Silent Killer & Curable YOUR DOG NEWS LETTER FROM TUFFS UNIVERSITY

Dogs of any age can be susceptible to hemangiosarcomas - malignant tumors arising from blood vessels - but those middle-aged and over 8 are especially vulnerable. The aggressively spreading cancer may go undetected until the last stages, making it a silent killer. Although they can be found almost anywhere in the body, about 80 percent of all heman giosarcomas begin in the spleen, said John Berg, DVM, chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The spleen, a large organ in the abdomen, stores blood, among other functions. “Fewer hemangiosarcomas arise in the heart and fewer still in other sites, such as the skin, “he said. “And although not directly heritable, there appears to be a predisposition among purebreds - particularly large breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers. “Surgery can often cure the form of the disease affecting the skin. In that location, the tumor often doesn’t metastasize, or spread, to distant sites. Otherwise, hemangiosarcomas are rarely curable. As long as expectations are realistic, however, temporary remissions are possible. “Many dogs recover quickly from tumor removal surgery and, although they may only have a short time left, the quality of life during this time can be excellent, “said Dr. Berg, a surgical specialist. Because splenic hemangiosarcomas develop internally, they often give little warning until they become quite advanced. The spleen may suddenly begin bleeding, and blood may enter the abdomen. “A dog may exhibit sudden weakness or he may collapse,”Dr. Berg said. “His gums look pale and his pulse is rapid. He is in danger of going into shock or even dying. If this happens, consider it an emergency and get your dog to a veterinarian.”

DON’T PANIC DOG FLU - YOUR DOG NEWS LETTER FROM TUFFS UNIVERSITY

Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, a specialist in emergency and critical care at the Cummings

School, has this advice for owners worried about canine influenza:

“Don’t panic. The flu in people and dogs has high morbidity - many get sick - but it

has very, very low mortality.”As of this writing, outbreaks of the virus, which began in horses and crossed to racing Greyhounds and other dogs, have been identified in a half dozen states, including

Florida, New York and Washington. Few deaths from complications, such as pneumonia,

have been reported.However, owners should limit their dog’s exposure the same as they would with any other infectious disease, Dr. Rozanski said. “Avoid high volume boarding kennels and

pet store puppies. Very old, very young dogs and immunosuppressed dogs - from chemotherapy, diabetes or prednisone - are at risk. Dog parks should be fine. They tend to

cater to dog lovers who take good care of their dogs.”

The signs are coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and loss of appetite. Treatment                              consists of supportive care. Assessing the public health impact, Dr. Rubin Donis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a briefing that horses have had equine

influenza virus for more than 40 years. “In all these years, we have never been able to

document a single case of human infection with this virus.”

Said Dr. Rozanski:“The informed owner will recognize this is a minor crisis unlikely, except in rare circumstances, to cause problems.”

Updated information appears regularly

at http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/news.asp

GOOD MANNERS HOUSE TRAINING- YOUR DOG NEWS LETTER FROM TUFFS UNIVERSITY

No matter your canine companion’s age, breed or disposition, he needs to learn good household manners. The most important of these is housetraining. A dog who eliminates indiscriminately will cause headaches for his humans and himself. Luckily, a consistent

behavioral program can give your dog perfect elimination etiquette.- By C.C. Holland Advice for every stage of your dog’s life.

The Key: Watchfulness and Frequent Trips Outdoors

The best advice when housetraining a puppy:

“You can go with the flow of using the puppy’s natural instinct to keep his den area or bedding clean,”

said Nicholas Dodman, BVMS,

MRCVS, director of the Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

To begin, keep your puppy in a dry, secure area, such as an exercise pen or kitchen. Several times during the day, take him on-leash to a designated elimination area. Put the puppy down, keep him focused and let him move back and forth. When he eliminates, immediately offer a food treat and lavish praise. If he doesn’t eliminate within 10 minutes,

take him inside and keep an eye on him. Either confine him or attach his leash to your belt, wait 15 minutes and then, repeat the exercise.

“It may take two or three 15-minute blocks,”

Dr. Dodman said, “but if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Stay with the puppy outside to teach him the correct behavior.

“So many people just turn

them out in the yard and wait for 30 minutes, let them in, and they urinateon the floor,” said Dr. Dodman. In general, puppies can hold their bladders for their age in months plus one; a 2-month-old puppy can go a maximum of three hours without a potty break. This means you’ll need to

make frequent trips outside during the day and usually at least once overnight. In addition, offer elimination opportunities 20 to 30 minutes after a meal and when the dog transitions from one activity to another, Dr. Dodman said.

WHEN ACCIDENTS OCCUR, DON’T MASK THE ODOR-REMOVE IT

Never punish your dog for an accident, Dr. Dodman said. He can’t associate the punishment with the deed, or worse, he’ll simply learn not to eliminate in front of you - and that means outdoors as well.

If your dog begins to squat or urinate in the house, make a sudden, loud noise to distract him and interrupt what he’s doing, then calmly and happily attach a leash and take him outside, Dr. Dodman said. encourage him to eliminate there, and if he does, praise him to

the heavens and give him a treat. If you’ve adopted an older dog, especially one who’s been in a shelter, even if he’s supposedly housetrained it’s wise to act as if he isn’t and begin at square one. Stress or changes in environment may cause some backsliding. Once he’s reliable, a dog door can be a great aid to both owner and pet. “A dog door means the dog can now take charge of his or her own life, which is stress-relieving,” Dr. Dodman said. If a dog does have accidents in the house, you must clean up the mess and - most importantly - eliminate any associated scent. Once an area is soiled, it’s marked as an elimination

spot and a dog may tend to use it again. “Don’t try to mask the odor with another scent,”  Dr. Dodman cautioned, “because your dog will still smell it. Use a solution that will destroy the compounds that cause those odors.” He recommends Zero Odor (www.zeroodorpet.com), an oxidizing agent that removes both scent and stains.

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND MEDICINE CAN CAUSE HIS INCONTINENCE

Incontinence can plague older dogs, but it’s usually associated with medical problems rather than age, Dr. Dodman said. While kidney function may decline as a dog gets on in years, that alone usually won’t cause accidents. However, a variety of health challenges

can cause incontinence or more frequent urination, including cystitis and various metabolic disorders. Also, Dr. Dodman said,

“If you get a dog who is 10 or older and suddenly starts to have

accidents, think about canine cognitive dysfunction.”

House soiling is one of the hallmarks of the disorder, which can also cause disorientation and changes in sleep patterns and behavior. excellent medications are available that can either eliminate or alleviate the symptoms in about two-thirds of treated dogs, Dr. Dodman said.In addition, certain medications - such as cortisone and bromide - can cause the dog to drink more, which can also lead to accidents. “Don’t immediately blame the dog - think about the circumstances,” Dr. Dodman said. The bottom line: If your older dog begins to soil the house, have your vet check him out. If your dog has a medical condition that’s incurable and causes incontinence, diapers designed for dogs can provide a good solution.

Your dog.... The Tuffs Newsletter for dog owners

 

                                                           ( Artemis )

How to Trim Dog Nails ( We recamend you always have a pro show you how to do it before you do)

Trimming your dog’s nails is an important part of your dog's regular care. Learn how to trim your dog's nails with help from our grooming expert.

By Kathy Salzberg | Posted: December 4, 2012, 8 a.m.

Trimming your dog’s nails is a necessary chore and should be done every three or four weeks.  You can do it yourself or have a groomer or vet clip your dog's nails for you. Most groomers will be happy to show you how it’s done and it might be a good idea to do this the first time around.  If your dog absolutely detests the process and it turns into a huge struggle, my advice is to let the pros do it. This unhappy scenario can be avoided by getting your dog used to having his paws handled when he’s a pup.

Detox Your Dog

Simple steps to keep your dog healthy from the inside out.

By Shawn Messonnier, DVM

An important part of helping a sick dog heal is to detoxify her body. Toxins can build up in the body, either because of chronic disease or extensive use of medications, such as corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs. Using gentle herbal and homeopathic remedies and nutritional supplements, veterinarians who practice integrative medicine help cleanse the dog’s body and allow greater healing to occur. The following tips can help you with your pet’s detoxification:

The Rottweilier (Part 2)

                                                  The Rottweilier (Part 2)

 

(Murphy) 

 

 The Robust Rottie

Virginia Parker Guidry
Strong, handsome and powerful, the adult Rottweiler stands out in a crowd. Its distinct, self-assured presence is evident to onlookers, regardless of their familiarity with the breed. As puppies, however, this awesome dog breed is round, fuzzy and reminiscent of a little bear. This look, combined with their puppyish antics, make these dogs incredibly endearing-perhaps to a fault, for who can resist a cute, bear-like creature?
Choosing a Rottweiler puppy, however, is a much more involved process than simply giving into temptation. It's a process that requires critical thinking and careful evaluation. Following are a few thoughts and ideas from breed enthusiasts to help you do just that.