Wednesday 31 July 2013

Bull Mastiff

This breed was obtained by breeding Bulldogs with Mastiffs. These dogs can be a great addition to any family. They are active and need lots of walks.

Monday 29 July 2013

Genetic welfare problems of companion animals


Genetic welfare problems of companion animals

an information resource for prospective pet owners and breeders

This is a valuable resource it helps understand genetic problems in many breeds of dogs. If you are looking for a certain breed I would check out the www.ufaw.org.uk website to help you understand genetic problems in many different breeds of dogs.

 

Sunday 28 July 2013

Sugar Bandage = Sweet healing

 
                               http://www.livestrong.com/article/96076-use-sugar-heal-wounds/

 

Clean wound with antibacterial soap pat dry
Pour sugar on wound white brown or honey works too!
Can put honey then sugar on top of wound 
Cover immediately with a sterile dressing and then bandage keeping bacteria and debris away
Change sugar wrap daily rewashing wound with antibacterial soap pat dry
 wound and reapplying sugar wrap
If it is a large wound may take some time to heal but you will see positive results as the sugar wrap
helps with pain and throbbing of your dogs wound.

Saturday 27 July 2013

Light Up Leash FUN and Safe! Think its a good idea

Light Up Leash FUN and Safe!


Posted on July 26, 2013 by Stefanie There have been 0 comments

Do you like to walk your dog at night and in the early mornings? I know you get busy with work during the day and don't have time to take your dog out for a walk until it gets late. How do you keep your pet safe at night? If your pet is anything like my old Golden Retriever, Rusty, then they will chase whatever they see and want explore the world. This became a problem when he would run on the street. I was afraid that he would run in front of a car, especially at night. How is a car supposed to see a dog on the street at night?
We want to treat our dog like family, and keep him as safe as we can. When people go out for walks at night, they wear bright colours or reflectors so that people can see them. Doesn't it make sense to do the same thing with dogs? I saw this really cool leash, called the Litey Leash, that would have been great for my dog Rusty. It's a leash that lights up to keep your dog safe! There are 5 different light up leashes: yellow, blue, pink, red, and green.
How cool would it be to walk your dog with a light up leash. Your dog will not only be the star of the night, but they will be safe.  Why worry about your dog's safety when you can light up the leash?

BUG BONNET OR SAFE HOME MADE MOSQUITO REPELLENT



HOMEMADE MOSQUITO  REPELLENT
16 OZ SPRAY BOTTLE
MIX WITH WATER
1/4 CUP LEMON JUICE
3 OR 4 TABLESPOONS OF VANILLA EXTRACT
AND 15 DROPS OF LAVENDER EXTRACT
SMELLS NICE AND IT WORKS
 

BIG REMINDER TONIGHT DOG MOVIE IN THE PARK


Wednesday 24 July 2013

DR Andrew Jones DVM Very Yummy Dog and Cat Treats

VERY Yummy Dog Treats


1 c. whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
1/2 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. water
1 egg
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp molasses

Preheat oven to 350', nonstick pan

Combine ingredients until dough forms, scoop onto baking sheet (or roll out & use forms to cut cookie shapes), bake ~15min, let cool, serve!


Yummy Healthy Cat Treats

1/2 cup of dry milk
1/2 cup of wheat germ
1 teaspoon of natural honey
3 ounces of fresh liver (or strained liver baby food)

Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 teaspoon honey on top. Add one 3-1/3 oz. jar of strained liver baby food or homemade blended liver and stir until everything is well mixed. Form the mixture into balls; place them on an oiled cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake 8 - 10 minutes.
Consistency should be like fudge.
Store in a jar in the fridge or freeze if keeping more than a few days.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

University Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine ALL DOG OWNERS SHOULD KNOWN

Normal Vital Signs and How To Obtain Them



In order to determine if there is a problem, you should be familiar with your dog’s vital signs. It is good practice to routinely monitor these vitals, especially before and after exercise.

Respirations or breaths per minute:


Rate:

 • Normal resting rate = 12-24 breaths/min, count the number of times the chest expands in 10 seconds (either by watching or resting your hand on the ribs) and multiply times 6.

• Panting is different than an increase in normal respirations and to get an accurate count respiratory rate should be evaluated when the dog is not panting.

Effort:

 • Normal respirations require very little effort.

• If the dog is breathing hard, try and observe if it is harder to breathe in or breathe out (most respiratory problems cause more difficulty breathing in)

Breath sounds:

 • Normal breathing should not be associated with much noise.

• If a snoring noise is heard it could indicate a problem in the trachea or upper airway (larynx, pharynx or nose), unless you own a bulldog or other flat faced breed.

• Normal lung sounds usually cannot be heard without a stethoscope.

• If abnormal (e.g. crackling, wheezing, or popping) noises can be heard from the chest, medical evaluation is warranted.

Circulation


Heart or Pulse rate:

 • Normal pulse rate in dogs is between 60 and 140 beats per min.

• Larger dogs and more athletic dogs tend to have slower normal heart rates. It is important to know your dog’s normal heart rate. The heart rate can be counted by feeling the beat of the heart at the 3-5th rib.

• The pulse rate should be the same as the heart rate unless there is a heart problem (an irregular rhythm) and can be taken in the groin (at the femoral triangle).

• A heart rate persistently greater than 160 bpm (at rest) may be associated with serious medical problems and should be evaluated.

• If the heart rate is too slow, it may lead to fainting and may be a sign of an underlying problem that should be evaluated.

Heart or Pulse rhythm:

 The normal rhythm is usually regular: however in many dogs the heart rate will slow down and speed up with the breathing. If the rhythm or the strength of the beat or pulse is variable, an EKG can help identify if there is a problem.

Pulse quality:

The strength of the pulse should be similar to the strength of your own pulse; however, an even better comparison is to monitor your dog’s pulse regularly and be familiar with all of your dog’s vital signs at rest and after work.

Mucous membrane color:




• The gums of a dog should be pink and moist.

• If the gums are pigmented you should become familiar with the mucous membranes of the prepuce or vulva so you can evaluate for potential problems.

• White or pale gums can be a sign of shock or low red blood cells. Blue gums (cyanosis) are from low blood oxygen (hypoxia).

• Very dark red gums can be seen with heat stroke, sepsis (a blood infection) or potentially carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Yellow gums are a sign of either a liver problem or destruction of red blood cells.

• Little bruises on the gums (called petecchia) are a sign that the blood platelets are not working properly to help the blood clot.

• If the gums are dry it may be a sign of dehydration.

Capillary refill time (CRT):

 • This test is what you do when you push on your fingernail, watch it blanch and then see how long it takes for the blood to return.

• The same test is done on the mucous membranes of the dog. Normal CRT is 1-2 seconds.

• If the CRT is longer than 2 seconds then there is a problem with getting the blood to circulate properly. Very fast capillary refill time can be seen with heat stroke or sepsis.

Body Temperature:

 • Normal rectal temperature is 100.5°F to 102.5°F.

• A low body temperature may be associated with exposure or shock.

• Wrap the dog in blankets and put in a warm environment but do not use heating pads.

• Shock requires medical attention.

• Temperatures of >106°F can be life-threatening and have severe consequences even if the temperature is reduced to normal.

• In the dog with heat stroke (over-exertion or excessively hot environment), a cooling (but not cold) bath should be started.

• Once the temperature drops to 103°F, cooling should be stopped.

• The dog should been seen for immediate veterinary evaluation.

Hydration:

 • Dehydration can be a consequence of activity, especially in the heat, loss of fluid (vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination) or failure to drink sufficiently.

• Dry mucous membranes, loss of skin turgor and dull eyes are all signs of dehydration, but may not be evident until dehydration is severe.

• Prevention of dehydration is the best and safest plan.

Mentation:

 • No one knows your dog’s attitude better than you.

• Changes in levels of alertness or drive may signify a problem.

• Many drugs and toxins can lead to hyperexcitability. Depressed mental states can be part of many disease processes.

• Recording your dog’s vital signs regularly will be invaluable to your ability to evaluate subtle changes and recognize problems.

• If your dog is not right or has been injured, baseline vital signs are invaluable.

• Following an injury or medical problem, obtain and record vital signs regularly during transportation to medical care.



DOG MOVIE NIGHT COME JOIN US


Monday 22 July 2013

CLOUDY EYES BY DR. BECKER

By Dr. Becker
Nuclear sclerosis, which is also called lenticular sclerosis, is a condition that causes the pupils of the eyes to take on a cloudy bluish-gray appearance. Many owners of older pets assume the problem is cataracts. And while cataracts are a relatively common symptom in aging dogs and cats, nuclear sclerosis is even more prevalent. The condition is also seen in humans and horses.

Nuclear Sclerosis Is a Normal Change in Aging Eyes

Nuclear sclerosis is considered a normal change to the lenses of the eyes. It usually develops in both eyes simultaneously and is often seen in animals over the age of six. The condition isn’t painful. It comes on gradually, and pets are able to adapt very well to the minor changes in vision that occur. 
In younger animals, the lens of the eye is clear because it is composed of tissue fibers that are perfectly organized. But as a pet grows older, more and more fibers are deposited to the outer rings of the lens. Since the lens resides inside a capsule and can’t expand to accommodate the additional fibers, the new fibers push the older fibers close together and toward the center of the lens. This compression causes the lens to harden and cloud over.

Nuclear Sclerosis or Cataracts?

The only clinical symptom of nuclear sclerosis is a cloudy appearance of the lens of the eye. Occasionally, a pet will develop mild problems judging distance and range.
Most veterinarians can quickly tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and a more serious problem, like cataracts, with an ophthalmologic exam. The corneas are typically checked first, often using a device called a slit lamp. If there’s cloudiness on or just behind the cornea, the problem is not nuclear sclerosis.
When your vet (or a veterinary ophthalmologist) looks deeper into the eye with an ophthalmoscope, which may require the use of medicated drops in your pet’s eyes, he or she will be able to see all the way through to the retina if nuclear sclerosis is present. If the problem is a cataract, it will partially or completely block the view of the retina. If your vet can’t see through the lens, neither can your pet.
Unlike cataracts, nuclear sclerosis doesn’t seriously affect vision and no treatment is necessary. And if your pet has nuclear sclerosis, it doesn’t mean she will automatically also develop cataracts. However, if you notice your pet’s eyes taking on a different color, it’s very important that your vet make sure it’s nuclear sclerosis and not another more serious eye condition.

Slowing Down Age-Related Changes in Your Pet

The most important thing you can do for a pet with nuclear sclerosis is slow down age-related changes.
  • Keep your pet in good physical condition and at a healthy weight.
  • Don’t allow your pet to be over-vaccinated or given unnecessary medications such as pest preventives or other drugs. Try to keep your pet in a “green” environment by eliminating toxic household cleaners and chemical-laden shampoos.
  • Feed your pet a diet rich in antioxidants, preferably through a living, raw, whole fresh food diet. Antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E, scavenge free radicals and can slow down the degenerative changes in your pet’s eyes.
  • Add bilberries in pill or raw food form to your pet’s food. Bilberries are an excellent source of flavonoids and have antioxidant properties as well. Combined with vitamin E, they are known to protect the eye tissue in humans and halt lens clouding.
  • Talk with your holistic vet about other supplements that can benefit your pet’s ocular health, including beta-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, glutathione, SOD (super oxide dismutase), and alpha lipoic acid. Also talk with your vet about nutraceutical eye drops and Chinese herbs that have been proven effective in slowing lens degeneration.
Most importantly, if you see changes occurring in your pet’s eyes, have your dog or cat evaluated by your veterinarian to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent further degeneration.


Friday 19 July 2013

Scrub Scrub Scrub

                                                  SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB                                       
                                                                Four paws in the tub
                                                           ANY BREED ANY SIZE
                                                           BATH AND BLOW DRY
                                                       In a Happy friendly atmosphere
     Come to CANINE TOUCH AND TELL AND YOUR DOG WILL LEAVE FEELING WELL
                                            CONTACT SANDY at 613-762-8869

Thursday 18 July 2013

Shake it Off

Living a happy life means we need to shake off our troubles. No one does this quite as well as our dogs. Lesson to be learned.

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Panting

Dog's pant to regulate their temperature. Dog's cool themselves through the evaporation of saliva,
unfortunately its not a very effect way. Panting is also an indicator of stress pain or over exertion.
Understand why your dog pants

Monday 15 July 2013

SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB

                                                   SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB
                                                                   4 paws in the tub
                                                           ANY BREED ANY SIZE
                                                           BATH AND BLOW DRY
                                                       In a Happy friendly atmosphere
     Come to CANINE TOUCH AND TELL AND YOUR DOG WILL LEAVE FEELING WELL
                                            CONTACT SANDY at 613 -762-8869

NOSES

A moist and cool nose doesn't mean healthy A dog's nose is really not a good indicator of health.
The dogs coat, expression in your dogs eyes, your dogs demeanour and of course your dog's temperature.
Temperature is an indication whether your dog has a fever or not. Fever usually means infection.
 
 

 

Sunday 14 July 2013

How to keep drop ears from dragging in dinner

Keeping drop ears from getting in the way of dinner a few suggestions. Pet shops sell a special food bowl which is very narrow so the dogs ears hang on the outside of the dish. Others use a snood this is like a cover that goes around the dogs neck keeping the ears covered.  Both of these ideas help keep your dogs drop ears from becoming saturated in food.

Saturday 13 July 2013

Greyhounds by Wendy Pirk

Greyhounds were once in the royal families and can be seen in many royal portraits, sitting patiently beside their owners. The dogs were bred as hunters and were highly prized for their speed. Today, they are mostly known as racing dogs, reaching speeds of up to 44 miles (70 kilometers) per hour. These dogs love to run and will chase anything that moves. They just can't help themselves. Surprisingly pet greyhounds are notoriously lazy when indoors with the family, preferring to lounge around and soak up the affection they know they deserve.

Friday 12 July 2013

The Danger of Water Intoxication
Swimming dogs are at risk of ingesting too much water
Last week a friend’s dog had a close call with water intoxication. Her crew was playing in a local river when one of her Border Collies emerged staggering and vomiting liquid.
Symptoms quickly worsened on the way to the vet, but after a few harrowing days, the dog was fortunate to make a full recovery.
Apparently the poor pup ingested too much water while repeatedly diving into the river, mouth open, trying to catch a ball. Drinking too much causes electrolyte levels to drop, thinning blood plasma and leading to swelling of the brain and other organs.
Before I learned about water intoxication, I thought that playing in the lake was safe if your dog was a strong swimmer. But now I know to be mindful of how my guys interact with the water and to force them to take ample breaks. Dogs can even drink too much water from playing with a lawn sprinkler.
Unfortunately water intoxication progresses quickly. Now that summer is officially here, it’s important to review the signs so you can get an affected dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Symptoms include lack of coordination, lethargy, nausea, bloating, vomiting, dilated pupils, glazed eyes, light gum color, and excessive salivation. Advanced symptoms include difficulty breathing, collapsing, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
As the weather gets warmer, stay safe. Water intoxication can affect both people and our pups.  

Friday 5 July 2013

CANINE TOUCH AND TELL presents FALL HAZARDS SEMINAR



                                      COME JOIN US


                                  Fall threats to our pets can cause unwanted debts
                                Learn how to keep them healthy, and stay wealthy!

                             Fall Canine Hazard Seminar  

                         7:00 to 9:30 pm August 20th, 2013

                              COST $10.00
                                    EVERY SEMINAR ALWAYS INCLUDES
                CPR/AR and Choking DEMO
                 At 360 Croydon Ave #102       
                    Contact Sandy Benoit
                  At Canine Touch and Tell   
                         613-762-8869
                           
                                  OR  
               Julia Moffat at 613-697-7966             
              
                  RSVP LIMITED SPACE
 
 

KNOWTHYDOG CLASS At THE SUMMIT FOR DOGS JULY 9TH 16th, and 23rd


Our mission is to educate dog owners and to teach Canine CPR and First Aid to owners through hands on experience. To create awareness and motivate a need for
an ounce of prevention.
Our course will inspire confidence in dog owners, giving them the ability to be far more proactive in their dog’s health care.
We tailor the course to the dog owners and their dog.

We care about your dog.
REGISTER NOW AT

 

DOGSNATURALLY

Study Shows Homeopathy Treats Seizures In Dogs
 
Perhaps one of the greatest assets of homeopathy is its ability to treat seizures. Luckily, there is some research to back this claim up.
Varshney et al published a study in Homeopathy 2007. In their study, a single remedy, Belladonna 200C, was used in ten dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

Perhaps one of the greatest assets of homeopathy is its ability to treat seizures. Luckily, there is some research to back this claim up.Varshney et al published a study in Homeopathy 2007. In their study, a single remedy, Belladonna 200C, was used in ten dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. During the seizure phase, 3 to 4 drops of Belladonna were administered orally at 15 minute intervals, until the researchers saw a considerable reduction in seizure activity, then it was given four times daily.

Dogs with head shaking syndrome as well as seizures were also given 3 to 4 drops of Cocculus 6C weekly for an additional three months.
In this study, the numbers of fits reduced to just two or three during the first two weeks of the study, and then became occasional in next two weeks. With the continuation of Belladonna, no fits were observed during the two to seven months of follow-up. In two cases, epileptic fits reappeared within 15 to 25 days after stopping the homeopathic treatment. When the Belladonna was resumed, the seizures were again controlled.

Other Remedies For Epilepsy

Although the fits themselves are acute, epilepsy is a chronic disease, and as such, should be treated with a constitutional remedy (this is a remedy that considers the dog’s unique personality, emotions and physical makeup).  The constitutional approach is aimed at obtaining a complete cure and offers the best hope of success. Sometimes an “acute” remedy is also used in addition to the constitutional remedy. Here are some acute remedies that focus on seizures:
Aconite
Useful for both attendant and patient! The sudden onset fits the picture, and fear is sometimes seen just prior to the fit.
Belladonna
Another remedy where suddenness is a feature, together with the violence of the convulsions. There is great sensitivity during the fit, and the slightest external stimulus will keep it going. The attack usually involves a single fit rather than a cluster. As it is the acute of Calc carb, it is often of use where that is the indicated constitutional remedy.
Bufo
This has the reputation of the keynote of fits occurring during sleep. In actual fact, the link is to night and sleep combined. The other feature is worse in a warm room. There is often a howl at the start of the fit.
Cicuta virosa
A distinctive feature here is that during the spasms, the head is thrown back and to the side, so that the muzzle rests on the shoulder blade facing towards the tail.
Cocculus
A very useful remedy, its connection with vertigo gives it its place in this context.
Hyoscyamus
Related to Belladonna and Stramonium, this is also an excellent “local” remedy. Its picture is characterized by excessive movements of the face, both prior to a fit and at other times.
Kali brom
As Potassium bromide this is used as a conventional anti-convulsant and it is also employed as a homeopathic remedy. The timing of the fits is often linked to estrus, and there is marked excitement before they start.
Silica, having both convulsions and “ailments from vaccination” in its picture, is extremely useful when seizures are vaccine induced.
The causes of epilepsy are many but arguably the most common is vaccination. It is well documented that vaccinations, both primary and boosters, can on occasion produce convulsions. No animal with a history of convulsions, from whatever cause, should be given a vaccination without very good reason.


Understanding The Triggers of Canine Separation Anxiety

Understanding The Triggers of Canine Separation Anxiety
by Pat Miller
Have you ever had the misfortune of walking into your house to find overturned furniture, inches-deep claw gouges on door frames, blood-stained tooth marks on window sills, and countless messages on your answering machine from neighbors complaining about your dog barking and howling for hours on end in your absence? If so, you're probably familiar with the term "separation anxiety" - a mild label for a devastating and destructive behavior.

Dogs are naturally inclined to become anxious when left alone. Many well-intentioned but misguided owners of new dogs inadvertently set the stage for SA by doing all the wrong things when they first bring their new dog home.

For example, lots of families adopt their new dog or puppy at the beginning of the summer, when the kids will be home to spend a lot of time with him. Other new-dog parents may take several days off from work, or at least arrange to bring the dog home on a Friday afternoon so they have the entire weekend to help the new kid settle in. On its face, this is a thoughtful approach to acclimating the dog to his new life. What better way to help him feel comfortable and welcome than to give him a couple of days of your loving company?

It's true that spending extra time with the newcomer can help smooth the transition for him, but unless you take some important precautions, you could be setting him up for a rude awakening on Monday morning when you go back to work, leaving him alone all day to wonder and worry the pack is ever coming back to rescue him from solitary confinement.

For more details and advice on ways to prevent and cure canine separation anxiety, purchase Whole Dog Journal's ebook, Separation Anxiety.


Thunderworks  Try it

Treating Dog Separation Anxiety With ThunderShirt

The ThunderShirt is the easiest, safest solution to try for your dog’s separation anxiety. ThunderShirt works by applying a gentle, calming pressure around your dog’s torso. It’s like a “hug” and relaxes most dogs. We developed the ThunderShirt initially to treat dogs who were dangerously terrified of thunderstorms, but we’ve seen tremendous success for separation anxiety. We’ve helped many thousands of dogs to cope with their families being away with a very high success rate. Simply wearing a ThunderShirt helps most dogs to reduce or eliminate any anxiety. It really can be that simple.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Dogs Naturally Magazine


Read This Before You Vaccinate For Lepto

 
While some scientists are questioning whether the two new strains of Lepto are due to increased migration of wildlife, others speculate that it is caused by the vaccine itself. Vaccines have the ability to cause mutations in viruses and this changes their form and forces us in turn to change our vaccines.

As an example, there are five strains of Parvovirus. Interestingly the first strain, CPV-1 that wreaked havoc with dogs in the 1980s no longer infects dogs. They have become immune to this strain through naturally acquired or herd immunity. This strain is still in the environment and there is no vaccine for it - Parvo vaccines cover the more recent CPV-2 strains only. Where did the CDV-2 strains come from? Mutation, likely from parvo vaccination. While scientists were busy creating Parvo vaccines, dogs acquired herd immunity to the original dangerous strain all on their own. Now dogs are only susceptible to the strain of Parvo for which we have a vaccine - is this coincidence?

The same may be happening now with Lepto: as we vaccinate for it, the vaccines cause a shift or mutation in the pathogen and, as it adapts, a new strain develops.


Tuesday 2 July 2013

AKC 5 TASTY KONG RECIPES

YourAKC
6 Tasty Kong Recipes for Your Dog
Try out different combinations with the ingredients* below, and let us know your dog's favorites! If you don't use a Kong, let us know what you put your stuffings in — and please send us photos of your happy pups to enews@akc.org!

How-to: Mix ingredients in a bowl and fill up your Kong. If you want to further engage your dog, insert a chew-toy (rubber bone, etc) and place the filling around it. Serve fresh, refrigerated, or frozen!

Results may vary, based on the amount of each ingredient and the size of Kong(s). *Some dogs are lactose intolerant, so be sure to check with your vet before serving your dog dairy.
recipe 1
"Dinner Delight"
Cooked chicken
Kibble
Mashed sweet potatoes
Chopped carrots
"Breakfast of Champions"
Natural peanut butter
Chopped banana
Greek or unflavored yogurt*
Cooked oatmeal
Chopped apples
recipe 2
recipe 3
"Fido's Favorite"
Cooked chicken
Mashed sweet potatoes
Fresh or frozen peas
Cooked rice
"The Tail Wagger"
Mashed sweet potatoes
Chicken or beef stock
Chopped carrots
Cubed cheese*
Fresh or frozen peas
recipe 4
recipe 5
"Snout Lickin' Good"
Natural peanut butter
Chopped peaches
Cooked oatmeal
Greek or unflavored yogurt*