Remedy For Dogs Who Ingest Xmas Ornaments
taken from Jerome Stewart's Herding Newsletter

What do you do if your puppy (or mischievous older dog) gets into your holiday decorations and eats some of the glass ornaments? This potentially lethal mishap can darken even the brightest holiday season.

Ideally, be prepared -- so BEFORE the holiday go to a pharmacy and buy a box of cotton balls. Be sure that you get COTTON balls...not the cosmetic puffs that are made from man-made fibers. Also, buy a quart of half-and-half coffee cream and put it in the freezer.

Should your dog eat glass ornaments:
Defrost the half-and-half and pour some in a bowl. Dip cotton balls into the cream and feed them to your dog.

Dogs under 10 lb. should eat 2 balls which you have first torn into smaller pieces. Dogs 10-50 lb. should eat 3-5 balls and larger dogs should eat 5-7. You may feed larger dogs an entire cotton ball at once.

Dogs seem to really like these strange treats and eat them readily. As the cotton works its way through the digestive tract it will find all the glass pieces and wrap itself around them. Even the teeniest shards of glass will be caught and wrapped in the cotton fibers and the cotton will protect the intestines from damage by the glass. Your dogs stools will be really weird for a few days and you will have to be careful to check for fresh blood or a tarry appearance to the stool. If either of the latter symptoms appear you should rush your dog to the vet for a checkup but, in most cases, the dogs will be just fine.

Vitiligo

If your Rottweiler is showing loss of pigment or white hairs in the coat, he could be suffering from Vitiligo.  Vitiligo is an auto-immune affliction when the pigment cells suddenly aren't recognized as normal and are attacked by the immune system. It causes loss in pigment in mucus membranes (the gums, the nails, around the vulva and rectum and eyes). It can also occur as 'white ticking' in the coat.

Some feel it might be brought on by stress such as traveling or anesthesia. It does appear to occur in some lines more than others.  Some cases can be helped with high doses of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and a B complex. Digestive enzymes with the food seem to help too. Additionally, supplementing the dog's diet with Omega 3 fatty acids (such as flax seed oil and salmon oil) may also help, as these acids assist in regulating the immune system. Depending on the severity of the condition, if caught early enough, it can be managed from getting worse.

Supplements For Dogs With Arthritis

When your dog shows lameness or pain when moving, this could be caused by the onset of arthritis.  Some dogs get arthritis without any particular precursor, and in others, arthritis may be initiated by a recent surgery (i.e, cruciate surgery).

Dog owners have discovered a number of ways of dealing with their canine friends arthritis pain by using one or all of the following:

• Glucosamine
• Bromalein (200 mg. Bromalein, two times a day)
• Borage oil, salmon oil, or flax seed oil
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C

Oftentimes, results can be seen in 30 days.  

There are pre-packaged products which contain similar ingredients to promote joint stability.  One is called 'The Missing Link'* and another, 'Fresh Factors'**. 'The Missing Link' contains: kelp, alfalfa, flax seed oil, lecithin and liver powder.  'Fresh Factors' contains: yeast culture, liver, bee pollen, chondroitin sulfate, kelp, and biotin.

Many dog owners find it more economical to use fresh flax seed oil or salmon oil caps, and add kelp and alfalfa.  Eggs also provide a good source of lecithin.

Be aware when administering glucosamine and chondroitin to a dog, it is best to mix them with Manganese for optimum effectiveness.  The three can be mixed together and kept fresher if put in a capsule form and given between meals and not with food, as it binds to food and loses its effectiveness.

~ ~ ~ ~

Bromalein - found in the stem of pineapple plants, it helps the body produce its own anti-inflammatory agents and dissolve cellular debris that causes pain.

Glucosamine - a building block to development of healthy cartilage and connective tissue.  It is rapidly assimilated and aids new cartilage building.

Maganese - an essential nutrient that plays a role in maintenance of healthy joints.  It is a catalyst in the formation of elements in joint integrity such as chondroitin and connective tissue.

Vitamin C - along with Manganese, plays a primary role in the formation of collagen and connective tissue.

~ ~ ~ ~

* 'The Missing Link' can be found in dog specialty stores and catalogs.

**'Fresh Factors' made by Springtime, Inc., 1-800-521-3212, web:  www.springtimeinc.com/information/freshfactors.cfm

Also try B-Naturals at www.b-naturals.com for these natural supplements.

Rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligaments in Rottweilers
Sorrel Langley-Hobbs B.Vet.Med. Cert SAO MRCVS
Resident in Small Animal Orthopaedics, The Royal Veterinary College
This article is copyrighted and reprinted here with permission
from the Rottweiler Club of Great Britain

Anatomy
The cruciate ligaments are two ligaments present in the knee or stifle joints. There is an anterior or cranial ligament and a caudal or posterior ligament.

Function
The cranial or anterior ligament is the ligament that usually ruptures. Its funtion is to prevent hyperextension and limit internal rotation of the knee joint. So if the stifle overextends or over rotates then the cruciate ligament may rupture.

Prevelance
The incidence of cruciate rupture in Rottweilers is quite high, with one paper reporting on 111 cases of cruciate rupture which included 14 Rottweilers.

Types of Cruciate Rupture

1. Partial Ruptures - in young large breed dogs partial ruptures of the cranial cruciate ligament are commonly seen.
2. Traumatic Ruptures - can happen to any dog of any age and usually there is a history of landing awkwardly or catching the foot in a Rabbit hole.
3. Arthritis Associated - a rare form of cruciate rupture is seen secondary to inflammatory arthritis. (eg. Rheumatoid).
4. Complete Rupture in Middle Aged Dogs - the most common scenario is cruciate rupture in a middle aged dog which can occur during normal exercise.

History
Lameness may occur suddenly or there may be a more insiduous onset. If the onset of lameness is sudden it will improve initially but the dog will remain lame. There may be a history of trauma.

Clinical Examination
When examining the knee of a dog with a long standing cruciate rupture the joint is not usually painful, there may be a firm swelling on the inside of the knee joint and there will probably be some muscle atrophy around the thigh. The integrity of the ligament can be difficult or impossible to assess in the conscious dog.

Investigations
To investigate the lameness the dog should be anaesthetized (or heavily sedated) for palpation and radiographs. Signs on radiographs can include classic arthritic changes and a joint effusion (an increase in the normal volume of joint fluid).

Two tests to check for ligament rupture and the cranial drawer and tibial compression tests. These are positive if there is a cruciate rupture. Occasionally a cruciate rupture can be missed as the tests can be negative if there is a partial rupture, long standing problem or a meniscal fold.

Treatment
Surgery is recommended except in dogs of less than 15kg weight (most Rottweilers weigh between 35-50kg).

There are numerous different surgical techniques which can be divided into intra-articular (inside the joint) where something is used to replace the ligament or extra-articular where something is used outside the joint to replace the function of the ligament. One technique may be used alone, or a combination of techniques can be used.

The joint should always be opened and examined even if an extra-articular repair is used. It is especially important to check the meniscal cartilages (these are pads of tissue between the tibia and femur which act as shock absorbers). Damaged mensici are painful and the damaged portion should be removed.

Some of the potential complications of surgery include infection, patella luxation and a failure to resolve the lameness due to missing a meniscal injury.

Generally the success rate of surgery is 80-90% with most dogs showing good improvement. Unfortunately the cruciate ligament will rupture in both knees in some 30% of dogs.

Post-Operative Instructions
0-6 weeks - Strict rest, minimal lead exercise for toilet purposes only
6-12 weeks - Lead exercise only
12-24 weeks - Gradual return to normal exercise

Decreased food intake is recommended to avoid weight gain in the postoperative period. If your dog is overweight then dieting is indicated.

Recovery
Dogs can take up to six months to recover fully after surgery for cruciate ligament rupture. It is very important to follow your vets instructions about postoperative care.

Causes or Predisposing Factors for Cruciate Rupture

• AGE - generally affected dogs are middle aged (5-8 years). However, partial ruptures are seen in dogs of 6 months - 3 years.
• SIZE - cruciate ruptures can occur in dogs of any size but they are commoner in large dogs.
• WEIGHT - cruciate ruptures are more common in obese or overweight dogs.
• EXERCISE - exercise of a moderate degree has been proved to increase the strength of ligaments.
• CONFORMATION - dogs with hyper extended stifles impose more strain and stress on the cruciate ligament.

Cruciate ruptures are very common - they are one of the commonest causes of hind limb lameness. It is difficult or impossible to make rigid recommendations on prevention but keeping your dog slim and fit will be beneficial.

Signs of Cancer in Animals
by Laura Blackwood, Clinical Studies Trust Fund Resident in Clinical Oncology, The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge
*This article is copyrighted and reprinted here with permission
from the Rottweiler Club of Great Britain

Introduction
There have been many advances in veterinary oncology (cancer medicine) over the last 25 years, not least of which is an increased awareness of cancer in animals. New surgical techniques allow the resection (removal) of large Tumors without causing the animal functional compromise; chemotherapeutic regimes have been established to treat several specific tumors and radiation therapy is now available to treat some forms of cancer. There is no doubt that the early detection and treatment of tumors gives the patient the best possible chance of long term survival.

Tumors can be divided into benign and malignant subcategories. Benign tumors tend to grow slowly, and to push adjacent tissue out of the way as they do this. They do not spread to other organs. Malignant tumors grow rapidly, and invade and destroy adjacent structures as they increase in size. These tumors spread to other organs. Malignant tumors show a spectrum of behavior: some spread early in the disease course and will affect other organs to a greater or lesser degree by the time the tumor itself is detectable, while others spread in only a small percentage of cases and do so once the cancer has been detectable for some time. This is one of the reasons we need to know what tumors are (i.e. the tissue type and aggressiveness, as seen microscopically) so that we can predict their behavior and treat them appropriately.

There are many possible signs of illness in animals, and this short article aims to identify some of the early signs of cancer in various sites which can be detected by owners. Many of these symptoms have numerous possible causes, and the diagnosis of cancer can rarely be made on the basis of clinical signs alone. In addition, even when a tumor is suspected the type of tumor (whether benign or malignant and the tissue it originated from) will affect the patient's prognosis, your veterinary surgeon will be able to investigate the problem for you.

Skin Tumors Masses which grow rapidly and are red, ulcerated, or an irritation to the dog are causes of concern. Masses which bleed or fluctuate in size also require prompt investigation.

Oral Tumors
The oral cavity: the oral cavity is a common site of cancer in middle aged to old dogs. Tumors of the oral cavity are often advanced by the time they are noted. Signs which you may notice at home are hyper salivation and blood staining of the saliva and halitosis. There may be displacement of the teeth. The dog may eat more slowly or tend to eat on one side of the mouth. As the tumor grows a mass may become apparent Tumors at the back of the mouth are often not noted until they have grown quite large. It is worthwhile to periodically open your pet's mouth and have a good look around.

Nasal Tumors
Nasal tumors cause sneezing, nose bleeds and nasal discharge. As they increase in size they will obstruct the nose and the dog will tend to snort and mouth breath.

Mammary Tumors
Mammary tumors are the commonest tumors in the entire bitch. Check these periodically by running your hands along the chain of mammary glands from the armpit to the groin. Look out for masses within the glands and also for skin swelling, redness or ulceration. Approximately half of the mammary tumors in the bitch are benign, so will not spread to other organs, while the other half are malignant.

Lymph Nodes
A diagram of the peripheral lymph nodes is shown below. Lymphoma (cancer of these glands) is another common tumor in the dog, and presents usually as an increase in size of the lymph nodes. Those at the angle of the jaw and behind the stifle are the easiest to feel. Lymph nodes can also be enlarged a result of infection, inflammation or spread of a tumor to the nearest lymph node.

Skeletal Tumors lameness before a mass or swelling is obvious. There may be swelling around the bone involved, which is usually firm and often painful. Lameness may be seen as a result of spread of aggressive tumors to the skeleton: this is often difficult to localize.

Tumors within Body Cavities
Unfortunately, early detection of tumors in the internal organs is less easy. Very large masses within the abdomen may cause a change in shape of the abdomen (these large tumors usually arise from the liver, spleen or occasionally ovary). The signs seen with tumors of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary systems and central nervous systems are similar to the signs seen with any disease of these systems so further investigations may be required: always consult your veterinary surgeon.

Respiratory System
We have already mentioned nasal tumors, and tumors of the throat and trachea (windpipe) are uncommon. The lungs may be the site of development of tumors, and are also a common site of tumor spread. Signs seen include breathlessness and poor tolerance of exercise. Coughing may also bee seen in some cases.

Gastrointestinal System
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea may be seen in some gastrointestinal cancers. Inexplicable weight loss may also reflect cancer in this organ system, or result from advanced cancer which has spread throughout the body. There may be fresh or altered blood in the vomit or feces. There may be discomfort on defecation in cases of rectal or prostate tumors. However, there are other conditions which can cause persistent problems of this type and your vet will be able to advise on the investigations required.

Urinary Tract
Look out for recurrent cystitis like symptoms. Is there any difficulty urinating, or straining to pass urine? Also check for blood in the urine. Male dogs with prostate tumors may have difficulty urinating.

Central Nervous System
Brain tumors can cause a variety of signs including seizures (fits), personality changes, disorientation and confusion. Spinal tumors are less common but may cause abnormalities in gait from incoordination and weakness to paralysis.

Non-specific Signs
These signs include general malaise, poor appetite, poor exercise tolerance, collapse, breathless, weight loss, excessive thirst and ill defined lameness.  Mere may be bleeding from any orifice.  Again, any severe disease can cause at least some of these signs.

Recommended Approach
Every 2-4 weeks, spend a few minutes checking over your pet and take this time to reflect on whether you have noted any changes in his or her general well being.  Think about how he or she has been eating, drinking, exercising, urinating and defecating.

Routine checks should include:

• Start at the head and look at the eyes, nose and mouth.
• Check the gums and teeth, and open the mouth so you can look at the palate and tongue.
• Feel under the chin for the lymph nodes.
• Look at each ear.
• Then run your hands over the whole body and up and down each leg.
•  In the bitch, check the mammary glands, and in the entire dog the testicles.
• Look under the tail at the area around anus and vulva.

Consult your veterinary surgeon if you find a mass or swelling, or if your pet has unexplained clinical signs of any description. Many vets now offer a general health check once or twice a year in addition to the routine check at vaccination, and this form of check up can be very useful in the early detection of tumors and also other medical problems, especially in the older patient.

The dog presents with early morning stiffness and lameness of the limb, walking with his foreleg turned outwards and has a limp. On moving the joint pain is experienced and in sever cases, joint movement is diminished. This condition is three times more prevalent in males and has 80% chance of showing up before the age of 12 months. Heavy, overweight dogs are more susceptible, as are dogs doing a lot of strenuous physical exercise.

The condition can be diagnosed by x-rays, but having a normal x-ray does exclude joint pathology. It is also not uncommon for a dog to have no symptoms, yet x-rays reveal one or other lesion in the elbow joint.

The main causes are:

• Ununited or Fragmented Coronoid Process
  This is the most common cause and can usually be diagnosed on x-rays. Loose fragments can break up and enter the joint. Treatment is surgical and about 50% of dogs are free from lameness after the operation, 30% have an occasional limp and stiffness, and 20% have constant pain and have to be put down.
• Fissures of the Coronoid Process
  This is another common cause and can usually be diagnosed on x-rays. Loose fragments can break up and enter the joint. Treatment is surgical and about 50% of dogs are free from lameness after the operation, 30% have an occasional limp and stiffness, and 20% have constant pain and have to be put down.
• Osteochondrites Dissicans of the Humoral Condyle
  This condition can be accurately diagnosed on x-ray. It is not as common as the above-mentioned conditions. A small area on the joint surface of the humerus dies and can wear loose and eventually fall into the joint. Treatment is surgical with good results. (read more about osteochondrosis below)
• Ununited Anconeal Process
  This condition is not common and can be diagnosed on x-ray, 50% are free of lameness and 30% limp after strenuous exercise.

It must be remembered that all these conditions give rise to progressive degeneration and osteoarthrosis of the joint. The sooner the condition is diagnosed and treated the better, and results after treatment in dogs over 12 months are not as good as in younger dogs.

These conditions can be relatively common in the Rottweiler, and to a certain extent can be prevented.

Overfeeding leads to rapid growth and to overweight which increases skeletal loading. Feeding should be restricted during the growth phase.

Regular exercise is of value in developing the muscles as well as the bone substance in the young dog. Strenuous exercise and training during the growth period should not be overdone. Young dogs should not be allowed to do jumping.

There is a possible inherited factor and breeding of dogs who have elbow pathology should not be undertaken.

It is becoming increasingly common to x-ray the hips of dogs before breeding and perhaps the elbows should be x-rayed at the same time. It must be borne in mind that a dog can have elbow lesions and yet be symptom free.

Origins of Osteochondrosis (OCD) in Dogs
the following was taken from the internet (author unknown)

Osteochondrosis is a disease of bone formation that leads to lameness and arthritis. It occurs in many species, including dogs, horses, pigs, and man.  Some cases self-cure, but most - if left untreated - lead to osteoarthritis and permanent joint injury. The underlying causes of osteochondrosis are not well understood, but a new study at Cornell under the direction of Dr. Margaret Slater is beginning to shed light on the factors that increase the likelihood that a dog will develop the disease.

How osteochondrosis develops:  All the bones in a dog's limbs begin as cartilage. Cartilage differs from bone in that it lacks the calcium rich mineral matrix, that gives bones its strength and rigidity. Hence, cartilage is softer and more resilient than bone. Cartilage gives shape and support to the external ears and the trachea, for example. Over the first year of a dog's life, the cartilage skeleton is almost completely replaced by bone, a process known as ossification. In the adult, only the ends of the long bones, where they form joints, remain covered with cartilage. This joint or articular cartilage acts like a teflon coating, allowing smooth motion of the joint. Being resilient and compressible, it also has an important role as a shock absorber.

Obviously, when a puppy grows larger, its bones must grow. Bones grow in length at specific locations, called growth plates. Growth plates are located where the straight shaft of the bone joins the enlarged head or end (called the epiphysis). At these growth plates, new cartilage is formed and converted to bone, a process known as endochondral ossification (literally, bone-making within cartilage).  
The bone must grow not only longer but larger as well. The ends of bones, where they form joints, grow larger by endochondral ossification of the articular cartilage. As new cartilage is added, the deeper layers change to bone, and the diameter of the bone increases.

Osteochondrosis results from a disturbance of the process by which cartilage is turned into bone. For reasons not well understood, ossification is delayed in specific areas. In these locations, the deepest layers of the articular cartilage are not replaced by the cells and minerals that constitute bone, and the result is abnormally thickened cartilage. This stage of the disease is called osteochondrosis. The abnormally thickened cartilage is usually in an area of the joint that is subject to stress and, hence, prone to damage. Cracks form, and the cartilage can tear forming a
flap - a condition known as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). This flap may remain attached to the end of the bone, or it may tear away and float freely in the joint - a so-called joint mouse.

The cracks, flap, or free cartilage piece lead to inflammation of the joint (arthritis), pain, and lameness. More than one joint is often affected simultaneously. In dogs, the most commonly affected joint is the shoulder, followed by the elbow, hock, and knee.

The degenerative process may stop at any time and repair itself. In the early stages, no intervention by owner or veterinarian may be necessary other than to reduce feed intake and restrict exercise. In advanced cases, in which a flap has already formed, spontaneous cures are rare. Left untreated, animals with osteochondritis dissecans usually go on to develop chronic arthritis and persistent lameness, and surgery is usually required to give them the best chance for pain-free and non-arthritic joints.

Theories about the cause:  The exact sequence of events leading to osteochondritis is still in dispute.  Most veterinary medical scientists agree on the progression of the disease from early clinical signs to arthritis or cure, but the precise physiologic cause of the original defect in ossification is unknown. Similarly, the extent to which heredity and environment influence the development of the
disease is unclear.

There may be genetically determined defects in ossification. The known predisposition of several breeds suggests a hereditary component.  Alternatively, it may be that early stress to the joint and/or poor blood supply to the cartilage are responsible for the delayed ossification and thickening.

Two main theories have been suggested to explain the damage to this thickened cartilage. The first theory is that damage occurs from lack of nutrition.  Joint cartilage receives much of its nourishment from the joint. But nutrients can diffuse into cartilage only a limited distance. It has been suggested that areas of thickened cartilage are deprived of vital joint fluid nutrients and either die spontaneously or are so weakened that they are prone to tearing.

The other theory holds that areas of thickened cartilage lack the blood supply necessary for ossification to occur. According to this theory, stress and trauma interfere with the development of an adequate blood supply to specific areas of cartilage. Failure to ossify creates weak areas in precisely those locations subjected to the most stress. Support for this theory includes the observation that OCD always occurs in the same location in any given joint, and that this location is in a high-stress area.

Clinical signs of disease:  The first sign of osteochondrosis is usually lameness or stiffness in one or more legs. According to Dr. Sten Erick Olsson, a Swedish expert an orthopedic diseases of dogs, the most prominent sign is lameness in one or both forelegs, which is insidious in onset and is made worse by exercise.  Stiffness after rest is another important clue. The lameness may be barely noticeable at first - only a certain shortness to the stride or a lack of fluidity in the gait. As the disease progresses, the lameness becomes more pronounced. The dog usually exhibits pain on deep palpation and on extension and flexion of the affected joint (most often the shoulder).

Diagnosing the condition:  There are many possible causes of lameness in growing dogs. Hence, accurate diagnosis requires a good history, a thorough physical examination, and radiographs (x-rays) or exploratory surgery of the joint. On radiographs, the veterinarian will look for a defect in the normally smooth contour of the bone end (cartilage itself does not normally show up on x-rays but the area of thickening is revealed by the defect in the bone below it.) The animal’s position and the direction of the x-ray beam must be just right in order to get a clear view of the joint. For this reason, it is usually necessary to anaesthetize the animal for radiography. To be certain of the diagnosis, it may be necessary to inject a small amount of air or liquid contrast material into the joint (a procedure known as orthography). This procedure will help reveal a flap or joint mouse. Arthroscopy (the insertion of a very small, periscope-like device into the joint) can be used in some of the larger joints to allow direct visualization of the defect.

Guidelines for treatment:  The best treatment of osteochondrosis is still being researched and debated.  The following guidelines are generally accepted by veterinary surgeons, although individual veterinarians may use modifications that they feel are advantageous.

Both conservative and surgical therapy have their place. For early osteochondrosis, with no flap and only minor pain (especially in very young dogs), restricted activity and a change of diet to adult dog food are recommended. This often leads to spontaneous cure, especially for mild osteochondrosis of the shoulder. If lameness persists, however, surgical exploration of the joint may be warranted. If there is a flap of cartilage present or if one appears to be forming, surgical removal of the flap, smoothing of the defect in the cartilage, and examination of the joint for other problems are indicated. In the past, pain killers and forced exercise were advocated by Dr. Olsson among others in the hope of dislodging the flap.  This is no longer recommended, however, since the risks from complications due to joint surgery are now much lower than the risk of arthritis due to the presence of a flap or joint mouse. Likewise, injections of steroids into the joint were sometimes used to control lameness. Although this may provide temporary relief, steroids do not treat the underlying disease, and they can have severe deleterious effects on the health of the joint cartilage.

Surgeons at Cornell strongly recommend against injections of steroids into joints as a treatment for osteochondrosis.  In the hock, there is almost always a flap present by the time a diagnosis is reached, so surgery is usually necessary for successful management of osteochondrosis of the hock. Osteochondrosis of the knee is seen so infrequently that it is difficult to say what is the most effective approach to therapy. The elbow is the most difficult joint to deal with, because it is hard to make a specific diagnosis based on radiography. The elbow also tends to develop arthritis very early in the course of any joint disease.  Surgical exploration of the elbow joint is indicated for any lameness in which joint changes are visible by x-ray.

Risk factors:  Genetic and environmental conditions that influence the likelihood of developing a disease are called risk factors. For example, in man, smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. Although some non-smokers get lung cancer-and many smokers never do - there is no question that, over all, smokers are at higher risk that is, more likely to develop lung cancer.

As noted earlier, the major risk factors for osteochondrosis are thought to be genetic and environmental. The genetic influences include age, breed, and gender; the foremost environmental ones are thought to be diet and exercise patterns. Diet has been implicated as a risk factor because high-protein and/or high-calorie diets can increase the rate of growth in puppies. Too rapid growth rate has been clearly linked to other skeletal problems in growing dogs. For example, work at Cornell has demonstrated a definite link between over-nutrition and hip dysplasia as well as wobbler syndrome. Dogs that were fed as much high quality feed as they wanted (ad libitum) were found to be much more likely to develop these skeletal problems than dogs on a somewhat restricted diet and slower growth rate. Dr. Olsson doesn’t mince words on this topic in his report in Current Veterinary Therapy. He says, “Owners of dogs belonging to breeds known to develop osteochondrosis should be given the following advice: Don’t overfeed your puppy! The “fat, happy puppy” that is growing at maximal capacity because of ad lib feeding runs a considerable risk of developing osteochondrosis.”

High calcium diets, in particular, are believed to predispose to skeletal problems because the calcium/phosphorus balance in the diet affects bone growth and metabolism.

As a dog grows, the bones must not only enlarge but also remodel. This requires that some of the already formed bone be dissolved and recycled.  Excessively high calcium impedes this normal remodeling and reshaping.  Therefore, high-protein, high-calorie, and /or high-calcium diets are believed to increase the chance of a puppy developing osteochondrosis. It has also been suggested that excessive exercise or very hard play may cause injury to the joint cartilage in rapidly growing dogs.

It must be pointed out, however, that while such risk factors coincide with clinical impressions and preliminary studies, they have by no means been proven, nor have other potential factors been ruled out. If we are to truly understand the origins of osteochondrosis and take steps to prevent its development, we need accurate assessment of the various risk factors involved and their relative importance. The purpose of the Cornell study is to examine the roles that age, breed, sex, certain diets, and exercise patterns play in the development of clinical osteochondrosis, with the ultimate goal of devising methods for preventing the disease.

In general, such questions are investigated using two major approaches. The most familiar approach is experimental. To determine whether high-protein diets cause osteochondrosis, for example, one could use two groups of laboratory dogs. One group would be fed a high-protein diet and the other group a low-protein diet. Everything else would be kept identical. These dogs would then be followed over time and assessed, using x-rays and other measures, to see whether the dogs fed high-protein diets develop osteochondrosis more often than those fed the low-protein diet. The main advantage of this approach is that there could be good control over extraneous factors, such as exercise and water source, that might influence the disease, so that any differences noted would be truly the effect of the diet. Unfortunately, such experiments are extremely costly not only in terms of time and money but also in terms of dogs ( a large number of dogs would have to be watched for up to three years.) It is also difficult to evaluate many factors simultaneously or to assess how they affect one another.

The second major approach is called observational. In this kind of study, the presence of risk factors among cases of naturally occurring osteochondrosis are compared with their occurrence among normal animals, called controls. The advantage is lower cost (in terms of dollars and dogs) and a more accurate picture of the real world situation. Determining whether any one factor - for example, a high protein diet - contributes to osteochondrosis is much more difficult, however, since it is hard to determine what the dog was actually fed and the observations are “uncontrolled.” That is, dogs on different diets may also differ in age, breed, or amount of exercise. Sophisticated statistical methods are needed to control all of the contributing factors and indicate those of greatest importance.

The on-going study by Dr. Slater is of the observational type. It is being conducted on records from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell and the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. A preliminary analysis has already been completed to evaluate age, breed and gender as risk factors in the development of osteochondrosis. The exact figures will likely change somewhat as additional data are evaluated, but the trends are already clear.

The risk of a particular attribute being associated with osteochondrosis is expressed as an odds ratio. That is, what are the odds of this factor being present among a group of dogs that have osteochondrosis compared to a group of dogs without the disease? For example, Golden Retrievers have an odds ratio of 6, which suggests that Golden Retrievers are six times more likely to develop osteochondrosis than mixed breed dogs ( the baseline group of dogs used for comparison).

Compared to all osteochondrosis-free dogs seen at Cornell during 1983 (the control group), dogs one to two years old are 18 times more likely to develop osteochondrosis than dogs over two years of age. These results confirm the clinical impression that osteochondrosis is a disease of young growing dogs, and they can be of help to owners and clinicians in targeting the population in which the disease is most likely to develop. Dogs in the young age range, especially those of susceptible breeds, should be watched closely for signs of lameness. If such signs appear, osteochondrosis is a definite possibility. Prompt veterinary attention should be sought to determine whether any other condition is present and to halt the progression of the disease before the damage becomes irreversible.

Breed is unquestionably a factor. More than 25 different breeds were represented among over 100 cases of osteochondrosis seen at Cornell in the last eight years, but the Bermese Mountain Dog, Golden  Retriever, Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, and Rottweiler.

Salmon Poisoning In Dogs
the following was modified from a forwarded email from Suzanne Eikanger-Stoops

Until a week and ago, I had never heard of this potentially life threatening illness in dogs.   That is until my young dog found a dead spawner at the river.  I thought nothing of it at the time, then a few days later he was deathly ill.  My darling yearling Rottweiler import was the one who got deadly sick.  He went from a 106 lb. ball of fire to an 84.5lb drained waif in a matter of only a few days.  It was all we could do to keep him going with the IV, and medication. For three days after he was off IV I fed a spoonful of food with pedialite every hour, per my vets instruction. I was so tired, I felt like the walking dead.  Now a week and a half later, aside from a soft stool, he is back to his old self. 

The micro-organism causes such violent nausea and diarrhea (after a few hours almost all blood) that it literally drains the dog to the point of death.  Because it's symptoms are so similar to parvo and a couple of other nasties, it is very easy to miss diagnose until it's too late.

I was extremely lucky, my dog was not very young or old, and in prime condition prior to getting ill.  Fortunately I have an excellent vet, and with IV therapy, amoxicillan and tetracycline my dog’s life was saved.  If there is even the slightest possibility your dog could come into contact with raw or partially cooked fish on the central west coast, you should read the information below.

Background info:  The fluke Nanophyetus salmincola is host to a rickettsia (a microorganism) called Neorickettsia helminthoeca that can cause a disease commonly known as salmon poisoning disease (SPD).  The organism develops in snails (Oxytrema plicifer), infect and develop into cysts in fish, are ingested by dogs where they infect the intestinal tract.  The dogs excrete eggs in their stool, the organism reenters the water, infects snails and the cycle begins again.

SNAIL ==>  FISH  ===>   DOG ===> SNAIL

This microorganism is found in salmon, steelhead, trout, Pacific giant salamanders and fresh water fish found in and around the Pacific Ocean from Northern California to Seattle.  The geographical limitations are likely caused by the limited habitats of infected snails.

Symptoms: The onset of symptoms is usually sudden, usually 5-7 days after ingestion but can be delayed up to a month.  Symptoms last for 7-10 days and can be fatal in a majority (up to 90%)of untreated dogs. The dog's temperature can peak suddenly and then return to normal or even below normal.  There can be severe and bloody diarrhea, dehydration, severe weight loss and complete loss of appetite.   Symptoms can look like parvo or distemper.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis is made by finding fluke eggs in the stool. 

Treatment:  Treatment includes hydration and nutrition, blood transfusions as well as antibiotics and related medications prescribed by a veterinarian.  Dogs that have been infected and recovered can develop immunity.

Prevention:  This potentially fatal disease can be prevented by not feeding raw or partially cooked (possibly even cold-smoked) fish to your dog.   Since fish can also have tiny bones that can become lodged in your dog's throat or intestinal tract, it may be best to avoid fresh fish altogether.

Thanks to Suzanne Eikanger-Stoops for sharing this important information!

Check Your Yards for the 'DESTROYING ANGEL'
(amanita virosa) Mushroom!
the following was taken from a forwarded email

Check your yards!  I write to you with a very heavy heart as we lost our beautiful Rory  (Ch. Rivermist Wrap'd In Rainbows) on Friday night. She was 20 months old,  and was planning to leave next week to work on her Canadian championship before a US specials career. Thursday morning, I let Rory in the yard while I packed the van for a dog show -- she was unattended in our yard for less than a 1/2 hour. We are VERY careful about the yard and what is in it. I left at 9 a.m. and she was bouncing around, happy and just fine. My husband came home from work that evening to find Rory in shock in her crate. She was taken to the emergency clinic and put in critical care.  My vet went with her and sat by her side through very nearly the entire ordeal.   Rory ate a mushroom in our yard.  It was white with a red inside and has been taken off to the lab in Michigan for analysis. When I have a name for it, I will be sure to let you know.  When I tell you that EVERYTHING was done for her, please rest assured that everything under the sun was done for this dog. This is my profession, these are my friends... and they walked to the end of the earth for Rory and it was not enough to save her.

After two days and nights of very intensive medical work-ups, Rory's heart stopped beating and she could not be resuscitated. I never said good bye to her and I never knew that leaving for that dog show without her was the last time I would ever see her. She was the absolute joy in my life.

Watch your yards for mushrooms! They pop up overnight. Here's some symptoms that you have a problem...and I can tell you that by the time there are symptoms, it is too late to be corrected.... dilated, fixed pupils, depressed respirations and heart rate, sub-normal body temperature, and decreased blood glucose. If you see your dog eat a mushroom - induce vomiting immediately.

Use a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and GET IT OUT OF YOUR DOG'S SYSTEM.  It could save their life. We are still entirely grief-stricken over the loss of our Rory. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share this with you. I can only imagine how long it will take to heal our hearts.

Update: Just spent the day at the Plant Pathology lab at Rutgers State University with Dr James White, a mycologist. Between Dr. White, poison control, and the Toxicology Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, we have all the information we can get about Rory's death. The name of the mushroom she ate is called "DESTROYING ANGEL" (amanita virosa). How befitting the name is this is what it did to our lives. They thrive on roots of oak trees and therefore I need to tell you that ANY white mushroom located near an oak tree is suspect to be a variety of the very highly toxic Amanita variety of mushrooms.  Dr. White informed me that this mushroom kills adults - a 3x3" mushroom!  He only has one other reported care with a dog - a Labrador retriever and the outcome was the same as Rory's. Life expectancy for an adult is 3-4 days after consuming the mushroom. It is shorter in children or pets (in Rory's case, 2 1/2 days) because of their small size.

I hope you will take this information, cross post it, and pass it on.  I hope that Rory died so that others may live. Maybe the life she has saved will even be my son, who is as apt to put something in his mouth as any dog would be.

Characteristics of the mushroom: mushroom is all white -- white top, white stem, white "gills underneath" has a "crumbly" texture -- fragile and may fall apart in your hands. Mature mushrooms have a flat, round cap that is 2-3 inches wide mushrooms is 2-4 inches tall.  Immature -- still deadly - mushrooms have a more "ball" appearance to the cap; the stem tapers to a fat base will be found near oak tree or roots of an oak tree and cannot be eradicated with commercial fungicides.

Ear Wash For Those Irritating Yeast Infections
the following was modified from a forwarded email from Dee Fleetwood

Canine companions with drop ears, often get those pesty yeast infections.  The showing signs are brown gunky stuff coming out and a musty smell in the ear canal.  My vet just gave me a wonderful recipe for an ear wash for those irritating yeast infections dogs with pendulous ears get in the summer!

* mix a solution of 1/4 alcohol to 3/4 white vinegar

Squirt the mixture into the ear generously, then stuff 2-3 cotton balls in and massage the ear at the base, then stand back and let him shake the cotton balls out.  Make sure all the cotton balls come out!

This solution can be somewhat irritating (with the alcohol), so don't overdo it.  Dee says she administers it with a large 20 cc syringe (without the needle!) or you can use a common bulb syringe. While the dog shows signs of the ear infection, do this once a day for 5 days, then weekly for the remainder of the summer.

(VWR) When cleaning dog ears, it's a delicate procedure...try not to poke and prod too heavily -- this will only irritate the ear canal.  I've often found that if you treat the ear sparingly and don't overdo it, but be aware of the dog's ear condition, and check it LESS than more, the dog often will do better.

Also, I think that by feeding a dog more fresh, natural foods, they have less a chance of getting an ear yeast infection.

Thanks for the info Dee!

Dog Show Crud, aka "Camby" (Campylobacteriosis)
Reproduced with permission of Vetmed  

Often mistakenly diagnosed as Parvo, 'Camby' must NOT be treated as such. It's a bacterial imbalance in the digestive tract. This is NOT a new form of Parvo. Parvo tests will show a LOW positive and subsequent  tests will continue to show low positives, will be inconclusive, or will give erratic results.  This disease is so similar to
Parvo, that some dogs have tested in the low positive for Parvo. But they do not have Parvo, and it has been recommended that three parvo tests are needed to exclude Parvo.   Mode of infection: widely varied, but mostly from contact with urine, feces, something brought in on shoes, etc. Symptoms usually start 12 to 48 hrs. after initial contact and spread to susceptible dogs rapidly (young or weaker dogs).

It's everywhere! It's on your shoes, in the places where dogs sniff, urine on posts or ground, or trees, or feces, etc. Pups have a difficult time surviving, but if caught quick enough (before anorexia), no one dies. Death occurs because of dehydration. Some dogs get better without treatment.

This disease seems to move from the West to the East through the dog shows. It is medically known as Campylobacteriosis, name of the organism causing this is Campylobacter Jejuni. This disease can be tested for specifically, so if you have an affected dog that
appears to have Parvo, but in your mind know that, that could not be possible, have them tested for "Camby". It is important to note that this disease can be transferred between humans, dogs, cats and other livestock.

Dogs are alert, hungry, energetic, with normal feces. It starts with fecal mucus sheath & continues to get progressively softer until it  is  watery & contains blood. It then becomes explosive.

Vomiting may accompany & may or may not also contain blood. Feces have a sweet/flowery aroma along with a "slaughterhouse
on a summer day" smell  (similar to parvo diarrhea but with a floral hint).  Feces are *usually* mustard colored. Dogs dehydrate at an astounding rate.

Do NOT automatically assume Parvo when you see this.  Parvo treatments have killed the majority of Crud dogs. If you suspect Parvo, try the Cephalexin 1st, if it doesn't work, THEN assume parvo. Do NOT use Amoxycillin. Keflex has worked in the past, but slowly & speed is the important thing here. Dogs should show improvement within hours of treatment.

What is happening is that there is a bacterial growth in the digestive tract which throws it off balance. The body is trying to counteract  this by removing the extra (or offending) bacteria. It seems to do this by  trying to remove ALL body fluids as quickly as possible. Death is caused by massive dehydration. From the 1st signs of symptoms, death can be as short as 12 hrs, or as long as 7 days.

The younger the dog, the worse it is. The key is to treat this as fast as possible before the dogs go anorexic AND to treat ALL dogs on the premises (non-afflicted dogs should get ONE capsule). Treatment is 250mg Cephalexin per 25lbs of body weight. This MUST be given orally NOT IV  - it MUST go thru the digestive tract.

If the dog vomits the pill up, just give it again until it stays down. Give another dose approximately 12 hrs. later. If the dog returns to normal DO NOT medicate again. It's important NOT to run a full 10 day course of this drug as it has (in the past) caused the bacterial balance to go the other way. If needed, give medication for 2 more days, or  whenever symptoms re-occur.

Pups may get Ceph-drops. If your pups are anywhere near 20lbs, even around 15lbs, go ahead & give then the regular Ceph. But
just not as many times as you would an adult. Treat every dog whether they have symptoms or not, just give them less.

If the dogs are massively dehydrated, DO NOT use a force IV drip. Lactated Ringers Solution SUB-Q is suggested & forcing
electrolytes orally. IV rehydration HAS thrown animals into deep shock. Slow rehydration.  Slow slow slow. Just enough to keep them alive until the *bug* is nipped in the bud. You can also give Pedialyte (electrolytes). Once the drug  has had time to take effect & the dogs are a bit more together, you can rehydrate IV, but NOT on a continuous drip.

After the diarrhea has stopped, you can cram the dog as full of fluids as you want, just not when it is at its most fragile point. You don't want to shock an already shocked system. Also, DO NOT flea-dip/ worm/vaccinate at this time!

Anorexic dogs have to be tempted to eat again. Rare, bloody, slightly garlicky & slightly salty beef has worked the best in the past for getting the appetites working. Start small. You may have to give anorexic dogs Nutri-Cal to get them going again. But after they
are cured they *will* begin to eat again. 

Regular bleach dilution is the best disinfectant.  Then rinse the bleach off. Wash dog blankets in the same bleach dilution. Make sure all feces are picked up where  the dogs run.

~~~

Technical info:  The Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram-negative slender, curved and motile rod. It is a species of bacteria that resemble small rightly coiled pirals.  Its organisms are known to cause abortion in sheep and fever and enteritis in man and may be associated with enteric diseases of calves, lambs and other animals. A genus of bacteria found in the reproductive organs, intestinal tract and oral cavity of animals and man. Some species are pathogenic. It is a microaerophilic organism, which means it has a requirement educed level of oxygen. It is relatively fragile and sensitive to environmental stresses (e.g. 21% oxygen, drying, heating, disinfectants and acidic conditions). It causes more disease than Shigella spp and Salmonella spp combined.  It is also known as Campylobacter enteritis or gastroenteritis. It can also be diagnosed as Spirochete or Giardia diarrhea.
Testing: Diagnosis is by a direct fecal on a very fresh (still warm, so  cteria are still alive) sample, mixed with saline and examined microscopically. There is usually a decrease in normal bacterial numbers and motility. Blood testing will result in the low
positive for Parvo.
Incubation Time: It's incubation period is reported to be anywhere from 2 to 10 days.
Symptoms: Like I mentioned earlier, this can mimic Parvo. The diarrhea does not always have the foul order. It usually progresses as follows:  Begins with mucus covered solid stools, loose stools, progresses to diarrhea, profuse diarrhea, the squirts, depressed
appetite with or without vomiting. The diarrhea may be watery or sticky and can contain blood. These symptoms can be minor to severe - some animals hardly show any symptoms, while others can become fatally dehydrated. Also seen are temperature drops and shock followed by death, all within 12 to 24 hours.
Source of infection: Fecal matter, non-chlorinated water, such as streams, ponds or puddles. This disease can also be transmitted to these areas by our common fly, flitting from one host to another. The bacteria is also found in raw or under cooked meat. For all
intents and purposes for the Dog Show Crud, it is transmitted in public X-Pens and public elimination areas. Some also say through urine, saliva via contact or through the air. This bacteria reproduces at a rapid rate.
Treatment: As soon as any of the symptoms are seen, see your veterinarian immediately for the proper tests because the disease
progresses so rapidly. Re-hydration may be required within a few hours of onset. This is the worse scenario. It could be that the dog will have a very mild case and be treated at home with anti-diarrheal medication and bland diet, but it is not worth it to take a chance. Most cases are not as drastic/catastrophic, clinically, as parvo.
Drugs for treatment: Tetracycline, Erythromycin and some have had success using Cephalexin.

FDA Approves Long-Term Heartworm
Injection:  ProHeart6
from The Associated Press

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first long-term injectable drug to prevent heartworm in dogs.  One injection provides six months of heartworm protection, the agency said Thursday.

The new drug, ProHeart 6, provides an alternative to current heartworm drugs that involve pills taken daily or monthly.  Heartworm is a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes that can be deadly. In its adult stage the worm infects the heart and major blood vessels of the animal.

The disease occurs in all 50 states with the highest rates of infection within 150 miles of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast from Texas to New Jersey, and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries, FDA said.

ProHeart 6 is made by Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa. The drug will be available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian. It is approved for use in dogs 6 months of age and older and also treats existing hookworm infections, FDA reported.

Beware of Cocoa Shell Mulch
the following was taken from a forwarded email

Most of you know how dangerous it is to give dogs any chocolate and especially the dark cooking chocolate.  The dangerous active ingredient is theobromine.  There is an environmentally friendly cocoa shell mulch (available in the UK and US) used for gardens which contains this substance. The sacks available in the UK contain a very small notice that it may cause pets to have stomach upsets.

My friends 3 year old Golden Retriever has just died from eating a very small quantity of the shells and his vet has written to our local paper confirming that she died of theobromine poisoning.

I understand that the company who market this stuff have been ordered to put a more prominent notice on the sacks but I would hope that you would spread this warning to all dog owning friends.

*See more tips on preventing pet poisoning from the University of New Hampshire website.