Happy 4th of July!

I know that this is a national holiday, but with a dog who has a noise phobia, it is very difficult to enjoy all the fireworks.  Where I live, there are many families setting off fireworks and firecrackers, even though we live in city limits.  My poor Satchmo is about to have a nervous breakdown!

On another note, I have been worried about Austen.  He has been really sick with diarrhea and vomiting for the last two days.  I've been afraid he would get dehydrated, so I started giving him Pepto Bismol and that seemed to help him just a little.  Today, he has finally stopped having the squirts, but now he has a sick stomach and lays around looking miserable.  What to do?

Thursday's issues --Your Dog's Medicine Cabinet

Everyone who owns a pet needs to stock certain items for pet emergencies.  Usually, if your pet gets sick, it will almost always be in the night, on the weekend, or on a holiday.  You will need to learn some type of pet First Aid and have a first aid kit for your pets.  You need to educate yourself on signs and symptoms of pet illness and what you can do to help. 

Here is an article I found that lists some of the items you need to have on hand:
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Your Dog's Medicine Cabinet

By: Dr. Amy Wolff

Hydrogen peroxide should be in every dog's medicine cabinet.

For Minor Illnesses
Most of us keep a variety of medicines at home for those occasions when we are sick or injured, but did you know there are some important medicines to keep on hand if your dog is not well? Here are some of the commonly used items you should have on hand in your dog's medicine chest. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving any medicines to your dog.

3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide should be in every dog's medicine cabinet. Although most commonly thought of as a way to clean a wound, another important use is to induce vomiting when your dog has ingested toxins, foreign objects, drugs or spoiled food. However, check with your veterinarian first because there are times when it is best not to induce vomiting. Dogs won't drink peroxide willingly so buy an oral dose syringe or keep a turkey baster on hand to help administer the liquid. Also check the expiration date; expired peroxide is not as effective.

Diphenhydramine

Benadryl® (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that is commonly used for itching and allergic reactions. Dogs that have had a bee sting, insect bite or vaccination reaction often need a dose of Benadryl® to calm itchiness, facial swelling or hives. The dose is based on your dog's weight, so check with your veterinarian; he or she can tell you how much Benadryl® you can give and how often.

Pepto-Bismol/Kaopectate

Every dog owner knows about vomiting, diarrhea and gas. Sometimes a dose of Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate can solve a mild case of stomach or intestinal upset. However, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, the active ingredient in aspirin, so dogs that are aspirin sensitive should be given Kaopectate. Any vomiting or diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours needs your veterinarian's attention. Be sure to mention if you have given any Pepto-Bismol to your dog; the tablet form of Pepto-Bismol looks just like a quarter on X-rays.

Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Topical antibacterial ointment is great for superficial wounds, such as cuts and scratches. It works best when the wound is located where the dog can't lick it since most dogs will lick off any salve you apply. It is not a good treatment for deep wounds, especially if they are dirty or bleeding, or the result of a bite. These need veterinary attention.

Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is often a good drying agent for ears. Many dogs that have recurring ear infections can use a solution of alcohol mixed with vinegar to dry up a wet ear. Alcohol should never be used in an ear that is inflamed or infected, or on a wound, as it burns when applied to damaged tissues. It can also be used in cases where your dog is overheated. Heat stroke is a life threatening situation that requires immediate veterinary attention, but alcohol applied to the pad of your dog's feet can provide some cooling while you are getting your pet to the vet.

Bandages and Tape

It can be challenging to bandage a bleeding wound on your pet. Most often an old sock and electrical tape are cleverly used as bandages when an emergency arises. Keep a pack of clean or sterile gauze and some medical tape handy. Most bleeding wounds require pressure and tape will help keep the gauze in place.

Oral Dose Syringe/Pill Gun/Pill Splitter

Your veterinarian can supply you with a handy little item called a pill gun. It is a long plastic tube with a plunger used to deliver pills to our less cooperative friends. Some dogs just aren't fooled by that little meatball with the pill in the middle. The pill gun keeps you from having to stick your hand/fingers into your dog's mouth when medicating him. An oral dose syringe will help you give liquid medications accurately. A pill splitter will help you cut large tablets into equal portions if your pet requires a smaller dose.

Having these medications on hand is only half the job. Calling your pet's doctor for proper instructions and potential side effects is the other. Never give your pet any medicine prescribed for people unless instructed by your veterinarian.

Please visit the site for more information about pet health.

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Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday True Stories -- Faith Walks

This is just absolutely too awesome for words!  Just watching this happy hound makes me happy.  For all of us who like to roll in our own misery, I recommend watching these videos.  Shame on us if a dog can out do us in the happiness area and can overcome massive adversity with a cheerful attitude!  Please watch these incredible videos.  You will be amazed.

Thursday's issues -- service dog training

Dogs Help Wounded Soldiers Heal

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have left many of our soldiers with wounds, both visible and invisible.  But now, service dogs are working to help our men and women in uniform overcome their injuries.  And, in turn, wounded soldiers are training the dogs for future service people returning from battle.  Trained dogs are able to aid the injured in numerous ways.

"They can open refrigerator doors, pick up fallen items unreachable by wheelchair-bound humans and even create hedges of protection around handlers who struggle with anxiety in public places or are easily startled because of symptoms associated with post- traumatic stress disorder.

Some dogs can even read.

And by age 2, they have mastered between 90 and 130 different verbal commands."

The pilot program at Fort Stewart in Georgia is producing "phenomenal" results, according to participants, helping amputees, those afflicted with PTSD, and other disorders.

This article is from Dog News Daily.   This is a great site to find articles about dogs in the news and to research ongoing issues for dogs around the world.  Join them when you are there, won't you?

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday True Stories -- Dog survives desert ordeal

Dog survives desert ordeal

A small dog lost in the desert for nearly six weeks is back home again, a little skinnier for the experience but otherwise healthy.

Tamara Martin of Beaver Dam said TJ, a rat terrier/chihuahua mix belonging to her extended family, ran away from the veterinarian’s kennel in Mesquite on May 7. The dog had been let out into an enclosed yard for exercise, but managed to get through the fence.


“We forgot to tell them TJ is an escape artist,” said Barbara Lefler, Tamara’s grandmother who cares for the dog. “He just took off.”

The veterinarian’s staff hunted for hours for the dog, than called the family the next morning. The family and friends began searching, but they too were unsuccessful.

“We kept looking, put up posters, asked people to look,” Tamara said.

She did get calls that TJ had been spotted, but no one was able to get near the little dog.
“At first he was hanging out by the new houses they’re building on Hardy Way,” said Tamara.
Then for a while, she received no reports about the missing dog.

“After a couple of weeks, people said, ‘You might as well give up,’” she said. “It was hot, over 100 degrees, and there’s no water out there. And then there’s the foxes and the coyotes.”

But she said the family didn’t want to give up.

“We would still drive up there looking for him,” she said. “He’s been part of our family for four years. My aunt, Julie (Lefler) took a lot of time off to go looking for him.”

Barbara said another family dog, Chiquito, clearly missed TJ.

“He’d be sitting on the arm of my chair looking out the window,” she said. “When he heard other dogs bark, he’d go crazy, thinking it was TJ.”

The loss of the dog was especially difficult for Tamara’s daughter, Chyanne, 11, who was close to TJ [...read more...]