No. 12, Issue 4 , October 2016

Newsletter of the Dodgerslist Web site & care Forum offering education and support for owners an Official d dogs suffering from disc disease

www.dodgerslist.com

Bright Outcom

es Bright OutcomesJake’s Journey By Paige

Three summers ago, my mom called me from work and told me to get on Craigslist. She said there was a lady in a nearby county looking to re-home her miniature dachshund. The post explained that the year and a half old dachshund, named Jake, had been staying outside because the woman’s husband was sick. I immediately contacted the lady. She called me back and said she would like for my mom and I to take Jake. We were the only people interested who did not ask for a photo. She knew he would be safe with us. A few days later, we met the lady at a Dollar General and brought with us my other miniature dachshund, Sophie, who was three at the time. The first time I held Jake, I fell in love. He was this awkward and lanky, “tweenie” dachshund. He had huge paws and big floppy ears. His coat was a beautiful and shiny black and tan. Even covered in dirt, he was a beautiful and healthy dachshund. We quickly learned Jake’s personality. He was quirky, funny, full of love, but not very smart. It took him a while to learn his name. But we loved him and he loved us. Jake now knows his name, how to sit on command, how to circle on command and how to ring the bells on the backdoor to go potty. He is the happiest dog in the world. His favorite past time is tormenting his big sister, Sophie, by stealing her toys and taunting her until she takes them away. Fast forward three years… It was a typical Wednesday evening in my household. I arrived home from work around 6:30 PM and was greeted by two happy doxies. However, within minutes, Jake went from happy to timid. I noticed he would not lift his head. Jake is a big ol’ baby. A simple chip of his nail sends him into frenzy. I thought he jumped off the couch funny and hurt his shoulder again. I monitored him closely for the next 24 hours. On Thursday the scream crying started. His back was hunched. Trying to find the source of his pain, I gently moved his neck up, down, side to side. I noticed he would yelp when I moved his neck down. I also noticed his tummy was sensitive to touch. Again, I continued to monitor Jake. However, that Thursday night he howled in pain all night. So Friday morning, he went straight to Shively Animal Clinic, his primary vet here in Louisville, KY. The vet examined Jake. He took an x-ray of Jake’s back and stomach. He gave him a shot to alleviate the pain. The vet prescribed him Tramadol, Prednisone, Robaxin, Valium and Pepcid. He did seem concerned about Jake’s back because Jake is overweight. But I don’t recall the vet mentioning IVDD. Apparently, I misunderstood the vet because when I left, I was under the impression that Jake had an inflamed intestine, which he did. That night, it was like I had a brand new doxie. He was happy and energetic. But by Saturday, the pain returned and it was worse than before. I gave Jake his meds and it would alleviate the pain for a while. But something was clearly still wrong. After another night of howling, Jake went back to the vet on Sunday. On Sunday, Jake saw Dr. Fuches. It was the first time that I recall any vet mentioning IVDD. Dr. Fuches explained that Jake was prescribed the meds on Friday to help alleviate the IVDD associated pain. He explained that Jake has Cervical IVDD, meaning the herniated disc was in his neck. Dr. Fuches laid out the treatment options. He spoke about conservative treatment; six to eight weeks of strict crate rest with the medication regime. He suggested an IV treatment, which consisted of a 24 hour vet stay while receiving Manitol and a steroid via IV. The last option was surgery. Upon the suggestion of Dr. Fuches, after analysis of Jake’s symptoms, we chose to start with the conservative treatment. Dr. Fuches upped the dosage of Tramadol to a whole pill three times a day. He advised me to keep Jake on the ½ pill of Valium twice a day, ½ pill of Robaxin three times a day, Pepcid

This issue ▶Bright Outcomes!1 ▶DL Gets ‘Round! 3 ▶Dogs Dream?!

4

▶Fit to Fat !

9

▶Halloween Prep 10 ▶The Heart!

5

▶Puppy towel!

8

▶Sago Palms!

7

▶Share the Love! 10 ▶Shorten dogs’ life!6

twice a day and Prednisone once a day. Before we left, he did a laser treatment on Jake’s neck and back. He sent me home with strict instructions on caring for Jake. For a few days, Jake was mostly okay. He was still in pain. When he moved suddenly, or shifted funny, he would whimper. If I tried to reposition him, he would howl in pain. I noticed Jake seemed a little clumsy when I would take him out to go potty. He would stumble more than usual. His moves were weak. But he had no trouble going potty, so I chalked it up to the medicine. After all, he was eating well for the most part. He was wagging his tail. He seemed like he was doing better. It was around this time that someone on Facebook referred me to DodgersList I immediately put up a post describing Jake’s symptoms and asking for any help or advice. I would have lost it without DodgersList… But I’ll come back to that later in the story. Over the next few days, Jake began to have more frequent, “disc episodes.” I was up all night with him trying to calm him down. It became evident that his medications wearing off too This were issue quickly in-between doses. It had been about a week since the first vet visit and I was supposed ▶Bright Outcomes!1 to begin tapering his medications. But his pain was too severe. I again, went to DodgersList to seek help. I was referred to my vet as Jake was obviously not getting any better. ▶Shorten dogs’ life!3 On Wednesday morning, I spoke with Dr. Fuches. I was extremely worried about Jake. But Dr. Fuches advised me that IVDD is not an overnight fix. He asked if Jake was knuckling under. ▶DL Gets ‘Round! 3 At that time, he was not. He said if I notice Jake knuckling under to get him in immediately. It was not more than an hour after I got off the phone with Dr. Fuches that Jake started ▶Dogs Dream?! 4 knuckling under. I carried him out to go potty and he could not take two steps without his front left paw knuckling. I grabbed Jake and headed back to Shively ▶Fit Animal to FatClinic. ! By the5 time we reached the vet, Jake’s front paws were almost completely paralyzed. He could not walk or hold himself up. ▶Toxic Sago Palm Unfortunately, Dr. Fuches was in surgery and could not see Jake. So Dr. Marsha evaluated Jake’s pain. She recommended admitting Jake into the hospital ▶Halloween and beginning the IV treatment. While Jake was in the hospital, Dr. Marsha ordered scans to see if Jake qualified for surgery. The next morning while I was sitting at work, I received a call from Dr. Marsha. Jake had improved. Granted, she said the improvement was very minimal. Dr. Marsha said a second round of the IV treatment may help. I made the decision to keep Jake at the hospital for another 24 hours for a second IV treatment. Dr. Marsha was hopefully optimistic that Jake would show more improvements. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The following morning, Jake had regressed after the second round of IV treatments. Dr. Marsha provided me with the number to Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists so I could setup a surgical consultation. I immediately called Metro. Veterinary Specialists and was told to bring Jake in immediately for surgery, It was not an hour later that Jake was being analyzed by Dr. Royals. Dr. Royals informed us that he could get Jake into surgery that day. Jake’s surgery went extremely well. Immediately following surgery, he was placed in a kennel with a pillow to rest his head. Dr. Royals called me and explained that Jake was still not walking, but that’s to be expected. He said he would call again in the morning with an update. The next morning, Dr. Royals called and said Jake was walking. He said it was wobbly and not far, but he was able to hold himself up and stand up again. Since Jake showed such tremendous improvement, Dr. Royals said he was good to go home. Thanks to DodgersList, I was able to go out and purchase Jake’s recovery suite. I got him a large wire kennel so he could see out of it, with a big pillow pad to lie on and a screw on water bowl so he could have water. Next I setup my recovery suite, which included an air mattress on the living room floor next to Jake’s kennel. A few days after surgery, Jake began to take more steps when going potty. I didn’t let him go more than ten feet. He wanted to go further. About two or three weeks after surgery, Jake was th no longer wobbly walking. He had his checkup with Dr. Royals on \\ June 7 and was given a clean bill of health. It was a long road to recovery, but Jake was officially allowed off crate rest on June 17th. I’m so thankful for everyone who helped along the way. IVDD is emotionally draining. I could have never made it through without DodgersList. DodgersList helped save my buddy Jake. Since being off crate rest, Jake has been on a road trip to Memphis, Tennessee to visit family, went for a few short walks, ran around the backyard with extreme joy, and continues to drive his “big sister” crazy. My Jakie is happy again.

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2 Dodgers Digest October 2016

Do Dogs Dream? Do DogsDream?

With permission of Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM

Whether or not dogs dream isn’t known with scientific certainty, but it sure is difficult to imagine that they don’t. We’ve all watched our dogs demonstrate behaviors in their sleep that resemble what they do in a fully awake state. Paddling legs, whining, growling, wagging tails, chomping jowls, and twitching noses inspire us to wonder what our dogs are dreaming about. What we know about dogs and dreams While our knowledge on this topic is very limited, the following known information helps us believe that dogs do indeed experience dreams. Professors of neuroscience, Matthew Wilson, and Kenway Louie, study the relationships between memory, sleep, and dreams. They’ve learned that when rats are trained to run along a circular track for food rewards, their brains create a distinctive firing pattern of neurons (brain cells). The researchers also conducted brain monitoring while the rats were sleeping. Low and behold, the same signature brain activity pattern associated with running occurs whether rats are awake or asleep. In fact, the memories play at approximately the same speed during sleep as when the rats are awake. Can we take the information that is known about dreaming in rats and humans and apply it to dogs? Wilson believes that we can he has stated. My guess is unless there is something special about rats and humans that cats and dogs are doing exactly the same thing.     It is known that the hippocampus, the portion of the brain that collects and stores memories, is wired much the same way in all mammals. According to Professor Wilson, “If you compared a hippocampus in a rat to a dog; in a cat to a human, they contain all of the same pieces.” He believes that as dogs sleep, images of past events replay in their minds, much the same way people recall experiences while dreaming. It is known that in people most dreams occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Dogs also experience periods of REM sleep, during which their breathing becomes more irregular and shallow. There may be muscle twitching during REM and, when one looks closely, rapid eye movements behind closed eyelids can often be observed. It is during REM sleep that behaviors thought to be associated with dreaming (legs paddling, twitching, vocalizing, etc.) are most commonly observed. What we want to believe about dog dreams When we observe our dogs as they sleep, it’s just about impossible to imagine that they are not dreaming. Just like the rats studied by Wilson and Louie, it is tempting to believe that our four-legged best buddies are reenacting their recent experiences; playing at the dog park, sniffing in the woods, chewing on a treasured bone, and chasing squirrels.

This issue ▶Bright Outcomes!1 ▶DL Gets ‘Round! 3 ▶Dogs Dream?!

4

▶Fit to Fat !

9

▶Halloween Prep 10 ▶The Heart!

5

▶Puppy towel!

8

▶Sago Palms!

7

▶Share the Love! 10 ▶Shorten dogs’ life!6

Sigmund Freud theorized that dreaming is a safety valve for our unconscious desires. Perhaps he is correct, and, when our dogs sleep, they dream about catching the neighbor’s pesky cat, continuous belly rubs in conjunction with unlimited dog treats, and stealing the Thanksgiving Day turkey from the dining room table. Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine • Author of “Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life” and “Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet Recipient.” • Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year • Best Blog Award from the Dog Writers Association of America • the AKC Club Publication Excellence Award, and more. • www.speakingforspot.com • Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/speakingforspot

3 Dodgers Digest October 2016

DL gets ‘round

Dodgerslist gets around!

Please help us to educate! Order our free literature and give it to as many vets and pet owners as possible.

It is such a good feeling to know YOU may be the one that who helped save the life of an IVDD dog. Order free literature

Anne of Dachshund Rescue and Pet Services shared our brochures and displayed our new 24”x36” poster at the Westport Dog Festival at Winslow Park in Westport, CT. Be sure to order for your next event http://www.dodgerslist.co m/literature/litorder.htm

Who is Dodger? Our inspiration. Dodger, was euthanized possibly prematurely because his owner and vet were unaware of the latest treatments available both in traditional and alternative treatments for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Pat Holcomb's DRNA Fundraiser at Beach Club Bistro in Euclid OH August 21st.The Dodgerslist poster and the many brochures given out at the event made an impact about IVDD Awareness.

4 Dodgers Digest October 2016

Matters of heart

Matters of the Heart With permission of Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM

Just like us, our dogs and cats can develop heart disease. What may surprise you is that they don’t experience heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), the most common human heart health issue. This is likely because dogs and cats don’t live for multiple decades, the time needed for substantial amounts of plaque to accumulate within the coronary arteries. (They don’t smoke cigarettes either!) Causes of heart disease in our pets Dogs and cats can develop a variety of heart diseases. Some occur more commonly in particular sizes and breeds. Others, such as heartworm disease, affect dogs and cats of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. The most common cardiac problems in dogs and cats include: Congenital (birth) defects: This category includes faulty heart valves, wall defects between chambers of the heart, and blood vessels that are abnormally v configured. These abnormalities alter normal blood flow in and around the heart. Heartworm disease: In the infected dog or cat, long spaghetti-like worms set up housekeeping within the heart and arteries that supply the lungs. Left untreated, heartworms can cause both heart and lung disease. Valve disease: Valves control normal blood flow in and out of the four chambers of the heart. Age-related heart valve degeneration occurs commonly, particularly in small breed dogs. The resulting “valvular insufficiency” leads to heart failure in some, but not all cases. A relatively uncommon disease that can disrupt valve function is endocarditis, a bacterial infection that develops on one or more of the heart valves. Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle): The heart muscle can become too thin and flabby (dilated cardiomyopathy) or too thick and stiff (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Both conditions impair the normal pumping action of the heart. Arrhythmias (alteration of the normal rhythm of heart beats): An abnormal heartbeat here and there causes no problem, but multiple abnormal beats can produce significant symptoms. Warning signs of heart disease The heart is a muscular pump responsible for circulating oxygen rich blood throughout the body. When the pump fails, not only can abnormal fluid accumulations occur within the body, the animal develops symptoms caused by decreased oxygen supply. Early warning signs of heart disease can include: • Increased respiratory rate • Cough • Lethargy • Restlessness during sleep • Decreased stamina • Vomiting (occurs in cats)

More advanced heart disease may cause: • Weakness • Loss of appetite • Labored breathing • Distention of the abdomen with fluid • Blue/purple tinged tongue and gums • Collapse • Fainting • Sudden death • Sudden paralysis of the hind legs caused by a blood clot within the aorta (occurs in cats)

Diagnosis of heart disease Tests used to confirm the diagnosis of heart disease commonly include: A thorough physical examination that includes auscultation (listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope)

Love and Lessons from our Canine Companions -- Dodgerslist receives a donation for each “Magical Dogs” ordered. -- Dodgerslist is one of the many magical stories!! YOU: -- Signed book -- free shipping -- help Dodgerslist -- Use code: DODGER -- order: M a g i c a l D o g s

This issue ▶Bright Outcomes!1 ▶DL Gets ‘Round! 3 ▶Dogs Dream?!

4

▶Fit to Fat !

9

▶Halloween Prep 10 ▶The Heart!

5

▶Puppy towel!

8

▶Sago Palms!

7

▶Share the Love! 10 ▶Shorten dogs’ life!6

Blood tests including screening for heartworm disease An electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate the rhythm of the heartbeats Chest x-rays to evaluate the size of the heart and identify abnormal fluid in or around the lungs An echocardiogram (an ultrasound evaluation that provides a look inside the heart) to evaluate valve function, chamber size, and the strength of heart contractions Treatment of heart disease While many canine and feline heart diseases are not curable, they are often very treatable. Medications are the mainstay of treatment for most types of heart disease. They are used to mobilize excess fluid accumulating in the chest, lungs, and/or abdomen. Drugs are also used to decrease the workload on

5 Dodgers Digest October 2016

the heart, enhance the strength of heart contractions, and prevent blood clots. If a heart rhythm abnormality is detected, an antiarrhythmic drug may be prescribed. Some types of heart disease are best treated with surgery or a specialized procedure. They may involve installation of a pacemaker, repair of a defective heart valve, or correction of a birth defect. Prevention Prevention can reap wonderful benefits when it comes to heart disease. An example is the use of medication to prevent heartworm disease in dogs and cats. A thorough physical examination performed by a veterinarian once a year (twice yearly for senior dogs and cats) is another excellent preventive measure. These exams provide a golden opportunity for early disease detection. In many cases, the earlier heart disease is detected, the better the long-term outcome. Questions for your veterinarian If your four-legged best friend has heart disease, here are some key questions to ask your veterinarian. •What type of heart disease does my pet have? •How is it best treated? •How will I know if treatment is working?

•What symptoms should I be watching for? •When should my pet be rechecked? •Can you refer me to a specialist?

Whenever a serious disease is suspected or diagnosed, a second opinion is a good idea. Additionally, an echocardiogram and other advanced cardiac procedures require specialized equipment and skills. They are best performed by a veterinarian with extra training in cardiology, internal medicine, or radiology. Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine •  Author of “Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life” and “Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet Recipient.”  •  Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year • Best Blog Award from the Dog Writers Association of America  •  the AKC Club Publication Excellence Award, and more. •  www.speakingforspot.com  • Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/speakingforspot

The ‘Unlucky 7’ life Actions Shorten That Can Shorten a Dog’s Life  by Dr. Karen Becker

Most dedicated dog parents do many things right, and a few things wrong, in the care of their much-loved canine companions. These are very lucky dogs, because their guardians are doing almost everything right. However, there are a handful of things I’d really like to see dog owners pay more attention to. I call these the ‘Unlucky 7’ because overlooking these aspects of pet care can compromise both the quality and length of a dog’s life. How many of these are you guilty of? 1. Letting Rover Get Overweight (or Even Obese) Studies show that dogs who are overweight at middle age may not be around as long as those at a healthy weight.1 Being too heavy can shave up to 10 months off a dog’s life, and this is particularly apparent in five breeds: the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle and the Shih Tzu. Also at issue is the quality of life of overweight and obese pets, many of which suffer from mobility problems and other obesity-related conditions in their golden years. Because so many pets are overweight these days, it’s common for veterinarians to see animals suffering from health conditions secondary to their obesity, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory problems, and kidney disease. Obesity may even contribute to cancer in pets because of its role in chronic, long standing inflammation. Tragically, dogs that are nearly immobile from a combination of weight and joint or bone problems are becoming commonplace. Otherwise alert, healthy dogs are being euthanized because they simply can’t get around anymore, which destroys their quality of life. If your canine companion is too heavy, I can’t stress enough the importance of helping your dog reach a healthy weight. 2. Dodging Doggy Dental CareWhen plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog’s teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums. Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis have red rather than pink gums, and they often also have stinky breath.

At no cost to you help Dodgerslist by just doing your normal online shopping. Sign up for iGive. Works at Amazon, Staples, Home Depot, 1000 more stores.

6 Dodgers Digest October 2016

If the tartar isn’t removed, it builds up under the gums, eventually causing them to pull away from the teeth. This creates small pockets in the gum tissue that trap additional bacteria in the mouth. At this stage, your dog has developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease, which not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss. When your dog develops periodontal disease, the surface of his gums is weakened, which can allow mouth bacteria to invade the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. If his immune system doesn’t kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it. Studies have shown that oral bacteria, once launched into the bloodstream, seem able to fight off attacks by the immune system. A Purdue University study points to a strong correlation in canines between gum degeneration and endocarditis, which is an inflammatory condition (infection) of the valves or inner lining of the heart.2 Researchers also suspect certain strains of oral bacteria may lead to heart problems. Some types of bacteria found in the mouths of dogs produce sticky proteins that can adhere to artery walls, causing them to thicken. Mouth bacteria are also known to promote the formation of blood clots that can damage the heart. For the health and longevity of your dog, it’s important to proactively manage the plaque and tartar that accumulates on his teeth. 3.Skipping Wellness CheckupsI recommend regular at-home wellness exams. In addition, for healthy dogs I suggest preferably two (especially important if your pet is over 8), but at least one wellness checkup with your veterinarian per year. And keep in mind that yearly vet visits should not be about re-vaccinations. The purpose should be to proactively review the status of your dog’s health. These exams will allow you and your veterinarian to stay on top of any changes in your pet’s health so you can take appropriate action sooner rather than later. Also, regularly reviewing diet, supplement protocol, and exercise habits with your vet insures you’re meeting your dog’s dynamic healthcare needs. Wellness and nutritional goals change yearly, and over the age of 8 can require fine-tuning every four to six months, depending on your pet’s vitality. I can’t stress enough the importance of proactive health care to help your dog live a long, vibrant life. 4. Ignoring the Athlete Inside Your Dog In order to stay lean, fit, well-conditioned, emotionally balanced, and fully mobile as she ages, your dog needs a good workout every day. Canines are designed by nature for movement. If your dog doesn’t get opportunities to run, play and get regular aerobic exercise, even if she’s not overweight, she can end up with arthritis and other debilitating conditions that affect the bones, joints, muscles and internal organs. In addition, many canine behavior problems are the result a lack of physical and mental activity. What many people don’t realize is that like their owners, dogs need reasons to get physically active. Even the biggest, greenest backyard isn’t by itself enough to motivate your pet to get the exercise she requires to stay in good physical condition. The only way to make sure your dog gets enough exercise is to provide her with the companionship and incentive she needs to stay active. Your dog should be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of sustained heart-thumping exercise three times a week. Simply strolling with your dog isn’t an adequate workout. He needs sessions of power walking — moving at a pace of 4 to 4.5 miles an hour (about a 15-minute mile) — to achieve good cardiovascular intensity and caloric burn. I believe exercising your dog an hour a day can significantly contribute to her longevity and overall well-being in a variety of ways.

Sago Palm

Sago Palms easy to grow but very deadly. Pets are at particular risk, since they seem to find the plant very tasty,.. Within 12 hours: vomiting bloody diarrhea, nose bleeds, seizures, liver failure. and death ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center estimates a fatality rate of 50 to 75% with ingestion. A pet poison control center or your vet should be contacted immediately.

This issue ▶Bright Outcomes!1 ▶DL Gets ‘Round! 3 ▶Dogs Dream?!

4

▶Fit to Fat !

9

▶Halloween Prep 10 ▶The Heart!

5

▶Puppy towel!

8

▶Sago Palms!

7

▶Share the Love! 10 ▶Shorten dogs’ life!6

7 Dodgers Digest October 2016

If you aren’t able to move at this pace, consider involving your dog in other types of cardiovascular exercise like swimming, fetch, Frisbee, agility competition, flyball or dock jumping. You could also take a bike ride alongside your dog using a special dog bike leash. 5. Smoking Around Your Dog If you smoke cigarettes, you’re aware of the risks, not only to your health, but also to others around you who are exposed to your smoking. But what many people don’t understand is the danger smoking poses for pets. Secondhand smoke is smoke that is exhaled or released into the air from a burning cigarette or cigar. Thirdhand smoke is the residue that remains in the smoker’s environment on furniture, rugs, curtains, fabric lampshades, clothing, human skin, animal fur, and other surfaces. Puppy Towel Research shows that both second and thirdhand smoke is dangerous to animals. Studies have concluded that dogs living in smoking households are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, and also lung cancer, than dogs living with nonsmokers. If you or another member of your household smokes, I strongly encourage you not to smoke inside your home or anywhere your pet spends time, and don’t allow others to poison your dog’s environment, either. It’s also important to note that it’s not just about contaminants in the air. Smoke particles cling to everything inside a home, so the rug your dog lies on, or the blanket your kitty naps on are coated with cigarette residue if people smoke indoors. Don’t leave cigarette butts for your dog to find. Dispose of nicotine gum or patches appropriately. And don’t assume e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoke around your pet, as the FDA has found they also contain a number of potentially toxic chemicals. After smoking, wash your hands before handling your pet. If your dog likes to snuggle in your lap, change to clothes you haven’t smoked in. Also consider investing in a quality air filter Fold this cute puppy unit and keep up with filter changes as recommended by the manufacturer. 6. Not Training Your Dog to Be a Good Canine Citizen Sadly, animal shelters are with a sq uared towe l or fr om a full of dogs who didn’t get a proper start in life, and developed behavior problems as a result. was hcloth. Perfect An unpredictable or out-of-control family dog can be difficult to be around, and poses a in a gif t basket danger to himself, as well as other animals and people. or as bathroom One of the most important things a guardian can do is provide basic positive reinforcement behavior training for their canine companion. The goal of positive reinforcement de coration. .. WA TCH: https://youtu.be/Y42YQFb1pWk training is to encourage “more of this” (desirable behaviors) and “less of that” (undesirable behaviors). In order to reach that goal, you must teach your dog what TO do rather than focusing on what she’s doing wrong. Use training sessions to let your pet know which behaviors earn her praise, attention and affection. If your pet has frustrating behaviors you can’t seem to resolve, I recommend partnering with a positive reinforcement trainer until you’ve worked through your dog’s issues. Taking decisive action will benefit the health of your long-term relationship with your canine companion. 7. Failing to Understand the Importance of Socialization Socialization means exposing your dog (preferably as a puppy) to as many new people, animals, environments and other stimuli as possible without overwhelming him. Socialization should engage all of your dog’s senses though exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of daily life. This exposure will help him develop a comfort level with new and different situations, with the result that he’ll learn to handle new experiences and challenges with acceptable, appropriate behavior. Dogs that have not been adequately socialized often develop entrenched fear responses and generalized anxiety, resulting in behavior problems that can make them unsuitable as family pets. Sadly, almost half of all dogs relinquished to shelters have at least one behavior problem — aggression and destructiveness are among the most common. These behaviors often originate from the fear and anxiety that develops as a result of improper or incomplete socialization. This pet-friendly article was brought to you by Dr. Karen Becker, Mercola Healthy Pets resident proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. For more pet care tips and to stay up to date with her latest recommendations, visit:  http://healthypets.mercola.com/?x_cid=petscitation where you can also get your FREE Homemade Treats for Healthy Pets E-book today!

8 Dodgers Digest October 2016

Fit to fat Getting Fido from FAT to

fit

Shape Up, Pup Program by Kim Knap, BS, CVT, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, Rehabilitation Specialist, University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital

In the United States, more than two-thirds of adults are considered to be overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Unfortunately, our pets are not far behind: last year the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention released data showing that 58 percent of cats and 54 percent of dogs are overweight or obese. As in people, extra weight in pets contributes to numerous health problems. Ignoring a pet’s round shape is not a responsible option. The Shape Up, Pup! program has about a 75 percent success rate, with failures usually resulting from diet and exercise plans not being adhered to.

Many dogs that are overweight also have arthritis, heart disease, skin disease, or other weight-related problems. While most of our animal patients are recovering from a surgery or injury, the University also runs the Shape Up, Pup! exercise and weight loss program for dogs. Whether the patient’s goal is recovery, weight loss, or conditioning, there is a personalized treatment plan for each patient.

We normally see four to eight patients a week for weight loss-related rehab sessions. Some are referred by their veterinarian, while others are brought in by owners who realize they need help keeping their pet’s weight in check. A large part of what I do is counsel owners and adjust for success. By the time owners come to me, they have usually tried other things without success. Diets often have a high failure rate, both for people and for pets, due to lack of compliance. With our program the accountability of the client to us and our support often makes a difference in the overall success. We assess each patient and develop a treatment plan that takes into consideration breed, size, lifestyle, and health conditions. Exercise sessions at the clinic can include anything from land and underwater treadmills to playing fetch or just going for walks, depending on the needs and the level of fitness of the patient. A number of the exercises used for weight loss patients are the same as those used for animals undergoing rehabilitation. In addition to exercise sessions in the clinic, each client is given a set of exercises to do at home with their pet, tailored to the dog’s situation. These exercises may range from playing fetch and taking walks to having the dog swim or use a home treadmill. Sometimes specialty foods are used to help limit calorie intake for overweight patients. However, the main focus of the Shape Up, Pup! program is on portion control and exercise. I spend a great deal of time finding out what the patient eats at home and the amount of exercise it usually gets. She then calculates how many calories the pet needs per day and adjusts the diet accordingly. With slight adjustments and frequent rechecks, we can make sure that each pet is losing weight at a safe and steady rate. Again, a very large part of what we do is counseling owners and supporting the lifestyle changes that need to be made for the health and happiness of their pets.

Cal

Can’t I just go as a puppy for Halloween?

This issue ▶Bright Outcomes!1 ▶DL Gets ‘Round! 3 ▶Dogs Dream?!

4

▶Fit to Fat !

9

▶Halloween Prep 10 ▶The Heart!

5

▶Puppy towel!

8

▶Sago Palms!

7

▶Share the Love! 10 ▶Shorten dogs’ life!6

Olive gets a workout on a land treadmill as part of her therapy.

For more information about pet weight loss and the Shape Up, Pup! program, visit the Veterinary Teaching Hospital website. Before starting your pet on a weight loss routine, consult your veterinarian for advice and limitations specific to your pet.

College of Veterinary Medicine | 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802 | vetmed.illinois.edu

9 Dodgers Digest October 2016

Q: What type of dog does every vampire have? A: Bloodhound! Halloween

Prepare tips If your dog should escape and become lost, being prepared could make a big difference! If an embedded microchip, verify the information is up-to-date. Avoid frantically searching for a current photo and how to word your flyer… create a lost flyer now to keep for Halloween. On-line flyer

generator or template here: http://lostdogsmn.com/createflyers

Halloween Pin is available at the Dodgerslist Store:

Tell everyone you know about us. Together we can make a difference! Quarterly e-Digest subscriptions are $8 Place orders here: dodgerslist.com/newsletter.htm Payments can be made via: • PayPal at: [email protected] • on-line with credit card • or send check to: Linda Stowe P.O. Box 5412 Frisco TX 75035 © 2016 Linda Stowe

http://www.cafepress.com/dodgers_list.1615375644 s

Share the love! Share the love

Julie's sweet boy, Happy became paralyzed April 2016...completely unable to stand, walk or even urinate...we thought it was the end...until Dodgerslist! These women are angels that have the best information! After 8 weeks of exhausting care and strict crate rest we are at 10 weeks! Happy is walking, even running and slowly regaining his strength! We love this little, strong guy!! Maria’s Baxter just turned 12. He had surgery on four discs Feb 2016. We had a nightmare recuperation as he needed crate rest and wasn't crate trained (crate training is not common in Australia). Fast forward 4 months post op, he is walking...but has been left with a slight limp. Still he's a very happy boy.

Yvonne's Charlotte enjoying a walk in the park!

10 Dodgers Digest October 2016