Wag Reflex

Pet News From Around the Net

What happened in the world of pets this week? Sit, stay, and become informed.

A dog house for President Obama made with wood from trees planted by Andrew Jackson (PetSugar)
Jane Goodall weighs in on the recent chimp attack. Spoiler alert: she sides with the chimp (L.A. Unleashed)
Three things all dogs should know (Dog Star Daily)
Gisele Bundchen's dogs were blinged out in D&G during her wedding (ohmidog!)
The White House conducted an extrodinary rendition on a racoon (TimesOnline)
Our own Sarah Wilson answers some interesting pet behavior questions (PBS Engage)

--Spanno

Lumps and Bumps

Most of our canine companions develop lumps over the course of their life. The lumps come in all shapes and sizes and show up anywhere. Some grow quickly and are bothersome. Others are soft, move easily under the skin or grow slowly. There are a few benefits to having any mass checked out early:

The peace of mind you get from confronting this bump and knowing what lies ahead is nice, especially if it is found to be benign. If not thought to be benign, then you get to make a plan, which puts you one step ahead of not knowing anything.

What if you want it off? Not now, but if it grows? Depending on its location on the body, a mass can be easy or hard to remove. What might look like a very small, insignificant mass on the tail, for example, if allowed to continue growing, may easily outgrow the window of opportunity to remove it. The tail has such little extra skin that even the smallest of masses can pose trouble, sometimes resulting in tail amputation.

Knowing the type of mass your pet has helps with surgical planning. After using a small needle to collect samples from the mass, your vet or a local pathologist who works with your vet tries to identify the cell type. Sometimes this method isn’t successful in telling us what the mass is but it is a necessary step before surgeries.

While I do not push for immediate surgical removal of benign, non-bothersome masses on my patients, I tell the owners that the general rule is: the smaller, the better. If they think they may, one day, want that mass off then I draw them a picture of how large the mass can get before they have to make that call. Otherwise, the surgical removal jumps from routine to complicated, the surgery bill becomes more expensive and the patient has a longer recovery.

Photo from haleyhughes' photostream.

--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information

Obama Family Decides on a Portuguese Water Dog

Over one month in, President Obama (and family) has finally decided on a dog. According to CNN.com, "First Lady Michelle Obama told People magazine that her family has decided to adopt a Portuguese water dog, pointing to the breed’s medium-sized and good-natured reputation. The breed is also hypoallergenic--a must, given daughter Malia’s allergy to dogs."

The Obama's will pick up their new addition in April. Here's a full-grown example of a Portuguese water dog:

 

Photo from J R Webb's photostream.

--Spanno 

Happy Trails And Happy Tails

If you’re like me, you love to involve your dog in all your outdoor activities. My dog is my buddy and a great running companion. He makes me feel safe, he adjusts to whatever pace I set and he’s just happy to be with me.  He has trained with me for 5K’s, triathlons and marathons. If you want to get your dog to be your running partner, follow these tips to keep him safe, healthy and comfortable.

1. Definitely Wait Until Your Dog is Full-Grown.
Running with a puppy is not recommended.  This can cause damage to their cartilage, bones and growth plates. You should wait until your dog is at least a year old giving them time to mature.

2. Go slow in the beginning.
Start your dog out slowly, just like you would if you were new to running. Gradually increase the time and mileage. This will reduce the risk of injury. 

3. Use a leash.
Even if your dog is well-trained, he may still try to run off if he sees another dog or animal. If you don’t want to hold the leash you can purchase a hands-free running leash which attaches around your waist.

4. Keep Your Dog Hydrated.
Make sure you carry enough water for both you and your dog. Teach your dog how to drink from a water bottle or carry a portable doggie bowl to put water in. Watch for signs of heat stress or fatigue which include can include slowing down, weakness, inability to stand, glassy eyes, and foaming at the mouth.  If you notice any of these signs try to cool your dog down immediately with cold water and get him into the shade. If he doesn’t go back to normal within 10 minutes it is suggested to seek veterinary help.

5. Stick to Trails.
Whenever possible, run on the sidewalk or use well marked trails. Avoid heavily trafficked areas. 

6.  Use reflective material at night. 
When running in the fall and winter it is recommended that you use a reflective vest, collar and leash on your dog so he can be easily spotted by drivers, cyclists and other pedestrians

7. Check your dog for injuries.
Watch your dog for signs of limping or pain. Dogs can injure tendons and ligaments just like their human partners. Check all pads for any signs of blistering, laceration or excessive wear. Remember, your dog isn’t wearing shoes!

Follow these tips to help keep your dog safe and healthy while running! Happy Trails and Happy Tails!

Photo from treehuggin1's photostream.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information   

Winter Safety Tips

Loki and I will be starting our annual Avalanche Rescue Dog training soon. For us, that means heading up to Snoqualmie pass once or twice a month to bury volunteers in snow caves up to eight feet deep and search for them. It’s a lot of fun for the handlers, even more fun for the dogs, and a valuable skill in a region where snow sports are so widely practiced, and a lot of people travel out of bounds. 

Our dogs love to play in the snow, but there are a few things you should watch out for with your dog during the winter. Dogs can tire out much more quickly than they would on a trail in the summertime.  Imagine how tired you’d get if you were wading through chest deep snow!

Dogs can also get hypothermia. Since they burn so many more calories than we do wading through the snow, it’s easier than you might think. We’ve actually had this happen to a couple of our search dogs on real searches, so it can happen to anybody. Watch for shivering, shelter-seeking, or lethargy. When a dog’s body temperature drops too far, them can become lethargic, or even unresponsive. This is an emergency!  You need to get your dog out of the cold environment and someplace warm quickly. 

Here in the North Cascades Mountains, our snow is often very heavy, wet, or icy, and can easily abrade or cut a dog’s pads. We carry dog booties (I use RuffWear’s Bark ‘n Boots) in our packs for days that the snow has a hard crust of ice that can cut their pads, or to protect our dogs’ feet if they do get cut. 

Have fun this winter with your dog. Stay safe and warm. 

Photo from mylilangel's photostream.

--Jon Wieringa
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Jon Wieringa is an ICU veterinary technician, a search and rescue K-9 handler, and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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--Spanno

World's Oldest Dog

Chanel is a 20-year-old (102 in dog years) wire haired Dachshund from New York. She is reportedly the world's oldest dog. The secret of her longevity? Table food.

According to her owner, "Right now she eats a special diet dog food. I boil her chicken every day and then I cut it up and put it on her dog food but she has been eating table food her whole life."

From The Sun, via Buzzfeed.

Is your dog older? Let us know by sending in his/her profile.

--Spanno

Socks the Cat Died

People.com is reporting that former first feline of the Clinton administration, Socks, died on Friday after battling throat cancer. He was 20.

The Clintons released a statement to People.com saying, "Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere."

Socks was the subject of books, comic strips, and an episode of Murphy Brown. He had been living with Bill Clinton's former secretary Betty Currie since leaving the White House.

--Spanno

Pet News From Around the Net

What happened in the world of pets this week? Sit, stay, and become informed.

• Mickey Rourke's beloved 18-year-old Chihuahua died (PetSugar)

• Is your pet addicted to TV? Probably not. (vetblog)
• How to treat separation anxiety (Natural Pet Health)
• A two-year-old Indian boy "married" a dog because of a tooth problem (ohmidog!)
• Yes, you can give hedgehogs baths (Cute Overload)

--Spanno

Stylish Doggy Duvets

As the senior pets editor for Amazon.com I read about a lot of new pet products. Some of these products are really cool and I figure you'd like to know about them. My goal is to showcase one or two of these gems every week.

So some of you may be thinking, "Why in the world would I buy a duvet for my dog? I don't even have a duvet." I think of it this way: it's not for the dog--it's for me. I don't want to look at my dog's ratty-looking bed I bought at Costco last year. She loves that bed and I don't want to buy a new one. The logical solution is to cover up the ugly with something rather stylish.

Enter Molly Mutt dog bed duvets (available March 2009). You can re-cover your dog's bed or stuff them with old blankets. The best part is that, unlike the bed, you can wash them.

--Spanno