The dog’s skin is the largest organ of the body, yet there is a very restricted number of ways in which it responds to trauma. “Hot Spots” or acute moist dermatitis are locations on the dog’s skin due to your dog’s itching, biting and scratching and may often arise quite suddenly. These places may become very large and may develop just about anywhere on the dog. I see it sometimes in the spring time once the temperatures are warmer as well as the humidity is high. The dogs with the thick undercoat, such as Labs, golden retrievers and rottweilers are susceptible to getting these spots on their face and neck. Typically, spots located at the base of the tail are very likely resulting from fleas simply because fleas choose to congregate in these areas. Quite a few dogs happen to be so hypersensitive to fleas, the bite of one flea is sufficient to induce the dog to itch all over. Almost any injury can begin the process which the dog then exacerbates by continual chewing and licking which in turn results in a vicious cycle and will cause the hot spot to spread.
The dog normally has bacteria that lives on their skin and so long as the skin is healthy, the microorganisms almost never result in any issues. However when something occurs, such as a fleabite, cut or allergies, the dog begins to lick, bite, chew and scratch which in turn disrupts the defensive layer of the skin. As soon as that takes place, the bacteria on the skin, as well as the germs in the mouth, set up housekeeping in the skin. This creates a swiftly spreading infection which may be quite painful. The area on the skin is red, raw and seems moist because the wound oozes serum and pus. The hair then mats down over the wound and the infection then spreads beneath the hair.
A visit to the veterinarian is usually called for. In many cases the fur must be clipped off to stop the spread of the infection. Sometimes, these hot spots are so painful, the dog may need to be sedated in order to have the region cleansed and shaved. Antibiotics are prescribed to take care of the infection and follow-up antibiotics are sent home. Sprays, ointments and medicated shampoos can also be prescribed to continue treatment at home.. For some dogs, a special collar may be used that can help deter the dog from chewing at the places.
The particular underlying reason for the insult should likewise be tackled. If fleas can be found, then year round flea control may be prescribed.(over-the-counter flea control is not recommended) Pollen, food, and other allergens can also precipitate an attack. Sometimes specific diets with essential fatty acids and a novel protein source for example salmon, lamb or venison may be recommended to help heal the skin. Blood and skin tests can be preformed to help discover what the dog is allergic to and special allergy injections or prescription diets is often given.
Check your dog daily for itchy spots and use flea control suggested by your veterinarian year round to help avert hot spots as a result of flea allergies. Daily grooming and brushing can keep mats from developing. If your dog is itching continuously, take him to the veterinarian to handle the itching before the infection can progress.
Filed under Dog Health by on May 13th, 2010. Comment. 
Lyme disease is a bacterial disease spread by ticks. While it is most prevalent in the Northeastern U.S., it has been found in all but a few states as well as other parts of the world. The name has nothing to do with fruit, but comes from the place where the disease was first reported, Lyme, Connecticut. Lyme Disease affects people and dogs. It is rare in other domestic animals.
How Lyme Disease is Spread
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to people and dogs by the bite of ticks, most commonly the black-legged deer tick. Wooded, brushy areas outdoors are likely locations for these ticks. The tick lives by attaching to a host and feeding on blood. While attached, it can spread Lyme disease through its saliva. Research has shown that in most cases, the disease is not transmitted until the tick has been attached for 48 to 72 hours. Lyme disease is not spread directly from one person to another or from a dog to a person. However, new research has shown that birds have been responsible for spreading ticks. View the video below to learn more!
Symptoms in People
The first symptom in people is usually a red, bulls-eye shaped rash, which appears a few days to a week after exposure. The rash may be accompanied or followed by fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Without treatment, the disease can progress and cause swollen and painful joints, meningitis, and heart problems. Doctors can often diagnose Lyme disease based on a physical examination, but laboratory tests can be helpful.
Symptoms in Dogs
As in humans, a rash may appear around the tick bite soon after infection. Unfortunately, this is much less noticeable since it may be hidden by fur. Other symptoms are fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and limping. Some infected dogs do not show any symptoms. The disease can cause inflammation of the kidneys, especially in Labrador Retrievers, and can damage the heart and nervous system in later stages. Some cases of Lyme disease in dogs can be detected on a physical exam, but tests of blood or joint fluid are often needed.
Treatment
Both people and dogs are treated for Lyme disease with antibiotics like Doxycycline. Additional medications may be prescribed to help with pain and inflammation. Treatment may take a month or longer, and is most successful when started within a few weeks of infection. It is possible for the organism to remain in the body long-term, leading to periodic flare-ups.
Preventing Lyme Disease
Whenever possible, avoid areas likely to be infested with ticks. If you do enter tick-infested areas, wear a long-sleeved shirt and tuck your pant legs into your boots or socks. Light colored clothing can make it easier to spot ticks. Tick repellents are beneficial to protect people and pets just be sure to read the label carefully and follow all safety precautions. Your veterinarian can recommend some excellent tick control products that are safe for dogs. After leaving a tick-infested area, check yourself and your dog carefully for ticks.
Attached ticks can be removed using tweezers or inexpensive tick removal tools. To remove a tick, it should be grasped as close to the skin as possible and pulled straight out. Applying insecticide or a hot match to the tick is not a good practice because it may actually increase the amount of disease-carrying saliva released by the tick. After the tick has been removed, cleanse the area with antiseptic soap and wash your hands thoroughly. Let your doctor know if you have been bitten by a tick. Some physicians recommend antibiotic treatment of tick-exposed people even before any symptoms occur.
A vaccination against Lyme disease is available for dogs. It is recommended for dogs living in areas where the disease is prevalent. Check with your veterinarian to see if your dog should be vaccinated. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine currently available for people.
Filed under Dog Health by on Jun 14th, 2009. Comment.
Prosthetics are commonly seen in people, but uncommon in pets. Now, veterinary surgeons, engineers and prosthetic specialists are teaming up to look at new ways of giving our pets the support they need!
Three legged dogs and cats are not an unusual sight in veterinary clinics. Whether the loss of the limb is due to severe trauma, cancer or even a hereditary defect, many pets live out their lives on three legs. But, on-going research in the field of prosthetics may allow these pets to function like their four-legged friends and just might benefit humans as well!
Dogs and cats appear to move almost normally with three legs and amputation is often done in severely traumatic injuries or with certain cancers. But, new insights into how our pets manage pain and disabilities may soon change pet owner perceptions.
Dr. Kim Danoff, a veterinarian certified in canine rehabilitation says that “a three legged gait can take a toll on other limbs and the spine due to abnormal posture.” Young pets could experience even bigger problems. “Living longer with 3 limbs makes these animals more prone to disc problems and possibly severe cases of arthritis”, Danoff adds. Additionally, pets with concurrent problems, such as hip dysplasia and cancer, could do worse after amputation.
But, help appears to be on the way. Martin Kaufmann of Orthopets (www.orthopets.com) is working with veterinary surgeons to utilize titanium implants in the pet’s leg bone as an attachment for prostheses.
Most prosthetic devices are known as “socket prosthetics”, that is, the stump of the limb is placed inside the prosthetic and everything is held up with straps and other attachments. Owners often find these cumbersome and pets are likely to chew on the apparatus. For human amputees, small variations in their body weight can change the balance and fit of the device.
New technology, known as an integrated prosthetics, may open up more possibilities for how prosthetics are used in humans. By using the implants, Kaufman says that these devices appear “to allow the patient a greater sensation of the ground.”
Kaufman also says that one day the use of integrated prosthetics will allow amputees to change their prosthetic foot as easy as someone can change their shoes. These functional prosthetics will allow amputees, or pet owners, to change their device as weather or environment demand.
Many animals benefit from the work at Orthopets. In his workshop in Colorado, Kaufman has developed orthotic braces and prosthetic devices for llamas, orangutans, and even sheep.
One of his famous cases involves Kandu, a small terrier mix born without front legs. Occasionally, this rare birth defect shows up in dogs and many have been euthanized because of this handicap. Although Kandu was very capable of moving himself with just his back legs, his owners worried about damage to his chest. Kaufman used his expertise to design a rolling ball to ease Kandu’s movements, a padded vest to stop rug burn, and a ski to use during the snowy Colorado winters!
Although all of this is great news, there are still some obstacles to overcome. A big concern with the new integrated prosthetics is how the skin of the pet will mesh with the titanium of the implant. Additionally, providing the needed education to pet owners and veterinarians will likely take time. Both integrated and socket prosthetics require that enough limb is left after amputation to control the device. Finally, many pet owners may be concerned with how much a prosthetic might cost in relation to simply removing the leg.
Kaufmann says that his prosthetics will generally start at $600 for the device and can run as high as $1800. The higher priced equipment is known as a “dynamic foot” and is similar to the devices worn by the Olympic hopeful, Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who is known as the “Blade Man”.
These prices are for the prosthetics only and don’t include surgeries, implants, rehabilitation and therapy, or any follow up visits with the veterinarian.
The good news, though, is that options are available for pets whenever serious disease or trauma threatens one or more of their four legs. If you are faced with an unfortunate circumstance where you and your veterinarian need to contemplate removing a pet’s leg, ask how the surgery will affect your pet and whether prosthetics is an option.
Debra Garrison, DVM
Filed under Dog Health by on Nov 11th, 2008. Comment.
As in human nutrition, the goal of good nutrition in animals is to maximize the length and quality of life. It is very important to feed our companions a healthy and well balanced diet that meets their specific needs. Lets begin by taking a look at the nutritional needs of dogs.
It is first important to remember that not all dogs are the same, just like no two people are the same. Because of this, their nutritional needs can be very different. One thing all dogs have in common, however, is their need for a complete and balanced diet. A complete and balanced diet means that your pet is receiving the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber and other key nutrients.
Lets examine pet foods a little closer. Complete and balanced diets, those without excesses and deficiencies, help to avoid health problems. Giving your dog the right food throughout its life helps to avoid diseases like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and of course obesity. Lets look at choosing the right food for every stage of your dogs life. There are many high quality premium dog foods available, such as Hills Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba and many more. It is important to avoid generic diets that have too many fillers and too little nutritional value.
We will begin with puppies. A puppy requires a great deal of nutrition to get through it first year healthy and happy. In order to get the correct nutrients for growth, such as calcium and phosphorous, it is important to feed a diet specifically for puppies until they have stopped growing. This usually occurs by twelve months of age, but in large breeds this may not come until eighteen months. A diet tailored for growing large breeds should be fed to these puppies.
As a puppy becomes an adult dog, the nutritional and energy needs of the dog change. As a responsible pet owner, we will want to shift to a diet to meet the nutritional requirements of the adult dog. These high quality diets contain carefully balanced ingredients, such as vitamins and antioxidants that are vital for preventing disease. Feeding the right diet at the right life stage can have a significant impact on increasing the life span of our pets.
By age seven, we should be transitioning our nutritional focus to our pets golden years. As our pets slow down, so do their nutritional needs. Premium diets targeted to the needs of older dogs contain fewer calories, yet just the right balance of essential nutrients. Obesity at any age will likely shorten your pets life span; however, feeding the correct diet will help to prevent obesity. Your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is overweight. You should be able to feel his or her ribs, but not see them. If you cant feel your pets ribs, your dog is probably overweight. Current estimates suggest that at least 35% of dogs are grossly obese. Genetic factors, as well as overfeeding, greatly influence weight gain. Remember to avoid giving your dog an excessive amount of treats and never feed table scraps! If you can easily see the ribs, your dog is probably too thin.
The amount of food needed changes rapidly during a puppy’s first year. Most puppies should be fed 3 times a day until they are 6-8 weeks of age. After this age, most dogs are fed one to two times daily. The quantity of food can be determined by reading the suggested feeding volumes listed on the food bag. Regularly scheduled meal times are optimal as opposed to free feeding throughout the day. Free feeding often leads to obesity.
Your pets nutritional needs are paramount to a long and healthy life. With the help of your veterinarian, you can develop a well balanced nutritional program that will help to ensure a happy and healthy dog!
Filed under Dog Health by on Sep 30th, 2008. Comment.
Hip Dysplasia is a deformity of the hip. It is a genetic condition that can be affected by diet. There is no cure for Hip Dysplasia; however, there are many treatment options available today for pets diagnosed with the condition. Hip Dysplasia can affect many pets, however, it is predominantly found in large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Laboradors, German Shepherds, mixed breeds and more. Understanding the condition and available treatment options is important to ensuring that your pet can live comfortably with the condition.
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic birth defect caused by the deformity of the pelvic and hip joints in large breed dogs. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. In order to form correctly, the ball and the socket must grow at uniform rates. In some large breed dogs, these joints do not grow correctly or at the same speed. This variability leads to looseness in the joints, the buildup of arthritis and abnormal movement of the hips and legs. Each of these problems can lead to varying amounts of pain and lameness for the animal.
Hip Dysplasia is diagnosed by taking an X-Ray of your pets hips. However, there are several different external signs to look for if you suspect your pet may be suffering from dysplasia. These signs include: stiffness in the hip joints, hesitancy to stand up from a laying position, lameness, reluctance to run or jump and swaying of the hips when walking. Hip dysplasia is best diagnosed between the ages of one and half to two years. A pet that is X-rayed sooner may not be showing the full signs of dysplasia as the hip joints are still changing up until two years of age in large breed dogs.
There are many different treatment options available for animals diagnosed with hip dysplasia. These options vary based on your pets pain level, the affect of the dysplasia on his quality of life and cost effectiveness. Your preferred method of treatment should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian. Treatment methods include:
- Weight- Maintaining proper weight is essential in animals diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Animals that are obese put extra pressure on the hip joints, causing pain and stiffness.
- Diet- Diet plays a key role in animals diagnosed with dysplasia. Large breed puppies that are fed special large breed diets that are fortified with extra nutrients and vitamins may have a reduced risk of dysplasia or may minimize the severity of the problem.
- Natural Supplements- There are many natural supplements on the market today that may help to minimize the joint problems associated with dysplasia. Some of these supplements contain Chrondrotin and other vitamins and minerals to aid with joint movement and cartilage regeneration.
- Medications - The most common medications for the pain and stiffness caused by hip dysplasia are NSAIDs. NSAIDs are non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that have minimal side effects. Each of these drugs vary in effectiveness based on your pets tolerance and pain level. It may be necessary to try several before finding the one that works best for your dog.
- Artificial Hip Replacement- In animals with severe hip dysplasia, it may be necessary to replace the deformed joint. The decision for this surgery will often be based on your pets activity level and quality of life.
It is important to remember that hip dysplasia is a genetic condition. Before purchasing or adopting a large breed dog, check with the breeder to determine if the animals parents are certified free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). If the parents are not OFA certified or the breeder will not guarantee the animal to be free of dysplasia, it is best to select another breeder. It is also important to remember that if your pet has been diagnosed with dysplasia, do not allow breeding as the condition could be passed down to the next generation.
Filed under Dog Health by on Sep 20th, 2008. Comment.
