I have been thinking that a “dogs of the week” post will be fun, and I will try to do two each week (barring a disaster).  I will try to cover all of the known and recognized breeds, but let me know if you have one that you think I might miss.  So, let’s get started with a well-known breed and one that is a bit more mysterious.

Anatolian Shepherd:        

Also known as the Karabash or Kangal Dog, this breeds originally hails from Turkey, and has been present since the ancient days.  It has only come to the U.S. relatively recently, and was first recognized here in 1968, and added into the AKC rankings in 1996.  Originally used to guard flocks against wolves and bears, it has now expanded it’s resume to include guarding, hunting and military work, as well as beloved family companion.

The males average a height of 28-30 in and 110-150 lbs, females average between 26-28 in and 90-130 lbs.

As to temperament, this dog is known for the ability to guard effectively, and can be wary or suspicious of strangers, so care should be taken at an early age to train them how to respond to and interact with new people.  With its family, this breed is gentle and patient with children, reliable and intelligent, moderately playful and affectionate, and easy to train.

This dog only needs weekly brushing, but does require moderate amounts of exercise each day.  A high fence is recommend for the yard, as these dogs can jump over normal height ones, especially if something is perceived as a threat to their family or home.  This breed can stand low temperatures easily, but only moderately high temperatures, due to their thick coat.  Please plan outdoor excursions and playtimes accordingly.

The suggested tests to do before breeding or adopting out puppies are for the hips and eyes, and be mindful that this breed has seen some problems with anesthesia, so bring this up to your vet before any procedure requiring it is done.

Other possible concerns to keep in mind:

Entropion: A genetic condition in which a portion of the eyelid is folded inwards, which can irritate the surface of the eye and cause scar tissue to form over the wound.  A loss of vision is possible, and could be permanent. There are possible solutions if this is caught early, and the eyes should always be checked during your dog’s physical or wellness exam.

Hip Dysplasia: Commonly seen in large breed dogs, this condition is where the hip joint is not working correctly, and joint looseness is seen where the dog can become reluctant to walk, stand or jump, and has a sway to its gait.  It may also appear to be lame, especially after exercise.  If these signs are being seen, please contact your veterinarian to determine what can be done.

Basset Hound:                                     

The Basset Hound began as a breed in France as far back as the 16th Century where it was used as a hunting dog, commonly for badgers, rabbits and hares.  This dog was preferred for its short stature (both because it was easier to keep up with and it could go through the thicker brush more easily), enduring stamina, and outstanding sense of smell.  The breed was brought over to the U.S. in the mid 1800’s, and less than a century later, was used heavily for advertising and entertainment because of its facial expression and popularity with consumers.

Both males and females average 14 in and  40-60 lbs.

Temperament-wise, this breed is good-natured and easygoing generally, but can be slow-moving and stubborn, especially if it has found an interesting scent marker or trail. It is good with children, but be sure to remind them to be gentle with this breed’s back when playing to avoid spinal injury.

This dog will need to be brushed GENTLY or massaged to remove dead hair, and must have it’s ears cleaned frequently, especially inside them (where you can easily get to, DO NOT PUSH ANYTHING DOWN INTO THE EAR CANAL!).  It will need baths two to three times a month, and will require constant exercise to avoid becoming overweight, bloated and constipated.

The suggested tests before breeding or adopting out puppies for this breed are for the eyes and blood (many conditions can exist), and extra care needs to be sure that growing pups have enough calcium in their diet to lower the risk of joint and bone growth disorders.

Other possible concerns to be aware of:

Foreleg lameness, entropion (see above), joint conditions, and back conditions or injuries.

Ectropion: This is a condition where the edge of the eyelid (or margin) rolls outwards, away from the eye itself.  Usually, this causes more tear production and staining than normal, but is not as damaging as entropion.

Glaucoma: This condition involves extra pressure on the eye, which can lead eventually to blindness due to inadequate fluid drainage.  Only some symptoms are noticeable, so eyes should always be checked on a physical exam to catch things like glaucoma early.

Intervertebral disc disease: The cushioning discs in between the vertebrae can either bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, which will press  on the nerves, causing pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis.  This is another thing checked in the physical exam, but if you have concerns, especially in breeds that are “short but long”, contact your vet for a thorough exam of the spine and associated nerves.

With that, I will see you next week for two more Fidos!

I hope everyone has been surviving this latest round of Michigan’s “Polar Vortex”, I know it was touch-and-go for a while there for me…

I am finally able to get back on for a new post today, and I think today would be a good time for a wildlife overview, since the weather is pushing some of our Michigan natives into our garages, pole barns, and in some cases, even our homes!

Most of your visits have probably been confined to squirrels and mice so far, but there are some larger and more outspoken creatures that may be looking to move in.  Stray cats and dogs are a possibility, but so are some other creatures, such as raccoons, groundhogs, opossums, foxes, deer, coyotes and many birds of prey.  These creatures may look small,timid, or even friendly, but when cornered, they can do a lot of damage.  Here are some things everyone in Michigan should know about our furry friends.

Raccoons:

This little guy may look cute, but he can wreak havoc when feeling threatened.  Raccoons are mammals that will eat anything they come across, and they especially love cat or dog food and your trash.  What is worse, they will congregate together in areas where they find food, meaning your outside cat dish “for the strays” may end up looking the break room at lunch hour.  They can carry diseases that can be given to you and your pet, so if you suspect that one has been in your pet’s food, be sure to dump it and thoroughly wash the container.  Aside from that, they can also be aggressive towards each other, other animals, and even humans!  Those claws and teeth can do a lot of damage, and from working with them in captivity, I know this first hand.  Even a four-month old can draw blood (especially if it is nap time), and they will charge towards you to drive you off.

My suggestion is to keep food and trash in containers that are very hard to open, like tubs or trash cans with locking lids or bungee cords, and if you see a few hanging around your house, scare them from afar with something loud.  I use an old coffee can with pennies in it, and you can throw it in their GENERAL direction, but not AT them.  You want them to associate your house with loud things that come after them, but you don’t need physical contact.

This is also a good time to remind you that creatures like these are the reason why we suggest that you keep up on your pets’ vaccines, especially rabies.  Raccoons are the third highest rabies carrier in Michigan, just behind skunks and bats, and the only way to test animals for rabies is taking a sample of the brain, which means euthanasia. Prevention is best on this, as there isn’t a way to fix it later.

Opossums:                 

While a little slower, opossums can still defend themselves with a surprising amount of speed and agility.  Like raccoons, these guys also love pet food and trash.  In fact, if it weren’t for our trash and barns, they would not survive as long or be as prevalent as they are today in Michigan’s harsh winters.  Most of the time, an opossum will make its way into your garage or barn looking for a warm place to sleep, and be unable to make its way back out.  If you can carefully create an opening to the outdoors for it, the opossum will run out by itself the majority of the time.  DO NOT pick it up, especially by the tail, as this can injure them permanently (don’t follow the cartoons!).

Also, if the opossum appears to be dead, or dying, leave the escape route open and leave the area.  If it is in the middle of the day, especially now in the winter, the opossum could be in hibernation mode.  It could also be playing dead as a response to you being too close for comfort.  After that, if it has not moved overnight, call an animal control officer, as it could be very sick or injured, but may still have the gumption to defend itself if you were to pick it up.

Deer:                          

Usually shy and quite timid, quick movements will startle the majority of these visitors away.  Some, like males in rut, or females with offspring, will stand their ground.  Avoid confrontations with these, as they can kick with a lot of force, and the hooves are surprisingly sharp.  If they are eating your plants in the spring, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper on the leaves to discourage them from using your garden as a salad bar.

Skunks:                       

As one of the highest carriers of rabies in Michigan, skunks are one species to avoid, especially with their ability to spray a noxious and sticky chemical onto would-be attackers.  They are, again, a good reason to keep your pets’ vaccines up to date, as they can catch many things from a skunk.  The Shaker-Can from the raccoon section works well with these guys who are also known, in addition to visiting the food dish and trash can, to tear up your lawn looking for grubs.

Owls and other birds of prey:                                   

Owls and hawks are mainly attracted to your barn or detached garage, and are usually only interested during bad weather or in search of prey.  Barn owls, especially,  use barns as roosting sites for raising their young.  The mice and other small creatures hiding in these buildings are a strong lure for most birds of prey, but  a lot of human activity will send most of them on their way.  Be extremely careful during the nesting season, as Great Horned Owls will attack from above to protect their nests.  With the captive birds I have worked with, we were required to wear hard hats into their enclosures, as they would sink talons into the back of your head in the hopes of keeping you away.  Animal Control would need to be involved for a safe removal of a problem bird of prey.

Coyotes and foxes:             

Obviously, these two can do a lot more damage if cornered, and  people have more concerns with the fact that they are quicker and more active than many of the other visitors you may encounter, but, like the others, they will most often choose to escape through an open door rather than act aggressively towards you.  If one does approach you, either in an aggressive or a seemingly friendly manner, DO NOT APPROACH! Close off any doors or holes that could allow them into the room or area that you are in, and call Animal Control immediately.  An unwary animal may either be conditioned to not be afraid of humans and can act unpredictably, or it may be very sick, and could either injure you or pass something on to you or any household pets.

Groundhogs:                         

While looking fat and jolly, these guys can have a mean streak, especially when awoken during hibernation.  While the majority of the time a groundhog  will dig tunnels to hibernate, an injured, sick, or ill-adapted individual will use a garage or underneath the porch as a new home.  The large front incisors are sharp, and can do real damage when pressed into use.  However, much like the opossum, a groundhog will take an escape route if it is given to them.

So, the take-home message today is: do not panic if you have a visitor, leave it an escape route, and if it does not want to leave, call a professional to move it along.

Lauren Robertson

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and welcome to my first official blog post!

In honor of today’s holiday, I would like to dive right in with a talk covering both a proper pet diet and dangers for your pet around the holiday season.

Quick stats to make you think a little differently about sneaking your dog or cat some turkey under the table:

According to a study done by the International Journal of Applied Veterinary Medicine, nearly 35% of dogs are considered overweight or obese (and cats also hover around 35%).  A lot of this can be attributed to their diet, because remember, dog food companies want to sell their product, not necessarily tell you what is best for your pet, or even the correct amount to be feeding them.  More on that later…  Some of this is due to exercise habits, but some is also due to treats, especially that addictive substance, “people food”!

For instance, for your dog, a one-ounce block of cheddar cheese is equal to 2.5 hamburgers, and one hot dog is almost 4!

Cats get an even worse deal, with a single potato chip equalling 0.5 hamburgers, and that same block of cheese is 3.5 hamburgers!

Scary, right? Imagine a spoonful of grandma’s mashed potatoes and gravy, or the turkey slathered in butter and spices!

Now, the next question would be, why worry?  Obesity in your cat or dog can contribute to issues regarding diabetes, arthritis or joint problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, or even serious skin conditions!

Now, I know this sounds like no fun for your pooch, but there are “people food” treats you can share, like 1/4 cup of RAW carrots or green beans, or a quarter of a medium-sized apple (cats can have this too).  Or, you can take a small portion of their daily dog food amount and place it in a small container on the counter.  Making a fuss over this like you would a cookie or treat can have the same effect, without packing on the pounds!

Other things you can do instead of treats are verbal or physical praise, like petting, hugging and massage, or rewarding them with a favorite toy when they have done things correctly.

So, how do we know our pet is the correct weight?

The first thing I will always tell you is to consult your veterinarian.  Breed standards do not take into account actual body type or musculature, and a proper physical exam will help to determine what is healthier for Fido.  For a quick spot-check at home, here is what you can look for for clues:

In cats, you can easily FEEL, but not SEE the ribs under a slim layer of fat, the tail base should have some contouring and a slight fat cover as well, but again, you shouldn’t be able to see bones, and there shouldn’t be a “bulb” of fat there either.  Looking from the side, you should be able to see a slight tummy tuck or waistline, but not too pronounced, and from the top, a well-proportioned waist, not a “hippy'” figure, or an “hourglass” shape.

Dogs will have the same markers, except from the top view.  There, we are looking for a back that isn’t broadened or bony, just a happy medium… NO BARREL SHAPE!

Lastly, To protect your pet from hazards, watch them around these items:

Oven cleaner, tobacco products, pot-pourri, medications, batteries, twist ties, buttons, coins, hair pins, jewelry, nylons, plastic wrap, string/yarn, electrical cords, de-icers, decorations/ ornaments and other small, swallow-able objects.

Foods: Avocado, chocolate, coffee, onions or onion powder, garlic, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, alcohol, spoiled/moldy food, salt, fatty foods, gum/candy or anything sweetened with xylotol, tea leaves or raw yeast dough.

So, stay safe and have a great Turkey Day!

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Currently, we are under construction, but will be up and running in the very near future!

Please check back soon for updates!