Howlereen at The Doggie Den

Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at preparation for trick or treating at The Doggie Den.  Some pups are hams, some get embarassed, and others head for the hills!  It was a fun day.  HAPPY HOWLEREEN EVERYBODY!

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Canine Influenza Can Cause Lung Damage: Vaccination Helps

Reprinted with edits from The Pet Care Services Association newsletter "Boarderline,"  Oct. 2010

A new study in Veterinary Biology is the first to confirm that canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N8 easily spreads from infected dogs to other dogs.   It also showed that CIV can cause more serious forms of respiratory disease in dogs, such as pneumonia, that often go undetected in clinical practice.

Cyndy Crawford, DVM, Ph.D., University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine, and a leading expert on CIV, said, "This study is important for several reasons.  First, it provides clear evidence that CIV H3N8 is highly transmissible between dogs, confirming field observations recorded during naturally occurring canine influenza outbreaks in confined populations of dogs.  Second, the finding of subclinical pneumonia in nearly all infected dogs in the study underscores the virulence of this virus in both the upper and lower respiratory tract, predisposing many dogs to serious overt pneumonia requiring hospitalization."

In addition, researchers confirmed that the excretion of the virus (shedding) precedes the manifestation of clinical signs.  This is significant, according to the study, because it demonstrates that apparently healthy dogs can infect dogs they encounter at kennels, clinics, shelters, training settings, shows and other locations where they congregate.  Researchers also found evidence of "rolling" infection, which makes if difficult for infected kennels and shelters to eliminate the infection unless they close down, and keep new, uninfected dogs from entering, according to the researchers.  These locations can also become sources of disease with the potential to spread to other facilities.

(...) one of the authors of the study said, "We know that canine influenza, a new disease for many veterinarians, is often under- or misdiagnosed because clinical signs are often similar to other respiratory diseases.  Our research further suggests that infected dogs may have serious lung damage that goes undetected because it does not manifest as pneumonia."   Study authors concluded that many more dogs with CIV are likely to have lung damage not being detected clinically in veterinary practice, particularly compared to canine cough, which rarely leads to serious respiratory disease.
Dr. Crawford also noted, "Since clinical trials have demonstrated that canine flu H3N8 vaccine significantly reduces virus shedding, and the presence of subclinical pneumonia, the findings of this new study suggest that vaccination may greatly reduce the potential for rolling infections and pneumonia, thereby protecting facilities from full-blown outbreaks and individuals from hospitalizion

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Cleo the Timid of October

Cleo is our October Dog of the Month.  She's a very special, beautiful Great Dane.  Also the very definition of a gentle giant.  She loves to lean against you and be loved, but only once she gets to know you.  And  that usually takes weeks!  Definitely a conflict avoider too with her puppy pals. 

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Cuba turns 10

Cuba is the sweetest girl in the world.  Her 10th birthday is Oct 21st, but we goofed and celebrated today, Oct 4th.  She saw the Frosty Paws treat and was too smart to correct our mistake!  Anyway, Happy Birthday for all of October, Cuba!

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Doggie Den Yorkie Turns 5 Years Old

Belle is one of a family of two yorkshire terriers.  Her brother is Milo.  She recently turned 5 and Milo and her Doggie Den playpals were there to wish her many happy returns.  She was a gracious hostess, allowing everyone a taste of her treat.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Loyal blog follower

Hi,
My name is Duke and I follow this blog, NOT because I'm loyal.  Because I gotta know what's goin' on!  My playpals get treats, ice cream, movies and facetime; and if'n I dint watch out I'd never know.  Susan knows I'm on the lookout now, though.  Where's mine, Susan??

BTW, you can see I'm a very tough guy.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Doggie Dry Nose - Sign of Illness?

My dog's nose is dry. Is he sick?

Guest Post By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,



Learning to observe what is normal and and what is not in patients that can't

talk is the first step to observant pet care. A "dry nose" is often seen as a

sign of illness in dogs and cats, but is it? The purpose of this FAQ is to serve

as a basic guideline to know when to consult your vet to see if an examination

is in order.

Answer: The "warm nose myth" has many pet owners feeling that their pet has a

fever (or otherwise sick) if the nose is warm and dry. A dog's (or cat's) nose

may be very wet and cool one moment then be warmer and not-so-moist the next.

All in the course of a day. All perfectly normal.

Changes in texture (crusty, flaky) and color (loss of pigmentation) of a pet's

nose should be looked at by your veterinarian. A prolonged dry, cracked nose,

particularly with loss of pigmentation, scabs or open sores should be examined

by your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

An ill animal will often have a warm, dry nose in addition to other symptoms,

such as: lethargy, decreased or absent appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

In the absence of other physical signs, there are a host of dermatological

(skin) problems that can be seen in this area, such as Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Other nose conditions to be aware of



Contact sensitivity

Allergies and sensitivities to plastics and dyes may also manifest as changes

on the nose and muzzle area on pets fed from plastic dishes. I recommend using

stainless steel bowls to eliminate this potential problem. Glass or ceramic

bowls are also acceptable, provided that they are study and on a solid surface

to prevent breakage.

Nasal discharge

Anytime your pet shows signs of a "runny nose" -- one that has discharge

coming from the nostrils -- should be examined by your veterinarian. Coughing,

sneezing and difficulty breathing can be signs of anything from a respiratory

infection to a nasal foreign body to a tumor in the nasal passages. Animals

that show these signs (more than an occasional cough or sneeze) should be seen

by your veterinarian.

Black spots

Owners of orange or calico cats often note black spots on their cat's nose and

lips as the cat ages. This is called lentigo simplex, and is a normal change

seen commonly in orange tabby and calico cats.

Sunburn

Dogs, cats, horses, and other species are prone to sunburn (also known as

"solar dermatitis") and subsequent skin cancer on noses, ear tips, and around

eyes. Light coated, pink-nosed animals are at greatest risk. Check with your

veterinarian about providing sun protection for your pet if they are in this

category of risk.




The Doggie Den Homepage

Little Dog Lie-Down

After a busy morning of play and hourly forays to the outdoor pee pen, the little dogs take a nap in the afternoon.  In case anyone wonders if dogs are pack animals, you might notice how they're practically on top of each other, with just one tiny Furby girl enjoying a big couch!

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Party for Raven's 2nd birthday

Raven and her sister Java are goldendoodles who love life and can jump like gymnasts.   At Raven's second birthday party she woofed her Frosty Paws treat, but was nice about giving Java a few licks.  And of course, there were sundry interested by-standers!
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

What to do about excessive barking?

Many frustrated dog owners find themselves trying to decode the reason for their dog’s excessive barking. It's a lot like decoding the crying of an infant. Breeds such as terriers can make themselves sick from excessive barking, which may even be a part of their nature. Other breeds just bark without apparent hard wiring for it. Often the dog senses danger; is joining in with unseen barking dogs that the human ear doesn't hear; is attempting to capture the owner’s attention; or the dog has a need and the owner is not addressing it.


Familiarizing any breed of dog with the noise environment he or she is likely to encounter routinely can be a long process; yet it’s required if a dog owner wants to get any sleep. Neighbors, neighbors' pets and other animals should become so familiar to your pup that he or she doesn't feel the need to bark when they make known noises. The best way to "desensitize" your dog to safe noises is to take her or him to the source of the noise and praise them when they calm down. Neighbors can help by greeting your dog quietly each time - they don't want her or him barking excessively either!  Another way to deal with barking at routine noise is to establish a release word which, when you say it and your dog stops barking, gains him or her a reward.

On the other hand, dogs usually feel threatened by strangers, which is a good thing, for they can alert their owners to potential intruders. These instances should cause you to praise your dog, then say the release word when you want him or her to stop. In additon, barking often signals an attempt to capture your attention in order to engage you in activity or just get some affection. It should be noted that many breeds require more attention than owners are able or willing to provide. For this reason it is suggested you research your breed of choice before purchasing. Owners with children may find this less of a problem if the children regularly engage with the animal.

Some breeds require extensive exercise and activity. An owner may be unaware of the dog’s need to run outside of a confined area, resulting in the dog barking excessively. This is easy to recognize; your dog will run back and forth barking; or try to escape. Owners are advised to provide at lease one hour of exercise daily to ensure that their dog is receiving the exercise he or she requires. Exercise provides a dog with a greatly needed outlet for huge amounts of energy which otherwise would get used through barking.

A last ditch method of controlling barking may be to keep the dog indoors except during exercise and potty times. There is also the option of using an anti-bark collar. However, with these strategies, you run the risk of the dog associating being indoors with barking. Or, in the case of the collar, confusing the dog when he/she wants to bark to alert you to a potential intruder, or to tell you he needs to go out. The best way to solve this problem may be training classes or consultation with an expert of the particular breed.

Content provided by Gary Hamilton of ohmydogsupplies.com, the top ranked store to find unique dog collars online.   Redaction and editing by Susan LaDue.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Furby and Sam Celebrate YUM!

Furby times 1 plus Sammy times 4 equals tons of birthday fun.  Furby's the little black and white girl tucked under Laurie's right hand and Sammy's the guy woofing down his treat on Laurie's left.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Twin Bagels

Lady and Quinn are our beagle sisters; they're sweet as can be and share everything with one another.  We call them our twin bagels.   Lady was woofing her way through her birthday Frosty Paws when Quinn stood up to partake. 

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Emmy turns three

Emmy's a good sport about wearing a party hat, but sharing her Frosty Paws with her playpals is not her idea of a birthday!  Happy 3rd, anyway, sweet Emmy!

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Ebby's 7th Birthday

Ebby has turned 7 and she's quite a lady about birthday treats.  She doesn't do competition.  If one hands her a tidbit, and only to her, she will eat daintily.  If others barge in, well, that's just beneath a girl of her class.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

4 Tips for Finding a New Dog

VISIT AN ANIMAL SHELTER FIRST

Even if you're looking for a purebred.  At any given time, a significant percentage of the dogs in a shelter are purebred and awaiting adoption alongside their mutt counterparts.  Besides, looking at the mixes that are available for adoption can either confirm your decision to look for a purebred, or change it.

FIND A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER AND VISIT THEIR PREMISES

Ask your vet or contact local breed clubs to find the most reputable in your area.  Be sure to visit the facility to see where your dog was born, whelped and exercised.  If possible meet your prospective dog's parents.

 DON'T BUY YOUR DOG ONLINE OR FROM A PET STORE!!

It's most likely going to be from a puppy mill.  Dogs born in puppy mills tend to have more health problems due to the poor conditions into which they are born, and in which their mother lives.

TALK TO A BREED RESCUE GROUP

Even if the nearest group for the breed of dog you seek is cross country.  Oftentimes, they'll help arrange transportation in order to get the animal to you.

Reprinted from Angie's List Magazine, August 2010, p. 64.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Laurie and the Pups

It ROCKS in the medium dog play area at The Doggie Den.  No slackers, everybody's up and about.  Dinero and Clancy are both determined to win the tug of war and Chester, he's into "fetch".   Eva and Charlie just want to be part of whatever's happnin'.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Things to think about before getting that puppy

Basic Dog Care     


There are lots of responsibilities in acquiring a dog,and you should probably consider them before making your decision. Taking care of them is not easy. You need to be very careful and responsible in taking care of them so you will not unwittingly harm them, or find yourself a victim of their destructiveness or their
expensive health problems.  Being a dog owner is daunting, though lots of fun.

You need to do some research to learn the basic needs of your prospective dog. For example you need to know you can keep up with his or her grooming needs. You don’t have to worry, because these basic grooming needs are not hard to meet; you only need to make sure that you won’t neglect anything since the basic ones are the most important.  Here are some  things to keep in mind:

1.  Do not leave your dog alone for long periods of time.   This should be the most important factor in your decision whether or not to get a dog.  Particularly as puppies, but all through their lives, dogs are bored, anxious and/or depressed when they're alone.  They are pack animals and pets see their people as their pack.  If your life style obliges you to be away from home for 10-12 hours a day, don't get a dog!  It's not fair to him or her;and you're likely to find yourself stuck with behavioral problems like chewing on furniture, soiling the house, chewing on themselves, excessive barking and on and on.

2. Clipping your dog’s nails – it is very important to get your dog’s nails clipped every couple of months.  If you do it yourself, make sure that you know how.  Cutting into your dog's vein is painful and will cause him or her to bleed profusely and to avoid you in the future if you have a clipper in your hand.

 You can get a good clipper from a grooming shop but if you are hesitant, you can also bring your dog to a dog salon or to a veterinarian but of course, you will be spending a few dollars on it. A well manicured dog can walk easily, without hindrances.  A dog with long nails has to constantly compensate for the awkward angle his toes are forced to assume.

3. A good bath every 6-8 weeks – it is important to bathe your dog to make his fur shiny and clean. It will also Keep him/her free from diseases and pests.  You shouldn’t forget to wash your dog’s face, eyes, and ears since these areas are the most important ones to keep them healthy and free from pests.

4. Keep a balanced diet – there are dogs that eat anything they see, which will eventually make them sick. You need to watch what your dog eats; make sure that he or she gets an adequate type and amount of food. If you only rely on processed foods, you need to very particular about the brand, since these foods usually contain unhealthy preservatives. READ THE LABEL and remember that most of the food is made up of the first two or three ingredients listed.  You should look for dog foods that contain vitamins, minerals, pro-biotics and antioxidants. These are good because they boost the canine immune system, helping to keep dogs healthy throughout their lives.   Most of all do not overfeed your dog!!! 

5. Exercise your dog - this is the one people slack off on over the months and years.  Yet it may be the most important thing you can do to keep your pet physically and psychologically well.   Dogs with behavior problems often get better with increased exercise, because the lack of it makes many breeds nervous, bored, anxious and generally prone to bad behavior.  Long, brisk walks on-leash are excellent, as are unleashed workouts in a fenced-in area where you can play fetch or just encourage your dog to run around for half an hour or so.   If your budget allow, put your pup in doggie daycare a couple of days a week.

Information provided by Kelly Dawson - for more dog information by Kelly, take a look at airline approved dog carriers & labrador retriever from animal-world.com.


Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

You won't believe this morning pee!

It's been a long night and a guy needs to take his time with his first pee.  Plus it can be boring if you don't get creative!

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Cody's 7th Birthday

Cody turned 7 on July 10th.  He's our all around good guy who likes everybody.... provided they don't come on too strong.  Definitely more a lover than a fighter.  In the end he even left some Frosty Paws treat for his pals.


Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

It Takes All Kinds

Some dogs hang out by the pool; some dogs wade in the pool; some dogs dig in the pool; aaaand, some dogs, well, you'll see.


Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage