A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Why do dogs love to dig through our trash?
The answer may lie far back in our shared history. According to most experts, dogs were domesticated from wolves by humans several thousand years ago. The speculation is that wolves may initially have been captured as puppies or tamed due to living in proximity to human villages. Why would these wolves live close to human villages? To scavenge our trash for food, of course! In the wild, wolves may go several days without eating. They are not always successful in hunting big game every day. We may consider the food we throw out to be garbage, but to dogs, it is merely food — stinky, ripe, aromatic food! It is a bouquet of scents that are interesting and exciting to dogs. Some dogs have developed a game of digging through the trash. Sometimes they find good stuff to eat or fun things to chew on. When they are so engaged in sniffing out an interesting scent, they may scatter the refuse all through the house. The garbage may be akin to a doggie version of a Cracker Jack box — they know there's a prize inside. Other dogs have learned that digging in the trash is a good way of getting an owner’s attention, so it becomes attention-seeking behavior. Your dog may have formed the association that, “Every time I drag a tissue out of the trash, my mom or dad suddenly starts talking to me and tries to take my new toy away.” What fun it is for them to play keep-away and have their owners chase them around the house! Whereas if the dog did not get an item out of the trash, the owners may not have paid the dog as much attention. Stopping Doggie Dumpster Diving There are several things you can do to keep your dog out of the trash. 1. Hide the can. This is the best and easiest method. Do not leave temptation out. Put the trash can in a cupboard or pantry. If your dog has learned to open cupboards, use a child lock. 2. Contain the trash. Use a trash can with a tight lid that stays on even when your dog knocks it over. Modern trash cans with motion sensors that automatically open the lid won't do. Nor will trash cans with step pedals or swinging lids. Dogs have gotten their heads stuck through swing lids, and if a can is heavy enough, a dog sometimes learns to step on the pedal and open the lid. 3. Deter the behavior. The use of remote-activated spray or noise deterrents can help to prevent your dog from getting into or near your trash can. If your dog has previously been reprimanded for getting into the trash when you are home, he is likely smart enough to learn to leave the trash can alone when you are present, but as soon as you are out of sight or leave the house, he may go looking for goodies in the garbage. Remote deterrents are motion-activated devices that release compressed air or emit a high-pitched noise. The devices are intended to be mildly aversive. Some dogs may be sensitive to these devices and get scared, while others may not be deterred at all. Before employing such products, discuss their safe use with your veterinarian or behaviorist. 4. Try training. The one method that requires the most work is teaching your dog to “leave it.” I first teach a dog to turn away or back off from my hand while I am holding treats. Once the dog has learned the phrase “leave it,” then I use that phrase every time the dog goes near the trash. When the dog backs or turns away, I immediately offer him praise and treats. When I am not working with the dog, I put the trash can away. After repeated training sessions, I leave the trash can out for longer periods and offer praise and rewards every time the dog walks past the trash can and does not stop to investigate. I may even go a step further and start with a trash can that does not contain any food. Then, in more advanced training sessions, I bait the trash can with really pungent foods. As always, consult your veterinarian or pet behavioral professional as a first step when dealing with a pet behavior problem. Source: vetstreet.com, Dr. Sung/ istock photo
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Your puppy is brand new and you want to protect him. The best thing you can do is to feed him or her a healthy, balanced diet to help promote your puppy's immune system. With that said, you can’t protect your baby pooch from everything. Here are six common illnesses he could catch in his first year of life. 1. PARVOVIRUS (PARVO) This highly contagious virus attacks puppies aged between 12 weeks and up to 3 years. Transmitted through bodily secretions, parvovirus is easily passed on, though most dogs are vaccinated against it starting at six to eight weeks, then again every three weeks until they are four months old (or until your veterinarian recommends). Symptoms: Parvo in dogs starts with a fever, and at this point puppies are probably very contagious (to other dogs, not humans). After a few days, they will experience vomiting and bloody diarrhea and become dehydrated and weak. Treatment: Vaccinate against parvovirus! If you haven’t, hospitalization is the best route, where your puppy will be given IV fluids and sometimes antibiotics to prevent sepsis, which can be fatal. Recovery time: Three to seven days. Puppies with parvo are usually hospitalized for three to four days then go home with medications. 2. DISTEMPER The vaccination against distemper is quite effective. The first vaccination takes place at six to eight weeks, and again after 9 weeks, and when puppies have had one or two vaccines they are immune. Consult your veterinarian for the best course of action for your dog concerning the distemper vaccine. Symptoms: This can really be an ugly disease. It shows in two ways: Initially distemper in dogs typically appears as an upper respiratory disease with sneezing and eye discharge. Then it can develop into pneumonia or can lead to neurological problems such as a fatal encephalopathy (brain damage). Distemper in dogs is frequently misdiagnosed because owners think their puppy has a "cold" so by the time we see them they have tons of discharge from their nose and eyes and have high fever. They are also depressed. Treatment: Seek medical attention for distemper in dogs. This usually involves inpatient supportive care. Recovery time: It can take weeks to recover from canine distemper and pets usually go home from the hospital with respiratory medications. The bad news about canine distemper is if your puppy survives it, the disease can lie dormant and break out again when she’s older. At that point she has an even worse prognosis because the disease can lead to neurological problems such as seizures. 3. KENNEL COUGH Bacteria or parainfluenza viruses, both of which are airborne, cause kennel cough in dogs — also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. The disease name is a misnomer because animals that aren’t in kennels can —and do — contract it. Puppies can be vaccinated against kennel cough starting at six to eight weeks, and then every six to 12 months after that, though the vaccine doesn’t necessarily protect against the disease, but does lead to milder symptoms. Symptoms: Kennel cough starts with lethargy, decreased appetite and fever, then puppies develop a deep, often productive, cough. If untreated, kennel cough can lead to pneumonia. Treatment: If you note any unusual coughing from your puppy it’s best to get him checked out to make sure he’s not developing pneumonia. Recovery time: Kennel cough usually runs its course in 10 to 14 days. 4. ADENOVIRUS Adenovirus in dogs causes hepatitis, but it’s rarely seen these days because of the efficacy of vaccines. Often the adenovirus vaccine is given with the canine distemper vaccine, though you may want to ask your veterinarian. Symptoms: It’s really difficult to know if your dog has adenovirus, but it typically starts with gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea and can develop into jaundice. Treatment: Inpatient fluid therapy and nutritional support may be required. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and/or fluid reducers as necessary. 5. LEPTOSPIROSIS This bacterial disease can affect the kidneys and the liver and is transmitted through contaminated water and infected urine. Your puppy can be vaccinated against leptospirosis at 10 to 12 weeks, then again at 13 to 15 weeks. Be aware that not all clinics vaccinate for leptospirosis, so ask your veterinarian if it's appropriate for your puppy. Symptoms: Symptoms of leptospirosis are flu-like: Vomiting and/or fever and/or lethargy. Treatment: Antibiotics Recovery time: Depending on the severity of the infection, an antibiotic course can last four weeks or more. 6. VOMITING (AND DIARRHEA) If your puppy’s suffering from either of these nasties, the first thing to rule out is intestinal parasites. If these are not the cause vomiting/diarrhea, your pooch has probably just eaten or licked something he shouldn’t have. Nine times out of 10 what they’ve consumed comes back out again. Other causes could be one of the diseases listed above. Treatment: Continue to offer water, and provide food if your puppy asks for it but that’s less essential than keeping them hydrated. After 12 hours (vomiting) or 24 hours (diarrhea), take your dog to your veterinarian if he’s not getting better. Your veterinarian can provide you with a therapeutic bland diet to help your puppy feel better. Recovery time: Your puppy should recover from vomiting or diarrhea that is not related to a parasite within 12 to 24 hours. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Parvovirus Can Kill Your Puppy in 48 to 72 Hours, But Promising Treatment Is 90% Successful12/14/2014 About 10 years ago, before there was a name for West Nile virus, the mysterious disease was killing large populations of geese in South Dakota. Searching for an effective remedy, a group of researchers at the University of North Dakota discovered that antibodies contained in the yolks of goose eggs could be purified and given to birds with the virus, curing them. Soon afterwards, a company called Avianax was formed to test the treatment beyond geese. It turned out the goose antibodies had a beneficial effect against other diseases as well, including rabies, dengue fever, avian flu, and certain cancers. Avianax decided to focus first on using the antibodies against parvovirus in puppies, and initial trials of the company's parvoONE treatment (about 50 puppies in 7 states) resulted in an astonishing cure rate of 90 percent in as little as two days. Parvovirus Is Hard to Control and Costly to Treat Canine parvovirus is difficult to control -- especially in a shelter environment -- and expensive to treat. The virus is spread through animal waste and direct dog-to-dog contact. It is highly contagious and can live on surfaces for months. Some puppies die from the virus and others are euthanized because the antibiotics and other drugs needed to treat it can be too expensive – from $500 to $2,000 -- and take about a week to work. Parvo causes similar symptoms in all infected puppies and dogs, including vomiting, severe and often bloody diarrhea, lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite. In dogs infected with the virus, dehydration is a constant concern and can occur very quickly as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea. This is especially dangerous in very young puppies. Most deaths from parvo occur within 48 to 72 hours after the onset of symptoms, which is why immediate treatment is crucial for survival. Affordable Cure to Parvovirus Could Be Available in Spring 2015 The USDA issued a conditional permit to Avianax for parvoONE field trials that took place through November in Missouri, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, North Carolina, and Arizona. Avianax chief operating officer Richard Glynn hopes to start selling the parvoONE antibody-based treatment for $75 a dose by next spring. "We went from being goose herders from South Dakota to an antibody company," Glynn said. "And we're not done yet." Vaccinating Your Dog Against Parvo Obviously, it's best to treat a parvovirus infection by preventing it from happening in the first place. Providing baseline protection (two correctly timed puppy vaccines) against the virus will in most cases provide your pet with lifetime immunity. Ideally, knowing when maternal antibody wears off in puppies allows for a perfectly timed immunization protocol. Dr. Ron Schultz has found that measuring titers in pregnant females allows vets to pinpoint exactly when the first vaccine will yield the best immunologic response in puppies. If this isn't possible, then the protocol I follow is to give a parvo/distemper shot before 11 weeks of age (9 weeks is ideal), and a booster at about 14 weeks. Two to four weeks after the second shot I titer to insure the puppy is successfully immunized against those diseases. This is a core vaccine protocol that provides the minimum number of vaccines to protect against life-threatening illnesses, without over-vaccinating. Remember, vaccinating before maternal antibodies wear off will be ineffective at protecting the puppy against disease. Keep in mind that it takes 10 to 14 days after the vaccination for adequate protection to occur. So when puppies are very young (and not immunized), it's important to keep them away from potential sources of the virus (no visits to the woods, dog parks, or shelters). Also, a small percentage of dogs will be non-responders, probably including the Great Dane puppy Sasha in the video above, who had three vaccinations against parvo and still contracted the virus. This means they will not develop immunity and will be susceptible to parvo all their lives. This is important information for dog owners to have, which is another reason I titer after the second round of shots. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Hearing the news that your pet has been diagnosed with cancer can be both devastating and terrifying at the same time. It is natural to have many questions about exactly what the diagnosis means, what might happen to your pet as the cancer progresses, and what options you have for treating the disease. One of the most common questions owners ask veterinarians when their pet is diagnosed with cancer is "What caused my pet’s cancer?" Unfortunately, this is a very difficult question to answer accurately, as in nearly all cases cancer is typically caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences, many of which may have occurred years before the diagnosis was made. The fact that certain types of cancers occur more often in particular breeds of dogs and cats lends much evidence to the concept of a genetic cause for the disease. We do know that the genetic mutations that cause cancer can occur in the reproductive cells of male and female animals, and these mutations can be passed on to puppies and kittens, giving rise to a heritable predisposition to different types of tumors. Most cancers, however, arise from mutations that occur to genes during a dog’s or cat’s lifetime that were not present at birth. These mutations can result from internal factors, such as exposure to naturally occurring hormones, or external factors, such as environmental tobacco smoke, chemicals, or even sunlight. In people we know that up to one-third of all tumors are related to environmental and lifestyle factors. In veterinary oncology, we have discovered that nutrition, hormones, viruses, and carcinogens such as smoke, pesticides, UV light, asbestos, waste incinerators, polluted sites, radioactive waste, and canned cat foods can increase the risk of cancer in pets. Some examples of known causes of cancer in companion animals include: Increased risk of mammary cancer in un-spayed female dogs and cats.
Studies have shown conflicting information regarding the risk of exposure to herbicides and/or pesticides and the development of cancer in pets. For example, some studies have shown an increased risk for the development of lymphoma, which is a cancer of white blood cells, while other studies have refuted the risk. Because the results are inconclusive its is generally recommend that owners should strive to minimize their pets’ exposure to these chemicals and discuss any concerns they may have with their primary care veterinarian. It is important to remember that it is often difficult to prove "cause and effect" when it comes to cancer. This is true for even well designed research studies designed to look at those exact parameters, so one has to be careful when researching this topic and not over interpret the available information. There are so many potential interactions between genes and environment influences that could lead to the development of a tumor, and ultimately, we may never be able to know exactly what caused the cancer in the first place. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
With Christmas Puppies heading to homes in he next few weeks, here are some important Puppy Tips: 1. Puppy Food Puppy foods have higher levels of protein, fat, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, and chloride, in comparison to adult foods, to support a young dog’s rapid growth and development. Consult your veterinarian to determine which diet is best for your puppy. Large breed puppies, for example, can develop painful bone conditions when they are allowed to eat foods with a high calcium to phosphorus ratio due to excessive rapid growth. 2. Dog Toys Puppies love to chew. Protect your shoes, purses and furniture by keeping an adequate supply of dog chew toys to use as replacement therapy. Remember, your new puppy doesn't know any better. So when you catch him with something inappropriate, firmly say no, take it away, and replace it with a dog chew toy. 3. Dog Crate Every puppy needs a place to rest their tired paws. Why not buy a dog crate that can serve as transport and potty training tool, too? Be sure the crate is appropriate for your puppy's size (preferably a bit larger) and buy a soft crate pad to add extra comfort. 4. Grooming Supplies Dog grooming supplies are a necessity to keep your puppy clean and healthy. At a minimum, your grooming kit should include a comb, toothbrush, nail clipper and dog shampoo. Brushing your puppy's coat regularly will help it keep it shiny and healthy, while brushing his or her teeth will not only keep "doggy breath" at bay but also help prevent oral health issues such as periodontal disease. 5. Veterinarian No puppy should be without a veterinarian. He or she is a wealth of knowledge and will help you care for the puppy for many years to come. A veterinarian can also assist you in making important decisions on vaccination schedules, sterilization, and diet based on the individual needs of your puppy. Ask friends and family for a few potential prospects. Then, once you find a veterinarian you trust, visit him or her regularly (at least once a year). A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
We are a nation of people who love to cuddle with our pets. It is undeniable. Long gone are the days when out pets were simply working companions whose place was at the hearth - and that was ifthey were allowed in the house. Now, they not only cuddle with us on the sofa to watch TV, they snuggle with us in our beds, go on long holiday trips in the car, even out to dinner at out favorite cafés. All of this one-on-one time means that all of our furnishings are going to hold the distinct smell of dog, and even the most rabid of dog lovers amongst us may not want the whole house to smell of a dog that needs a good washing – not if we want to enjoy the company of human guests. So how do you get rid of that smelly dog smell? We’re happy to tell you that it’s relatively easy. Start off by taking all of the furniture apart – pillows, blankets and the like – and vacuuming everything thoroughly. If the sofa and chairs have removable slipcovers or cushion covers, take those off for washing (details later). Get into the crevices of the furniture as deep as possible to remove all the hair, and flip the bed mattress to get both sides. On the floors, make sure to get under all of the furniture and in the corners, where “hair bunnies” tend to gather. Next, gather your deodorizing supplies. It’s simple; all you need is a big box or two of baking soda and a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Wash all of your linens, blankets and cushion covers in a mix of oxy powered laundry detergent and a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. There are also pet odor removers available at pet supply stores, but generally speaking, they are not much more effective than the home remedies. On the carpets, bed and furniture, sprinkle baking soda liberally, using a cleaning brush to spread it around and into the fabric. Let it all sit overnight so that the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odors. For the bed, you might want to do this in the morning so that you can clean and remake the bed at the end of the day. Follow up by vacuuming all of the baking soda from the bed, carpet and furnishings and returning the bed linens and cushion covers or slipcovers to the furniture. This will get rid of a great deal of the smell, but to really do a thorough job, you might want to rent a carpet cleaning machine with an attachment for furniture – or call a cleaning company to do it for you. Always start with neutralizing as much of the smell as possible before the shampooing, though, or all you will be doing is creating a hybrid of dog smell and perfumed shampoo. Not a good combination. And don’t use carpet shampoo on the furniture, or you could end up with ruined and smelly furniture. Finally, if you do want to use a perfumed product to help neutralize the smell, make sure that it is non-toxic to animals. Many products that are safe for humans are not always safe for dogs. Some home air fresheners – sprays, plug-ins and scented oils – can be harmful to a pet’s health, so when in doubt, just stick with the tried and true baking soda solution. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
It is amazing how little time is required for petting to make a big difference in their stress levels. At the 2014 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Symposium researchers presented an abstract synopsis of a yet to be published study of 15-minute petting sessions with shelter dogs. The results are illuminating and really reinforce the impact of companionship in helping shelter dogs adjust to potential adoption. The Dog Stress Study Fifty-five shelter dogs were subjected to one 15-minute petting session with an unfamiliar volunteer at a county animal shelter. The sessions were videotaped and the volunteers were given specific instructions on how to interact and pet the subject dogs. Saliva was collected from the dogs to analyze their body cortisol, or stress hormone, levels before and after petting. The heart rate of the dogs was also monitored for the entire 15-minute session. As expected there was a great deal of variation of response depending on the age, temperament, coping styles, and time spent in the shelter among the animals. In fact, cortisol levels before and after petting were not different. This suggests that stress was still a constant despite the petting session. Another explanation is that 15 minutes is a relatively short period of time to detect significant changes in body cortisol levels in saliva and would not reflect potential real changes in cortisol secretion. What was observed was a statistically significant decrease in heart rate and behavior changes consistent with a positive state of relaxation. The observation of the researchers is that “yes, 15 minutes does make a difference” for many shelter dogs. The Implications of the Dog Stress Study If only 15 minutes can make a difference, what difference could multiple 15-minute sessions make in the re-socialization of abandoned or lost pets? A Peaceful Farewell...Providing compassionate in home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Why so many fecal exams? Because intestinal parasites are quite common in pet dogs and cats. Every year Banfield Pet Hospitals compiles a report based on the medical records of the patients they see. In 2013 they performed fecal examinations on 2,594,599 canine samples and 319,535 feline samples. Here are the percentage of tests that were positive broken down by age and type of parasite found. At first glance, these numbers may not look all that impressive, but digging a little deeper reveals a different story. Let’s look at the puppy and kitten numbers as examples since this is the age group most at risk for intestinal parasitism. What’s missing is the percentage of fecal samples that were positive for any type of intestinal parasite. Adding up the numbers in the columns above gives us a total of 10.78% for puppies and 9% for kittens. These percentages may not be exact since I’m sure some samples were positive for more than one type of parasite, but they give us a ball park figure.
However, a couple of issues suggest that these estimates are actually too low. First of all, whipworms are notoriously hard to diagnose via fecal exam. Their eggs don’t float very well in the most commonly used type of solution, and the worms release their eggs on an intermittent basis (in other words, the worms are present but their eggs are not). Secondly, while hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms are the “Big Four,” these tables say nothing about the incidence of Giardia, coccidia, and other types of intestinal parasites that can affect dogs and cats. The incidence of parasitism in pets is probably significantly higher than what the Banfield numbers show. In fact, a study published in 2009 looking at over a million canine fecal samples submitted to Antech Diagnostics revealed that 29.6% of those coming from dogs less than six months of age and were positive for intestinal parasites. Wow! So next time you head to the veterinary clinic, make sure you bring along a sample of your pet’s poop. You might be surprised at what’s hiding inside. DOES YOUR DOG REALLY NEED LAMB, BISON, AND OTHER 'HYPOALLERGENIC' DOG FOOD PROTEINS?
In order to identify what is the best food for dogs with food allergies you must first understand what are food allergies and what causes them. Many different terms are used to describe abnormal reactions to food. The terms “allergy” and “hypersensitivity” describe an immunologic reaction to food allergens and requires previous exposure to the allergen to bring about symptoms. In contrast, a food “intolerance” does not involve the immune system and can occur with the first exposure to a certain food. Both reactions produce similar symptoms and may be difficult to tell apart without veterinary guidance. In fact, according to Dr. Adam Patterson, clinical assistant professor and Chief of Dermatology at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Small Animal Clinic, “Food allergies in dogs present themselves quite differently than food allergies in humans. For instance, a person who is allergic to shellfish may experience throat swelling and possibly a critical or fatal reaction, but in dogs, the allergy is expressed through the skin and seen most often as itch.” WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIGNS OF FOOD ALLERGIES IN DOGS? Symptoms of food allergies in dogs vary, but the most common complaint is non-seasonal itching that may involve the whole body or be focused on the ears and feet. Chronic or recurrent ear and skin infections are also typical. Some dogs may even develop vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gassiness. Symptoms often begin when dogs are young (before one year of age), but may develop at any time. WHAT CAUSES FOOD ALLERGIES IN DOGS? Dogs with food allergies are typically allergic to proteins, which come from animal or plant-based ingredients of the diet. The proteins are broken down into molecules that the immune system misidentifies as a potential threat. Beef, dairy, wheat, and chicken are the most common culprits of food allergies in dogs. The development of food allergies, however, takes time. So the dog may have been eating the offending ingredients for quite a long time before symptoms develop. HOW IS A FOOD ALLERGY DIAGNOSED IN DOGS? A food trial using a “hypoallergenic” dog food is the only reliable way to diagnose food allergies in dogs. There are two ways to do this – using a novel protein source or hydrolyzed protein. A “novel” protein source is one that is completely new to the dog, thereby reducing the chance of an immune response. In addition, the diet should contain a novel, single source of carbohydrates since plants also contain protein. Hypoallergenic dog food options include venison and potato, duck and pea, salmon and potato or even kangaroo, as long as the dog hasn’t been exposed to these ingredients in the past. Lamb used to be considered hypoallergenic but is now in so many commercial dog foods that it is no longer novel. Hydrolyzed diets are made when intact animal proteins are broken down into very small molecules that the immune system should not be able to recognize as allergens, virtually eliminating the possibility of an adverse food reaction. Starch or rice are typically used as carbohydrate sources because they are very infrequently associated with allergic reactions. Whatever type of hypoallergenic dog food is used, it should be fed for a minimum of 8-10 weeks to adequately assess the dog’s response. Most dogs experience at least a partial improvement in their food allergy symptoms within the first 4-6 weeks, but several dog breeds (including Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels) may require a longer period of time to respond. It is important to feed only the hypoallergenic dog food, avoiding all other foods, treats and even flavored medications such as chewable heartworm preventives, antibiotics, and pain relievers. Once the food allergy has been diagnosed using a hypoallergenic dog food, a challenge should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. When the original diet is fed, the symptoms should return within two weeks. Following confirmation of the food allergy, single source ingredients (e.g., slices of chicken or a sprinkling of wheat) may be added to the hypoallergenic dog food to determine exactly which ingredients must be avoided in the future. WHAT IS THE BEST FOOD FOR DOGS WITH ALLERGIES? It is important to work with a veterinarian to determine the best food for dogs with allergies. Novel protein and hydrolyzed diets that are available by prescription only are superior to those that can be bought over the counter because the latter often contain trace amounts (or more) of common allergens, even if they are not listed on the label. Randomly eliminating ingredients from your dog's diet without the input of a veterinary nutritionist is also a bad idea, as it can result in nutritional imbalances and is unlikely to identify the underlying problem. Save yourself the worry and speak with your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has a food allergy. References Patterson, A. Itchy Dogs: Is Food the Problem? Texas A&M University, Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Accessed February 3, 2014. Thomas, R.C. Food Allergy in Dogs & Cats. Presented at the 2005 Western Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV. What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger. For instance, 8 ounces (a ½ pound) of milk chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, whereas a dog of the same size can be poisoned by as little as 1 ounce of Baker's chocolate! Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans? Humans can break down and excrete methylxanthines such as theobromine much more efficiently than dogs. What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate? If you know your dog has ingested chocolate , or has any of the symptoms below, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680 or your veterinarian right away. Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit! Symptoms of concern include:
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