Recalls 1/5/2017

Recalls 1/5/2017

There have been a few recalls over the past week that I noticed on the FDA's recall page for animals.

I need to check it more often, but you should as well.  My updates here about recalls are not always timely!  The link is in the resources section at the bottom of this post.

Blue Ridge Beef announced a recall nearly a month ago on 12/8/2016:
Blue Ridge Beef is voluntarily recalling two (2) of its frozen products due to their potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the product. There is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surface exposed to these products.  More Info

Though we focus on dogs here at The Dog Dame, we also love kitties, too!  9 Lives, EverPet, and Special Kitty canned cat foods have been recalled as of January 3, 2017.

Orrville, OH - The J.M. Smucker Company today announced a limited voluntary recall on certain lots of 9LivesTM, EverPetTM, and Special KittyTM canned cat food due to possible low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1).

The issue was discovered by the Quality Assurance team during review of production records at the manufacturing facility. No illnesses related to this issue have been reported to date and the product is being recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Cats fed diets low in thiamine for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which include ventroflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling, and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these symptoms. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible. More Info

Resources:
FDA Recalls & Withdrawals

4 Myths About Senior Pets

#1 Adopting a Senior Pet: Older Dogs Aren't As Good As Younger Dogs
Many people believe that they should only adopt puppies or young dogs.  The truth is, many middle age and senior animals need homes, too.  My last two adoptions were older dogs, adopted at age 5 and age 8.  The eight year old was not housebroken, so I am training him just like I would if he was a puppy.  In my house, the oldest dog has more moments of wild puppy, and runs all over the house and yard - often still going when the 3 year old is tired out.  Don't discount a dog just because he or she is older.  Often (but not always), they are already house trained, leash trained, and know basic commands.  

#2 Symptoms Don't Need To Be Checked Out Because It's Just Old Age
Older dogs can be more susceptible for serious and progressive diseases like cancer, arthritis, mental decline, diseases of the heart, kidneys, and liver.  Early signs are often attributed by pet owners to "old age", but many of these issues can be treated when caught early.  Some of these signs include reduced activity levels, weight loss or gain, changes in appetite (decrease or increase), increased drinking and/or urination, limping or stiffness, decreased vision (sometimes manifests as dogs running into objects or refusing to go outside in the dark), or periods of disorientation/confusion (such as a dog "forgets" where the door to go outside is located, or "forgets" where they sleep.)

#3 Senior Pets Only Need Yearly Checkups
As your dog ages, she will need to see the vet more often.  It may be twice a year or more.  This is because for every human year, a dog ages 4-10 "dog" years.  A lot can happen in that time, and diseases that weren't present six months ago can be caught and treated.  Older dogs often also need additional blood work done to test for conditions or to provide a baseline so the vet can tell when changes are happening.

#4 Nothing Can Be Done To Help Older Pets
When caught early, many conditions are treatable, and some can be reversed or cured!  Pain management is available for dogs, and it's not that expensive to give your pet relief.  Just like with human arthritis, the condition can be managed in dogs.  There is treatment for cancer, as well as heart conditions, and so many other conditions.  Your pet doesn't have to suffer!

Dog Food Allergies: The Struggle Is Real

Food Allergies.  When I hear that, I usually think about human food allergies.  You hear stories about kids that are allergic to peanuts or strawberries.  I knew that dogs could also have food allergies, but didn't have any personal experience dealing with it.

That was before, and this is now. Now, I have a little experience because my newest adoption, eight year old Lil Bit, is allergic to chicken.  When I adopted him, he had a skin condition that appeared to be a fungal infection, but he had also chewed his feet so much that they were infected.  He was given prednisone, OTC antihistamines like benedryl and zyrtec (not together!), antibiotics, and an antifungal.  He had a small amount of improvement, but the condition and his misery persisted.  I took him back to the vet and we discussed his environment and food.  

Grains are usually a culprit of food allergies, and when I first adopted him, he was eating a food that contained grains.  I had transitioned him over to a food that was grain free though, because my other two dogs eat grain free food.  His skin improved a little, but not much.  Since he was eating a high quality grain free food, we decided to see if the protein, or meat source was the issue.  He was eating a chicken based food.  I normally rotate feed different brands and proteins, so my dogs usually get a rotation of beef, chicken, and fish proteins.  The vet suggested we switch to a fished based diet.  

Wow, did I find there is chicken in EVERYTHING! My vet said to avoid all chicken including chicken meal, chicken fats, chicken organs (liver), and eggs.  I did a lot of research and tried to find a fish based  kibble that wasn't terribly high in fat (under 12% is ideal since I have an overweight dog).  I compared reviews on sites like www.chewy.com (where I tend to buy dog food) and also reviews on DogFoodAdvisor.  To make my life easier for a few weeks, I decided to switch all of my dogs to the same fish based food.  it would help to make sure my chicken-allergic dog wasn't accidentally fed food with chicken.

Ultimately, I chose a food that contained 8% fat, 26% protein, and 394 calories per cup.  Since this food is much higher in calories than my dogs normally eat (they are usually 320-345 per cup), I reduced the amount of kibble, but did add in some extra veggies to help them feel full and get some extra nutrition.  I posted about the kind of veggies I use as food toppers, but pretty much any fruit or vegetable that is safe for them to eat works pretty well.  In order to find a food with no chicken that met my other requirements, I ended up getting a limited ingredient kibble, so the extra veggies help supply some important nutrients.

I also had to check the labels on treats because while many of theirs are homemade, like my three ingredient cookies, some treats like their dental treats, I do buy.  I found that even the beef flavored treats had at least chicken broth in them.  I finally found a vegetarian dental treat made by Blue Buffalo that didn't have any kind of chicken product.

My tips for finding a food and/or treats for food allergic dogs:

• The most common ingredients for dogs to be allergic to (in order of likelihood) are beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. 
• Check the ingredients! Even if the main protein is different, you may find the many foods will use more than one, especially in the form of meal (i.e. chicken meal).
• Consider Grain Free, since many allergies are related to grains.
• You may need to even consider vegetarian, if your dog is allergic to multiple proteins.
• Consider an unusual protein source, like rabbit or kangaroo.  Dogs seem to be allergic to the most common proteins, chicken and beef.
• You have to keep your dog on the new food and avoid the suspected allergy for several weeks to see real improvement.
• Common signs of allergy are itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, hair loss, paw biting, and excessive licking.  Keep an eye on your dog whenever switching foods and watch for these symptoms.
• Keep in mind, medicines like heartworm preventatives may contain the ingredient your pet is allergic to.
• If you end up feeding a limited ingredient diet, you may also need to supplement with a variety of fruits and veggies, and/or with a canine vitamin supplement to ensure proper nutrition.

Share your struggles with dog food allergies - and share how you found relief for your dog!

Please either share here by posting a comment or on our facebook page!

Sources:
Pet Education
DFA 

Five OTC Medications That You Can Give Your Dogs

You should always consult your vet for the specific dosage for your dog.  This post is meant as a guide or reference only and should not be considered medical advice.  Always consult your vet before giving any OTC medication to your dog.

With any of these medications, make sure you are giving a single ingredient formula, and that the medication you are giving does NOT contain a decongestant, tylenol (acetaminophen) or advil (ibuprofen).  These are toxic to dogs.  Just one Advil (ibuprofen) pill may kill your dog.

Benadryl, also known as diphenhydramine, is an anti-histamine that is often suggested by vets to treat allergic reactions just like in people.  It can be used to treat itching, rashes, and even nasal congestion.  It can also work to help prevent motion sickness, but only if it makes your dog drowsy.

• Dosage: 1.5- 1mg/per lb every 8 hrs with food.  Just like with people, Benadryl can cause excitability in dogs, or it can cause drowsiness.  Do not give more than 2mg per pound unless directed by a vet.
• Side effects include: dry mouth, sedation, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea
• Signs of Overdose include: powerful sedation, seizures, clumsiness, and respiratory issues.

Dramamine is often prescribed to treat motion-sickness.  I've used both Dramamine and Benedryl (NOT together!) before a long car trip to help prevent my basset, Remy, from suffering from motion sickness.  The backseat of my car suffered several messes until I learned that she could take this. Do not give to a pregnant dog.  

• Dosage: 2-4mg per pound of body weight, given 30-60 minutes before travel.
• Side Effects include: dry mouth, sedation, difficulty urinating, dehydration, appetite loss, excessive thirst.
• Signs of Overdose include: vomiting, seizures, lethargy, respiratory problems

Zyrtec is the brand name for Cetrizine, and though not forulated for dogs, is commonly prescribed by vets for skin issues or allergies.  It seems to be hit or miss - it works miraculously well for some dogs and not at all for others.  Make sure to only give your dog regular Zyrtec or it's generic equivelent, and never Zyrtec-D.  The "D" stands for decongestant and can very well kill your pooch. 

• Dosage: 0.5 mg per pound of body weight, taken either once or twice daily depending on allergy severity. 
• Side Effects include: vomiting, salivation (drooling), urine retention, constipation
• Signs of Overdose include: vomiting, lethargy/heavy sedation, excessive drooling.

Robitussin DM is also known by it's generic name dextromethorphan and guaifenesin and like all of the medications, can be given to your dog after you check with your vet.  Like with people, it's used to treat a hacking cough. It should only be used with your vet's prior approval, and only for very short periods.  If your dog requires more than 2-3 doses, you need to take your dog in to see your vet.  This medication will not cure the cause of the cough, but will suppress the cough. The liquid may contain alcohol, which can be dangerous for dogs, so check the label every time and always consult with your vet.   Also, double check to make sure that the formulation you have does not contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as those are toxic and can be fatal to dogs. 

• Dosage: 0.5 mg per pound of body weight, once every 8 hours.
• Side Effects can include sedation, lack of coordination, weakness, nausea and heightened thirst.
• Signs of Overdose include: heavy sedation, listlessness, restlessness, confusion, tremor, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and difficulty urinating.

Pedialyte can be given to a dog that has experienced vomiting or diarrhea and who may be mildly dehydrated as a result.   Pedialyte contains chloride, sodium, and potassium and drinking it will help your dog restore balanced levels of electrolytes.  Generally speaking, you should try the unflavored pedialyte and avoid the flavored varieties, though the flavored pedialyte probably won't case any harm.  You can mix it with water, but don't mix it with any other fluids.

• Dosage: Since it wasn't formulated for dogs, there is some disagreement over the dose.  I prefer to err on the side of caution and start with a smaller dose and increase if necessary.  A good starting point is around 1/4 cup every hour for a few hours, but you may need to dilute or mix it to get your dog to drink it.
• Side Effects: you may notice your dog has to urinate more often, but for a dog that has been even mildly dehydrated, this is a good thing!
• Signs of Overdose: I couldn't find any clearly documented, but I would advise that if your dog appears to dehydrated even after a couple of cups of Pedialyte, you need to get your dog to the vet for them to assess.  I personally would not give my dogs more than a cup or two of Pedialyte and not see a vet.

SOURCES:

VetStreet

Doginton Post

Can I Give My Dog
VeterinaryPlace
VetInfo

RECALL ALERT: RX EYE DROPS FOR DOGS

Kinetic Technologies and Kinetic Vet located in Lexington, KY has voluntarily recalled Hy-Optic – lot # 10092015, OptiVet – lot # 12032015 and Optimend – lot # 01122015. This voluntary recall is the result of deficiencies in sterility, which may lead to deteriorating eye conditions, irritation and/or infection.

• Hy-Optic Eye Irrigating Solution – NDC # 51031-011-15,  Lot # 10092015,  Exp. Date 10/2017
• OptiVet Eye Irrigating Solution –-  NDC # 51031-011-15,  Lot # 12032015, Exp. Date 07/2017
• Optimend Corneal Repair Drops –  NDC # 51031-013-10,  Lot # 01122015,  Exp. Date 10/2017

Each product is packaged in a branded box with the lot number and expiration date printed on the box. Hy-Optic Eye Irrigating Solution and OptiVet Eye Irrigating Solution are packaged in 15 mL oval eye drop containers and labeled prior to packaging. No animal species are listed on the label for use in non-specified animals. Optimend Corneal Repair Drops is packaged in a 10 mL circular eye drop container and labeled prior to packaging for use in dogs, cats and horses for the treatment of corneal ulcers.

 

FOR MORE INFO, Check the FDA site:  http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm519174.htm

Head Shaking: Why does my dog do it?

If your dog shakes his head only very occasionally, it's usually nothing to worry about and your dog may just need his ears cleaned.  But if you notice your dog shaking her head a lot, or very hard, or simply more than usual, it may warrant a trip to the vet.

Your dog may have a bacterial or fungal infection, or may even have mites! Any dog can get an ear infection, or Otitis Externa, but those with longer or floppy ears are usually more susceptible. The most noticeable sign of an ear infection is head shaking and ear flapping, or your dog may show off her flexibility and use her feet to rub or scratch at her ears.

The first thing you should do is clean your dogs ears.  I like to use a cleanser such as Virbac Epi-Otic or Zymox Ear Cleaner.  There are two ways most people clean their dog's ears.  You can soak a cotton ball with the cleaner, then gently wipe inside your dog's ear.  Use a fresh cotton ball for each ear, and you may need a dry cotton ball to get all of the debris out.  Their ear canal is "L" shaped, so you can feel pretty comfortable cleaning their ears without worrying about going too deep.  The other method is to squirt a little bit of the cleaner in each ear, then massage the ear with your fingers to work the cleanser in and help break up debris.  Then you wipe out the ear with a tissue or cotton ball.  My vet has told me that it's safe to clean my dog's ears everyday as long as I am getting debris (or have a dirty cotton ball after wiping out the ear). You may need to clean your dogs ears daily until the head shaking subsides, then less often  such every other day, once a week, once every two weeks - whatever works and keeps your dog's ears from being dirty and getting infected.

Your dog may have a bacterial or fungal infection and need to see the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Usually, the vet will swab the ears to determine the cause, then prescribe ear drops.  Your dog may moan with relief when you rub her ears, or he may cry or wince/pull away in pain.  You may notice dark discharge in the ear or when you clean your dog's ears, and your pup's ears may have a less than pleasant odor.  Moderate to severe cases may require an oral medication like the steroid prednisone to help with the itching and reduce inflammation.

Other causes may be foreign body in the ear (bugs, grass clippings, etc), ear mites (small parasites), or allergies to the environment or an ingredient in her food.  I recently discovered that one of my dogs may be allergic to chicken, and it wasn't until I switched him to fish-based food and treats with zero chicken, chicken meal, eggs, or chicken fat that his ears finally started to clear up!

When in doubt, see your vet.  If your dog is uncomfortable, itching, scratching, and shaking his head, it's time to be checked out by a vet to determine the true cause and treat it.


SOURCES:
VetStreet
Pet WebMD
MedicineNet

Canine Vaccines: The Diseases That They Prevent

You know that you get your dog vaccinated, but do you know what the vaccines are for?

Vaccines work by introducing the virus or bacteria to the body in a very small amount, so that the body's natural immune system will develop antibodies to the virus.  Once your dog's body does this, if the actual virus or bacteria is contracted, your dog's body will recognize it as a threat and will respond with an immune response to eradicate it.

There are two main kinds of vaccines:  Core (usually legally required) and Non-Core (optional)

Core vaccines include Distemper, Parvo, Canine Hepatitis, and Rabies.
Non-Core vaccines include vaccines against bacteria such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospirosis.


Core Vaccines:


Distemper is a virus with no known cure.  It's similar to the measles virus in humans.  Early symptoms of an infection are fever (103.5+), red eyes, watery discharge from nose and eyes, lethargy, and anorexia.  persistent coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea are also common symptoms.
Parvovirus (parvo) is highly contagious and is dangerous, particularly to puppies and very old dogs.  Poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (with or without blood) are common symptoms.  Parvo can attack the heart muscle and bone marrow function as well, and is often lethal. Many shelters will euthanize dogs with Parvo instead of trying to treat it due to the high mortality rate and because it is highly contagious.
Canine Hepatitis can be fatal. It starts by causing an upper respiratory infection, and then attacks the liver, eyes, kidneys, and then the bloodstream.  It's a nasty virus.

DAPPv is also known as the canine distemper combination. It is a four-way vaccine that protects against distemper, andenovirus (Canine Hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Vaccination should begin at 8 weeks of age. Boosters are given every 3-4 weeks until the puppy has reached 16 weeks of age or older. After the initial series the vaccine is boosted in one year, and every three years after that.

Rabies is often fatal, and is very serious.  It affects the dog's central nervous system and gray matter of their brain.  There are two kinds of rabies, furious and paralytic.  Furious rabies includes the type of rabies you hear about or see on movies and features increased and overt aggression, biting Paralytic rabies is also sometimes called dumb rabies, and features loss of coordination and weakness.  Furious rabies usually lasts a few days, followed by paralytic rabies.  The virus moves quickly and early treatment is necessary for recovery. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and is very dangerous.

The Rabies vaccine can be administered to puppies as young as 3 months of age.  It's usually recommended for a puppy to get a one year vaccine, followed by another one year vaccine, then a three year vaccine.

Non-Core Vaccines

Bordetella is also called kennel cough. Your dog will need this vaccine if she or he is going to be boarded at a canine daycare or boarding facility, or otherwise around other dogs.  It's a highly contagious respiratory infection, with the most common symptom being a persistent cough.  A dog with kennel cough may also have watery nasal discharge, and in cases that have been left untreated, symptoms can progress to pneumonia, fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, and death.  Dogs often show symptoms 3-4 days after exposure.

The Bordetella vaccine for dogs is administered either as an injection under the skin or via nose drops every 6-12 months.  A vaccinated dog may still contract Bordetella, but the case is often less severe.  Most dogs can be vaccinated every 12 months, but your vet may recommend more often if your dog is frequently exposed to other dogs (such as those in dog daycare).

Borellia burgdorferi is also known as Lyme Disease and is spread by ticks, especially black legged ticks. Some Flea prevention products also work against ticks, as I talked about in this post about Flea & Tick prevention, but there is also a vaccine available.  Lyme Disease causes joint pain (this may be lifelong!), tiredness, fever, and loss of appetite. There can also be less common symptoms like sudden onset lameness.  My dog Otis had Lyme Disease when I adopted him, which is part of why flea and tick prevention is so important to me.

The Lyme Disease, or Borellia burgdorferi, vaccine is usually given in two doses the first time, with each dose two to four weeks apart and annual re-vaccination. Puppies must be at least 9 weeks old to receive the vaccine.  

Leptospirosis is something I had not heard of before until a friend of mine from Brazil told me how her dog had died from this, so I looked it up and found out that this bacteria causes infections across the world, particularly in warm and rainy areas, and is very serious.  Common risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs residing in the United States include exposure to or drinking from rivers, lakes or streams, dogs that are around other dogs.  Some infected dogs do not show any signs of illness or infections, some have a mild and transient illness and recover spontaneously on their own, while others develop severe illness and death. 

Signs of leptospirosis may include fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, reluctance to move, increased thirst, changes in the frequency or amount of urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes), or painful inflammation within the eyes. The disease can cause kidney failure with or without liver failure. Dogs may occasionally develop severe lung disease and have difficulty breathing. Leptospirosis can cause bleeding disorders, which can lead to blood-tinged vomit, urine, stool or saliva; nosebleeds; and pinpoint red spots (which may be visible on the gums and other mucous membranes or on light-colored skin). Affected dogs can also develop swollen legs (from fluid accumulation) or accumulate excess fluid in their chest or abdomen. Soon after this bacteria infects your dog, fever and bacterial infection of the blood develops. The bacteria reproduces in the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, eyes, and/or reproductive system.  While a healthy dog's immune system may be able to clear out most of the infection, often some bacteria is left in the kidneys which then infect the urine.  This bacteria can be passed between dogs and animals.  Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis if their mucous membranes (or skin with any wound, such as a cut or scrape) come into contact with infected urine, urine-contaminated soil, water, food or bedding; through a bite from an infected animal; by eating infected tissues or carcasses; and rarely, through breeding. It can also be passed through the placenta from the mother dog to the puppies.

There is a Leptospirosis vaccine available, and it is adminstered annually.  You may have to ask your vet for this vaccine, as they may not offer it to all dogs.  If your dog is frequently around other dogs, or has access to woods or water (lakes, ponds, streams) you may want to seriously consider this vaccine.

Remember:  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Source:
ASPCA
PetMD
PetsWebMD
VetStreet
AMVA

National CHECK THE CHIP Day is August 15!

 WHAT?  You've never heard of this fabulous day?!?!

Here's the deal: August 15th is National Check The Chip day, as in MICROCHIP.  It's a good idea to annually review the information you have on file with the microchip company, and to make an appointment to get your pet micro-chipped if he or she isn't already.

My two boys were adopted from Love Mutts Rescue and were micro-chipped before I adopted them, but Remy was adopted from the SPCA and was not.  I meant to get her chipped at her last annual exam, but I had Remy and Otis at the vet together by myself and forgot to ask for it!  I'm using Check The Chip Day as my own personal reminder to get Remy chipped, too!


You can use the Universal Microchip Lookup Tool to check your pet's registration info.  The following microchip companies participate:

• 24PetWatch​
• AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC-CAR)    
• EIDAP  
• Found Animals 
• HomeAgain (includes Banfield chips)  
• InfoPet 
• Microchip I.D. Systems
• PetKey 
• PetLink    
• Save This Life   
• SmartTag Microchip

DID YOU KNOW?

• a micro-chip is about the size of a grain of rice
• the microchip only contains your dogs registration or microchip number, which can then be looked up on the Universal database.  This is why it's so important to make sure your info is up to date with your microchip company.
• a lost dog without a microchip only finds it's owners around 21% of the time.  Dogs with microchips are re-united more than twice that, around 52% of the time.
• getting your dog microchipped is easy, and can be done at a regular office visit.  It's inserted with a hypodermic needle, and is no more painful than a normal injection.
• you should have your vet scan your dog at his annual exam to make sure the microchip is still functioning and can be detected.
• Many shelters and most rescues microchip adoptable dogs, but if yours isn't micro-chipped, it usually costs no more than $25-35 for your dog to be micro-chipped.

Sources:
AMVA

Reverse Sneezing

A reverse sneeze  is an alarming thing to hear the first time you hear it!

Normally, when a dog sneezes, air is being expelled out.  A dog's head will move in a downward motion, and the air being expelled helps to remove the irritant from the dog's body.

But in a reverse sneeze, or paroxysmal respiration, a dog's head will often move up, and your dog will be sucking in air instead of expelling it.  It sounds terrible and the first time one of my dogs did it, I was scared something was really wrong with him!  The sound is usually like a loud snorting and gasping, and your dog may stand still while reverse sneezing.  Though it sounds awful, reverse sneezing doesn't hurt your dog or cause any long term effects.

Some dogs are more like to experience reverse sneezing, like those with pushed in faces or who have other respiratory issues.  Dogs with dental disease or who have mites in the nose may also experience reverse sneezing.  It's actually fairly common.

Treatment usually isn't required, but if the reverse sneezing keeps occurring, you should take your dog to the vet to rule out things like mites, collapsed trachea, nasal tumors, polyps, or infections, etc.  Treatment usually consists of soothing your dog, but for some cases, it's worsened by allergies and a medication such as benedryl or zyrtec may help.  Check with your vet before giving any medication.


Sources:
PetMD
VCA Hospitals

Do You Brush Fido's Teeth?

Many pet owners (myself included for awhile) don't give much thought to their dogs teeth.  My vet recommends that I brush my dogs teeth everyday.  I mean to, but I often collapse in bed without brushing their teeth.  I figure it's a good week if they get brushed three times.  I know it's not enough and am trying to get in the habit of doing it daily.

I've purchased toothbrushes and toothpaste.  I seem to have better luck using the finger brushes on my smaller dogs Otis and Lil' Bit, but I can use the regular toothbrush with Remy.
I tried a vanilla mint flavor, but unsurprisingly, it wasn't really enjoyed by my mutts.  So, I also bought a beef flavored toothpaste made by Arm & Hammer.  So far, all three dogs at least tolerate it.




Another thing I've been doing is giving my dogs dental treats that are supposed to help (at least a little) improve dental health.  I was giving them Virbac CET Veggiedent treats because they are VOHC accepted, which means the Veterinary Oral Health Council accepts the claim that the company makes.  Virbac CET Veggiedent treats claim to reduce tartar.  Having the VOHC accepted label means that this product has proven (in at least two trials) to help reduce tartar by 15-20%.  Unfortunately, though, these treats are also 3.4 kcal (calories) per gram, which for the size small treats (25g) means 85 calories per treat and for the large treats (35g) 105 calories per treat.  My dogs love these, and I highly recommend them if your dog isn't overweight.  In fact, I will likely still give these to my dogs, but less often or will break them in half so they get a smaller treat.  We are also going to try a couple of other dental treats that are VOHC approved such as Get Naked Low Calorie and Greenies Weight Management.  I am going to have my dogs try a dental treat that isn't necessarily low calorie or VOHC approved, but might help with their teeth, called Nutrident Complete, by Nylabone.  After they've tried them for awhile, I'll post a product review.



Some vets (especially a certain national chain) promotes annual teeth cleaning.  Depending on your dogs health, age, and tooth condition, you may actually need this.  I've never had a dog that needed it more than every other or every three years.  I am not a fan of annual cleanings for dogs unless the dog actually needs it, because your dog will need to be put under general anesthesia, and this should be done sparingly.  There are some vets who don't use general anesthesia, but this is not recommended by the AAHA or AVDC. This is because the teeth will not get properly cleaned if the dog is awake, and also your dog is more likely to be injured.  As I like to say, prevention is key, so do what you can to prevent or reduce the need for dental cleaning.  That being said, it is important for your vet to check your dog's teeth and gums for abnormalities or gum disease, which may then require treatment, including dental cleaning.  I'm not against dental cleanings for dogs, I just think they should only be done when they are actually needed.

Older dogs, as well as those that are smaller breed often need more cleanings than their younger or larger counterparts.  Older dogs naturally have had longer for plaque and tartar to build up, and gum disease to set in.  Smaller breeds often have crowded teeth, which leads to normal methods like dental treats and brushing to not be as effective.

3 yr old Remy with femur

8 yr old Lil' Bit with femur

Most experts don't suggest you give your dog animal bones, because your dog can chip or break her teeth on them.  I give my dogs bones, but they are supervised while they have them and the bones are taken away if the dogs chew too aggressively or if I start hearing sounds like they might crack the bones.  I am not a expert, but am not opposed to them as the chewing and rubbing does help keep my dog's teeth clean.  It also keeps all three of them occupied for awhile, which is a rarity!

5.5 yr old Otis with bovine femur

 So the takeaway is that your vet should examine your dog's teeth and gums annually, and you should follow their recommendation regarding dental cleanings.  You can lessen the frequency of cleanings by working to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar by brushing your dog's teeth at least once a day and giving them dental treats designed to help.

Sources:
Pet WebMD
AVDC
VetStreet

Obesity in Canines - Is Your Dog Overweight?

Obesity in dogs is a topic close to my heart.  In October 2015, we adopted an obese 5yr old beagle named Otis, and I started researching how to safely help him lose weight.

A dog is considered overweight if she weighs 10-20% above her ideal body weight.  A dog weighing more than 20% above his ideal body weight is considered obese.

There are a lot of risks to the health of an overweight or obese dog, just like with people.  Obese dogs are more likely to experience musculoskeletal problems, cardiovascular problems, breathing problems, exercise and heat intolerance, and diseases like heart disease and diabetes.


My vet recommended that I switch Otis to a low calorie/low fat food.  She recommended Science Diet Perfect Weight, which she has fed to her own dogs.  Since most dogs can benefit from a lower fat diet, I decided that both my newly adopted beagle and my basset/beagle mix could eat the same food.  My basset needs to have grain free, though, or she suffers from nasty gastrointestinal upset.    Science Diet Perfect Weight is only 291 calories* per cup and is one of the lowest calorie foods on the market, but it contains corn, which I don't feed to my basset.

We have tried many different brands with differing levels of protein/fat/calories and different protein sources.  It even got to the point that I created a spreadsheet to keep track of the different brands and their related info, including price shopping at a couple of different stores, like www.chewy.com, www.amazon.com, and www.petsmart.com.  I read reviews from multiple sites, but relied heavily on www.dogfoodadvisor.com because I like their breakdown of each food's nutritional pros and cons.  They also have a dog food calculator that can help you figure out a baseline or general idea for how much food your dog actually needs based on activity level and weight goals.  Remember to take into account any extra treats you give, which will reduce how much food your dog needs overall.  I like rotation feeding to help change up their meals because Remy (my basset) gets bored after a few weeks to a month and starts refusing food, but also to help with if I have to change foods due to a recall or supplier shortage.

Otis lost eight pounds in eight months with a combination of increased activity (more walks, which he loves) and reducing the amount of his food and feeding a lower calorie food. This is considered a healthy weight loss.  It's slow enough that his body didn't go through severe changes but quick enough that could see that the change in food and additional exercise were actually working.

Some of the foods we had pretty good success with are:

• Earthborn Holistic Grain Free Weight Control, which has only 325 calories per cup and contains 25% protein and a mere 7% fat.  The main protein is Chicken Meal,  it comes in as large as 28 pound bags, and generally retails for about $2.11 per pound.  Chicken meal actually contains 300% more protein than regular chicken meat.  It's rated 4 stars on DFA (Dog Food Advisor).
• Another chicken meal based food is Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Healthy Weight.  This food has 29% protein, and slightly more fat at 15%.  There are 321 calories per cup, and a 25 pound bags runs around $1.62 per pound with a 4 star rating at DFA.  This was one of the most affordable brands we tried, and he did lose weight on it.
• Beef might be what your dog prefers, and Merrick makes a low calorie food called Grain Free Healthy Weight.  This food earned a 4.5 star rating from DFA, comes in a 25 pound bag at  around $2.16 per pound, and contains 32% protein, only 8% fat, and 360 calories per cup.   Neither of my dogs have lost on this, but I think it's because it's higher calorie than most of the other brands that they eat.
• The only non-grain free food we tried was Fromm Gold  Weight Control.  They do also make a grain free version with fish as the protein called Gold Coast, but their regular version has no corn, wheat, or soy so we tried it.  The main protein is turkey liver and duck, and it contains 25% protein with 10% fat, and 241 calories per cup.  It's rated 4 stars on DFA, and runs about $1.53 per pound for a 33lb bag,  This was the best value as far as cost, but my basset had some issues with it and developed a yeast infection.  
• Otis had some of the best results on Solid Gold Holistic Fit & Fabulous, which has fish/pollock as the main protein. Remy, my basset, was not a fan of the fish and refused to eat it except if she was starving.  Otis dug in with gusto.  It is not rated in DFA, but has 26% protein and only 7% fat.  It contains 330 calories per cup, comes in a  24 pound bag and costs about $2.33 per pound.

There are other foods that made my list of possibilities but that we have not yet tried (or ruled out for various reasons):

• Wellness Core Reduced Fat Grain Free, made with Turkey, and containing 33% protein, 12% fat, and 360 calories per cup. It has a five star rating from DFA and it costs about $2.26 per pound for a 26 pound bag.  I ultimately decided not to try it because of the higher calories combined with the 12% fat.  It has the same calories as the Merrick, but Merrick is lower in fat.
• Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Grain Free Healthy Weight has 4 stars from DFA and costs about $2.08 per pound for a 24 pound bag.  It was 26% protein and only 8% fat with 394 calories per cup and the main protein being Salmon.  I opted against this for my dogs because Remy doesn't seem to care for fish and the calories were way too high.  This might be better for larger dogs who have higher caloric needs. 8/30/16 Edit: Since this was posted, we have adopted a third dog, an eight year old beagle/chihuahua mix, who turned out to possibly be allergic to chicken.  Despite the very high calories, I am transitioning all of my dogs over to this food (because it's salmon and not whitefish) and reducing the amount of kibble I feed them.  Adding water and fresh veggies (steamed green beans, raw carrots, raw celery, etc) help them feel full while they adjust to less kibble.
• Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Grain Free has Cod as the main protein.  I really want to have my dogs try this but haven't because Remy doesn't seem to care for seafood. It has 4.5 stars from DFA, 30% protein and only 7-9% fat with 368 calories per cup. At $2.62 per pound for 24 pounds, it was a bit more expensive than I was comfortable spending for a food that Remy probably won't eat.  If your dog doesn't mind fish and you are comfortable with the price, this might be a great one to try.
• The last that I considered but haven't tried yet is Annamaet Grain Free Lean.  With 5 stars from DFA, 350 calories per cup, 33% protein and only 9% fat, this is a contender for trial in our house.  It runs about $2.34-$2.87 per pound for a 30 pound bag and has Chicken, Duck, and Herring as the protein.  It's much more expensive than the others as well.

To help prevent Otis from feeling like he was being starved, we gradually reduced the amount of kibble he was getting, and added warm water to his kibble to help fill his stomach.  We also supplemented with raw or steamed vegetables as treats instead of nutrition-empty biscuits.  He really enjoys steamed sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots.  He eats raw green pepper and celery, too.  He likes raw or steamed apples, and loves bananas.  Once or twice a day, I give him one of my three-ingredient canine cookies, as they are high in fiber and help keep his digestive system running smoothly.

Unfortunately, as the weather got too hot, I got lazy and stopped walking him except on weekend mornings, as we have fenced yard.  He doesn't cope well with heat and humidity and has breathing issues, and I don't like going to work looking and smelling like a sweaty mess.  Once the weather cools, we will be walking more.  He's gained most of the weight back, but he's also getting a few more treats to help with the addition of a new dog.  They are almost out of their current food, so I am switching again as part of our rotation to one of the lower-fat and lower calorie foods.

Don't just reduce the amount of normal food. This is because over time, your dog will not get the right nutrition.  Lower fat/calorie foods are formulated to make sure that your dog gets the nutrition he needs, to help him lose weight safely and in a healthy way.  Just reducing the amount of regular calorie food will cause some weight loss, but it's not healthy weight loss.  It's like with people, if you just eat less overall of your higher-fat diet, of course you will lose weight.  But, you have to make healthy changes to lower-fat/higher fiber and protein foods so you stay full and get enough vitamins and minerals from your food.

Aside from lowering the fat and calorie intake, your dog will need to increase his activity more.  This means more exercise.  This can be daily walks, runs, chasing a ball or laser pointer, or pretty much anything that gets your dog moving.  While you will need to monitor and possible reduce activity if you live in an area with hot (and especially humid) summers, you can still get some exercise in playing indoors if you have room. You can also try to take walks in the early morning or late evening hours.  When the weather is cold, walking is also more challenging, but your pup (and her feet) can handle it as long as it's not very icy or below freezing.  You do need to take into account your dog's age and overall fitness and medical needs.  For example, a dog prone to tearing cruciates (knee ligaments) would not be a good candidate for running but could most likely handle a good long walk.  Always check with your vet if you aren't sure!

*Calories in dog food are actually measured in kilocalories, or kcal.  You may see labels that reference kCal/ME, which is a way of measuring the metabolic energy.  For the sake of simplicity in my own research and blog, I do not convert the kCals to calories, but simply refer to them as calories.

Sources:
petMD
VCA Hospitals