| GSDs, like many dogs, encounter a number of health issues. We
are listing some here for your information. This info is not intended to take
the place of regular check-ups with your veterinarian nor should it be used to
diagnose your dog.
Poison Control numbers
Bloat: Gastric
Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) often referred to as "bloat", is a serious condition
caused by abnormal dilatation and twisting of the stomach.
If you own a
German Shepherd, or other deep-chested dog, please read this. It may save your
dog's life.
Lyme Disease:
This is very common in New England. Dogs get Lyme disease from a tick that
passes bacteria into the animal’s bloodstream when it bites. The tick must
remain attached to the animal’s skin for at least one day before the bacteria
can be transmitted.
Vestibular Disease
FAQ:
Our old dog suddenly became dazed and confused, staggering around the house,
losing his balance, and wandering in circles. Our veterinarian diagnosed his
problem as vestibular disease. What causes this disease and how serious is it?
Dogs and Ticks Thousands of dogs contract Lyme disease,
canine Ehrlichiosis, canine
Anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever every year, and despite simple testing, prevention and
treatment options, many dog owners never realize their pets are suffering from
these debilitating diseases.
Map of Lyme Disease This interactive map shows Lyme and Heartworm throughout the US. Take a look at how MA stacks up to the rest of the country when it comes to Lyme!
Babesiosis
We learned about a relatively "new" (for up here) tick
disease that you all should learn the signs for: it's called Babeosis, or
infection from the Babesia canis tick. The dog we found this in
was lethargic, wouldn't eat much, and had a bad fever.
Exocrine
pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a genetically linked condition
where the pancreas becomes severely atrophied. It is most commonly seen in
German Shepherd Dogs but increasingly occurs in other breeds as well.
Wayde, one of GSRNE's foster dogs, had EPI. He is
now a poster boy for the disease. Please print out a
brochure for educational purposes.
Killing Them
With Kindness
January
is typically a time when we look back over the last year and ahead to the
new one. We make plans and goals for the coming year and call them New
Year’s Resolutions. Each year, loosing weight is at or near the top of many
lists. Time Magazine’s recently published yearly review tells us that 60% of
Americans are overweight and in most states we are 21% - 24% obese.
Studies show that as Americans continue to
gain weight, so do their pets. Their obesity is just as dangerous to them as
it is to humans. Like humans, dogs develop certain diseases when they are
overweight.
continued...
Keep Your
Dog Mentally Sound
I receive a daily report on Alzheimer's news and
research throughout the world. It really offers a lot of hope and
information to those of us who have relatives or friends with Alzheimer's.
An interesting article showed up in today's news tips on Alzheimer's,
though, related to dogs.
German Shepherd Dog Health Issues
http://www.dogbiz.com/dogs-grp7/germ-shep/german-shepherd-health-issues.html
Dog Connections: Veterinary Medicine
http://www.uncc.edu/jvanoate/k9/k9vetmed.htm
The 5-Minute Veterinary
Consult, Canine & Feline edition,
is a practitioner's textbook that is heavily used by many small
animal veterinarians on a daily basis. The book itself runs about $80-$90, but
it's available on line and at no charge.
https://app.vetconnect.com/5min/toc/000.htm
Pet First Aid class in Waltham, MA (free)
learn how to take your dogs pulse & heart rate. Learn to
bandage a wound in a hurry and what should be in your first aid kit. Be
prepared. It could save your dog's life.
http://www.vescone.com/news-events/classes.htm
Animal CPR Information
http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html
Canine Epilepsy Web Site
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/
What to Do if You Feel Your Vet is Negligent
Fortunately,
most emergency vet care we receive is excellent and most of us can tell
repeated stories of pet whose lives were saved by caring, competent emergency
veterinary care. The following story and suggestions are only for someone in the
very regrettable situation that Eli's owner found herself in.
In Loving Memory of Eli
How to Pick the Best Dog Food
Here's a list of links for learning about how to tell good
dog foods from bad. Some of these pages contain lists of high-quality foods and
notes about why they're good.
http://www.doberdogs.com/foodcht4.html tells you how to read those
ingredients labels and has an
extensive list of dog foods and their ingredients.
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html
http://www.iei.net/%7Eebreeden/kibble.html
Scientists Reverse Paralysis in Dogs
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041203/D86OFDEG1.html
The Pet Fund
provides
financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent
veterinary care
http://thepetfund.com/default.htm
The Pet Arthritis Center
http://www.arthritis-cats-dogs.com/article-specific.php?petid=Dogs
Less Toxic Management: Keeping Fleas Off Your Pets & Out of Your Yard
http://ourwaterourworld.org/pub/ow/Fleas101.pdf
Take This Short Quiz to Find Out What is Poisonous to Your Dog
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz19784416a7868.html
Handicapped Pets
HandicappedPets.com
Products, services, and support for elderly, disabled, and handicapped pets.
We help you care for them.
Deaf Dog Resources
Deafness in Dogs
http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm
Information on Deafness Prevalence, Causes, & Management For Owners, Breeders,
and Researchers Includes a comprehensive list of where to get the brainstem
auditory evoked potential (BAER) test done. The BAER test is the most accurate
measurement of hearing in animals, and is the same test given to infant humans.
Deaf Dog Education Action Fund (DDEAF)
http://www.deafdogs.org.
The mission of the is to provide education and funding
for the purpose of improving and/or saving the lives of deaf dogs. They are
working to find homes for adoptable deaf dogs, and to increase awareness of the
noble and loving nature of deaf dogs. For more information on living with or
training a deaf dog, visit
http://www.deafdogs.org. |
