Bird flu, swine flu, equine flu, and cat flu! It’s no surprise to learn that there is also a canine flu, and it can make our beloved dogs quite unwell.

 

Canine flu has been around for a while, with vets first formally diagnosing it in Florida in 2004. However, most dogs have no immunity to this virus. Around 80% of dogs that are exposed to canine flu virus will become ill, with symptoms appearing up to  a week after infection. The other 20% will not show any signs of illness, but they can still spread the infection.

 

The virus is spread when an infected dog sneezes, and sprays infected droplets into his environment. It can also be spread in saliva. Unfortunately, an infected dog is very likely to infect other dogs in the period before he shows any symptoms. Because he will look perfectly healthy, his owners will have no idea that he is carrying the infection. They will continue to take him for walks, to dog parks or to obedience classes.

 

Most dogs with canine flu will only develop a mild illness, with a runny nose and a cough. They may also go off their food and have a fever. Most dog owners think their dog has a touch of the more common illness kennel cough, however with canine flu, symptoms can last four to six weeks or more. Some dogs will also become more seriously ill with pneumonia, and they may die.

 

Treatment of canine flu basically involves treating your dog’s symptoms. If he has a severe dose of the flu, he may be given the human drug Tamiflu. Your vet may also prescribe antibiotics to stop bacteria infecting your dog’s inflamed respiratory tract, to try and prevent him getting pneumonia.

 

There are several things you can do at home to make your dog more comfortable while he recovers from flu.

 

• Take him in the bathroom when you have a shower, and let him breathe in the steam. This will soothe his airways and keep them moist, and help to ease inflammation.

• Keep his nose clear of discharge by wiping it with a soft damp cloth. It’s uncomfortable when the discharge dries and cracks on his nose.

 

• Give him Sleepytime Tonic at bedtime. It contains herbal ingredients such as Valerian, Skullcap and Wild Lettuce which are natural sedatives with no side effects. This will make sure he has a restful night’s sleep, which will help him feel better.

 

In June 2009, a vaccine against canine flu became available. However, vets don’t recommend routine vaccination of all dogs. Whether or not you need to vaccinate your dog depends on your lifestyle.

 

Think about how your dog spends his time. If he goes to dog shows or obedience training classes and he is exposed to many different dogs on a regular basis, it may be worth considering vaccinating him. Similarly, if you are always taking him to a communal dog park, he is more likely to pick up infection, and vaccinating him would be a good idea.

 

Dogs with chronic illnesses such as cancer are also at more risk of falling ill with severe canine flu, so it is appropriate to think about immunising them.

 

If your dog doesn’t mix with other dogs, and spends his days on the couch, except for a stroll around his neighborhood, there’s very little risk of him becoming infected, and he may not need to be subjected to an injection.

 

Because canine flu can’t spread to people, you can still hug your dog and give him lots of tender loving care. That’s an important part of his treatment, and is guaranteed to lift his spirits when he’s ill.

 

Owning a long haired dog is a pleasure - there’s the softness of his fur as you hug him, the beauty as he runs with the wind blowing through his coat, and the compliments from passers by as you go walking together.

 

There is one part of living with a long haired dog that is less than pleasant, and that is “poopy butt”. This occurs when your dog’s poop gets caught in his hair and doesn’t fall to the ground properly when he defecates. The result is that you have a daily clean up job that you’d definitely rather do without.

 

How can you manage poopy butt?

 

The most important part of preventing poop sticking to your dog’s hair is to keep the hair around his bottom trimmed short. Poop is much less likely to get caught in short hair. You can use scissors to do this; alternatively invest in an inexpensive pair of clippers to cut away the long hair.

 

It may take your dog a little while to get used to the sound and feel of the clippers. Take your time, use lots of rewards and make it a positive experience (for both you and your dog. Treat yourself to a glass of wine after. The operative word being AFTER. Trimming and drinking don’t mix) You’ll need to clip his hair on a regular basis, so make sure he’s not stressed by the experience.

 

You can also take steps to make sure his poops are firm. Soft feces are much more likely to get caught up in the hair around his bottom.

 

If his feces are a bit loose, add some fiber to his diet and that may help firm them up. Alternatively, feed him a highly digestible, low residue diet, and that usually results in smaller, firmer poops. There are several commercial kibbles that will help reduce the amount of feces he will produce.

 

Make sure you keep up to date with his worming medication, as intestinal worms can also contribute to soft feces.

 

If you do have to deal with the dreaded poopy butt, don’t despair. Keep a packet of pre-moistened pads handy, and your clean up job is much easier. These  pads will remove any discoloration on your dog’s hair, while its all natural herbal extracts and colloidal silver help prevent the growth of bacteria on his coat. For the best results, rub the pad well into his fur, both with and against his hair.

 

Life is busy, and there isn’t always the time to bathe your dog to clean up a poopy butt. Dry Dog Instant Clean is the solution to this problem. This all natural waterless shampoo cleans without water, and will remove poop that is stuck to your dog’s coat.

 

The other advantage of Dry Dog Instant Clean is that it doesn’t just mask odors, it eradicates them completely. It contains Ordenone, a water soluble material which actually traps odor molecules. So, you won’t have to put up with eau de poop fragrance, but instead you’ll enjoy Dry Dog Instant Clean’s fresh kiwifruit melon fragrance.

 

You already spend a lot of time grooming your long haired dog to prevent knots and tangles and keep his coat looking good. It doesn’t take much longer to trim the hair around his bottom, and then you won’t have to deal with any more poopy butt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When your favorite part of the day is going for a walk to explore the neighborhood, it’s no fun when you’ve got sore cracked paws!

 

Cold winter weather is hard on your dog’s footpads, because they are constantly in contact with cold sidewalks and snowy grass. The result is painful fissures in his pads which may bleed and become infected.

 

There are steps you can take to treat splits in your dog’s footpds, and prevent them recurring.

 

Cure those Cracked Pads

 

• It’s important that you look closely at your dog’s pads often. That way you find any splits early, and can start treatment straight away.

 

•  If the cracks look at all infected, take your dog to your vet for a checkup. Infection can delay healing, and he may need antibiotics to clear it up. He may also need a bandage to protect his foot as he recovers.

• If your dog’s pads are only mildly cracked,  you can take care of them yourself at home. Clean his pad gently with a mild antiseptic such as iodine scrub, and dry his foot thoroughly. Apply bowWOW Butter Balm to his pads to help heal and condition his skin. It not only contains shea butter and other natural oils to moisturize his skin,but also coconut oil and tea tree oil which can help to control infection. Marshmallow extract and calendula will soothe the irritation in his skin, and have him feeling comfortable very quickly.

 

• Providing your dog isn’t limping, you can continue to take him for walks as normal. Just be careful; sometimes salt is sprinkled on icy footpaths to make it melt, and this salt will be very painful if it gets into the crack in his footpad.

 

Prevention is Better Than Cure

 

It’s worth while taking a few minutes after your walk to care for your dog’s pads; by doing that you can prevent painful fissures from developing.

 

When you return from your outing, bathe his feet with warm water to clean away any salt that has stuck to his paws. This will also remove any chemical ice melting products that may have been used on the roads. These aren’t good for your dog, and you don’t want him to lick them off his paws. It will also allow you to have a good look at his feet for any injuries that need more attention.

 

Massage bowWOW Butter Balm well into each paw as a preventative, to help stop his pads from splitting.

 

You can purchase booties for your dog, and these may be useful if you plan on walking over rough ground or going for longer outings in the snow. He may take a little while to feel comfortable in them, and may try and kick them off or walk with a funny gait. Booties are very handy, not only to protect his feet and stop him developing splits in his pads, but to protect any existing cracks as they heal. There are so many styles of booties available, you’re sure to find a pair that suits your dog’s personality.

 

Cracks in the footpads are your dog’s least favorite part of winter. Fortunately, they usually heal quickly, and it won’t be long before you’re again sharing winter adventures.

 

 

 

Photo by Vicki Yang

When you’re expecting a baby, there are so many changes you have to go through. Changes to your body, changes to your routine and, if you plan to have a separate nursery, changes to your home.

 

Life will also be quite different for your dog. For so long, he has been almost like your child himself. Now he has to share you with a little creature that looks different, smells different and makes an awful lot of noise!

 

Start making changes to your dog’s lifestyle well before you bring your baby home. That way he has time to adjust, and won’t be so shell shocked at the new arrival.

 

Here are the important steps to preparing your dog for a new baby:

 

1. Give him a refresher course on basic obedience training. Teach him not to jump, and train him to go and lie on a mat on command. That way, you won’t be trying to change a diaper while your dog is underfoot.

 

2. Put some boundaries in place so your dog gets used to having limits. You may not want your dog going into the nursery, or into your bedroom if your new babe is sleeping with you. Baby barrier gates are ideal. Your dog can still share the lounge room with you, but you won’t have dog hair in your baby’s room.

 

3. Introduce your dog to children. It’s helpful if your dog meets young people before you introduce him to your new family member. Perhaps you can visit friends or family who have children. Try to avoid children who will shriek or run around when your dog approaches; that won’t help your dog get used to them at all.  Ask the children to give your dog treats so he learns that they are good to be around.

 

4. When your baby is born, let your dog become familiar with her smell on a baby blanket before you come home from hospital. Don’t be surprised if your dog wants to sniff and nudge the little wrapped bundle. He will be extremely curious. It’s okay to let him sniff, but take care. His enthusiasm may result in someone getting scratched. Under no circumstances should you leave your child alone with your dog.

 

5. Although the changes to your life are huge, do your best to spend a little time with your dog each day. That way he won’t feel neglected. It won’t take long until you’re able to go for a walk with your new baby in the stroller, and your dog can come too.

 

5. Give your dog Sleepytime Tonic. This honey flavored liquid combines herbs and  flower essences to calm your dog, relieve any anxiety and help him relax. It will make it easier for him to adapt to the sounds and smells of a new baby, and it’s safe enough to use every day.

 

The arrival of a baby in the house needn’t be difficult for your dog. Be proactive, and make an effort to prepare him well beforehand. By doing this, you can make sure your dog and your baby grow up to be the best of friends.

Photo by Jenna Krabacher.  Haleigh, the dog in the photo, used to have ear infections. Read how Haleigh got rid of her ear infections at the end of this article.

By Dr. Kimberly Luce , DVN

Some dogs are prone to ear infections and there are many causes so sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint what the problem is.

In fact, most ear infections or problems are actually not a primary illness, but are actually a consequence of another illness, such as allergies to food or air allergens like pollen, dirty moist ears, floppy ear anatomy that traps moisture  (after a bath, a swim, or a rainy day), immune suppression or other problems.  Dirty, moist ears that you don’t see into, or underlying allergies, are the most frequent causes.

Many dogs have ear problems chronically, and home care may be the mainstay of treatment to keep your dogs ears healthy.  Unfortunately, some dogs require surgery to “cure” their chronic discomfort.  This can be a very good solution, but may be avoidable with good home care and cleaning techniques. Often, dogs with recurrent ear problems see the vet frequently. Medication may be required, and the dogs are clearly very uncomfortable. 

Common symptoms include scratching at the ears, shaking the head, rubbing the ears or head on the ground, an unpleasant odor, whining, or not allowing their beloved owner to touch the ear!

Ear infections typically occur because

1. Moisture remains in the ears and can allow bacteria and yeast to thrive. Preventing the accumulation of moisture and keeping the ear canals dry can help reduce the severity and frequency of chronic ear infections and may even prevent them.

2. Dogs with floppy ears are most likely to develop ear infections because their ears cover the ear canal, which traps the moisture from a rainy day, humidity or a good swim. These breeds need special attention. You should lift any type of dog’s ears frequently and look at the ear “flap” (pinna) and the external canal. It should appear pink, clean, have mild or no debris or discharge, and feel comfortable when you touch or rub the ear.
Treatment of ear problems can involve many complex diagnostic tests, medications, and home care.  This can be very frustrating, and often, adequate home care can prevent the necessity for medication or testing. Ear care at home is usually fundamental to the prevention, control, and care of problem ears.  Keeping the ears clean and dry is very helpful, and can be done safely with proper technique and specific products that are labeled for use in the ear.  Other products or remedies can actually damage the ear, and hearing, severely.  Only products that are labeled for use in the ear should be used to clean and care for the ears.
A great home care kit is the EAR AID.  These products are designed to work together to gently clean ears and treat abnormal populations of bacteria and yeast, and may be very helpful for your dog’s ear problems.
 
Keep your dogs ears clean with specific ear cleaners, dry with drying agents and be sure to lift the ear flap every week and look inside the ear them for dirt, excess wax or early problems.  If keeping the ears clean and dry at home is not enough, see your veterinarian.

Dr. Kimberly Luce graduated from the North Carolina State College of veterinary Medicine in 1994.  Since then she has worked in general practice, emergency and critical care, and with board certified specialists in a variety of fields such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Neurology, Radiology and Acupuncture.  Her passions are critical care and pain management, and her broad knowledge base give her a special , holistic and comprehensive point of view of her patients.   She currently resides in Santa Monica, CA with two chihuahuas, two cats, two baby turtles and a betta!  Her favorite grooming products are the happytails ear wipes and the Dry Dog Instant Clean.

“My baby girl had horrible ear problems. They would itch and she would get infections in them all the time. The medicine the vet gave us had a strong, medicinal odor and she hated it. She would run every time she saw the bottle.  So I ordered the ear wipes  by happytails to see if it would help.Her ears are really bad and I truly did …not expect much but I had to try something.To our wonderful surprise after about a week of daily cleansing her ears look wonderful! They do not bother her at all and you would never know she had such problems with them. And she does not run from me when it’s time to clean her ears!  The pads have a very soothing smell that we both love and I am so grateful I found your products. Thank you so much!”