I am CoCo the blogging dog! My hobbies include chasing cats, going for a walk and eating bologna. I enjoy writing about my life as a dog, topics that dogs may find interesting, and anything else I am distracted by.
(Play It) Christmas Dog Safety
While Christmas may be a time of joy and celebration, there are dangers to your dog specific to this time of year. With the holiday decorating and festivities just starting, you may want to check this partial list to ensure your home is dog safe.
Houseplants that we tend to keep around at Christmas, such as mistletoe, holly, lilies and poinsettias are all poisonous to dogs, and should be kept out of reach. Food that can be strung into strands for the Christmas tree, such as popcorn and cranberries, can cause blockages resulting in emergency surgery to remove. If you do get a real tree, you must keep your dog from drinking the water it's sitting in, as it could contain toxic chemicals or bacteria. Holiday goodies such as chocolate (theobromine) and candies (xylitol) can be poisonous to your dog.
The cords from Christmas tree lights and decorations can cause shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Whenever possible tape them down, and unplug them whenever your not at home. For safety, you can also anchor the top of the Christmas tree to the ceiling, to make sure it doesn't fall down. Avoid glass ornaments, which break easily and may cut your dogs feet or mouth. If your dogs a chewer, it's better to keep the Christmas tree blocked off altogether, as artificial and real trees have sharp needles that are indigestible. It's better not to use tinsel, as it can obstruct the intestine. Keep lights and ornaments off the lower branches of the Christmas tree. Wire hooks on ornaments, small ornaments, and even shards of glass from broken ornaments could be swallowed.
The Christmas season can also be a stressful time for pets, especially with the increased amount of visitors in the house. To keep your dog feeling secure, make sure to keep him on his normal routine of feeding, walking, and playtime.
(Play It) The Pet Food Bank
Last month, I wrote about organizing a pet food bank. I've decided to do a follow up on this, as I was contacted by a large pet food bank with additional information on starting a pet food bank. The Pet Food Bank has been helping to feed animals in need for over 10 years in Southern California and Mexico, and said they would be happy to provide suggestions to anyone who is interested in doing the same. They we're kind enough to write a condensed version at my request, on how someone could go about starting a pet food bank. They said,
Sure...I can do that. It is more involved than people suspect. Maybe I should just put it in a recipe form. If they need more info...they can contact me.
In order to start a pet food bank: Decide on who will qualify for food, rescues or individuals. If individuals, require volunteer time in exchange for food. If rescues, ask a donation to cover costs. (gas, insurance, storage, etc.) Obtain non-profit status (501-c3). Once established, contact manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of pet food. Have a truck or van to pick up and deliver. Warehouse storage for the food. Volunteers. Forklift and pallet jack. Tape guns, box openers, trash bags, shelves. About 60 hours per week to operate the food bank.
Hopefully this gives you a little insight to the work involved. In our organization, no one is paid...it is all volunteer. It is a very dirty job, and not very glamorous. If people want to work with animals..this is not for them. It is more like working in a warehouse. But if they can look at the big picture and realize how this helps feed many homeless animals it will fill their soul. Last year we moved over 1,000,000 lbs. of donated food to animal rescues. Lots of tails are wagging because of us. That is reward enough. Good luck! :-) Renee The Pet Food Bank
That's how to start a pet food bank in a big way! If that seems overwhelming, in my case, I just found a local human food bank that was willing to hand out pet food, and held a pet food drive at my job. Whether you decide to do something on a small scale, or start a huge non-profit organization, it's all up to you.
(Play It) Mixed-Up Mutts Dog Training Program
The Mixed-Up Mutts dog training program rescues homeless dogs from animal shelters, that may otherwise be considered to unruly to adopt out. These are dogs that have a good temperament and friendliness, but are in desperate need of obedience training. They then match the dog up with a prison inmate, that is certified in dog training, at the Westville Correctional Facility in Northwest Indiana for 4-8 weeks.
This program is providing a second chance for dogs that may otherwise end up euthanized, and some great rehabilitation for prisoners at the same time. For the few dogs that are still unable to find a good home after training, they are kept at the correctional facility, which usually has about 30 dogs at any time.
What the prison inmates have to say about this program: "Most of all, the dog has taught me to trust and love again, also to smile."
"This makes me happy and working with and having a dog makes each day better. I feel I’m doing something to help and not just wasting my life in prison."
"Not only am I training dogs, I am learning patience, how to care and how to love again."
"Along with feeling better about myself and what I’m doing, the dogs give lots of love and hope. It has really helped me and taught me so much that I never knew, and taught me patience."
"I feel I am doing something that is helping these dogs and society in general."
If you're interested in helping, Mixed-Up Mutts are always looking for volunteers who live around Indiana to transport animals, work at adoption events, and even professional dog trainers to donate time working with the inmates. If you don't live in the area you can also help out with raising public awareness, fundraising, or even donating through the Mixed-Up Mutts website. Here are the Mixed-Up Mutts currently up for adoption.
(Play It) Hops Poisonous To Dogs
Brewing kits are popular, and allow you to combine different malt extracts with different blends of hops, to make a wide variety of beers from home. One thing to keep in mind though, is that hops are a deadly poison to dogs. Many people are unaware, as hops can even be mixed with cattle food. However, in dogs it causes malignant hyperthermia, and potentially death.
Home brewers will sometimes save the used hops, also referred to as spent hops, and place it in a compost pile or as a lawn fertilizer outside. If your dog eats even a small amount of the hops, it can cause an uncontrollable fever, severe panting, restlessness, and rapid heartbeat. In all documented cases, only one dog managed to survive hop toxicity.
If you discover your dog eating hops, it's best to get him to the veterinarian, before the symptoms even start. If your veterinarian is unaware of hops toxicity, they can call the animal poison control for assistance on treatment. The Animal Poison Control Center phone is (888) 426-4435, they charge $60 but they are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to help. Treatment may include cold water baths to try to get temperature down, administration of activated charcoal, IV sodium bicarbonate to reverse metabolic acidosis, pumping the stomach, and possibly sedation to prevent the involuntary muscle contractions.
If you make beer at home, make sure to dispose of the hops in a sealed container, that your dog cannot get into.
Sponsored by: SPCA InternationalHelp SPCA International Tell the Iraq Government to Find Humane Solutions! (http://www.spca.com/)
200 dogs were killed by inhumane measures in Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, marking the beginning of a government campaign to reduce the animal overpopulation problem that plagues the country. These drastic actions were taken in response to a local public outcry for officials to do something about the stray packs of dogs that can cause human health and safety problems.
SPCA International adamantly condemns the inhumane methods employed in the campaign, including using poisoned meat and rifles. These means cause extreme and prolonged agony. There are humane alternatives that have proven effective and SPCA International encourages the Iraqi government to immediately stop the inhumane killing and implement humane methods.
Today, SPCA International began an effort to reach out to Iraqi officials to offer help in developing a more humane and long-lasting solution to the country's stray animal problem.
"Killing strays alone is merely a band-aid approach to reducing the number of unwanted dogs," says SPCA International Director of Communications, Stephanie Scroggs. "In order to better manage any stray animal population a combination of tactics must be used including spay and neuter, vaccinating healthy animals and euthanizing those that are sick or aggressive."
SPCA International, and others in the animal welfare movement, know that this 3-pronged approach works. Without this combination of solutions, the Iraq stray population will never be controllable and the inhumane practices currently being used will continue.
Help SPCA International Tell the Iraq Government to Find Humane Solutions! (http://www.spca.com/)
200 dogs were killed by inhumane measures in Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, marking the beginning of a government campaign to reduce the animal overpopulation problem that plagues the country. These drastic actions were taken in response to a local public outcry for officials to do something about the stray packs of dogs that can cause human health and safety problems.
SPCA International adamantly condemns the inhumane methods employed in the campaign, including using poisoned meat and rifles. These means cause extreme and prolonged agony. There are humane alternatives that have proven effective and SPCA International encourages the Iraqi government to immediately stop the inhumane killing and implement humane methods.
Today, SPCA International began an effort to reach out to Iraqi officials to offer help in developing a more humane and long-lasting solution to the country's stray animal problem.
"Killing strays alone is merely a band-aid approach to reducing the number of unwanted dogs," says SPCA International Director of Communications, Stephanie Scroggs. "In order to better manage any stray animal population a combination of tactics must be used including spay and neuter, vaccinating healthy animals and euthanizing those that are sick or aggressive."
SPCA International, and others in the animal welfare movement, know that this 3-pronged approach works. Without this combination of solutions, the Iraq stray population will never be controllable and the inhumane practices currently being used will continue.
(Play It) Natural Cure For Dog Diabetes?
This is a follow up to my last post, Diabetes Mellitus In Dogs. To recap, diabetes mellitus type 1 is what is described as insulin-dependent diabetes, and is the most common type of diabetes diagnosed in dogs. With insulin-dependent diabetes, it is thought of as a lifelong condition, in which insulin injections must be given every day. Yet, if you Google terms such as "diabetes mellitus in dogs" and "natural cures for diabetes mellitus in dogs", you can find many offers to cure your dog of diabetes, in the sponsored links section. If your dog was recently diagnosed with diabetes, you might start searching for more information on the Internet, and would most likely find a website offering a cure for dog diabetes.
With dogs that have diabetes mellitus type 1, they may die without insulin injections, and that is why I'm concerned. If you would like to try one of these formulations, discuss it with your veterinarian, but continue with the insulin injections as recommended. Your veterinarian will be able to perform blood work regularly, and adjust the dose as needed. The problem I have with many of these websites, is they seem to ignore the fact that many dogs diagnosed with diabetes, require insulin injections to survive. Last night I wrote to a website that is selling a product called GlucoBalance, and asked them specifically if this can cure my dog of diabetes. Here is the form letter response,
Thank you for your query. You are to be commended for researching the use of natural alternatives. You will be pleased to know that this remedy has been used countless times in success for dogs with diabetes. We trust that you will be able to achieve the same desired results.
GlucoBalance contains a specially selected combination of herbs known for their ability to maintain pancreatic health and support the pancreas in its function of the normal production of insulin. Research has demonstrated that the ingredients in GlucoBalance help to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range.
In addition, GlucoBalance is an excellent all-round tonic supplement and will also help to maintain healthy circulation, digestion and cardiovascular health, while supporting immune functioning and feelings of health and vitality.
GlucoBalance is very effective used alone, or as part of a total veterinarian program. GlucoBalance Benefits:
As a regular supplement for pancreatic and liver health To support normal blood sugar levels in healthy pets To support the function of the pancreas in producing adequate insulin To maintain healthy distribution of insulin in the bloodstream To support a healthy immune system To support healthy circulation and cardiovascular health To support healthy digestive functioning To maintain healthy energy levels and feelings of vitality
In my opinion, they should be encouraging customers to stay on the insulin while they see if this works, because many dogs won't make it without the insulin.
My next stop, was a website offering a product called Mellit for dog diabetes. According to their website, it is a "Natural treatment for Diabetes in Dogs" and "Controls the symptoms of dog diabetes" and "The herbs in Canine Mellit act directly on blood sugar levels to help control dog diabetes. It is highly effective when used alone.." I emailed them as well, asking if Mellit will cure my dogs diabetes. Even though they make many medical claims on their website regarding Mellit, they seemed reluctant to do so in an email. Their form letter response was,
I am not familiar with that medication/condition as I am not a certified vet, however, that is a good question that needs to be addressed to a certified vet so that he or she can make sure that your pet is getting the attention it needs and that she/he will benefit from the medication(s)weather commercial or natural.
(Play It) Diabetes Mellitus In Dogs
Dogs can be diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The majority of dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus have Type 1, and that would indicate that either no insulin is being produced, or not enough. In the majority of these cases, it is caused by damage to the cells in the pancreas, that are responsible for producing insulin. This damage may be due to genetic factors, infectious viral diseases, hyperadrenocorticism, and pancreatitis. The damage is permanent, and your dog will be unable to produce insulin on his own. A healthy diet can help a dog with diabetes, but it is not a substitute for insulin injections.
You can find ads on the Internet, asking you to buy expensive herbal cures for dogs that have diabetes. They are misleading, because if the cells responsible for producing insulin are damaged, there is no way for your dog to produce enough insulin. In the case of diabetes mellitus type 1, relying on these herbal diabetes cures solely, can be very dangerous for your dog. It seems reasonable to assume a healthy diet and exercise can make your dog less likely to get diabetes. However, once a dog has diabetes mellitus type 1, they will need insulin to keep them healthy. Tonight I wrote to a few of the webmasters selling cures for dog diabetes. I posed as a regular dog owner that was interested in their product, and asked if I could go ahead and stop giving the insulin shots to my dog. There may be a follow up post on this, we will see what they say when they email back.
Some common signs of diabetes mellitus to look out for are frequent urination, excessive hunger, tiredness, excessive thirst, and weight loss.
Note: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 is rarely seen in dogs or cats. It is when the dog can produce insulin, but the body is unable to utilize it. This is called insulin resistance.
(Play It) Food Allergies In Dogs
About 10% of skin conditions in dogs, are caused by food allergies. Food allergies can cause your dog to itch, cause sores and hotspots, and even cause your dog to pull his own hair out in tufts. If your dog is itching, some of the more common causes are fleas, inhalants, and food allergies. In this post I want to cover all three causes, and advice you on how to find out if food allergies may be the culprit.
If your dog is itching, the first thing to check for is fleas. Take a flea comb (comb that has teeth that are very close together) and comb a section of your dog's coat slowly, parting his hair to look for any signs of black specks or fleas. Go from area to area to check for any signs of fleas. Keep in mind that just one flea is capable of biting your dog up to 400 times a day. If your dog is itching, even if you don't find a flea, you might want to consider giving your dog a bath with a gentle but effective flea shampoo. However, fleas are not the only parasite that causes intense dermititis in dogs. Mites can burrow in your dogs skin causing dry crusty skin lesions, hair loss, and constant itching. This is known as mange or scabies, and if the skin is in this bad of a condition, it is best to get veterinarian assistance. If your dog has fleas or mange, it doesn't mean that they don't have a food allergy, but I would check these things first.
Dogs can also suffer from inhalant allergies, it's known as atopic dermatitis. They can be allergic to certain pollens in the air, dander, grasses, trees, dust and any airborne particle. It is similar to human inhalant allergies, while human exhibit allergy issues with respiratory symptoms, dogs show allergic reactions through their skin. For this type of allergy your veterinarian may recommend prednisone, allergy shots, or topical treatments. Prednisone can have some very serious negative side effects, allergy shots can take 6-12 months to start working (25% of the time they won't work at all), so alternative treatments may sometimes be a better option. Products like pure aloe vera, witch hazel, Colloidal oatmeal, and lime sulfur dip are helpful with itching. Now, back to food allergies...
The ingredients most commonly found in commercial dog foods, cause the highest percentage of food allergies in dogs. Some common ingredients that can cause food allergies are corn, wheat, soy, beef, fish, dairy, and chicken. To see if your dog is itching due to a food allergy, you can place him on a hypoallergenic diet. This diet should have healthy ingredients that are not commonly found in most pet foods (such as duck, elk, bison and more I'll probably think of later). How this works, is you place your dog on a hyoallergenic diet for one month, to see if this relieves the itching. If it seems to relieve the itching, you can go back to the old diet for up to two weeks, and see if the itching returns. If so, your dog probably has a food allergy to one of the ingredients in the old food.
(Play It) Social Networking For Pets
I've discovered a social networking service designed just for animals. They are described as a global pet community for dogs, cats, horses, fish, and birds. You can create webpages for yourself and your pet, make friends, watch funny animal videos, blog, live chat and more. It's a fun way to get together to show your love for animals. Last but not least, there is a weekly contest for a $100 Petco Gift Card giveaway! Create a Free Webpage for your pet! While you're there, be sure to check out the forums. In the forums, they have threads about dog behavior, training, nutrition, health and grooming.
I'm asking all my readers to please sign the "Justice For Ice" petition. Ice has been beaten and tortured mercilessly. We want to encourage the courts to press charges to the fullest extent of the law, and protect Ice from any further abuse. From the petition...
BERKELEY COUNTY, WV - Animal control officers are calling it one of the worst cases of animal abuse they've seen. A pit bull was found in an attic with evidence that its mouth had been duct-taped shut and chained. The three-year-old dog was emaciated, neglected and abused, with open wounds on its face that are too graphic to show. Witnesses say the abuse had gone on for weeks. Berkeley County Animal Control and city police found the dog Wednesday. On Thursday police arrested Randall Siford, Jr. and Breshannon Devereux.
Angela Brown moved into the neighborhood recently and has two pit bulls of her own. She says she never knew the two had a dog because she never saw them with one before. Statements given to police say the dog named Ice was beaten repeatedly. That saddens me because pit bulls already have a bad name, and it's because of stuff like that I think that's why half of them are viscous, Brown said.
Ice is now getting a warmer reception in the hands of Berkeley County Animal Control until the case goes to court. Riford and Devereaux are charged with felony animal cruelty. If they're not convicted, Ice will be turned back over to them. Felony animal cruelty carries a maximum five-year sentence in West Virginia.
Take a moment to visit the "Justice For Ice" petition, and speak out for Ice!
(Play It) What is Nuclear Sclerosis?
Nuclear sclerosis is extremely common in dogs over six or seven years of age. Dog with nuclear sclerosis
Nuclear sclerosis is a cloudiness of the lens of the eye, typically with a blue grey coloration. The lens of the eye is actually made up of tissue fibers, and as a dog ages, these fibers become more dense. The increase in lens fibers, will cause the eye to reflect light differently, but the lens will still retain it's transparency. Nuclear sclerosis is considered a normal part of aging, and will not usually require any type of treatment. It is very different from a cataract, because with nuclear sclerosis a dog can still have excellent vision. Here is a picture of a ferret with cataracts so you can see the difference. Ferret with cataracts
Eyes with cataracts often appear to have a whitish appearance, as you can probably tell by these pictures. If you notice cloudiness in your dogs eyes, it's always a good idea to have a veterinarian take a look. If your dog is over six years old though, most likely it's just nuclear sclerosis from old age, which shouldn't effect his vision.
(Play It) Dog Scam On Petfinder
Stacey Russell of Nashville, Tenn. found a stray dog, and listed it up for adoption on Petfinder. She hoped to find a good home for this dog, instead she was the target of an Internet scam, and ended up surrendering the dog to a local shelter. I've warned people in the past to be careful buying or selling dogs online, in this post called Nigerian Puppy Scam. Petfinder is an excellent resource, and would recommend them. Yet, even on Petfinder you need to be cautious to ensure that you won't be a victim of fraud. Law enforcement is seeing an increase in this type of activity, so I wanted to write a follow up post, in an attempt to raise awareness.
After listing the pit bull/lab mix she named Cocoa, Stacy Russell was contacted several times by an individual expressing interest and promising to provide a good home. This person claimed to live out of the state, but would pay for shipping the dog. The seller overpaid the cost by at least 2x with checks, and requested that Stacy refund the difference via Western Union. After becoming suspicious, Stacy found out the checks were counterfeit. With this type of scam they make various excuses for overpayment. The scammer sends counterfeit checks, and you refund the difference with real money.
In a variation of this scheme, the scammers will list puppies for sale on the Internet. They may list a dog for free where you just pay the shipping, or they may list a purebred puppy at half the normal cost. Once they have your money, you will never hear from them again. Petfinder is a fantastic website that is helping many dogs find forever homes, you just have to be careful. What I recommend is using their search box to find local rescue groups and shelters. If you do decide to purchase a dog from out of state, make sure to do your research, and make sure you know exactly who you are dealing with.
(Play It) HSUS Investigation Of Petland
The HSUS investigated 21 Petland stores over an 8 month period of time. When the Petland corporation was notified of the poor findings, they went on the defensive. Petland Inc.'s Elizabeth Kunzelman had this to say, "There's no way to substantiate any of that, honestly, and we're not going to comment on it. They don't regulate the business." Instead of adressing the issues at hand, Petland decided to trash the HSUS, so that they won't look so bad. Here is one qoute from the Petland website, "Reports such as those posted on the HSUS web site surface every year around the holiday season in conjunction with their annual fundraising efforts. Unfortunately, we were not interviewed or consulted nor were we a part of any of the editing process. This is sensationalism at its best." They have an entire page dedicated to making the HSUS look bad, I don't want to give Petland a link here, but you can copy and paste it into your browser if interested. http://petland.com/PetlandInformation/HSUS.htm
According to the Petland website they say, "Our number one priority is and has always been the health and well-being of our pets." That sounds good, but I've been to my local Petsland, and personally just don't buy it. What I remember is sick looking puppies sitting behind glass, and pushy salespeople. I've never been back, as the place was depressing. That is my opinion, and apparently the HSUS agrees.
This is what the HSUS found, so you can be the judge. In an interview with former Petland kennel manager Denise Jenke, she describes how many of the puppies were delivered on trucks, and in poor condition. "They came in with runny eyes, some were kinda lethargic and nervous, a lot of them were sick, many had upper respiratory infections and had to be put in nebulizer before sale." When Denise asked her superior at Petland if these dogs came from puppy mills the response was "Yes, these puppies are from puppy mills, but we don't tell our customers that. We just tell them that they are from 'USDA approved breeders."
The HSUS investigated breeders used by Petland, and found puppies living in dirty cages that smelled of urine, with inadequate care or socialization. "One of the most common sales pitches made by Petland staff is that the company uses "USDA licensed" breeders. However, investigators reviewed publicly available state and USDA inspection reports for more than 100 Petland breeders and found more than 60 percent of the reports listed serious violations of basic animal care regulations. Many USDA breeders exhibit a long history of substandard care and yet remained licensed. While USDA regulations are minimal, some of the Petland breeders are not even complying with these basic animal welfare standards."
"Some of Petland's puppies are ordered online using a pet auction website called the Pet Board of Trade, demonstrating that many Petland stores are not screening breeders as its website claims. In fact, in some cases they may not even know the breeder's name until after purchase." Please watch this video on the HSUS website, about the sale of puppies at Petland. On the same page, it also allows you to send a message to Petland, to request that they stop selling puppies. The HSUS has presented evidence in this case, that Petland cannot deny. Instead of adopting a dog at Petland, please check out your local shelter and rescue groups instead.
(Play It) Sebaceous Gland Cyst In Dogs
My groomer is a grumpy old gal, but I mean that in the nicest way. Several days before my grooming appointment, the veterinarian had found a suspicious bump. The plan was to have it surgically removed and sent off to a lab for cancer testing. I advised my groomer to be very careful, and shave around the dreaded bump. She looked at the bump, then back at me, back at the bump, then looked back at me as if to say, "Are you crazy?" My groomer then said, "CoCo, I don't know how to say this politely, but I think your veterinarian is either a crook or a moron." Then she said, "I'm only a groomer so I am unable to diagnose or treat you, but in my opinion this is a sebaceous gland cyst. If I squeezed this by accident, it would pop just like a pimple." That's exactly what she did, all by accident of course. It has healed up nicely, and I did end up finding a new veterinarian that might be smarter than my groomer.
This is all a true story, but not necessarily a recommendation. Many veterinarians will suggest surgery with a biopsy for sebaceous gland cysts. Yet, they sound very much like the dogs version of a pimple! Within the sebaceous gland, there is an oily substance called sebum, and it's purpose is to lubricates the skin. The ducts of the sebaceous glands empty into hair follicles. When the follicles become obstructed, it can cause the development of a sebaceous cyst. Sebaceous gland cysts are typically smooth and round growths and may have a slightly bluish tint. When they are popped, umm I mean surgically removed, it will drain a grayish white, cheesy consistency substance.
(Play It) Hemangiosarcoma In Dogs
Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer that is more common in dogs, than any other species. This is one of the hardest types of cancer to treat since it spreads rapidly and is oftentimes undiagnosed until it is in a later stage. Hemangiosarcoma is a cancerous tumor with blood vessels that grow directly into the tumor, and is typically filled with blood. A dog may not exhibit any signs of ill health, until the blood filled tumor ruptures, causing extensive internal bleeding, weakness, and collapse.
Hemangiosarcoma can develop in many areas of the body, but most commonly the spleen, liver, and heart. Any tumor found in these areas would be highly suspect for this type of cancer. It can also develop directly on the skin, causing a lump in or around the skin. The prognosis is usually poor for hemangiosarcoma, but chances of survival are better if found only on the skin. One thing I don't want to do, is scare or depress my readers with too much talk about cancer. However, I do think it's important to bring up, as the chances of cancer survival are much better if found at an early stage.
With a dermal hemangiosarcoma it may be succesfully treated if caught early. This would involve surgery to remove the tumor, and possibly radiation or chemotherapy. Unfortunately, hemangiosarcoma with internal organ involvement has an extremely poor prognosis. With internal organ involvement, dogs who are treated with surgery and chemotherapy, only live up to one year on average.
(Play It) Testicular Cancer In Dogs
Testicular cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, in older unneutered male dogs. Neutering your dog is the only way to completely eliminate the possibility of getting testicular cancer, although neutering is known to increase the chances of getting other types of cancer. Fortunately, dogs that get testicular cancer and are treated, have a very good prognosis.
Testicular cancer has a very low rate of metastasis, and 85% of dogs diagnosed can simply get neutered to get rid of all the cancer. Your veterinarian can check to see if the cancer has spread with blood work and x-rays. The remaining 15% of dogs diagnosed with testicular cancer, may need chemotherapy to fight cancer cells that have spread. If left untreated, the cancer may spread to the lymph nodes, abdomen, lung, and brain. On a side note, dogs that have undescended testicles (cryptorchids), are 13 times more likely to get testicular cancer.
The most common sign to look out for are testicles that are swollen, or uneven in size. If you opt out of routine neutering, make sure to examine your dog regularly. That way if he does get testicular cancer, you will catch it early.
(Play It) Breast Cancer In Dogs
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over two years old. Dogs suffer from the same cancers that many people do. As an example, dogs can get testicular cancer, osteosarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. Dogs also get breast cancer, otherwise known as mammary carcinoma. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in unspayed female dogs. The good news, is that many dogs can survive breast cancer, if caught early.
You can catch breast cancer early, by implementing a monthly check up, that can easily be done at home. This is done by gently palpating the mammary glands, which are the nipples on your dogs tummy and chest. Most dogs will have a total of 10 mammary glands, 5 on each side. As a side note, the mammary glands on a dogs tummy, reportedly have a higher incident of developing cancer than the ones on the chest. Feel for any hard bumps, especially those with an irregular shape that do not move easily under the skin. If you discover any unusual bumps under the skin, especially ones that tend to be growing rapidly, it would be a good idea to take your dog into the veterinarian ASAP.
Your veterinarian can perform a biopsy, to test for mammary carcinoma. When a bump is tested, about 50% of the time it is malignant, and 50% of the time it is benign. If the biopsy does come out positive for cancer, your veterinarian may recommend mastectomy surgery to remove the cancer, and a lung x-ray to make sure the cancer has not spread. If the breast cancer has not spread, your dog will have a good prognosis and should be able to make a full recovery.
Note: According to statistics, female dogs that have been spayed before they go into the first heat, have a significantly lower chance of getting breast cancer. Yet, if they are spayed after the third or fourth heat, spaying has almost no effect on the chances of getting breast cancer.
(Play It) President Bush's Dog Barney Attacked By Reporter
I've been reading in the news that our first dog, Barney, bit a reporter at the White House. There are always two sides to every story, so I thought I would write the Barney friendly version with our First Dogs perspective.
On November 6, 2008 President Bush's Dog Barney was attacked by a Reuters White House reporter Jon Decker. Barney the dog was simply hanging out in front of the White House minding his own business, when a strange man (John Decker) quickly approached trying to stick his fingers in Barney's mouth, as Barney backed up trying to get away. Fortunately, Barney was able to be rescued from the sinister clutches of this evil reporter.* Barney was obviously frightened by this reporter, and was simply trying to defend himself. If Jon Decker wanted to pal around with Barney, he should have approached Barney differently. With a dog that doesn't know you, it's best to approach slowly, speak in a reassuring voice, and watch for body language. John Decker didn't even give Barney the chance to sniff him first, which is completely rude in the dog world!
In addition, Barney has been under a great deal of stress, as dogs are empathic to their owners. You may not love President Bush, but I'm certain Barney does. I'm going to miss our First Dog! If you have not checked out Barney's home page on WhiteHouse.gov, go there now to see his videos and pics.
*Disclaimer: OK, I'm sure John Decker didn't intentionally attack Barney, it just might have felt that way to our First Dog. In John Decker's credit, he has been rather good-natured about this entire incident.
(Play It) PETA Tells Hamas To Be Kind To Animals
PETA wrote a letter to Hamas owned Al Aqsa TV, requesting that they be kind to animals. I'll have to give PETA an "A" for effort on this one, but I would be in complete shock if it actually had any effect. Hamas has praised terrorist acts on innocent civilians, including children. They don't seem to place any value on human life, so why would they listen to PETA telling them they should not abuse animals? Here is the program that motivated them to write to Hamas. Usually Nahoul the bee is spreading hatred and fear against the Jewish people, but today he is teaching little children how to take care of animals. Here is the letter PETA wrote to Hamas:
We have been made aware of an episode of Tomorrow’s Pioneers featuring a costumed character on the Hamas TV children’s show tormenting animals as part of a segment that is apparently meant to teach children to treat animals humanely. Unfortunately, while the intention of these segments may be good, the lesson is almost certainly lost on most children, who are more likely to imitate people they see treating animals cruelly rather than understand that this behavior is wrong. We are asking you to please refrain from harming animals in future episodes of Tomorrow’s Pioneers, even if the intention is to teach children a valuable lesson.
Instilling in children empathy for animals is indeed vital to helping them become compassionate, responsible citizens. Since young people are more receptive to new ideas, and since children have a natural empathy for animals, it is important that we teach them to make responsible choices that will affect how they live the rest of their lives.
Studies around the world have found that a history of cruelty to animals is one of the traits that regularly appear in the records of serial rapists, murderers, and child abusers (because domestic abuse is directed toward the powerless, animal abuse and child abuse go hand in hand). If unchecked, this abuse can later escalate to abuse of their fellow human beings, completing the cycle of violence.
Demonstrating for children a respect for even the smallest and most defenseless among us can help them to value and respect and protect one another. We hope, for the sake of humans and animals alike, that future episodes of Tomorrow’s Pioneers will work to teach children to respect individuals of any species, no matter how “different” they may be, without demonstrating for them cruel behavior in the process.
For more information about teaching children about empathy and compassion, please visit: http://www.islamicconcerns.com/kids.asp.
Sincerely,
Martin Mersereau, Manager Cruelty Casework Division, PETA (www.peta.org)
I appreciate PETA for doing this. Contacting Hamas about cruelty to animals may be kind of wacky, but I think they did a good thing. Now, if we could just get PETA to work on the Israeli-Palestinian relationship...
(Play It) Canine Lymphosarcoma
Canine lymphoma is the most common type of cancer in dogs. The first symptom is an enlarged lymph node that feels like a bump under the skin. Lymphosarcoma in dogs begins in a lymph node, causing it to swell and harden. The cancer travels to other lymph nodes, until they are all enlarged. It can eventually travel to other organs including the liver, spleen, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. The cancer cells can multiply quickly replacing healthy tissue, and can eventually cause the immune system to fail and ultimately death. If left untreated, the average lifespan for a dog after diagnosis, is almost two months. The good news is that your dog has a great chance of beating canine lymphoma, if treated on time. About 75% of dogs that receive chemotherapy for lymphosarcoma go into complete remission.
If you have ever noticed your veterinarian feeling all over your dogs body in the yearly physical exam, that's one reason why. If your dog has canine lymphosarcoma, he will seem healthy in the beginning stages, but a swollen lymph gland is a sure fire sign that something is wrong. In canine lymphoma, they judge how advanced the cancer is in stages, just as in people. In stage 1, there is only one lymph node involved. Stage 2, several lymph nodes are enlarged on either the front half or back half of the body. In stage 3, several lymph nodes are enlarged on both front and the back halves of the body. In stage 4, the lymphoma has spread to the liver and/or spleen. In stage 5, It is in the bone marrow or other organs.
Cost of treatment will vary, but typically your looking at $2000 in the first few months, and about $5000 over the course of a year. I'm not advocating any particular pet health insurance, but I do recommend looking into it before your dog ever gets sick. This cancer is treatable, but the costs involved may prevent many people from getting the help they need. Yet, you can find plans that will run about $25 a month that will cover cancer and other health care issues.
(Play It) The Perfect Dog Pawrent
In an imperfect world, there is no such thing as being a perfect pawrent for your dog all the time. What makes the difference between a good home and a bad home for your dog is love. Do you ever leave your dog to go to work, when he wants you to stay home and play? Do you feed your dog the most expensive dog food on the market? Does your dog have all the newest dog toys on the market? Do you have your dog professionally groomed every 3 months? Is your dog highly trained, and has he received the best training money can buy? Do you take your dog in for regular checkups every year to the veterinarian? Do you participate in regular activities with your dog, such as dog agility training? Do you take your dog out for a walk 3x a day rain or shine? The list of possible expectations goes on...
All of these things are great ideas on how you can take good care of your dog, but if you fall short, it only means that you are normal. I thought of this tonight, as I read a story about a lady who purchased a dog. She prepared for it all with training on how to interact with her dog. She got ready to adopt the puppy by purchasing a bed, leash, collar, dog food, toys, etc. She had this idea about how everything should go in her perfect world, but it didn't quite go as planned, and she got rid of the dog. She had everything she needed to be a great dog owner, except the love. Love doesn't make life perfect, but it will give you the strength to deal with the imperfections in life. If the bond, connection, love or whatever you want to call it isn't there, then everything falls apart. For a dog, the perfect dog pawrent, is someone that loves them.
(Play It) Canine Osteosarcoma
Canine Osteosarcoma is another term for dog bone cancer. On average, dogs that have been diagnosed with canine osteosarcoma live a few months without treatment, and about a year with treatment. Since the bone cancer is typically found in the leg, treatment usually consists of amputation of the leg and chemotherapy. This is one of the most painful types of cancer, as cancer cells start multiplying in the bone of the leg, replacing bone with cancerous tumor. Amputation is not considered a cure, it is simply to get rid of the pain of the cancer growing. Many who have elected amputation, report that they we're surprised at how fast their dog recovered from the surgery. Typically the dog will be in the hospital about 3 days, and after 2 weeks are able to get around extremely well.
Diagnosis of bone cancer is devastating, and full of difficult choices. It is a personal choice, that only you can make the final decision by creating some quiet time with your dog, and considering all the options. If you would like to get some additional support, there are many friendly dog cancer forums for those that are struggling through this. Another factor to consider is that with canine osteosarcoma it is not just that there is cancer in the bone. It's that by the time you discover the cancer, it has most likely metastasis to the lungs. That's why veterinarians will recommend chemotherapy even with the amputation. By the time you notice your dog limping, 90% of the time it has spread to the lungs. Here are some general signs of dog cancer to look out for...
Ten Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals 1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow 2. Sores that do not heal 3. Weight loss 4. Loss of appetitie 5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening 6. Offensive odor 7. Difficulty eating or swallowing 8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina 9. Persistent lameness or stiffness 10.Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating -American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA Link to current cancer trials for dogs
Note: Large breed dogs that weigh over 80 lbs. are 60% more likely to get canine osteosarcoma. Certain dogs that seem predisposed to it are Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, Rottweilers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimaraners, and Boxers.
Unfortunately, the incidents of cancer in dogs is not decreasing anymore than cancer in humans. It seems to be a curse of our society. Not sure why, perhaps it's all the pesticides, chemicals, pre-prepared food, etc.
(Play It) Canine Malignant Melanoma
One out of every 20 dogs with cancer, are diagnosed with canine malignant melanoma. The pigment-producing cells of the skin known as melanocytes, start to multiply in an erratic fashion. It typically begins in the mouth or around the toes, and can spread within the body to the heart,lungs, intestines and other organs. Canine malignant melanoma is known for being one of the most aggressive cancers in dogs, and deadly.
Some signs to watch out for, are lesions that have irregular borders and different colors on your dogs skin, and especially in the mouth. It could be be brown or black, with different shades of white, blue, or red. These lesions usually grow quickly. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, "Melanomas can occur in areas of haired skin, where they usually form small, dark (brown to black) lumps, but can also appear as large, flat, wrinkled masses. Melanoma of the haired skin in dogs is usually a benign tumor, although it can cause severe discomfort. In contrast, malignant melanoma, which develops in the mouth or in the distal limbs (usually the toenail beds), is an incurable disease. These tumors have very often spread to distant parts of the body (metastasized) by the time they are first noticed, making complete surgical removal impossible."
Traditional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are well known tools to fight canine malignant melanoma. In the past few years a DNA vaccine has been developed as well, and as of 2007 has been approved by the USDA. Some people may call this vaccine a miracle, although it is not necessarily a cure. It has been shown to cause significant cancer remission in 40% of dogs with melanoma. Merial the drug manufacturer, states that the vaccine works by making the dogs immune system attack Tyrosinase, which is a protein present on canine melanoma cells.
(Play It) Obama: Hope and Change?
Obama has finally put those greedy capitalists in their place, and claimed proletarian victory for the greater good! As a dog you might ask, "Comrade, where do I fit in with this glorious revolution?" Glad you asked. In less than two short months we shall begin standing in line to receive our federally-mandated ration of the hope and change socialist kibble. We will work diligently to assist any dogs who finds this kibble distasteful, by sending them directly to the re-education camp where they can learn to appreciate it's hearty flavor, and then back to the collective, to work for the common good.
In our new system of wealth distribution, every dog will be notified shortly of the amount of state approved squeeky toys and Beggin Strips that are allowable to stay in your possession. Any items in excess of this amount, shall immediately be confiscated by the party and distributed equally, for the common good. In addition, we have decided to get rid of the first amendment of the constitution, and replace it to read, "Spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Comrades! I feel a tingle down my paw every time I think of the hope and change that is coming to us all.
Warning: This is my very weak attempt to write satire. Ha. Ha.
(Play It) Realistic Stuffed Dogs From China
Have you seen stuffed dogs, that are made to look just like a real dog complete with animal fur? Not to pick on this particular seller, but here is an entire Ebay store built around this concept. It is also what motivated this post, as I found many sellers on Ebay selling these types of products, and believe the majority of them are being imported from China. One company I discovered, HEZE ORIENTAL FUR ARTS PRODUCTS in China, states they export USD 2,000,000 of these types of products each year. You can visit ChinaFur.net/product.htm, if you would like to look at 25 pages of these stuffed dogs and cats. Why am I concerned?
In China, the killing of dogs and cats for meat and/or fur is a large industry. It has also been shown time and again that fur products in China are being mislabeled to hide the fact that it is actually dog fur. In addition, they have been allowed to label real fur as fake fur, so long as the value of the product is under $150. worth of fur.
Last winter, of 25 fur-trimmed jackets tested by The HSUS, every single one was falsely advertised, falsely labeled, unlabeled or had a combination of these problems. Twenty were identified by laboratory testing as raccoon dog and three as domestic dog.
Raccoon dogs and domestic dogs are both raised for their fur in China—a country with no functioning animal welfare laws, and where investigators have documented animals being skinned alive for their fur. Like many other species, rabbits raised for their fur spend their entire lives in tiny wire cages. Much of the world’s fur is processed in China, where environmental problems associated with the industry are receiving scrutiny. Read Full Report
If China is having such a problem with mislabeling of clothing sent to the US, it's a concern that these fur dog animals could be made with real dog fur as well.
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