My blog is moving and changing direction.  It is no longer just a book review blog, so the name has changed.  The new name is PawLore, and it can be found at www.pawlore.com

Please come visit, and follow the new blog.


Deb

Back Pain in Dogs

Most of us have experienced the pain of a muscle strain in our back - it can be a minor ache from doing a bit too much or it can be a totally debilitating ruptured disk which can cause problems for us the rest of our lives.  Dogs also suffer from back problems.  Breeds with long backs such as  Dachshunds, Corgis, Basset Hounds, Pekingese, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos are especially prone to back issues, though larger breeds can suffer from them as well.

There are many medical treatment options, including  extended crate rest, acupuncture ,laser treatments and surgery.  There are also some health care items which can be of great benefit.  For another option before surgery, as well as a great preventative for after-care is a back brace such as "Lil Back Bracer".  The idea is to hold the dog's back in a correct position to avoid farther harm.    If your dog has gone through medical interventions and has mobility problems, there are wheelchairs made for dogs.  These can be purchased online through sites such as Handicapped Pets.Com 

Dodgers List  is a site dedicated to educating and sharing information regarding Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs.  Whether you are just beginning the IVDD journey with your dog, or you are already through the medical treatment, this site can help.

Bottom line is to do as much as possible to protect your dog's back before an issue develops,  get treatment quickly when needed, and if the outcome isn't as good as expected, to realize that doesn't mean the end.  There are ways to mobilize a dog that has been paralyzed so you can enjoy many more years together.

A Little Fun Fact

Fun fact – Cats step with both left legs, then both right legs when walking or running. There are only two other animals that walk like this – the camel and the giraffe.

Health cautions in the Brachycephalic Dog

                           

Brachycephalic.  Big word, but what does it mean, and how does it pertain to dogs?  Brachycephalic comes from the Greek words "Brachy", which means short and "cephalic" which means head.  Thus, Brachycephalic dogs are dogs with a smooshed in face, or more accurately, they are dogs with a normal lower jaw and a compressed upper jaw.

Most people are familiar with these breeds - Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Shih tsu, Pekingese, Boxer, Pug - any breed with that familiar smooshed in face.  There are others, but all have the characteristic head.  These breeds have another thing in common - they can all suffer from ailments that are typical for this type of head.  Some seem funny,  such as the snorting noises the dogs make, but others are very serious, even deadly.  If you own a brachy or are planning on getting one in the future, you should be aware of potential health risks.

Heat Stroke - Brachy's are far more likely to suffer from heat strokes than other dogs.  Panting helps a dog cool off when overheated, and brachy's are not efficient panters.  This can lead to heat stroke or even death if not caught soon enough.  Always protect your brachy from the heat.

Tracheal Stenosis is a fancy way to say narrow windpipe.  Tracheal Stenosis creates an anesthetic risk, so prior to any surgery your brachy should have x-rays so your vet can determine if any extra precautions are in order.

Eye issues - Due to the shape of the head, brachy breeds have very shallow eye sockets which is why their eyes appear to bulge out of their face.  Any sort of blow to the back of the head, or pulling on a leash fastened to their collar can actually make their eyeball pop out of the head and require surgical intervention to replace it.  For this reason, brachy's should wear harnesses rather than collars when on leash.  Occasionally a brachy dog has eyelids that don't completely cover the eyeball, which results in dry eyes.  Your vet can correct this quite easily with surgery.

Skin folds - Many brachy's have skin folds on their face and extra care must be taken.  Clean the skin folds with a damp cloth so irritation and infection doesn't develop.   If you start cleaning the folds at an early age, your dog will sit calmly through the process.

These are a few of the special needs that are common in any brachycephalic breed.  Don't let them deter you; the brachy breeds are delightful, fun-loving dogs with a lot of personality and that cute smooshy face is hard to resist.  With awareness and caution your brachy will be a healthy, valued member of your family for years to come.

Great TV series

If you have Netflix, or you can check online, I believe you can access this series there, take them time to check out McLeod's daughters.  Set in Australia, the series tells the story of the daughters of the McLeod's throughout224 episodes.  The Patriarch is dead, and the girls run the ranch.  It's an enjoyable show, similar to a modern day American western.  You may want to enable closed captioning, as the accent can, at times, be difficult to understand.   It's an awesome series, showing  a wide variety of animals, mostly domestic, but some wildlife, which is always interesting.  I think you'll enjoy it!

Ideas wanted!

I'm still looking for a creative new name for the upcoming "new" blog...would love to hear your ideas.
The new blog will cover anything animal..wild or domestic, a few book reviews here and there, pictures, pretty much anything pertaining to any type of animal.

Please comment or email with ideas!


Deb

Computers, Cookies and Bribes

So a couple nights ago, I  boot up my computer - or should I say I attempted to boot it up?  Crash and burn - it would not boot up.  My husband tried to fix it, but no go, it was a goner.  By the time he got to work on it, I had been without my computer for 2 very long days.  Third day, I head to a local store that offers computer repairs, and take my poor dead computer in for a visit, only to be told that it'd be 2-3 days before they could transfer the data from the crashed drive. 

I about swallowed my tongue.  2-3 MORE days?  ACKKK, no can do!  So I smile sweetly and go look for a new computer.  I find "the" one, and talk to the salesperson (sweetly) and ask him how much pull he has with the guru's, and explain I really need my new computer to have all the old data on it and up and ready to go TODAY before they close.  He said he's see what he could do, and came back without an exact time.  We head to the guru area, and lo and behold the guy that would be doing the actual work was there - and of course I tell him.."I need this done TODAY".  He sort of just smiled and didn't say he would, so I toss in a bribe - I'll make you homemade cookies if you have it done by tonight. 

I'm happy to report that I walked in the store 15 minutes before close, and left with the new computer, loaded with all my pictures, browser favorites and other things that made it uniquely "my" computer - and he went home with cookies.  (I even left some there for the sales guy since he was so great too).

Needless to say, I am a happy camper!


Deb

Sharing a picture

Wanted to share a picture of my two Dachshunds - both are rescue dogs.  Bronson is the Black and Tan dapple on the left, and Wally is the Double Dapple on the right.

Declawing Your Cat - The Realities and Alternatives

     

Many people get a kitten and while having it spayed/neutered, decide to declaw to avoid problems such things as shredding furniture and curtains.  The kitten undergoes a surgery, and WA LA!  problem solved.  Or is it?  Let's take a peek into the truth behind declawing.

First and foremost, declawing your cat is MAJOR surgery, and is excrutiatingly painful.  Declawing isn't just removing the nail - it is a surgery that is actually an amputation of the tips of the cats foot - having them removed is like having each of your fingers amputated at the first knuckle - so in effect, your cat has endured 10 amputations (assuming you've only done the front feet) and has been mutilated for life.  Your cat not only has the agony he sufferes immediately after the surgery, but he also has to walk, stretch, and use the litter box while healing, which takes time and every movementis very painful.
 This surgery also leads to an altered gait, as cats are "digitigrade", which means they walk on their toes.  After declawing, the cat's gait is altered, which can affect every joint in the leg, and cause athritis in these joints as the cat ages.

Another big problem thatoften occurs after declawing is litter box issues.  Cats that had previously used their litter box faithfully can associate the pain caused while digging in litter to the litter box itself, and stop using it at all, instead, choosing the nice soft carpet which doesn't hurt their feet.

Declawing can be dangerous for your cat if it get's outside - it no longer has the primary defense weapon of all cats.  He can become easy prey to larger cats, dogs or other predators, and he's basically defensless.

                                                                 Alternatives

So you've decided that declawing is not an option for your beloved cat, yet you want to protect your belongings.  There are other options that are humane!  Exercise is a large part of the solution.  So how do you exercise a cat you ask?  Through play!  Those toys that dangle off a wooden or plastic handle are an easy way to  provide entertainment and exercise - and a tired cat is a lot less likely to get into trouble.  Take 15 to 20 minutes and play.  Your cat will enjoy it, and your bond will deepen.

Provide places for you cats to scratch.  Get different shaped scratching posts and place them in various rooms around your house.  There are vertical as well as horizontal scratching posts, using different shapes will encourage your cat to use them.

 You can trim their nails too, much as dog's nails are trimmed.

Last, but not least, there are nail tips out there made just for your cat.  Yes, nail tips!  Called "Soft Paws" these are artificial vinyl caps that cover your cat's natural nail, and come in clear or colors.  When they come off, you replace them - and no more worries about scratching!

Thankfully, declawing isn't the only option for protecting you, your children and belongings from the claws of your cat.  With far more humane solutions, you can solve the problem and have a healthier, and happier cat.

Ideas wanted!

Hi Readers!

I am going to rename the blog as I change it to encompass more topics, and would love some input.  If you have any ideas for a great name, please comment or email me!

Looking forward to ideas,


Deb

Even the Famous Love Dogs

Many of us have dogs, and love them dearly.  The rich and famous are no different.  Here's a few of the "famous" dogs

Most of us know Bo, the "First Dog" owned by our current president and his family.  But there are many more "Celebrity" dogs!

Samson, a "Rotweiller-Pit bull- Doberman" shares his living space with Alicia Silverstone.  She found him in East Los Angeles, cut and bleeding.  He now lives a great life with her 4 other dogs, Scottie, Lacey, Cale and Jeffrey. (all rescue dogs!)

Tinkerbell is the pampered pooch of Paris Hilton.  This little Chihuahua lvies the good life, and often gets a hotel room rented just for her.

Steven Tyler has 2 little tykes - a Yorkshire, "Butch Cassidy", and Yorkie/Maltese mix, "The Sundance Kid".  He can be seen with one in his pocket, and the other in a sling over his shoulder.

Another pampered Chihuahua is Tulip, owned by Paula Abdul.  It's reported that Paula tripped over Tulip, fell, and subsequently broke her nose and toe - but Tulip wasn't hurt.

Francesca and Sharkey are  French Bull Dogs, owned by Martha Steward, and they even have their own blog.

Kyle Richards is the proud mom of rescue dog "Roxy"

Madaline Pickens, savior of America's wild horses has a rescue Dachshund  "Tommy".

Queen Elizabeth loves Pembroke Welsh Corgi's and has several, plus a few "Dorgi's", which are Dachshund/Corgi mixes.

                                     

These dogs all probably live in more luxury than most of us will ever see, but they all have one thing in common - they are well-loved by caring people.  That's really what it's all about....love.