Dogs Don't Bite When a Growl Will Do by Matt Weinstein and Luke Barber

I love this book and want to recommend it to any dog owner. It really is about what our dogs can teach us. AMAZING!

Wolf eyes have an intense stare Border collies also have that stare

                                                        WHAT DO YOU THINK?

OTTAWA WESTIE WALK AND FUN DAY Knowthydog will be there!

Silent Killer SHOCK

SHOCK is when the body isn’t get enough oxygenated blood flow this can be a life threating condition.

What are some things you can do for your dog if he is in shock?

A. Keep him calm

B. Keep him warm

C. Let the dog get in the most comfortable position himself. If you force him to lie down you may obstruct an airway, or cause unnecessary distress.

D. All of the above

New at 8 weeks

DOGS NEVER LIE ABOUT LOVE.
Mike Del Ross

 

 

MICROCHIP YOUR PETS

You should microchip your dog, it’s an effective safety tool to help send lost dogs home.

I have previously worked at vet clinics for 15 years and we have reunited numerous dogs with their families. Vet clinics, many rescues, and Humane societies have a universal scanner to scan to see if the dog is chipped.  If the dog is chipped it’s easy to find the owner as long as the owner has updated their residence.

I often think about my own experiences, all of my animals are micro chipped, and I am thankful they are.

It’s funny how walking in others shoes can change your opinion. I worked at an animal hospital and always had a hard time with dogs that were hit by cars. To me, I felt the owners were being irresponsible and this accident could have been prevented.

I became one of those owners, It was winter and I was walking my three dogs, two greyhounds and a border collie. My border collie was always in the lead. If you ever walked greyhounds they are like walking on air. I often would turn around to see if they were still with me. Well on one very slippery winter night, we were on our way home. A car was coming towards us so I pulled the dogs over closer to the curb. I was wearing huge mittens and I didn’t notice until it was too late that I had dropped Rory’s leash and she was standing in the middle of the road. The driver saw her before me and started to slow down, the road was ice and he couldn’t stop. Rory just continued to stand there watching as the car came towards her. The car bumped her and then she started to run heading for a busy street. I tried running after her with two dogs in heavy boots, but she was out of sight in seconds. I ran home to take the other dog’s back and to call a few friends to help look for Rory.  As we searched the neighbourhood, she was nowhere to be seen. I returned home to see if she had made her way home. My answering machine was flashing and I found out that someone had found her and she was fine.  She was a little shaken and had let her anal glands go but she was safe. We rushed over to get her and brought her home. Rory was chipped and was also wearing the chip tag on her collar.  I was very grateful to the couple that had cornered her on a street and brought her into their home.  I don’t know who was happier to see each other. I learned not to be so judgemental of others and to promote microchipping your pets. It can bring them (HOME SWEET HOME).

NEWLA RORY AND EMMA

CHERRY EYE BY Dr. Wendy C Brooks DVM.DipABVP

CHERRY EYE

Prolapse of the tear gland of third eyelid

In the smaller breeds -- especially Boston terriers, Cocker spaniels, bulldogs and beagles -- the gland of the third eyelid is not strongly held in place. The gland falls down (prolapses) out to where the owner notices it as a reddened mass. Out of its normal position, the gland does not circulate blood properly and may swell.

Treatment - Removal of the Gland

Historically, the prolapsed gland was treated like a small tumor and it was simply removed. This procedure was used before the full significance of the gland was realized.

If the third eyelid's tear gland is removed, it cannot be put back in place. If the other tear gland that is above the eye cannot supply adequate tears, which is not uncommon in older small breed dogs, then the eye becomes dry and uncomfortable. A thick yellow discharge results and the eye develops a blinding pigment covering for protection. This condition is simply called dry eye, or more scientifically keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and daily medical treatment is required to keep the eye both comfortable and visual. Not only is dry eye uncomfortable for the pet, its treatment is often frustrating and time-consuming and there is expense involved. We would like the dog to maintain the greatest amount of tear-producing tissue possible, thus removing the gland for cosmetic reasons is not an acceptable treatment method.

Treatment - Replacing the Gland

The only acceptable treatment of cherry eye is replacing the gland in its proper location. There are two techniques for doing this. The traditional tucking method is probably most commonly performed. Here, a single stitch is permanently placed to draw the gland back where it belongs. Complications are uncommon but be aware of the following possibilities:

• If the stitch unties, the surface of the eye could become scratched by the suture. If this occurs, the eye will become suddenly painful and the suture thread may be visible. The suture can be removed and the problem solved. 
• The tuck may not be anchored well enough to hold permanently. In fact, this surgery is notorious for this type of failure and frequently a second or even third tuck is needed. If a surgical tuck leads to failure, you may want to ask your veterinarian about going to a board-certified ophthalmologist for the second surgery to maximize the chances of permanent resolution. 
• Sometimes cherry eye is accompanied by other eyelid problems that make the repair more difficult or less likely to succeed.

In a newer surgical technique, a wedge of tissue is removed from directly over the gland. This technique is more challenging as it is not easy to determine how much tissue to remove. Tiny stitches that eventually dissolve are used to close the gap so that the tightened incision margins push the gland back in place. Complications may include:

• Inflammation or swelling as the stitches dissolve
• Inadequate tightening of the tissue gap may lead to recurrence
• Failure of the stitches to hold and associated discomfort. Loose stitches could injure the eye depending on the type of suture used.

Sometimes both surgical techniques are used in the same eye to achieve a good replacement. Harmful complications from cherry eye surgery are unusual but recurrence is common. If a cherry eye recurs it is important to let your veterinarian know so that a second surgery can be planned. An owner should expect some postoperative swelling after cherry eye repair but this should resolve and the eye should be comfortable and normal in appearance after about a week. If the eye appears suddenly painful or unusual in appearance, it is important that it be rechecked as soon as possible.

Correcting cherry eye is a procedure that not all veterinarians are comfortable performing. Discuss with your veterinarian whether referral to a specialist would be best for you and your pet.

Date Published: 1/1/2001
Date Reviewed/Revised: 02/21/2012