All of this talent has finally caught up with him though.  After limping around for a few days too many I took him to his veterinarian.  A couple of x-rays later, what I hoped wouldn’t be true came to fruition…he has torn his ACL in his right hind leg. 

What is an ACL tear?  ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament which crosses in the joint from the femur to the tibia.  A ligament is a fibrous band of tissue and can be torn or partially torn.  In Abe’s case, we believe it is fully torn.

Now, you see, I knew this would most likely happen.  But how do you keep an All Star on the bench?   Many of my customers’ similarly skilled dogs have had this surgery.   I have talked many people through the 12 week recovery period and loved on many cone headed muzzles.

Abe and I go to his consultation with orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hay, on February 3.  It will all begin that day, more x-rays, choosing which surgery option, coming to terms with paying anywhere from $1,800-$2,600 and learning about the recovery period.

In the meantime, I thought I would share with you some of the warning signs, breeds who are at risk, how an ACL is torn and what you can expect from recovery.  I do hope that your dog will not have to go through this…but if he/she does, you will have an idea of what you and your dog can expect.

Warning signs:  Sudden limping, swollen knee, holding the foot of the affected leg off the ground, dog may start using the let again but lameness often returns.

How is it diagnosed?  A veterinarian can diagnose an ACL tear by manipulating the knee joint.  X-rays are also used to assess the problem and to determine if arthritis is present.

How does it happen?  A tear can occur if a dog is overweight therefore putting too much pressure on the joint.  Commonly, the ACL is torn when a dog twists on his hind leg.  This is what Abe does as he catches his ball or slips on our floor when running through the house.  Usually, a tear happens gradually over time and sudden lameness is the result.

Breeds:  Some breeds are more prone to ACL tears than others: the  Labrador, Rottweiler, Bichon Frise, St. Bernard are among them. 

Post Surgery:  After the surgery, dogs must be controlled and can only take low impact walks and/or swim as directed by a veterinarian.  Overweight dogs must lose a few pounds to take off the excess stress on the leg.  Recovery time is 8-12 weeks.

So it begins, Abe’s three month procedure.  Watch out for him this summer though…he will be better than before and leading our pack around Davis Islands.

We will keep you updated on our visit with Dr. Hay and our surgery experience.

The holiday crazies are in full swing.  For me personally, I have a party to plan, Christmas cards to mail,  inventory to count and about 10 more pages of to do’s.  Feeling anxious?  Yes.   More than anything else however, I am feeling grateful…for so many things.

Certainly for my family, work and friends but leading the pack are six little legs. Two of these legs belong to the little man currently belly laughing as he jumps away on his FisherPrice bouncer. My son Sebastian arrived on the scene on April 29 of this year. My husband and I couldn’t be happier to be his parents and we are enjoying every ounce of this child.

Prior to Sebastian’s celebrated birth, four additional legs ran into my life. Well, more like hobbled in. Chico, my 18lb Chihuahua mix walked through my doors on December 13, 2010. You may remember his story from past Paws for Thought articles. Chico was found at the Davis Islands baseball fi eld tied to a fence on what happened to be the coldest day of the year. For some reason I went against my cardinal rule (not to keep lost/found dogs myself but to lead the person in the right direction) and decided to foster him.

From December through April, I did try to fi nd a home for Chico. I took him to adoption events, wrote articles about him, posted his adorable scowl on facebook, took him to the store to meet my customers and more. Each attempt was met with an overwhelming silence.

 In the meantime, he was doing his best to win me over. He was my walking partner. I was very pregnant at this point and Chico was my constant companion as I logged many many miles all over Davis Islands. I do credit Chico for helping me to only gain 20 pregnancy pounds! He also put me through boot camp. In those first months, Chico was waking up at least once a night to go outside and “do his business.” As I begrudgingly suited up at 2am to take him out, I kept telling myself this is how it will be when the baby arrives.

 The baby did arrive in April, and both Abe and Chico’s jaunts with Mom were put on hold. Chico, however, took on another role. Instead of being my walking partner, he was now my middle of the night baby feeding side kick. No matter what time or how often I was up with Sebastian, there was faithful Chico, staggering in to the room and plopping down beside the rocking chair.

 By June, I knew that Chico was my dog….and by July, my husband knew as well. Chico finally won my husband over when he did his crazy small dog run through the backyard. If you have small dogs, you know what this is –one of the funniest things to witness. I fi nalized the adoption paperwork and Chico became officially a Fadal.

 It is amazing what one year can bring. I thought I was busy with a husband, business and one dog. Now, twelve months later, I have a husband, son, two dogs and a business. I am loving every hectic minute!

And, Chico has gone from being tied to a fence on a cold winter day to having his own family and getting ready for the annual Christmas photo.

 As Cesar Milan (and my good friend Jen) says you don’t always get the dog you want but get the dog you need.

I am thankful. Happy Holidays.

Chico on the other hand, could care less about a ball.  The only toy he likes is his toy chipmunk that we gave him the first day he was dropped on our doorstep.  He does have a few physical problems however.  He is missing the ball in his hind leg hip socket and he has a compressed disc in his neck.  He has his days when walking is very difficult.

I have tried various beds for both but had not gone the route of orthopedic beds yet.

The makers of Crypton pet beds contacted me to test their product.  Not only are they  known for making beds that really last but they have an orthopedic bed that is supposed to be fantastic.  Crypton beds are made with fabric that resists moisture, stains, odor and bacteria (the tag says that spills just wipe away!)

I took them up on their offer and two beautiful beds just arrived!  Can’t wait to test them on Chico and Abe and see the result!  I hope they like it!  Orthopedic AND odor resistant?  What could be better?

Chico's Bed

Abe's Bed

Keep following my blog as the Crypton story to unfolds!

If you are looking to try your hand at baking for your dog, this is a sure winner.  Is your dog intolerant of wheat?  If so, try an alternate grain source and add the carob elements.  I don’t think one dog has turned these bad boys down!

Directions:=1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.2
2. Blend oil and honey in a bowl.3
3. Mix in remaining ingredients.
4. Pour into greased 15- by 10-inch baking sheet.
5. Bake 30-35 minutes.
   Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/bow-wow-brownies-220928#ixzz1XxMajgBF

These five easy steps can help ensure a healthy summer coat for your pet.

1. Control Fleas- there are over 15 antigens in a flea’s saliva which means that one bite can wreak havoc on your sensitive dog or cat.  To combat this, make sure your pet is on a monthly flea medicine regime and you are treating your home and yard for fleas. Learn more about Flea Flicker Tick Kicker by Ark Naturals.

2.  Diet- Dogs and cats can have food sensitivities that may manifest as skin allergies.  If you suspect that your dog or cat has a food allergy first try changing their food to something with no corn, wheat, soy or gluten products.  If you haven’t seen a change in 6-8 weeks, then try changing the protein source…e.g.  if you are feeding a beef diet, try chicken, or if you are feeding chicken try fish.  Learn more about California Natural’s Herring and Sweet Potato Formula!

3.  Shampoo/Conditioner- be sure to use a soap and detergent free shampoo and conditioner.  One made with natural ingredients (no chemicals or synthetics) will make a marked improvement in your dogs coat.  Oatmeal based shampoo will help condition the coat and a Tea Tree oil based shampoo will handle hotspots.  If your pet is a swimmer, use a leave in conditioning spray between baths to further moisturize.  Learn about Earthbath‘s all natural products!

4.  Fish Oil- Adding Omega 3 to your dog’s diet will help boost their immune response and reduce inflammation in the body. Thus reducing itchiness, fostering shiny healthy coats.  Learn about Alaska Naturals!

5.  Brush Brush Brush-  This simple act is often overlooked by pet owners but is so important.  Brushing helps reduce shedding and bacterial build up.  Brushing not only gets rid of dead hair but it also rids your dog of dead skin cells.  These dead skin cells can be the perfect environment for bacteria.  Brushing also distributes the natural oil along the coat.  Really important for long haired breeds.  Human/pet bond is strengthened too!

Please consult your veterinarian to ensure the product you choose is safe for your dog or cat.  Of course, I like the all natural route best but in many locations a stronger medication is necessary.  Any flea medication, if used incorrectly, can cause your pet to become ill or worse. 

Visit the following sites to read about a few all natural alternatives:

 Pet Naturals of Vermont.  I like their flea protect spray and shampoo quite a bit.  The shampoo will kill the fleas and the spray prevents.  Safe for use around pets and kids! 

 Natural Defense by Sentry.  I have used their home spray and it seemed to kill/prevent fleas and as an added bonus…it smelled nice.   Pet and kid safe!

The Wholistic Pet.  Read about Diatomaceous Earth.  You can use it on your dog or cat, on your floors or even in your yard…etc.  How does it work?  DE works by puncturing the exoskeleton of the insect and eventually killing it. 

Why are fleas so tough to eliminate? Because, their  lifecycle is lengthy and contains four stages.  Learn more about their life cycle at about.com.

Hint, eradicating the pupa stage is extremely important!  And, confronting fleas at each stage will help you win the battle!

Once you find a safe product, use it correctly and be CONSISTENT!  That is key to your success!

Good luck!

The domesticated dog is part of the Canidae family, a diverse group of carnivores which contains 36 extant species.  This first known family of carnivores came on the scene about 40 million years ago and includes wolves, jackals, and foxes, as well as the coyote, the maned wolf, the bush dog, the African wild dog, the Dhole and the racoon dog. Within this family, the dog is most closely related to wolves, jackals and the coyote, as these canines all have the same number of chromosomes and are all capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.  Although all of the above are potential ancestors of the domestic dog, after years of scientific studies and most recently the study of DNA sequences, it is believed that the wolf is the most probably relative.  There is a high probability that dogs and yackals or dogs and coyotes interbred over time.  Research has also shown that the domesticated dogs most likely originated from Asia. 

Keeping in mind that domesticated dogs are only one species in the Canidae family, it is interesting to note that 35 species of wild canines can be found from the tropics to the tundra.  Some include the maned wolf who lives in the grasslands, the fennec fox who lives in the desert, the arctic fox who lives in the arctic, the grey fox who lives in the forest and the coyote who is a jack of all trades.  With the exception of the arctic the coyote can survive anywhere. 

As natural selection governs life in the wild, domesticated dogs are governed by artificial selection.  Beginning thousands of years ago dogs of many sizes and shapes appear in archaeological and artistic records.  Dogs were bred for hunting, working, herding, protection, etc.  Today there are over 400 breeds of domestic dogs and most were establish after 1850.  The desire for pure bred dogs began around this time.

There is so much more I could write on this subject but just not enough room!  The bottom line is whether you have a 2lb Chihuahua or a 200lb Mastiff they all are descendents of the wolf.  They are pack animals who need a strong leader (YOU).  It is important that you are the boss over your dog. This means you should always be able to take food away from your dog, put him in a down position, and handle every part of his body without his objection.  This will develop a stable and happy pack. 

If you are interested in the history of the dog I encourage you to visit the following websites:

www.wolf2woof.com

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

www.canidae.ca/dog

www.planet-pets.com

The dog may actually seem a bit tired after this minor activity….panting and frequenting his water bowl.  Most likely, within the next 30 minutes your dog has just as much energy as he did when you first walked through the door.  Trust me; he has MUCH more energy to get out of his system. 

Unused energy can manifest itself in several ways.  If, your dog is showing signs of anxiety, nervousness or aggression most of this can be remedied by walking.  I know it sounds crazy and if you are a Caesar Milan fan you know with EVERY client he meets, the dog is not getting the exercise he needs.

If you consider that dogs are truly pack animals the idea of the walk makes sense.  When their ancestors lived in the wild they were always on the go.  Hunting and foraging for food and water was their daily routine.  It meant survival.  Walking as a pack gave them not only the exercise they needed but also a sense of purpose and an understanding of their role within the pack.  Even though dogs have evolved over the years, they are still pack animals and need to maintain their rightful place within YOUR pack.  Walking will create this bond with your dog and give him a sense of purpose.

Now, many of you are probably saying my dog pulls or my dog hates walking!  The pulling part is easy to fix as is the hating the walk part.  Here are a few recommendations:

1. Use the correct leash and collar.  I am not a big fan of the retractable leash.  Especially when you are training your dog to walk nicely.  Retractable leashes give the dog far too much reign over the walk and it can cause accidents to occur.   I broke my hand a few years ago using one of these!

Small dogs seem to do well on a harness.  If they where a collar and you are constantly pulling on it, you could potentially injure their trachea.  Harnesses will apply pressure to the chest and not the neck.

Larger breeds can do well with a Halti, Gentle Leader or a prong collar.  I know many people believe that a prong collar is cruel but I think it is just misunderstood.  But, this is for another article!

Using a sturdy leather leash is better than nylon, cotton or other material.  Leather leashes give the dog less room to pull and are very strong.  These are highly recommended for medium to large breed dogs.

2.  Consult a trainer.  If you are really having trouble walking your dog, consult a trainer.  Many of them will provide a phone consultation for free.  There are group classes and private lessons that you can choose from as well.  Interview a few potential trainers and go from there.  It may only take a lesson or two to get you and your dog on the right track.

3.  If your dog hates walking, begin going on short romps around the neighborhood and lure him with treats.  After you return home, give him a lot of praise and a very special treat of some sort.  In this way, he will begin to realize that walking means great rewards!

The fresh aroma of turkey basting in the oven, along with creamy gravy simmering on the stove and pies on the table will have your dog drooling.  During this month and the next, it is important to watch the health and safety of our pets.  Here are a few tips to help avoid an unwanted trip to the emergency vet or a sick pet at the party.

• Keep your pet on their standard diet.  Avoid giving them turkey or other meats, since this can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, all of which can ruin the celebration.
• Keep aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags and wax paper away from pets.  Disposing of these items properly can prevent accidental intestinal blockage while trying to lick the last morsel of gravy from the cover.
• While a wishbone may bring you a great wish, it can bring your dog an unwanted problem.  Any brittle or splintering bone, wish or otherwise, can become lodged in their esophagus as well as puncture a hole in their intestines.
• Discourage friends and family from feeding your dog extra snacks and scraps.  Snacks that are high in salt (chips and peanuts) and other fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis, which is a life-threatening condition.
• While chocolates may taste great, they contain theobromine which can be hazardous to your pet’s health.  Baker’s chocolate is the highest in theobromine and can cause the most problems.
• As with any holiday, see that your pet has a safe haven to move to…away from the festivities.  This will give your pet a much needed “Time-Out” from the hustle of the holiday.
• Make sure that your pet has their identification tags on during all parties or get togethers.  With people coming in and out of the house it is very easy for your pet to wander through and open door.  It is also helpful to get your pet micro-chipped.  Most animal shelters have devices to scan for these chips and to identify the owner quickly.

Who is typically bitten?   Considering the numbers above, nearly 2% of the US population. You won’t be surprised to learn that the vast majority are children.  Other front runners are the elderly and service providers such as postal employees.

On a weekly basis, I hear stories of dogs biting adults, children and other dogs.  The biting typically occurs in the home or yard by a dog that the person/child/dog knows…i.e.  a family or neighborhood pet.  People are upset, angry and questioning what to do with the aggressor.   If the bite was imposed on a child and not severe, the dog is typically re-homed.  In more serious cases, like the stories we hear about on the news, the dog is euthanized.

The reality?  In most cases, the bite was 100% preventable. 

How can you protect your family…including your dog?  Let’s start with the first step, Reduce the Risk of Your Dog Biting.   I know that for many of you, I am preaching to the choir.  But for those who are unaware of how to prevent your dog from biting…this is worth the read. 

Be a responsible pet owner- as the saying goes:  love, license and LEASH your dog.  I know many people who don’t believe in the last part of that phrase.  They let their dog roam off leash as much as possible and enjoy giving him that freedom. 

Even if your dog is the most non aggressive dog on the planet, he could try to interact with a dog aggressive dog being walked on leash… an altercation ensues and someone gets bit.  OR, your unleashed dog, roaming around your front yard, becomes protective of his territory, and decides to chase and/or bite two and four legged passersby. 

These situations are completely avoidable simply by leashing your dog while walking and letting your dog have free range of their fenced and gated backyard.

Spay or neuter your dog- Having your dog altered will reduce their desire to roam and act aggressively.   Altered dogs are three times less likely to bite than non altered dogs.  Spaying/neutering also promotes a healthier lifestyle for your pet.

Socialize your dog- Introduce your puppy to many types of people, animals and situations so they are at ease when a new or strange situation occurs.  If you have an older dog that needs to beef up his social skills try a training class or work one on one with a training professional.

Train your dog- Enrolling your dog into a training class at an early age is the best choice, but older dogs can do well to take a refresher course.

Pet selection and timing- Dogs should never be obtained on impulse.  Research the type of dog that will blend well with your family and lifestyle.  Since so many bites happen to children, make sure it is the right time for you and your kids.  It is recommended to wait until children are over four years of age.

Most importantly, ALWAYS monitor your dog while with children.  Never let children and dogs have alone time.  As we all know, children love to play, tug at and chase dogs oftentimes.  They also don’t know better than to interrupt a dog while he is eating, snacking on a treat or sleeping.  These are all potential situations for a nip.

Keep your dog healthy- A healthy dog is a happy dog and the way a dog feels directly affects his actions.  Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and other infectious diseases and ensure comfort by using parasite control.

If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior towards people, children or animals contact your veterinarian ASAP to rule out a health related issue.  If your Sophie or Tucker checks out with a clean bill of health it is time to check him or her into a dog training class to address your concerns.

There is so much to say on this topic and to learn more please visit the following sites:

Dog Body Language:  http://www.pawsacrossamerica.com/interpret.html

Teaching Kid’s:  www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-dog-bite-prevention.html

A little bit of common sense will go a long way to keeping your family and pet safe!