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URGENT – Dog Influenza Outbreak in the Midwest

Just this morning the news was filled with talk of a dog influenza outbreak in Chicago. Dog influenza is extremely dangerous to your pet, especially if left untreated. In order to better protect your dog from catching this illness, it’s important to know where it comes from, what it looks like, and what to do next if you believe your dog has caught it.

 

What is Dog Influenza?

Dog influenza, also known as canine influenza virus (CIV) or kennel cough, is a respiratory disease that has affected thousands of dogs in the United States in the past due to similar outbreaks even though it is still a relatively new virus. It’s so new that most dogs have never been exposed to it before which puts them at a much higher risk of infection. With that said, dogs of any age, breed, and vaccine status are susceptible to the disease.

 

How Do Dogs Contract Canine Influenza?

Canine influenza is transmitted between dogs through a combination of aerosols, droplets, and direct contact with respiratory secretions. The virus does not have a long air life, so for your dog to become infected, he would have to be in close proximity with another dog. This could be through play in the house or dog park or through cuddling with other dogs who have already been infected. On that note, dogs who interact with large groups of dogs are at a much higher risk than those who do not frequent dog parks, daycares, or dog beaches.

 

What Are the Symptoms for Dog Influenza?

Because canine influenza affects the respiratory system, you can expect the following symptoms in any combination if your dog has been infected:

 

  • Clear Nasal Discharge that Becomes Thick, Yellow-Green Mucus Overtime
  • Coughing
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Rapid/Difficult Breathing
  • Sneezing
  • Variable Fever

 

Most dogs will show typical symptoms of kennel cough if they catch it, however some may develop a more severe illness that could ultimately include death if the illness is not caught and treated early on.

 

What is the Cure for Canine Influenza?

If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms, you should call your vet immediately. Kennel cough is very similar to the human flu, so there are no antiviral medications, but treating the sickness correctly is imperative to your dog’s recovering health. One of the best things you can do during this time of illness is to provide attentive and appropriate care for your dog. Some treatments include:

 

  • Building to the Treatment for Pneumonia
  • Making Sure Your Dog is Staying Hydrated
  • Medication to Treat Secondary Bacterial Infections
  • Providing a Quiet, Warm Place for Rest
  • Providing Good Nutrients and Immune-System Raising supplements

 

Depending on the severity of your dog’s case of dog influenza, you will need to take different steps. For a standard sickness, your dog will fight it off themselves within 10-30 days. If it progresses to secondary infections, your pet will require antibiotics, and if the illness turns into pneumonia, hospitalization will be required immediately.

 

Minimizing the Spread of Canine Influenza

Humans don’t have to worry about catching the dog virus, so you are freely able to take care of your dog without fear of falling ill. If you believe your dog has been infected, it’s best to isolate your dog for 10-14 days after diagnosis. Do not think that because your dog isn’t showing heavy symptoms, they are not contagious as your dog will be the most contagious before symptoms become apparent. If you have multiple dogs and one appears to have caught kennel cough, isolate him or her from the rest for the time being in order to minimize the spread of infection.

 

If you believe your dog has caught canine influenza, don’t panic as it’s generally curable. Just make sure to take the right care and you will be just fine.

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Is Your Peanut Butter Killing Your Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know

Does your dog love peanut butter? Most dogs do and it can be a healthy way to reward your dog when given in moderation. There are many recipes out there that use peanut butter ranging from dog biscuits to frozen peanut butter yogurt bars. Dogs even enjoy peanut butter by itself and will lick it off a spoon or clean a finished container of peanut butter for you. However, a new ingredient some nut butter products are using could kill your dog.

 

e0b76e710843ce11a0c6e93dc4d288a8So What’s the Issue?

There is an artificial sweetener that is being used in some nut butters called xylitol. This is being used as an alternative to sugar which is good for people with diabetes. It also has the added benefit of helping to decrease bacteria and acid in the mouth, which is great news for dental hygiene. However this spells bad news for dogs as even small amounts of xylitol can kill them. It drops the dog’s blood sugar causing hypoglycemia which can potentially lead to death.

 

Check Your Labels

While most pet parents know to check labels for any dog food you plan to feed your pet, this newest issue with the peanut butter shows just how important this really is. Even if you already have peanut butter at home and your dog has not had any issues it you should still make sure that you check the label. You do not want to poison your dog with the food you give them. This does not mean that you have to throw out the peanut butter, but rather don’t give this to your dog.

 

If you need xylitol in your peanut butter for medical reasons and want to give your dog peanut butter, then make sure you buy another jar for your pet that does not contain xylitol. Another option is to make your own. This is a great way to control the ingredients in the nut butters, especially the salt and sugar. There are many recipes out there for making your own nut butter or you can do it at certain grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

 

What to Do ifpet_food_franchise Your Dog Eats Peanut Butter with Xylitol

If your dog has consumed any nut butter or any product that contains xylitol the best thing you can do is to contact pet poison control right away or take them to an emergency vet. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s phone number is 1-888-426-4435. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take calls and give you the help you need to deal with the situation. However, you will still need to take your pet to the vet, so make sure that you take your dog to the vet right away. You may want to call poison control on the way to the vet.

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Legal Pot for Pets- What You Need to Know

Using marijuana for medicinal purposes has gained a lot of steam over the last two decades. In recent years many people have even turned to treating their animals with marijuana for various medical conditions. While this has been shown in case studies to be helpful, if you live in an area where you cannot buy marijuana then it may seem like this will never be an option to you. This is why many pet owners are turning to legal pot for their dog food.

How is This Legal?

There are a couple things to keep in mind here. These plants are not made of marijuana but rather hemp. Industrial hemp is grown for the fibers rather than the blossoms which is what is smoked. This is higher is cannabidiol (CBD) and very low in THC which is what makes it legal.

I know you are saying, “But wait! Isn’t THC what you want?” The truth is that THC is the psychoactive agent in marijuana that makes people high. This has no real medical benefits– aside from maybe relaxation. Rather the CBD is what produces the medical benefits and this is why most medical marijuana strains are engineered to provide more CBD and less THC.

dog_ownersWhere You Can Buy Hemp Oil

There are many places where you can buy this. You may be able to find it a specialty shop near you. If not, there are plenty of options online. Even just putting hemp oil into a search on Amazon will give you tons of different results for products you can use with your pet’s dog food. There are even products made specifically for pets. For example, Canna-Pet is a product that comes in treats for your dog so you do not have to put it over their dog food.

 

Buying Legal Pot for Dog Food- What to Consider

There are a few things you will want to keep in mind if you plan to buy hemp oil products for your dog:

  • Know the concentration. Even though hemp oil has more CBD in it than THC it is still a significantly lower concentration than what marijuana offers.
  • Talk with your vet about dosing to ensure you are giving the correct amount. Generally you will give them a smaller amount and then slower work up to a higher amount until you achieve the desired results. However, you want to be sure that you are not overdosing your pet
  • Only buy from reputable companies to ensure that you get a high quality product and that it actually contains the concentration of CBD you want.
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Safe Marijuana Practices for Your Dog and Dog Food

With marijuana legalization for both medicinal and recreational uses headlining the news in just about every state across the nation, it’s hard to deny the benefits it can offer. Many pet owners have started using marijuana laced dog food for their pets. If you plan to use marijuana laced dog food or pet products then it is important to understand how to do so properly. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

 

Never Blow Smoke in Their Face

 While people may enjoy smoking marijuana, it is harmful to your pets. The smoke still contains carcinogens harmful to the lungs. There are other puppy plays with bone with a femaleproducts out there, such as edibles, oils and tinctures that can be used instead.

 

Beware of Ingredients in Dog Food Edibles

Obviously giving your dog a pot brownie is not safe because chocolate is toxic to dogs. This is not the only ingredient that can poison your dog in edible marijuana products so read the label. Just as you only feed them high quality dog food, be sure the treatments you are giving them are not going to harm them either.

 

Keep it Out of Reach

While overdoses with marijuana are very rare, they can happen. This is why it is important to keep your products out of reach from your pets just as you would children.

 

Understand Proper Dosing

You do not want to give your pet an overdose and on the other hand you want to make sure they are getting the right amount to give the resultsgerman shepherd puppy sleeping with head rested on a man's lap. The best way to understand this is to talk with your vet and do a little research on your own. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and give less.

 

Know the Signs of Overdose

Knowing what to look for can help you to get your pet to the vet if they do accidentally overdose on marijuana. This includes dilated pupils, lethargy, seizures and other signs. If you notice your pet acting weird after eating dog food laced with marijuana it is important that you contact the vet right away.  Even though they cannot counteract the overdose, they can observe and treat the side effects to keep your dog’s condition from getting worse.

 

If you are considering medical marijuana for your dog, then you should take a look at the next blog in our Dope for Dogs series- The Medical Benefits of Marijuana for Dogs.

 

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Medical Benefits of Marijuana for Your Dog

As a dog owner you want to make sure you are giving your pet the very best. This means feeding them the right dog food and finding appropriate toys and activities for them. Many people are also starting to use medical marijuana for their pets. This is why you should understand the benefits this controversial treatment can provide.

 

Why Use Marijuana for Pets?black lab puppy sleeping on wood floor

The first thing to understand with this is that marijuana will not cure your dog or cat of any particular issue they are suffering from. It can however be
used for symptom management. It is commonly used for pets with cancer, those undergoing certain medical treatments or seizures. Some people report it can reduce or eliminate the seizures their dogs have.

 

People also use it as a tool to improve the quality of life for their pet with incurable cancer or those sick from chemo. There is even a report of a veterinarian in Seattle that is recommending medical marijuana for dogs with arthritis to help reduce the inflammation and pain. It is also commonly used to help with pain management for pets with these conditions.

 

How Well Does it Work?

A quick internet search will show you countless case studies of pet owners dosing their pets with marijuana. One example includes a person from New York whose dog Luna was going through treatment for end stage lymphoma. The symptoms caused her lymph nodes to swell and made her cough. Her owners found that as they gave her marijuana in her dog food her symptoms started diminishing.

 

Another story about the benefits of medical marijuana was with an 11 year old cat, named Monkey with intestinal cancer. While her tumor was not in a place it could be operated on, her owner wanted her to do something to make the end of her life easier. Before treatment Monkey had lost a bunch of weight and was very lethargic. After starting cannabis treatments she was full of life and would play and eat as though she was a kitten. While she ultimately lost her life to the cancer, she was at least able to enjoy the last few months of her life.

 

What do Vets Say?

The truth about this is that the research into marijuana for medical benefits for pets is still in its infancy. There are many vets out there who are still leary of using a treatment that has not been fully studied, despite individual case studies. There is one vet, Dr. Kramer, who has been a huge proponent. He is known as the vet guru and he has been writing, making videos and talking with other vets for years about the benefits of medical marijuana for pets, such as using tinctures in the dog food.

 

The Verdict

Not all states have legalized marijuana and if you live in a state that has not, then this is something that is not even an option legally. Secondly, you will want to talk with your doctor. Find out if it can be a good option for your pet and whether mixing it with dog food is the best delivery method. Make sure you fully understand the dosing as well as the side effects to watch. This will help you to keep your pet safe and give them the best quality of life you can.

 

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Dope for Dogs- Understanding Marijuana for Pets

As laws regarding marijuana use become more lax, people are using marijuana and marijuana laced products more often than before. While there are many medical and recreational benefits of this substance, the number of pets being dosed with marijuana is also increasing. This can be done in a number of ways, such as putting cannabis oil on their dog food or other products from the pet store. If you have a pet then there are a few things you should know about this.

 

Is it Safe?

red shiba inu looking out of the corner on couch waiting for dog food

A shiba inu waits on the couch for treats or dog food

This topic is just about as hot a debate as the best dog food to give your pet. While it is getting closer to being fully legalized for people in the US (at least medicinally), it is nowhere near ready to be deemed safe for animals. There are many individual case studies that have shown the benefits for animals suffering from certain health conditions. This will be looked at more in The Medical Benefits of Marijuana for Dogs.

 

Is it Legal?

It is illegal for any vet to prescribe marijuana for pets, though they may recommend this for treatment. If you get medicinal marijuana you can use this for your pet, such as in their dog food. However, unless you live in a state where marijuana is legalized or at least decriminalized, it simply is not legal.

 

What Do They Use?

yellow lab cuddles with stuffed bear on couch

This dog looks tuckered out after a long day and is cuddling with a stuffed beat on a couch. Can medicinal marijuana help improve quality of life?

When many think about using marijuana on dogs, they think about smoking a joint and blowing the smoke in their dogs face. While this could get them high, it is not the ideal way to use marijuana for your pet. This is because it is difficult to judge how much marijuana they are getting and the carcinogens in the smoke is harmful to their health. It can cause respiratory and cardiac issues as well as lead to cancer and other health issues.

 

There are a number of cannabis products on the market that can be used for pets. This includes cannabis oil, tinctures, edibles and more. These can either be given to the pet directly or you can mix it into their dog food or treats from the pet store.

 

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To Share or Not to Share- the Coffee Dilemma

A morning cup of coffee is a wake-up routine for many of us and it is normal to want to share with your pet. Even though there are many foods that are perfectly fine to share with your pet-and even healthy- it is important to understand whether coffee is safe dog food. However, our pets are more sensitive to caffeine than we are.

 

The Scoop of Coffeecoffee begger

Caffeine in coffee, coffee grounds, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks, all of which contain theophylline and theobromine. These cardiac stimulants can cause palpitation and abnormal heartbeats and damage to the central nervous system. Within 1-2 hours of pet ingestion, symptoms can include mild to severe hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, hypertension, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and seizures. These are the signs of poisoning, which are the same for tainted dog food, coffee, alcohol or any other substance. This requires an immediate trip to the vet.

 

The caffeine can leave you with a dog that is wound up which is especially terrible if you’re on your way out of the house. This makes them more apt to chew, eat things that aren’t dog food, and get into trouble they may not otherwise get into. Even if you have an otherwise calm dog, you will find that the coffee can cause them to become restless.

 

Is a Little Coffee Safe?

coffee sharingWhile one to two laps of coffee or tea will not contain enough caffeine to harm most pets, the ingestion of moderate amounts of the drug in the form of coffee grounds, tea bags or 1-2 diet pills can cause death in small dogs or cats. There are also some animals who can become addicted to the coffee and beg for it in the morning which is not something you want to go through. It’s best to just keep caffeine away from all forms of dog food.

 

The Coffee Alternative

Instead of giving your dog any of your morning coffee, consider finding another type of treat to add to their dog food. Perhaps a dollop of peanut butter in their kibble. Maybe mix in some wet dog food with the dry. While you enjoy your human treat, give them some treat of their own that they won’t have to covet.

 

If you shared your coffee as a way to spend more time with your dog, consider something away from dog food and coffee in the morning. Perhaps through in a morning walk before work. This will give your dog the exercise they need and can be a great way for you to multitask. Even if you do not want to walk this early in the morning, just spending time with your dog playing and petting them is better than the best coffee you could give them.

 

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50 Shades of Dog Poop

Every pet owner has horror stories to tell about their dog food affected their pet’s health and their poop. Whether it was the time their dog pooped out a slimy wall splatter or a color that you never thought you would see, dog poop is something that pet owners see multiple times on a daily basis. What you may not know is the color of your dog’s stool says a lot about their health and how their dog food and diet play into their overall health. At the end of the day, color and consistency of dog poop can say a lot about how your pet is feeling.

 

The Consistency 

pooper 2The first thing you notice is the color. However, when you go to pick up the poop, especially if you are using pet bags rather than a scooper, is the consistency of the stool. The ideal consistency is moist and soft, yet firm stools. When the stool is watery, it can be a sign of an upset stomach due to dog food or GI tract issue. While this does not mean you need to rush to the vet, simply wait and see if this continues.

On the other hand, if your dog has hard, dry poop then you could be dealing with constipation. Often this has nothing to do with dog food and is the result of dehydration, though there could be other factors at play here. Take the time to use natural constipation remedies and if this does not cure the issue, or if your dog seems to be in pain or losing weight, take them to the vet

yoshi pooping

The Colors of the Rainbow

The color of your dogs poop can mean a number of things. For instance, many people do not know that food dyes can show up in your dog’s poop. This means if your dog eats blue iced sugar cookies, then do not be surprised when their poop shows up blue. While some color variation is normal, especially if you are using a rotational diet or if you’re trying a new dog food, if you notice a dramatic color change then there are a few things to keep in mind.

 

  • Orange, Yellow or Pale Colored-This is generally an issue with the liver. It could be the sign of a sign of liver or biliary disease or it could simply mean that your dog’s poop moved too fast through the GI tract to pick up the bile which changes the color to the normal brown you recognize.
  • Yellow Mucus – When the stool is loose, full of mucus and is yellow in color, it is typically the result of a food intolerance. This is especially important to pay attention to if you are feeding your pet a new dog food.
  • Grey and Greasy – This can be a sign of EPI, which is commonly referred to as maldigestion. Essentially this means the pancreas is not functioning properly. It is a common issue for German Shepherds and Collies. The good news is that this is a very treatable condition, but it is serious so take your dog to the vet right away.
  • Green– This could be a sign that your dog has been eating an excessive amount of grass. It can also indicate a parasite, ingestion of rat bait or other issues. Watch the poop to see if this continues to know whether a trip to the vet is needed.
  • Red– This is ofpooperten a sign of blood in the stools. You want to look and see if it is the result of a cut on the anus or not. If not, then you need to take your pet to the vet.
  • Black and tarry– It can be the result of bleeding in the upper GI tract. With this, your vet will often do blood work, a stool sample and ultrasound to determine the cause of the issue.
  • Polka Dot– If you notice white dots or what looks like rice in your dog’s poop then this can be the result of worms. There are deworming solutions you can purchase to take care of the worms.

 

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4 Dog Food Myths You Should Know

When you have a dog, you want to make sure they eat correctly. There are many myths about dog food that people accept as fact. By understanding the truth behind this you will have a better understanding of what food your dog needs so you buy the right dog food at the pet store.

 

Myth #1: All Dog Food Brands Offer Nutritious Food

Many people assume that all dog foods are made the same and offer the nutrition your dog needs. This myth is easy to dispel simply by looking at the dog with bone in his mouthlabel on the dog food. Each one offers a little something different. The problem too is that many of these companies use labels such as balanced and complete which many people assume makes them a better option. The truth is that these are generally just marketing buzzwords designed to sell more dog food.

 

Myth #2: Dry Food is Good for Dog’s Teeth

Another common myth people believe is that dry food will help with dental problems. This is because many people think about the chewing and teeth structure of dogs in the same manner as humans. The truth is that your dog’s teeth are not flat, but sharp and pointed. When they chew the dry food it does not clean the teeth. In many cases, it either shatters or is swallowed whole. In some instances it may actually make their dental problems worse because the food particles can be lodged in the teeth where bacteria growth can start.

 

Myth #3: Changing Dog Food Brands is Bad for Your Dog

People hear all the time that changing dog foods is bad for the digestion of the dog. In reality though you can change the food your dog eats at every meal. As long as it is a high quality food, it will be fine for them to eat. The majority of animal health professionals have embraced the rotational diet as the healthiest plan for dogs. With this you rotate the food your dog eats between raw, fresh cooked, kibble and canned food. There are many benefits to this that can help your dog to have better health.

 

Myth #4: Raw Pet Foods are Dangerous

german shepherd puppy sits on carpet in front of chair

There are also many people who think that raw foods are dangerous to their pets. This is because they think about e.coli, salmonella and other bacteria that can be found in these products. The digestive tract of dogs is much more acidic than human’s which means that it will break down these bacteria where a human’s body will not. You want to make sure you choose the appropriate raw foods for your pet and handle them properly, but this can actually be very healthy for your pet.

Next time you are at the pet store, take the time to look at the ingredients in the dog food. You will notice that most big name brands have 20 or more ingredients with several fillers. Then find a high quality pet food and look at the ingredients they have. Generally this is less than seven ingredients from organic and natural sources.

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