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General Dog Training Guideline – March 18th, 2013

You just brought home a new dog – congratulations! Whether you’re on your own or have a family, your new dog ill bring you many years of happiness. There are a few things you should be prepare your new dog for in order for it (and you) to live a happy, healthy and stress free life. These tips will help guide you as to the best practices of keeping a dog.

Discipline

You may not want to, but trust us – it’s in your dog’s best interest to introduce discipline. You need to think and work one step ahead of your dog, and lay down the rules with love and firmness. You’ll find a better behaved dog on your hands. But remember –a dog that’s well behaved now may not stay that way. A dog’s behavior constantly changes; so make the discipline constant, too.

Training your Dog

A well trained dog can go anywhere with you. This freedom gives your dog confidence and allows it to reach its full potential as a smart, soulful and people-oriented companion. However, a poorly trained dog can be a loud and destructive irritation around the house, becoming more of a burden on you. Training is your responsibility – if a dog isn’t well trained, it isn’t his fault, it’s yours!

To make the process easier, start training when the dog is young. Even though you can teach an old dog new training tricks, you’ll find it simpler if you start early.  Start your training somewhere that is familiar to your dog, where there are minimum distractions.

 Socialize your Dog

Socialization is an important part of the training – you don’t want to end up with a fearful or aggressive dog. Again, it’s important to start young. Take your dog to as many new places as possible. Introduce your dog to other dogs and people. Good doggy manners are important if you want to bring your dog to the dog park or to other people’s homes.

Always try to make training fun. If something works, keep using that training tactic over and over again.  Use play time as a time to train, that way, it’s never a chore and always fun.


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Lead Handling Basics – February 13th, 2013

Dogs love socializing and exploring the outdoors, and walks and public outings are a great source of pleasure for them.

With proper lead training, owners can take their dogs everywhere, without risk of injury to themselves or others.

Start training your dog to walk on a leash at 8 weeks. Young puppies can be safely walked with a harness attached to a 4 to 6 foot leash. An adjustable, nylon harness is a good beginner’s item that will allow for some of your dog’s growth. Practice taking it on and off until you can do so quickly and easily. Squirming and wriggling is normal for a puppy first adjusting to a harness. Be patient, and give lots of praise once the harness is on. Your dog should always wear a collar that is tagged for easy identification. This will make the transition to collar leading smooth later on.

Have your dog wear its halter around the house without the lead attached. Gradually, start attaching the lead during feeding or when your puppy is tired. Let it hang loosely at your puppy’s side. Next, pick up the lead occasionally and follow your puppy around. Keep the leash slack, and do not pull or restrain your dog with it.

When you are ready for lead training, take your dog to a place with minimal distractions. Schedule training after a play session when your dog is somewhat tired out. Position yourself with the lead in your right hand and your dog on your left. Hold a toy in your left hand, and encourage your puppy to follow after it as you slowly move forward. Say heel when you both begin to walk. Stop after a few feet, let your dog play with the toy, and give lots of praise. Repeat several times, using the toy or a treat to guide your dog’s starts, stops, and position at your side.

If your dog becomes distracted or impatient, it may begin to pull. If you do not move forward when pulled, your dog will learn that only a slack leash lets him go forward, and brings treats and praise. When your dog stops pulling and the leash is slack, encourage him to return to you, and begin the process again. Once heel is mastered, be sure to practice with your dog in a variety of places.

If you cannot stop your dog from pulling in all directions on the lead or control lunges, seek professional training help. Only as a last resort should you consider purchasing a no pull harness or Gentle Leader. These are specially designed to make pulling uncomfortable or impossible. They may end unruly behavior, but should only be considered temporary solutions. The goal of lead training should always be to walk your dog with a regular collar and lead. The best training will teach your dog how to behave, not force it to.

 


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Anterior Uveitis in Dogs – January 15th, 2013

Anterior Uveitis can be a serious problem when it comes to dogs. There are several factors that have been linked to the cause of this disease. These are:

•Infections that have been caused by pathogenic microorganisms. These include bacteria, viruses and fungi. A dog that spends a lot of time outdoors is at a higher risk of being exposed to these pathogens.

•Immune-mediated conditions that are breed specific

•Eye trauma or injury

•Metabolic diseases

•When protein escapes from the eye lens into the eye fluid. This is often linked to cataracts.

•Older dogs that have tumors or cancers

But Anterior Uveitis might only be a symptom – it could be alerting you to a serious underlying condition that your dog is suffering from.

The symptoms of Anterior Uveitis include pain, tearing, redness, and squinting in bright light. The dog’s pupil may look small or uneven in shape, the iris is unevenly colored, and there could be a cloudy appearance in the front part of the eye.

To eliminate other causes and to come up with the best treatment for your dog, several steps and tests should be run. You’ll need to give your vet a complete medical history so he or she can conduct a comprehensive physical examination. Your vet will use an opthalmoscope to look at different portions of the eye. As well, tonometry may be performed, which can assess the pressure in the eye. Other tools that can be used to diagnose this disease include blood tests, ultrasound, x-rays, and examination of fluid samples.

If your dog is diagnosed with Anterior Uveitis, the treatment involves both symptomatic and specific therapy. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required.

In the case of symptomatic treatment, simple solutions such as topical medications (eye drops) or ophthalmic ointments are all that are needed. To alleviate pain and inflammation, you vet may prescribe oral medications. To target the exact cause of Anterior Uveitis, treatments such as antibiotics, antifungals, or other medications will help to reduce the immune-mediated inflammation.

In some serious cases, surgical intervention may be required. This is usually needed when a tumor or secondary complications are present and medications have not worked. Surgical removal of the eye may be necessary if the problem is serious enough.

 


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Aortic Stenosis in Dogs – December 19th, 2012

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It is the main blood vessel that serves as a passageway for oxygen-filled blood to pass from the left side of the heart to be distributed throughout the entire body.

Aortic stenosis may be due to the malformation of the aorta or a defect in the left ventricle. The latter type is also termed as “sub-aortic stenosis” or “sub-valvular aortic stenosis”. There are also rare cases when stenosis or narrowing of the aorta is attributed to a defect in the valve which is located between the aorta and the left ventricle. It functions to prevent the backflow of blood into the left ventricle.

The clinical manifestations of Aortic Stenosis highly depend on the degree of the narrowing of the aorta. Some dogs are lucky enough to inherit only the mild type which can be barely detected while there are unlucky ones which inherit the more serious form. The signs of the condition are manifested as a result of the failure to feed the body the right amount of oxygen which is carried by the blood. Common signs include fainting, poor exercise tolerance, poor growth, or lethargy.

There are some dogs that do not display any of these signs however they often suffer from the secondary effects of a heart which has been pushed to overwork for a longer period of time in order to push blood through a narrow opening. The over-exertion of the heart leads to hypertrophy and the heart grows bigger over time. Dogs suffering from this condition tend to have coughing fits, breathing difficulties, and cardiac arrhythmias. An abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) occurs when the heart’s size interferes with the normal electrical activity of the heart. Death can eventually follow the manifestation of these signs.

In order to come up with a correct diagnosis, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical exam on your dog. The cardiac arrhythmia can easily be detected because of the characteristic heart murmur. Dogs which have inherited the mild form of the disease are usually diagnosed during annual wellness checks particularly during the first year of life.

If the veterinarian can detect the heart murmur, a complete cardiac examination is recommended. Other tests include an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), chest x-rays, and an electrocardiogram. An echocardiogram is the best tool to confirm aortic stenosis.

There is no successful procedure to correct Aortic Stenosis. Dogs suffering from the condition are given supportive treatment in order to lessen the load on the heart.

Regular screening of all dog breeds which are susceptible to the defect should be done before they are allowed to breed. If a dog is diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis, all its siblings and parents should be spayed or neutered to prevent passing on the defect to their offspring.

 


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Basic Dog Training Guideline – November 29th, 2012

Dogs loves to play and is always ready, particularly with kids. Introduce your dog to children early, as this will bond dog and child and prevent jealousy. You will find the dog will be more protective towards that child.

Discipline your dog!

It’s a matter of thinking and working a step ahead of your dog. Again, you should do it with love and firmness. Moreover, a dog that is well behaved today may not remain so forever. A dog’s behavior constantly changes; so make the discipline constant.

Train your dog!

A trained dog will listen and can safely be allowed freedom more than an untrained one. It is important to know that a disciplined dog is more confident is a wonderful smart, soulful and people-oriented companion. On the other hand, a poorly trained dog can be a loud and destructive irritation around the house, becoming more of a burden on you rather than bliss.

Just like human beings, dogs are best taught young! It’s much easier to teach it not to pull on the leash when it is a small puppy than to try to educate it when it’s too old. Just like I did with my dog, begin the training somewhere that is familiar to your dog, where there is minimum distraction.

Hold on!

Remember socialization is also an important part of the training because you don’t want to end up with a fearful or aggressive dog. When you understand a dog’s intelligence and stubbornness, you’ll be able to handle it well, and avoid problems while disciplining and training them.

Employ whatever it takes to train your dog in the most fun manner possible. Try to use proven tactics to make your Rottweiler listen to you more. Try to always play the puppy’s level so that when it grows up it doesn’t get used to jump and initiate play. For instance, play games at their own (close to the ground) level. Use its “play training” time as the dog’s motivation while training them.

I know these pieces of advice may sound tiresome and hectic to follow, but believe me, it’s not only important to abide by the general guideline than to be sorry later on.

Happy training!

 


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Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wobbler Syndrome) in Dogs – October 30th, 2012

Cervical Vertebral Instability, otherwise known as Wobbler Syndrome, is a term used to denote a variety of conditions which arise as a result of the presence of lesions in the spinal cord particularly that part located at the base of the neck (known as the caudal cervical spine). These lesions exert a compressive effect on the spinal cord.

Many factors have been attributed to predisposing the condition and includes nutritional, genetic, and biochemical factors. Other minor causes include cancer, juvenile orthopedic diseases, diskospondylitis, and inflammatory conditions of the spinal cord.

Wobbler Syndrome is a developmental malformation leading to the malarticulation of the cervical vertebrae which is known as the neck bone. Most breeds that suffer from the condition have large heavy heads that may create additional load on their long neck leading to abnormal development of their vertebrae.

The compressive action on the spinal cord will lead to the manifestation of nervous signs particularly in the hind legs. Initial signs include instability, slipping, and scuffing its paws while exercising. The degree of compression on the spinal cord often dictates the severity of signs and duration of the condition.

Most cases of Wobbler Syndrome are acute. The clinical signs include:

•Presence of pain in the neck

•Scuffed paws

•Incoordination as a result of decreased proprioception

•May experience difficulties when rising from a lying or sitting position to a standing position.

•Worn toenails

•May experience varying degrees of muscle atrophy particularly in its forelimbs

•Some cases may be further complicated with Horner’s Syndrome

•Signs may worsen when the dog attempts to flex its neck

There are two recognized forms of Wobbler Syndrome. The first form of the disease has often been observed to affect young dogs. All cervical joints (bones of the neck) may be affected.

The second form of the disease is a result of Type II disk herniation which is accompanied by the hypertrophy of vertebral ligaments due to the instability of the vertebrae.

Since genetics has been recognized as a major contributory factor, dogs which have been diagnosed as suffering from Wobbler’s Syndrome should never be used for breeding.

In order to correctly diagnose the condition, your veterinarian needs to conduct a series of physical and neurological examination to your Boxer in order to pinpoint the location and evaluate the severity of the syndrome. Other tests which can be recommended include a biochemical profile, complete blood tests, urinalysis, cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) tap and neuro-imaging, x-ray of the cervical region, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In order to relieve the compressive pressure exerted on the spinal cord, surgical intervention is usually required.

 


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Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) – September 26th, 2012

When a dog suffers from Atrial Septal Defects (ASD), the blood flows from the right atrium to the left atrium. This is due to the relatively high pressure exerted by the blood returning to the heart from the body circulation. This phenomenon prevents blood in the heart from being pushed into the lungs leading to poor oxygenation of blood cells and consequently a decrease in the circulating oxygen in the body. Depending on the size and location of the hole in the cardiac muscle wall, minor defects may not result in any visible signs while larger defects often result in an imbalance in blood pressure within the heart.

Most dogs diagnosed with the condition usually live normal lives but those with severe forms die from secondary defects of the heart.

A veterinarian can diagnose ASD in dogs upon detecting a significant heart murmur while doing a thorough physical examination. Dogs suffering from the condition may show evidence of heart problems as shown by poor exercise tolerance and/or mucus membranes or tongue with a bluish tinge. Other signs include swelling of the abdomen, breathing difficulties, collapse or even death.

ASD may also incidentally show up on routine x-rays. Chest x-rays will demonstrate a right-side heart enlargement while an echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) can reveal the abnormal physical changes in the dimensions of the heart and the blood flowing though from the heart to the lungs.

The treatment regimen for ASD depends on the size of the defect and the existence of other heart abnormalities. Although a puppy may already be diagnosed with the condition at an early age, no treatment is indicated until clinical signs are manifested. In moderate to severely affected dogs, heart medications may be given to maintain normal functioning of the heart and for the relief of respiratory congestion. Most veterinarians prescribe a special heart-friendly diet and tell the dog owner to restrict the dog’s activity.

Surgery has been done in some cases where an affected suffers from multiple heart problems but results were not as promising. Thus, most veterinarians believe that the condition is best left managed with drugs.

Since it is a hereditary condition, screening of dogs which are predisposed to the disease as well as those whose littermates have been diagnosed with the disease should be done before breeding to prevent affected animals from passing on the defect to its offspring.

 


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Dogs and Obedience Class – August 24th, 2012

Discipline is one of the most important aspects of owning any Dog.

Puppy school is not an option – it is a necessity to train owners and it is important to include children in the family. That way, everyone will learn how to manage the dog and nurture it into becoming a well-adjusted member of the family.

Puppy school helps develop good habits right from the start. Wait until your puppy is at least 6 months old before putting it through any serious work.

Trainers with extensive experience and knowledge can deal with just about any behavior problems your pup might come up with. Choose a trainer who is purposeful and patient. The well-trained dog is a sight to behold as it goes through its paces in the class. Its innate intelligence makes many dogs great successes in the obedience ring.

Of more importance is for you as owner to continue to practice the obedience lessons with your dog even after the class ends. Your dog will best remember the lessons when you incorporate them into your everyday routines.

For example you can tell your pup to “heel” while it follows you around the house, and to “sit” and “stay” while you prepare its dinner. Your wake up greeting in the morning can be for it to “roll over”. Tell your dog to “go find the ball” while you get dressed and “go get the leash” before you go for walks together.

Training never ends, even as your puppy grows and matures. It just goes to show you that an old dog can learn new tricks… especially when it comes to obedience and discipline.

 


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Does Your Dog Have Colitis? – July 24th, 2012

Colitis is classified based on the predominant cell types present in the intestinal lining. It can be classified as eosinophilic, histiocytic, plasmacytic-lymphocytic, and granulomatous. The condition has been considered by many as a genetic defect particularly with the plasmacytic-lymphocytic and histiocytic forms. Other cases of colitis are idiopathic in nature, thus the causes cannot be pinpointed or explained. In dogs, colitis may arise as a result of any of the following:

• Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites (particularly whipworms)

• Cancer of the colon

• Dietary intolerance

• Medications including antibiotics

• Pancreatitis

• Dietary indiscretion

Diarrhea is the most common symptom of colitis. Oftentimes, the diarrhea may be bloody or contain mucus. The dog may also suffer from abdominal pain, flatulence, painful defecation, straining and prolonged squatting. Dehydration is often present as a result of the diarrhea. Dogs suffering from colitis are also lethargic and may pass small stools. The straining and prolonged squatting coupled with painful defecation can be mistaken for constipation.

There are many types of colitis according to the duration. It can be chronic, acute or chronically episodic. Chronic colitis is often constant while an acute one can suddenly occur. Chronically episodic means Colitis often come and go.

The highly variable nature of colitis makes it easy to be confused with other conditions of the digestive tract. Thus there is a need to distinguish it from other diseases that may share common manifestations and determine the ultimate cause of the problem.

Dogs suffering from severe diarrhea need to undergo several diagnostic tests including a thorough physical examination, complete blood count, fecal examination, and x-rays. The first line of treatment is aimed at correcting the fluid-electrolyte imbalances brought about the diarrhea. If symptoms fail to subside even though symptomatic treatment has been given, your vet may recommend specific blood tests, an ultrasound, and colonoscopy to better examine closely the intestinal lining and obtain a tissue sample for biopsy.

The line of treatment is highly dependent on the nature of the disease and the underlying cause. If parasites are the cause of the colitis, a parasiticide is given or if colitis has been linked to a dog’s diet, a dietary change coupled with antibiotics may help correct the disease. A high-fiber diet has been observed to help alleviate the symptoms.

However when the cause is due to the abnormality of the immune system wherein the intestinal lining is prone to developing an inflammatory process, prednisone and similar drugs is usually indicated. This condition usually occurs with histiocytic colitis and plasmocytic-lymphocytic colitis.

Dogs that are prone to developing colitis are often prescribed special diets to prevent further episodes. If the cause is genetic in nature, a dog suffering from the condition should never be allowed to breed.

 


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What You Need To Know About Epulis – June 21st, 2012

This may the first time you’ve heard about Epulis and you don’t know where to start. It’s scary when your dog is diagnosed with a disease with a strange sounding name. We want you to be well informed when it comes to Epulis, so we’ve put together a few helpful details that will let you get better acquainted with this disease.

Epulis is tumors or tumor-like masses found on a dog’s gums. They don’t come from the teeth, and are first seen as small masses that sprout from the gum. There’s no one thing that causes Epulis and it is grouped into three types:

Fibromatous Type: Tumors that have a stalk or stem and are non- ulcerative.

Ossifying Type: Tumors are that are pedunculated non-ulcerative.

Acanthomatous Type: The most aggressive type of tumor that is locally invasive and can cause the destruction of bone tissue.

Your dog may have a mild case of Epulis and won’t show any signs or symptoms. In fact, your vet may find it by accident during a routine examination.

If you think your dog has Epulis, these are some common symptoms you should look for:

•Facial deformities

•Bad breath (Halitosis)

•A growing mass along the periodontal tissue

•Loose or missing teeth

•Excessive salivation

•Bleeding from the gums and other parts of the mouth

•Weight loss

•Eating difficulty

You’re not an expert, so if you think your dog has Epulis, take it to a vet for confirmation. Your vet will run several diagnostic tests in order to confirm or to rule it out. Some of the tests you can expect to be performed include a Complete Blood Count (CBC), urinalysis, and biochemical profile, which are run to establish baseline values.

After a Complete Blood Count has been performed, the vet will give your dog a thorough inspection and examination of its oral cavity. The vet needs to assess the extent of growth of Epulis and see how much oral tissue has been damaged. X-rays of the mouth and chest, CT scans, and a biopsy of the tumor may also be performed in order to rule out other types of oral tumors.

Surgery is sometimes the best treatment for Epulis. Depending on the size and type, the tumor will be excised or totally removed. Surgery is usually carried out for Fibromatous Epulis and Ossifying Epulis, and may include partial mandibulectomy (removal of the lower jaw) and maxillectomy (removal of the upper jaw. If the tumors are inoperable, radiation therapy may be another option available to you.

Once your dog has completed Epulis treatment, supportive care is an important aspect of therapy. You’ll have to feed your dog soft foods to help stop or prevent tumor ulceration (this diet can also be soothing after surgery).

 


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