The Euthanasia Process - What Happens When Your Dog Or Cat is Put to Sleep?

I often get clients asking me what will happen when they bring their pet to the vet for euthanasia. While every veterinarian will have a slightly different routine, I'd like to share with you what happens in my office. Sometimes knowing what will happen makes things a little easier on us during this difficult time.

The first thing that will happen is the paperwork. You will need to sign a form giving permission for the euthanasia and also stating that your pet has not bitten anyone in the last 14 days. We like to take care of the invoice before the procedure is done so that you do not have to face anyone afterwards.

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The staff will discuss your options for the care of your pet's body after the euthanasia. In our office, all animals are cremated. You have the option of having the ashes returned in an urn if you would like this.

The Euthanasia Process - What Happens When Your Dog Or Cat is Put to Sleep?

Next, your pet is given an injection of a sedative. This will take about 5-10 minutes to start working. The sedative causes mild sedation in some animals and profound sedation in others. The goal is to have your pet sedated enough that they are not stressed, but not to the point of them being completely comatose.

Then, an IV catheter is placed in the vein (usually in a front leg) and taped in place. Once you are ready, then the veterinarian will perform the injection through this catheter. The euthanasia solution is an overdose of an anesthetic. It causes the animal to be completely unaware of what is happening. Your dog or cat will simply feel like he or she is falling asleep. They do not feel any pain or discomfort at all.

The euthanasia solution works very quickly. Usually by the time the injection has been completed the heart has stopped. Most animals do not close their eyes. It usually is extremely peaceful. However, the occasional animal will make a sigh or a grunt as they are passing away. It is rare, but once or twice a year we will see an animal who makes a very loud noise or has some odd muscle contractions as they go. This is difficult to watch but if this does happen to your pet it is important to remember that they are completely unaware of what is happening.

Euthanasia is very difficult but in most cases this is the kindest thing we can do for an animal who is in pain or suffering. It is normal to feel extreme grief afterwards. For many people, losing a pet is harder emotionally than losing a parent.

The Euthanasia Process - What Happens When Your Dog Or Cat is Put to Sleep?

Ask A Vet a question.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

Although we love our dogs, we don't always love how they smell. If you know or suspect your canine companion has picked up some unpleasant odors, Louise Louis of http://www.ToyBreeds.com offers you some tips on how to restore a fragrant home (and dog).

1. Dry him thoroughly after removing the bad odor.

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Many dogs love to swim in whatever water is available. Use towels or a hair dryer on the lowest-heat setting until he's totally dry.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

If you need more than water to get him clean, try Listerine or other brand of mouthwash. Put some on a washcloth and clean your dog's coat, then rinse or shampoo off. If that isn't working, add some baking soda to the mix.

2. Check for sticky objects in his coat.

Many dogs get feces or other smelly things stuck in their fur. Especially check his paws and around his anus. It's a good idea to shave his hair in a circle around his anus to minimize that possibility.

3. If his breath is bad, give him Greenies.

These are one of the great dog products and available in any pet store. If your dog is otherwise healthy and just has doggy breath, they'll do the trick.

4. Bathe him regularly especially if he spends much time outside.

Use a gentle shampoo made for dogs and wash him about every six weeks or so. Follow with a nice conditioner or make your own using a little baking soda in lukewarm water.

5. Make sure his diet isn't the problem.

Feed him a balanced, premium dog food that smells good to you and make sure his dog food hasn't spoiled or developed mold. Dog food packaging should indicate its expiration date. Always check at the store before you buy it.

6. Check his ears.

Ear infections are a common cause of bad smells. Make sure he doesn't have any discharges, bad odors or strange colors or insects in his ears. Infections need to be treated by a vet right away.

7. Clean your home and his possessions.

Doggy odors can linger in carpets. You must use an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle if he has a potty accident.

To restore a nice smell in your home, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and leave overnight before vacuuming in the morning. Also you can use a little baking soda with your laundry power when you wash his bedding and his clothing. Many people like to put a little white vinegar in the rinse water.

P.S. Older dogs and unneutered males tend to smell more strongly.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and creator of the popular website on small dogs, http://www.ToyBreeds.com

Dog Breed Comparison - Do Your Research Beforehand to Ensure Compatability with Family and Other Pet

There are hundreds of different dog breeds to choose from. Before selecting a puppy or dog to adopt be sure to do some research on the breed to ensure compatibility with your family, children and other pets. Here we have outlined a few common breeds to help you in your search for the perfect dog.

Sussex Spaniel

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The Sussex Spaniel is a British sporting dog that was originally used to hunt partridge. This breed most likely was developed by crossing the Bloodhound with the Clumber Spaniel. It is a smaller dog that only stands between 15 and 16 inches tall and weighs between 40 and 50 pounds. They have a typical long wavy spaniel coat that comes in shades of gold, liver, and puce. They are a very friendly dog that makes a great companion and a great family dog, especially if they are properly trained and socialized.

Dog Breed Comparison - Do Your Research Beforehand to Ensure Compatability with Family and Other Pet

Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier, also called the Irish Blue Terrier, is an Irish breed that was created in the 18th century. It was originally used as a herding dog, vermin catcher, and waterfowl retriever. Today this breed is used as a guard dog and as a pet.

The Kerry Blue Terrier usually stands between 18 and 19 inches tall and weighs between 33 and 37 pounds. Their coat is soft and wavy and comes in shades of blue with black points, blue without black points, and small white patches on their chest is also common. The Kerry Blue Terrier is great with kids. They are happiest when kept as the only pet, as they may show male dog aggression. It you have a cat then you will need to socialize your Kerry from a young age with the cats, otherwise you could have trouble.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer, also referred to as a Riesenschnauzer, is a German breed that was developed to be a cattle dog. It is suspected that this breed was created by crossing rough-coated shepherd, Bouvier des Flandres, smooth-coated drover dogs, and Great Danes. Today this breed is used as a guard dog, as a watch dog and as a family dog.

This impressive breed stands between 23.5 and 27.5 inches tall and weighs between 70 and 77 pounds. Their coat is short and wiry and it comes in solid black or salt and pepper variations. This is a very loyal and protective breed that can fit into just about any type of family as long as they are socialized properly. To keep the Giant Schnauzer happy and healthy you will need to provide it with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is a popular mixed breed that developed in the United States. This breed was created by crossing the Miniature Poodle and the American Cocker Spaniel. The size of this dog is going to depend on the size of their parents, however, they tend to be between 9 and 13 inches tall and weigh between 6 and 19 pounds. The advantage of this breed is that they are a low shedder, which makes them a great pet option for people with allergies.

To care for this mixed breed you will need to brush their coats on a regular basis. This will help to prevent matting and skin problems. They don't need a lot of exercise but a nightly walk will help keep them healthy. While both the poodle and the cocker spaniel have health problems, the crossing of these two breeds seems to cancel out most of these problems. Cockapoos are generally a very healthy breed, however, fatty tumors and hip problems can sometimes develop.

Bulldog

The Bulldog, also referred to as the English Bulldog, is the national symbol for Great Britain. Originally this breed was used to manage oxen, to guard property, to hunt, and to bait large game. Today this breed is mostly a fun-loving family dog.

The Bulldog is a small dog that only stands about 12 to 14 inches tall. However, even though they are short they are a relatively heavy set dog weighing in around 55 pounds when fully grown. They have a short smooth coat that comes in both solid colors and variegated color patterns. The most common colors found in this breed include black, red, brown, brindles, and piebald. Because of the build of this breed they have a tendency to over heat, have problems breathing, and have a difficult time whelping.

Redbone Coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound is a Georgia creation that developed by crossing the Bloodhound with the Foxhound. The males of this breed are larger than the females. They stand between 22 and 27 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. The females stand between 21 and 25 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. They have short shiny coats that are very fine. They have a solid red coat with small traces of white near their chests and feet. This is a loyal and loving breed that will do what ever it can to make you happy.

Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu, also called the Japanese Small-Size Dog and the Brushwood Dog, is a Japanese non-sporting dog. This breed was almost wiped out in the 1950s because of a distemper outbreak. The Shiba Inui is a medium sized dog that stands between 13.5 and 16.5 pounds and weighs between 18 and 25 pounds. It has a straight, harsh coat that comes in salt and pepper, black, black and tan, red, and black and white color variations. As far as their temperament goes they get along with kids if they are raised around kids, however, they tend to have same sex dog aggression that you will need to watch out for if you have other pets.

Dog Breed Comparison - Do Your Research Beforehand to Ensure Compatability with Family and Other Pet

Dog behavior, pet training and puppy breeder information all in one place online. The ultimate resource for dog owners. Learn expert dog training technique, advice to help with dog behavior problems, a dog training forum as well as a directory of dog trainers and breeders all over the country to help you locate a professional near you. Learn about puppy obedience training, pet nutrition, dog obedience, housebreaking and more. Check out our puppy training e-book [http://www.dogbehavioronline.com/ebook.html] for more tips to help you raise an obedient pet and companion.

Urinary Tract Infections - Crystals - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

The most basic question is,  how do I tell if my dog has UTI? What should I look for?
The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include: [5]

- frequent urination

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- dribbling urine

Urinary Tract Infections - Crystals - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

- blood in the urine

- squatting frequently to urinate

- straining to urineng odor to the urine

- inappropriate urination (such as in the house)

- incontinence

- an increase in thirst and drinking.

Ok, If know my pet has UTI, What can I do?  Tell me more about it, how does my dog's diet affect things? 

We have a lot of customers who come into our store and tell us my cat or my dog has UTI Crystals and the vet put them on a C/D, U/D, K/D, or NF formula. As everyone knows prescription diets are far from Optimal Nutrition for your dog or cat, they exist to treat a specific ailment, but continuation on these diets can lead to other serious issues.[1]  Prescription diets are made to treat specific conditions; as with most prescription diets, they are meant for short term us, long term use of these diets have the potential to cause adverse side effects.[6]

Here are some of the potential side effects from long term use of U/D, K/D, and NF formula foods. [6]

• Heart Failure
• Liver Failure
• Kidney Failure
• Pancreatitis
• Hypertension
• Hypoalbuminemia

Did I get your attention? Good.  Now, before we dive deeper into UTI Crystals we need to understand Urine pH.  pH is a scale that ranges from 0 to 14, that measures acid bases.  A score of 7.0 is considered neutral.  Most dogs PH ranges from 5.0 to 9.0.

Got it? Good, now let's talk UTI Crystals.

UTI develops in about 14% of dogs. [2] That's a pretty big number, there are two main forms of UTI Crystals (Struvite and Calcium Oxalate).

Struvite Crystals

Form when there is a bacterial infection that is capable of breaking down Urea that will otherwise be passed in the urine. Urea is a waste product produced from metabolism of protein.  This reaction of breaking down the Urea into Ammonia only happens in Alkaline PH.[3]

Struvite Crystals are more common in female dogs and there are some breeds that are felt to have an increased risk which include Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Scottish Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Beagles, Miniature Schnauzers, Pekingese, Basset Hounds, Springer Spaniels and German Shepherds, and Bichon Frises.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Form in acidic to Neutral pH Urine, a few things are said to cause these stones to form, the most common is hereditary. The product of defective nephrocalin is usually the culprit. [4]

Unlike, Struvite Crystals, Calcium Oxalate Crystals cannot be dissolved by a diet change; they need to be surgically removed.  However, a proper diet can help prevent Calcium Oxalate Crystals from forming.  

Calcium Oxalate Crystals are more common in male doges and some of the breeds that are felt to have an increased risk which includes;  Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Bichon Frises.

Ok, now that you know the basics, let's talk nutrition!

We learned that you can dissolve Struvite crystals with more acidic foods, so dogs that are prone to Struvite Crystals you will naturally want to keep on a more acidic diet.

Fortunately,  most of the good ingredients dogs and cats should be eating are acidic in nature, for example,  chicken, beef, eggs, fish, pork, cottage cheese, yogurt, rice (brown and white), beans, nuts and all seafood.  Doesn't that sound like the perfect Kibble or Raw food diet?

Berries are acidic in nature and the lower pH levels and prevent bacteria from clinging to the walls of the bladder.  Solid Gold Berry Balance is a supplement that's commonly used to lower the Urine pH Levels.

What about Calcium Oxalate Crystals?

The reverse is true, to raise the pH score, you should be feeding foods more alkaline in nature, to include a few squash, beet greens, rhubarb, spinach, beets, raw endive, dandelion greens, okra, kale and sweet potatoes.

It's been recommended the diets should be lower in protein and oxalates and high in magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.  Here's a list of foods and there oxalates level [http://www.branwen.com/rowan/oxalate.htm].  Beef and Lamb cuts tend to have lower protien levels among other meat likes (Venison, Pheasent, etc)

A commonly used supplement to raise the Urine pH level is Potassium Citrate.

Okay Enough Talk.  How do I know if I'm doing the right thing.?

Talk with your vet, ask them what the Target Urine pH should be for your dog. Every dog is different; some dogs might have severe cases, others mild. The dogs breeds will factor in the decision.

OK, I know my Target PH level. How do I know I'm achieving it?

Urine pH Test Strips, you should be able to get these from your vet or a local retailer, or even purchase them on-line.

OK. That sounds simple anything else I should Know?

Yes, water consumption, treats, etc. All factor into the Urine pH levels.  You will notice, throughout the day the levels will change.  Take multiple Urine PH samples to assure your achieving your goal.  Always keep checking.

Sure, you listed out the ingredients, but I don't cook for my dog, I just buy kibble or raw, how do I know what the PH levels are?  

Here's a list of some excellent brands and their pH Levels for Dogs and Cat. We called up these companies and spoke to a representative to get the levels.

Cani-dae Dog - Kibble - pH 7.0

Cani-dae Dog - Canned - pH 6.0

Feli-dae Cat - Kibble- pH 6.0

Feli-dae Cat - Canned - pH 5.5

Fromm 4-star Dog - Kibble - pH 6.2 - 6.4

Fromm 4-Star Cat - Kibble- pH 6.5 - 6.8

Honest Kitchen - pH 7.0

Merrick Before Grain (Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.8

Merrick 5-Star Dry (Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.5 - pH 6.8

Merrick 5-Star Canned(Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.3 - pH 6.5

Orijen (cat and dog) - pH of 5.5

Primal Dog and Cat - pH 6.0 - 7.0

Natura (Evo, Innova, California Natural) (Dogs and Cats) - pH 6.2 - 6.8

Solid Gold - Dog - Dry - pH 6.4 - 6.6

Solid Gold - Dog - Canned - pH 6.0

Solid Gold - Cat - Dry - pH 6.2 - 6.4

Solid Gold - Cat - Canned - pH 6.2

Wellness Dog (Kibble and Canned) - pH 6.5 - 7.5

Wellness Cat - Dry - pH 6.2 - 6.6

Wellness Cat - Canned - pH 6.1 - 6.6

Sources:

1- Wikipedia

2- UTI in Dogs

3- Veterniary Partners

4- Veterniary Partners

5- B Naturals

6- Veterinary Medicine

Researched By: Luke's All Natural

Urinary Tract Infections - Crystals - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Luke's All Natural Dog and Cat Pet Food

http://www.lukesallnatural.com

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

A very common problem that virtually all of us see as dog owners is dog vomiting.

There are potentially many different causes of dog vomiting. The most common cause is garbage gut, where your dog consumes something he shouldn't have, resulting in vomiting. Other causes include food allergies, parasites, medications, infectious causes (i.e. parvovirus), cancer, liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, metabolic disorders (thyroid disease or diabetes), physical obstructions such as a ball or a bone, and primary motility disorders (the stomach doesn't contract normally).

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Any vomiting dog must be evaluated for dehydration. If your dog is vomiting persistently and unable to retain even water, wait no longer than 24 hours before going to your veterinarian. This indicates a severe problem, such as an obstruction, that needs to be treated with IV fluids and possibly surgery. If your dog is still consuming water and occasionally vomiting, then you can try some of the home remedies.

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

Fasting. A 24 hour fast is the most important thing you can do to allow your pet's inflamed stomach to heal. Allow access to controlled amounts of water, but no food. After 24 hours offer bland food such as plain cooked white rice; give equivalent amounts of rice as you do dog or cat food. After 48 hours mix their regular food with rice and don't fully go to regular food until after 72 hours.

For Food Allergens. For dogs and cats with chronic vomiting, I strongly recommend a diet change. Preferably switch to a hypoallergenic food or homemade allergy diet. At the very least, change to a premium quality food - I find that some pets respond to a more natural diet. In light of the recent Pet Food Recall, paying close your dog's diet is even more important than ever.

Homeopathic. Nux Vomica is an effective homeopathic remedy for dog vomiting. Give 1 tablet of the 30C strength per 40lbs once daily for 3-5 days.

Herbal - Ginger. A tasty addition for a curry is also effective for vomiting. The dried herb dose is 25mg per lb or 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.

Acupressure Point. The ST36 point, located on the outside of the hind leg below the knee may be effective; press it for 1 minute twice daily for 3-5 days to see if it helps.

Flowers to the Rescue: Bach Rescue Remedy can make your pet feel a little better about their illness. Give your pet 3-4 drops by mouth every 6 hours.

Herbal - Chamomile. This is commonly used in people with mild stomach upset and it may help your pet. Give 30mg per lb of the dried herb, or 2 drops per lb of the tincture three times daily.

The treatments I covered may be all that you need for now. But I guarantee that you will use many of the thousands of at home remedies in my book.

I use them every day in practice. They work. No side effects.

You should try it.

To your pet's good health,

Dr. Andrew Jones

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed, a holistic pet health manual, is at: http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com. Visit his membership site, Dr. Andrew Jones' Inner Circle, at: http://www.theonlinevet.com.