So Sad! Large dogs, senior dogs, and black dogs are always the first to be overlooked, and the last to get adopted. Love Your Mutt Mixed breeds typically have less medical
problems than pure breeds.
Respect
Your Elders Most dogs live to be between 12-19 years old
Safety First!
Burglars avoid homes with dogs.
Tail Waggin Happy Scratching or rubbing behind dogs’ ears releases endorphins that relax them and make them happy.
Poison! Apple and pear seeds contain
arsenic, which may be deadly to dogs. Also small quantities of grapes and raisins can cause renal failure in dogs. Chocolate,
macadamia nuts, cooked onions, or anything with caffeine can also be harmful
Wow, check out those choppers! Puppies have 28 teeth and normal adult
dogs have 42
Chase that tail! Dogs chase their tails for a variety of reasons: curiosity, exercise, anxiety, and predatory instinct or, they might have fleas! If your dog is
chasing his tail excessively, talk with your vet.
No night vision goggles
needed! Dogs’ eyes contain a special membrane, called the tapetum lucidum,
which allows them to see in the dark.Pitter
patter. A large breed dog’s resting heart beats between 60 and 100 times
per minute, and a small dog breed’s heart beats between 100-140. Comparatively, a resting human heart beats 60-100 times
per minute.
It’s not a fever…A dog’s normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why do they do that? When dogs kick after going to the bathroom, they
are using the scent glands on their paws to further mark their territory.
Your dog does have a sense of time — and misses you when you’re gone. If you think your dog knows when it’s time for dinner or a walk, you’re right! Dogs pick
up on our routines and habits, and they also sense how much time has passed. One study showed how dogs responded differently
to their owners being gone for different lengths of time.
Ivermectin, which is the active ingredients in many heartworm
pills, such as heartguard, Ivomec, Iverheart and others, and sometimes as a treatment for mange, should never be used on herding
dogs and some types of cats. It can cause a reaction that is potentially fatal. Herding dogs include Shetland Sheepdogs
(Shelties), Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, Long-haired Whippets, Silken , and a variety of
mixed breed dogs. This is not to say however, that heartworm prevention is not extremely important. Make sure to bring this
up with your vet and discuss which medication is the best choice for your pet!
Black Dog Syndrome: Black dogs are often the last to be adopted from
an animal shelter. The general public is likely not aware of how doomed black dogs are when they are brought to the average
animal shelter. Black dogs, particularly large black dogs like Labradors or Lab mixes, have a very difficult time getting
adopted, and are euthanized at a staggering rate at many animal control facilities throughout the country. The sad truth is,
they are overlooked in favor of lighter colored dogs. Remember just like the color of your skin has no bearing on who you
are inside, neither does the color of their fur!
Does puppy paw size determine adult dog size? Yes and no. In general paws are proportionate to their
size at that time, however as a puppy there are times when the paws grow faster than the rest of the body. Also just like
people there can be small dogs with big feet and big dogs with small feet (collies are a good example). By 16 weeks you can
usually make a good estimate of a puppies adult size, usually about double.
Heat Stroke in Dogs Understanding and Preventing Hyperthermia
By Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com Guide
Hyperthermia
is a term describing an elevation in body temperature. This increase typically occurs as a response to a trigger, such as
inflammation in the body or a hot environment. When a dog is exposed to high temperatures, heat stroke or heat exhaustion
can result. Heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of
heat stroke are detected, there is precious little time before serious damage - or even death - can occur.
Dogs do not sweat through their skin
like humans - they release heat primarily by panting and they sweat through the foot pads and nose. If a dog cannot effectively
expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog's temperature reaches 106°, damage to the body's
cellular system and organs may become irreversible. Unfortunately, too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have
been avoided. Learn how to recognize the signs of heat stroke and prevent it from happening to your dog.
Signs of Heat Stroke
The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:
o
Increased rectal temperature (over 104°
requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency)
o
Vigorous panting
o
Dark red gums
o
Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically
the gums)
o
Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to
get up
o
Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
o
Thick saliva
o
Dizziness or disorientation
What to do if You Suspect Heat Stroke If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stoke, you
must take immediate action.
o First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away.
o Begin cooling your dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the
body - especially the foot pads and around the head.
o
DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme
cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body's core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature
to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems. When the body temperature
reaches 103°, stop cooling.
o
Offer your dog cool water, but do not force
water into your dog's mouth.
o
Call or visit your vet right away - even
if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an exam is necessary (and further testing
may be recommended).
Tip: recruit others to help you - ask someone to call the vet while others help you cool your dog.
Preventing Heat Stroke There are ways you can prevent heat stroke from happening in the first place.
o
NEVER leave your dog alone in the car on
a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of the
car acts like an oven - temperatures can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.
o
Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days. When
outside, opt for shady areas.
o
Keep fresh cool water available at all times.
o Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat - especially obese
dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like Pugs and Bulldogs. Use extreme caution when these dogs are exposed to heat.
Some dogs can recover fully from heat stroke if it is caught early
enough. Others suffer permanent organ damage and require lifelong treatment. Sadly, many dogs do not survive heat stroke.
Prevention is the key to keeping your dog safe during warmer weather.
NEW PRODUCT
FOUND TO POISON DOGS ... IMPORTANT READ ...
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
It's found in everything from cupcakes
to toothpastes to nicotine gum. And it's considered the most canine-toxic "human food" on the planet.
It is a sugar substitute that is used in many products that we use every day According to the ASPCA's Poison Control Center,
more dogs than ever are being poisoned by products containing xylitol. That's partly because xylitol use is more widespread
than ever and also because of low awareness of its harmfulness among pet owners.
So just how dangerous is xylitol?
A few sugar-free Tic Tacs, a pack of Trident gum, a spilled tin of Starbucks mints, a sugar-free Jell-O dessert cup. All it
takes is just a tiny amount of this toxin to send a dog into hypoglycemia-induced seizures and some-times fatal liver failure.
All dogs are susceptible, some more than others. It has been calculated that as little as a gram of sweetener can kill a 10-pound
dog.
What is very unnerving however is that xylitol is being added to many pediatric medicines that our veterinarians
use to treat our dogs with. And it is only just recently that veterinarians have become aware of this new change.
Now it would be easy to say that all dog owners should speak to their vets about xylitol and carefully read all ingredient
labels before purchasing products, yet it seems that will still not solve the problem.
It appears that not all
consumer product manufacturers are willing to list xylitol on their ingredient labels.
The morale of the story?
Let's keep human food away from our dog for now, keep your eyes on the ingredient listings and always question your vet about
drugs you have to give your dogs.
