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Issue #3 Volume #2

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The Geriatric Dog


By Carla Timmins

"Never complain about growing old; for there are many who have been denied the privilege" I have been lucky to be involved with toy dogs. After all, the toy breeds have the longest life expectancy.

Besides there being a general slowing down in a toy's later years there are also a few diseases worth mentioning.

Most old dogs will have some degree of deafness and blindness. All dogs do adjust to this. Deafness will usually manifest itself as disobedience and a disinclination to bark.

Blindness is a little harder to pick. I know many owners who think their old timer can see fairly well when in fact the vet has said the opposite. This shows how well dogs compensate for loss of vision.

Arthritis is another condition most old dogs suffer from. Aspirin will relieve pain on bad days. The dosage for toys is one eighth to one quarter tablet depending on size of dog. (Consult with your veterinarian before administering any medications to your pet.)

Heart failure may present at first with a deep cough. Any older dog with a cough should see the vet immediately. There are many drugs that can be used to make the animal more comfortable an extend it's life.

Many older dogs have decreased kidney function Increased water drinking and urination are the first signs. Never restrict your dogs water! This will make them seriously ill. If an older spayed bitch leaks urine (especially in her sleep) she may have an estrogen deficiency. These old girls will often have a very soft coat. Estrogen replacement therapy is of great benefit. This is not a life long regime and is no burden for the owner.

There are several things an owner can do to make an elderly dog more comfortable. Keep your old dog slim. Excess weight is a burden to heart and kidneys. A multi-vitamin once a day is helpful. Make sure fresh water is available at all times. Provide more than one water bowl if your dog is not very active. Keep teeth clean! Above all else I find dental care contributes to longevity. If your old one has a very diseased mouth discuss using antibiotics with your vet before teeth cleaning. keep to a routine. Feed 2 small meals every day at the same time of each day. Provide a heating pad in winter for arthritic dogs. Light exercise is a must if there is no heart disease. Don't forget to spend time with your old one. He loves you.

EUTHANSIA

When old age becomes a painful burden and not just a series of small discomforts it is time to say goodbye. Your vet will help you make this decision. Many choose to stay with their pet at this time. Others find they cannot. When my husband's dear old girl was euthanized, he could not stay. His Pickles had fought a brain tumor with much dignity. She was bred by me but picked him as her owner. When it was time for her to leave us I cradled her head and remembered that autumn day long ago when she was born. Had she been able to speak I think these words would have been her farewell to Graham:

Failing to fetch me at first, keep encouraged / Missing me one place, search another / I stop somewhere waiting for you.
-Walt Whitman

Latchkey Dogs


by Douglas Hoffman, D.V.M

It is unfortunate that we live in an age where even our dogs are not safe from theft, but unfortunately, they are not. My personal feeling on allowing your pet to remain outside while you are at work is that you are taking a very big chance.

Leaving your pet in the yard while you are away is an open invitation for pet theives to strike. Even if your dog is not abducted, other things can happen such as the dog climbing the fence, someone leaving open or opening a gate while you are gone, or the dog digging under a fence-all of which can lead to the disappearance of your beloved companion.

Even though your dog loves playing outside all day with the neighbor's dog, it is safer to have it inside where you know none of these things can happen to it. There is plenty of time to play after you get home. I would also recommend tattooing your dog. This oftentimes deters theft and makes your dog easy to identify and allows you to prove ownership if he is lost or stolen.

Along with a tattoo, I recommend Home Again. Home Again is a microchip identification system whereby a small chip is inserted under your dog's skin between the shoulder blades. The chip contains a number that is registered with the American Kennel Club. If a dog is lost and winds up at a shelter or a veterinarian who has a scanner, the microchip is scanned and the number used to find the owner. It is a very good system that has just been introduced in the last year or so. Following these tips should help ease your mind about losing your dog.

Feline House Soiling


Steps to Eliminating this Behavior Inappropriate behavior by pets can be frustrating to pet owners. Feline house soiling has become a serious pet behavior issue, and according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), more cats and dogs are euthanized each year as a result of behavior problems than for medical reasons. Pet owners become frustrated by their inability to change or control a pet's behavior and euthanasia is too often the result.

House soiling is the most common behavioral problem faced by cat owners, according to AAHA. Although the problem is serious, there is a basic approach which may help pet owners and veterinarians work together to put an end to the problem. Diagnosing the cause of a house soiling problem usually involves some basic investigative work and a willingness to make some adjustments to the pets' living environment, according to Wayne Hunthausen, DVM, an AAHA veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior issues. Identifying the problem, eliminating or avoiding the stimuli causing the problem, and re-establishing use of the litter box are keys to the solution. "The first step in solving a house soiling problem is to find out whether the cat is spraying, an activity usually associated with marking its territory, or eliminating inappropriately outside its litter box, which is usually related to a change in the cat's environment," said Dr. Hunthausen. Spraying involves urinating on vertical objects; inappropriate elimination is the act of squatting to defecate or urinate on horizontal surfaces outside the litter box.

"We have to do some detective work which usually includes a 30 - 60 minute history of the pet," said Dr. Hunthausen. "It's important for us to evaluate whether or not the behavior is being caused by medical conditions, diseases of the bladder or lower urinary tract. If the pet is cleared of medical problems related to the behavior, we can begin to investigate the various stimuli that may be responsible for the animal's actions."

There are many things a pet owner can do to discourage a cat from inappropriate house soiling. Booby traps, placed in the location of the soiling, may discourage pets from repeating the behavior in the same location again, Dr. Hunthausen said. Tricks include two-sided carpet tape, which pets don't like to walk on, a string of empty pop cans, small alarms set off by motion, balloons set up to pop against a tack on the wall if bumped by the cat, and mouse traps set upside down provide a quick, safe scare to the cat. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian before setting up any traps.

There are many causes for inappropriate elimination. An accumulation of waste, organic odor, the odor from a disinfectant, pain associated with elimination, changing the litter box or litter, or a negative experience associated with the litter box may cause the pet to urinate or defecate outside the box. The litter box may be in an area the cat doesn't like. There may be too much traffic in the area, or the cat may associate the location with a bad experience.

Spraying is a marking behavior which includes a cat directing a stream of urine on an upright surface. Intact males or females in heat are more likely to engage in this type of behavior. Commonly sprayed objects include doors or window, new objects in the house, and furniture. Spraying behaviors are usually related to the individual cat, hormones and temperament. Environmental stimuli that may upset the cat include a new roommate, a new cat in the neighborhood, remodeling, moving, redecorating, etc. In addition, a change in the pet's relationship with the owner, including a change in work schedules, moving, long absences from home, spending less time with a pet, or inappropriate punishment can result in house soiling. Sometimes, just the suggestion that another pet has invaded its territory, like when one pet owner visits another home with the smell of their pet on their clothing, can cause the pet to spray.

As with other behavior problems, a complete history on the pet is important to the diagnosis. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian and can assist in the diagnosis by providing information regarding relevant changes in the cat's environment, whether the soiling involves, urine, stool, or both, how frequently the problem occurs, and a description of what steps have been taken to try and correct the problems.

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of more than 12,000 veterinarians who treat companion animals such as dogs and cats. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care.


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