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1. Grab some rubber gloves and be sure to protect your eyes, should your dog shake himself off. You don’t want any skunk spray in your eyes. (Try “safety glasses” or “goggles”).

2. Now you need to get the oily spray off the dog as soon as possible. Grab some paper towels or old absorbent towels and wipe off your dog, to get whatever you can before it has a chance to soak in, as this will help reduce the effect of the skunk odor.

3. Before shampooing the dog, get a wet warm washcloth and clean the face and eye area. Skunks usually spray their predictors in the face with their spray. This spray can cause momentary blindness if the liquid gets near the eyes. To clean the eyes…try to keep the dogs eye open with one hand and gently pour the lukewarm water into the eye. Then do the same with the other eye. (Keep the dogs head turned sideways and down a bit so the water can run out).

4. I have been told that a drop of mineral oil in each eye, will protect the dogs eyes from the soap during his bath. Then use little saline solution after the bath because that will rinse most of it out so your dog can see again without a film.

“Old Standbys”  that are commonly used

1. Tomato juice –  Pour the tomato juice over the dog , keeping it away from the eyes, nose and mouth, and rub it into the dogs coat. Rinse well. When washing the face area, be careful not to get any in the dogs eyes. Depending on how much of the skunk spray got on the dog, you may have to repeat with more tomato juice. Then after rising off the tomato juice again, wash dog with his shampoo in lukewarm water and rinse thoroughly. Again, this may have to be repeated until the smell is gone. This is one of the “old standbys,” but does it really do the job well enough? I have learned that tomato juice only masks the odor.

2.   Vinegar and water – This is another home remedy that really doesn’t do all that well. The smell of the vinegar may mask the skunk smell, but it doesn’t to much else.

Now…I will list what I was told, works a lot better.

(Note: Although this solution does work well, the coat and skin will get very dried out. This dryness can be counteracted by using a good quality creme rinse that replenishes moisture. It is NOT recommended to use conditioners during the de-skunking process). Now…

Mix the following in an container

1 pint Hydrogen peroxide

½ cup Baking soda

1 teas. Dawn dish washing soap (Dawn cuts grease/oil)

After you have mixed it well, now fill the bathtub with lukewarm water and carefully lift the dog into the bathtub. (If your dog will jump in, it will be easier on you). Once the dog is in the tub start applying the mixture to the dog that you just made, rubbing it in generously over his whole body down deep into the skin. Let this solution sit on the dog for a 5 – 6 minutes. Important: DO NOT get any of this solution in the dogs eyes, nose or mouth.

Now rinse your dog thoroughly and drain the tub. Rinse the dog again. Once you are done rinsing the dog well, then use a dog shampoo with a good pH balance to thoroughly wash the dogs coat. You may have to wash the dog several times, depending on how much the dog got sprayed by the skunk. ( if you have any lavender oil, add a few drops to the dogs coat as you are giving the dog his last lathering of shampoo). Rinse well to make sure there is no residue left on the dog. (Again – keeping the shampoo away from the dogs eyes, nose and mouth. You can wash the dogs head and muzzle with a washcloth, but rinse it off right away so it doesn’t get into the dogs eyes, nose or mouth).  Use warm water to wash your dog.

Supplies you’ll need:

• paper towels

• safety glasses or goggles

• rubber gloves

• dog shampoo

• washcloth

De-skunking Mixture:

1.  Tomato Juice

or

2.   Vinegar

or

3.   Hydrogen Peroxide

mixed with: Baking Soda and Dawn dish washing soap

There are over-the-counter solutions that are said to work very well, but in a pinch, you can make up any of the three solutions mentioned above.    Good luck.

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If a dog gets stung by bees, wasps and hornets, or bites from mosquitoes or other insects, these can not only be irritating and itchy, but painful as well. Although most stings or bites are not considered dangerous, you should keep an eye on it and if it doesn’t seem to get better in a reasonable time frame, or starts getting worse, please consult your Veterinarian as soon as possible.

When Jericho got stung on his lip area, I started him on Benadryl for the swelling. I called my Veterinarian for the dosage. During the night the swelling doubled in size and I was really beginning to worried, but kept up on the Benadryl. By morning the swelling was down quite a bit; but because there was a hole in the middle of the swollen area about the size of a pin head, I took him to the Veterinarian and was given antibiotics in case the stinger was still deep inside to stop any infection that could set in.

Upon talking to my Veterinarian and doing further research, I came upon other suggestions to help relieve the dogs pain and irritation from insect bites or stings.

1. Benadryl – As mentioned above use Benadryl for swelling and itching from the bee strings, etc.

2. Baking Soda – I should have remembered this one, because when I got stung, I made a “paste” using baking soda and a little water, and applied it on the swollen area. It helped soothe the pain and discomfort from the itching.

3. Ammonia – I was told that dabbing the ammonia on the affected area, using a tissue or cotton ball, would help relieve the pain.

4. Milk of magnesia – Try applying a thin coat to the affected area several times a day. This medication contains magnesium hydroxide, which will ease the irritation and itch.

5. Meat tenderizer – meat tenderizer has enzymes that aid in breaking down the poison in insect stings. It also reduces the irritation. Just make a paste using a little water and apply immediately to the sting, and keep re-applying as needed.

6. A leaf from the Aloe Vera plant – This is good for minor skin irritation. Just break off a leaf and apply a thin coat of its gel to the affected area. This soothes the discomfort and relieves the irritation
.
7. Apply a cold compress- If your dog will hold still long enough, try applying a cold compress. This helps with the swelling and eases pain. Try holding it on the affected area as long as you can.

8. Hydrocortisone cream – Hydrocortisone cream is recommended for bites, stings, and hot spots. Hydrocortisone Cream with Aloe is even better because Aloe soothes the pain.

9. Find the culprit - If stung by a bee, try to find where the stinger went in and remove it with tweezers. Getting the stinger out will prevent any added venom to enter the wound.

If the swelling does not go down within a reasonable time frame, call your Veterinarian and set up an appointment right away.

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The most common symptoms are listed for each

1.    Ear Infections –  red, itchy and/or smelly ears.
2.    Skin Allergies –   red skin, hair loss, and/or itching.
3.    Hot Spots -  a hairless, moist, painful area on the skin, often on the thigh area.
4.    Gastritis/Vomiting – farting and/or lack of appetite,  “throwing up.”
5.    Enteritis/Diarrhea –   loose or frequent stools, “cow pies,”
6.    Urinary Tract Infections –  frequent urination, inappropriate urination, and/or bloody urine.
7.    Benign Skin Tumors –  an abnormal lump or growth on or under the skin
8.    Osteoarthritis –  lameness, trouble getting up or walking.
9.    Eye Inflammation –  red, irritated or painful eye.
10.    Hypothyroidism –  hair loss and weight gain

Beware of any changes in your dogs behavior or appearance so that you will be able to recognize an illness quickly. Check your dog daily for any lumps or sores, and inspect the dogs ears, eye, skin, and the pads of the dogs feet. Make sure he doesn’t have any foul odor on his breath, as this could be a sign of rotten teeth or another medical problem. Also check is gums for that pinkish gray color. Pale gums means trouble.

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1.   The Park – Take your dog for a walk in the park.
2.    Jogging – Take your dog jogging with you when you go.
3.    Skateboarding – When my kids were younger, they took our male German shepherd with them and he pulled them on their skateboards. It was fun for them and exercise for him. Actually some dogs can learn to ride skateboards themselves.
4.   Swimming – Take your dog along when you go swimming. Almost all dogs love the water. Great fun and exercise for both you and your dog.
5.    Tricks – Teach your dog some tricks. Teach him to “Speak,” “Shake hands,” “Fetch,” “Jump through hoops,” “Kiss,” “Roll over,” etc.
6.    Playtime - Have playtime set up each day so you and your dog can have some fun together. Get out his toys and run and rump with him. This is a great time to play Frisbee in your fenced in backyard, where he can run and play safely.
7.    4-H Groups – Get your dog into a 4-H group.  Learn how to have fun with your dog.
8.   Agility - Try agility with your dog, Good Canine Citizen, fly ball, or obedience.
9.    AKC Shows – If your dog is AKC registered, try showing him in a real show, or Fun match.
10.    Camping – Take your dog camping with you and on your hikes. It’s exercise and protection.

Just remember…you may think your dog is completely fine off leash, but it only takes a minute of distraction at the wrong time; like seeing another dog or cat, and that could be enough for him to start the chase. Your dog could get lost or hurt, (or worse).  It’s much better to keep him on a leash at all times for his safety when you are out and about.

To learn more ways to have fun and keep your dog safe and healthy, check out  www.dogspoiler.com

Arthritis is a general term for abnormal changes in a joint and it is common in dogs, especially if they are aging and over weight. Dogs that are over weight have more trouble with arthritis because it affects their joints. With the extra weigh, more pressure is placed on the already sore and stiff joints, thus causing further pain.

To help find a drug treatment that will help ease your dogs pain for arthritis, talk to your Veterinarian and follow his advise. He may prescribe an over-the-counter drug that may help decrease the dogs pain and its progression. Never give your dog any medication that is meant for a human without first checking with you Veterinarian. Certain medications can be toxic to dogs. Especially medications such as: acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Let your Veterinarian help you make the correct and safest choice on what to give your dog.

Some of the signs of arthritis in dogs

•  Dogs that seem to have stiff or sore joints
•  Not wanting to play as much
•  Trouble sitting or standing
•  Not wanting to jump up on you
•  Having trouble climbing stairs
•  Favoring a limb
•  Weight gain
•  Sleeping more

If you dog starts to show these symptoms, it’s time to take him to the Veterinarian for a check up. The Veterinarian might also want X-rays for a better diagnosis. This way if the dog has arthritis, you can start treating him right away.

Treatments

The Veterinarian will want you to put your dog on a healthy diet rich in proteins, fiber and minerals and an exercise program that is designed for his condition at that time. By having regular check ups, your veterinarian can adjust the exercise program and medications as needed.

› Over-the-counter pills or food that contain either or both, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements, will reduce the swelling and pain from the arthritis.

› Omega fatty acids in the dogs diet can help alleviate the inflammation and discomfort of an arthritic dog. Flax and flax oil are good sources of Omega 3.  Cold-pressed flax oil is another excellent choice, but should be kept in the refrigerator because it has a short shelf life.

› Oils such as cod liver oil derived from cold-water fish are also an excellent source of Omega 3.

› Vitamin E has help in some cases, as it is said to have moderate anti-inflammatory properties. What I’ve been told by my Veterinarian is 2000IU a day for dogs over 50 lbs.  Although the veterinarian would start dogs out on a lower dose at first and build the dose up over time. Always ask your Veterinarian on how much is appropriate for your dog.

› I found that a product called Arthramine works well for my 12 year old. Arthramine is for healthy joints and bones. It contains: Glucosamine HCI – Vitamin C – Manganese – Omega-3 fatty acids.  This can be bought over-the-counter at pet stores; but is much cheaper when bought in a mail-order catalog, such as: Omaha Vaccine Company.

Food to avoid

Try to avoid food that contains grains, which are said to cause inflammation. Some veterinarians think this might aggravate the pain of arthritis even more.

Ways to help relieve the pain of arthritis

« Try giving your dog a massage to help relieve the sore, stiff muscles and joints.

« Keep him warm and off cold or damp surfaces. Try placing blankets, or extra rugs for him to lie on.

« Keep his weight under control so there is less stress to his joints.

« Give him some exercise, in moderation of course. It’s better to let him walk outside with you everyday, than to take him on a long walk one day and forget about him for the next several days.

Remember, dogs do better if they know that someone cares about them. Give them lots of love and attention.

The above material is just a guideline of  information on arthritis. Always consult your Vet  first before starting your dog on any treatment.

What is canine acne?

This condition usually begins at puberty when the dog is 5 – 8 months old. Canine acne are multiple blackheads, (or “comedones),” which appear on the dogs chin, lips and muzzle. Plugs of keratin and sebum block the hair follicles, which form these “blackheads.” Nearly all of the dogs will improve with age as this condition almost always resolves itself after the dog is a year old – although some dogs can develop chronic acne.

These bumps and blackheads on their lips, chin and muzzle, do not usually bother the dog unless a secondary bacterial skin infection develops. This secondary bacterial skin infection can cause pain and itching.

If you notice your dog pawing at his/her face or rubbing their face across the carpet, and see something you suspect might be canine acne, make an appointment with your Veterinarian so he can check it out.

Diagnosis

For a diagnosis, your Veterinarian  will need to do an examination. You first want to rule out other conditions like demodecosis, (which is a mite infestation), ringworm or underlying allergies. Your veterinarian can make this diagnosis by taking a skin biopsy to confirm if your dog has canine acne. This procedure is done with a local anesthetic where a small sample of skin is removed and sent off to a veterinarian pathologist.

Treatment

There is no cure for canine acne, but it can be controlled. If your dog has a mild case of acne, it’s not usually treated at all. The dog’s general health is not affected by canine acne, so there is no cause for alarm, however, if secondary bacterial infection develops your dog will need to take antibiotics for 3 – 4 weeks.

In some cases there are repeated infections and you’ll need to do a regular cleansing of the area with an acne-cleaning product like benzoyl peroxide. You can also use a mild anti-seborrheic shampoo to cleanse the area. These products will decrease the bacteria on the dogs skin and will also remove the cellular debris that could contribute the blocking of the pores.  Your Vet will discuss this with you, and will tell you what needs to be done to keep this under control.

Inherited?

This is still unknown. It is known however, that certain breed of dogs are more likely to get canine acne than others. This condition is significant in young adult Boxers, English Bulldogs, Doberman Pinchers, Great Danes and a few others.

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Dogs dander is the dry skin that flakes off then floats through the air, thus giving us the allergy. The dander, (which are very “tiny particles”), become airborne and they get trapped in curtains, carpets, and on furniture, as does the saliva, once it becomes dried. This is also why you keep sneezing and wheezing, even when the dog is not in the same room as you.

I’ve always had some sort of allergies as a child and as years went by it turned into asthma. As a child we always had dogs and for the last 25 years I started raising German Shepherds with my husband.

At one time I had 3 German shepherds sleeping on my bed with me. Zeus, Star and their baby, we named Baby. (She was the only pup in the litter).

My asthma kept getting worse and my doctor told me to keep the dogs out of my bedroom, get an air purifiers, vacuum daily, etc. etc. So after I got released from the hospital for another asthma attack, I decided to get an air purifier – but I never kicked my dogs out.

To make a long story short, Zeus, Star and Baby have all passed over the Rainbow Bridge, all being 10 or older, and Zeus’s grandson, Jericho, is now (as we speak), lying on my bed. (He’s 12+ years old).

As for my asthma…I guess I out-grow it? I still have dogs – so I can’t explain why it suddenly cleared up. I haven’t had to reach for my inhaler for about 3-4 years now, (but of course I still keep one handy – just in case).

Dogs have always been part of my life. I wouldn’t know what to do without at least one or two. If a person has to get rid of their dog… is there life after dogs?

I couldn’t get rid of my dogs, but for a person who has allergies to the dog dander, you can get dogs that are referred to as, “hypoallergenic”. These are breeds that don’t shed much, although there are no dog breeds that are 100% allergy free. They all produce dander, even the hairless breeds like the Chinese Crested; but these “hypoallergenic breeds” are considered to be better for people who are allergic to the dogs dander.

To reduce your exposure to dog allergies

* Buy a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner and keep your floors vacuumed regularly.
* Wash the rugs and all dog bedding on a regular basis.
* Keep furniture vacuumed – if your dog gets on the couch, place a slipcover on it to help cut down the dander that collects on the couch.
* Bathe your dog a couple times a month to remove dander. Use the correct shampoo for his coat, as bathes tend to take out the natural oil that he need to keep his skin and coat healthy.
* Finally, although this is hard for some dog lovers, your dog should not be allow in your bedroom

Once and awhile I will share with you some of the facts from my book, “365 Fun Dog Facts“

Sweetener Xylitol

Did you know that this sweetener Xylitol, can be toxic to dogs? This sweetener is found in sugar-free gum, sugar-free cookies and candies. Although there is insufficient data on this sweetener, it suggests that it’s linked with sickness and liver damage in pets. If your dog ingests a large enough amount of this product, it may have a sudden drop in blood sugar that causes depression, loss of coordination and seizures. The signs can develop rapidly, some less than 30 minutes of ingesting Xylitol. It is very important that the owner of the dog get veterinary treatment immediately, as this could be a life-threatening problem for him.

When I was visiting, I saw why he’s become so fat. They feed him twice a day with his regular food, but they also feed him table scraps at every meal, plus dog treats several times a day.

My mom took a couple bites of her hamburger and feed the rest of it to Baby. Than dad gave him some of his.

I know they love the dog and love to spoil him, but in actuality, all the extra weight on the dog is not good. It puts stress on all his joints and internal organs.

I did mention to them that he is too fat, and of course they agreed with me, but said they love to spoil him and can’t resist feeding him when they eat.

I could see that they weren’t going to change anything they were doing with the dog, and I didn’t want to hurt them by telling them that they were ‘killing their dog with kindness’, so I didn’t push the subject any more.

“Baby” is already having health problems. It’s hard for him to walk and is starting to have breathing problems, and he’s only 3 years old.

Obesity is unhealthy, but if the owner is not convinced that obesity is dangerous to their dogs health, than the dog is doomed to an unhealthy life. I hope those who read this, who has an overweight dog, would listen to their Veterinarian, or others who try to tell them that reduction in weight in an obese dog is necessary.