Choke in Horses
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Why Do Dogs Roll In Poop? Is This Normal?
As a dog parent, you’ve probably witnessed your dog roll in a pile of poop at least once. Maybe you’ve taken your dog on a quick walk around the neighborhood or enjoyed a weekend away in nature, when “bam!”—they’re suddenly writhing around in a pile of poop without a care in the world. This rolling behavior—when a dog rubs or rolls their body in a strong-smelling substance—is known as scent rolling. “Dogs will often sniff, then drop the side of their face, shoulder and body into the scent and wriggle back and forth or drag their body across the scent,” says Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Camp Bow Wow‘s animal health and behavior expert in Atlanta, Georgia. And poop isn’t the only stinky thing they may roll in. In fact, Dr. Amy Attas, VMD, founder of mobile veterinary practice City Pets: The House Call Vets in New York City, shares that dogs often enjoy covering themselves in a number of smelly things, including: Feces Animal carcasses Decaying plants, including compost, mulch and fertilizer Urine from dogs, cats and wildlife Other strong-smelling substances, including spoiled food and garbage It may be weird to us (and pretty gross, TBH), but Dr. Attas says this behavior is typical in both domestic dogs and wild dogs, and it’s often influenced by a dog’s instincts, social structure and individual personality. “While it may seem unpleasant to us, it is a normal part of dog behavior,” she says.,When I take my dog out for a walk, he likes to stop and roll in smelly stuff, particularly poop. The worst part is, it’s not even his own poop! I’m trying to understand this baffling behavior. Why do dogs roll in poop?
Flea Bites on Dogs: What They Look Like—and What to Do About Them
Flea bites aren’t just unpleasant for your pooch—they also leave some distinctive physical symptoms behind. When searching for signs of fleas, here’s what to look for: Red Bumps: Dog flea bites can appear as individual red dots or grouped together as a cluster of tiny bumps. Rash: If your dog has a really nasty flea infestation, the flea bites can look more like a pink or red rash spread across their skin. Scabs: A dog that’s constantly scratching or biting at their flea bites will eventually develop skin infections, abrasions, or scabs. Ouch! Hair loss: Because dogs are bigger animals, hair loss might not be as apparent, but they can experience some hair thinning due to flea bites. In addition to flea bites, you may also spot live fleas on your dog. Here’s how to identify them.,Jump to section What Do Flea Bites on Dogs Look Like? Where Are Flea Bites Usually Found on Dogs? Other Symptoms of Flea Bites on Dogs Treatment for Flea Bites on Dogs How to Prevent Flea Bites on Dogs
Clotting Disorders of the Platelets in Dogs
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9 Signs of Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs—and What To Do
Xylitol poisoning in dogs is a medical emergency. This common sugar substitute, found in everything from gum to sugar-free peanut butter, can be extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar or even liver failure, and symptoms can come on fast. Here’s what pet parents need to know, including how to spot the signs, what to do if it happens, and how to reduce the risk of poisoning in the first place.
Why Is My Dog’s Nose Turning Pink?
Most dogs have a dark nose—black or brown is common—but dog noses can start to look different for a variety of reasons. Some conditions are harmless (a snow nose dog, for example) while others require veterinary attention. You’re in the right place if you’re wondering, “Why is my dog’s nose turning pink?” or if you’ve noticed other changes to your dog’s nose.
9 Secrets for Traveling With a Dog on a Plane
Understand the airline carrier’s rules for dogs on planes—before you book your ticket, says Charlie Hobart, public relations manager for United Airlines in Chicago, Illinois. “Review all the information … in terms of the policies,” Hobart says. “What you need to do when you get to the airport, what needs to be done when you get on board the aircraft, and most importantly, what you should do to prepare your pet for the travel experience.” Each airline’s rules may vary, but most will require dogs to be stowed in an airline approved pet carrier of specific dimensions at your feet for the whole flight.,Ready to jet off on vacation? Taking your dog along can make a family getaway all the more fun, but before you put Fido in his carrier, it’s best to prepare for traveling with a dog on a plane. It isn’t as simple as showing up at the airport with your dog in tow. Frequent fliers agree that flying with a dog can be a pleasant experience for all—if you take a few important steps. They share their secrets for a stress-free flight below.
A Comparison of the American Foxhound, English Foxhound, and Harrier
If you see a Foxhound or Harrier of correct and true breed type, you will never have to guess if it is an American, English or Harrier hound. It is indisputable that all three hound breeds arose from common ancestors. Harriers were bred down in size from English Foxhounds and are accurately described as “a smaller version of the English Foxhound.” At the time of the American Revolution, Lord Fairfax sent several English Foxhounds to George Washington, who is credited with crossing these hounds with various sighthounds to produce the foundation of the American Foxhound breed. All three hound breeds were developed to hunt in packs followed by mounted huntsmen, having all the attributes of scenting pack hounds. However, since quarry and terrain differed, the breeds evolved in various ways to better suit their jobs. When dog breeders, exhibitors and judges meet to discuss what makes each breed unique, they use terms such as “head breed” and “outline breed.” If they were to describe the English Foxhound, American Foxhound or Harrier in such stereotypical fashion, they would call them “running gear breeds,” indicating the importance of feet and legs in these functional pack hounds. The AKC breed standard for the English Foxhound, composed more than 50 years ago by fox hunters, outlines the essential components of a successful working hound. The scale of points assigns 20 points to legs and feet, 5 points to elbows, 10 points to hindquarters and 10 points to shoulders, awarding 45 of 100 points to the merits of the hound’s running gear. Assigning only 5 points to the head eliminates any notion that the English Foxhound ever be thought of as a “head breed.” The American Foxhound breed standard also includes a scale of points, assigning a full 15 points to the feet alone, included in the total 35 points for running gear. Shoulders are assigned another 15 points. The Harrier standard itemizes running gear, along with scenting ability, as particularly important features of this scenting pack hound.
Side Effects of Pet Medications
Pets can experience side effects to medications they are given, just like people. These can range from mild to more severe reactions, depending on many factors. It’s always best to discuss the risks of a drug with your veterinarian and decide if the potential benefits outweigh the potential side effects. If you suspect your pet is having any side effects, speak with your veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the next steps. Common Medication Side Effects in Pets Symptoms of a drug reaction in pets, or side effects to that drug, can be based on: The type of medication and how it’s administered. Usually, injectable medications have a higher chance of causing side effects than oral medications. Your pet’s health status and age. Older pets that have a medical diagnosis might react differently to the same medication given to a young, healthy pet. These are some of the most common side effects that pets experience: Gastrointestinal Upset One of the most common side effects of pet medications is mild stomach upset. This is because most medications are taken by mouth and absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Some pets have a more serious reaction, including vomiting, diarrhea, and decrease or lack of appetite. These symptoms often resolve as their body adjusts to taking the medication, but sometimes the symptoms can become severe. Ask your veterinarian if the medicine should be given with or without food, because that can make a big difference on how your pet tolerates the medication. Some medications that commonly cause stomach upset are: Antibiotics. Consider giving your pet probiotics when they are on antibiotics, to prevent or relieve antibiotic-associated diarrhea, vomiting, and appetite issues. Levothyroxine (used for hypothyroidism in dogs) Methimazole (used for hyperthyroidism in cats) Steroids such as prednisone and prednisolone Blood pressure medications Gabapentin (especially in cats) Oral and topical flea and tick medications Excessive Salivation Excessive saliva production, or hypersalivation, is a common side effect with some pet medications. Often this is because the medicine has a bitter or unpleasant taste. For these medications, it is not recommended that the pet parent crush the medication, which can make it taste much worse. Tramadol, a pain medication, is a very commonly prescribed pet medication that’s known to have a bitter taste; it should not be crushed. Medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines, and steroids can cause dry mouth, which triggers saliva production. Other medications known to cause hypersalivation include methimazole, flea and tick medications, and gabapentin. Stomach Ulcers Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as carprofen (Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), meloxicam, and robenacoxib (Onsior), as well as steroids like prednisone and prednisolone, are known to increase your pet’s risk of getting gastrointestinal ulcers. These ulcers can then cause vomiting and diarrhea, with or without blood and/or dark, tarry stools. These medications should NEVER be given together, as it greatly increases the risk of ulcers. Stomach ulcers are often treated with medications that reduce acid production and protect the lining of the gastrointestinal system. Lumps and Bumps Side effects of medications that affect the skin are very common among pets. Lumps and bumps on the skin are most often caused by injectable medications. After the injection, you may notice a small lump where the medication was administered. These lumps often go away quickly as the medication is absorbed into your pet’s body. Skin Irritation Oral, injectable, and topical pet medications can all cause skin irritation. Antibiotics, thyroid medications, steroids, and flea and tick medications have all been associated with skin irritation in pets. Hair loss, itchiness, swelling, redness, scabbing, red bumps, hives, and blisters are the most common symptoms of skin irritation in pets. Skin reactions vary highly in severity and level of pain. They can be mild and resolve easily, or they can be severe, leading to immune system conditions such as lupus. Skin irritation in pets can also cause intense licking, biting, and chewing, which can cause worse damage to your pet’s skin. Liver or Kidney Damage Any medication your pet receives needs to be broken down by the body to be effective. The liver and kidneys do this, and they can be damaged in the process. Common side effects are increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and lethargy. NSAIDs used short- or long-term are commonly associated with liver and/or kidney damage. This reaction is commonly called idiosyncratic, which means it is unpredictable. In general, if an NSAID medication is given at the correct dose for the correct period of time, these side effects should not occur. Steroids are known to cause liver issues, but usually only when given at high doses for long periods of time or if the liver was already compromised before starting the medication. Blood pressure medications have also been known to cause kidney dysfunction. Lethargy or Behavioral Changes Pet medications often affect a pet’s brain, causing them to behave differently. Sometimes this behavior change is what they were prescribed for, such as with anti-anxiety and sedative/pain medication such as opiates, tramadol, and gabapentin. However, other times it’s an unintended side effect, like restlessness and hyperactivity. These behavior changes can be mild to severe, even causing dysphoria. Dysphoria is an altered mental state where your pet might vocalize, pant, or have difficulty settling down. Dysphoria is also common after or during anesthesia in pets. Metronidazole, which is used to treat infections, is an antibiotic known to have effects on the brain in older pets or if too high a dose is given. Most antihistamines, which are commonly used for a wide variety for allergy manifestations, can also cause lethargy or hyperactivity, depending on the pet. Other medications known to have these side effects are levothyroxine, steroids, blood pressure medications, insulin, antihistamines, and flea and tick medications.
Dog Seizures: Causes, Types and What To Do If Your Dog Has One
Watching a dog have a seizure is a terrifying event for most pet parents. If you have ever experienced this, you may wonder what causes dogs to have seizures?
