Luna's favorite type of harness and why you could consider it too..

Woof Woof, welcome to my blog furiends. 2022 started for me with lots of walkies in the park and one impawtent tool for great walkies are comfy harnesses.  Therefore I would like to bark my opinion on dog harnesses. Are you ready?

First and foremost you should know that I had an shoulder injury in my younger years. Luckily  I recovered from it but it made my hooman reconsider recently what she could have done to help the healing process.

And that's where the harness choice pops in, it's such an important piece of equipment we dogs wear every single day (for more then an hour). We run, jump, turn and so much more so it should be comfy right?!

So my mama decided to do some research and after a while she realized that the harness I was wearing was actually restricting my movement. Now what kind of harness is then good?

Picking the right harness has a lot to do with the way your dog is build but overall the "Y or H shaped harnesses"' have shown to be the most comfy and they're also recommended by many Chiropractic professionals.  It makes sure that the forelimb can move freely back and forward and when the dog pulls hard on the leash it doesn't make any damage to the neck or other sensitive parts. Beside of the harness shape it is also very impawtent to have a look at how the harness fits your dog, not every Y or H type of harness is a good one. 

Some tips to check when picking a new harness:

- Is there room enough behind the forelimb and doesn't it sit too tight in the armpit?

-The middle of an Y harness sits on the chest bone, if you put your hand on the front of your dog you will feel a bone sticking out and that's also the point where the middle of your harness should sit.

-The shoulder front should be free, straps should not sit on top of the bone.

-The part between the forelimbs should be soft fabric and not too wide (otherwise it might rub the forelimbs)

-The second strap should be approximately 2-4 fingers behind the forelimb but make sure that the end of the harness doesn't go behind the last rib (it can not hang on the soft abdomen area)

- Are there any metal parts/buckles that hit while running? 

- What kind of material is the harness made from? lightweight fabric with plastic buckles or with metal buckles? In case your dog needs to run long distances (such as in canicross) lightweight options are better. 

If you have checked all the above this and your dog looks comfy you have found your new harness ✅

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that a harness is not a tool to teach your dog to stop pulling, the only way you can stop this is by training consistent with a professional to guide you. Also keep in mind that using tools such as the front ring of some harnesses might harm your dog because when they pull all the force comes on 1 side/leg.

Luna's current harness:

At the moment we are very happy with the ZeroDC Short harness, this harness is made for daily walks aswell for dogsports like canicross and fits Luna greatly. (Not sponsored) Each dog is different so always measure before purchasing online, we hope you find the pawfect harness too! 

Paw from Luna 🐾

which harness not to buy

ZeroDC Harness "short"
(not sponsored)

Me in my new pawfect harness
(lots of space behind my forelimb)

What to do if your dog gets a seizure/epileptic attack?

Hi furiends it's me Luna again! Today I would like to bark to you about a very impawtent health related topic: Dog seizures. 

2 years ago I had something that looked like a seizure attack myself which scared my humans like crazy! Right after they rushed me to the vet but fortunately they didn't found anything and it only occurred once. An impawtent thing to know is that Border Collies are more prone to seizures then some other dog breeds so here are some tips what to do just in case..

How to react when your dog has a seizure:

• First and foremost STAY CALM it may sound like a silly advice but if it's the first time you see (your) a dog having a seizure it might be very frightening. Some dogs make crazy sounds and movements, others stair in front of them and fall over. Each dog reacts different.
• Remove all objects around your dog and try not to move them, also a dog doesn't swallow it's tongue so it's not necessary to come close to the mouth. Since they can't control themselves there is a high possibility they might accidently bite you. You can sit down next to them and talk with a calm voice to let them know you're closely, touching is only recommended once the dog is fully awake and responding again. 
• Track how many seconds/minutes the attack is going on, if it takes longer then 2-5 minutes or it are multiple small seizures the dog starts going into a dangerous zone and needs to be transported to the emergency vet.
• If possible film during the attack this way the vet later on can evaluate better how serious it is, in our case we didn't do it and it made it very difficult for the vet to diagnose the situation.
• If it happens again in 24 hours it is considered a "cluster" case and you need to return to a vet immediately (even if the dog had a check up after the first attack) 

In any case it is necessary to speak with a professional veterinarian after a seizure. Most important is to keep your dog safe during the attack so it doesn't injure it's head, right after the seizure the dog might feel disorientated for a while. Give the dog some time to rest and have water and food available. 

I hope you will never need this knowledge but it's better to be safe then sorry! Take care furiends. 💓

Paw from me,

Luna 🐾

A throwback picture of Luna last august 😜

Are pet flea treatments a hazard for the environment and poisoning the aquatic systems?

Hi furiends, it's me Luna again! If you follow me for a while you might have seen that I love spending time on the beach, swimming in the sea and splashing through the rivers, and probably you love that too.. but what if I bark you that our flea treatments can actually damage the environment and the aquatic life?!

We as dogs probably all have been to the vets and got as a recommendations some flea products even though we didn't had any flea problem: spot on, tablets, collar etc.. and if you have read the manual it always states that we should keep it far away from mini humans and that we shouldn't lick or chew it. But if it is so dangerous for us what about the others?

Unfortunately there haven't been done that much research on this field but if you use some logic it's pretty obvious that substances that harm us and humans also will harm the rest of the eco system. 

When swimming in natural waters flea treatments that have been applied to the skin of the dog get released in the waters, for example substances such as pyrethrins/pyrethroids which are found in "spot-on" treatments for dogs are even in a very small amount DEADLY for fishes. 

Many dog owners think that by changing to tablets that no damage is done anymore but that actually moves the toxins to the inside of the dogs body and partially also to the faeces. Even when you pick up the poop from your dog in the park there are still small particles left behind that get washed in the ground or rivers with some rain.  

Beside of the hazard for the environment and aquatic life some studies also refer to the health hazards for the pets and humans themselves.

When my human learned about all this things it made her think: Why do vets recommend this products every visit even though they are so dangerous and why do we give our pets treatments even if there is no sign of fleas or worms etc..? When my human got her Veterinary assistant degree she of course tried to find out the answer on this question.. unfortunately non of her professors or colleague students gave a decent answer but almost all of time the vets where sponsored by one of the companies that produces this products (funny isn't it?!) 

So as a dogpawrent try to use your common sense, don't overuse treatments and try natural alternatives instead. When you let your dog swim often think about the aquatic life and take off flea collars!

If you want to read a little more about this topic here are some easy to read research papers:

Current Research on the Safety of Pyrethroids Used as Insecticides (scroll down in the article to find more pet related info)

Pesticides commonly used as flea treatments for pets are contaminating English rivers

Poisons on pets

Fipronil and its degradates in indoor and outdoor dust

Fipronil washoff to municipal wastewater from dogs treated with with spot-on products

Also a health hazard for humans? Read here more

Senior dogs deserve special care

Hi, it's me Luna again! This post has some more information about the elderly canine friends and how to take good care of them. I truly believe dog owners should pay special attention to them, they deserve to have the best senior dog life!

When is a dog considered senior? 

This really depends on each individual. In general giant breeds are considered aging faster then the small ones. Overall speaking small size dogs are considered senior around the age of 9 while medium/large breeds can considered elderly earlier around 7-8 years old. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that emotional maturity doesn't necessarily aligns with physical maturity. For example an 10 month old pup may be socially and sexually active but full maturity isn't achieved until age of 3 to 4 years.

What are the signs of ageing? 

The most physical complaints vets hear are loss of vision, hearing, teeth, immunity, energy and muscle tone. This goes together with gaining weight and arthritis or other joint problems.

Which are the mayor diseases/health concerns?

-cancer

-heart disease

-kidney/urinary tract disease

-liver disease

-diabetes

-joint or bone disease

-senility

-weakness: Difficulty standing up or sitting 

To what can you pay extra attention to improve their lives?

1. Teeth

Generally it is very impawtant to brush all dogs teeth. For elder dogs it is extra important to do more general teeth check ups to prevent dental diseases and decay. If possible the best option is to brush your dogs teeth daily, in case your dog doesn't accept this you can ask your vet to recommend you good 'plaque off products' like treats or chewing bones or powder to add to the food.

2. Keep a daily exercise routine.

You may have to modify the amount or intensity of training routine you have but make sure to keep your dog moving every single day. Not only it is important in order to prevent your dog from becoming obese but also for their mental well being. In case your dog is showing signals of pain visit your vet and discuss alternative training routines. For dogs with arthritis I highly recommend considering hydrotherapy or underwater treadmill therapy. Although this option may be 'more expensive or time consuming' this is the best way to exercise older dogs since buoyancy is used to counteract the painful effects of gravity. Studies have shown that many elderly dogs feel no or less pain while working out in the water. Ofcourse it is necessary to find a professional specialized in rehabilitation/hydrotherapy to guide your dog safely into this new form of exercise.

Exercise not only your dogs body but also their mind! This can be done very effectively with small search games and puzzles. This way you keep your dog senses sharp and you can have a nice time with your furiend. It is recommended to always supervise your dog while playing with puzzles and toys. 

3. Evaluate your dogs diet.

As mentioned before aged dogs are more sensitive for developing obesity, this is caused mainly by the fact that they no longer have the same levels of energy as before and therefore run and play less often. There are several special senior dog diets on the market. The difference is that they are most of the time lower in fat and have fewer calories, sometimes they contain also extra added glucosamine or chondroitin. 

Warning! Always analyze the actual ingredients of your new dog food, it is not the case that when the package states 'senior diet' it is also effectively and suitable for your beloved furiend. In case of doubt give a call to your vet or consult a qualified pet nutritionist.

Beside changes in food you can also consider adding supplements. Such as natural pro- and prebiotics, omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), glucosamine with Chondroitin sulfate and CBD oil. 

4. Adjust the environment.

Especially if our elderly furry friends are having arthritis it can be beneficial to adjust the environment. Most important is to check your dog's habits. Does he likes to jump on the sofa or in the car and is it going more difficult? In this case you could invest in a dog ramp. Another important factor is the bed, Luna has an orthopedic dog bed and we definitely see difference in her sleep. She looks much more comfortable and can stretch out properly. There is also a clinical study* done by Big Barker (dog beds) proving that the choice of your dog's bed can have a tremendous impact on their quality of life.

5. keep a diary for your dog!

This is not only fun and a lovely memory in the long term but also this way you can monitor changes in appetite, weight, behavior. Is your dog having a hard day observe and write down how your animal generally responds etc. In case you need to visit the vet all this little details can help the doctor have a complete image of the causes of pain or disease, when it started and so much more.

Simply said bark to your pawrents every day to take you for a walk, eat healthy and visit a little more often the vet (looking cute at the veterinary hospital will give you possibilities of getting more treats!)

Paw Luna 🐾

*Link to the complete pilot study regarding the Big Barker beds:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0218/1356/files/Pilot_Study_to_Evaluate_the_Big_Barker_Therapeutic_Mattress_in_Dogs_with_Osteoarthritis.pdf?v=1597598958

*Short summary:
https://bigbarker.com/pages/upenn

The importance of responsible breeders

Hi pawfriends it's me Luna again! This time I would like to write a little bit about the impawtance of responsible dog breeding. The current lockdown situation has lead into a tremendous amount of new pup owners. If you are thinking of getting a (second) pup please check out your breeder before you buy!

Currently there are a lot of scam breeders going around because of the puppy popularity it even happened last week to my humans when they where walking wif me in the park. A random person came and told them: "I have pups for 250 euro if you want one call me and come pick it up." As you can imagine mum was super angry.. He didn't cared at all who we where, he didn't showed the parents of the pups etc., the only thing he said is pricing and his phone number if we wanted to have one. This is clearly the kind of breeder you don't want to come from! 

Let's start with the short definition of a responsible breeder in my eyes:

Responsible breeders are people with great love for the pups that have educated themselves with specialized information such as historical research, behavior, bloodlines, heritable defects and temperament of the breed of their choice. They also educate and screen potential buyers and keep providing support if the owner needs this. Breeders that care keep connected and supervise the dogs they bred during their entire lifetime. Last but not least they never breed for making money because they know that with the time and effort they will spend on educating and caring for the pups they will not make profits out of this. 

 A responsible breeder:

• Screens and fully tests the breeding dog's for any heritable diseases
• Avoids at all time inbreeding
• Keeps the pups in a warm and clean family environment with enrichment and place for the pups to play
• Can tell you why she/he choose the mother and father combination and what are the characteristics of both parents
• Bases breeding frequency on health of the mother (max. 1litter/year)
• Complies with all applicable laws and will gladly show you their breeding license and registration papers of the dogs
• Will take back any animal of their breeding in case owners can't take care of the dog anymore (this can be temporarily when the owner is injured for example or permanent when the owner died or any other reason that might apply)
• Never sells puppies to dealer or pet shop
• Let's you visit the pup as many times as necessary before moving permanently to new home
• Asks you a lot of questions and talks with you about the future of the dog (Will the dog be used for sport, herding, does the breed fit with you?) And also gives you the space to ask all questions you have about them
• Provides a clear purchase contract and gives you the time to read it before you sign
• Chips and vaccines the pups and provides all health care needed

Now after reading all this you can maybe understand why mum sterilized me, it was never her plan to get pups from me from the beginning even though I am her favorite dog ever. Even if she would like to breed one day in the future she would have to educate herself so so so so much more and pick up the best pawsible parent combination ever. The mission of breeding should ALWAYS be "breeding to improve the breed" and not just get pups out of your dog.

Big paw from me,
Luna 🐾

Potty training your pup

Hi furiends! It's me Luna again! As most of you may know I am already 5 years old but there was a time that I was a mini puppy that didn't knew how to poo outside the house, my mum would like to give all the new puppy owners an idea how I was potty trained, my mum was lucky enough to be with me at home the first weeks after I managed the potty training I would go for short periods of time in the crate. Please keep in mind this is our personal experience and each of us pups is unique!

If you go with your pup to the dog school or vet most of the time the first thing you will hear is ' take the puppy outside if he peed in the house'. The truth is that this kind of 'punishment' is not working for puppy's. It took a while for my mum to realize how she could easily convince me to do my thing and make this a positive experience instead of telling me that "I was a bad puppy" when I peed indoors.

First of all it is impawtent to observe your pup daily as much as possible, most pups show some 'signals' when they feel they have to pee or poop. I would start walking around in small circles for finding the spot, other dog's may start crying/barking, scratching the door,.... Experts suggest to start training your dog around 12-16 weeks old.

How my mum teached me:

We where living in a house with a garden at the time. After several months we moved to an apartment without outside garden so I had to adapt to this with different way's.

Garden training:

This one was the most easy for me as a pup. The first weeks the moment my mum would see me turning small rounds she would pick me up and carry me to the 'dog spot' in the garden. She was staying there with me until I would do my wee. Honestly the first times I was making her wait very long and sometimes also while it was raining. 😜 Afterwards she would start screaming from happiness and bring out my favorite toy, honestly I thought she was a little crazy. 😂 After a while she would take me out on random times of the day and I realized this is my potty time. 

In the house without garden: 

When we moved to the apartment without garden I was struggling a little more not only did I had to go outside to pee but also this time it was in an environment with distractions and on a leash?! Mum trained me already inside the house on a leash and would carry me to the field next to our apartment. We would go out every 2 hours. The difference was now that I can not walk free and other dog's off leash would try to distract me. Mum was always telling the owners to not let their dog's play with me so that I could focus better. In the beginning it was really difficult focusing on doing my potty training instead of playing and biting my mum's shoes 😂 My mum was standing patiently giving me the vocal command and ignoring my attempts to play. After I would do my wee she would play with me, throw my toy and bring out cookies! 

Puppy pads: There is this thing called 'puppy pads' to use inside the house. For me personally I would only use it the first couple of weeks when the pup is too small to go outside (before the vaccinations). My pawrents decided that they would instantly teach me to go outside to avoid creating the habit of peeing in the house. Ofcourse there happened some accidents the first couple of weeks but your pawrents should just clean it up and keep going with a smile. 😊

Most common problems:

-Pup keeps peeing on the same place indoors after an accident: This may be caused by the smell that stayed after cleaning use specialized household products for pets (pet stain cleaners)

-Accidents happen often during the day: Take your pup more out in the beginning, recommend after eating/drinking, when the pup wakes up from a nap, after playing indoors and ofcourse always first thing in the morning and last thing at night before sleep. Also controlled feeding might help, don't give your pup unlimited portions of food but structured feeding moments. 

Ps. Tell your pawrents this: Great things take time! 

Paw Luna 🐾🐶

Joint supplements for dog's

Hi pawfriends! It's me Luna again. Today's topic is about supplements for joint health. There are many different opinions regarding this topic. This article is  based on scientific researches, beside of that I would like to mention that my mummy has used this kind of supplements also for her first dog with osteoarthritis and there was a visible improvement in the dog's quality of elderly life.

When to use joint supplements?

- For aging dogs: 

Aging comes with some little negatives such as joint pain and stiffness. Your dog can have this symptoms even before osteoarthritis is really developed, especially larger breeds are more prone to these ailments. Why does this happen? It’s kinda the same for dogs as it is for humans. As our bodies age, we lose the natural ability to make healthy cartilage and thus, incur damage to our joints.

- For sport, very active and gun (hunting) dog's:

Sporting dogs are predisposed to injuries due to the type of activity that puts increased strain on their muscles, bones and ligaments.

In all cases physical therapy, weight management, hydrotherapy and other options can also improve a dog's comfort and mobility.

It’s important to note that no nutritional supplement will correct structural damage to a dog's joints!

Which brand of supplement to buy?

We have chosen to keep this article neutral and not to mention brand names since the market supply is different in each country. We strongly recommend seeking advice from a pet nutritionist or your veterinarian. Below are recommended ingredient combinations you can look for.

- Tablets/powder with a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), Green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus)

- (fish) oil with omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

- CBD oil 

A recent study found a decrease in arthritis pain and improvement in activity in dogs taking CBD after just 4 weeks. Importantly, there were no harmful side effects detected in the dogs in the study. Therefore we have also added CBD to the list.

Quality of the supplement:

When choosing which supplements to purchase, it is necessary to inquire about the product’s source and strength before using.

Choose products made with ingredients sourced in the USA, EU or UK (or in other countries with strict regulatory oversight and testing). This can be the "more expensive" option in the market but you want quality to reassure your dog's health and wellbeing!

Only purchase lab grade glucosamine chondroitin.

When do you start seeing results? 

It may take several weeks to months of administration before there’s a noticeable improvement in mobility and attitude, strongly depends on the dose. 

What is the dose one should use for their pet?

For maintenance you can follow the dosage guide on the product itself. In case that more intensive treatment is needed you can show the supplement to your vet so he/she can calculate the required and safe dose. Example of dosage: a standard dose for glucosamine is 15 mg/kg.

Are there side effects?

Veterinarians state that side effects are almost unheard of as long as the supplements are used in the recommended dose. Your dog might experience an upset stomach in the beginning but this generally resolves as the dog's digestive system adjusts to it.

Literature 

1. McCarthy G, O’Donovan J, Jones B, et al. Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet J 2007 174(1):54-61.

2. Wooten, Sarah J. “Joint Supplements for Dogs: The Helpful vs. the Hype.” DVM 360, 16 June 2017, veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/joint-supplements-dogs-helpful-vs-hype.

3. Verrico, Chris D.a,b; Wesson, Shondac; Konduri, Vanajad; Hofferek, Colby J.d; Vazquez-Perez, Jonathand; Blair, Emeke; Dunner, Kenneth Jrf; Salimpour, Pedramg; Decker, William K.d,h,i; Halpert, Matthew M.d,* A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain, PAIN: September 2020 - Volume 161 - Issue 9 - p 2191-2202 doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001896 

4. Rialland P, Bichot S, Lussier B, et al. Effect of a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel on pain behavior and functioning in dogs with clinical osteoarthritis. Can J Vet Res 2013;77(1):66-74.

5. Hielm-Björkman A, Tulamo RM, Salonen H, Raekallio M. Evaluating Complementary Therapies for Canine Osteoarthritis Part I: Green-lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009;6(3):365-373. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem136

Why do puppies need to exercise only for a short amount of time?

The answer is very simply explained. The growth plates, the areas of cartilage at the ends of the leg bones are still developing. 

They can become damaged very easily causing early arthritis. This damage is NOT gonna be recovered by growing up and can cause deformities for the rest of their life. It is your responsibility as dog owner to make sure your pup keeps a moderate amount of exercise. Just as kids, pups don't realize when they are overdoing it.  

Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer, but remember this is completely depending on the breed, temperament, health and many other variables. There is never a one size fits all approach. 

How should it be done to not harm the pup?

A good rule is a ratio of five minutes exercise per month of age maximum twice a day until the puppy is fully grown.  Don't take your puppy for jogging or jumping until he is fully grown. Make also sure they're fully vaccinated before coming in contact with other dogs. In case this is not done yet you can make short 'walks' in the garden or another safe play area.

Never exercise your puppy on a full stomach as this can contribute to GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus also know as bloating or twisted stomach) wait minimum 2 hours after dinner to go out. This also counts for adult dogs!

Paw Luna🐾

MDR1 Multi-drug Resistance

What is the MDR1?

Multi-Drug Resistance 1 gene protects the brain by ensuring that any harmful chemical are transported AWAY from the brain.  This gene specifically codes for P-glycoprotein. If this specific gene is mutated, it will create a defective protein, and consequently, drugs will remain and build up in the brain to toxic levels. This dominant gene is inherited from the parents, whether the parent has two copies of the gene or only one copy. If neither parent has a copy of the mutated MDR1 gene, then the offspring will not have it either. 

Which breeds are affected?

Below is a list of breeds that are frequently affected by the MDR1 mutation, keep in mind that any mixed breeds you might find at the shelter with possible relation to the breeds in the list could also have the same problem.

Australian Shepherd

Border Collie

English Shepherd

Longhaired Whippet

McNab Shepherd

Old English Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

Silken Windhound

Rough Collie

Smooth Collie

German Shepherd

American White Shepherd

English Shepherd

Attention! Even dogs that are unaffected by the MDR1 mutation may be exposed to toxic doses of this medication if they consume the feces of recently wormed cattle, horses, and sheep.

How can you find out if your dog has the MDR gen?

At the veterinary clinic your dog can be tested with either a cheek swab or a blood sample. The result you want to hear is Normal/Normal. 

If your dog gets this result you don’t have to worry about any drugs related to the MDR1 gene.

Normal/Mutant, or Mutant/Mutant should be considered sensitive to the drugs indicated in this list below:

Drugs that should be avoided: 

Acepromazine

Apomorphine

Butorphanol

Doramectin

Doxorubicin

Erythromycin

Ivermectin

Loperamide

Milbemycin

Moxidectin

Paclitaxel

Selamectin

Vinblastine

Vincristine

Vinorelbine

A common over the counter antidiarrheal (loperamide) is also a known substrate. 

ALWAYS discuss this matter with your veterinarian, in case your dog is not tested yet mention this so that your vet can assist you in the process. 

Paw Luna🐾

K9 obesity

Obesity in dogs is a mayor health treat! Many vets call this the most dangerous and common health treat anno 2021.

What is canine obesity and why is it so dangerous?

Definition: Obesity in pets occurs when excessive adipose tissue accumulates in the body, and is generally defined as occurring when an animal's body weight is at least 20% greater than its optimal body weight. Other symptoms can be lack of mobility, difficulty "heavy" breathing. 

This disease associated with decreased life span, diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, difficulty breathing, difficulty grooming, increased risk of hyperthermia and increased risk of cancer. Simply said decreased quality of life.

Considering the health risks it is shocking to read that approximately 25-30% of the general canine population is obese. 

Want to know if your dog is overweight?  You can check it at home with this simple technique:

Example of tucked in waste

Look at your dog from the side. The waste should be tucked-in.

Feel under your dog’s tummy. Make sure you follow with your hand the ribcage, at the end there should be an upwards curve.

Touch along your dog’s side and back. You should be able to feel your dog’s spine, ribs and hipbones quite easily but they shouldn’t stick out.

Feel the base of your dog’s tail. There shouldn’t be any build-up of fat on the point where the tail meets the base of the body.

Many vets recommend to check the BCS (body condition score chart) or BFI (body fat index chart) although this is a good indicator keep in mind that each breed has it's own body structure. 

What could be the reasons that your dog is overweight?

Diet:

The Diet that doesn't fit with your dog's lifestyle. Too high calorie intake in comparison to daily low amount of activity or simply overfeeding. Veterinarians stated that owners most of the time are not aware that they are harming their pets with overfeeding. The most common misinterpretation is that when the dogs keep eating they are still hungry. 

Postoperative:

Neutered or sterilized dog's that keep getting the same type of diet as before the surgery. 

Breeds that are more prone to canine obesity:

- Labrador Retrievers

- Bulldogs and Pugs

-Basset hounds and Beagles 

-Dachshunds

More rare causes:

Medical cause: For example hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.  Some medications give also the side effect that the dog will developed more easily diabetes. Phenobarbital (anticonvulsant) is known for satiety leading to overeating and Glucocorticoids cause often abnormal fat deposition + weight gain. 

Luna's conclusion: Tell your pawrents to do often body condition check ups, ask advice to your vet/pet nutritionist, change diet if nescessary and most impawtent keep exercising! 

Paw Luna🐾

Heatstroke

Hi it's me Luna! This blog is about heatstroke's in dogs. Since I live in the Mediterranean and the temperatures in summer can rise up to +35°C it is very impawtent to raise awareness for this common dangerous health threat. A very interesting fact is that 'heat strokes' are not only caused by environmental temperature but also living conditions and humidity. Since we dogs mostly release heat through panting and through our little paw pads it's more difficult in summer to stay cool then in comparison to our humans who sweat all over the body. 

What is a heat stroke? 

Heat stroke is a term used for hyperthermia or elevated body temperature. For dogs we speak of hyperthermia when their temperature gets over 39.4 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit). A heat stroke occurs when their body temperature exceeds 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher without signs of inflammation, a heat stroke can lead to multiple organ dysfunction. 

Causes

-Environmental heat and humidity 

-Upper airway disease that inhibits breathing: the upper airway includes the nose, nasal passages, throat (pharynx), and windpipe (trachea)

-Underlying disease that increases likelihood of developing hyperthermia, such as paralysis of the voice box or larynx; heart and/or blood vessel disease; nervous system and/or muscular disease; previous history of heat-related disease

-Some poisonous compounds, such as strychnine and slug and snail bait, can lead to seizures

-Anesthesia complications

-Excessive exercise

-Being left in the yard without access to shade or fresh, cool drinking water

-Staying alone in the car on a hot day 

-Being left in the house with the central heating to high and no fresh air 

Which dogs have higher risk? 

- very young/old dog's

- short nosed/ flat faced dogs (brachycephalic breeds) such as pugs, boxers and      bulldogs

- dogs that are muzzled with a (too) small size muzzle that does not give them the possibility to pant 

- Long and thick haired dogs such as my breed the Border Collie

-Dogs that stay in the yard and have no access to fresh clean Drinkwater and shade 

-Obesity patients 

It is impawtant to remember that ALL dogs cannot control their body temperature by sweating as humans do, since they only have a relatively small number of sweat glands located in their footpads. Their primary way of regulating body temperature is by panting.

Symptoms

-Dehydration (dry nose, visible tiredness, extremely excessive panting, and sunken eyes)

-Excessive drooling 

-Increased body temperature: Above 39° C (103° F)

-Bright red, gray or purple gums and moist tissues of the body showing different color as normal 

-Only small amounts of urine or no urine at all 

-Acute kidney failure

-Rapid/irregular  heart rate (you can feel this by putting your hand on your dogs chest)

-Stoppage of the heart and breathing (cardiopulmonary arrest)

-Fluid build-up in the lungs, sudden breathing distress

-Blood-clotting disorder

-Passage of blood in the bowel movement or stool

-Black, tarry stools

-Small, pinpoint areas of bleeding

-Generalized inflammatory response syndrome

-Changes in mental status, stressed state

-Muscle tremors, shivering or shaking 

-Wobbly, uncoordinated or drunken gait or movement also know as ataxia 

-Unconsciousness in which the dog cannot be stimulated to be awakened

-Vomiting or diarrhea 

What to do if your dog shows signs of heat stroke?

If your dog loses consciousness or seems severely ill (vomiting, seizing,..) rush to a veterinary hospital immediately!

1. Take your dog to a cooler/shady area.

2. Lower their body temperature by wetting them thoroughly with cool water, it may be poured over the head, stomach, armpits and feet, or cool cloths may be applied to these areas. Rubbing alcohol may be applied to the footpads to dilate pores and increase perspiration. DO NOT use cold water! It seems counterintuitive, but cooling too quickly can cause a shock reaction use lukewarm water instead of cool.

3. Apply more cool water around their ears and paws. This helps reduce fever.

4.  If you have a pet thermometer handy, check their temperature every few minutes. Once their temperature drops to 39.4ºC (103ºF) Stop applying water and towel dry the dog.

5. As they continue to cool down, provide them with small amounts of lukewarm or cool water to drink. Again, NOT cold water, and no ice!

6. Call your veterinarian asap. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, they may need to be monitored for shock, dehydration, kidney failure, and other possible complications of heat exhaustion. Your vet will be able to advise you about next steps in most cases you will have to go visit the clinic so that the doctor can check your dog. 

Why is it so impawtent to handle as soon as possible? 

If a heat stroke is not treated on time your dog may experience permanent organ damage or may die at a later date from complications that developed secondarily to the hyperthermia. Pets that have experienced hyperthermia are at greater risk for subsequent heat stroke due to damage to the thermoregulatory center.

Heat stroke is a serious thing! Take care of yourself my furiends,

Paw Luna🐾