Health Information | Big Dog Rescue

What is a hot spot?
A hot spot is a localized area of skin inflammation and infection. The infection can be superficial or deep. Other common names for this condition include: moist dermatitis, and acute moist dermatitis.

This common skin lesions are usually caused (and made worse) by biting, licking, or scratching.

What are the signs of a hot spot?
Redness, oozing, pain, and itchiness are hallmark signs. Hair loss is commonly present. Sometimes hair can mat over the lesion, obscuring the size and degree of the problem. These lesions can appear suddenly, and grow rapidly (hours).

It is common for an owner to notice a small area of inflamed skin in the morning (perhaps an inch or couple centimeters in diameter) and come home from work to be met with a large area the size of the palm of a hand.

What causes a hot spot?
There is usually an inciting factor to initiate the extreme licking and scratching behavior. Look for fleas, mites, or other external parasites, an insect sting or bite, allergies (food, inhalant, contact), or injury (skin wound, scrape, etc.). Some animals have been known to “start” a hot spot out of boredom or stress-related psychological problems.

What can I do to treat a hot spot?
The first thing to do is speak with your veterinarian. Due to the rapidity of spread and possibility of deeper skin infection, it is wise to start treatment with your vet.

Shave the area. The first treatment for hot spots is to dry them out and get air to the area. Hair loss is a feature of hot spots, but hair can also mat over the inflamed area, covering up a potentially much more severe and large problem.
Cleanse the area with cool water and a gentle skin cleanser.
Cool compress the area 2-4 times a day with a cool wet washcloth.
Medications – Depending on the severity and size of the hot spot, your veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics, topical drying sprays or medications, and/or special shampoos.
Prevention of licking, biting, scratching -i.e. Elizabethan collar (E-Collar) or similar.
Additional home remedies that can be used until you can see a vet.

tea bag compresses (black or green tea) to help dry the area out. Tea can be used as a wash or as a compress.

Pyometra is a serious infection of the uterus (womb).  It generally affects older dogs, soon after they are in season (estrus/heat).  It is most commonly treated by surgery, and if not treated, it is often fatal.

The infection is most commonly caused by E. coli, which enter the uterus either due to a mild urinary infection, or from the normal bacterial flora of the lower reproductive tract.
The signs of pyometra are often not specific, and your dog may just appear to be ‘under the weather’. So, it is important to be aware of this condition and its potential severity.

These signs are not very specific, but a diagnosis of pyometra should always be considered in an older female dog showing these signs soon after being in heat.

Pyometra can be classified as open or closed. Closed means that the entrance to the uterus is closed, so pus and debris is accummulating in the uterus, causing it to massively swell. This is the most dangerous type, as the uterus is being stretched so much it may rupture, and other organs are being compressed. Open pyometras are cases where the infection is draining out through the vulva. This is less serious, as the uterus is not swelling up as pus can escape. This type is often noticed earlier, as you can see the discharge.

Pyometra is life-threatening as the infection may become so severe it is fatal, and in closed pyometras the uterus may rupture, causing severe bleeding and shock

Common signs of pyometra are:
– lethargy and depression – drinking and urinating more than normal – loss of appetite – vomiting – discharge from the vulva

MORAL TO THIS STORY: By spaying your dogs, the ovaries and womb are removed, and therefore dogs that have been spayed cannot develop pyometra. Spaying is the only guaranteed way to prevent pyometra – any non-spayed female dog is at risk of developing it.  The spay operation on a young, healthy dog is much safer than later surgery on an ill dog suffering from pyometra, and also has the benefit of reducing the risk that she will suffer from mammary tumors later in life.

The following photos are actual photos taken yesterday of our beautiful Mia whilst she was being spayed…      Pls stop looking now if you get queezy with photos like these.   As you can see her uterus was severly infected and swollen.

I have to say how impressed I am with the work of our vet,   the cut on her abdomen is so small and clean,  you would not imagine all of this horrible stuff came out of it.      Hopefully Mia will recover well and will be feeling a whole lot better now.   She is recovering with her new family.

This is a very important message…… pls share far and wide

Majority of the dog we rescue from pounds and shelter come down with some form of kennel cough or probably already have the virus when the come to us.  I probably should have put this information up a lot sooner as a lot of our adoptions leave for their new homes and although we do touch on this topic.  Most of them end up being taken to a vet for some medication for KC.   Some of the time, probably not even necessary to take meds as the virus may most likely just run its course. 

Hope this  information helps

What is Kennel Cough?

 

Kennel cough (also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis) is a complex of highly contageous upper respiratory tract infection in dogs which results in a harsh, honking cough. The cause may be bacterial or viral or even a mixture. The organisms most frequently involved   are;

 

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  Viral: Parainfluenza

  
  


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  Bacterial: Bordatella

  
  

 

Canine adenovirus types CAV-1 and CAV-2, canine herpesvirus, canine distemper & mycoplasma are other causes of kennel cough.

 

The disease is highly contageous & spreads quickly through places where numbers of dogs can be found such as boarding kennels or rescue centres. However it should not be assumed that these are the only places dogs can become infected, due to the highly contageous nature of the disease, transmission can be quite easily passed from one dog to another. 

 

Kennel cough symptoms?

 

The most common symptom of kennel cough is a harsh, dry, honking cough that becomes worse with exercise or if the dog pulls on it’s collar. Other symptoms may include;

 

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  Nasal discharge

  
  


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  Conjunctivitis (weepy/irritated eyes)

  
  

 

In most cases, kennel cough is self limiting, but occasionally it may progress to pneumonia. In which case the following symptoms should be watched for;

 

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  Loss of appetite

  
  


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  Lethargy & or depression

  
  


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  Difficulty breathing

  
  


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  Fever

  
  

 

How is kennel cough diagnosed?

 

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination & obtain a medical history from you. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms alone. He may wish to perform some additional tests to confirm diagnosis.

 

 

 

How is kennel cough treated?

 

There is no cure for kennel cough & in most cases where the dog appears otherwise healthy, supportive care is all that is required. Exercise may be restricted or limited (avoiding strenous exertion) until the cough improves.

 

In more severe cases treatment may involve;

 

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  Antibiotics (if secondary infection is involved)

  
  


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  Cough suppressants

  
  

 

Dogs with pneumonia will need to be hospitalised.

 

Can kennel cough be prevented?

 

Vaccination can prevented with vaccination.

 

 Its been a little while since I have updated on this category…. so I thought its time to bring some educational topics back on this blog.

Storm phobia is a huge problem which can be quite stressful for both dogs and their owners.

There is a lot of information that anyone can source on their own by using google,  I thought it would be easier to pick up a few topics which may be helpful to you.

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Thunderstorm phobia or anxiety in dogs is a fairly common and very real problem for many dogs. Dogs with thunderstorm phobia become extremely frantic and overwhelmed with fear during storms. Astraphobia is the technical term for this: the fear of thunder and lightning. Owners who see their dogs experiencing this fear usually feel helpless and frustrated.

Causes of Thunderstorm Phobia

There is no way to know for certain what causes a dog to become afraid of thunderstorms. However, based on what we do know about dogs, we can speculate. There are probably multiple reasons for thunderstorm phobia, and the reasons vary from dog to dog. The most obvious reason is due to the loud noise of the thunder. Many dogs suffer from noise phobia, and the thunder is just one of several frightening noises (others include fireworks, gunshots, etc). However, the cause of fear may not be limited to noise. Changes in barometric pressure and humidity can affect your dog’s senses and possibly even cause discomfort in the ears. Arthritic dogs or those with orthopedic disorders may experience more pain than usual. Another possible reason for thunderstorm phobia is association with a traumatic experience. You may not know what happened, but it is possible that something very stressful or frightening occurred in your dog’s past during a thunderstorm. Finally, genetic make-up may be a contributing factor to fear of thunderstorms, or even the sole cause.

Thunderstorm Phobia Signs

If your dog seems anxious, hyperactive, destructive or reclusive during storms, you are probably dealing with thunderstorm phobia. The signs are usually quite obvious, so you probably already know your dog is phobic of storms. Many dogs will pace, pant or quietly whine. Some are clingy and seek attention. Other dogs will hide, frozen with fear. All of these signs can go unnoticed at first, and you may be unknowingly encouraging the behavior. Your dog’s fearful behavior may be subtle at first but can become worse with time, eventually becoming full-blown panic attacks that are very dangerous for your dog. It is not uncommon for dogs with thunderstorm phobia to urinate and/or defecate inappropriately. Telltale signs of anxiety and fear can begin long before the storm arrives, so take note of signs that occur during normal weather. Your dog is probably the best weather forecaster you can find.

Preventing and Treating Thunderstorm Phobia

There are some things you can do to prevent your dog from reacting adversely to the triggers of thunderstorms, or at least minimize the reaction. First of all, never leave your dog outside during storms. Next, examine your own behavior and that of other people in the home. Your dog will react to human anxiety, fear and stress, even if it is not related to the storm. Do your best to remain relaxed and upbeat. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to go about your usual routine. Do not pay special attention to your dog when he is exhibiting signs of fear or anxiety. Though it may seem like your dog needs comforting, coddling and praising your dog reinforces and rewards the unwanted behavior.

There are ways you can indirectly comfort your dog during thunderstorms (or other sources of fear and anxiety). One thing you can try is to provide a comfortable hiding place in the quietest part of your home. A crate with a soft bed inside and covered with a sheet might make your dog feel safer. Try playing music or white noise to drown out the noise. Consider trying a CD like Through a Dog’s Ear. In addition, using Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) in the “safe place” might also help. Some dogs benefit from a type of wrap, like the Thundershirt, that is believed to provide some comfort during times of anxiety, stress and fear.

If your dog does calm down and stops reacting to the storm, respond with calm praise and rewards. Consider distracting your dog from the remainder of the storm by practicing basic commands or playing a game of tug-of-war.

Dogs with severe thunderstorm phobia will need the help of a professional. A veterinary behaviorist can help you establish a desensitization or conditioning program. Talk to your primary veterinarian about potential treatments, including herbal therapies such as Rescue Remedy (compare prices). In most cases, prescription medication is very successful in conjunction with desensitization or conditioning. Though many dog owners shy away from these types of medications, the benefit outweighs the means in serious cases. Your vet may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication like Xanax (alprazolam) or Valium (diazepam) that can be given at the first sign of a storm. Some dogs will need to be on longer-term medications that are given daily to keep anxiety under control.

Because thunderstorm phobia is likely to become worse over time, it is important to take action when you first notice the signs. Do not wait to address the phobia until it is very severe – it will be that much harder to reverse. Just as stress is a health risk for humans, the same applies for dogs. Thunderstorm phobia can become a very serious problems that will adversely affect your dog’s health and quality of life. Act now for the sake of your dog.

I have offered some people a desesetizing CD to some of you (I will still get around to doing this, so pls be patient)  

I will have a CD also handy to purchase if anyone else wants a copy of it,  $ 5.00 should be enough to cover cost of material and postage.   Pls send me an email.

Consistency and patience is the trick when using the CD.  I recall a long time ago,  we had a Staffy surrendered to us for severe Storm phobia and we worked on him using the CD and although I cannot honestly it fixed the problem (he got adopted before we could see the final result) – we did see a huge improvement.

Hope this helps

Flea’s are horrible this season, with the humid temperatures hitting us lateley, its no wonder the fleas have come out with a vengence…  In all our years running rescue,  we hardly have any issues with flea infestation, but at the moment  are having some trouble with fleas at home.   When our kids are affected its time to take serious action.  

I was not sure which category to put this in…. Fleas are a HUGE problem at the moment and I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas or suggestions they wish to share to help us eradicate the problem.   So far we have flea bombed the house and all the dog areas,  flea rinsed with Permoxin and will use another pesticide called Coopex Residual insecticide.

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Health effects on humans, dogs and cats

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Â	Parasites of humans: Fleas are a parasite which feed on the blood of warm blooded animals, including humans, dogs and cats. Blood suckers: Fleas pierce the skin, inject an anti-coagulant chemical into the bloodstream of the host to prevent blood clotting. YUK but true: When fleas suck the blood from their host, some of the blood passes directly through their rectum in order to lay their eggs. Tapeworms: A flea bite can cause acute irritation, infection and transfer of other parasites, including tapeworms. For irritable flea bites consult your pharmacist for an appropriate antiseptic cream or in more serious situations, your medical practitioner. Dogs and cats: Fleas often enter a building on dogs and cats, and are commonly deposited in carpeted areas, in the garden, yard and under the building, particularly shaded sandy soil ares, on the southern side of the building (shaded areas). Dormant in your carpets: In ideal hot humid weather, flea eggs may take only a few weeks to hatch in large numbers. In cooler times of the year, the flea eggs may lay dormant in carpets and subfloor areas for more than 12 months before hatching – generally during hot humid weather and all of a sudden, sometimes in plague proportions. Summer holidays and you’re the HOST: A uninhabited home that has been locked up for an extended period during hot humid weather, will act as an incubator for the dormant fleas to hatch in plague proportions. It is common-place for people who own a dog or cat, to return home from an extended summer vacation to find a house full of fleas.	Â
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Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Dog

With us being in rescue, who spend most of our “free” time rescuing homeless dogs, our biggest reason for spaying or neutering your dog is the appalling pet overpopulation problem that results in thousands of pets being euthanized every day.

• Thousands of cats and dogs are born every day


• Thousands of cats dogs are euthanized every year because they are homeless.


• pets are euthanized every day simply because they are homeless.


• Animals in shelters all over the country are being killed every day


• Only a small number of dogs are lucky enough to be saved from shelters get good homes that lasts a lifetime.

These alarming truth present a good enough reason for preventing unescesarry births. Simply put, the widespread failure to spay or neuter dogs results in homelessness, misery, cruelty, and death.

What’s In It for You?

Here are some benefits you and your dog can expect when you have your dog spayed or neutered.

Better health. A dog that is spayed or neutered has no chance of developing uterine or testicular cancer; in females, the risk of breast cancer and urinary infections is drastically reduced. Reproductive cancers are common among older dogs that have been bred.

Better behavior. Male dogs that are neutered when young are much less likely to roam, mark their territory (and your belongings) with urine, and show aggression toward other male dogs. Intact (unneutered) male dogs will go to great lengths to get to a female dog in heat—they will dig their way out of yards, break fences and leashes, and cross streets in heavy traffic if a female in heat is in the area.

Easier care. An unspayed female bleeds for about 10 straight days twice a year. She bleeds on your carpet, your furniture, the interior of your car, and on the ground outside. As soon as she has marked your yard, you can anticipate a constant parade of male dogs who will pace your lawn, howl, and bark. You have a fenced yard? They will dig their way in.

No accidental pregnancies. If your dog accidentally becomes pregnant, you will have to provide additional medical care—for her and the puppies—and be responsible for finding good homes for half a dozen or more offspring.

Myths About Spaying/Neutering

Some people don’t want to spay or neuter their dog because they have heard about some bad “side effects” of the surgery, or because they have picked up some mistaken ideas along the way. There are a number of myths about spaying and neutering. Here are a few of the most common, and the truth about each.

Altering makes a dog fat. Spaying or neutering at the youngest possible age—before the dog has reached sexual maturity—generally has no effect whatsoever on weight. Dogs who undergo the surgery after reaching sexual maturity may show an increased appetite because altering affects hormone balance. However, dogs who are fat are usually fat because they are fed too much and/or do not get enough exercise.

Altering makes a dog lazy. Neutering reduces a male dog’s desire to roam (often over long distances) to find female dogs in heat, and altering can somewhat reduce a dog’s energy level. Altering does not make dogs lazy. Altered dogs are as playful and energetic as intact dogs.

Altering changes a dog’s personality. The only personality changes that result from spaying or neutering are the positive changes described above—no roaming, less tendency to mark territory, and less aggression. Aside from these changes, your dog will be no less like himself than humans are after undergoing vasectomy or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries).

My dog has a right to experience sex. Sex, for a dog, is nothing more than the result of a powerful instinctive drive to reproduce. People who worry about this issue are usually over-identifying with their dog. This is an excuse often presented by men, who cringe at the very idea of castration—even though it is a painless surgical procedure being performed on their dog, not on them.

It’s a good thing for our children to see the miracle of birth. Bringing more puppies into a world already overburdened with thousands of homeless dogs is not the best way to show your children the birth process. You can show them videos or even let them witness live human births on the internet. You might also want to consider that if you allow your dog to have puppies so that your children can observe the miracle of birth, you should also take your children to an animal shelter, so they can observe the sad results—the thousands of dogs who are killed every day because no one will give them a home.