Le Caring's AKC Dachshunds

Your pet is at risk of being poisoned everyday and you probably don't even realize, because it can happen by things you would never think would hurt him or her. I have an emergency card with a list of possible threats to make you aware, so no harm will come to your prized pet! If your pet were to accidentally ingest something, call your local poison control right away. Be prepared with a pet first aid kit, a list of things to keep handy is on the card below.

Going to the Vet repeatedly over several months for vaccinations, and then for boosters throughout the Dog's Life, May seem like a bother, But the diseases from which vaccines shield our pets are truly dreadful, potenially deadly, and largely preventable. Always Discuss vaccine schedules with you Vet, since not all dogs need every vaccination. But to let you know why vaccinations are sooo important, here are descriptions of the diseases the vaccines will help your pet  to avoid.

1.Canine Distemper,  a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestional (GI) and nervous systems of dogs, wild canids, raccoons, skunks, and other animals. It causes discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and often, death. There is no specific drug for the virus, the symptoms can be alleviated, giving the dog's immune system a chance to fight it off.

2. Canine Hepatitis, is a disease of the liver caused by a virus that is unrelated to the human form of hepatitis. Symptoms range from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to severe depression, vomiting, jaundice, stomach enlargement, and pain around the liver. many dogs can overcome the mild form of the disease, but the severe form can kill. There is no cure, but doctors can treat the symptoms.

3. Corona Virus, is a nasty virus that usually affects dogs gastrointestinal systems, though it can also cause respiratory infections. Signs include most GI symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors can keep a dog hydrated, warm, and comfortable, and help alleviate nausea, but there is no drug that kills coronaviruses.

4. Canine Parainfluenza, is one of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough. Bordetella is a highly communicable bacterium that causes severe fits of coughing, whooping, vomiting, and in rare cases, seizures and death. It is the primary cause of Kennel cough (see below). There are injectable and nasal spray vaccines available.

5. Kennel Cough, also known as infectious trocheabronchitis, results from inflammation of the upper airways. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections (see bordetella and canine parainfluenza), and often involves multiple infections simutaneously. Usually the disease is mild and self-limiting, causing bouts of harsh, dry coughing, sometimes severe enough to spur retching and gagging, along with a loss of appetite, but in rare cases it can kill. It is easily spread between dogs kept close together, which is why it passes quickly through kennels and shows. Antibiotics are usually not necessary, except in severe, chronic cases. Cough suppressants can make a dog more comfortable.

6. Leptospirosis, unlike most disease on this list, is caused by bacteria, and sometimes evinces no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they can include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, severe weakness and depression, stiffness, muscle pain, or infertility. Antibiotics are effective, but the sooner they are given, the better.

7. Lyme Disease, Unlike the famous "bull's-eye" rash that people exposed to Lyme disease often spot, no such telltale symptom occurs in dogs. Instead, an infected dog often starts limping, his lymph nodes swell, his tempeerature rises, and he stops eating. The disease can affect his heart, kidney, and joints, among other things, or lead to neurological disorders if left untreated. If diagnosed quickly, a course of antibiotics is extremely helpful, though relapses can occur months or even years later.

8. Parvovirus, attacks the gastrointestinal system and creates loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and often severe, bloody diarrhea. Extreme dehydration can come on rapidly and kill a dog within 48 to 72 hours, so prompt veterinary attention is crucial. There is no cure, so keeping the dog hydrated and controlling the secondary symptoms can keep him going until his immune system beats the illness.

9. Rabies, is a virus that invades the central nervous system, causing headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, paralysis, and death. Treatment within hours of infection is essential, otherwise death is highly likely. most states require rabies vaccination at set intervals (every one to five years). Check with your vet about local rabies vaccination laws.

10. Heartworm, Though there is no vaccine for this condition, it is preventable with regular medication. The name is descriptive-these worms lodge in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries (that send blood to the lungs), Though they can travel through the rest of the body and sometimes invade the liver and kidneys. The worms can grow up to 14 inches long and, if clumped together, block and injure organs. A new infection often causes no symptoms, though dogs in later stages of the disease may cough, become lethargic, lose their appetite or have difficulty breathing. Infected dogs may tire after mild exercise. Unlike most of the diseases listed here, which are passed by urine, feces, and other body fluids, heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease is treatable if caught early.

11.Canine adenovirus, causes canine hepatitis and kennel cough Adenoviruses are linear, double-stranded DNA viruses which infect a wide variety of mammals and birds. Two have been identified in the dog: canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) which infects most of the major organs causing, amongst other diseases, hepatitis, and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) which causes respiratory and enteric diseases.

Canine adenovirus type 1, causes canine hepatitis. The virus invades the dogs liver, causing swelling, cell damage sometimes liver haemorrhage and often acute death due to shock. An infected dog will shed the virus in the feces and urine. Other dogs become contaminated via the mouth or nose and the virus then lodges in the tonsils. The virus is not airborne. The incubation period is 4 to 7 days. Canine hepatitis was first documented in the silver fox in 1925, but the disease did not appear in domestic dogs until the 1930s and 1940s.

Symptoms include fever, lethargy, tonsillitis, abdominal distension and pain, loss of appetite and a pale colour. Often there is vomiting. Some dogs will develop the classic hepatitis blue eyes. The is due to odoema (fluid swelling) of the cornea of the eye. In severe acute cases, especially pups, death can occur in 1 to 2 days. If dogs can survive the initial few days, they should recover and have lifelong immunity. However, regular vaccination is a preferntial.

Canine adenovirus type 2, is related to the hepatitis virus and is one of the causes of infectious tracheobronchitis, also known as kennel cough. Vaccination against adenovirus-2 will not prevent infection with this virus but limits its severity so the chance of secondary bacterial infection and complications occurring is minimized. In most cases of kennel cough, the disease is multifaceted and will include a combination of bacterial and viral agents.

Normally, symptoms of kennel cough will develop within a week after a dog has been exposed. The most common symptoms are a dry, hacking cough followed by retching, and coughing up a white foamy discharge. The cough is brought on by an inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (the air passages to the lungs). Some dogs also develop conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), rhinitis (inflamed nasal mucous membrane), and a nasal discharge.

Note: knowing how the contagious  diseases above can be and easily transmitted in especially young puppies that are nursing and haven't been vaccinated yet, please note that I will not allow anyone to visit my puppies until atleast 3 wks. old. I will ask you prior to entering my home that you do not visit any kennels or other breeders homes prior to coming to my home without first going home and bathing, changing your clothes and shoes. You may be asked to apply hand sanitizer prior to touching the babies. Just because we take proper cleaning measures daily in our homes, doesn't mean other breeders do & kennels can be seriously contaminated. I may be a germ-a-phobe with my dogs but, I would rather want them to be safe then be sorry later. Thank you for your understanding. This is actually the proper way visit young puppies. We love our dogs more than words can say. ~Marilynn & Barbara

I have some  excellent and useful information from The American Kennel Club's New Puppy Handbook, about signs of good health, causes for concern, when your dog needs emergency care, how to take you dog's temperature & what is the normal dog temperature. I hope you find this info useful..

Parasites 
A creature that lives off another animal is a parasite. They can feast on skin and blood or leach on inside, eating your dog’s leftovers. If your dog itches one spot too much and starts to pull their hair out, they may get a hot spot (acute pyotraumatic dermatitis that is not due to a single underlying cause ). Go to the doctor immediately.

External parasites
Fleas, lice, and mites are the most common external parasites found on the dog.

Fleas
Fleas do not transmit disease from dog to another dog or from dog to human. But they are a pest that causes annoyance not just to the dog but the human companion and cat too. Its important to understand that defleaing just the dog is not sufficient to cure your flea situation. The flea lays its eggs in bedding grass, the dog’s favorite piece of furniture, carpeting, and in your car, basically anywhere the dog goes.The flea lays hundreds, possibly thousands of eggs and these eggs hatch in about 8-10 days. It is; therefore, important to deflea all these areas at the same time you deflea the dog.There are excellent products on the market that can halt the eggs from hatching and many of these products are very long lasting. There are new products that need be applied only once monthly to the dog. The liquid is applied in one place on the dog’s back and kills the flea eggs. Excellent results are being reported. It is only available through your vet. The yard must be treated and there are biodegradable and non-toxic products that work well. Check with your veterinarian as well as your local pet shop. This process must be started in early spring in some parts of the U.S. and continued until fall.

Lice
The lice that are found on dogs are not the same lice found on humans. There is no threat from dog lice, as it is not interested in human blood. There are many varieties of lice, mostly all are specific to humans. The specific dog lice are Linognathus setosus and L. piliferus. Linognathus refers to the structure of the mouth; setosus refers to bristles and piliferus to hair.

Mites
The three types of mites found on dogs are:Otodectes which is an ear mite. Sarcoptic Mange which causes severe itching, thickening skin and odor. Follicular Mange which lives in the hair follicles and causes the hair to fall out, the skin to redden and eventually forms postules.

Ticks
Ticks are most often found in wooded areas and beaches. These need to be removed from the dog by using tweezers or paper making sure to wear gloves as the ticks blood can contain organisms which can infect humans with dangerous disease.

You should always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. 

Internal
Internal parasites are worms.

Roundworms
The common roundworm is found most often in puppies where they hatch in the intestines. If it is treated when the dog is young, rarely will a heavy infestation be found when the dog is older. These worms may be passed on occasion through the stool and look like thin spaghetti about 1-3 inches longs, whites, firm and sometimes coiled or curled.

Hookworms
Hookworms are also common in puppies but a dog of any age can be infected. This worm in a heavy infestation can cause death and it will usually attack a weak, sickly animal. Things to look for are weakness, anemia, and thin, mucous-like diarrhea possibly with blood. Call your vet if you see these symptoms.

Whipworms
Whipworms respond well to oral medicine. Symptoms may be on and off diarrhea, poor condition and the coat may seem dry and brittle.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are often found in the older dog. There are two species of this worm. One spends part of its cycle in the flea. When your dog eats a flea it becomes infected. The other spends part of its cycle in the rabbit or mouse. When the dog gets hold of and eats one of these animals it also becomes infected. This worm attaches itself to the lining in the intestines and some segments will break off and come out with the stool. It is usually easy to identify this worm and a stool sample can be taken to your vet for confirmation. Oral medicine is very effective for this worm but only lasts on a temporary basis. Once a flea, rabbit, or mouse is ingested medicine is again required.

Coccidia
Coccidia lay their eggs in stools. Dogs become infected by eating other dogs stools. They are not from the worm family. They are protozoans that line the intestinal track causing loose, watery stools, bloating, vomiting and weight loss. Treatment is quick and easy.

Giardia
Another protozoan, these water-loving creatures are found in most outdoor water sources and once ingested, they feast on the inner lining of the small intestine. This creates inflammation leading to loose stools, bloating and weight loss. Dogs pick this up by drinking infected water or digesting the stools of other infected dogs so bring fresh water for your dog if you are picnicking by a pond. Treatment involves the use of a drug that can have side-effects over long-term use.

Speaking about butts: If your dog is dragging his butt outside in the grass or the forbidden "NO NO" your freshly cleaned carpeting, this may not a matter of parasite infestation, istead something not a subject much talked about. Your dog may need his anal glands expressed. Below is a video touching this not so pretty subject but, very necessary or an infection could occur due to a anal gland impaction, very uncomfortable for fido.

How to Express a Dog's Anal Gland -- powered by eHow.com

What to do in an emergency may mean the difference between life and death for your dog. We  pet owners should all know  first aid to help our dog! Just like first aid for humans, is an effective combination of knowledge, supplies and skills, put into action for the benefit of dogs. All dog lovers should know canine first aid and a good canine first aid kit is an absolute must. You can create your own canine first aid kit, or buy one of the many excellent pre-packaged kits available online.

If you are going to create your own kit there are a few essential items that should be included: Scissors, Gauze Pads & Rolls, Vet Wrap, Alcohol Prep Pads, Latex Gloves, Eyewash Solution, Instant Cold packs, Tweezers, Nail clippers, a Triple Antibiotic Ointment like Neosporin, Hydrogen Peroxide. Surgical rubber tubing and a 4 inch piece of dowel wood makes an excellent tourniquet and can be included as well.

Emergency

No one ever expects an accident or emergency, but when it does happen it is always best to be prepared, an ounce of prevention on your part can save your dogs life. Knowing what to do in an emergency and then acting swiftly to take the proper steps can lessen the chance of your dog sustaining additional injury.

Use an index card to list contact numbers, office hours of your regular vet, emergency clinic and poison control center and tape that to the inside lid of you emergency first aid kit. Make additional copies and post one on your refrigerator door so that anyone who needs the information can easily find it. Keep the numbers of your regular and emergency vet in your cell phone in case you have a situation while you are on the road or away from home with your dog.

Shock

Shock involves several signs that occur as a result of a traumatic injury such as an automobile strike, electric shock, animal attack and especially burns. Signs of shock can include but are not limited to; muscle weakness, rapid heart rate and breathing, pale tongue and gums, reduced pulse rate, shivering and cool extremities. A dog in shock is in immanent danger and if not treated promptly can result in death.

Assess the situation and consider a muzzle to restrain a pet that is in pain, even the most loving pet can give you a serious bite in response to pain. A muzzle can be improvised from a piece of rope, a neck tie, gauze strip and even panty hose. In extreme situations a blanket can be placed over the dog until a muzzle can be applied. To treat shock first control any bleeding (this is not the time to clean out wounds), keep the dog warm and quiet, do not let them move around, call the vet and transport right away to the closest emergency veterinary hospital.

Bleeding

When a dog is bleeding severely, the bleeding must receive immediate attention before doing anything else, regardless of any other injuries that may be present. Bleeding can be controlled by applying firm pressure from a cloth, bandages, or your own hand if necessary. Try not to remove the bandage to check the wound because bleeding may start again. If firm pressure does not slow down the rate of bleeding, a tourniquet may be needed. The tourniquet should be located about 3 inches above the bleeding wound with just enough pressure to stop the bleeding, do not over tighten. The tourniquet should be loosened every 10 to 15 minutes and then reapplied until the bleeding can be controlled with a pressure bandage.

Poison

Sudden onset of illness in a previously healthy dog could indicate poisoning but that can be difficult to prove unless you observe your dog being exposed to a poison. Signs of poisoning can include trembling, weakness, drooling, foaming at the mouth, vomiting and loss of bowel and bladder control. Two of the most common poisonings seen by veterinarians are rat poison and antifreeze.

You’ll need to act quickly and correctly if you suspect your dog has been poisoned, the longer the poison stays in the dog’s system, the more damaging it will be. Only induce vomiting if you know for sure that the dog hasn’t ingested a corrosive substance. Call your veterinarian or emergency vet, if you know what kind of poison the dog ingested it will be much easier for the vet to advise you. If possible bring the package the substance came in as that will often assist them in determining the appropriate course of action.

This is from the Merck Veterinary web site: This method is guaranteed to make a dog throw up. Use only by advice of your local emergency clinic or poison control.

Hydrogen Peroxide 3% To induce vomiting after accidental ingestion of a poison. 1 Tablespoon per 10 Lbs. Up to 3 times, 10 minute intervals, until vomiting occurs.

I owned a Shiba Inu before my heart fell for the Dachshund breed. I went to visit my Grandparents one day and brought Foxy. Foxy was out in the back yard hooked onto a dog run. I went to check on her and she climbed up the emergency steps on the side of the building, jumped off the steps and hung herself over the dog run line. My Grandfather said she's dead, as she fell into my arms like a limp rag, her pupils were dilated, gums were gray/tongue etc., however I refused to believe that so, I performed CPR on Foxy and brought her back within 2 minutes. Everyone who owns a dog should know how to do this, accidents happen. The end of this story located below.

CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitaion - is an attempt to supply blood flow and oxygen to the tissues of the body when normal respiration and/or heart function have failed. Time is critical as irreversible tissue damage occurs within 2-4 minutes of respiratory or circulatory arrest. Signs of cardiac arrest include unconsciousness, cessation of breathing, pale to grey-white gums, dilated pupils.

How to perform CPR on a dog

Check for heart activity- listen to the chest

feel for pulses - femoral artery (located in the stifle region)

Call or yell out for help, if  someone else is available!

Airway- open mouth, pull out tongue, look and feel for obstructions (Do a finger sweep)

Clear mucus. Careful - DO NOT GET BITTEN!

Extend head and neck back.

Breathing- with head and neck extended, hold dog's nose with his mouth closed with your hand cupped around it. inhale, then place your mouth over dog's nose and mouth and exhale, watching for chest expansion as you blow.remove your mouth to allow lungs to deflate. rate is 12 - 20 breaths per minute.

Circulation - for deep-chested dogs, place dog right side down with his spine against your body. Position your hands one on top of the other with fingers entwined and the heel of the palm at approximately the level of the 4th - 6th rib, 1/3 of the way up the chest from the sternum. Apply compression in a firm, steady downward motion, release.

rate: approx 100 - 120 compressions/minute

single resuscitator: 2 breaths / 15 compressions

double resuscitators: 1 breath / 3-5 compressions

check efficiency by feeling for pulses

DO NO STOP FOR LONGER THAN 30 SECONDS

Prognosis is poor if fixed and dilated pupils do not constrict down after initiation of CPR.

After 2 minutes of performing CPR on my Shiba Inu Foxy, she started to straighten her legs out, her pupils began to constrict, she started to become pink. 10 minutes later Foxy was ready to help herself to my Grandmother's famous stuffed peppers, sitting on a plate on the table as I was holding her crying tears of relief and joy at the kitchen table. If I didn't know what to do that day, she would have never returned to the world to share her remaining years with me. Foxy never suffered any brain damage. I had Foxy, from a puppy, since I was 17 years old. My Grandfather was amazed by my skill that day, he said "Marilynn you truly have a special gift with animals". My Grandfather has since passed away but, I will always remember the look of amazement in his eyes. ~Marilynn  

CPR is only to be used in a life or death situation. Never practice CPR on a LIVE animal. You could injure them!

Above: Foxy when she got older. See how white her face is from old age. She went on to give me many wonderful happy times. Foxy was a Red/Sesame in color AKC registered Shiba Inu.

Foxy with her son Taz. Foxy was age 2-1/2 in picture. Taz was still a puppy yet, because his ears wasn't standing yet.