If you’re a new dog owner and you’ve noticed something strange (maybe even wiggling) in your pup’s poop, been concerned about your dog’s potbelly, or reached out to your dog’s veterinarian about bloody diarrhea, you aren’t alone. The majority of the time, the answer to these questions points to a group of nutrient-depleting and blood-sucking culprits: intestinal parasites.

Intestinal parasites can range in size, shape, route of transmission, and how they affect the host. However, not all pet owners, especially those who just got a new puppy or kitten for the first time, are well informed about parasitic infections. If you are that new pet owner, congratulations on your new family member! Here is some important information about intestinal parasites and your pup’s (or cat’s) pooping habits.

What is a Parasite?

In general, a parasite is an organism that feeds and lives on (or in) a host animal (such as a dog or a cat). In the case of intestinal parasites, the host is usually harmed in one way or another by the parasite. In some cases, parasites can even be fatal. As the name suggests, intestinal parasites, in both dogs and cats, can be found somewhere along the pet’s gastrointestinal tract, usually being the stomach or small and large intestines. In the case of puppies and kittens, they are more likely to have more severe symptoms because things like blood and nutrients are being taken away during a crucial time of growth and development.

But how do pets get these parasites? There isn’t a simple answer to that question. There are different routes of transmission and infection for the different kinds of intestinal parasites. Your pet may get a parasite by doing something as simple as standing on grass that has parasitic larvae on it or through a flea bite. A great majority of puppies and kittens are actually born with at least one intestinal parasite.

How do puppies and kittens get parasites when they haven’t explored the outdoors yet? It all goes back to mom. If a pregnant mom gets infected with an intestinal parasite, the parasites may transmit while they are still in utero. Another possible route from mom to puppies is during nursing, where the parasite is transmitted through mom’s milk. But let’s say that while pregnant, the puppy’s mom tested negative for any and all possible intestinal parasites. However, a few months ago, she tested positive and completed the entire deworming process. During the initial infection, it is possible that some of the parasitic larvae migrated into muscle tissues where they laid dormant until the perfect opportunity, in this case, pregnancy, arose.

Common Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats

Now that you’re aware of the problem, it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty of intestinal parasites. Below you’ll find a list of the most common intestinal parasites your pet can get, how they are transmitted, symptoms to look for, and different treatment options and preventative measures that should be considered when owning a dog, cat, or both!

Hookworm

Ancylostoma caninum (Canine hookworm), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (Feline hookworm)

There are several ways a pet might be infected with hookworm, including: through ingestion of contaminated fecal matter or soil, when a parasite larvae burrows through the skin when standing or laying on contaminated ground, prenatal infection (from mom to offspring in utero), and transmammary infection (from mom to offspring while nursing). Important: it should be noted that hookworms can be transmitted to humans.

Hookworm Symptoms:

• Dry or dull haircoat
• Anemia
• Pale gums
• Lethargy
• Bloody diarrhea
• Significant weight loss or inability to gain weight

Treatment: Treatment for hookworms is usually oral dewormers (anthelmintics), which only kill adult worms. Infected dogs or cats have to repeat treatment about two to four weeks after the first treatment.

Roundworm

Toxocara canis (Canine hookworm), Toxocara cati (Feline hookworm), Toxocara leonina (infectious to Canine and Feline)

Pets can get infected with roundworms by sniffing or licking infected feces from another animal. Dogs and cats can also get roundworms if they ingest a paratenic host (accidental host), like rodents, earthworms, and birds. Similar to hookworm, transmission is possible through both prenatal and transmammary infection. Roundworms can be transmitted to humans too.

Roundworm Symptoms:

• “Spaghetti” in pet’s fecal sample or vomit
• Recurrent diarrhea
• Potbelly (puppies)
• Lethargy
• Stunted growth (puppies)

Treatment: When treating Roundworms, oral dewormers (anthelmintics) are used. Oral dewormers only kill adult worms. Infected dogs or cats have to be retreated about two to four weeks after the first treatment.

Giardia

Giardia duodenalis (can be found in both Canines and Felines)

A dog or cat may be infected by giardia by drinking water that has been contaminated by feces from an infected animal or eating something contaminated by infected feces like grass or dirt. Not all pets show symptoms of giardia.

Giardia Symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Inability to gain weight

Treatment: To treat giardia in pets, doctors will typically prescribe a combination of fenbendazole (dewormer) and metronidazole (antibiotic) for about ten days. After that, the pet’s feces should be retested two to four weeks after finishing the medication.

Whipworm

Trichuris vulpis (Canine whipworm), Trichuris serrata (Feline whipworm)

Pets may be infected with Whipworm when ingesting eggs from a contaminated piece of soil, grass, or feces.

Whipworm Symptoms:

• Chronic watery, bloody diarrhea
• Significant weight loss
• General debilitation (inability to conserve salt, leading to chronic dehydration)

Treatment: Whipworms rarely pass eggs, so fecal samples often come back false negative. The most common dewormers used to treat whipworms are fenbendazole and febantel.

Tapeworm

Dipylidium caninum (Canine and Feline tapeworm), Taenia tapeworm species, Echinococcus hookworm species

Pets can be infected with tapeworm if they eat an infected flea (Dipylidium caninum), undercooked or raw meats (various Taenia species), or contaminated feces (various Echinococcus species). Unfortunately, some forms of the Taenia and Echinococcus species of tapeworms can be transmitted to humans.

Tapeworm Symptoms:

• Moving “rice-like” segments found around pet’s rectum or in their feces
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Distended abdomen

Treatment: Tapeworms often don’t show up on fecal screenings but can be seen without a microscope (wiggling stuff in your pup’s poop). Treatment of tapeworm in pets consists of one or two rounds of praziquantel dewormer, which generally covers all tapeworms types. Alternatively, pets may be treated with fenbendazole, which does not kill Dipylidium caninum.

Parasite Prevention:

If all this information has you thinking about the last time you had your pet tested for intestinal parasites, this is your sign to get your pet’s poop checked. Intestinal parasites can be very scary—while treatment is usually easier than you might think—prevention is always best.

• Make sure your new pup or kitten is up-to-date on their immunizations.
• Pick up your pet’s poop to prevent the spread, transmission, and reinfection of the parasite.
• Practice good hygiene, like washing your hands after picking up feces. Especially those families with younger children.
• Make sure your pet has clean water accessible at all times to avoid drinking from puddles.
• Limit exposure to areas where dog feces will be.
• Many heartworm preventatives contain deworming medication that will kill intestinal parasites.

If your pet is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, do your pup and yourself a favor and get their poop tested for possible parasites. It’s easy! To test their poop, simply bring in the freshest poop sample you can find, and the clinic staff will do the rest. Veterinarians typically will have results generally within the next 24-48 hours.

The post Intestinal Parasites 101: What You Need to Know as a Responsible Dog Owner appeared first on My Doggy Blog.

Among other things, Josie, my nine-month-old German Shepherd/Labrador mix, whines and barks to get my attention when I’m on the phone, which can make business calls a little less professional than I’d like them to be. Through trial and error and with professional help, I’ve developed a short list of strategies to keep her entertained.

1. Create a schedule. Dogs love routine, so having a daily schedule keeps them on a more even keel, according to trainer John Imler, owner of Top Dog Training in Louisville, Ky. He suggests rotating outside play, inside quiet time, bathroom break, crate nap and so on until dinner and bedtime. “Usually, that wears a puppy out on a daily basis, and you end up conditioning an adolescent dog to learn to be calm next to you while [you’re] working,” Imler said. “They know a trip outside is coming.”

2. Be Active. Emma Grigg, CAAB and author of The Science Behind a Happy Dog: Canine Training, Thinking and Behaviour, says there are two ways to keep a puppy entertained: active and passive. Most dogs, especially young dogs and active breeds, need a little more activity to keep them entertained, says Grigg. Dogs need to burn off a certain amount of energy every day, and making sure your dog gets enough exercise is crucial. “If they don’t get the opportunity to do this through walks, dog park time, games of fetch and so forth, they will often find less-appealing ways to channel that energy,” like eating your couch, Grigg points out.

Grigg advises those who work from home to start and end their day with a good walk, even if they have a fenced yard. “While [a play area] is great for dogs, it still isn’t the same as a walk off-property,” she said. Consult your veterinarian on how much exercise is appropriate for your puppy’s age. Another plus: these walks may help you be more productive and creative as well.

3. Train throughout the day. Griggs also recommends two to three short training sessions (5 to 10 minutes) each day, combined perhaps with changes to the way you interact with the dog, which she says can usually result in huge improvements in a relatively short amount of time. Teaching your dog relaxation protocols—to settle, for example—is another useful skill. She recommends Emily Larlham’s Kikopup tutorial “Capturing Calmness” (available on YouTube), which she says is simple and straightforward. Eventually, your dog will understand when it’s time to settle down and relax while you participate in that important conference call. “I teach all my dogs a ‘go to your bed’ cue, and reward them for doing so,” Grigg says. “I make a point of sometimes rewarding them for being calmly settled on their bed, even when I haven’t asked them to do this. I am a firm believer in rewarding behavior that I like to increase the chances of these behaviors happening again.”

However, be careful not to reinforce bad behavior. If your dog is pawing at you or whining for your attention (Josie, I’m looking at you), don’t give her what she’s seeking. “If the only time the puppy gets your attention —positive or negative—is when she barks at you, paws your leg or whines, this approach is working for her, and she will continue to repeat these behaviors,” Grigg observes. “Instead, ignore those behaviors and reward her when she is calm. This will be challenging at first, but in my experience, young dogs figure this out pretty quickly.”

4. Get some toys. Passive entertainment—aka toys —is another way to keep a puppy occupied. Some options include chew toys, food-dispensing toys and puzzle toys. Grigg recommends strong, durable items that can withstand strong chewers and won’t break off and become dangerous for the dog. Stuffed and frozen Kong-type toys are a go-to, but there are others that can also keep a dog busy for hours. Check out tarmark’s mental-stimulation line —Josie is a Treatwheeler addict. Food dispensers, such as the Pet Tutor, can keep your dog working for treats, but, like puzzle toys, may have the unintended consequence of adding pounds. Use these judiciously to avoid an overweight pup.

5. Hire help. It may seem frivolous to pay someone to take care of your dog while you’re at home, but you have to work, too. A dog walker can come by and tire out your pup a few times a week, or you can drop her off at a doggie day care, where she’ll get lots of playtime with other pooches. (Your dog should be fully vaccinated and well-socialized before being placed in this environment.)

Some combination of these methods will help you get through your workday without too much interruption, and your dog won’t have to stay in her crate all day long. You’ll both be much happier, and the extra time you spend with her will deepen the bond as she grows into the amazing companion you know she can be.

The post 5 Ways to Ensure a Happy Canine “Office Mate” appeared first on My Doggy Blog.

Living with long-haired dogs, it seems all the brushing in the world won’t prevent fur from ending up in every possible crevice of my house. It turns out both human hair and dog fur is great for absorbing oil, including the oil spills along the coasts. The recent miles-wide oil spill off the California coast near Huntington Beach is ruining beaches and estuaries along the coast.

In addition to ocean oil spills, researchers at the University of Sydney have found that dog fur and human hair—recycled from salon wastes and dog groomers—can be just as good as synthetic fabrics at cleaning up crude oil spills on hard land surfaces like highway roads, pavement, and sealed concrete floors. It seems dog fur is particularly good at cleaning up crude oil. Together with human hair recycled from salons, recycled dog fur is an effective and sustainable way to mop up dangerous environmental contaminants on land.

Here’s how dog owners can help.

The non-profit organization, Matter of Trust, collects donations of human and canine hair to make mats and booms with recycled nylons (yes, the ones you wear under your skirts!).  The mats and booms are then placed in the ocean to soak up oil.

It’s very easy to do so. Simply sign up at the website and you’ll be provided an address to send your donation to. Currently, Matter of Trust is accepting waste fiber donations from everywhere (100% debris-free, any length). There’s always a need for ponytails that are 3 inches or longer.

If you’re interested in making a hair donation, visit the Matter of Trust web site for more information. Your local human salon or canine groomer may also collect for the cause.

According to Matter of Trust, the United States has over 370,000 hair salons, each cutting an average of a pound of hair per day. Dog groomers usually cut three pounds per day. Imagine how much oil could be soaked up using material that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Check out this video for more information on how hair goes from dog to ocean.

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While Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S., with 476,000 people diagnosed each year, many pet owners do not know that dogs are also at risk for Lyme disease. Dogs can pick up the ticks while out hiking, walking, and even in your own backyard. It can be frustrating and time-consuming to search for ticks under all that fur. It’s a common misconception that ticks are only a summer problem, but if the temperatures are 50 degrees or warmer, they can be a problem year-round.

If left untreated, dogs with Lyme disease can experience heart complications, joint disease, and permanent nervous system damage. As dog owners take to parks and the woods, the veterinarians at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital explain the health concern of Lyme disease in dogs and how to prevent it. Here is what pet owners should know about Lyme disease and dogs.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria borrelia burgdorferi.  Borrelia is transmitted by Ixodes ticks (commonly referred to as deer ticks or black-legged ticks) after attachment to the animal for a minimum of 24-48 hrs. Exposure usually occurs several months after exposure to the infected tick. Black-legged ticks, which are commonly found in the Northeast, can be as small as a poppy seed, and they can be easily missed in the folds behind the ears, between the toes, armpits, around the neck and groin area.

Can My Dog Get Lyme Disease?

Dogs, and rarely cats, can get several different infections including Lyme disease that are transmitted by ticks. Infections are regionally different throughout the country based on geographical changes and the type of tick present to transmit the disease.

There are helpful tools to determine your regional Lyme risk:

• Check your state health department’s website to see if Lyme is present in your community
• Save the tick you pull and have it tested in a lab to see if it was carrying Lyme
• Take a picture of the tick and send it to the TickEncounter Resource Center where others can identify the tick

What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs?

Most dogs exposed to Lyme disease are able to fight off the infection themselves and do not develop clinical illness. In fact, clinical signs of Lyme disease are observed only in approximately 5-15% of infected canine cases.

The most common clinical signs associated with Lyme disease infection include mild fever, lethargy, mild lymph node enlargement, joint swelling (arthritis in one or multiple joints), lameness (limping or abnormal walking/running behavior), and discomfort. Rarely dogs can develop a serious form of kidney disease that results in increased drinking, urinating, and decreased appetite.

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Joint swelling
• Limping or Lameness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

How to treat Lyme disease in dogs

Lyme disease is treated with a longer course of an antibiotic, usually doxycycline. Dogs with common signs of Lyme disease usually respond to treatment within days and antibiotics are continued for up to a total of 28 days. Dogs with the rare kidney form of disease require aggressive treatment and prognosis is guarded.

Preventing Lyme disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

Inspect your dog. After walks through the woods or grassy settings, be sure to check your dog thoroughly. Take a careful look between toes, under the tail, and around their mouth, eyes, and ears (do not forget the inside of the ears).

Remove ticks immediately. Learn best practices for tick removal. The faster you find and remove a tick, the less likely it is that your dog will contract a secondary illness like Lyme disease from tick bites. To avoid tearing the tick and spreading possible infections into the bite area, use fine-point tweezers. Pull straight upward, in a slow and steady motion to prevent the tick’s mouth from breaking off and remaining embedded in your pet’s skin. If you are unable to remove the tick yourself, consult with your veterinarian.

Use flea and tick preventives. Most flea and ticks medications don’t prevent ticks from jumping onto or biting your dog, and they kill them once they bite. Since Lyme disease requires 24-48 hours, it prevents the spread of disease. Consult with your veterinarian about the most appropriate product for your dog.

Keep grass as short as possible and stay on paths. Refrain from walking into grassy patches, if possible. If hiking in the woods, try to keep on hike paths away from high-growth vegetation.

Get your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease. Vaccination could prevent your dog from getting Lyme disease; however, the vaccine may not be appropriate for some dogs. Discuss the vaccine with your veterinarian to see what is possible for your pet.

The post Lyme Disease in Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Should Know appeared first on My Doggy Blog.

Dog owners do not need to be veterinarians to know that a healthy heart is as important for our furry friends as it is for humans. Yet there can be a lot of confusion surrounding cardiac issues in animals, especially when it comes to heart murmurs.

Dr. Sonya Wesselowski, an assistant professor of cardiology at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers insight on murmurs, given her expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in animals.

Wesselowski describes a heart murmur as “an extra whooshing sound” heard during a heartbeat that is typically caused by turbulent or rapid blood flow inside the heart. Some murmurs are considered to be harmless, or “physiologic,” while other murmurs are considered “pathologic,” or disease-related. In dogs, common reasons for a disease-related heart murmur include leaky or narrowed heart valves.

Not all heart murmurs are dangerous, though.

“Some soft heart murmurs can be normal in young puppies under 4-6 months of age,” Wesselowski said. “The majority of heart murmurs, however, do indicate that some sort of heart abnormality is present.

“This might be a congenital abnormality that a dog was born with or an ‘acquired’ heart disease that developed later in life, with these diseases ranging from mild to severe,” she said.

Luckily, if your pup is found to have a heart murmur, there are likely some good treatment options to keep their heart healthy and pumping for as long as possible.

Step one, however, is confirming a diagnosis.

“If your veterinarian identifies a heart murmur in your dog, additional testing should be pursued to determine the type and severity of any underlying heart problems,” Wesselowski said. “The heart murmur itself should be thought of as a red flag that possible heart disease is present, but it can’t speak to the severity of any underlying heart problems, so additional testing is needed to sort out the next best steps.

“Some types of heart disease can remain mild for the life of a pet without ever requiring treatment, while others may result in symptoms of heart disease that require cardiac medications, lifestyle changes, and/or diet modifications to combat,” she said. “Additional testing can help sort out which of these scenarios may be the case for your dog.”

The heart is one of the hardest-working organs in the body. Depending on the results of diagnostic tests, your veterinarian will discuss the prognosis and treatment options available for your dog.

In all cases in which heart disease is identified, it will also be necessary to monitor the condition on a regular basis and to perform periodic diagnostic testing to guide future care.

It is important for owners to not lose heart when it comes to cardiac disease in dogs. With the right treatments, monitoring, and veterinary team working together, owners can keep their beloved dogs active and happy, even in the face of heart disease.

The post Heart Murmurs in Dogs: Canine Cardiac Murmurs appeared first on My Doggy Blog.

While all animal lovers share a close relationship with their pets, it often seems like dogs and their owners are virtually inseparable, even when they’re sleeping. As your dog ages, you may notice that they’ve started to smell a bit. You do regular grooming, yet somehow your dog still stinks

If that sweet puppy smell vanished and was replaced by what can only be described as a funk, well, there might be other issues. This strange smell could be from several things like dental problems, gas, disease, or ear infections. But most commonly, it’s a hygiene problem.

Causes for a Smelly Dog

Wet Dog Smell: This recognizable smell is caused by the yeast and bacteria that naturally live in a dog’s skin and fur. The ordinarily mild odor becomes noticeably stronger when dogs are wet as the yeast and bacteria react to water.

Dental Problems: One of the main culprits for a funky smell is bad breath, especially in older dogs. Like people, bad breath (halitosis) is caused by plaque and tartar on teeth. It’s important to brush your dog’s teeth regularly, just as you do yourself. Raw bones are great for teeth cleaning under close supervision. Consider visiting the veterinarian for a professional check-up and cleaning, especially if you notice a rotten smell.

Ear Infections: There are many causes for ear infections, including allergies, mites, excess hair, excess moisture, diseases, and excessive cleanings. One thing that is certain is that ear infections in dogs can cause a really unpleasant odor. Dogs with especially hairy or floppy ears tend to be more prone to ear infections.

Kidney Disease: Beyond dental problems, bad breath may also be indicative of kidney disease or diabetes. Kidney disease is one of the top concerns among senior dog owners, and early signs include changes in body odor, bad breath, and incontinence.

Gas: Dogs fart. We have to live with it. Thankfully, more than 99% of gasses that pass the intestinal tract are odorless! But, as a dog ages, their body and needs change. Excessive farting could be a sign of food intolerance or other diseases. If you notice an unusual concert erupting from your dog’s behind, reach out to your vet.

Impacted Glands: If your dog is scooting around the carpet, your dog has an anal gland problem. These glands produce the foulest fish-like smelling brown material. Typically, these glands empty naturally when a dog poops, but if not, then a vet visit may be in order. Either way, it’s stinky business.

Skin Infections: Some dogs and breeds are prone to skin fold dermatitis. This smelly condition is the result of moisture caught between the warm folds of a dog’s skin. Breeds most commonly affected include Shar Peis, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Basset Hounds, and Boxers.

So, now that we’ve covered some of the common reasons why dogs stink, what can we do about it? If you confirm it’s not a medical issue after talking with your vet, then it’s a simple hygiene problem. The following tips can help you learn how to keep your older dog and home smelling fresh.

Bathing Tips

We know you’ve already been taking good care of your old dog, but it’s time to up your game. A lot of changes begin to happen as a dog grows older that can make them have a little extra stink. Baths will become vital in maintaining good hygiene for them and you, so experiment by washing them a little sooner than you usually would.

Bathe your senior dog no more than once every other week – and make sure to keep an eye on their skin because more frequent bathing could cause skin irritation.

Laundry Tips

How frequently should you wash your sheets?

If you’re like most dog owners, you enjoy sharing your bed with your canine. Sleep quality aside, hygiene can become an issue. Dog owners should wash their bed sheets more often because of the extra dirt and oils.

People who sleep with their dogs are advised to wash their bed sheets more than average, every 3-4 days, especially if you notice a smell coming from your dog. Washing your bedding more often not only will help to improve the hygiene of your senior dog but also the aroma of your home.

In addition to your own bedding, wash your dog’s bed regularly. An easy tip for remembering to do this on schedule is to wash your dog’s bed and blankets on the same days you give them baths!

Other helpful laundry tips:

• Keep an extra set of linens at the ready in case of accidents or for a quick refresh.
• Speed up your laundry cycles by reducing tangling and balled-up sheets with a Wad-Free bed sheet detangler.
• For excess fur on clothing, the FurZapper is a highly rated reusable laundry lint catcher.
• If your front-load washer gets a little stinky, add one cup of baking soda with the next load. It will help reduce smell and brighten whites.

Keep Things Fresh

Once the stinky smell is gone, you’re going to want to maintain it for as long as possible. One easy way to do this is by regularly brushing your dog. Brushing your dog also allows your bedding to stay fresh for longer because you won’t have as much fur transferring onto them.

Next up, vacuum regularly. Scratch that, vacuum daily. Any dog owner can attest to the enormous quantity of fur build-up caused by our furry friends. It does wonders to keep your home smelling fresh, plus keeps away pests like fleas.

Use some dog-friendly scents. Studies have shown that some essential oils, namely lavender and chamomile, provide relaxing aromatherapy for dogs and make your house smell good too.

Even though your dog may be smelly, it doesn’t mean you’ll snuggle with them any less. It’s important to keep close tabs on their body changes—smells included—in case there is an underlying medical condition. It’s always important to consult your vet before making any sudden adjustments, as they can help you better understand what’s going on.

The post Why Does My Dog Stink? Tips for Smelly Senior Dogs appeared first on My Doggy Blog.

When I first noticed Gus, my beloved white Boxer, dragging his back foot, I teased him about being lazy. At age 10, Gus was finally mellowing out after a decade of careening through life like a rodeo bull. Soon, though, he was dragging that foot on our walks, and because we live in an urban (read: paved) area, all that friction began to wear down his nails and scrape the skin from his knuckles.

This was my first indication that Gus had degenerative myelopathy.

An insidious disease, degenerative myelopathy in dogs is a slowly progressing condition that affects the nerves of the spinal cord, cutting off communication between the brain and limbs. Over time, the affected dog will become paraplegic and eventually will be unable to stand.

Symptoms of degenerative myelopathy in dogs are often missed because they look similar to other conditions such as hip dysplasia. The most apparent sign of degenerative myelopathy is wobbly rear legs and paw dragging. The deterioration often progresses over several months. During that time, dogs with degenerative myelopathy will experience ataxia (impaired balance and coordination) in their rear legs, ultimately losing the ability to walk.

Older dogs, typically large breeds dogs, are most affected by degenerative myelopathy in dogs. Dogs breeds affected by degenerative myelopathy include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, Corgis, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Mastiffs, and Ridgebacks.

Currently, there is no scientifically proven effective treatment for degenerative myelopathy. Veterinarians may be able to treat some of the symptoms related to the condition to relieve discomfort. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise, including walking and swimming, are essential tools for dogs affected by degenerative myelopathy. Best Friends rescue adds, “Intensive physical rehabilitation and selected assistive equipment…can extend a dog’s survival time by up to three years, versus six months to a year for dogs who do not receive therapy.”

While this sounds like very bad news—and it is—there are some silver linings. The first is that, as the disease progresses, your dog will experience very little pain. The second is that you likely have time left together—possibly even years.

To make the best of it, you’ll need a strategy, as well as some new gear to compensate for your pup’s declining mobility. Here’s what helped Gus (and me).

1. Give ’Em the Boot(s) …

Search for “dog boots” on Amazon and you’ll be presented with nearly 800 choices. If that sounds overwhelming, wait until you read the reviews. One man’s “god-send” of a boot is another’s (and I quote) “stupid piece of junk.” After many failed attempts (and a lot of wasted money), I finally figured out that for a dog with degenerative myelopathy, only two things matter: that the boot will stay on despite the repetitive dragging motion, and that it is durable enough to withstand the friction. A boot with a high, adjustable ankle section takes care of the first requirement; flipping the boot upside down is my best advice for the second. I found that placing the boots sole-side-up didn’t affect Gus’s ability to walk in them and meant they weren’t a shredded mess after just a walk or two. 

2. …And the Ol’ Heave Ho

If he doesn’t already, your dog will need rear-end support. Many people use a simple beach towel as a support sling for stairs and slippery flooring. After a few false starts, I found a full-body harness (I settled on this one, but there are lots of others) with a front handle near the shoulder and another near the hips. At first, this allowed me to assist Gus every now and then. Near the end of his life, his “butt handle” as I took to calling it, was essential for helping him use the bathroom and picking him up quickly when he fell.

3. Find a Community

Studies show that physical therapy can more than quadruple the survival time in dogs with DM. I can attest that after his weekly underwater treadmill sessions, Gus seemed a little stronger and more dexterous. But those appointments provided us with something even better—a team. Talking to the physical therapists each week made me feel less alone dealing with the challenges of DM, which can sometimes feel like a lot.

Another unexpected bonus of physical therapy was the veritable lending library of gear at our fingertips. After dogs with DM pass, their owners often donate the cabinet full of boots and harnesses they’ve accumulated. Because of their generosity, we were able to try out different boots and slings, as well as borrow a wheelchair, which can cost hundreds of dollars for larger dogs like Gus.

4. Take Care of Yourself

In the last few months of Gus’s life, when his back legs had all but given out, I carried him up the stairs every night like a wheelbarrow. In the morning, I would hoist him out of bed and ease him down the stairs using that trusty butt handle, which seemed to be in my hands for most of the day. I am not ashamed to admit that facilitating nearly every movement of my 80-pound dog was physically exhausting. Caring for a dog with canine degenerative myelopathy will require your strength, so make sure you’re getting your own exercise in, too.

5. Write It Down

Gus’s DM progressed in stops and starts. One day he crossed the hardwood floor with confidence, and the next, he looked to me for help. Sometimes weeks and months would go by with little sign of deterioration. This made it difficult for me to accurately assess his quality of life, which is an essential factor in the hardest part of this disease: deciding when it’s time to let your dog go. My best and cheapest piece of degenerative myelopathy-related gear was a notebook in which I jotted a few notes each night detailing Gus’s challenges that day, as well as the things he was able to do well. Most importantly, I kept track of his mood and temperament. Not only did these pages help me feel more certain about when it was time to say goodbye, they now serve as a reminder of our time together, and just how much I loved him.

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Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), sometimes known as “cognitive dysfunction syndrome,” is similar to dementia in humans. While there is no cure for CCD, there are plenty of ways to improve your elderly dog’s well-being, happiness, and sense of security in their twilight years.

Here are six of the best tips for caring for dogs with canine cognitive disorder.

1. Stick to a Regular Routine

All dogs benefit from a consistent routine. Knowing when they go out, when you’re at home and when it’s time to settle for the night is reassuring. However, routines are especially important for dogs suffering from CCD. An inconsistent schedule can raise anxiety and may make CCD symptoms worse.

While it can be challenging to stick to an exact schedule, try to ensure that your dog’s waking and sleeping hours are kept as consistent as possible. This helps to reduce night-time confusion.

Potty breaks and walks should also be done at the same times each day or at least performed in the same order if you struggle to keep to a set time every day. Factoring more supervised potty breaks into your routine can also help to decrease the number of accidents inside.

2. Avoid Changing Your Home Environment

Unfortunately, aside from the confusion brought about by CCD, your aging dog is also likely to suffer some blindness. Vision loss may make it more difficult for your pet to move around the home. For this reason, you should keep your dog’s food, water, and bed in easily accessible positions and avoid moving them. Similarly, try to keep furniture in a consistent location.

It’s also important to minimize clutter as this can present a trip hazard. If your dog is becoming unstable on their paws, place non-slip mats on slippery surfaces so your pooch will feel more secure.

3. Plenty of Patience

You’ll need plenty of patience to look after a dog with canine dementia. Even when maintaining a consistent schedule, frequent indoor accidents and forgotten training are commonplace occurrences. Frustrating as it may be, this isn’t your dog’s fault, so practice plenty of patience.

Dogs with CCD may also forget familiar people or react undesirably towards new ones. Make sure that you explain the situation to any guests at your home, asking them to remain calm and quiet. Allow your dog to greet them in their own time, rather than having a lot of new faces crowding around their dog bed.

4. Talk with your Veterinarian

Although there is no cure for CCD, it is still worth speaking to your veterinarian about medication or nutritional supplements. While your dog will never revert to their younger self, there are ways to treat the symptoms. Simple changes to diet, medications, and supplements can help keep your dog happier and calmer in their final years.

Veterinary Partner recommends supplements rich in antioxidants or medium-chain triglycerides, noting that the latter “provides energy to the dog’s brain, which is helpful because the brain is less able to use glucose for energy in CCD.” According to one scientific study, a change of diet has been shown to make significant improvements in CDS signs after 90 days.

5. Gentle Exercise

While your dog is no longer going to be running energetically around the park, exercise is still essential. Physical and mental stimulation can slow down cognitive decline and reduce anxiety.

Take short walks at a slow pace, letting your dog move at a comfortable gait. Allow your dog to sniff and take their time exploring new smells, as this is great stimulation for their mind. If possible, try to take your dog for a walk during the day rather than early morning or evening. Walks during sunlight hours can help to reduce the occurrence of nocturnal barking and daytime sleepiness that are commonly associated with CCD.

6. Mental Stimulation

Strenuous exercise may not be suitable for your elderly dog, but that doesn’t mean the end of playtime!

Mental stimulation is essential for senior dogs and slowing down CCD symptoms. Simple games such as hiding treats, stuffing Kongs or snuffle mats with treats, or playing with a favorite squeaky toy can all help activate your dog’s brain and make them feel less anxious.

While your dog may not play like in the past, games are still important – even if they are shorter and less intense. Not only are you helping to keep your pet mentally active, but you’re also strengthening the bond between you, which is vital for your dog’s happiness.

Make sure that you take things at your dog’s pace. Don’t forget lots of caresses and praise can do wonders for reassuring your dog. As the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois recommends:

“Make changes gradually and introduce activities that are within the physical and mental capabilities of your dog or cat. For example, while there are many food puzzle toys available for dogs and cats, offer toys that are fairly simple to manipulate (such as a Kong) unless your dog or cat is already a food puzzle pro.”

So, keep it simple, choose simple toys, and, above all, take time to maintain a strong bond with your dog.

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from CCD, make sure that you get the advice of a qualified veterinarian who can help you both to make the most of life together in the coming years. While having a dog with CCD can be emotionally distressing and tiring, these tips will help you to improve your dog’s quality of life in their twilight years.

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I have always been a dog lover, but it wasn’t until I met my partner, Melanie, and her chihuahua, Emma, during graduate school that a dog became permanently part of my life. Emma is the boss. She is known for being immensely loyal to her people and often skeptical of newcomers, especially men; it took Emma and me all of five minutes to become the best of friends, so much so that Emma is credited with completing one-quarter of my PhD thesis.

Upon moving back to Toronto to start work at SCIEX, a company that assists scientists with complex data, Melanie and I knew that we needed another set of paws in the house. With the help of Texas Chihuahua Rescue, we adopted Angela. Calm, submissive, and a little shy, Angela has become the perfect complement and partner to our excitable, passionate and assertive Emma.

As any dog lover, Melanie and I were distressed and concerned to read about the canine and other pet deaths that occurred at the end of last year because of food poisoned by mycotoxins. This hit particularly close to home because my work at SCIEX involves the development of new technologies and methods to screen foodstuffs for contaminants such as mycotoxins.

What are Mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring poisonous chemicals produced by certain molds and fungi. They can grow on various crops and foodstuffs, including cereals, nuts, spices, dried fruits, apples, and coffee beans, especially when conditions are warm and humid. Contamination can happen at several points during food production because molds can grow on living crop plants, harvested fruits and grains, and stored processed food products. Most mycotoxins are chemically stable enough to survive food processing. They remain toxic even after breakdown into byproduct metabolites that can be found in the milk of animals that have been fed contaminated feed.

Eating mycotoxin-contaminated food can make humans and animals severely ill and even be lethal when certain mycotoxins, like aflatoxins, are ingested in large doses. Aflatoxins are relatively common mycotoxins, which can damage the liver.

Mycotoxins can also have long-term impacts on health, such as inducing cancers and immune deficiency. There are several hundreds of mycotoxins known, but many remain unidentified, sometimes because these mycotoxins are difficult to detect. These “masked mycotoxins” and other newly “emerging mycotoxins” are causing growing concern within the food safety and security industry.

How are foods screened for them?

Final food products and raw ingredients are routinely screened for mycotoxin contamination using advanced analytical chemistry methods involving liquid chromatography (LC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS). The LC technique is used to separate out the different component compounds in the food based on the other physical properties of each of the components. These compounds are then detected, identified, and quantified based on their chemical properties, namely their mass to charge ratio, using MS technologies. Spurred on by the emergence of masked and other newly discovered mycotoxins and the growing need of scientists to better detect these toxins, SCIEX developed detection methods using LC-MS, the latest of which can detect 530 mycotoxins at a time, quickly and precisely.

How do you protect yourself and your dog from mycotoxin threats?

Although a dog’s super-sense of smell is able to detect molds, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will steer clear of them. As any pupper’s person can attest, dogs will eat, sniff or lick (almost) anything resembling food – moldy or not. To try and minimize their risk of getting sick, stay vigilant.

• Deter them from rooting around compost heaps, piles of moldy leaves, wild mushrooms, or trash cans containing rotting food.
• You can also minimize the risks at home by ensuring food is properly dried and stored.
• Avoid keeping food in warm and humid conditions, which are perfect for mold growth.
• Check foods such as whole grains, dried fruits, and nuts regularly and discard any that look moldy, discolored, or shriveled.
• Buy grains and nuts as fresh as possible and store them properly in dry and cool conditions, away from insects.
• Avoid damaging grains before drying and storing, and minimize the amount of time that foods are stored before being eaten.
• Check out the FDA’s health notices for dog food recalls and advisories.

It is important to note that molds that produce mycotoxins can penetrate deep into food and do not just grow on the surface.

Watch out for symptoms that they may be sick, including confusion, vomiting, and loss of appetite. They may also have neurological symptoms such as tremors, seizures, or ataxia (which will look like they are drunk or having trouble walking). If your best friend displays any neurological symptoms or any of these symptoms in combination, take them to your vet for a check-up.

By taking these measures, we can do our best to keep our best friends and ourselves safe and protected while making the most of our de facto “colleagues” as we work from home.

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As anyone who has ever lived with a dog will know, it often feels like we don’t get enough time with our furry friends. Most dogs only live around ten to 14 years on average – though some may naturally live longer, while others may be predisposed to certain diseases that can limit their lifespan.

But what many people don’t know is that humans and dogs share many genetic similarities – including a predisposition to age-related cancer. This means that many of the things humans can do to be healthier and longer lived may also work for dogs.

Here are just a few ways that you might help your dog live a longer, healthier life.

1. Watch their waistline

One factor that’s repeatedly linked with longevity across a range of species is maintaining a healthy bodyweight. That means ensuring dogs aren’t carrying excess weight, and managing their calorie intake carefully. Not only will a lean, healthy bodyweight be better for your dog in the long term, it can also help to limit the impact of certain health conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

Carefully monitor and manage your dog’s bodyweight through regular weighing or body condition scoring – where you look at your dog’s physical shape and “score” them on a scale to check whether they’re overweight, or at a healthy weight. Using both of these methods together will allow you to identify weight changes and alter their diet as needed.

Use feeding guidelines as a starting point for how much to feed your dog, but you might need to change food type or the amount you feed to maintain a healthy weight as your dog gets older, or depending on how much activity they get. Knowing exactly how much you are feeding your dog is also a crucial weight-management tool – so weigh their food rather than scooping it in by eye.

More generally, good nutrition can be linked to a healthy ageing process, suggesting that what you feed can be as important as how much you feed. “Good” nutrition will vary for each dog, but be sure to look for foods that are safe, tasty and provide all the nutrients your dog needs.

2. Plenty of walks

Exercise has many physiological and psychological benefits, both for our dogs (and us). Physical activity can help to manage a dog’s bodyweight, and is also associated with anti-ageing effects in other genetically similar species.

While exercise alone won’t increase your dog’s lifespan, it might help protect you both from carrying excess bodyweight. And indeed, research suggests that “happy” dog walks lead to both happy dogs and people.

3. Teach them new tricks

Ageing isn’t just physical. Keeping your dog’s mind active is also helpful. Contrary to the popular adage, you can teach old dogs new tricks – and you might just keep their brain and body younger as a result.

Even when physical activity might be limited, explore alternative low-impact games and pursuits, such as scentwork that you and your dog can do together. Using their nose is an inherently rewarding and fun thing for dogs to do, so training dogs to find items by scent will exercise them both mentally and physically.

Other exercise such as hydrotherapy – a type of swimming exercise – might be a good option – especially for dogs who have conditions which affect their ability to exercise as normal.

4. Bonding

Like many companion animals, dogs develop a clear attachment to their caregivers. The human-dog bond likely provides companionship – and often, dog lovers describe them as a family member.

A stable caregiver-dog bond can help maintain a happy and mutually beneficial partnership between you and your dog. It can also help you recognise subtle changes in your dog’s behaviour or movement that might signal potential concerns.

Where there is compatability between caregiver and dog, this leads to a better relationship – and even benefits for owners, too, including stress relief and exercise. Sharing positive, fun experiences with your dog, including playing with them, are great for cementing your bond.

5. Don’t skip vet visits

Modern veterinary medicine has seen substantial improvements in preventing and managing health concerns in dogs. Successful vaccination and parasite management programmes have effectively reduced the incidence of disease in both dogs and humans – including toxocariasis, which can be transmitted from dog faeces to humans, and rabies, which can be transmitted dog-to-dog or dog-to-human.

Having a good relationship with your vet will allow you to tailor treatments and discuss your dog’s needs. Regular health checks can also be useful in identifying any potential problems at a treatable stage – such as dental issues or osteoarthritis – which can cause pain and negatively impact the dog’s wellbeing.

At the end of the day, it’s a combination of our dog’s genetics and the environment they live in that impacts their longevity. So while we can’t change their genetics, there are many things we can do to improve their health that may just help them live a longer, healthier life.

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