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How to Tell If a Dog Is Depressed

By
Kate O'Connor
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0
A depressed dog may have a reduced appetite and lethargy.
Lethargy and decreased appetite are common to depressed dogs but can also be symptoms of other ailments. This makes it important to get a veterinarian involved as soon as possible. Credit: Chalabala | Getty Images

Signs your dog is depressed can be subtle, often starting with a gradual loss of interest in once-loved games, a few extra naps, and a declining appetite. Depression in dogs also can start with a bang, such as finding a previously outgoing and well-mannered dog hiding in the closet, ripping up shoes, or growling at old friends.

 

 

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Depressed

When it comes to depressed dogs, the signs vary, but depression in dogs typically involves a significant behavioral change. Some of the more common signs include:

  • Lethargy/sleeping more
  • Lack of interest in preferred activities/toys
  • Unwilling to socialize
  • Short tempered
  • Lack of appetite
  • Increase in destructive behavior
  • Hiding
  • Increased anxiety/clinging to owner

Causes of Canine Depression

Much of the time, depression in dogs can be linked to an event or experience. Perhaps one of the most common triggers is big changes in routine such as moving to a new home or an owner switching from day shift to night shift. Bringing new members into the family—like the arrival of a puppy, a significant other moving in, or a baby being born—can be a problem spot as well. The potential for depression isn’t a reason to avoid these kinds of life events, but it should certainly be motivation to consider how best to help your dog adapt when they are occurring.

Dogs also can become depressed following the loss of a family member, whether human or canine, or any regular companion. They can and do experience grief and grief-related depression. It takes time for them to work through the loss and develop a new routine. In addition, they are often faced with how to handle the grief their owners are likely going through at the same time.

The most serious instances of depression in dogs often come from cases where the animal has experienced trauma, abuse, or extended isolation. Shutting out the world can be a survival strategy in these extremes and can carry over even when the dog has been removed from the environment that caused the trauma. Building trust with the dog and seeking expert advice are extremely important when working with an animal whose depression likely stemmed from a deeply traumatic experience.

Caring for a Depressed Dog

Chronic pain and illness can go hand-in-hand with depression in dogs, so your veterinarian is an essential part of diagnosis and treatment plans for dogs suffering from depression. Your vet will explore potential physiological causes which can lead to your dog becoming depressed or exhibiting symptoms similar to depression. Of course, if something is discovered during the exam, the primary treatment will be to first resolve the underlying issue.

If physiological reasons for the dog’s depression are ruled out, look at your dog’s daily life and be sure the basics are in place:

  1. Do you have an established routine for your dog? Consistency can play a big role in a dog’s sense of security, especially if there has recently been a big change in their lives.
  2. Is your dog’s diet suitable for his activity level and health needs? Things like food allergies can affect mood and behavior. If you switched foods or added something new to your dog’s diet around the time they began showing signs of depression, consider returning to the previous diet.
  3. Is your dog getting enough exercise and attention from you? Getting up and moving can help the dog to reengage with his environment as well as stimulating his appetite. If your dog likes being groomed, take some extra time to brush him out. If there is a game or toy your dog has previously enjoyed, offer opportunities to play.
  4. Does your dog have friends? If your dog is in a good place to socialize, it may be helpful to meet for a playdate with friends. A few words of caution here: If your dog actively avoids interacting or is showing signs of aggression (including just being unusually grumpy) and/or anxiety, this is not the right time for socialization. As an example, a dog who is depressed following the loss of a companion may be lonely and desperate for the company of familiar dogs. Meeting more often with friends may be just what they need to start feeling better. On the flip side, a dog who is depressed following a traumatic experience may feel uncomfortable and unsafe even around animals they know. This could put them in a situation where they lash out to protect themselves or cause them to retreat further. Pay attention to what your dog is telling you about what they need. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out to a vet or behaviorist for advice.
  5. Training also can be a good way to promote engagement. If your dog is willing, take some time each day to go over simple commands you know they’ve mastered. Celebrate even small successes, whether their performance is up to their usual standard or not. Go ahead and add in some new tricks, games, or activities. Engage your dog’s mind.

The trick with all the options above is to not force your dog to engage. If he doesn’t want to play or shies away from the brush, put it away and try again tomorrow. While it can be difficult to have patience when you can clearly see your dog is struggling, it is important not to overwhelm them. The caveat to this is that depression is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Continue to correct inappropriate behavior as you normally would. Calm consistency is key.

Medication as an Option for Canine Depression

In some cases, no amount of exercise, routine, and attention is enough to alleviate the condition.

With long-term exposure to stressors, or difficulty lifting the dog out of depression, additional support may be necessary. A variety of medications are available to address symptoms of depression and anxiety in dogs. If you think it might be time to go that route, talk to your vet about which medication might be appropriate for your dog and best fit your overall treatment strategy.

The primary goal when working with a dog suffering from depression is to stay patient, calm, and consistent. There is no immediate fix for emotions. Rather, it is a day-by-day process of ensuring your dog has what he needs to move through it. A good, established routine and some extra TLC can go a long way. Also, keeping your vet appraised of how your dog is doing is important for determining if further care is needed.

The Lyme Vaccine for Dogs

By
Dr. Jennifer Bailey, DVM
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4
The lyme vaccine for dogs is a potentially controversial vaccine.
Advances in vaccinology have helped to improve canine Lyme disease vaccines and meliorate its controversial reputation. Photo by FatCamera, Getty Images.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in dogs. Fortunately, we can help protect our dogs from Lyme disease with preventive measures and using a vaccine sometimes called a “tick shot for dogs.” Of course, this is a vaccine that is only effective against Lyme disease in dogs, not all tick-borne diseases.

Tick-borne diseases are on the rise, including Lyme disease. You can help protect your dog from ticks and Lyme disease if you:

  • Use a highly effective flea/tick preventative.
  • Wear tick-repellent clothing.
  • Promptly check for and manually remove attached ticks from our dogs; it takes 24 to 48 hours for attached ticks to transfer the disease.
  • Give the Lyme disease vaccine for dogs.

As a veterinarian and dog owner, I feel strongly that the canine Lyme vaccine is safe and effective enough for dogs who live in areas that are endemic for Lyme disease.

Even a Vigorous Tick-Borne Disease Protocol Can Fail
A small dog stands on a boulder with tall pine trees behind him.
Prince on a hike in Colorado. Despite being treated with multiple tick preventives, he once tested positive for a tick-borne bacteria. Photo courtesy Dr. Jennifer Bailey

I religiously give my dog Prince a dose of Nexgard every 30 days. I check him for ticks after we have been hiking in the woods. He wears a Seresto collar and an Insect Shield T-shirt or neck gaiter if we are visiting an area with a really high tick population. And I vaccinate him annually for Lyme disease.

Despite everything I do to protect him from tick-borne diseases, I was shocked last spring to find that he tested positive for exposure to Anaplasma, another tick-borne bacteria that can cause a disease called anaplasmosis. Thankfully, his Anaplasma antigen test was negative, meaning that his body had cleared the infection on its own. But I was still flabbergasted to find that I could not 100% protect him.

Most dogs who contract Lyme disease remain normal through the course of the disease, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council. However, dogs who do show signs of an acute infection may experience fever, shifting leg lameness, swollen joints, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. They usually improve quickly once treatment with antibiotics has begun. Dogs with chronic infections may exhibit shifting leg lameness caused by polyarthritis (inflammation affecting joints in more than one limb), which may persist even in the face of aggressive antibiotic therapy. Only about 1% to 5% of dogs who are infected with Lyme disease suffer from the most serious effect of s Lyme nephritis – damage to the kidneys. This condition is often fatal despite treatment.

Efficacy rates for canine Lyme vaccines have been reported within a range of 50% to 90%. Effectiveness of the vaccines appears to increase with each booster. No vaccine is 100% effective.

Lyme Vaccine Side Effects

The lyme vaccine for dogs targets proteins on the surface of the borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.
The Lyme vaccine for dogs is targeted at proteins that are part of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium that is carried by some ticks.

Lyme vaccines confer protection to our dogs against the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi (see “How Does the Lyme Vaccine for Dogs Work?,” below). The initial series is two vaccines given two to three weeks apart. After the initial series, the Lyme vaccine is administered once a year.

Decades ago, the Lyme vaccine earned a reputation for causing side effects in dogs. A 2005 study reported that the incidence of acute adverse events in dogs within 3 days of vaccinations for any disease was highest for those receiving a B. burgdorferi bacterin vaccine (43.7 incidents per 10,000 doses) compared with all other vaccines examined. No newer studies have been reported, but considerable advances have been made in vaccinology in recent years.

How Does the Lyme Vaccine for Dogs Work?

Lyme vaccines confer protection to our dogs against the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. The initial series is two vaccines given two to three weeks apart. After the initial series, the Lyme vaccine is administered once a year.

All of the currently available Lyme vaccines target a protein that is expressed on the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi called outer surface protein A (OspA). Some of the currently available Lyme vaccines also target a surface protein called outer surface protein C (OspC).

A dog who has been vaccinated for Lyme disease has antibodies for OspA. The antibodies enter the tick when it begins to take a blood meal. The antibodies attach to OspA expressed on the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi. This starts a biochemical chain of events that leads to destruction of the bacteria.

Dogs who have received a Lyme vaccine that targets both OspA and OspC will have antibodies for both proteins. Think of having OspC antibodies as an extra layer of protection. If Lyme bacteria that have not been targeted by OspA antibodies enter a dog’s body, then OspC antibodies will target the bacteria, leading to its demise.

As with any vaccine, your dog may experience side effects to the Lyme vaccine, including lethargy, reduced appetite, and soreness. In rare circumstances, dogs who receive the Lyme vaccine may experience an adverse reaction, which is basically an allergic reaction. Symptoms of a vaccine reaction include vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, hives, and severe coughing or difficulty breathing. A serious vaccine reaction can occur in the first few minutes to a few hours after receiving a vaccine. Always seek immediate veterinary care if you think that your dog is experiencing a vaccine reaction.

Full Veterinary Support Is Lacking

Veterinary support for the use of the Lyme vaccine in dogs is not universal. In 2018, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) published a consensus statement about Lyme disease in dogs and cats. The statement was written by a panel of six board-certified veterinarians. Three of the panelists recommended routine vaccination for Lyme disease for dogs who live in Lyme-endemic areas of the United States. The other three panelists did not recommend routinely vaccinating dogs for Lyme disease.

The panelists that recommended routinely vaccinating at-risk dogs for Lyme disease cited these reasons for their recommendation:

  • Inconsistent use of flea/tick preventatives can leave dogs susceptible to tick bites and exposure to Lyme disease. Receiving the Lyme vaccine adds another level of protection against Lyme disease.
  • Previous exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi does not grant a dog immunity to Lyme disease in the future.

The panelists who did not recommend giving the Lyme vaccine to dogs cited these reasons for their recommendation:

  • Most dogs who are exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi do not develop symptoms of Lyme disease.
  • For those dogs who develop Lyme nephritis, the panelists expressed concern that having received the Lyme vaccine in the past could further aggravate this condition.
  • The efficacy and duration of immunity of the Lyme vaccine is not proven.

A paper titled “Why the Rationale for Canine Borrelia burgdorferi Vaccination Is Unpersuasive,” written by Nadine A. Vogt, DVM, PhD, a veterinarian and epidemiologist at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada, and Christian P. G. Stevens, of the Department of Philosophy at King’s College in London, is available online for those who wish to read more about the controversy.

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) says all the canine Lyme vaccines have been proved safe and efficacious. The AAHA Canine Vaccination Task Force, which produces the most widely accepted vaccination guidelines for veterinarians, considers the Lyme vaccine to be a non-core vaccine, which means it is recommended for some dogs based on “lifestyle, geographic location, and risk of exposure.” (Core vaccines include adenovirus, distemper, parvovirus, and rabies, which are “recommended for all dogs irrespective of lifestyle, unless there is a specific medical reason not to vaccinate.”)

The decision about whether to vaccinate your dog for Lyme disease is one that should be made by you and your veterinarian. Your veterinarian should ask you questions to determine your dog’s risk of being exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi and developing Lyme disease.

Factors such as your dog’s outdoor activities, general health, and previous exposure to tick-borne diseases should be considered. Your geographic location and places you plan on visiting with your dog are additional factors.

One thing is certain: Consistent use of flea/tick preventatives and checking dogs daily for ticks are keys to preventing transmission of the bacteria that cause tick-borne diseases. Vaccinating at-risk dogs for Lyme disease may be the third key to prevention.

Finding The Best Large-Breed Puppy Food

By
Dr. Mary Cope, PhD
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2
Large breed puppies need large breed puppy food to support their greater growth.
Puppies who are expected to reach an adult size of 50 pounds or more must be fed a diet that is formulated for large-breed puppies. Failure to select appropriate foods for these pups can have lifelong affects on their health. Photo by Jill Lehmann Photography, Getty Images

Choosing a food for a new puppy is always a bit worrisome, but for those who adopt large or giant breed pups, selecting the right food is critically important. To prevent rapid growth and ensure proper development, adjustments must be made to the diet formulations for large breed puppy food for puppies who are expected to meet or exceed an adult size of 70 pounds. Here’s what to look for when shopping for the best food for large breed puppies – and how to know when you should stop feeding large breed puppy food.

When looking for a large or giant breed puppy food, it is important to read the statement of nutritional adequacy on the packaging. The standards for the nutritional adequacy of dog foods have been set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). You will see one of the following statements on foods formulated for growth (which is what most of us call puppy food) or all life stages (which includes the growth stage):

  • “[Pet Food Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth/all life stages including growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).” This is the statement that must be on the label of any food you buy for your large-breed puppy.
  • “[Pet Food Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth/all life stages except for growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).” This statement means that the product is not formulated for the needs of large breed puppies. Do not buy products with this statement if you are feeding a large-breed puppy.

How large-breed puppy food is different

Foods that are formulated for smaller puppies can cause large breed puppies to grow too quickly, which can make them prone to skeletal problems. When formulating diets specifically for large breed puppies, several nutritional factors are adjusted to moderate the puppies’ growth rate for a healthier frame.

While all puppies require foods that are higher in energy than foods for the maintenance of adult dogs, the amount of energy fed to large breed puppies needs to be controlled. While large breed puppies grow a lot, they need to grow slowly to prevent developmental orthopedic diseases such as osteochondrosis (a family of disorders that affect bone growth) and acute inflammatory joint disease, which can occur subsequent to osteochondrosis. Feeding a diet that is too calorically dense can lead to your puppy growing faster than their developing bones can accommodate. Because of this, diets for large breed puppies are lower in fat to help control the energy density.

The minerals required for proper skeletal development, mainly calcium and phosphorus, also need to be controlled. While calcium is needed for strong bones, excess calcium can be harmful. Unlike adult dogs, puppies cannot control the amount of calcium they absorb. This can lead to a surplus of the mineral, resulting in skeletal malformations. Diets formulated for large and giant breed puppies have a maximum of 1.8% calcium by dry matter (DM) – significantly less than the maximum of 2.5% calcium (DM) allowed for smaller breed dogs.

Because of the way that calcium interacts with other minerals, a dietary excess of calcium can cause deficiencies in nutrients like phosphorus. Because of the way their levels in a diet affect each other, a proper ratio of calcium and phosphorus is vital for the development of healthy bones. For large and giant breed puppies, the ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio should be between 1.1:1 and 1.4:1. Large breed puppies being fed a complete and balanced diet should not be given any supplemental calcium.

Note:

While AAFCO defines “large breed puppies” as those who are expected to meet or exceed a healthy adult weight of 70 pounds, many nutritionists recommend using 50 pounds as the cut-off for large breed dogs.

When to stop feeding large-breed puppy food

As a general guideline, you can begin to transition from large breed puppy food to adult dog food when your puppy has reached about 80% to 90% of their adult size. This typically corresponds to your puppy reaching his full height, with continued muscle and weight development as he continues to mature. Since large breed dogs grow at a slower rate compared to smaller breeds, their skeletal development typically takes between 12 and 24 months to complete. Consult your veterinarian to assess your dog’s growth to determine the best time to transition to adult food.

Braces for Dogs with a Torn ACL

By
Dr. Debra M. Eldredge, DVM
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1
Repetitive action can
A torn ACL in a dog can occur due to repetitive stress, like throwing a ball over and over. Credit: Rapid Eye | Getty Images

If your dog tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), your veterinarian may recommend surgery. That can be stressful for you, your dog, and your wallet. If you want to avoid surgery for your dog’s torn ACL, you may wonder if you can use an ACL dog brace and give your dog reasonable comfort and care. The answer: Yes, but you must purchase a good ACL brace for your dog.

Note: Dogs don’t have an ACL. They have a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), so the correct diagnosis is a torn CCL, but the terms are used interchangeably.

Wondering if your dog has a torn ACL, the signs of an acute ACL rupture are quite classic. Usually, the dog is running and playing and suddenly gives a yelp and becomes completely non-weight bearing on a hind leg. The dog often continues to move around but will hike up or hang the affected limb and run on three legs.

Surgery for Torn Dog ACL

Surgery in the form of a tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is indeed the ideal treatment for most cruciate tears, but ACL braces are proving to be a good solution, too. The trick is to get the right brace for a torn ACL in the dog.

A research survey of dog owners comparing custom stifle orthotics and TPLO surgery found high owner satisfaction for both methods. The study used the words “custom stifle orthotics.” In an attempt to get a brace quickly and inexpensively, you may be tempted to order a cloth brace online that fits all dogs. That’s not what your dog needs to offer support to your dog’s torn ACL. Your dog needs a custom brace made out of sturdy material. A good one to consider is the one from TailWind, but many good companies make custom braces for a dog with a torn ACL.

The goal of treatment for a torn ACL in your dog is to restore stability to the stifle joint. With the loss of an intact ACL/CCL, your dog’s stifle is unstable, so the tibia and femur bones can slide past each other, causing the infamous “drawer sign,” which occurs when the veterinarian holds the femur in place while the tibia can be pulled forward, like a sliding drawer. It’s a positive indication of a CCL rupture. This laxity causes pain and leads to the development of osteoarthritis.

Cost of an ACL Brace for Your Dog

A custom ACL brace for your dog will be more expensive, possibly $100 or more, though still less than surgery. It must be properly fit your dog, so he is comfortable walking with it. You will still need to do rehabilitation exercises and follow a protocol to allow healing.

Be aware that some problems with braces include sores from the brace not fitting perfectly or having poor padding, continued lameness even after time and rehab, your dog not tolerating his brace well, and, in the end, potentially needing surgery anyway.

No Quick Fix for Torn ACL in Dogs

So, obviously, braces are not a quick fix, anymore than surgery is. Sometimes a veterinarian will prescribe a brace post surgery to help your dog’s healing process.

Regardless of which method you choose, work with your veterinarian to be sure you have the correct diagnosis and for direction and input as you work your dog through recover.

Global Pet Expo

By
Nancy Kerns
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2
Trade expos like the pictured Superzoo, or the upcoming Global Pet Expo lets manufacturers show off their upcoming wares.
A view from an overhead walkway at Superzoo 2019, looking over just a part of the massive trade show floor.

By the time you read this, I will on my second day of a challenging feat of endurance: Attempting to walk every aisle of Global Pet Expo, the country’s largest pet products trade show. This is where pet products companies come to set up elaborate booths to show what they are making and selling these days. All the pet food companies and veterinary pharmaceutical companies will be there with gigantic, elaborate booths. Manufacturers of every type of pet gear imaginable will be there, from mass-producers of leashes, harnesses, collars, toys, beds, and so on, to tiny little mom-and-pop businesses who are there with inventions of their own creation: spill-proof bowls, reflective rain jackets, identification tags, bait bags – you name it. Pet supply store owners and managers come to find unique, useful, and/or profitable products to carry in their stores, and, often, to sign orders for what they will be selling in late 2024 and early 2025.

I’ve been to other large pet products trade shows before. Over a decade ago, I twice attended a now-defunct pet products show, the H. H. Backer show in Chicago. On my first trip there, I was determined to avoid engaging in conversation with any company representatives until I had walked the entire show; I thought I would take notes on that walk about which booths I wanted to return to on the second day to talk to the representatives. When I discovered, late in that first day, that there were two floors, and it had taken me six hours to merely walk up and down the aisles of just one floor, without stopping to pick up literature or ask questions of anyone about anything, I was momentarily defeated. I had to completely revise my tactics, or I wouldn’t have had a chance to to talk to anyone there.

In the last 10 years I’ve gone to Las Vegas a few times to attend SuperZoo, a trade show that is held in the Las Vegas Convention Center, a facility with 3.2 million square feet of available space. That’s where I learned that I can’t make eye contact with even a fraction of the people in the booths that I walk by there, because if I do, they will try to talk to me and promote their products, and I’ve never get through the whole show. And even though I would like to be friendly and encouraging to entrepreneurs who are promoting products that they’ve put their life saving and hearts into creating, after all these years of looking for unique and particularly useful gear for dogs and dog owners, I am a bit of a snob. There aren’t that many truly cool new and innovative products out there for me to recommend to you!

One year at SuperZoo, when I was planning a feature on products for dogs that contained CBD, I started picking up samples and literature from every booth I passed by that was making and selling supplements or treats (or shampoos or essential oils or candles) that contained CBD. After about 40 companies, I gave up and started fixing my attention on only those companies who could show me evidence that they had been around for five years or more. There were so many people jumping into that market that it was obvious that many of them would be out of business in that highly competitive market niche within a year.

And don’t get me started on folks who were selling a line of dog treats from special recipes they developed in order to help their old special-needs dog. Were they aware that there are dozens and dozens of people with nearly identical stories and products? How did they really hope to distinguish themselves from the 50 other super-nice people who were also making dog cookies? Ack!

But I love it when I spot something cool that I’ve never seen before, or have never seen done in that particular way. I’ll never forget my excitement when I first saw the unique mattress in the Snoozer Forgiveness Dog Sofa (which we promoted in our Gear of the Year 2017 edition) or the quick-fastening magnetic buckles on Curli’s Belka Comfort Harness (Gear of the Year 2022).

Global Pet Expo is being held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida – a facility with 7 million square feet of event space. There are 1,100 companies exhibiting their wares at the Expo and I’ve only got two days to hunt among them for the coolest new products for dogs and dog owners; wish me luck!

Clearing the Air

By
Editorial Staff
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0
Kennel Cough eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from Kennel Cough by CJ Puotinen

When Faith Thanas, an aromatherapist who lives in Leicester, Massachusetts, adopted a Doberman Pinscher from Louisiana one year after Hurricane Katrina, Sasha arrived in a van carrying 20 rescued dogs. A few days later, she started coughing.

To help soothe Sasha’s throat, Thanas mixed a blend of essential oils to spray in the air around the dog. She started with Ravensare (Cinnamonum camphora), one of the “must have” essential oils listed by Kristen Leigh Bell in her book Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals. As Bell explains, this gentle and tolerable antiviral, antibacterial essential oil supports the immune system and has tonifying effects.

Thanas then added Eucalyptus radiata, the gentlest of the many eucalyptus varieties available. It is known for its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. Bell writes, “Due to its gentleness, it is very appropriate for use in blends for animals for congestion, and it makes an excellent room air cleaner, deodorizer, and flea repellent.”

Eucalyptus globulus, the next ingredient, is the eucalyptus commonly found in chest rubs, cough drops, and cough syrups. It has a fresh antiseptic fragrance and, when inhaled, acts as a decongestant.

Thanas added Spike Lavender (Lavendula latifolia) for its powerful antibacterial properties.

After diluting the essential oils, Thanas used a spray bottle to mist the air around Sasha. “The results were instantaneous,” she recalls. “She stopped coughing, she was able to breathe, and she was so much more comfortable.”

For advice on preventing kennel cough as well as natural and effective ways to soothe the symptoms, purchase Kennel Cough from Whole Dog Journal.

Bordetella Vaccination

By
Editorial Staff
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0
Kennel Cough eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from Kennel Cough by CJ Puotinen

Most boarding facilities require proof of Bordetella vaccination for dogs who will be visiting. However, because there are many strains of Bordetella, and because no vaccine protects every patient, some immunized dogs contract tracheobronchitis despite being vaccinated. Veterinary recommendations range from vaccinating every four months to not at all.

“There are two kinds of Bordetella vaccine,” says Stacey Hershman, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. “The intranasal vaccine is highly effective and very safe since it is not systemic but goes down the nose into the throat. I do not recommend the injectable vaccine since it can cause negative side effects like lethargy, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

“I never vaccinate animals more than once a year for kennel cough, and then only if they are going to a boarding kennel. Kennel cough is not fatal in adult dogs, who usually board, therefore it would be over-vaccinating in my opinion to do it more than once a year. Healthy, strong immune systems are resistant and do not catch it, which is another reason not to vaccinate unless the dog is going to a kennel that requires it.”

No matter what your dog’s vaccination status, a few natural preventives can’t hurt, especially whenever your dog is exposed to dogs with active or recent infections.

For advice on preventing kennel cough as well as natural and effective ways to soothe the symptoms, purchase Kennel Cough from Whole Dog Journal.

Kennel Cough and Colds

By
Editorial Staff
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0
Kennel Cough eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from Kennel Cough by Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD

The two most common afflictions of the respiratory system are the “common cold” and kennel cough. Both of these ailments are usually instigated by any of a number of viruses, often followed by secondary bacterial invasion. The severity of the symptoms varies widely, but in most “colds” they are mild and include wheezing, coughing, reluctance to move, and perhaps a mild fever.

Kennel cough (a.k.a. infectious tracheobronchitis), on the other hand, can produce symptoms that appear extreme, with a dry, hacking cough accompanied by frequent, intense gagging. I’ve had caretakers rush their kennel-coughing dog in to see me, thinking he has a bone caught in his throat. Despite its appearance, a typical case of kennel cough is not life-threatening, and it tends to run its course in a few days to a week or so. But it is a disease that is frustrating for pet and caretaker alike.

Kennel cough results from inflammation of the upper airways. The instigating pathogen may be any number of irritants, viruses, or other microorganisms, or the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica may act as a primary pathogen. The prominent clinical sign is paroxysms of a harsh, dry cough, which may be followed by retching and gagging. The cough is easily induced by gentle pressure applied to the larynx or trachea.

Kennel cough should be expected whenever the characteristic cough suddenly develops 5 to 10 days after exposure to other dogs – especially to dogs from a kennel (especially a shelter) environment. Usually the symptoms diminish during the first five days, but the disease may persist for up to 10-20 days. Kennel cough is almost always more annoying (to dog and her caretaker) than it is a serious event.

For advice on preventing kennel cough as well as natural and effective ways to soothe the symptoms, purchase Kennel Cough from Whole Dog Journal.

The Mechanics of Brushing

By
Editorial Staff
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0
Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy by Dr. Randy Kidd, Lisa Rodier, CNWI, Nancy Kerns, and Lorie Long

Start by figuring out what position will be most comfortable for both you and your dog. For Angela Mees, DVM, of the Atlanta Veterinary Dental Services and her Greyhound, that’s standing. This lets Dr. Mees reach around from behind the dog, and works well for them. Smaller dogs might be happy to sit in your lap. For Atle, I’ve found that having him lie on his side works best.

Where to start? Dr. Mees advises that one approach is to divide the dog’s mouth into four quadrants, tackling one at a time. She begins with her dog’s front teeth because they’re easiest to reach. Wherever you choose to begin, start with a wet brush, and gently work each area as follows, with pressure light enough that the bristles barely bend:

  • To brush the front teeth, gently pull back the dog’s lips.
  • For the upper back teeth, put the brush in the dog’s cheek, and, gently holding her muzzle, close her mouth and brush. Closing the mouth controls the dog’s tongue, reducing any struggle with brushing.
  • For the lower back teeth, release your hold on the muzzle a bit, slightly open the dog’s mouth, and brush the bottom back teeth.

Dr. Mees admits that getting the insides of the teeth is difficult, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t (the dog’s tongue tends to keep the inner sides of the teeth clean). And don’t be concerned about brushing your dog’s tongue and roof of her mouth.

You may be asking: What direction should you brush? According to Dr. Mees, “We’re taught circular motions, but I think if you try circular motions in a moving animal, you’re going to get frustrated! So I usually recommend side to side.” In a perfect world, you’ll gradually work up to brushing each quadrant for about 30 seconds. Nonetheless, Dr. Mees acknowledges that you might not achieve that. She gets about five to ten seconds per quadrant on her own dog, so she brushes once quickly, then tries to repeat one or two more times.

Any amount of brushing is better than none; you will see better results in your dog’s oral health, even with a dog who won’t tolerate a total of more than 20 to 40 seconds, than if you never brushed. Do as much as he will handle to start, then gradually see if you can do a little more. I’m at day five with Atle, and I’ve been able to begin brushing his back upper and lower teeth. We’re still just talking a matter of seconds, and he’s not entirely thrilled, but that’s OK. I’m not in a hurry, and he’s getting lots of treats and praise for what he gives me.

After brushing, thoroughly rinse the brush and let it air dry. It’s a good idea to replace your dog’s toothbrush every three to six months, and use a separate toothbrush for each of your dogs to prevent the spread of germs.

For more information on brushing your dog’s teeth, purchase Whole Dog Journal’s ebook Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy.

When the Mouth Smells

By
Editorial Staff
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Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy by Dr. Randy Kidd, Lisa Rodier, CNWI, Nancy Kerns, and Lorie Long

We often consider dental disease — the buildup of plaque and calculus on the teeth and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) – as the main cause of bad breath in a dog. While the seriousness of dental disease shouldn’t be minimized, there are lots of other reasons why your dog’s mouth might smell off. Other causes of unpleasant odors include:

  • The tongue;
  • Metabolic disease, such as diabetes and renal disease;
  • GI issues from excessive licking or swallowing, creating excess gas in the GI tract;
  • GI upset caused by megaesophagus, food allergy, bacterial overgrowth, neoplasia (cancer of the mouth or intestines), or a foreign body (bones, rocks, toys, socks);
  • Dietary (fish-based diets, oral fatty acids, coprophagia, the consumption of other fetid foodstuffs);
  • Maldigestion;
  • Respiratory disease (rhinitis, sinusitis, neoplasia);
  • Autoimmune disease;
  • Non-periodontal oral disease (orthodontic, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, neoplasia);
  • Oral cancer;
  • Trauma (oral foreign bodies, damaged palate from stick chewing, electric cord injury, caustic agents).

Understanding the origin of the smell is your first assignment and may require the expertise of your veterinarian, or veterinary specialist, to pinpoint. T-cell lymphoma, for example, is a rare but deadly disease that can present on the face. It mimics many other conditions and can be difficult to diagnose without a specialist’s intervention.

For more information on foul mouth odors, purchase Whole Dog Journal’s ebook Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy.

Oral Hygiene at Home

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Editorial Staff
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Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy by Dr. Randy Kidd, Lisa Rodier, CNWI, Nancy Kerns, and Lorie Long

Both Dr. Banker and Dr. Reiter agree that regular tooth brushing with a toothpaste made for dogs is the single most important step an owner can take to prevent canine oral health problems. They recommend brushing twice a day if possible, or at least once a day. “Daily brushing encourages owners to look in their dog’s mouth regularly and notice changes and problems,” adds Dr. Banker. Dr. Reiter emphasizes the importance of a high quality diet. He suggested that owners discuss the usefulness of products such as dental rinses, gels, and sealants with their canine dentist. Of course, a regular oral health evaluation by a knowledgeable canine dental specialist ranks high on his list of preventative measures.

Both doctors discourage owners from hand-scaling plaque from their dog’s teeth at home. Dr. Reiter explains that scaling at home can place tiny scratches on the surface of the tooth, thereby making it more prone to retain plaque build-up in the future. Canine dental specialists polish a dog’s teeth after scaling to restore a smooth tooth surface.

Also, during scaling at home, a dog may jerk away or turn his head unexpectedly, causing the scaling instrument to lacerate the dog’s gum. An owner could dislodge a chunk of plaque that the dog could aspirate into his lungs. An owner who is unskilled in scaling a dog’s teeth could cause the dog to become nervous about people looking and working in his mouth.

“Home scaling does not reach sub-gingival (below the gum line) material or into any pockets around the dog’s teeth,” says Dr. Reiter. “And don’t be tempted to bring your dog to a groomer or other person who advertises anesthesia-free dental cleanings. There’s a lot of water spraying around during a dental cleaning. Canine dental professionals use a cuffed endotracheal tube to administer anesthesia during the procedure. The tube has an inflatable collar that protects against the accidental aspiration of water and debris into the dog’s lungs. Only an ‘asleep’ procedure insures sufficient cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum line in an environment that’s safe for the dog.”

For more on exercising proper dental hygiene and keeping your dog’s teeth healthy, purchase Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth and Gums Healthy by Whole Dog Journal.

Fitness Together

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Editorial Staff
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How to Walk Your Dog eBook from Whole Dog Journal
Excerpted from How to Walk Your Dog by Pat Miller, CPDT and Mardi Richmond, MA, CPDT-KA

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise there is, but for workout walks to be a fitness building experience, you will need to do more than just a regular walk at your regular pace. As with any workout, aiming for a variety of aerobic activity, some strength building, and some flexibility exercises will give you a well-rounded fitness routine.

Keep in mind that most health experts recommend that we exercise at a moderate intensity. What does that mean? For the human half of the team, a good rule of thumb is that if you can talk while you walk, you are moving at about the right pace. However, each of us is an individual, so you may want to talk with your health care provider or fitness trainer to develop your personal goals.

There are several strategies for turning a basic dog walk into a fitness-building workout. A great idea is to vary your approach and try for one or more of the below suggestions on different days of the week.

(1) Step up the pace. Perhaps this is obvious – but it is also one of the best strategies for building fitness. When you head out for a walk, warm up for the first 5 to 10 minutes, and then challenge yourself to move at a quicker pace than you normally would.

(2) Go long. Increasing distance is another great strategy. Make some days your long walk days, and increase your normal distance or time.

(3) Try intervals. Interval training is when you take small chunks of time – say 30 seconds to several minutes – and work out at a higher intensity, followed by a rest cycle. So, for example, on a walk, you could walk fast or even jog for one block getting your heart rate up, and the next two blocks walk at a normal speed to let your heart rate recover (go back to normal).

(4) Climb to new heights. Walking hills (assuming your knees and back can handle it!) are a great way to add difficulty to your workout and also some strength training for your legs.
While out on your walk, at a park or other quiet location, give your dog a sniff break or ask for a stay while you do some calisthenics, stretching or strength building exercises. Try squats, lunges, calf-raises. Add in some vertical pushups off of a building or pole and some leg-lifts and tricep dips on a park bench for a full body workout.

These are tips that will get both you and your dog moving in a fitness direction, but it may not sound like much fun for your canine pal. In order to make it a positive experience for you both, add in some fun time. For more tips on turning your dog into a more pleasant walking companion, check out Whole Dog Journal’s How to Walk Your Dog ebook.

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