Why Spay?

Today was Ella Bean’s much dreaded pre-surgical appointment for her spay surgery. We met with our holistic veterinarian and got the lowdown. My little Bean tipped the scales at an impressive 2.7 lbs. The doctor said she is mostly full grown, maybe another ounce or two. I am so nervous about the surgery!

Ella’s row of shark teeth doesn’t help matters. She will be having almost 15 deciduous (baby) teeth pulled in conjunction with this ordeal. Or as many of the teeth as they can wrangle out before they need to pull her out of anesthesia.

The subject came up on the way to the appointment, why spay?

There are a multitude of benefits that outweigh the relatively low risk of a one time surgery. First, between 3 and 4 millions pets are euthanized each year. By leaving breeding to the show dog breeders and people who breed dogs for seeing eye dogs and other working purposes we improve the health of the canine species. Breed fanciers seek to perfect their dogs to the breed standard, resulting in sound, healthy animals. Unfortunately, this tremendous amount of euthanisia will not be reduced until more families have their pets spayed and neutered.

Unwanted pregnancies are incredibly difficult to prevent as un-neutered males can smell a female in heat for a few miles. Dogs have successfully mated through fences before. They are crafty! Additionally, females who are not spayed have a highly increased risk of uterine cancer, breast cancer and urinary tract infections. Ultimately, spaying is ethical and humane because it spares unwanted dogs from being born and female dogs from dying earlier. The procedure is painless, done under anesthesia and pain relief is provided for post-surgical care. The younger and healthier your dog is, the quicker she will heal.

I realize for many people this is a controversial topic. I believe that when humans domesticated dogs, we removed them from their ecosystem, thereby the canine population is not being regulated by environment or predators. Think about it - my tiny Ella Bean is the result of hundreds of years of human imposed breeding. A 3 pound dog would never survive in the wild! Ella Bean and her siblings ended up in a shelter and Ella herself was nearly euthanized.

Humans created the problem of pet overpopulation and now it is up to us to re-home needy animals and prevent the tragedy of new homeless ones from filling up our animal shelters. Regarding cruelty to animals, I believe spaying and neutering is the lesser of two evils. It promotes the general well being of my pet and the canine species in general.

Spay & Neuter Myths

There are many myths associated with spay and neuter surgery, such as, ‘my pet will become fat and lazy.’ Well, that is only true if you overfeed and under excercise! If your pet seems ‘lazy’ for a few weeks after surgery, just let time work it out. They are expending a lot of their energy healing. Make sure as soon as those stitches are out and the doc gives the go-ahead, you are back at the park or on the jogging trail. Slowly work back up to the routine you and your dog had been doing before surgery.

Another myth surrounding spay and neuter surgery is that it is better to allow your pet to ‘experience’ one litter to have sex and go through the ‘miracle of birth.’ From a medical perspective, the opposite is true. Females who have gone into heat or had a litter prior to spaying are much more prone to disease and cancer.

Regarding the emotional aspect of experiencing sex or the miracle of birth, you are over identifying with your pet. Dogs are not human, they do not have much more then a biological drive to reproduce that is the result of hormones. Remove the hormones, then you remove the drive. My Louis was neutered before we got him, at 10 weeks of age. As he never produced any adult hormones, he does not hump (which is a dominant behavior, not a sexual one.) He is the happiest, most relaxed dog I have ever met. Besides his breeding, I believe this is in large part due to the lack of hormonal drive.

Gentleman, if you refuse to neuter your male dogs because you fear removing his masculinity, I don’t mean to be rude, but please stop over identifying with your dog. He isn’t a man, he is a dog and if you want a pleasant dog to share your home with, neuter. Neutering reduces the risk of prostate cancer, eliminates testicular cancer, reduces or eliminates behaviors like roaming and humping.

Another myth associated with spay and neuter surgery is that it will remove his protective instincts. Some people do have dogs for protection. Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect his or her home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and training than by sex hormones. Train your dog to protect and they will.

Some people adopt or purchase purebred animals as pets and feel they shouldn’t spay or neuter their purebred. There is a statistic that one out of every four pets in a shelter is a purebred. On the day I got Ella Bean, there was a beautiful, young Beagle at the shelter. This was within a few weeks after Uno the Beagle won the Westminster Dog Show! Leave the breeding to the professionals. Whelping a litter is not an easy task. Finding caring homes for your litter (I recently read about a Bulldog who gave birth to 20 puppies!) is not easy! How would you feel if you brought a life into the world, only to have it end up in a poor home or worse, in a shelter, getting euthanized? This is the reality of the situation we have wrought onto dogs.

As nervous as I am, I know it will be a routine surgery and Ella Bean will be ok. Please spay and neuter your pets! It saves lives.

Bookmark It

Given that my Louis just turned one on Monday and our unexpected addition, Ella Bean is just six months old, the past 9 months of my life have been steadily preoccupied with issues like potty training, basic obedience, diet and of course teething.

Teething happens in multiple stages for dogs. Their first set of teeth, known as milk teeth, appear within a puppy’s first month. When you acquire a puppy, the milk teeth are usually the first nippers you’ll see. At about four months old, these milk teeth will start falling out.

While teething begins at around four months, it can last up until their first birthday.

Teething is the bane of most dog owners existence. Teething can result in lost shoes, furniture and other damage if the pup is not monitored or confined at all times. It is also necessary to train puppy to chew on appropriate objects and toys through positive reinforcement. Chewing helps to aleviate the pain and pressure of the teething process. For dogs of all ages, it also relieves tension and provides stimulation. It is vital to have appropriate chews as your puppy goes through the teething stage.

Puppy breath is another issue that may be related to teething. A raw diet like I feed Louis and Ella eliminates a lot of smells, Louis and Ella never never get that ‘dog’ odor and the diet even reduces the stink of their stools. Louis, past teething always has great breath except after raw feasting or snacking on poo. Even though Ella is on the same diet, her breath smells. I have been training her to get used to toothbrushing, which helps the breath, but ultimately, with all of the teeth she is losing and growing, she is retaining some of her baby teeth and bacteria and food and gunk gets stuck between the ‘double’ teeth. When she has her spay surgery, the vet will also pull any baby teeth that haven’t yet fallen out to avoid this double tooth issue. This is very common in tiny breeds and is nothing to worry about it.

Just keep on observing puppy’s progress and if you see double teeth, consult with your vet to decide a timeline for when, if necessary, to do manual extraction.

Get the pup used to brushing using an enzymatic toothpaste before she or he grows his permanent teeth so you don’t meet resistance! Make is a positive experience with treats and praise! Raw diets promote dental health, which is a major issue in doggie health care. Know that the same plaque on a dog’s teeth is that plaque that builds up into the heart and bloodstream. Ewwww.

So anyway, Ella Bean is a little embarrassed that I shared her breath issues, but I assure her that informing other pups that its normal will make them feel better.

Ella also wants to share that a few drops of Bach’s Flower Essences Rescue Remedy directly on the gums helps to relieve teething pain. It can be bought by clicking the link above and its available at health food stores and some holistic pet shops.

In the mean time, Ella is a stinky tooth fairy, but we all know its just temporary. We are keeping her comfortable and trying to find the itty bitty lost teeth to save as keepsakes!

Dog pictures courtesy of Kara Sommer, photographer extraordinaire, and the fur kids aunt

Rescue Remedy image via www.rescueremedy.com

Bookmark It

I am inspired to write this as I lay in bed, third day straight with a fever, cough, chills and aches and pains I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Louis, my ever present companion is snuggled up against me, occasionally, opening is bright, brown eyes, looking up at me and snuggling a little closer.

As unpleasant as this illness is, it got me thinking - how do responsible pet owners know when their pooches are seriously sick?Let us assume that since you and Spot became family, you have been diligent about a balanced diet and routine health care. Even still, occasionally, his immune system may fail him, as mine has failed me!

These symptoms can range from pretty mild to severe, depending on the cause. Doggie symptoms are an external expression of an internal disruption. How to decide if veterinary intervention is necessary?

First and foremost, common sense!All puppies will eventually have a day that they feel under the weather at some point in their lives. If symptoms do not seem severe and start subsiding within a day, they may just need to run their course. However if any of the following applies, go directly to your vet!

• Sick dog symptoms increase or intensify over a 24 hour period.
• Symptoms persist more than a day
• The dog is in obvious distress.

All in all, its better to be safe then sorry, so don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. The first month my husband and I had Louis, we rushed him to our vet no less then six times, for what we were convinced were emergencies. Five out of the six vet ‘emergency’ visits resulted in no diagnoses, other then our vet reassuring us that no, in fact, we were not going to kill our new baby boy. The sixth time, Louis had a little stitch that was rejected from the site of his neuter surgery, which just needed to be clipped. I was beside myself with fear - in the end all was well.

As you become a more experienced parent, you will be less likely to panic and more likely to evaluate the situation in a calm and rational manner. Each dog is individual and you know your baby better then the vet does.

Knowing what is ‘normal’ for your unique specimen of cuteness is the first step in evaluating your pet for illness. Get familiar with his eating and drinking habits, his output (excrement and urine) and his temperament. If anything seems off, your first clue that something is up.

A good article is available at canismajor.com outlining signs and symptoms indictating your dog might be sick. Click here to see the full article.

A sick dog is nothing to sneeze at. Have a well stocked first aid kit at home for emergencies, include your local 24 hour emergency veteraniry clinic’s number. Program your cell with both your regular vet and the emergency clinic.Our dogs are our room mates, our play mates, our soul mates. Their care is our responsibility.I wish canines and their guardians everywhere good health!

bulldog with headache via pawsaroundchicago.com, sick dog image via www.cypressanimalclinic.com, vet cartoon via cartalk.com

Bookmark It

Like most things in life, prevention is the best cure.Louis’ first trip to the vet, back when we lived in Chicago, included a lengthy warning by our doctor about maintaining an appropriate weight to avoid unessecary health problems.

By feeding a high quality, protein based food in appropriate portions, rather then a commercial pet food packed with carbohydrates, fillers and sugars; by substituting sugary treats made with chemicals treats that are protein based, you really can prevent your pet from suffering from a lifetime of unhappiness.As I have written in the past, when we choose to add a new member to the family, especially one who cannot speak up for himself, it is our responsibility to provide him with care, exercise, mental and physical stimulation and set him up for a healthy lifestyle.

It is our responsibility to research the best pet foods and find an option that fits your lifestyle, budget and pleases your dog’s palette. So many quality foods are out there, if you only take the time to look. If we work to prevent the need to start utilizing weight loss drugs on our pets, we can focus on the joy of a healthy, long term companion.

Bookmark It

Just like the issues overweight people must confront, pooches lugging around excess pounds means that almost every single organ in the body has to work overtime. The risks of our best friend being overweight are dire and every owner should be aware of them - especially since we are the ones in charge of their food intake and exercises!

Some common consequences of pet obesity include diabetes, increased wear and tear on joints, bones and muscles, resulting in serious damage, injury, arthritis and hip dysplasia, increased blood pressure and hypertension, leading to congestive heart failure, decreased liver function, digestive problems, decreased immune function, skin, coat and hair problems and an overall increased risk of cancer and overall shortening of lifespan with decreased quality of life.

This is what we pet owners are doing to our pets. By loving them with food, we are in effect, killing them. Saying ‘no’ when your pal is begging for the treats you used to regularly include in his diet is not cruel. It is lifesaving. In addition, there are plenty of pure protein, freeze dried plain meat options sold as treats that are satisfying and will not add on the pounds.

Bookmark It

Pfizer, which won approval for its drug Slentrol, says it will be available by prescription this spring. According to an article in USA Today, the company estimates that 40% of American dogs, or 17 million canines, are obese or overweight.

Same as with people, too much junk food and a sedentary lifestyle are exacerbating the obesity rate for our pals. Slentrol will only be available by prescription. Ideally, it will be used in only the most extreme cases in order for the pet to lose enough weight to comfortably participate in an exercise regimen, that, together with a diet of low fat/ high protein food, could help the dog regain quality of life.

According to Slentrol’s website, side effects include vomiting, especially during the first month of treatment and when the dose is increased, some dogs may seem tired, have diarrhea, or lose their appetite completely. Other side effects can include increases in your dog’s liver enzymes. These changes can only be found through blood testing. Yikes.Pfizer Animal Health has created a tool to asses if dogs are overweight or obese. The Body Assessment Rating for Canines BARC is meant to determine if Slentrol is a good solution for your dog.

Pfizer is also planning on drumming up business by sponsoring free screenings at veterinarians across the USA in the first annual Canine Weight Check this February.

I have to wonder if vets will push natural weight loss through exercise and diet before prescribing the drug. Despite the risks of side effects, this is likely to be viewed as a quick fix and a cure all by owners. Slentrol’s website and dosing directions include portion control and exercise as a part of treatment, however, unless this issue is addressed before our vets whip out the prescription pad, people will likely rely on the drug rather then lifestyle choices to fix the problem.

Bookmark It

I recently met a woman concerned about her adult Bijon Frise’s weight. We discussed the food brand she was using and the amount of exercise the pooch gets. She is feeding a high quality food and providing the dog with regular exercise. We continue to talk and she revealed that she throws some cheese on the dog’s breakfast and some chicken on top of her dinner.

She also gives many fatty treats whenever she leaves the house and shares her every meal with her dog. She told me she feels guilty if she doesn’t provide her dog with all the tidbits that make her tail wag. I suggest cutting out the extras - especially the cheese and possibly a grain free diet which would might help in a way similar to the Atkins diet. Toward the end of our conversation it was clear she didn’t want to change her dog’s diet or stop including extra treats. She just feels to guilty to stop.

Unfortunately, this is all too common. Overeating in dogs comes from feeding our dogs poor quality processed foods, feeding them large amounts of food, including fatty extras in their diet and feeding Fido out of guilt.

Our dogs learn all to quickly how to train us to give them any food that crosses the path of their sensitive noses. Food does not make up for a lack of attention. Any owner who cannot resist the allure of their dogs pleading gaze is contributing to their pet’s obesity and contributing to shortening Fluffy’s life.

Bookmark It

According to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Human Nutrition, the U.S. obesity rate increased from 13 percent to 32 percent between the 1960s and 2004 and this trend is continuing to grow. Now, its not just our human community at risk - a recent report from the National Academy of Science shows that one in four pets is overweight or obese.

The scale isn’t the best way to determine if your pup is plump as dogs since all dogs, from the teeniest Chihuahua to the largest Mastiff vary so much in bone mass, structure and general appearance.Each dog is unique and needs to be individually evaluated. Responsible owners should be working with their veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for their pet. In response to the overwhelming statistics that show American pets are as overweight as their owners, Pfizer has announced the forthcoming release of a new weight loss drug designed for dogs.

Like us, our companions are generally eating more high fat, processed foods then they need and not getting enough exercise. According to William Pollak D.V.M., “Recent studies have shown processed foods to be a factor in increasing the numbers of pets suffering from…obesity…”Yet another reason to investigate the benefits of a holistic approach to feeding and - by the way - what happened to a good old fashioned romp with the dog?

Bookmark It

The canine ear is a remarkable part of its remarkable anatomy. I learned a lot about it after practically having a standing appointment at the vet’s office to deal with Louis’ ear infections.

According to Monika Wegler’s book, Dogs: How to Take Care of Them and Understand Them, “Dogs hear high tones in particular much better than humans do. Humans can pick up an average of 20,000 acoustic vibrations per second (kHz), whereas a dog is able to perceive between 40,000 and 100,000 vibrations.”

I don’t understand much of this hullabaloo about acoustic vibrations and frequencies, but I can garner that this information means dogs hear a lot better then we do. So on a side note, if you need to yell at your dog in order for him to pay attention, you should probably work on your relationship. He can hear you when you whisper - you don’t need to yell. Think about that…

In addition to hearing better then us, their ears are anatomically different then our. Our ears each have a mere one compartment, theirs have two! The following description comes from Dr. Dennis W. Thomas’s article An Ear Full of Auditory Advice (which you can read in its entirety by clicking here).

Beginning at the opening of the ear canal, the vertical canal travels downward towards the dog’s jaw. Then it makes a 45 degree turn and travels horizontally towards the ear drum. This makes visualization and treatment of the entire canal more difficult. Also, as a rule, most breeds have a much longer ear canal than humans. These differences predispose the dog’s ear to infection as well as make treatment more difficult.

Apparently, breeds with pendulous ears, like my little monster, are far more suceptible to ear infections then those breeds with upright ears. This is mostly because those adorable floppy ears act like trap doors for moisture, yeast and other culprits. But before we all run out and crop our dogs ears, problems can happen to any dog (for instance you wrinkly dog lovers should know that your dog’s ear canals are probably wrinkly as well and for those beasts with super hairy ears, beware!) There are a zillion culprits that can affect your dog’s ears. These issues can stem from foreign objects, yeast, mites, oil secretion differences, dermatological issues, allergies - the list goes on and on.

A good habit to get into is a routine ear hygiene regimen. I know what you are thinking - feeding, walking, trips to the vet, baths, playtime, etc. With all the care these guys require it should be a full time paying job to care for them. The fact is, when we take it upon ourselves to add any members to our household, it is our duty to give them the best care we can. Espcially for our family members who cannot speak up for their needs, we must be diligent in the care we take of them.

This does not mean waiting until there is a problem and running Spot to the vet. Ear cleaning takes all of a minute, once your dog gets used to it, and it can be a nice relaxing and bonding experience. Additionally, even with Louis’ floppy ears, cleaning two times a week, after baths and if its raining out is sufficient. Thats about 5 minutes a week, in total. Another benefit of ear cleaning is that you become familiar with your dog’s ear anatomy and what is normal for him as far as color, temperature, texture, etc. You will be aware of any changes and can act before serious issues arise.

Louis chronic ear infections started after the move to Miami, as the heat and humidity created a literal breeding ground in his floppy ears. Our previous vet attempted to treat him, unsuccessfully and recommended an ear cleaner sold in her office. The treatment dried out his ears, but what made the situation worse was the cleaner. His skin redder then ever and was literally peeling off from his ears, inside and outside. Upon closer inspection, I found the cleaner was made from over 50% rubbing alcohol. On a superficial note, the cucumber melon scent was awful and the product made his hair all greasy. I am not a vet, all of the information I have is from reading books on dogs, canine anatomy, the internet and from speaking to a doctor I trust. The rest is common sense. I would never apply anything with 50% alcohol to my own body, so I certainly wouldn’t want to do that to Louis.

I decided to try something else. I found Halo’s Natural Herbal Ear Wash for the first time at Whole Foods. As things couldn’t get much worse, I decided to give it a go.

According to Halo’s website:

• A full strength blend of herbs in a base of witch hazel
• Can be used for any problem ear condition, heals any kind of infection or abrasion
• Works on contact, is very gentle and is never greasy

Description: The most effective ear solution available today is great for ANY problem ear condition. This soothing blend of herbal extracts (in a witch hazel base)gently eliminates ear wax, odors, prevents infections, heals abrasions, and promotes healthy new cell formation. Natural Herbal Ear Wash is never greasy and always easy to use. Enjoyed by pets and pet lovers everywhere.

My review - it smells nice and fresh, doesn’t affect the texture of his fur and leaves his ears fresh and soothed. I can tell he enjoys cleaning time. The one caveat: be sure to buy a baby nasal aspirator with a bulb for application. The bottle reccomends ‘pouring 1/2 to a capful’ in the ear. You will get the product all over yourself and your dog’s face. This doesn’t work. The aspirator makes things simple. Be sure to give your dog a nice ear massage to work the product into the canal and relax him. You’ll hear it kind of sloshing around in there if you have done it right. Keep your aspirator clean. Louis has not had an ear infection in over three months and any time I notice redness or odor, I use this product and we are in the clear. If you are interested, there are some sites on the internet that list recipes you can make yourself that are similar to Halo’s product, but I admit that I am searching for a little convenience in the sea of care I give to Louis.Call your vet if you think there is anything wrong with your dog and don’t forget to clean his ears.Visit www.halopets.com for more great holistic pet products.

Available at select Whole Foods locations. Visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com to find the closest location to you.

Also available at Louis’ favorite store in Miami!

The DogBar, Inc.

Bookmark It