Your Dog's Health, Archive

Finding out why your dog had a seizure is like solving a puzzle. It's tough to put all the pieces together. A seizure is difficult to diagnose because it's not a disease. It's a symptom (with any number of causes).

It could be epilepsy. This common diagnosis is made when no other causes can be found. Epilepsy could even be genetic since it is more common in certain breeds, like German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Retrievers, Poodles and Dachshunds.

There is no diagnostic test for epilepsy. The only way to find out if your dog has it is through the process of elimination. All other possible causes must be ruled out through a series of testing.

Diagnosing your dog's seizures could require a lot of testing - and money. So why bother? Does the cause really matter as long as he comes through the seizure OK?

If the cause is medical, environmental, metabolic or traumatic, it could be serious or life threatening - so you need to identify it and treat it.

If diagnosed, many of these conditions can be successfully treated - and that could save your dog's life.

Thanks again to Dr. Jon for this contribution.

Does your dog have "doggie breath"? So many dogs do.

"Doggie breath" is a term commonly used to describe the odor coming from a dog's mouth, which is generally offensive.

You might wonder what causes this common problem. Well, there are several issues. Some are medical, others are related to dental hygiene, and some relate to diet. Sometimes it is a single issue that is causing the problem, and other times it is a combination of issues.

The most important thing is to understand and treat any underlying diseases that may be causing the foul odor. For example, medical causes of doggie breath may include:

• Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
• Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the tooth)
• Abscessed tooth or teeth
• Bone or hair stuck in the mouth
• Oral ulceration
• Foreign bodies in the mouth (such as plant material or grass awns)
• Oral neoplasia (tumors of the mouth)
• Lung diseases
• Kidney diseases

If your dog is showing any signs of poor health, such as coughing, loosing weight, poor appetite or increased water consumption - see your veterinarian.

For dogs with mild dental disease, here are some steps that you can take to help eliminate your dog's bad breath:b(

• Brush your dog's teeth daily. This is probably the #1 thing you can do to help prevent dental disease and create a healthy mouth. A new 3-D toothbrush on the market does a great job of brushing and it comes with a pleasant-tasting toothpaste. With this brush, you can clean your dog's teeth in less than a minute because it brushes all three sides of the tooth at once.

• Spray 0.12 percent chlorhexidine (prescribed by your veterinarian) into your dog's mouth once a day for seven to fourteen days.
  
  
• Follow dietary guidelines recommended by your veterinarian. Special treats and food can help minimize tartar build up, however nothing replaces the benefit of brushing. This is always a must.

Yes, we love our dogs ... but boy can they find creative ways to get into trouble!

When I visit the emergency clinic, a large percentage of the calls we get are about things that the dog has gotten into, and the owner wants to know whether or not to worry.

Chewing on things is a normal part of "puppyhood", and many times the things our dogs eat are not dangerous. Still, you can expect to see some vomiting and maybe even a little diarrhea when your dog eats something that is not "food".

So, before you rush your pooch to the vet, check out this list of non-toxic items that dogs often eat. If your dog chews or eats small amounts of any of the items on this list, you do NOT have to worry unless the object becomes lodged in the stomach or intestines, causing an obstruction.

Acrylic paint
Ballpoint pens
Bath oil
Birth control pills
Bubble bath soaps
Candles
Chalk
Citronella candles
Cosmetics
Crayons
Deodorants
Elmer's glue
Fabric softeners
Glow jewelry
Hair conditioner
Hand lotion
Incense
Indelible markers
Ink
Lipstick
Magic markers
Mineral oil
Modeling clay
Newspaper - non-colored
Pencils (no longer made of lead)
Petroleum jelly
Play-Doh
Putty
Rubber cement
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Silica gel packets
Soap
Spackle
Suntan lotion
Superglue
Teething rings
Thermometers
Toothpaste
Water colors

If you have any doubt, always call your vet or local emergency clinic.

By the way, the average cost for treating a dog that has gotten into a toxin is $342.65. If this would be a difficult expense for you to handle, you really should consider pet insurance. Insurance often pays 90% of the expenses.

Most toxins that are ingested are treatable, and given time and treatment many pets do just fine. Pet insurance offers pet owners the ability to do the best for their pet without worrying so much about the costs. For more information on pet insurance, go to:  petinsurance.com

Friends,  family and feasts—the main ingredients for holiday fun can actually result in distress for pets. Not only can too many table scraps set furry tummies a-rumble, but many animals get anxious at the change in household routine. Says the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, “As you begin to prepare for a festive season, remember to be wary of activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”  The following safety tips will help to ensure a safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving for you and your pets: 

1.     Talkin’ Turkey: Giving your pets a little nibble of turkey is okay, just be sure that it’s boneless and fully cooked. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria, and dogs can choke on bones, which splinter easily.

2.     A Feast Fit for a Kong: While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Stuff their usual dinner—with a few added bits of turkey, dribbles of gravy or vegetables like sweet potato and green beans—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied trying to get their meal out, and way too busy to come begging for table scraps.

3.     Sage Advice: This peppery herb makes stuffing t aste delish, but sage also contains essential oils and resins that can cause pets to suffer stomach upset and possible depression of the central nervous system.

4.     Battery Power: The holiday season means lots of cameras, radios and other battery-operated electronics. Please don’t leave batteries lying around. If swallowed, they can cause choking or obstruction; if punctured, the chemicals in alkaline batteries can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus. 

To learn more, read our complete list of holiday safety tips and special Thanksgiving safety advice straight from our experts.  If you suspect your pet has ingested a harmful substance, on Thanksgiving or at any time, please call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Pets in harsh winter climates need extra protection during the snowy, icy winter months. These items will help keep snow and ice at bay and ensure your pet's comfort and safety.

1. Heated Water Bowl - With temperatures dropping and snow falling, it can be easy to forget about the fresh water you set out a few hours ago. Pets don't innately know to paw through ice to find water (if it isn't already frozen solid). Eating snow isn't an adequate way to take in water, either. Keep the pet water unfrozen and readily available with a heated water bowl.

2. Heated Pet Bed - For arthritic pets, a heated bed is a helpful addition all year round, in all climates! For the cold days of winter, a heated bed is a welcome comfort for indoor pets and a necessity for many outdoor pets. Different beds are available for indoor or outdoor use. Find one that fits your pet's needs.

3. Dog Sweaters and Jackets - While some people dress up their pets for fun, harsh climates make dog coats a necessity for some breeds. All dogs are not suited for all types of weather. Short-coated dogs benefit from a weather-resistant coat. Older dogs can keep a chill off even indoors with a sweater. Caution is advised for pets wearing clothes -- supervision is advised.

4. Pet Boots - Dogs can be very picky about their feet and what touches their paws, but if they will be tolerant of boots, these are a great way to protect paws from snow, ice, cold temperatures and chemical deicers.

5. Spray On Safe Pet Deicer - This is an all natural "veterinarian approved" spray to apply directly to your dog's paws and underbelly to keep snow from building up and forming ice balls. Composed of "lick-safe" ingredients, this is one way to keep active dogs out and enjoying the snow without ice buildup.

6. Pet ID Tags - Pet ID tags are a necessity all year round. I am including them here as a reminder that pets may become disoriented if separated from you in a storm or while out running in the snow. Pet ID tag information should also be updated as necessary. Finding your lost pet or locating an owner of an injured pet could mean the difference between life and death.

A very special thank you to Janet Tobiassen Crobsy, DVM for these helpful hints.