Dan's Papers - July 18, 2008

To all of Valentine's well-wishers, I'm delighted to say that her stitches are out; she's feeling 100% better and will be enjoying a bubble bath this evening. This was a lesson learned for me and I hope one that will help you to avoid future problems if you have an unsprayed female dog. Valentine was lucky. Unfortunately, pyometra doesn't always have a happy ending. So if you have a female dog that isn't spayed, please talk to your veterinarian.

We first detected Valentine's illness when I was holding her and noticed that her belly and inner thighs were extremely warm. The signs don't always come in the form of vomiting or diarrhea, so be aware of any unusual changes in your dog, physically or behaviorally, and don't wait it out. The evening can turn into a nightmare.

Let's continue with some other common life threatening situations.

Puppies can dehydrate very quickly. That doesn't mean that older dogs can't. If your puppy/dog becomes ill, suffers a bout of diarrhea and/or vomits, among other treatments administered, you must make sure that he/she remains well hydrated and that the diminished electrolytes are replaced. Again, a good source of electrolytes is Pedialite. If you don't have Pedialite in the house, plain water will help stave off dehydration. Severe dehydration calls for hospitalization, where an IV or subcutaneous fluids will be administered. Press on the dogs gums with your finger until they blanch. If they do not become pink again almost immediately after taking your finger away, chances are your dog is dehydrated. Another test, but not always an accurate one, is pinching or pulling up a piece of skin on your dog's back or neck. Watch how fast it snaps back, much like the skin on the top of your hand. However, older and overweight dogs will not have the proper elasticity to determine if this is a true test.

If your dog is repeatedly throwing up, you might offer him an ice cube to lick for hydration until you reach your vet.

Heartworm is a small, thread-like, (Dirofilaria immitis) that is spread from to host through mosquito bites. The parasite is commonly called "heartworm" because the worm's adult reproductive stage occurs primarily in the host's . Symptoms usually start with a mild cough - commonly dismissed as unimportant - but then worsen to include symptoms such as fatigue, more severe coughing and breathing difficulties. If your dog can no longer chase a ball, he or she may be suffering from breathing difficulties.

A simple blood test performed by your veterinarian can determine if heartworm is present. Products like Heartgard, available through prescription, should be given as prescribed by your vet to protect your dog year round. You can also choose to give your dog medication during mosquito season in conjunction with having your dog tested as required.

When people feel bloated, they may be responding to water weight retention or a feeling of being stuffed after indulging in too much food. However, Bloat in a dog is anything but incidental - it's about as serious a condition as you can get and can potentially kill your dog.

Bloat is another name for gastric torsion, which is a partial rotation or twisting of the intestines. Full rotation is called Dilatation and Volvulus. Malrotation of the intestines in humans, a congenital defect, is the closest thing to gastric torsion or bloat in a dog. Unlike the human condition, Bloat is the result of too much gas or fluid accumulating in a stretched stomach, resulting in a cut off blood supply. Although any breeds can suffer from Bloat, deep-chested dogs are the most susceptible. Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Great Danes, German Shepherds, St. Bernards, Irish Wolfhounds, Great Pyrenees, Boxers, Weimaraners, Old English Sheepdogs and Irish Setters are the most commonly affected dogs.

Bloat constitutes emergency treatment. If not administered within rapid speed, painful death is imminent within a few hours.

Symptoms of Bloat are if your dog appears to be in pain, tries unsuccessfully to burp and it comes out as a gagging sound, tries to vomit but can't and drools. Other symptoms include restlessness, agitation, whining, crying with pain, labored breathing and a hard, protruding abdomen. At first, the dog's actions will resemble a person experiencing painful indigestion.

If the dog experiences total rotation, as with Dilatation and Volvulus, he or she may go into shock and collapse due to his/her blood supply shutting down as strangulation takes place. Please be aware of the warning signs before they escalate to an emergency. Total rotation may not give you enough time to seek emergency treatment to save your dog's life.

Prevention eliminates the need for a cure. Feed your dog two smaller meals instead of one larger one. Many people like to give their dogs kibble. Kibble is sponge-like. It absorbs water, holds onto it and expands. Now, imagine the kibble inside your dog's stomach. Dogs with robust appetites should not be allowed to drink for one hour before eating kibble and one to two hours afterward. The expansion of the kibble is one reason that torsion can occur. Try dropping a few pieces into a glass of water and see what happens.

Avoid vigorous exercise and roughhousing with your dog one hour before feeding and one to two hours afterward. Water should be available, but not during mealtime. It's also recommended that your large breed dog feeds from a stand specifically made to hold food bowls and is approximately 12-18 inches off the ground.

Ask your veterinarian about the use of products like Mylanta. It's one of those products that both humans and dogs alike can benefit from - it can be very helpful in an emergency before getting to your vet.

Digital thermometers, peroxide, bandages, styptic powder, tweezers, scissors, antibacterial soap, triple antibiotic cream, anti-itch cream, Benadryl, leash or loop, blankets and towels, paper towels, magnifying glass and eye wash, plus jarred baby chicken, 10-minute rice, chicken broth, Pedialite, Karo syrup and Nutrical are some of the first aid supplies I keep for my dogs. Talk to your vet about keeping a first aid kit available in your home. Don't forget to post your veterinary clinic phone number and directions, emergency clinic phone number and directions and poison control phone number on a visible surface.

As with all advice given in this column, we defer to the medical expertise of veterinarians and strongly advise that you call one if you suspect that your dog is suffering from any kind of distress. It's not my intention to have you replace veterinary care with home remedies. It's also advised that you speak to your vet for prevention and emergency medical procedures that may save your dog's life before you reach available veterinary attention.