HEALTHY HOUNDS

Is it okay to feed my dog Chocolate? Foods That Are Poisonous T0 Dogs

Most dog lovers have heard that chocolate is a bad thing to feed their dogs.  It's true!  Chocolate can be highly poisonous to many pets.  Actually, it's not really the chocolate that's the culprit.  It's the theobromine, which is a natural compound found in chocolate.  There are many factors which determine how a particular dog will react.

Theobromine can cause seizures in dogs that are epileptic or at risk for epilepsy.  Theobromine can also cause cardiac arrhythmia, which can lead to cardiac irregularity, especially if the dog becomes excited. Cardiac arrhythmia can lead to a fatal heart attack.  It can also irritate the dog's GI tract, which can cause internal bleeding and death. The size of the dog is also a factor - the smaller the dog, the greater the effect. 

And interestingly, the type of chocolate will also make a difference.  The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.  Milk chocolate has 44-66 milligrams per ounce, while baking or bitter chocolate can have as much at 450 milligrams per ounce.

If your dog accidentally eats some chocolate, the theobromine will stay in his system for between 14 and 20 hours.  It goes back into the bloodstream through the liver and takes a long time for the liver to filter out.  If you catch it within 2 hours of ingestion, try to induce vomiting.  However, if your dog seems very stimulated,  is comatose,  has lost his gag reflex, or has eaten a very large amount of chocolate, take him to the vet immediately.  If there are no major symptoms, you can give him activated charcoal, which will bind with the theobromine and will be eliminated naturally.  If you don't have any activated charcoal, you can use extremely burnt toast that's been crumbled.

There are many other foods that are dangerous to dogs:

• Alcoholic beverages

• Apple seeds

• Apricot pits

• Avocados—toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats

• Cherry pits

• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)

• Hops (used in home beer brewing)

• Macadamia nuts

• Moldy foods

• Mushroom plants

• Mustard seeds

• Onions and onion powder  cause anemia

• Peach pits

• Potato leaves and stems (green parts)

• Rhubarb leaves

• Salt

• Tea (caffeine)

• Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)

• Walnuts

• Yeast dough

• Nutmeg is a hallucinogen

• Grapes and raisins can cause acute renal failure

• Walnuts  (and many other nuts) – the high phosphorus content is said to lead to bladder stones

• Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs.

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Almost every dog  eats grass occasionally.  Some people believe a dog eats grass when they have an upset stomach.  Actually, no one really knows why dogs eat grass.  It may be that they just like the taste!  Sometimes a salad is a nice change.   Most veterinarians believe that dogs eat grass simply because they like it, and vomiting just naturally follows.  In fact, many dogs will search out a certain kind of grass for a snack, leaving other grasses alone.

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Help! My Dog Has Fleas!

It may be very obvious your pet has fleas - you may have them, too!  If you're not sure, you can look for flea droppings.  You can find flea droppings in your dog's bed, or on his skin.  It might look like small specks of dirt, but flea droppings contain dried blood.  So if you wipe them with a moist tissue, you'll be able to see blood streaks.  This will confirm the specks are flea droppings.

Those of you who live in a warm climate probably have to battle the flea population regularly.  Keep in mind, though, that fleas thrive in temperatures around 70 degrees, so September can be one of the worst time for fleas.  Remember, too, that fleas can live year round in a warm house.  So if you have a problem in the summer and fall months, and don't take care of it properly, you may end up with fleas all year, even when there's snow on the ground!

Fleas can cause a myriad of health problems such as serious skin irritation caused by allergic dermatitis.  If your dog is severely infected with fleas, he could become anemic due to blood loss (remember, fleas feed on  blood).  Just one flea can lay hundreds of eggs while living on a dog, which can translate to hundreds of uncomfortable flea bites. Many times fleas also carry tapeworm larvae, so in addition to the discomfort caused by fleas your pet is also battling tapeworms.

Should you find that your dog has fleas, it's very important to thoroughly clean all bedding and any stuffed toys.  You will probably have to treat your entire house.  Flea shampoos and dips may not be completely effective, and because they can be toxic, it's probably best to let a professional use them on your dog.  If you decide to use a flea shampoo, invest in a flea comb, as well.  And remember that the fleas will go away from the shampoo, so start by treating your dogs head and work backwards to force the fleas down the dogs back legs and into the water, where they will drown or be killed by the shampoo.  The flea comb will help to find any fleas that may have been missed.  You may also need to treat the dog for tapeworms, which can be done in pill form.

Fleas collars can be effective, but can also cause irritation to the dogs neck and skin.  Also, they are toxic if chewed.

Today there are many great topical products which can be easily applied once a month and will effectively control not only fleas, but ticks and other parasites.

It's very important to choose a medication based on your veterinarian's recommendation.  Your vet will prescribe the correct dosage and type of preventative based on your dogs age, weight, general health, and pregnancy.  The medications may seem expensive, but you won't have to deal with complications to your dogs health.

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Everything You Always Wanted to Know about

Heartworm Disease

 ...but were afraid to ask!

Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that lives  in the circulatory systems of dogs, cats, coyotes, foxes and some breeds of wolves.

Mosquitoes are the key to the heartworm's life cycle.  A dog that has adult heartworms present in his body also has heartworm eggs circulating throughout his blood stream.  When a mosquito bites the infected dog it ingests blood containing heartworm eggs (microfilariae)..  The eggs go through several changes and become larvae while in the host mosquito's body.  Once these changes occur, the heartworm larvae need a new host.  One bite from the mosquito and the larvae are transferred back to a susceptible dog.  If, and only if, the dog already hosts heartworms, will the larvae molt again and become tissue larvae that then begin to travel throughout the dog's circulatory system.  If the dog does not already have adult heartworms, the larvae will die and the cycle is broken.   After the larvae reach the previously infected dog's heart, they will become adult heartworms.  Then the heartworm reproduction cycle will begin again.

Dogs that have become infected with adult heartworms may display varying degrees of symptoms.  A mild, occasional cough is often the only sign of a light infestation.  Exercise intolerance, cough, and abnormal lung sounds can indicate a moderate disease level.  Fluid retention, fatigue, and a chronic cough are usually indicative of a severe infestation.
 

Treatment for an infected dog focuses on killing the infestation of adult heartworms.  The usual drug for this treatment is Immiticide, which is injected into the spinal muscles. As the heartworms die, they are carried out of the circulatory system and into the lungs for reabsorption. This treatment can cause side effects that may vary from mild to severe.  Fever, cough, vomiting, and activity intolerance are just some of the possible reactions. It is extremely  important to keep the dog as quiet as possible during the treatment so the amount of dead worm particle being put into the circulatory system at any one time is limited.  If too many fragments dislodge in a short period of time, blood vessels can become clogged and cause death.

Because both the disease itself and the treatment  may cause death or disability, prevention is the key to good health. The great news is that preventing heartworm disease in dogs is very easy.  Your vet must do a blood test to determine whether your dog is infected with adult heartworms.  In cold climates, this test should be done in April or May, and heartworm medication should be given through October.  (Although may pet owners give their dogs heartworm preventative year round).  In warm climates, heartworm prevention should be year round.  Depending upon the type of preventative you choose, you may give your pet a daily dose or monthly dose.  You can get the medication in chewable or pill form.  This is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your dogs health.

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What Goes in a Doggy First Aid Kit?
Whether at home or traveling, make sure you have the tools to help your dog if he gets hurt.
Here's a great list of items;

Essentials: • Vet’s phone number • Blanket • Gauze bandage • Bandaging tape • Gauze sponges • Non-stick Telfa pads • Saline solution • Tweezers/Forceps • Scissors

Add if you’re traveling: • Health record/vaccination records • Food and water • Bowl(s) • Spare collar and leash. • Styptic powder (to stop bleeding, as with torn toenails) • Topical wound disinfectant ointment/cream • Elastic bandaging tape • Waterproof bandaging tape • Topical antibiotic ointment • Iodine (Betadine®) prep-pads or flush (to clean wounds) • Apomorphine (a fast acting emetic) or syrup of Ipecac • Skin staple gun or suture materials (to close minor wounds) • Men’s cotton tube sock (can be used to pin an ear with a laceration to the head) • Wire cutters • Sedative/tranquilizer (for use should you need to sedate your dog during transport to the vet) • Topical anesthetic (use if wounds require suturing)

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These Paws Were Made For Walkin' or, How to Trim Your Dog's Toenails!

Letting your dog's toenails become too long can lead to some major problems.  The toenail can break off and cause bleeding and injury.  Your dog may not be able to walk properly if her toenails are too long.  Or, she may injure herself while scratching.  She can also scratch you during play!

Your dog should have her toenails cut once a month.  If you're not sure exactly how to do it properly, have your vet or groomer show you once or twice. 

You will need several tools, including a nail clipper, styptic stick to stop bleeding if it occurs, and possibly a muzzle.

There are two basic types of nail clippers, the guillotine type, and the scissors type.  Most people find the guillotine type to be the easiest to use.  The scissors type comes in handy if your pet has a dew claw that has grown into a circle.

If your dog has white nails, it's very easy to tell where to clip.  If you look carefully at the nail, you can see where the pink quick starts.  This is where the blood supply is and you don't want to cut into it, as it will cause your dog bleeding and pain.  Cut about 2 millimeters from the quick.  If your dog has black nails, it's harder to tell where the quick starts.  Begin by taking off just the tip, then examine the nail.  Take off just a bit more.  As you continue, you will eventually see a lighter gray area.  This is the beginning of the quick and you should stop cutting.

If you accidentally cut into the quick, you can use a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding, although this will cause the dog some pain.  In any event, the bleeding should stop in 5 minutes or so.

If you start clipping her nails regularly while she is a puppy, it will become a normal routine.  If you are starting to clip an adult dog's nails, it may be a bit traumatic for both of you.  Start by getting your pet used to having her feet handled.  Don't do anything but pick up her paws and examine them.  Make sure to give her lots of praise and a treat for letting you handle her paws.  If she seems okay, then start by clipping just one nail.  You may want to have her lie on her side and then lean over her.  Or, have a helper who can hold her and talk to her.  After you've clipped one nail, praise her and treat her, and then leave it alone for a day.  You can gradually work up to all four feet. 

Remember that the more relaxed you are while cutting her nails, the more relaxed she'll be.  And use the least amount of pressure necessary to hold her in place.  If she's struggling, increase the pressure a little, and as soon as she stops struggling, decrease the pressure.

You can also try an interesting way to get your dog to focus on something else.  Put some peanut butter on a plate and let her lick if off while you clip her nails (this also works for dogs who don't like to be brushed).

If your dog is biting you while you're trying to cut her nails, you may need to use a muzzle.  There are many types and they will not cause injury to your dog.  You can even get one that covers their mouth but still allows them to pant - this is called a basket muzzle.  You will probably find that the use of a muzzle causes your dog to stop struggling and let you cut her nails.

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Do I Really Need to Brush My Dog's Teeth?

Keeping your dog's teeth clean is one of the single most important things you can do to keep your dog healthy!  Just like people, dogs can get periodontal disease.  And periodontal disease can lead to many other, more serious health problems.  Periodontal disease starts with unchecked plaque. Plaque that's not removed will harden into tartar, leading to infections in the dog's gums.  These infections can then travel through the body and cause heart, liver, kidney or lung disease.  Keeping the plaque in check keeps the infection away.

Some signs of possible periodontal disease or other dental problems are:

Bad breath

Discolored teeth

Red or swollen gums

Loss of teeth

Difficulty in chewing and eating

Weight loss

Broken or missing teeth

Nasal discharge

Blood in the saliva

Drooling

Tearing or swelling below one eye

Eighty percent of dogs that are over 3 years old have some type of gum infection.  It's one of the easiest problems to treat and one of the most overlooked part of grooming your dog.  

There are many great products on the market, including dog tooth paste, brushes and dental rinses.  There are also specially formulated dog biscuits and chews that help to fight gum disease.  It's also important that your dog is fed a nutritionally sound diet, and dry dog food also helps.  Make sure to get your dog's teeth checked regularly by your veterinarian.

It would be ideal to brush your dog's teeth every day.   Make sure you don't use toothpaste meant for people, as it may cause stomach upset or worse in your dog.  Use only products that are specifically formulated for dogs.  If  you have the opportunity to start dental care when he's a puppy, it will be an easy task to get him used to it.  If you're starting with and older dog who is skittish, start slowly. Use a flavored doggy toothpaste and at first just put a little on your finger and gently insert into your dogs mouth.  Once he's used to you massaging his gums with your finger, you can graduate to a finger brush or regular toothbrush.

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