Great Dane Club of Greater Kansas City, Inc.

Health & Welfare

July 2010 - From the Dr. Jon (Petplace.com) newsletter: Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant cancer of the cells that form blood vessels. Because these tumors start in blood vessels, they are frequently filled with blood. Consequently, when a blood-filled tumor ruptures, it can cause problems with internal or external bleeding. It comes on fast. Often the first sign of a problem is a dog that was fine - never appearing sick - and then suddenly the dog just collapses. Hemangiosarcoma is considered to be a very aggressive tumor and it can spread rapidly to other organs.

Hemangiosarcoma occurs in middle-aged to older dogs 9 to 11 years of age, and German shepherds appear to be predisposed to developing this cancer. The most common primary location of this cancer in dogs is the spleen. Signs of this disease are usually the result of the tumor rupturing, which causes bleeding. This may occur without any warning, and the symptoms will depend upon where the tumor is located. When a tumor in the spleen or liver ruptures, the signs are usually due to bleeding into the abdomen. This causes anemia, weakness and, if the bleeding is severe, collapse. The dog's gums may appear to be pale or white. In relatively few animals the diagnosis is made before the tumor ruptures. It is frustrating and terrible. Many dogs die. And it comes on so fast. So, if your dog collapses look at his gums. Are they pale? Does he seem weak? Take him to your veterinarian for an evaluation. Tests can be done to help identify these tumors.

May 2010 - Spring will be here soon and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you and your pets. This works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. Insects breathe through their skin; this actually suffocates them.

May 2010 - Rabies: the bad news—55,000 people worldwide die every year from rabies. The good news— the U.S. has been declared canine rabies-free. However, Mexico and Canada still have incidents of canine rabies and even here in the U.S., wild animals still carry the disease.

April 2010 - Beware of giving your pets children’s stuffed toys. The stuffing inside may contain a flame retardant material which turns into a toxic gel if ingested. A dog in Minnesota was operated on to remove a suspected bowel obstruction after he ate a child’s teddy bear, but the vet instead found his intestines were black and dead from his stomach to his colon. The vet called the manufacturer and was told about this flame retardant material. Make sure your dog’s toys are actually meant for dogs.

April 2010 - For a list of everyday foods that are toxic to dogs, go to this site: http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/dangerous-foods-for-youpet.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthWomensHealth_20100308. It includes chocolate, avocados, beer and other alcohol, grapes and raisins, etc.

April 2010 - Toxic Plants -The springtime plants that can result in gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats include: Amaryllis, Ferns, Caladium, Calla lily, Hyacinth, Iris, Tulip, Plants that are considered very toxic and can result in severe illness or even death include: Crocus, Azalea, Rhododendron, Tiger Lily, Easter Lily, Bittersweet, Clematis, Daffodil, Day lily, Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus, Morning Glory, Death Camas. Another item toxic to dogs is cocoa mulch which contains a lethal ingredient called Theobromine, which is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

April 2010 - You may now be able to diagnose cancer in a dog with a simple blood test. BioCurex has announced the availability of the OncoPet RECAF test, which has detected 85 percent of a variety of cancers in dogs at the standard 95 percent specificity level in premarket studies. The test detects whether RECAF, a universal marker for malignant cell growth in animals and people, is present in the blood. RECAF's expression is related to rapid cell growth, which is characteristic of cancer and fetal development. The same blood test is used in people.

The tests will be available through OncoPet Diagnostics Inc., a subsidiary of BioCurex—check with your vet about this if you’re interested Canine Health Concern, a British pet charity, asserts that vaccines given to dogs are making them ill and that profit-driven drug companies and vets are pressuring dog owners to allow these inoculations. CHC states it is “not anti-vaccination. What we are saying is that currently our pets are receiving far too many. The latest scientific research shows that after the first course of injections as a puppy most dogs are immune against these diseases for at least seven years, if not for life.” Puppies are vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and parainfluenza up to three times by the age of four months. They may also be immunized against coronavirus, rabies, Lyme disease and bordetella or kennel cough. Booster shots are given every year or every three or four years. But some have suffered dramatic changes in behavior or been diagnosed with cancer within months of the injections and some puppies have developed conditions including autism and epilepsy after a raft of injections. But, another British animal charity, The Dogs Trust said a study looking for a connection between vaccines and sudden illhealth failed to find a link. A spokesperson for British regulatory agency stated that the 80 millionplus doses of vaccine since 1985 had generated fewer than 7,000 reports of side effects. To clear up this confusion, be sure to come to our May membership meeting for Dr. Ward Brown’s presentation on this subject.

March 2010 - The January issue of the AKC Gazette reports on the new laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy technique now available which will result in less trauma and a faster recovery time. Small incisions are made to insert a small camera and tubes containing the surgical instruments while the belly is inflated with gas to provide better visibility inside the abdomen. Prophylactic gastropexy of any type can “reduce the chance of dying from GDV by a factor of up to 30 times...”

March 2010 - From the Dr. Jon newsletter (petplace.com), here’s what to do if your dog is choking:

STEPS TO PERFORM THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER FOR DOGS:

1. After determining that your dog is choking, remove any item that may be constricting the neck. Examine inside the mouth and remove any foreign object you see. Do not blindly place your hand down your pet's throat and pull any object you feel. Dogs have small bones that support the base of their tongues. Owners probing the throat for a foreign object have mistaken these for chicken bones. Do not attempt to remove an object unless you can see and identify it. If your pet is small and you cannot easily remove the object, lift and suspend him with the head pointed down. For larger animals, lift the rear legs so the head is tilted down. This can help dislodge an item stuck in the throat. Another method is to administer a sharp blow between the shoulder blades using the palm of your hand. This can sometimes dislodge an object. If this does not work, a modified Heimlich maneuver can be attempted.

2. Grasp the animal around the waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar to a bear hug.

3. Place a fist just behind the ribs.

4. Compress the abdomen several times (usually 3-5 times) with quick pushes.

5. Check the mouth to see if the foreign object has been removed.

This maneuver can be repeated one to two times, but if it is not successful on the first attempt, make arrangements to immediately take your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital. Even if you are successful in removing a foreign object, veterinary examination is recommended. Internal injury could have occurred that may not be apparent.

March 2010 - Pets being evacuated from Haiti may be infected with screwworm, so if you have pets that have been in contact with any animal coming from Haiti, notify your vet immediately. For more info, go to http://www.wsvma.affiniscape.com/associations/2620/files/Screwworm%20letter2.pdf.

February 2010 - Some Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin, St Joseph and Rolaids products have been recalled. If you have any of these in your medicine cabinet, you might want to check the lot numbers against the FDA list. Many of us have Benadryl for our dogs, so you might want to check it. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Safety/Recalls/UCM197769.pdf

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/uc

m195704.htm

February 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle reports two veterinary drugs made by Teva Animal Health have been recalled by the FDA, which shut the company down in July; however, this was not widely publicized until December. The recalls involve two commonly used injectable veterinary drugs: butorphanol, a fast-acting opioid used to control pain from surgical procedures in dogs and cats, and the anesthetic agent ketamine, which is part of a "cocktail" of drugs that induces anesthesia in animals, including dogs and cats. It can be used, usually with valium, prior to surgery, a dental cleaning and sometimes as a form of restraint for procedures such as an imaging scan. It's not the only drug that can be used in this way, but it's one of the most common.

December 2009 - Got the Swine flu? You might pass it along to your pet, according to Dick Hesse, “a flu expert and director of virology in Kansas State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory” who states that “a small number of companion animal H1N1 flu cases have been confirmed in the U.S” in animals known to have been in contact with infected persons; however, “there is no evidence of pets passing H1N1 to people at this time.” Companion animals can be tested for the flu by use of nasal or oral swabs, which you can obtain from your vet and submit to a lab for testing.

December 2009 - Blastomycosis is an infection found in dogs, people, and occasionally cats. It is caused by the fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found as a mold in the soil or at room temperatures and as a yeast in tissues or at body temperatures. The mold occurs in sandy, acid soils near river valleys or other waterways. Endemic in Ohio, Mississippi, and St. Lawrence river valleys, the Great lakes region, and along the eastern seaboard, veterinarians report blastomycosis more frequently in the fall. While any dog may contract blastomycosis under the right circumstances, certain populations are at greater risk. These include the hunting and sporting breeds since their use involves exposure to soil in wet areas, and young adult dogs, which are more likely to be used in hunting or field trials than old dogs or pups. For unknown reasons, male dogs are more likely to contract blastomycosis than females. One study found that, while female dogs may have better survival rates with therapy, they are more likely to suffer relapses than males. So, while all dogs are susceptible to blastomycosis, those at greatest risk for infection are two-to-four year old intact males of hunting or sporting breeds that weigh 50-75 pounds and are exposed to river valleys or lakes during late summer or fall. For more info, go to http://www.canismajor.com/dog/blstomyc.html. At least one Dane has recently been diagnosed with this infection.

November 2009 - Pennies minted after 1982 are toxic to pets if ingested. They’re made of zinc surrounded by copper; stomach acids quickly break down the zinc and feed it into the bloodstream where it attacks red blood cells, causing them to rupture, a condition known as hemolytic anemia. Kidney failure can also be a result of ingesting the post-1982 pennies.

November 2009 - Another article by Dr. Powell can be found at http://greatdanereview.com/html/bloat_article.html regarding preventing GDV through use of prophylactic gastropexy to tack the stomach into place. The different types of gastropexy surgeries are listed and when it should be done, as well as addressing the controversy over whether breeding dogs should have the surgery since that could perpetuate the incidence of bloating in those bloodlines. Another article which goes into a little more detail about the different procedures available is by Dr. Karen Leshkevich and can be found at http://members.fortunecity.com/houndfancy/procon.html/.

August 2009 - Cardiomyopathy is a common heart disease that can be fatal in both humans and animals. Dr. Kathryn Meurs, a Veterinarian Cardiologist at Washington State University, has discovered the gene mutation that causes Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Boxers. A DNA test is now available for boxers which “not only helps Boxer breeders avoid this disease but it also provides an extraordinary advancement to the study of human heart diseases resulting from electrical conduction defects and the resulting heart muscle changes that occur.” Similar tests for other breeds will likely follow soon. For more information, go to http://americanboxerclub.org/heart-gene.html.

August 2009 - Many people leave the TV or radio on when they leave home so their pets won’t feel so alone, but studies suggest that practice may actually create more stress for our pets because of the drastic changes in programming and the random mix of music; it creates noise, but not necessarily a relaxing environment. Studies show that dogs and cats prefer classical music played softly; in fact, classical harp music is being used to alleviate stress and heal sickness. Cats will relax in front of speakers when classical music is playing and dogs will bark less, especially when listening to Bach. A CD was created in 2006 especially for pets by a Disney composer; it’s called “Music My Pet”. I checked Amazon.com and found they had that CD along with a variety of other music CDs designed to soothe pets.

Be sure to use the link on our website to shop at , our Great Dane Rescue will receive 5% of your order.

August 2009 - The Sago Palm or Cycad, commonly used in landscaping and as

a houseplant, is toxic to pets and humans alike if any part of the plant, seeds or roots are ingested. Signs of illness first appear about 12 hours after ingestion and include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. The toxins in the plant lead to severe liver failure with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other signs of liver failure that lead to death. It is estimated that 75-80% of animals ingesting this plant will die in spite of aggressive medical treatment. If you have one of these plants in your home you will want to be sure to keep it away from pets and children, preferably by disposing of it safely in a covered trash can or “rehome” it with someone who does not have pets or young children in the household.

August 2009 - Home remedies:

1. Eliminate ear mites - All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn Oil in your dog's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

2. Kills fleas instantly - Dawn Dishwashing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.

The people responsible for importing the pet food from China contaminated with melamine in 2007 have agreed to plead guilty. The Kansas City couple and their company, ChemNutra, imported 800 metric tons of contaminated wheat gluten and sold it to pet food manufacturers knowing it had not been properly inspected. They were charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce and one felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Thousands of dogs and cats reportedly died.

Cocoa mulch is highly lethal to dogs; it’s made from crushed shells of cacao beans and contains theobromine, which is present in all chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Dogs are attracted to the chocolate smell, but ingestion can lead to severe convulsions and death.

The American Kennel Club wants to get the word out about these summer safety tips:

Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.

Early Stages:

Heavy panting

Rapid breathing

Excessive drooling

Bright red gums and tongue

Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance

Advanced Stages:

White or blue gums

Lethargy, unwillingness to move

Uncontrollable urination or defecation

Labored, noisy breathing

Shock

If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down:

Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads

Apply ice packs to the groin area

Hose down with water

Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water

Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes

An article in the April 2009 issue of Dogs in Review discusses heart problems in dogs, including dilated cardiomyopathy in which the heart muscle becomes flabby and inefficient and muscle contractions are not sufficient to empty the heart with each beat. Traditional drug therapy has involved a combination of drugs—diuretics to reduce the fluid overload, medications to dilate blood vessels and drugs to help the heart beat more strongly and efficiently. A new drug on the U.S. market, pimobendan (trade name Vetmedin) accomplishes two things—dilation of blood vessels and sensitizing “the cardiac muscle contracture sites to the presence of calcium, making the heart beat more efficiently.” Side effects caused by more traditional drugs, such as arrhythmias and increase in oxygen demand of the heart muscle, are not present with this drug, making it safer for the dogs. Although new to the U.S., this drug “has been used in Europe, Great Britain, Canada and Australia for years.”

If you feed Eagle Pack or Wellness dog foods, be aware both companies have been acquired by Berwind Industries and merged into a single company, so watch for any changes in formulations.

There’s an interesting article about the genetic determination of Dane coat and nose colors on the HealthGene website; go to http://healthgene.com/canine/colortest.asp?breedid=31. It’s all about “a” and “d” and “k” alleles at the E locus, so I won’t attempt to provide a synopsis here, but you can have your dog tested via blood sample for $65.

A disturbing article about adverse reactions to vaccines has been written by Catherine O’Driscoll and can be found at http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/scienceVaccineDamage.html. A Purdue University study has found that vaccinated dogs developed “autoantibodies to many of their own biochemicals… This means that the vaccinated dogs—‘but not the non-vaccinated dogs’—were attacking their own fibronectin, which is involved in tissue repair, cell multiplication and growth and differentiation between tissues and organs in a living organism.” They also developed autoantibodies to a chemical called laminin with the conclusion that “vaccines thus appear to be capable of removing the natural intelligence of cells.” In addition, the Purdue studies found that vaccinated dogs “were developing autoantibodies to their own collagen” which constitutes about one-quarter of all protein found in the body and explains the mobility problems some dogs suffer after vaccination.

New AAHA Vaccine Guidelines The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has developed new guidelines for administering vaccines to dogs and cats. After the initial series of puppy shots, parvo, distemper and adenovirus vaccines should be given no more frequently than every 3 years; rabies vaccines should be given according to state law, either every year or every 3 years; parainfluenza vaccine should be given every 3 years; bordatella and lyme disease annually; leptospira annually, but only when indicated for a particular area; giardia vaccines are not recommended. The entire article is 28 pages; if you’d like to read it, go to this link: http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf.

Rabies Vaccine Ordinances Wichita KS has amended its rabies vaccination ordinance to require the vaccine be administered at least every three years instead of annually; let’s hope that catches on in Missouri. You can read the news article about it at: http://www.kansas.com/news/story/728918.html.

In 2007 researchers discovered the genetic panel for hip dysplasia; new studies are now underway to confirm and refine those findings with the hopes of developing a simple DNA test that will provide a way to identify dogs at risk at a young age. For more information, go to http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/faculty/view.php?id=178.

Top 10 Health Problems Based on claims filed with pet insurance carriers, the top 10 health problems experienced by dogs in 2008 were:

1. Ear Infections - the most common symptoms are red, itchy or smelly ears

2. Skin Allergies - the most common symptoms are red skin, hair loss, itching

3. Pyoderma/Hot Spots - the most common symptom is a hairless, moist, painful area on the skin, often on the neck or rear end

4. Gastritis/Vomiting - the most common sign is vomiting and/or lack of appetite

5. Enteritis/Diarrhea - the most common symptom is loose or frequent stools

6. Urinary Tract Infections - the most common symptoms are frequent urination, inappropriate

urination, or bloody urine

7. Benign Skin Tumors - the most common symptom is an abnormal lump or growth on or under the skin

8. Osteoarthritis - the most common symptoms are lameness, trouble getting up or walking

9. Eye Inflammation - the most common symptoms are a red, irritated or painful eye

10. Hypothyroidism - the most common symptoms are hair loss and weight gain

Common signs of illness:

1. Lack of appetite

2. Decreased activity

3. Weakness or loss of balance and coordination

4. Lethargy (lack of interest in the environment)

5. Weight loss

6. Increased water consumption (a sign of kidney disease and diabetes)

7. Dull, lusterless coat or dog not grooming itself

8. Bad breath (a sign of dental disease and metabolic disorders)

Top 6 Skin Ailments The winter 2009 edition of the Barking Bulletin has an interesting article on the top six skin ailments; this is actually a reprint of a 2008 article which originally appeared in the March/April 2008 edition of AKC Family Dog. It briefly discusses various allergies, parasites, infections and other common problems. Go to:

http://www.akcphp.com/BHIACMS/R/documents/Newsletters/2009/Q1/Newsletter.html

Possible tick remedy? This came through on the internet, so I don’t know if it works or not. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20); the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This is great, because it works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Toxic Plant The Sago palm, a popular houseplant with dark green leaves and hairy trunk, is highly toxic to dogs and cats; common signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.