Healthy Pets

[Bohemian Rhapsody]

I saw in a few earlier posts that someone had mentioned rawhides as being dangerous. I found out the hard way that rope toys are also not the best toys. My miniature daschund, Brutus used to play with them until 4 weeks ago when he had to have emergency surgery to remove the strings from his esophagus and stomach. The strings has lacerated his stomach and throat causing internal bleeding. Scary to say the least. The Vet told me that the only toy she recommends at all are Nylabone products which are made of materials that break into small enough pieces to be swallowed and digested without problems. They are also made of something that is non toxic if it does get swallowed. So thats my take on toy safety. Better safe than sorry.

[SuperFemme]

It's Boo-Boo the MinPin's birthday today. Oh, and my preggo daughter turns 24. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1392406251

[AtLast]

Another danger to look out for if you a dog that loves to chase and retrieve balls- make sure you use the right size. Small balls are a choking hazard for larger breeds. Especially if they are rubber/plastic and get slippery. You really do not want to see what its like to lose a dog to choking!

Also, the tennis balls made for dogs break apart easily and can be ingested in pieces that can cause a blockage. My Frenchie ate a piece of a tennis ball at the park when he was a pup and ended up having emergency blockage surgery. I pick up and throw away tennis ball pieces all the time! What went down easily (and before I coiuld get it) expanded internally. Actually, tennis balls are bad for dog's teeth, they wear them down.

OK. anyone use the joint supplements for cats? I see I can get some via Drs. foster & Smith for my 14 year old cat. Wondering if he'll actually eat it!?

[Soft*Silver]

I buy my dog stuffed animals all the time at garage sales. In fact, she has inherited all of mine and my daughter's collections of web kinz. No more.I am sorting through her stuff as I pack it. She is only allowed to keep the things manufactured specifically for dogs. Why? Read this....

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/stuffedtoys.asp

[Blade]

Puppies are susceptible to Parvo and Corona virus. They have maternal antibodies they get from the colostrum (first mothers milk) that protect them from birth until they can form their own antibodies via puppy shots.

Parvo is yes STINKY. It is a smell you will never forget once you smell it. Another thing you will never forget is the look of death. They get so dehydrated that their eyes look to have sunk into the sockets. If you see this likely the pup will be dead in 12-24 hrs. Parvo is well I call it violent. It has violent diarrhea, violent vomiting. Typically you treat the symptoms. Don't force feed or water on the pup, some people do force Gatorade but I don't force anything. Treatment doesn't have to cost a fortune. Ask the vet for something for diarrhea, something for vomiting and a IV bag and line and a few needles. You can IV the pup yourself. Also you can use over the counter stuff for the other symptoms. Rule of thumb, if the pup won't eat or drink offer it raw chicken liver, raw egg or cheese not a lot just a taste if he wont eat after about 3-5 days he's probably gonna die. Though I have seen them come back after 5 days. Also shoot 'em up with B12.

Corona virus is not as violent as Parvo and has a much lower death rate. But you have to be able to recognize which it is, but you treat the symptoms the same. Typically it doesn't last as long either.

Someone mentioned Coccidia. Coccidia is a one celled intestinal parasite. Many believe that most dogs are carriers. I don't know about that, I'm not a scientist.
I do know that you can check on a litter of puppies and go back out in the evening to check on them and they are dead. I treat the bitch for Coccidia and worm her as quick as the last puppy hits the ground. Coccidia can also become active due to stress in puppies. I use to always send my puppies to their new homes with a run of Albon.

Best advice I have is as I use to tell new owners. When you take him home leave him there. The next day the vet is open take him there and have him checked out. I always gave a 10 day health guarantee but only if they had taken it to the vet. Back then it was said that Parvo had a 3 to 10 day gestation period. I figured if the pup got sick in 10 days I should honor that.

For some reason people want to take their new puppy around everywhere. Showing him off and everyone in the world hold him. Remember he's a baby and will get sore from being held and passed around.

[Butterbean]

Blade, you mentioned B-12 shots. What is the CC to pound dose ratio? Is this done by lifting up their fur and injecting right under that? What is the best/least painful area?


Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Blade

Puppies are susceptible to Parvo and Corona virus. They have maternal antibodies they get from the colostrum (first mothers milk) that protect them from birth until they can form their own antibodies via puppy shots.

Parvo is yes STINKY. It is a smell you will never forget once you smell it. Another thing you will never forget is the look of death. They get so dehydrated that their eyes look to have sunk into the sockets. If you see this likely the pup will be dead in 12-24 hrs. Parvo is well I call it violent. It has violent diarrhea, violent vomiting. Typically you treat the symptoms. Don't force feed or water on the pup, some people do force Gatorade but I don't force anything. Treatment doesn't have to cost a fortune. Ask the vet for something for diarrhea, something for vomiting and a IV bag and line and a few needles. You can IV the pup yourself. Also you can use over the counter stuff for the other symptoms. Rule of thumb, if the pup won't eat or drink offer it raw chicken liver, raw egg or cheese not a lot just a taste if he wont eat after about 3-5 days he's probably gonna die. Though I have seen them come back after 5 days. Also shoot 'em up with B12.

Corona virus is not as violent as Parvo and has a much lower death rate. But you have to be able to recognize which it is, but you treat the symptoms the same. Typically it doesn't last as long either.

Someone mentioned Coccidia. Coccidia is a one celled intestinal parasite. Many believe that most dogs are carriers. I don't know about that, I'm not a scientist.
I do know that you can check on a litter of puppies and go back out in the evening to check on them and they are dead. I treat the bitch for Coccidia and worm her as quick as the last puppy hits the ground. Coccidia can also become active due to stress in puppies. I use to always send my puppies to their new homes with a run of Albon.

Best advice I have is as I use to tell new owners. When you take him home leave him there. The next day the vet is open take him there and have him checked out. I always gave a 10 day health guarantee but only if they had taken it to the vet. Back then it was said that Parvo had a 3 to 10 day gestation period. I figured if the pup got sick in 10 days I should honor that.

For some reason people want to take their new puppy around everywhere. Showing him off and everyone in the world hold him. Remember he's a baby and will get sore from being held and passed around.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by softness

I buy my dog stuffed animals all the time at garage sales. In fact, she has inherited all of mine and my daughter's collections of web kinz. No more.I am sorting through her stuff as I pack it. She is only allowed to keep the things manufactured specifically for dogs. Why? Read this....

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/stuffedtoys.asp

Smart move!

My dog ate part of a stuffed animal while I was visiting a friend- very dangerous dog and cat toys strewn all over. He ended up with a bacterial infection in his gut and did not pass the stuff for nearly a week. Finally, he threw it up- never did travel down the other way! Lucky he didn't get blocked and need surgery .. again!

Now, when I take him to someone else's house, I ask about pet toys that might be there beforehand. If it isn't a safe environment for him, he doesn't get to go.

I never give him rawhide or even Greenie type chew things (they can expand in the gut). Manufacturers even for pet toys/chews don't really make safe toys/products... they make things that people want to buy!

I'm very careful about toys and chew toys.

[Soft*Silver]

my old girl has dementia. She has forgotten how to eat out of a bowl. I literally have to spoon feed her twice a day. On days when that doesnt even work, we break the meals up even more and I use my hand to feed her, often having to close her mouth and wait until she swallows, so she doesnt spit it out. I only give her a few bites at a time, just in case she is having a belly ache (one never knows why a dog wont eat). It is my service to her, for all the love and devotion she has blessed me with over the years...

she is very fussy about her treats too. She lOVES that brand I posted...and accepts them without a fuss, but they are more expensive than I can afford at the moment. So I look for others....and have found a couple that she will, sometimes, accept.

Her stuffies are not torn apart. If she was a dog who tore her stuffies, I would never give her any. Instead, she carries them around in her mouth and even takes walks with them. If she lays down with one, she "flea bites" it, like a momma dog does to their babies...

but because I never know when the dementia might progress to her tearing up her "babies" I am taking all the human toys away from her...I will not let a simple thing become a tragic accident...

[Arwen]

Coat question....My Basenji is shedding like mad. Any tips or tricks on how to get her coat to blow faster. I'm an ex-groomer so I know a ton but I'm always happy to find more.