Is Your Dog "Head Pressing"? Call Your Vet ASAP !

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By: Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, Round Lake, IL

I was going through some articles the other day and this one popped up about dogs "head presssing" and if you see your dog doing this to call your vet ASAP.

This article really kind of freaked me out so I stared reading up on this condition and because it can be serious I thought I would blog about it just in case you ever see your dog or even your cat doing this.

So, here is some information about "head pressing".


Pressing the Head Against Objects in Dogs
Head pressing is a condition characterized by the compulsive act of pressing the head against a wall or other object for no apparent reason. This generally indicates damage to the nervous system, which may result from a number of causes, including prosencephalon disease (in which the forebrain and thalamus parts of the brain are damaged), and some types of toxic poisoning.

This condition can affect dogs of any breed or age-range.

Symptoms and Types

The act of head pressing is just one sign of prosencephalon disease, in which the forebrain and thalamus parts of the brain are affected. Other symptoms that may accompany this include compulsive pacing and circling, changes in learned (trained) behavior, seizures, damaged reflexes, and visual problems. Some of these symptoms may lead to lesions, for example, sores on the feet as a result of compulsive pacing, or injuries to the face and head as a result of pressing the head against a surface for long periods of time.

Causes

There are a number of reasons for why a dog might feel a compulsion to press its head against objects, depending on the primary cause that is leading to this symptom. Possible causes may be a metabolic disorder, such as hyper or hyponatremia (too much, or too little sodium in the body’s blood plasma), a primary or secondary tumor (meaning a tumor located in the brain vs. a tumor located elsewhere in the body), or an infection of the nervous system, such as rabies or fungal infection. Other causes can include head trauma, such as from a car accident, or from exposure to toxins, such as lead.

Diagnosis
One primary diagnostic procedure in cases of head pressing includes a fundic examination of the retina and other structures in the back of the eye, which may indicate infectious or inflammatory diseases, as well as irregularities in the brain. Other likely tests are blood pressure measurements to test for high blood pressure, and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. Your veterinarian will also include a urine analysis (which may reveal a problem with the metabolic system), and tests for blood lead concentration (which can indicate toxins in the system).

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health, the onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have preceded this condition.

If you ever do see your dog or cat doing this type of behavior, call your vet ASAP.

Treating Insect Bites and Stings on Your Pets !

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care - Round Lake, IL

Summer is finally here.. WOO HOO !  However, this also means that flies, bees, wasps and other biting and stinging insects are here.

My dog got stung by a bee on his paw once, it was awful and really hard to get the stinger out.  During September, the bees start to die so they are mostly on the ground and dogs and cats can step on them and get stung.

There are some insects out there that can cause severe stings.. for example, fire ants in the South can be extremely dangerous to pets if they end up in one of their mounds.  Poisonous spider bites are also something to watch out for if they are prevalent in your neck of the woods.

This blog post is about how to treat insect bites and stings on your pets.  However, if the bite or sting is from a poisonous insect or animal, please contact your veterinarian immediately or take your pet to an emergency pet clinic for treatment ASAP !

• The stings of bees, wasps, and yellow jackets, and the bites of ants all cause painful swelling and redness at the site of the sting, usually on a hairless area such as the nose or feet. The swelling may include the face and neck, even if the dog was not stung on the face. If the dog is stung many times, he could go into shock as a result of absorbed toxins. Occasionally, anaphylactic shock develops in a dog who has been stung in the past.

• The bites of black widow and brown recluse spiders are toxic to animals. The first sign is sharp pain at the site of the bite. Later the dog develops intense excitability, fever, weakness, and muscle and joint pains. Seizures, shock, and death can occur, especially with the bite of the black widow spider. An antivenin is available to treat these bites.

• The stings of centipedes and scorpions cause a local reaction and, at times, severe illness. These bites heal slowly.

• Treatment:
• Identify the insect.
• If the stinger is found (a small black sac), remove it by scraping it out with your fingernail or a credit card. Do not squeeze or use tweezers, as this can inject more venom. (Only bees leave their stingers behind.)
• Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it directly to the sting.
• Apply an ice pack to relieve the pain and swelling.
• Apply calamine lotion to relieve the itching. 
• Your veterinarian may prescribe an antihistamine.
• If the dog exhibits signs of hypersensitivity to the venom (agitation, face scratching, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, or seizures), take him at once to the nearest veterinary facility for treatment of anaphylactic shock.

If your dog has a severe reaction to a bee sting, you should consult your veterinarian about keeping an Epi Pen kit available and discuss the proper dose for your dog.

Summertime is fun time but to make it even better just make sure your family and your pets are protected and treated if ever stung or bitten.  

Top 5 Reasons You Need a Cat Sitter

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, Round Lake, IL

Summer is now upon us which means a lot of people are scheduling their summer vacations.  But, one of the things everyone needs to think about is who is going to take care of your cat while you are away?

There are many options for you when going on vacation.  One of these options is hiring a cat sitter to come to your home to take care of your cat and your home.  It is called inhome pet care.

Inhome pet care allows the cat to stay in their own environment when you go on vacation.  Not only that, but your cat sitter will also be taking care of your home which can add peace of mind to the homeowner.

Here are the top 5 reasons you need a cat sitter when you go on vacation:

1. The cat or cats can stay in their own environment.  They get to sleep in their own places, they get to use their own litter boxes, they get to eat and drink from their own bowls.   Not only does this reduce the stress and anxiety your cat may feel, it is healthier.  They are not sharing boxes and water and food with other cats.
2. Cats get the one on one attention some of them want.  Not every cat wants affection from a new person in the house which is fine, but they still receive the best care possible with fresh water, food and litter box cleanup.  For the cats that like attention, they have their very own sitter to play with them.
3. Your home is taken care of.  Cat vacation care can also include bringing in your mail and newspapers, rotating lights and blinds, watering plants, checking basements etc.  Having someone coming in at least once a day for your cats also gives the sitter the opportunity to make sure your home has no issues.
4. Watching for any ailments.  Having someone come in every day also allows the person to see if anything is happening with your cats.  Sometimes they require medication, sometimes, they don't feel good and their cat sitter will be able to detect this right away and resolve any issues that come up.  Excellent peace of mind know that you have someone there every day checking to make sure your cat is happy and healthy.
5. Continuous updates.  The best part of having your own sitter come to your home is they can give you continuous updates on how everything is going with your cat and your home.  Just coordinate that with your sitter before you leave.  It is their job to make sure everything is going well. 

So have fun on your vacation and don't worry, your cat sitter will take care of everything.  When you get home, your will have a healthy and happy cat waiting for you !

How Much Does Owning A Pet Really Cost In A Year?

By:  Laurie Brzostowski

As the Owner/President of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, I take care of all kinds of animals like fish, bunnies, cats, dogs, etc.  I also know what the pet parents go through when they get a new pet.  There is the expense of food and supplies, treats, medical bills, etc.  I have had dogs my whole life so I completely understand the cost of raising and taking care of a pet.

Are you looking at getting a puppy, a kitten, a bird or even some fish?  I think that is awesome, but there are some things you need to think about before getting your pet.

Remember... most dogs live to be about 7-15 years of age.  A cat and large birds can live even longer.  This means pet supplies, medical bills, food, etc. 

Getting a pet is a lifetime commitment so let's break it down for you !

DOGS:

• Dog lovers spent an average of $254 on dog food and $70 on treats within 12 months.

• Routine vet visits cost dog owners $248 on average. Flea and Tick preventive medicines ran owners another $161.

• Grooming ran $73 on average per visit (I take my dog to the groomer twice per year).

• Impulse buys (the kind where you buy an extra treat for your doggie at the pet supply store) added another $43 each year.

• Some jurisdictions may also require licensing fees. De-worming and microchip identification will also drive up early costs. This can range from $470 to $565 for dogs.

• Average yearly cost for a dog: $580 to $875.

CATS:

• While cat food costs less than dog food, it's still $220 on average and about $41 for treats.

• Cat supplies like scratching posts, litter boxes and litter can range widely in costs.  Some litter will be more expensive the more environmentally friendly it is.

• Vet visits are also cheaper than dogs.  In fact, some cats that live completely indoors do not get completely vaccinated, however, owners do pay an average of $219 for route vet visits.  Preventative medications including supplements and flea prevention runs an average of $110.

• Grooming your cat is definitely cheaper than a dog and costs around $34 per visit.

• Don't forget the cat toys like laser pens and catnip.  Toys for cats are definitely cheaper than for dogs but still run an average of $21 over 12 months.

• Average yearly cost for a cat: $670

BIRDS:

• Caring for a small bird could cost around $200 per year.

• Vet costs are definitely cheaper than dogs and cats.  Roughly aroiund $117 per year.

• Grooming, cages, and toys add up to around $100 per year.

• Larger birds can be more expensive so keep that in mind when choosing birds.  Also, larger birds live longer and have much for complex needs for socialization and care.

• Average year cost for a small bird? Up to $200.

FISH:

• Freshwater fish owners spent the least amount of money to care of their companions. Food cost about $26 on average per year.

• Fish owners paid an average of $63 within the last 12 months and around $25 for bowls and/or tanks.

• Water test kits usually run an averaqe of $15 and add in an additional $32 for other supplies.

• Aquariums can be expensive running up to $200 initially and of course adding in those decorative items in the tank can be expensive.

• If you plan on doing a saltwater tank, then you are moving into a more expensive arena.

• Average year cost for freshwater fish: $35

So there is your breakdown on how much "on average" a pet really can cost you in a year.  Of course, there can be medical emergencies and other issues that come up which can drive costs up throughout the year.

Make sure when you decide you do want to get a pet, put some money aside for any emergencies that may come up in the care of your new pet.  Checking into vet/pet insurance may also be a wave for you to save on vet costs.

But, if you are like me, those "costs" are just part of owning a pet.  That pet will bring you years and years of happiness and contentment.  Personally, I have no idea what life would be like without my doggies !  

Help! I Can't Keep My Dog Anymore!

By: Laurie Brzostowski

One of the hardest things that I read online is usually when someone leaves their dog behind when they move.  It is heartbreaking to think that these furry family members are left behind to die just because people were not aware of the things they can do to find their pets a new home.

If you happen to be someone who, for some reason, can no longer keep your dog there are steps you can take to make sure your dog has a place to go.

PLEASE do not just drop them off at a shelter or leave them behind to die somewhere alone.

Here some things to consider first:

• If you are considering surrendering your dog because of problem behavior:
• Is the dog spayed or neutered? This simple procedure can have a dramatic impact on some behaviors, and there are low-cost spay/neuter operations available.
• Consult with an animal behaviorist, dog trainer or obedience school. Many of these classes and consultations are very inexpensive and yet have amazing results.
• Read this and try to correct your difficult dog behavior and how to place a dog if you have no other options.
• Discuss the problem with your vet. Your vet may be able to suggest a training method or even a medication to eliminate the problem.
• Keep in mind that if you don't want to deal with the problem, a stranger won't want to deal with it either -- and might even become abusive to the dog. You might also be liable for undesirable and/or undisclosed behavior. In the end, if you don't solve the problem, the dog might be considered unacceptable and ultimately euthanized.

• If you are considering surrendering your dog for any other reason:
• Place an ad in the paper. Be responsible enough to have any dog spayed/neutered before he/she leaves your care. Even puppies at 8 wks can be spayed/neutered.
• Don't give a dog away for free. People collect free dogs and sell to research, dog fighting groups etc... Charging an adoption fee is like giving your dog an insurance policy.
• Do a home visit and a vet reference check to anyone who is considering adopting your family member.
• Post a flier with the dog's picture, height, weight, breed, personality traits, at your vet office / groomer, pet stores, grocery stores, coffee shops, work place etc.
• Utilize the internet such as Facebook and Twitter. 
• Network with family, co-workers and friend.
• Check internet sites for purebred rescue groups and low cost spay and neuter.
• Contact a dog rescue group for assistance and advise. There are breed specific rescues. Be aware that rescue groups get many calls every day of people wanting to surrender their dog who is like their "child" and must deal with good and bad reasons for surrendering of dogs...You must help yourself to help this dog. Rescues can only do so much. We are regular working people just like you, who do rescue because we love dogs. Rescue is a volunteer activity and rescue people commit countless hours and money helping homeless dogs. 
• Contact local shelters/humane societies about their owner surrender policies. Be aware that dogs over the age of 4 are generally euthanized automatically. Also know that the American Bulldog is generally considered a "pit type" breed and may not be put up for adoption. 
• Remember, if you must place your dog in another home, you are in a better position to do this than most rescue groups. Knowing the dog's temperament, you can screen potential families and identify the best match for your dog. And you can ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, without any time spent in strange and traumatic circumstances.

Whatever you choose to do, PLEASE do not just drop your dog off somewhere or leave them behind to die.

Are Your Pets Fat?

By: Laurie Brzostowski

As the Owner/President of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care you can imagine how many cats and dogs I see on a daily basis.  The saddest part about this is that some pets are so seriously overweight it is starting to cause health issues.  Unfortunately, the owners don't seem to want to hear about it or they just don't "see" it.

Last week one of my clients doggies had a severe 4 minute seizure.  We took the doggie to the vet and called the client.  While we were at the vet, we weighed the doggie.  He was 72 lbs.  He is a beagle/basset hound mix and should weight no more than 35 to 40 lbs.  When I told the client how much he weighed, the client was shocked.  I don't know how he could be shocked.. you could tell the poor doggie is overweight and struggling to walk, etc.

I am not saying that the seizure was associated to his weight, however, the vet put the doggie on a strict diet.

I know some people who buy their doggies Happy Meals from McDonalds or ice cream cones from Dairy Queen.  This type of food is not good for them.. it is is not good for humans either, but especially not good for dogs and/or cats.

So to everyone out there, it is VERY important that in order to keep your pets healthy and happy is to make sure you are feeding them a high quality food, watching their weight, exercise, and no "people snacks".

Here are some tips on keeping your pets at a healthy weight:

1. Correct Diet:  Overweight animals consume more calories than they require. Work with your veterinarian to determine your pet’s caloric requirements, select a suitable food and calculate how much to feed. The diet should contain a normal level of a moderately fermentable fiber and the type of fat that prevents the skin and coat from deteriorating during weight loss. Diets that dilute calories with high fiber lead to increased stool volumes, frequent urges to defecate and variable decreases in nutrient digestibility.
    
2. Exercise:  Increasing physical activity can be a valuable contributor to both weight loss and maintenance. Regular exercise burns more calories, reduces appetite, changes body composition and will increase your pet’s resting metabolic rate.
    
3. Owner Behavior Modification: A successful weight management program requires permanent changes in the behaviors that have allowed the pet to become overweight. Perhaps you are giving your pet too many treats, for example, or not giving him enough opportunities to exercise.
    
4. Owner Commitment:  Are you committed to making sure your pets are at their correct weight? Here are some important things you can do:
   - Remove the pet from the room when the family eats.
   - Feed your pet several small meals throughout the day.
   - Feed all meals and treats in the pet's bowl only.
   - Reduce snacks or treats.
   - Provide non-food related attention.

Overweight pets can develop serious illnesses so make sure you are taking the proper steps to keep them at a healthy weight.

You are the pet parent.  It is your responsibility to make sure your pets are healthy and happy.

Does Your Dog Have Canine Degenerative Myelopathy?

By:  Laurie Brzostowski

My doggie Sebastian was diagnosed with this disease just a couple of weeks ago, however, I knew something was wrong for a while. 

He was scuffling his back feet when we walked, he had a hard time standing back up after sitting down, and he was starting to poop in his sleep. 

My doggie is 13-1/2 years old so I decided to start trying to figure out what this was long before the vet diagnosed him.  My doggie is a Yellow Lab so it can affect a lot of different breeds.

There are things that I have done that will help him.  I recently purchased a "Help Em Up" harness (seen in picture).  This harness can stay on your doggie so you can help him up or down when he needs it.  I have also purchased "doggie diapers" to help with his incontinence.  These are just a few things that I did to help my doggie with this disease but each dog is different so doing some research and asking questions is always a good idea.

There is also a group on Facebook that you can join that you can talk to other dog owners who are going through CDRM also.  They have great suggestions and ideas that might be helpful to you.

So, let's discuss what this disease is so we can understand it. 

What is this disease?
Canine Degenerative Myleopathy, also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, is an incurable, progressive disease of the canine spinal cord. Onset is typically after the age of 7 years and it is seen most frequently in the German Shepherd, Pembroke Welsch Corgi, and Boxer, though the disorder is strongly associated with a gene mutation that has been found in 43 breeds as of 2008.  Progressive weakness and incoordination of the rear limbs are often the first signs seen in affected dogs, with progression over time to complete paralysis.  Myelin is an insulating sheath around the neurons in the spinal cord. One proposed cause of degenerative myelopathy is that the immune system attacks this sheath, breaking it down. This results in a loss of communication between nerves in lower body of the animal and the brain.

Can we test for this?
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has a DNA saliva test to screen for the mutated gene that has been seen in dogs with degenerative myelopathy. Now that a test is available the disease can be bred out of breeds with a high preponderance. The test is only recommended for predisposed breeds, but can be performed on DNA from any dog on samples collected through swabbing the inside of the animal's cheek with a sterile cotton swab or through venipuncture.  The test determines whether the mutated copy of SOD1 is present in the DNA sample submitted. It must be interpreted with caution by a veterinary clinician in combination with the animal's clinical signs and other lab test results.

What are the Symptoms?
Degenerative myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination.  These cause a staggering affect that may appear to be arthritis. The dog may drag one or both rear paws when it walks. This dragging can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down. The condition may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. As the disease progresses, the animal may display symptoms such as incontinence and has considerable difficulties with both balance and walking.  If allowed to progress, the animal will show front limb involvement and extensive muscle atrophy and paralysis. Eventually cranial nerve or respiratory muscle involvement necessitates euthanasia or long term palliative care. Progression of the disease is generally slow but highly variable. The animal could be crippled within a few months, or may survive as long as 3 years of more. 

Is there Treatment?
Degenerative myelopathy is an irreversible, progressive disease that cannot be cured. There are no treatments that have been clearly shown to stop or slow progression of DM.

What Can I Do?
Exercise has been recommended to maintain the dog's ability to walk. Physiotherapy may prolong the length of time that the dog remains mobile and increase survival time.  Canine Hydrotherapy (swimming) may be more useful than walking.  Use of a belly sling or hand-held harness allows the handler the ability to support the dog's hind legs for exercising or going up and down stairs. A 2-wheel dog cart, or "dog wheelchair" can allow the dog to remain active and maintain its quality of life once signs of weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs is detected.

This disease is progressive so it is important that you take the steps needed to keep your doggie comfortable until the end.  As pet parents, we promised to love them their whole lives, so take care of your pups any way you can during this time.