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Dam: CH ShoGun's Nilea Swingin on a Star BN RE (Dori)Sire: CH ShoGun's Iron Cross (Julius)

ShoGun's Fact or Fiction Lisa 6/16/2006Moonrysn's That Girl Marlo 6/16/2011Nonsuch Vivacissimo Ana Claire 7/10/2004ShoGun's Zelda Fitzgerald Zelda 8/31/2007Shogun's Legends of the Fall Tristan 8/31/2007ShoGun's Banana Oil Tess 8/31/2007ShoGun's Ukulele Lady Pumpkin 8/31/2007ShoGun's Boop-A-Doop Girl Little Helen 8/31/2007

Birthday Greetings

Marlo, CH Moonrysn’s That Girl WDBOS at the American Spaniel Club 2013

Congratulations to Charlotte and her owner, Chris Saint, on a Jobwell done. It may have taken a while, but well earned.

Flynn, ShoGun's Gunflint Trail In His Summer Cut

Emmet, GCHShoGun's Im ItN Thats That

JH RN BN

and Gabe atRest After aTough Day

OLOMOUC, Czech Republic — For Zuzana Navelkova, it was just another dayat the office. She showed up for work last month and found a two-pound bagof frozen Swedish meatballs awaiting her attention.

Pavel Horejsi for The New York Times

Zuzana Navelkova, head of another laboratory’s virology department, withmeatballs that contained horse meat.

“There was nothing unusual, just the normal routine,” recalled Ms.Navelkova, head of the virology department at a state-financed veterinarylaboratory in this Czech town about 160 miles east of Prague.

Normal, that is, until she found horsemeat in the meatballs, retrieved froman Ikea furniture store in the nearbycity of Brno.

The discovery, based on DNA testing,did not stir any alarm at thelaboratory, which spends most of itstime hunting for deadly healthhazards, not for food-labeling fraud.“I would still eat these meatballs,” Ms.Navelkova said. “No problem.”

But the results set off a firestorm across Europe, pouring fuel on a slow-burning scandal that had begun weeks earlier with the first discovery of horsemeat masquerading as beef in Ireland and then Britain. “We never expectedthis kind of reaction,” Ms. Navelkova said.

The complete article may be seen @http://tinyurl.com/cmtfmap

Congratulation to Vieno and Ira Sarlinon Vieno ‘s earning her Norwegian &Nordic Champion titles at the TromsøInternational CACIB Show on June16,2013. And thank you Kiti Sinisalofor helping in handling Vieno.

Diva showing off her rosette after completing therequirements to earn her Senior Hunter title

His mom, Jennifer Amundsen, hasopened her own law office. Jennifer ispracticing in the following areas:business and intellectual property law;nonprofits; estate planning (includingplanning for companion animals); andcanine and equine law.Check Jen’s website for more information:

Amundsen Law Firm, LLC 608-515-8370

jla@amundsenlaw.com www.amundsenlaw.com

CH ShoGun's Funky Diva TDJH SH CD RN CGC

Grace, GCH ShoGun’s Miss Lily

We hope all is well with you both, and your precious gang of Clumbers.Congratulations on the awards your dogs won at the Clumber National. WithOtto's technology, we were able to see a couple of the events online. It wasfun, and interesting. Iris is an amazing companion! She will travel with us toBooth Bay Harbor, Maine for the Fourth of July weekend. We are going withour son, Jim, and his clumber Dahlia. This is the town that is very dog friendly.Iris and Dahlia are always recognized from previous visits, and are treatedlike "rock stars". "Oh, what Beautiful Dogs!", is a common greeting.

Iris continues to display a very loving and social personality. She loves it whenall our grandchildren visit. Our backyard pool is up and running, and sheloves to witness all the activities that 7 boys can perform. When they dive,splash and spray their water guns, Iris races around the pool in excitement.We have trained her not to jump in the pool. It is safer that way.

We recognize how smart she is every day. When asked to bring a certaintoy from her basket, she will MOST often bring the item. Of course she hasher moments of independence!! Her most favorite toy is a large orange tennisball that she knows as "SQUEAKIE". She loves to answer our comments toher by squeaking a response, as if she is talking to us!!

Iris is very healthy, weighs 60 pounds, beautiful white fur, and very agile. Weare amazed how she can grasp her toys with her paws; she pushes, reaches,and balances her balls with intense concentration.

Of course, we think she is the smartest dog.I would like to certify her as avolunteer dog, to visit hospitals and nursing homes. We just have to train herto stop jumping up when she meets people for the first time. She gets veryexcited to see them.

Best wishes, and Happy Fourth of July!

Peg, Paul, and Iris Donahue

Titres: What Do They Mean?

The subject of titres (sorry I spell it that way but I’m Canadian, eh) was mentioned in a previouspost and I thought it might be a good idea to outline here what titres are and are not capable of.

Many vets and pet owners are fond of using titres to determine whether a dog requiresre-vaccination with the understanding that a low titre equals low immunity. Wouldn’t it be niceif that were true, but unfortunately it is not. The ability of titres to accurately measure immunityis limited because it measures only a portion of the body’s immune function.

Viruses can not replicate on their own and must invade our bodies and hijack our cells and cellularmachinery to replicate. This means that once a virus invades our body, it is in our own cells. Thedefense system against these viruses is twofold and can be divided into cellular immunity andhumoral immunity.

As the name implies, cellular immunity works on a cellular level where T cells are able to detectwhich of our cells contain the unwanted virus and work to destroy it. When our T cells areactivated against a virus, they file the information away for future use and this allows them torespond much quicker the next time the body is faced with the virus. These cells are alwaysreproducing and they pass this memory on to their ‘children’ and this memory exists for life. Thisexplains how we are immune to many viruses after getting them once. The T cells protect cellslike soldiers protect a fortress.

Humoral immunity is like the front line troops that work outside the cellular fortress: it is the firstline of defense. Humoral immunity occurs in the body fluids where B cells float around on sentryduty. When B cells come into contact with antigens (proteins from a virus), they activate antibodieswhich they carry on their back. These antibodies identify and neutralize foreign proteins. Eachantibody is responsible for a different antigen, so some might be responsible for distemper, somefor parvovirus, etc. After an antibody is successful at neutralizing any nasty antigens, it will floataround the body for years, working as a sentry. Like T cells, B cells develop a memory whichallows them to respond quicker and with more force the next time they come across the samevirus.

A titre is capable of measuring only a small part of the active immune system: circulatingantibodies. If a titre is high, it is a good assumption that the immune system is perfectly capableof a successful response to the antigen in question. So if your dog has a high titre for parvo, it isextremely unlikely that he will suffer the disease, even if he is exposed to parvovirus. If there areparovovirus antibodies circulating in his system, then the B cell front line troops and the T cellsthat protect the cell fortresses are armed and ready to go.

What if the circulating antibodies are low? Does that mean that immunity is low? Well, theanswer is no. Immunity is an all or nothing thing: a dog is either immune or he is not. There isno grey area or sliding scale.

If a titre is low and you have a reasonable expectation that your dog has been exposed to parvovirusfor example (either through exposure or vaccination), then a low titre really has no predictivevalue. Memory cells which are produced by T and B cells exist for the life of the animal:circulating antibodies may or may not. Just because circulating antibodies are low (and thereforethe titre is low), does not mean that your dog can not fight infection if exposed to parvovirus (orany other virus). There may not be circulating antibodies present, but the memory cells are thereand waiting to launch a quick and powerful attack on parvovirus antigens, activating the antibodiesand neutralizing any threat. The fortress protecting your dog’s cells is still very well protectedby front line troops and T cell soldiers and remains so for the life of the dog.

Based on this, what is the predictive value of a titre? Well, a high titre has a very good predictivevalue. If a titre is high, then your dog is either suffering from the disease or has successfullyfought it in the past and can expected to do so in the future without further vaccination. If a titreis low, then it is of little value as it comes down to guesswork. A low titre does not mean lowimmunity. It is for this reason that I think titres are not a good use of money. The exceptionwould be using titres to determine the effectiveness of a vaccination (not that I necessarily endorsevaccination).

If you were to vaccinate a puppy and run a titre about three weeks afterward, it would havewonderful predictive value. If you were to vaccinate for distemper and parvo at 12 weeks, thenrun a titre at 15 weeks for example, now the titre would be of value. If the titre is high, then thereare circulating antibodies against the parvo or distemper virus. If this is the case, then it isextremely likely that memory cells will have been produced by B cells and T cells and your puppyis protected for life. There is no need for further titres and certainly no need for further vaccination.In my opinion (for what it’s worth), this would be the best use of a titre test as a low titre wouldnow have predictive value, meaning there was either vaccine failure or passive immunity (maternalantibodies) blocked the vaccine (which is possible for up to 26 weeks of age with parvovirus).

I wish more vets, breeders and puppy owners would use titres in this manner, instead ofhapharzardly vaccinating at three or four week intervals, trying to catch the period in time whenpassive immunity is low enough for the vaccine to work. It would take a lot of the guesswork outof a vaccine schedule and eliminate the need for unnecessary vaccinations.

This post was written by...

Dogs Naturally – who has written 56 posts on Dogs Naturally Magazine.

How Are Your Dog Park Manners?

Story at-a-glance

Off-leash dog parks are popular places for owners to bring their pets for some exercise and abit of mixing and mingling.

What some dog owners don't realize, however, is the dog park environment isn't appropriatefor every single dog. Some dogs, due to trauma or temperament, are better off socializing insmall groups or more controlled settings.

As with any public setting, there are certain dog park rules of behavior that should befollowed to insure the safety and comfort of everyone using the park.

Insuring your pet can interact in a friendly way with other dogs is the first thing you shoulddetermine before you visit a dog park. Another important step is to watch the activity of otherdogs in the park for a few minutes before entering, to insure there are no dogs or situationspresent that might pose a threat to your pet.

When all the humans in the dog park behave as responsible pet owners, it makes for apositive experience for everyone on two legs and four.

Full story: http://tinyurl.com/8x6bhw8

Type, Balance and Symmetry-Developing a Discerning Eye:

http://www.thedogplace.org/ShowPlace/Eye-on-Symmetry_Gammill-125.asp

A Guide to Nursing and Weaning Puppies:

http://tinyurl.com/mqrdnnq

If Your Dog Suddenly Starts Circling or Staggering, This Could Be Why:

Story at-a-glance

Canine vestibular disease affects the body’s balance systems. There are two forms of thecondition, peripheral vestibular disease which is the more common, and central vestibulardisease.

Peripheral vestibular disease results from damage to the nerves of the inner ear that can becaused by infection, overzealous cleaning of the ears, trauma, stroke, tumors, certain drugs andother conditions.

Symptoms of the condition including head tilting, loss of balance, stumbling, falling,abnormal eye movements, nausea and vomiting.

Treatment of the disorder consists primarily of supportive care and resolving any underlyingcause. Geriatric dogs with peripheral vestibular disease often need supportive therapy in theform of IV fluids and supplemental nutrition, help with eating, drinking

Full story : http://tinyurl.com/74xydvm

CPR Guidelines For Cats And Dogs Released

By Roxanne Palmer

If your dog has a heart attack and collapses, what should you do?

For years, different veterinarians may have offered different pieces of advice -- but nowveterinary medicine researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell Universityhave produced the first set of evidence-based guidelines for resuscitating dogs and cats withstopped hearts.

University of Pennsylvania researcher Manuel Boller and his colleagues looked at decades ofpeer-reviewed data and determined that the proper rate for chest compressions on dogs and catsis between 100 and 120 per minute. That's the same rhythm recommended for humans. It alsohappens to align to the 103-bpm Bee Gees classic disco hit "Stayin' Alive," which studies haveshown aids medical students in performing chest compressions.

The guidelines, while primarily for veterinarians, are "very translatable to pet owners andbystanders," Boller said in a phone interview.

Of course, performing chest compressions on aPekingese is very different from doing so on afull-grown person, or even on a Great Dane.

For most dogs, you can apply chestcompressions to the widest part of the chestwhile the animal lies on its side. Credit: Journalof Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

For most dogs, you can apply chestcompressions to the widest part of the chestwhile the animal lies on its side. Credit: Journalof Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

For most dogs, chest compressions can be performed on the widest part of the chest while theanimal's lying on its side. But in some breeds like greyhounds with more keel-shaped chests, theguidelines recommend pushing down closer to the dog's armpit, directly over the heart. Barrel-chested dogs like English bulldogs can be laid on their back and compressed on the sternum,like people.

Smaller cats and dogs can either be chest-compressed with one hand wrapped around thesternum, encircling the heart or two-handed on the ribs.

For cats and small dogs, you can use one handwrapped around the sternum to try and restartthe heart. Credit: Journal of VeterinaryEmergency and Critical Care.

For cats and small dogs, you can use one handwrapped around the sternum to try and restartthe heart. Credit: Journal of VeterinaryEmergency and Critical Care.

One fundamental difference between humanpatients and animal patients is that dogs and catshave much lower rates of coronary heart disease,the most common cause for cardiac arrest inpeople.

"Sudden cardiac arrest in dogs is therefore not as common as in people and may be morecomparable to what occurs in young athletes with structural abnormalities of the heart muscle ora defect in the electrical circuitry," Boller said in an email.

Pets can also suffer a cardiac arrest due to difficulties with breathing or a severe illness that alsoaffects the heart.

Boller says it's gratifying to have these standards, especially since the original experiments onanimals used in their review were instrumental in developing CPR guidelines for people.

"Now we can translate that benefit back to their own kind," he says.

SOURCE: Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 22. Reassessment Campaign onVeterinary Resuscitation: Evidence and Knowledge Gap Analysis on Veterinary CPR.

More Than Half of U.S. Pets Have ThisDisease-Linked Condition - Does Yours?

By Dr. Becker

I’m sad to report that for yet another year, U.S.pet obesity rates continued to escalate.According to the Association for Pet ObesityPrevention (APOP), in 2012 the number ofoverweight cats reached an all-time high.

The 2012 survey reveals that 52.5 percent ofdogs and 58.3 percent of cats are eitheroverweight or obese according to theirveterinarian. The number of fat cats representsa 3 percent increase over the 2011 number.These percentages mean that approximately 80million dogs and cats in this country are notonly uncomfortably heavy, but also at increasedrisk for a long list of debilitating weight-relateddisorders.

According to Dr. Ernie Ward, found of APOPand lead veterinarian for the 2012 survey,obesity is the number one health threat totoday’s pets. “We continue to see an escalationin the number of overweight cats and anexplosion in the number of type 2 diabetescases,” says Dr. Ward.

Oblivious Pet Owners

Highlighting another frustrating issue, thesurvey reports that 45.8 percent of dog ownersand 45.3 percent of cat owners believe theiroverweight or obese pet is a normal weight.

Dr. Ward has dubbed this phenomenon the “fatgap” …

"The disconnect between reality and what a petparent thinks is obese makes having aconversation with their veterinarian morechallenging. Many pet owners are shockedwhen their veterinarian informs them their petneeds to lose weight. They just don't see it."

As we’ve also seen from prior year surveys,certain dog breeds are at greater risk forgrowing too heavy. Around 60 percent ofLabrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers areconsidered overweight or obese by their vet.

'The Most Important Decision a Pet OwnerMakes Each Day Is What They Choose toFeed.'

Dr. Ward believes the war against creatingoverweight pets is one pet owners andveterinarians must win. Obesity is an entirelypreventable medical condition, and it’s theresponsibility of pet owners – with support fromtheir veterinarian – to maintain their dog’s orcat’s healthy weight through species-appropriate nutrition and physical activity.

Dr. Ward believes, and I certainly agree, “TheMost Important Decision a Pet Owner MakesEach Day Is What They Choose to Feed.Choose wisely. Your pet’s life depends on it.”

Dr. Ward also sees a clear connection betweenpet and childhood obesity rates.

“The causes of pet and childhood obesity arelargely the same: too many high-calorie foodsand snacks combined with too little physicalactivity. Parents need to encourage children toput down their video games and pick up the dogleash to go for a walk. Instead of snacking onsugary treats, share crunchy vegetables withyour dog. Eat more whole foods instead ofhighly processed fast food.”

Obesity Destroys Your Pet’s Health

Overweight and obesity in pets is both a primarydisease and the root cause of many other

diseases that develop as the result of too muchweight, including:

Arthritis

Diabetes

Hypertension

Hypothyroidism

Kidney disease

And you can add to this list a significantreduction in the quantity and quality of youroverweight pet’s life.

While some pet owners don’t realize their dogor cat is overweight, others know their pet is tooheavy, but for some reason find it amusing. Stillother owners of fat pets don’t seem to realizethey are compromising the animal’s health.

I wish more pet owners understood theconsequences of letting their dog or cat get fat.I find it hard to believe most pet parents wouldcontinue to overfeed, feed the wrong foods, andunder-exercise their companion animals if theyrealized they were destroying their pet’s health.

What to Do If Your Pet Is Overweight

If you’re not sure whether your pet is too heavy,you can find a list of ideal weights at Pet ObesityPrevention.

Veterinarians rate the body condition of dogsand cats on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 is emaciatedand 9 is obese. A pet at a healthy size will fallinto the middle of the range at 4 to 5. If your petis a healthy weight and in good physical shape,you'll be able to feel the ribs (but not see them),see your pet's waistline when you look down athim, and notice a tuck in the abdomen when he'sviewed from the side.

If your dog or cat is too heavy, begin a programto get her safely down to a healthy weight. Noone thing you can do for your precious furry

companion is more important than what and howmuch you feed her.

These three common sense guidelines are all youreally need:

Feed a balanced, species-appropriate diet to yourpet. Regardless of her weight, your dog or catstill needs the right nutrition for her species,which means food that is high in animal proteinand moisture, with low or no grain content.

Practice portion control -- usually a morning andevening meal, carefully measured. A high-protein, low-carb diet with the right amount ofcalories for weight loss, controlled through theportions you feed, is what will take the weightoff your dog or cat. And don't forget to factor inany calories from treats.

Regularly exercise your pet. An overweightbody gets back in shape by taking in fewercalories and expending more energy. Dailyexercise, including at least 20 minutes ofconsistent aerobic activity, will help your petburn fat and increase muscle tone.

Do You Still Believe This Persistent Myth About Dogs and Exercise?

Story at-a-glance

There is a common myth among dog owners with fenced-in backyards that their pets get allthe exercise they need just going outside. This is simply not true. There are plenty of obese dogsliving in homes with big backyards.

Studies show that solitary dogs rest about 80 percent of the time, and dogs who live withother dogs rest about 60 percent of the time. In other words, much like humans, dogs need areason to be physically active.

The best way to insure your dog gets enough exercise is to provide her with companionshipand motivation. If your dog isn’t provided regular opportunities to run, play and exerciseaerobically, she is at much higher risk of developing arthritis and other debilitating conditions.

Your dog should be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of sustained, heart-thumping exercisethree times a week. Thirty minutes is better than 20 … and 6 or 7 days a week is better thanthree.

Simply walking your dog won’t get the job done, so it’s important to take power walksand/or find other activities that will deliver cardiovascular benefits and keep your pet’s body ingood condition.

Full story: http://tinyurl.com/lbbwbvb

How to Limit Your Liability If Your DogBites

By Dr. Christopher J. Allen, JD 5/13/13

It has always been a smart idea to keep propercontrol of your dog both indoors and outside thehome, but new developments in the law nowmake that good habit a vital aspect of personalresponsibility. In the past a minor dog (or cat)bite might have resulted in an argument with aneighbor or a small cash settlement with astranger. Recent cases and legislation, however,mean that these sorts of bites can have seriousfinancial consequences for a pet owner.

What’s the big deal about animals bitingpeople and other animals? Isn’t it just a quicktrip to the walk-in clinic along with acorresponding apology? That thinking is sooooutdated. In today’s world of litigious folks,aggressive attorneys and new theories of

recovery, there is real money available toanimal bite victims and their legal counsel.And many people out there are ready andwilling to take advantage of that unexpectedcash. So how should you protect yourself?What is the best route to follow should yourpet bite one of your guests or run off and nipan innocent bystander?

Trade Detailed Identification Information

Once your dog has bitten the person or pet ofanother, there is no point in trying to avoidresponsibility. Instead, stepping up anddemonstrating genuine compassion for theinjured party is a much more effective strategy.First, it is simply the right thing to do. Second,it is the best legal strategy.

Bite cases frequently lead to personal injurytrials and/or insurance settlements. If evidenceemerges that the dog owner deliberately tried to

stonewall the victim’s request for his identity orthat he simply walked away from the scene, hisinsurance company may end up having to payeven more. Should a trial ensue, such evidencelooks terrible; juries get very generous whenthey hear proof that a dog owner tried to “leavethe scene of the accident.”

Contact Your Insurance Agent Immediately

Many homeowner insurance policies and somerenter’s insurance policies cover dog bite claimsup to certain limits. If the injuries involved areminor, a policyholder may or may not decide tomake an insurance claim for monies owed to abite victim. But keep in mind that if an insuredindividual fails to report the incident to his agentin a timely fashion, he may later be unable toreceive reimbursement or even make a belatedclaim.

If your dog bites someone and you notify yourinsurance agent right away, he can advise youof any policy-related time limitations. If the biteturns out to be very minor, (for example, costsless than your deductible) you can decide to paymoney “out-of-pocket” and skip the insurancepaperwork (with the possible subsequentincrease in your premium).

But if you do not notify your insurance agent orinsurance carrier of the event, you may be outof luck when a minor skin injury turns into ahorrific nonhealing wound because the victimhappened to be diabetic, immune-suppressed, orallergic to antibiotics.

Encourage Medical Attention

As the owner of a dog who bites an innocentperson, you have a vested interest in that personrecovering from the bite as quickly and ascompletely as possible. What you do not wantis for a simple bite to turn into a medicalcatastrophe if not treated appropriately andrapidly. If the victim admits that he won’t seek

professional medical attention (perhaps becauseof a lack of health insurance), you should contactyour insurance company and your lawyerimmediately. They may or may not considersuggesting that you somehow contributefinancially to permit quick treatment of theinjury, depending on circumstances.

Consider Getting a Police Report

Though it may seem counterintuitive, calling thepolice to take an accident report at the scene ofa dog bite can be a good idea. Realistically, anowner of a biting pet should and inevitably willbe held legally and financially accountable forthe attack. But the animal’s owner should nothave to pay any more than what is legally owed.In today’s “get something for nothing” world, itis not uncommon for persons injured on the jobor in an accident to try to “milk” the injury intoan unjustifiably large settlement or a long periodof “disability” payments.

An on-site police report can actually be helpfuland keep a victim from successfully claiminginjuries and complications that could notpossibly have been a result of the dog bite. Italso proves that the dog owner stayed around tomake sure that the victim’s medical needs weredocumented.

Maintain Available Vaccination Records

It is bad enough having your dog bite amember of the public. It’s even worse to endup with your dog getting arrested and hauledoff to the doggie lockup because you can’t getyour hands on proof of vaccination.

And heaven forbid your dog should bitesomebody, say, on the Friday of a Mondayholiday weekend: If you personally possess norabies vaccination proof and your veterinarianand town clerk are closed for the long holiday,you don’t even want to imagine the liability

should the victim have to begin antirabiestherapy as a result of your negligence.

Offer to Pay Directly for Care

In today’s bad economy, not every pet ownerhas the up-front cash to have his pet cared forimmediately after a serious attack by someoneelse’s dog. And if the injured pet’s owner takesher animal to a veterinary clinic, that officeprobably won’t be willing to accept a vaguepromise by an owner that “someone else” isresponsible for necessary emergency surgery.

Therefore, it is good policy to advise the ownerof any animal attacked by your dog that youhave a cell phone number and a credit cardavailable to any veterinarian who agrees toperform emergency care on the victim animal.Never give out your credit card information tothe pet owner; instead provide appropriateidentification and the assurance that you willpay for reasonable treatment at a nearbyveterinary hospital once that office calls toexplain what care needs to be done.

Be Aware of New Theories of Liability

Some dog owners believe that they don’t reallyhave too much to worry about if their dog hasan inclination to bite. For example, if the dogis a small breed, they may not think anybodycould be injured very much by his tiny littlechompers. Some owners don’t worry becausetheir dog never bites people, though she doestend to be aggressive toward other dogs andcats.

Here is a bit of important legal news for such“pet owners in denial”: New legislation andcourt decisions have broadly expanded theliability of owners of biting dogs. Some courtsalso have been awarding noneconomic damagesto dog bite victims, (so-called “pain andsuffering” awards) which can go well beyond

the payment of lost wages and medical careattributable to the bite.

More recently, some courts and legislatures areallowing legal claims by spouses of injuredvictims for bite-related expenses such as daystaken off from work to drive a wife to doctorvisits. There are even courts that areconsidering claims by pet owners for painsuffered by their pets when they are bitten by adog belonging to someone else. Finally, somestates are allowing owners of pets maimed orkilled by somebody else’s dog to recover forthe pet owner’s sadness, angst and emotionaldistress allegedly resulting from injuries ordeath of their beloved pet.

Remember: Limit Your Liability

Trust me, as a practicing lawyer andveterinarian for over 25 years, I can tell youthat jury verdicts based on these sorts of legaltheories have the potential to add up to muchmore than your homeowner’s policy or yourrainy-day fund can pay. Do everything you canto keep your pet from being in a situationwhere he could bite someone else or anotherpet. If the worst does happen, take allnecessary steps to do the right thing as well asto limit your potential liability.

What to Do Immediately If Your Dog Has a“Spinal Cord Stroke”

Story at-a-glance

A fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) is ablockage in a blood vessel in the spinal cord.When such a blockage occurs, an area of thespinal cord dies.

An FCE typically results from an injury to thespinal cord caused by jumping or landingawkwardly. Sometimes vigorous exercise cantrigger it. Dog fights, rough play, and any sortof accidental trauma can also lead to an FCE.

Fibrocartilaginous emboli are rarely seen incats and occur most often in large and giantbreed male dogs, and also miniature Schnauzersand Shelties between three and six years of age.

Symptoms of an FCE can include sudden,severe pain followed by lessening pain after ashort period; weakness; partial to full paralysisof a rear limb; and an uncoordinated gait.

The recommended treatment for FCE is tobegin aggressive physical therapy.Implementing an immediate rehabilitationprogram is your pet’s very best option for a fullrecovery and a second chance at life.

Full story: http://tinyurl.com/krzza5u

Understanding Dog Growling and DogLanguage

by Pat Miller

Growling is a valuable means of communicationfor a dog – something that dog owners shouldappreciate and respect rather than punish. Ofcourse, we don't want our dog to growl at us, butneither do we want him to fail to growl ifsomething makes him uncomfortable; that's very

important information in a successful canine-human relationship.

It's very common for dog owners to punish theirdogs for growling. Unfortunately, this oftensuppresses the growl – eliminating his ability towarn us that he's about to snap, literally andfiguratively. On other occasions, punishing agrowling, uncomfortable dog can induce him toescalate into full-on aggression.

So, if you're not supposed to punish your dogfor growling, what are you supposed to do? Thenext time your dog growls at you, try this:

Stop. Whatever you're doing, stop. If your dog'sgrowl threshold is near his bite threshold – thatis, if there’s not much time between his growland his bite – get safe. If his growl doesn’t meana bite is imminent, stop what you're doing butstay where you are. Wait until he relaxes, thenmove away, so you're rewarding the relaxedbehavior rather than the growl.

Analyze the situation. What elicited the growl?Were you touching or grooming him?Restraining him? Making direct eye contact?Taking something away from him? Making himdo something?

If you need help to create and implement abehavior modification protocol, contact aqualified behavior professional who isexperienced and successful in modifyingaggressive behavior with positive, dog-friendlytechniques.

For more details and advice on modifying dogaggression, purchase Whole Dog Journal'sebook, Approaches to Modifying DogAggression.

Behavior Differences in Dogs from Pet Stores VersusBreeders

Pet store dogs have more psychological problemsthan dogs from breeders

Published on May 8, 2013 by Stanley Coren, Ph.D.,F.R.S.C. in Canine Corner

Some new research which looks at differencesin the behavioral characteristics of dogs obtainedas puppies from pet stores compared to thoseobtained from noncommercial breeders hasproduced some disturbing results. The researchappears in the Journal of the AmericanVeterinary Medical Associationand wasconducted by Utah veterinarian Frank McMillanfrom the Best Friends Animal Society and a teamof researchers at the University of Pennsylvaniain Philadelphia.

Veterinarians have long complained that dogspurchased from pet stores are much more likelyto suffer from health problems than thoseobtained from breeders. This has led to banningthe sale of dogs in pet stores in many venuesaround North America. The vast majority ofdogs sold in pet stores come from what theindustry calls "puppy farms" but the rest of theworld calls "puppy mills". In most of theseestablishments dogs are reared much the sameway that farmers rear chickens to be used forfood. The animals are often kept in wire cagesand they are not removed even to allow them toeliminate. The dogs get virtually no socializationor personal attention from human beings.Anyone who knows anything about thepsychological development of dogs woulddoubtless predict that this is a bad situation andis apt to produce many behavioral problems inthe dog's later life. However, although variousstudies have looked at health differencesbetween pet store and breeder purchasedpuppies, there is little information about

psychological differences between dogsobtained from these two sources.

This recent study looked at 413 dogs obtainedfrom pet stores and contrasted them to 5657 dogsobtained from breeders. The idea was tocompare dogs that are purebred and all obtainedas puppies at approximately the same age.

Behavioral measures were obtained using anonline version of the Canine BehavioralAssessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). This is a 100 item questionnaire whichwas developed by James Serpell, who is one ofthe researchers on this team. It is one of the bestknown, and most carefully validatedquestionnaires that assesses a dog's behavioralcharacteristics. It is based on the owner'sobservations of their dogs’ typical responses toa variety of everyday situations during the recentpast. It looks at a variety of different aspects ofcanine behavior, including characteristics liketrainability, excitability, various aspects ofsociability, fearfulness and a variety ofexpressions of aggressiveness.

The data clearly shows that dogs purchasedfrom pet stores appear to be less psychologicallysound overall. On 12 out of the 14 behavioralsubscales the pet store dogs showed significantlyless desirable behaviors, and in no category didthe pet store dogs have a better score.

The strongest and most disturbing effects wereobserved in relation to aggressive behavior. Forexample the owners of sexually intact pet storedogs were three times more likely to report thattheir dogs had acted aggressively toward them,than were sexually intact dogs acquired frombreeders. In addition the pet store dogs werenearly twice as likely to be reported as showingaggression toward unfamiliar dogs. Pet storedogs were also more likely to have issuesassociated with stranger directed aggression andaggression to other dogs in the household.

More than that, fearfulness is a greater problemin the pet store animals. They show significantlyhigher rates of fearfulness toward other dogs,unfamiliar situations, and strange events. Theyalso show significantly more separation relatedproblems and higher touch sensitivity. Inaddition the pet store dogs were somewhat moreexcitable, energetic, and attention seeking.Moreover these dogs showed a range ofmiscellaneous behavior problems atsignificantly higher levels than the dogs obtainedfrom breeders. These problems includedescaping from the home, sexual mounting ofpeople and objects, and most forms of house-soiling.

There was some indication that the pet storedogs tended to be less trainable, althoughfurther analysis showed that this was mostlytrue for dogs that did not participate inworking or recreational activities rather thanthe whole population of pet store dogs.

The guess is that the problems that pet store dogs haveto do with the fact that the majority of them come frompuppy mills and therefore simply do not haveadequate early socialization. These puppies haveinadequate human contact, little chance to interact withtheir environment, and suffer from inappropriatehousing which does not allow them to learn housecleanliness on their own.

Researchers, especially those who deal withpsychological issues, are usually rather cautious as totheir recommendations and conclusions. Behaviors areso fluid and variable that psychologists seldom want tocome out with a "thou shalt" or "thou shalt not" kind ofpronouncement based upon their data. In this particularstudy however, the researchers presented a hard anduncompromising conclusion which was "until thecauses of the unfavorable differences detected in thisgroup of dogs can be specifically identified andremedied, we cannot recommend that puppies beobtained from pet stores."

Stanley Coren is the author of many books including:Born to Bark; Do Dogs Dream? The Modern Dog;Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? The Pawprints ofHistory; How Dogs Think; How To Speak Dog; Why

We Love the Dogs We Do; What Do Dogs Know? TheIntelligence of Dogs; Why Does My Dog Act ThatWay? Understanding Dogs for Dummies; SleepThieves; The Left-hander Syndrome

Copyright SC Psychological Enterprises Ltd.

Dangerous Dog Treats: Is Your Dog AtRisk?

Sometimes even the best intentions can havedangerous or even tragic results.

As a good pet parent, you want your dog to havethe very best life possible. That includes givingthem everything that could possibly make themhappy. One easy way that many owners showhow much they love their animal companions isto treat them with a delicious snack. Our petsappreciate the treats and we get joy from givingthem, so what could be wrong with a little extragoodie now and again?

The problem is that all treats are not createdequal, and what you may not know about sometreats could put your dog in grave danger.

Over the years I've talked to a lot of mycolleagues in veterinary medicine about treats.That includes my dear friend Dr. Debra atPetProductAdvisor.com, who has spent yearsand years studying the treats on the market.Together she and I have learned a lot aboutproducts, what dogs like, and what is safe.

As you may recall, in 2007 we all heard aboutthe horrific deaths and illnesses related tocontaminated dog treats imported from China.The terrible situation came about becauseproduction standards in other countries are oftenless strict as they are in the United States. Mostdog owners didn't know this, and didn't realizethat their dogs' treats were made in a countrywith lax regulations (such as China). The treatsin question were packaged and sold under U.S.brand names, but produced elsewhere.

Thousands of animals became sick as a result ofconsuming contaminated treats, and many otherslost their lives. When owners became aware ofthe issue it led to greater attention to the dangersassociated with imported treats. As a result, italso fed into a growing demand for natural treatsthat are made in the U.S.A. with U.S.-sourcedingredients. Two types of treats became muchmore popular during this time: rawhide chewsand “bully sticks.” Today I'd like to talk a littlebit about them and help you understand whichis better for your pet.

Rawhide Treats: Are They Safe?

It seems like rawhide treats have been aroundforever. These familiar chews come in lots offun shapes and flavors, and dogs generally enjoythem. They're also very affordable and they lastfor a long time. But there are also some healthdangers associated with rawhide treats, so makesure you understand the risks before giving yourdog this kind of item.

Rawhide is made from animal hide, which is notdigestible. If your dog swallows a piece ofrawhide whole, it can become a choking hazard.Swallowed rawhide cannot be digested. Thatmeans it must travel through your dog's digestivetract where the sharp edges of the undigestedrawhide can cause internal damage. It is notuncommon for veterinarians like myself toexamine an x-ray only to find obstructions fromrawhide. In some cases they even require asurgery.

Many owners find that rawhide treats don't fitinto their lifestyle of reduced chemicals.Rawhide goes through a lot of processing beforeit is ready for sale, including a chemical processwhere it is washed with degreasers anddetergents then sterilized in hydrogen peroxide.With these things in mind, you might want toreconsider the use of rawhide as treats.

Bully Sticks: The Healthier Alternative

These strange-looking snacks might look a littleunusual at first but trust me: dogs go crazy forthem. Unlike rawhide, bully sticks are made withthe meat of the cow – not the hide – so bullysticks are more easily digestible. This eliminatesthe potential choking hazards and intestinalobstructions associated with rawhide chews.Bully sticks are a little more expensive thanrawhide, but they are long-lasting and muchsafer for your dog. Plus bully sticks are naturaland do not contain chemicals.

After the dog treat contamination issues beganin 2007, there was a growing demand for all-natural dog treats, including bully sticks thatwere American made. But did you know thatmost bully sticks are not made in the U.S.A.?

Today I'd like to tell you about a new kind ofbully stick that is safe, tasty, long lasting, madein the U.S.A. of all-natural U.S. sourcedingredients… and it cleans your dogs' teeth asthey chew. Merrick Flossies Spiral Chews are agreat choice for a high-protein, digestible, long-lasting bully stick. Their unique textured spiralshape cleans the tartar from your dogs' teeth asthey chew. Not only will your dogs get a tastysavory treat, every time they chew they'll beimproving their breath and cleaning their teethand gums.

I highly recommend Merrick Flossies SpiralChews for dogs of all ages. It is the only bullystick I know of that is made in the U.S.A. fromAmerican cattle. These bully sticks are lovedby dogs for their taste and loved by dogowners for their dental benefits.

Dr. Jon

P.S.: Being uninformed can lead to unseen dangers.Always supervise your dogs with any type of chew toensure they do not try to swallow it whole. Once atreat becomes small enough for a dog to swallow it,please discard it.

The Critter Invasion That Can Make YourPet's Life Miserable (Not Fleas)

By Dr. Becker

Dust mite allergies are extremely commonamong dogs and cats (and humans), but becausehouse dust mites are microscopic, many petowners think they couldn’t possibly presentmuch of a problem.

But the fact is when we decided to bring petsinto our homes and onto our furniture and beds,we increased their exposure to these mites. Overtime, our dogs and cats have become sensitizedto the little critters just as we have.

House Dust Mites

Dermatophagoides farinae andDermatophagoides pteronyssinus, morecommonly known as dust mites, are found inmaterials like carpeting, upholstered furniture,mattresses, bedding, and cloth toys. They thrivein warm, moist air (the kind we exhale duringsleep) and darkness -- which is why they areoften found in bedding. Their bodies aretranslucent.

Dust mites survive on a diet of dead skin,bacteria, fungi and viruses in the environment.They prefer to feed on the skin of hypersensitive(allergic) individuals because the lipids in theirskin are different from those of non-allergicpeople.

What makes dust mites allergenic for pets andpeople is a protein found in their feces.

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies in Your Pet

Because house dust mites are a problem year-round, allergies to them tend not to be seasonal.However, they are known to be worse in thespring and fall.

From 30 to 80 percent of allergic dogs and catstest positive for dust mite sensitivity. Pets thatonce lived primarily outdoors can developsensitivity after they’ve lived indoors for aperiod of time.

In dogs, signs of a dust mite allergy includebacterial skin infections; itching, especiallyaround the face and on the feet; recurrent earinflammation or infections; and seborrhea (a red,itchy rash with white scales).

Kitties with a dust mite allergy may developsomething called eosinophilic granulomacomplex that results in skin lesions; itching; acneon the chin; recurrent ear inflammation orinfections; and a disease of the foot pads calledplasma cell pododermatitis, or “pillow foot.”

Diagnosing and Treating Dust Mite Allergies

Your vet will look for a history that indicatesyour pet’s condition is non-seasonal, and is notrelated to either food sensitivities or skinparasites. Next, your dog or cat should beeither skin or serum-tested for sensitivity todust mites.

Once your pet has a confirmed diagnosis ofdust mite allergy, I recommend first trying torid his environment of mites. This is a bit of achallenge, because studies show the mosteffective method of treatment is to air outfabrics your pet is exposed to on either a hot,sunny or cold dry day for 12 hours, thenvacuuming.

Other suggestions include:

Switching to mattress covers made of micro-porous fabric (“dust mite” covers)

Covering your pet’s bed in a sheet that repelsdust mites and washing it weekly

Washing bedding in hot water at least monthly,or in cold water and tea tree oil

Removing carpets from bedrooms

Vacuuming all carpets and upholstery often (atleast weekly) using a vacuum with a HEPA filter

Steam-cleaning mattresses, pet bedding andupholstered furniture

Many veterinarians recommend immunotherapy(allergy shots or under-the-tongue drops). Thisis a much safer option than immuno-suppressantdrugs like cyclosporine or corticosteroids. Iprefer to hold off on powerful drugs that shutdown the immune system in favor of dealingwith the animal’s environment first, inconjunction with some other safe, commonsense steps. These include regular foot soaks andbathing to wash away allergens and sootheirritated skin; feeding a species-appropriate,anti-inflammatory diet; providing fresh, good-quality drinking water; and avoiding over-vaccinating/over-medicating to ensure yourpet’s immune system remains strong andresilient.

You can also consider investing in an air purifierto control dust mites, and switching to non-toxiccleaning agents to lessen your pet’s overall toxicload.

Keep in mind it only takes a miniscule amountof dust mite allergen to create an allergicresponse in your dog or cat. So the moreeffective your mite eradication efforts, the morecomfortable your allergic pet will be.

Probiotics: Even Your Traditional Vet MayNow Recommend This Pet Supplement

By Dr. Becker

Probiotics are living microorganisms or gutfriendly bacteria. They were discovered in theearly 1900’s by Russian Nobel Laureate ElieMetchnikoff. Metchnikoff became aware thatpeople living in rural areas who consumedfermented milk on a regular basis lived longlives, and he attributed it to the Lactobacillusorganism found in milk. Metchnikoff beganadvising people to use fermented milk todecrease pH levels in the GI tract and suppressgrowth of harmful gut bacteria.

Holistic vets have been recommendingprobiotics for pets for decades, but the goodnews is that traditional veterinarians arebecoming more aware of their benefits as well,and many DVMs now routinely recommendprobiotic supplementation for patients withdiarrhea, and those receiving antibiotic therapy.

Probiotics Are Proving Beneficial in a WideVariety of Diseases and Disorders

According to Dr. Marcella Ridgway, writing forClinician’s Brief, “Initial investigation ofclinical efficacy of probiotic use in diseaseprevention and treatment in veterinary medicineis promising but preliminary.”

While there isn’t sufficient evidence yet toformally support specific health claims forprobiotics, pretty much everyone now agreesthey improve GI health and immune systemfunction. And a growing body of researchsuggests probiotics can have therapeutic benefitsfor a wide range of health conditions, includingchronic GI malfunction, allergies, diabetes,obesity, liver disease, and mood and behaviordisorders.

Human studies suggest that probiotics may:

In studies of dogs and cats with acute or chronicunexplained diarrhea and dogs with diet-relateddiarrhea, probiotic supplementation had thefollowing non diarrhea-related benefits:

Reduced inflammation levels in allergic dogs

Improved vaccine response and growth rates inpuppies

Lowered cholesterol in healthy dogs and thosewith intestinal disease

Reduced levels of certain fecal bacteria in dogs

Reduced the incidence of feline herpes (FHV-1)infections

Studies also suggest there are no side effects ofprobiotic therapy, and that supplementation issafe and easy to administer in pets.

How Probiotics Work

The exact mechanism by which probiotics workin the GI tract is as yet unknown, but the most

common working theory is that friendly bacteriaestablishes itself in the gut, and its presencediscourages proliferation of pathogenic(unfriendly) bacteria.

Dr. Ridgeway provides an expanded explanation:

“Gut bacteria serve many functions, includingfood product fermentation, digestion andnutrient absorption, vitamin synthesis, drugmetabolism, interaction with cells for gutdevelopment and function, and host immunesystem modulation.

“Alterations in GI microflora secondary toillness, stress, antibiotic use, and dietary and/orenvironmental changes can disrupt GIhomeostasis (the complex interrelationship ofresident GI organisms and normal GI mucosalfunctions), which has far-reaching effects onhost immune system and organ function.

“Probiotics may benefit affected individuals byacting at one or more points to initiate, enhance,or restore function to evoke a positive healtheffect.”

Selecting the specific probiotic strains to includein a veterinary supplement is currently basedprimarily on the strains that hold up best duringproduct processing and are also able toeffectively colonize the gut.

Going forward, research should evaluateparticular strains for specific health benefits.Good candidates include strains that are derivedfrom the species for which the probiotic isintended; are able to remain viable throughproduct processing and storage; can survive theenvironment of the GI tract, including thepresence of gastric acid and bile; and can adhereto and inhabit gut tissue. Of course, these strainsalso must be nonpathogenic and have healthbenefits for the animal.

I’m hopeful future evidence-based studies willreveal many more suitable probiotic strains,

proper dosing levels, and the effectiveness ofsupplementation in a wide variety of canine andfeline disorders.

How Do I Know If My Pet Needs a ProbioticSupplement?

The health of an animal’s GI tract can be easilycompromised by everything from emotionalstress to unhealthy lifestyle choices he has nocontrol over.

As an example, veterinary antibiotics andcorticosteroids are overprescribed, and bothtypes of drugs can decimate the helpful bacteriain your pet’s gut. Other stressors that can openthe door for pathogenic bacteria to overwhelmthe good bugs include a sudden change in dietfor a pet that’s been eating the same food everyday for months or years; a poor quality,biologically inappropriate diet; eating non-fooditems like poop, grass or rocks; drinking uncleanwater; ingestion of toxins; vaccinations;boarding; travel; GI disease and surgery.

When GI stressors throw the balance of good-to-bad gut bacteria out of whack, it can create acascade of nutritional and other health problems.It also opens the door to leaky gut syndrome(dysbiosis), which means your dog or cat isabsorbing partially digested amino acids andallergens into the bloodstream. This can triggera wide range of additional health problems, fromallergies to autoimmune disease.

In my experience, almost every dog and cattoday can benefit from probioticsupplementation.

How to Teach Loose Leash Walking to YourDog

Full story: http://tinyurl.com/cpxeayy

The Alarming Proposed Bill That CouldThreaten Your Pet's Life

Story at-a-glance:

California Assembly Bill AB 272 is proposingnew vaccine legislation that will require puppiesin California to receive the rabies vaccine at 12weeks rather than 16 weeks. Analysis of the billindicates significant important factual errorshave been conveyed to legislators about theimpact of the bill on California's dogs if itpasses, and the motivations behind itsintroduction.

Dr. Jean Dodds, Dr. Becker, other members ofthe veterinary community and countless petowners are very concerned about this proposedbill, for the sake of California’s puppies, and alsobecause other states often follow California’slead.

A primary concern is that too-early rabiesvaccination can interfere with residual maternalantibodies, with the result that puppies presumedto be immunized against the disease, will not be.

Another concern is that adding the rabiesvaccine around the same time dogs receive their“puppy shots” can significantly increase the riskfor serious adverse vaccine reactions.

Dr. Becker and Dr. Dodds encourage pet ownersto get informed and involved by visiting theRabies Challenge Fund website.

Full story: http://tinyurl.com/d7z2uho

A Dog’s Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more gratefulfor kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand betweenblows, your patience and understanding will quickly teach me the things youwould have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you mustknow by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waitingear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal,no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than theprivilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with freshwater, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding,to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with mylife, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearingand sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having anyfun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earthknowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in yourhands.

Author Unknown

Know the Symptoms of This Potentially Life-Threatening Condition

January 21, 2013

By Dr. Becker

Anemia is a condition in which there are an abnormally low number of red blood cellscalled erythrocytes or hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule inside red bloodcells. Its job is to move oxygen in the blood to all the tissues in the body. As red blood cells age(they have an average lifespan of about two months) or are damaged, they are collected by thespleen and removed from circulation. Part of the hemoglobin molecule is recycled to the bonemarrow to be included in newred blood cells, while other parts are processed by the liver.

Common Causes of Anemia

There are three causes of anemia: blood loss, destruction of red blood cells (hemolyticanemia), and insufficient production of red blood cells (aplastic anemia), which is thecause of about 80 percent of feline anemia. Anemia caused by blood loss can result from trauma,surgery, or another bleeding disorder that results in a sudden reduction in the overall numbers ofcirculating red lood cells. However, anemia from blood loss can also be the result of a slower,chronic condition, including bleeding in the GI tract due to ulcers, internal or external parasites,cancer, and a number of other conditions.Hemolytic anemia is caused by the destruction or shortened lifespan of red blood cells,which means there is a low overall circulating red blood cell volume. This type of anemia can beeither immune-mediated or non immune-mediated. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a conditionin which an animal’s body sees its own red blood cells as foreign invaders and sets out to destroythem. Non immune-mediatedhemolytic anemia is the destruction of red blood cells by other means, including redblood cell parasites, hereditary diseases, toxins, or a low phosphorous level.Aplastic anemia, which is insufficient production of red blood cells, is caused by several differentdisorders, including tumors of the bone marrow, chronic kidney disease, and other conditions thataffect the production of red blood cells. Infections like parvovirus or Ehrlichia can cause this typeof anemia, as well as chemotherapeutic agents, sulfa drugs, estrogens, and sometimes exposureto radiation and toxins.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

When a pet has an abnormally low volume of red blood cells and consequentlyinsufficient hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, he experiences oxygenstarvation.

Symptoms can include weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance, an elevated heartrate, pale mucous membranes (usually noticed in the mouth – the gums and/or tonguebecome pale pink to white), mental confusion, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, andcollapse. If the animal is passing a large amount of digested blood from the GI tract,there will be a black tarry stool as well.

Anemia isn’t difficult to diagnose. Typical diagnostic tests include a complete bloodcount, a packed cell volume, and a serum biochemistry panel. A blood smear can beanalyzed under a microscope to evaluate the structure of the red blood cells. Aurinalysis may also be performed, as well as a test to check for Ehrlichia canis if thepatient is a dog.

Your vet may also do a coagulation panel, as well as a mucosal bleeding time test toevaluate your pet’s clotting ability. A fecal test may also be performed to check foroccult blood loss, which is blood loss from the intestines.

A diagnosis of anemia doesn’t identify the underlying problem, however. There areseveral other tests that often must be run to determine the cause of the low red bloodcell volume.

These tests can include an abdominocentesis to check for fluid or blood in the abdomendue to trauma, a bleeding disorder, a problem with the spleen, or a complication froma prior surgery. Other tests might include abdominal X-rays, an ultrasound, or anendoscopy to look inside the abdomen for the presence of tumors or ulcers.

There are also tests that can identify the presence of mycoplasma or Babesia in theblood. Sometimes a DNA test is done to look for genetic defects in susceptible breeds.And of course there are tests to determine if there’s cancer present in your pet’s body.

Treatment for Anemia Depends on the Underlying Cause

If you think your pet may be anemic, you should make an appointment with yourveterinarian as soon as possible. Anemia can be life threatening, depending on what’scausing it.

Treatment goals for patients with anemia are to control bleeding, restore blood volume,find and resolve underlying causes of chronic blood loss, and provide supportive care.

Depending on the cause of the anemia, treatment options can include IV fluid therapyto increase blood volume; transfusions of packed cells, whole blood, platelets, or freshfrozen plasma; transfusions of bone marrow; antibiotics if infection is present; vitaminK1 for coagulation disorders or certain poisonings; GI protectants; anti-parasiticmedications; potassium phosphate supplementation; or urgery to fix the source of thebleeding.

Rarely is anemia related to iron deficiency in pets, as it is in many women. Ironsupplementation should be avoided, unless your pet is one of the very rare cases whereactual iron deficiency is present.

Anemic pets must be carefully monitored while undergoing treatment.

Acute aplastic anemia can be reversed within a few weeks once the cause is identified.Chronic aplastic anemia is usually a more serious condition and more difficult toresolve.

Blood loss anemia can be resolved as soon as the source of the bleeding is identifiedand repaired. Anemia caused by cancer has a less optimistic prognosis and dependson the pet’s response to treatment for the cancer. Many causes of hemolytic anemiacan be resolved once whatever is causing the destruction of the red blood cells hasbeen identified.

Overheating Can Cause YourDog’s Agonizing Death within

Minutes – Yet It’s EntirelyAvoidable

By Dr. BeckerThe hot summer months are almostupon us, and tragically, many pets willsuccumb to heat-related deaths betweennow and the arrival of cooler weatherin the fall.

Most cases of dogs dying from heatexposure go unreported, so no statisticsexist on how widespread the problem is.But estimates are that several hundreddogs suffer this slow, agonizing andentirely preventable fate every summer.

The loss of a beloved pet is hard enoughwhen death is expected and the passingis painless. But losing a furry familymember to an avoidable case ofheatstroke is something many petowners can never forgive themselves for.

Leaving a dog unattended in a vehiclein extreme temperatures is currently acriminal offense in a handful of statesand several cities and towns. Most of thelaws on the books have rescueprovisions that allow certain individuals– typically police officers, firefighters,animal control officers, and storeemployees – to take whatever action isnecessary to free an animal from avehicle in dangerously hot or coldweather.

No matter where you live, if you see ananimal left in someone else’s parked carin the heat, notify a store employee ormall security right away. If the pet’sowner can’t be located immediately,animal control or the police should becalled. A pet can suffer permanentdamage or death in a very short timewhen left in a parked vehicle on a hotday.

Symptoms of Overheating in Dogs

On an 85-degree day it takes only 10minutes for the interior of your parkedcar to climb to 102 degrees. In a halfhour, it can reach 120 degrees. Andleaving windows partially open doesn'tdrop the temperature inside the vehicle.

Keep in mind your dog has a higherbody temp than you do and she can’tcool down as efficiently as you do,either. Your dog is designed more forinsulation from the cold than coolingdown in the heat.

You have sweat glands all over yourbody, but your dog's are confined to hernose and the pads of her feet. A dog thatis heating up can only normalize herbody temperature through panting,which just doesn't get the job doneunder extreme conditions. In a veryshort period of time, an overheated dogcan suffer critical damage to her brain,heart, liver and nervous system.

Symptoms of overheating in dogsinclude:

Heavy panting; Elevated bodytemperature; Excessive thirst;Weakness, collapse; Glazed eyes;Increased pulse and heartbeat; Vomiting,bloody diarrheaSeizures; Bright or dark red tongue,gums ; Excessive drooling; Staggering;Unconsciousness

Some dogs are at higher risk for heat-related illness than others, includingbrachycephalic breeds (dogs with flatfaces and short noses), older dogs,puppies, dogs that are ill or have achronic health condition, dogs not usedto warm weather, any dog left outsidein hot weather, and dogs that areallowed to overexert themselves in theheat.

From Overheating to Heatstroke

If your dog's body temperature gets to109°F or higher, heatstroke is the result.The cells of the body rapidly start to die.The brain swells, causing seizures. Lackof blood supply to the GI tract causesulcers. Dehydration leads to irreversiblekidney damage. All these catastrophicevents take place within a matter ofminutes.

In the early stages of a heat-relatedillness it can be difficult to assess yourdog's condition, since it's normal forhim to pant when he's warm or whileexerting himself.

I recommend you learn from your dog'svet how to take his temperature (it mustbe done rectally), and invest in a digitalthermometer that you designate fordoggie use only. It could come in handyif you're ever concerned your dog isoverheated and need to know his bodytemperature.

I can't stress enough how important itis for pet owners to take everyprecaution to prevent overheating. Bythe time a dog is exhibiting symptomsof heatstroke, it's often too late to savehim.

How to Help an Overheated Dog

If you think your pet or any dog isexperiencing heatstroke, you shouldtake immediate action and move him toa cool area, preferably with airconditioning. At a minimum you shouldmove him to a shady spot.

Next, try to determine his condition. Ifhe’s standing, or if he’s at leastconscious and panting, offer him smallamounts of water to drink and take histemperature if possible.

If his temp is 104ºF or lower, remainwith him in a cool environment, watchhim carefully and keep offering smalldrinks of water. A large volume of waterall at once might cause him to vomit,which will add to the risk ofdehydration. When he seems morecomfortable, call your veterinarian fornext steps. The vet may want to evaluate

your dog even if he seems fullyrecovered.

If the dog is unable to stand on his own,is unresponsive to your voice, touch orthe sight of you, or is having seizures,check for breathing and a heartbeat. Atthe same time, have someone contact aveterinary hospital (or make the callyourself if you're alone with your pet)to let them know you'll be bringing himin right away. It's important to alert theclinic you're on the way so they canprepare for your arrival.

Begin cooling your dog down by soakinghis body with cool water – cool, but notcold. Use a hose, wet towels or any othersource of cool water that is available.Take his temperature if possible.Concentrate the cooling water on hishead, neck and in the areas underneaththe front and back legs. Carefully coolthe tongue if possible, but don't letwater run into the throat as it could getinto the lungs. Never put water in themouth of a dog that can't swallow on hisown. Put a fan on him if possible – it willspeed up the cooling process.

After a few minutes, re-check histemperature. If it’s at or below 104ºF,stop the cooling process. Furthercooling could lead to blood clotting or atoo-low body temperature. Get the dogto a veterinary clinic right away, even ifhe seems to be recovering.

Tips for Preventing Overheating

Provide plenty of fresh, clean drinkingwater at all times. If your dog will beoutside for any length of time in warmweather, she should have access tocomplete shade. Periodically encourageher to play in the sprinkler or hose herdown with cool water to preventoverheating.

If your dog has a long coat, give her asummer cut. Her fur can be shaved to aone-inch length to make her morecomfortable when it’s hot. Just don’t goany shorter than an inch, because hercoat protects her from the sun.

Exercise your dog early in the morningor after sunset, during the coolest partsof the day. Don’t overdo exercise or playsessions, regardless of the time of day.And if it gets to be 90°F, your pet shouldbe indoors where it’s cool.

Don’t walk or exercise your dog on hotpavement. Not only can it burn herpaws, but the heat rising from concreteor asphalt can quickly overheat ananimal that is close to the ground.

And once again, never leave your dogalone in a parked car on a warm day.Leave her where she's cool, hydrated,and waiting in comfort for your returnhome.