chipped animals all the time. Remember Elsa's story?

All my dogs are microchipped. However, each one has been registered under a different agency: Home Again, AVID and 24 Pet Watch. If the worst happened and my dogs got out, the shelter would have to make multiple calls to discover they all belong to me. Well, not anymore.

I discovered the Michelson Found Animals Registry and registered all the chips. This is completely free. They don't charge to register or update. I strongly suggest you do it too. Not chipped? Talk to your vet about it next time you go. I've also seen traveling vet clinics, animals shelters and humane societies offer low cost chips. Below is an infographic from the AVMA.

Trooper's Droopy Ears

I took a picture of Trooper on Sunday and his ears were standing up like Boot Camp Marines. I woke up Thursday morning and his left ear was completely horizontal. My pup looked miserable and was shaking his head.

I was concerned, maybe borderline panicky. If Trooper's ears don't stand up, his show career is over before it even started! Several thoughts went through my head:

• Was it an ear infection? I couldn't see anything, but it did feel warm. 
• If he keeps shaking his head he might develop a hematoma. Even if drained early, a hematoma can ruin a dog's ear set.
• Did Jedi hurt Trooper's ear while they were playing? Was I not monitoring them close enough?
• Is Trooper just teething? I had heard that teething could drop ears temporarily.
• Do I need to tape his ear? Sometimes a young ear is "set" (much like a bone) so that it stays in the right position until the cartilage firms up.

Things weren't any better Friday morning so I called the vet. Then I called RK (Jedi's breeder) and asked if she would tape Trooper's ear. I'd rather be accused of overreacting than to miss something that could be fixable.

The vet asked about the position of Trooper's ears before the droop. I broke out my phone and showed him pictures. (I've got quite a few!) The vet noticed that Trooper's right ear is not as perky as it was last week either.

The vet did a complete physical exam. The boy is healthy. His ear didn't seem to have any damage (so Jedi's off the hook for now). The ears were a little dirty, but no inflammation. I left with some ear cleaner and was told to hold off taping for now.

During the exam the vet noticed that all Trooper's baby canine teeth are missing as well as half the molars. Poor Trooper is teething big time. The discomfort is what's causing his ears to droop. Trooper is chewing everything he can fit into his mouth right now. We've given him a variety of approved chew things (as opposed to pot holders, leashes and the remote) to help relieve the pressure. His favorites seem to be a stuffed pumpkin and a bully stick.

So now we wait. I've been cleaning Trooper's ears daily (not easy) and checking his teeth (equally difficult). His ears aren't drooping as much, but they're still not where they need to be. I'll keep you posted! -- K

Vestibular Disease in Dogs

Roxy in her favorite spot

Roxy gave us a big scare several months back. She was restless and appeared queasy. She wouldn't lay down and couldn't stand straight. She kept walking in circles and occasionally fell down. Scariest of all, her eyes were jumping back and forth. This went on for about 30 minutes. Then the episode passed as suddenly as it came on.

Hubby and I weren't sure if she was having a stroke or if she had a brain tumor. It was 9:00 at night and we were at a loss. We called her favorite person in the whole world (Son #2) and asked him to come spend some time with Roxy. We were up well past midnight just loving on her. I really thought that was our last night with the old girl.

I called the vet's office as soon as it opened Saturday morning. I told the tech that Roxy was a 13ish year old German shepherd and described the symptoms. She said "Oh, sounds like vestibular. Come on in." She didn't sound nearly as worried as I felt.

The vet gave Roxy a thorough once-over. The official diagnosis was idiopathic vestibular disease -- the best possible option under these circumstances.

Roxy left with a bottle of ear drops, steroids (for other old dog issues), shorter toenails and a belly full of cookies. The vet said she looked great for an old girl. (Yea!) We were warned that Roxy could have another episode. Should this happen, we were instructed to keep her comfortable, try to prevent her from hurting herself and give her anti-nausea medicine (i.e. Dramamine) if she looked queasy. However, there was no need to worry.

Idiopathic vestibular disease -- sometimes called "old dog disease" or "old rolling dog syndrome" -- is actually a sudden, non-progressive disturbance of balance. Vestibular disease is diagnosed after a complete physical examination and other possibilities, like a stroke or ear infection, are ruled out. 

It's called idiopathic because no one can really identify why this happens. As the AKAs imply, it's usually seen in older dogs. It's also more common in large dogs. And if you believe the internet, German shepherds are often affected, though no breed or size of dog is immune to it.

Roxy has had a couple minor episodes since that night, however she seems normal (at least as normal as a 13+ GSD can be.) Oddly enough, I have two friends whose dogs were diagnosed with vestibular disease about the same time as Roxy. Their dogs are worse off than mine. One (an 11 year old German shepherd) has a permanent head tilt now and the other (a 17 year old terrier mix) has lost his appetite.

Vestibular disease is scary and I'm still learning about it. Has anybody else experienced this? Please share! -- K

CHIC Jedi

Who you calling CHIC? I'm a dude!

The dictionary may define chic as "stylish or elegant." But this is a dog blog, so we're talking about the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). This is a centralized database sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to keep track of canine health issues and test results.

Most (but not all) breeds are eligible for CHIC certification. CHIC works with a breed's parent club to determine which health concerns are to be followed. For example, a Chihuahua requires an eye exam by a boarded ACVO ophthalmologist, a cardiac evaluation and an OFA patellar luxation exam. Apparently those are concerns that Chihuahua enthusiasts have and would like to breed out of their dogs. German shepherds enthusiasts have different concerns. Our dogs require OFA hip and elbow exams plus the GSDCA temperament test. Many breeds have optional tests as well. A list of the required/suggested tests for all participating breeds can be found here.

In addition to the breed specific requirements, all dogs must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.

Jedi met the necessary GSD requirements and received his CHIC registration in the mail. See:

A dog doesn't have to pass a test or receive a certain score to be registered. According to the website:

CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health.

However, this is a tool that you -- a potential puppy buyer -- can use to make an informed decision. I suggest you look up a puppy's parents (and grandparents) before making a decision. It's easy and free to use. Want to try?

• Click here to access the advanced search.
• Type in Jedi's AKC registration number -- DN34854902. (BTW, you should always be able to get the AKC registration numbers of your potential puppy's parents. If the breeder is not forthcoming find another breeder.)
• See Jedi's registered name in gold? Click on it.
• Now you see the info for Jedi's parents and every sibling/half sibling that has been tested. And you can click on any one of those dogs to see even more.

WARNING: If you're a dog nerd like me, you can spend hours clicking on dog names. Have fun! I'll catch you later, -- K

Canine Infleunza

Have you been following the news about Canine Influenza? Whether or not you have, it's a big deal here in Florida. About three weeks ago I got the following message from a training group:

“We have received reliable information from a vet in Deland that a number of dogs who attended the Deland Dog Show this past weekend have been treated in her office for canine influenza. The same vet reports that one of her patients who attended the show (a young, healthy dog) is currently being treated in Gainesville and is in critical condition. This appears to be a fast developing strain and symptoms typically develop within a few days.”

I thought "Crap! Deland is close." I've shown there before. Then reports came in that sick dogs were coming back from Perry (GA) as well. I've shown in Perry too! What people were assuming was Bordetella (kennel cough) was actually canine influenza. Even worse, this was a newer, stronger virus (H3N2, not H3N8 which has been around for a decade). Within days the University of Florida had confirmed the first 7 cases of H3N2 Canine Influenza Virus in the state of Florida. Last report I heard there were 30 confirmed cases, with dogs sick in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. There are an estimated 300+ infected dogs (suspected and treated like flu, but not confirmed through laboratory testing). A majority of these cases are either:

1. dogs who participated in recent dog shows or
2. dogs who live with dogs who were in shows.

The dog show community is in a panic. People have pulled out of shows in droves and some clubs have cancelled shows completely. Others clubs are taking precautions with viruscide disinfectants, judges are not handling mouths (exhibitors are showing bites instead), no public x-pens set up, vets on sight the entire show, gallons of hand sanitizer and conspicuous signage warning exhibitors about contamination.

It not just the show community that's worried either. Training clubs all across the state have closed their doors for a week or more. Households with dogs that attended the Perry and Deland shows are asked not to return until July. I know of two June Barn Hunt trials that have been cancelled. Even the 2017 DOCOF (Dog Obedience Clubs of Florida) tournament -- a super big deal that has dog teams train for months -- has been cancelled.

I've been following the news closely. Here's some of the information that I've gleaned from my reading:

• Canine influenza viruses are relatively new viruses, so virtually all dogs are susceptible to infection because they have not built up natural immunity.
  


• The dogs most at risk are those with a social lifestyle, participate in group events or housed in communal facilities. This includes boarding kennels, dog parks, day care centers, shelters, dog shows, training classes, veterinary clinics, pet stores and grooming parlors.
  


• Two different canine influenza viruses have been isolated in the U.S. -- CIV H3N8 and CIV H3N2. H3N2 just recently emerged in the Chicago outbreak of 2015. This virus is of avian origin and not related to the earlier H3N8 virus, which is of equine origin. Vets are suggesting that dogs at risk be vaccinated against both viruses.
  


• The H3N2 virus is HIGHLY contagious. It's spread by direct contact with an infected dog or contact with a contaminated environment or person.


• A cough from a sick dog produces invisible virus‐containing mists. These mists can travel more than 10 feet in the air, spreading the virus and quickly contaminating everything around it.


• The virus is hearty. It can survive in the environment (kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars, leashes, toys, beds, etc.) or on people’s shoes, clothing and hands for 12 to 24 hours. However, it's easily killed by washing hands with soap and water, normal laundering of clothing and bedding, and washing bowls and toys. Take away: Wash everything and wash often.


• Symptoms of influenza include sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge, and symptoms can last for two weeks or more. Many dogs also experience fever, decreased appetite and lethargy. More serious cases can result in pneumonia and require hospitalization.


• 
  It can take two to five days after infection for symptoms to appear. This means handlers and owners may expose their dog not knowing their dog has been infected. Also frustrating, some infected dogs never get sick -- yet those dogs are as contagious as the sick dogs. However, because these dogs appear to be healthy, owners have no warning to keep them away from other dogs. As for sick dogs, they may remain contagious up to a month after they recover.

Scary, isn't it? When my vet gets back from vacation I want to talk to him about the CIV vaccine. For now, I'm keeping the dogs at home (the oppressive heat and afternoon deluges help). I'll share if/when I learn anything more. Later, -- K

Hip Report

Back in March I told you that we were taking Jedi and to have his hips and elbows x-rayed. I also told you that the future of his testicles was riding on the results. That post has been viewed over 4500 times! (Much like Hillary Clinton, I blame Russian interference. Unlike Mrs. Clinton, I have proof!) Anyway, we have mixed news about Jedi's OFA scores.

The good news: Jedi's hips are good. There is no evidence of hip dysplasia. Here's his certificate. (I've redacted my address and Jedi's microchip number because they're none of the Russians' damn business.)

The bad news: His right elbow isn't perfect. He has Grade I elbow dysplasia. According to the OFA's official website, that means there is "Minimal bone change along anconeal process of ulna (less than 2mm)." It's a bummer. But the good news is that if we can keep him lean and active, there is no reason he can't live a long, happy, normal life. I'm doing research on glucosamine supplements, should he need them later on. This also mean that I'm also talking to the vet about having Jedi neutered. It's probably a good thing in the long run. He has a slightly enlarged prostate and the vet said neutering would fix that as well.

And me: I'm disappointed. Breeder's talk of putting Jedi into her breeding program had me excited about getting a Jedi pup. *sigh* Now I have no idea when or where my next puppy is coming from. And -- surprisingly -- I'm sad that Jedi's show career is over. It pretty much was anyway, but there was always the chance that we could pick it up again later. Not now. So we'll just focus on having fun with various dog sports instead.

Thanks for following along. Until next time, -- K

Hip Check

Yesterday was a big day for Jedi. He had his hips and elbows checked for dysplasia. Jedi's gonads future depends on what the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has to say.

Jedi's grown to be a good looking dog. He's proportional (albeit at the large end of the breed standard) with a beautiful coat and good temperament. He has nice movement, though I wish he moved like his brother Chili. I also wish I was a better handler and could have put an AKC conformation title on him. However, he's smart and we're doing well with nosework and barn hunt, and rally is coming along nicely. He passed his CGC and GSDCA temperament test as well as the herding instinct test. Because of all this his breeder, RK, is considering adding him to her breeding stock. Of course, this depends on his hips. RK is an ethical breeder, and does a variety of tests before breeding any dog. I went into detail about this during the A to Z of Dog Shows series (see X -- X-Rays and Genetic Tests to learn more).

So here's the deal: If hips/elbows receive a good score, RK will do a couple more tests and then see about finding him a girlfriend. If his results are poor I'll have him neutered. He can continue with barn hunt, nosework, rally and who knows what else sans testicles. I am not a fan of early sterilization. (See here and here for reasons why.) But at 4 1/2 years old, Jedi is fully mature and I think it's safe. And I also don't think it's fair to Jedi to deal with all the hormone driven urges if we're not going to breed him. Poor boy.

We should have the results in 3-4 weeks. I'll let you know. -- K

Halloween Fun and Candy

My Roxy Bee and Julie the Wonder Dog at

a charity fundraiser for homeless pets

Tomorrow is Halloween! It's always been my favorite holiday. I share a lot of the festivities with my dogs -- costumes, silly pictures and pumpkin treats. (But not candy! That's all for me.) As fun as Halloween is for us, it can be a bit stressful for the dogs. Below are a few tips I've picked up over the years to help keep my dogs safe and happy.

Supervise dogs around decorations. Dogs can sometimes be too curious for their own good!

Watch your jack-o-lanterns. They're not toxic, but you don't want the pups eating the pumpkin goo when you're carving. Too much pumpkin can upset a dog's stomach. You want to make sure dogs don't knock them over either, especially if you use candles to light them.

Lock the dogs in a back room on All Hallows Eve. The constant flow of costumed children is too much for my dogs. Whenever possible, we sit on the front porch so that kids don't ring the doorbell. If your dogs still get too wound up, talk to your vet about dog-safe sedatives.

Not all dogs like costumes. Sometimes a festive bandanna is all a dog is willing to wear. If you're going to dress the dogs up, make sure that costumes don't hinder their movement or vision. My dogs don't mind costumes as long as their ears aren't covered.

Make sure dogs wear collars and tags -- even under costumes. This is my inner ACO speaking. With all the commotion of the evening, there is a chance that someone can slip out unnoticed. If that happens, you want to make sure your pets are returned right away. In fact, go and check everyone's tags right now. Are they legible? Are the phone numbers correct? If not, please get new tags right away.

Keep candy away from the dogs. This includes the kids' treat bags. Pepper chewed the bottoms out of several candy filled pillow cases in her time. Chocolate (my favorite!) can be lethal. So can xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free gum and candy. Sugar is not good for dogs either. Below is a helpful infographic from Orvis.

So, be safe and enjoy the holiday. See you next month! -- K

Dogs and Candy: Sweet Safety Infographic by Orvis.

Things You Should Know About Rabies

I came back from California to a rabies alert. A rabid raccoon had been found about 5 miles outside my city. The entire community is in a panic. While talking to people I realized that the general public doesn't know a lot about rabies. Perhaps my online friends are in the same category. So, here's some things I thought you should know:

• Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system.
  
  
• All mammals, including humans, are susceptible to the rabies virus. However, certain species are considered rabies vectors (more likely carriers). These include raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, otters, bobcats and bats. Cats and dogs can also be a concern to the public, especially if they are feral and/or free roaming.
  
  
• An animal (or human) contracts rabies through the saliva of an infected animal. It needs to get inside your body to make you sick. This is usually through a bite. There is a small chance that it can come through mucus membranes (i.e. your eyes). You will not get rabies just because a rabid animal walks through your yard.
  
  
• Signs of rabies in an animal include aggression, foaming at the mouth, disorientation, staggering and seizures. Many of these symptoms are also present with distemper, a more common disease among raccoons, dogs, cats and foxes.
  
  
• Rabies is a relatively weak virus and can't live very long outside of a host. That means if even you touch a dead, rabid animal your chances of contracting rabies are small. That being said, I wouldn't handle a dead raccoon without gloves. There are plenty of other nasty things you can pick up from a dead animal.
  
  
• You are not going to die on the spot if you get bitten. (I had a resident who was paranoid about this.) You will have time to get to the doctor. However, don't delay. Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water then get to the doctor immediately.
  
  
• There are anti-rabies medications out there. They're expensive and can be painful, but they are effective. Your doctor will decide whether or not you need them.
  
  
• The only definitive way to determine if an animal has rabies is to check it's brain tissue. This cannot be done while the animal is still alive. So, when people tell you that they know an animal is rabid by looking at it, know that they are wrong.
  
  
• Just because you see a raccoon out during the day doesn't mean it has rabies. Yes, raccoons are supposed to be nocturnal, but we have totally screwed up raccoons in urban environments. They have learned that if they stay up a little longer they can get free food from humans (garbage cans are rolled out, cats are fed outside, etc.). Also, adolescent raccoons -- like adolescent humans -- like to run around and be stupid when everyone else is asleep.
  
  
• Your chances of getting rabies from an opossum are next to nothing. An opossum's natural body temperature is too low to support the rabies virus. How cool is that?!
  
  
• Your chances of getting rabies from a domesticated dog are also extremely low, especially if it has ever had a rabies vaccine. (You are more likely to get rabies from a cat, especially one that is allowed to roam outside unsupervised.) However, law requires animal control to quarantine any unvaccinated animal that bites a human. A vaccination that has expired is considered "unvaccinated" for quarantine purposes. Most quarantines are for 10 days from the day of the bite and are done at a veterinary or animal control facility. Owners must pay all boarding fees. Quarantining is expensive and inconvenient. Please, vaccinate your pets.

More information about rabies can be found at the Center for Disease Control.

Thanks to Riley's Place for the great photo

Here are a few thing you can do to stay safe when it comes to rabies:

• Remain calm.
  
  
• Keep your animals' rabies vaccinations up-to-date. This includes cats.
  
  
• If you are bitten by an animal, go to the doctor right away. The doctor will decide whether or not you should receive anti-rabies treatment.
  
  
• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance immediately.
  
  
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals by leaving food outside and/or garbage cans open.
  
  
• This shouldn't have to be said, but . . . never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. (In some jurisdictions this is illegal.)
  
  
• Teach children that they should never handle unfamiliar animals -- whether wild or domestic -- even if they appear friendly.
  
  
• Prevent bats from entering homes, schools, churches and other occupied spaces.

I hope you feel a little better now. Be smart and stay safe, -- K

For Your "What If" File

Did you know that April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month? I'm a worst-case scenario kind of girl, so I collect various tips and tidbits to keep in my "What If" arsenal. Ideally, I'll never have to use this information, but just having it is strangely comforting for me. Today I'm going to share three of my favorites.

• There's an App for that! Did you know that the American Red Cross has a pet first aid app? They do! It covers a variety of scenarios for both dogs and cats. Even better, it's free. You can download it here.

• Get a Kit. It's a good idea to have a pet first aid kit, separate from you people first aid kit. Some people meds are toxic to dogs. And some things you may not want to share, no matter how much you love your dog (think thermometers). There are plenty of pet first aid kits out there you can buy. Or you can even make one yourself. A couple years ago I wrote a post about it. You can see it here. Please note, you should rotate the contents regularly. Expired medicine doesn't do you much good.

• Know what to look for. Bloat scares me to death. This is a condition where the dog's stomach flips. It's common in large, deep chested dogs -- like German shepherds -- but no dog is exempt. I've heard of Boston terriers and French bulldogs bloating. A friend sent me the following video. (Go ahead and watch, it has a happy ending.)

I watched the video several times and actually feel better. Again, I hope I never have to deal with bloat, but now I have a better idea of what to look for.

So, do you feel any better now? I hope so. -- K

P.S. My worst-case scenario tendencies don't stop at my animals. If anyone wants to discuss bug-out kits and share zombie apocalypse plans, let me know! And on a completely random note (completely random being my specialty) did you know that the CDC actually discusses zombie apocalypse planning? No kidding! Here's a link. See, you learn all kinds of strange stuff on my blog. You're welcome!

Jedi's Tummy Troubles

I haven't found any formula that work as

well as the original -- skip the knockoffs!

Today I'm talking shit -- literally!

Jedi had an upset stomach last weekend, causing some pretty ugly accidents on my carpet. Thank goodness for Nature's Miracle! Except for the diarrhea, he seemed healthy and normal. Had he been bloated, lethargic or otherwise uncomfortable I would've taken him to the vet right away. However, this isn't my first poop rodeo, so I thought I'd see if we could cure it at home first.

Use100% pumpkin, not the

pumpkin pie filling.

The first thing we tried was canned pumpkin. Pumpkin is an interesting little vegetable as it helps with both diarrhea and constipation. However, it didn't help this time. Jedi ate around the pumpkin and crapped behind the couch.

We then moved on to the broth and rice regimen. Logan had a sensitive stomach so I learned to keep cooked rice in the freezer and chicken broth in the pantry. With Logan, we would skip the first meal after he threw up, and the next three would be white rice and chicken broth. By the third day he was always good to go. Unfortunately, Logan's remedy didn't quite work for Jedi. I found this rice water/chicken and rice combo and it did the trick.

Here's the recipe for a happy tummy:

LOVE the calrose rice! It's

sticky and flavorful.

• 2 cups regular white rice (not par boiled like Minute Rice)
• 2 quarts water
• 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4-6 jars strained chicken baby food

Put rice and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the water is white, resembling skim milk.

In a separate pot, boil chicken until well done.

Once cooled, strain rice from water. SAVE BOTH. Put rice water in clean container. Put half of the rice in a large bowl. Freeze the other half for another time. Note: you've boil the hell out of the rice and it doesn't have much flavor at this point. I label it "dog rice" and use it for upset tummy at a later time.

Once cooled, shred the chicken and combine with the reserved rice. You may want to add a little of the rice water to ensure the mixture is moist. Save the water the chicken was boiled in. I like to freeze it into cubes for summer treats.

DAY 1: Every few hours offer about 2 cups of rice water with a jar of baby food stirred in. Very important: make sure your dog has access to fresh water all day.

DAY 2: The first meal of the day is about 2 cups of rice water with a heaping cup of the chicken and rice mixture stirred in. Second meal is 2 cups chicken and rice.

DAY 3: Both meals are half regular food and half chicken and rice. If all goes well, return to normal diet the following day. Freeze any leftovers for next time.

I'm happy to report that Jedi's tummy is back to normal, no shit! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) -- K

In-Field First Aid & CPR for Dogs

One of the last things I posted was the Pet Bloggers Challenge on January 10th. In it I specifically said that I want to post more regularly. So, 21 days later, I bring you this. LOL.

Truth is, I've been busy. And a nasty chest cold swept through the house and knocked us all on our asses. If it makes you feel any better, while sick I sketched out five future posts. Getting them post-worthy though . . .

One of the things I did during my blogging silence was take an Emergency Care and CPR course for working K9 handlers and first responders. WOW. This was different from the Red Cross Pet First Aid class I took years ago. That class was geared towards pet owners and focused on what to do if your pet was injured. This class, however, was designed for dogs working in the field, mainly police K9 units and military working dogs. It was fascinating. A couple things I learned are:

• Inspect your dog everyday: ears, nose, feet, skin, mouth, etc. It's important to know what is normal for your working dog. If something is abnormal it should be addressed immediately.
• It's also important to know your dog's working temperature. Dogs who work on a regular basis can safely be several degrees higher than what is considered "normal."
• Should your dog ever over heat, it's important to cool him down right away. Use ice water if necessary; the benefits of a quick cool down outweigh the risks. Then take him to the vet, even if he looks okay. There could be hidden damage to vital organs.
• Don't use hydrogen peroxide to flush out wounds. It damages healthy tissue. Instead, use saline. The vet suggested raiding the dollar store for squeeze bottles of saline. Put a bottle or two in your travel first aid kit. Be aggressive when flushing out of wound.
• Unroll and reroll your vet wrap to keep it from being too tight when you need it.
• Dogs have extremely strong chest muscles. Performing CPR on a dog is hard. Success rates aren't all that great, but you should learn how to do it anyway.

Because this was a class geared towards working dogs, we discussed things like bullet wounds, stabbings an accidental ingestion of illegal drugs. We were given handouts on what to put in an advanced first aid kit and the dosages for epinephrine, atropine and Narcan in emergency situations. We even practiced intubating on CPR dog dummies.

The same day I took the class I got an email from Trudog with the following infographic inside.

Stay safe. I'll have something for you tomorrow. Promise. -- K

Sick Pup Follow-Up

Poor, sick puppy.

Four months ago I shared a sad story about the $3500 sick puppy. You can read the entire story at "Kelley Drinks Because . . ." The gist is:

• Husband bought a "surprise" German shepherd puppy for his wife from an online broker. Husband never spoke with the breeder, nor did he interact with the puppy before purchase.
• The puppy was delivered just before the wife's scheduled two-month trip to Europe.
• Puppy showed up sick. The couple treated the infection, then they discovered serious genetic problems. The puppy was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia (both hips) and bilateral distal femoral osteochondritis dissecans (excessive cartilage growing on the ball joints of both large leg bones).
• The couple realized that their work schedules and finances weren't great for a healthy puppy, never mind one that would require thousands of dollars in orthopedic surgery.
• The puppy broker stopped returning calls and the name of the breeder was never divulged.
• The wife blanketed the local dog community with sad pleas, looking for someone to take on this "special needs puppy."

This is a healthy puppy.

Well, a friend of mine got involved. She was able to comb through the couple's paperwork and found some slightly good news. The puppy originated in Florida, so there was a mandatory health certificate, for what it's worth. Obviously the veterinarian didn't inspect the puppy as required. There was no way this puppy was fit for purchase. However, the name of the breeder was on the certificate. Word got out quickly. The breeder's Facebook page was inundated with nasty truths and was eventually shut down. Animal welfare groups have gotten involved and they are going after both breeder and veterinarian -- to what extent, I don't know. (Because of my job and position as an AKC-sanctioned club president, I'm trying not to get involved.)

The couple kept the puppy after all. They tried to make him as comfortable as possible while weighing their options. The puppy died quickly and quietly last week. They think he had a heart attack. (No autopsy was performed.) The puppy wasn't even 9 months old. The couple is devastated, but happy that their pet is no longer in pain. And they're feeling guilty that they're relieved the ordeal is over. This is not what they were expecting when they saw their little ball of fur 6 months ago.

I'm very sorry for the pain that this couple and their poor sick puppy went through. I'm sharing this story hoping that it will be a lesson to others. Here are some things I want people take away from this:

This is worth the work!

• Never, ever, EVER buy from an online puppy broker. If you can't talk to the breeder directly, run away!
• Living creatures should not be surprise gifts. Animals are a lot of work. Everybody needs to be on board before bringing one home.
• A dog is a 10-15 year commitment. Make sure your schedule and finances have room for the new addition.
• Just because you pay more for something doesn't mean it's better. This is especially true with dogs. My AKC show dog is no better than my "free to a good home" dog was.
• Do some research beforehand. What should you expect from a dog of this breed/size/age? Does the breeder/rescue group/animal shelter have a contract? If so, what protections and recourses do you have should something go wrong?

If you don't like the answers you're getting, walk away -- no matter how cute the puppy is. It may sound callous. Sorry. But a little legwork up front can save you a lot of heartache later on.

My friend is still in contact with the couple. When they're done grieving she can help them find a happy, healthy German shepherd either through a reputable breeder or a good German shepherd rescue group. Too bad they didn't meet her last year. -- K

Leg Protectors

Roxy is an obsessive chewer. Once she fixates on something it's nearly impossible to get her to stop. She even ripped out her spay stitches resulting in the cone of shame and this funny picture.

She has a large scar on her back from where the rattlesnake bit her as a puppy. (That was well before she came to us.) Her undercoat doesn't grow over the scar, but at times the overcoat hides it pretty well -- unless she's feeling anxious, then she'll rip all the hair out. Some of the most frustrating things for us though are the sores on her legs. She will lick and chew them until they bleed. We've tried bitter apple, anti-licks sprays and ointments, but they're all temporary and often messy. If we can get her to leave them alone long enough to heal, she usually doesn't go back to the same spots.

A few weeks ago I received a catalog from In The Company of Dogs. Inside I found these leg protectors. They're basically sleeves that are attached to each other. The whole thing slides over the back of the dog. I had never seen anything like this before. I searched the internet and nobody sold anything similar either. Meanwhile, I was trying to scrub blood stains off the couch where Roxy likes to lay. In desperation I forked over the 40 bucks and ordered a pair.

The order came quickly. However, I was disappointed when I saw the product. It's cheaply made. I thought the material in the picture was neoprene. I was wrong. It's just a dark blue fabric. The orange in the picture is not a fabric binding like I thought either. Instead, it's an overcast sewing machine stitch to keep the raw edges from fraying (instead of folding the fabric over and hemming like my mother taught me). Also, the back piece is very long and not adjustable, so we had to tie a knot in it to keep it in place.

Three days after the package arrived I saw this on Facebook:

Apparently creative people can get the same thing with a pair of fun knee socks. Probably for a lot less money too. Argh. The worst part of all: I don't think the leg protectors are working. Roxy has learned how to pull up the sleeves and chew on her legs anyway. Anybody have ideas? -- K

Oh No, Jedi's Coughing!

Last Sunday night we noticed that Jedi was coughing. And since we had been at a dog show 10 days previously, I was little concerned. As I mentioned last month, there are a lot of potential cooties circling around a dog show. I spent all night Monday trying to analyze Jedi's cough. It wasn't a honking cough like kennel cough. And it wasn't a wet cough like pneumonia. It almost sounded like he had a tickle in his throat. I debated taking him to the vet. It was obviously irritating him and I was afraid I might be wrong -- what if was something serious? Even more pressing, we're headed to Atlanta in a couple of weeks for another dog show, and he needs to be healthy for that.

So I took Jedi to the vet on Tuesday, hoping I was overreacting. Dr. Hanson (my super-awesome GSD loving vet) asked a few questions about Jedi's appetite and demeanor. Neither had changed; he's still a bouncing chow-hound. The vet listened to Jedi's lungs and heart. Both sounded strong and healthy. His temperature was good and his throat was clear. And the vet said that Jedi was a perfect weight. (He's a lean 85 pounds, though everybody thinks he's bigger.) I think the word "gorgeous" was thrown in there a couple of times, but I may be a bit biased. So what's wrong with Jedi? The vet's best guess is post nasal drip. The pollen count is through the roof right now and apparently it's affecting dogs as well as people. We left with some allergy meds (think doggie Claritin).

 

Jedi also got a Bordetella booster. Since Jedi is on the show circuit and exposed to a multitude of unfamiliar dogs, we want to be extra cautious. The vet also warned about Canine Influenza. He said that it's dangerous and spreading. Dr. Hanson hasn't heard of any cases in our area yet, but he has heard that it's in Atlanta. Yikes. Dr. Hanson said not to panic, but I should watch Jedi for:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Nasal discharge, especially if it's thick, yellowish-green mucus
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

And things I can do to keep him safe include:

• Wash my hands frequently
• Avoid touching other dogs
• Keep Jedi away from other dogs as much as possible
• Keep his crate covered and wash the sheet when we get home
• Don't allow Jedi to use public water bowls
• Keep Jedi from licking/sniffing the ground and things that aren't his

Two days after our vet visit, this report from CNN was posted to my Facebook wall. And it even mentioned canine influenza in Atlanta. I'm a bit concerned, but I'm also glad that Dr. Hanson knows his stuff! We're not cancelling our plans to head to Atlanta, but we are going to be cautious. Wish us luck. -- K

#DogWalkingWeek -- OUCH!

Last week I shared on the Walk Your Dog Week Celebration Hop. I pledged to walk Jedi for at least 15 minutes every day. Did we succeed? No. We walked seven miles for charity over the course of six days -- even walking in the rain -- but on the 7th day I developed trochanteric (hip) bursitis. Again.

What is trochanteric bursitis? In layman's terms, it's inflammation of the small, jelly-like sacs, called bursae (singular: bursa), around the hip. (It can also happen in the knee, shoulder, elbow or heel.) Bursae act as cushions between bone and soft tissue. Injury or repetitive stress (aka overuse) can cause painful inflammation. All my research indicates that trochanteric bursitis is more prevalent in older, overweight, out-of-shape women (like me). My experience says it hurts like crazy! Ice, rest, anti-inflammatory meds and/or steroids help. There are also stretching exercises that can help prevent it, as well as losing weight and getting into shape.

But for now Jedi and I have put away the walking shoes. Son has been taking him for short runs and Hubby has been throwing the ball in the back yard so Jedi is still getting some exercise. I've tried to break out a few puzzle toys to work his brain some too. (A bored Jedi is a bad Jedi.) Meanwhile, I'm laid up on the couch trying not to move. No walking, no celebrating, no hopping.

This is a blog hop. Click around below and see how successful other walkers were this week. -- K

P.S. Don't worry about us, we'll be out walking again soon enough! The weather is slowly cooling down and I'm looking forward to after dinner strolls.

Who's Limping Now?

Chili (Jedi's brother) still high after surgery. Poor Puppy!

I was so worried about the possibility of Jedi being lame at the upcoming shows that I never thought of myself. I probably should have. I've been walking Jedi and working him through his paces without thinking. Yesterday morning I could hardly walk. And today wasn't much better. I went to the doctor this morning to discover that I have trochanteric bursitis. Great! The doctor gave me some steroids and pain meds. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow. I just need to be good enough to run around the ring for a few minutes. Cross your fingers.

 

Fortunately, Jedi's limping has stopped completely. I would bet that it was something benign. We're keeping an eye on him and are looking for another vet. I cancelled his UF appointment, but will definitely get a second opinion (and x-rays) should the limping return.

 

Yesterday I went to University of Florida's Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville with the Breeders and a few dogs. They wanted to have Jedi's sister (Pinky) and half brother (Trump) looked at. Pinky's been limping off and on for a while, always on the same leg. And Trump had a bad elbow diagnosis from the OFA and Breeders wanted a second opinion before removing him from the breeding pool. Jedi's other brother, Chili, had horrendous breath and the Breeders wanted to get that checked out as well. (It ended up being a stick jammed between two teeth in the back of his mouth. Go figure!) I went along as a third set of hands, but I was limping so badly that I don't think I was much help.

I was really impressed with the hospital. It rivals any human hospital I've ever been to. It's a teaching hospital so several people look at your pet, providing a built in second opinion. There are also specialists on hand and all the equipment you can imagine. Need x-rays or a CT scan? Need cultures or blood work? It's all done right there. It's awesome, but definitely not cheap!

 

OK, I need to cut this short. It's already 10 PM and I am not ready for tomorrow -- the BIG day. Meet me back here in a couple days and I'll share pictures and stories of our very first dog shows. -- K

 

 

 



Jedi Update

First off, thanks for all the well wishes. I appreciate all the love sent our way. Jedi is doing better. His limp seems to come and go without any rhyme or reason. And yes, we're getting a second opinion. I still think it's probably Pano but we want to be sure. I have a dear friend who works for UF and was able to get us an appointment in Gainesville next week. How's THAT for a second opinion? If it is something is serious is OCD I feel more comfortable having the University of Florida's veterinary department look at it. I'll keep you updated. -- K

Why is Jedi Limping?

I know I promised you an update on Jedi. It’s been a frustrating week. I sent in all the money/paperwork for the 4 shows last weekend. I’ve already received confirmation for the first two shows (that are in less than two weeks). On Tuesday afternoon we noticed Jedi was limping. We checked his leg and limited his activity. Thursday morning the limp was significantly worse. He saw the vet Thursday afternoon.

The vet I really liked is no longer at the clinic. I’m not sure how I like this vet. Her people skills could definitely be improved. Anyway, she seems to think that it’s OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans). If she’s correct, it’ll require surgery and a specialist. We’ve got him on carprofen (generic Rimadyl), a non-steroidal pain reliever and are limiting his activity, hoping she’s wrong. She also sold us a joint supplement, hoping it’ll help.

Here are the two best articles I found on the condition: One is from VCA and the other from Doctors Foster and Smith. This is a condition where cartilage develops abnormally at the ends of the bones. The excess cartilage cracks or separates from the bone. It causes pain and lameness. It is most often found in the shoulder joints. It requires surgery to fix it, but afterwards a dog can live a normal life. It requires x-rays at specific angles to definitively diagnose. The vet didn’t have her x-ray book, but said that she does physical therapy with dogs and her touch is more sensitive than most. By the way, she didn’t give us any documentation on the condition, but did say call ahead before coming in for x-rays so she can bring her x-ray book from home.

What I find frustrating (besides the timing and the potential $3000 vet bill): All research indicates there is a genetic component. His mother, Zasha is fine. She’s 5 years old and has never shown any symptoms. Neither have any of the puppies from her first litter. Breeder works really hard to breed the best possible puppies, for both health and temperament. As I've said before, she put more time and thought into finding the right sire for my puppy than I did into selecting a father for my children! And I don’t see how his father, Cowboy could be where he’s at with OCD. He’s a champion from a reputable kennel. Mar Haven has produced two Grand Victors and one Grand Victrix. A kennel that takes the time to check which studs don’t carry the coat factor (a minor fault) would surely not breed a dog with something a serious as Osteochondritis Dissecans.

All my reading also suggests that weight and diet may be a contributing factor. I’ve worked really hard to keep Jedi’s weight gain slow and steady, mostly to prevent putting too much stress on his developing frame (hoping to avoid any hip and joint issues later). Jedi’s at exactly 80 pounds and has a perfect body mass. He is on a high quality food, designed specifically for large-breed puppies. I watch his diet and weight more than my own!

So I was upset. And tired. And confused. After a small pity party I started talking to people and doing some more research. Just a couple weeks ago the owner of Jedi’s brother, Dozer, said he had Pano. I looked it up. Like OCD, Panosteitis is a condition that affects young, rapidly growing dogs, most often large breed males. I found the most helpful articles to be this one from VCA and this one, also from Doctors Foster and Smith. Sometimes called “growing pains” Pano is a painful inflammation of the long bones of the legs. It’s characterized by sudden lameness that comes and goes and shifts from leg to leg. The cause of Pano is unknown. The good news is that Pano is a self-limiting condition and disappears as suddenly as it starts, usually between 18-24 months of age. And every article I read said that Panosteitis is most common in German shepherds. And after talking to Dozer’s owner I found out that Pano, which may also have a genetic component, it very common in the Golden Breed (mother’s) line.

And then I got pissed! Why would the vet jump to the most obscure, worst possible scenario? Why not start with “Hey, it could be Pano, but if not we’ll want to check XYZ?” If she ruled out Pano, why didn’t she tell me why? Why didn’t she give me something in writing? Even printing out one of the articles I found would have been helpful. By the way, Jedi’s limping was almost gone on Friday and a little more pronounced today, but not as bad as Thursday.

So here’s the game plan:

1. Look for another vet and get a second opinion.
2. Continue with the pain reliever and restricted activity.
3. Continue with plans for showing in Deland, taking it day by day (not easy for me, btw.)
4. If things don’t improve (or get worse) get x-rays.

Any thoughts? -- K

P.S. I had hoped that writing all this out would help me formulate my thoughts. sigh. I'm just as confused and frustrated as I was an hour ago.