Dog Heat Stroke Symptoms

Here is a link to a very important article about canine heat stroke on PetMD. 


https://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/common-emergencies/e_dg_heat_stroke

Here in the Detroit area, there is currently a "feels like" temperature of 105 Fahrenheit degrees at 4:30 p.m. (40.5 Celsius).

Quasar and Canine Osteosarcoma (Dog Bone Cancer)

Hello all. It's been quite a long time since I've posted. I've missed you and hope you all are doing well (though I see that it's been a long time, too, since you've blogged). Nonetheless....

I'm writing about our good boy Quasar, 14 years and 9 months old as of July 4.

Quasar was diagnosed March 15 with osteosarcoma in his right distal radius (right foreleg). We had noticed him limping when he ran out to greet my husband at the car when he came home from work. We gave him some leftover Rimadyl for a week, but it didn't stop the limping so we took him to our longtime vet. She thought it best to x-ray his leg given his age and that he's a long-legged dog. The X-ray showed osteosarcoma. Me being me, I asked for a consult with a specialist just to be sure. She suggested a specialist practice that is locally owned and I made an appointment there and we saw an oncologist who confirmed the diagnosis.

Interestingly, the oncologist is one of several vets in the U.S. who practices both conventional and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. Again, given his age, we decided on palliative care. Radiation therapy is supposed to work great for pain, but it can deteriorate the bone so we decided against that. Instead, we decided to treat Quasar's pain with daily doses of Rimadyl (carprofen) and Gabapentin, and a powdered mix of Chinese plants and herbs. To treat both his pain and to strengthen the bone, he is getting injections of Zoledronate every 3 to 4 weeks. (Zoledronate is akin to "Boniva" treatments for people with osteoporosis.) To treat the tumor, he is also getting a powdered Chinese mix of plants/herbs; this is expected to shrink the vessels that feed the tumor and slow its growth, and we have no expectation that it is curative. We brought up the subject of CBD oil with our vet and she perked right up! Veterinarians are not allowed to prescribe CBD (here in the U.S.), but since we asked she told us which one to get (actually a concentrated hemp CBD for oral use) and where to get it. Again, this CBD is strictly for palliative purpose. 

Quasar sees the oncologist every 3 or 4 weeks, and saw her a couple of days ago. His liver enzymes were a bit higher than his last visit, so we decided to put him on daily doses of "Hepato Support" (main ingredient is milk thistle).

Quasar is doing Greyt! His vet said most dogs with osteosarcoma at 3 months have difficulty walking if they are able to walk. We are so happy that Quasar still has a Greyt quality of life (except for when we don't give him as many treats as he wants!). We hope he sees his his 15th birthday in October. 

I would love to hear from others that are using "alternative" treatments.

I've attached a couple photos of his leg and video of him from earlier this month. (Excuse our yard.)

Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe During Summer Heat

The better part of the USA is dealing with an extreme heatwave this week, and temps in Detroit are expected to be in the triple digits on Thursday, with a dew points in the tropical range.

So, here are some tips for keeping your pets (and maybe yourself!) safe in this summer heat. Please feel free to add your suggestions!

Also, PLEASE read these tips at the ASPCA web site.

• If you have indoor pets, PLEASE be sure that their crate and/or cage or aquarium or living space is NOT in the path of direct sunlight.
• Be sure to provide plenty of water for your animal. If you're both away from home, carry a bottle or container filled with fresh, cool water.
• Leave your pets at home if possible (no car rides!).
• If you must take your pet along for the ride, don’t leave your pets alone in vehicles. Even with the windows open, a parked car can quickly become a furnace in a very short time (minutes).
• Exercise your pet in the cooler temps of early morning or evening; or forego exercise in this heat. Pets' paws can sustain burns or injuries on sidewalks and asphalt. Rethink the necessity for a walk in these high temps.
• Provide plenty of shade for outside pets. Bring your pet inside during the heat of the day and let them rest in a cool part of your house (basements are very cool if you don't have a/c).  
• Older and overweight pets are more susceptible to heat exhaustion, so take special care!
• Watch for signs of heat stress—heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red tongue.
• If you believe your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion, contact your veterinarian right away—it could save your pet's life. You can help bring your dog’s body temperature down by sponging it down with cool water, but don’t try to place him in a bath or douse him with buckets of water since this can send a pet into shock.

Here's a product for your pup that you might be interested in checking out -- it's a "Canine Cooler" bed. (I'm thinking of getting a couple of these for the greyhounds that work the summer events for Michigan ReGAP.)

Stay cool, be safe!

Greyhound Health and Wellness Conference For Greyhound Owners and Veterinarians

Greyhound Health and Wellness
March 6, 2010

Course Description: The First Annual OSU Greyhound Health and Wellness Conference will present valuable medical and surgical information for Greyhound owners, adopters, trainers, and for veterinarians involved in the care of Greyhounds. Topics will include idiosyncrasies in Greyhound lab work and imaging (X-rays and ultrasound), anesthesia, and bone cancer (both from the owners' and oncologists' perspectives), among others. There will be a joint morning session for the whole group; the afternoon sessions will be separate for owners/adopters and for veterinarians.
Cost: $100 Veterinarians, $75 Non-veterinarians
CE Hours: 7

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Continuing Education - A Greyhound Health and Wellness Conference.

Wow!

Police & Show Dogs Die of Heat Exhaustion While in Cars

It's summer and it's hot outside, and the usual accidents happen and mistakes are made in this heat. Specifically, people leave their dog(s) in the automobile thinking that they are safe from immediate ravages of heat, but something goes wrong and the dog dies.

One particular case is the death of a K9 police officer in Georgia, "Rudy." Rudy's partner left him in his police vehicle, with engine hood propped up and air conditioning running, while he went into a meeting for about an hour-and-a-half. However, the engine stopped during that time, and Rudy overheated and died. For more info, read the news article Carrollton K9 Dies From Heat Exhaustion.

Locally, two German Shepherds (both show dogs) were found dead in their crates inside a pickup truck in Eastpointe. The dogs were said to be left inside the truck with the windows open while the owner went into an animal hospital with a third dog. Upon returning to the car a half-hour later, the dogs' owner found the truck window closed and both dogs dead. Police are investigating who might have closed the truck windows. The owner thought the weather that day was mild and fine to leave the two dogs crated in the truck; temperatures that day were in the 70s. For the story and video, click to read 2 Dogs Die in Pickup Truck.

These are two sad cases that highlight no matter how good our intentions are (leaving on the a/c or windows open in "mild" weather), sometimes we don't stop to think about all of the repercussions of our actions.

Best ideas: leave the dogs home, or bring them into the building with you.

One of the interesting things in the K9 news article, is mention of a "canine heat alarm" for police patrol cars. So I did a quick Google search and found a site, one of many that offers a K9 Heat Alarm with features that include dual remote temperature sensors, a special horn-honking feature, and accessories (such as siren notification). Check out AceK9.com for these and related police dog products and services.

Michigan Animal Care Network & Michigan Animal Adoption Network

Informative article in today's Detroit Free Press about the nonprofit Animal Care Network of Pontiac and Inkster (a sister group of the Animal Adoption Network).

Click on this post title to visit their web site.

Read the article Prowling the streets for pets in distress for information about the groups, how to care for dogs and cats, and what you can do to help.

According to the Freep, low-income Pontiac and Inkster residents can request pet supplies or assistance from the Animal Care Network. For Pontiac, call 248-678-2756 anytime. For Inkster, call 248-545-5055 weekdays from 9 a.m. to5 p.m.

Parvo Virus - Michigan, August 2009

Local TV news and newspapers have noted an outbreak of the usually fatal canine parvo virus, particularly in the local (Michigan) cities of Pontiac and Inkster.

There are two types of canine parvo virus, which are spread dog-to-dog via contact with infected dog feces. The most common type of the virus is intestinal, and the most common symptoms are lethargy, fever, vomiting, and bloody stool. Death is quick (usually within several days), but painful and ugly. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, it's best to get it to a veterinarian or animal hospital quickly.

The virus usually affects dogs that have not been vaccinated against it (which would include puppies that are not yet old enough to have received all their vaccinations.

Please, follow-up on your pet's annual vaccinations! Also, it might be a good idea to keep puppies out of situations where they might encounter un-vaccinated dogs or their droppings.

Read the Detroit Free Press story Hundreds of dogs in Pontiac, Inkster dying in parvo outbreak.

UPDATE: September 13, 2009

Didi, over at La Ferme de Sourrou, is just recovering from a bout of canine parvo virus. Please check out the post Did Comes Home From The Vets' for details about symptoms, etc.

Pet Airways - Airline for Pet Flight Travel in the USA

Ever need to transport your pet across country, but fear the horror stories of pets' adventures in cargo-hold on an airline -- so you end up driving? Now your pet can fly in the cabin, with a bit more attention and comfort, and without the fear of extreme temperatures (and worse) to which cargo holds are often subject. (After all, your pet is not a suitcase.)

If so, then you'll want to read an interesting article in today's New York Times, titled Paws Up - All-Pet Airline Hits Skies.

The article talks about a New York couple that have created an airline specifically for the transportation of pets between the cities of NY, Washington, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. As of this writing, the fare is only $250 one-way trip.

Detroit Dog thinks this is a great idea for both pet health and owner peace-of-mind.

Animal Poison Control Center

Poison Control Center Info

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is the premier animal-oriented poison control center in the U.S., and is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Detroit Dog first learned of this hotline about a week after I adopted Bastet (RIP) in 1997. I left my apartment for about 15-minutes, and when I came back discovered that Bastet had somehow opened my snap-shut backback and pulled out my medications -- which were sprawled across the floor. Since I wasn't sure she'd eaten any, I called animal poison control. They were very helpful -- and thanks to them I learned how to make a dog vomit! (Because they thought the meds might not have yet 'disintegrated' into her digestive system, they had me give Bastet several tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide - the type you purchase in the brown bottle - and she threw up immediately within a matter of seconds. Then I had to keep watch over her for about 4 hours to watch for side effects; this all happened close to midnight.) This was a good trick to learn, as I had to use it a few times more during Bastet's life (poor girl) when she swallowed some things that otherwise could have been dangerous to her.

(However, always call your vet in an emergency!)

Yoga with your dog

Good grief.

Read all about it at The New York Times: Bonding With Their Downward-Facing Humans.

Univ of Michigan To Stop Using "Healthy" Dogs For Medical Training Course

On first read, it seems a great thing that University of Michigan "that it would end a controversial practice of using healthy dogs from animal shelters in teaching surgeons trauma lifesaving skills." (From The Detroit Free Press.) However, that the word "healthy" was included in the announcement, leaves me to suspect it ain't over; they didn't say that they would just stop using dogs -- period.

Read the article U-M to end use of healthy dogs from shelters in surgeon training course.

Still, it would be a start.

Purina Recalls Horse Feed

Purina has just recalled horse feed; this is major. Read blogger pal Victoria's post Do you know about the feed recall? at her blog Teachings of the Horse.

Information can also be found at the Purina web site.

Poisonous Processional Caterpillars

Earlier today I was checking in at blogger pal hardworking hippy's La Ferme de Sourrou. She has some interesting photos of Processional Caterpillars in the woods near her home in France, and also explains the extreme dangers to animals, children, and some adults: serious life-threatening danger from just touching the caterpillars or even inhaling their hairs. Read her post Processional Caterpillars in the Woods.

She also gives a link to her blogger pals at Chez Francois et Danielle, whose post Poisonous Caterpillars goes into great detail, along with photographs of their poor dog's mouth after he ate some of the caterpillars (his tongue and mouth swelled). They rushed him to an emergency vet, and he lived; however, part of the dog's tongue rotted out within a couple of days (photos of this, as well), and he now has some difficulties eating and drinking.

hardworkinghippy was also kind enough to steer detroit dog to a SUNY Cortland website about a variety of social caterpillars, including photos and a link to the Pine Processionary caterpillar.

The caterpillars, which live in host Pine trees, are found in Europe, the Near East and North Africa. They are called Processional because they follow each other literally "head to toe" from one tree to the next.

I will try to find out if they also populate the Americas, and will update this post if so.

Animals, Pets, and Alcoholic Beverages

Another post as a result of someone's internet search that brought them to The Dog House....

Someone "googled" Guinea pigs drinking vodka. You gotta love reading stats; or be horrified by them.

detroit dog's advice: If your pet drinks an alcoholic beverage, at the very least call your local vet or the Animal Poison hotline (see top of blog sidebar). If it's after hours for your vet, call anyway. Chances are very good that their voice message will refer you to a local animal animal hospital, giving you it's name and phone number (my vet's office relays this information); talk is free.

Please don't take the time to do an internet search; call the vet.

My girl, a greyhound, once drank some of my Bailey's Irish Creme when I walked out of the room briefly. I freaked, then I called the local animal hospital; they told me to keep an eye on her for several hours and watch for behavioral changes. If something didn't "seem right," they said, I should bring her in.

I don't understand how a guinea pig could accidentally drink vodka. It's not like they are taller than drinking glasses or hang out on your end table; and how do you mistake a faucet or water pitcher for a bottle of vodka?

Hay for Horses: Horses Suffer from Hay Shortage

Another post motivated by the words of blogger-pal Victoria at Teachings of the Horse.

Recently, Victoria has voiced concerns about the high costs of hay and the difficulty in getting it in her part of the country (northeast USA); in today's post The Hay Fund, she informs us about the recent drought's effect on hay production and its consequential effects on equine care and life. For details, please read Victoria's important post, or read more (and make a tax-deductible donation) at Fairfield Equine Associates.

Suffice to say that in great part due to recent hay shortages and resulting skyrocketing costs throughout the U.S., many horses are starving, and/or being abandoned or sold for slaughter. (Hay costs have increased 8 - 10x over the past year.)

To learn more about the horse-meat/slaughter industry, read Horses Spared in U.S. Face Death Across the Border in Jan. 11 issue of The New York Times.

Bleeding Dogs, Cats, Pets

A quick post, as I noticed blog stats showed someone landed here after "Googling" What is the cause if I found blood in my dog house.
Don't bother doing an internet search if your dog is bleeding or you notice blood in its house; get your dog to the vet now even if your dog appears to be o.k.

1. Causes of bleeding could include the following:
   

1. The dog is a female that has not been spayed (and is in heat)
2. Your dog has a urinary tract infection; if it's bleeding, then it is more serious and needs to see a vet now - not two days from now as your dog could be dead by then.
3. The dog has a cut or wound that is not immediately recognizable (look for skin that appears to be a 'flap': the dog has somehow sliced itself - perhaps on a fence or piece of wood.
4. If it's winter, check your dog's footpads and between its toes for cracks due to dryness or salt/ice-melt chemicals. (Clean the pads, and be sure to moisturize with Bag Balm or Musher's Secret - both available at your local pet store and online.)
   
5. Ingestion of harmful chemicals or materials.

If it's financially difficult for you to pay your vet, ask him/her to allow you a payment plan or call your local Humane Society, which (here in Detroit, at least) provides very low cost pet health care.

Note: If your cat is bleeding, there is a good chance it has a urinary tract infection. These are even more lethal in cats, and you need to get the cat to a vet - now, or the cat could be dead tomorrow morning. If your cat appears to be dragging or 'wiping' its rear end across the floor, chances are good that it has a urinary tract infection that has not yet gotten to the bleeding stage. (I note this from personal experience with two of my cats in the 1990s.)

Note: If your dog appears to be dragging or 'wiping' its rear end or butt across the floor and/or has bloody stool, there is a good chance that your dog might have worms or a severe intestinal problem. Get your dog to the vet, quick! (Info/post revision thanks to Colby, whom left a comment on this post.)

 

detroit dog's advice: If your pet is bleeding and you don't know why, get your pet to the vet now; ask questions later.

Detroit and Michigan Pet Stores

Update: Check the sidebar of this blog for adoption agencies and shelters. You can find purebred dogs, cats, and rabbits, ferrets, horses, ducks, and more. Check my blog post of March 1, 2008, for a list of specific links.

An interesting article in today's online Detroit Free Press, titled Michigan agency has not punished pet stores that have been neglectful.

Just another example of Michigan government throwing itself down the toilet.

The article mentions that the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture is formally discontinuing its responsibility to the animals of Michigan - specifically those in pet stores - except in cases of "serious abuse or disease outbreaks."

Here's an example, as quoted from the Freep article:

More than 30 people have complained to the state this year about Pollywood Pets, inside the Gibraltar Trade Center in Mt. Clemens. That's more than any other store. Among the complaints: 20 kittens stuffed in a pen; sick puppies covered in feces, some injured by broken cages; guinea pigs bleeding and overcrowded, one without an eye.

Please note that the State of Michigan does not consider the above example to be "serious abuse."

The story goes on to say that inspections have not been done in years, though complaints have been filed against over 25% of southeast Michigan pet stores. Meanwhile, unlicensed stores continue sales of animals; many pets have proven to be diseased and/or otherwise injured; and dogs are being sold under the legal age limit of 8 weeks.

Please, protest pet stores! Purchase your pet - healthy and for reasonable prices - at area shelters. They've lots of dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and (recently seen at The Humane Society in Rochester Hills) ducks! Do not continue to support these grotesque abusive people/stores that only care to make a buck irregardless of humane and legal practices.

Time to get out the camera.

Holiday Health Tips for Your Pet

Festive holidays call for annual rituals and traditions, with household decorations that your pet often finds worth curious investigation.

Here's a short list of potential holiday dangers to keep in mind for the safety of your pet:

• That beautiful flower the Lily can cause kidney failure if eaten by cats
• Boughs of Holly might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy
• Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular (heart) problems
• Tinsel can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and belly pain
  
• Christmas lights (who would have thought?) can lead to electrical shock, especially if not properly grounded (3-prong), if the wires are chewed by your pet. Symptoms of electric shock: burns, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness -- all of which lead to death [if your pet is electrically shocked, get him/her to the vet now - not a half-hour from now!]
  
• Christmas tree water -- repositories of chemicals (pesticides from the tree; water fresheners; etc.) -- can also be poisonous
• Chocolate and cocoa (caffeine; made for humans only) can be extremely dangerous for pets, causing vomiting, seizures, diarrhea and death
  
• Alcoholic beverages -- Please! You know what this does to a person; it's a big NO for your pet.
  

detroit dog's advice: If your pet is sick from one of the above, please get him/her to a vet immediately and/or call an animal poison control center (see the blog sidebar). Please use some "common sense" this season; keep an eye on your pet -- watch out for accidents.

For more information about pet health care, especially during the holidays, please visit the following sites (from which some of this information was garnered):

• Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Cat Fanciers Association
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Happy holidays!

Virginia Puppy Mill Bust Rescues 1,000 Dogs

There is an article in today's Washington Post online about a puppy mill bust in Virginia that rescued about 1,000 dogs.

Puppy mills are disgusting, cruel, and inhumane dog breeding factories. There has never been a "good" puppy mill. Conditions at these facilities usually consist of animals in substandard "crates" (cement boxes or wire cages with no solid flooring) that are usually too small for the dog to do much in (imagine being confined to your bathtub for life). The dogs are inbred, and the resulting puppies have severe congenital health problems. Dogs that live their lives in these conditions suffer devastating physical problems, to say nothing of emotional/mental health problems: they have immense anxiety or physical problems so great that they may never be adoptable. They have no concept of play or of affection.

Please! Do not ever purchase an animal from a store. Most of these store-bought pets are from such mills. And while the pet may seem fine to you, chances are it has severe health problems or comes from a puppy mill (and all the other dogs there being bred are suffering). Essentially all of these new "designer" dogs are from puppy mills - your "labradoodles" and such. Might look cute, but it was bred without regard for genetics and disposition.

If you would like a purebred dog, go to your local shelter - there are many there. Or, find a local rescue groups - many rescue groups are breed specific (greyhounds, coon hounds, malamutes, etc.). Just, please, do not purchase your pet (dog or otherwise) from a store.

To read Dogs' Best Friends to the Rescue, click on this link at The Washington Post.

Metro Detroit Chemical Spill

At the moment (and probably for a while to come) I am outraged about a hydrochloric acid chemical spill at a plating company in a west side Detroit suburb. It happened this morning, caused by a burst pipe at an industrial plant. A local elementary school and approximately 3,000 people have been evacuated from the area. A chemical cloud has formed (the helicopter reporter can see it). There is special concern since there is an excellent chance of rain today. There's been a light drizzle earlier on this side of town; the news weather report says there is a "steady" rain in nearby towns, but the danger is if there is a "moderate" rain. If it rains, the water will mix with the chemical cloud and there will be a toxic acid rain. As it is, just being in the area currently can cause a severe irritation/burning of the mucous membranes (eyes, nose) and respiratory problems.

While I think it's infuriating that people are subject to such danger, at least they can get out of the area to local shelters (though no one has mentioned what's being done for senior citizens or the handicapped, or those without transportation).

The "Breaking News" TV reports are speaking about how such a rain would eat the paint off of cars, and warning people to move their cars. So, could anyone mention the effect on local wildlife or pets left outside?

This just infuriates me. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, dogs, cats - and possibly deer in that area - will be devastated, and especially if it rains. (It's dark outside at noon, and a little drizzly on this side of town.) The vapor clouds alone will cause severe irritation/burning of mucous membranes to animals in the area. If it rains, animals (and people) will suffer burning skins, and water and food sources will be terribly poisoned. (And there go the vegetable gardens.) Pets and wildlife will be lost.

To read the Breaking News story at the WDIV web site, click on this link.