Causes of stress 

Spend just a few minutes thinking about life from your dog’s point of view.  Every morning, his best friend gets up, throws some food his way, and lets him outside for just a few minutes.  He wants to play, but instead he is shut up in a kennel or maybe isolated to a certain part of the house, then left alone for at least 9 hours.  Again, he receives some food and a short time outside, then if he’s lucky and the kids don’t have basketball practice, he might get a walk or some play time before everyone settles in for the night.

On the weekends, again assuming there are no extenuating circumstances, the dog might get to spend some quality time with the family in between the grocery store, house cleaning duties and social obligations.  How’s that “dog’s life” sounding now?

The truth is, one of the leading causes of stress for your dog is being left alone for long periods of time.  While dogs can’t tell time exactly like we do, they do know that they stay home alone from time to time, even if the whole family doesn’t work outside the home.  Your dog may or may not suffer from separation anxiety, but if you work and don’t provide the proper entertainment for your dog, you can bet the dog experiences boredom.

So, you might think, I’ll sign up for doggie daycare.  That’s a great boredom buster; however, you need to be aware that a change in routine is also stressful for the dog in the short run.  Other changes in routine, such as going to the groomer’s or vet’s office, taking an unexpected car ride, or sleeping outside rather than in bed with you can cause acute anxiety.

Other causes of stress include illness and injuries, including recovery from surgery.  Even something relatively minor, like a slight case of ear mites or a sprained ankle can be cause for stress.

Last but not least, a dog who is physically restrained ends up experiencing stress because he is not able to chase the prey outside his area including squirrels, chipmunks, and small children.  This is not to say you shouldn’t restrain your dog; it is for his own safety that you fence your yard or keep your dog chained when outside or kenneled while inside alone.

According to Melissa Bain, a veterinary behavior specialist with the Animal Behavior Resources Institute of the American Humane Association, the most common causes of stress are:

• Trauma
• Physical restraint
• Confinement
• Change of routine
• Noise
• Boredom / lack of stimulation
•  Separation
• Unwanted interactions such as with overly aggressive people or other dogs

How do I know if my dog is stressed? 

Given the fact that most dogs experience at least one of the anxiety-producing situations listed above at one time or another, how can you tell when stress is a problem?  There are certain symptoms, as identified on WebVet.com.   Symptoms include whining, yawning, hiding, drooling, lip licking, dilated pupils, repetitive behaviors, aggression, loss of bowel or bladder control, and loss of appetite or overeating.

Many of these symptoms are normal behaviors when seen alone, but taken together, they can indicate a problem. Just as in people, chronic stress in dogs can lead to long-term emotional and even physical problems, so it’s important to spend some time observing your dog to watch for signs of stress and take action to combat it.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff and Coroner’s Office Canine Specialized Search Team points out that many of the symptoms of stress are subtle, and that observation of the dog must be paired with consideration of what is going on at the time the symptoms are seen.  For example, if your dog whines, yawns, and licks his front right paw repetitively every time you put him in the car, you can be pretty sure that car rides make him anxious.

Because of the nature of the Specialized Search Team, their website also points out the importance of the human’s moods in keeping the dog on track.  When the handler becomes tired, frustrated, or worried, the dog will be very aware of it.  Dogs communicate with each other through body language, and there is no reason to assume they aren’t equally adept at reading our behavior.  And the stress they perceive in you can make them assume there is something unpleasant ahead and kick off their own stress reactions.

Vet visits are common canine stressors.

Helping your dog cope with stress 

Depending on whether your dog is reacting to an isolated event or a continuing situation, you will approach treatment in different ways.

For isolated events, you simply need to provide the dog with calming signals like yawning, blinking, and avoiding direct eye contact.  These are the very actions a dog uses to calm himself when stressed, and if he sees you using calming behaviors, he will deduce that it’s okay to relax.  Make sure you relax yourself by thinking of something happy and relaxing any tense muscles.  Talk to your dog in a soft, calm voice, reassuring him that all is well.  Finally, take a break if possible.  A change in scenery can do wonders.

For situations that you know your dog will have to learn to endure, you will train your dog to recognize that conditions are not that bad and to calm himself without your help.  For example, if you crate your dog every day while you are at work, but your neighbors complain that he continually whines and scratches, your job is to find a way to make the crate less stressful.  Make sure the crate is large enough that the dog doesn’t have to lie in the same position all day.  Try giving the dog toys to chew on and play with inside the crate.  Especially valuable are puzzle-type toys that your dog has to spend some time with to figure out how to get to the treat inside.  If possible, come home at lunch time or hire someone to come to your house mid-day to get the dog out of the crate and have some play time to break up the day.

If your dog becomes stressed when you have people over, enlist your friends to practice having people come in the house over and over, socializing your dog to the experience.  Praise the dog for good behavior as he gets used to people coming and going.  Keep safety first!  If your dog shows any signs of aggression toward strangers, you may have to start the socialization training from behind a baby gate.

Your dog may also be able to calm himself with the help of certain calming scents.  Valerian and chamomile are thought to ease stress.  You might try a Calming Collar, which is an herbal blend sewn into a cloth collar your dog can wear during stressful events like thunderstorms.

There is also a product that looks like a plug-in air freshener called the Comfort Zone Plug-In that diffuses dog appeasing pheromones into the air.

Finding hidden problems

If your dog has a lot of fur, you may never know what’s hiding beneath it unless you do some regular grooming.  It is only when you get the tangles out and spend some time looking at and touching your dog’s skin that you may notice small skin problems or tumors that may later grow into bigger issues.

Regular home grooming gives you the chance to get familiar with your dog’s body so that you can feel any changes that crop up.  You stand a much better chance of keeping your dog healthy if you find problems soon after they start rather than after they have become deeply entrenched.

For example, some breeds are prone to “hot spots”, more properly known as wet eczema.  These spots typically start off very small, but they grow quickly, and are very painful.  If you brush your dog daily or even three times a week, you are likely to notice a hot spot before your dog is in agony.  Early treatment will prevent the spot from getting any bigger.

Ear cleaning should also be part of your home grooming routine, and you will be able to spot mites or infections before they get out of hand.

Nail clipping can give you an opportunity to inspect the dog’s foot pads for any injuries, and the nails themselves for any signs of infection.

Bonding

Home grooming your dog allows you to spend some quality time with the animal, which can deepen the bond you share.  There are several ways you can make the time a pleasant experience for your dog:

• Use warm water for bathing, rather than just spraying the dog with your garden hose.
• Use shampoo specifically made for dogs to prevent skin irritation.
• Brush the dog before you bathe him or her to keep tangles to a minimum.
• After the bath, brush the dog again, being patient enough to work slowly through any remaining tangles.
• Allow sufficient time after grooming to play with the dog, showing him or her that good behavior during grooming is always rewarded with some play time with his or her favorite person.

What to look for in a professional groomer

If bathing your dog at home is just too big of a chore, or if you don’t have the proper facilities to do it right, you might consider hiring a professional groomer.  Look for a salon that is clean, with employees who seem to enjoy their work.

Watch how the employees interact with the clients, both human and canine.  Do they appear to be happy with their jobs and at least reasonably fond of dogs?  How do they treat dogs who are scared or shy?  Do they talk to the dogs in a calm voice, trying to keep them calm, or do they simply drag them to the grooming table and start clipping?

Ask for a tour of the place before you commit to an appointment.  The work areas should be kept clean and disinfected.  Check to see that hair is swept off the floor regularly and properly disposed of.   Are the cages cleaned after one dog leaves before another dog uses the same space?

Some dogs are likely dropped off in the morning and not picked up until the end of their parents’ shift.  What arrangements are made for these dogs to do their business?  Are they walked or at least let out of their cages regularly for potty breaks?  Does anyone check on them throughout the day?  Do they have any toys or activities available to prevent boredom?

Pay careful attention to the way in which dogs are dried after they are bathed.   A dog should never be placed in a heated chamber for drying, as it can cause the dog to overheat quickly.  In some cases, dogs have received severe burns from drying cages.  Rather, a blow dryer should be used to manually dry the dog, which means that a human is observing and interacting with the dog throughout the process, watching for signs of distress.

Look at the dogs as they leave the salon, particularly the purebreds.  Are the cuts in conformance to breed standards?  If you have a purebred, especially if you plan on entering conformance competitions, you will greatly benefit by finding a groomer who is both familiar and experienced with your particular breed.

What if your dog doesn’t like going to the groomer?

There are many reasons your dog may not like going to the groomer.  It may be that the smells remind the animal of the scary vet’s office.  It may be that the dog only gets to ride in the car when going to the vet or the groomer’s.  Maybe the staff at the grooming salon isn’t very nice once you leave.

It can be hard to tell what the problem is, so you may have to try a couple of different resolutions to see which one makes your dog more comfortable.  You might try taking him for rides to the park or even just around the block a few times when you don’t have vet appointments scheduled so that the car ride isn’t associated with anything intimidating.

Stick around for a few minutes after dropping off your dog, preferably out of sight of the staff (if you can), and see how they treat your dog when you’re not around.  You may need to find a groomer that is a better fit for your dog.

As another alternative, you might ask your groomer (or another one) if they offer mobile services.  Some groomers will bring a self-contained mobile unit right to your door, allowing your dog to avoid the stress of travel.  The other advantage of mobile grooming is that the dog doesn’t have to remain in a crate all day, waiting for you to come pick him or her up.  The groomer can go into your house and bring the dog out to the van, perform whatever grooming services are needed, then put the dog right back into his accustomed environment for the rest of the day.

Grooming is important to your dog’s health, and it doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing experience.  Take the time to find a groomer with whom both you and your dog are comfortable so you can reap the full benefits of a regular grooming routine.

Find a professional groomer near you.

According to Dr. Gerald M. Buchoff from Holistic Pet Care  in Little Falls, NJ, “holistic medicine treats mostly with proper diet, natural whole-food and herbal dietary supplements, homeopathic treatments, and alternative “ages-old” treatments.”

Daily holistic care for your dog 

For every-day care, Dr. Buchoff recommends a daily brushing to stimulate circulation and detoxify the body.  He advocates tapping the dog’s sternum between the dog’s front legs 5 – 10 times each day to stimulate the thymus gland, which is important in maintaining immunity.  In addition, stress can be minimized by providing exercise, love, and aromatherapy.

Raw food is the diet of choice for holistic pet care.  Dr. Buchoff’s recipe is as follows:

70% meaty bones (bones are needed for calcium), including raw beef, chicken, turkey, lamb or fish.  One quarter of the meat portion should be made up of organ meats such as liver, kidneys, and pancreas.

30% raw vegetables.  Half of the vegetables should be rich in carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes and squash.  The other half should be green vegetables including spinach, cabbage, collard greens, and Swiss chard.  Throwing in a few carrots and some cauliflower now and again is also recommended.

Holistic care at the vet 

Rather than treating your dog with pills and shots, a holistic veterinarian is likely to use chiropractic adjustments to properly align the spine to relieve the pain from arthritis or other joint problems.  Acupuncture is used to improve organ functioning.  Your dog’s diet and nutritional needs might be assessed and herbal supplements recommended.

Dr. Shawn of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital  in Plano, TX recommends an integrated approach, “combining the best of conventional medicine with the best of complementary and alternative therapies.”  He states that this provides “true healing rather than simply treating a problem.”  He also speaks to the value of herbal remedies as a way to minimize the side effects from conventional therapies.  (Medical marijuana, anyone?)

Goals of a holistic health plan

Dr. Shawn outlines five goals to be used when developing a holistic health plan:

1. Preventing disease
2. Saying no to drugs
3. Healing the pet rather than treating disease
4. Offering hope for the hopeless
5. Saving money on pet care

He also offers, speaking from the dog’s point of view, a list of seven things your pet wants and needs to stay healthy and disease free.

1. Feed me a healthy diet.
2. Vaccinate me to prevent disease, but only when absolutely necessary.
3. Please keep parasites away from me, but only use those medications that fit my needs.
4. I know you take supplements to stay healthy.  Make sure I get what I need as well.
5. I like to exercise too!
6. After you brush your teeth, don’t forget about mine.
7. I’m a good looking pet.  Help me stay that way.

Homeopathy and herbal supplements are two holistic approaches to dog care you may choose for your dog.

Dr. Larry Bernstein of Natural Holistic Health Care in North Miami Beach, FL, offers a primer on the history of homeopathy, as a way of understanding the science and art behind the practice.  Although some of the techniques used by holistic vets date back to the ancient Greeks, the father of modern homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann practiced inAustria in the late 1700′s.  In response to the barbaric conventional medicine practiced in those days (think bloodletting and “treatment” by arsenic poisoning”, Hahnemann looked for a more natural method of curing patients.

Hahnemann’s big breakthrough came when he realized that symptoms are not the disease, but rather an expression of the disease.  While most conventional medicine treated the symptoms, no one was working on healing the disease itself.  Homeopathy seeks to restore a balance to the patient’s vital, inner force, rather than simply relieving symptoms.  For example, if a dog lives in a home with smokers, the second-hand smoke will cause stress to his body as the vital force tries to protect his health.  The stress is expressed as symptoms of disease.  Although conventional medicine would simply treat the symptoms, it is only when the stress (i.e. second-hand smoke) is removed from the environment that the dog can be truly said to be returned to good health.

In “Holistic Care for Our Animal Companions,” Dr. Bernstein lists several symptoms that might indicate an underlying chronic disease state:

•  Eye or nasal discharge
• Dull or greasy coat
• Allergies
• Food sensitivities
• Too thin or too fat
• Upset stomach at the change of food
• Loose stools or constipation
• Excessive grooming
• Excessive thirst
• Temperature intolerances
• Reactions to medications
• Gum and teeth problems
• Bad breath
• Emotional problems
• Compulsive behavior
• Inappropriate fears or behavior
• Aggression

Branches of holistic medicine 

Although any vet may incorporate holistic principles into his or her practice, there are actually several formal branches of holistic medicine, as well as many related fields including the various massage therapies.  Chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal therapy / nutrition are the four main branches of holistic medicine proper.

Chiropractic and acupuncture for dogs is pretty much the same as it is for humans and is relatively widely understood, so we won’t cover those disciplines here.  Likewise, we have covered canine nutrition in many articles on doggies.com.  However, homeopathy may not be as well understood, and is worth reviewing.

The basic concept of homeopathy is that Like Cures Like, also known as the Law of Similars.  The idea is that if symptoms are caused by exposure to a certain toxin, the body can be trained to fight off that toxin by regularly exposing it to very small doses of the toxin.  This is the whole basis behind allergy shots.  The allergist gives you a very low dose of whatever it is that you’re allergic to, in hopes of training your immune system to react more appropriately to the allergen.

Some of the remedies used in homeopathy were developed in the 1930′s by Edward Bach, an English homeopath who believed that the dew on flower petals retained the healing properties of the plant on which it was found.  The original 38 Bach flower remedies are still widely sold, each containing a very small amount of the flower material, diluted in a mixture of 50% water and 50% brandy.  These remedies are often used for the treatment of emotional disturbances such as anxiety.

If your dog isn’t responding to conventional treatments, or even if you’d just like to try something more natural, why not consider the holistic approach.  You may be surprised at the improvement you see in your beloved pet.

Fires 

Bonfires, whether you use them for burning leaves or cooking out, can be a fun autumn tradition.  But when you’re dog’s around, it pays to adhere to some safety rules.  First and foremost, make sure your dog is under your control.  For some dogs, this might mean a leash, for others a commanding voice will do the trick.  In all cases, though, there needs to be at least one person who is keeping track of the dog.  Think of it as a designated driver:  one person needs to stay sober and keep the dog under control and away from the fire.

If you’ll be cooking over your fire, the same rules apply as when you cook indoors.  There are many foods that can be harmful to your dog, even though you’re cooking them over an open fire (which, as everyone knows makes them taste a hundred times better.)  So, no garlic or onions for your dog, and definitely no s’mores!

If indoor fires are more your style, make sure you have a door across the front of your fire to make sure your dog stays out of the grate.  If there are children in your home, make sure they know they cannot play with the dog in the same room as the fireplace.  There’s too much risk of the toy being errantly thrown into the fireplace, and the dog following right behind.

And while we’re talking about fires, we need to touch briefly on those that are unintended.  If you didn’t change your smoke detector batteries when you changed your clocks, make sure you do it soon.  And check into getting some fire rescue stickers for your windows that say, “Don’t forget the dog!”

Outdoor clean-up

As you clean out your garden, make sure any poisonous plants are properly disposed of in a location where your dog can’t get to them.  And remember, cocoa mulch really does contain chocolate, so it’s dangerous for your dog.

Pay attention to the slop you’re pulling out of your gutters if your dog is “helping” you.  Wet leaves won’t hurt him or her, but there may be other things mixed in that could be a problem.  And, as a side note, if your dog is wondering around while you’re on the ladder, you might want to tie off the ladder at the top in case the dog gets too close and bumps the bottom.

Winterizing your car?  As you add antifreeze and windshield washer fluid (which contains antifreeze), make sure you clean up any that spills on the pavement.  Dogs and other animals are intensely attracted to the taste of antifreeze, but it is poisonous to them.

Walking 

Fall is a beautiful time to take your dog out for walks, but those leaves that are so beautiful in the trees become a real hazard when they hit the ground.  When wet, they can create a slipping hazard, especially on sloped ground.  Even dry, leaves create a situation where uneven terrain or left-behind junk can create hidden hazards.

If you can convince your dog to do so, you may want to walk in front of him so you encounter anything hidden under the leaves before he does.  Children’s toys, lawn tools, and more nefarious trash like used needles and broken glass can damage your dog’s paw pads.  If you shuffle your feet as you walk through the leaves, you will nudge the trash before you step directly on it.

And if you live in the great white north, you may already be getting some snow.  Remember that de-icers can be caustic to your dog’s paws.  You may want to get some booties to protect them if you walk a lot on treated surfaces.  Check them out here.

Indoors

The change of seasons is a great time to do a thorough checking of your house for any hazards that might hurt your dog.  Check each room for electrical cords the dog might chew on, drapery or window blind cords that hang low enough to trip him up, and plants that may be poisonous.

Make sure your cleaning chemicals are properly stored where the dog can’t get to them.  Many of them smell great to a dog, but most are highly poisonous.  Those that aren’t poison may at least cause some gastrointestinal upset that you probably don’t want to deal with.

As you take down your Halloween decorations, make sure they’re stowed where prying snouts can’t get into them.

And speaking of holidays, celebrate the Great American Smokeout on November 17^th if you’re a smoker.  Secondhand smoke is just as bad for your dog as it is for the humans in your home.

Thanksgiving 

We all enjoy spending the holidays with family and friends, eating too much, and taking full advantage of the elastic waistband while we watch football after lunch, but celebrating Thanksgiving with a dog calls for a little special planning.  If the gang is coming to your home, think about how your dog will act around a bunch of food and a large crowd of people.  Will you have to worry about counter-surfing, anxiety, aggression, or even overly affectionate greetings?  Consider whether or not you will need to crate your dog during the big affair.

If you’re traveling without your dog, spend some time visiting prospective dog watcher facilities so you can pick the best one.  Don’t wait until the last minute and have to settle for whoever has space available.  And if your dog will make the trip over the river and through the woods with you, be sure you have the necessary equipment to make his car ride safe.  Dogs should either be crated during the ride or harnessed in a specially designed dog-seatbelt like one of these from RuffRider.   If you’re flying, check with your airline for their policies and comply exactly to give your dog the best chance of arriving in good shape.

Don’t forget, as much as you love your grandma’s cooking, some of it could be disastrous for your dog.  No turkey bones, no matter how much he begs.  And take it easy on the people food that may contain unfamiliar seasonings that can upset his system or worse.

Enjoy autumn!  And make sure your dog does, too, by keeping him safe throughout the season.

Statistics on the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty

According to the ASPCA, “a New Jersey study found that in 88 percent of families where there had been physical abuse of children, there were also records of animal abuse. In Wisconsin, battered women revealed that in four out of five cases, abusive partners had also been violent toward pets or livestock. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence conducted its own study in which 85.4 percent of women and 63.0 percent of children reported incidents of pet abuse after arriving at domestic violence shelters.”

Looked at from the other direction, the Chicago Police Department reviewed the records of those arrested for animal fighting and animal abuse and found that 30% of arrestees had domestic violence arrests, as well.

Reasons why family abusers may also abuse animals

For the most part, domestic violence has its roots in power and control.  In abusing the family’s pets, the abuser can help to isolate family members from outside contacts and to keep family members in fear.  Animal abuse, or threats of it, can also be used to punish or bring back a family member who has liberated himself or herself from the home.

In some cases, family members become collateral damage when the abuser strikes the animal.  If a child or even an adult steps in to protect the animal, the abuser may injure the rescuer, either on purpose or inadvertently.

Pets also make great coercive devices for abusers.  For example, if the abuse victim doesn’t obey the abuser, the abuser might threaten to harm the animal as a way to bring the victim back in line.  Abusers also use threats of animal cruelty to coerce their victims to participate in sexual acts or to keep quiet about their abuse.

And one other thing:  what can a victim do if s/he wants to escape the home but is afraid to leave the animal behind?  Many women’s shelters cannot take animals, and victims are all-too-aware of what would happen to a dog or cat left behind with the abuser.  In some cases, victims choose to live in their cars rather than leave an animal behind if no pet-friendly shelter options exist in their community.

Some solutions

Criminal justice agencies are beginning to see the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse because of some of the studies cited above.  Because of this, judges are beginning to include animals in orders of protection, and some states allow judges to include violence against pets as part of the definition of domestic abuse.

When animal cruelty charges are brought, it is important that family members be asked about possible domestic abuse in the home because they so often occur together.

What can you do?

Contact your local domestic violence shelter and contribute whatever they need.  (Items most often asked for include paper towels, diapers, used furniture and household items, gift cards for local discount department stores as well as for fun places like McDonald’s and movie theaters.)

Meet with local veterinarians and try to start a foster home network where abuse victims will know their animals are safe while they work on finding permanent, safe housing for their family.  Find information on creating safe havens.

Lobby your state legislators if your state doesn’t already include animals in the definition of domestic abuse or if protection orders do not regularly include animals.

Learn more about the links between domestic abuse and animal abuse.  Read Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention.

Even if you don’t see animal abuse, you might see victims of domestic violence (which may indicate that animals are also being abused).  Learn to recognize the signs, because there won’t always be visible bruises.  A few of the things you might see in victims of abuse include:  fear, anxiety, high absenteeism from school or work, long-sleeved or high-necked clothing during the summer (to hide bruises), unwillingness to go anywhere outside of regular work/school hours, limited access to money or transportation, and low self-esteem.  If one of your friends shows these symptoms, help them get help for both themselves and their dogs.

Advocate for the end to all violence.  Learn about the Take Back the Night initiative to stop violence and attend events in your area.

If you or your family members or pets are being abused, report it as soon as possible and get out.  Leaving your home will put you at significant risk so it is important to plan carefully and go directly to a hospital or police station when you leave.  Either place can help you find safe shelter for both the humans and the pets in your home.  If you feel your abuser will challenge your ownership of the animals, be sure to get them licensed in your name and have at least one vet receipt in your name.  If you cannot take your pets with you when you leave, ask for law enforcement assistance to go back and get them.

AARDVARK has lots of other resources on this topic.

Have you ever noticed a foul odor coming from your dog’s back end?  He or she may have clogged anal glands that need to be emptied.

What are anal glands?

According to PetMD,   “Anal glands are two small grape-shaped glands located just under the skin at four o’clock and eight o’clock to the anus.  The odiferous material they normally produce is used by dogs, cats, and other small mammals to lend a unique scent to their stool, thereby identifying it as their own.”

Anal glands are about as useful as an appendix, and can cause nearly as many problems.  Normally, the glands are emptied when the dog defecates, the feces providing the pressure required to force the fluid out of the glands. The fluid helps to lubricate the process.  However, if the dogs stool is soft, there may not be enough pressure to empty the glands with each bowel movement.  Normally, the fluid is yellow to tan in color and watery.

The primary complaint about anal glands is that they can often become impacted or clogged, allowing the fluid to become trapped inside the glands.  The glands continue to produce fluid, and since it cannot flow out of the gland, the dog becomes uncomfortable as the fluid pressure rises.

Fun Facts

Anal glands are sometimes referred to as “scent glands” and are at least partially responsible for that oh-so-attractive habit of butt-sniffing.  It is thought that dogs use the scent from the anal glands to identify each other.

The nasty smell from a skunk is anal gland fluid expressed in a spray as a defensive mechanism.

What are the symptoms of clogged anal glands?

A dog whose anal glands are impacted will worry excessively over his or her hind end.  The animal may scoot, lick, or bite the area to try to relieve the pressure and itch.  In addition, you may notice an especially awful smell.

If the glands are not re-opened to allow the fluid to drain, the glands may become infected and may even ulcerate into the anal canal.  The infection causes swelling and redness, while ulceration can allow the stinky drainage to exit through the anus.  Anal gland fluid is thick and brown or grey when the gland is impacted, and will contain pus or blood if an infection is present.

Most dogs will exhibit the signs of an impaction which allows you to treat the clog before an infection develops.  However, some dogs quickly advance to infection without ever showing any early signs of a problem.

What causes anal glands to become clogged?

The most common cause of anal gland impaction is allergies which cause the anal tissue to swell, blocking the outlet of the glands.

What’s the treatment for impacted anal glands?

The only way to treat anal gland impaction is to break through whatever is clogging the gland, allowing the fluid to drain out.  And yes, this is just as gross as it sounds.  Using a gloved hand, you simply squeeze both glands to allow the fluid to empty out, catching it with an old towel.

Your vet or groomer might do this regularly, particularly if your dog has frequent infections without any early symptoms.  Without infections or abscesses, the anal glands are typically expressed only when the dog shows discomfort.  You can do this at home, or request that the vet or groomer take care of the problem.

Instructional videos are available on e-How, as well as on YouTube.

Once you have emptied the glands, you may be able to treat the dog’s allergies to prevent recurrence.  If signs of an infection are present when the glands are emptied, your vet will put the dog on antibiotics.

In especially troublesome cases where the dog experiences near-constant clogs and infections, your vet may choose to remove the anal glands entirely.  Consider this option carefully as there are some complications.  A slip of the surgeon’s hand can sever the nerve involved in allowing your dog to control his or her bowels, and post-surgical infections can set in due to the incisions being made in the very same area where feces are likely to congregate.

Avoiding labs and fighting rings 

Assuming you don’t have a family member or friend who can take your dog, you will probably advertise for someone to adopt him or her.  One of the dangers of advertising is that less-than-ideal people may respond.  In many cases, they may be people who look for “free to a good home” ads to gather dogs for research facilities and / or fighting rings.

The best way to avoid these people is to charge a reasonable fee for your dog.  Nothing exorbitant that will price you out of the market, but at least enough to keep the undesirables away.   If you are not comfortable profiting from getting rid of your dog, donate the money to a local shelter or rescue organization to help homeless dogs.

Next, you will want to ask lots of questions of any potential buyers, just as most reputable breeders do.  You are, after all, selling a member of your family, so you want to make sure the animal will be happy in his or her new home.

Questions to ask prospective buyers 

According to Columbus Dog Connection, some good starter questions include asking if the family has ever had a dog before and how that went, if they have a fenced yard, and if they have thought about the expenses they will be incurring by owning a dog.  You might also ask where the dog will sleep and where the dog will be kept when the family is not home.

The point of these questions is to make sure the potential buyer has thought through the decision and is not reacting impulsively, swayed by your dog’s good looks and charm.

You will also want to get enough information from the prospective buyer to allow you to do some background checking.  Get the name and phone number of the vet they have used for previous pets or the vet they intend to use.  If they are renting their home, get the name and number of the landlord.

When you call the vet, ask if the family has taken proper care of any previous pets, including vaccinations and spay / neuter.  The landlord can confirm that pets are allowed in the rental, and whether or not the yard is fenced.

Questions to assure a good match

Another part of the screening process is to make sure your dog and the new family will be a good fit.  According to Houndwalkers you will want to ask the prospective buyer questions about their expectations.  For example, you might ask about the activity level they are expecting, what they know about the specific breed you have, how many kids are in the home and their ages, how many other pets are in the home, and what they intend to use the dog for (show, sports, therapy, companionship, etc).

Just the facts, ma’am

Be sure you are honest with prospective buyers about your dog’s foibles, habits, and needs.  For example, if your dog howls until you let him into your bed and under your covers, you will want to be sure they are aware of this ahead of time.  If your dog has special medical needs, you might want to offer to buy a month’s worth of medications for them, but explain what the additional costs will be for the lifetime of the dog.

If it takes a long time to find a prospective home, you might be tempted to be less than honest about the fact that your dog has ruined every carpet in your home with diarrhea because he likes to eat the cat’s food, you are setting both the dog and the new family up for failure.  The danger, or course, is that they will be far less patient with the dog, and your beloved pet will end up in a shelter or dumped along a country road.

Should you use a contract? 

It is possible to design a contract for the prospective buyer to sign before relinquishing the dog to a new home.  Although you cannot dictate what the person will do or not do with their own property (as the courts will consider the dog), you can sue them for breach of contract if you have a properly worded and signed agreement.  A contract should include your expectations for the care of the dog, what you will provide including a thorough description of the dog and any toys, food, or medications you will be giving the new family, and what will happen if the stated conditions are broken by either side.

One of the things you might want to include in the contract is that you will have the right of first refusal if the new family decides to give up the dog at any point in the future.  Your situation may have changed by then, and you might be able to take the dog back.  Alternatively, you might want to specify that the dog cannot be dumped, euthanized for any reason other than serious illness, or dropped off at a shelter that allows euthanasia of pets who are not ill.

A good sample contract can be found in the articles section of Devine Farm Breeders. Although this one is written specifically for Mastiff puppies, you can adapt it for your own use.  You may want to have a lawyer look at the contract when you have it drafted, to make sure it is enforceable.

With any luck at all, you will never find yourself in the situation of having to give up your dog, but if you do, following these simple tips may help you find the perfect home for your favorite furry family member.

One last thing

Before you give up your dog, make sure you have him neutered or her spayed.  The last thing you want to do is to add to the pet overpopulation problem by allowing your dog to breed if the new family isn’t as conscientious as you are about preventing pregnancy.

Identifying the Allergen

The first step in treating allergies is to find out what is affecting your dog.  Narrow down the field by seeing if your dog shows symptoms year-round or only during certain seasons.  Year-round allergies may be caused by food, dust mites, mold, other animals in your home, or even things like the cleaning products you use on your bedding, carpets, and clothes.

Try switching to a different brand of dog food or even begin making your dog’s food yourself.  Check out our article on homemade dog food.  If you switch to a different commercially-produced food, try to find one with a different protein source.  For example, if you are feeding a kibble made primarily from cows, look for one that has a lot of chicken-based or lamb-based protein sources.

If your dog doesn’t respond to a change in food, you might try keeping your dog out of bedrooms and any rooms in your home that are carpeted.  Doing so will cut down on the number of dust mites your dog may be exposed to.

Mold grows wherever there is moisture.  If you have unventilated bathrooms or if you live in a humid area, you may have a lot of mold spores in your home year round.  Keep your home as dry as possible by running your air conditioner or dehumidifier.  Vent your bathrooms and kitchen to the outside whenever steam is produced such as during showers or when cooking.

Some molds tend to grow on downed leaves in the fall.  Ask your vet or your local park service what molds are most common in your area and when they are at their peak. Limit your dog’s time outdoors when the molds in your area are most prevalent.

Every animal in your home – including you! – sheds skin cells and saliva from time to time, and your dog may well be allergic to these biological items.  Try isolating your dog from the other animals in your home and see if his or her symptoms improve.  If so, you may need to bathe and groom the other animals more frequently or find a way to keep them apart permanently.  Depending on the severity of your dog’s allergies, you may be able to separate them with a baby gate or you may have to put up a door between their respective areas.

Seasonal allergies

There are any number of seasonal allergens that can bother your pet, and the best way to definitively identify them is to ask your vet to do a scratch test.  The vet will shave a small area of your dog’s fur, then inject a small amount of pollen from various sources just under the skin.  The skin reaction to each injection is observed a few minutes later to identify which pollens are causing the problem.  You may be able to isolate your dog from those allergens, or you may have to treat your dog because some things are simply unavoidable.

Allergy testing can run several hundred dollars, so you may choose to simply treat your dog without identifying the specific environmental allergen.

Treatment for dog allergies

For most year-round allergies, your best bet is to help your dog avoid those things to which he or she is allergic.  If you cannot get relief for your pet, and for seasonal allergies, home remedies include antihistamines such as Benedryl or Tavist, both of which are safe for dogs.  The Benedryl dosage is1 mg per pound of dog weight two or three times a day. Tavist is given 1.34 mg twice a day for dogs under 30 pounds, and 2.68 mg twice a day for dogs over 30 pounds, usually once per day.  Antihistamines will likely make your dog drowsy and may cause constipation.

You can get longer term relief by having your vet inject your dog with a steroid or prescribe steroid tablets for home use.   However, steroids should be used as sparingly as possible because they do have important long-term side effects such as incontinence and damage to internal organs.

Vets estimate that allergy shots, intended to desensitize your dog to the offending allergens, work only about 20% of the time.  You must identify the specific allergens before you can give shots, as the desensitizing shots must contain the right allergen or they won’t work.  As mentioned above, testing may cost several hundred dollars, and the shots themselves cost another couple of hundred each year.  Results typically cannot be seen for at least six months, and several vet visits each month are required.

If outdoor substances are causing allergy problems for your dog, try filtering your air conditioner and furnace with electrostatic filters which trap dirt and pollen particles.  You can purchase them for less than $50 at many home repair stores and hardware stores, and they are designed to be semi-permanent, so you don’t have to replace them as often as regular paper filters.  If you cannot find a filter that fits properly in your furnace or air conditioner, call the manufacturer or buy a custom made one from Never Buy Another Filter.

You might also consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter for the area where your dog spends the most time, and use HEPA filters on your vacuum cleaner.

Multi-Level Approach to Fleas

According to Doctors Foster and Smith, controlling pests requires a multi-level approach consisting of Purge, Prevent, and Protect.  They note that “adult fleas spend most of their time on an animal, but flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are most often found in the pet’s environment.”  They estimate that for every flea you see, there are probably hundreds of eggs and larvae in your yard and home.  They are especially likely to congregate in carpeting, bedding, and under furniture.  Yuk!

Purging the fleas requires you to cleanse the animal’s body of pests either by using a specially-designated spray or shampoo.  In addition, the house and yard must be thoroughly cleaned to get rid of fleas and ticks.  Vacuuming thoroughly using a flea and tick carpet powder and being sure to get under the edges of the furniture is important, as is laundering bedding, curtains, and throw rugs.  A fogger is then used to spray the area and kill any remaining fleas and ticks.

Choosing a fogger

Flea foggers, also known as flea bombs, contain a potent mix of chemicals designed to kill.  Unfortunately, they don’t do a good job of distinguishing between their victims.  Your pets and children are just as likely to be poisoned as the fleas are.  By design, foggers spread their poisons into baseboards, moldings, and cracks to kill hidden pests; which means you likely won’t be able to clean up all of the pesticide before you let your kids and pets back into the house.

When you shop for a fogger, read the labels carefully.  Nylar is the chemical often used because it is effective against all life stages of the flea – egg, larvae, pupae, and adult.  Check to see how long you will need to stay out of the rooms you are fogging, and how long the treatment is expected to last.  Good foggers should promise at least three months of relief.  The packaging will also tell you any other steps you should take before fogging, such as turning off lights, heating & air conditioning fans, and pilot lights.

Because these products contain hazardous chemicals, be sure to follow all label directions exactly and choose your fogger from a reputable company.

Flea Prevention

Once you have gone through all the work to remove the fleas from your animals and home, you will want to prevent them from returning.  Keep in mind that the way fleas likely got into your home originally was to hitch a ride on your pets.  Therefore, using a topical treatment such as Frontline Plus or K-9 Advantix makes sense.  Keep the fleas off of your pet, and they won’t come into your home and lay eggs.

PetCareRx offers a wide variety of topical treatments to choose from.  Most are applied to the nape of the dog’s neck monthly, and some protect against other problems such as ticks and heartworm.  If you decide to buy your flea control products from someone other than your vet, make sure you advise the vet which product you use so your dog is not over-treated (and potentially overdosed) for some of these other diseases.

Flea Protection

Your ongoing flea program consists of protecting against further infestations.  Depending on the climate where you live, you might have to apply topical products throughout the year.   Vacuum and clean your pet’s bedding frequently, using flea products as needed.  You might also need to spray your yard to keep pests at bay.

Exterminators

Although we usually think of calling an exterminator for problems like termites or cockroaches, they can also help you fight a flea infestation.  If your problem seems out of control or if everything you’ve tried has failed, you might consider calling in a professional like Orkin to help. The Learning Center on Orkin’s website offers a seasonal pest report by region that can help you know when to expect certain pests to be a problem.

Types of Vitamins

Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble or fat-soluble, based on where the body stores them.  The fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in fatty tissues and can build up to toxic levels over time if too much is given.  The water-soluble vitamins are not stored inside the body; they are either used or excreted.

Functions & sources of the most common vitamins

Vitamin A, found naturally in liver, fish liver oil, veggies, and dairy products, helps with your dog’s night vision, as well as maintaining your dog’s skin and coat.

Vitamin B1, also known as Thiamin, is found in many foods including fruits, veggies, milk, and meat.  Thiamin helps maintain your dog’s appetite, reflexes, nerve control, and muscle tone.

Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin is found in organ meats like kidney and liver, as well as in dairy products.  It is important for the heart and eyes.

Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic Acid, found in meats and vegetables, is important for fur and coat health, as well as for digestion.

Vitamin B6, also known as Pyridoxine, is found in nearly all foods, although the processing done to make the food more palatable often damages the B6.  A shortage of Pyridoxine causes anemia, poor growth, and skin problems.

Vitamin B12, is found in organ meats and is important in keeping your dog’s blood cells healthy.

Biotin, found in corn, soybeans, and beef liver, helps maintain a shine, well-hydrated coat.

Vitamin C, which a healthy dog can manufacture in his or her own liver, is important in healing after injuries and in maintaining general good health.  If additional vitamin C is needed, it can be found in citrus fruits and in vegetables.

Vitamin D is found in dairy products and fish liver oil, and is manufactured by the dog’s body when exposed to sunlight.  It is important in bone and tooth development, as well as for maintaining your dog’s energy level.

Vitamin E, found in meat, nuts, and green leafy vegetables, helps maintain your dog’s reproductive capability, and is important if you plan to breed your dog.

Folic Acid, found in organ meats, is important in keeping the bone marrow healthy so it can produce robust blood cells.

Vitamin K, is important in preventing excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery.  It is found in kelp, alfalfa, and egg yolks.

Niacin, found in meat, helps your dog’s blood cells to function properly.

How are nutritional supplements different than vitamins?

Many times, the words are used interchangeably, and, in fact, some multi-vitamins are marketed as supplements.  For the purposes of this article, we’ll use the following distinction:  while vitamins are found naturally in the foods your dog eats, as well as in the dog’s body, nutritional supplements are typically man-made and designed to address specific problems.

For example, a dog who is suffering from arthritis may benefit from the addition of glucosamine-chondroitin, which helps build and maintain cartilage.

Pregnant dogs and those who are ill, injured, or elderly may also benefit from supplements which aid in digestion or provide extra calories for times when their appetites might not be strong enough to entice them to eat enough to remain healthy.

Anti-oxidants

One of the supplements that gets a lot of attention is the anti-oxidant group.  As your dog’s body cells break down due to aging, exposure to chemicals like pesticides, and exposure to ultra-violet sun rays, the cells release free radicals.  In turn, the free radicals can damage more cells, speeding up the aging process and even causing cancer.

What an anti-oxidant does is to give up one of its own electrons to the free radical, neutralizing it so it cannot damage other cells.  The remainder of the anti-oxidant is of no use and is excreted from the body.

Your vet may recommend anti-oxidants for your dog if he or she is under stress, elderly, or afflicted with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, or inflammatory diseases like arthritis.

Choosing a good multi-vitamin

Not only is it important to give your dog the right vitamins, it’s also important to give the right balance of the various vitamins.  To do this, many vets recommend your dog take a multi-vitamin rather than individual vitamins.

Drs. Foster and Smith recommend that your dog’s multivitamin contain fatty acids like Omega-6, for skin and coat health, as well as at least 14 vitamins including A, B-Complex, D, and E.

Look at the ingredient label to see the source of the vitamins.  As much as possible, all of the ingredients should be natural.  For example, Brewer’s Yeast is often included in multi-vitamins as a source of the B vitamins and zinc.  Kelp may be added to provide  potassium, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin C.  The fatty acids in the vitamin should come from an animal source such as fish.

If you’re confused about what vitamins your dog needs, consult the interactive canine vitamin advisor from the University of Florida, where you can match your dog’s specific needs to the type of vitamins you should add to his or her diet.