Question
Profile Image
kathy welsh | 11 years ago
Should I Leave Our Puppy’s Dry Food Out All Day Or Just Twice A Day…

Should I leave our puppy’s dry food out all day or just twice a day with the recommended amt
for a certain amt of time. She is 8 wks old

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana

    Unless you’re worried about not being able to feed your puppy frequently enough, I would not leave food out all day. There are many benefits to actually feeding your dog, rather than having the food out all the time.

    Actually feeding your dog

    – helps prevent the fats in the food going rancid and destruction of nutrients by prolonged exposure to air

    – helps you to better track how much your dog is eating

    – helps bonding, particularly when combined with a bit of training and/or handfeeding

    – helps your dog understand that you’re the provider of the food, not the floor

Question
Profile Image
kathy welsh | 11 years ago
We Have An 8 Wk Old Puppy That Loves To Chew Our Dining Rm Chairs…

We have an 8 wk old puppy that loves to chew our dining rm chairs. I have numerous chew toys for her. Is rawhide okay to give her? Is there any product I can apply to chairs?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Kelly Furgason

    Hi Kathy,

    There are a few things you can try. Offering other types of toys for her is one suggestion, there are toys that you can put small treats into, and the puppy can roll them along and a treat comes out. They keep them distracted from chewing. Also change up and rotate the toys you have so that they seem “new” and interesting.  

    They make commercial sprays you can apply on furniture for this purpose, I’ve also heard people having success with putting hot pepper spray on furniture to deter them. Bitter Apple spray seems to work the best in my opinion (they sell this at most pet supply stores) 

    I personally do not like rawhides, primarily because they are easy for a dog to choke on when they becomes slimy, soft and small. So unless you are supervising your puppy when they are using them at all times, I would avoid them.

    There are super hard bones (marrow bones) that you can get that most dogs LOVE. They even are some that are filled with peanut butter or other fillings to keep a dogs interest. Try also offering antlers-most dogs go crazy for them and they are sold at most pet supply stores. 

    Finally, make sure your puppy is getting lots and lots of exercise and walks outside. This alone will often lesson the problem.

    Enjoy your new pup!

    ~kelly

Question
Profile Image
Jana | 11 years ago
So What The Heck Makes A Dog’s Stomach Quite Upset For About 3hrs And Then…

So what the heck makes a dog’s stomach quite upset for about 3hrs and then all seems normal again without vomiting?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana Post author

    We played and did some training games etc and she was eager for her treats. Then she went to sleep. Later, when I’m making her breakfast she typically comes over for a treat. She didn’t. I brought one to her and she didn’t want it. I could see from her face and the way she was acting her stomach was upset. I just could tell. Some minimal lip licking, no drooling (Jasmine would always drool when her belly was upset). This was just the facial expression, the grimasse of the mouth, the way she was overall.

    At first I was worried the pancreatitis was coming back. Then I remembered that last time she was outside she appeared to had been chewing on something. But there was nothing in that area. I went to look. There was some digging and some disturbed roots. Wasn’t clear whether from the digging or whether she ate some.

    Worried I went online trying to figure out what plant could the roots be of. Found out that most likely from bittersweet nightshade. Was so worried that I ended up calling Poison Hotline. And then, couple hours later she looked fine again.

Question
Profile Image
Jana | 11 years ago
Anything To Create A Barrier To Protect The Skin From Wandering Jew? ? T-shirt Not…

Anything to create a barrier to protect the skin from Wandering Jew? ? T-shirt not likely to work, how about liquid bandage type of thing?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana Post author

    Yes, protect Cookie’s belly from contact with the Wandering Jew which seems to be causing a reaction on her skin.

    I’d be cool with clothing, as long as
    – it stays on
    – doesn’t get caught on everything
    – covers the areas while allowing to pee and poo normally

    I did contact the place, I don’t think winter suit would work in the summer? I explained to them what I wanted, first they directed me to belly bands (not enough coverage and likely would travel); then incontinence panties (covers the wrong area LOL) and then dog shorts and trunks
    http://www.baxterboo.com/l.cfm/dog-clothes_dog-shorts?

    The representative says would cover belly and thighs while letting the dog to eliminate. Unfortunately, there is now “bottom” view (either photo or schematic) to show what is and what isn’t covered down there. Also doesn’t say whether there are different ones for male or female dogs. If unisex, probably quite a bit of the belly would need to be exposed …?

    She’s getting a reaction only on the belly, groin and thighs – areas with less fur. The rest of the body doesn’t have a reaction. So that’s the areas I need to try to protect.

Question
Profile Image
Jana | 11 years ago
Today, Twice, Cookie Had A Longish String Of “snot” Hanging From Her Pee Pee Region…

Today, twice, Cookie had a longish string of “snot” hanging from her pee pee region while on the walk. She seems fine otherwise, pays no attention to it and I haven’t seen any since. Woot is that about now? (seemed odorless and colorless)

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Cindy Flick

    It could be mucus.  But I would talk to the vet about a urine test for infection.  Does she pee a lot?

  2. Jana Post author

    Yeah, that’s what I thought, that’s what it looked like – mucus (that’s why I called it snot 😉 ) It looked clear with no color. Will see vet Mo if it happens again. No changes in urination, no attention to vulva, nothing wrong with vulva as I can see.

  3. Jana Post author

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
Is It Still Epilepsy If My Dog Only Had A Seizure At Age 5…

Is it still epilepsy if my dog only had a seizure at age 5 and then 9?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana

    Hi Elizabeth,

    from the way you’re asking I’m assuming that it was diagnosed as epilepsy the first time around? At the age of 5 it would be a likely diagnosis. How was it diagnosed and was it treated in any way?

    “The two most important factors in the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy
    is the age at onset and the seizure pattern (type and frequency). If
    your dog has more than two seizures within the first week of onset, your
    veterinarian will probably consider a diagnosis other than idiopathic
    epilepsy”

    http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_epilepsy_idiopathic_genetic

    Onset of seizures in a dog older than 5 years, it can be metabolic or neurological (a lesion like a brain tumor).

    So the question on my mind would be, is it the same thing as it was four years ago or is there something else going on? If it was me I would want to revisit this with my vet.

    http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2012/10/really-angry-vet-winstons-first-seizure.html

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
Is It Possible For A Dog To Be Epileptic But Only Has Had One At…

Is it possible for a dog to be epileptic but only has had one at age 5 then at age 9?

1 Response

Comments

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
Zoey Has Been Doing This Since She Became Older. We Now Roll Up All…

Zoey has been doing this since she became older. We now roll up all rugs, clear countertops, remove plush toys, let them out repeatedly before leaving. This happens whether we are gone for 2hrs or 6hrs. We understand it is probably the anxiety that causes her to urinate and defecate. We also understand the behaviors are related to the same. But it is so disheartening and honestly, frustrating, when we return home to find what she has done. We are now trying the wall plug phermones, trying not to make it a big deal when we leave or come home and most importantly, trying not to react when we discover her latest destruction.

To make it worse, my 1 male who is dominant will mark her urinated spots if we do not clean and neutralize it sufficiently… which we always try to do. It seems the issue is cascading and we are at wits end.

Any thoughts?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Brian Downie

    Sounds good and thanks!  We will setup an appointment with you to get a general checkup and talk about behaviorists.

    Brian and Ericka 

Question
Profile Image
Sandy | 11 years ago
One Of My Older Cats, Fluffy, Is Favoring His Left Eye; Upper And Lower Lids…

One of my older cats, Fluffy, is favoring his left eye; upper and lower lids are pink. Tender to the touch around the eye. I plan to call for an appt in AM but is there anything I can do tonight to relieve obvious discomfort?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Sandy Post author
    Dr. Magnifico:
    I saw Dr. McCarthy today and it does not seem to be anything serious with Fluffy’s eye. No signs of scratching or cornea damage.  A good flushing and antibiotic should resolve the issue.  Thanks so much!!!
Question
Profile Image
Jana | 11 years ago
Based On The Latest Research, What At What Age Would You Recommend Spay (GSD)

Based on the latest research, what at what age would you recommend spay (GSD)

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Jen McKnight

    As young as your vet will allow. At the humane society I work at we do them as young as 8 weeks due to the high volume of animals we receive and need to get into homes. Most private vet clinics like them to be a little older but I would assume most vets would do it around 4 months. 

  2. Jana Post author

    Ok, my bad, I guess. This is the opposite to what I was looking for it the latest ideal age, taking health aspect into consideration (orthopedic health, cancer)

  3. Christina Chambreau
    Most importantly, Jana – there is no one right answer. Studies do not take into account each individual difference, so I do not recommend basing your decision merely on statistics and studies. I
    strongly recommend finding an integrative veterinarian with whom to work. This
    is a person trained in many different approaches, including using conventional
    drugs only when absolutely needed. Working with one can increase the chance
    that your GSD can live a long and healthy life. By evaluating the subtle clues of health, they can help you make the best decision. There are good ones and great ones, and a few
    homeopathic veterinarians will consult by phone or email.

     

    I agree with Krista. For my holistic clients who can absolutely promise they will never leave their in heat female alone for a single minute outside so there is no possible chance of getting pregnant – I recommend waiting until after their first heat at least, maybe longer. 
    I also agree with Jen – when you are working with shelters and seeing too many homeless animals – spay and neuter at 8 weeks. One problem with that is there are some indications that animals spayed and neutered that young have aggression problems as they get older, so then end up back at a shelter!