CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES 

Do you know what a Crucite Ligament injury is?  I didn't know either, until a dog that was staying with me, suddenly give out loud yelp, couldn't walk and keeled over in agony. It picked itself up then slowly and painfully limped back to the car. A visit to the vet told us that the dog was suffering from a cruciat ligament injury. This is a very painful condition that sometimes needs surgery, often long periods of rest and definitely no bungee jumping or triathalon activities for the rest of its life.

How can I tell if my dog has cruciate ligament disease?

Chronic limping is the commonest sign of crucite ligament injury. There are several types of ligament injury - hips, knees and paws. This may appear suddenly during or after exercise in some dogs, or it may be progressive and intermittent in others. Some dogs are simultaneously affected in both knees, and these dogs often find it difficult to rise from a prone position and have a very “doddery” gait. In severe cases, dogs cannot get up at all and can be mistakenly suspected of having a spinal problem.

One of the causes of a cruciate ligament strain is the dog being forced to jog with its owner day in and day out.  Dogs are not programmed to pound the pavements; they don't wear special trainers to soften the pressure on their joints.  Dogs are born to take leisurely ambles leaving a pee mail here and there or sniff some one else's messages.  The owners always say the same thing "Oh! but he loves jogging with me!"  Of course he loves running behind you.  You feed him so he will stick close to you!

Another cause of cruciate ligament injury is throwing the ball or a frisbee with a chucker. The dog jumps for it, twists its body and lands awkwardly on its back legs.  From my observtions, this type of injury seems to happen to bigger dogs such as Labradors and Rotties. It also sometimes happens to smaller dogs who maybe over weight or like jumping at objects.

One of the worst things about a cruciate ligament injury is that the dog suffers chronic arthritis and discomfort in old age, especially if it has had to undergo an operation to repair the torn ligament.

On to a totally different subject.

Niccolo, has lost his beautiful collar, in Regents Park, and as you can see from the photograph, he is feeling pretty miz about losing it.
If you happen to find it, please return to Emma Richler who walks  every day in the park with Niccolo.

It is a very distinctive collar and was  specially made for him by www.meggiemoo.dk/.

Log on and have a look at  some of the beautiful collars and coats that she makes.

Now here is something you really didn't know...........

The flying ants and biting bugs season came and went!

During those few heady days of hot weather that we had in july, the air was alive with flying ants. They caused havoc as they swarmed into people's homes and in their gardens. They were everywhere even when riding on the London Underground and buses. They ruined the picnics of everyone out and about in London parks. People were swatting them and doing war dances on them. Neither the flying ants or human beings had a good time of it.

But it turns out that male ants weren't having a great time of it either - after mating, the females drop to the ground to start a new nest.  The  poor old males meanwhile, are killed instantly from the force of their own genitals exploding. Yup! that's right. Exploding flying ant genitals. Happy September everyone!

That's it until my next blog when I hope to find another little known item to tell you about doggie behaviour,  (and maybe even flying ants!)

                                                       Dawn ("-")

WHY IS MY DOG SO SCARED OF GOING TO THE PARK OR OF MEETING OTHER DOGS?

Whatever the cause, Im afraid your dog has become traumatised by something.  Well balanced dogs don't suddenly become aggressive or fearful over going for a walk.  An attack from a bigger dog may have caused this fear or there may have been a loud noise that terrified them, but here are some simple ways to get them back to being happy, playful dogs again.

Security ....First your dog needs the reassurance of having a strong pack leader.  That's you.!  Giving your dog affection at a time of emotional instability makes them feel secure and confident.  When walking with your dog, keep saying "Good boy/girl!" You will notice that they will keep looking back at you while on the lead.  Constantly praising them, it makes them feel safe. You can almost hear them saying "Am I? Am I? Everything is going to be OK isn't it?.

Exercise... Some dogs are so terrified that they will hide rather than go for a walk. You have to be hard and literally drag them out for a walk. A quick pee at the nearest lamp post isn't exercise. The more you get them walking around the block, the quicker you will rid  them of that fear of the unknown.

Dominance... Your dog is not the pack leader, you are. Learn to recognize the earliest signs of unwanted behavior and correct it immediately. This includes nervous, fearful behaviour. Correction should be a quick tug against the leash or a "prod" made to the side of the neck with two fingers. You want to use enough force to get attention, thereby changing the dogs state of mind, but certainly don't do it so hard you injure the animal. Remember, its necessary to correct unwanted behavior immediately, not after the dog is in a cowering snarling frenzy of fear. As soon as they lock onto their "target" or some imagined fear and the ears start rolling back, prod and firmly say "That's ok, relax. I'm here. Good boy/girl!" You have to pay attention to the body language.  Tensing up is a sign of fear or about to be aggression.

Be calm and assertive. In other words you are the boss. Don't respond with anger or frustration because if you do, the  dog will pick up on that energy and start digging in its paws.
Once you've established yourself as the pack leader you are nearly there. 

Dogs are not humans. Before they receive love and affection, they need excercise, clear direction, and leadership. Giving them love alone doesn’t create balance in their lives. Its important to be the leader of the pack!

Carry a bag of treats in your pocket and when a scary situation looks like cropping up for your dog, distract them with a treat.

My magic cure for a scared, nervous, traumatised dog is to keep a bottle of Bach Flower Rescue remedy in your pocket - 6 drops in the side of the mouth before any walk- will give your dog supreme confidence to handle any situation.

Dogs try and show us through body language how they are feeling.  Tune in and make your dog a happy, secure animal.

This 'n that .......................................... did you know?

Dogs can smell disease

If your doggie chum is acting strange there might be nothing wrong with them - the problem could be with you.
Research at the Schillerhohe Hospital in Germany found dogs have an incredible ability to recognise the smell of a range of organic compounds that show the human body isn’t working as it should.
That means your dog can actually diagnose your cancer, something scientists are eager to explore further, as well as diabetes and the early signs of an epileptic seizure.
 
  This will make you smile - a compilation of clips showing animal thieves.
( I'd love to know what that monkey did with the hub cap!)

                                                         

 
                                                                    Until the next blog, Byeeeee!

                                                                                        Dawn (*^*)






                                                                                      

                                                                                 
 

Canine Scent Marking: Who's Peeing Where - and Why?

Apart from having a piddle, is there another reason when your dog lifts his leg?
Although jokingly referred to as a pee mail, canine urine marking is serious business for dogs. Just as we check our e-mails several times a day, so dogs have a similar modus operandi?
Dogs don't need wifi, but "pee mail" is a very necessary and highly complex, frequently misunderstood (by humans) method of canine communication.

You've probably experienced some sort of scent marking behavior with your own dog. But do you know why he sniffs other dogs' urine? Or what tidbits of information he's finding out  from a dog blog when he sniffs where other dogs have peed?

Dogs have to use pee to mark territory - to leave a message. How else can they do it? Other dogs come along and check the message and in turn, leave a message of their own by marking over or adjacent to the original spot. There's probably a lot of interesting information in these messages, and by checking "pee mails," a dog can determine the gender of the dogs who came before him and whether they are spayed or neutered. He can also tell if there's a randy bitch on heat or coming into heat, as well as to determine the health, stress level, and social status of the dogs who have previously marked the spot. Stopping them from smelling pee mails is cruel and restraining. It may seem awful to you but to a dog is it vital for their mental stimulus and daily health.  Forget jogging behind your owner, the pee mail is the thing that makes the walk worthwhile.

Male dogs with all their tackle intact are high on the social order and seen as alpha males. These boys are most likely to over-mark (pee over another dog's scent). Its the human equivalent of Porsche man with the Rolex who cuts up everybody in traffic signifying that HE is the top bozo.

Females spend a lot of time investigating the urine of unfamiliar male and female dogs; while males are primarily interested in what other male dogs peed on.
Strangely, females never over-marked, but rather "adjacent marked" or urinated nearby, as opposed to on top of the urine mark left by another dog. If a female dog considers itself to be a dominant one in the household, she will over mark.

I find this interesting because my fifteen-year-old, spayed, female Cocker Spaniel literally waits for the male dogs to urinate and then goes over and urinates on top of it. Most days she stands right behind the boys and can hardly wait for them to finish their business so she can mark on top of it. If they don't move fast enough, she's likely to body bomb them out of the way, then do her piddle.

What does all this mean? I'm not sure. But I'm thankful that most of the marking goes on outside although, there will always be one or two boys who will mark indoors. It's not uncommon for dogs to mark indoors, outdoors, or both. Causing owners intense irritation.

There's still a lot we don't understand about canine marking. For instance, what is the distinction between over-marking and adjacent marking? Do they have different functions? Why do some dogs mark while others do not? What does it tell us about the dogs, their personalities, temperaments, and social status? It is possible that marking may be a strategy dogs use to avoid conflict. What does this say about dogs who are forced to greet other dogs on a leash without the ability to urine mark?That's a mean and unkind owner's way of stopping them from saying "Hi! how's it going?"

If a dog lifts its leg indoors, clean it up with disinfectant immediately and spray something strong and sweet smelling to hopefully deter them from doing it again in the same spot.  Not as easy as you think, since many dogs will search out their smell and do it again months later.

This 'n that .......... 

With the exceptionally high temperatures and sweltering days, here is a good tip to hyderate your dog in readiness for a long walk. Before you leave the house, give them a bowl of water with 1/4  piece of beef or stock cube crumbled in. Dog will glug it down and they wont be gasping for water after the walk. And no, its too small a piece to worry about the salt intake.

Look at this wonderful sculpture that I have acquired to adorn my garden. I've nick named it "Doris Lay".

Made entirely out of beads on galvanised steel wire, its the most unusual feature to put in your garden or balcony. BBC Gardening World have gone bananas for them and featured them this weekend at the Gardening Show in Birmingham.

My friend, Tracy Ann Neill, mobile beauty therapist, relexologist, manicurist and pedicurist is marketing them from South Africa where she has a friend who diligently makes any kind of creature that you wish.  If you want to know more about them, her contact details are 07958062283/ neilltracy@hotmail.com.
Certainly makes a change from garden gnomes!

Wimbledon is in full swing but without any doubt, these are definitely some of the best ball boys on the tennis circuit.

                                        
The sun is shining, no clouds scudding across the blue sky, the temperture is scorchio for the next few days, so get out there and make the most of the good weather. What's not to enjoy?

                                                              Dawn  ("-")

WHY IS MY DOG MAKING ALL THOSE FRIGHTENING GAGGING, CHOKING NOISES?

There is nothing more alarming than to see your pet struggling to breathe and hearing them make loud coughing and gagging sounds that makes you think they have been secretly smoking 30 fags a day. Of course your immediate reaction is to rush them off to the vet.

Its hayfever. "Nah! I can hear you say,"Don't be daft, dogs don't get hayfever."

Like their owners, many pets are sensitive to airborn annoyances - not just dust, feathers and wool but also to pollen.  They get runny eyes and noses, explosive sneezing attacks, breathing difficulties and itchy throats that make them gag and cough like a seasoned smoker, while trying to clear the sensation. Some of the flat nose breeds suffer terribly and a hayfever attack can make them sound like their air waves are being cut off.  It looks and sounds far worse than it is.

Here are some tips to ease their discomfort.

If a dog is snorting and looks like it can't breathe, put your first finger in the dent of their nose and rub backwards and forwards for a few seconds. This helps to open up the nostrils.

Give them a child's dose of anti-histamine Piriton or similar tablet hidden in chicken or cheese as this helps with the hayfever symptoms. if you are nervous about doing this, telephone your vet and ask their advice.

For immediate relief, dampen a cloth and gently rub over the dog's nose. This wipes off any pollen or dust stuck in the air waves.

When dogs get hayfever, they get itchy and start scratching the sides of their bodies and biting their paws.  They rub their faces on the carpet or on furniture.  Best way to stop this is to dunk their feet in a bowl of cool water for a couple of minutes - warm water will irritate the skin even more - then dry them off with a towel.  You can tell by the look on your dog's face that was the most blissful thing you could have done for them.

Rub a little vaseline around the nostrils to stop pollen and dust going straight in.

If, like me, you loathe anything chemical, then there is the tried and tested, sure fire homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica 30c (available from from of the homeopathic pharmacies, Helios, Ainsworth or Nelsons). If your dog is sneezing frequently, has runny eyes and a runny nose and looks like it has been chopping onions, then 2 pillules of Nux Vomica given during an attack can stop the symptoms instantly.  I promise you it works on dogs and equally well on human beings.

Here's ten minutes of dogs doing silly things that will make you chuckle.

Happy sneezing and start enjoying the promised high temperatures and good weather to follow.

                                                                           Dawn (".")

1,000 fleas a day...... and some remedies to keep them at bay!

                                                        
It is May already and officially Spring has finally sprung?  But unfortunately,  each warm day, brings the dreaded fleas.... and ticks as well.  In next month's blog I will tell you about ticks, how to deal with them and prevent them latching onto your dog.  But for now, let's focus on fleas. I know Ive written about it before but flea time comes around regularly in warm weather.
                                             
How do I know that its flea time? I saw some dogs in the park having a good old banjo playing session! That made me rush home and apply Frontline on my own dog, Candy.

It really must be awful for dogs with flea infestations. Can you imagine how it feels to constantly have bugs crawling across your skin? And to top it off, many dogs are allergic and break out from the flea bites, which can cause stomach upsets, worms and other problems. That is not good news, especially when you consider that just one little flea can lead to a full infestation in 1 week.

Let me explain the flea life cycle and how just one flea on your dog or in your home can multiply into as many as 5,000 in just 30 days. Eueeew! just makes me itchy thinking about it.

Fleas hatch into their life cycle when the temperature is above 70°F and the humidity is high (70%). The breeding cycle gets into full swing when temperatures reach between 70°F and 85°F. An adult flea can lay 15 to 20 eggs in a day. These eggs,  develop into larvae. These larvae then develop into pupae and in 14 days turn into adults. The adults continue to breed rapidly, while the first generation lays yet another group of eggs. Before you know it, there are thousands of fleas jumping around, just waiting to feast on you and your pet.

So now you know:  One flea in your home can become a full infestation. Imagine fleas on your dog, in your carpets, sofas, clothing, and even your bed in just 30 days. Yuck!
One of the surest ways to protect your dog is to treat them with a flea and tick prevention medication and that means weekly applications of Frontline, Advantage and any other topical medicine on offer.

Tip: I give my dogs a garlic pill or Brewer's yeast twice a day in their food (available from Boots or Holland and Barratt) for two weeks. This makes their skin repellent to fleas, who then jump off in disgust into your carpets or floor edging, just waiting for any passing warm blooded body that could be you or another dog.

A dunking in the bath is quite effective as long as your dog enjoys a bath like this dog, who is obviously enjoying its relaxation in its doggy spa. 

Best  tip of all, is to give your dog a good shampoo under a really strong shower jet. I did this with my dog and found 5 fleas were lying spread eagled on the shower floor and all the black nits got zapped off down the drain.

Its a good idea to stock up on Bob Martin's Home Flea Spray. As a preventative I spray along the edge of the rooms, along the floorboards and in the middle and sides of carpeted stairs. It seems to keep them at bay. I also shake out all blankets and beds, place them in the hot sunshine and spray those with the Bob Martin's Flea Spray.
Tip for insurance, I run lavender oil along the dog's back every few days. 
I defy any flea to survive such an onslaught of prevention.  Happy itching!

This 'n that ..........
 
Did you know that a Dogs’ sense of hearing is more than ten times more acute than a human’s so be careful about saying hurtful things about your dog!
                               
That's it for this month. Have an enjoyable May doing whatever it is you plan to do.

                                                                          Dawn  ("-")











WOULD YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STROKE AND AN IDIOPATHIC VESTIBULAR ATTACK?

The most heart stopping moment in any dog owner's life is when your normally cheerful, bustling little dog suddenly topples over, head tilted to one side, eyes darting furiously from left to right, tongue hanging out, drooling, staggering around like a drunk before collapsing on the floor.  When they try to stand up, they stagger and fall again.  The eyes are rolling from left to right and not focused on anything and the dog looks very frightened and frail.   

Vets aren't kidding when they say, "Canine idiopathic vestibular disease begins acutely and resolves acutely".  But to someone who has never experienced those symptoms before, your first reaction is panic followed by Seizure?  Stroke?  Of course your first thought is  Oh! no, please god! no, don't let them die!" then you rush them to the emergency vet and rightly so. On your way to the vet, cradling your dog in your arms, you go through the scenario in your mind and wonder if  maybe it could be an heart attack or stroke.  The vet will tell you by examining the dog, whether it is a stroke or something called an Idopathic Vestibular attack. No one knows what triggers the attack and if it is any consolation, it is non-fatal, non-progressive and very common, especially among older animals.  It is not genetic or gender related nor is it specific to particular breeds

The symptoms mimic a stroke and that's why the collapsing, tilting of the head,  drooling, jerking eye movements and disorientation are often mistaken for a seizure or a stroke. One way of distinguising between a stoke and an IVD attack is the eyes.  In an IVD attack, the eyes swivel constantly from left to right very fast even when the dog is on its side.  (See the little moving sketch at the top of the page.)

Over the years I have owned and also looked after many dogs who have experienced IVD. I have now become an old hand at recognising the signs.  When you get them home from the vets, here are some tips for making their lives  as comfortable as possible to help them recover .....and they will.

..Raise the water and food bowls so that the dog doesn't have to keep bending its neck.
..Keep them calm and as quiet as possible. The less excitement going on aroun them, the better.
..Keep a light on at night as total darkness disorientates them and the panic may bring on another attack. A child's night light is good.
..Massage their neck and shoulders every day or as often as you can.
..Place extra pillows or cushions in their baskets to prop them up.
..If you feed them only dry food, then help to ease the discomfort in their jaw by mixing in some cold chicken mixed in with chicken oxo to give them some gravy. Slurping is easier than chomping on hard bits.
..Hold them up by the middle with a cloth when they are outside doing their business. Sometimes, the back end is weak and they collapse in a heap, making life difficult when doing their toilet.
..Don't pick them up  during or after an attack as this frightens them.  Get the help of another person to hold one end of the dog as you hold the other then lay them on their side.
..Place a non slip mat directly by the bed if they are on a wooden or tiled floor.

Quite often, the vet will proscribe an anti-nausea pill and other medications to help calm down the dog. It must be equally scary for the dog who has no idea what is happening to it. I give them 4 drops of  Bach Flower Rescue Remedy in the side of their mouth or in the food.  It does calm them right down.

Alternative therapies such as Reiki, Cranial Therapy massage and Acupuncture work very effectively.  I highly recommend Peter Arbeid,  acupuncturist and holistic vet at The Kynance Veterinary Clinic kynanceveterinaryclinic@yahoo.co.uk  0207 584 2019.

Homeopathy works brilliantly in helping the dog to get back to normal.  I use Cocculus Indicus (6c or 30c). Give the dog 3 tabs every 2 hours for the first day and then 2 tablets three times a day for five days. You can either crush the tabs and sprinkle it over the food or disguise them in a piece of chicken or cheese.  Cocculus Indicus can be ordered online from the following three homeopathic pharmacies: Ainsworth Pharmacy, Nelson's or Helios.



The most important thing to remember: Vestibular syndrome looks dramatic but the prognosis of this condition is very good and usually has no long term effects on the quality of your dog’s life or longevity.

This and that ............
Did you remember to do something nice for your mum on Mother's Day?
Mums are great. From making sure you never ate sandpit sand or earthworms to hiding the scissors when you wanted to cut your own hair, she's always looked out for you. As we all know, flowers will wither, chocolates may melt and cards are usually appropriated for hastily scribbled shopping lists, but a shout out in an online blog lasts forever. So to all the mums out there, you were right. About everything. Especially the not cutting our own hair thing! If my mum were alive, that's what I would tell her. Make sure you tell your Mum how terrific she is.

Here's a clip to give you a smile. Its not something you see very often.

                                          That's it for this month.  Get out there and start enjoying the joys of Spring.

                                                                                          Dawn ("")

 c

WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR DOG GETS INTO A HANDBAGGING SESSION WITH ANOTHER DOG?  

A dog attacking another dog during a calm and peaceful walk is the most heart stopping moment in any dog owner's day.  The snarling, growling and hanging onto each other's fur is a frightening sight for everyone around.  People shouting and yelling the dog's names, other dogs barking and yipping, merely adds to the excitement of the moment. Then the owners make that big mistake of trying to separate them by grabbing collars. B.....A.....A.....D move!   Touching dogs while they are fighting can result in what is called “re-directed aggression,” and a dog may bite you because he thinks you are part of the conflict.

Here are a few common sense ways to separate two fighting dogs.

1.  Stand back, take a deep breath, stop yelling at your dog, then take off your hat, scarf or jacket and throw it over both dogs.  That immediately disorientates them and the fighting stops instantly as they struggle to get away from the obstacle that suddenly fell on them.

2.  If you have the presence of mind, pull on one of the dog's tails. This distracts the dog's attention and it will swerve around to see what is happening. This will give you time to yank your dog up by the scruff of the neck and get away from the other dog.

3.  However, if the dog is in a scuffle with a proper fighting dog, then you have a big problem as your dog will continue to be attacked while hanging mid air.  If this happens, punch the other dog hard on the nose (and yah boo! to the owner who may start yelling at you).  The nose is the most vunerable part of a dog's anatomy and hitting the nose will stop anger and aggression.   If it still jumps up, get another person to grab the back legs and lift it off the ground a little. Since dogs move backwards, this confuses the attacking dog.

4.   If your dog draws blood or has been injured by the other dog, yell to someone to take pictures. In many cases, owners of attacking dogs will run away and leave you to pick up the vet's bills but keeping a photographic record of the person and the dog will be useful when you report the incident to the police.  Many times they are spotted in another  nearby park and get stopped by the Police.


Bet you didn't know this .......... 

 The Beatles song "A Day in the Life" has an extra high-pitched whistle, audible only to dogs. It was recorded by Paul McCartney for the enjoyment of his Shetland sheepdog.


                                                    Let your dog play. Its good for them!

                                      http://www.youtube.com/embed/AA56LgpFbSw?rel=0 

You made it through January and up to now in one piece didn't you?  Good!  Then I will see you in March when the next blog will come out.

                                                           Dawn    (*^_^*)  (text speak for Big cheesy grin)