Veterinary Highlights: Routine Blood Work?

The first blood work Jasmine had done was a pre-anesthesia panel for her spay operation. It was presented to us as optional. Even though I didn't know much of anything back then, I felt it was a good idea.

I couldn't count how many times Jasmine had her blood tested since then.

One thing I learned is the value of blood testing. We don't only run the blood panel when there is something wrong, but every now and then just to make sure nothing is brewing in the background.

There are a lot of things that will show up on a blood panel long before the onset of visible symptoms. 

The sooner you discover a problem, the better the odds for your dog.

And even if your dog is perfectly healthy, it is good to have a baseline to compare results with when he does become ill.

Yes, it is an extra expense. But I believe it's well worth it. 

In fact, Jasmine will be getting her blood and urine tested again by the end of October.

Tails of Seattle: A Pets blog published a great veterinary Q&A on the subject, Why blood work in necessary. Please do read it.

Do I sound like a blood work and urine testing advocate? You better believe it. Such testing will allow you to see what the eyes cannot.

The Always-At-Hand Diagnostic Tool: Whoa, Girl Dogs Have Anal Glands Too!

A great diagnostic tool is right in front of your nose!

While we cannot measure up to our dogs in the olfactory department, it doesn't mean that our noses are useless. Our main disadvantage isn't how much information our noses can collect but how little of it we can interpret.

Bad or suspicious odor can be a (subtle) first sign of a problem.

Ever since Jasmine's back-to-back skin issues, I learned to pay close attention to the way her skin smelled—particularly around her tail where she got the worst of the infection last time. The fur is very thick there and can hold unwanted moisture.

I do regular sniff-checks to determine whether or not she is due for her next medicated bath.

Last week's check resulted in an immediate action.

Normally, when something is brewing in Jasmine's skin, it smells like a "moldy rag". You know, if you have a towel or rag that was damp for too long. (I say moldy, but it is actually bacteria what is causing the smell)

Last week I thought it smelled rather different, but wasn't sure what to make of it.

Jasmine got her bath and everything smelled right that night.

The next day though, the smell was back with a vengeance. 

I was quite sure we dried her really well but not to take any chances we bathed her rump again.

All was well that night but the next day the smell returned yet again.

What I found strange was that while the smell seemed quite strong, it seemed as it wasn't really coming from her skin. Also the nature of the smell was different; it smelled more poopy than anything. Which didn't make any sense because I checked and she was perfectly clean.

The thought of anal glands crossed my mind but I didn't say it out loud. There were no other signs of an issue in that department.

Fortunately, Jasmine had an appointment for catrophen (Canadian version of Adequan) injection for Saturday morning. To be on the safe side I included instructions for the vet to check the skin around her tail, and her rectum.

Expecting just to give a couple of quick injections, the vet walked in cheerfully, carrying coffee and a bag with breakfast. 

Little he realized we had a different plan for him.

He put the breakfast down, checked the skin and looked at the rectum. "Seems to look fine," he said, but because he never takes described symptoms lightly, he went on checking the glands. "There is a little bit of discharge ... oh, there it is. There is a bit of infection."

"Nothing like doing this just before breakfast."

He expressed the anal sacs.

Jasmine didn't know what to make of all that, "hey, didn't know that we were THAT friendly!"

Because the infection was still minor, no medication seemed necessary. He will check them again on Friday to see how they're doing. The smell seems to have gone away though, so I think that the expression might have just done the trick.

"You're never gonna underestimate my wife's nose again, are you?" hubby asked.

But the vet didn't underestimate it the first time either. That is one of the things that make him the great vet he is.

And I am glad that I paid attention to my scent findings too. Unhappy anal sacks can get pretty nasty.

So the next time your nose tells you that something is off, listen to it. You might save your dog a lot of grief.

It's your dog's health,
Jana

Did your nose ever alert you to a health problem in your dog?

Related articles:
Symptoms To Watch For In Your Dog: Bad Odor
Rump Scooting is Not a New Trick - It is a Serious Problem

Dog Cartoon Of The Week: Good Boy!

***

Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.


Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, Barrons, Woman's World, Harvard Business Review, Saturday Evening Post, American Legion Magazine, Funny Times.

Adoption Monday: Rusty, Labrador Retriever, Clovis, CA

Rusty is a yellow male, approx. 10 mos. old and 53 lbs. 

Rusty came to Lab Rescue via a rural area where his people did not come looking for him. He was saved by a kind family that cared for him until he came into rescue.

Rusty is a sweet young boy who we think has a little something else in him, but whatever that might be, he's a wiggle butt happy kinda guy! 

His tail looks to have been docked, but that certainly doesn't bother him or hamper him in any way.

Rusty is very happy with another doggie friend and although interested, not overly so in the cat. 

Rusty loves to swim and play with the ball. He needs some leash work but we're working on that. Rusty, like any other lab puppy his age has a lot of energy and will need regular, consistent exercise to remain well adjusted, happy and healthy.

He will need positive reinforcement training and obedience class to help him become a good canine citizen.

Rusty is very smart and eager to learn and with proper direction, we feel he will be a wonderful companion dog for any family. 

If you are interested in adopting through Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno, you must first fill out an Adoption Application. Thank you for opting to adopt!

Rusty's Petfinder listing.

***

Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno has been rescuing and re-homing Labrador Retrievers since 2008. The primary source of their Labs is from City and County Shelters. They  are an all volunteer organization covering Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Madera counties.

There is a huge number of Labradors ending up at the Fresno SPCA and surrounding area rural shelters. As so many Labs are being surrendered or abandoned due to the large number of foreclosures in Fresno County. As a direct result our resources are severely strained. 

Every Lab gets a veterinary exam, inoculations, test for parasites, heartworm, microchip, and spay/neuter. Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno takes care of broken bones and provides care for the neglected and abandoned dog. They take in senior and special needs Labs and provide for foster care until they can be placed in forever homes.

How Dog Massage Healed A Mystery Limp

This guest post comes from Sonia Singh, a dog supplies expert.  She writes about the big dog lifestyle on the Large Dog Blog at PawPosse.com.

Nala’s limp started first thing one morning, as soon as she tried to get up.

She stood up to greet me, then after putting weight on her front leg once immediately picked up her paw and hopped over to me.

That’s not normal.

I took her to the vet, where they couldn’t find anything abnormal from the physical exam. The vet recommended x-rays to check for skeletal causes and a blood test for valley fever. Here in Arizona, valley fever is a common ailment for both people and pets with recovery time up to a year, so it’s not something to mess with. The first symptom in dogs is often lameness as a result of lesions on bones and joints.

Price tag: $200 for the valley fever test, plus $300 for the x-rays and sedation.
Results: no valley fever, elbow dysplasia unrelated to the limp, and a calcium growth on her sternum possibly, but not likely, related to the limp. The vet prescribed a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and sent us on our way.

Frustrated, I took Nala home with no real progress on her limp. 

She didn’t seem bothered by it – in fact, she had picked up speed on three legs and didn’t seem to care that one was unusable. But I didn’t want to keep giving her drugs that weren’t doing anything for her and leave the real problem to continue.

A couple days later, having seen no improvement in Nala’s leg and still in the dark about what caused it, I found myself at a free workshop on dog massage. 

It was conducted by a veterinarian who practices traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, something I had never heard of. She gave a phenomenal class on how to massage your dog, including where to focus for various symptoms.

That night I gave Nala her first doggie massage, with special attention on areas for pain relief and inflammation reduction. 

I thought it might be hard to get her to sit still, or that she would respond to areas that hurt her, but nothing. Nala lay on her bed and soaked it up happily. The next day, I gave her two more massages, one in the morning and one at night.

The next morning, Nala was walking normally on all four legs!

I kept up the massage for a day or two more to prevent any aggravation – after all, like most active dogs my Nala doesn’t know not to go easy on an injury. Still, the limp never came back. Price tag: $0. Results: A pain-free dog.

To this day, I have no idea what caused Nala’s limp. 

Her medical record shows no sign of an explanation or cure. Her dad swears I have healing hands, but of course there’s more to it than that. Massage based on thousands of years of medical understanding did the trick.

***

PawPosse.com was inspired by Nala, an adopted pound puppy that had quite a growth spurt between 3 and 9 months old. She wasn't done growing and it was already tough to find good stuff for her.

The average stuff you find at big-box pet stores was just not going to work here.  So PawPosse.com was born: to give big dog owners a resource for useful products and helpful tips.

Veterinary Highlights: Insulin Delivery Patches for Dogs

An Australian molecular biologist, Dr. Esra Ogru, has teamed up with a Swiss-based Novartis Animal Health to perfect insulin delivery patches for dogs.

These patches will deliver an insulin gel through dog's skin. 

The technology is based on research into targetted penetration matrix (TPM) technology, which allows the delivery of drugs though the skin.

No more needles! 

Wouldn't that be a wonderful news for owners of diabetic dogs? (And I'm sure the dogs would appreciate it too. As much as Jasmine loves vets and is willing to put with a lot she does hate needles)

Unlike injections, the patch would deliver constant dose of insulin over a period of time.

I think it's a wonderful and exciting idea but two questions come to my mind.

• It seems that insulin is quite sensitive and needs to be stored very carefully to maintain potency. It needs to be stored in a refrigerator (but never in the freezer). Will the insulin in the patch maintain its potency?
• In a healthy dog, insulin enters the bloodstream after a meal when the glucose levels are the highest. Is a continuous constant dose going to control the glucose spikes after meals?

I know, I always have a why or how question to everything.

Overall though, sounds like a great idea to me. What do you think?

Original article:
Diabetic pets escape the insulin needle 

Causes of Vomiting in Dogs

by Lorie Huston, DVM  

There are many different diseases and disease processes that can cause vomiting in dogs.

Vomiting is only a symptom, not a disease in itself. 

If your dog is vomiting, especially if he is vomiting persistently or severely, finding the proper treatment relies on finding the cause of the vomiting.

Gastrointestinal Causes of Vomiting in Dogs

There are many diseases that affect that gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can cause your dog to vomit. These diseases range from mild and self-limiting in their nature to life-threatening. They may be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, lack of appetite, dehydration and more depending on the individual disease and severity of the illness.

Commonly encountered causes of GI vomiting include:

• dietary indiscretion (also sometimes known as “garbage can enteritis”)
• food intolerance/food allergies
• parasites (roundworms, hookworms, Giardia, coccidia, etc.)
• viral infections (canine parvovirus, coronavirus, canine distemper, etc.)
• bacterial infections (Salmonella, E. coli, etc.)
• foreign bodies
• intestinal obstruction
• intussusception (telescoping of the intestines which causes a functional obstruction)
• tumors/growths in the GI tract

Non-GI Causes of Canine Vomiting

While it is easy to always assume that vomiting is caused by gastrointestinal disease, this is not always the case. Systemic diseases can also cause vomiting, often as a result of toxins which build up in the blood stream.

There is a relatively long list of systemic diseases that can potentially cause vomiting. While there is not room here to list each and every one, these are some of the most common:

• kidney disease/kidney failure
• liver disease/liver failure
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• pyometra (infection of the uterus)
• diabetes mellitus
• Addison’s disease (a disease of the adrenal gland)
• toxins/poisons

Diagnosing Vomiting in Dogs

In cases of mild vomiting, absolute diagnosis may not be necessary as the disease may be self-limiting. In these cases, fasting for a few hours followed by feeding a bland diet may be all that is necessary for recovery.

However, if vomiting is severe and frequent or accompanied by other serious symptoms, pursuing an accurate diagnosis will be necessary. If there is doubt about how serious your dog’s symptoms are, pursuing diagnosis immediately, rather than attempting the fasting/bland diet approach, may be advisable.

The basic diagnostic approach for vomiting is likely to include one or more of the following:

• fecal examination, checking for parasites and ova (eggs) of parasites
• a Giardia Elisa test on the feces
• a basic blood screen consisting of a complete blood count and blood chemistry profile, including blood electrolyte measurement
• abdominal radiographs (x-rays) and/or and abdominal ultrasound

Additional testing may or may not be necessary, depending on the results of these tests.

***

Lorie Huston, DVM is an experienced veterinarian with over 20 years in practice caring for dogs and cats. 

She is an expert in pet health and pet care as well as being a talented free-lance author and blogger. 

In addition to numerous articles and posts both online and off, you can also find Lorie at her blog Pet Health Care Gazette. She is a co-host at the popular Animal Cafe and also works as a blogging/social media consultant and an SEO strategist. 

Her social media blog is Social Savvy Pets.




Articles by Dr. Huston:
Lyme Is Lame (Pun Intended)
The Ticking Bomb
Don't Let Heartworm Become A Heartbreak!
Summer Perils: Blue-green Algae
Your Dog And Leptospirosis
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Distemper Virus
Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Top 5 Causes Of Itching In Dogs 
Vaccination Concerns and Potential Side Effects 
Natural Flea Control for Dogs 
Vomiting in Dogs: Is He Actually Vomiting? 


Related articles:
What's In The Urine? (Part I)
What's In The Urine? (Part II: Urinalysis)
Excessive Drinking
Bad Odor
Excessive Panting
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire: A Symptom Is Your Friend!
When Is It An Emergency?

Dog Cartoon Of The Week: Rescue Mission

***

Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.


Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, Barrons, Woman's World, Harvard Business Review, Saturday Evening Post, American Legion Magazine, Funny Times.

Adoption Monday: Chauncey, Hound/Pit Mix, Hillsboro, Texas

A friend of mine has asked for help finding a new home for this sweet guy.

His name is Chauncey, but it has been changed to Norris by the family he is with. I think you could name him whatever and he would answer to anything.

He just desperately wants someone to love him!

I rescued him from the Dallas SPCA and they told me he was a Hound/Pit mix, but I think he looks a little like a black lab is in there somewhere.

He is mostly black, with a little white on him and a brindle coloring on his back.

He is extremely playful, still has some puppy behavior in him, very energetic, and he needs a lot of attention. 

He is not for someone that just wants to put him out in the backyard to watch the house. I can tell that he was an indoor dog before I got him, but has been an outdoor dog for the last 6 months. I would like to find him a home where he can be indoors at least half the time because he is house trained and he is extremely social.

He is very loyal to whomever he knows that loves him. 

I have never seen such a dog that shows his emotions on his little face so openly.

I went to the SPCA back in the winter earlier this year and he had the saddest face and looked so adorable that I had to save his life. I considered keeping him myself, but my dog was so territorial that they wanted to kill each other. So then I placed him in a home with 2 boys and it seemed like a match made in heaven, but they never built a fence for him and the poor guy has been starved for attention and living outside. I am afraid it wasn't a good match.

I think Chauncey really just wants to be a human. 

He is sweet with kids and adults that he knows, but there was one instance where he lunged at a man that he did not know that was visiting his owners. He is a watch dog and needs a good secure fence (if he is to be outside) but he is house trained and loves being indoors the most.

He is fixed and micro-chipped and has been given all of his shots. 

I paid $95 for him at the SPCA. He is really a gorgeous dog!

He is in Hillsboro, Texas right now but I can get him up to the DFW area easily if you are located there. 

I had him checked up at the Animal Hospital in DeSoto earlier this year and they have him on record. I also have his papers from the SPCA and you can switch over the information on his microchip to your address. He tested in perfect health with no worms when I placed him, but I don't think his current owners have been giving him heart worm medicine like they should, so he might need to be tested for that before you put him on medicine.

He is around 2 years old, maybe younger. 

I love him and because my first attempt in placing him didn't work out so well, I am really going to stress that he is a dog that is really in need of attention.

I don't want to have to place him again, but I will always take him back because I NEVER want that sweetie to see the inside of a shelter again! He is a very sensitive soul and he was so freaked out in the pound. You should have seen the sad look on his face. He is a very loving creature and he really loves to sleep in your bed and sit on you, if he could get away with it.

Whomever adopts him will find a loyal buddy for life. 

He has SO much love and he needs the right person or family to share his love with. If you think you might be that person, then please contact me at lphiddleston@aol.com and type "Chauncey" on the subject line so that I see it right away. Thanks for your time in reading this and feel free to share with others.

Chauncey was current on all of his shots as of February 2011 when I took him to the DeSoto Animal Hospital in DeSoto, TX and they gave him a check-up. I adopted him in January and the Dallas SPCA had him completely evaluated and he is healthy.
He is micro-chipped and neutered.
He is house-broken.

Please contact me by email at lphiddleston@aol.com or on my mobile phone at 214-325-8028.

Symptoms: Recognition, Acknowledgement And Denial

symptom n. an abnormality caused by a disease that is observable in a sick animal
Source: Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-speak Deciphered for the Non-veterinarian

The above definition points out two important things. A symptom is an abnormality that can be observed.

As far as your dog's health is concerned, this is the most important part of your job. 

You're the one who needs to pick up on such things. Well, of course you know that, that is a no-brainer, isn't it? You would be surprised how often it is not.

Observing doesn't necessarily mean understanding

Roxanne Hawn of Champion of My Heart wrote a great heartfelt article on the subject, Fearful Dog's and Medical Warning Signs. Sometimes we get so used to certain existing abnormalities, such as fear, that it is very easy to miss their medical significance.

If you had a confident dog, who suddenly became fearful, you're likely to take notice. But what if your dog is already fearful?

Your dog might be fearful, he might be quiet, he might be reactive … it is knowing what is normal for your dog that is important.

Knowing what is normal

Knowing what is normal requires truly knowing your dog. Nobody else can do this for you.

Some symptoms are hard to miss because they hit you right in the face. Explosive diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, severe itchiness...

But symptoms are not always as obvious. That doesn't mean that they are any less important.

As in Lilly's case, there was increase in fearfulness. But things like summertime increase in fears is normal for Lilly. Then there was some decrease in activity and stamina. Hiding behavior and change in elimination habits. Hair loss...

Beware of racionalizations

I think it is our tendency to nurture denial. Decrease in activity and stamina is easily attributed to weather, being tired from _______ (fill in your racionalization), or simple aging. “He just matured and slowed down.” There is no such thing in dogs, my friend! Dogs don't slow down because they matured, they slow down because being active had become difficult and/or accompanied by pain.

Even pain is sometimes considered normal in a senior dog!

When I joined hubby and our guys at the friend's farm recently, it was just couple days after Jasmine started favoring her front left leg again. I was upset about it and we had an appointment scheduled with her chiropractor.

The friend was complimenting on how great Jasmine was looking (and she was) and how well she was doing. I agreed but noted I was concerned about her front left leg.

“Well, she's eight years old,” the friend said.
Yes, she is, but she was eight ears old three days ago too and was pain free!

Just because a dog gets older it doesn't mean they won a frequent-flyer-pain-card!

Pain is not normal at any age! Pain is a symptom and needs to be addressed. Slowing down, not wanting to jump up on the couch, reluctance to play ... are not signs of maturity, they are symptoms of pain.

JD's buddy at the farm, Griffin, used to be his play buddy since JD was a pup. They'd play and play all day until they'd drop. Griffin is a Labradoodle and he is 6 years old now. He suddenly doesn't want to play with JD any more (which is breaking JD's heart).

What do you think? Had Griffin became too mature for silly play or should he be examined for signs of arthritis or other health problem?

The frog in boiling water

Gradual changes are the hardest to notice. Because they happen a little bit at the time they kind of became the new normal. Just like the frog placed in cold water that is slowly heated will not jump out. It doesn't work out so great for the frog!

Any signs that could be attributed to aging should be examined.

I think using what your dog was like when they were younger can serve as a good baseline. Symptoms of arthritis, Cushing's disease … are all too often contributed to aging.

Image Ostrich Head In Sand

Straight out denial

denial n. refusal to admit the truth or reality
Source: Merriam-Webster

Nobody wants bad things happen to their dog. Denial is really hoping that what you're seeing isn't what you fear it might be.

The first time Jasmine got up and was limping on her rear left leg, both hubby and I hoped her leg just fell asleep. Maybe her leg just fell asleep. Maybe she just laid wrong. Maybe she's just a little stiff. Hubby, eternal optimist, God bless his soul, is always trying to offer one of these explanations. But experience taught me otherwise.

Beware of “maybe it's just” explanations for what you're seeing

Maybe it's just heat was the first thought of Duncan's parents when he became lethargic and listless. Three days later he collapsed upon arrival to the emergency hospital and was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA).

Our neighbor's though it was just the heat when their dog collapsed. He died at the emergency hospital of heart failure.

Even just the heat can be deadly for your dog!

Know what is normal for your dog!

Know what is normal for your dog. Note and acknowledge any deviations from it. Noticing and addressing early symptoms can make a world of difference, and, in some cases, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Resist denial and racionalizations. The only way to deal with a problem is by facing it. And if by some chance you do end up in the veterinarian's office with a false alarm, trust me, it's the better alternative.

It's your dog's health,
Jana

Related articles:
Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire: A Symptom Is Your Friend, Treat It With Respect!
When Is It an Emergency?
Help! My Dog Is Purple!
A Word On Pain
It's Your Dog's Health

Dog Development

This is another awesome iconographic that is brought to you by pet365. This one will help you understand dog development stages.

All dogs pass through various stages as they grow and develop. 

Psychologists use the term critical period to describe a specific time in a dog's life when certain experiences have a lasting effect on their psychological development.

Understanding these critical periods and dog's stages of development will better help you understand your dog's behavior and how to handle him during these special times.



Dog Development graphic created by Matt Beswick for Pet365 - a UK stockist of Dublin Dog collars and brands like Hamish McBeth. Click here to view the full post.

Dog Cartoon Of The Week: Damn Webcam!

***

Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.


Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, Barrons, Woman's World, Harvard Business Review, Saturday Evening Post, American Legion Magazine, Funny Times.

Adoption Monday: Rocket, Greyhound, Middleburgh, NY

On Saturday Jasmine went to see her chiropractor. In the reception she met a male Greyhound who is getting physical therapy as part of his knee surgery post-op.

He was a racing dog who was tossed after he busted both of his cruciate ligaments. Yes, that's how they get treated.

Jasmine gets along with all dogs, but she fell in love with this guy. They were both quite taken by each other. It was love at first sight. His new forever parent had a hard time convincing him that it was time to go.

His sad story has a happy ending, he found a good home where he is treated like a member of the family and not like an expendable commodity.

Thousands of Greyhounds are not as lucky and are destroyed each year!

Meet Rocket, 4 years old, beautiful light brindle Greyhound.

He is neutered, had his teeth cleaned and is current on his shots. Heartworm negative.

Rocket will make an excellent family companion and will work well in an apartment or condo type dwelling.

Rocket was tested feline tolerant and is proving himself to be a very sweet boy with a nice mellow disposition.

Find Rocket's profile on Petfinder or visit Forever Home Greyhound Adoption's website.

***

Forever Home Greyhound Adoptions is a 501 C3 Not For Profit Organization dedicated solely to sheltering Greyhounds in need until a warm loving and responsible home can be found for them. They are especially interested in the plight of the Florida Greyhounds and have dedicated themselves to helping as many of them as possible to reach the safe haven of a loving and supportive family in the Capital District and beyond .


Forever Home Greyhound Adoptions aims to change the world for as many Greyhounds as possible.

Kidney Disease – Say What?

by Jennifer Coates, DVM

When I was writing my book the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms, Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian, the kidneys (not my kidneys thankfully, but kidneys in general) caused me no end of grief.  Not only are the kidneys themselves complicated, but so is the terminology associated with the diseases that affect them.

So here’s a primer on canine kidneys and all the associated verbiage. 

Kidneys: Where are They and What Do They Do?

The kidneys are two separate but essentially identical organs that are located between the abdominal space and the lower back.  Technically, they do not reside in the abdomen but within the retroperitoneal space (i.e., the space behind the peritoneum or lining of the abdomen).  The left kidney is usually a little farther back than the right.

Each kidney is made up of hundreds of thousands of nephrons, the functional unit of the kidney.  

Think of a nephron as basically being a microscopic filter attached to a long tube.

Image: Encyclopedia Britanica

The blood that enters the kidney progresses through progressively smaller vessels until it meets a single nephron.  There, “bad stuff” (e.g., toxins that are produced by the body’s metabolism) is filtered out and turned into urine, while “good stuff” (e.g., red blood cells and water) is either not filtered out in the first place or is reabsorbed before urine production is complete. 


Normal kidneys have many more nephrons than are needed on a day to day basis.  

Why is this important?  Because we can’t replace a nephron once it is no longer functional, and LOTS of things damage nephrons (more on this later).

But the kidneys do more than just filter out “bad stuff,” they also secrete a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, play a role in regulating blood pressure, conserve water, help balance electrolyte levels, and more.

What is Kidney Disease/Failure/Insufficiency

A disease can be defined as anything that adversely affects the functioning of the body.  Therefore, kidney disease is anything that adversely affects kidney function… this could be infection, an immune disorder, degenerative disease, neoplasia (cancer), trauma, etc.

Saying that a dog has kidney disease is basically the same as saying that it has sick kidneys. 

What many people mean when they say “kidney disease” is kidney failure.  

Failure can be defined as a loss in the ability to perform normal functions to the point where the body experiences a significant adverse effect.  Some veterinarians don’t like the term “failure” (it sounds so untreatable) so they use “insufficiency” instead. 

A diagnosis of kidney failure usually means that laboratory values associated with kidney function (blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, urine specific gravity (USG), etc.) are found to be abnormal.

Another word that can apply to this situation is “azotemia.”  An azotemic dog has higher than normal levels of BUN and creatinine in its blood.

“Uremia” basically describes the same scenario but also implies that the patient feels poorly because of its azotemia. 

What all this means is that most of the kidneys’ nephrons are no longer functioning. 

In fact, the earliest sign of kidney failure seen in typical lab work is a low urine specific gravity, and this doesn’t occur until about two-thirds of the nephrons have been lost.  Azotemia doesn’t occur until at least three-quarters of the nephrons are gone. 

Acute or Chronic?

Kidney failure can be either acute (describing something that just happened) or chronic (describing something that developed over weeks, months, or even longer). 

Acute kidney failure is caused by things like infections, toxins such as antifreeze or grapes/raisins, and episodes of low blood pressure, but in some cases an underlying cause can’t be identified.  

If the incident kills off enough nephrons, the patient will die without a kidney transplant.  On the other hand, if the patient can be supported through the crisis, nephrons that essentially went “offline” but weren’t fatally damaged may recover allowing the body to return to a satisfactory level of functioning.

Chronic kidney failure comes on slowly and is a progressive disease. 

As I mentioned before, LOTS of things can damage nephrons.  Acute episodes may knock out a bunch all at one time, but the wear and tear of daily life also takes a toll and gradually reduces the kidneys’ reserve supply of nephrons.  Over time, the kidneys may reach the point where only one-third to one-quarter of nephrons are left, and the symptoms and laboratory evidence of kidney failure develop.

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) has come up with a staging system that lets veterinarians communicate how severe a dog or cat’s chronic kidney disease is.  IRIS uses the term “disease” because they include animals that are not currently in kidney failure but are at high risk for it in the future.

But this also begs the question, what’s up with the “R” in the “IRIS?” 

Here’s one more term for you.  “Renal” is the adjective form of “kidney.”  I guess “kidneyal” was just too much of a mouthful.

***

Jennifer Coates, DVM graduated with honors from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999.  In the years since, she has practiced veterinary medicine in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado.  She is the author of several books about veterinary medicine and animal care, including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-speak Deciphered for the Non-veterinarian. 

Jennifer also writes short stories that focus on the strength and importance of the human-animal bond and freelance articles relating to a variety of animal care and veterinary topics.  Dr. Coates lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and pets.

Related Articles
Whats In The Urine? (Part I: What You Can Notice On Your Own)
What's In The Urine? (Part II: Urinalysis)

Further Reading:
Recognizing the Signs of Kidney Failure in Dogs
Early Diagnosis of Kidney Disease in Dogs
Acute Kidney Failure in Dogs
Diagnosing Chronic Renal Disease and Kidney Failure in Dogs
Kidney and Urinary Disease in Dogs
Kidney Failure in Dogs

Articles by Dr. Coates:
The Perplexities of Pancreatitis
The Other Side Of The Coin: The Cost Of Defensive Medicine
To Neuter Or Not To Neuter… That Is The Question
Don’t Forget the Physical Therapy
Common Misdiagnoses (Part 1)
Common Misdiagnoses (Part 2)
Picking the Right Dog to Breed
When Is It An Emergency?
Dog Allergies: Common, Commonly Misdiagnosed, or Both?

What Do Those Nutrients Do? Calcium

nutrient n. a substance required in the diet to maintain normal body function
Source: Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-speak Deciphered for the Non-veterinarian

The importance of calcium

We all know that calcium is an important component of bones and teeth. What you might not know is that calcium does much more than that!

Calcium is not only found in bones, but it is also circulating in the blood.

The blood calcium is essential for a number of important functions, such as blood clotting, hormonal secretion, nerve conduction and muscle contraction (don't forget, the heart is a muscle too!).


Because of its importance, your dog's body has a control mechanism to keep blood calcium at proper  levels. When blood calcium levels drop, calcium is withdrawn from the bones to correct the deficit. If your dog doesn't get enough calcium in his diet, or cannot absorb it properly, it will result in loss of bone density.

There can be quite a substantial bone density loss before calcium deficiency might show up on blood work or present with other symptoms!

Because of her long unaddressed undiagnosed metabolic and digestive issues, when Jasmine was undergoing her first ACL surgery, her vet had to use a chuck and pin to drill through her tibial crest; he noted that he's never felt a softer tibia!

Other nutrients (such as vitamin D) and hormones (parathyroid hormone and calcitonin, a hormone secreted by special cells of the thyroid gland) play a regulatory role in calcium absorption, function and metabolism.

Kidneys are also involved in regulating calcium to phosphorus levels.

The dog's body takes the importance of proper calcium levels seriously.

With the bones serving as a repository, this system is to ensure that there is always the right amount of calcium in the bloodstream.

Image source: Visible Body

What happens when the fail-safe system fails?

Calcium deficient diet, or poor calcium absorption will foremostly reflect in the bones. Hypocalcemia, low levels of calcium in the blood, is typically caused by regulatory problems.

Hypocalcemia

Severe hypocalcemia can be life-threatening! Symptoms can range from muscle twitching or weakness to convulsions. Because the heart is a muscle also, hypocalcemia can lead to heartbeat abnormalities and even cardiac arrest.

Hypocalcemia is most commonly caused by disfunction of the parathyroid gland (often immune-mediated) but it can also be brought on by kidney disease, pancreatitis and other conditions.

The other side of the coin are calcium levels that are higher than normal, hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia can be caused by a number of factors, such as cancer, Addison's disease or kidney failure. Overactive parathyroid gland or vitamin D toxicity are less common causes of hypercalcemia in dogs.

Hypercalcemia can lead to damage of any tissues but will most commonly affect the kidneys, nervous system and cardiovascular system.

Some of the symptoms of hypercalcemia include increased thirst and urination, lack of appetite and other difestive problems, lethargy, confusion and depression. In severe cases hypercalcemia can result in heart arrhythmia, seizures and even coma and death.

Got more respect for calcium yet?

The dog's body goes to great lenghts to keep the vital blood calcium at the right levels. It is not likely than poor nutrition would lead to hypocalcemia. Vitamin D toxicity can, however, cause dangerous and potentially fatal hypercalcemia.

What imballanced, calcium deficient diet will do, though, is have a damaging impact on your dog's bones and teeth. Calcium deficiency can be one of contributing factor in development of arthritis.

Disturbances in blood calcium levels require serious attention, diagnostics and treatment.

It's your dog's health,
Jana

Related articles:
Minerals in Dog Nutrition

Further reading:
Calcium-regulating Hormones
Kidney involvement in calcium phosphorus balance
Hypocalcemia in Dogs
Hypocalcemia: Low Blood Calcium
Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements for Dogs
Hypocalcemia: Low Blood Calcium
Hyperparathyroidism in Dogs
Hypercalcemia in Dogs

Adoption Monday: Adopt-A-Less_Adoptable-Pet Week

Big black dogs. FIV+ cats. Senior pets. Special-needs animals. Many factors can make a pet seem "less adoptable." To promote these unusual (or, in some cases, too common) animals, Petfinder has designated Sept. 17-25, 2011, as "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week."

 

Deep down we all want the perfect dog. But what does that really mean?

The perfect dog for you might be just among those nobody seems to want.

He might be a bit older. He might not see, hear or walk so well. He might not be all that good looking. But he might have a big heart and he might change your life in a way you never thought possible.

Shiloh is one of those dogs. A dog with a great disposition and no luck finding a home.

Breed: Hovawart Mix
Female
Date of birth: approx. Feb 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC

Frankly, I can't believe she is still hasn't found one. She is such a sweet and loving girl.

She suffered from severe hip dysplasia but had FHO surgery done on both hips and recovered well. Long term prognosis after successful FHO surgery is excellent. She might not be as mobile as other dogs but the source of pain and arthritis is no longer a concern.

All she needs now is a loving home and little bit of attention to her weight and exercise regime.

She's been waiting so long, she truly deserves to finally have a loving family of her own.

If you have any questions about Shiloh or the Hovawart breed, talk to my dear friend @Kenzo_HW or read related articles on his blog Kenzo the Hovawart.

Ready to adopt Shiloh?

Please visit  www.projecthalo.net to fill out an application or contact Rhonda at projhalo@bellsouth.net for more information. PetFinder link http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/15567762.

Related articles:
Shiloh Is Headed For A Second Hip Surgery And Hopes To Find A Forever Home
Shiloh Is Still Looking For A Forever Home

Dawg Business: My 7 Links

Many thanks to Kenzo the Hovawart for passing “my 7 links” to Dawg Business. And sorry it took me a while to get around to this!

While the links below are my picks, I would also love to hear which post would you pick for each of the categories.

1. Most Beautiful Post
Wow, well, beauty in any form isn't really the mission of this blog but I'd have to pick The Many Reasons Why I Love Our Dogs: Loyalty. Loyalty is probably the most valued character trait in dogs and our guys can measure up to any of the heart-warming stories out there.


2. Most Popular Post
Officially and objectively Dawg Business' most popular post is Speaking For Spot: The Single Most Important Dog Book You Will Ever Read. Which makes me very glad because it IS a post recommending the single most important dog book you will ever read.

Seriously. Go, get it. Or as Dino would say, “Buy it, borrow it, steal it … do whatever you gotta do to read it.”


3. Most Controversial Post
My most controversial posts are still in working, I'm being very thoughtful about it because they will be controversial. Having to pick from those already posted, I'd have to go with Brad Pitt Doesn't Believe in Germs. Could he be right? This post is meant to challenge you to question things.

Just because everybody accepts something as a truth it doesn't make it so. What is black today may well be white tomorrow. Keep that in mind. Value expert opinion but remember it is always just that—an opinion. When it comes to your dog's health, I believe that any solution you reach for has to feel right to you also. If it doesn't, look for a different one. There are always other opinions and other solutions out there. (Hm, I wonder whether this post is making it's way to the most controversial one right here)


4. Most Helpful Post
Being helpful is the purpose of this blog. I'm hoping that all my posts are helpful to somebody. I am particularly grateful to all of you who shared your dogs' stories. I believe that real-life stories are most helpful.

If I had to choose one of my posts that I think is the most helpful, I guess I'd pick Talk To Me About ACL Injuries.


5. Post Whose Success Surprised me
Hey, that doesn't sound like very good English! A post, response to which truly surprised and touched me, was my cry out for help in Please Help Jasmine. I was really overwhelmed by all the help, friendship and kind response I received. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all again, you are truly wonderful.

Jasmine is doing great and it's in large part thanks to you!

6. Post That Didn’t Get the Attention it Deserved
Well, I tend to think that if a post didn't get much attention, it probably didn't deserve it. I wouldn't even blame the topic but rather the way I addressed it. With that said, I'd have to second Kenzo's dismay at Shiloh still not having a forever home. Shiloh Is Still Looking For A Forever Home. Come on, folks, let's find her one!


7. Post I'm Most Proud Of
There are a few posts I'm quite proud of but if I had to pick one I'd have to go with What's In The Urine? (Part I: What You Can Notice On Your Own). When I was researching for the post I couldn't find any comprehensive resource on the subject. With kind help of Dr. Lorie Huston I think we put together one of a kind article on the subject.

I am also quite proud of The Cancer Antidote that Lies Within: You Will Never Look At Fat The Same Way Again. There, I did it, I put two links instead of one. Do with me what you may. I've put a lot of work into that article, trying to give you one heck of a good reason to keep your dogs thin.

***

I am passing the “my 7 links” to the following bloggers, looking forward to their picks:

Fearful Dogs Blog
Intellidogs
Dog Lover's Digest
Pet Huligans
That Mutt

Dog Allergies Basics

by Ciara Black

While in humans allergies most commonly manifest with respiratory symptoms, dogs with allergies are most likely to suffer with skin issues.

If your dog is itching and scratching, an allergy is one of the prime suspects.

It is important to properly diagnose and treat your dogʼs allergy, as he cannot do it himself. 

Be sure to monitor your dogʼs change in behavior or any symptoms of a possible allergy.

The most common types of allergies in dogs are

• Flea allergies
• Atopy (sometimes called inhalant allergy)
• Food allergies

About 40% of dogs suffer from allergies everyday. 

It could be a change in your dogʼs environment, a new type of dog food or something a little more difficult to determine.

Most allergies are very minor, however, you should always take your dog to the
veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Not sure what to look for when it comes to allergies? 

Without a doubt, the most common symptom of an allergy is excessive itching and biting of the fur.

However, there are other things to keep an eye out for. Other symptoms may include:

• Bumps or sores on the skin; also known as “hot spots”. A hot spot is a localized area of skin inflammation and infection. These can be caused by excessive biting, licking or scratching of the skin. Common areas for hot spots are on the paws or right above the tail.
• Ear infections. These are very common in food allergies. 90% of ear infections occur on the outer ear of your dog. Some signs of an ear infection are itching, a yellow to brown coloured discharge or head shaking.
• Irritated, red rashes under the fur. If your dog is itching in one area in particular, check that area for a rash. The area is usually flakey, red and slightly swollen. Often times a rash can pop up within the first few hours in contact with the allergen.
• Watery eyes and nose. Your dogʼs nose and eyes are naturally moist and may water for no reason. It is important to note if your dog has excessive eye discharge or mucous along with any other allergy symptoms to determine whether or not it is an allergy.

You can learn more about dog allergies, their symptoms and a list of treatments at
www.dogallergiesresource.com

Related articles:
Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Top 5 Causes Of Itching In Dogs
Dog Allergies: Common, Commonly Misdiagnosed, or Both?
Food Allergies in Dogs

Adoption Monday: Mocha, Rottweiler, Monticello, NY

Meet Mocha, 2 years old house trained Rottweiler female.

Mountain Rottie Rescue found Mocha in an urban kill shelter.

Her owner was arrested and there was nobody to care for her or her mate.

If loosing her home and finding herself at an overcrowded kill shelter was not hard enough, Mocha was also very much pregnant.

The male she came in with was pulled by another rescue.

On July 5th , Mocha gave birth to beautiful Rottweiler puppies. 

Mocha was an fantastic mom. She nursed them so tenderly and her mothering skills were amazing. She probably had a litter before this one as mothering just came so naturally to her.

All of Mocha's babies grew to be healthy (thanks to Mocha!). They have all found homes and will be leaving in early September.

Mocha still needs to find a forever home. 

Mocha is 2 years old, healthy and weighs over 100 lbs. She has beautiful markings and is docked.

Mocha is housebroken and loves to play!! 

She loves attention and just wants to be with you, she has a great personality and will make a wonderful addition to a family. She is social with male dogs. It is not clear how she is with adult female dogs but with an easy going female she would probably be ok.

Mocha might not be idea for a home with a cat, as she gets excited when the cats runs.

For everything this amazing girl has been through, she deserves to find a wonderful family to love her. 

Mocha will make an exceptional, loving and loyal family member! Won't you find it in your hearts to give this terrific momma a life of happiness, a life she most certainly deserves!

Check out Mocha's Petfinder listing or email Mountain Rottie Rescue

***

Mountain Rottie Rescue  of NY is located in the Catskill Mountains & The Capitol District of New York area.. MRR is dedicated to re-homing homeless Rottweilers.


Some of their dogs are owner surrenders , but most come from kill shelters in The New York State area. They also pull dogs from out of State Shelters, such as Virginia , Arkansas, Alabama and Georgia -Where the Gas Box is still used to euthanize dogs .


Some pulled dogs are cruelty cases & come from abusive pasts - MRR offers rehabilitation & training to these dogs. Most of their cruelty cases were rehabilitated and placed into loving homes.


All dogs are temperament tested before acceptance into the program. MRR members consist of Certified Dog Trainers, experienced animal handlers & experienced Rottweiler owners. Any dog adopted from Mountain Rottie Rescue of New York has been fostered in a home prior to adoption. All  dogs are up to date on vaccines, Heart-worm tested, on prevention, spayed /neutered, micro-chipped & activated .


Mountain Rottie Rescue adopts out to the following locations: NY,NJ,VT,CT, parts of PA & Western Mass. They also adopt out to other neighboring states based on volunteer availability, please contact them to see if they cover your area!!