I thought due to the recent IAMS/Eukanuba recall I’d write about dog food, appetites large and small, and the concept of switching foods on dogs. There are finicky eaters and then there is the human-created finicky eater! I have seen it all–the owner who cooks for their dog and the passive aggressive people-food-giver, who, albeit unintentionally, creates the occasional diner who will hold out for the steak scraps before touching his dog food.

Self induced torture? Well, for some dog owners, this is a constant emotional battle whether to (essentially) train their dog to beg or simply feed them the dog food they are paying for anyway and allow that to be enough. Could it be that simple? Actually, yes. Unless your dog is sick and usually a healthy eater and then decides not to eat. This is your indicator to take your dog to the vet. Otherwise, finicky eaters get created by humans. Time feeding your dog helps create a normal appetite along with no human food. Dog treats? Sure! Dogs will follow any rules you give them. If you are feeding your finicky eater wet and dry food, it’s best to mix the two together for a delicious meal. Sprinkling some treats and mixing it in the kibble helps, too. Another trick is to take a dog vitamin and crush it on top of the dry food, this makes a liver-flavored seasoning that dogs love–and it’s healthy.

As for those owners such as myself having to deal with the recent dog food recall yesterday? If you are switching your dog’s food to a new brand, do so over several days, slowly adding the new food in with the old!

Procter & Gamble has issued a recall for several brands of veterinary and dry food formulas due to the fear of salmonella contamination. They report that the recall of 22 different pet food formulas was taken as a precautionary measure. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

The recalled foods include:

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas: all dry sizes and varieties; best by date of 01 Jul 10 – 01 Dec 11; all UPC Codes

Eukanuba Naturally Wild: all dry sizes and varieties; best by date of 01 Jul 10 – 01 Dec 11; all UPC Codes

Eukanuba Pure: all dry sizes and varieties; best by date of 01 Jul 10 – 01 Dec 11; all UPC Codes

Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin: all dry sizes; best by 01 Jul 10 – 01 Dec 11; all UPC Codes.

Procter & Gamble states, “These products are made in a single, specialized facility.  In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination.  As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.”

“Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them.  People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.  Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.”

“Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.  Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.”

For more information regarding the recall and product refund contact P&G at 877-340-8823.

Yesterday I took one of my celebrity client’s dogs to Veterinary Cancer Group in LA and they gave me 10 tips for cancer awareness for me to share with you all!  These pointers can save your pet’s life (and your own wallet!) Please remember to always maintain a regular schedule of wellness exams with your vet.

Ten cancer symptoms to be aware of:

1. Unusual swellings that persist or grow

2. Sores that do not heal

3. Weight loss/loss of appetite

4. Unusual bleeding or discharge

5. Offensive odor

6. Difficulty eating or swallowing

7. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina

8. Persistent lameness or stiffness

9. Difficulty breathing

10. Difficulty urinating or defecating

For more info on keeping your dog or cat cancer free, head on over to Veterinary Cancer Group.

According to a story recently published by the Associated Press, half of the dogs that have died in flight on airplanes in the last five years have been short-nosed breeds such as bulldogs or pugs. Since May 2005, 144 dog deaths have been reported while being shipped as cargo. The largest number of deaths belonged to the bulldog breed, followed by pugs and then golden retrievers and labradors.

Why are these squishy faced pups more at risk? Short-snouted dogs, otherwise called “brachycephalic”, have less surface area inside the nasal cavity to breathe, unlike long-nosed breeds. The way dogs cool down is by panting, or simply breathing in and out. Stress and excitement on board a moving plane at high altitudes can easily raise a dog’s internal temperature. The heat exchange is confined to a tiny area in brachycephalic breeds, inabling them to cool their body temperatures properly. Dogs with longer noses therefore have a more efficient cooling system

The department of transportation states that along with the 144 pet deaths in the last four years, 55 pets were injured and 33 were lost. Always check with your vet before shipping your dog as cargo and seek their expert advice based on your dog’s needs (If only my German Shepherd would fit under the seat in the cabin!)

Get the full article here.

Max, a chocolate lab, saved his own life last week by honking the horn while trapped inside a car. After taking Max on a trip to run errands, his owner forgot to bring him back inside with her when she returned home. Incredibly, the 11 year old pup was smart enough to press down on the horn until his owner came to the realization that Max had spent an hour inside the scorching car. She immediately rushed him inside and cooled him down with cold, wet rags. Luckily, Max survived, but countless dogs perish every summer when temperatures soar.

A study from Stanford University found that even on a 72 degree day, a car’s internal temperature will rise to 116 degrees in just 60 minutes, even if the windows are cracked. A dog can only withstand a few minutes of severe heat before suffering with heart, liver, brain and nerve damage, and possibly death.

If the temperature’s warm out, do your pup a favor and leave him at home in the AC! And if you ever see a dog that appears to be in distress in a hot car, call 911 immediately. Get more stats on ke!eping your dog safe and cool this summer here!

Itching, scratching and licking can be the cause of many things other than fleas! I know those crazy nights when you’re trying to fall asleep and you hear that annoying sound of slurping or collars and tags jingling and no amount of yelling the word “No” will stop it. Always check with your vet, but you can go in to the vet’s office armed with information that will help solve the itching problem faster!

Keep reading…

Hi there!  I wanted to share with you my  recent visit to the vet. I took my on dogs in for their annual doggy check up. As we sat in the waiting room, there were 5 other very stressed out dogs among us. What makes a dog nervous? They can pick up on your voice inflection and tonality when saying, “Do you want to go to the vet?” Dogs can also get nervous hearing other dogs in the vet’s office in discomfort. So, how do you create a pleasant experience?

Keep reading…

Here are some of my quick tips and top ten picks for must-have “gets” and what to wait on for shopping for dog products and saving a lot of money! Knowledge is power and knowing when to buy what can save you a lot of aggravation (and even having to replace costly furniture and carpets)! Also, remember, you need to keep money aside for vet bills that will include a series of puppy shots, microchipping, spaying or neutering your dog, flea prevention and food!

Keep reading…

I get this question so often that it saddens me. Many people wonder if it’s “better” for a dog to have a litter or so of puppies. Or they have such a cute dog that they want to breed her just once. Or they wait too long to get their pup spayed or neutered and an accidental litter happens! Spaying and neutering your dog is 100% the right thing to do! Yes, spay or neuter your puppy!!!

Fixing your dog early is better for their health, makes training easier, and allows them to socialize in dog parks without problems.

The number of homeless dogs is astronomical. The ASPCA states that it is impossible to determine exactly how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States, but the estimate for cats alone ranges up to 70 million. Do your part to help control this problem by having your dog (and cat!) spayed or neutered. I had no problem with getting my female dog spayed. However, some people project their own issues onto their dogs, and feel they would not want to be spayed or neutered themselves. O.k. this I have to say is ridiculous and really kind of hilarious. It’s a really easy, simple surgery. Ask your vet.

Having puppies is a lot of work. If you don’t believe me, go read a book on how to breed your dog: it isn’t pretty. I also suggest going to your local shelter to see some of the thousands of homeless dogs and cats waiting to be killed, due to humans’ lack of responsibility. The figures are staggering. Approximately 6-8 million animals enter shelters across the nation each year, and 3-4 million of these are destroyed.

These numbers are driven by puppy mills and backyard breeding, but are mainly driven by owner irresponsibility and a lack of education. If you’re still not convinced about neutering, ask your vet about the many health risks, such as testicular cancers and a host of behavioral issues, including potential dog aggression, which can develop in unneutered dogs.

Many people have also asked me if spaying or neutering will make their dog fat and lazy or change his/her personality. I would like you to look at my lean, 110 pound German Shepherd Dog (who was neutered at the age of six months) in the eye and tell him that he is fat or lazy. The only things that will make your dog fat are overfeeding and lack of exercise.

I urge you to please take responsibility and get your dog fixed. Do research and educate yourself! Leave breeding to professionals.

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Fido can get the flu? Shockingly, yes. The strain of influenza known as H3N8 jumped species from horses to hounds and can be easily transmitted amongst dogs. Veterinarians have developed the first-ever vaccine to protect our four-legged friends. The USDA has licensed Nobivac, which wards off canine influenza if exposed to the virus. The vaccine consists of an initial injection, followed by a booster several weeks later, then a shot once a year. So far, 746 dogs have been vaccinated with no adverse side effects.

Canine influenza has been diagnosed in 33 states and symptoms range from lethargy, lack of appetite, sneezing, coughing and possible pneumonia. Veterinarians say dogs that go to doggie daycare, the dog park, boarding kennels, and even dog shows are at risk of becoming infected by the virus which peaks in the summer when more dogs are prone to interact with each other during nice weather.

As always, check with your vet regarding any doggie health issues!