3 Steps for Emergency CPR on Dogs and Cats

Knowing CPR Could Save Your Dog’s Life 

Locate the heart to start CPR on a dog

Learning CPR for dogs and cats is very similar to the techniques used on people.  Every second counts when you find your pet unconscious and without a heartbeat.  Brain damage and death takes only a few minutes. 

Giving your dog or cat rescue breaths and chest compressions keeps the blood circulating and oxygen reaching the brain.  

It’s very important to continue CPR on dogs and cats for as long as possible, until the animal begins breathing on his own or until help arrives to relieve you.  Unfortunately, ambulances and EMT’s do not rush to the assistance of pets, so try to call someone for help and continue CPR while driving to the animal hospital.

Laying a dog or a cat in a van or truck with a flat bed works best for effective CPR but the back seat of a car will do if nothing else is available. 

First Step of Pet CPR

The first thing to do if you find your dog or cat unresponsive is to make sure it’s safe for you to approach the dog.  Look around for any other animals or hazards that could harm you.  If the area is safe, go to your dog or cat and check to see if he’s breathing. 

Look, listen, and feel around the animal’s mouth for breath.  If there is no breathing, check the airway of the animal.  Open your pet’s mouth, and see if there is anything lodged in his throat.  Pull her tongue out to get a better view and use your finger to dislodge the object and remove it from the airway.

Second Step of Pet CPR

Lay your pet on his right side.  If you have a large dog, extend and straighten the dog’s head to open the airway and tightly hold her jaw closed.  Give two rescue breaths into the dog’s nose, watching to see if the chest rises.

For cats and small dogs, extend the head and give two rescue breaths through the mouth and nose.  Make sure the animal’s chest rises.

If you don’t see your pet’s chest rise, repeat the procedure for checking the airway.  Hold the dog or cat with her back against your body and give a quick, sharp squeeze to the animal’s abdomen to try and get the object out.  Repeat five times if necessary, and then check the airway again.

Begin rescue breaths again.

Third Step of Pet CPR

Make sure your dog or cat is on his right side because the heart is located on the left side of the chest.  Another method is to lay the animal on her back and give compressions the same way as for humans, but it’s hard to keep an animal in this position.

Check for a pulse by using two fingers under the leg beside the chest, under the hind leg, or on the paws.  View this demonstration of finding a dog’s or cat’s pulse. 

·         Give large dogs over 60 pounds, sixty compressions every minute

·         Dogs or cats that weight 11 to 59 pounds should receive 80 to 100 compressions every minute

·         Pets that weigh less than 10 pounds should receive 120 compressions every minute.

Squeeze the lower abdomen of your pet after giving the chest compressions to help circulate the blood.

Also, check for injuries and apply first aid, if necessary after giving the first rescue breaths. 

The older CPR skills required 1 breath to 15 compressions but the rates are now 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until your dog or cat begins breathing on her own.  Just remember that either way of performing CPR on dogs and cats is better than not doing anything when trying to save your pet’s life. Hopefully, you’ll never have to do CPR on your dog or cat.

Please comment, if you have any other tips to give about CPR or first aid for pets. Thanks for reading.

University of Washington School of Medicine:  “Learn CPR, You Can Do It”

CPR Dude: “CPR, Learn a Skill…Save a Life”

Pets America, “Proper Technique for Performing CPR on a Dog”

What Are the Symptoms of Dental Disease in Dogs

The start of irritated gums

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, “more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop gum disease by the age of three years.” Gum disease, broken teeth, crooked teeth and tumors are all painful dental problems for dogs. 

These dental conditions cause dogs to struggle eating solid foods because of irritated gums and toothaches. 

If your dog drops his food while trying to eat, he might have one of the following dental problems.

It’s important for your dogs and cats to have dental exams at the vet because dental diseases can also cause organ damage due to gum infections that spread to your pet’s bloodstream. Also, try to brush your dog's teeth every day.

Periodontal Disease in Pets

A periodontal disease, known as gingivitis causes inflammation of your dog’s gums and is the most common mouth problem found in dogs. A bacterium builds up in your dog’s mouth, attacking the gum tissue. The bacterium causes plaque to form on the teeth and below the gums. 

Hardened plaque on 2-year-old bull terrier

The plaque turns into hard tartar, causing your dog’s gums to recede and exposes the nerves.  Chewing becomes very painful once your dog’s gums recede.  You can tell if your dog has periodontal disease if he has the following symptoms:

• Fishy smelling breath
• Weight loss
• Loose teeth
• Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Tooth loss

Does Your Dog Have Broken Teeth?

Another common cause of pain as your dog eats is broken teeth. Dogs break teeth from gnawing on bones, especially weight bearing bones like beef marrowbones. They can also break teeth from chewing cow hooves, plastic bones and large rawhide bones. Sometimes, it’s hard to see if your dog has any fractured teeth, so pull his gums back and look all the way to the back teeth.

Broken tooth from chewing hard bones

A broken tooth exposes the pulp of your dog’s tooth, which includes the nerve endings. A fractured tooth causes extreme pain to your dog, which prevents him from being able to eat. Veterinarians repair fractured teeth by crowning the tooth or extracting the tooth and replacing it with a bridge.

Tumors in Your Pet’s Mouth

Dogs and cats often develop tumors in their throats and mouths. Malignant tumors form ulcerated growths, sores, and swollen gums that inhibit your dog’s ability to chew and swallow.  Many times the tumors are located both in the gums and the throat. Your dog would need oral surgery if your veterinarian finds tumor in his mouth.

Abnormal Bite Can Cause Tooth Pain in Dogs

Crooked teeth make it difficult for your dog to eat because the teeth do not line up properly.  While chewing, an abnormal bite causes the top and bottom teeth to bump against each other causing pain.  It makes eating very difficult and sometimes impossible for your dog, especially when chewing dry dog foods.

If you suspect your dog has any of these dental problems, bring him to your vet for an oral exam. Maybe all he needs is a cleaning to get him back on the right track to oral health. Even if he needs some teeth extracted because of periodontal disease, at least his pain will be gone. 

Brush your pet's teeth today!

Reference

University of California: “Veterinary Dentistry: Dental Care for Pets”

Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital: “Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service” 

Resource

Veterinary Oral Health Council: “Helping to Control the Most Common Disease in Dogs and Cats”

Colorado State University: “Dental Anatomy of Dogs”

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

Maybe your dog is looking for attention.

Reasons Why Some Dogs Eat Poop

If you’re totally disgusted when you see your dog eating poop, then read more about why it happens.  Find out the most common reasons why your dog eats poop.

The medical term for eating feces is Coprophagia.   There are many reasons why your dog eats poop.  Some of the reasons are physical and some could be psychological.  Once you know the probable causes of Coprophagia, you can help your dog stop eatinghis poop.

Medical causes for eating feces

Some medical problems can cause your dog to eat poop.  The Douglas Island Veterinary Service says that the following health problems can cause dogs to eat poop:

• Pancreatitis
• Infections in your dog’s intestine
• Inability to absorb nutrients
• Feeding your dog a high fat diet

Coprophagia is not the only symptom of these diseases.  If your dog isn’t showing any other health related symptoms, especially diarrhea, then eating feces is probably a behavioral issue.

Behavioral reasons why your dog eats poop

Seeking Attention – Usually, when your dog eats poo, you reprimand him.  You either pull your dog away from the feces or actually lecture him how disgusting it is to eat poop.  It’s probably the most effective way for your dog to get your attention.  Your lecture has the opposite effect than you intended.  Your dog eats more poop to get more attention from you.

Imitating – Dogs are intelligent animals and want to please their owners.  When your dog sees you picking up poop in a doggie bag, she learns to do the same thing by eating it.

Learned – Your dog could learn coprophagia from other dogs.  Maybe your dog saw the neighbor’s dog or another dog at a dog park eating feces and copied the behavior. 

Maternal – When a mother dog delivers puppies, it’s perfectly normal for her to eat the feces of her puppies.  She’s keeping her puppies and the whelping box clean.  Another reason mother dogs eat feces is to prevent predators from smelling the puppies.

Dominance – Many times, a submissive dog will eat the poop of dominant dogs, especially when they are living in the same house. 

Hunger – Many dogs only eat once per day. If you feed your dog once per day, you could try switching to a few small meals throughout the day. Maybe your dog is hungry and eats poop to supplement his diet.

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Eating Poop

There are no fail-safe treatments for dogs eating poop, but the following methods can help:

 Treat the Food - Adding enzymes to your dog’s diet helps break down nutrients so he gets more nutrition, not needing to supplement with feces.  Meat tenderizer is a common ingredient that can provide enzymes to your dog’s diet.

Treat the Feces - After your dog has a bowel movement, don’t pick it up right away.  Pour hot sauce or other bad tasting, non-toxic product on the poop.  When your dog eats the feces, he’ll soon learn that it’s not a tasty treat. This might stop the behavior.

Pick up the Feces – Picking up the poop right after your dog eliminates helps break the habit of eating feces.  This is the most effective method found by dog owners.  If you’re unable to go outside with your dog and pick up the poop right away, put a muzzle on him so he can’t eat it.  Go outside as soon as you can, pick up the dog’s poop, and then remove the muzzle.  This will also break the cycle.

Avoid Punishment – Punishment never works to prevent coprophagia.  The dog only knows that he is getting attention and doesn’t associate the scolding with the poop eating.  It’s a waste of time and energy to try to stop the behavior with punishment, plus you risk breaking the trusting bond you have with your dog.

Positive Reinforcement – When you notice your dog start to eat feces, tell him to ‘leave it’ , ‘come’, or ‘sit’, whichever command he’s most familiar with.  If your dog responds to the command, give him a treat and praise.  Quickly, pick up the poop and distract the dog with some other activity.

Resource: Douglas Island Veterinary Service:  Coprophagia in the Canine

Your Dog Can Catch Kennel Cough at the Dog Park

Recently, a rash of kennel cough infections have spread to many dogs in my local dog park. Take care when bringing your dog to the dog park and keep your eyes open for any dogs with a hacking cough.

Also, bring your own water for your dog. Try not to let your pet drink from the water bowls spread throughout the park. When dogs drink from the water bowls in the dog park, they can contract kennel cough from other infected dogs.

Read more about kennel cough symptoms, what to look for, and how kennel cough is treated.

Homemade Insect Repellents for Pets and People

Sunny skies and warm weather compel us to get outside with our dogs and romp in the grass or go for nature hikes in the woods. Unfortunately, all the biting insects, and blood sucking ticks, fleas and mosquitoes have the same idea. You don’t have to change your plans about enjoying the good weather if you prepare before you head out the door with your pet.

It’s not healthy to use bug repellents that contain DEET on your dog, but there are some non-toxic alternatives made with natural ingredients that can keep those nasty bugs off your dog. The following tips for using natural bug repellents can help repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

HomemadeNatural Bug Repellent

Lemon and Herb Spray - You can use this natural bug repellent for both yourself and your pet. Take a lemon and cut it into one-quarter inch slices.  Place the lemon slices into a saucepan with 4 cups of water. Add 3 or 4 mint leaves or one-quarter teaspoon of mint extract, along with one tablespoon fresh thyme or one teaspoon of dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow the lemon mixture to sit in the water until cooled or overnight. Pour the water through a strainer and into a spray bottle. Now, you’re ready to go. Spray the lemon-water mixture on your dog’s coat but avoid getting it in his eyes. The citric acid from the lemon will sting.

Vinegar Spray – This insect repellent doesn’t smell the greatest but it is effective in keeping the bugs away from you and your dog. Mix together one cup of apple cider vinegar, ½ cup water, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp baking soda. Stir it gently until blended and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar mixture on your dog’s fur, avoiding contact with his eyes.

Natural Flea and Tick Control

Washing your dog with this natural flea and tick shampoo will kill any fleas and ticks on your dog. To control fleas and ticks, was your dog with this mixture weekly. It does not work like chemical flea and tick preventatives that you only need to apply monthly. It may take more effort on your part than just applying a tube of flea medication but at least, you are not apply harsh chemicals to your dog’s skin.

Here are the supplies you need to make homemade flea and tick shampoo:

One-quarter cup dish soap (I use Dawn but I don’t think it makes any difference which brand you use). One-quarter cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup water. Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a squirt bottle. Shampoo your dog with the mixture, making sure to saturate the fur and skin, especially under the chin, legs and around the ears where fleas like to congregate. Let the mixture stay on your dog for about five minutes, the longer the better. Thoroughly rinse all the shampoo out of your dog’s fur. Brush out the fur to remove any dead fleas or ticks. Using this formula regularly can help prevent fleas on your dog and in your home.

If you come across any tough ticks that are still embedded in your dog’s skin, follow these instructions for removing ticks.

Even when using these homemade flea and tick repellents, make sure you have a veterinarian perform a blood test on your dog every year to check for Lyme Disease caused by deer ticks and heartworm from mosquito bites.

Cocoa Mulch Is Extremely Toxic to Dogs

Roasted Cocoa Beans

When you’re planning your flowerbeds and landscaping this season, carefully consider the type of mulch you spread in the garden. If you have a dog, avoid using cocoa mulch, which is becoming a popular choice for

homeowners.

Smells Good and Tastes Great to Dogs

Cocoa mulch is extremely toxic for dogs because the sweet smell attracts them and it actually tastes great to dogs. If an unsupervised dog gets into cocoa mulch and eats a large quantity, it could result in severe illness or death. The chemical theobromine in the cocoa mulch is the same chemical as the one in chocolate bars and makes it dangerous when dogs ingest it. Most home and garden stores sell cocoa mulch, which is made from roasted cocoa bean shells.

Cocoa Mulch Symptoms

How severe your dog's symptoms are when eating cocoa mulch depends on how much he weighs and the amount he ingests. According to Kansas State University veterinarian, Dr. Susan Mulch, if your dog weighs 20 pounds, eating only an ounce of cocoa mulch can cause adverse symptoms and 1.5 ounces can have severe symptoms such as:

• vomiting
• racing heart
• diarrhea
• muscle spasms
• seizures
• death

If your dog eats cocoa mulch, call your veterinarian immediately. If it’s been less than two hours since ingesting the cocoa mulch, the vet can induce vomiting. Anti-seizure drugs are also used for dogs having seizures from eating cocoa mulch. The digestive problems caused by eating the mulch can result in dehydration and your dog will be placed in intensive care for treatment.

Although cocoa mulch smells wonderful and looks great, it is better to stick with traditional mulches for your garden, like shredded hardwoods and compost. 

Image Credit: Creative Commons By Chocolaterie-nestlé-broc-fèves-cacao-torrefiées

It’s Tick Time: Do You Have Your Frontline?

Well, it’s official. I saw my first tick of the season this morning, even with the rain/snow mix pelting down on me. If you stopped applying Frontline Plus to your dog or cat over the winter months, as I did, it’s now time to start up again.

Even though it’s not mosquito season yet, those nasty ticks are up and about, ready to grab onto your dog’s coat (yours too, unfortunately!). Frontline will kill ticks within 24 hours and kills fleas and flea larvae, as well. The ticks may be the first to make an appearance but fleas are not far behind.

If you do find a tick imbedded in your dog or cat's skin, here are instructions on how to remove a tick safely.

Stock up on your Frontline today and start applying it to your dog or cat every month to keep him flea and tick free. I usually buy a multiple pack because it’s more economical. Some vet offices will sell individual applications for you to use each month. If you can’t get to the vet that often or you think you might forget, it might be a better idea to buy at least a 3-pack of Frontline Plus.

Think About Getting Your Dog the Flu Shot

Many people don’t realize that dog can get the flu virus, just like humans. Canine influenza is extremely contagious, especially if your dog attends doggy day care or visits dog parks.

According to veterinarian, Cynda Crawford, dogs spread the flu to each other in the same way that children in kindergarten do. If your dog is in contact with other dogs, you might want to consider vaccinating him against the flu.

The dog flu virus was identified in 2004 when a research team found that it originated from horses. The majority of dogs have a natural immunity to canine influenza but they are still at risk of contracting the virus.

If you travel with your dog, getting a flu shot can help protect him from infected dogs. 

Symptoms are very similar to the flu symptom that people experience.

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Cough
• Pneumonia, resulting in death for some dogs

Ask your veterinarian if your dog should get the flu vaccine. The shot minimizes the symptoms of the flu and is available for dogs 6-weeks old and over. The flu vaccine is given with two injections, up to one month apart.

Consult your vet about the canine influenza vaccine to protect your dog from symptoms.

Resources:

Dog Fancy: A Flu Shot for Fido?, May 2012

Photo By Sonia Sevilla (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

About Elbow Hygroma in Great Danes

Great Dane Elbow Hygroma

If your Great Dane has a large, fluid-filled sac on its elbow, it could be an elbow hygroma.  The sac actually protects the elbow of giant breed dogs by cushioning the bone.

How to Relieve Pressure on an Elbow Hygroma in Great Danes

What is the Large Sac on My Great Dane's Elbow?

My daughter's Great Dane, Odin, developed a fluid-filled sac on his elbow when he was about nine months old. The elbow growth started small, about the size of a grape and rapidly grew in size. Within a few months, the elbow sac on the Great Dane was the size of a baseball.

Odin's veterinarian diagnosed the growth on the dog's elbow as an "elbow hygroma". The sac looks very uncomfortable but it does not seem to bother Odin at all. The veterinarian said that the biggest danger about elbow hygromas in giant dogs is an infection if the hygroma breaks open.

According to a report from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, "The hygroma is a fluid-filled cavity surrounded by a dense wall of fibrous tissue. Hygromas are seen in young large or giant breeds of dogs (e.g., German shepherds, Great Danes, bull mastiffs, and Irish wolfhounds)." The reports goes on to say, "The condition is often seen in large or giant breeds of dog that tend to lie in sterna decumbency on unpadded surfaces, thus placing pressure on skin over the olecranons."

Cause of an Elbow Hygroma

The veterinarian explained that Great Danes are prone to hygromas because when they lay down on a hard surface, it puts pressure on the dog's elbow and the hygroma grows to offer protection to the elbow. Odin weighs 140 lbs. and when he lies down, he crashes to the floor with his entire weight on his elbows. The elbow hygroma developed on the dog's left elbow because he favors lying on that side.

How to Alleviate Pressure on a Great Dane' Elbow

My daughter tried the following methods to take the pressure of the elbow hygroma and found that using a combination of the methods works well for her dog.

1) Memory Foam - a four-inch memory foam mattress provided support and extra padding for the Great Dane's elbow. Keeping a memory foam mattress in each room gives the dog somewhere to lay down wherever he is. My daughter's kitchen has a ceramic tile floor so she always keeps the memory foam in the kitchen for Odin.
2) Overstuffed Sheepskin Bedding - an extra large sheepskin dog bed prevents unnecessary pressure on the dog's elbow, preventing any chafing or irritation to the hygroma. Odin has a sheepskin bed in his dog crate for a comfortable night's sleep.
3) Turning the Dog - If you notice your Great Dane lying on the side with the elbow hygroma, turn him to his other side. Odin is a very mild mannered dog, so my daughter can turn him without a problem.
4) Donut Shaped Elbow Padding - This method is effective if you can get your giant dog to keep it on the elbow. Roll up a soft towel or foam tube into a donut shape. Use an ace bandage to wrap the towel or tube to keep its shape. Place the donut hole over the elbow hygroma and attach the donut to your dog's elbow. The hardest part about using elbow padding is preventing the dog from pulling it off. Try different methods to attach the padding to your dog's elbow: rolled bandage, bandage tape, sports tape, ace bandage, or Velcro strips
5) Keep the Elbow Hygroma Clean - My daughter checks her Great Dane's hygroma a few times every day. It is difficult to notice a break in the hygroma through the dog's fur, so thoroughly check the area for any inflammation. Washing the elbow hygroma also prevents germs and bacteria from infecting the elbow area.

All of these methods to relieve pressure from an elbow hygroma help prevent infection from ulcers and ruptures.

Resources:
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
William Best, Jr., D.M.D., Foxboro Animal Hospital, Foxboro, MA
Personal Experience

Dog Chiropractor's Really Do Help

Canine chiropractic services can really help a dog with spine, hip, and rear end problems.  A few minor chiropractic adjustments can make all the difference in a dog's gait and comfort.

The reason I believe in canine chiropractic adjustments is that my own dog benefited from two short visits with a chiropractor. 

Find out more about the benefits of animal chiropractic services.

Keep Your Pets Safe in the Summer Months

Dehydration in Pets

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is time to consider your pet's comfort and safety. 
The summer months are approaching and it doesn't matter how many warnings are given. You will see pets tortured inside sweltering cars in parking lots. It never fails. It is so disturbing to see a panting dog, heaving and slobbering against a car window on an 80 degree day. The inside of a car will reach 120 degrees within a few minutes. When that happens, your pet will not have much of a chance. Even cracking a window will not help in this kind of weather.

Don't let your pet suffer. Protect him from dehydration and heat exhaustion. Like people, pets need a cool, shady spot to hunker down and wait out the daytime heat. Provide plenty of fresh water. The only way a dog can cool down its body is by drinking water. They do not sweat like people do.
Overweight or older pets are especially affected by the heat.

Treating Dehydration in Pets

If your pet becomes severely dehydrated and cannot drink, try giving it fluids by using a squirt bottle and squeezing the fluid into the cheek pouch. You can use something like Pedialyte to replace the electrolytes. You can also try soaking his body to lower his temperature. Use a rectal thermometer to take your pet's temperature. It should read from 100 - 102. Anything higher than this is extremely dangerous. If these methods do not work, bring your pet to the vet immediately. Fluids will have to be replaced intravenously.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your pet does not wear running shoes. If you decide to go for a run on a hot day, it is better to leave your pet at home. Paws can get burned on the hot pavement, and body fluids depleted quickly. Keep your pet's walks short. If you have to take your pet along, make sure to bring bottled water for your pet to drink from frequently. Exercise is not always a good idea on a hot day.

Your dog trusts you to take care of him. He will do anything you ask him to. He will run, play Frisbee, sit in a hot car or lay on a boiling beach just to be by your side. Be the sensible one, and keep your pet safe. Enjoy each other's company lounging around at home together. Stay cool with an iced tea for you and a Frosty Paws for your pet.