My Friendly Pets

Just like humans, dogs can have heart murmurs. A heart murmur means that there is an abnormal blood flow in the heart, which may be caused by a malfunction of the heart valves or a lack of communication between the left side and the right side of the heart. So how does a dog get a heart murmur? There are several reasons why a heart murmur may exist in your dog. Your dog may have a congenital heart defect, meaning that they have had it since birth, or it can develop in your dog as a result of a diseases and changes in the heart valves of your dog over time.

So how do you know if your dog has a heart murmur? Your dog can be diagnosed in a variety of ways, which I’ll mention in a bit, but you might notice symptoms as warnings that will warrant a visit to the vet. Symptoms may include one or more of the following: coughing, difficulty in breathing, a lack of energy or enthusiasm for exercise, fainting or a blue tinge to the gums or toungue, which would indicate insufficient blood flow. The vet may be able to pinpoint the murmur, and severity with a physical exam of your dog, but may also require other diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram or an x-ray.

So if your dog is diagnosed with a murmur, what do you do? If your dog is a puppy and is diagnosed with a heart murmur, the vet might take a “wait and see” attitude. Very often, this condition, as with human children disappears with age. In many cases, the existence of a heart murmur may not affect your dog at all. In other cases, the dog may possibly be treated with medication or with a surgical procedure. As with any medical condition, it is good to get a second opinion, so if your dog is diagnosed with a heart murmur, you may want to request a referral to a canine cardiologist as this type of vet will have specialized knowledge of your dog’s condition.

One of the most devastating parasites to our dogs are heartworms. With the Spring season just around the corner, it is important to begin your annual heartworm routine or continue as you have been all year with preventative heartworm medication.

Heartworm disease is a serious and sometimes deadly condition that is caused by parasitic worms that live in the arteries, lungs and sometimes the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other animals which can be subject to mosquito bites, as that is how the parasite is transmitted. According to the American Heartworm Society, heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states but the severity or occurrence of heartworm disease varies by state and region, with the highest number of cases occurring in the southeastern states.

Without getting too technical or medical, female adult heartworms release their young into an animal’s bloodstream. These “young” are then picked up by mosquitos and infected with the parasite. They pass this parasite onto other animals, when they bite to feed on them. Once the young or “microfilariare” are in the animal, it takes about 6-7 months for it to mature into an actual heartworm and cause damage to the dog. The “microfilariare” cannot mature into the adult heartworms we all dread, without first passing through the mosquito.

Usually dogs recently infected will show little signs of the disease. However, as the disease progresses, the dog might have a mild but persistent cough, reduced appetite, fatigue, weight loss and exhibit a general malaise. Your dog can be tested for heartworm through various bloodtests or though ultrasound or x-ray images of the lungs and heart.

The prevention of heartworm in your dog is easy, safe and not costly. There are daily as well as monthly tablets, chewables or topical prevention means that can be used. The usage of your preventative medication should be discussed with your veterinarian. In areas of the country where mosquitos live year round, prevention medications are usually commonplace for the entire year. In some areas of the country, heartworm preventative measures are used only in the peak months, such as May through December. However, I have noticed that since the seasons in my area are not as cold as they had once been and have prolonged periods of warmer weather during the winter months, many vets are suggesting year round prevention for the dogs. Don’t wait!!! The dog days of summer will be upon us soon, and your heartworm prevention regime should begin long before that!!!

O.K. Now that the writers strike is over, new episodes of your favorite sitcoms are just around the corner. To get some info straight up, check out fellow blogger, Toni’s blog about the latest shows and developments!!!

In an entry a couple of days ago, (click here to check it out), I highlighted some symptoms your dog may experience that would require immediate attention from the vet.
However, your dog may experience health issues that are a matter of concern but allow you to observe for a day or so before contacting the vet. Some of those will be discussed here today.

If your dog experiences changes in their eating or drinking habits, it could be something temporary, like an upset stomach or perhaps they just feel under the weather. You should consult your vet if your dog hasn’t eaten anything over a 24 hour period and especially if the dog doesn’t drink. These changes could be caused by stress or many other conditions, which is why it is important to discuss it with the vet.

If you see dark residue or smell an unpleasant odor from your dog’s ears, it could also be a concern. Your dog might have ear mites, an ear infection, or allergies that cause production of yeast that irritate the ears of the dog. These problems should be addressed by the dog’s vet as potential damage to the dog’s ears could lead to loss of hearing. While it is not immediate that you contact the vet as an emergency, if you note these symptoms, you should not wait longer than 24 hours.

Just as our systems can be disrupted due to stress, and changes in food and water, our dogs systems can respond similarly. The result can be diarrhea. If your dog experiences diarrhea for more than a few days and it is accompanied by weakness and lethargy, it is time to contact the vet.

There are several other symptoms and conditions that will be discussed in a further entry. While they may not be life threatening, they do affect the overall quality of life of your dog and should not be taken lightly. Just as we care for ourselves, we have to be even more diligent with our dogs, because unfortunately, they can’t always tell us their aches and pains verbally, but there are signs and we always must pay attention!!

Unfortunately our dogs can’t verbally speak to us regarding their ailments and illnesses. However, they do give us signs through their behavior as to how they are feeling and what they may be experiencing. We just need to be observant owners. There are some things that we usually don’t pay attention to once we’ve had our dogs for a while. When we let them out to do their business, very few of us will check their urine or feces. These things are usually only examined when we are walking the dogs and they decide to do their business. But on occasion, you should note that both of these functions are working properly, because if not, it could indicate illness for your dog.

According to Animal Planet (www.animalplanet.com), there are several instances where you should contact the vet immediately. For instance, if you note that your dog has abdominal pain, or hardness in the abdominal area, this could indicate a variety of severe conditions such as a blocked bladder, pancreatitis, peritonitis or an undetected pregnancy. If your dog is experiencing difficulty in breathing or is wheezing, this could be allergies, but could also be something like heart disease or an obstruction in the windpipe. If your dog has difficulty urinating or there is blood in the urine, the vet should be contacted right away as your dog could have a urinary tract infection, stones or tumors.

If your dog’s eyes or eyelids are inflamed, the vet should be notified and your dog should be examined right away to determine if there is an eye infection, injury or corneal ulcers. Delaying a vet visit could cost your dog his/her eyesight. If your dog has a loss or balance or coordination and seems extremely weak, this is a cause for serious concern as it could be an indication of brain loss, brain trauma or tumors.

There are several other conditions that I’ll be speaking about in future entries. Just remember, you know your dog better than anyone else and will be able to judge and know from your gut when the dog is seriously ill. Go with your gut and don’t hesitate to call the vet for your dog’s health and safety and for your peace of mind.

For some natural cures for HUMANS, check out fellow blogger, Shelly and what she has to offer us in her blog, Natural and Sustainable.

My dogs both loved marrow bones and it made be feel good to watch them try and get all of the marrow out of the center and then knaw on the bone and enjoy every last morsel. Marrow bones, especially raw ones are recommended for several reasons. First of all, raw marrow bones from the butcher, allows the dog to release a lot of energy when they dive in for some long hard chewing. This is especially good for puppies who always seem to have so much of their energy to expel. This bone chewing can also be good for their teeth and gums. However, there is a difference of opinion when speaking with dental veterinarians. They feel that the marrow bones will do one of two things when they are chewed on by a dog. Either the bone itself will break or the one of the dog’s teeth might break. According to vets specializing in canine dental care, if a tooth breaks it needs to be extracted or have a root canal. If not, unnecessary bacteria can get into the tooth and then travel throughout the blood stream of the dog in several days. Obviously, this could make a dog very sick. According to the vet, the dogs can get the same benefit of marrow bones for their teeth if we simply brush their teeth regularly. This would also eliminate the possibility of tooth breakage. See a previous blog entry about caring for your dog for more information.

And then there are other, more severe dangers of marrow bones. Check out the picture below.

This is a picture sent to me by a friend at my job. Her sister had sent the picture to her. The dog is her sister’s and the marrow bone that the dog was chewing on, slipped over the jaw of the dog, above some of the higher teeth and became wedged there. The dog couldn’t get it off, because he couldn’t get it back over the high teeth in his mouth. Imagine the panic that the dog must have felt, unable to get this bone out of his mouth! My friend’s sister had to take the dog to the vet and the vet had to saw the bone off in order to get the dog’s mouth free. My friend’s sister was home at the time, but if this happened to a dog while no one was home, the dog could get crazy trying to get the bone off and perhaps could seriously harm itself. So just beware. While these bones have some great benefits, they should never be given to a dog where no one is home to supervise!!

Just because we are in “winter mode” which usually means we are inside more, it does not mean your dog will be free of fleas, ticks or worms that can carry disease. Maybe this isn’t the most pleasant topic, but it is necessary. Fleas are the most common and can cause itching, skin irritation and welts. Unfortunately, they can also lay eggs and multiply, so it is essential to eliminate or minimize any type of flea infestation. That can be difficult because there are over 200 different varieties of fleas in the United States alone and a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. There are various methods of ridding your dog from fleas including flea collars, topical treatments, oral medications, flea baths and tips. The best thing to do is to contact your vet to get advice regarding flea elimination or prevention for your specific dog.

Ticks are more dangerous to dogs because they can carry canine and human diseases. A tick will attach itself to your dog’s skin and engorge itself with your dog’s blood and leave behind some of its own poison. One of the most debilitating diseases that dogs are subject to because of tick bites is Lyme disease. This can virtually cripple a dog, but it is preventable. There is a vaccine that can be given to dogs today to prevent or minimize the effects of Lyme disease. If you find a tick on your dog, rub the area with alcohol and then remove the tick with tweezers. If your dog has not been vaccinated, watch for potential symptoms of Lyme and then call the vet right away.

Worms…ugh….worms!!!! Worms and other parasites often infect puppies. However, older dogs can get worms also. The best way to detect for worms is to examine the fecal matter of your dog. Many times the worms will be visible to the naked eye. I know it sounds disgusting, and it is to look at as well. To have your dog treated, you would take the fecal matter to the vet to determine what type of worm or parasite it is, so that the dog can be treated with the correct medication.

For some other great pet information, check out fellow blogger Lynn Little and her Home Zookeeper blog.

Where I reside in the northeast; New York to be precise, we have been “blessed” with an extension of summer that lasted right through the first week in October. In fact, yesterday we had record breaking temperatures in the 80’s. However, the weather is changing and reality is setting in. Our temperatures tomorrow won’t get out of the 60’s and it is a cold (yes, that is a pun) reminder of the season yet to come.

When the change of seasons arrive, many of us prepare by purchasing season appropriate clothing and things we know that will keep us warm and free from the elements of winter. It is important to realize that our dogs need protection from these elements as well and that preparing them for the season of snow and ice is just as important. It may be even more so. We don’t generally cover our dogs from head to toe, because we believe that nature gave them a coat that protects them from the elements. But remember, dogs are domesticated animals and have gotten used to the warmth and comfort of inside a home and are not meant to spend long periods of time in very cold temperatures or in ice and snow.

Here are some great tips to preparing your home and your pet for the winter months.

1. Coats and booties can keep your dog warm. Short haired and older dogs are especially vulnerable to the cold temperatures. Protecting their bodies and their paws from frostbite and other “winter chemicals” is critical.

Remember, a lot of people are utilizing more anti-freeze and ice removing products this time of year and the remnants of which fall to the ground. Many of these products are toxic. A dog walking through these chemicals and licking their paws may be setting themselves up for disaster. The salt that is used to melt the ice on roadways can also sting and irritate a dog’s paws.

2. If you don’t use doggie booties, (of which there are some great products on the web), make sure you wipe of your dogs paws, legs and underbelly to remove clumps of snow and ice. Rubbing your dog down with a warm cloth will get these ice and snow clumps off gently without tearing at their fur and could help to prevent frostbite.

3. It is advised to keep your dog on a leash, especially during winter months. Dogs can lose their scent in the winter and they can become lost more quickly. Unknown to me, there are more dogs reported lost in the winter than in any other season. Snow and ice storms can distort a dogs sense of location and with a chance of weaker scents available, it is easy for them to become confused and disoriented. Always keep proper identification on your dog.

4. In terms of fur and skin care, it is important that you brush your dog often. Their winter coat of fur tends to be thicker and coarser to protect them from the elements, but it also has the potential of becoming matted, if not properly cared for. Also, the dryness of indoor heating systems can deplete moisture from the dog’s skin, similar to what the dry heat does to us. Brushing their fur will help to maintain a healthy, shiny coat and increase circulation and moisture to the dog’s skin.

There is some great outerwear for dogs available on many websites. The jackets above are from www.handsnpaws.com. Take a look, they have some great stuff!!!

Winter is a good time to hibernate. Its also a great time to catch up on all the shows we missed when we were outside enjoying the summer sun. For some great inside info on sitcoms check out http://www.watchingsitcoms.com/

How many times have you scratched behind your dog’s ears? They love it. To our pups its like a mini massage. I can remember doing it to our first dog Ziggy. When you stopped, if he hadn’t had enough, he would turn his head and nudge your hand with his snout as if to say….please don’t stop!!! Our dogs ears are ultra sensitive. They can hear much better than we can. Unfortunately, a dog’s ears can also be a source of pain and discomfort because of the the various ailments those wonderful ears are subject to.

This entry was brought to mind because a friend and coworker who has a weimraner has had some extremely difficult times with her dog because his ears seem to be his weak point and they are consistently prone to infection. After many months of ear cleanings and vet visits, ear drops and daily cleansings, poor Gracie (that’s the dog) had to go under full anesthesia, because her ears were so badly infected. She had to have her ears cleaned thoroughly deep into the ear canal. Unfortunately, because of the type of dog she is, with long floppy ears, Gracie is prone to this type of malady. Her owners are dedicated to her care and work constantly to minimize the chance of this happening.

According to a site, workingdogs.com you should contact your vet if you notice any of the following in your dog:

* shakes its head or scratches its ears
* lives with other pets with parasitic infestations
* exudes a pungent odor from it ears
* has long pendulous ears
* lives in a humid environment
* has a history of ear infections or other ear ailments

These infections can cause vertigo in the dog if severe enough, which will throw off the dog’s sense of balance, and can cause nausea and vomiting.

For your dog’s health, well being and for being the watch dog that you want him/her to be…pay attention to their ears as you always want them to be able to hear more than you!!!

If you or any one you know is a Harry Potter fan, you have to check out this interesting blog. My daughter is a true muggle and thoroughly enjoys any reading about Harry Potter

There is nothing more loving than getting close and comfortable with your pup, until he/she opens their mouth and you get a whiff of……whoa…what is that smell? Could our pooch, whom we so dearly love, truly be the carrier of that awful odor? You know you want a hug or cuddle from your dog, but the thought of getting close to that stench again is just too much to handle.

Your dog has halitosis, commonly known as dog breath. This is a fairly common condition among dogs and one that should not be ignored as the cause of the smell from your pup could be something as common as plaque buildup on your dogs teeth to a condition with more serious health implications, such as diabetes or uremia. What ever the cause, it is important to find out the source of the problem and treat it promptly.

If plaque is building on your dog’s teeth, it could eventually develop into gingivitis and then periodontitis. The bacterial build up could lead to bone loss which produces a sulfury smell in your dog’s mouth. If you dog begins experiencing oral pain, which you can tell by their reluctance to eat or chew, you may have noticed the mouth odor in your dog for a while.

It is very important to find the source of the halitosis as soon as possible. It is unhealthy for your dog to let this condition continue. There are many products on the market to help keep your dog’s teeth clean and prevent the buildup of bacteria. I would recommend a trip to the vet if you notice “doggie breath” Its important to insure that there are not more critical health issues that need treatment. If the cause of the halitosis is directly related to the condition of the mouth of your dog, your vet will be able to recommend the best products to keep your dog’s mouth clean and smelling fresh. It may be necessary to brush your dogs teeth, which in most dogs should be done about twice a week. Doggie tooth brushes and some other items including chew toys can help alleviate the build up of plaque. Your dog will enjoy them and they will help to insure continued good oral health of your best buddy!!! Are you ready for that hug or doggie kiss now???!!!

Some of the most common issues with dogs are seldom discussed, because we think that it might just be “our dog” that smells bad, and we don’t want to bring that kind of attention to our beloved pooch. But like most anything else, one of the most “smelly” problems with our dogs is common to most.

O.K., I’ll ask; why on earth do they have to roll in anything that stinks sooooo much? I’m sure many of you who have dogs have watched with horror as your dog laid down and rolled in dead animal remains, other animal excrement, or just plain old garbage. To us it is DISGUSTING, because we have to smell it and clean it off our dog if we are going to have them come in the house again, but to our dogs, there might be a different reason for this repulsive (only to us, not to the dogs) behavior. According to Healthypet.com, this is perfectly normal behavior for a well adjusted dog. In fact it might be part of their instinct to do so, as covering themselves with a horrid odor may disguise their own scent and make it easier for them to sneak up on prey. While are dogs are so very domesticated today and for the most part, don’t have to hunt their prey, there are things that dogs are genetically predisposed to that might guide more of their behavior than we would like to admit.

There are ways to minimize the chance that you will need to de-oderize your dog. Try and keep him/her in a large fenced in area, where other animals have limited entry. Pick up any “poop” regularly, whether it is your dog’s or another animal’s and dispose of it properly. When walking with your dog, keep him/her on a leash and keep your eyes open for any odorous item that may intrigue your pooch. Also, keep the lids to garbage cans on tightly, because in addition to getting and the smelly garbage and rolling in it might seem fun for your dog, there is the chance they might get into something that could be deadly or dangerous, like bad food or chicken bones.

If some unfortunate bad luck does happen and your pup takes a roll into something less than desirable, then keep some sweet smelling healthy dog shampoo on hand to clean them up — just in case!!!

The culture of pet ownership in our country today is that the dogs we have as “pets” are really so much more. They are truly part of our family and as treating them as family, many people take the health care of their dogs extremely seriously, including preventive practices, well-care check ups and even care for chronic conditions that your dog may have. The cost of this care can be expensive and if there is a critical and chronic medical condition, it can become prohibitive for the dog owners because of the cost. Many people have had to make choices regarding the life of their dog because of the very expensive cost of this care.

However, while dog insurance is not a new concept, more and more people are building the premium costs into their family budgets, because their dog is truly a member of their family. The cost of coverage varies by the insurance provider and the degree of coverage that is chosen. One of the best sources of information that I found regarding pet insurance for your dog is the website www.yourpethealthinsurance.com. They illustrate the various insurance providers available, the different types of coverage as well as the premium cost per month. Many of the plans are quite affordable and would definately be used even if it were just for well-care visits.

So, check out the plans and make sure you have the best care for your dog. It is a horrible choice to have to make if your dog requires extensive care, but you just can’t afford it. Health insurance for your dog could make caring for your dog affordable when you need it the most.

Almost everyone has seen the pictures of the pool and poker playing pups complete with drinks and smokes. As far fetched as it seems, our dogs could be considered smokers if they are unfortunate enough to live with an owner who smokes in the house. Our pets are as subject to second hand smoke as we are and the effects could be just as devastating.

A study by Colorado State University found that dogs exposed to ETS (Environmental Tabacco Smoke) led to a higher rate of sinus and nasal cavity cancerous tumors than for dogs in nonsmoking households. The incidence was found to be higher in long nosed dogs such as collies rather than small or medium sized snout canines. Second hand smoke is usually inhaled through the nose by dogs, and with long nosed dogs, there is more of an opportunity for carcinogens that are inhaled to be deposited in the nasal and sinus passages. It appears that short and medium nosed dogs that are subject to ETS have a higher rate of lung cancer, because the second hand smoke makes it way to the lungs before it can be deposited long term in the nasal system.

It is unfair to burden our dogs with the effects of second hand smoke. If it is a habit that a dog owner has, please be dog and people sensitive and smoke outside away from your family and your pets!!! Better yet, quit, save some money and give your dog and your family a wonderful gift…more time with a healthier you!!!!

There has been so much concern recently over dog food that may be contaminated coming into this country and other pet food related recalls, I thought it was important to revisit this issue. Of course the most beneficial solution would be to make the food for your pooch. However, for many people, this situation is not practical due to time or other life contraints. So if you can’t guarantee the goodness of your dog’s food by cooking it yourself, what is the best way to insure that the food you buy your pet is the best it can be?

Well, there are some general guidelines that you can go by according to Pet Promise, Inc. where they promise purity in pet food. Some ingredients that a dog owner should look for and avoid when shopping for pet food include the following:

1. Rendered meats - On a package label, these might be listed as “meat meal”, “chicken meal” or “by-product meal” . The ingredients with this label indicate that the process uses very high heat temperatures to cook industry waste to put into the product!! UGH!!!

2. Growth hormones - These synthetic hormones end up in pet food products because they are fed to to the lifestock or poultry to stimulate growth. Growth hormones have been linked to cancer in humans, so why do we want to give it to our pups???

3. Antibiotics - These drugs are often fed to livestock and poultry as a way of preventing the spread of disease. These antibiotics then end up in the food products we feed our animals which makes them resisteant to antibiotics due to the long term exposure that they have had in their food over a period of time. The antibiotics may also prohibit the effects of beneifical biotics.

4. Artificial colors - Why must we add colors to help things “look better”? Dogs are basically colorblind anyway. Do you really think they care what color their food is? Artificial colors are derived from toxic chemicals that can lead to allerigies, asthma and even cancer.

So when you are out shopping for healthy dog food…READ THE LABELS!!!! It is just as important for your pooch to eat naturally as it is for you!!!

Find out more at www.petpromiseinc.com

We are a nation of overeaters and obesity is a national problem. It is then logical to see why some of our dogs are also following in our footsteps and are gaining weight because of our bad habits. How many of us, while we are preparing meals, toss the dog a token crumb or piece of meat, because they are sitting so quietly with pleading eyes by our side, just hoping for a morsel to drop? How many times have we put off the walk we need to take with our dog, because we are “just too busy”? I’m sure we have all made these excuses at one time or another, and unfortunately these decsions negatively affect the health of our dogs. Excess weight on our dogs can lead to arthritic conditions, heart problems and other ailments that people with excess weight experience.

Purina gives some basic guidelines to follow when looking at your dog, to see if there is any excess poundage. Take note and if you see any
bulges that shouldn’t be there, take action to enhance the health and life of your dog.

1 Fit & Trim Rib Check
Can you feel your dog’s ribs? It’s a quick and easy way to tell if your dog is carrying a few extra pounds. Simply place both of your thumbs on your dog’s backbone and spread both hands across his rib cage. If you can’t feel the ribs easily, your dog may need to lose a few pounds.
2 Profile Check
Examine your dog’s profile. Does he have a clearly defined underline (abdomen) slightly tucked up behind the rib cage? If not, it could be time to feed him Purina Fit & Trim.

3 Overhead Check
Looking at your dog from overhead, see if you can see a waist behind the ribs. Most dogs at a healthy weight should have an hourglass figure. If your dog doesn’t have this shape, it could be time to feed him Purina Fit & Trim.

Of course, Purina is wants you to use their Fit and Trim dog food. As with any human weight reduction plan, a call to your vet about the best ways to get your dog to his ideal weight is the proper call to make.

As always, I am trying to find interesting things for you and your pooch. Since we all know that food is all time favorite of most dogs, I search for interesting treats for the dogs we love. I enjoy baking, and some of these recipes look really great. I’m thinking what great gifts they would be around the holidays for friends who have dogs they love. I’ll give you the names of several of the recipes I have seen. The first is called Apple Crunch Pupcakes….too cute!! Read below!

Apple Crunch Pupcakes

2 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup dried apple chips ( you can also use fresh fruit)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 egg, beaten slightly
4 tablespoons honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with cooling spray. Mix all wet ingredients thoroughly. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add wet to dry slowly , scraping well to make sure no dry mixture is left. Pour into muffin tins. Bake for 1 1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out dry. Sotre in a sealed container. Makes around 12-14 pupcakes.

Some other great sounding recipes included names like:

Archie Squares, Bad Breath Banishers, Bait Snacks,
Banana Biscotti, Bowser Biscuits, and Cheesie Bacon Biscuits.

The article where these recipes came from were written by Lisa M. Andrews in an article titled “Dog Treat Recipes- Only the Best for Your Best Friend” This article can be found at ezine.com