Bloat, a deadly risk for dogs

The number one killer of dogs is cancer, but what is number 2?  The second leading killer of dogs is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GVD), commonly called Bloat.  Deep-chested dogs are at particular risk for Bloat.  Bloodhounds, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Dachshunds, Sight Hound breeds and Dobermans are among the those considered deep-chested.

So what exactly is Bloat?  Bloat is typically related to swallowed air, and usually happens when there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid, air and/or foam in the stomach. (gastric dilatation)  In some cases, the stomach actually twists after swelling, and rotates anywhere from 90 to 360 degrees between the esophagus and the duodenum at the other end of the stomach.  Everything in the stomach is trapped, and the full, bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen which leads to low blood pressure, damage to internal organs, shock and with all of these combined, the dog can die a painful death in a short amount of time.

Possible symptoms include: Attempts to vomit, restlessness, belly bloated looking and tight hunched up back,  whining, pacing, heavy panting, and looking back at the stomach.

Bloat is not uncommon - be prepared.  Know the symptoms and if your vet doesn't provide 24 service, know where the local 24 emergency vet is located, and keep both numbers handy.

Bloat can be deadly - get your dog to a vet promptly. Better safe than sorry.


Until next time,

Deb

Breed Specific Legislation

The case of Lennox, the dog from Northern Ireland that was unjustly euthanized because he looked like a "bully" breed type, Breed Specific Legislation has really come into the spotlight.

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is any law that forbids the owning of a certain breed or type of dog based solely on breed or type, not on behavior.  This law assumes that the dog is guilty when in fact it has done nothing other than be born a particular breed.  It's basically discrimination - you look a certain way, you are of a certain ethnicity (in this case breed) then you are not permitted to live in the area of our jurisdiction.  How fair is this?  A dog is taken from it's owners, and killed, yes I say killed, because euthanasia means "good death", and really how good is a death that is caused because of  fears and laws?

I am all for protecting people, but I am not for arbitrarily  banning breeds, and I am certainly not in favor of permitting any animal control staff to have the discretionary authority to deem an animal to be a specific breed based on looks, as they did in the Lennox case.  


I do agree that there are a lot of folks out there that own dogs that are strong, and could potentially hurt a human being.  But folks, those breeds don't stop at bully breeds - look at how large and strong many breeds are - St Bernard's for example; or even a Standard Poodle!  


There has to be some compromise on both sides, perhaps something like requiring training before getting a permit to own a dog over a certain size.  I wouldn't be opposed to requiring a permit to even own a dog - there are way too many irresponsible dog owners out there now, and any dog this type of person owns can be a nuisance - even one as as tiny as a Chihuahua!  I know it would be a lot of compromise on both sides, but I am certain this issue can be resolved without giving anyone the power to just seize a dog and kill it because of breed.   Please note that I am not talking about dogs that have attacked a human, that is a totally different topic.


Hopefully there won't be another Lennox case, but I'm afraid there will be, and more families will be devastated by the loss of a beloved member of their family that has been discriminated against for no reason other than looks, but I am just as equally sure that there will be another innocent victim of a dog bite or attack due to irresponsible owners.  Ultimately people are at fault, not animals.  Let's protect the innocent, whether those be the animal, or the potential victim of a poorly raised, poorly bred animal.  Protection comes in many forms, so let's change laws, not ban specific breeds.  Perhaps the laws ought to start with who is permitted to breed animals, and cover things such as training and licensure.

This is certainly a hotly debated topic, and I certainly don't have all the answers.  For those that are for BSL, I'd ask you to think about your reasons, and put things you own into the same situation. For instance, you like motorcycles.  Many say they are not safe - just because others say they aren't safe should they be banned?  Sports cars - fast, strong machines, and they can be deadly.  Should they be banned because of irresponsible drivers?  I'm not comfortable with any government agency telling me what I can and cannot own, but I don't think it's wrong to make me become educated and licensed to have or use certain items.

For those that are against BSL I'd ask how you would feel if it were you, or your loved one attacked by a dog of any breed.  Would you want that breed banned?  That dog killed?  Would you agree with laws requiring licensing for owning certain breeds?  There's no easy answer to any of these questions.

Certainly something to think about..

Keep on keeping on,

Deb

"Black Beauty" - a timeless classic. "Black Beauty" is the "autobiography" of the horse telling this tale.  He starts with his life as a foal, and it progresses as he is originally sold as a young horse, and progresses through various stages of life.  It is a compelling story, showing friendships, losses of loving homes, the trials and tribulations of having no say in your life, being sold and having an uncertain future, and more.  This book takes you from smiles and feelings of joy to the depths of misery and tears for the unfairness a poor animal must endure at the hands of unfeeling humans.  Hearing things from the horse's "viewpoint" opens your eyes to what simple things can make an animal's life easier.

This is a well-written and well-thought out book, as evidenced by it's continued popularity more than 100 years after it's original publish date.  

This book should be a required reading in schools in my opinion.  I have read it countless times, and hope that if you haven't, you'll chose to read it.


Keep on keeping on,


Deb

Anna Sewell  1820 - 1878

Anna Sewell's only published work was the children's classic, "Black Beauty".  Anna lived in England, and when she was 14 she slipped and severely injured both of her ankles.  For the rest of her life, she had mobility problems, and had to use a crutch and couldn't walk very far.  Consequently, she used horse-drawn vehicles for greater mobility.  Thus her love and concern for horses grew.  

"Black Beauty" was written in Anna's later years, as her health was deteriorating.  For the most part, she was bedridden and too weak to write. She often dictated, and her mother would write it down for her.  It took several years to write the book, from 1871 - 1877.  Her goal in writing the book was to help people who worked with horses to learn kindness, sympathy and a greater understanding of the treatment of horses, but instead, it became a children's classic.

Anna Sewell died 5 months after her book was published.   Her only book remains a classic.


Keep on keeping on,

Deb

Next up is a re-visit to an old friend.  I read and re-read it as a youngster, and it still maintains it's charm for me all these years later.  Next time we'll learn a bit about the author before talking about the book itself.  The author is Anna Sewell.  Anyone know what she wrote (without looking!)??

Keep on keeping on,

Deb

Hi Folks!

Things they are a'changing - I'm going to keep things interesting by doing a bit more than just book reviews.  I'll be sharing information that is animal-related, and would love to have you join in as well, so email me, or post a comment here, and let's get things hopping in-between book reviews!

Keep on keeping on,


Deb

Baby Farm Animals is, first of all, short.  There are great pictures of  9 baby farm animals, and each has 2 sentences.  The first sentence tells what the animal is called (think "a baby dog is called a puppy"), and the second being slightly descriptive (think "this chick hatched out of an egg").

I was a bit disappointed in this book.  The pictures are wonderful, but the content just seems to be lacking "oompf".  I realize this book is meant for very young readers, or even toddlers being read to - but I can't help thinking even those audiences would like something a little more substantial.

Reading on,


Deb

Next up, another children's book

Title: Baby Farm Animals
Author - Cindy Bracken


Reading on,

Deb

"Why Are Turtles So Wild and Crazy" is a great non-fiction book for young children.  There are a lot of full color pictures of various types of turtles.  The pictures are terrific, and interesting to see, even for an adult.  The book explains things such as how the shell is not a "house", but is a connected part of the turtle's body, and is in fact part of it's backbone and ribs.  Chalk up one lesson for this adult - I knew of course it couldn't be detached, but I didn't know it was spine and ribs.  Interesting!  Another lesson for me was that some turtles live in small herds and in a manner similar to that of dogs, they sniff each other.  Who would have known?

There are a couple other interesting turtle facts, but I'll leave those as a surprise.  I liked this book a lot - interesting, educational., and and most importantly for the kiddo's - FUN to read!

Reading on,


Deb

I've decided that in addition to doing non -fiction and adult fiction reviews, I will add teen and children's books so all ages are covered.

So, next up is:

"Why Are Turtles So Crazy Awesome?"

authors - Mary and Stewart Hill

ASIN: B007RSGZ1Q








Reading on,


Deb

Back finally after vacations, holidays and bad weather!

This book was a fun-type of  read - Younger readers as well as adults will enjoy it.  Davey grew up a bit, started to get along better with his father, and because of Cat, had a rather eclectic group of new friends.   His horizons broadened, attitudes changed, and through-out the book we got watch Davey mature into a teenager.  I'm glad I read this one.

Reading on,

Deb