Brown Dog Blog

Yep, accidents happen. As much as we try, not all accidents are avoidable. Just as we are there for our human children when they fall and skin a knee, our fur kids depend on us to keep them safe and comfortable too! The best way to keep all emergencies manageable is by following the old scouting motto: Be prepared. That means having a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand at all times.  Now that hurricane season is here I think it is especially important to follow these guidelines.

Don’t have one? Pick up a waterproof plastic box, and stock it with these essentials:
1. Vital Stats — Write down your dog’s name, breed, and date of birth; any medical conditions and allergies he has; and any medications he’s taking (including doses). If he’s been micro-chipped, jot down the number. Also include your home address and phone number; your vet’s name and phone number; and your emergency vet clinic’s phone number. Include this information in your kit. It is a good idea to put it in a zip lock bag.

I have our dog Guinness’ information in this handy book. Not only is it good in an emergency kit. It helps when he has to be boarded or if we travel. These booklets are airline approved.

2. Important Records — Make photocopies of important health records, including vaccinations, and seal them in a plastic bag inside your kit.

3. Basic Supplies — Fill the rest of your kit with alcohol wipes, gauze, cotton balls, nonstick bandages, hydrogen peroxide, scissors, adhesive tape, cotton swabs, tweezers, an eyedropper, hand sanitizer or soap, a digital thermometer, a pair of latex gloves, and a tube of both topical first-aid cream and antibiotic ointment.

A wide range of first aid kits are available at Brown Dog Treasures. There are specialized kits for small dogs, large dogs, active dogs, field kits for hunting dogs as well as a feline kit for our beloved kitties!

Also, look into taking a pet first-aid class. After all, learning how to handle accidents is the best way to help your dog stay safe.

Here are some resources:

• American Red Cross of Greater NY
• Long Island Rescue Services
• Austin Pets First Aid
• Canine First Aid
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Canine First Aid Training

After writing my last post on AKC breed standards, I began running across more material on this subject. I was introduced to a blog called the Dolittler, written by Dr. Patty Khuly, a Miami Florida veterinarian.

Have you ever heard of the “applehead” Chihuahua’s? The applehead chihuahua is another “breed type” based on a diseased characteristic. Want to find out more? Read her post…

There has long been controversy regarding Breed Standards. In this country there were protests by PETA and other animal rights organizations outside of Madison Square Garden during the Westminster Kennel Club Show. The protesters claim that certain “breed standards” actually cause dangerous health concerns for dogs. I, for one have long been aware that the flattened snouts of dogs such as the Pekingese or Pug can often cause breathing or overheating problems in these breeds, I was not aware of how severe these problems have become.

Back in January the BBC aired an expose on the cruelty that can be involved in breeding that “best in breed” show dog. I must say I am startled at the accusations.

For instance did you know that 1/3 of all  Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (a truly beautiful breed that I have always admired) suffers  from a condition called Syringomyelia? This is a condition caused by the brain being too large for the skull cavity. Apparently these dogs are bred to have a certain size head to qualify for competition!

Did you know that the ridge on the back of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is actuallya mild form of spina bifida? Puppies that are not born with this ridge (in other words healthy puppies) are “culled”.  When I read the word “culled” I was shocked. As a gardener I know culling to mean thinning out seedlings by pulling and discarding them so that the stronger seedlings can grow. I shudder to think what that means to these breeders.

I have long enjoyed watching dog shows and admiring the different breeds, but after hearing about some of these breeding practices, I am not so sure that I will participate anymore.

If you want to read more about the BBC special and the resulting changes that will take place within the British Kennel Club here is the link to the full article.

Here are some highlights of the proposed changes in breed standards:

Bulldog- less of a jowl, no upturn on the nose and the front legs would no longer be wider than the rear legs. (The upturned nose is thought to case severe breathing problems and the wide front legs cause mobility problems and painful conditions as the dog ages.)

Shar Pei- will loose many thick folds of skin on the head, chest and legs. (The folds of skin cause severe skin reactions and fungal infection.)

Pekingese- longer muzzles. (I was revealed that the 2003 Champion Pekingese had to be sat on an ice pillow during the photo shoot. The muzzle is so flattened that the dog is unable to breathe well enough to control its body temperature properly. Despite this fact the dog has sired 18 litters, after all this is champion show stock!)

As an owner of an AKC registered dog, I am really disturbed. I would like to hear from other dog owners and responsible breeders to hear what they have to say.

If your part of the country is anything like it is here in NY, you  have been experiencing record breaking cold weather. Even in southern Florida I found myself looking for a jacket on a recent visit. I thought this might be a good time to share my Top 10 Tips for caring for your dog during the rest of winter.

1. 1. Never let your dog off leash in snow or ice, especially during a snow storm. While it might seem like a fun thing to do, keep in mind that dogs can loose their scent quite easily in the cold and snow. If they wander a bit too far, they may not be able to find their way back.

2. Make sure to thoroughly wash your dogs paws, legs and underbelly after coming in from the snow or sleet. Salt, de-icing chemicals and antifreeze is often mixed in with the snow and slush. Your dog may then lick his paws and become sickened or worse. Not to mention bringing those chemical into your home is not a good thing for you either!

3. Check your dog’s paw pads for ice balls. These can become embedded and are quite painful until they melt.

4. Never shave your dog down in winter! Infact I can never understand why people would shave thier dog in any weather!

5. Never let your dog out after a bath unless he is completely dry. I wait several hours before letting my dog out after a bath. I also try to avoid bathing at all on the coldest of days.

6. If you own a short-haired breed please consider getting him a coat or sweater. Many breeds are sensitive to the cold and winter outerwear is a must!

7. NEVER leave your dog alone in the car during winter. Although many people are aware of the dangers of dogs overheating in a locked vehicle during the summer months, they fail to realize that an unheated car quickly becomes a refrigerator in winter.

8. Please keep in mind that puppies and senior dogs are often more at risk than others dogs during the cold weather. Puppies, just like babies may be unable to regulate their body temperatures as well as a mature dog. Most senior dogs like senior humans suffer from osteoarthritis and the cold weather can really increase discomfort.

9. If you and your dog are very active in cold weather and enjoy outside activities make sure to increase your dog’s protein intake during the winter months. Extra protein intake is essential for keeping your dog’s coat thick and healthy, His best protection from the cold.

10. Make sure your dog has a warm place to sleep, off the cold floors and away from drafts. A cozy dog bed or soft blanket would be best.

Cats often do not like their usual routine disrupted in any way. That includes holiday guests and their children! If your cat is not one to socialize, don’t force it upon them on the holiday. Many kitties are quite happy sitting out the holiday in a quiet room.

Another danger for cats during the holidays is accidentally being let out by company or overnight guests. Make sure your guest’s know the rules and do not leave doors open.

And just like with dogs, rich holiday food can be harmful to your cat. Stick to the usual fare and perhaps add a little extra of something that you know your cat likes and tolerates well. Make sure your guests know that they should not feed your cat table scraps. Be particularly careful with chocolate.

For both cats and dogs—DO NOT give them turkey bones! These splinter and can cause severe damage to your pet. As dogs and cats have often been known to raid the garbage be particularly careful with the disposal of the turkey carcass.

Visit the Brown Dog Treasures Cat Department!

If you are anything like me I know you will want to include your dog in your Thanksgiving Day celebration. This includes Thanksgiving dinner. Since our boy Guinness has ground, lean turkey meat added to his kibble every day along with veggies, treating him to cut up Thanksgiving turkey with a little gravy seemed like a nice thing to do for him. Wrong! We noticed that each year after being “treated” to a special Thanksgiving dinner Guinness didn’t feel too well. The following year we cut out the gravy and stuck to white meat. The next day Guinness became quite ill. Vomiting, diarrhea, loose stool, couldn’t even hold down water. We rushed him to the Vet in a snow storm. He was x-rayed and given IV therapy for dehydration. Diagnosis? Pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is a serious and painful inflammation of the pancreas. Cause?  Most likely turkey skin. Even the white meat of the turkey can cause upset, since most Thanksgiving turkey have been marinated or basted with oils or butters.

If you want to make your dog’s meal a bit special on Thanksgiving why not prepare this Turkey loaf the day before for his special meal.

Turkey Loaf for Dogs

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1/2 cup cooked mixed vegetables
• 1 T. garlic powder
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup barley
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 small can of low-fat, low sodium gravy or beef broth

Preparation -
Grease a 9″ loaf pan; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, vegetables, garlic powder, egg, barley and oats. Mix the ingredients together well and place the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Press the mixture to flatten and level, then use a table knife to cut a few shallow slits on top. Pour the gravy over the loaf and bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until nicely browned on top. Cool, and then cut the loaf into about six slices. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator. To feed – Break the slices into bite-size pieces.

You can serve this with cooked veggies. Just set some of your regular Thanksgiving vegetable and potatoes aside for your dog BEFORE adding cream, butter or any other high fat ingredients. Sweet potatoes are great plain boiled or baked.

Trick or Treating with your dog can be tremendous fun. However each year vets report many injuries to dogs that could have been avoided with a little thought and planning. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind.

Not all dogs enjoy the excitement that comes along with the holiday. Many dogs are frightened at the sight of human in costume.

1.  Keep a firm grip on your dog with a well constructed leash. Check your dog’s leash for signs of wear and tear that may have occurred over the summer months.

2.  Make sure your dog’s ID tags are current. Some dogs tend to bolt and run when the front door is opened for Trick or Treaters.

3.  If you are not Trick or Treating with your dog, keep him indoors during the hours when Trick or Treaters are parading the streets. There have been reports of taunting and theft of pets during this time of year. Keep your pet safe and out of harm’s way.

4.  Keep your dog out of the candy bowl! Note: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause nerve damage and even death in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more concentrated it is — and the smaller the lethal dose.

5.  Explain to everyone in the house, especially children, the dangers of sharing their candy with the dog.

6.  Supervise your pet at all times when wearing Halloween costumes. These costumes are cute and meant to be fun, but they are not dog toys. Parts of a costume can be chewed off by your dog and cause choking hazards.

7.  Keep candles, jack ‘o lanterns and other Halloween decoration out of reach of your dog.

8.  Symptoms of chocolate poisoning: excessive drooling, excessive urination, pupil dilation, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors or seizures. Get emergency medical help immediately.

9.  Keep a First Aid Kit available at all times. Print out this Animal CPR Brochure and keep on hand with your first aid kit.

Read past issues of the Brown Dog Treasures Monthly Newsletters.

This is a problem we have been experiencing with our Guinness for the last few years. Initially Guinness (an 11 year old chocolate lab) showed no fear whatsoever of thunder, fireworks or any loud noises. In fact he seemed to like the commotion! We just thought this was because of his “hunting” bloodlines. After all what good gun dog would shy away from loud noise?

When Guinness reached the age of seven, he suddenly began to exhibit nervousness during thunder storms and a mild fear of fireworks. We discussed this with his vet. He prescribed a Chinese herbal blend that he felt would calm him. The herbs did absolutely nothing. In fact, his fear continued to worsen.

Now at the age of 11 he goes into complete panic mode even before the storm hits. When the weather gets cloudly or windy he begins his panic routine. He even will sit and stare out the window in anticipation of the coming lightening and thunder! Once it hits, nothing will console him. He scratches the walls, floor, doors. If any of you have ever seen the movie “Because of Winn Dixie” you will know about the type of behavior I am speaking of.

At his age we really didn’t want to begin sedating him with heavy doses of tranquilizers, yet we could not stand to see him suffer this way. So I began doing some research on this problem. Here are some of the things I found out.

First of all I found out that it is common for a dog to develop these fears later in life, even if he has had no prior trauma or bad experience with loud noises. Medical experts are not really sure why this happens. Just knowing this made me feel better! I kept wondering what we had done to our previously fearless dog! I also found out that if nothing breaks the cycle of fear it will only worsen. The fact that Guinness was looking out the window anticipating the storm shows that he has a high degree of intelligence. The smarter the dog, the more fear they can develop.

Here are some of the tips I learned that can help calm your dog’s fears:

1. Don’t try to comfort your dog by babying, talking sweetly, hugging, petting and giving treats. This only rewards fearful behavior.
2. Whatever you do you must stay calm yourself. If you begin to anticipate the fact that they might become frightened during the storm, your dog will pick up on this and the whole situation will escalate!
3. Never punish or yell at your dog for being afraid.
4. In advanced stages of this phobia, your dog may become destructive to your home. DO NOT crate them. Even though it might sound like a good idea, they are likely to thrash around and injure themselves in the crate in an attempt to escape the storm.
5. Try bringing your dog to a safe place in the house and stay with them. For instance our Guinness like to lay under the overhang on our platform bed, behind some covers. Bring them to a favorite spot in the house.

And finally I will tell you about a product that we found recently at an industry trade show. It is the only thing that has helped Guinness. We are only recommending this as something that has worked for us, we do not sell this product ourselves.

It is called Relieve De Stress by Dog trainer and behaviorist Kathy Santo. You may have seen her on the Martha Stewart Show or the Today Show.  One reason why we like this product is that it is all natural and organic. It does just what it says. Your dog will not become drowsy or sedated as with harsh prescription medications, you will just notice a calming effect. Guinness was still afraid of the storm, but his reaction was limited to panting and nervousness, not all out panic. We began using this in June and I am happy to report that his reaction to the storm has become a lot less dramatic over time. He seems to be realizing that nothing bad will happen. Now when he hear thunderin the distance he goes over to the kitchen cabinet where I keep the bottle and he waits for me to give it to him! This is also supposed to be good for travel, grooming, going to the vet’s office. Any situation that causes your dog to feel stressed.

Ingredients:aloe Vera, organic relaxing herbs St. John Wort & Valerian, imported essential oils including, lavender, chamomile, ginger and rosemary extract (a natural preservative)

Kathy Santos Relieve De Stress Organic Herbal Remedy for DogsFor a drama-free day and for stress and anxiety provoking activities like traveling, separation, thunderstorms, grooming, vet visits, moving & more.

While it is NEVER a good idea to leave your dog in a car unattended, it is never more important than during the blistering heat of mid summer. Some owners think it will be safe if they leave the car running with the air conditioner on. Beside the fact that this is no longer environmentally responsible and expensive to say the least considering the current gas prices, it is SUPER dangerous.

Last summer we were outside out local Stop &Shop and noticed a beautiful Black Lab in a locked car with the air conditioning running. We were in the store for only a couple of moments to pick up ice. When we came out we noticed that the car was no longer running and the dog was still locked in there. We quickly ran into the Stop & Shop and had the store manager page the owner of the car. I do not want to imagine what would have happened to that dog if we had not been there for him.

If your dog spends time outdoors during the summer months please make sure that he or she has access to plenty of cool, fresh water and a place in the shade. And remember, if you are too uncomfortable to be outside and are enjoying a cool air conditioned house. Then it is probably too hot for your dog to be outside as well!

Here are some sign to watch for if your dog has been out in the heat:

1. Drooling
2. Rapid Panting
3. Lack of coordination or confusion
4. Top of the head hot to the touch

These are extrememly dangerous signs and immediate treatment is needed.

• Get your dog to a cool environment immediately
• Get your dog into a cool bath or run cool water over your dog with a garden hose.
• Once you have done this, keep your dog cool with ice packs and cool compresses while your transport him or her to the nearest vet or emergency care center.
• Remember this is a life threatening emergency for your dog. Act quickly.

When it comes to your dog and summer heat the steps you can take to keep your dog safe are preventative!

For further instruction with full diagrams, please visit this site:

Summer is the time when we all want to beat the heat and enjoy a dip in the pool, lake or ocean. Although we will all look forward to these activities it is important to keep the safety of your pet in mind when around water.

Dogs, like children need to be taught how to swim into and exit open water. Not all animals can automatically swim and some breeds of dog actually have a hard time keeping afloat. Never throw your dog into the water! You should get in first and call to your dog.

Even the best swimmers can have a hard time exiting the water. Climbing ladders to exit the water is not automatic. Most dogs have a hard time exiting a pool by ladder because their paws can not grip the rungs. Steps that are below the water are not easily seen by dogs since the stairs are below their sight line. Each year many pets drown in backyard pools. Please consider purchasing a safety ramp for your dog.

While attending the recent Pet Industry H.H. Backer Trade Show in Baltimore we were quite impressed with the Skamper Ramp. This ramp is available in two models. The original Skamper Ramp is excellent for small dogs and backyard wildlife. The Super Skamper Ramp is perfect for larger breed dogs and use on boats and docks.

We are so anxious to have our customers keep their dogs safe this summer that we are offering FREE UPS ground shipping on both models.