HAPPY HOWL-WEEN

                

                                                                HAPPY HOWL -WEEN FROM KNOWTHYDOG

Cold weather TIPS check out this article

 

 

                                            http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_ColdWeather.php

UNDER MY WING PUG RESCUE HAVE PLACED 307 dogs AMAZING !! Pugstock fund raiser lots of fun!!!!!!

Jerky Treats (and others) still making dogs ill written by Mary Straus

Jerky Treats (and others) still making dogs ill  (KIDNEY FAILURE)

Six years after first reports of problems, products remain on shelves.
News item written by Mary Straus, published in the Whole Dog Journal, September 2012.
Reports that chicken jerky treats imported from China were linked to illness in dogs began in 2006. The dried treats that have been associated with problems go by a number of names, including tenders, strips, chips, wraps, twists, and more. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) first issued warnings about these treats in September 2007, saying that more than 70 complaints had been received, involving 95 dogs who experienced illnesses that owners suspected were linked to these treats.
The FDA issued another warning in December 2008, and again in November 2011 after reports increased. By 2012, over 1,300 complaints had been received, including reports that dogs had died. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association also began receiving reports of illness in 2011.
MSNBC reported in March 2012 that internal FDA documents it obtained showed the brands of chicken jerky most often cited in priority 1 cases (those the FDA considers most reliable) are Waggin’ Train, Canyon Creek Ranch, and Milo’s Kitchen. Other brands often named by consumers include Kingdom Pets (Costco) and Smokehouse.
Recently, other dried treats imported from China became suspect as well, including duck jerky and dehydrated sweet potato (yam) treats. Suspected brands include Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs, Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats, and Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality. It’s possible that the problem may also extend to pork products (pig ears) and cat treats from China.

All of these treats have been associated with a type of kidney failure in dogs called acquired Fanconi syndrome. Recovery can take up to six months, and some dogs have died or been left with chronic kidney disease. Affected dogs may show any or all of the following signs:

• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood
• Increased drinking and urination
• Blood tests may show increased creatinine and BUN (signs of kidney failure), low potassium, mildly increased liver enzymes, and acidosis. Glucose and granular casts may be found in urine.

If your dog experiences any of these symptoms after eating treats imported from China, stop feeding them immediately. If signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours, take your dog to the vet for tests and treatment. Save the bag of treats in case they are needed for testing in the future. You and your vet should file a report with the FDA (see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint). You should also report the problem to the company that manufactured the treats and the corporate office of the store where you bought them.
The big question is, why hasn’t the FDA recalled these treats instead of just issuing warnings? Its position is that until it can identify the causative agent, it cannot force a recall. According to the FDA’s website, “To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. . . . It is important to understand that unless a contaminant is detected and we have evidence that a product is adulterated, we are limited in what regulatory actions we can take. The regulations don’t allow for products to be removed based on complaints alone.” They add, however, “There is nothing preventing a company from issuing a voluntary recall.”
In July 2012, the FDA released the results of tests it has conducted looking for salmonella, heavy metals, furans, pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, rodenticides, nephrotoxins (such as aristolochic acid, maleic acid, paraquat, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, toxic hydrocarbons, melamine, and related triazines), and other chemicals and poisonous compounds. It is not clear which tests were done on actual products suspected of having made dogs sick versus random samples. Propylene glycol was found at low levels in about half of the samples where laboratories tested for this substance, but the levels were considered to be nontoxic. Propylene glycol is often used as a humectant in semi-moist pet foods. Beginning in March 2012, the FDA also inspected several facilities in China that produce chicken jerky products, but it refused to release those findings.
Pressure has recently intensified, with Sen. Sherrod Brown and Congressman Dennis Kucinich, among others, seeking action from the FDA. At least three class action lawsuits have been filed, one against Nestlé Purina (makers of Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands) and Walmart (where the treats were purchased). The other two suits were filed against Del Monte and its subsidiary, Milo’s Kitchen. Despite this, the companies that import these treats have refused to stop marketing them, and the stores that sell them, with the exception of some independent pet food stores and small chains, refuse to take them off their shelves. They are everywhere, including Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Petco, PetSmart, and grocery stores.
When the same problem surfaced in Australia, reports of Fanconi-like syndrome in dogs almost disappeared after certain products were recalled in 2008 and 2009.
In addition to chicken jerky, VeggieDent Chews for Dogs were also associated with Fanconi-like syndrome in Australia (see VeggieDent Chews Recalled in Australia below). No reports of similar problems with these treats have been reported in the U.S. or elsewhere. The big difference is that Australia required these treats to be irradiated in order to kill pathogens. Interestingly, at least two brands of chicken jerky – Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch – are also subject to irradiation in the U.S., according to information on the brands’ websites. Could that be why the FDA can’t find contaminants? It will only comment, “We are considering irradiation as one potential factor in the jerky problem.”
While neither the FDA nor the AVMA will come right out and tell consumers not to feed their dogs these products, Dr. Tony Buffington, the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s veterinary nutritionist, created a poster to warn clients of the potential risk of feeding their pets chicken jerky. The poster reads in part, “Until a cause or explanation can be found, we urge our clients not to purchase or feed chicken jerky products to your pets.”
The take-home message is that pet owners must exercise extreme caution when buying treats for their pets. It is not easy to determine where treats are made. A product may say “manufactured in the U.S.” without revealing that the source of the ingredients is China. At best, you may find “Made in China” in tiny print on the back of the package. To be safe, stick to treats you know for certain are made in the U.S. or Canada using ingredients from those countries, or make your own treats.
More information:

• Questions and Answers Regarding Jerky Pet Treats from China (8/15/12)
• Update on Jerky Treats (1/9/13)
• FDA Report Regarding Jerky Pet Treats and Illnesses (1/9/13)
• Pet owners find lack of chicken jerky recall, FDA warning unacceptable (9/1/12)
• FDA Investigates Animal Illnesses Linked to Jerky Pet Treats (9/14/12)
• Veterinarians advise avoiding chicken jerky dog treats (5/25/12)
• Truth About Pet Food
• Poisoned Pets

RECALLED

 

 

 

Recall this will work nicely into tomorrows blog on Kidney failure !!

 

 

10th Annual PUG STOCK HOWL-WEEN

CHILLY WEATHER ON THE WAY

25 cuddles-clones

http://thebarkpost.com/cuddle-clones/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=BarkPost&utm_campaign=Newsletter_10.22.2013&email=knowthydog%40yahoo.ca

FUN OUTING AT GREYHOUND PLANET DAYS 9th ANNUAL EVENT

Pressure sores or calluses

  

 

PRESSURE SORES OR CALLUSES 

 

Pressure sores or calluses usually occur on your dogs elbows. These calluses form when your dog lies on hard surfaces.

The elbow were the bone sticks out, often rubs on the floor creating the skin to get tougher then a ruff skin surface forms a callus

 

 

My dogs pressure sore looks like a growth but was checked by our vet and is just a pressure sore. 

There is a product called Elbow butter that will soften the calluses and help make the skin soft and less tight and ruff. 

 

 

SOFT SLEEPING AREAS HELP RELIEVE PRESSURE ON ELBOWS AND HELP TO STOP CALLUSES

FROM FORMING

 

 

Ticks

TICKS 

                                                          

Dog owners who live in the country, or walk their dogs in long grasses, should be familiar with ticks. If you find a tick on your dog it will invariably be the female, feeding after mating; that is when she needs a blood meal. She will swell up to about the size of a pea, and be as a hard shell.

Unfortunately, some ticks are carriers of diseases; like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and encephalitis. Ticks can then release a toxin which can paralyze your dog.  Most of these tick-borne diseases are in the United States; but Lyme disease is becoming more prevalent in Canada.

 

Ticks can appear anywhere on your dogs body but generally seem to migrate to your dogs ears, neck or toe

 

Treatment

Revolution a topical product that kills ticks within 24 hour. You want to remove the tick as soon as you find it, the longer the tick is on your dog the longer the tick is injecting a bacteria into your dog.

 

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it. First you can paint the tick with nail polish or alcohol with a Q tip. Wait a few moments then grab the tick as close to the tick’s head as possible. The tick’s head will be buried in your dog’s skin. Pull up with steady pressure, or the head break free and remain in the dog. If this happens, keep the spot clean and disinfect that spot with peroxide.

Your veterinarian or local pet store will sell many types of tick pliers to help remove ticks. If the head is left behind don’t panic just peroxide the spot and watch for infection.

The very best tick removing product I have come across is the tick twister. It removes the whole tick with head intact.

 

Not often does one tick bite become a problem.

 

 

 

 

TEN WEIRD FACTS ABOUT DOGS

 

Check out this link

                                               http://listverse.com/2013/07/22/ten-weird-facts-about-dogs/

Aging

Aging   Dogs age differently depending on breed. Aging is the slowing down of physical and                  

mental reactions and abilities of your older dog.  Also aging is the degradation of your dog’s organs. Senior dogs maybe more

 

physically challenged but they still are part of the family and want to contribute to their pack.

 

 

 

Turkey Bones

Turkey Bones

Cooked bones especially bird bones are very brittle and can easily splinter theses brittle bones are an enormous threat to your dog. These bones can chip teeth, puncture the stomach or intestinal wall; they also can cause an obstruction in the digestive tract. If your dog does get into bones you will have to watch for vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stool or straining to have a bowel movement. Also a tender abdomen when palpated. If these symptoms occur take your dog to see the veterinarian.

Michael Vick’s former fighting dogs

One of Michael Vick’s former fighting dogs, Leo, went on to be a therapy dog who comforted dying children.
(Source.)

 

WISHING WE HUMANS COULD TRANSFORM SO EASILY AND LEARN LESSONS FROM LEO!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

9th Annual GREYHOUND PLANET DAY OCTOBER 19th

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Personal Post

My Husband Chris, and our 3 dogs after his surgery. Out for a walk enjoying this beautiful fall weather

Halloween Hazard 4

Keeping our pets safe, our dogs don't understand the continual stream of children dressed in scary costumes
coming to the door.
Ringing, knocking, lots of excitement, yelling at their owners. Many dogs get spooked on Halloween and may try to flee. Keep your dogs away from the door and safe from the confusing events that are taking place at the door.

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween Hazard 3 Poison

We need to be extra careful when choosing Halloween candies. Leaving unattended treats may prove
to be a huge hazard to our dogs. Chocolate can be poisonous, but Chocolate raisins are toxic and poisonous causing kidney function problems. Sugarless gum containing xylitol causes a rapid blood sugar drop and liver failure. Its not just our treats but your kids treat bags weeks after Halloween must be supervised and kept safely away from our pets at all times.

 

 

 

 

Halloween Hazards 2

Halloween is fun, but it maybe hazardous.  Keeping our pets clear of Jack-O-Lanterns, the fire hazard is obvious, but even allowing them close enough to sniff may burn their airways.

Halloween Hazards

This is October, the next few blogs will be about the many Hazards Halloween pose's to our canine friends. Costumes are very cute, but if your dog is uncomfortable is it really fair to dress them up.
If your dog doesn't mind being dressed then make sure vision, mobility, and air ways are never compromised.

EAR CLEANING

EAR CLEANING

If your dog’s ears smell and he is pawing at its ears or shakes its head often, this is an indication of an ear problem. Best to be seen by your vet; could be an ear infection or a yeast infection. Certain dogs have allergies and red ears are an indicator.

Cleaning ears: use pet store ear cleaner that isn’t alcohol based as this can sting if open cuts are in the ear from scratching. If your dog has hairy ears the hair may needed to be plucked and trimmed so your dog’s ear can breathe.  Plucking to excess can also be detrimental and irritate the ears. Trimming ear hair may be easier using blunt-end scissors; be careful not to nick the skin. Make sure no hairs fall further down the ear canal. After removing hair (if needed) you can now clean the ear.

                                                      EAR CLEANING PRODUCTS

Use a few drops of the ear cleaner on the inside flap of the ear, not too much so it doesn’t run down into the ear canal. Then rub the dog’s ear working the drops into the ear. Use gauze or cotton balls and wipe away brown waxy debris.  

Let the dog shake its head, this will loosen up more debris. If a lot of debris is in the canal use a Q tip. Wet the tip of the Q tip with clean cleaner and then very carefully go a little further down into the ear. The Q tips are good for digging debris out of the crevices. You don’t go too far down the canal or you could damage the ear drum.
If there is a lot of debris still, an ear flushing may need to be done by your Veterinarian.
 

 LETTING EARS BREATH AIR NEEDS TO CIRCULATE TO KEEP  EARS HEALTHY

Bloodhounds

History lesson from the middle ages!
I recently read that Bloodhounds received their name (blooded or aristocratic hounds)
because they were owned by only the very rich or people with aristocratic blood lines.
I had always thought it had to do with there tracking abilities.

The Greyhound Supporters of the NCR presents 9th Annual Greyhound Planet Day Saturday 19 October 2013 10 am to 3:30 pm @ the Dog Ranch Inc. 6361 Fourth Line Road North Gower, ON info@gsncr.ca / www.gsncr.ca greyhoundsupporters @greysncr admission $5/family free parking all leashed canines welcome

TRAUMEEL

Emma has sever arthritis, from many injuries from her days on the track.
I give her Traumeel twice a day. I believe this Homeopathic preparation helps her inflammation and relieves some of  her pain.

We normally call her stick girl because of her stiff gait. She often surprizes us when she still can get out there and run and play with her family.