Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

A Veterinarian’s Guide To Safe

Travel With Your Dog

Before You Leave….

There are several things you can do to prepare for a holiday with your dog that will make the journey more pleasant and relaxing for both of you.
When you have found the perfect place for a vacation, make sure you make a note of the address and contact details for the nearest veterinary surgery. Find out their opening hours, and also ask how they handle after hours emergencies. They may have a vet available on call, or they may refer you to a nearby emergency hospital. It’s harder to find this information when you’re in a strange place and in a panic.

Although you’re not likely to need them, ask for details of a reputable boarding kennel in the area. Again, unexpected things happen, and it may be that you will need to board your dog for a day or two.

Speak to your own vet about whether or not your dog will need any particular medication while on holiday. For example, in some areas, your dog may be exposed to heartworm disease, and in other areas, ticks may spread Lyme disease. You may need to treat your dog while you’re away to avoid him picking up a disease that isn’t a risk to him at home.

Check his vaccination status – there are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, if you’re traveling across country borders, you may need proof of vaccination, particularly with regard to rabies vaccination. Secondly, if for any reason you do need to put him in a boarding kennel for a day or two, he will need to be up to date with his routine vaccinations.

If your dog isn’t micro chipped, visit your vet and one implanted. ID tags can come loose, but microchips don’t fall out – your dog will have permanent identification should he lose his collar or tag. Speaking of tags, make sure it has your current cell phone number on it, and if it’s damaged or hard to read, replace it.

Some dogs have a sensitive stomach and can get diarrhea if they’re fed an unfamiliar food. Check online, and if your holiday destination doesn’t have shops where you can buy your regular dog food, then you may need to take it with you. Be sure to take enough for the duration of your stay.

Traveling By Car
Some dogs become nervous or anxious when travelling in a car, and you may need to spend some time getting him used to it. This can take a while, so start several weeks before your vacation. You start by walking your dog around the car, and rewarding him with a treat if he sniffs or shows interest in the car. The next step is to sit inside the car and coax him in with you, giving him a treat if he’s relaxed, then allow him to leave. If he shows anxiety, don’t cuddle or mollycoddle him, as this can make things worse. Repeat this step and don’t move on until he’s quite happy and relaxed sitting in the car.

Next, encourage him into the car with you, have all the windows down, and close the doors. Again, treat if he’s relaxed, ignore any anxiety, and after a few minutes, out you both get. When he’s able to sit in the car calmly (which can take a few weeks in some cases), your next step is to start the engine. Don’t move the car – just sit in the driveway with the engine running. Reward him if he’s calm, only stay a minute or two then turn the engine off.

Next step is to actually move the car in the driveway. When this is successful, and your dog isn’t stressed by the car moving, go for a short drive to somewhere really fun, such as the beach or a park. That way, he will associate car trips with going somewhere fun.

This process may take several weeks, with each step taking a few days to complete. Things must be taken slowly, and if at any time your dog shows distress, go back to the previous step.
You may find that your dog still feels nervous in the car; ginger can be helpful in reducing nausea in the car. You can feed your dog some ginger nut biscuits, or give some chopped raw ginger. Ginger capsules from the health food shop also work, but can be costly depending on the size of your dog. One 500mg capsule is enough for a medium sized dog. A drop of food grade peppermint oil on the tongue can also help. For a more sedative effect, the herb valerian may be given. 

In people, valerian can cause excitement rather than sedation. This isn’t thought to happen in the dog, but it would be a good idea to try valerian at home before you went on a trip.
Keeping your dog secure in the car is very important for both his and your safety. If you have a wagon, you may be able to fit a crate in the back. Alternatively you can put your dog in the back with a cargo barrier to stop him jumping into the back seat.

Whether your dog is in the back of a wagon or in the back seat of a sedan, always use a harness and attach him to the car – there have been horror stories of a driver who was involved in an accident and someone opened the back of his car to check on the dog. The dog leapt out of the car and was loose on a busy highway.

If your dog travels on the back of a utility, again having him in a crate is the safest way for him to travel. Avoid your dog sticking his head out into the breeze; dust and wind can cause conjunctivitis, and the vehicle in front may throw up gravel which can scratch the eye.

Travelling By Plane
Each individual airline has their own rules about transporting dogs in planes, so it’s a good idea to phone them directly and check their individual requirements. However, there are a few guidelines that all airlines will comply with.

Most airlines won’t transport animals in extremes of temperature, so if it’s very hot or very cold, you may need backup arrangements in place. You will need to confine your dog in an airline approved carrier, with your name and a contact phone number firmly attached to the carrier.
It’s a good idea to put a familiar smelling blanket or a favorite toy in the carrier with your dog, as this may relax him during the journey. Some dogs are quite stressed by air travel; in this case you may want to chat to your vet, as he may suggest a mild sedative. Alternatively, you could try valerian as mentioned above.

If you want to give your dog water in the carrier, many people suggest using ice cubes which will melt and hopefully avoid spillage, but your dog’s bedding may still become damp if the ice cubes fall out of the container.
It’s not a lot of fun for your dog to be stuck on the tarmac waiting to be put on the plane so to avoid delays, avoid travelling in peak periods where it may be more likely that your plane is delayed. Try and book a non stop trip so your dog reaches your destination as quickly as possible.
It’s also a good idea if possible to actually watch your dog being put on your plane. Dogs are usually transported as “baggage”, and there are plenty of stories of baggage going missing or being put on the wrong flight.

Checklist For Packing For Your Dog
There are a few things that are very useful to take with you when you travel with your dog. It’s a good idea to keep these items in a box so when it’s time to go, they’re easy to find.

* Spare lead and collar with ID tag.
* Bags to pick up feces – sandwich bags are ideal, but personal experience suggests that you don’t choose the cheapest on the supermarket shelf. They can be quite flimsy and may develop holes in them!
* Baby wipes are handy to wipe muddy feet before jumping into your car or coming indoors.
* A photograph of your dog is essential just in case he gets lost.
* Vaccination records.
* Any prescription medication, enough to last the duration of your stay.
* If your dog has a chronic illness such as diabetes, it is a good idea to pack the results of his most recent tests in case you need to seek veterinary advice when you’re away.

* First aid kit.

Contents Of A Dog’s First Aid Kit
o Gauze sponges and first aid adhesive tape.
o Stretch gauze bandage.
o Vetrap bandage
o Triple antibiotic ointment.
o saline eye wash.
o Betadine or iodine wash for cleaning wounds.
o Benadryl for allergic reactions
o Pepto Bismol tablets for gastrointestinal upsets.
o A muzzle – even the most loving dog can behave unpredictably when hurt.
o Tweezers
o Scissors
o 1% Hydrocortisone cream
o Disposable rubber gloves.
o Blanket

Children’s Allergies To Dogs

Children and dogs can be great companions, but what if your child itches and sneezes whenever he comes in contact with a dog? You can still own a dog in spite of your child’s allergy, but you just need to be more selective on what breed to choose.

The cause of your children’s allergy is usually the dog’s saliva, hair or dander. Dander is the skin flakes and scurf that’s constantly shed from a dog’s skin. Symptoms of an allergy to dogs include red and itchy eyes, a runny congested nose, sneezing and wheezing.
Fortunately, there are number of “hypoallergenic” dog breeds (also called low-allergy dogs or allergy-friendly dogs) available so your child can enjoy the companionship of a dog without any added health problems.

Allergy friendly dog breed choices include:The Mexican Hairless Dog and the Chinese Crested Dog are unusual looking and because they have very little hair, if any, they can be good companions for children with allergies. However, they are not 100% allergy free, as they still shed dander which can cause an allergic reaction in your child.

The Hairless Breeds

Maltese
Maltese are adorable, fluffy little dogs that love babies, children and even cats. That out-going attitude is part of their natural fearlessness. They shed very little, but their soft, silky coat does require regular grooming to preventing matting. Keep in mind that toy varieties can be too fragile for children, so choose a Maltese larger than seven pounds.

Poodle
Surprisingly, the dog breed famous for its abundant hair is actually low-allergy. The toy size may be the best known, but poodles come in several sizes, ranging from toy (less than 11 inches) to standard (over 15 inches). These curious, acrobatic dogs are very intelligent and make great playmates. They require lots of interactive play and obedience training or they’ll invariably get into mischief. They don’t like to roughhouse, though, so children should be taught to play gently with them, and they need regular clipping and grooming.

Puli
If you’re looking for a larger dog with an unusual look, the Hungarian Puli might just be for you. Highly intelligent, agile, and protective, these dogs are ideal both as watch dogs and companions for active children. Just remember that they were breed as working dogs, so they need obedience training and plenty of daily exercise to prevent boredom and behavior problems. Also, although their coat is low-allergy, it does require considerable care.

A little extra work can also cut down on dog allergy symptoms. Vacuum the floor and furniture daily to pick up hair and dander. Regularly wash your dog’s bedding to make sure no hair builds up. Groom your dog as required for the breed. Be aware, though, that over-bathing can cause dry skin, which leads to more dander and more allergic reactions, so only wash as needed.
There are medications such as antihistamines that can treat your children’s allergy to dogs.

If the allergy is particularly severe, you can have desensitizing injections made which can stop your child reacting to the allergen.
For most children, allergy problems don’t have to mean a childhood without pets. Choose a low-allergy dog like a Maltese, Poodle or one of the many other allergy-friendly dog breeds and your kids can have a puppy playmate to love without any sniffles or watery eyes.

Many people like to wash their dog to keep them clean and smelling nice, particularly if they live indoors. They also feel that it keeps his skin and coat healthy.

It may surprise you to know that if your dog has a normal skin and coat, bathing isn’t all that important in keeping it healthy. It’s more important to feed them a quality food, so the natural skin oils help to repel dirt and keep their coat soft. Some dogs are washed only once a year, and they are clean and smell great.

Some less expensive foods aren’t as good for your dog’s coat as foods with a higher price tag – this relates to the quality of ingredients. If you find your dog’s coat is dry and harsh, consider adding omega fatty acids to his meal several times a day. You can purchase a specific dog supplement to do this, or you can try adding sardines to his meal – fish oil is very good for his coat.

If you do want to bath your dog, here are some guidelines.

Choose your shampoo carefully. Never use a shampoo designed for humans,  as the detergents are often too harsh for a dog’s skin. They may dry out their skin and lead to irritation and itching. There are many shampoos available for dogs; choose one that is mild and soap free.

Use warm water, it’s much more comfortable for your dog. Some dogs are afraid of the hose, and enjoy being washed in a large tub. Use a small bucket or a scoop to pour water over his back.

When you’re washing him, don’t scrub his coat harshly. It can irritate his skin. A gentle lather will be just as effective and he’ll enjoy it more. You may want to spend some time massaging his skin – he’ll love it. Rinse off all traces of shampoo thoroughly, and consider using a leave in conditioner, especially if his coat is dry.

A good towel dry will finish off his bath, and stop you getting drenched when he shakes! Some people like to blow dry their dogs. It’s not uncommon for small fluffy breeds to be dried like this. Be careful not to burn their skin with the hot air.

How often do you have to bath your dog? As mentioned, some people wash their dogs very infrequently, but you may not be comfortable with that. If your dog has a skin problem, your vet may have prescribed a medicated shampoo. You may have to shampoo your dog with this as often as twice weekly.

For dogs with normal skin, the less they’re bathed, the better. Feeding them well has a much greater impact on skin health than washing. Ideally, wash them no more frequently than monthly. This will allow you to use the monthly flea control products and not wash them off in between applications.

A clean dog is much nicer to cuddle, and he won’t leave dirty marks on your couch. Take care with what you feed him and how you bath him, and he’ll be soft and smelling sweet.

Children’s Fear Of Dogs

Dog lovers may not understand how some people can be afraid of dogs, but for many adults and children, it’s a very real and distressing problem.

Most of us would agree that we are frightened of a snarling guard dog, but those with a true fear of dogs are terrified of even a small fluffy pup. Even the sound of a bark can cause anxiety and distress.

As with most fears and phobias, fear of dogs usually starts in childhood. It may stem from being bitten by a dog, or even just being knocked down by an exuberant puppy. Sometimes a child will become frightened of dogs if they see their parent is anxious or worried around dogs – they may think if their parent is concerned, there is a real reason to be afraid.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why a child becomes afraid of dogs. One child may still love dogs after being bitten, yet another may become very fearful if a little dog jumps on them.

If a child is afraid of dogs, it can cause difficulties in their day to day lives. Dogs are everywhere and it won’t be possible to avoid them forever. It’s worth working with your child to overcome their fear.

A commonly recommended method of getting over any phobia is with a slow, gradual and highly controlled exposure to what the person is fearful of. Some children are just too frightened to be within sight of a dog. In this case, you can start with watching a television show or movie that shows friendly happy dogs. The old Lassie movies would be ideal for this.

When your child is happy and relaxed while watching a dog movie, the next step is to show them some baby puppies that are under 6 weeks of age. At this age, the pups aren’t jumpy or yappy, so shouldn’t cause any anxiety. Your child may then be willing to touch or hold a pup, but be sure to do this away from the mom, as she may be protective of her babies.

If all is going smoothly,  take your child to where they can see real dogs, butat this stage be sure  the dogs don’t have access to them. They can then get used to seeing dogs running and jumping, and can hear their noise without having to actually be too close to them. A great venue for this sort of exposure is a dog obedience competition. The dogs are all well trained and under control, so you’re not likely to have a dog rush at you.

The final step is to have your child interact with a quiet adult dog. Choose a calm breed such as a whippet or a cocker spaniel, and allow your child to stroke the dog when they feel ready to do so.

One warning – don’t be tempted to rush through any of these steps, or be in a hurry to solve this problem. If you do go too fast, and your child becomes fearful, you can set your progress back significantly.

Although the  fear of dogs can be  frustrating and may be persistent, in most cases you can overcome it with a slow and careful  exposure to dogs.