Are We Over Vaccinating our Pets?
Vaccination in both human and veterinary medicine is a charged issue these days. The benefits of vaccine are clear, with vaccination schedules put in place to give potent and proper protection, decreasing the risks of many diseases for both animals and humans and protecting both individuals and populations from outbreaks.
Yet the risks of over-vaccinating our pets is an all too prevalent reality. Adverse reactions to rabies vaccination can include skin lesions; allergic responses; vomiting and diarrhea; muzzle edema; autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites.
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- Genetic Testing
- All about Vaccines
- Cooking for your Pets
- One of the Top Three Reasons People Give Up their Pets is Allergies
Heatstroke: You can Save your Dog’s Life by being Prepared
A run in the park on the first day of summer. A quick trip to the grocery store while Rover waits in the car. A glorious sunshiny day in the fenced-in backyard. How could any of these seemingly harmless activities kill your beloved pet? Heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a dangerous, deadly, and all too frequent summer ailment that strikes dogs despite the most conscientious owner’s best intentions. Armed with the facts and a little planning, heatstroke is one epidemic that can be easily avoided.
A dog’s body temperature is normally between 101°F and 102°F. All it takes is a 3-degree rise in Rover’s temperature and he is suddenly in danger of overheating. When his temperature reaches 108°F his heart, brain, kidneys, liver and intestinal tract begin to rapidly break down.
WARNING: Heatstroke is dangerous, deadly and the most common summer ailment for your dog. You can save your dog’s life by being prepared.
His life depends on his caregiver’s acute awareness of the symptoms— some obvious, some subtle. Below are the most important symptoms to look for when enjoying activities with a pet in warm weather. Watch Rover carefully for changes in his normal behavior and act quickly if he displays one or many of these symptoms:
Danger Signs
- Rapid frantic breathing
- Very red tongue
- Dry mouth and nose
- Dull grayish pink gums or extremely red gums
- Staring without seeing
- Extra wide open eyes
- Thick saliva
- Resistance to walk or move
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Physical collapse
- Failing to respond to commands
- Muscle weakness
Quickly following the below emergency response guide will increase the chances of saving Rover’s life:
- If possible, wet him with a hose or in a shower with cool water. If outdoors, cups or bottles of water can be wiped or poured onto his stomach and groin. Never use ice-cold water, which causes blood vessels to constrict and will not allow the heat to escape.
- Do not soak him in a bathtub of water. When a dog’s fur is soaked it will heat up next to his skin and become an insulator, not allowing internal heat to escape.
- Get him into a shaded, well-ventilated area. Turn the air conditioning on high, turn on a fan or open windows. If outdoors put him into an air conditioned car to cool him.
- Sponge his groin area and underneath the front legs with cool water.
- Never cover him, even with a soaking wet towel, because this will only trap the heat. Wipe him instead. Remember, ventilation is critical.
- Feed cool (not cold water) slowly but do not allow him to drink excessively.
- Wipe him down with rubbing alcohol, if available, but avoid his face. Rubbing alcohol is safe to use and a good coolant since it evaporates quickly.
- Use a bag of frozen vegetables as a pillow.
- Be sure to stay with him and be attentive. Never leave him alone or put him in a crate.
- Once his temperature begins to drop, stop all cooling methods. Dogs’ own bodies will continue to cool themselves once the cooling starts and should not be overcooled.
- Most importantly, if a dog has suffered from heatstroke he must be taken to a vet. This is important, even if it seems that he’s cooled off and behaving normally. Often additional steps, such as IV’s, are necessary.
High Risk Dogs
“At risk” dog breeds require extra vigilance in summer months. The breeds that are particularly susceptible to heatstroke include Pugs, Pekinese, Boxers, Mastiffs, Rotweillers, Dobermans, and, in general, dark-coated dogs such as Black Labs. Puppies under six months are also extra prone to heatstroke, as are dogs on diuretics, overweight dogs or muzzled dogs.
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Genetic Testing
When Carol saw a little brown-eyed beagle at the shelter, it was love at first sight. She began to gently stroke his little shorthaired body. When she came to the end of his body she saw the biggest, fluffiest tail she had ever seen on a beagle. “Where in the world did you get this tail from?” she exclaimed.
Stuart had searched a long time and finally found the lab he so badly wanted at PAWS Chicago. He was delighted. Upon further inspection of lab’s coat he noticed that his fur had big brown and black spots on it. He had never seen a lab with spots before, so he wondered what the pooch, now named Polka Dot, was mixed with.
Now Carol and Stuart no longer have to wonder about the breed of their dogs are. And neither do the 86% of mixed breed dog owners who don’t know which breeds are in their dog. It may sound like science fiction, but genetic testing for dogs is now available. After several years of extensive work by scientists who gathered a large pool of DNA samples from thousands of dogs, the genetic puzzle can be solved. For about $65, a simple swab of the inside of your dog’s cheek can determine his mix with over 90 percent accuracy. This testing is valuable for reasons beyond satisfying pet parent’s curiosity. Knowing your dog’s breed can help with preventative measures.
Since certain canine diseases and health issues are linked with specific breeds, these tests can enable you to be better informed to prevent future issues and ensure proper treatment should breed-specific issues occur. If you are interested in genetic testing for your pet, you can consult the website of Vetgen, Metamorphic, MMI Genomics, and Wisdom Panel Mix or talk with your veterinarian.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Are We Over Vaccinating our Pets?
- Heatstroke: You can Save your Dog’s Life by being Prepared
- All about Vaccines
- Cooking for your Pets
- One of the Top Three Reasons People Give Up their Pets is Allergies
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