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A Warwickshire veterinary practice has cared for its 100th dog in a thriving partnership with Birmingham Dogs Home launched earlier this year.

The rehoming charity for abandoned and stray dogs brings the pooches to Severn Veterinary Centre’s practice in Henley-in-Arden so they can be neutered by the centre’s team of veterinary experts.

Some dogs will have gone through a period of neglect before arriving at Birmingham Dogs Home, so the charity works with its partners to ensure the dogs are back to full health before finding new homes. The partnership with Severn Veterinary Centre gives the charity discounted neutering, something vital to ensure the dogs can go on to live longer lives.

Severn Vets veterinary surgeon Sophie Elliott, said: “We are always keen to help out with pets in our community so were delighted to be able to help Birmingham Dogs Home when the opportunity arose in the summer. We will have neutered our 100th dog in December and these have been of all ages, and sizes, ranging from German shepherds to terriers, and bulldogs to mastiffs.

“These dogs will have had very stressful periods before arriving at Birmingham Dogs Home and neutering makes a big difference to their well-being as it can help to reduce agitation and prevent serious illness.”

Elliott added: “We have seen some risky cases. One female terrier had pyometra, a potentially life-threatening internal illness. Thankfully, we treated her early enough and she’s doing well.”

Rachel Frost, from Birmingham Dogs Home, said: “We are a busy charity so having reliable and professional veterinary expertise is a must for us. The team at Severn Veterinary Centre is doing an excellent job and the dogs always return to us calm and well recovered, so we can continue their journey to find a loving new home.”

Source: https://www.petgazette.biz/21915-vet-practice-reaches-100-dog-milestone-in-partnership-with-rehoming-charity/

Paw and hand preferences are of great interest in behavior and psychology because they are an indication that one side of the brain is more active than another. A preference for using the right side of the body (hand or paw) is associated with a more active left side of the brain while a preference for using the left side of the body indicates more activity in the right side of the brain. (Each side of the body is controlled by the opposite side of the brain.)

The relative activity of one hemisphere of the brain compare to the other matters because the two hemispheres of the brain have different functions related to emotional processing. The exact distribution of brain function across the two sides is still being explored. In general, the left hemisphere is more heavily engaged in processing positive emotions such as happiness, excitement and affection as well as anything familiar while the left hemisphere is more active in dealing with novel things and negative emotions like fear and sadness. Since many behavioral issues are a result of fear, anxiety and various types of emotional reactivity, an animal’s emotional tendencies are likely to influence their propensity to develop certain behavioral issues. Since paw preference is associated with emotional tendencies, it is unsurprising that some behavior problems have been linked with paw preference patterns.

There is a large body of research on lateralization of brain function, which is often studied indirectly via paw and hand preferences. Previous research in dogs has shown differences such as a greater frequency of stranger-directed aggression in left-pawed dogs than in right-pawed or ambilateral dogs and also that being right-pawed was associated with being more calm and exhibiting lower arousal in response to strangers and new things. Ambilateral dogs have been documented to be more reactive to loud noises than dogs with a paw preference. Interestingly, humans who are ambidextrous are more prone to develop PTSD than people who favor one hand over the other.

A recent study called “Lack of association between paw preference and behavior problems in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris” explored possible associations between paw preference and behavioral problems. Dogs with and without behavior problems were recruited to participate in the study. Of these, 52 dogs had behavior problems and 61 did not. Each dog was tested with a stuffed Kong to determine their paw preference. Every time a dog used a particular paw to stabilize the Kong, that preference used was recorded until the dog had stabilized the Kong 100 times. An overall preference score is then calculated that ranges from +1 for strongly left-pawed dogs to -1 for completely right-pawed dogs. If the results suggested a high likelihood that the distribution of paw use by a dog was not different than that expected by chance, the dog was considered ambilateral.

To assess their behavior, each the guardian of each dog in the study filled out 100 questions of the C-BARQ (Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire). The C-BARQ is a commonly used tool designed to provide researchers with evaluations of canine behavior and temperaments in a standardized way.

Of the dogs in the study, 47 percent were ambilateral, 25 percent were left-pawed and 28 percent were right pawed. There were no differences between the two groups of dogs (those with and without behavior problems) in terms of distribution of paw preference or the strength of those paw preferences. The dogs with behavior problems did score higher on the C-BARQ in 7 of 14 categories of behavior issues—stranger-directed aggression, stranger-directed fear, dog-directed aggression, dog-directed fear, non-social fear, touch sensitivity, and trainability. The group without behavior problems scored higher on aggression towards familiar dogs than the dogs with behavior problems. There were no differences between the two groups of dogs in their scores on separation-related problems, excitability, attention-seeking, chasing, owner-directed aggression and energy.

This study found no significant difference in the distribution of paw preference in the two groups of dogs. The relatively small sample size would make it hard to find such a difference, especially as the behavior problem group was made up of dogs with a variety of issues. Future studies in which all of the behavior problem dogs have the same issue might be more likely to reveal a pattern.

Despite the phrase “lack of association” in the title, the study actually did find some associations of paw preference with behavior problems. Dogs who were left-pawed had lower scores (indicating less issues with) stranger-directed aggression than dogs who were right-pawed or ambilateral. Additionally, the results showed that the stronger the right paw preference of dogs in the behavior problem group were, the higher their scores were on three behavioral issues—stranger-directed aggression, stranger-directed fear and attention seeking.

These results are not entirely consistent with previous research on lateralization which would have predicted that left-pawed dogs, especially those with a strong preference, would be more likely to have these issues. The authors have suggested that perhaps the paw preference test they used is inaccurate. Perhaps the paw used to support the body is the preferred paw rather than the one used to stabilize the Kong. If that is the case, then their findings would line up with previous work that assessed paw preference differently. (Many studies do use the Kong test, however.) Another consideration is that recent research has suggested that although paw preferences are stable over time, they may vary across different tasks. A comparison in humans would be if we tended to make different choices about which hand to use depending on whether we were using a fork, writing or throwing a ball.

This study did more to muddy the waters about lateralization and behavior problems than to enlighten us about the connections. When the goal is trying to uncover the truth about things as complex as our dogs’ brains and their behavior, it’s no surprise that progress is not smooth or straightforward. Though that can be frustrating, it’s also a good reminder that this is how science moves forward much like a young puppy—in uneven steps and not always in the same direction.

Source: https://thebark.com/content/paw-preference-and-behavior-problems

When your pooch cannot tell you that he needs to see the doctor, you have to be the one to know when things are going wrong. Being attentive and educated about the health of your pet is just as vital as those visits to the dog park.

Because a lot of dog owners do not fully understand how seizures affect animals and how to identify them, they often mistakenly diagnose an attack as merely a canine idiosyncrasy such as whining or pacing.

Stages of Seizure

1. Prodome stage. The stage prior to the actual attack. Changes in a dog’s mood can be observed such as display of neediness, excessive panting, pacing, and whining.

2. Ictal stage. The actual seizure itself. Some symptoms include temporary paralysis, loss of consciousness, air-pawing, teeth-chomping, bowel movements, and uncontrollable urination.

3. Post-ictal stage. The moment the dog’s attack is over, he will quickly snap back into consciousness. While the signs in ictal stage only last a few seconds or minutes, here, the symptoms may last for a couple of hours. Behavioral signs may include excessive consumption of food and water, temporary blindness, confusion, drooling, and walking into the wall or objects.

If your dog seems to have suffered from a seizure, seek medical treatment immediately as these can result to permanent damage to his brain. Your vet will be able to diagnose the cause and work with you to determine the best course of treatment.

Common Causes of Seizure

Seizures occur for numerous reasons. Vets will normally recommend various diagnostic tests to find the cause of the problem. This usually begins with blood tests that may lead to advanced brain tests such as MRI, CT, and CSF. The following could likely be the source of canine seizures:

1.       Developmental or structural abnormality

2.       Reaction to allergen or toxin

3.       Systemic disorder such as thyroid disease or liver shunt

4.       Viral or bacterial infection

5.       Brain tumor, benign or malignant

6.       Poor diet and/or reaction to low quality pet food

What to Do

If you believe your dog is having an attack, try to remain calm and keep him out of danger. Start moving any object that may get in the way or may fall on your dog, should he bump into it. Try blocking off stairways and any area that may present safety threats. Never place your hand or anything in or near your pooch’s mouth as you may get seriously injured. Yes, he may bite his tongue, but he surely will never swallow it. In other words, simply try to steer clear of your pet until the attack is over.

How to Manage the Condition

In cases where brain abnormalities are identified, treatment options will vary according to the specific diagnosis as well as severity of the disorder. Luckily, attacks in epileptic dogs can be regulated with dietary changes and/or medications. There are numerous anti-convulsive drugs that your veterinarian may use to prevent seizures. Most vets, however, would not recommend medication if the attacks are mild or if it takes place less than once a month. Like any other drug, these pharmaceutical treatments have side effects. Nevertheless, if they help in controlling your pooch’s seizures, you may find that the benefits overshadow the risks.

The following video shows Tanner, a senior Golden Retriever, going through a fairly severe seizure. It may be difficult for some to watch, but Tanner’s human does a great job of remaining calm and describing what is happening while making sure she is safe in her environment. This dog has had extensive veterinary care, but has suffered with seizures throughout her entire life.

Source: https://www.dogingtonpost.com/is-my-dog-having-a-seizure/

Dogs in cruel breeding facilities (a.k.a. puppy mills) are generally already condemned to an existence of neglect and suffering. Yet occasionally stories of breeder cruelty come to light that far surpass even the predictably dire conditions.

We recently received a disturbing inspection report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of a federally licensed dog breeder drenching a dog’s wound in hot sauce to prevent her from licking it. Within the report were photos of the Husky in question, the sore on her leg and what the breeder claimed were treatment instructions written by a licensed veterinarian: “Pour hot sauce on so she’ll stop licking leg.” Documentation indicates that the breeder initially treated the dog with hot sauce before the vet exam was conducted and continued to treat the dog in subsequent months. At the time of the USDA inspection, the vet was unable to be reached for verification.

The USDA oversees commercial breeders and is responsible for enforcing minimum standards of animal care set forth in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). But due to the USDA “blackout,” in which the agency removed its animal welfare records from its publicly accessible website, we have no way of learning who this breeder is or whether any enforcement actions were taken against this breeder. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that there were any substantive repercussions.

It seems like this could only be the isolated offense of an irrational breeder; yet reports of strange and often cruel DIY treatments administered by breeders are unfortunately not rare. Commercial breeders are always looking for ways to increase their profit margins. Given how cursory and infrequent USDA inspections are, this is surely just the tip of the iceberg as far as breeders employing ridiculous techniques to cut corners and save money.

We received another alarming report conducted on a licensed guinea pig breeding facility, at which the breeder was adding Tang drink powder to the animals’ drinking water to treat vitamin C deficiency. The breeder claimed he had conferred with a vet on this course of treatment, yet the vet was unreachable for comment at the time of the inspection.

The same licensed guinea pig breeder was also cited for performing DIY euthanasia on his animals. The method he employed was not described, but the report made clear that his method was a violation because it was “not acceptable as performed by a vet with an injection of solution” and did not meet the requirements of “being a humane destruction accomplished by a method that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or distress.” It’s disturbing to imagine the suffering these animals likely endured at the hands of this USDA licensee.

What can be gathered by these two troubling reports is that commercially bred dogs and other animals are made to forego regular vet care in favor of questionable and cruel home remedies. Breeders may—and do—frequently perform a host of invasive veterinary procedures themselves, including ear cropping, tail docking and caesarian sections. Further, because of the blackout, neither we (the ASPCA) nor anyone else can discover the identity of these breeders. We are also unable to determine if the USDA is doing its job of enforcing the federal law against these types of breeders.

Lack of transparency plus lack of enforcement adds up to a terrible situation for animals in cruel breeding facilities. We are determined to restore the USDA’s database of inspection reports and increase enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, but we need your help. Please stand up for suffering animals by signing our petition demanding the USDA restore full access to animal welfare information.

Source: https://www.aspca.org/news/huskys-wound-treated-tabasco-sauce-usda-licensed-breeder

The holiday season is fast approaching, and this time of year is often spent with family and friends. For many, this will mean traveling—whether across town or across the country—to be with loved ones during the holidays. Travel plans must be made and gifts must be purchased, but for these would-be travelers who are also pet parents, one more item should be added to the holiday to-do list: finding a professional pet sitter.

Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, advises pet owners to ensure they can travel worry-free—and that their pets stay happy and healthy—this holiday season by securing the services of professional pet sitters.

“Knowing that a beloved pet can enjoy the stress-free environment of its own home during the holiday season can provide great peace of mind for pet owners,” said Patti J. Moran, PSI founder and president. “But, it’s important that pet owners understand what to look for and what questions to ask when selecting a professional pet sitter.”

Know the questions to ask when selecting pet care

PSI advises pet owners to ask seven important questions when interviewing a potential pet sitter:

1. Does the pet sitter have the proper business license for your city or state, if required?

2. Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?

3. Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?

4. Does the pet sitter provide client references?

5. Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?

6. Is the pet sitter a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS®) and/or has he or she participated in other pet-care training, such as pet first aid?

7. Is the pet sitter a member of a professional and educational association, such as Pet Sitters International?

Even for pet owners who don’t plan to travel long distances, a pet sitter can also come in handy to help keep pets on their regular schedules while the owners are out shopping late or enjoying holiday parties.

Now’s the time to book holiday pet care!

But, pet owners in need of pet-care services this holiday season should contact their local professional pet sitters right away. PSI’s 2018 Pet Sitter Holiday Survey found that 65 percent of the professional pet sitters say they are usually fully booked for holiday pet-sitting visits at least two to three weeks prior to the holiday—and nearly 11 percent are fully booked at least two months in advance.

More than one-third of the responding pet sitters begin accepting holiday assignments a year in advance!

Pet owners who need in-home pet care during the holiday season can visit www.petsit.com/locate to find professional pet sitters in their areas and download the Pet Sitter Interview checklist.

Provided by Pet Sitters International, www.petsit.com

Source: https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/add-finding-professional-pet-sitter-your-holiday-do-list/119934

This post is sponsored by Nestlé Purina. I received compensation, but all opinions are my own. Catladyland only shares information we think would be of interest to our readers. 

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If you look in most medicine cabinets, one of the first medicines you’re likely to see? Benadryl.

Benadryl is an extremely common antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, or itchy eyes. For humans who have allergies, Benadryl can a game-changer. But what about for pups?

While vets typically don’t recommend giving human medication to dogs, Benadryl is one medicine that often gets their stamp of approval. Many vets recommend giving your dog Benadryl for everything from insect bites to anxiety. But what are the guidelines when administering benadryl for dogs? What is Benadryl an effective treatment for? And when (and under what circumstances) should you give Benadryl to your pup?

What Is Benadryl?

Before we jump into how to use Benadryl for dogs, let’s talk about what, exactly, Benadryl is.

Diphenhydramine HCL, the active ingredient in Benadryl, is a receptor antagonist. Now, if you’re scratching your head and thinking “H1 antaga-what?!,” let us explain.

Throughout your body, there are proteins called histamine receptors. When your body produces histamine, it binds with these receptors and creates all of those pesky allergy symptoms (like sneezing or an itchy throat).

A receptor antagonist blocks the histamine receptors—so, if there’s histamine in your body, it can’t bind with the receptor and wreak all that allergy-related havoc. Think of it like this—the histamine receptor is a parking spot. When you take a receptor antagonist like Benadryl, it’s like parking a car in that spot—so when histamine shows up, the spot’s already taken. Benadryl doesn’t stop the body from producing histamine—it just stops it from binding to the histamine receptors and causing adverse reactions in the body.

Is It Safe To Give My Dog Benadryl?

Now that you know how Benadryl works, let’s talk about the most important question of all—when it comes to Benadryl for dogs, is it safe?

And the answer is—yes, it is. But it’s important to educate yourself before you give your dog any medication, and that includes Benadryl.

Technically speaking, Benadryl isn’t FDA-approved for use in animals. But Diphenhydramine HCL has a number of off-label uses, and prescribing Benadryl for dogs is common practice with vets around the country.

That being said, you shouldn’t give your dog Benadryl before consulting with your vet. Your vet will be able to tell you if A) Benadryl is an effective treatment for whatever ailment your pup is struggling with, b) there are any potential side effects or drug interactions you should be on the lookout for, and c) whether it’s safe for your dog to take, given their medical history and current list of medications.

When Should I Give My Dog Benadryl?

Benadryl is an allergy drug, so obviously, it makes sense to give it to your dog if they’re struggling with allergies.

Benadryl can help relieve your dog of mild-to-moderate allergy symptoms, including:

• Itching
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny Nose
• Runny Eyes
• Swelling
• Hives

If you know what your dog is allergic to, it’s better to give your dog Benadryl before they’re exposed to the allergen; so, for example, if you know they always have an allergic reaction to the dander at the dog park, give it to your pup 30 minutes to an hour before you go. However, Benadryl works pretty quickly—so if you give your dog Benadryl after they have an allergic reaction, it should only take 30 minutes to an hour to start providing relief.

If your dog struggles with more serious allergy symptoms, Benadryl might not do the trick. Talk to your vet to get your dog on the proper medications for his allergies (and to give your sweet pup a little relief from all the sneezes and itchiness!).

Also, if your dog has a severe allergic reaction or goes into anaphylactic shock, it’s important to get them emergency medical care immediately.

How Do I Figure Out The Correct Dosage Of Benadryl For My Dog?

So, Benadryl is safe for dogs—but now it’s time to talk dosage.

Just like with any human medication, the dose of Benadryl for dogs is super important. Too small a dosage and they won’t get any relief from their symptoms. Too high a dose and you run the risk of serious side effects or overdose.

So how, exactly, do you find the right dosage for your dog?

The standard dosage guidelines are 1 mg of Benadryl per pound of body weight two to three times per day. So, if your dog weighs 25 lbs, you can give them a 25 mg dose of Benadryl for dogs every eight to 12 hours. If your dog weighs 5 lbs, you’d give them a 5 mg dose.

Again, before giving your dog any medication, you’re going to want to talk to your vet to get the green light—and that includes on how much Benadryl to give your pup. In certain cases, your vet may recommend upping the dosage (for example, if your dog gets bit by a pup), or lowering the dosage (for example, many vets recommend children’s Benadryl, which has smaller amounts of Diphenhydramine HCL, for dogs like chihuahuas) to best suit your dog and their needs.

Can I Give My Dog Benadryl For Anxiety?

If your dog has anxiety, you know it can be a struggle—for both you and your pup. Your dog might become anxious when you leave him at home alone (also known as separation anxiety), when he has to interact with new dogs or people, or in reaction to loud noises (like thunderstorms or street traffic). Anxiety can cause your dog to react in a number of ways; anything from excessive barking to scratching at the door (and causing some serious damage in the process) are typical side effects of canine anxiety.

Now, Benadryl is officially a drug for allergies—but that’s not the only thing you can use it for. One of Benadryl’s most common (and popular!) off-label uses is as a treatment for anxiety—and that includes for your dog.

Benadryl has mildly sedative effects. When you give your dog anxiety, those sedative effects can help your dog keep from getting overly anxious—and keep any anxiety-related symptoms at bay. So, if you’re wondering “is Benadryl safe to calm dogs down?” the answer is absolutely.

One thing to keep in mind—Benadryl is great for anxiety, but those sedative effects can also make your dog sleepy. If you have any activities scheduled where your dog needs to be awake and alert, save the Benadryl for another time.

How do I use Benadryl for my dog when traveling?

As we just mentioned, Benadryl is a great option to give your dog when they have anxiety. But even if you don’t have an anxiety-prone dog, there’s one activity that can make even the most chill dogs out there at least a little bit jumpy—and that’s traveling.

Traveling can be tough for your pup. Whether they’re traveling in your car or on a plane, chances are, they’re stuck in their crate or their carrier for hours on end. Plus, when you’re traveling, there aren’t many opportunities to give them the attention and comfort they need. If you’re traveling in a car, you’re either driving or strapped into one of the seats. If you’re flying, you have to obey airline rules and keep them in their carrier. It makes total sense that your pup would feel anxious in that situation!

Giving your dog Benadryl before they travel is a great way to help your pup manage their nerves during the long trip ahead. And as an added bonus, Benadryl may also help your dog with motion sickness—so you don’t have to worry about any mid-flight or mid-ride tummy issues.

Wrapping things up

You want your pup to feel as good as possible, as often as possible. And if your dog struggles with allergies, anxiety, or just good, old-fashioned travel nerves, Benadryl can be a great way to ensure they feel their best.

But one more time for good measure—before you give your dog ANY medication, including Benadryl, it’s important to talk to your vet. Let your vet know your dog’s history, any medications he is on (or has been on in the past), and why you think your dog might need Benadryl. They can give you the proper guidance on whether Benadryl is the right fit for your dog—and, if it’s not, what you can give your dog to make it feel better.

Source: https://barkpost.com/answers/when-to-give-my-dog-benadryl/