Happy Hound Hotel blog

Last March, as my own body serenaded the first breaths of spring by bellowing nose blowing, symphonic sneezing and continuous eye-rubbing, I glanced through watery eyes at my seven month-old Newfoundland and realized that he, too, might be sharing the allergy love. Gus looked back at me with goopy, red puppy eyes pleading for help as he incessantly scratched at his flank.

Long-time Happy Hound Hotel client Lisa Allison also noticed last summer that her yellow lab, Tucker, was continually biting and scratching, to the point of developing hot spots. At first, she said, she thought it was stress related. “He was just miserable so for his peace of mind I decided I needed to get in to the doctor,” she recalls. “He is a super happy, crazy lab. It was so awful to watch him scratch at his stomach and bite himself. He was always trying to get his paw in his ear.”

Like humans, dogs are susceptible to various allergens. Canine allergies generally fall into four categories:

• Flea allergic dermatitis, or an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas
• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies (indoor and outdoor)
• Contact allergies (fabrics, rubber, etc.)

Although dog allergies are common, veterinarians agree that they can be difficult to diagnose and their symptoms can mimic the signs of other serious health issues. A potentially lengthy process of elimination is often used to determine what is causing your pet distress. When contacting your veterinarian, note the following information to help guide your doctor to a diagnosis:

• gauge the season(s) your dog exhibits symptoms (year round vs. Spring)
• assess the exact location(s) of symptoms (feet, groin, ears, etc.)
• document the type of symptoms

Signs of allergies range by dog and by allergy. Symptoms include:

• scratching, biting, and chewing — potentially to the point of self-mutilation
• hot spots
• particularly itchy areas, including feet, flanks, groin and armpits
• constant licking
• rubbing face on carpet
• rash, bumps, pimples or open sores on the skin
• red, watery eyes
• sneezing, runny nose
• coughs
• poor coat texture or length

Allergies are life-long health issues for dogs. According to online veterinarians Race Foster and Marty Smith in a peteducation.com article, canines usually develop allergies between the ages of 1 and 3 years and as a dog ages his or her allergic reactions increase. Allison realized that 7 year-old Tucker had always exhibited symptoms, but that they were progressively becoming worse. She was referred to a dermatologist specializing in dog allergies and discovered that Tucker is allergic to a number of outdoor allergens, including grasses, trees, shrubs, weeds. Diagnosis and treatment, which included steroids and immunotherapy shots that Allison administered to Tucker, was successful but Allison said that her dog will always be on a maintenance program to keep him from having further reactions when outdoors.

Allergy treatment options, according Foster and Smith, include topical therapy, antihistamines, immunotherapy, steroids, fatty acids and avoidance of the allergens.

It’s spring again and we’re still working with our veterinarian to determine if Gus has environmental or food allergies, or both. During the past year we switched him to a fish-based food and added fish oil to his diet. His initial skin rashes responded well to corticosteroid treatment last spring and his coat has thickened over the months. However, both of us are once again weepy-eyed again and that leads us to suspect environmental allergies. Even when they’re dripping, those puppy eyes are still a heart-breaker.

Online references used for this article:
Allergies and Atopy in Dogs, Race Foster, DVM & Marty Smith, DVM, peteduation.com;
Cheryl Minnier, 1996; Donna Spector, DVM

Information on the Happy Hound Hotel web site pages is for reference only and should not take the place of advice from a licensed medical professional. We recommend that pet owners seek a medical professional for all animal health issues.

Linda’s longtime goal of establishing a foster program for dogs has recently become a reality with the establishment of Ribsey’s Refugees. The program, named in honor of Ribsey, an abandoned dog adopted by Linda, is now a registered non-profit organization. The focus of Ribsey’s Refugees is to socialize rescued dogs and find appropriate, permanent homes for them.
For more information and how you can help deserving dogs find permanent homes, check out our website at wwww.ribseysrefugees.org or visit us on Facebook or Twitter. Thank you for your support.

It’s doubtful that any dog owner can claim their dog hasn’t ripped an ornament off a tree, destroyed a beautifully-wrapped present, or bolted with a mouthful of human treats from a low-lying table. Holidays are a time of activity and distraction for people and of intriguing and good-smelling new discoveries for curious canines.

The Washington Poison Center provides an excellent online resource (www.wapc.org) for everyday and holiday poison questions for pet owners. Included among the potential holiday poisons listed are:
Alcohol
Chocolate
Macadamia Nuts
Nutmeg
Plums, Raisins, and Grapes
Salmon
Walnuts

In addition, the Center’s site dispels myths about dangerous plants. For the holidays, mistletoe, poinsettias and amaryllis are all listed in the dangerous plant class as either irritants or toxic.

The Washington Poison Center’s budget was recently cut by 37 percent, according to Executive Director Jim Williams. On average, the Center, a non-profit agency, receives 30 calls per day from pet owners so when budget losses dictated program cuts, the staff insisted on keeping the pet line operating. Consequently, Williams said, the decision was made to charge pet owners $30 per call. “Most of the remaining 20 poison center staff members (down from 29) all have pets, so we all agreed the service was important. The veterinarians were the angriest with the idea of losing the service,” he said. Williams noted that very few poison centers handle animal calls, but that his staff believed the help line was vital to the community. The Washington Poison Center’s emergency phone number is 1-800-222-1222.

Information on the Happy Hound Hotel web site pages is for reference only and should not take the place of advice from a licensed medical professional. We recommend that pet owners seek a medical professional for all animal health issues.

As winter draws near, we humans prepare by stockpiling medicines, getting flu
shots, and observing our own body’s symptoms as they occur. But our dogs,
particularly canines under the age of 15 months, need to be watched as well.
Pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs and bronchi, is a common health issue
for both humans and hounds.

Pneumonia can be caused by several types of
infections (bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic) but in dogs, bacterial
infections are often the culprit. Larger breeds tend to be more susceptible to
pneumonia, such as hounds, sporting dogs and working dogs. According to an
article titled Pneumonia Symptoms in Dogs on Buzzle.com, red
flags indicating pneumonia are coughing, bulging, bluish-gray lips and gums
(from a lack of oxygen), fever, and rapid and shallow breathing. Other symptoms
include:

• Mucous secretions with coughing
• Nasal discharge
•
Wheezing or panting/difficulty breathing
• Dehydration
• Loss of
appetite
• Lethargic behavior

Dogs with any of these symptoms need
immediate medical care. Antibiotics, IV fluid, hospitalization and oxygen all
may be required in treating pneumonia in dogs.

So cuddle up, keep warm,
and both you and your hound stay healthy this winter!

Care for Your Canine During Cold Weather
As you
are stocking food and matching mittens in preparation for the upcoming chilly,
ok, downright cold and wet, months ahead, keep in mind your canine’s needs.
We’ve compiled a list of potential winter hazards you should consider:

1. Despite having a permanent coat, fur will not fully protect your dog.
   Frostbite of the ears, tail and feet can occur (as well as hypothermia) if a dog
   is left in the cold for too long. Short and no haired dogs should wear a
   weatherproof coat for needed warmth.
2. Grooming in winter is particularly important as it keeps the coat healthy
   and allows for natural protection.
3. Excessive shaking and shivering indicates a dog needs to be relocated to a
   warmer environment. If you suspect hypothermia, seek immediate professional
   medical attention.
4. Towel dry dogs rather then let them air dry.
5. Booties are not only cute, but protect pads from salt and other chemicals
   used in ice removal. Salt can cause cracked, painful paws which dogs then lick
   and ingest chemical de-icers.
6. If your dog does not wear booties, keep the fur between your dog’s pads
   short to deter ice balls from forming on its feet. After walks, wipe off each
   paw and clear away ice balls to prevent him/her from chewing on their feet.
7. Dehydration is an issue in winter as well as summer. Snow does not provide
   the necessary water a dog requires. In addition, your dog may unknowingly
   consume items or chemicals hidden in the snow.
8. Walking on or near ice is not only dangerous for humans. Dogs are not aware
   of ice and can readily slip or fall into a creek or pond.
9. Dogs should never be left in cars in the winter. A dog in an unattended car
   with the engine running risks carbon monoxide poisoning; no motor on invites
   potential hypothermia.
10. Observe your dog’s caloric intake. Your dog may need additional food in the
    winter if active.
11. Arthritic and ill animals need extra care and vigilance regarding cold,
    including warm, soft bedding.
12. Antifreeze tastes oh so good, but it’s toxic. Also on the winter list of
    chemical dangers are liquid potpourris, ice-melting products, and rat and mouse
    bait.

Information for this article was compiled from the following
articles:
Winter Care for Canines, akc.org; Dog-Proof Your
Home by Dale Mangan, DogWatch, March 2005; Keeping Your Dog Warm in the
Winter, Information.i-love-dogs.com;
Cold Weather Safety for Your
Dog by Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com: Dogs

Information on the Happy Hound Hotel web site pages is for
reference only and should not take the place of advice from a licensed medical
professional. We recommend that pet owners seek a medical professional for all
animal health issues.

One per HHH current client.
Tell a friend about Happy Hound Hotel and you’ll receive a free night’s stay for your dog. All referrals that we receive that result in a new client booking earn a free night’s stay on us. Use your freebie any night you choose.

HHH is implementing a new policy requiring dog owners to provide current (within 6 months) fecal reports prior to all visits, starting June 1, 2009. The reports must indicate that the visiting dog is parasite-free. This applies to both daycare guests and occasional visitors.
For more information on intestinal parasites in dogs, please refer to the article “Canine Alergies Frustrating for Dogs and Ownsers” on our AJ’s Advice catagory 
Updated fecal reports can be faxed to our new fax line: 425-458-9333.

Following a glorious romp at the park, your dog just may be bringing home something other than muddy paws and a few sticks stuck in it’s tail. Intestinal parasites are being reported more and more frequently and unfortunately, most canine owners will learn at one time or another that their pooch is infected. Even worse is the fact that these bugs are easily passed from dog to dog and often a carrier will not present obvious signs or symptoms.

All four-footed friends at HHH are required to have updated fecal reports on file with us. See Newman’s News for more info.

The good news is that most parasites are easily treatable and controllable with proper veterinary care and waste disposal. One of the most common (and readily treatable) parasites, tapeworms, occurs from ingesting fleas. Another parasite, whipworms, resides in dog feces and waste that is not immediately removed can cause long-term soil contamination. And in our region, Giardia has recently become a frequently reported organism. Dogs visiting local dog parks therefore have a high risk of contracting intestinal bugs.

Veterinarians recommend the following steps to keep your pet parasite free:
1. Submit your dog’s stool for a fecal parasite check every six months
2. Complete treatment as needed and follow-up with a fecal check after treatment
3. Immediately remove waste in an appropriate manner
4. Wash hands frequently when treating an infected animal
5. Be aware of potential symptoms of internal parasite infestation. Symptoms include:

• Change or poor appetite
• Coughing and hiccupping
• Diarrhea
• Distended abdomen in puppies
• Dull coat
• Black or tarry-looking stools
• Inability to exercise
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Below are the types of intestinal parasites that are most frequently reported in dogs.
Roundworms
Extremely common in dogs, roundworms mature in the small intestine of dogs and can be passed to puppies while they are in the uterus or during nursing. Consequently, most dogs have roundworms at some point in their life. Humans can contract roundworms by ingesting the larvae, such as children eating contaminated dirt.

Hookworms
Hookworms, though less common than roundworms, are still often seen in our region. Dogs contract hookworms from ingesting motherÕs milk, eating something contaminated with hookworm larvae, or larvae burrowing into the dog’s skin. Hookworms attach to the small intestine of the dog and feed on blood. Human can be infected by hookworms, according to veterinarian Mike Richards in a column on vetinfo4dogs.com. He writes, “This creates a problem called cutaneous larva migrans, which loosely translates to worms migrating through the skin. Humans pick up the hookworm larvae from areas contaminated by dog feces and they penetrate the human’s skin just like they would the dog’s. Since they don’t belong in the human they don’t develop into adults but just migrate around in the skin, causing sores and inflammation, until they die.”

Whipworms
Whipworms are an extremely pesky parasite because the whipworm egg can become a long-term resident in soil, potentially contaminating all dogs visiting an area. These worms live in the large intestine of dogs.

Tapeworms
Dogs usually acquire tapeworms from ingesting infected fleas or small rodents or rabbits. Flea control is recommended to reduce the risk of tapeworms.

Giardia
Giardia is a parasite that lives in the intestine of affected dogs. It is very common but often does not present symptoms. Humans can contract Giardia from contact with items contaminated by an infected dog.

Information for this article was compiled from the following sources:
Vetinfo4dogs.com, Mike Richards, DVM; about.com: Veterinary medicine, canismajor.com, Norma Bennett Woolf

Information on the Happy Hound Hotel web site pages is for reference only and should not take the place of advice from a licensed medical professional. We recommend that pet owners seek a medical professional for all animal health issues.

You can see when driving on 228th that the first part of our planned fencing projects has been completed. It’s a private playground within the new walls and weÕre loving it. We have several additional fencing projects within the HHH property that are in the works for fall and next spring. All these upgrades and changes will in no way affect the fun and safety of our canine clients during their visit.

It’s hurricane season again. We at Happy Hound Hotel are proud to assist efforts to rescue animals in these situations. In fact, Linda just returned from New Orleans just before Gustav hit, but now Ike has Louisiana in its path. As we know, these storms can change course and drop in intensity, but people still have to be prepared.

Note from Linda:
As crazy as it sounds, it was a very difficult decision to leave, but not only did I have to get back to my business and my own dog family, I felt that I could continue the rescue efforts up here. On Tuesday, 9/9, we will have a small caravan of people headed to the airport to pick up 8 new dogs from New Orleans. On Wed., 9/10, they are planning to evacuate once again, even though they just got back into their heavily damaged facility on Thurs. It makes the rains up here not seem so bad.

We have some foster homes set up and are going to work hard to find all these dogs loving new homes. There is a dire need for cats to get adopted too. The shelter needs to get most, if not all, of their animals out, so they can have a chance to rebuild. They lost a brand new $5,000 tent that was shredded to bits, propane heaters were bent like pretzels, and fencing ripped up out of the ground and tossed around like Frisbees.

I am going to “steal” some of the text from my friend and fellow rescuer, but she words it all very well, so here you go …

There is a small grass roots organization in New Orleans called Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). ARNO is the group that began in the parking lot of a Winn Dixie in New Orleans immediately following Katrina, The Great American Pet Holocaust. This group remains intact and still doing wonderful work for NOLA animals. The ARNO shelter suffered extensive damage during this last hurricane. It will take some time and $$$ to get the shelter back where it was and they will stand in line now for help and supplies to provide basic shelter. The lovely ladies dedicated to this work will cave unless they can lighten the load of animals stuck in crates.

NOLA’s animals, like it’s people, are in dire need of help. Brad Pitt and Wynton Marsalis can only do so much, and it’s getting harder for people to hold on after Gustav sucked up two more weeks of work and normalcy. Homeless pets in NOLA are needier than they are here simply because the city itself is needier than we are. Therefore the possibility of finding homes for pets when the folks of NOLA are still living in temporary housing is just unrealistic. ARNO is a no-kill shelter and as hard as they try, there just aren’t enough people to adopt these animals. Some of the dogs have been in the shelter for over a year. They need homes and that’s exactly what we are going to do up here. There are some REALLY nice dogs coming up and they will all be listed on the website as soon as we can take pictures.

ARNO really needs everyone’s help, and we like to do what we can from here. It’s going to cost us between $2,000 and $2,500 to transport all these dogs, and that doesn’t cover any of the continuing care. The need is immediate because we have to get the dogs out before the next storm hits (they are already talking about closing down the New O airport again!). Currently, we have about $1,000, so we’re close, but still need more funds. If you are able to help, please contact Linda at 425-522-4191 or email her at llbmccoy@comcast.net.

I also encourage everyone to go to the ARNO website so you can see exactly what the organization is doing. They are a a 501(c)(3) and they can issue a tax receipt for any donations they receive. http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org.