Early recognition of symptoms in dogs is very important, particularly in senior dogs or very young pups. I was the owner of a senior dog, a Golden Retriever. August 6^th 2009, she finally had to be put to sleep. Abigail was her name and she was my heart. It was because of her that I decided to make this blog. I wanted to do something that might help others with their dogs, senior or not.

I also have a special needs pet, a paralyzed dog, Isabel. . The special challenges that she presents are an education in themselves. And early recognition of her symptoms was critical for saving her life.

So you can see by these two dogs alone, there is a wealth of information that I can share with you about symptoms in dogs.

Our Abigail and Isabel were both rescued puppies. Abigail was a product of a puppy mill, and Isabel was an abandoned pup that we got from the rescue league. You have no idea what you are getting when you rescue a puppy so you need to be aware of symptoms in dogs related to multiple possible diseases. And taking any precautions recommended by your vet. But there are some things you can be aware of at the beginning.

All reputable rescue shelters provide veterinarian care. All diseases detected are properly treated and the animal cared for. Diseases such as distemper, parvo, rabies, leptospirosis, are detected and treatment administered. It is important to remember these are rescue centers and they are usually short funded. So if they do not believe the animal can be saved or is too far gone with a disease, a humane euthanasia is performed. So for you this means your dog has been treated and is felt to have been cured, or it would not be offered to you for adoption.

You still want to take proper precautions and have your own vet look your new family member over. Disease symptoms can be missed especially if they are very early, or the animal was not handled much or emotionally withdrawn where it wouldn’t show it’s symptoms very readily. These animals need a lot of love and attention, but be sure to give it to them on their terms. Don’t force anything. Allow them to get used to you. But monitor and observe them for symptoms of dogs diseases. Educate yourself. You know what feels right or what causes you to be worried. The sooner detection does occur, the more likely it will be a full recovery.

Let’s just cover a few common diseases today.

Distemper

Symptoms in dogs wit distemper are similar to the common cold – like runny nose and eyes, coughing, high temperature, and diarrhea. These are early symptoms. If the disease has progressed, you may observe nervous twitching, convulsions and even paralysis. Unfortunately there is no treatment or cure. Veterinarians can treat the dog palitively in the early stages, but the humane treatment is put the dog to sleep. Canine distemper is caused by a very contagious virus transmitted by air. The good news this is a common disease for vaccination. Puppies at rescue leagues will probably have been vaccinated.  But a neglected older dog, now rescued dog may not have had such treatment, so early detection is key for your animal’s humane care.

Parvovirus

Symptoms of dogs with Parvovirus are lethargy, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and rapid dehydration. It is spread by contact with infected stools. It is deadly and highly contagious. Treatment will entail rigorous intravenous fluids to combat the diarrhea and resulting dehydration. Supportive therapy may also be required. And isolation is necessary because it is so contagious.   However, like distemper, cared for animals are vaccinated against parvo, so your dogs already in the home would be safe.

Tracheobronchitis (aka Kennel Cough)

Symptoms in dogs of this common ailment is a chronic, dry, hacking cough, usually associated with a recent trip to be kenneled, so in close association with other dogs. It is caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. It attacks the respiratory system and results in the chronic cough.  It is very transmittable but generally remains a mild infection. The reason we need early detection is the protection of the young pups and the senior dogs, if untreated, it could develop into pneumonia. There is treatment and recovery is usual. There is a vaccination available to prevent kennel cough.

Leptospirosis

This disease infects the kidneys and is caused by bacteria. It is spread through contact with mucous, urine or saliva of infected animals. Leptospirosis is of particular concern since it can infect humans. Symptoms in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (detected by yellow color to gums, whites of the eyes and skin) excessive drinking, and distention of the dog’s abdomen.   Intensive care is necessary for these animals. They require antibiotics and intravenous fluids. Animals can recover but are often left with permanent kidney damage. Vaccinations do exist, but the multitude of strains of this disease often thwart the effectiveness of preventive measures.

I hope this introduction to some diseases common to our rescued friends can help you with early detection of symptoms in dogs. It is my goal to help with the care and treatment of our beloved pets.

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I have answered many of these emails personally and tried to help where I could. I must stress that I am not a veterinarian. We must all rely on the expertise of those trained in the care of our beloved animals.  But the Veterinarian does not come home with you and your newly paralyzed pet, no one is there to hold your hand and give you guidance or answer your questions. I know this because it all happened to me.

Yes, when my Isabel became paralyzed there were no answers. No one to help. I searched the internet and nothing came from my searching. There simply was nothing out there, that was six years ago. Today there are more choices and more people trying to help. Including myself.

Does this mean there are more paralyzed dogs than their used to be? I don’t think so. I think people are just much more comfortable with using the internet and there are more people comfortable with putting the information they are searching for out there. It is a good marriage. When people need information and ask for it, other people who write online have figured out how to give them what they need.

So I am in the unique position of loving and owning a paralyzed dog. And learning the ins and outs of this through trial and error and have figured out things that work very well, and other things that are just dumb. As I said before I have tried to help a lot of people, but it is on a one to one basis. So now I have created help that anyone can use anytime without waiting for me to respond.  It is a site I have created called Care Of A Paralyzed Dog, kind of catchy isn’t it?

Please feel free to bookmark it so you can refer to it often. My Isabel was the Model for the site and she had a great time making videos and posing for photos.I hope you find it helpful and I hope your paralyzed dog is going to benefit and that your lives will improve and become joyful. Just remember, It is not hopeless. It is never hopeless.

Care Of A Paralyzed Dog

A Website with some answers about caring for and loving a paralyzed dog.

Isabel, My paralyzed dog on wheels

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In the last post I identified some of the common problems that produce symptoms in dogs. Some diseases that are difficult to treat, but easy to prevent if vaccinated when they are puppies. I want to finish that list with some more common diseases and causes of certain symptoms in dogs.

Canine Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

Adenovirus is transmitted through excretions – urine, feces, saliva. Symptoms include fever, depression, and loss of appetite, coughing, and a tender abdomen. This disease affects the liver and kidneys as well as the blood vessels. The dog will require Intensive care, if there is to be a chance for recovery. However, this is not guaranteed.

Corona (Canine coronavirus)

This disease seen more often in puppies since older dogs have built up immunity. The symptoms in dogs is very similar to parvovirus symptoms., except it is normally milder and more treatable. However it is highly contagious and attacks the gastrointestinal tract and causes fairly severe vomiting and diarrhea. This is why early treatment is so important because of the intensity of dehydration. You may also notice loss of appetite and depression and blood in the stools. The disease can even be misdiagnosed because the symptoms in dogs can mimic poisoning.  The necessary treatment includes combating the dehydration usually with IV fluids. As well as palliative treatment of symptoms for the dogs comfort.  

Rabies

Rabies is probably the most well known disease of animals, including dogs. It even includes man. Why, they have even made movies about rabies, can you say CUJO. Rabies is a very serious illness that attacks the central nervous system and causes encephalitis or infection of the brain. The symptoms progress slowly, starting with nervousness, anxiety and isolating. Then they will become restless, irritable and extra sensitive to noise and light. Next the animal will begin to over salivate and have difficulty swallowing. Finally deep labored breathing, paralysis and respiratory failure. The animal including humans, will die if not vaccinated.

When a person is bitten by a suspicious animal, the animal must be quarantined for 10 days to monitor for signs of the disease to determine if the human must go through the rabies vaccinations. If the suspected animal is already dead, a autopsy of the brain will determine if the disease is present.  Rabies vaccine must be started in a series and Immunoglobulins must be given within 10 days of the bite.

When you get your new family member it is very important, whether they are a puppy or an older dog, to have them checked out by your veterinarian. Early detection of any disease is important. Some symptoms in dogs will show you the way to a cure if a cure is possible. Otherwise humane treatment of your dog can result from early detection. But no matter what the age of your pet or the newness of their arrival in your home, you must pay attention in the symptoms in dogs.

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Be aware that ingredients… From: Pet Food Prices Why Are Some Cheap and Others Expensive

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It just seemed to take a long time for her to get better. We’d think things were improving and she just never stayed on an even keel for a few weeks. But she finally turned the corner and it was such a relief to see her feeling better, and having some energy and some interest in her life again. I tell you it was frightening.

The new treats we are giving her that are made in America, are great. She loves them and she is doing very well with her health. So I am not at all hesitant to give them to her. I think we have beat it once and for all.

So to lighten the mood to go along with our Isabel’s return to good health, I wanted to share this very cute video. It is hysterical. And makes me laugh every time, something we have really needed after our long spell of worry. Enjoy!

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A friend of mine over at Associated Content fro Yahoo, Michele Starkey, has written an article that really needs your attention. Here is an excerpt. Please got to the article because at the end is a link to a form you can fill out to speak to your legislature no matter where you live, to help put a stop to this nightmare.

I’m counting on you, the puppies need us.

According to the ASPCA and several members of the U.S. House of Representatives, there is a giant-sized loophole in U.S. law concerning puppy mills. Breeders who sell to puppy brokers and pet stores have to be USDA
licensed but those who sell directly to the public are NOT monitored by the USDA.

The Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act has appeared in past Congressional sessions, but has always timed out. Why has the Congress let this Act time out? Inquiring minds want to know.

read the rest of this article

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As a result of the shutting down of the puppy mills, many many dogs needed to be adopted. Here is the story of one such little guy named Peanut.

This is Peanut

On September 21, the ASPCA joined the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) in removing dozens of dogs from a puppy mill in Camden County, MO. Most of the dogs were transferred to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri in Springfield and HSMO in St. Louis, but a few made their way to the ASPCA in Manhattan. One such pup—a darling Welsh Corgi named Peanut—was adopted by one of our own: Julia Nelson, ASPCA Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Julia first met Peanut while the sweet pup was recovering at the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. “She was in her temporary living quarters in our Adoption Center director’s office. She was so excited when she first saw me, and the feeling was mutual,” Julia recalls. “She was adorable!” The happy pooch soon joined Julia’s family of cats, Ireland and Woody, and quickly settled into life in Manhattan. Woody, the younger cat, and Peanut became best pals right away. “He showed her his tummy, and now they eat side by side in the kitchen,” Julia says.

read the rest of the article here.

It is just too wonderful to know that these precious creatures are finding new homes and love after such a horrible existence.

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Dogs do not have the ability to sweat and discharge that excess heat that has built up in their bodies. They can only pant which is their way of exchanging the hot air for cooler air, but what happens when the temperature on the outside is the same or worse than the inside? This is when heat stroke occurs a deadly and painful condition.

Heat stroke is an emergency. If you intend to save your pet you must act quickly. You must get the body temperature down below 104 degrees F. Do this by cooling them with cool water, not freezing, set them into a cool bath for a couple minutes then put them in front of a fan. Put cool cloths on their abdomens, groins and arm pits. Dip their feet into cool water or put cool cloths over the feet as well.

Keep checking the rectal temperature every ten minutes and when you have it down below 104 degrees F. get the dog to the vet, there are many complications that can occur after the heat stroke has occurred and been dealt with.

If you have a dog or pet and you love them, you must exercise that part of you that would do anything to save a child. Learn about heat stroke and how to prevent and in the worse case scenario how to treat it.

Please take a moment to look at more detail in the recognition of the symptoms of heat stroke and the treatment in my Factoidz Article regarding this very subject.

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Abigail, My puppy mill puppy

Missouri is my home state. It is shocking and disgusting to me that it is also one of the largest puppy mill producing states in the Union. It hurts my heart to even think about it because as you know, my love Abigail came from one of them. We didn’t know that at the time, but it makes no difference. We rescued her but we didn’t do anything to shut them down. It must be done!

The ASPCA is in St. Clair County, Missouri. They are removing 34 dogs from another puppy mill. It marks the third time in one week that the ASPCA has been contacted to help transfer dogs and puppies from Missouri puppy mills, as well as private residences, were owners did not care for the animals properly.

Here is what Tim Rickey, The ASPCA’s Senior Director has to say:

“These incidents reinforce the need for Missourians to vote ‘yes’ on Proposition B,” says Tim Rickey, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. Also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, Prop B aims to raise the standards of care for dogs in Missouri’s more than 3,000 commercial breeding facilities, which export more than 40 percent of all dogs sold in pet stores nationwide. If passed, Prop B would require Missouri’s large-scale breeders to limit the number of breeding females to 50, as well as enact common-sense standards such as requiring dogs to be provided with sufficient food and clean water, regular veterinary care, adequate housing and space, and access to regular exercise.

You must vote for these changes and improvements in dogs and puppies lives. They deserve it and didn’t ask for abuse. Please go to this link to learn more. ASPCA in Missouri.

And if you would like to visit my puppy mill puppy Abigail,  feel free.

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