New Health Risk for Dogs that have been "Skunked": Heinz-body Anemia

I am one of the lucky pet owners... my dog has never been sprayed by a skunk. But, If you’ve smelled a skunk once, or if your dog has ever been "skunked" it’s hard to forget the odor.  In fact, one of my pet sitter's dogs recently got skunked and she said it is awful.

After my sitter's dog got skunked I decided to read up on it.. what it is, what it can do to you and your pet, and the science behind it (I know.. I am a complete nerd)... LOL !  

So here is the information I now know about skunks and the new "health risk" recently revealed.

The classic rotten-egg smell is caused by a sulfur compound that is released when an “enemy” comes a little too close for comfort. The skunk’s main line of defense is the two anal glands on either side of its anus. When threatened, the skunk will first hiss and stomp. If the threat continues, the skunk will release its anal glands. Amazingly, skunks can spray up to 15 feet, and with great accuracy.

There are six species of skunks in the northern United States, all of which are easily identified by their black bodies and white stripes — and the nasty smell. Ironically, they have an excellent sense of smell (and hearing), but they cannot see well. They are most active at twilight and nighttime.

What Happens When a Dog Is Skunked?
Usually, a skunked dog immediately starts drooling, squinting, face-rubbing and rolling. The spray can cause conjunctivitis, temporary blindness and vomiting.

Rare Reports of Damage to Red Blood Cells

Shedding some new light on the old skunk story, a recent article I just read explains that in rare cases, a skunked dog can get severe anemia and even die from it!

This is a special form of anemia (a low red blood cell count) called Heinz-body anemia. The skunk spray damages the hemoglobin in the red blood cells, the same way acetaminophen (Tylenol), onions and garlic do. This condition only (and rarely) happens in dogs, but interestingly it seems to mostly occur in Japanese dog breeds (e.g., Shiba Inu, Akita and Tosa).

The treatment is called symptomatic and supportive, which means that veterinarians treat the symptoms as they appear.The article I read mentions two dogs with anemia who were reported to the ASPCA toxicology department: a 2-year-old Pharaoh hound and a 5-year-old boxer. The boxer ended up dying from severe anemia. So again, this condition does not happen only in Japanese breeds. Cats are susceptible to this reaction in theory, but no case has been reported.

If the spray got into a pet’s eyes, clean the eyes with plain water and treat vomiting as needed. Don’t neglect the possible other reactions: your pet should be monitored over 72 hours with blood work (a complete blood count, or CBC, to check the red blood cells and a “chemistry”), especially for heavy exposures or multiple sprays. If signs of anemia occur, then your pet will need IV fluids and possibly a blood transfusion.

How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell

One common question that pet owners ask their family vet is, “How can I get rid of skunk smell?” Well, here is a recipe for you, called the Krebaum skunk odor removal formula.*

Ingredients:

• 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1-2 tsp liquid dishwashing detergent
• Large dogs: add 1 quart lukewarm water

What to do:

• Mix the above ingredients fresh.
• Apply the formula to your pet, working deeply into the fur. Bathe your pet outdoors!
• Let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse with lots of water. Repeat as necessary.
• Note: Your pet’s fur — as well as clothing, towels and carpeting — may be bleached by the mixture.
• Warning: Do not store the mixture in a closed container! Oxygen needs to escape as it is released by the peroxide.

Personally, I hope you never get "skunked", but if you do, please keep an eye on your pet and if there are any issues, get him or her to your vet immediately.

Is it separation anxiety? What can I do about it?

When my dog was much younger, he hated being left alone.  I knew he had separation anxiety but I wasn't sure and I didn't know what to do about it.

He is much older now and does not suffer from this anymore, but I know there are a lot of you out there that may be experiencing this and would like to know what it is and what can you do about it.

This blog is offer some assistance in helping with separation anxiety with your dog.  So let's get started.

Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavior problems when they're left alone. The most common behaviors include:

• Digging and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to reunite with their owners
• Destructive chewing
• Howling, barking, and whining
• Urination and defecation (even with otherwise housetrained dogs)

Is it separation anxiety?
If most, or all, of the following statements are true about your dog, he may have a separation anxiety problem:

• The behavior occurs primarily when he's left alone and typically begins soon after you leave.
• He follows you from room to room whenever you're home.
• He displays effusive, frantic greeting behaviors.
• The behavior occurs whether he's left alone for short or long periods.
• He reacts with excitement, depression, or anxiety to your preparations to leave the house. 

What causes separation anxiety
It's not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don't. But it's important to realize that the destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety are part of a panic response. Your dog isn't trying to punish you for leaving him alone.  Following are some common scenarios that can trigger separation anxiety:

• A dog accustomed to constant human companionship is left alone for the first time.
• A dog suffers a traumatic event (from his viewpoint), such as time at a shelter or boarding kennel.
• There's a change in the family's routine or structure or the loss of a family member or other pet.

How to treat minor separation anxiety

• Don't make a big deal out of arrivals and departures. For example, when you arrive home, ignore your dog for the first few minutes then calmly pet him.
• Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you, such as an old T-shirt that you've slept in recently.
• Establish a safety cue—a word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your dog you'll be back.
• Consider using an over-the-counter calming product that may reduce fearfulness in dogs.

How to handle a more severe problem
Use the techniques outlined above along with desensitization training. Teach your dog the sit-stay and down-stay commands using positive reinforcement. This training will help him learn that he can remain calmly and happily in one place while you go to another room.

Create a "safe place" to limit your dog's ability to be destructive. A safe place should:

• Confine loosely rather than strictly (a room with a window and distractions rather than total isolation)
• Contain busy toys for distraction
• Have dirty laundry to lend a calming olfactory cue or other safety cues.

What to do in the meantime
It can take time for your dog to unlearn his panic response to your departures. To help you and your dog cope in the short term, consider the following interim solutions:

• Hire a pet sitter/dog walker to come in during the day to give him/her some exercise by walking and playing with your dog.
• Ask your veterinarian about drug therapy. A good anti-anxiety drug shouldn't sedate your dog but simply reduce his overall anxiety.
• Take your dog to a doggie day care facility when you have to be away.
• Take your dog to work with you, if possible.

What won't help

• Punishment. Punishment isn't effective for treating separation anxiety and can make the situation worse. The destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety aren't your dog's revenge for being left alone: they're part of a panic response.
• Another dog. Getting your dog a companion usually doesn't help an anxious dog because his anxiety is the result of his separation from you, not just the result of being alone.
• Crating. Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses inside a crate, and he may urinate, defecate, howl, or even injure himself in an attempt to escape. Instead, create other kinds of "safe places" as described above.
• Radio/TV noise. Leaving the radio or television on won't help (unless the radio or TV is used as a safety cue).
• Obedience training. While formal training is always a good idea, separation anxiety isn't the result of disobedience or lack of training; therefore, it won't help this particular issue.

If you still need help, consult a professional animal behavior specialist for assistance in resolving your dog's issues. 

Dog Breed Showcase: The beautiful Australian Shepherd

So each month I am going to start showcasing a particular breed of dog.  I get a lot of questions from people who are looking to get a dog for their family and are not sure what to get.  My advice.. do LOTS of research first. 

Each breed is different and requires different needs.

Some are couch potatoes and do great in apartments and some require extensive training and exercise... so make sure BEFORE you get the dog you understand what kind of dog he or she is and what they were bred to do.  This way, you won't be surprised when you get home.

Too many pets are abandoned or given to shelters because the owner did not do their research ahead of time and then decided the pet is not right for their family.  This is very sad for the animal.

The video below will give you some insight into this particular breed, so watch and see if this dog is right for your family.

Our first showcase dog for August 2013 is.... (drum roll)... the Australian Shepherd. Yay!!

Please make your decision to get a dog a wise decision.  Do your research, understand why they were bred, what their requirements are, and, if they are right for your family.

If you do this research ahead of time, you and your dog will have a great life together !

My Stupeflix Video - Welcome to Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, Round Lake, Illinois

Does you dog have allergies? What can you do?

Well, it is allergy season again.. high summer, things are blooming, pollinating, flying around, everyone is sneezing and coughing.. even your dog?

Yes, dogs can get allergies. In fact, it is getting more and more common for pets to have allergies.  There could be a thousand reasons for this but for the one suffering, no one really cares what the reason is, they just need some help in relieving the symptoms.

I am lucky, my dog has never had allergies, but I have quite a few clients dogs that do have them and we do administer medications for those ailments.

Just like people, dogs can show allergic symptoms when their immune systems begin to recognize certain everyday substances—or allergens— as dangerous. Even though these allergens are common in most environments and harmless to most animals, a dog with allergies will have an extreme reaction to them. Allergens can be problematic when inhaled, ingested or contact a dog’s skin. As his body tries to rid itself of these substances, a variety of skin, digestive and respiratory symptoms may appear.

Any dog can develop allergies at any time during his life, but allergic reactions seem to be especially common in terriers, setters, retrievers, and flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers.

What Are the General Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs?

• Itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin
• Increased scratching
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Itchy back or base of tail (most commonly flea allergy)
• Itchy ears and ear infections
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Snoring caused by an inflamed throat
• Paw chewing/swollen paws
• Constant licking

Allergic dogs may also suffer from secondary bacterial or yeast skin infections, which may cause hair loss, scabs or crusts on the skin.

What Substances Can Dogs Be Allergic To?

• Tree, grass and weed pollens
• Mold spores
• Dust and house dust mites
• Dander
• Feathers
• Cigarette smoke
• Food ingredients (e.g. beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat or soy)
• Prescription drugs
• Fleas and flea-control products (The bite of a single flea can trigger intense itchiness for two to three weeks!)
• Perfumes
• Cleaning products
• Fabrics
• Insecticidal shampoo
• Rubber and plastic materials

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Food?
Yes, but it often takes some detective work to find out what substance is causing the allergic reaction. Dogs with a food allergy will commonly have itchy skin, breathing difficulties or gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting, and an elimination diet will most probably be used to determine what food he is allergic to. If your dog is specifically allergic to chicken, for example, you should avoid feeding him any products containing chicken protein or fat.

Please note that food allergies may show up in dogs at any age.

What Should I Do If I Think My Dog Has Allergies?
Visit your veterinarian. After taking a complete history and conducting a physical examination, he or she may be able to determine the source of your dog’s allergic reaction. If not, your vet will most probably recommend skin or blood tests, or a special elimination diet, to find out what's causing the allergic reaction.

How Can Dog Allergies Be Treated?
The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.

Prevention is the best treatment for allergies caused by fleas. Start a flea control program for all of your pets before the season starts. Remember, outdoor pets can carry fleas inside to indoor pets. See your veterinarian for advice about the best flea control products for your dog and the environment.

If dust is the problem, clean your pet's bedding once a week and vacuum at least twice weekly—this includes rugs, curtains and any other materials that gather dust.

Weekly bathing may help relieve itching and remove environmental allergens and pollens from your dog’s skin. Discuss with your vet what prescription shampoos are best, as frequent bathing with the wrong product can dry out skin.

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, they will need to be put on an exclusive prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet. Once the allergy is determined, your vet will recommend specific foods or a home-cooked diet.

Are There Allergy Medications for Dogs?

Since certain substances cannot be removed from the environment, your vet may recommend medications to control the allergic reaction.

So yes dogs can get allergies, but don't fret, there are ways to help alleviate those awful symptoms.  If you are concerned about your dog possibly having allergies, get them to your vet right away.  The sooner the better.. for all of you !