Difficult to diagnose, Cushing’s disease is a condition affecting a dog’s endocrine system–the glands that produce and secrete hormones throughout the body. One of those hormones, cortisol, is responsible for stress management and balancing the immune system. Cortisol is essential for healthy body function, but too much or too little can cause problems. A dog dealing with increased levels of cortisol has hyperadrenocorticism—more commonly known as Cushing’s disease.

Causes

There are three types of Cushing’s disease in dogs. The most common is caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland located in the brain. This is called pituitary-dependent hyperdrenocorticism (PDH) and represents around 80 percent of all naturally occurring cases of Cushing’s disease. Rarely, pituitary tumors are malignant, which means they metastasize to other areas of the body.

The other form of naturally occurring Cushing’s disease is adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (AHD). The adrenal glands are found above the kidneys and secrete a variety of hormones. Tumor growth interferes with proper function and can cause increased levels of cortisol. Adrenal tumors have an equal chance of being either benign or malignant.

The third type of Cushing’s disease has nothing to do with tumors. It happens when medication a dog is already taking interferes with the endocrine system and leads to hyperadrenocorticism. Dogs taking regular medication to treat allergies, immune disorders, and cancer are most at risk. It even happens to dogs taking medication for low levels of naturally occurring cortisol. In these cases, the medication does its job too well and elevates cortisol production to dangerous levels.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms associated with Cushing’s disease, but the trick is most symptoms are also associated with other medical conditions. Not every dog with Cushing’s disease will exhibit all symptoms, and some side effects are mild enough to go unnoticed for several years. The disease most often affects adult dogs six years and older. Noticing symptoms in your dog isn’t enough to warrant a diagnosis, but it’s a place to start. Seeing two or more of these side effects in an adult or senior dog is an indication it’s time to talk to a vet.

1. Increased Hunger and Thirst: Some dogs are greedy eaters that act like they’re starving all the time, but a dog that doesn’t usually beg for food might start showing signs of increased hunger due to high cortisol levels. You could also find yourself filling up their water bowl more than normal to quench their considerable thirst.

2. Increased Urination: An adult dog that’s been house trained for years might start having regular accidents inside simply because they can’t get outside fast enough. They might also start waking up in the middle of the night to ask to go to the bathroom.

3. Pot-Bellied Abdomen: There are several reasons for the appearance of a pot-belly in dogs including roundworm infection, peritonitis, and bloat. When it’s Cushing’s disease, the dog’s fat migrates to the stomach, and they loose muscle tone. Their belly will look overly round and the rest of their body will look especially frail in comparison.

4. Loss of Hair: Hairloss will usually start in discreet areas like the armpits and belly. As symptoms progress and the disease worsens, bald areas will spread to the dog’s shoulders, back, and neck.

5. Increased Panting: Panting is something all dogs do, and it’s hard to tell when it’s related to a medical problem. If you’ve had your dog for several years, you should have a general idea of how much they pant. If they start panting on a regular basis for no apparent reason—like when they’re lounging on the couch or waiting for dinner—it could be Cushing’s disease.

Low energy, muscle weakness, darkening of the skin, recurring infections, and infertility are other less common symptoms that when put together point in the direction of Cushing’s disease.

Diagnosis

Spotting a few symptoms in your dog is enough to warrant a trip to the vet, but it isn’t enough for a diagnosis. Diagnosing Cushing’s disease requires a series of diagnostic tests. The first of these tests after a basic physical exam is usually a urine analysis to check the ratio between cortisol and creatinine. If cortisol levels come back high, it’s not a definitive answer the dog has Cushing’s disease. It means they might have it, but additional tests are needed to narrow down possible culprits.

A low-dose dexamethasone suppression test is usually next in the lineup. Depending on results, there might also be need for an ACTH stimulation test and an abdominal ultrasound. The barrage of tests means more time spent in the vet’s office, but there are several other conditions Cushing’s disease is easily confused with. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, veterinarians look at the dog’s health from all angles.

Treatment

Once an official diagnosis is made, the first thing dog owners ask for is a cure. Unfortunately, there is no effective cure for Cushing’s disease. The best chance of a cure happens with ADH, but most dogs (and their owners) learn to manage the disease for the rest of the pet’s life.

In mild cases, veterinarians usually suggest holding off on treatment until it’s absolutely necessary. A dog whose only symptoms include heavier than normal panting and minor hair loss on their stomach, for instance, isn’t having their day-to-day happiness affected by the disease. The drugs used to counteract hyperadrenocorticism have serious side effects, and it’s usually in the dog’s best interest to spare them that risk for as long as possible.

When the symptoms progress to threaten the dog’s emotional and physical well-being, the owner can talk to their vet about moving forward with treatment. Each type of the disease requires a specific treatment strategy.

For cases that develop due to medication, treatment is the simple process of slowly weaning the dog off the medication. Stopping all together can lead to the opposite problem of low cortisol levels (Addison’s disease). Weaning usually takes place over several weeks, and it’s important for the dog’s owner to carefully watch out for a sudden decline in health. Once successfully weaned off the medication, the dog will need a replacement treatment for the original condition.

Cushing’s disease related to a tumor in the pituitary gland is treated with one of two drugs. Lysodren and Vetoryl help counteract the problems caused by the tumor, but they also come with dangerous side effects. Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and lethargy are all possible. Dogs on these medications need to be regularly monitored to ensure the side effects don’t outweigh the benefits. The dog will most likely need to be on the medication for life.

For an adrenal tumor, treatment is usually more extensive, but there’s also a chance at a cure. There’s a higher risk of the tumor spreading to other parts of the body, and a CT scan or MRI is needed to rule this out. If the tumor spreads, it could affect the body in a number of ways depending on where it goes. If the tumor is ruled benign, the first step in treatment is usually a medication to shrink the tumor. The dog will be put on a strict medicinal schedule for several months as veterinarians plot the tumor’s size. When it’s an appropriate size, it’s usually suggested the dog have surgery to remove it. If all goes well and the tumor didn’t spread, this procedure is a dog’s best chance at a cure.

The prognosis for a dog with Cushing’s disease depends heavily on the dog’s age, overall health, and the seriousness of the disease. Most dogs live several years after being diagnosed, and treatment affects their quality of life only minimally. Proper veterinary intervention and persistence on the part of the dog’s owner usually leads to successful management of all symptoms. A positive diagnosis of Cushing’s disease shouldn’t be taken lightly, but early diagnosis and well-timed intervention gives your dog a good chance at a happy and healthy life.

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Trainers and behaviorists rely on dogs’ body language to determine their state of mind. One way they assess stress levels is by watching for “half-moon eyes” or “whale eyes”.

This expression involves widened eyes with the sclera (white portion) visible at the corners or rims. A “whale-eyed” look accompanied by tense facial features and body posture indicates the dog is feeling anxious or defensive.

Much like humans, dogs tense up and widen their eyes when they feel frightened or threatened. Whale eyes are often seen when a pup is scolded by its owner or during uncomfortable procedures like grooming, vet visits and nail trims.

Professional dog trainer, Jill Breitner warns that this look could indicate a dog is ready to bite. Not all dogs who display this expression will act out aggressively, but it is best to be aware of the subtle cues that accompany a fearful whale-eyed look in order to take precautions.

Breitner, an expert in canine body language, recommends watching for:

• Stiff, tense body
• Ears out, to the side and back
• Closed mouth
• Lip licking or tongue flicking
• Looking away
• Hiding or walking away
• Indirect staring or direct staring

You may also notice a whale-eyed look in dogs when they are uncomfortable with a particular human or the level of physical contact. It is often seen when a child clumsily embraces their dog – or worse, an unfamiliar dog. Hugs are not a form of physical communication in the canine world and can make a dog feel trapped or threatened.

Now that you know the possible perils of canine whale eyes, it is important to understand this look does not always indicate stress or fear. Some dogs are simply more expressive with their eyes and prone to looking about without moving their heads.

Happy, excited, playful dogs may also display a similar glance. The difference lies in the context of the situation and the additional facial and body cues that accompany the look. If you are in the midst of a spirited game of chase and your pup’s whale eyes are accompanied by a wiggly body and relaxed, “smiling” mouth, you are likely seeing a playful expression.

If you are unsure of the emotion behind your dog’s whale eyes, Breitner recommends erring on the side of caution. Stop what you are doing and remove the dog from the situation or redirect his attention onto a favorite activity to alleviate the stress.

A professional trainer or behaviorist can help you get to the bottom of your dog’s triggers and become more adept at reading canine body language. The better you understand their subtle cues, the more equipped you will be to guide them through stressful situations.

 

H/T to Dogster.com

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While some dogs peeve their owners with picky appetites, most are happiest when scarfing down everything that looks remotely edible. It doesn’t matter what they eat, how much they eat, or when their last meal was, these chow hounds never seem to be satisfied. They’ll break out the hungry eyes at every chance they get, and it’s natural for dog owners to feel concerned about their pets’ seemingly insatiable appetites. But no matter how much they whine and beg, most dogs that live in a home with regularly provided meals aren’t actually starving. They act like it, but canine behaviorists have pinned a few possible explanations to the behavior.

Serving Sizes

Before you start worrying about whether or not your dog is actually hungry all the time, figure out if you’re feeding them enough. There is no universal rule that tells you how much you should be feeding your dog. The number of cups you dump into their bowl depends on the type of food and the dog’s activity level. If your dog is your everyday running partner and rarely stands still, they’ll need more calories than a dog of the same size that spends their days on the couch. There should be a useful chart with recommended serving sizes on the back of the dog food package, and ask your vet how to alter that number based on your individual dog’s needs.

Evaluating Weight

For reassurance that you’re not skimping on your dog’s meals, check out their physique. It will ultimately depend on your dog’s breed, but the general rule is you should be able to feel their ribs but not see them. When you stand over your dog, they should have a visible waist that narrows below the rib cage. If you have to dig into their sides to find bone or lose your fingers in several centimeters of squish, the gravy train has been running a little too long; your dog is definitely not starving.

If you’re feeding them right and they don’t look underweight, here’s a few explanations that could explain their greedy behavior.

Instinct

Descended from wolves, your dog’s ancestors learned to value food as a limited resource. They hunted in packs to take down big game, but eating when they were hungry was never a guarantee. If they found food, it was best to eat as much as possible because they never knew when they’d get the chance again.

Your lazy Labrador probably gets fed like clockwork every day, but the idea that food isn’t guaranteed is an ingrained instinct for dogs. They’re opportunists listening to their guts. And their guts are saying, “You better eat now or else it’ll be too late.”

Experience

The dog that has lived in a loving home its entire life has probably never had to go more than a few hours between meals, but that’s not the case for every pet. Many rescues that get pulled off the streets and put up for adoption know all too well what it feels like to be hungry. They’ve experienced the real threat of starvation, and it’s a feeling they’ll do anything to never feel again.

If your big eater is a stray you recently rescued, their gluttonous appetite could be a lesson learned from past experiences. They’re still getting used to the idea that they’ll never have to scrounge for food again.

Reinforced Behavior

Experts believe the first domesticated dogs came from wolves with exceptional abilities to manipulate humans into giving them food. They learned the best strategies for how to get what they wanted, and your 21st century pup has learned a few things of their own.

No one knows better than your dog that puppy dog eyes are impossible to resist. They’ve learned that if they look at you in that special way and follow you around, you’ll eventually cave and drop that last bite of sandwich into their mouth. They don’t want that dry kibble you put in their dish—they’re after the good stuff. Cheese, chips, cookies, oh my! By giving in, you’re teaching your dog that the hungrier they act, the better their chances are of scoring top-shelf treats.

Medical Causes

Your dog’s need to feed is most likely natural, but there’s always the possibility it could be related to an undetected medical condition.

Diabetes: Like in humans, diabetes is a condition that effects the production of insulin. Without insulin, the body can’t handle the intake of sugar. Dogs (and people, too) need sugar for energy. If they’re not getting enough, their cells will trick them into thinking they’re still hungry as an instinctual hunt for more sugar.

Hyperthyroidism: While relatively rare in dogs, hyperthyroidism can cause sudden increased appetite. Healthy Pets describes the condition as,

“Hyperthyroidism means the glands are working overtime, secreting too much hormone, which causes a constant state of metabolic hyperactivity. animals with the condition typically lose weight despite being constantly hungry…”

Internal Parasites: No one wants to think about their dog having worms, but it’s a common problem for canines. Roundworms in particular can cause changes in a dog’s appetite. They live in the digestive tract and feed off the dog’s nutrients. Their hunger isn’t an act, because the worms are filching their food. Diarrhea and other signs of digestive upset most often accompany parasite-related appetite changes.

As long as your dog exhibits no obvious medical symptoms while they’re staring longingly at every scrap of food and stalking everyone who enters the kitchen, you’re most likely dealing with an average chow hound. There’s nothing wrong with a dog who always wants food; it’s one of their quirky personality traits we learn to love. But whatever you do, don’t let their begging fool you. Overfeeding can lead to several serious health issues.

Featured image via Flickr/Andrew Vargas

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This summer Walter Hollier received the devastating news that he has terminal liver cancer. Given an estimated three to six months to live, he began making final arrangements.

The most heartbreaking of those tasks was finding new homes for his cherished dogs, Doc and Diego. Hollier knew that Doc would make a wonderful family pet, but was panic stricken about what might become of Diego.

On Friday, Hollier took to Facebook in search of a single kind-hearted soul. Instead, he found thousands.

His post was shared more than 80,000 times and garnered more than 15,000 comments from supporters, well wishers – and yes, offers to adopt Diego!

At the end of that whirlwind weekend, Hollier and Diego had found their solution.

The Last Resort Recovery Center near Smithville, Texas is a men’s drug and alcohol rehab center located on 51-acres of land with horse stables, barns, fish ponds, walking trails and plenty of rolling hills for the peppy 8-year-old to enjoy.

Hollier dropped Diego off at the center on Sunday, and while there are no pictures or video to protect the privacy of the patients, the loving dog dad says it was deeply emotional for him.

“I cried down the dirt road. It was like cutting a cord, you know he’s like my child,” he said.

Hollier expressed his gratitude to all the Facebook users around the world who shared his post, offered kind words, and helped make Diego’s rehoming possible.

“Thanks to all you wonderful people, I have found Diego a wonderful home,” he wrote. “I have received over 1300 responses and over 100 request for adoption. You folks are amazing, and have restored my faith in humanity.”

 

H/T to KEYE

Featured Image via Walter Hollier

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When Travis Allen’s dog got loose shortly after Christmas, he wasn’t sure he’d ever see his best friend again. Four-year-old Chipper was with Allen visiting family in Warner Robins, Georgia when he got lost. Desperate to get Chipper back, Allen stayed a few extra days searching everywhere he could for his lost dog. He called local shelters and businesses while patrolling the streets near where Chipper got away, but there was no sign of the missing dog.

 

Eventually, Allen was forced to drive back to his home in Durham, North Carolina without Chipper. He had to leave the area where he last saw his four-legged friend, but he didn’t give up hope. One of the many calls he made was to Endless Love Pet Palace, a dog boarding facility owned by Sheila Kemp. Kemp later wrote on Facebook,

“I felt the heartache and sadness in his voice, and I felt that we were supposed to help him. We were going to do all we could to find him.”

While Allen had to leave, Kemp and a team of compassionate volunteers took up where he left off. They made posters and hung them all around town. They set up live traps and checked them every day. Several people made it their mission to find Chipper, and they drove and walked through nearby areas always keeping an eye out for the medium-sized brown dog.

 

Several weeks passed with no sign of Chipper, but the search continued. Then one day, Kemp received the phone call she was waiting for. It was from a woman who said she’d found a dog matching Chipper’s description. She found him wandering alone, scrawny and tired, about two weeks after he went missing. The woman fed him and helped him rebuild his strength. When she came across one of the missing dog posters, she knew she could make a lot of people and one sweet dog very happy.

 

After confirming Chipper’s identity, Kemp and her team at Endless Love Pet Palace were thrilled to call Allen and tell him the good news. They pampered Chipper and planned the long-awaited reunion. As soon as Allen got within reach of Chipper, he was greeted with happy licks. Everyone who was rooting for their reunion watched as Chipper’s happy mumbles turned into full-blown howls. He howled with joy and was elated to finally be back where he belonged—in the arms of his favorite person.

Featured image via Facebook/Endless Love Pet Palace

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This pup loves three things: walks, snow, and fetch. Unfortunately, the last two don’t work out well together, but he hasn’t seemed to notice!

Twitter user @yge_ao01 posted this video of a walk they took with their Shiba Inu dog. The playful pup must have wanted to play a game of fetch, and without a ball, his owner must’ve had to improvise. Snowballs may not make for the best game of fetch, but we’re enjoying it!

This dog seems eager to play, and although the game doesn’t seem to be going well, he doesn’t let anything kill his enthusiasm – not even the disappearing “balls”!

まだ散歩してる( ˘ω˘ )
除雪入って雪少ない所で放してやったら超元気 pic.twitter.com/3Bcp91t0LV

— あお🦆 (@yge_ao01) January 26, 2018

My favorite part is when his little face disappears in the snow and his tail goes nuts while he digs for his missing snowball!

You can’t win the game, Shiba Inu, but you’ve definitely won my heart!

 

H/T: Mashable.com
Featured Photo: Screenshot/Twitter

 

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In recent years, bone broth has become increasingly popular among senior dog owners. Our recent survey to iHeartDogs readers shows that many dog parents see benefits in the following areas:

1. Appetite encouragement: Bone broth is a perfect meal for senior dogs that are picky eaters, or simply don’t have an appetite.
2. Digestive health: Bone broth is rich in glycine from gelatin and helps support a healthy metabolism.
3. Supports healthy and flexible joints: Glucosamine and collagen are key nutrients in bone broth, and in combination with gelatin, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid, are vital for your pup’s joints.
4. Immune system support: Bone broth is a natural source of many vitamins and minerals that provide immune boosting support. These nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, arginine, glutamine, proline, iron, thiamine, potassium, calcium, silicon, sulfur, hyaluronic acid, magnesium, phosphorus potassium, niacin, riboflavin, zinc, and copper.

When Time is a Constraint

We’re big fans of homemade, organic bone broth and have previously shared our favorite recipe here. Unfortunately, however, we don’t always have the recommended 4 hours it takes to make this superfood from scratch.

This bone broth powder from Project Paws is a great alternative to the time consuming process of making your own broth. The easy to apply powder is tasty and nutrient-packed and contains only 2 ingredients: Free-Range Elk bone and premium grade “A” naturally shed (not harvested) antler. The collagen-rich blend promotes healthy gut function, joint health, immune support, healthy appetite and resilient skin and coat. Its concentrated form makes it an ideal supplement to mix in with your dog’s food or sprinkled over it as a tantalizing food topper.

If you’d like to read the reviews for this supplement, go here.

To read more about what benefits other dog owners are seeing from bone broth, visit our survey here.

 

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Sometimes I look back on the earlier years of my life, and I wish I had gone to vet school.

But, as luck would have it, you can’t get time back.

And, I am lucky enough to be a veterinary technician. That, in and of itself, is a blessing.

The other day, I was speaking with the vet who owns the clinic where I work, and she was mentioning that it is the technicians who have the better job.

Vets spend time calculating doses of medication, calling clients, interpreting lab results, and we technicians spend most of our time with the animals.

In essence, I am joyful to be able to work not only as a vet tech, but also as a dog trainer; each gives me unique knowledge for the other line of work and sets me apart in each career.

The Big Difference?

The big difference between you and your veterinarian when it comes to potty training your puppy and accidents in the home is that they know how important conditioning is, and how much time and responsibility is involved in puppy training and ownership.

Conditioning and Puppy Potty Training

Conditioning is essentially something that becomes a habit.

Let us go back to classical conditioning and Pavlov.

At first, the bell meant nothing to the dog.

Once the bell was paired with the food, the dog began to drool when the bell was rung; this is known as conditioning.

The dog associates one thing with another, and it becomes a habit.

It took much longer to break the dog of the idea that the bell and food were related (a.k.a. counterconditioning).

Counterconditioning is possible, but it is much more difficult. It takes a longer and more intense commitment, because you are essentially breaking a habit or a conditioned idea.

To Simplify

Vets know that they don’t want their puppies to get into the habit of having accidents in the house.

The more accidents that the puppy has, the more likely he is to continue to fail, and the more difficult house training is going to be for them.

They realize that keeping the bad habits from ever solidifying is crucial when developing a good canine companion.

Work and Responsibility

Nothing is more work, and responsibility, than going to vet school and becoming a veterinarian.

Did you know that it is more difficult to get into vet school than it is to get into medical school, and the education often takes longer?

Also, vets need to be able to treat a wide variety of furry and feathered friends, whereas human doctors are only practicing on humans.

Veterinary medicine is amazingly intricate.

So, it is not difficult for your vet to understand the work and responsibility that a puppy takes.

Puppies can’t raise themselves!

We must be there to socialize them, train them, and ensure that they are potty trained.

They also know that the responsibility remains with THEM, and not their kids, their spouse, or the puppy.

Because it is so critical that the puppy not get used to having accidents around the house, they are consistently following their puppies around and getting them outside.

A baby can’t potty train itself, and a puppy can’t potty train itself.

It is crucial that we help them to be successful!

In Essence

Follow your puppy around and, if you have to, keep him on a leash with you!

Don’t allow him to wander off and have accidents.

Get him out after:

Eating

Play

Drinking

Sleeping

And essentially every 2 hours in the beginning.

A puppy can hold his bladder one hour per month of his age.

Two months (or 8 weeks) = two hours

Puppies are a lot of work!

If you decide to bring a puppy home, you need to accept how much work and responsibility is involved.

Time and consistency are essential to raising a great puppy!

 

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Pet parents consider their companions to be family, so what happens when they fall on hard times, gaining assistance to feed the household – but get no help for their pets?

This question was posed in a petition that has gone viral. When Edward B Johnston Jr. encountered a rough patch and enrolled in his local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), he learned that the food stamps did not include food for his beloved dog.

He wrote in the petition:

“Unfortunately, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy pet food, leaving poor families with pets in a difficult position. I am one of those Americans. I have only been on SNAP benefits for a few months, but I have been unable to feed my little dog due to government regulations.

Some argue that people should not keep pets if they cannot afford them, but the fact is that an individual or family’s financial status can change at any time. Should someone be forced to give up a pet they’ve had for years just because they hit a financial rough patch? Or should they be able to utilize federal aid to continue feeding their pet?

Pets are also important for emotional support. Being poor is hard enough without being expected to give up your companion. For most people, pets are considered family, not property,” he concluded.

(To read the petition in its entirety — or sign it — click here.)

What do you think – should people on food stamps / assistance also get help paying for their pets’ food and care? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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Grooming your dog is a crucial part of caring for them, and failing to do it can lower their quality of life. Grooming your dog regularly could even help save their life if you spot lumps, bumps, or disease-causing ticks. Taking your dog to the groomer can be time-consuming and expensive (but if you need a little outside help, here are some tips for finding the best groomer for your dog). Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do for your dog at home to help them look and feel their very best. Here are 5 essential grooming tips to improve your dog’s quality of life and dashing good looks!

#1 – Trim nails at least once a month

Did you know that the quick – a vein and nerve in the toenail – can grow longer when nails are left untrimmed? If you wait too long to trim your dog’s nails, you won’t be able to cut off much without cutting into the quick, which hurts and causes your dog to bleed. It’s best to trim nails at least once or twice a month. Nails that grow too long can cause arthritis. Some dogs (and their humans) prefer to have their nails filed by a grinder. By taking the layers of the nail off slowly with a nail grinder, you can get the nails shorter with less risk of making your dog bleed. 

#2 – Use the right brush

Brushing your dog is great for bonding, reduces shedding, and helps you become familiar with every inch of your dog’s skin. Using the wrong brush on your dog can be ineffective at best and harmful at worst. These are the best tools for each coat type:

Short hair (Boxer, Labrador) – A rubber curry-style brush will gently remove loose hair and spread your dog’s natural oils through his coat. A deshedding tool can significantly reduce shedding, but it can also cause bald spots if overused.

Thick, shedding hair (German Shepherd, Golden Retriever) – A slicker brush combined with an undercoat rake should reduce shedding and prevent knots, called mats, from forming in your dog’s fur.

Fine or curly hair (Yorkie, Poodle) – A slicker brush or a pin brush along with a sturdy metal comb will be your best bets here. The longer your dog’s hair is, the more frequently you’ll need to brush it, as often as every day.

#3 –  Only use dog shampoo

Not only can human shampoo be toxic for dogs, but it’s also too harsh for dog skin. You should always brush your dog before washing them with shampoo specifically designed for dogs, since water makes mats worse, though you can pick mats apart with your fingers while your dog is soaked in conditioner to make the mats somewhat easier to brush out after the bath (preferably after blow drying your dog since air drying will cause the mats to tighten again). Always rinse your dog thoroughly, since shampoo left in your dog’s coat can leave them itchy and flaky.

#4 – Check for parasites

Bath time is the best time to check your dog for fleas, ticks, and lice. Live fleas tend to run when they get wet, making them easier to see. Flea “dirt,” which is actually their excrement, will look like pepper flakes on your dog’s dry fur but will appear to bleed when wet. Ticks can look like moles or warts until you see tiny legs poking away from the tick’s body while their head is embedded in your dog’s skin. Lice can look like dirt or other debris attached to your dog’s coat or skin, but they won’t wash off no matter how hard you try with just regular shampoo.

#5 – Don’t forget eyes, ear, and teeth

You should regularly look at your dog’s eyes to check for tearing, redness, or cloudiness. Ears can be cleaned out with ear cleaner or witch hazel on a cotton ball. Any funky smell or discharge from your dog’s ears could indicate an infection and should be brought to your vet’s attention. Ideally, you should be brushing your dog’s teeth daily. If they won’t tolerate a toothbrush, try dental wipes, sprays, or treats.

(H/T: Cesar’s Way, ASPCA)

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We never get tired of hearing about dogs – that’s why we love Modern Dog Magazine! Every issue has lots of fun, informative content for dog parents, including training help, health information, and lots of tips and tricks to make our dogs lives better!

Right now you can get the current digital issue of Modern Dog Magazine and join their weekly newsletter for FREE! This means adorable pups straight to your inbox every week. You’ll also get a chance to participate in all the fun Modern Dog offers it’s subscribers, including weekly giveaways and a chance to show off your dog in their photo contests to win prizes!

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy all the fun Modern Dog Magazine has between it’s pages. Your free digital issue and weekly newsletter will be packed with information beneficial to both you and your dog!

 

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When the time comes to say goodbye, all dog parents hope their pets peacefully pass away after a long, happy life. The unfortunate reality, however, is senior dogs and dogs suffering from illness or injury most often rely on their owners to know when it’s time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Choosing to end a life—a life you’ve cherished as part of the family—is an impossibly difficult decision, but preventing suffering is your biggest concern.

No one wants their best friend to suffer, and veterinarians guide dog owners in how to tell when illness or advanced age has become too much for a pet to bear. There is no clear answer to when it’s time to say goodbye, but there are signs to look for to help make this important decision. Having one or two of the following symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean it’s your dog’s time, but noticing several of these signs indicates it might be time to talk to your vet about a peaceful end of life plan.

1. Loss of Appetite

For most dogs, eating is their favorite thing to do. They enthusiastically chomp down dinner and accept every treat offered and left unguarded. When a dog suddenly or gradually stops showing an interest in meal time, it’s a sign something isn’t right. As organs shut down, the dog loses their sensation of hunger and thirst. Eating is suddenly more effort than it’s worth, and even the juiciest steak can’t tempt them into chewing. Health will continue to decline without a healthy diet. Temporary fasting could be caused by something as benign as a stomach ache, but if meals go untouched for several days in a row, it’s time to speak to a veterinarian.

2. Extreme Weight Loss

Gradual weight loss isn’t easy to spot. Most dogs step on a scale once a year at their annual vet check-up. If their owner isn’t picking them up on a regular basis, gradual weight loss can easily go unnoticed. It doesn’t happen all at once, but one day a dog owner might notice their pooch looking especially thin. It could be related to a lack of appetite or their body’s inability to process nutrients.

3. Chronic Pain

A dog can’t tell you when they don’t feel well, and that makes recognizing the signs of chronic pain especially challenging. The key is to pay close attention to the dog’s body language, movements, and behaviors. Sometimes pain can be managed with medication or regular physical therapy, and sometimes it can’t. Pain management strategies that used to work in the past can stop being effective. If your dog doesn’t seem to perk up after taking medication, or if their regular physical therapy routine no longer seems useful, their pain is negatively—and most likely permanently—affecting quality of life.

4. Loss of Interest

Veterinarian and VetStreet contributor Dr. Andy Roark suggests dog owners measure quality of life by making a list of their pet’s five favorite things to do. The list could include playing fetch, eating, or greeting their owner every time they come through the door. It’s important to make your list based on what your dog liked doing when you knew they were healthy and happy. Dr. Roark says,

“When he or she can no longer do three or more of [the items on the list], quality of life has been impacted to a level where many veterinarians would recommend euthanasia.”

5. Mood Changes

Along with loss of interest, ailing dogs might also show signs of mood changes. Affectionate dogs known for being good around children might gradually grow wary of the same behaviors they used to tolerate. Pain and a general low quality of life can cause them to be short-tempered and even aggressive. They might start responding to situations in unexpected ways and begin behaving differently around family members. They could also show signs of depression including sleeping more often and being generally inactive.

6. Social Withdrawal

Many aging dogs can sense when their time is coming and choose to withdraw from the family. Some canine behaviorists believe dogs isolate themselves at the time of their death as an instinct to not slow down the pack or cause unnecessary trauma for loved ones. Not everyone supports this theory, but social withdrawal often happens at the end of a dog’s life. They seek isolation to avoid contact, sometimes because being touched is too painful to bear. They hide in closed-off areas and spend more time by themselves than with family.

7. Incontinence

Incontinence is the inability to control the muscles in the bladder or bowels leading to the involuntary loss of urine or feces. It’s a condition that affects senior dogs of all breeds. Pets WebMD lists urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, degenerative spinal conditions, diabetes, and kidney disease as possible causes. Constant dripping of urine or feces makes a mess, and it also irritates the skin. Senior dogs that start having frequent accidents indoors could be suffering from incontinence and be too weak to make it outside. Not every case of incontinence is related to an animal’s end of life, but it’s important to speak to a veterinarian.

8. Breathing Problems

As the body shuts down, breathing becomes more difficult. End of life breathing problems could manifest as a chronic cough or the dog’s inability to take a deep breath. Their breathing might sound uneven or there could be uncomfortably long pauses between each exhale and inhale. Labored breathing drains a dog’s energy and usually leads to regular lethargy.

9. Loss of Coordination

A general decline in coordination and cognitive dysfunction is common in senior dogs. A dog near their time might seem especially clumsy and unsteady on their feet. They often give the appearance of being dizzy and might walk into furniture and have trouble getting from place to place. In some cases, the dog might choose to remain sedentary because they know standing will lead to loss of limb control and disorientation.

10. Trouble Standing

If coordination problems aren’t what’s keeping a dog from moving around, it could be pain and muscle weakness. Muscles gradually deteriorate due to advanced age and poor nutrition. A dog that used to be able to leap over the fence might start having trouble walking and even standing. This inability to move around can be both frustrating and depressing to the dog. Some try their hardest to get up only to collapse due to weakness.

Watching your dog’s health decline is the most painful part of being a pet owner. Above everything else, you don’t want them to suffer. Making an end of life decision for your dog won’t be easy, but it’s important to put your dog’s needs above your own emotions. Think of the situation objectively and talk to as many people as you can. Discuss with friends who made similar decisions and talk it over with other adults in the family. Your veterinarian will give you their recommendation, but the decision is solely yours to make. Palliative care can help ease your dog’s suffering and keep them comfortable as you consider options.

(h/t: Vetstreet, Pets WebMD)

via Whisker Therapy

via Whisker Therapy

Last year’s numbers are in, and the city of Los Angeles is celebrating a huge milestone. In 2012, city leaders came together and made a goal. They wanted to move toward a “no-kill” future where every dog that goes into the shelter system eventually leaves with a new family and is safe from the risk of euthanasia. No-kill is defined as 90 percent of animals not being euthanized, and in 2017, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services met a save rate of 92.4 percent of all shelter dogs.

Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement on Thursday and said,

“Every pet should have a home where they are loved, cared for, and valued. They city’s extraordinary partnership with the No-Kill Los Angeles Coalition has helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of animals. Every Angeleno who loves animals can help by adopting, fostering and volunteering at their local shelters.”

When the goal was originally set, the Los Angeles shelter system was looking at a measly 57.7 percent for an overall save rate between dogs and cats. A lack of resources, funding, and space—the same problems that plague shelters across the country—was leading to a high number of animals being euthanized. Despite a long way to climb, everyone from the weekend volunteers to Councilman Paul Koretz worked together to save more lives.

As chair of the City Council’s Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee, Koretz is especially thrilled about the city’s progress. He told My News LA,

“Putting an end to the senseless euthanasia of domestic animals in our LA shelters has been one of my lifelong goals.”

Koretz spearheaded the city’s move to ban the sale of animals at pet stores, and the move toward city-wide no-kill shelters is another mark on a successful year of saving animals.

Now that they’ve reached their goal with dogs, shelters and city leaders are continuing to improve their overall save rate. They plan on strengthening the city’s spay and neuter program and implementing more humane policies to benefit rescue animals. They want to make their no-kill accomplishment permanent, and city leaders seem confident they can make it happen.

The dogs and cats of Los Angeles are the ones that benefit the most, but the impact of the city’s accomplishment reaches far beyond their borders. If a city the size of Los Angeles can earn a no-kill status for dogs in five years, other cities can too. There’s hope cities in every corner of the country will be no-kill by 2025.

via Whisker Therapy