Saturday, September 13, 2014

Does Your Dog Suffer From Luxating Patella?


"Oh my gosh... my dog was fine running around and all of a sudden he was stopped in his tracks and was holding up his leg.  Then just as suddenly he lowers his leg and starts to walk normally again.  What is wrong?" Your dog could be suffering from luxating patella.  

What is it and who can have the condition?
The kneecap moves up and down in a groove and the patella ridges hold the kneecap in place. Luxating patella is when the knee cap easily moves out of position.  Any dog can have luxating patella. It may be caused from having  a very flat patella ridge (genetically predisposed in some breed) or in larger/giant breeds caused by problems with another joint such as the hip (hip dysplasia) or ankle, causing a ergonomic change, thus leading to luxating patella.

Some breeds that are more genetic predisposed
  • Miniature and toy Poodles
  • Maltese
  • Jack Russell Terriers
  • Yorkies
  • Pomeranians
  • Pekingese
  • Chihuahuas
  • Papillions
  • Boston Terriers
Grades of Luxating Patella
Grade 1
Kneecap pops out intermittently, but can be popped right back in (usually by itself). The pet does not experience pain as a Grade 1
Grade 2
The knee is less stable and pops out of place and doesn't always pop back in automatically.  Manual manipulation is usually required. Pet can begin to have pain.
Grade 3
The kneecap sits outside the groove most of the time, can be positioned back, but will pop right back out.  The pet will be in persistent pain and arthritic changes.
Grade 4
This is the worst-case scenario, the knee cap is outside the groove all the time and will not stay in the groove when popped back in.  The dog will have a hard time walking and will suffer from pain, arthritis and degenerative joint disease. They often will stand knock-knees and toes turned inward.

Treating the Condition
Being proactive is key , no matter how young or old, to prevent surgery ( which carries risks and a difficult recovery) and a diminished quality of life for your dog. 
  • Help your dog maintain a healthy body weight. 
  • Keep your pet moving- It is important to exercise your pet regularly to maintain muscle tone that will help protect the knee joint.
  • Give your dog joint support supplements as soon as the problem is observed. Early start of supplements can help prevent problems later on.
Ultra-Flex Collagen for Pets is especially helpful as it is great for small pets! It is a once a day, easy to administer food based product. Ultra-Flex is veterinary-approved and helps with tendons, ligaments and joint support.The Joint Support Kit  and  Canine Comfort Natural Pain Relief  are especially helpful too for this condition.
  • Chiropractic and acupuncture treatments may help
  • Feed your dog an anti-inflammatory diet using fresh foods
When to Seek Surgery for Your Pet
If the quality of life of your dog is diminished, pain is constant and the non-surgical options have not helped, surgery should be considered.  Supplements should still be continued after surgery to strengthen the joints and ligaments.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Animal Cruelty Now A Felony In All 50 States



It may be shocking to think it took this long , but on March 14, 2014, South Dakota became the final state to enact a felony provision for animal cruelty.  There is still more that needs to be done and some states are working on it, such as Massachusetts with there PAWS act, or Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety Act, that has passed and awaits the governor's signature.

The PAWS act requires:

  • Stiffening of penalties for animal abuse-increasing the maximum prison sentence to seven years for a first offense, and up to 10 years for a subsequent offense
  • Requiring veterinarians to report suspected mistreatment to the police (vets who don’t report abuse would be reported to the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine)
  • Offenders could face fines, which have been increased to $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for a subsequent offense.
In other states,  New Jersey passed State Senate. S. 1870  which will require pet shops in the state to provide consumers with certain identifying information regarding the animals they sell, thus cracking down on puppy mills and New York is working on the Consolidated Animal Crimes Bill (A.775b/S.6643) which improves enforcement by placing animal crimes under the penal code vs. under the farming and agriculture statues.

To see what is being done in your state, you can visit the Humane Society website under legislation.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Reverse Sneezing in Dogs

What is wrong with my dog? Why does he have episodes of snorting and gagging? These comments describe what is commonly called "Reverse Sneezing".  Reverse sneezing is when the pet is pulling air rapidly in vs. a regular sneeze when air is pushed out through the nose.  It is not know exactly why these episodes occur, but it thought to be an irritation of the  soft palate, which results in a spasm.  It could be caused from many factors including: eating or drinking, exercise, allergies, post-nasal drip, and irritating chemicals (cleaners, air fresheners, perfumes). 

A reverse sneezing episode can be scary and last for several seconds, and may make the owner think they are choking or having an asthma attack,  but is not usually considered harmful. However, if your pet has frequent episodes, it is a good idea to visit your vet to rule out other causes (collapsing trachea, nasal tumors or polyps, foreign bodies in the nasal passages or mouth). To help halt the episode, try massaging your pet's throat to stop the spasm or covering your pet’s nostrils very briefly. 

If your pet has other signs of allergies (scratching, licking, chewing at the paws, etc), then post-nasal drip may be the culprit.  Using K9 Yeast Defense and Power Probiotic along with AllerEaze can help.   Yeast is often a contributor to skin problems, ear infections and genital licking.  Yeast congregates in moist areas such as the throat and mucous membranes.  Diets high in carbohydrates such as grains and starchy foods can contribute to yeast overgrowth.
Saturday, September 6, 2014

How Attached Are Your To Your Dog?

A Study conducted with coordination between Canisius College, University of Chicago, and University of Pennsylvania, questioned 60 dog owning families, with both parents and children. The purpose of the study was to look at the human-animal attachment.  The participants were asked not only about how attached they felt to their dog, but also their level of responsibility for the pet (feeding, walking, and general care) plus how they rated their pet's behaviors (trainability, aggression, stranger fear, separation problems and attention seeking actions).

What the study found:
  • Perhaps not surprising, those that had the most positive feelings and had the highest level of attachment, were also the ones that provided the most care taking responsibility  for the dog. 
  • They also found that the more well-behaved and social the pet, regardless of gender and age, the owners had more positive feelings. 
  • Adults also tended to feel more attachment to dogs that demonstrated attention-seeking behavior.  This was not true with children that maintain a high level of attachment regardless.
  • The study did not find any difference between male and female owners and their attachment to their dogs
Based of the study "Man's best friend: What does 'Fido's behavior say about the relationship between you and your dog?"  published June 6, 2014 in ScienceDaily.
Friday, September 5, 2014

FDA Issues Warning On Pet Tear Stain Products


Many dogs suffer from tear-staining, which is a condition most often caused by excessive tear production. Certain breeds are more prone to tear-staining, and the tell-tale sign is the reddish-brown streak under their eyes. It is important to know that tear staining is usually a symptom of a problem and should not be overlooked. The issue causing the staining may be an eye problem (structural, inflammation, or infection), but it could also be a symptom of allergies (both food and environmental). If your pet also has bad breath, gas, tummy gurgling, loose stools or vomiting, it most likely is food related. Many people seek over the counter products to help with the tear staining without realizing they are giving their pets a daily dose of antibiotics.  Over time, the excessive use of antibiotics can have serious consequences.  

These concerns led the  U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a warning on August 29, 2014 to the makers of Angels' Eyes, Angels' Glow, Pets'Spark, Glow Groom and Health Glow because they are misusing an antibiotic. The products contain the antibiotic tylosin tartrate, which has not been approved for use in cats and dogs and has not been reviewed for their safety and effectiveness in treating the conditions associated with tear stains. Here is  a link to the FDA warning

A diet change and holistic products that support the pet's immune system (Argentyn and Power Probiotics) and products to help with allergies (AllerEaze) can offer your pet great relief from their symptoms.  A good starting point is to use the  K9 Yeast Defense calong with the Power Probiotic and Quentans as tear stains are often due to yeast that form from the moisture.
Sunday, August 31, 2014

New California Law Lets You Take Your Dog To Dinner


California Gov. Jerry Brown announced this month that beginning in 2015, your dog may be permitted to eat at restaurants with you on outdoor patios.  This is a great victory for dog lovers!

The new California law states:

  • There must be a separate entrance for the outdoor dining areas 
  • Pets are not allowed on the the seats.
  • They must also be on a leash or in a carrier and completely under the control of the owner 
  • Owners are required to clean up after their pets.

The new California law does not force restaurants to allow dogs, but helps to provide guidelines. It also does not limit the local jurisdictions from implementing their own ban on dogs in restaurants.   For those of us who love to bring our best friend everywhere we go, this is a wonderful new California law!


Monday, August 25, 2014

Spaying and Neutering Cats Saves Lives


In a recent study published in the Veterinary JournalDr. Julie Levy, a professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, gave results of her program to reduce the number of sheltered (and euthanized) feral cats in a given area.

The target area was in Alachua County, where 2300 feral cats (54% of the estimated population) were trapped, sterilized and replaced back into their area. The number of cats taken into the local shelter fell by 70 percent and cats euthanized decreased by 95 percent. In the rest of the county, the number of sheltered cats also fell by 13 percent, an euthanasia decreased by 30 percent.  As an unexpected bonus, adoptions increased of these friendlier kittens and cats too.

Dr. Levy is also the director of Maddie's Fund (Maddie's Shelter Medical Fund) at the University of Florida. It is dedicated to "helping shelters achieve their life savings goals, training the shelter medical professionals of today and tomorrow, and developing new knowledge to enhance the well-being of sheltered animals"