Limber tail syndrome in dogs
Cold water tail, frozen tail, broken wag, dead tail or rudder tail are all the same condition, also known as limber tail syndrome. Limber tail syndrome usually affects working dogs, and can occur at any age, although it is most often happens when the dogs are about two.
A dog with limber tail syndrome carries it in a distinctive way. The tail hangs limply behind the dog or is carried straight out behind the dog for about two or three inches and then hangs limply. When the dog moves the tail does is not moved by the dog, but just hangs.
Some dogs carry their tails this way at rest, but when in motion the difference can be seen, a healthy tail moves with the dog. In a dog with limber tail the tail is painful when touched, and the dog may seem to be in discomfort. Sitting will often cause the dog pain. The hair around the base of the tail can be raised, probably from the swelling of the muscles in the area.
Male dogs, and dogs that carry their tails high seem to be the most prone to the condition. The most commonly affected breeds are the Labrador and Retriever, and this corresponds to the “waggiest” dog breeds. Limber tail syndrome is caused by over use or strain of the muscles that wag the tail, the side to side muscles.
Unless a vet is familiar with the condition a broken bone in the tail will often be suspected. Some form of muscle damage is definitely implicated because if the tail is examined when it is limp high levels of creatine phosphokinase are found, and this enzyme is associated with muscle damage. Many vets report that they know nothing about the condition and it is little researched. This is surprising in view of the high incidence, most owners of active out doors dogs who have owned dogs for any length of time will have come across it.
Left alone the condition usually resolves itself within a short time, from a few days to a week. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve the pain, and some owners find that heat packs will offer some relief to the dog. The condition will recur in about one third of dogs once they start working again. In some dogs the tail has a permanently altered carriage on recovery, which can lead to the end of its working life in some instances.
The most common theories as to the cause are swimming in cold water and heavy hunting or work in unfit dogs. The sudden return to exciting activity leads to more tail wagging and this causes the overuse of the tail, and limber tail syndrome. Pet dogs may also get the condition, particularly after playing in water. Dogs that are crated for travel after exertion are more prone to the condition.
The best way to avoid limber tail is to slowly condition a dog before the working season starts, or keep it fit. Crating should be avoided unless the crate is roomy, and dry bedding is especially important following work in wet conditions. Healing is accelerated by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in some dogs and the drugs will provide relief from pain for all dogs suffering from the condition.
Training your cat is possible! – Part 23
Did you know that training your cat is possible? If you have never considered this then perhaps now is the time to challenge any preconceptions that you have about cat training and try teaching your furry pal some useful and fun tricks.
A great first step in training is to teach her to sit. This will be impressive and can stop her from ambushing you as you prepare her food. Place a treat for her in your hand. Then show her what you are holding and walk along to where you want her to sit as she follows you. When at your desired location make sure that she is waiting expectantly before you while clearly issuing the command ’sit’.
Next, hold a treat above her head. As she looks up at your hand move it slightly closer to her face and back behind her view. This should cause her to sit as she also lifts her head back to see your hand that’s holding her treat. As soon as she sits give her the treat and verbally praise her, telling her what a clever girl she is.
A stage further on from this is to teach her how to stand on her hind legs to beg. This is done by repeating the actions you performed before, but this time, after asking her to sit and giving her a treat make it clear that you have another treat in your hand too. Repeat the action of holding the treat above, and to the back of her head and command her to beg. She will reach up toward your hand, attempting to grab the treat when it isn’t forthcoming. Then raise your hand slightly causing her to also raise herself up. She will then be sat like a bear with her paws in the air in begging position. Don’t forget to give her her well earned treat!
Another trick to teach your cat for fun is how to eat her dinner with her paw like the cats in the advertisements. This is done by placing her food on an upside-down bowl. As she attempts to eat her food some will automatically fall off of the roundness of the upturned bowl, causing her to experiment with new ways of retrieving her chow. Once she has eaten with her paw she wont forget it and will repeat the experience again.
Tips to keep your dog from chasing squirrels
The best thing an owner can do for their dog is to obedience training train the dog. Being a responsible dog owner is an easy task, although it does take a commitment from the owner and an investment in time. It doesn’t matter if the dog is taken to a professional trainer or if the owner does the training. Most breeds are very easy to train and it just takes repetition on the owners part. The commands, sit, stay, down, and the most important command which is come, are the commands every dog should know. If you have one of the more difficult breeds to train then get a professional. An untrained dog is an unhappy dog, and an untrained dog usually has an unhappy owner. It takes about four to six weeks to properly obedience train a dog. The dog then needs constant refresher training until it is about three years old. After three years of dedicated training the dog can become automatic. It will become a dog you can trust in many tempting situations.
So if it’s squirrel chasing, other dogs, cars, or polar bears it just boils down to if the dog is obedience trained. We need to get a license to drive a car and even to go fishing, but society allows anyone to have a dog and any kind of dog they prefer. It would be a good thing if a license for dog owners was required to own a dog and a requirement of that license was to obedience train the dog in the basic commands. The dog could be purchased as a puppy and given a temporary permit requiring the owner to bring the dog back at a certain date and demonstrate competency in the basic obedience commands.
With this type of licensing and control we could even get a control on neutering dogs. It should require a higher priced license to own a non neutered dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to roam especially if they are proficient in the basic obedience commands. There is no reason to own a non neutered dog unless you are in the breeding business. If you are in the breeding business then a higher licensing fee is just a cost of doing that business and it will help reduce the millions of puppies born that just end up in a shelter.
If a dog is chasing squirrels it is just pointing out the real problem of a non trained and therefore non disciplined dog. Again a licensing law designed to make owners more responsible for their pets and encourage these owners to train and neuter there dogs would all but eliminate the many problems that discourage owners and end up putting good dogs into shelters where they lose there lives. It is very unfair that a good dog should go to his death just because he ended up with irresponsible owners that failed to educate the dog to become a valuable and enjoyable part of the family.
The answer to squirrel chasing and any other problem vented by most dog owners can be solved by education of the animal making him an enjoyable part of the family and also a source of pride for the owner of a well trained dog.
Websites every pet owner should know about – Part 31
Becoming a pet owner is a large responsibility for any person, young or old: the Internet provides a great deal of information on pet care, training, traveling, food, adopting an animal, there are even chat rooms for pet owners. The very first thing that should be done is decide what type of breed of dog or cat will suit your lifestyle. Lifestyle should be the operative word if you live in an apartment a small animal such as a Pug is more suited to that type of lifestyle than a Great Dane.
The first website that should be looked at is Iams which is noted for its dog and cat food. This particular site has all types of pet products, video support, an adoption center. Pro Active Dog Health explains how to switch dog foods from the dog food you are feeding your dog to Iams without the animal becoming ill: there is a five dollar coupon off the price available for any dog or cat product.
Once the decision is made about whether to adopt a pet or purchase one, part of Iams site that explains the different types of breeds. There is a Breed Guide on the Iams website that discribes different breeds of both dogs and cats, this makes it easier to make a choice of breed. Happy Tails is an adoption site there are so many dogs on this site that are in need of adoption: adopting an older dog is sometimes a great choice since there is usually no puppy training needed, the dog already has learned to go outside. The Iams website also has Pet Related articles which deals with special needs including nutrition, vitamins and obesity. The website address is: Iams.com/dog-health.
Once the decision is made and a puppy is purchased the perfectpaws.com website covers all areas of trainng from the potty to basic commands such as sit and stay and behavior modification for the adult that has chewing issues. The training is also suitable for cats which includes biting and spraying.
Training can often be an issue of great importance to any pet owner: www.dogtraininginfo.info/ suggests several books to read. The top rated book is: SIT STAY FETCH this is for the do it yourself trainer. There is also EASY DIY DOG TRAINING: if you have the time and patience these books are very helpful.
Traveling with an animal can either be very enjoyable or it can be a very horrible experience depending on you and the animal:www.avma.org is sponsored by the American veterinarians. This site is extremely helpful for anyone traveling with a pet. The site explains how to travel with any
Cat discipline – Part 8
Well behaved cat, dream or reality?
Cats can be trained too. Just not the same way as dogs.
People think that because cats are individuals and like doing things their own way, you cannot teach them anything. That you just have to take them as they are and deal with it, whatever random character features your specimen presents. However my experience has been quite different. Yes, they are individuals. Yes, they will not obey blindly to your commands. But there are things you can do to establish rules in the house.
Funny enough, I made one quite important observation while watching a show called “The Dog Whisperer”. And just before you turn away thinking I must be insane let me explain. It is true that the mentality of these two animals could not be further apart. Although the faults of the pet owners are surprisingly similar. People depicted in the tv series constantly forgot that Fluffy is first and foremost a dog, and only after that their furry friend. The same often applies to cat owners we personify our pets.
It might not seem very important until you realise the way cats think and how they perceive time. One of the biggest and most common mistakes is punishing your furry friend too late after the actual deed. As cats live “in the now” they do not connect things from the past to consequences the way humans do. And unless there is a direct reaction to their behaviour, the connection will not be made.
For example, if you find a broken vase at home, there is no point screaming and shouting, as the cat will not understand that your behaviour is related to the vase accident. Even worse it might accidentally associate it with something else!
How to punish effectively without hurting your cat
However if you do spot your cat just about to commit some mischief it is a good point to do something about it. Now for the common mistake using the cats name in a negative tone. Yes, they will understand the tone of your voice, but do you really want to associate your pet’s name with scolding? Most of us work very hard to get the cat to react to his name, by using it in pleasurable situations, so why ruin it by connecting it with our angry voice?
Do not get me wrong. You still do something about the behaviour, and some kind of punishment can be helpful at time. To do it right though, you should relate to the cat at their level. Think how another cat would react to something they did not like your pet’s behaviour.
Hissing and growling is usually
Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? – Part 60
Dogs and cats are perfect pets but for some people who have allergies to one or the other they can’t go with that choice so that seems to dictate which is a better pet when in fact it doesn’t really matter what you choose to have as a pet. If you are allergic to cats you can still have a cat as a pet if you feel that is the best choice. If you feel like having a dog is the best choice then go with a dog. It doesn’t really matter which is better it just matters which you think is better because opinion is all that really matters. Popularity shouldn’t be the deciding factor either. If dogs are the most popular pets in a city or town then people will tend to get more dogs because they are “cool” and they just want to fit in with the majority of the population. As a canine lover I tend to lean more towards owning dogs as pets but I wouldn’t mind having a cat either because both are great, loving animal companions. Dogs are said to man’s best friend and cats are woman’s best friend when in fact none of that is true. Cats can man’s best friend and women will usually choose dogs because they think that dogs are a greater “protective” pet than a cat. For me, I would go with a dog, because I am a canine lover and dogs are canines, and sometimes that’s my deciding factor, but I also enjoy the companionship that dogs offer. It’s nobody’s decision about which is better but your own and what you think is better is better to you for your own reasons but both cats and dogs are good pets.
What you need to consider before getting a pet – Part 16
Care 4 Life
Costs, must be considered for routine care as well as emergency care. Consider housing/ feed, and medical requirements, for the pets entire life.
Allergies. Check with all family members and friends keeping in mind that families sometimes change
Room, housing and space requirements, for exercise, equipment, and supplies. Do you rent or own your home? Prepared to live only where pets are allowed for the rest of the pets life?
Education, are you committed to learning everything about this pet, are you prepared to train, and socialize, and train your pet?
4
Lifestyle, does your pet fit it? Does the care of this pet fit your schedule? Remember that lifestyles change, and surprises happen, are you committed to work around this pet?
Interests, will this be something you will still have interest in a week or two, in two years?
Future, think about forever, where will you be, who will you be with. Does this pet still fit?
Everyday, are you committed to spending your spare time everyday with this pet? Will it be part of your daily routine?
Before you purchase a pet ask yourself:
What do you want from a pet? Why do you want a pet?
A helpful tip when determining what type of pet you pet you suit the most, there is a big difference between a pet to sit on the couch and cuddle with, and one to go jogging with. Ask yourself these two questions first. Are you looking for a something to observe, or an interactive pet?
Are my children old enough for a pet?
If your children are not old enough to understand the word “no” then it is not safe for your child or the pet to bring a new pet in the home, unless you are prepared to supervise at all times. What pet is appropriate for my child’s age? 5-10 years old – A great age for “shelf pets”. Fish and mice for the younger in this category, as they require little handling and little maintenance. The older in this group, (8+) are better suited for the more interactive shelf pets such as gerbils, hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs. These children tend to be more gentle, and are capable of their upkeep. Remember that all of these pets need appropriate sized homes, exercise, stimulation, medication and proper feed. This prevents health concerns, and behavior problems. Remember to keep cages and tanks clean and to wash your hands after handling, as these pets are exposed to fecal matter. Pay close attention to the medical needs and cost for these pets, as well as life expectancies.
10-13 years
Tips for dealing with a stray cat
Planning to raise a stray cat? Making a stray cat a pet can be a frustrating experience. Stray cats are not friendlier like the household cats. If you want to want to tame a stray kitten to a pet, it requires patience and commitment of time from you. Millions of stray cats are being raised as pets around the world.
Make sure that cat is stray:
One best way to note a stray cat is really stray is to offer food. If the cat takes most meals from your home, chances are that the cat is stray. Once the initial hurdle is crossed to trap the cat, find the nearest veterinarian and make an appointment with him. Warn the clinic that the patient is a stray cat.
While taming the feral cat, it is possible to get scratches and bites. A stray cat will be more terrified of humans. In case of any major or minor scratches, the cat must be quarantined and medical attention must be sought.
Get the veterinarian to examine:
Feral cats must be examined by the veterinarian to check for any types of contagious diseases and fleas before letting inside your home. Get vaccinations for rabies. The blood of the stray cat must be examined for the presence of viruses.
Transfer the pet to a carrier:
Mostly people tend to use a trap to capture the stray cat. Be every careful to transfer the stray cat to carrier with bedding. Bedding can be old human clothes which may allow it to get accustomed to human smell. Leave sufficient food for the cat for 2-3 days before transferring. Keep it away from other pets and children.
Handling:
Meanwhile, make soft reassuring tones with the cat to make it friendlier for two days. Get near the cat from behind. Do not stare at the kittens for prolonged period of time. Use a towel and get hold of the cat from behind. If the cat appears to be calm, repeat the process several times. Provide kitten foods and other pet foods. Stroke the cats often with finger tips or pet brush to demonstrate your love and make it more friendlier.
It may be easier to transform some stray cats to pet while to tame some can be more difficult. Your patience, love and commitment could turn your desire to a reality in the long run!
Odd night time behaviors in older dogs
Owners of geriatric dogs often call their veterinarian office concerned about their dog’s recent behavior changes. They may report that their dog may wake up in the middle of the night and start howling. Others may report their very well house-trained dog gets up and has accidents around the house or wakes up to drink and then shortly after urinates on the carpet.
I know about these instances as I have personally often taken these calls.
I recall particularly, an owner one day calling concerned about her dog because he started wandering around the home at night bumping into furniture and hardly recognizing her. He would then sleep for most of the day undisturbed. The owner was unable to sleep properly and was very concerned by this recent worrisome behavior. Afterward, the dog also changed behavior, from an outgoing dog he became an overly submissive and timid fellow.
While all the above instances required a careful evaluation by the vet via a thorough physical and geriatric blood-work sent to a lab, most instances turned out to be simply signs of good old aging.
Just as it may happen in humans, dogs tend to approach their golden years by losing parts of their cognitive function. Some may lose some, some may lose more. Many refer to these cases affectionately as “doggy Alzheimer’s” while medically, this condition is abbreviated as CDS standing for Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
CDS has become pretty common as we hear more and more about it. If we think about it, after all, dogs are living always longer lives and therefore, they are more prone to all the diseases and conditions that seniority seems to bring along.
There are some typical key CDS symptoms that may help dog owners understand better the condition and prompt them to have the vet perform a thorough check up. Below are some symptoms that may suggest, but not yet confirm CDS:
YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
Senior dogs may forget some simple commands they have known all their lives. If your geriatric dog refuses to sit when asked to, do not scold him or think he is just acting out. Just as a person affected by Alzheimer’s may forget a family member’s name, a dog may forget a command and perceive it as something completely new you are requesting.
THE BLANK STARE
Dogs affected by CDS may stare for no apparent reason a wall or any other object. Some may even chase imaginary objects or bark while nothing is there. A routine check up is recommended as there are some neurological
Puppy potty training 101 – Part 3
There are several basic steps to potty training puppies and adopted adult dogs that will keep your house spot free from the beginning. Weather you choose paper, yard or crate, planning should begin before you pick your pup up and potty training from the moment you bring your new pup home.
~ Potty Training Basics ~
Like human babies, puppies need time to develop the muscles for holding waste. It takes about three months of accident prevention before you can ease up on the training and allow more freedom.
Puppies naturally don’t want to spoil the areas where they sleep and eat, so leaving them in a blocked off room full of paper sends the wrong message and confuses them. Persistence and timing are better methods of house training.
Adopted adult dogs may have other issues. Living in the tight quarters of a shelter or abusive home may have gotten them used to relieving themselves unnaturally in living zones. In all fairness always give adults dogs the opportunity to be good by providing them with regular trips to the potty. They will quickly understand that they can trust your potty routine’s regularity.
One accident is all it may take to develop a bad habit because dogs are drawn to the odor. If an accident happens, don’t waste time yelling at your pup or plopping him on newspaper just clean up the accident immediately. Many natural stain and odor removers are available in pet stores that will be safe for all of your pets.
~ The Potty Spot ~
Before introducing your pup to the house have a spot picked and ready for elimination. If you’re training for outside you’ll never have to have to worry about land mines of poop and piddles if you pick a five foot square spot and make this the only place in the yard open for business.
If you are going to a communal dog walk area plan on always pick up what’s visibly left behind because even though the spot is a hundred yards from your house it might be right outside your neighbor’s window.
If you are going to paper train use a litter box for small dogs or a plastic under bed storage tray for large dogs. Shedding some newspaper and leaving it on top of sheets of newspaper will keep your pup’s paws clean.
Paper trained dogs still prefer to do their bathroom business outside. If you also train your pup for outside business your pup will see the paper only as an emergency means. This is very useful in case you’re held up on the road and your pup gets an impatient tummy. Pups that don’t have an alternative leave gifts
