GLWR Medical Corner

It's Hot Out There!

2009-06-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and is it ever a hot one.

If your Weim is like mine, he or she will lay under the ceiling fan in the air conditioned house. Yet when you are outside they will be your Velcro and at your side no matter how hot.

We just want to remind you when your dogs are out with you make sure they have plenty of fresh cold water, I fill our bucket with ice cubes, keeps them busy! Also a shaded area in case they want to cool off a bit.

This is the time of year many people go hiking and camping. As much as our fur kids enjoy it, sometimes they don't realize how over heated they are.

Here are some signs to watch for:

-Heavy Panting

-Thick Saliva

-Wide "Bug" Eyes

-Bright Red Tongue

-Vomiting

-Diarrhea

-In Sever Cases, Coma

Please make sure to pack a first aid kit for your fur-kid and plenty of fresh water.

Include in your first aid kit:

-Gauze

-Triple Anti-Biotic

-Eye Wash

-Ace Bandage (size depends on size of your dog(s) )

-Petroleum jelly

-Benadryl capsules (for allergic reactions)

-Hydrogen peroxide

-Bandage scissors

-Saline Solution

-Phone number of a local emergency vet

A friend recently told me about a friend of hers. A care giver was watching her non-fur kids. They ran to the store, the kids wanted to dog to come with. They took her, left the car windows up, when they came back 45 min later!!!!!!! the dog had over heated and crossed the bridge. The little girls were devastated, they were to young to understand to need the windows open, the care giver was not. In the event you see this in a parking lot please notify your local law enforcement as well as the store you are going in to so they can announce over their system the licence plate number and a dog in left in a care with the windows up.

We hope you have a safe and cool summer,

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

Butterflies and Gardens...

2009-05-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year to start the garden!!!

Of course butterflies are not toxic and can provide fun and entertainment for puppies and sometimes adult dogs too!

Remember when planting flowers, fruits and veggies or buying trees, some are toxic to the fur-kids. Some tags will let the buyer know it may be toxic to dogs. Also some will let you know if it repels deer!

Some common toxic garden varieties include:

-Day Lily
-Easter Lily
-Holly Bushes
-Wisteria
-Aloe
-Coleus
-Birds of Paradise
-Apricots
-Rhubarb

Please check the following sites for a complete list:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24544541/#storyContinued

http://www.cybercanine.com/toxicplants.htm

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/index.jsp?plant_toxicity=toxic-to-dogs&page=1

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/protect_your_pet_from_common_household_dangers/common_poisonous_plants.html

Happy Gardening,

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

Maisey's Story

2009-05-03T19:49:00.001-07:00

This post is under construction, please check back soon.

Thank you,

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

Giardia and Coccidia

2009-05-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

People are more familiar with hearing test for heartworm, some, depending on where they live, check for tick born illness, but giardia and coccidia...Not as much.

Giardia and Coccidia are single cell organisms. They find their way to the dogs intestine and that is when the trouble starts.

With both dogs must ingest a the cyst from the parasite. But this does happen and before you know it the dog is infected.

Coccidia is seen more in puppies then adult dogs. Puppies are not born with Coccidia, but they can become infected from their mother.

Giardia is seen in puppies and adults. This is transmitted by other animals fecal droppings.

Many dogs that come in to shelters as strays, or those who live outside in unclean conditions, with unclean water to drink come in bring Giardia with them.

A simple stool sample can detect the parasites, BUT it is difficult. The organisms are very difficult to see.

Under a microscope, Giardia looks like a cartoon or over exaggerated drawing. Coccidia looks like black dots.

Symptoms include:

-diarrhea

-Blood in diarrhea
-Dehydration
-Lack of appetite

-Very thin, to thin, may look emaciated.

Both of these must be treated immediately. More then one round of treatment may be required.

-If you have multiple dogs designate an area for the infected dog to potty.

-Clean up immediately, do not allow fecal to sit out.

-Dog not allow your other dog to "mother" or clean the infected dog.

-Keep a careful eye on your dog that is not infected.

-Follow your veterinarians course of treatment.

-Remember, you dog will recover and be back to normal, it is just a bump in the road of dog ownership.

Your Friends At,

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1622&aid=727

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=739

Worms and Parasites.

2009-04-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

In rescue we see many things, one of the most common is parasites and worms. When we pull a dog from a shelter most of the time they are strays and/or not cared for very well.

Worms come in all sizes and shapes.

When dogs are strays they come in contact with all sorts of hazards. The most common being a worm or parasite. When a lost or stray dog gets thirsty they look for water anywhere, in puddles, lakes, ponds, dirty water holes. When they are hungry they will find anything they can to eat, sometimes small animals such as mice, rabbits, maybe a baby bird.

Many of these wild animals have fleas which of course can jump to the dog. Not only are the fleas an itchy annoyance, but they can also cause a dog to get Tapeworm.

Tapeworms like to make themselves at home in the dogs intestines. While in the intestine the Tapeworm grows and absorbs the nutrients meant for the dog. Tapeworms can grow to be larger then most worms dogs come in contact with. They look like a long thin limp noodle.

Hookworms are another worm that dogs can pick up while searching for food and drinking contaminated water. Once again these can be treated -- more then one cycle of treatment is required. These worms are generally very small and are hard to see with the naked eye. However like with Tapeworm and other worms, you may see dead ones in your dogs fecal when they are dying off from the medication.

Whipworms occur in a dog when they ingest the eggs or larva from an adult worm. They take a bit less then 3 months to hatch and become adult worms that then live once again in the dogs intestines. These are also small, usually smaller or as small as hooks. They have what looks like a thread at the end of their bodies.

Roundworms are probably the most common and easily recognizable. The best way to describe them is like a white worm. A single dog can carry many roundworms and in their fecal deposit thousands of eggs just waiting for another host. Roundworms are visible to the naked eye.

IT IS IMPORTANT IT YOUR DOG HAS WORMS TO PICK UP THEIR FECAL AS SOON AS THEY GO. This can help prevent reinfection as well has minimize the exposure to any other dogs you may have. Also, do not let your other dogs groom or clean your dog while they have worms.

As aggravating as these worms are with hand washing and a clean yard transmission to a human is extremely low.

All these worms are treatable, if your dog comes in contact with them after a run in the field, walk in the woods, trip to a dog park, or anywhere else they may go.

A simple fecal can check for all these worms and more. To treat worms is fairly easy. Your dogs doctor can give you a liquid or power medication. All the medication must be given and a 2nd round is usually required. Always give as directed, this is a toxin or poison, to much can be harmful to your dog, but in the right dosage will kill off the worms without harming your dog.

While your dog is on the medication you may notice some diareah. Some canned pumpkin can help firm up their stools, don't be alarmed if their stool becomes the color of the canned pumpkin. Also you may notice some dead worms in their stool Don't be alarmed, this is completely normal.

In sever cases as some of us have seen, myself included, when a dog has an advanced case and have a heavy infestation they may vomit some dead worms. Simply clean them up and immediately use a cleaner to clean the are. Your dog will be OK, it is just another way to rid themselves of the worms. Luckily this is the exception, not the rule.

Have a safe and happy Spring! We hope you and your pets enjoy the outdoors.

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/worms.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=769 (Tapes)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=778 (Whips)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=747 (Hooks)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=762 (Rounds)

Ticks

2009-04-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Not only are ticks hard time find, they tend to blend in very well, they like to bring a few diseases with them.

We have all heard that humans can get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia. Dogs can too! Dogs with these conditions can be treated and go on to live a normal healthy lactive lives.

Your blogger has a dog she pulled from a shelter that had RMSF (and Heartworm). On her trip to the vet I asked for a Tick Titer, which is a simple blood draw. The blood is sent to the lab to check for exposure.

If your dog comes back positive for exposure treatment should be started immediately! At that time antibiotics should be given. My girl didn't have any symptoms and still showed positive for exposure.

Many wellness exams do not include a Titer for Tick Born Illness. This is something you would have to request.

Dogs can pick up Ticks just about anywhere, even in your own backyard.

If your dog is active and goes on hikes with the family, dogs parks, hunting, walking through the woods they can pick up a tick, just as easily as we can.

Flea and Tick Prevention is available for your pet. Most veterinary offices carry at least one brand you can purchase.

And who wants to pick off those creepy bugs?!

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0038.htm

Oh no! Flea Season

2009-04-22T19:06:00.001-07:00

Dog ownership isn't always pretty! It is that time of year the fleas and ticks are out. YUCK!

Everyone knows what they are. Once a dog gets them they are no fun for everyone involved. Did you know our canine friends can get tapeworms from fleas? So not only does your poor pooch have these nasty itchy little bugs on him/her, but they may be in danger of getting Tapeworm! (We'll get to the Tapeworm in our Worm post. Yes, we cover all the fun topics here.)

Also, once fleas get in your house, well, lets just say, they are the like the house guest that over stays their welcome. And if you have multiple dogs, that is all the more fun for the fleas.

Your blogger doesn't recommend a flea collar.

-If you have a dog that gets bored when you are not home, they may find a way to get the collar off and decide to make in to a chew toy!

-Young children may pet the dog and cuddle with them. Now they have been exposed to the toxin on the flea collar.

-Their is debate about their effectiveness.

The best way to prevent your dog from bringing fleas in to your house is to give your dog flea prevention. Your local vet can help you decide what option is right for you dog.

Their are holistic as well as traditional ways to keep you fur-kid flea free.

Here is to a flea free season!

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

http://www.darwinvets.com/dogs/fleas.htm

http://frontline.us.merial.com/home/

http://k9advantix.petparents.com/

Heartbreak

2009-04-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

OK, so the heart isn't really broken, but Heartworm is a very serious and deadly condition.

GLWR has seen their fair share of Heartworm positive dogs.

Our recent addition, Violet, is positive and will be under going treatment.

Her former owner did not give her preventative and due to this reason she will now undergo the painful procedure to rid her of the worms.

All is takes is one pesky mosquito to spred Heartworm. Every state in the lower 48 states has reported cases of Heartworm every year. So if your dog is from another state they could have still been exposed.

A yearly blood test can help rule out the disease as well as prevention. Your local Vet office should carry at least one brand you can purchase. Make sure your dogs weight is recorded accurately so the proper dosage is given.

A dog that was once Heartworm positive, they like any other dog, must stay on prevention for the rest of their lives. They are just as susceptible as getting it again as any other dog. They do not build up an immunity nor is it a condition once they get it they will never get it again.

As serious as the disease is, those that are treated, can go on to live long, happy, and health lives.

Websites:

http://glwrvi.blogspot.com/

http://www.homevet.com/petcare/heartwor.html

Ewwww!!! What is that???

2009-01-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

One of the first things many people notice about Weims, after their color, are their ears. Long and beautiful! Soft as velvet.

But inside those ears it's a differnt story all together! Routine cleaning, like with any breed, is imperative. As with their Pointer cousins sometimes Weims can have an over growth of yeast in their ears. This can lead to an undesirable scent.

If this is something that you notice first clean each ear. After doing so give you Weim a dollop or two of PLAIN yogurt on their food. Not only will they love it, but this will help clear up their "yeasty" ears.

Of course the rest of your pack, even those without yeasty ears, would enjoy this treat too. Plain yogurt also aids in their digestion.

As always if your sweetie pie has food allergies, you must be extremely careful if you chose to introduce a food they have never had in the past.

You may also want to take your Weim in to see his or her Dr. They can evaluate their ears and prescribe any necessary medication they may need.

And look at it this way, they are easier then Basset or Bloodhound ears! But on our blog much of this info and health care help with other breeds as well.

Stay Warm!

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

Holiday...

2008-12-25T06:47:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a beautiful Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivis, Kwanza and hoping your 2009 is special.

Your Friends,

The Great Lakes Weim Family.

Mistletoe...Say It Ain't So!

2008-12-01T17:04:00.000-08:00

No kissing your pooch under the mistletoe??!! Yes, its true mistletoe is poisonous to our furry friends, cats as well.

Also don't forget to put the poinsettia's out of sight for cats and dogs too!

One of our volunteers decided to put feathered bird ornaments in her live tree. She however did not think about how tempting this would be to her 3 hunting breeds, including a Weim. CRASH!!! The fake feathered birds proved to me much to tempting! So yes, live trees are fine with dogs, but you may want to omit the feathered ornaments! Hers have since been retired.

For a complete list of toxic plants please refer to: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxicplants#P

Your Friends at GLWR.

Brrrrrrrrr...It's Cold Outside!

2008-12-01T09:28:00.001-08:00

It is that time of year! The wind and snow are here, or on it's way if you don't have any yet.

Remember just because you're 4 legged family member has a built in fur coat they get cold too. Of course they still have to go out and do their business in the yard or kennel run, but please limit their exposure to the frigid cold and elements. Also, shelter outside will make a more pleasant experience if they like to be in the cold or outside.

Watch for sharp ice too! It cannot be avoided with the snow, rain, their running through the yard, but watch for injured paw pads. If this does happen, clean the area and wrap it, seek medical advice if bleeding does not stop.

This time of year is for celebrating and enjoying time with family and friends. How about considering opening your door to a furry friend that needs somewhere to stay while they are waiting for their fur ever home? They may not be able to give you a gift, but they sure can brighten you holidays!

Happy Holidays,

Great Lakes Weim Rescue

Puppy Mills..

2008-11-15T12:33:00.000-08:00

Sigh...Puppy mills* are still big business. This time of year pet stores advertise puppies as Christmas presents. Sadly most of those puppies came from puppy mills and many end up at shelters once people realize the breed isn't the right one for them. The lucky ones make it out of the shelter and into rescue. But usually come Feb-April rescues are overwhelmed with Christmas presents that are no longer wanted and dogs that did not preform well hunting.

Also many puppies that come from puppy mills are sick, do not have proper socialization, it isn't always known who their mom and dad are since their are so many litters on the ground at once, sometimes siblings are bred together, they are handled harshly, females are over bred and tossed aside when they are no longer "useful". And the conditions are not healthy conditions for dogs, much less a puppy.

Yes these puppies do need homes, but when you purchase a pet store puppy the puppy mill makes a large profit and it encourages them to breed more puppies and the cycle continues.

Puppies are cute and very lovable, and a lot of work. If you are looking for a puppy their are many in rescues and shelters. Rescues and sheltrs work on a very small budget with little to no profit whereas puppy mills profit greatly.

Also don't forget the dogs in shelters during the holiday season that need homes too. Old dogs make excellent companions as well.

Some of the dogs in rescues were puppy mill dogs, rescues get them healthy, socialized them and showed them love, trust, and the joys of human and dog companionship.

We encourage you to research the breed you'd like to adopt whether it be a Weim or not. Make sure the breed is right for your family and lifestyle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppy_mills

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html

Seperation Anxiety

2008-10-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

Did you ever hear the expression Velcro-Dog? Well, that would apply to many Weims!

Weims may look like big tough dogs, but under that beauty can be a bit of separation anxiety. They are not as independent as their Pointer or Lab cousins. Many Weims would prefer staying closer to "their" humans, they would spend all day and go to work with them if then could! Some lucky ones do get to go to work with mom and dad, but for those that don't they may have a harder time coping.

Separation anxiety manifest itself in various ways:
-drooling
-whining
- barking and more barking
-shaking
-licking a raw spot on their paw/other areas
-pacing

Socrates mom used to come home to a messy crate, but not anymore. (We'll get to that in a minute). It is very important to note a Weim is doing this because they are very upset, not because they are mad at you.

Their are ways to help your Weim cope.

-Get them a crate, this will be their space, in the wild it would have been their den.
-Give them plenty of toys in their crate, a Kong with frozen peanut butter works wonders.
-Big Nyla bones works well for chewing, they may choke on a rawhide if unsupervised.
-Two Kongs one with frozen peanut butter and one with treats/kibble, something they will have to work to get out, this will keep them so busy trying to get the yummy food they may forget you are gone.
-Many of us are to busy to keep an exact schedule, but routine may help a stressed out Weim cope.
-Not making a big deal out of your return, that may reinforce the anxiety behavior. This isn't to say don't be happy to see them, pet them and love them, but don't go overboard.
-Putting your Weim in a crate while you are home for a short time and rewarding with yummy treats when they are let out.
-Herbal calmers that plug in may help to. Stores have a variety of calmers.
-And love, patience and understanding that your Weim really misses you and just can't wait to see you again. Your Weim may have come from a sketchy past and is happy to finally have someone to love.

Eventually your Weim should get over his/her anxiety and will realize you will always come home to them.

http://www.starbreezes.com/11/sep.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/4727/how_to_help_your_dog_with_canine_seperation.html?cat=53

Bloat...

2008-10-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

That is a word no dog owner wants to hear. Unfortunately for Weim owners they can hear it more often then other breed owners.

Their are many causes for bloat, including, but not limited to:

-Eating to quickly.
-Drinking water to quickly.
-Elevated food bowls.
-Stress.
-Feeding food that can cause gas, ie, soy.
-Males are more prone then females.

For a compete list please refer to resource at the bottom of this entry.

Some symptoms are:

-Dog trying to vomit without success.
-Odd behavior.
-Shallow breathing.
-Gums become discolored, very pale.
-Foam from the mouth.
-Lethargic.
-Rapid Heartbeat.

Prevention:

-Avoid high stress.
-Do not use elevated bowls.
-Feed frequent small meals opposed to one big meal.
-Do not allow exercise for at least one hour after feeding. (Perfect for cuddling time!)

Bloat is a very serious condition. Dogs must receive immediate medical treatment ASAP! Without treatment your beloved pet will cross to the Rainbow Bridge. More often then not surgery is the only option. In some cases other measures may be taken.

Suture the stomach in a way to prevent it from twisting again (a procedure called gastropexy). If gastropexy is not performed, 75-80% of dogs will develop GDV again.

Sadly even with treatment some dogs will still cross to the Bridge. But about 75% go on to live a normal, happy, healthy life.

Some Weim owners and dog owners will never experience this sudden frightening condition, others have gone through it more then once with their dogs.

We don't want this to detour you from adopting from our rescue. We like for our adopters to be fully informed about the breed.

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm#Prevention

http://largedogbreedz.com/your-large-dogs-health/dog-health-conditions/dog-bloat-treatment/prevention.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1571&aid=402

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1571&aid=402

Parvo

2008-08-29T08:36:00.001-07:00

At Great Lakes Weimeraner Rescue we do our best to keep up with the latest medical information and happenings.

As we hear about new happenings and/or outbreaks we will post them on our Medical Blog.

Parvo is a very dangerous and devastating illness for all dogs.

http://workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm

Lynn, one of our volunteers, has heard about a Parvo outbreak.

I received this from one of the vet's in Grand Rapids
There has been a lot of press around suspected outbreak of parvo in west Michigan.

The west Mich. vets released this official response to the Grand Rapids press on 08/26/2008:West Michigan Academy of Small Animal Practitioners called an emergency meeting of local veterinarians to discuss current concerns regarding canine parvo virus in our pet population.

Parvo viral infection has been prevalent in the canine population since the early 1980s. This disease causes severe vomiting and diarrhea that can lead to life threatening dehydration. Dogs that contract this infection and are not properly treated will usually die from canine parvo viral infection. Thirty-six area veterinarians gathered and compared results of current research articles, incidence of infection and methods of protection for our canine pets. These are our results:There has NOT been an obvious increase in the number of canine parvoviral infections in properly immunized dogs this season.

However, dogs that are not appropriately vaccinated may run a very high risk of parvo viral infection. This disease is a potentially devastating, life-threatening illness.There have been no confirmed cases of the new C2 strain of canine parvo virus in Michigan. This strain of the virus has been isolated in Europe and in 12 other US states and has been present for 7+ years.Currently, it appears that properly immunized dogs are protected from the C2 strain of parvo virus. It is imperative that dogs be properly immunized in order to have the best chance of protection from all forms of parvo virus.

All the vaccines currently being used by area veterinarians are protective against the 2C strain of parvov irus(providing the proper vaccination protocols are followed).Unvaccinated puppies and unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated adults dogs are at greatest risk for parvo virus and should be seen by their veterinarian as soon as possible.Proper immunization protocol:-Puppies should be vaccinated beginning at 4 to 8 weeks and then vaccinated every 2 to 4 weeks until the puppies are older than 16weeks (4 months) of age.-After 16 weeks of age, the adult dog should be vaccinated 1 year later and then at appropriate intervals as described by your veterinarian.-An unvaccinated or inappropriately vaccinated adult dog should receive a series of two vaccinations given 2 to 4 weeks apart.

Vaccines must be stored and administered properly =96 the vaccine will not be effective if inappropriately handled.-Vaccines should only administered to completely healthy dogs. Dogs that are unfit, unhealthy or suffering from parasites may not respond to the vaccine.-Veterinary consultation, full physical examination of the pet, and proper vaccination are important for full protection against this disease.It is very important to make sure that the pet owner=92s boarding facilities, grooming salons, day care centers and dog parks are practicing preventive care by requiring the pets in their facilities to be properly immunized against all of the highly communicable or life threatening diseases.

For dogs those diseases are:Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo virus, Rabies and Bordetella Bronchiseptica (also known as Kennel Cough or Canine Cough). In addition, the pet owner should proceed with caution when exposing their dogs to facilities that have no strict vaccination requirements.Parvo virus is a very serious and robust virus and can survive for years in the environment.

Consult with your local veterinary office for specifics about cleaning and disinfection of the environment if your pet has been exposed to parvo virus.Your veterinarian is the best source of information regarding pet health and prevention of communicable disease. If you do not have a veterinarian, the Kent County Humane Society can help you find a veterinarian in your area that will answer your questions and help to keep your pets healthy.

Please keep your dogs healthy! Have them vaccinated or titer them for Parvo to make sure they have full immunity.

The Great Lakes Weim Rescue Family.