Fun Facts to keep you....
...In The Know
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Winterizing Westie Paws
Doggie coats and booties are more than fashion accessories
and an extra pound of fat is healthy when it comes to "winterizing" dogs for outdoor activities, according to trainers of some canine athletes that make human Olympians look like couch potatoes --
With a little preparation, almost any healthy dog can accompany humans on winter running, fitness walking or cross-country skiing expeditions, said Arleigh Reynolds, D.V.M., Ph.D., former assistant professor of clinical nutrition. -- a lesson that can be applied to family pets. "Keep in mind what your dog is built for," Reynolds advised. "Not all dogs can handle cold weather". The professor offers these tips to successfully share winter activities with dogs:
If weather conditions allow humans to be comfortable, running with normal sweat pants and breathing without a face mask, dogs such as westies will do fine. But if it's so cold that humans need a facemask, then dogs are at risk of frostbite. Especially vulnerable are females that recently have had puppies or males with little hair on their underbellies. Specially designed dog coats can protect the abdomens of dogs that are out in cold weather.Suburban pooches shouldn't feel bad when they're led to the pet-supply store for a fitting. The uninsulated booties are not for warmth, but for two kinds of protection: For preventative health care if the dog may run through changing conditions -- from water to snow that forms balls in the hair of the feet or from powder snow to granular snow or ice with sharp edges -- the booties prevent injuries. In deep-snow conditions, where dogs' feet spread out and snow acts like tiny knives to produce cuts between the webs of their feet, Rover will be grateful for the fashionable attire. And if the dog already has a cut pad or other minor foot injury, booties help the injury heal faster.Taking the dog in for a fitting is a good idea, because a boot that is too large won't give proper traction on slippery surfaces. Openings at the top allow snow to enter the boot, also causing injuries.
And a too-small boot can cut off circulation to the dog's feet. Check the condition of the booties from time to time to ensure that the dog hasn't worn holes in the bottom and that the boots aren't too tight.Adjust feeding as winter approaches to add one pound of insulating weight to active, outdoor dogs. That much weight will not make normal dogs obese, and they can shed the extra pound when the weather warms in the spring. IF your westie is a house dog, he does not need this extra layer of fat for winter warmth. Continued normal excersize routine with daily walks will ensure a healthy westie.Don't forget water for working dogs in the winter, even if they are eating snow. An active dog can't get enough water from snow, and it uses extra energy to melt the snow. However, the electrolytes in sports drinks are not needed, because dogs don't sweat the way humans do.Equipped with their naturally thick coat and adapted to the cold, many dogs can thrive outdoors if their yard includes a shelter from precipitation and wind. The doghouse should be appropriately sized -
just large enough to allow maneuvering while retaining the animal's body heat - and outfitted with dry bedding. All dogs reach their cold-tolerance limit at some temperature, the Cornell trainer said. "If it's so cold that you can't go out, your dog shouldn't be outside at that temperature either. "Bring the dogs inside then," he advised. "That's the true meaning of a 'three-dog night.' They'll be happy to keep you warm too.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner
With Thanksgiving approaching the American Kennel Club® offers safety tips for pet owners to make their Thanksgiving gatherings and holiday parties fido-friendly. Among them:
- Never give turkey bones to your dog; they pose a serious choking hazard for dogs.
- Always keep an eye on the Thanksgiving table and secure leftovers and garbage to prevent your dog from going through holiday foods.
- Don’t give your dog scraps from the holiday buffet. Stuffing, pies, cookies and fancy hors d’oeuvres are inappropriate foods for dogs and may make them sick.
- Keep burning candles on high tables or mantels out of the way of your dog’s wagging tail.
- Alcohol is toxic for dogs, even in small amounts.
- If you host a party, remember that some guests may be uncomfortable around dogs. Your dog may, in turn, be uncomfortable or frightened around a large group of unfamiliar people. You may want to confine your dog to a crate or a room that will not be used by guests.
- Stick as closely as possible to your normal routine. Try not to vary your dog’s feeding, walking and playtime schedule.
Summer with Your Westie
FIRE ANT REMEDY ....Friendly cure for fire ants that has been announced by Walter Reeves on his Georgia Gardener radio program. Testimonial that it REALLY WORKS are coming in. Simply pour two cups of CLUB SODA (carbonated water) directly in the center of a fire ant mound. The carbon dioxide in the water is heavier than air and displaces the oxygen which suffocates the queen and the other ants. The whole colony will be dead within about two days. Here's the plus: club soda leaves no poisonous residue, does not contaminate the ground water, and does not indiscriminately kill other insects. Each mound must be treated individually and a one liter bottle of club soda will kill 2 to 3 mounds. Spread the word... if you like!
FLEAS and TICKS.... cause a variety of problems in pets. FLEAS feed on animal blood and can trigger problems including skin irritation, allergic reactions, anemia and in rare cases, death. They can also carry tapeworms, which can infest your pet. TICKS may cause toxicosis, skin irritation, paralysis, Lyme disease, and blood loss anemia. TICKS: 'Tis the season for ticks: Here is a neat way to remove a tick from your westie: Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and soak it for a few seconds ( 15 - 30), the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you just lift it away.
TOADS: It's summer, and the toads are back! The sprays from these beasts are fatal to dogs. So is the flesh. Check your back yard for these critters and make sure that your Westie's don't try to play with them in any manner. Our little guys are very curious, and the toads don't run from them. Don't be confused with the little tree frogs-not the same specie. Toads are big and ugly, they sit there and watch you.
EXCERSISE: A healthy Westie is an active Westie. Keeping your Westie physically active is the key to a happy Westie, as well. Westies are not lap dogs. They were bred to be hunters. Therefore, they need a job to do every day. Without this job, they get bored and can become destructive around the house. We highly recommend that you take your Westie for a walk everyday. The exercise is a way for them to expel some of that pent up energy as well as to keep their confidence at a high level. If you are interested in a performance dog, this walk will build strong bones and muscles, as well as endurance. This walk may also pique their hunting awareness. Introducing your Westie to flyball, tracking, agility, rally and earthdog events are also a good way to keep a dog active. Male dogs should weigh 17-18#'s, Female ideal weight is 14-16#'s When you look down at your dog's back do you see an hour glass shape? They should have a waist in front of the pelvis.
Travel Tips
1. A crate is an excellent way to keep your dog safe in the car. It can also keep your pet from getting into trouble in a hotel or at your host's home. Crates are available from most pet supply stores. Look for these features when purchasing:
- Large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn and lie down.
- Strong, with handles and grips, and free of interior protrusions.
- Leak-proof bottom covered with absorbent material.
- Ventilation on opposing sides, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow.
- "Live Animal" label, arrows upright, with owner's name, address and phone number.
- Stock the crate with a comfortable mat, your dog's favorite toy, and a water bottle, and your dog is ready to go.
2. Secure your dog in a crate, carrier or harness that attaches to the seat belt. Pet supply stores sell harnesses, and carry a range of sizes that will fit your westie. No animal should ever ride loose in the bed of a pick-up truck, which can lead to serious injuries or death in the event of an accident.
3. To prevent ear and eye injuries, do not allow your pooch to stick his head out the car window.
4. Never leave your pet in a parked car. Pets can overheat much faster than people and even a few minutes in a hot vehicle can be fatal. Stop immediately if your dog begins to pant excessively, drool or act sluggish and unresponsive.
5. Always keep a collar with current tags, on your pets. If you're away from home, make sure the tag includes your cell phone, or a contact number for the place you'll be staying.
6. Take frequent potty breaks. Having to "hold it" too long can cause health problems like urinary tract infections. Everyone will be more comfortable with frequent rest stops. 7. Take some creature comforts with you. Even if your dog loves to travel, some journeys can be stressful especially if there are lots of different places to stay along the way. Keep beds, blankets, bowls and toys the same as they are at home, for a more relaxed journey. Keeping with his regular food and some local, or bottled water will help reduce the risk of tummy upsets, too.
8. Take the phone number of your veterinarian and any special medication your dog needs9. A first aid kit for you and your westie, just in case. With the usual essentials like bandages, wound cleanser, tweezers, baby aspirin.
10. In the event that your dog gets away from you on your trip, you can increase the chances of recovery by making sure he can be properly identified:
- Make sure your dog has a sturdy leash and collar. The collar should have identification tags with the dog's name, your name, and your home phone number, as well as proof of rabies shots.
- Consider a permanent form of identification, such as a microchip (see CAR).
- Carry recent pictures of your dog with you. If you are accidentally separated, these pictures will help local authorities find your dog.
Hotel Cautions
When making your hotel reservations, always confirm the following:
A.The hotel welcomes pets.
B. Whether there is a pet deposit and how much it costs
C. There is a pet walking area provided on the property
When booking your hotel, ask for a first-floor room with the door leading directly outdoors. These rooms are easier for you and quieter for other guests when taking late night and early morning walks.
When you check in, ask for directions or a map showing the pet walk area—and always remember to clean up after your pet.
1. Always find a hotel room away from everything, doors, elevators, ice machines, vending machines, etc. 2. Bring something for white noise to drown out the sounds when you are trying to sleep. There are a lot of free music white noises on the internet. 2A. The moment you get into the hotel room, run the A/C / heater and make sure it sound normal. If it doesn't sound normal get a new room immediately. The A/C / heater can be used for white noise as well. But trying to sleep in a noisy room is very hard. 2B. Before you even let your dog into the room, scan the room for anything on the floor. More than a couple times, we've found chicken wing bones, aspirin, and other misc stuff that fell under the bed or behind furniture. 3. In selecting a hotel, I use Zillow.com to find out the home values near the hotel. If the home values aren't too high, then the neighborhood might not be that good. 4. Use Google.com / satellite imagery to see if there is green grass near the hotel. You don't want to not have a place where the dogs can't do their business. Don't assume anything. 5. Always bring a good flashlight to walk your dogs in around the hotel at night. You'll need the light to avoid other people's dog's businesses that weren't picked up. 6. Don't always go for the cheapest hotel - they are cheap and sometimes you'll find some night workers there. 7. Given the hotels that accept dogs are cheaper, don't forget to check the website bed bugs registry. 8. In the winter, if you travel north, NEVER forget a shovel and dog boots. It doesn't matter what the forecast says for lake effect snow. A couple of times, we have been in -17 degree temperatures that weren't forecasted. If it is too cold, the dogs won't put their feet down. 9. Bring your own water from home. I have seen a few dogs get sick from well water.
The sad part is, break some of the rules above, and you'll never forget it. Anyone of the rules above broken, can make for a very bad weekend !!!!!
Here are a few "tricks" to pet travel that will make your next trip "pawsome"! Read more. http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=24&m=3166494&r=MTQwNDE2OTY0ODIS1&b=2&j=OTc3NzYyMzIS1&mt=1&rt=0
Halloween Safety
As you prepare for Halloween this year, keep these safety tips in mind to help keep your animal companion out of harm’s way.1. Guard the Halloween candy – chocolate and certain sweeteners such as Xylitol can be fatal for pets so be sure to keep your Trick-or-Treat stash stored safely and out of reach. Remember that empty plastic and aluminum wrappers can be just as dangerous as the candies themselves.2. If your pet does consume a large amount of chocolate or candy, make a call to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control for guidance. If in doubt, take your pup or kitty to the vet in case medical intervention is required.3. Don’t take Your Westie Trick-or-Treating – Many pets can be frightened by unusual sights and sounds that come along with Trick-or-Treating, so keep them at home for their own safety. Nervous pets can feel very alarmed when kids in costume try to pet them, and this could result in a fear based bit in extreme cases.
Cocoa Mulch product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.
Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it. This Snopes site gives the following information:snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp
Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called ' Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of Theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.
From the ASPCA newsletter
Winter's chill may have settled in your neighborhood, but your energetic pooch still wants to go for walks in the great outdoors. Take it slow and steady, pet parents. According to our experts, the danger of stray voltage on city streets can turn a simple stroll into a devastating event for our furry friends.
Most common in northern climates and urban areas, stray voltage occurs when dormant utilities leak excess electricity. Combined with wet streets and salt-based ice melts, this current can shock, injure or even prove fatal for those in its path. "Since salt used to treat icy streets is a great conductor of electricity," says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine and author of Vet Confidential aspca.org/site/Ecommerce? "the risk of shock from stray voltage is that much higher during the winter months."
The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you avoid potentially hazardous areas, and advice on what to do if your pet has suffered an electrical shock:
* Keep your dog away from metal fixtures, such as lampposts, grates or manhole covers. While these spots may be your pet's favorite place to relieve himself, they may also conduct hazardous electricity.
* Your dog's snazzy, rubber rain boots may look good, but they won't protect your pooch from a strong current. Don't depend on them to keep your pet safe. Some boots-those with metal studs, for example-may even make the situation worse
* Observe your dog's behavior. Is he skittish, frightened, angry or upset for no apparent reason? These sudden behavioral changes could be an indication of electric shock.
* If your dog is incapacitated due to shock, don't try to touch or move him without protective gear. Your pooch may pass the current to you, rendering you both incapable of seeking help. Instead, call your local fire department immediately.
aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert010909#1
Current orthopaedic research information
AKC Canine Health Foundation News Alert
Podcast About Canine Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Hip Dysplasia With Dr. Karl Kraus Released [Thursday, August 26, 2010]
The AKC Canine Health Foundation is pleased to release the next podcast in the Genome Barks series. This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Karl Kraus, Chief of Small Animal Surgery and Professor of Orthopedic and Neurosurgery at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. His research interests include stem call and bone regeneration as well as orthopedic device development. In this podcast, we discuss Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Hip Dysplasia. Dr. Kraus goes into detail about symptoms, treatments and prevention of these common orthopedic diseases.
The Genome Barks podcast series features lectures from the highly
successful AKC and CHF Breeders Symposia and provides responsible breeders and pet owners an inside look at the work being done by the Canine Health Foundation.
Click here to listen to the podcast
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New podcasts are released every two weeks and can be accessed from the AKC
Canine Health Foundation website at www.CanineHealthFoundation.org
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They are also available on Apple's iTunes® or directly at www.genomebarks.com
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Click here for additional information about the active research the CHF
has funded
You can help by providing financial support to the AKC Canine Health
Foundation's efforts; click here to make a secure online donation and please consider a recurring gift
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Contact:
Erika Werne
Director of Education & Communications
AKC Canine Health Foundation
919-334-4010
888-682-9696
www.CanineHealthFoundation.org
The AKC Canine Health Foundation, founded in 1995, is the largest
nonprofit worldwide to fund health research exclusively for canines. Our goal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is the leader in non-invasive genetic health research, stem cell research, and biotherapeutics benefiting both canines and humans. Through the generous financial support of the American Kennel Club, Nestlé Purina PetCare Co., and Pfizer Animal Health, as well as thousands of clubs and individuals, we’re proud to announce we have allocated nearly $24 million to canine health research at veterinary schools and research institutions worldwide.
AKC Canine Health Foundation 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27617-3901
AKC Canine Health Foundation Information (919) 334-4010
CHF@CanineHealthFoundation.org
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