Did You Know?

Ivermectin, which is the active ingredients in many heartworm pills, such as heartguard, Ivomec, Iverheart and others, and sometimes as a treatment for mange, should never be used on herding dogs and some types of cats. It  can cause a reaction that is potentially fatal. Herding dogs include Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties), Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, Long-haired Whippets, Silken , and a variety of mixed breed dogs. This is not to say however, that heartworm prevention is not extremely important. Make sure to bring this up with your vet and discuss which medication is the best choice for you pet!    Black Dog Syndrome: Black dogs are often the last to be adopted from an animal shelter. The general public is likely not aware of how doomed black dogs are when they are brought to the average animal shelter. Black dogs, particularly large black dogs like Labradors or Lab mixes, have a very difficult time getting adopted, and are euthanized at a staggering rate at many animal control facilities throughout the country. The sad truth is, they are overlooked in favor of lighter colored dogs. Remember just like the color of your skin has no bearing on who you are inside, neither does the color of their fur!     Does puppy paw size determine adult dog size? Yes and no. In general paws are proportionate to their size at that time, however as a puppy there are times when the paws grow faster than the rest of the body. Also just like people there can be small dogs with big feet and big dogs with small feet (collies are a good example). By 16 weeks you can usually make a good estimate of a puppies adult size, usually about double. Heat Stroke in Dogs Understanding and Preventing Hyperthermia By Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com Guide Hyperthermia is a term describing an elevation in body temperature. This increase typically occurs as a response to a trigger, such as inflammation in the body or a hot environment. When a dog is exposed to high temperatures, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can result. Heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of heat stroke are detected, there is precious little time before serious damage - or even death - can occur. Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans - they release heat primarily by panting and they sweat through the foot pads and nose. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog's temperature reaches 106°, damage to the body's cellular system and organs may become irreversible. Unfortunately, too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have been avoided. Learn how to recognize the signs of heat stroke and prevent it from happening to your dog. Signs of Heat Stroke The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog: Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency) Vigorous panting Dark red gums Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically the gums) Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up Collapse and/or loss of consciousness Thick saliva Dizziness or disorientation What to do if You Suspect Heat Stroke If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stoke, you must take immediate action. First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away. Begin cooling your dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the body - especially the foot pads and around the head. DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body's core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems. When the body temperature reaches 103°, stop cooling. Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog's mouth. Call or visit your vet right away - even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an exam is necessary (and further testing may be recommended). Tip: recruit others to help you - ask someone to call the vet while others help you cool your dog. Preventing Heat Stroke There are ways you can prevent heat stroke from happening in the first place. NEVER leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of the car acts like an oven - temperatures can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes. Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days. When outside, opt for shady areas. Keep fresh cool water available at all times. Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat - especially obese dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like Pugs and Bulldogs. Use extreme caution when these dogs are exposed to heat. Some dogs can recover fully from heat stroke if it is caught early enough. Others suffer permanent organ damage and require lifelong treatment. Sadly, many dogs do not survive heat stroke. Prevention is the key to keeping your dog safe during warmer weather.        NEW PRODUCT FOUND TO POISON DOGS ... IMPORTANT READ ... http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp     It's found in everything from cupcakes to toothpastes to nicotine gum. And it's considered the most canine-toxic "human food" on the planet. It is a sugar substitute that is used in many products that we use everyday According to the ASPCA's Poison Control Center , more dogs than ever are being poisoned by products containing xylitol. That's partly because xylitol use is more widespread than ever and also because of low awareness of its harmfulness among pet owners. So just how dangerous is xylitol? A few sugar-free Tic Tacs, a pack of Trident gum, a spilled tin of Starbucks mints, a sugar-free Jell-O dessert cup. All it takes is just a tiny amount of this toxin to send a dog into hypoglycemia-induced seizures and some-times fatal liver failure. All dogs are susceptible, some more than others. It has been calculated that as little as a gram of sweet-ener can kill a 10-pound dog. What is very unnerving however, is that xylitol is being added to many pediatric medicines that our veterinarians use to treat our dogs with. And it is only just recently that veterinarians have become aware of this new change. Now it would be easy to say that all dog owners should speak to their vets about xylitol and carefully read all ingredient labels before purchasing products, yet it seems that will still not solve the problem. It appears that not all consumer product manufacturers are willing to list xylitol on their ingredient labels. The morale of the story? Let's keep human food away from our dog for now, keep your eyes on the ingredient listings and always question your vet about drugs you have to give your dogs.