Adopting Sonic

Don't miss the Raising Indiana interview with P.E.T.S. LLC owner, Kyle Peterson, at http://raisingindianana.blogspot.com/

P.E.T.S. LLC was an important aspect of Sonic finding his way to his forever family with Emily. Thanks Kyle & P.E.T.S. LLC!

Adopting
Sonic.

Author,
Emily Booth

For the past
two years all I have heard about from my fiancé is how the first thing that we
were going to do as a couple once we had our own home was to adopt a dog. We have both always had a pet in our homes
growing up and really wanted our very own. Before we even signed the papers on our first home we were searching
petfinder and other similar sites for our perfect dog. After researching endless options – anyone
who knows me will tell you that I over-research everything – we decided we
really wanted to rescue a dog. We had
already decided that a young, untrained puppy was not something we would have
the time for at the time and decided to start searching for a year or two old dog
that needed rescuing. I can’t even begin
to count the number of rescues I contacted in Connecticut alone. We saw so many dogs online that they were
honestly all starting to blend together. Initially we had decided that we would only adopt a dog that was located
in CT as we felt strongly about ensuring that we had a connection with the dog
we chose… I knew I would feel terrible if we had a dog transported here and it
simply wasn’t a good match. Then Jim saw
Sonic online. Something about his
picture jumped out at us, and for the first time we actually got excited about
a specific dog. I saw a friend that
evening and couldn’t stop talking about this goofy looking dog that we found
online. I contacted the rescue that
sponsored the listing and was eventually led to speak with the foster family…inTennessee. I was hesitant but something told me I had to
find out more about this awesome looking dog. I spoke with Sheila (Sonic’s foster) extensively and the more she
described Sonic the more I knew this was the dog for us. I could tell that Sheila truly loved Sonic
because of the passion she had when telling me all about him. I felt confident that she was being honest
with me about not only Sonic’s high points but also kept me informed on the
areas he still needed training on. I
told her about our lifestyle and what we were looking for and in the end we
both decided that Sonic belonged with my family. So in the end, despite the fact that we went
into the process not looking to transport a dog from out of state, that is what
we ended up doing. We now have the most
amazing dog that we could have ever asked for. Sonic is happy, energetic, lovable, and is loving experiencing his new
environment. We are so thrilled that we
made the decision to rescue a dog. We
ended up working with rescue organizations, a foster family, and a transport
service that really cares about making sure that dogs receive the family that
is the perfect match for them. Transporting Sonic was extremely easy and
relatively stress free for all involved. Being able to view the transport service online eased any of our
concerns. When Sonic arrived in Connecticut I could tell
that although he was a bit anxious, he was healthy and well cared for. I still remember hearing his adorable howl
when they opened the transport door! The
transport team ensured that each dog was united with their forever family and
any questions were immediately answered. When we begin looking for a second dog for our family I will absolutely
be looking out of state for our next amazing rescue dog!

Emily Booth
is Sonic’s loving forever mom and makes her home with her fiancé in Connecticut.

As Sonic’s
foster mom I cannot thank Emily and her fiancé enough for opening their life
and home to a dog from another state, especially the South. When rescuers, fosters, potential adopters
and reliable transport services work together thousands of otherwise unwanted
animals gain a new chance at love and life!

A huge thank
you goes out to Kyle & Pam Peterson from P.E.T.S. LLC for saving over
34,000 animals since 2004, and helping to connect Sonic with his forever
family.

For more
information visit http://www.petsllc.net/index.php

Lissette

We have a new addition in our home. Lissette, a

Great Pyrenees/Deerhound mix, is our newest foster dog. 

What a beauty she is, too. Inside and out. At only a year old

she is a curious combination of puppy and elegance. She’s
lithe and spirited just as a Deerhound should be, but turn

her loose in the backyard after nightfall and she is all Great Pyrenees. 

That is a very polite way of saying she has the vocal chords of a

large guardian breed and she isn’t afraid to use them.

Lissette came to us from a local rescue group. She was rescued from an

area shelter. Her life before the shelter is a mystery. She is well

groomed and housebroken. Could she have been an
adored pet? Her left ear bears an odd split at the tip-an exact cut,

not a tear and well healed. Was she marked in some way by a farmer? 

She is severely underweight. Was she a stray without food or the victim of
the slow economy with a family no longer able to feed her? Her trusting

ease with humans and other animals does not suggest she was abused

or neglected but then one never knows. Does any of this really matter? 

She’s safe now with a happy, healthy future ahead.

She is inside as I write. Quiet. And very curious about her
surroundings. My four huntsmen, as I affectionately call my Great Pyrenees,

are so settled in their ways and know what is expected of them

(not that they always deliver) that life moves at a predictable speed

around here. They know every table, chair, picture frame and dust

gathering knick-knack this old house has to offer. So it’s a very special
perspective when a new animal enters our lives and household. 

Lissette insists on investigating every inch of the home and yard. 

It’s entertaining watching her sniff, crawl under tables and chairs

and maneuver between the couch back and wall. 

None of the huntsmen are able to accomplish that last one.

She is happy, too. You can tell by her gate, bright eyes and fluffy

raised tail. That makes the frosty winter walks worth each
step and the extra work not as tedious.

Fostering an animal is a commitment to the unknown—temperament,
training, health, time. I do not know how long Lissette will call this place
“foster home”, some fosters reside with their families for months
before adoption. Attachment is inevitable--especially when the
animal is as beautiful and sweet as Lissette. It’s difficult to say
goodbye not matter how long a dog is with you.

But fostering is one of the single most rewarding acts
anyone can do to help save lives. Knowing
you have helped save a life and have had a hand in selecting a dog’s forever
family makes the extra work, cold nights and teary goodbyes a little easier.

Lissette is available for adoption through AARF in Tennessee http://www.adoptapet.com/pet6682039.html. There
are thousands just like her waiting to be adopted or fostered. If you would

like to adopt or foster an animal please contact your local animal

shelter or Humane Society, or visit Petfinder.com http://www.petfinder.com/index.html.

Sheila Rinks is the editor of Finding Fuzzybutt Four, producer of the Raising Indiana podcast and shares her home with her husband, 4 Great Pyrenees and 2 very well-fed kitties.

What is the AAFCO?

The AAFCO or the Association of American Fee Control
Officials is a local, state and federal association of officials whose job it
is to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feed & drug remedies.

An association that has become under fire at times because
membership is voluntary and the AAFCO has no regulatory authority, it does
provide a forum for discussion of issues the affect the health of animals and
humans. And, can be a useful resource
for pet owners.

One of the AAFCO’s main roles is to make certain the
manufacture, distribution and sale of animal feeds meets scientific studies
that result in regulations, standards, definitions control.

If you are a pet owner who feeds a homemade or raw food diet
the regulations and research provided by the AAFCO at their site www.aafco.org can provide data on what types
and amounts of nutrients are necessary for canine health.

Sheila Rinks is the editor of Finding Fuzzybutt Four, producer of the Raising Indiana podcast and shares her home with her husband, 4 Great Pyrenees and 2 very well-fed kitties.

Matchmaking for Pet Lovers

We all know how easy it is to strike up a conversation with
others when we are out with our pets.
Even when our pets aren’t with us at a dinner party or lunch meeting,
one of the first things we all do is whip out our cell phones to show off our
adorable Spikes and Bellas.

Meet a stranger and need a quick ice breaker to begin small
talk? Ask about their pets. It opens doors to even the toughest most
standoff-ish people.

Now imagine being single and trying to meet that perfect
someone. What a nerve-racking experience
for all of us. What if you have the
perfect, fluffy wingman on a leash?

With more and more people meeting their significant others
online, it makes sense that dating/match making services for pet lovers has
become a big business.

Sheryl Matthys of the online social community, Leashes and Lovers, says people often
trust their dog’s instincts more than their own when meeting new people.

Members of the fee-based service www.leashesandlovers.com
add photos and videos of themselves and the pooches to their profiles. They also have access to monthly teleseminars
by experts on health, relationships, dog health and training—combining looking
for love and raising a happy, social dog into one location.

What a great way to connect with other singles who have a
love for their dog as strong as you do?
Might we suggest the local dog park as a first date choice?

Sheila Rinks is the editor of Finding Fuzzybutt Four, producer of the Raising Indiana podcast and shares her home with her husband, 4 Great Pyrenees and 2 very well-fed kitties.

Honorary Fuzzybutt--Let's find Reggie a home!

Yes, Finding Fuzzybutt Four is all about great pyrenees but sometimes we find a cutie that is just too hard to say no to. Meet Reggie. He's our honorary Fuzzybutt and he needs a loving home.

Though Reggie is only two months old, he has suffered a great deal in that short amount of time. Reggie was brought into the Austin Humane Society by a good samaritan who rescued him after a botched backyard tail-docking procedure. Poor Reggie's tail is raw and very painful, and he will need surgery when he is old enough (roughly in January) to completely fix his issues. Here at AHS, Reggie is receiving the care he needs to recover from this traumatic experience and the medicine he needs to ensure he heals without pain. We are working to find Reggie a wonderful family that can care for his needs and provide him with the loving home he deserves. Reggie is a purebred Doberman, neutered, HW negative and up to date on shots. The AHS already has a working relationship with a vet for Reggie's care. Adoption fee and application is required, and AHS prefers a local home for Reggie. Please cal 512-646-7387 for more info or to adopt sweet Reggie.

Sheila Rinks is the editor of Finding Fuzzybutt Four, producer of the Raising Indiana podcast and shares her home with her husband, 4 Great Pyrenees and 2 very well-fed kitties.

Christmas Pets? Advice from the ASPCA

Thinking of Getting a Pet This Holiday
Season? Watch This Video First

The holidays are a popular time to bring
home a new pet—and for animals in shelters, getting a real home is the best
gift ever. But listen up, potential pet parents: Bringing home a new furry
friend is also a serious commitment.

To help would-be adopters, the ASPCA Adoption
Center has prepared a
special video explaining the do’s and don’ts of holiday pet adoption.

http://www.aspca.org/Blog/holiday-pet-video.aspx

Just remember, surprises are wonderful, but
never give a pet as a gift. See if your shelter has a gift-certificate instead!

Courtesy of the ASPCA Blog at
www.aspca.org/Blog

A Christmas Gift? Or please don't give a pet as a Christmas gift!

A Christmas Gift?

Or please don't give a pet as a Christmas gift!

Author, Bob McMillan

It’s a heartwarming image. Christmas morning. The family is gathered, the tree is
lit and the kids come thundering down the stairs to tear into their pile of
presents. And there it is wearing a bright bow, a wiggly new bright-eyed puppy. Squeals of joy fill the room.

Fast-forward two months. The puppy’s behind bars at the local shelter along with dozens of other whimpering dogs jettisoned after the holidays. The house is a wreck, mom and dad are frostbitten and frazzled and relations with the kids are less than jolly.

Ho, ho, ho. It’s not a great way to start the new year, huh.

Raising a puppy is a staggering amount of work and time if you care about the dog’s well-being, if you’re aware that you’re committing to meeting its needs for at least the next decade and if you like the idea of hanging onto a shred of sanity during the winter months ahead.

Yet the idea of the Christmas gift puppy persists, and so does the flooding of animals shelters in February and March when reality sets in.

Still leaning towards that Christmas puppy? The Web site pets1st.com has a brilliant article this month (http://pets1st.com/articles/00074PuppyBootCamp.asp)
suggesting ways you can get ready for that bundle of joy under the tree:

• Pour puddles of cold apple juice in unexpected places all through the house.
Then walk around in the dark barefooted or in your sock feet. Step in it again
and again. Swear profusely. Then start scrubbing. Some spots will come out.
Some won’t. You’re okay with this, right?

• Rip out the toes and heels of all your socks and wear them. Day after day. Wear
them. Does the expression “bundle of joy” still just roll off your tongue?

• With a razor blade, make tiny cuts in your fingertips and knuckles. Prick your
hands all over with needles. Puppies have tiny, sharp teeth and love to use
them, remember?

•The second you wake up, rush outside in the dark and rain and say, “Be a good
boy and do your business.” Relish the icy wind whipping through your pajamas. You’ll get that a lot.

• Company coming? Scatter your underwear all through the house. Make sure you
tear holes in it first.

• String rolls of toilet paper all through the house and shred it like confetti.

• Chip and nick the legs of all your furniture with an ice pick or whatever else
you think best resembles marks left by a set of busy little teeth.

There’s more but ... you get the idea: Just like bringing a new baby into your home, a
new puppy brings a lot of smiles, but a tremendous amount of work and
responsibility, too. Most folks make plans well in advance and get the house
ready for the new addition. They don’t spring it on someone on Christmas
morning.

Christmas is probably one of the worst times you could pick to introduce a new puppy to your household. Sure, the kids are home on break, but after that first hour of running around the house like maniacs with the puppy, they’re likely to want to play with those other presents. The puppy is left to its own devices. And teeth.

Even if you kennel your puppy inside until it’s housebroken, it still needs
near-constant attention making sure it gets outside regularly for potty breaks
and to show it (over and over) that puppy toys are fine for chewing, but
clothing, furniture and electric cords are not.

Even if there happens to be a puppy class starting the day after Christmas, you’ll
have your hands full showing your new puppy the rules for living with people.
And Christmas is usually time for travel, school begins shortly and you’re soon
back to your regular work schedule. The puppy is left alone. A lot.

And remember, the clock is ticking on your puppy’s socialization. He has 16 weeks from birth to meet more than 100 people. Nature allows a window of opportunity when a puppy is open to new experiences. His brain is growing fast. If he’s not met at least 100 new people by the end of the 16 weeks, he could have trouble
later on meeting strangers. Possibly “trouble” in the form of biting. Once the
window closes, he’s lost the potential to be easily comfortable around
strangers.

Most new puppy owners are pressed to arrange enough encounters during the “window.” It takes a real effort to get the puppy out and around. Even if you have a large family, you’re usually busier during the holidays and so is everyone
else. Unless you’re planning on crashing a lot of parties with your puppy,
socialization over the holidays is hard to schedule.

Walking your puppy, waiting for it to do its bathroom business, playing with your puppy, they’re all a lot more fun when it’s not two degrees and ice pellets
aren’t bouncing off your head. Giving the gift of a puppy at Christmas could
also mean giving the gift of frostbite.

And while you’re thinking about timing, ask yourself why that puppy was available for Christmas wrapping. Most responsible breeders go to great lengths to bring together two dogs whose strengths will improve their line. Sometimes the stars align to produce a quality litter just in time for Christmas, but usually not. If you’re interested in a healthy purebred, remember it’s possible that Christmas money and not the healthiest puppies possible was the motive for that litter.

Puppies are a wonderful adventure and, ideally, the start of a long-term relationship between you and your dog. Why not plan an advantageous start? And for goodness sakes, don’t surprise someone with a 10-to-16-year commitment. The recipient — and the animal shelter — will thank you for thinking things through.

Bob McMillan is an editor and columnist with the
Cookeville Herald-Citizen
newspaper and lives on a mountain with several giant hounds and wary cats.

This column was originally printed in the Herald-Citizen
in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Please visit http://www.herald-citizen.com/ for more information on the
newspaper. We thank the Herald-Citizen
staff for allowing FFBF
to re-print this piece.

Finn is Bob & Peggy McMillan's Irishwolfhound. Photo is courtesy of Peggy McMillan.

Holiday Stress

Holiday Stress

Author, Jan Casey

Well, here it is again - "that" time of the year. For our dogs, there are some significant
changes which affect them: the weather, the number of hours we engage them in
outside activities, their feeding schedules, their sleeping schedules, our energy
and tolerance levels, perhaps even our demeanor toward them.

With the holidays looming, there may even be more changes for our dogs to
contend with - the invasion of strangers into "their" homes, foods
prepared that they may not share, normally quiet times shattered by raucous
cheers from fans gathered around the television as the favorite teams play
football. Our homes may be invaded by
small aliens - children. From a dog's point of view, we humans start to behave
in a way that can only be described as full-blown insanity.

While we can poke fun at our dogs' bewilderment of our changes in daily
life, what isn't so funny is the fact that the number of dog bites increases at
this time of the year. The stresses we
feel may transfer directly to our dogs.
Routines are interrupted, our dogs are treated differently, and we may
entertain people who are not dog-savvy.
If children are invited to a normally childless household, the
ingredients for disaster have been gathered.

To prevent the occurrence of an incident which will ruin the holidays and
could potentially cause a life to be lost, it's important to know the signs of
stress in your dog. Far too many people seem completely oblivious to the
signals their dogs are sending out fast and furiously. Panting when it is not hot and whining are two obvious signals of distress. Lip licking (also called tongue flicks) and
whale eye (whites of the dog's eye showing as a half moon) while little Johnny
gives McKinley a hug is the way a dog screams he is uncomfortable. The vast majority of dogs do not like to be hugged nor ridden like a horse, especially not by the small intruders. Unless you have spent many hours socializing your dog with children and know, without a doubt, that your dog is child-friendly, there is a risk when they are
together. If you think your dog will be just fine with the kids, please Google "child killed by family dog." The number of times parents report "the dog seemed friendly," or "the dog never showed aggression before" may astound you.
I can guarantee the dogs had been sending out stress signals for a long
time, but they went unheeded. Supervision and separation will be the keys to
safety.

The tail - a wag is not necessarily a sign of happiness. Wags convey many messages: large, circular wags or slow, sweeping wags may indicate happiness and comfort with a
situation; stiff, upright, tight wags may indicate discomfort with a situation,
a discomfort that can lead to a bite; fast, small wags at a very low elevation
or between the legs may indicate fear, another signal that a bite may be
imminent.

Dogs are such unique individuals, it's important that you learn to read
your dog and know the signals she sends when she is stressed. Look for wrinkly foreheads, the corners of her mouth pulled back tight, listen for growls (growling dogs mean business), ears plastered flat against the back of the neck, raised lips, yawning,
"shaking it off," scratching, sniffing, pilo-erection (hackles up),
and turning away. While any of these could be normal daily behaviors, when put in the context of stressful situations, recognition of these stress signs can prevent a bite.

While most of us will not change our plans for the holidays just to avoid
stressing our dogs, we can take steps to help the dogs cope with our madness.
Dogs should be given their own places to feel safe, away from all
visitors. A quiet room with a little soft music to dampen the other noises will help. Add a frozen stuffed Kong to the picture and perhaps spray the area with Comfort Zone (DAP). If there is any chance your guests may intrude on the dog's space
accidentally (or on purpose if you are lucky enough to have one of
"those" relatives or friends), then be sure your dog is safely locked
in a crate.

Try to make extra time available to exercise your dog thoroughly on the day
of the festivities. Feed him on schedule, if at all possible, and take him out for a good bathroom break before guests arrive. Ever suffered from a dry mouth during a stressful
situation? Consider your dog may also get dry mouth and leave a bowl of water within easy access as dogs may drink more when stressed as well.

If your dog is highly fearful and/or reactive, you may wish to talk with
your vet about medications to help calm her anxiety during the holidays. While some dogs may do fine with the changes you make to accommodate them, there are some who will be so seriously stressed, they may need extra help from a prescription drug.

Do your best to keep to a routine during the coming holiday months. Daily exercise, staying on a schedule, and sticking to a healthy diet will benefit the dog - and you!

Jan Casey is a reward-based trainer in Florida at Courteous Canine, Inc. www.courteouscanine.com and owner of Smiles and Wags Pet Services www.smilesandwags.com. Mrs. Casey is a member of the Association of Animal
Behavior Professionals. Mrs. Casey is a columnist for the Cookeville,
Tennessee Herald-Citizen Pet Pages and Kid's Korner . This column was originally written for the Herald-Citizen www.herald-citizen.com.

Pet Myths

Pet Myths
Author, Jan Casey
“Denver the Guilty Dog” has received over seven millions views on Youtube. The video became so popular, dog and owner were quickly signed to appear on Good
Morning America. Denver the Labrador was filmed “acting guilty” as his
owner berated him for allegedly pilfering cat treats from a mangled bag. Unfortunately, Denver was not acting guilty, he was responding with appeasement behaviors.
Uncomfortable with the camera eye “staring” at him (stares are considered aggressive behavior by dogs) and aware his owner was angry, Denver was trying to calm
down his owner using the tool dogs use best – body language. Every person who understands dog body language was cringing at the misinformation being given to the public. They felt for Denver, too, as he is stuck with an owner who does not understand what the dog is so clearly trying to tell him. (for more on guilt, see: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611065839.htm)

Animals are a central component of many myths and urban legends. Ever heard of the cactus which exploded a short time after being brought in from the desert, releasing thousands of baby tarantulas? Not true. While it is probably
not good for cactus sales, the story doesn't harm spiders. Other animal folklore taken as fact: ostriches bury their heads in the sand when frightened, penguins fall over
backwards when looking at airplanes, and toads cause warts. Again, all are popular
tales, none are true, and they have little-to-no effect on the well-being of
ostriches, penguins, or toads.

When it comes to our pets, however, folklore is abundant and often does
negatively affect their welfare. The very thing we use to help us connect with them – shared behaviors and emotions – can work to their detriment when we try to explain unique animal behaviors in human terms.

How many feline lifespans have been shortened by tales based on fiction
rather than fact? New parents are warned that a cat, jealous that he must
now share attention, may suck the breath out of a baby. A cat may be accused of mistaking the cries of a baby for the cries of another cat, provoking the cat to smother its competition. Hearing such tales, frightened parents re-home, abandon, or relinquish the cat to a shelter. Do cats have nine lives? Do they always
land on their feet? The answer to both questions is no, and cats will live
safer, more peaceful lives if people will learn the facts.

For man's best friend, the scenario is no better. Dog folklore includes both breed and behavior myths. Breed myths are interesting. “You have to watch out for Dobermans. They'll turn on you.” Normal, healthy dogs of any breed do not just go crazy, they give warning signals well in advance. People just don't recognize them. “Pit
Bulls have locking jaws.” Studies have found no locking jaw mechanism in any dog.
More breed myths: “all labs (or goldens) love people, especially children”; “Jack Russells make great lap dogs”; “border collies are easy to train”; “huskies are more closely related to wolves than other dogs.” People who accept
these breed myths as true may be in for a surprise.

Canine behavior myths are insidious. “Once a dog tastes blood, it will become a killer.” Did you become Charles Manson after you last ate rare roast beef? Dogs may bite (taste blood) more often if they learn that biting works to get them away from something they don't like. If small animals were injured or killed, the dog's fixed action pattern (prey drive) may have kicked in, making them oblivious to your recall. You may wish
to muzzle a dog who will be near small animals in the future, but there is no
reason to believe the dog will now attack people. In either case, it has nothing to do with developing a taste for blood. More training is called for, but not the destruction of the dog.

“A barking dog will not bite.” “Dogs who are wagging their tails are friendly.”
Believe these myths and chances are good you will get bitten. Barks have a lot of different meanings, one of which is to warn you to stay back or else be bitten. The same is true of tail wags – they have different meanings and not all are invitations to be friends. “Dogs are pack animals. A dog needs to have another dog in the house to be happy.” Sometimes dogs are forced to share their homes with other dogs when they
would be much happier as the only canine in the family. Dogs are loners,
scavengers who only form packs when necessary. “Dogs destroy your belongings because they are spiteful.” Dogs really don't understand the concept of
prized possessions or how hard you had to work in order to buy them. Objects are often chewed and mangled as a way for dogs to relieve anxiety or because they are bored.

Urban legends, myths, folklore can be harmless or they can cause misunderstandings which are detrimental to the well-being of pets.  If you've heard something repeated as fact, take a moment to research it. You'll enjoy your pets much more if
you truly understand why they do what they do.

Jan Casey is a reward-based trainer in Florida
at Courteous Canine, Inc. www.courteouscanine.com and owner of Smiles and Wags Pet Services www.smilesandwags.com. Mrs. Casey is a member of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. Mrs. Casey is a columnist for the Cookeville,
Tennessee Herald-Citizen Pet Pages and Kid's Korner . This column was originally written for the Herald-Citizen www.herald-citizen.com.

Bloat, the Mother of All Emergencies

Bloat, the Mother of All Emergencies
What you need to know about this life-threatening condition
Shea Cox, DVM | November 30, 2011

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There is no quicker way to jump to the front of the ER line than if you walk into the hospital with a distended dog. Bloat is a life-threatening condition that I treat frequently, and a good outcome is time-dependent. Last week, JoAnna Lou wrote about recognizing the signs of bloat and included an educational video of an Akita experiencing GDV (don’t worry, he survived!). This topic elicited excellent comments and questions, prompting me to want to expand upon it further. I hope to answer some of the questions put forth by readers as well as dispel misconceptions that could potentially harm your pet. First, some vocabulary: Bloat is a condition when the stomach fills with air and/or fluid (dilatation). This can progress to a twisting of the stomach upon itself, called GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus). Bloat is often used to describe GDV, but there is a vast medical difference. We’ll get to the details of GDV in a moment, but let’s start with the most important take-home message: If you even remotely suspect bloat or GDV, take your dog to a veterinary hospital IMMEDIATELY! What NOT to do:             Do not give anything by mouth.        Do not attempt to relieve gas            from the stomach with medications or by other means. A note about the use of Gas X: This medication may help to reduce the amount of stomach gas in the case of “simple” bloat, but it will do nothing to help your pet in the case of GDV. The problem with GDV is not the gas, but the actual twisting of the stomach (think of a balloon being twisted in half, like when a clown makes an animal figure). It is the twist that kills, and a medication will not undo the deadly rotation of the stomach. Please do not waste valuable life-saving moments waiting to see if the medication helps! Taking an x-ray of your pet’s abdomen is the only way to tell the difference between bloat and GDV, allowing for appropriate intervention. What is GDV and why is it so serious? The twisted and bloated stomach presses on the major blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart, stopping normal circulation and sending the dog into shock. Making matters worse, the stomach tissue is literally dying because it is stretched tightly and blood cannot circulate through it. Intense pain is associated with this disease, causing the heart to race at such a high rate that heart failure will result. There can be no recovery until the stomach is surgically untwisted and the gas is released. A dog with GDV will die in a matter of hours unless surgery is performed. For each hour that goes by, there is a greater risk for complications during surgery as well as during the recovery period. What are the signs of GDV or bloat? The biggest clue is the vomiting: A dog with GDV appears highly nauseated and retches but little comes up. Drooling. There is usually an obviously distended stomach, especially near the ribs, but this is not always evident depending on body configuration. Anxiousness, agitation, restlessness and pacing. Depressed attitude. View some of these symptoms in the video we posted last week. What dogs are at risk? Classically, this condition affects deep-chested breeds, and dogs with deep chests that weigh more than 99 pounds have a 20 percent risk of bloat. Although a rare occurrence, I have also treated three small-breed dogs for this condition in my ten-year career. There are many theories regarding what triggers GDV, but truly, no one really knows—it remains a veterinary medical mystery. Risk factors, lifestyle and personality profiles that may increase a dog’s potential for developing GDV have been identified over the years and include:         Feeding only one meal a day. Having closely related family members with a history of GDV. Eating rapidly. Being thin or underweight. Moistening dry foods (particularly if citric acid is listed as a preservative in the dry food). Feeding from an elevated bowl. Restricting water before and after meals. Feeding a dry diet with animal fat listed in the first four ingredients. (Contrary to popular belief, cereal ingredients such as soy, wheat or corn, in the first four ingredients do not increase the risk.) Fearful or anxious temperament. History of aggression toward people or other dogs. Male dogs are more likely to bloat than females. Older dogs (7–12 years) are the highest risk group. On the flip side, the following factors may decrease the risk of GDV:          Inclusion of canned dog food              in the diet. Inclusion of table scraps in the diet. Happy or easygoing temperament. Feeding a dry food containing a calcium-rich meat meal listed in the first four ingredients. Eating two or more meals per day as well as feeding a smaller kibble size. Not breeding animals with a history of GDV in their lineage. What else can I do? For breeds with a high risk of bloat, a preventive surgery called prophylactic gastropexy can be performed at the time of spay or neuter. Gastropexy involves surgically “tacking down” the stomach to the inside of the abdomen to prevent rotation. If your dog has already been spayed or neutered, the same procedure can be done laparoscopically, and is minimally invasive. I had this procedure performed on my own Dobie, Bauer. I saw him bloat (and thankfully not twist!) one day at the park, and treated him at work. The next day, I scheduled the laparoscopic procedure. This is a same-day surgery with a quick and comfortable recovery. In the Bay Area, the cost is generally $1,500–$2,000, which is far cheaper than emergency surgery, and worth its weight in gold for peace of mind. One of my biggest fears was to have Bauer bloat while I was away for the day, only to return home to find I was too late. It should be noted that gastropexy does not prevent future bloat, but it does prevent future twisting, which is the deadly component of the condition. What is the prognosis? Decades ago, a diagnosis of bloat was almost always a death sentence, and only 25 percent of pets with bloat survived. Today, the survival rate is better than 80 percent! Part of the reason for this is increased owner awareness (go, pet parents!) leading to rapid intervention and treatment. The earlier the veterinarian gets started with treatment, the better chance for survival. Extremely aggressive medical and surgical intervention early in the course of the disease has the most dramatic impact on overall success. This is a condition I see much too frequently, but I have to say from personal experience, nearly all dogs return home (95 percent or greater) with early and appropriate treatment. Being the doting mom of two Dobies, this is a subject that hits close to home, and one I have experienced personally. Thank you to JoAnna for helping raise awareness of this all-too-common condition in our large-breed babies. Feel free to ask questions; I am happy to further elaborate on any area. For now, I’m off to hug my boy, being especially thankful that he is with me today.

Article courtesy of BARK magazine and Dr. Shea Cox
http://thebark.com/content/bloat-mother-all-emergencies

4 Puppies in a Tent-Buddy's Story

Sabrina

Fonto

Buddy & Sabrina

Author, Buddy Brock

In April my Great Pyrenees female, Drea, passed suddenly
from twisted intestines just before her 5th birthday. I was devastated and mourned her
passing. My male, Fonto, who was a year
older than Drea went into a depression too.

Six weeks later a wonderful Facebook friend, Robbin Sneddon, and her husband
Kerry from New Jersey posted a picture of a 12 week old Pyr puppy in a Texas rescue
that a friend, Pamela Pyle, was fostering after the Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue
had rescued 3 sister pups from a dog pound.

I saw the picture and fell in love but then saw it was $350 to adopt her and
$200 to fly her to my home in Washington
State, plus the cost of a
kennel. And the logistics to get her
from the Texas-Oklahoma border to the Dallas
airport. My hopes were soon dashed as I
couldn't afford her.

I posted to Robbin that she
was darling but I couldn't afford her...then the Magic started!

Robbin put out a plea for help
between facebook friends. Within minutes
people were chiming in that they were willing to send money, arrange transportation,
do vet checks, and anything else that it would take to get my Sabrina to
me! Kerry Sneddon contacted the people
at the Texas
rescue and sent them the full amount of the adoption to put a hold on Sabrina till
I could go through the adoption screening. Jay Revees form Arkansas fronted the $200 for the
flight. Jo Anna Perkins of Dallas arranged to pick
her up, buy her a kennel and take her to the airport. And special people from around the country
and Canada
started sending money to Kerry to help the cause! I would like to thank Vicki, Bonnie, Jay , Robbin
and Kerry, Jo Anna, Joyce, Erika, Marcia, Maureen, Deborah, Sherry, Jacquie and
Janet and others that contributed time and money for making this fairytale come
true!!! And a special thanks to Becky and Pamela of the Texas Great Pyrenees
Rescue for saving Sabrina and her 2 sisters that were scheduled to be put to
sleep.

Thank all of the rescues across country for saving lives!!

Buddy is a board member of http://www.2milliondogs.org/
and organizer of the 2 Million Dogs’ Puppy Up!
Walk in Washington
State.

To learn more about Texas
Great Pyrenees Rescue visit http://www.txpyrs.org/TGPRescue/index.jsp.