dog training

So what happens to pets that are old, ill and no longer wanted?

Good question.

In working with an Animal Shelter next to my clinic, ( The Second Chance Animal Shelter),
I regularly see dogs and cats come in that are no longer "wanted".

In some circumstances, people move, or one of the "unwanted" pets owners die.

In other cases, its not tragic or understandable..

Some people see their aging sick pet as a "burden" and choose to get rid of them.

Many of these pets are unfortunately difficult to adopt.

Would you adopt a aging, sick older pet?

Because of this I am working with another person to start a " Pet Sanctuary"

We are hoping to have it going in the spring..

Thinking of this I just viewed a video in which a couple has started a Dog Hospice out of
their house.

You can see the video by going here:
( There is a short commercial before the pet video starts)

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=BD86CE82-A0B5-4F05-BF52-0899CB583F35&t=c150&f=06/64&p=hotvideo_m_edpicks&fg=>1=9033

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Thought you might like to read this lovely Doggie story from the BBC

They have a fearsome reputation, but one Rottweiler is proving that the breed has a softer side by helping to rear two lambs.
Molly has been using her maternal instincts after lambs Lucky and Charm were born with complications on a farm.
Her owner Maria Foster, 38, from Forden, near Welshpool in Powys, said Molly slept with the pair at night, and even protected them from other animals.
Lucky and Charm are recovering and will be placed in a field in about 10 days.
Ms Foster said the pair needed help to improve their circulation soon after they were born.
They were placed in an Aga oven for warmth and after being lifted out Molly took over and started licking them as a ewe would have done.

Molly protects the lambs and sleeps with them
"The first 12 to 24 hours for a lamb are absolutely crucial and if Molly hadn't been doing what she was doing, I would have had to have been there rubbing the lambs through most of the night to keep their circulation going," said Ms Foster.
"She could have ignored them but she didn't and it is quite comical to see."
Now 11-month-old Molly is like a mother to the two lambs, who stick closely to their unlikely guardian.
Ms Foster added: "The cat came into the kitchen the other day and walked over to the bucket where the lambs were sleeping, but Molly pushed her away as if to say: 'They are mine.'
"She will let the sheepdog have a look, but only for so long before she pushes him away as well."
Ms Foster said they cannot be returned to their mother because they would be rejected by her after so long apart.
A spokesman for the Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, said: "Rottweilers were originally bred as guard dogs in Germany, but in the right hands they should not pose a problem.
"They are not born aggressive, they learn it from us.
"Nonetheless, it's certainly the first time I've ever heard of a Rottweiler caring for lambs."

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have had a few questions about lead in pet vitamin supplements.
Here are the facts:
ConsumerLab.com, a consumer advocate, recently published an article on Multivitamin andMultimineral Supplements. Pet-Tabs®, a common pet vitamin, were reported to contain1.4 micrograms of lead per tablet.
What was the level of contamination and what does this mean?
Pet-Tabs® were found to contain 1.4micrograms of lead per tablet. This is a very smalldose of lead - many municipal water supplies have higher lead concentrations. Human bonehas approximately 15 micrograms of lead per gram of bone. In the same study, a humanvitamin supplement (The Vitamin Shoppe Multivitamins Especially for Women) was found tocontain 15.3 micrograms of lead per daily dose. This amount of lead (15.3 micrograms) ismore than 10 times the amount permitted without a warning in California, the only statethat regulates lead in supplements. On average, most American adults are exposed to about3 micrograms of lead daily through food, wine and other sources, and while 15.3micrograms of lead per day may not be immediately toxic, the mineral is stored in thebody and could build up to dangerous levels with time.
Thus, it appears that the Pet-Tabs dose is near California’s reportable limit, but is lessthan the amount of lead consumed daily by humans through other sources.
Of additional consideration, not addressed in the report, is the form of the lead salt.Some (e.g. lead sulfate) are insoluble and therefore inert. Others, such as acetate andoxide forms, are soluble and of more concern. Thus, the exposure risk is not completelyunderstood at this time.
How much lead is too much?
Federal standards initially limited the amount of lead in water to 50 parts per billion(ppb). In light of new health and exposure data, EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb.If tests show that the level of lead in your household water is in the area of 15 ppb orhigher, it is advisable - especially if there are young children in the home - to reducethe lead level in your tap water as much as possible. (EPA estimates that more than 40million U.S. residents use water that can contain lead in excess of 15 ppb.) Note: Oneppb is equal to 1.0 microgram per liter (µg/1) or 0.001 milligram per liter (mg/1).More information is available at the EPA website.
The FDA considers that ANY lead exposure poses some risk. Based on CDC’s levels, FDA’s“tolerable” daily diet lead intakes are 6 mcg for children under age 6, 25 mcg forpregnant women, and 75 mcg for other adults. However, some risk exists with any levelof lead exposure. Tolerable doses for dogs have not been established.
How has the manufacturer responded?
Below is the company response to the ConsumerLabs.com findings:
“Virbac, a company dedicated exclusively to animal health, is committed to developing,manufacturing, and distributing safe and effective products for pets. Virbac is aware ofthe recent report asserting that one lot of Pet-Tabs® contained 1.4 micrograms of leadper tablet. This information has not been verified by Virbac or Pfizer Animal Health,the company that manufactures Pet-Tabs.
Virbac is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this report. As a part ofthis investigation, Virbac has received the following initial response from Pfizer.
Pet Tabs®, like all Pfizer Animal Health products, are manufactured to the rigorousspecifications of the industry’s governing bodies, including the United StatesPharmacopoeia (USP) and in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices.
A single test on one lot by ConsumerLabs.com revealed a minute amount of lead in our PetTabs product (1.4 micrograms per tablet). According to the USP, which determines thestandards for medicines, raw materials and nutritional supplements, the level detectedwas 20 times below acceptable and safe levels.
In addition, the level reported is more than 2,800 times below the chronic toxicity leveldetermined safe for dogs, as published in Clinical Veterinary Toxicology(Konnie B. Plumlee, 2004, Mosby).
Pfizer Animal Health is confident that Pet Tabs are safe and effective for all dogs andare in full compliance with all established regulatory criteria.
In the interest of maintaining the highest quality products and customer satisfaction,Virbac maintains a department dedicated to monitoring inquiries and reports related toits products. A review of the data shows there have been no reports to Virbac regardinglead poisoning from the use of Pet-Tabs in dogs.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Pet-Tabs have produced any adverse effects due to lead.Virbac believes that your veterinarian is best able and equipped to assess your pet’s health.

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We have had a lot of phone questions and emails abouttheir pet's recent diagnosis of glaucoma and what can be done for it, so here is our take on this terrifying situation.When this eye condition is first diagnosed, it is usuallyduring a pet's physical exam that may have been necessarydue to another condition. This eye condition is quite difficult to observe in most pets because they know their home territory very well and manage to getaround whether their eyesight is failing them or not.They sure know how to adapt. That is why it is almostalways too late to do something about this condition.However, we have had a number of cases where this condition has stabilized and in some cases that we havesited on our website, have even reversed itself. How canthis be possible?Our experience has shown this problem to have a root cause to it like all other health problems. From ourvast experience, we have found that poor nutrition isthe root cause of this problem. Poor nutrition eitherdue to the body's lack of ability to absorb its nutritionor due to plain old lousy nutrition even though a personmay be paying top dollar for the food they are feedingtheir precious pets.This food is processed food, not fresh, and thus does notcontain the essential enzymes, vitamins, minerals, aminoacids and trace minerals that are the building and repairingredients for every cell in the body. If these ingredientsare missing or are synthetic (the body does not recognizeartificial vitamins and minerals), then the body cannot repairwhat cells it needs to repair on a daily basis. Glaucomajust may be the tip of the iceberg and notification that otherserious ailments will soon follow.What do we recommend? First, fresh, wholesome, clean nutrition that is free from all chemicals is what is best for your pet and frankly for you too. Again, there is absolutely no substitute for good nutrition for every animal or man. Fresh food should contain most of the enzymes and amino acids the body requires on a daily basis.Second, because the soils are void of much in the way of macro minerals, trace minerals and vitamins due to the chemicalfarming in the USA, it is essential to supplement your petwith natural vitamins, minerals and trace minerals that arestill missing in most of the fresh food that is grown in this country. Most of the soils are still not up to par to what the body requires although lots of organic farmers are on the right path.Third, we feel it is essential to supplement your pet withprobiotics two to three days a week because these help withthe absorption of the nutrition that you are providing. Additionally, probiotics help to build the all important immune system. Clearly preventing these health problems from even startingis the secret to good health. However, it has been shownthat once a little animal is given the correct diet ingredientsof fresh food and natural supplements, many health situationscan be reversed and ultimately corrected, even glaucoma.

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Boredom and variety

Boredom and variety are always inter connected in case of dog misbehaving. Yes. This is true. Many a times, boredom can be managed with variety of materials that will distract the animals to a greater extent. Hence, the dog may not do the abnormal or unwanted activity arising out of the boredom experienced by it.

Boredom experienced dogs may have different types of behavioral patterns. For example, some dogs will be seen barking continuously and some may be engaged always in some digging activities.

There are many ways to get your dog out of its boredom activities. Many toys are available which simulated duck, dog, rodent etc.

These may be kept inside the crate and in particular, puppies love these items. A buster cube with multiple treats may be placed in the dog’s shelter and the animal soon understands on how to roll the buster cube to get the treats it prefers. A Buster Cube is an ingenious toy use for simulating and activating your dog during play and feed time. Instead of placing the food monotonously in one place, change the place of feeding suddenly.

Such actions will be helpful for removing the boredom like activity in your dog. Activities pertaining to boredom need to be redefined well by the dog owners. This will help them to a greater extent to drive away the unwanted behavior patterns in their pet dogs.

For example, some dogs may often have destructive biting characters and will be seen biting chair, cloth, mats, and everything that can see. After ruling out the teething problem if it is a puppy, provide it with some large sized balls, mineral mixture based bone materials, etc. Such variety of materials help to reduce the boredom related activities.

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Re: Limping Pets- How to Treat Them.

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Pets injure themselves in a variety of ways. One of the most common symptoms is limping.

As a dedicated pet owner, you should be able to perform a basic lameness exam.

Your pet may be able to be treated effectively and safely at home.

SIGNS

You may see your pet holding up a sore leg, or favoring one side. If you are trying to decide which leg is sore, watch him walk from the back and the front. He will drop his head down on the sound leg.

CAUSES

Limping can indicate a serious injury, such as a fracture, but most often it indicated sore muscle, ligaments or tendons ( soft tissue injury).

Dogs frequently strain muscles and ligaments, especially the inactive couch warriors.

Cats most often limp from bite wounds or abscesses.

Older dogs and cats are often arthritic and favoring a leg, especially when they first get up after lying down.

SOLUTIONS

WHERE IS IT COMING FROM.

The first step is finding out what part of her leg is sore. Watch your pet walk so you can see which is the sore leg.

After that have your pet lay on her side with the sore limb up. Examine and palpate the leg beginning at the paw. Gently, but firmly flex and extend each joint.

The front leg: the paw, wrist, elbow, shoulder.

The back leg: the paw, hock, knee and hip.

This should reveal exactly which area is the cause of lameness.

The joint most commonly affected in the front is the elbow.

The joint most commonly affected in the back is the knee.

PAIN RELIEF

THE MEDICINE CABINET. Aspirin is safe to use in dogs, bur NEVER IN CATS! The ASA dose is 325mg (1 regular tablet) per 40lbs of body weight given twice daily. Give ¼ tab to a 10 lb dog. If side effects are seen, such as diarrhea or vomiting, then stop. I recommend uncoated regular aspirin, as the coated aspirin may pass right through your pet.

THE ASPIRIN JOINT. Acupressure is another option: press BL60, on the hind leg on the outside of the ankle, for 1 minute twice daily. GB 41. This is located on the bottom of the foot, in the depression of the two outside toes. Especially good for arthritic pain in the hips. LI 4. Located on the front foot, over top of the two inside bones above the toes ( metacarpals). This is an important point for pain relief, especially for the shoulder. Try this for 2 weeks and assess if it is helping your pet.

VALERIAN. This is a very effective herb used to release the muscle spasms that can be triggered by arthritis. The dose of the tincture is .1ml per 10 lbs given twice daily.

HOMEOPATHIC THAT WORKS WELL When a soft tissue injury suddenly occurs, Arnica can help. The dose is 2 pellets of 30C given twice daily.

SORE MUSCLE - COLD COMPRESS. If you suspect a soft tissue injury like a sprain or strain, then apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling, and speed healing.
You can use specially designed ice packs ( found at most pharmacies), cold towels, or packs of frozen vegetables. Apply the ice every 2 hours for 10 minutes at a time for the first 2-3 days.

BITE WOUNDS. This is the most common cause of lameness in cats. If your cat is lame, then first take her temperature. If her temp is elevated ( greater than 39.5) then likely she has been in a fight.

BARBER TIME. Trim the hair around the bite or wound. Trim large sections with scissors, and carefully use a disposable razor to trim the hair next to the skin.

KEEP IT CLEAN. If possible, put your pet in the sink or bathtub and run lukewarm tap water on the bite or abscess for 5 minutes. If your pet won't tolerate running water, use a damp cloth or gauze sponge. Purchase an antiseptic soap, Hibitane, available at your local pharmacy, and wash the area well. Keep the wound clean and perform this water therapy twice daily for 5-7 days.

STAY OPEN. The most important thing you can do to prevent the bite from turning into a costly abscess is to vigorously scrub the puncture wound with a damp cloth and antiseptic soap. The puncture marks MUST stay open for at least 3 days to drain properly. For large abscesses that are open and draining, keep them open for at least 3 days after you have thoroughly cleaned them and clipped the surrounding hair.

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I thought you might be interested in this unusual article.
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If you read or hear about how some breeds of dogs don't shed, you can discount it. Every dog sheds - some more than others - but they all shed.


So why then do some dogs appear not to shed while others shed so much you could weave a thick blanket out of the discarded fur? The answer lies in the growth rate of the hair, which is based on genetics, nutrition and environment.


Shedding is the process by which old hair naturally falls out and new fur begins to grow in its place. The new fur does not "push out" the old fur. Since hair growth and loss is a continual cycle, there is no true starting point.


When dogs run free in the wild, they brush up against bushes, trees and other flora. This action removes old hair naturally. Our house pets need brushing to accomplish this same goal and to prevent large amounts of hair from accumulating in the coat. But brushing is also good for your dog. It not only decreases the amount of hair on your clothes and furniture; it also stimulates the blood supply to the skin. And brushing your dog's hair helps to prevent skin parasites, such as mites, fleas and ticks, from infesting your pet and your home and keeps unsightly and sometimes painful mats from forming.


Once the individual old hair has been removed, new fur can form.


Shedding in dogs is influenced by the amount of time spent in the sunlight and by temperature fluctuations. Outdoor dogs usually shed their thick undercoat in the spring to prepare for warmer weather.


Indoor dogs shed all year long but in smaller amounts, since they are exposed to a more constant temperature and consistent light source.

A dog's shedding cycle may also change as the pet ages or becomes ill.


Some female dogs shed more hair than usual after they have been in heat. This usually occurs around 3 to 4 years of age, if at all. Some breeders refer to this as "blowing their coat."


Puppies' coats are usually fuzzy with short, downy hair. In some breeds this hair may not change to the adult coat until the age of 5 months. The best time to begin grooming is when your pet is still a puppy. By spending a few minutes every day gently brushing your puppy, you are creating a close, trusting bond. Eventually, your dog may look forward to this time every day.


Adequate grooming, proper diet and exercise all contribute to a shiny, healthy-looking coat and a happy pet. If your dog appears to be losing a large amount of fur and/or if the coat is dull and dry, see some of the solutions below.


SOLUTIONS


TREAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. If your pet is scratching, then the possibilities include allergies, fleas, lice or mange. (Mange is relatively uncommon.)

PARASITES. First, rule out fleas or lice by treating for them.

MANGE. If the scratching is intense, then mange in your dog could be a possibility. Visit your veterinarian and have her check for the mange mite. She can rule this out by giving your pet a topical medication called Revolution.

ALLERGIES. If the scratching continues, then your pet probably has an allergy. Rule out food allergies with an elimination diet. (See the FOOD ALLERGY AND SENSITIVITY section.)

A FUNGUS AMONG US. Ringworm is more common in cats. If your cat has a bald area that appears slightly red but not itchy, then treat for ringworm.

HYPOTHYROID. Thyroid disease is more difficult to diagnose, but if your dog has some of the signs of hypothyroidism such as sluggishness, weight gain and fur loss, then visit your veterinarian for a thyroid test.

DIET. Improve the quality of your pet's diet and you will likely see less shedding. In particular, ensure that the diet contains adequate essential fatty acids. Your pet will have happier hair that falls out less frequently.

SUPPLEMENTS. Add additional fatty acids to the diet. For your cat, salmon oil at 250mg daily works well. Dogs respond well to ground flax at 1 tsp per cup of dog food.

THE BRUSH OFF. Brush your pet daily. Purchase a grooming brush that works well with your pet's coat; the staff at a pet supply store should be able to help you.

COMB AFTER BATHING. The bath will loosen the hair that's about to fall out.

CONDITIONER. Use a conditioner after a shampoo. It will make your pet's coat easier to brush.

COOL DOWN. Some pets will shed more in a warm house. Try keeping your house at a cooler temperature, especially in the spring during the big shed.


Grooming Tips


Brush short-coated dogs two to three times per week whether they have smooth or rough hair. You can use a hound glove (a grooming glove with wire bristles in the palm) with medium-soft bristles. Gently brush in the direction of hair growth (with the grain).


Medium-coated dogs like golden retrievers require a slightly firmer bristle brush. Be sure to brush the feathering (longer hair) on the chest and legs, too. Again brush with the grain of the hair.


Long-coated dogs, such as Yorkshire terriers and Afghan hounds, require a soft, long-bristle brush and wide-tooth comb and should be brushed daily. Grasp a handful of hair and gently brush from the skin outward, paying special attention to mats. Severe mats can only be removed by careful shaving, which should only be done by your veterinarian or a professional groomer. Combing afterward can help smooth the coat.


Dogs with double coats, such as Alaskan malamutes and Pomeranians, require a stiff long-bristle or wire brush. These breeds have a thicker undercoat that can get trapped in the outer coat during shedding. Brush with the grain of the hair at least two to three times weekly. Daily brushing is recommended during the shedding period.


Carder or slicker brushes are also useful. These consist of a small, flat board with multiple, fine wire teeth on one side and a short handle. They are especially useful with mats. You may need to experiment with several types of brushes before you find the one that is best for your dog.