Marathon Paws

A new look and a new world!

2008-09-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

We haven't gone away...we have just been working on something new and wonderful. Please go to www.luckydogorganics.com and take a look. We should be launch ready in days!!! Also take a look at our Lucky Dog Organics blog by going to our home page and clicking the little kitty on the left hand side! He loves our new look and our new blog!!!

Ciao everyone!

Michele and Bella

The last couple of months...

2007-12-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

A lot of craziness! We are in the home stretch of launching our online store at www.luckydogorganics.com AND we entered a contest sponsored by Intuit that may get us $50k for our big dream...the brick and mortar Holistic Wellness Center! So, cross your fingers and stay tuned! Also...please vote for my video and tell everyone you know to vote for my video too!!!

Thanks!

National Press Coverage!!!

2007-10-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

Recently Oprah's vet and I were interviewed for an article on "Real Food" diets by Animal Fair magazine. This article appears in the current newsstand issue! Pages 64-65. Bella and I are very excited and would love for you to stop by your local Borders Books (or other well stocked newsstand ) and pick up a copy !

Thanks everyone for your support!!!

Also in Marathon Paws news....
starting this week we will begin having a weekly q&a column, weekly recipe section, food reviews and more!

Stay tuned for more details!!!

Donations needed for Rescued bait dog

2007-10-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

TAZZY FUND IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR A RESCUER FOR ANGIE. TO DONATE VISIT www.tazzyfund.com put Angie in your memo!
LOOK AT THIS POOR GIRL PLEASE DONATE TO HELP HER!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE CROSS POST - Urgent funds needed for Angie's recovery by Sunday, October 21st! And please spread the word, she needs a wonderful forever home also!!

A woman rescued Angie from SLA shelter on Sunday, October 14th thanks to a caring individual named Paula Auerbach who offered $500 towards her care. Angie was in danger of being pts and this woman just couldn't let that happen to her - she is so sweet! Her heart broke when she saw her face filled with despair. She was bred and probably used as bait as her front incisors/k9s were filed down and some appear to have been pulled out (see pic).

Currently boarding at VCA WLA, she is being treated for her skin condition, corneal ulcer on L eye, and emaciation. Dr. Silberstein recommended chest xrays, which thankfully looked great and a biopsy on a small mdirty word on her right rib area, results in tomorrow. She recommends doing dental xrays and possible work to prevent further complications/infections.

So far the bill is over $800 and will surely amount to over $1,000 by Sunday which is when her foster becomes available, and the bill will have to be paid. Please cross post this plea for her. Every little bit helps!!

Below is VCA's info, donations can be made directly to them. Please mention Angie when donating so that the donation is correctly applied to her account!

VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital
1818 South Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310-473-2951
Fax: 310-473-2779

NEW FOOD RECALL ALERT!!!

2007-09-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Select Poultry Products for Dogs and Cats

For Immediate Release
September 18, 2007

Contact: David Bogner
(866) 922-9222
www.bravorawdiet.com

Vernon, CT – Bravo! announces a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs. The pet food is being recalled because two of the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, while the other product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Both Salmonella and Listeria are organisms which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and if there is cross contamination, in people, especially small children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people with Salmonella infection may only suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long term complications can include arthritis and other more serious ailments. Healthy people with Listeria infection may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with any of the three products.

The recalled products are distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet sales and directly to consumers, and they can be identified by the batch ID code located on the hang tag attached to the bottom of the plastic film tubes. The recalled products should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Pet owners should dispose of opened tubes of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Recalled Pet Food:

Product: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110
Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria

Product: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110
Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
Reason for Recall: Listeria

Product: Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food
Product Number: 21-212
Size: 2 pound tube
Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226
Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria

Other Batch IDs for these same products are not involved in the recall.

Bravo! is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement. This voluntary recall has been issued because the FDA detected the bacteria in samples during a recent review.

In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/foodbornetips.htm.

People may risk Salmonella infection not only by handling these pet foods, but also by contact with pets or other surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria infection after having handled the recalled product should seek medical attention. Consumers may report any complaints to FDA's local District Complaint Coordinator’s located on the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

Healthy cats and dogs rarely become sick from Salmonella. Animals ill with Salmonella will display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet has Salmonella or not should contact their veterinarian.

For more information on the Bravo recall, please visit www.bravorawdiet.com , or call toll free (866) 922-9222

Bring Maxy home today!!!

2007-09-17T07:21:00.001-07:00

While roaming around the South End of Boston on Sunday I met a wonderful volunteer from Animal Rescue League and one of the pooches there.... Maxy a 5-6 year old full breed fawn female Boxer. It seems she was used in a breeding program repeatedly and not well cared for. She has some seperation anxiety issues which lead her to anxiety driven inside messes and destruction. She is stressed out and needs some tlc and patience from someone who understands how to crate train and deal sensitively with an anxious dog. She is sweet and somewhat mellow but I am sure her playful Boxer attributes will come out soon as she settles into a wonderful new home where she is loved and comforted. I think she would do best in a two dog family with another pooch that is also of neutral dominance and won't beat her up but won't be timid.

Call Melissa Cox at the Animal Rescue league to take this sweet girl home today!!!

Melissa Cox
Adoption Supervisor
Animal Rescue League
617.426.9170, ext 134

For some of us, Autumn is descending

2007-09-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

The temps are starting to lower in the Northeast and I find myself grabbing a jacket on my way out the door for Bella's first and last walks of the day. This time of year is my favorite for those long nature excursions.

When the weather is hot I love to take my dog to White's Pond up in the Sudbury/Concord area. In the fall however, I want lingering strolls under canopies of colored tree branches and vast expanses of rolling hills with lots of space for my pooch to run and play.

It's finally cooling down enough so that our dogs are less at risk of summertime ailments like heatstroke but still keep an eye out for muscular tears, broken bones and abraded paws. Dogs will sometimes push themselves too hard and after a summer of 85+ degree days.... the cooler temps will have them thinking they are invincible and able to run a marathon!

I would love for everyone to write in and post a comment with their favorite fall walks/runs/trips so we can share them with all the readers! Take care everyone and enjoy the weather!

Labor Day Safety Tips!!!

2007-09-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Bella and I are on a mini vacation.... from each other. While I am in Denver fulfilling some work obligations Bella is staying in Cambridge with good friends Michael and Elizabeth and in between late night anxiety attacks and vomiting from separation anxiety and treat overload ...she seems to be handling the time apart better than I expected.

For those of you traveling with your pets or just hanging out in your back yards...follow these safety tips to keep everyone safe and happy!!!

BBQ's are fun but keep your pooch away from the brownies, chocolate chip cookies, onions and grapes! All cause bad bad tummies and potential lethal vet visits!
Alcohol.... yeah, one or two (okay 3-4) are great while sitting back with friends BUT keep your glasses and bottles out of reach of the pups... the sweet mixers and tasty hops can be appealing to even the most staunch goody two shoes of your canine bunch! Alcohol can't be metabolized by the delicate canine system and will result in much more than a nasty hangover and hankering for a bit of the "hair of the dog that bit you" the next morning!
Heat!!! Keep them hydrated and in the shade! We often forget that our dogs bodies run at a temperature hotter than our own...add in that fur and the inability to sweat and you have DANGER. They maybe our best friends and want to go everywhere with us BUT be their best friend in return and keep them out of hot cars and the hot sun this weekend. Heat Stroke can cause serious irrevocable problems including but not limited to brain damage and death. Play it safe. If there isn't a constant cool water source and shade...leave them at home next to the AC with a bone and the remote tuned into into animal planet!
Over exertion.... sometimes our canine athletes just don't know when to stop. With the over stimulation of having you home for 3 whole days combined with extra family, friends, snacks and fun filled activity...a dog is bound to push itself. Check the paws for injuries like tears, worn spots, burns, punctures, etc. Pay attention to any lameness or limping.... they may have pulled or torn a muscle. Don't hesitate to give that athlete a time out so they can recover and a little mini canine massage! Bella loves them!
Have Fun!!!

Marathon Paws will be back in business on Tuesday Sept 4th in Boston. We look forward to seeing you all around!!!

We are back online!!!

2007-09-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Due to some blogging technical difficulties we have been offline for several weeks but I am now happy to say that everything is resolved and we are back!!!Keep tuned in for great tips, products,recipes, and fun stuff from Marathon Paws!!!!

Bella and Michele

Think your dog is gorgeous? Want a professional picture to show off to friends?

2007-08-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

Canine Photo Shoot!!!

Renowned photographer and RISD professor Henry Horenstein is seeking canines of all shapes, sizes, breeds and wackiness for a new project of his!

Canine participants receive 1 (one) free print from their session and must sign a model release stating Mr. Horenstein has rights to use the photo in any commercial way he desires. Just think .... you may open a magazine someday in the future and see your pooch in a stock photo! How fun!

Shoot is in South Boston on Drydock Ave this coming Friday.
Please contact his studio manager Allison Carroll at dogsonfilm@gmail.com or 857.654.2188 for more information.

Bloat

2007-08-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

WHAT IT ALL MEANS

Canine bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is the number-one cause of death for several breeds of dog. If this painful disorder is not treated within one to two hours, it is life-threatening.

In the bloated stomach, gas and/or food stretches the stomach many times its normal size, causing tremendous abdominal pain. For reasons we do not fully understand, this grossly distended stomach has a tendency to rotate, thus twisting off not only its own blood supply but the only exit routes for the gas inside. Not only is this condition extremely painful but it is also rapidly life-threatening.

Twenty-five percent of bloat cases are caused by gastric dilation. The stomach fills with gas. The increased pressure compresses both ends of the stomach, preventing the gas from escaping. But most cases--75 percent--are due to gastric volvulus, where the stomach actually twists, crimping and cutting off the inflow and outflow from the stomach. When the stomach gases cannot get out, they expand.

HAS MY DOG BLOATED?!!! WHAT TO LOOK FOR!

Affected dogs drool saliva because they cannot swallow. Also, they cannot belch or vomit, which would help relieve the mounting pressure from the stomach gases. The pressure causes the abdomen to become distended. When tapped, the abdomen can sound like a drum.

The dog may have an obviously distended stomach especially near the ribs but this is not always evident depending on the dog's body configuration.

If any of this is seen or even SUSPECTED , rush your dog to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY!

WHAT HAS TO BE DONE

There are several steps to saving a bloated dogs life. Part of the problem is that all steps should be done at the same time and as quickly as possible.

FIRST:DECOMPRESSION OF THE STOMACH

The huge stomach is by now pressing on the major blood vessels carrying blood back to the heart. This stops normal circulation and sends the dog into shock. Making matters worse, the stomach tissue is dying because it is stretched too tightly to allow blood circulation through it. There can be no recovery until the stomach is untwisted and the gas released. A stomach tube and stomach pump are generally used for this but sometime surgery is needed to achieve stomach decompression.

WHILE GIVING RAPID IV FLUIDS TO PREVENT SHOCK

Intravenous catheters are placed and life-giving fluid solutions are rushed in to replace the blood that cannot get past the bloated stomach to return to the heart. The intense pain associated with this disease causes the heart rate to race at such a high rate that heart failure will result. medication to resolve the pain is needed if the patient’s heart rate is to slow down. Medication for shock, antibiotics and electrolytes are all vital in stabilizing the patient.

WHILE ASSESSING AND STABILIZING THE HEART RHYTHM

There is a special very dangerous rhythm problem, called a "premature ventricular contraction" or "pvc," associated with bloat and it must be ruled out. If it is present, intravenous medications are needed to stabilize the rhythm. Since this rhythm problem may not be evident until even the next day continual EKG monitoring may be necessary. Disturbed heart rhythm already present at the beginning of treatment is associated with a 38% mortality rate.

Getting the bloated dog's stomach decompressed and reversing the shock is an adventure in itself but the work is not yet half finished.

SURGERY

All bloated dogs, once stable, should have surgery. Without surgery, the damage done inside cannot be assessed or repaired plus bloat may recur at any point, even within the next few hours and the above adventure must be repeated. Surgery, called gastrpexy, allows the stomach to be tacked into normal position so that it may never again twist. Without gastropexy, the recurrence rate of bloat may be as high as 75%!

Assessment of the internal damage is also very important to recovery. If there is a section of dying tissue on the stomach wall, this must be discovered and removed or the dog will die despite the heroics described above. Also, the spleen, which is located adjacent to the stomach may twist with the stomach. The spleen may require removal, too.

If the tissue damage is so bad that part of the stomach must be removed, the mortality rate jumps to 28 - 38%.

If the tissue damage is so bad that the spleen must be removed, the mortality rate is 32 - 38%.

After the expense and effort of the stomach decompression, it is tempting to forgo the further expense of surgery. However, consider that the next time your dog bloats, you may not be there to catch it in time and, according the study described below, without surgery there is a 24% mortality rate and a 76% chance of re-bloating at some point. The best choice is to finish the treatment that has been started and have the abdomen explored. If the stomach can be surgically tacked into place, recurrence rate drops to 6%.

In breeds that are at high risk, many experts recommend having a preventative gastropexy performed instead of waiting for an episode of bloat. In pet dogs, this surgery is usually performed at the time of neutering. In the December 1, 2002, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, researchers described a new laparoscopic gastropexy technique. This technique requires only a small incision on the side of the abdomen.

RISK FACTORS

Classically, this condition affects dog breeds which are said to be "deep chested," meaning the length of their chest from backbone to sternum is relatively long while the chest width from right to left is narrow. Examples of deep chested breeds would be the Great Dane, Greyhound, and the setter breeds. Still, any dog can bloat, even dachshunds and chihuahuas.

Historically,the dog had eaten a large meal, however we usually do not know why a given dog bloats on an individual basis. No specific diet or dietary ingredient has been proven to be associated with bloat other than a dry food only diet that is served as one large meal. Some factors found to increase and decrease the risk of bloat are listed below:

The breed with the highest average lifetime likelihood of a bloat episode is the Great Dane, at 42.4%. Other breeds at higher-than average risk include the Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Setter, Akita, standard Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, and Boxer. Other deep-chested breeds and deep-chested mixed-breed dogs are also at higher risk.

Dr. Larry Glickman, an epidemiologist at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted a controlled study on canine bloat, beginning in 1994. He followed 1,914 dogs who did not have a prior history of bloat. Eleven large and giant breeds were represented in the study.

Several risk factors were identified. The dogs with the greatest risk of developing bloat have chests that are deep and narrow. This can be evaluated by measuring the depth and the width of the chest. Then the depth is divided by the width. The depth-to-width ratio reflects the amount of room there is for stomach movement in the abdomen, behind the ribcage. The higher the result, the more room there is for movement. Dogs with more room have a greater risk of developing bloat.

Lean dogs were found to be at higher risk than overweight dogs. It is hypothesized that this is because fat takes up space in the abdomen. The lack of fat in the abdomen of a lean dog creates a basic situation similar to that of a dog with a deep and narrow chest: A lean dog has much more room in the abdomen for the stomach to move around than a fat dog. This does not mean, of course, that overweight dogs are generally healthier than lean dogs.

Risk is also higher for older dogs. For large breeds, the risk of developing bloat goes up 20 percent each year after the age of 5. For giant breeds, it goes up 20 percent each year after the age of 3. First degree relatives of dogs that have had bloat have a 63 percent greater risk of developing bloat themselves. Dogs that eat quickly have a 15 percent higher risk of developing bloat. This may be related to increased swallowing of air.

One traditional preventative has been to raise the height of food and water bowls, but this was found to actually increase risk by 110 percent. This correlation of risk was verifiable; the dogs of the breeders in this study did not have close relatives that had experienced bloat.

The study also found that fearful, nervous, or aggressive dogs had a much higher incidence of bloat than did dogs perceived by their owners as having happy temperaments. Stress can also be a precipitating factor, and many dogs bloat after recent kenneling, or a recent long car ride. A slightly higher percentage of males than females developed bloat.

Several diet-related factors were associated with a higher incidence of bloat. These include feeding only dry food, or feeding a single large daily meal. Dogs fed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients had a 170 percent higher risk for developing bloat. Dogs fed dry foods containing citric acid and were moistened prior to feeding had a 320 percent higher risk for developing bloat.

Conversely, feeding a dry food containing a rendered meat-and-bone meal decreased risk by 53 percent in comparison with the overall risk for the dogs in the study. Mixing table food or canned food into dry food also decreased the risk of bloat.

During the past 30 years there has been a 1,500 percent increase in the incidence of bloat, and this has coincided with the increased feeding of dry dog foods. There is a much lower incidence of bloat in susceptible breeds in Australia and New Zealand. Feeding practices in these countries have been found to be less dependent on dry foods.

As for feeding one large meal a day, this can weigh down the stomach and stretch the hepatogastric ligament, which usually maintains the stomach's normal position in the abdomen. Dogs that have bloated were found to have a much longer hepatogastric ligament; it is thought that this is due to chronic stretching. This could also explain why bloat risk increases with age.

Several popular theories regarding bloat were not substantiated during the study. There was no correlation of bloat risk to exercise before or after eating, as most dogs bloated in the middle of the night with an empty, gas-filled stomach. There was also no correlation to vaccinations, to the brand of dog food consumed, or to the timing or volume of water intake before or after eating.

From the research performed to date, we can list several factors that, added together, can characterize the typical dog that develops bloat: a deep and narrow chest; leanness; a relative that has had a bloat episode; eating quickly; a dry-food diet; a single, large daily meal; stress; and a fearful, nervous, or aggressive temperament.

FACTORS INCREASING BLOAT RISK

Feeding only one meal a day
Feeding only dry food
Having closely related family members with a history of bloat
Eating rapidly
Being thin or underweight
Fearful or anxious temperament
History of aggression towards people or other dogs
Male dogs are more likely to bloat than females
Older dogs (7 - 12 years) were the highest risk group
Family with history of bloat

FACTORS DECREASING BLOAT RISK

Inclusion of canned dog food in the diet
Inclusion of table scraps in the diet
Happy or easy-going temperament
Eating 2 or more meals per day

STUDY:

In 1993, a statistical study involving 134 dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus was conducted by the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany.

Out of 134 dogs that came into the hospital with this condition:

10% died or were euthanized prior to surgery (factors involved included expense of treatment, severity/advancement of disease etc.)
33 dogs were treated with decompression and no surgery. Of these dogs, 8 (24%) died or were euthanized within the next 48 hours due to poor response to treatment. (Six of these 8 had actually re-bloated).
Of the dogs that did not have surgical treatment but did survive to go home, 76% had another episode of gastric dilatation and volvulus eventually.
88 dogs were treated with both decompression and surgery. Of these dogs, 10% (9 dogs) died in surgery, 18% (16 dogs) died in the week after surgery, 71.5% (63 dogs) went home in good condition. Of the dogs that went home in good condition, 6% (4 dogs) had a second episode of bloat later in life.
In this study 66.4% of the bloated dogs were male and 33.6% were female. Most dogs were between ages 7 and 12 years old. The German Shepherd dog and the Boxer appeared to have a greater risk for bloating than did other breeds.

Data for this post was acquired from the following sources. Much of this post is a word by word reprint of these two articles.

Meyer-Lindenberg A., Harder A., Fehr M., Luerssen D., Brunnberg L. Treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulus and a rapid method for prevention of relapse in dogs: 134 cases (1988-1991) Journal of the AVMA, Vol 23, No 9, Nov 1 1993, 1301-1307.

Bell Jerald, DVM ,Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, "Risk Factors for Canine Bloat"

Jon Katz, author of Good Dog....at Borders in Downtown Crossing

2007-08-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

Jon Katz to Sign 'Dog Days' at Borders(R) Downtown Crossing Store in Boston

PRNewswire/ --



 Who:          A former television producer, Jon Katz is now a media
               critic, a journalist and the author of crime novels, geek
               subculture and dogs including "Katz on Dogs" and "A Good
               Dog." His latest book is "Dog Days."

 What:         Katz reads and signs his latest book, "Dog Days."

 When:         Thursday, August 2 at 12:30 p.m.

 Where:        Borders
               10-24 School Street
               Boston, MA  02108
               (617) 557-7188

 Why:          Fans have the opportunity to personally meet Katz and hear
               him read from "Dog Days." Borders is excited to welcome
               Katz to the Downtown Crossing store.

Marathon Paws to expand

2007-07-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Sorry that we haven't posted anything lately. We have been very busy and have some exciting things that are sitting on the horizon.

We are currently in talks with several makers of quality makers of athletic gear and wear and dogs and are considering making a line available for sale very soon. We would love your feed back on the items you would most like to have access to...life vests, first aid kits, books, collars, shoes, collars, etc. Let us know what YOU want.

Also in the beginning stages is a potential partnership with some New England farmers to create a locally harvested, raised and manufactured dog food. Some of you have responded to me personally on this exciting prospect while a few of you answered our poll. Let me assure you that while quality is the most important thing in our minds...if we can't offer this at a price point most can afford then we wont go forward at this time.

Let us hear from you! We are always excited to get feedback, comments, emails, etc on any post

Speaking of posts, what do YOU want to hear about? More medical issues, fitness, nutrition? Feel good stories? Shelter stories? What do you want to know?

Michele and the Marathon Paws Team

Tomorrow is a social doggy's dream!!!! 2 great events!

2007-07-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

This Saturday!!!!! Tomorrow!!!!! Today!!!!!!! (depending upon when you read this post!!!!!)

Somerville Arts Council puts on their annual ArtBeat festival in Davis Square...this year dubbed ArtBeast in honor of all things Beasty!!! Not only that but they are throwing a doggie parade at 11:15(walk to start at 11:30) There will be music and over 90 craft and arts vendors!!! Fun for the people and the doggies alike!!!! For those of you new to the city...take the red line to Davis Square (one stop before alewife) While you are in the area grab an iced mocha from Diesel Cafe!!!

Also going on tomorrow is the 3rd annual Bark and Wash at The Hotel Marlowe! Our friends at The Polka Dog Bakery join forces with Hotel Marlowe and The Laundromutt for a fun filled day of clean poochies and doggie snow cones!!!! Event is $15 and runs from 10-2!!! Every year is a hoot! Go and have fun. Directions

Canine First Aid Kit....A Must Have!!!

2007-07-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

If you are like me..... you travel everywhere with your pooch. Hiking, swimming, exploring or even a day in the city. Because you never know what you might come across you should always be prepared! Purchasing a Pet First Aid kit can be a life saver. You may choose to put together your own kit and keep it in your car or a mini kit in your bag for those walking or public transportation days! Here are the items that you should definetly have:

1) Pet First Aid, booklet
1) gunshot wound card
2) 3" x 3" gauze pads
1) 5" x 9" trauma pad
1) 4" x 4.1 yd. stretch gauze
1) 2" x 5 yd. co-flex bandage
1) pair latex gloves
1) metal scissors
1) plastic forceps
4) PVP iodine swabs
1) 20 ml bottle eye-skin wash
2) insect swabs
12) 1 g. hydrocortisone cream
4) 1 g. antibiotic cream
5) cotton swabs
2) antiseptic towelettes
1) powdered styptic
2) green soap towelettes
1) handiwipe
1) 2" x 5 yd. adhesive tape
1) 6" x 9" resealable bag
1) pencil
1) content card
1) rubber band

Things to know

How to recognize common pet ailments in the field.

What are some of the most common injuries a dog may sustain during a typical day in the outdoors?
Common injuries are paw and pad lacerations, dehydration and heat stroke. These can be avoided by being aware of the climate as well as environmental conditions. If you are wearing protective footwear, consider booties for your dog. If you are thirsty, consider that you dog is most likely in need of water.

How do I know if my dog is suffering from the heat or dehydration?
Be aware of your daily environment and the conditioning of your dog. If you are hot chances are your dog is hot. If you suspect that your dog is becoming dehydrated pull straight up on the skin on the back of the neck and release the skin. If the skin does not immediately fall back into place, chances are your dog is dehydrated.

Can dogs suffer from the effects of altitude?
Yes, if the dog has little experience with, or exposure to elevation they can quickly become lethargic and dehydrated. Use common sense, if you are feeling ill chances are your dog is experiencing similar effects. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to acclimate to the elevation by spending at least one night sleeping at the trailhead. Drinking a lot of water throughout the trip will also reduce the effects of altitude. Take it easy and be aware of your dog's physical condition until you become confident that your pet is suffering no ill effects.

Can dogs get hypothermic while out in the cold?
Yes, a dog can get hypothermic. This occurs when a dog's body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Most often we see hypothermic pets from exposure to the elements, without proper shelter, protection or a lack of being acclimated to cold weather. Elderly or very young animals are sometimes unable to regulate their body temperature properly. Shock can also contribute to the inability to regulate proper body temperature. Hypothermic symptoms include weak pulse, decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, shivering, blue mucous membranes, stupor, unconsciousness or coma. If frostbite is a concern there will be a discoloration of the skin (blue early on and black in later stages). Areas susceptible to frostbite are the tips of ears, the tail, and pads of the feet. Additionally, there will be a lack of pain or sensation of the affected area or it may be extremely painful when the area begins to warm up.

In the event your dog is cold, the first thing it will typically do is try to huddle with humans or other dogs. If your dog is seeking shelter or climbing into your sleeping bag, consider this a good indication that your dog is cold. Make sure the dog is drinking plenty of water as this will help to maintain body temperatures. Protective "clothing" such as Ruff Wear's K-9 Overcoat II (a windproof nylon shell lined with fleece) is a great way to reduce exposure to the elements. Booties are another excellent way to reduce exposure and heat loss. In most cases cold sets in faster when activity is reduced. This is the time to be most aware of the threat of cold.

Can a dog contract Giardia or other water-borne illnesses?
Yes, always try to make sure my dog drinks from a quality water source (filtered or treated). Also as a courtesy and safety consideration to others make sure your dog is not defecating near the water supply compounding the problem.

Administer First Aid while in the field.

What do you do if your dog stops breathing? Is CPR an option?
Yes, CPR is a very real solution. We know of one dog that was successfully brought back to life after her heart and respiration stopped from smoke inhalation in a house fire. The procedure is different then the procedure used in resuscitating humans and the worst time to learn CPR is when you need to perform it. An excellent source for becoming familiar with the procedure is Ruff Wear's Quick Guide to Animal Emergencies.

What do you do if your dog is choking?
It is best to learn and know the proper sequence in which to respond to a choking incident before the actual event. Familiarize yourself by reading a quality pet first aid guide to be prepared before the need arises. Performing the Heimlich is a good option but only once you have ruled out the possibility of a foreign object lodged in the throat that may be accessed and removed through the mouth. Again there is no substitute for a good pet first aid guide to provide you with a step-by-step procedure

What's the best way to remove a tick from a dog?
Wearing gloves you should grasp the entire tick with tweezers and remove the complete tick making certain to remove all the mouthparts. You may want to save the tick for identification by your vet to confirm if the tick carries any diseases. Apply a disinfectant or antibiotic ointment to the bite.

How can you calm an injured dog?
Even if the dog is your best buddy, always approach an injured dog with caution. Assess the situation and consider a muzzle to restrain a pet that is in pain and possible shock. A traumatized pet will often snap or bite. In more extreme conditions a blanket may be dropped over the animal until a muzzle can be applied. Dogs are very intuitive so any panic or cause for alarm by the caregiver will raise the fear factor for the pet. By remaining calm and being prepared you will be able to reassure the animal and not cause additional anxiety.

It's up to you!
The best way to reduce the possibility of a pet sustaining an injury is prevention. Be aware of your surroundings and potentially hazardous plants and animals with which your dog may come in contact. Be prepared with a first aid kit that matches the duration of your time away from immediate assistance as well as your exposure to the elements. Remember, the worst time to learn about assisting an injured pet is when your dog sustains an injury. Become familiar with the kit and the information provided so that you will know how you may assist before the need arises.

Have fun out there with your pooch but be safe!!!

What does your food say?

2007-07-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

There is a practice within the pet food industry that many consumers are unaware of and it is regarding the use of rendered animals in the manufacturing of the food.

When asked, The President of AAFCO said: "If the ingredient say's meat or bone MEAL, you don't know if it is cattle, or sheep, or horse, . . . or fluffy." then went on to say: ". . . nutritionally, it is still protein." To view the King 5 Television interview with the AAFCO President (Herschel Pendell)click on the link above.

Does the listing on your dog's food use the word MEAL when they advertise it is made from meat?
And can we trust what a pet food company tells us their food is made of in their advertising? . . . Another AFFCO president when asked about the labeling claims of a Purina product stated (in writing): ". . . the large manufacturers are protected by the Constitutionally guaranteed right of speech, which doesn't require that speech to be truthful or with reason."

So, in a climate such as ours, what is the right choice? Do we stop feeding commercial food and only home cook? Do we follow the Bones and Raw Foods diet? Do we source a smaller food manufacturer or an all organic kibble? No one answer is right for everyone. What is right for everyone though is to first make sure that you meet with an experienced nutritionist experienced in canine nutrition who is unaffiliated with any particular food manufacturer. Your dog may have allergies or perhaps is more active for it's age and doesn't require "senior" food yet. Like humans, each individual dog is different.

I do a combination of home cooking and raw with organic wheat free kibble as snacks when on the road. This is much too high maintenance for some individuals and i respect that. I need to make sure that on a weekly basis my dog is getting an optimal level of nutrition... the right amounts of amino acids, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. This isn't easy but it isn't too terribly hard either. It takes some extra time each day but mostly it costs more. In the long run though, does it? With reduced vet visits due to poor health, does it equal out?

There is a lot of talk about Breed Specific Nutrition and the nutritional differences that carry over from breed to breed. I feel that there is a lot of truth in this because of the athleticism of some breeds versus others, the thinner skeletal structures or the longer gastric tracts; some dogs respond to some foods and don't like others. What I have learned is this. Even if Breed Specific Nutrition states that your dog should eat fish or poultry but it hates fish and poultry.... don't force your dog to do it. It will make meal time a stressful time. Just be sure to supplement for anything that might be missing.

Now,many of you don't have the time or the know how around a kitchen to do as I do... no worries! The best resource for food reviews is the Whole Dog Journal I subscribe for all of the great tips that it provides. It follows my core beliefs of a more holistic style of pet care but isn't preachy and respects that not everyone can or will prepare a home made diet for their dog. For this reason they review the best foods each year and provide the reader with a break down on their findings!

Good luck out there!

Tips in Choosing a Care Giver for Your Pet

2007-07-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Choosing a Dog Walker and/or Sitter for your beloved pooch is a hard decision. There are so many variables to consider and ALL of the people seemed nice. So, do you choose the rigid professional who didn't interact with your dog or who did in a robotic way? The earth child college student who gushes about how much she loves dogs as she rolls around on the ground with your pooch? The neighbors daughter? None of these decisions are necessarily right or wrong. Ask good questions and follow your gut. While it isn't important that you find a new best friend in your care giver you do want to make sure that your dog seems to enjoy him/her and trust them. This will reduce the chances of accidents and injuries later. Dogs listen to those they trust. Get a reference from a vet he/she has brought her own pets to. The standard of care they provide their own will be a good benchmark for you. Get a reference from a current sitting client if this will be a sitting job or a current walking client if it will be walking. Keep in mind that references can be made by friends and family and rarely does one provide contact numbers for bad references. Ask them if they have ever been fired from a care giving position and why. Pay attention to their reactions in addition to their answers. Do you feel like there is something they aren't telling you? If you have asked the question and you still feel there is more...trust your instinct. Find someone else. You are trusting your home and your pet to this person. If you cannot trust them that is a deal breaker.

Below are some questions you should ask all of your care givers. Should anyone reading this want my own answers to this questionnaire, please send me an email and I will forward it along.

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR DOG WALKERS
1. Where will you take my dog?
Does the location make you comfortable? Will the person be driving your pets anywhere? Do they have a comprehensive insurance package that protects you in case something happens to your pet? How is their driving record? Have they been in any accidents in the last 12 months?How many tickets have they received in the last 6 months(parking excluded)? In Boston dogs are allowed on all public transit, regardless of whether they are "working" dogs. If you are comfortable with your dog riding the subway, city bus, or commuter rail to get to a location then let your potential caregiver know. Public transportation can open up a wide range of activities for your dog... if the handler is experienced with working with dogs on the MBTA system.

2. In what types of activities do the dogs engage? Do you walk the dogs off or on leash, or is the outing a supervised playgroup in a designated location?
Some dogs are other dog aggressive or just leash aggressive. Some would rather walk for an hour than spend half an hour in a fenced in dog park. Do you want your dog to socialize or not to? Be specific about what you wish for your dog and if the care giver doesn't provide it in their literature or on their site...ask. They might do it for you. Want hiking in the city at the arboretum... just ask.

3. For how long will you exercise my dog (excluding car time)?
This is very important!!! Read the fine print! Does your hour include pick up or drop off? Some care givers offer an hour and include the arrival outside your home and writing of the note at the end as part of this hour. Others provide a specific amount of actual active play/walking/running as their guideline and provide anything over as a courtesy. Make sure this is clearly defined early on.

4. Do you include obedience during the walk? If so, how?
Does your dog require training to walk well on lease? How does the caregiver work with dogs who are in need of training?

5. What sort of punishments and/or rewards do you use?
Do they use clickers? Treats? Verbal commands? Physical discipline? While their style may not be the same as yours, just make sure you and your pet are comfortable with their technique.

6. What will you do if my dog . . .
Does not come when called?
Does not sit when requested?
Jumps on you?
Jumps on somebody else?
Growls at another dog?
Growls at a person?
Attacks someone or another dog?
Is attacked by another dog?

8. What is the maximum number of dogs you will walk on an outing? Do you separate dogs according to size? Age? Activity level?
This is important because some walkers can handle 5 dogs but some can only handle 3 effectively. If the number sounds high to you, request to shadow them during one of their playgroups and witness them with their dogs. Are they able to effectively handle all of them? Do you have any concerns? They should be able to react quickly and effectively. Are they able to maintain constant supervision over all of the dogs? Accidents can happen quickly. Be comfortable with the number of dogs they handle. Also, fewer dogs means more interaction for the dog. Some dogs are people focused...if your dog loves people and is more focused on the quality human time...choose a care giver with smaller numbers or who is willing to do solo or two dog walks with yours. At the end of the day... is your dog happy, healthy and exhausted?

9. What is the protocol for introducing my dog into the group? For letting my dog off leash? How do you screen dogs for dog friendliness?
This is important. More fights and injuries happen in these initial moments than any other time.

10. Will you provide any reports/updates on my dogs’ behavior either weekly or monthly?
Some owners want daily reports, some weekly, some none. If you are away but have Internet access you could ask for daily emails? Maybe set up a blog for the caregiver to fill out so you can log on and read all about your dog's adventures back home or out on his daily walk.

11. In an emergency, what plan of action do you have in place? Are you trained in pet first aid or CPR?
This is vital! Find out what the plan is if they are at your home, out at the park or on a walk, or an hour away hiking. Minutes are precious in an emergency.

12. Has a dog ever been lost or injured on your walks? What happened?

13. Will walks be delegated to anyone other than yourself (an assistant or associate)? If so, how far in advance of the actual outing with my dog?
If so, ask to meet the assistant so that you are comfortable with who will be in your home and with your dog.

14. How long have you been walking dogs professionally? What is your experience managing multiple dogs? Are you a pet owner yourself?
While this may not be as important to you as the rest of their background it is important to find out what their intentions are. If you require a long term relationship with a care giver you may want to seek someone who has made this their profession as to avoid the problem of school holidays, other jobs, etc. Some professionals have never owned a dog so their 5 years of professional experience is limited to their work experience. Some non professionals have grown up on farms, raised dogs, had at least one, if not two their entire life and are experienced with the good, the bad and the ugly of dogs and know how to handle all types of situations. Mostly, you will find a mix of two. What are you as a pet owner comfortable with?

15. Can you provide references from current and former clients as well as your personal vet? May I contact them?
Keep in mind that no one will offer up a poor reference. Pay most attention to the vet reference. Find out how they care for their own dogs.

16. May I observe/accompany you on a walk?
A professional will not be offended by this request. If you desire it, request it.

17. Will you provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees?
Some do and some don't. Some pet owners want one and some don't. If you want one, ask. This eliminates questions later.

18. If you provide live-in services, what are the specific times you agree to be with my pet(s)? Is this detailed in the contract?

19. Can you provide written proof that you have commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence)?
Insurance is a deal breaker for many pet owners. Insurance coverages the pet owner. A comprehensive plan will cover many things, including house damages, pet injuries, and even death. Bonding is an optional coverage that some care givers get to cover themselves in case of excused theft. Bonding protects the care giver not the pet owner.

20.What kinds of additional services do you offer in regard to general duties such as bringing in mail, newspaper, watering plants, etc.? Is this detailed in the contract?
Don't assume! Ask and have it written down!

21. Do you provide require a veterinary release form so that you may seek emergency medical care if I cannot be reached? Do you have a back-up veterinarian in case my vet is unavailable?
No one knows when an emergency might arise. Therefore, your dog walker should have an emergency plan for getting medical attention even if your veterinarian is unavailable. Be sure to provide a release form and notify your veterinarian of your arrangement with your dog walker.

My DOG was STOLEN tonight!!!!

2007-07-04T00:14:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Tonight, after watching John Cougar perform with the Pops my dog was stolen after I tied her to the fence outside of a Walgreens. I went in for 5 minutes and came out to find her gone. I immediately began to scream her name and tell everyone what happened. I called 911, flagged down a policeman and then while he was driving around I ran to the police station where another policeman drove me around. A gentleman saw Bella being dragged into an apartment and flagged down the police car. She was returned to me.... and seems to have suffered little emotional scarring from the incident. The couple was arrested and I have pressed charges. The important lesson here is to avoid leaving your dog alone outside...even 5 minutes is too long. I am very very lucky. Now, she is asleep on my feet and I no longer have a taste for that popcorn I needed so badly a couple of hours ago and bought at Walgreens. It seems far less important.

Take care of your dogs and be careful out there.

Michele and Bella

Dog Days of Summer?!!!

2007-06-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

Whoever first penned that phrase was completely wrong! Summer days in which the temperatures soar well past the 80's into the 90's and beyond are a dogs number one enemy! A car can reach over 120 on an 80 day! This is enough to injure or even kill your dog! Heat stroke kills more dogs each year than is necessary. Educate yourself and your dog will thank you!

What is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke or hyperthermia is when the core body temperature rises faster than the normal cooling process occurs to dissipate the body's heat. A dog's normal temperature is 101.5 – 102.2, taken rectally. A body temperature of about 104 degrees or higher could indicate heat stroke. At high temperatures, the cells in the body begin to break down. At sustained body temperatures of 105 – 109 degrees, organs may be permanently damaged and death can occur.

Dogs do not sweat; they cool themselves by evaporation through panting.

Dogs most at risk for heat stroke are:
Young puppies or older dogs
Overweight dogs
Dogs with illnesses
Dogs with dehydration
Dogs with short nasal passages
Dogs overexerted by exercise
Dogs left in parked cars on warm, hot or sunny days

What are the signs of Heat Stroke?

Intense Rapid Panting
Agitation
Elevated heart rate
Weakness
Salivating
Staggering
Fainting
Difficulty in breathing
High Body Temperature
Bright Red Mucous Membranes, gums and eyes
Shock
Seizure, Coma

First Aid for Heat Stroke:

The immediate action is to reduce the dog's temperature. This may be done by placing the dog in a tub of cool (not COLD) water, sponging the dog with cool water or applying wet sheeting or towels to the dog's body. Place a fan directly in front of the dog. Ice packs, wrapped in a towel can also be applied. Another method is an isopropyl alcohol bath. The alcohol will evaporate and this will help cool the dog. The areas to target for cooling are the head, neck, armpits, abdomen and feet. You want to try and get the temperature down to 103 degrees within 10 minutes. However, overcooling is not advised. And you need to transport your dog to a Veterinary Clinic as soon as possible. You can continue cooling methods on your way to medical help.

Prevention of Heat Stroke:

Never leave your dog in a parked car, even with the windows cracked.

Dogs should avoid strenuous exercise on hot days, try going out in the early morning or evening.

Always provide a comfortable environment for your dogs, with plenty of fresh water. Leave the air conditioner on or ceiling fan.

Limit outside exposure during the peak daytime hours of 11AM – 3PM on hot days.

If you travel to warmer climates with your dog, allow them time to acclimate to hotter temperatures.

If you see an animal in a car exhibiting any signs of Heat Stroke or stress, call the Police immediately.

Order some great “Don't Leave Me in Here - It's Hot!" Flyers visit www.mydogiscool.com

FDA Disputes Pet Food Pain Killer Findings But Texas Lab Stands by Its Test Results

2007-06-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

The following article originally appeared in consumeraffairs.com
June 15, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is disputing the findings of a Texas laboratory that reported it discovered the pain killer acetaminophen in some brands of pet food.

The FDA said it didn’t find acetaminophen in a handful of samples of dog and cat food it tested in the past week, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"We cannot validate their finding,” Julie Zawisza, assistant commissioner of public affairs for the FDA told the newspaper.

But ConsumerAffairs.com learned the FDA cannot confirm it tested the same lots and brands in which the Texas laboratory -- ExperTox, Inc. -- detected the pain medication.

“This case is not closed,” Donna Coneley, lab manager with ExperTox, Inc. told us. “They’re (FDA) still requesting samples and data from us. We’ve talked to them three times today. I don’t see by any means that this is over. If it was over and done with, why would they bother spending so much time with us on the phone and arranging for samples to be released?”

Asked about the FDA’s comment to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Coneley responded: “I don’t know their reasoning. What I do know is that when they told me they tested a few samples of cat and dog food, I asked them if they were the same lots and brands that we tested. And they couldn’t confirm that any of them were the same ones we tested.”

“We’re using two completely different testing instruments to detect those chemical, and the difference comes into play with the instruments and the instrumentation (used) to detect those chemical,” she added.

Coneley said her lab tested 100 to 150 samples of pet food -- and detected acetaminophen in five of those samples.

The FDA, she said, tested just a few samples of pet food for the pain killer.
“It’s easier to say that we can’t confirm something by looking at a few samples than to really investigate and continue investigating until you know something for sure,” Coneley said. “I think this might have been a quick way to get everyone off their (FDA) backs.”

"Imaginary Experts"

Could those “everyones” be the Pet Food Institute (PFI), which represents the makers of 98 percent of all dog and cat food produced in the United States and calls itself “the voice of U.S. pet food manufacturers?”

“Maybe there was pressure from them,” Coneley said.

As we reported on Wednesday, PFI cast doubts on ExperTox’s finding.
“Through our contacts in Texas, which is where the lab is located that conducted the analysis, we have learned there is genuine concern among key toxicological and analytical experts about the lab and the actual test results,” said PFI spokesman Kurt Gallagher.

Coneley questioned what experts PFI was talking about.

“They never name the experts they’re working with,” she said on Wednesday. “When someone says ‘people I know say this,’ it sounds to me like they’re trying to say there are experts who have looked into this and don’t agree with the findings. But I don’t believe there are.

“To me, it sounds like they’re talking about imaginary experts. The (scientists at the) FDA are the only people we’ve been talking to about our findings.”

Coneley told us today that her lab will continue working closely with the FDA and hopes to foster its relationship with that federal agency.

“We don’t want to build any animosity with the FDA,” she said. “It’s in our best interest to help them see what we’re seeing.”

Other Contaminants

As we reported, acetaminophen isn’t the only contaminant ExperTox discovered in the samples of pet food it tested in May.

The lab found the chemical cyanuric acid -- commonly used in pool chlorination -- in some samples.

And in other samples, it detected the chemical that triggered the March 2007 recall of millions of containers of dog and cat food: melamine.
The FDA discovered melamine in the wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China and used in the more than 5,600 products that pet food makers have recalled in the past three months.
The chemical -- used to make plastics and fertilizers -- is blamed for the illnesses and deaths of thousands of pets nationwide. It is not approved for use in pet or human food.

ExperTox did not identify the brands of food it tested because of a confidentiality agreement.

Menu Foods

But ConsumerAffairs.com confirmed one of the brands that tested positive for acetaminophen is Menu Food’s Pet Pride.

Pet owner Don Earl of Port Townsend, Washington, told us he hired ExperTox to analyze samples of Pet Pride "Turkey and Giblets Dinner" and Pet Pride "Mixed Grill.”

He says he took that action because his cat “Chuckles” suffered kidney disease and died in January after eating those flavors of Pet Pride food.
He also told us that ExperTox analyzed the same lots and styles of Pet Pride food that he fed Chuckles before she died.

We reviewed ExperTox’s findings of the samples Earl submitted, which confirmed the lab detected acetaminophen in the food.

The tests also detected cyanuric acid in the samples of Pet Pride food. Those samples, however, did not contain any melamine, the report stated.
Menu Foods declined to comment on ExperTox’s finding and referred calls to the PFI.

As usual, the FDA did not return our telephone calls or e-mails seeking comment.

Pet owner Earl, however, criticized the FDA for making what he called “unsubstantiated claims” about ExperTox and its findings.“At the time of the article, the FDA had not tested any of the sample tested by ExperTox,” he told us today. “It is also of interest that in an attempt to get a second opinion on one of the two varieties of pet food I had tested by ExperTox, I submitted a separate sample to UC Davis, only to later find that UC Davis is a major recipient of pet food company funding. Under the circumstances, it is my firmly held belief that if the FDA is going to make these kinds of unsubstantiated claims, their methods should be publicly examined along side those on the cutting edge of these findings.”
He added: “It has been three months since the recall was announced and pet owners still don't have any hard answers as to how and why this happened, or what is safe to feed their pets.”

A Shout out to our friends at 92.5 The River

2007-06-22T05:07:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Ron and Angela at The River for allowing us the great, albeit incredibly stressful, opportunity to appear and to talk about Marathon Paws this morning!

Help! My canine athlete ruptured her ACL!!!

2007-06-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament *

Holly Nash, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The knee is prone to a number of injuries as any football player will tell you. One of the most common knee injuries in dogs is a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Knee anatomy

The knee is a joint that is formed by three bones: Femur (the long bone extending down from the hip); Tibia (the bone between the knee and ankle); and Patella (the kneecap). These bones are joined together by a number of ligaments, which are tough fibrous bands of tissue. Two ligaments crisscross in the joint from the femur to the tibia and are called cruciate ligaments (cruciate means cross). The one towards the front of the leg is called the anterior cruciate ligament and the one crossing behind it is the posterior cruciate ligament. These ligaments prevent the ends of the femur and tibia from moving back and forth across each other.
A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

When the anterior cruciate ligament ruptures (is torn), the joint becomes unstable and the femur and tibia can move back and forth across each other. The anterior cruciate ligament is most commonly torn when the dog twists on his hind leg. The twisting motion puts too much tension on the ligament and it tears. This often occurs if the dog slips on a slippery surface, makes a sudden turn while running, or is hit by a car. Obesity puts too much weight on the knee and overweight dogs tend to have more occurrences of ruptured cruciate ligaments.

Symptoms of a ruptured cruciate ligament

Dogs who have ruptured their cruciate ligament will appear suddenly lame, and usually hold the foot of the affected leg off the ground. The knee may become swollen. In time, the dog may start to use the leg again, but often lameness returns.

Diagnosis of a ruptured cruciate ligament

The diagnosis of a ruptured cruciate ligament is made through observing abnormal movement of the joint. A veterinarian will place one hand around the femur and one around the tibia in a precise manner. By applying pressure on the knee, the veterinarian will feel the bones move abnormally in what is called a 'drawer sign.' It is called that because the movement of the femur in relation to the tibia is similar to pulling and pushing in the drawer of a cabinet. If an animal is in a lot of pain, or very nervous, the muscles near the knee may be so tense that they prevent the drawer movement from occurring. If a veterinarian suspects a ruptured cruciate ligament in a dog but cannot elicit the drawer sign, the dog may be heavily sedated to relax the muscles and then re-examined for the drawer sign.

A device, called the 'DGY2000,' has been developed by the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine to detect stretched or partially torn ACLs. In these conditions there is often insufficient joint laxity to detect using the procedure described above. The DGY2000 consists of a platform with two moving pieces. The dog's leg is strapped onto the platform and the femur is held in place while a small force is applied to the front and then the back of the tibia while radiographs (x-rays) are taken. An exact measurement of the amount of laxity in the joint can then be determined from the two radiographs. Earlier diagnosis and a chance to stabilize the joint before total rupture of the ligament occurs has the potential to help prevent pain and arthritis in dogs.

Treatment of a ruptured cruciate ligament

If the ligament is completely torn, the dog (especially a large dog) is generally treated with surgery. There are several different methods used to repair the knee joint when an anterior ligament is torn. They all entail using synthetic suture material, or a portion of adjacent fibrous tissue to basically re-create the ligament. The suture or tissue is made to extend from the outside lower portion of the femur to the inside upper portion of the tibia. After the surgery, the dog must be strictly confined for 2 weeks. By day 10 after surgery, most dogs touch the toe of the affected leg to the ground and will start bearing minimal weight on the leg. Once the dog has reached this point, it is often very difficult to keep the dog quiet until complete healing has taken place. The dog generally has to be restricted to only leash walking for a minimum of 4-6 more weeks; the exact amount of time depends upon the extent of the injury and the corrective procedure performed. This exercise is extremely important to prevent the surgical correction from tearing. The veterinarian's instructions regarding exercise during the recovery period should be followed very carefully.

In some instances, if the cruciate ligament is only partially torn, the animal is older, has medical conditions which could affect healing, or the owners will not be able to keep the dog quiet for a number of weeks after surgery, medical treatment is used. This basically consists of controlling the dog's activity for 8-12 weeks. Swimming and low-impact exercise (walking) may be done on a controlled basis, as instructed by a veterinarian, to keep up muscle strength. If overweight, the dog should be placed on a reduced-calorie diet. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as carprofen, etodolac, meloxicam, deracoxib, buffered aspirin, or other medications are often used to reduce inflammation in the joint and relieve pain. (Do NOT give your cat aspirin unless prescribed by your veterinarian.) Products containing glucosamine, chondroitin, perna mussel, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, and other chondroprotective agents are often recommended, as well.

If a dog with a ruptured cruciate is not treated, severe degenerative joint disease (arthritis) usually occurs. In addition, because the dog favors the affected leg, he will generally put more weight on the unaffected leg. It is not unusual for the dog to rupture the anterior cruciate ligament on that leg as well because of the increased stress on the leg.

Prognosis

If the dog's exercise is restricted as instructed, and overweight dogs return to normal body weight, the prognosis is good. Depending on the amount of injury to the knee and length of time between the injury and correction of the problem, degenerative joint disease may occur as the pet ages.

*This article originally appeared in www.peteducation.com

In honor of Duke, my beloved golden-doodle client

2007-06-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is a joke which I found on another forums list....

The American Kennel Club has decided to recognize these new breeds of dogs that are the result of cross breeding:

Collie + Lhaso Apso: Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport.
Spitz + Chow Chow: Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up alot.
Bloodhound + Borzoi: Bloody Bore, a dog that's not much fun.
Pointer + Setter: Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet.
Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier: Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries.
Pekingese + Lhaso Apso: Peekasso, an abstract dog.
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever: Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists.
Newfoundland + Basset Hound: Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisers.
Terrier + Bulldog: Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes.
Bloodhound + Labrador: Blabrador, a dog that barks incessantly.
Malamute + Pointer: Moot Point, owned by...oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway.
Collie + Malamute: Commute, a dog that travels to work.
Deerhound + Terrier: Derriere, a dog that's true to the end.
Poodle + Min Pin: PooPin, a dog for constipated people.

Smile...say BONES

2007-06-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Renowned canine photographer Kendra Luck is in the Boston Area for three days this week offering her fine art photography!

Don't miss out..... she is a San Fransisco based photographer who has graced the pages of Bark Magazine!!!

Kendra Luck
www.dogumentarian.com
or
510.527.1011.

Spaces are limited!

Countdown to Take Your Dog To Work Day!!!

2007-06-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

On Friday June 22nd please join Marathon Paws in a celebration of the Dog Days of Summer by participating in Take Your Dog to Work Day!!!

Marathon Paws is planning some extra special goodies for that day so keep a look out on our blog and stay informed!!!

For all corporate dogs in downtown boston, back bay and financial districts we will be offering special $10 afternoon walks!!! Book early! Space is limited!

Update on Bella the Boxer

2007-06-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

Bella has settled into her foster home quite nicely. She has begun to put on weight and only needs her crate on special occassions, although she sometimes chooses to curl up in it when I am busy answering emails or watching a movie. She is loving her homemade meals, however, with the time committment of running a small business we have decided to try a great frozen raw food product from Primal Pet Foods. The cost will be about the same but I will save the time that I currently spend in execution.

We will get back to you on Bella's thoughts of the new food. Meanwhile.... check out their website at www.primalpetfoods.com and if you are interested please go to the Polka Dog Bakery on Shawmut in Boston's the South End. Rob and Deb have a great selection of snacks, toys, food, gear and supplements to help you and your canine (or feline) friends.

Congratulations to our runners who ran The Race to Remember!

2007-05-28T13:16:00.001-07:00

Anna! Great time at 1:52:16 !!!
Petra! Awesome at 2:07:58!!!

Wow!

Dog Days of Summer- it's raining today but the forecast is warming up!!!

2007-05-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

AS THE MERCURY RISES, FIDO NEEDS SPECIAL CARE!!!

(Phoenix, May 14, 2007) – Summer is coming, even though it seems as if it has already arrived. We know how warm we all get in the summer months. Now imagine if you were wearing a fur coat. Each summer Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) receives hundreds of calls about pets being left outside with no shade or water. Many of these animals lose their lives due to the extreme temperatures. Here are some easy things you can do to help them feel more comfortable during the long days of summer.

Walk your dog in the early morning or evening hours. Pavement gets very hot during the day and can burn the pads on their paws. Also, your dog is much closer to the ground and that heat. If you and your pet are going out in the sun, put sunscreen on his sensitive areas (the tips of his ears, his nose).

Never leave your pet in the car, even if it’s parked in the shade. Temperatures inside cars can get up to 150 degrees quickly. Watch out for coolant leaking from your car. It has a sweet smell and animals are attracted to it. It could kill them.

Ensure your pet has adequate shade (for the entire day) if left outside. Also be sure to have some water in a tip-proof container that is also in a shaded area. If your pet does show signs of heat exhaustion, cool him down slowly with a cool rag. Do not submerge him in water. Take him immediately to a veterinarian for follow up care.

Monitor your cat for hair balls and brush her if she seems to have excess hair. Get your dog groomed. Have your cat and dog checked and treated for fleas and ticks, which are especially problematic in the hot summer months.

Take extra care of old or overweight animals in hot weather. Snub-nosed dogs (Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriors, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus) and those with heart or lung disease should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible. These animals have a difficult time regulating their body temperature.

This Saturday!!! 3 Mile Dog Walk to Benefit MSPCA

2007-05-18T11:11:00.001-07:00

Boston Athletic Club is hosting a 3-Mile Fitness Dog Walk
to combat obesity in people and canines!

Get Active America! is an action step to help fight the
national obesity epidemic by helping Americans get motivated
and active!

You and your pooch can make a difference!

Come and join the fun Saturday May 19, 2007 @ 10am

Entrance fee $10 - proceeds will benefit the MSPCA
Registration is between 9:30 and 9:55 am at 653 Summer Street in Boston!

Members and Non-Members welcome of Boston Athletic Club welcome!!

For more information:
http://www.bostonathleticclub.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Nurturing a malnourished dog- one pound at a time.

2007-05-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

This little girl is Bella. A pure bred Boxer who appears to be under a year old who loves cats, other dogs and kids of all ages! I rescued her at the end of last week from a teenage boy who didn't understand how to feed her and she was facing an uncertain future as the boy's father was taking the dog to the pound that day. Less than 24 hours later Bella was being lavished with home cooked meals and frequent brushings. She has severe seperation anxiety and cries when I walk away from her for too long unless she is in her crate at home with her Kong. Her weight as of yesterday is 40lbs. We have a goal of 5 more over the next two months.

Dogs raised for fur in China

2007-05-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

This video is from the Humane Society of America..... http://www.hsus.org/video_clips/life_and_death_of_chinas.html

It is tremendously graphic. I am only posting this as an alert to individuals so that they be aware that there is a new trend in labeling things as "faux fur" when in actuality it is raccoon dog, a breed of dog raised in china specifically for the fur trade.

Fido might look cute overweight but his joints aren't happy!!!

2007-05-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

Facts:
• Canine obesity is a growing and common problem, with many studies suggesting that 40-50 per cent of dogs are overweight

• The main cause of canine obesity is overfeeding and insufficient exercise

• In overweight dogs, all body structures prematurely age and can lead to shortened lifespan.

• An overweight dog is more at risk if undergoing surgery; is susceptible to injury; and will experience stress on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and joints. As the fat increases, so does the risk of developing cardiac, digestive and circulatory problems, diabetes, arthritis, fatigue, exercise and heat intolerance

• As in humans, being overweight is not only a cardiovascular danger, it also puts unnecessary strain on joints and ligaments. The same applies to man’s best friend. Overloading an animal’s joints, and compounding this with reduced exercise, can cause poor muscle tone and fitness leading to conditions such as soft tissue injuries and joint strain

Factors that increase your pet’s chances of being overweight:

• Breed – certain breeds are predisposed to obesity. These include Basset Hounds, Beagles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and Shetland Sheepdogs

• Feeding and Lifestyle – food portion size, type of food fed and amount of exercise

• Hypothyroidism – a medical condition characterised by an under active thyroid more commonly associated with older dogs. Symptoms to look out for include: poor coat and skin, increased appetite and thirst, stiff joints and limbs, lameness or muscle pain. Report any signs to your vet who will advise on an appropriate course of treatment.

Checking your pet is overweight or obese:

Owners don’t always know how to check the correct weight of their dog. Dogs will vary in height, bone and muscle structure – so there is no ‘correct’ weight for a dog, whatever the breed.

To check whether a dog is overweight, you need to examine the hips, the ribs and the neck.

• Checking the hips – run your hand over your dog’s hindquarters. You should feel the bumps of two pelvic bones without applying pressure

• Checking the ribs – place your thumbs on the dog’s back and run them along the backbone with your fingers over the ribs. If necessary, push into the fur to do this if it is thick. You should be able to feel the bumps of the ribs without applying any pressure. If you can’t feel the ribs, your dog is overweight

• Checking the neck – push your thumb and index finger into the flesh at side of the neck above the shoulder and pinch together. If your fingers are more than half an inch apart, your dog is overweight.

Other ways to check if your dog is overweight:

• When looking at your dog from the side, the abdomen should not be hanging down

• When looking at your dog from above, you should be able to see a waist behind the ribs

• With your dog standing on all fours, place your hands on each side of your dog’s chest. You should be able to feel the ribs. Your dog is too thin if you can see the ribs or they are protruding – and is overweight if you need to apply pressure to feel them.

Reducing the calories:

• If you think your dog is overweight, don’t do anything until you have discussed the matter with your vet. S/he will be able to provide you with a detailed feeding and exercise plan, if necessary

• If you are given a weight-reduction plan, be sure that you follow it! Weight loss should be a gradual process so it is important that you help your dog keep it up

• Ask your vet about regular follow-ups as you need to see if the plan is working. This may happen at set intervals until your dog reaches the desired weight

To assist the weight-reduction plan:

• Seek advice from your vet on the kind of treats you can feed your dog whilst on the weight- reduction plan. Note: Begging for food or looking sad does not necessarily mean your dog is still hungry!

• Don’t add on extra calories by giving away high fat snacks, which you might be consuming. If you feel the need to share, make sure you reduce the amount that is fed in the next meal

• Keep food out of your dog’s sight and reach. Watch them around children who are eating and keep your dog away from bin bags to prevent stealing/raiding

• Make sure you follow the prescribed portion sizes for meals and treats and that everyone in the family is aware of the plan

• Don’t forget the exercise! Exercise and healthy eating go hand in hand. Ideally you want to build up an exercise program that lasts between 30-60 minutes. If your breed of dog is particularly susceptible to weight gain, make sure they get enough exercise to burn off their food

• If you succeed in helping your dog reach an ideal weight, help keep it off. Talk to your vet about a maintenance program.

Canine Fitness:

Different breeds develop at different rates. Each owner should seek fitness advice from their veterinarian for their specific dog.

When considering the type and extent of exercise to give your dog, it is worth considering the following points:

• Elderly or unfit dogs have very different activity requirements from adult busy working dogs and this should be considered when dogs of different ages are living together within one household

• Owners need to be aware that young dogs should not be over-exercised. Young dogs, until they’re skeletally mature, should not be taken for long walks or be chasing balls at full speed as they are not yet fully developed and are at high risk of muscle, ligament, tendon or bony injury

• Common canine health conditions can be divided into forelimb and hind limb problems. These can be associated with growth disorders or may result from overuse or traumatic injuries.

Common health problems:

• The forelimb carries most of the dog’s weight and therefore physiotherapists see many concussive injuries such as cartilage damage. In the hind limb, growth and overuse injuries often present together

• Hip dysplasia, the incidence of which is directly proportional to the increasing height and weight of a dog, has become very common

• Stifle injuries like cranial cruciate ligament strains are diagnosed frequently by veterinary surgeons. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to this injury due to the biomechanics (shape of) their hind limbs. Obesity and lack of fitness can also contribute to this condition by the joint carrying unnecessary weight and poor muscle tone supporting the joint, respectively. Turning at high speeds or going from high speed to stopping very rapidly i.e. slamming on the brakes or changing direction suddenly at full pace – for example, chasing a ball or stick at full speed, running down the stairs rapidly and having to change direction immediately at the bottom – are other risk factors.

Spotting a health problem:

The common symptoms dog-owners can look out for are a resting limb; sudden reluctance to jump in and out of the car or play with other dogs; less interaction with the family; less keen on walks or playtime; subdued behavior or a reluctance to be touched or groomed.

Prevention is better than cure

As with most things, prevention is often the key when it comes to good health. There are a number of measures owners can take when caring for a dog. The following are actions are advised:

• Lift young or old dogs in and out of cars or provide a ramp for access

• Transport dogs in a travel cage or behind a guard to keep them secure in the event of a road accident and to prevent accidents

• Minimize the area of slippery floors in the home to prevent skidding and falling over

• Prevent your dog from charging up and down the stairs at great speed

• Provide regular exercise, controlled on lead initially for warm up followed by running off the lead. Ideally you want to build up an exercise program that lasts between 30-60 minutes depending on the breed. This is very individualized as some dogs will require substantially more intensive daily exercise. Pay attention to your dog and it's behavior. That hyperactive 2 year old labrador will likely require atleast an hour of intense aerobic exercise daily to satisfy it's needs and tire it out. However your 8 year old pekinese might be fine with a 20 or 30 minute fast walk every day.

Active games like ‘fetch’ or playing with other dogs are fine providing your dog is of the right age, size and shape, and is physically fit but do keep in mind the ways to minimize the risk of injury. A good addition to land based fitness work is hydrotherapy. With the warmer summer months coming there are many swimming holes that welcome our canine friends. Try White's Pond near Concord. A wonderful place for dogs and their owners to enjoy some sun, sand and water play together. Don't forget that Walden Pond is NOT dog friendly. A pooch wouldn't want to sit in the car while you had fun in the sun, not to mention the dangers of leaving dogs in the car in the warmer months! Cars can become dangerous places in a matter of a few short minutes as the temperatures rise. Think about how hot that car can be when you open the door and get in ona warm day. Now imagine your dog sitting in there. Limit your dogs time in unairconditioned cars while in the summer. If you must run into the atm for a minute- park in the shade and roll down windows for cross ventilation. Have a travel bowl filled with water for the dog..... and make sure it is only for a minute! Heat exhaustion is dangerous and avoidable!

Other tips for exercising your dog:

• Check claws don’t get too long as this can affect dogs’ activity

• Provide fresh water, as a good workout makes pooches and people thirsty!

• On warmer days limit the exercise to mornings and late in the day as to lessen the risks of heat exhaustion. Exercise in a shaded area, take breaks often to check in on your dog and stop immediatly if the dog seems to be in distress. Know the directions to the closet vet hospital and don't be hesitant to go there if your dog may have heat stroke. Be safe...not sorry!

• Provide a soft, warm and dry place for them to rest.

Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis... Patron Saint of Animals

2007-05-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

In honor of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order, there will be a BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS on Saturday, May 5th at 10 am(Rain Date-Saturday, May 12) at the Old South Church in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Church officials state that animals of all shapes and sizes (and smells) are welcome but that critters who bite, sting or scratch should be constrained. If you can’t bring your pet, then bring a photo.

Help! My dog pulls!!!

2007-05-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

As previously posted on mspca.org website

Does your dog practically pull your arm off when you take him for a walk? Has it become so unpleasant that you no longer want to walk him? Well, you’re not alone. Many dogs that have never been taught to walk on a loose leash pull their owners down the street. There are ways to change this annoying behavior, however, and we have a few suggestions.

Dogs have what we call “opposition reflex”, which means they pull against pressure. When a dog feels pressure on the front of his throat from his collar, he actually pulls against it. This is why choke collars only make the problem worse. The tighter the collar gets, the more he will pull. It’s a vicious cycle. In addition, choke chain collars and prong or pinch collars are painful and can actually damage your dog’s trachea. There is no need to hurt your dog because he is doing what comes naturally.

If you want a dog who walks politely on a loose leash you must teach him that this is what you want. Get out some really yummy treats. Put the dog on the leash (starting in the house), hold your hand containing a treat at your waist, and begin to walk. He will be interested in the treat so he will stick by you. Walk around and every once in a while praise him and give him a treat. Then move your practice sessions outside. Practice having him walk by your side in non-distracting environments before going to the park. Start in the backyard and then move to the sidewalk in front of the house. Build the behavior through praise and treats. He will want to stay by your side if you are the most interesting thing in the picture.

Another method is to “become a tree” when your dog pulls you. Start walking, and whenever the leash becomes tight, you simply stop, plant yourself like a tree, and don’t say a word. Your dog will eventually look back at you to say, “hey, why aren’t we moving?”. When he does this he will most likely move slightly toward you, loosening the leash. When there is slack in the leash, start walking again. He will eventually learn that when he feels tension on the leash, he doesn’t go anywhere, but when the leash is slack he is allowed to walk.

The Gentle Leader head halter (www.premier.com) is a wonderful training tool for pulling dogs. The Gentle Leader was designed to work like a horse halter. Head halters work because if you control the head of an animal, you control its entire body. When a dog is wearing a Gentle Leader head halter he is prevented from pulling because as he does, his head is brought around towards you, making it impossible for him to pull you down the street.

Boston places in Top 10 Most Humane Cities in US!!

2007-05-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Boston was recently ranked #7 in The Humane Society's Humane Index of 25 Big Cities in the United States! Not bad Beantown!!!

We still have room to improve but it's a far cry from Chicago who has one of the worst rates of illegal dog-fighting in the nation!

FITNESS FOR LIFE

2007-04-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

This article by Dr. Dunn appeared in the July, 2002 issue of Dog World Magazine

Physical fitness for dogs and humans has rewards that far outweigh the struggle that's required to become fit.

“Nugget” was a Golden Retriever… and a member of our family for sixteen, memorable years. And one of the fondest memories I will carry with me the rest of my life is of the innumerable early morning runs we took together along the old forested logging roads just outside our door in northern Wisconsin. Her enthusiasm for the forty-minute exercise sessions sparked my commitment to good health, especially on those mornings when I’d rather have skipped our run and she just wouldn’t allow it. Until kidney disease claimed her at age sixteen, her state of health was excellent and despite an arthritic spine, her mobility was always very good.

Far outweighing the inconvenience of committing time and effort to achieve physical fitness, the rewards of being physically fit, for man and dog, will last a lifetime. And those rewards can actually be felt physically and emotionally. Deep inside every canine brain there exists what I call a Joy Center. (It’s actually a structure called the Hypothalamus!) That’s where nerve impulses of happiness and pleasure set the dog’s tail into motion, crank up the heart and breathing rate, and propel the dog into all sorts of body language that signals excitement and enthusiasm for whatever wonderful thing is about to happen. And since all dogs are born to run, anticipation of an exercise session really sets off that Joy Center. Running is a naturally rewarding emotional and physical experience for any dog and is a natural fitness enhancer.

ADVANTAGES OF KEEPING FIT

The primary outgrowth of keeping your dog physically fit will be a substantially improved quality of life throughout the aging process. And when old age does come knocking, your dog will be much better equipped to continue to be mobile, alert and enthusiastic throughout the day. You have to decide if the goal of a higher quality of life, throughout life, is worth the effort for you and your dog. Even in the presence of such age related debilitation as arthritis, circulatory inefficiency, or cognitive dysfunction, any physically active dog will be far better off than one that has led a sedentary life. When thinking of how physical fitness impacts your dog, “quality of life” are the key words. Robert Gillette, DVM, MS, has published numerous articles on canine sports medicine and exercise physiology and is the Director of the Sports Medicine Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. Dr. Gillette states “Fitness and exercise have the same beneficial affects in the dog as they do in the human. It helps to keep unwanted weight off the dog and improves the overall physical health. One of the most important benefits that exercise has on the dog is the positive effect on its psychological well-being. And sedentary canines have a much higher risk of health and medical problems than active dogs. This parallels the same health issues seen in humans.”

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG FIT

Not all dogs are able to run free with their human companion along deserted logging roads every morning. And most dogs are tightly constrained by their environment and the responsibilities and limitations of their human keeper. But there are ways all of us can contribute to our dogs’ quality of life through physical fitness no matter where or how we live. And the foundation upon which any fitness goal rests is high quality nutrition. More than anything else, what you feed your dog and how much of it you feed will impact the dog’s level of fitness. Simply stated, do not allow your dog to become overweight. And you must fight the urge to chose your dog’s food based upon price, and instead base the purchase decision on quality. If you do nothing else to improve your dog’s fitness, choose a high quality, meat-based food and avoid feeding too much of it. You have total control over what your dog eats; that’s a big responsibility and it impacts the dog’s physical fitness every single day.

Physical activity is a very close second when it comes to keeping fit because every tissue in the body needs to be worked for optimal function to be achieved. An overweight, sedentary dog will have little enthusiasm for getting off the couch for a walk around the block because exercise is not comfortable and is not immediately rewarding when the level of fitness is low. Fitness must be earned.

What is a good way to get started on a fitness program for your dog? Dr. Gillette suggests “Initially it is best to assume the dog is not conditioned or fit. Have the dog checked out by your veterinarian to be sure the dog is healthy enough to participate in an exercise program. You should choose an appropriate exercise that allows the dog to participate. A few examples of these types of exercise are jogging, biking, hiking, roller blading, cross-country skiing, playing fetch plus many more. The dog can run with the owner during some of these types of activities, but for safety reasons keep in mind the need for leash restraint.“

Obviously, you need to tailor the activity to the breed because that little overweight Dachshund will have a much different ability level than the neighbor’s Akita. Dr. Gillette believes running is an excellent way to keep a dog fit and says, “Begin by taking the dog for a one mile run, no longer. Assess the endurance and how the dog reacts to this distance. Signs that are indicative of fatigue are panting, dry mouth, attempts to find shade, stopping to drink water, abnormal gait, and reluctance to continue. The workout should stop when these signs appear. We do not want to create a medical emergency! Determine at what distance these signs first occur and that will be the beginning distance. If the dog does not show any of these signs during the run, observe it for a few hours after the run and again the next morning. If the dog shows any discomfort then cut back the distance by one half. If the dog shows no problems then increase the distance using a weekly stair step program. Increase the distance by one-half to one-mile increments. Use the same signs as described to determine the dog’s ability to handle increases in exercise. Always check the dog’s paws and pads at the end of every workout session and if any lesions or lacerations are present consult your veterinarian.”

In addition to Dr. Gillette’s suggestions about running consider joining a local dog club. There Thyroid Gland function should be checked in any dog that seems sedentary and overweight. Always bring in a urine sample to be checked, too, because an underlying bladder or kidney infection will create a continuous drag on your dog’s health. A Blood Chemistry Panel, which analyzes a multitude of biochemical parameters in your dog, is an excellent way to monitor invisible organ function status and should be done annually. Be sure to check the gums and teeth regularly, especially the difficult-to-see molars where abscessed roots are common. Poor oral health is a major cause of debilitation in older dogs and next month’s column will explore that topic in depth. If your dog develops arthritis there are a number of products including non-prescription dietary supplements such as Omega Fatty Acids that often greatly improve function, mobility and comfort.

In summary, there are two main factors you need to address if you are to keep your dog physically fit. One is nutritional… high quality, meat-based food in amounts that keep your dog slightly thin rather than slightly (or grossly) overweight. The other is physical activity… in amounts that stimulate the mind and heart of your wonderful canine companion. The rewards for fitness are there for you and your dog to achieve.

Is it time for you and your dog to “Go For It”?