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What You Need to Know When Your Dog Vomits

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 23:18:00 -0400

Gastritis - or inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining - can be either short-term, or acute, or chronic, lasting more than seven days. So, what causes both forms and what should you do when vomiting occurs? Know when to call your vet and how to help your dog feel better fast. Analysis by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker Apr 2, 2023 • 4 min read STORY AT-A-GLANCE Gastritis is inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) lining, and the condition can be acute and self-resolving, or chronic Acute gastritis in dogs is far more common than the chronic form, and in many cases can pass so quickly a pet parent may not even know their dog was ill The classic symptom of both forms of gastritis is vomiting, but when the condition is chronic, there will be several other symptoms as well; untreated chronic gastritis can cause serious damage to the intestinal tract There are different forms of chronic gastritis; successful treatment involves identifying both the specific form, and the underlying cause Gastritis is the medical term for inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) lining. There are two main forms of gastritis in dogs — acute or chronic. Acute Gastritis Acute gastritis is far more common and can pass so quickly (often in less than 24 hours) that you may not even realize your dog was sick. But even if it lasts up to a week, it’s still considered an acute episode. It can be difficult to determine the cause of acute gastritis because so many dogs return to normal before any testing is done. Many things can trigger a bout of acute gastritis in canine family members, including chewing up toys, sampling items from the garbage, the introduction of a new medication (anti-inflammatory medications, both steroidal and nonsteroidal are common causes), or an abrupt change in food. Helping a Dog With Acute Gastritis Feel Better, Faster Withhold food (but never water) for 24 to 48 hours. If your dog can’t hold down water, consult your veterinarian about subcutaneous f... Read more

What Is Pancreatitis in Schnauzers?

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 12:22:00 -0400

Serious digestive issues are more than just an upset stomach. Pancreatitis, for example, is a serious, painful, and potentially life-threatening condition. Unfortunately, Schnauzers are extremely prone to Pancreatitis. While the exact causes are still being researched, veterinarians know enough to give some sound recommendations. You’ll want to know this information as you raise your Schnauzer, keep his heath in check, and choose his foods. Schnauzers, particularly Miniature Schnauzers, are prone to Pancreatitis because they have a tendency to suffer from hyperlipidaemia. This condition is simply a high level of fat particles (lipids) in the bloodstream. Managing weight gain and offering low-fat, no-grain diets may help. While it sounds straightforward, we all know that high levels of fat lipids in the bloodstream is not good for anyone, even our Schnauzers. Sadly, research indicates that “around one third of Miniature Schnauzers have been shown to have an abnormally high blood triglyceride levels and are presumed to have idiopathic hyperlipidaemia.” This creates a situation where Miniature Schnauzers are overwhelmingly prone to Pancreatitis. In fact, the research sited above also found that “Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to Pancreatitis and have the highest prevalence of this disease (Lewis 2007, Mori et al 2010).” What Exactly is Pancreatitis? To understand what Pancreatitis is and why it is so painful and dangerous to your Schnauzer, we first need to understand the pancreas and its role in your Schnauzer’s body. What is the Pancreas? The pancreas is a tiny gland attached to the small intestine located just below your Schnauzer’s stomach. As part of both the endocrine system and the digestive system, the pancreas has two essential roles: Produce and store hormones (insulin and glucagon) to help maintain proper blood sugar levels. Produce and store enzymes (trypsin and chymotrypsin) to help the body digest protein and fats. When the pancr... Read more

Water Intoxication Is Dangerous For Water-Loving Pets

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 10:55:00 -0400

Shared from someone else, not my furbaby, but important information to share. Yesterday after a day filled with fun, fetch and swimming in Lake Windermere, Myself, Lucy & Tiggy had to say goodbye to our best friend Max. He collapsed and was rushed to the nearest vets where he was diagnosed immediately with Water Intoxication and put on drips of sodium, potassium and mannitol to increase his electrolytes and relieve pressure on his brain. After 7 hours of determination from the vets and nurses, Max was unable to pull through. “Water Intoxication is a relatively rare but frequently fatal condition in dogs. At highest risk are dogs that enjoy playing in the water for long stretches.” We are so unbelievably devastated that a simple game of fetch in the water, something we had done a hundred times before, resulted in such a perfect day turning into our worst nightmare. Water Intoxication was something we knew nothing about. At this time of year, so much awareness is spread about not leaving dogs in hot cars but no one ever mentions the hazardous effects of your dog ingesting too much water whilst playing. We have had to learn the hard way and all we can do now is spread awareness of this terrible condition in the hope that other dog owners are informed. Please share this post to spread awareness of Water Intoxication and save lives We Love You Maxy xxx Beware of water intoxication in dogs! This is caused by excessive water intake by the dog while playing in the water Symptoms to look out for are loss of coordination, glazed eyes, lethargy, nausea, vomiting and excessive salivation. ... if you suspect your dog is suffering from water intoxication, they need immediate medical attention.<3

Why Humans Live Longer Than Dogs

Sat, 09 Feb 2019 13:28:00 -0500

Here's the surprising answer of a 6 year old child. Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that dogs' lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.” Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live. He said, ”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The six-year-old continued, ”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay for as long as we do.” Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: • When your loved ones come home, always run to greet them. • Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. • Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. • Take naps. • Stretch before rising. • R... Read more

When Is Dog Walking Service Going To Check Their Employees?

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:44:00 -0500

Wag dog walker charged with animal cruelty; customers concerned about industry background checks DANVILLE, Calif. (KTVU) - A Danville couple is questioning the vetting process of walkers hired through a popular dog-walking app after home video appears to capture a man kicking and whipping their family pet. What makes them worry even more is that the on-demand dog-walking service, Wag, only conducts background checks on applicants once before they are hired and does not do continuous checks. Annual background checks are not legally required of dog walking services, but according to Bloomberg, the practice of periodically checking has been expanding into the healthcare, financial, manufacturing and retailing industries. The couple checked their home surveillance video from Dec. 17, the date of the last walk. The video recorded Vaurus showing up to their home with four other dogs. Wag policy clearly states that customers’ dogs are given “a one-on-one experience,” meaning Vaurus was already in violation of company policy. “There are just too many dogs for him to handle,” Brown said as he watched the video again with 2 Investigates. A few minutes in, the video shows Vaurus approach Ollie from behind, prompting the dog to snap and make contact with the Vaurus’ arm. The dog owners, Miranda Fulks and David Brown, feel the dog walking industry should follow suit. “These people are in your homes,” said Brown. “They’re walking your dog. They take care of a part of your family.” Fulks added: “I had no idea, when you read [Wag’s] app, they say they vigorously background check their people. It does not say they only do that once.” Like many dog owners, Brown and Fulks relied on the Los Angeles-based Wag, founded in 2014, to help walk their two dogs, Ollie and Maggie. They say a few weeks went by without problems until the dog walker, Adam Vaurus, 37, called them about an incident during a walk. Shortly after the call, they also noticed that Ollie was acting di... Read more