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What You Need to Know: Zyrtec for Dogs

By
Dr. Debra M. Eldredge, DVM
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Zyrtec for dogs can help with allergies and sensitivity to bug bites that cause itchiness.
It’s always wise to find out why your dog is itchy before reaching for a medication like Zyrtec. Credit: Nick Beer | Getty Images

If your dog reacts to a bug bite or has allergies and itches, your veterinarian may recommend Zyrtec to help make him comfortable. Zyrtec (generic name is cetirizine) is a human antihistamine drug and is used “off label” for dogs, as it is not FDA-approved for dogs.

Note: It is extremely important NOT to use Zyrtec-D, as it contains pseudoephedrine! This ingredient is toxic to dogs. And, as with any over-the-counter (OTC) human medication, always check for xylitol (also known as birch sugar and similar names), too, as it can kill your dog.

Zyrtec Is Safe for Dogs

Zyrtec is safe for dogs, when used appropriately. Zyrtec, or cetirizine, is an oral medication available as a tablet or a liquid. While it is not required to give it with food, some dogs handle it better along with some food so there is no gastrointestinal upset. Owners generally report relief in their dog’s symptoms in about two hours.

Do not use Zyrtec in dogs with:

  • Seizures
  • Glaucoma
  • Senior dogs
  • Pregnant/nursing dogs

Important Zyrtec Drug Interactions

Avoid Zyrtec in dogs with kidney or liver disease due to interference with drug metabolism.

Cetirizine also interacts with a wide range of medications such as digoxin (for heart patients) and diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), which are drugs that act on the central nervous system.

Check With Your Veterinarian

With any OTC human medication, it is wise to check in with your veterinarian to be sure the drug is safe for your dog. Be sure to let your veterinarian know any medications, supplements, vitamins, etc., your dog is already taking.

The recommended dose for cetirizine (Zyrtec) is .5 mg per lb (milligrans per pound), given once a day. The standard size for human tablets is a 10 mg pill. You will need to cut a pill cutter to make sure you have the correct dose for many sizes of dogs:

Dog WeightDosageFrequency
5-10 lb dog2.5 mg (1/4 pill)Once a day
11-25 lb dog 5 mg (1/2 pill) Once a day
26-50 lb dog10 mg (1 whole pill) Once a day
51 to 75 lb dog15 mg (1 ½ pills) Once a day
75 lbs or more20 mg (2 pills)Once a day

Side Effects of Zyrtec in Dogs

Side effects to cetirizine (Zyrtec) are not common but could show up as gastrointestinal upset or drowsiness. Report anything unusual immediately to your veterinarian.

Zyrtec is medication used for mild symptoms such as a mild reaction to insect bites or a low-level allergy with itching. If your dog shows intense symptoms such as anaphylaxis (life-threatening shock) to a bee sting, for example, go to your veterinarian immediately.

If your dog is not showing relief to his allergy symptoms after a day or so of treatment with Zyrtec, then he needs something stronger.

Symptom Relief Only

Remember that Zyrtec relieves symptoms. It does nothing to cure the allergy itself. For that, you may need to manage the environment or consider things like desensitization.

Toxic overdosing is unusual but could occur if your dog chewed open a bottle and ingested numerous pills. Urine retention, gastrointestinal upsets, changes in heart rate and rhythm, along with exhaustion and possibly being disoriented could occur in your dog. You should contact your veterinarian and one of the animal poison control centers immediately: ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435; Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661.

Dry Dog Food for Picky Eaters

By
Dr. Mary Cope, PhD
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Some dogs are picky eater. Finding dry dog food for picky eaters might mean trying multiple foods and strategies.
A picky dog who won’t eat dry kibble can be frustrating, but it’s not a situation you can ignore. The ideas in this article can help you find just the right food for your dog. Credit: Yana Tikhonova | Getty Images

If your dog is a picky eater, it can be tough to know how to make a meal more appealing. Dogs will refuse to eat kibble, walk away from new flavors, or pick at the food and never finish a meal. It’s frustrating! Fortunately, there are high-quality dog foods specifically designed to entice even the pickiest of pups.

Best-Tasting Dry Dog Food

So, what makes dry dog food tasty? When it comes to tempting a picky eater, the key is to find a kibble that appeals to their sense of taste, smell, and texture. Dogs are carnivorous by nature, so they tend to find food with high-quality, animal-based protein most appealing. When reading labels, look for:

Real meat first. Look for dry food that lists real meat as the first ingredient. Dogs are more likely to eat kibble that contains familiar, meaty flavors compared to those with more plant-based protein sources.

Enticing ingredients. Dogs find foods with natural meat broths or hydrolyzed organ meats especially enticing. These ingredients can make kibble smell more appetizing and add an extra layer of richness to the flavor.

Various proteins. Try switching up the main protein used. Boredom can occur after a time on a specific diet, so try changing from chicken to beef or from lamb to rabbit to offer a new flavor profile for your pup.

Look for a different texture. The surface or feel of the kibble plays a big role in the sensory experience of eating for dogs and can impact their enjoyment of a food. Kibble that is too hard or dry may be off-putting, especially for small or senior dogs. Small dogs may have a difficult time breaking the kibble and seniors may experience jaw or tooth pain. Some brands offer kibble with a softer bite or an extra layer of coating, which can help to soften the kibble and make it more enjoyable to eat.

What to Add to Dry Food for Picky Eaters

If none of these tactics work, there are still things you can try to encourage your picky dog to eat. Adding a spoonful of wet food, meal topper, scrambled egg, or broth can help make mealtime more appealing. The smell and moisture of these products help persuade picky eaters to finish up their meal.

You can try warming up your dog’s kibble with some warm water or broth. Heat and moisture help volatize the scent particles, giving the meal a stronger smell.

Lastly, try to stick to a routine. Some dogs are more likely to eat if they are on a consistent schedule. Avoid leaving food out all day, and be sure to stick to regular mealtimes.

Winning Over the Canine Picky Eater

Feeding a picky eater is a challenge, but the right high-quality, palatable kibble can make all the difference. Choose a dry dog food that uses real animal protein, animal fat, palatability boosters, like natural flavors, and has a satisfying texture (check WDJ’s approved dry dog food database).

It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian if your dog’s pickiness continues to rule out a health problem causing a lack of appetite or if you have concerns about their nutrition. With the right food, you can help your dog enjoy meals again and ensure your dog gets the nutrition needed to stay happy, healthy, and energized.

An Open Letter to the People with the Cat

By
Nancy Kerns
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These three dogs are well practiced in leash recall which kept them calm and under control instead of chasing a strange cat.
My dogs missed the whole thing, but that’s a good thing—and it would have been different if we didn’t practice recalls so often. Photo by Nancy Kerns

Dear people who were out walking with their cat in the Oroville Wildlife area a week or so ago when you saw a lady and three off-leash dogs emerge from the woods,

I am so sorry that we startled you—and I am so glad that you immediately split up, leaving the woman behind to hold up a hand and shout to me. I couldn’t hear what she said, all I heard was the word “cat,” but I understood that I should leash the dogs, which I did immediately. Because of your quick action, my dogs never even saw your partner until after I had them on leash and we were again walking in your direction.

You see, even though I walk with my dogs off-leash in that area frequently, and it is 100% legal for them to be off-leash, and we hardly ever see anyone out there, I practice calling them back to me at least once on every walk. Sometimes I’ll spot a deer, because I’m taller and have a better view, and I’ll call them to me and give them treats for coming so that when they do hear the deer crashing away in the woods, they are right with me and don’t chase the deer. We practice so much, in fact, that I can usually call them back to me even if they have spotted a deer and are thinking about chasing it. So, because of your calm signal, I understood that I needed to call the dogs to me and was able to do that in a flash. And then you turned and started walking the way your partner had gone.

We were following a couple of hundred yards back, with the dogs on leash, before I saw you both approaching your car and understood why you had signaled to us and then quickly retreated: You were walking with a cat on a harness and a long leash! How wonderful! I am so impressed that you are that committed to your cat’s mental and physical health; very few people take the time to train and habituate a cat to a harness and leash, much less take them exploring in a woodsy area! I was so happy to see that!

It was also impressive that you knew what to do if you saw dogs, whether on-leash or off-leash. Your immediate actions of splitting up, leaving one person behind to communicate to the person with the dogs, and having the other person immediately retreat to a safer place with the cat—that was genius. You prioritized the safety of your cat, rather than “chanced it” that some unknown person would be willing and able to control their dogs. My dogs never even saw your cat, and only had a glimpse of you holding up your hand to me, because I called them back to me and they all came to me immediately, even the foster dog! And you were both so calm; no hysterical shouting or threats. You must have done this before.

When I heard the word “cat,” even though I hadn’t heard what else you said, I thought that perhaps you had seen a cat, and I immediately thought that perhaps you had found a cat that had been dumped out there. (I was once walking with a friend and our dogs in that same area and found a dog that had clearly been abandoned. It was startled when it first saw us, and it kept running toward us, excited, and then running scared to a sort of a nest-like area under a tree. I thought maybe it was a mom with puppies, but when we got close to the tree, we could see a bunch of fast-food wrappers; the dog had clearly been raiding one of the garbage cans by the river to live on. My friend and I managed to catch the dog and take her to the shelter. But that’s how I know that people sometimes do dump animals out there.) It made my heart so happy that the cat you had shouted about wasn’t a dumped or injured cat, but obviously a much-loved and amazingly well cared for cat who was receiving more enrichment than most cats receive.

When you got to the car you opened the back and the cat jumped in; you both got in and drove away before I got close, and that was the only sad part for me, because I would have loved to tell you how impressed I was with your cat ownership. And, gosh, I would love to know other pet owners like that, even if we have different species! After all, we were out there, apparently, for the same reason: to give our animal companions an opportunity to practice behaviors that are immensely enriching and satisfying for them, in a natural environment, without hurting any other animals.

I hope to see you out there again sometime!

With massive respect,

Nancy Kerns, and Woody, Boone, and foster dog Maeve

Can Dogs Burp?

By
Dr. Mary Cope, PhD
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Dogs can burp, and overeating, eating too fast, and digestive issues can cause belching.
Eating too fast, such as might occur if there’s competition to get to the food bowl, can cause burping in dogs. Credit: Robynne O’Halloran | Getty Images

Dogs, like humans, can experience a variety of bodily functions that may seem unusual, and one such phenomenon is burping. While we often associate burping with humans, dogs are also prone to releasing gas from their stomachs in the form of belches. These burps, while generally harmless, can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue or, possibly, anxiety. Additionally, some burps may have an unpleasant odor, which raises the questions: What causes dog burps, and what makes them smell?

Dogs may burp due to:

  • Air swallowed while eating or drinking
  • Air swallowed when they are excited or anxious
  • Eating or drinking too quickly
  • Being prone to bloat
  • Battling diseases like GERD
  • Digestive issues, like diarrhea, vomiting, or a lack of appetite

Why Does My Dog Burp so Much?

Burping in dogs is a natural response to air that is swallowed during eating and drinking. Just like people, dogs ingest air as they eat, drink, exercise, or even when they are excited or nervous. This air builds up in the stomach and needs to be released.

Dogs that eat or drink too quickly are more likely to swallow excess air. This is particularly common with fast eaters, as in dogs that gulp down their food. Slow feeders, puzzle bowls, or spreading your dog’s food out on a flat surface can help slow them down and reduce the amount of air they swallow.

Additionally, when dogs eat or drink large qualities of food or water in a short time, their stomach can become distended, leading to burping. This is especially common in large breeds or dog breeds prone to bloating. Be sure to monitor your dog’s food and water intake and avoid allowing them to consume too much at once.

If you notice issues, try offering smaller meals more frequently. Some foods can contribute to gas and bloating in the stomach as well, leading to more frequent burps. Diets high in fat, dairy, or fiber can ferment in the digestive tract and cause gas buildup.

Certain digestive issues or conditions may also cause your dog to burp more frequently. If burping is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite, it is best to consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment.

Smelly, Sulphur Dog Burps

While burping itself is a normal bodily function for dogs, smelly burps can sometimes indicate an underlying issue. The odor of your dog’s burps can vary depending on a variety of factors, including your dog’s diet and health status. Strong-smelling foods, like fish and certain types of proteins, can cause foul-smelling burps in dogs. Additionally, foods that are difficult to digest, like dairy and high-fat foods, can contribute to foul smelling gas.

An imbalance in your dog’s digestive system, known as dysbiosis, can be to blame for stinky burps. If your dog has an overgrowth of bad bacteria, it may result in the production of sulfur-containing gasses, which have a rotten egg odor. If you notice sulfur-smelling burps, probiotics can be used to help restore balance to your dog’s digestive tract. Work with your veterinarian to choose the right probiotic.

Dogs with GERD

Dogs with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, may have burps that smell like sour or rotten food. This happens when the stomach acid travels back into the esophagus, often causing discomfort and foul-smelling belches. If your dog has symptoms of GERD, such as burping, regurgitation, or vomiting, consult your veterinarians. They may recommend medications or dietary changes to alleviate the condition.

Burping is a normal and common occurrence for dogs, especially after mealtimes. It is usually a harmless way for dogs to expel air from their stomach. However, persistent or excessively smelly burps may indicate an issue that requires attention. If your dog’s burping is frequent, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, or other signs of discomfort, consult your veterinarian.

Identifying and Treating Staph Infections in Dogs

By
Dr. Jennifer Bailey
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Staph infections in dogs can lead to patchy skin, hair loss, and potentially more serious infections.
Staph infections in dogs require veterinary attention, especially since the condition can worsen without treatment. Credit: Nanthicha Khamphumee | Getty Images

Skin infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria are relatively common in dogs. The most common skin infection caused by Staphylococcus is canine superficial pyoderma, or superficial staph infection. Left untreated, this can progress to canine deep pyoderma, or deep staph infection. The prefix “pyo-” refers to pus and the word “derma” means skin.

 

Symptoms of a Staph Infection in Dogs

Symptoms of a superficial staph infection include patchy alopecia (hair loss) and the presence of papules or pustules and epidermal collarettes. A superficial staph infection begins as small, flat red circles on your dog’s skin called macules. As the condition progresses, the macules become raised bumps called papules. If a papule fills with pus, creating a small white dot in the middle of the raised red circle, it is called a pustule; in humans, we’d call this a pimple.

Staph infections can be pruritic (itchy) and you may notice your dog scratching or licking at these lesions. Scratching or licking at papules and pustules causes them to rupture and release clear fluid from papules and pus from pustules. When that clear fluid and pus dries, the papules and pustules become covered with a crust. If your dog continues licking and scratching at these crusty red circles, the circles get bigger and develop scales or flakes along the edge. These are called epidermal collarettes.

Symptoms of a deep staph infection include pain, swelling, crusts composed of blood and pus, and draining tracts of blood and pus from deep within the skin. Your dog will not want to have affected areas of his skin touched. He may have a decreased appetite, be lethargic, and have a fever.

Diagnosing Staph Infections in Dogs

Skin infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria are diagnosed by skin cytology, bacterial culture and sensitivity, and ruling out other causes of similar skin lesions in dogs.

Your veterinarian will want to start with two different types of skin cytology tests: an impression smear or skin swab cytology and a skin scrape cytology. An impression smear is obtained by pressing a clean microscope slide against the affected skin. Alternatively, a piece of tape or a sterile moistened swab can be pressed against affected skin in places that are hard to reach with a microscope slide. The contents of the tape or swab are transferred to the slide, stained, and examined under a microscope.

Skin scrape cytology is used to look for Demodex and Sarcoptes mites in the skin. A sterile surgical blade is used to scrape the first few layers of skin from a small area of a lesion. The layers of skin are transferred to a slide and examined under a microscope. Demodex mites live in the hair follicles and can cause demodicosis. Sarcoptes mites burrow into the top layers of skin and cause sarcoptic mange. Both mites create skin lesions that look similar to a staph infection.

Your veterinarian may also want to examine your dog’s skin under a Wood’s lamp. Some fungal species that cause dermatophytosis (ringworm) may fluoresce an apple green color under the light of a Wood’s lamp. A fungal culture and PCR test may also be recommended to help rule out dermatophytosis as a cause for your dog’s skin lesions.

If this is not the first time that your dog is being diagnosed with a superficial staph infection, your veterinarian may recommend a bacterial culture and sensitivity. This is a test to confirm that Staphylococcus is the bacteria causing your dog’s skin infection and determine the correct antibiotic selection.

There are several ways to collect an appropriate sample for a bacterial culture and sensitivity. Your veterinarian may prick a papule or pustule so that its contents can be collected on a culture swab. If all of the papules and pustules have already been ruptured and transformed into epidermal collarettes, your veterinarian may lift the crust from over a collarette and swab the lesion underneath.

If your dog has a deep staph infection that is not responding to the antibiotic prescribed, then your veterinarian may want to obtain a small skin biopsy sample for bacterial culture and sensitivity. This can be done with a light sedative and a numbing agent applied around the affected skin. A tool called a biopsy punch is used to quickly obtain a small sample through all the layers of skin. A biopsy punch is like a cookie cutter, but it is only a few millimeters wide. Your veterinarian will close the biopsy site with a single suture.

Bacterial culture and sensitivity tests typically take 3 to 5 days to complete at a commercial laboratory. Bacteria are cultured and grown from the samples provided and then identified. Then the bacteria are tested against several antibiotics to determine which drugs should be most effective at resolving the infection.

Treating Staph Infections in Dogs

Staph infections are typically treated with a combination of oral antibiotics and medicated shampoos, mousses, sprays, or ointments. There is increasing evidence that superficial staph infections may be treated effectively with just medicated topical therapy without an oral antibiotic. Deep staph infections require an oral antibiotic.

Dogs with superficial staph infections should continue treatment until 7 to10 days after the resolution of their symptoms. For most dogs, this means that the duration of treatment is at least 3 to 4 weeks.

Dogs with a deep staph infection should continue treatment until 2 to 3 weeks beyond the resolution of their symptoms. For most dogs, this means that the duration of treatment is at least 6 weeks.

Prognosis for Dogs with Staph Infections

Staph skin infections in dogs are caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Your dog’s skin naturally has yeast and bacteria growing on its surface. This population of yeast and bacteria is called the normal skin flora. It is part of the skin’s immune system and keeps yeast and bacteria from growing on the skin surface that can cause your dog harm.

A staph skin infection caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is always secondary to an underlying skin condition. Underlying skin conditions that can lead to a staph skin infection include demodicosis, sarcoptic mange, flea allergy dermatitis, dermatophytosis, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), hypothyroidism, and hyperadrenocorticism. Your veterinarian may recommend completing a diagnostic workup, including certain skin and blood tests, to determine the underlying cause of and prognosis for your dog’s staph skin infection.

Dogs with a deep staph infection are at increased risk for developing sepsis. This is especially true for dogs that are immunocompromised or that are taking immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids. Sepsis is a serious and life-threatening condition in which a dog’s body responds inappropriately to an infection. Thankfully, sepsis is a rare sequela to a deep staph infection.

Most dogs make a full recovery from a staph skin infection. Keys to a successful recovery include:

  • Identifying the underlying skin condition that allowed the staph skin infection to occur in the first place
  • Completing all treatments as prescribed by your veterinarian, even if your dog’s skin issue has resolved before treatments have been finished

The imprudent use of antibiotics has led to the development of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains that are resistant to one or more antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant strains of this bacteria are known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). This is not the same as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in people. Effective resolution of MSRP will require aggressive treatment with oral and topical antibiotics and frequent monitoring by your veterinarian.

Are Dog Staph Infections Contagious to Humans and Other Dogs?

All dogs have the bacteria Staphylococcus pseudintermedius as part of their normal skin flora. Therefore, a staph skin infection is not contagious to other dogs in the home. Pets that reside with a dog that has been diagnosed with MSRP are not likely to develop a staph skin infection unless they also have an underlying skin condition.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius prefers dogs and has a limited life span on human skin. Healthy people are unlikely to contract a staph skin infection from their dog. However, immunocompromised people may be at increased risk. Talk to your doctor if you are immunocompromised and your dog has been diagnosed with a staph skin infection.

Can Colloidal Silver Help My Dog?

By
CJ Puotinen
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Colloidal silver for dogs is a controversial, but possibly effective anti-microbial agent.
Before using colloidal silver on your dog, research available products carefully and consult your veterinarian. Credit: varchiklena | Getty Images

Silver has been used in medicine for at least 6,000 years. According to “History of the Medical Uses of Silver” by J. Alexander in the June 2009 issue of Surgical Infections, silver was the most important antimicrobial agent available before the introduction of antibiotics. During the 20th century, colloidal silver was widely used to treat corneal ulcers, eyelid inflammation, tear duct infections, bacterial infections resulting from childbirth, systemic staph infections, tonsillitis, and other conditions. Surgeons used silver sutures to prevent surgical site infections. Between 1900 and 1940, tens of thousands of patients consumed colloidal silver and several million doses were given intravenously. While those therapies were generally considered safe, high doses could cause permanent skin discoloration, gastrointestinal disturbances, convulsions, or even death.

Colloidal silver products, which may be labeled silver hydrosol, silver sol, or silver water, vary according to the size, form, and concentration of their silver particles. Nanoparticles typically range from 1 to 100 nanometers in size while picoparticles are substantially smaller. The smallest particle sizes are said to improve bioavailability, speed absorption, and improve cellular-level interactions.

Ionic silver, which is different from but often confused with colloidal silver, contains dissolved silver ions, which are transparent and look like water because they lack visible particulate matter. Ionic silver solutions may be more likely to cause adverse side effects such as argyria (an irreversible blue-gray skin discoloration) if consumed or applied in excess or over long periods.

One concern about colloidal silver is that if it successfully treats viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, those organisms may develop a tolerance that reduces silver’s effectiveness. According to I. Chopra in the April 2007 issue of Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, “Silver’s growing popularity has been largely due to the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the resultant reduction in first-line antibiotic prescribing.” He states that while there is little evidence that silver treatments for infections result in bacterial resistance, silver product testing suffers from a lack of standardization for determining minimally effective concentrations. Concern about the colloidal silver industry’s lack of standardization is echoed in other published studies.

Because of insufficient scientific evidence supporting its use, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in 1999, “All over-the-counter (OTC) drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded.” Since then, the FDA has sent warning letters to numerous silver product manufacturers for making unproven medical claims.

Silver’s Veterinary Uses

Despite the FDA’s warnings, pet health testimonials for topical and oral colloidal silver products make them sound like cure-alls, treating everything from canine cancers and skin infections to cuts, abrasions, burns, wounds, digestive problems, urinary tract infections, all types of inflammation, ear infections, eye infections, and allergies.

Colloidal silver products intended for topical pet use include creams, ointments, gels, sprays, and bandages impregnated with colloidal silver. For ear and eye infections, typical label instructions recommend spraying affected areas 2 to 4 times a day. Colloidal silver ear flush products can be applied to the ears and wiped with cotton daily or more frequently.

Oral products include drops, tablets, sprays, and capsules. Directions for pet use vary by product, but many recommend feeding 1 teaspoon liquid colloidal silver per 25 pounds of body weight twice or three times per day. Some warn that this protocol is recommended only for short-term rather than long-term use.

Silver products are usually stable at room temperature, remain effective indefinitely, and do not require refrigeration.

So little published research has been done on the pet applications of colloidal silver that it’s impossible to confirm the implications of anecdotal reports. Well-designed double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that settle arguments will probably never be conducted on colloidal silver. However, some research describes colloidal silver as a natural antibiotic.

In January 2023, the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association published “Efficacy of a Silver-Based Shampoo for Treatment of Canine Malassezia: A Pilot Study” by S. Jones and P. Bloom. Malassezia is a common cause of dermatitis in dogs and the condition has resisted antifungal treatments. In the experiment, 14 infected dogs were bathed every 48 hours for up to 28 days with a silver nanoparticle-based shampoo that was left in place for 5 to 10 minutes each time. Nine of the treated dogs tested negative for Malassezia by day 14, and by day 28, eleven dogs (78.6%) were cytologically negative. “These results,” concluded the researchers, “suggest that silver nanoparticle-based shampoo may be effective in the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis. Larger, controlled studies are needed to further investigate efficacy, optimal concentration, and ideal application frequency.”

Colloidal Silver for Dogs Is Controversial

Quality control and accurate labeling are essential in any analysis of the benefits and risks of colloidal silver. Unfortunately, many products are inaccurately labeled, making comparisons difficult. “Comparative Analysis of Commercial Colloidal Silver Products” by A. Kumar and D. Goia in the December 22, 2020, International Journal of Nanomedicine, tested 14 of the most popular silver products sold on Amazon.com. They concluded, “The results of this evaluation show clearly that 70% of the commercial products evaluated contain only ionic [not colloidal] silver. Despite the evidence showing that silver nanoparticles are not present, eight of these products are promoted by the manufacturers as ‘colloidal silver’. Considering the extensive scientific research showing major differences between silver ionic and silver nanoparticles in terms of mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety, it is clear that this misrepresentation impacts the consumers and must be addressed.”

In April 2004, the Journal of Wound Care reported results of in vitro tests of colloidal silver’s antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic or microorganisms. Three samples of colloidal silver were tested, one a commercial product sold online (silver concentration of 22 parts per million) and two samples (concentrations of 403 and 413 parts per million) that were prepared in the researchers’ laboratory using standard chemical methods. None of the tested colloidal silver solutions showed any antimicrobial effect in vitro on microorganisms. The study concluded, “Claims of silver’s antimicrobial potency are misleading and there is no place for it as an antiseptic.”

Nonetheless, some dogs have recovered quickly from infections, burns, and minor wounds after treatment with colloidal silver. “I have heard MANY anecdotal reports of successful topical use for various bacterial or yeast issues,” says Erika Spath, Vice President of Nutrition at EarthWise Pet, a holistic pet supply franchise, “though this use is not supported by research quite yet. In my opinion, clinical experience still holds value and suggests that colloidal silver may be a helpful tool in certain contexts, particularly for topical applications. I recommend that pet parents consult with their veterinarians before using colloidal silver, especially on open wounds or for internal use, to ensure its safe and appropriate use.”

Suggestions for Use of Colloidal Silver on Dogs

If you’d like to experiment with colloidal silver, study labels, product claims, and online reviews. Contact manufacturers for additional information. Talk with dog trainers, dog friends, and health experts for their experiences and recommendations. Learn what you can about products that might treat your dog’s condition and follow label directions. Consulting your veterinarian is especially important if your dog takes prescription medications because silver may interact with drugs and alter their activity. As Spath advises, “Prioritizing safety, carefully reviewing product labels, and making informed choices are key to ensuring the best outcomes for your pets.”

How to Treat a Dog Ear Hematoma at Home

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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Treating a dog ear hematoma at home is possible if it's a small hematoma on a healthy dog's ear.
Note the area of swelling (see arrow) on the flap of the dog’s ear. This is an aural hematoma. Credit: Carol Thacker | Getty Images

You can treat a small aural (ear) hematoma on your dog at home, if necessary, but you run a real risk of ending up with an unsightly cauliflower ear (more on that below).  In addition, that hematoma is painful for your dog. Frankly, treating your dog’s hematoma at home is not a good idea. The best way to treat a dog’s ear hematoma is to have it surgically repaired by your veterinarian.

What Is an Aural Hematoma?

An aural hematoma is a pocket of blood that occurs when the small capillaries inside the ear flap break. The hematoma lump will feel soft and squishy at first, becoming firm and receding over time as a clot forms and the ear heals.

An aural hematoma lump in a dog can happen for a variety of reasons. Often the dog has an itchy ear infection that causes him to scratch repeatedly at the ear, traumatizing the delicate blood vessels in the ear flap. Itchy ears due to allergies and bug bites can do the same thing.

Other potential causes include trauma from a bite wound, an object stuck inside the ear causing irritation, or a bleeding disorder.

Best Way to Treat an Aural Hematoma

The best way to treat a hematoma is to remove the blood, close the pocket of now empty space, and treat the underlying cause so that it doesn’t happen again. And you can accomplish these goals with the help of your veterinarian.

Every veterinarian has a favorite way to treat a ear hematoma, but you need to be up front about your budget limitations so your dog’s vet can choose the approach that will be the best fit for you and your dog.

The gold standard is to put the dog under anesthesia or sedation, drain the blood out of the ear using a needle or small incisions made with a scalpel, and then stitch the pocket in the ear closed with sutures through the whole ear. Closing the pocket this way makes it impossible for blood to fill the ear flap again while it is healing and encourages the development of scar tissue supporting a normal ear shape.

If your dog is calm and easy to work with, your vet may be able to drain the hematoma lump while he is awake using a large needle and a syringe. Suturing the pocket closed is not usually possible for an awake dog—that’s a lot of pokes to sit through! These dogs often need to have their hematomas drained several times over the course of a few weeks.

Some vets infuse a steroid into the ear flap after draining to address inflammation at the source.

While the ear heals, it must be protected. This is true for either a surgical repair or a basic drain. Some options to protect the ear and prevent additional trauma include wrapping the ear to the head, a No-Flap Ear Wrap, and/or an Elizabethan collar. It may take some trial and error to find the option that works best for your dog, and some dogs need multiple layers of protection.

Treating the Cause of the Hematoma Lump

To prevent a hematoma from coming back, you will need to treat the underlying cause. This is best done with the help of your vet.

Your veterinarian can swab the ear and check for an infection, then prescribe the appropriate ear meds (plus do a thorough cleaning!). If your dog has allergies, the vet can walk you through the process of managing those. Foreign bodies may be able to be flushed out or may require surgical removal. Bleeding disorders can be diagnosed with bloodwork and treated or managed appropriately.

Treating a Dog Ear Hematoma at Home

You can try to treat your dog’s aural hematoma at home, especially if it is a small hematoma and your dog’s ear is clean and healthy. This will take time, and his ear will crinkle as it heals and end up with a “cauliflower” appearance.

To encourage the blood to drain, alternate warm and cold compresses for 5 to 10 minutes each several times a day. The warm compress encourages blood flow to get fluid out of the ear flap, while the cold then slows blood flow and helps to decrease inflammation and discomfort. Be sure that warm compresses are not hot enough to burn the ear.

After each compress session, wrap the ear to your dog’s head or use a No-Flap Ear Wrap to apply pressure to the ear and protect it. An Elizabethan collar can be helpful as well.

You do also have the option of letting the hematoma heal completely on its own. This will take longer and increases the risk of a cauliflower ear. The folds from a cauliflower ear may block air flow to the ear canal and provide additional nooks and crannies for future ear infections to set up shop.

If your dog has an ear infection or if inflammation or a wound is present, he will need to see a veterinarian.

What to Feed a Dog for Urinary Health

By
Dr. Mary Cope, PhD
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2
Urinary dog food can help keep your dog's kidneys and bladder healthy.
Your dog’s food influences your dog’s urinary tract healthy by affecting the pH of their urine. Credit: Zheka Boss | Getty Images

As a dog owner, ensuring that your pet is healthy and comfortable is your top priority. One of the most crucial aspects of canine health is maintaining a healthy urinary tract, which may include choosing the best dog food to support urinary health in your dog.

Diet directly influences your dog’s urinary tract by affecting the pH of their urine, the concentration of minerals, and the overall volume of urine produced. A variety of commercial urinary care dog foods are designed to support urinary tract health. The best choice for your dog will depend upon his specific needs and any diagnosed urinary conditions.

The Best Urinary-Care Dog Food

Prescription urinary diets are best for dogs with diagnosed urinary issues and are formulated to address specific medical conditions. These diets can help dissolve existing struvite crystals and prevent their formation, prevent calcium oxalate stone formation, and support kidney function for dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As indicated by the name, you cannot purchase these foods without a veterinary prescription.

For dogs that do not have a specific medical condition but you believe are at risk of urinary tract problems, many over-the-counter foods are designed to support urinary tract health. These foods often feature high moisture content, balanced minerals, and low-to-moderate protein levels. A kidney-friendly diet can help manage urinary issues, typically have a moderate amount of high-quality protein, and are lower in phosphorus, calcium, and sodium to help reduce the workload on the kidneys. Always look for the AAFCO label on the food to ensure that it meets the required nutritional standards for optimal health.

If your dog is showing signs of a urinary tract problem, you need to take the dog to a veterinarian. Although some dogs will hide any signs, in general, symptoms of urinary infections or other urine problems in a dog include:

  • Increased urgency to urinate and/or frequency
  • Voiding small amounts of urine
  • Drinking excessive amounts of water
  • Blood in urine (hematuria)

Supporting Dog’s Urinary Health

The urinary tract is responsible for filtering waste products from your dog’s bloodstream and excreting them from the body as urine. It is essential for maintaining overall bodily function and, when something goes wrong with the urinary system, it can lead to a variety of issues. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, kidney disease, and other urinary issues can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for dogs, and, in many cases, nutrition plays a significant role in preventing or managing these conditions.

Urine pH impacts the ability of crystals and stones to form. Certain minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, can crystallize in the bladder if the urine is too concentrated, too alkaline, or too acidic. Dogs prone to forming bladder stones may benefit from prescription diets designed to prevent the buildup of certain minerals. Diets that acidify the urine help prevent the formation of struvite crystals, whereas those prone to calcium oxalate crystals may benefit from feeding a probiotic rich in lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species that can help metabolize oxalates in the intestine and prevent their deposition in the urine.

Managing Your Dog’s Urinary Health

In addition to the right food, there are other ways to support your dog’s urinary tract health including hydration, frequent bathroom breaks, maintaining a healthy weight, and dietary supplements. Promoting healthy hydration can prevent overly concentrated urine and provides enough water for the kidneys to properly flush out waste products. Feeding a wet or fresh diet, or adding water to your dog’s food, can help ensure proper hydration. In conjunction with good hydration, frequent bathroom breaks are also important to prevent the urine from sitting in the bladder for extended periods. Supplements, such as probiotics or omega-3 fatty acids, may also help further support urinary health.

Taking these factors into consideration when selecting a diet for your dog can help ensure proper urinary tract health and a happy, healthy companion. As always, do research for your individual dog and consult your veterinarian with any concerns and to ensure the best dietary approach for your dog’s specific needs.

Do Dogs Think? (and other curiosities about the dog brain)

By
Joan Merriam
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1
Canine MRIs have played a role in better understanding what dogs think about.
Caption: In recent years, data collected using MRI has shed some light on how and what dogs think about. Caption: Credit: MediaProduction | Getty Images

“My dog knows when I’m coming home.” “My dog understands that I love him.” Many of us say these words—or words like them—every day. Yet we don’t actually know what our dog thinks about or feels: we say that she loves apples, but if she could talk, she might say she’d much prefer cheese. Like so many other aspects of our life with dogs, we simply can’t be sure—because they can’t tell us.

 

 

How Views of Dogs’ Thinking Abilities Have Changed

It was partly due to that inability to communicate that drove many early philosophers like Descartes to propose that dogs were nothing more than mindless automatons merely responding to instincts and physiological signals. Following the religious precepts of the time, he reasoned that dogs could not have intelligence, because intelligence implied consciousness, and consciousness implied the existence of a soul. The concept that any being other than humans could have a soul was, at the time, simply intolerable.[i]

We’ve come a long way since the 15th century. Over the past two decades, more and more research has pointed to the fact that, contrary to that old notion that dogs are just “dumb animals,” they have an acute ability to think and reason.[ii]  Today, thanks to those decades of research studies, the question has gone from, “Do animals think?” to “How and what do they think?”

Technology’s Role in Understanding the Dog Brain

While dogs have developed highly effective social learning skills over the eons they have cohabitated with us,[iii]  it wasn’t until 2012 that scientists began tapping the enormous power of fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to study and track the actual workings of the canine brain.

First, a word about fMRI and how remarkable it is that dogs can be trained to undergo these scans. If you’ve ever gone through an MRI, you know they require you to lie perfectly still, even while the machine is loudly banging, clanking, and knocking. Many people find the experience intolerable, even wearing earplugs…yet the dogs who have been part of these studies are able to lie immobile (albeit with customized ear protection), and endure the scans even while fully awake and unrestrained.[iv]

By 2014, researchers using fMRI discovered that canine and human brains process vocal emotional valence cues (signals that reveal the emotional content of a sound) in the same way.[v]  Two years later, fMRIs showed that dogs can respond to linguistic cues—the non-verbal signals such as tone of voice and facial expression that we use to decipher a word’s meaning—a skill once thought to be uniquely human.[vi]  At the time, however, the research was limited by the elementary state of that early fMRI technology.

Fast-forward to the early 2020s, when the study of canine brains using fMRI accelerated, just as the technology itself was being perfected. By then, the use of brain imaging had proven to all but the most hidebound skeptics that dogs process language in a manner that is extremely similar to how humans do.[vii]

Brain imaging also confirmed the similarities in the structures of both dog and human brains: although the human brain is larger and more complex, the dog brain has the same lobes that human brains have.[viii]  Science writer Virginia Morell says that in comparing the canine and human brain, “at a fundamental level there are important similarities that give animals the ability to experience the world, make decisions, and do things intentionally.”[ix]

Dogs Can Think Without Language

Does that mean dogs are actually “thinking”? For decades, scientists insisted that language was essential for intelligent thought, which led to the belief that our unique language abilities pointed to humans as the only beings capable of thinking. This view has now all but been disproven—again, thanks to the magic of fMRI.  During a study, when human subjects were given a problem-solving task, the language-related regions of the brain failed to activate—meaning that the ability to think isn’t dependent upon language.[x]

Back in 2013, Virginia Morell theorized that perhaps dogs might think in pictures.[xi]  Her words proved to be prescient: ten years later, a landmark study found that dogs actually create a multi-dimensional image of their familiar toys or other objects in their minds. So, as they think about an object, they imagine its different features such as what it looks like, feels like, or smells like.[xii]  More proof of a dog’s ability to think comes from the fact that they can also differentiate between unrelated visual images, images of dogs versus other animal species, and human voices.[xiii]

Dogs Think with Us, and We with Them

Some of the most intriguing studies of dog cognition are how dogs think with us, and how we think with them. Researcher Michelle Merritt says that “by studying dog thinking we are necessarily studying our own minds.”[xiv]  Without a doubt, dogs take important cues from us in order to understand both our thinking and what we want—for instance, their ability to follow our pointing actions.[xv]  Dogs and humans create and share meanings all the time: for instance, when your dog suddenly jumps up to look out the window and you follow along to see what’s out there. Examining the interactions we have with our canine companions can lead us to reconsider our ideas about what “thinking” is. While thinking obviously means evaluating and being rational, it also means having emotions, reading social cues, and engaging in meaningful communication.

Dogs are continually surprising us with what they are capable of and how, in many ways, we are alike. And yet, no matter how comparable our behaviors might appear, the fact is that we don’t occupy the same place in the world as our dogs do, and we’ll never truly be able to get inside their minds. Perhaps, as Dr. Stanley Coren says in his book, How Dogs Think, we humans may simply lack the mental capacity to understand the workings of a dog’s mind.[xvi]

[i] Coren, Stanley. “How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind.” Free Press (Simon & Schuster), New York: 2004. (book)

[ii] Merritt, Michelle. “Minding Dogs: Humans, Canine Companions, and a New Philosophy of Cognitive Science.” University of Georgia Press. 2021. (book)

[iii] Howell, Tiffany Joseph, et al. “The Perceptions of Dog Intelligence and Cognitive Skills (PoDIaCS) Survey.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Volume 8, Issue 6. May, 2023. Accessed through Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787813001305

[iv] Berns, Gregory. “Deciphering the dog brain with fMRI.” Trends in Neurosciences, Volume 46, Issue 3, March 2023. Accessed through ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016622362200193X

[v] Huber, Ludwig and Lamm, Claus. “Understanding dog cognition by functional magnetic resonance imaging.” Learning & Behavior 45. February 25, 2017 Accessed through SpringerLink https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13420-017-0261-6#citeas

[vi] Ibid

[vii] Cohen, Dr. Elliot. “Can Dogs Make Decisions?” Psychology Today. Feb 15, 2021. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-would-aristotle-do/202102/can-dogs-make-decisions

[viii] Ibid

[ix] Hertzberg, Richard, interview with Virginia Morell. “On the Frontiers of Animal Research: A Conversation with Virginia Morell.” LA Review of Books. March 27, 2014. https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/virginia_morell

[x] Thompson, Joanna. “Can we think without using language?” LiveScience. June 19, 2022. (Citing work done by Russell Hurlburt, Christopher Heavy, and Evelina Fedorenko.) https://www.livescience.com/can-we-think-without-language

[xi] Morell, Virginia. “Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel.” Crown Publishers. February 26, 2013.

[xii] Dror, Shany et al. “Multisensory mental representation of objects in typical and Gifted Word Learner dogs.” Animal Cognition. June 8, 2022. Accessed through Springer NatureLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-022-01639-z

[xiii] Merritt, Michele. “Dismantling standard cognitive science: it’s time the dog has its day.” Biology &  Philosophy. November 1, 2015. Accessed through Ebscohost: https://web-p-ebscohost-com.sierracollege.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=a25664af-0300-4dfc-82ef-52e9944d107e%40redis

[xiii] Dror, Shaney. loc cit (citing research by Range et al 2008, Autier-Dérian et al 2013, and Gábor et al 2019).

[xiii] Hare Brian, et al. “The domestication of social cognition in dogs.” Science, Nov 22, 2002. Accessed through Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. https://www.eva.mpg.de/documents/AAAS/Hare_Domestication_Science_2002_1555973.pdf

[xiii] Coren, Staney. Loc cit

[xiv] Dror, Shaney. loc cit (citing research by Range et al 2008, Autier-Dérian et al 2013, and Gábor et al 2019).

[xv] Hare Brian. “The domestication of social cognition…” loc cit

[xvi] Coren, Staney. Loc cit

How to Treat Black Fly Bites on Dogs

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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0
Black flies can leave itchy bites on your dog.
: If your dog is bitten by a black fly, you can be pretty sure the reaction will be painful and itchy. Credit Douglas Rissing | Getty Images

Fly bites are annoying, but black fly bites on dogs are painful and itchy! Fortunately, they can usually be treated at home with some basic care. The best way to protect your dog from these nasty insects is to know when and where they swarm and avoid them.

 

 

What Are Black Flies?

Black flies, also called buffalo gnats, are small dark flies that travel in swarms. They breed in running water, but prefer still air in the morning, late afternoon, and evening. Hot, humid spring and summer months are considered “black fly season” because this is when these airborne biters are most active.

Only the female flies bite, but those bites hurt. Unlike mosquitos, black flies do not specifically target blood vessels. Instead, the black fly’s bite creates a tiny wound in the skin, and then the fly drinks the blood.

Identifying Black Fly Bites on Dogs

The flies usually target parts of your dog’s body that have less hair, such as the face, ears, belly, and inner thighs.

Black fly bites develop a characteristic “bullseye” appearance with a red spot of blood in the center, swelling around the puncture, and then a red ring of irritation. Since black flies usually travel in swarms, your dog will likely have many of these bites in one area or across the body.

You might notice your dog cry out when he is bitten by a black fly or attacked by a swarm, but you will definitely notice the chewing and scratching when the bites start to itch. If your dog has been bitten on his face, he may repeatedly rub his face against the ground or you.

Allergic reactions to black fly bites are rare. If your dog does show signs of an anaphylactic reaction such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or hives, seek veterinary care immediately.

How to Treat Black Fly Bites on Dogs

Most black fly bites heal on their own. To ease the discomfort, ice swollen areas for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also apply hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera, but don’t let your dog lick it.

If your dog has many bites, ask your veterinarian for an appropriate dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl). This can help relieve both itching and swelling.

The bites can get infected if your dog chews and scratches at them. If you notice your dog bothering the bitten areas, use an Elizabethan collar or another device that prevents the dog from chewing. You may be able to put your dog in an old T-shirt or the light shirt to block your dog’s access to the itchy. If any of the bites become infected (increased swelling and redness, oozing pus), your dog will require veterinary care and antibiotics.

How to Prevent Black Fly Bites on Dogs

Dog-safe bug sprays may help deter black flies, but the best strategy is to avoid areas likely to have swarms.

Fly-bites on dogs are more common in areas where flies congregate like water sources.
The best way to protect your dog from a black fly bite is to keep him out of areas where the flies tend to swarm, such as running water.
Credit: Mary 981 | Getty Images

Remember that black flies reproduce in running water and are most active during the spring and summer when it is warm and humid. They are also generally most active in the morning and in the hours before sunset. Avoid walking your dog in the woods or near running water during these times of day during black fly season.

Rehoming Your Old Dog

By
Nancy Kerns
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6
Rehoming a dog is never easy, but sometimes it seems like the worst possibility.
This is not the dog I saw in the shelter—I couldn’t bear to take her picture. Her demeanor was very similar to this dog’s: resigned to her fate, whatever it was. Photo credit: Ksenia Raykova, Getty Images.

Let me say as a preface that I fully support people who have to rehome a dog due to extreme circumstances: the loss of income that makes it impossible to care for the dog, loss of a home, etc. I would never judge someone in those circumstances!

But what about rehoming one of your dogs if they are not getting along? Well, yes, sometimes it’s far kinder to find a dog a new home than to make them live with another dog they despise—or who despises them. It’s dangerous and stressful to live with dogs who want to kill each other, and even if you manage to keep them separated from each other at all times, the fear of accidental interactions wears on everyone in the household.

The trick, though, is finding a new home for one of your dogs. Few people want to take on the burden of owning a dog-aggressive dog—but perhaps your dogs are only aggressive to each other, and never to any other dogs? It seems unlikely, but if this is the case, and you can find a home for either of your combatants, it seems like the right thing to do for all concerned.

However, the situation that is simply unthinkable to me is when someone simply surrenders one of their dogs to a shelter—particularly if they chose to relinquish the dog they’ve owned for a longer period of time.

I was at my local shelter recently and was taken by a large, grey-faced, shaggy older female dog. She sat, stoic, in front of her kennel door, only giving a slight wag of the tail in acknowledgement as I stopped to read her cage card. What was she doing at the shelter? “Fights with younger dog in home,” read the surrender notes. Did the owners understand that she was likely going to be euthanized at the shelter, because there are just not enough people who will choose to bring home a dog-aggressive older dog? According to the shelter’s front counter staff, yes, the owners understood. But they wanted to give her a “chance” of getting adopted instead of having her euthanized by their veterinarian.

All of this just makes me see red.

Sundowners in Dogs

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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1
Sundowners in dogs is equivalent to sun downing in senior citizens.
Usually associated with aging, sundowners in dogs causes symptoms such as disorientation, anxiety, and disordered sleep/wake cycles. Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial | Getty Images

Sundowners syndrome in dogs is officially called canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, and may be abbreviated CCD or CDS. This is a degenerative disease, meaning that it will steadily get worse over time. Usually, we first notice that our senior dogs aren’t quite right, but over time the disorientation and mood swings become more dramatic and interfere with both your and your dog’s quality of life.

There is no specific test for canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Instead, you and your veterinarian will work together to determine if there are other health problems contributing to your dog’s behavioral changes or if they are the result of brain degeneration.

Symptoms of Sundowners in Dogs

Thanks to the Purina Institute, we do now have the DISHAA tool to help with diagnosing CDS. This simple tool is freely available online and will guide you through identifying behavioral changes that are associated with CDS and then giving your dog a score for each behavior. At the end, add up your dog’s total to determine how much he is affected by CDS. You can then use that information to start a conversation with your veterinarian and create a treatment and management plan.

There are six categories, each represented in the DISHAA acronym:

D – Disorientation

I – Social Interactions

S – Sleep/Wake Cycles

H – Housesoiling, Learning, and Memory

A – Activity

A – Anxiety

Disorientation

This is one of the easiest hallmarks of CDS for us to identify. Dogs suffering from sundowners may get lost in their own homes, struggle with navigating doorways and other physical obstacles, and get “stuck” in odd locations, such as behind a door or in a corner. You might also notice a vacant stare, as if your dog isn’t totally sure who you are or where they are.

Social Interactions

Dogs with CDS often become less social than they were during most of their lives. You may notice your dog becoming more fearful or even aggressive to strangers, and he may be less tolerant of your other pets. Some dogs also interact with their owners less, choosing to sit by themselves instead of asking for play or cuddles.

If you describe your dog as being “cranky” or a “curmudgeon,” he may be showing signs of canine cognitive dysfunction.

Sleep/Wake Cycles

This hallmark of CDS can be very difficult for us to handle. Dogs with CDS frequently switch to an abnormal sleep schedule, sleeping excessively during the day and then being awake at night. Worse, the nocturnal wakefulness often comes with pacing and fussing or whining.

Your dog may also sleep very deeply, which can be concerning when trying to wake him up.

Nighttime pacing, whining, and crashing into things (because our senior dogs also often have poorer nighttime vision) all combine to prevent us from getting a good night’s sleep. Over time this can lead to resentment, because while the dog gets to sleep all day, the humans often have to go to work. This makes altered sleep schedules one of the most common reasons that owners seek veterinary assistance.

Housesoiling, Learning, and Memory

Dogs affected by sundowners syndrome often forget behaviors that they once knew well (such as sit or come), and struggle to learn new things. They also may start eliminating in the house, seeming to forget how to ask to go outside or their housetraining.

Activity

Your dog’s activity may both increase and decrease as CDS progresses. Many dogs with this disorder become less active overall, no longer interested in long sniff walks or in play sessions. But other activities, especially repetitive ones like licking objects, chewing, walking in circles, or staring at the sky, may increase.

Anxiety

Anxiety can be another difficult symptom to manage and adjust to. You may notice that your dog is suddenly fearful of things he never cared about before, or that storm and noise phobias have gotten worse. Your dog may develop separation anxiety after a lifetime of being comfortable left at home alone. He may also get upset when introduced to new people or taken to new places.

Managing Dog Dementia

There is no cure for canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, but there are ways we can slow its progression and treat symptoms to preserve your dog’s (and your!) quality of life. We’ll get into medications shortly, but first are some things you can do at home.

  1. Provide regular enrichment opportunities.

Just like human brains, dog brains need regular exercise. Since your dog probably isn’t going to be doing crossword puzzles, stimulate his mind by taking him on walks, using puzzle toys, and engaging in play and training time. All of these activities encourage him to be engaged in his surroundings and reinforce the brain pathways associated with each one.

Training time does not need to be aimed at formal or challenging skills. Choose fun tricks and behaviors that your dog can easily handle physically, and that he enjoys! You can also review basic obedience skills and old tricks that your dog knows well to both refresh his mind and give him an easy win.

  1. Make a routine.

Try to have a consistent routine for your older dogs. For example, wake up is at 7, breakfast at 7:30, short walk midday, longer walk or playtime after work, brief training session or playtime after dinner. Dogs with cognitive dysfunction like knowing what is going to happen next and having a routine helps them feel calmer.

Keeping your dog active during the day and having a consistent bedtime will also help to keep your dog on a normal sleep schedule.

  1. “Senior proof” the house.

Puppy proofing means going through the house to address all potential hazards (cover electrical cords, block stairs) and safeguarding things that might get chewed (your kids’ favorite toys, an heirloom quilt). Senior proofing is geared toward making sure your house is safe and accessible for your aging dog.

Keep furniture locations consistent so that your dog doesn’t get confused and can navigate your house or apartment easily. Also make sure that the entire family is onboard for picking up shoes, bags, and other personal items so your dog doesn’t trip.

Make sure that the flooring provides a good grip for your dog. If you have laminate or hardwood floors, put down runner rugs so your dog doesn’t slip.

Set up ramps or step stools to help your dog go up and down stairs and on and off furniture safely.

Provide nightlights if your dog likes to get a drink of water at night but is having trouble seeing in the dark. For one of my dogs, I used glow-in-the-dark tape to outline her ramp so she could get on and off the bed by herself at night.

Block off staircases and high furniture if your dog is unsteady on his feet and prone to falls. You can also put thick cushions on the floor by the couch or bed in case of stumbles.

  1. Frequent walks.

Plan frequent pee breaks to encourage your dog to eliminate outside and limit “accidents” in the house. Remember those early days when your tiny puppy needed to go out every two hours? Most senior dogs don’t need to go out quite that often, but experiment to determine what schedule works best for you and your dog.

Prescription Diets and Supplements for Senior Dogs

There are prescription diets and some supplements available that are geared toward supporting senior dogs mentally and physically.

Two prescription diets designed to help our aging dogs are Hill’s b/d and Purina NeuroCare. The Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind formula is an over-the-counter food that you can get at most pet supply stores. My current senior dog has been on the Bright Mind food for a couple months to hopefully support her brain and body as she enters her golden years. Only time will tell!

SAMe, Senilife, and supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil may help support cognition in dogs. As with any supplement, check with your veterinarian before starting a new product to make sure that it isn’t likely to interfere with any of your dog’s current medications.

Medications for Sundowners in Dogs

There is only one medication that is FDA approved for canine cognitive dysfunction: selegiline or selegiline hydrochloride (brand name Anipryl). You may recognize this as an anti-depressant, and you’re correct. Selegiline works by limiting the breakdown of dopamine, which increases the circulating dopamine in your dog’s brain, as well as decreasing the number of free radicals in the brain.

Selegiline is given once a day and it may take up to two months to see an improvement. The good news is that about 76% of dogs respond to this therapy and have a decrease in symptoms. I was one of the lucky ones with my dog—her nocturnal pacing stopped within a week of starting selegiline and her mood improved.

As with anything that your dog takes by mouth, selegiline can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and a poor appetite in some dogs. Other possible side effects include tremors, drooling, disorientation, and restlessness. Selegiline also does not play well with some other medications, so your dog’s veterinarian will weigh pros and cons before prescribing it for your dog.

We do have other ways to approach the symptoms of CSD and improve your dog’s quality of life. Most important is pain relief. Many of our senior dogs have arthritis or other painful conditions and adequate pain relief does wonders for improving their attitude and well-being. Depending on the symptoms of sundowners that your dog is experiencing, your dog may be prescribed medications to help with urinary incontinence, anxiety, and promoting normal sleep schedules.

You are Your Dog’s #1

You are the most important part of managing your dog’s canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Ask your veterinarian if you are concerned that your dog might have CDS and use the DISHAA tool to evaluate your dog’s current mental state. Then make changes around your house and to your dog’s routine to help him feel safe and happy throughout his golden years.

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