Pet Health Concern: Acute Renal Failure

I was reading a magazine recently and a veterinarian wrote an article about acute renal failure. I know this isn’t something that many of us will have to deal with in our cat or dog’s lifetime, but with so many toxins in the environment, it definitely could become an issue, so I thought I would pass along some of the information.

First, what are the signs of acute renal failure?

• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Second, what will the vet do when you bring a pet in with possible renal failure?

• Check for dehydration
• Check for bad breath and/or ulcers in the mouth
• Feel the pet’s abdomen for any possible swelling
• Perform a urinalysis
• Check the pet’s blood pressure

Once renal failure is diagnosed, the veterinarian will treat the pet in the following ways:

• Giving fluids
• Prescribing long-term medications
• Surgery, if applicable

What else would you like to know about acute renal failure?

Halloween Pet Concerns

October is known for one thing around the country – Halloween! While Halloween can be such a fun holiday for many families, it is important to remember some of the things that come with this holiday that can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Because the whole family should be able to enjoy Halloween – even the furry family members. And by keeping these things in mind, you can ensure that will happen.

1. Keep your dog in another room during trick-or-treating hours.
2. Turn on a television or play music to drown out the sounds of trick-or-treaters.
3. Give your dogs a new treat or toy to occupy their time while trick-or-treaters are coming to the door.
4. If you have a lot of trick-or-treaters, you may want to sit on your porch and pass out candy; this way the dogs don’t get excited every time the doorbell rings.
5. Make sure you can slip two fingers around the neck and arms of any costume your dog may be wearing.
6. Make sure the dog’s vision is not impaired while wearing a costume.
7. If your dog doesn’t normally wear clothes, try the costume on several times before Halloween so he or she can get used to it.
8. Make sure you watch your dog so they don’t ingest any dropped candy or that people don’t feed your dog candy. Aside from the fact that chocolate is toxic to dogs, the wrappers of even candy without chocolate can be harmful if ingested by your dog.
9. Make sure your dog wears current tags if you are taking your dog out with you.

 

Pet Health Concern: Giardia

There are so many things to worry about when you have a pet. Many of us compare pet ownership to parenting because there are just as many concerns that tend to present themsselves. I hate to add one more to the list, but if you haven’t heard about giardia, it’s definitely something to add to your list.

Giardia is a very serious health concern in dogs and can unfortunately be picked up quite easily. Giardia cysts (the part that actually makes a dog sick) can live several weeks to months outside in wet, cold environments. Standing water is a definite danger zone. Because of this, it is important to remember to always keep fresh water available for your dogs, as well as not allow them to drink from water bowls in public places, like dog parks. In these instances, I suggest taking a portable dog bowl and a bottle of water with you that are exclusively for your dog, and make sure they don’t play in or drink out of standing water throughout the space.

While giardia is curable, it is an incredibly difficult process and one to avoid if possible. Have any of you had experience with giardia? What precautions do you take to avoid it now?

Music Goes to the Dogs (and Cats)

I thought I would switch gears a little bit and post something purely for fun. I’ve been listening to a lot of music lately and of course being a pet lover, songs with ‘dog’ or ‘cat’ in the title always stand out. They may not actually have anything to do with dogs or cats, but simply the name always jumps out when cycling through my selection of music.

Due to the fact that it’s on my mind, I thought I would share some of these song titles with you. You never know, maybe a ‘pet playlist’ is something you’ve been looking for!

1. “Hound Dog” by Elvis
2. “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men
3. “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin
4. “Hot Dog” by Limp Bizkit
5. “Big Black Dog” by Emmylou Harris
6. “Cat and Mouse” by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
7. “Dirty Dog” by ZZ Top
8. “Black Cat” by Janet Jackson
9. “Every Dog Has Its Day” by Toby Keith
10. “I Want a Dog” by Pet Shop Boys

What other song titles with ‘cat’ or ‘dog’ in the title can you think of? Let’s collaborate and come up with a huge list!

Breed Spotlight: Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher originated in Germany when a door-to-door tax collector decided he needed a guardian dog to accompany him on his rounds as he visited house after house filled with people he didn’t know. He developed the breed in the 1800s and felt much safer with the watchful dog by his side. As the breed gained popularity, it started to become common to see them as police dogs and war dogs.

Today, these dogs are loyal and adventurous and still have many personality traits that lend them to be good protectors. But they have a sensitive side as well and learn quickly as they are eager to please their family. They are commonly seen at the foot of the couch, calmly enjoying the family dynamic.

Doberman Pinschers gained such popularity once they were introduced to America that they became the second most popular dog breed in 1977. In 2010, they stood at number 14.

These are active dogs, and need lots of exercise every day. Good means of exercise include long walks, jogs, hikes, and playtime with other large dogs.

Some of the most common health concerns associated with this breed are Wobbler’s syndrome, the compression of the spinal cord; cardiomyopathy, the dysfunction of the heart muscle; von Willebrand’s disease, clotting disorder in the blood; gastric torsion, the twisting of the stomach; and hip dysplasia, the malformation of the hip joint.

Depending on their gender, Doberman Pinschers can stand between 24 and 28 inches tall and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. They live to be between ten and twelve years old.

Toxic Foods for Dogs and Cats

Many of us pet owners know the dangers that certain human foods pose to our pets, but it’s always a good reminder to have a refresher course. I know it can be hard to say ‘no’ to a sweet puppy or kitten face when they are begging for a bite off your plate, but it’s important to do so for their health.

Also, it’s important to remember that if your dog or cat ingests a toxic item, the best course of action is to take him or her to the veterinarian for observation. Sometimes, early detection and treatment can be the difference between a small issue and a serious health condition.

Here are the top foods that can be toxic to dogs and cats:

1. Alcohol
2. Chocolate
3. Grapes
4. Raisins
5. Macadamia Nuts
6. Mushrooms
7. Onions
8. Garlic
9. Peach Pits
10. Plum Pits

Do you have any toxins to add to the list that I may be forgetting?

Clothes for Dogs

There are many pet owners who do not believe in the need for pet clothes. Some think the act of dressing a pet is based on celebrity, or a hot trend, or simply evidence that some pet owners humanize their pets to the extreme.

But I’m here to say that there actually is a time and a place where it is necessary to clothe some pets.

There are many breeds of dogs that do not have the coat or the body fat to be able to keep themselves warm in cold weather. These dogs are highly susceptible to health risks if let out in the cold for extended periods of time without proper clothing. Clothes actually help protect these dogs’ skin, feet, and overall health.

Some of the dog breeds in question are:

1. Italian Greyhound – These dogs have almost no body fat and only a thin layer of hair. They also have legs that at spots are almost transparent from the lack of fat.
2. Chinese Crested – These dogs actually have no hair on their bodies – just tufts of hair on the feet and head. Not only do these dogs need proper covering in cold weather, they are also susceptible to sun burns and other conditions in warm weather.
3. Chihuahua – These dogs are so small, sometimes only weighing around 4 pounds, that they just don’t have the body conditioning to be able to survive cold weather. The littler the dog, the more they need special treatment.

Some of the articles of clothing to invest in if you have one of these dog breeds are sweaters, pajamas that extend down the legs, booties, and neck covers.

Do you have a dog that needs clothing?