Month: December 2013

What Your Breeds Says About YOU!

Bulldogs

Bulldogs are determined, persistent, and do not give up easily. People who own bull dogs are said to be silly and love to laugh, but can be viewed as stubborn at times. They are extremely efficient and methodical in completing jobs. Bull dogs are gentle. Owners tend to be hopeless romantics with sentimental streaks.

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are sweet, respectful and gentle. Owners of this breed are charming, trustworthy and affectionate. Cocker spaniels are said to lead busy lives, but put family first.They maintain a group of close friends, which they prefer to meeting strangers.

Sight Hound Group

Owners of these breeds tend to be more relaxed, calm and introverted. Sight hounds enjoy the company of close friends and prefer outings with small groups. They are highly organized, curious and always alert. People who own sight hounds are fast and agile and often excel in sports, especially track and field.

Rottweilers

Rotweilers are determined and are often described as intense. This breeds commands a a certain amount of respect. Rottweilers person tends to be confident, loyal and devoted to their friends and loved ones. They are laid back and quick to react if smeone rubs them the wrong way.

Pugs

Pugs are often viewed as the class clown. People who live with pugs are cheerful and have a zest for living life to the fullest. Pugs owners enjoy a day at the spa and a massage often.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers

Labs and golden retrievers are friendly, good natured and make wonderful family pets. Owners of these breeds put family firt and said to be easy going and carefree. Labs and goldens should have active lifestyles and love the outdoors. Ths can be said of owners of these guys at well. These breeds are social butterflies who are honest and lovable.

Great Danes

Owners of this breed are good-hearted and responsible. They tend to work hard and put one hundred percent into whatever they do. Great Dane owners stay up on news , and current events. They welcome a good debate.

For additional breeds go to www.seniordog playbook/facebook

Pit Bulls

Pit Bulls have a strong desire to please and will do anything for thier family and friends. Pit bulls owners are courageous, full of vitality and are constanly looking out for those they love. They enjoy being around children. There is no better baby sitter.

Bichon Frises

People who won BIchon Frises enjoy being pampered and are considerate of their appearance. They are naturally sociable and happiest when they are part of a family or friends.

 

Excercise and Older Pets

All of a sudden one day you notice the shining white (grey)creeping into your dogs muzzle . He sleeps  a little more carefully now but most time seems to be just as energetic. What is wrong-nothing. He is just aging. Happens to us all.

If you have not already, now is the time to begin a regular program of excercise.

Inside your aging pet:metabolism is slowing, organ function is slowing, and the response to disease has diminished.  In addition, your senior will probably urinate more often.

Excercise stimulates tissue as it increases blood flow. Tissues become  oxginated  abd toxins are removved from them more readily. In additon, excercise helps bowel function. This is especiallyt true in older pers.

Without  adequate use, muscles weaken and atrophy. This becomes a vicious cycle.  As excercise decreases the , the muscles weaken  and the less they can do. 

Making sure your senior gets enough excercise may seem like a difficult task, but try one or more of the following tips:

  • If you choose outside excercise, make surfe that the weatheris suitable for the type of excercise you are doing. Dogs can suffer heatstroke and frostbite. You must be especially careful with seniors.
  • Walking is excellent. Start with 10-15 minutes a day and slowly increase to 1-2 hours a week
  • Spend more interactive playtime with your older pet. More walks, more games of feteh, tug of war., hide and seek
  • Good nutrition is more important than ever in aging pets. This is especially true with excercise.
  • Give your pet vitamin and mineral supplement-A  good one is important for seniors

What Causes Pet Cancer?

Enviormental and Food Toxins

Do a screening of your household. Exposure to chemicals in the enviorment  and even small doses of chemical additives and preservatives can build up and be carcinogenic.  Look around your house and get rid of any toxins. You can read labels and it will tell you , if harmful to children or pets.

Genetics

Due to improper breeding practices  certain breeds of dogs are genetically prone to canine cancer. These breeds are:

Golden Retrievers

Laborador Retrievers

Rottweilers

Bermese Mountain Dogs

Boxers

When choosing a pet, question the breeder as to the incidence of cancer in the line. Also, ALWAYS AVOID puppy mills!!!!

Over Vaccinations

This can weaken, not strengthen your pets immune system.  As our pet ages, so do the vaccines required.  Have this discussion with your vet to have a plan to vaccinate. This should not occur automatically every year.  Only vaccinate for the diseases that are prevalent in your area.

With our seniors, we are ahead of any issues, right??

We want to keep these guys around as long as we can, with a good quality of life.

 

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR DOG!!!

Please like this article at seniordog playbook/facebook

Cancer in Older Dogs

Dogs can get cancer at roughly the same age as humans. Some cancers are preventable by spaying and neutering, others are not.

A diagnosis of cancer may be based on x-rays, blood tests, physical appearance of lumps and other physical signs. The ultimate test is thorugh a biopsy.
Top Ten Common Signs of Cancer in Your Senior to look for:
1) Abnormal Swelling that persists or continues to grow
2) Sores that do not heal
3) Weight Loss
4) Loss of Appetite
5) Bleeding or Discharge from any body opening
6) Offensive Mouth Odor
7) Difficulty eating or swallowing
8) Hesistation to escercise/loss ofstamina
9) Persistent lameness/stiffness
10) Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Obviously if any of these symtons present-get your guy to the vet.
We , who have seniors have been keeping up with wellness exams, and are ahead of as much as possible

1)More than half of dogs over ten will develop cancer.  This tumor can affect any breed, at any age.

2) Peripheral Lymphoma

The  most common sign is enlargement  of the peripheral lymph nodes, particularly under the jaw, in front of the shoulders and behind the knees,  This is a difficult to detect, unless dog shows  decreased appetite or lethargy.

3) Inernal Lymphoma

This form affects the inernal lymph nodes, such as the lover or spleen. Signs of internal lymphoma are often severe , consisting of vomiting,diarrhea, abdominal  pain, difficulty breathing. Left untreated, these can become fatal.

Hemangiosarcoma

This is a tumor  that develops from cells that line blood vessels. This tumor affects  middle-aged  or older dogs of any breed.  This sarcoma develops over time and is not painful.  Signs do not show until late in the disease when the dog  suffers from internal bleeding  from the tumor rupturing.  The organ most frequently affected  is the spleen.   Most dogs do not survive long after diagnosis.

Finally:

Osteosarcoma

This form primarily affects the long bones (front and rear limbs), but can affect any bones including the skull or ribs. This sarcoma is aggressive and rapidly spreading tumor. Usually treatment requires removal of affected limb with the hopes to stop the spreading of the disease.