Canine First Aid

Before we begin, while it's not strictly a part of our first aid article (at least we hope you won't need it) something to keep in mind all year, and this time of the year especially, is to make sure your canine does not eat any chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is closely related to caffeine. While not present in large enough amounts to do harm to humans, canines can easily overdose. There are many articles on the subject which you can readily find using a search engine of your choosing.

Now for our feature article...

First Aid Kit for Pets

If you have pets at home, it is a very good idea to have a first aid kit specifically for pets. Although first aid is a valuable tool, nothing can replace getting your pet to a veterinarian in the event of an emergency or prolonged symptoms.

Benadryl

The drug name for Benadryl is Diphenhydramine HCl and it is a very effective antihistamine available over the counter. Benadryl is available in 25 mg tablets. The dosage to use is 1 mg per pound of body weight so for a ten pound dog, a half tablet is appropriate. This can be given every four to six hours. Benadryl can be used for a vaccine reaction, an allergic reaction to a bee sting, and mild itchiness. It can even be used to help cause drowsiness to prevent motion sickness if given 45 minutes before a car ride.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Not only is hydrogen peroxide an effective disinfectant, but it can also be used to induce vomiting. For example, if your pet has eaten mouse or rat bait, hydrogen peroxide can be given orally at one tablespoon per ten pounds of body weight. This will help rid the body of the toxins before they are digested if it is given with 45 minutes of ingestion of the toxic substance. Some substances can cause harm to the esophagus so if you are not sure whether the animal can vomit the substance, check with a veterinarian first.

Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol is a good disinfectant. It can also help to cool an animal if they are suffering from heat stroke. Apply alcohol to the pads and ears of the animal. These areas have a high number of small blood vessels in the skin to help with temperature regulation. By putting alcohol on the area, it will have a cooling effect.

Dishwashing Soap

Soap is a very simple way to provide a cleanser to a wound. A little bit of dishwashing soap goes a long way, so do not use too much. Over the counter flea medications can be very toxic to animals. If your animal has a seizure-like episode after applying a new medication, wash thoroughly with dishwashing soap. There is an old saying with regards to wounds: "the solution to pollution is dilution." This means that if you are trying to clean a wound before getting medical attention, washing the area as thoroughly as possible will help remove debris that may cause infection.

Tweezers

Animals are curious by nature and will sometimes get too close to something dangerous such as a bee sting. Tweezers can remove the bee's stinger, a splinter, a tick, or other foreign objects. If you do remove an object from your pet, be sure to save it so you can show the veterinarian and help with the treatment of your animal.

Bandaging

A variety of bandaging materials is useful to have on hand. If an animal suffers from a wound where blood is being lost, apply pressure using gauze sponges and a bandage. This will help control the bleeding until you can get to a veterinarian. Never leave a bandage on for more than an hour as you can cause damage to the area from lack of blood flow.

Karo Syrup

If your animal has suffered from heart stroke or exhaustion, rubbing karo syrup on their gums will help provide immediate energy. Do not put too much in the animal's mouth as you do not want to cause choking.

Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian
Deuel Veterinary Services, P.C.
2047 N Broadway Ave
Salem, IL 62881
Phone: 618-548-6755
Fax     : 618-548-6855
deuelveterinaryservices.com

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Text and photos are Copyright © 2012–2013 C. Sue Furman, Ph.D. and Holistic Touch Therapy — c.suefurman@gmail.com

This article originally appeared in the October 2012 edition of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Storm Season Woes

by Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian

The start of summer is often marked by severe weather, flooding, and tornadoes. It is crucial to have a plan for your animals to make sure you are prepared for a possibility of an emergency. In addition, some animals have an underlying phobia of storms which can make for a stressful season for you and your pet. Below are some tips for combating storm-related anxiety and being as prepared as possible for the coming storms.

Emergency plan

In the event of a severe weather issue, your pet should not be forgotten. Many pets break out of their fences or homes during a storm and end up getting lost. It is imperative that you have your pet micro chipped so that they may more easily be returned to you. A good emergency protocol for your pet is to make sure that they have a collar on with identification. Also, one should have a leash or even a crate available to restrain your pet should a disaster strike in your area. If you have a basement shelter, be sure to stock it with items for your pet such as water, food, a cage, and flashlights.

Thunder shirt

Available online and through some retailers, a thunder shirt is a snug-fitting jacket that mimics a hug for a dog. The effect is to sooth the animal even when a person is not available to offer comfort. It is such a simple concept but it works tremendously. The most important thing is to measure the dog according to the manufacturer recommendations to ensure that the shirt will fit snuggly.

Nutraceuticals

Nutritional supplements, or nutraceuticals, that aid in treating conditions such as anxiety are becoming a useful treatment option. Check with your veterinarian for the best available products available over the counter for the treatment of anxiety.

Royal Canin offers a commercially available food called "Calm" that is designed to help provide a calming effect to the dog. This food contains tryptophan, a hydrolyzed milk protein, which is an amino acid that helps to restore changes in mood in the brain. When fed to an animal, this food provides a long term solution to anxiety. It is easier for some owners because the calming effect is constant, negating the need for the owner to rush home and administer a medication.

Some manufacturers are now offering "natural" anxiety treatments such as NutriCalm which contain tryptophan, valarian, catnip, and other calming ingredients. These products are typically used on as as-needed basis, meaning just prior to the storm.

Medicines

While not ideal to medicate an animal for anxiety, there are some cases where medicine can be given in conjunction with other treatments initially and then the animal weaned off of the medicine. There are long-term and short-term anxiolytics which provide relief from storms and other anxieties. A drug should never be given to a pet without full consultation with a veterinarian as some medicines are sedatives as opposed to anxiolytics and can be unsafe for pets with underlying conditions.

Pheromones

Released by all creatures, pheromones are naturally produced substances that send silent messages to other members of the same species. In the animal industry, they have managed to re-create the pheromone that dogs and cats produce during the birthing process to calm the puppies and kittens respectively. These compounds are available embedded in collars, as a spray for an environment, and in a plug-in adapter. Though not strong enough to sedate an animal, it will help to assuage an anxiety.

Desensitization and counter conditioning

A longer term solution with more effort involved includes slowly introducing the source of anxiety to the pet in an attempt to remove the fear over time. There are commercially available recordings of thunderstorm that can be played and associated with more pleasant situations. Starting with the volume on low and giving your pet a treat or rewarding them with play can help an animal overcome fear. Animals respond well to routines and can find solace in knowing that you have a plan for them during a storm. Some animals like a small, dark, quiet area for their respite. A closet, laundry room, or bathroom can help. When the recording is being played, rehearse your pet's safe plan with them so they will associate that safe area with the start of the stimulus. If the anxiety is severe, this method is not recommended without combining it with other means of calming.

Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian Deuel Veterinary Services, P.C. 2047 N Broadway Ave Salem, IL 62881 Phone: 618-548-6755 Fax     : 618-548-6855 deuelveterinaryservices.com

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This article originally appeared in the July 2013 edition of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Set the Stage for a Relaxing Massage

by Dr. C. Sue Furman

A human massage therapist goes to great lengths to set the stage before a client arrives for a massage. Many considerations are taken into account, not least is the physical environment. The client need only recline and enjoy an hour of undivided attention. The setting is designed to promote relaxation and reduce stress levels from the moment the client arrives.

What about our canine friends? How does one set the stage for a canine massage?

Actually, conditions very similar to those that relax and de-stress a human have the same effect on a dog. It is desirable that the room or area temperature be at a comfortable level. It is more difficult to receive the full benefit of a massage if one is too hot or too cold during the session. Keep in mind that the optimum temperature for a Chihuahua may be a degree or two different than that for a more hirsute friend like a Portuguese Water Spaniel or an Old English Sheepdog. Similarly, lighting should be warm and cheery, but not glaring. Nobody likes a bright light in his face.

Aromatherapy, while not essential to an effective massage, can be calming to a dog in the same way it is to humans. An appropriate fragrance should also help the massage therapist relax and center, consequently maximizing the effectiveness of the massage. Lavender is commonly used for its well-known soothing effect on the nervous system.

However, other essential oils may be equally effective for other purposes. Eucalyptus and cinnamon are known to benefit dogs with respiratory problems. They may be placed in a diffuser individually or mixed before use. Stress, anxiety and depression respond to wild marjoram, especially when used in combination with lavender. Mint is used to improve digestion while rosemary is recommended for fatigue.

A dog can be massaged standing or lying down as long as both the dog and Canine Massage Practitioner are relaxed and comfortable.

Soft, relaxing music playing in the background serves a dual purpose. Dogs, like people, respond to rhythmic, soothing sounds. Classical pieces, Indian flute music, chants, new wave songs, Frank Sinatra ballads, and Reiki compositions are but a few styles of relaxing compositions that fit the criteria. There is even a Japanese CD available that is designed and marketed as relaxing music for dogs! Human and canine nervous systems are very similar. Sounds that are soothing and relaxing to a human will have the same effect on a dog. Tunes that start your toes to tapping will probably stimulate your dog. While such music might create a cheery, energizing mood, that is not the desired effect for a relaxing massage session.

Slow, relaxing music provides an additional benefit by setting the tempo of the massage. To be most effective, massage strokes should flow in a continuous pattern so that the transition from one stroke to another is like a finely choreographed ballet. There should be no long hesitations or abrupt shifts between strokes. Similarly, movement from one part of the body to another should be smooth and flowing. The intent is to balance the body and bring all individual elements to oneness-a whole. If massage movements are jerky and sporadic, the dog's nervous system will respond in kind. A canine massage therapist can use slow, relaxing background music to set the rhythm for a massage and to maintain slow-paced, fluid movements.

C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
c.suefurman@gmail.com
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com

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This article originally appeared in the March 2013 edition of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Search and Rescue Dogs

by Paula Bindrich

Dogs' noses are used to search for many things from medical conditions to bed bugs. Their abilities are very amazing to me every time I watch them. I volunteer with my labs to find people in wilderness situations. I will be writing from my experiences in Wilderness work. My first lab, Phoebe, and I learned from the start together. She is now gone and I am working with Freyja, now twenty months old.

We have quite a few breeds in our organization that generally fit into the herding or hunting groups. Dogs that will work for search and rescue need to be confident, fit and agile, willing and wanting to work for long hours and still remain focused, and able to work out problems on their own but still work as a partner with their human. The bond of trusting, working together and reading each other I find quite important.

Most of us prefer to start with a puppy, as I have with both of mine, starting at twelve weeks old. First time handlers can expect to train hard for three or more years before certification because there is so much to learn. Take a walk for an hour in a park and notice the shifting breezes and winds, along with terrain changes and woods to meadows. Then add the sun and how it heats up the air and causes it to rise, the cool night air drops down into the low points. Now imagine how smoke would travel through the space, swirling about. That is how scent moves. A river can show that movement in a more 2D space. We need to learn what could happen so that we can both, train the dog how to move through large spaces, linking the information together and also if we lose the scent, we can make an educated guess as to where we could move to pick up the scent again based on earlier information.

Our group starts with Trailing and then most move to Air Scent. We can add specialties later like Water, Avalanche, and Human Remains. Trailing is similar to tracking where the dog follows the path the person took. Air Scent is the scent that is wafting in the air directly from the person. Trailing training starts with very short trails with the puppy watching the person run away like a fool and hide behind a blade of grass. It starts a game of hide and seek that progressively gets harder. With Trailing we can watch the dog's behavior to different scent pictures easier since they work closer to the handler. Trailing is very meticulous work as it gets harder and you will see most dogs move to Air Scent. Moving the dogs to Air Scent is fairly easy and fun. The dogs get to move out looking for and then following the scent as it gets bent around hills and trees. Again we build up the difficulty teaching them new situations. Sometimes you think that you are in a washing machine as the scent appears to be going in all directions at once. With either work we want the dog to be excited to want to work. If we work a dog on a very hard problem one day we will generally have an easier problem the next time so it remains fun. When the dogs find their subject it's a big, happy party. For some dogs all they want is treats and others have to have their favorite toy thrown wildly about.

Search work is hard on the dog's bodies. We need to be able to travel whereever the scent takes us. They are running through all sorts of terrain, jumping over dead fall, hot days, cold days, cactus and avalanche debris zones that resemble boulder fields. Our dogs are hard workers that don't always tell us they have been hurt. Twice with my old dog, it wasn't until we got in the car after training that I realized she had a large puncture wound in her back leg. Keeping them healthy to start, helps them stay healthy and recover faster.

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Our guest expert this month is Paula Bindrich. This is how she describes herself and experience:

I am an Emergency Medical Technician who started in Search and Rescue (SAR) sixteen years ago and started my first dog, Phoebe, for search in early 2000. It has been an amazing journey. Not only is it fun to watch these dogs, you develop a very tight partnership with them. I must say though, your life becomes search and rescue in time (and money, it is all volunteer) spent in training and missions. It allows me to be out in the wilderness, with my dog, while helping someone having a bad day. I learned canine massage from Sue in 2001 to help Phoebe for SAR. The massage helped two-fold, it brought me closer to Phoebe (now Freyja too) allowing me to be able to know every inch of her body and help recognize issues and fix them. Wilderness search dogs are everywhere in rugged terrain. I guess I can say three-fold, I have the skills to help others too!

Paula belongs to Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado and Alpine Rescue Team. Visit their websites for more information and some great photos.

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This article originally appeared in the May 2013 edition of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Passive Touch for Achy Muscles and Joints

by C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.

It is reported that Plato said, "Massage must be simple." Passive touch certainly fits that bill. The technique is performed by gently placing both hands on the dog and allowing them to remain motionless. To perform passive touch, place your entire open hand or hands on the spot where heat or tension is present. One or more fingers can be used if the area or the dog is small. Rest your hand there as briefly as 20 to 30 seconds or as long as several minutes without applying pressure and without movement. The heat from your hand will warm the superficial tissues. This promotes blood vessel dilation which increases peripheral circulation and helps relieve pain.

Passive touch can be applied virtually anywhere on the body of a dog as a warming technique to prepare sore or stiff muscles for deeper or more vigorous strokes. When used on the upper arm (Figure 1a), place one hand on the lateral side of the limb. The other hand should always be in contact with the dog. Gently hold this position until the upper arm muscles are warmed. The dog may relax or even heave a sigh as passive touch provides comfort. On the other hand, he will begin to wiggle or give other clues if he is ready for you to release and move to another area. It is important to respect the dog's wishes. You can feel his muscles from the outside. Only he can feel them from the inside of his body.

Passive Touch can also be used on aching or stiff muscles of the upper thigh (Figure 1b). Movements that strain muscles on one side of the dog's limb often affect those on the other side. You can address this problem by doing double duty and using both hands to simultaneously apply passive touch to warm the medial and lateral muscles of the limb. Rest one hand on each surface of the large thigh muscles to relieve the discomfort. Hold the position for one to several minutes. The muscles should be ready for additional work.

Figure 1a		Figure 1b

Figure 1a. Apply passive touch to warm the upper arm by placing one hand on the muscles of the lateral surface of the leg and the other on the medial surface of the limb.
Figure 1b. Place one hand on the lateral surface and the other on the medial surface of the hind limb to warm muscles on both sides of the upper thigh.

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C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
c.suefurman@gmail.com
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com

This article originally appeared in the February 2013 edition of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Inappropriate Urination

by Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian

Urinating in the wrong place or at the wrong time is a very common reason for a dog or cat to make a trip to the veterinarian. There are a number of behavioral and medical reasons why this may occur. Diagnostic tools and a thorough history can help determine the cause and the solution.

Cats

A cat that suddenly starts to pee outside the litter box is definitely a signal that something is not right. In many cases, something in the house has changed. For example, if you suddenly buy a different litter type, a cat may decide not to use the box anymore. Cats are very sensitive to change and often show their disapproval with litter box issues. It is always a good idea to think about anything that changed at the same time that the cat started to have the problem.

Common new things that can be the problem are: different food/treats, new litter substrate, not changing the litter pan frequently enough, an addition to the family (ie. another pet or a new baby), and changes in routines. Even things that you may not think of like a new air freshener, laundry soap, or radio station can send a cat into stress mode and cause inappropriate urination.

If there have been no changes whatsoever, then the next cause could be medical. After a thorough physical exam, a veterinarian will likely get a urine sample and check it for signs of infection, crystals, pH issues, or concentration abnormalities. Cats are prone to urinary tract issues that can cause irritation and result in urgency of urination that can prevent them from making it to the litter pan. Some diseases that can be associated with changes in urination are: diabetes, a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, crystalluria (crystals in the urine), and food allergies. Bloodwork may be necessary to help rule out diseases. Often a change in food can help limit the reoccurrence of urinary tract issues.

Urinary issues are so common in cats that there is an acronym, FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease), which encompasses idiopathic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), urolithiasis (urinary stones), and urethral obstruction. Signs other than urinating outside the litter box that could indicate a serious issue would include: straining to urinate, frequent and/or prolonged attempts to urinate, vocalizing while urinating, excessive licking of the genital area, and blood in the urine.

Dogs

A dog that suddenly starts to pee inside is generally an indication of something medically wrong. If the dog doesn't know that they are peeing or they seem to leak while sleeping, incontinence may be the problem. In order for a dog to void urine, there is a symphony that must occur involving numerous muscles, nerves, and hormones. If one of these components is not functioning, it can affect the whole process. These dogs may need hormonal treatment with a pill given twice daily to correct the incontinence. A diabetic dog can have accidents in the house because they are producing so much urine that they cannot make it outside in time. Once the diabetes is under control, this problem tends to cease. However, diabetic dogs are also more prone to urinary tract infections.

If your dog strains while urinating, pees frequently in small amounts, or seems to have discolored urine, this can indicate an infection, a bladder stone, or both. A veterinarian should perform a thorough exam and a urinalysis. If a bladder stone is suspected, an x-ray or ultra-sound would be indicated. Stones, depending on the size, number, location, and type, often require surgical removal. There are diets on the market now that can dissolve certain types of stones. Even if surgical removal is required, the special diets can be used to help prevent stone formation in the future.

Veterinarian

If your pet exhibits any abnormalities with regards to urination, have a veterinarian check them over. It may be the first sign of a more serious problem like diabetes or an infection. If you can bring a urine sample with you to the vet, it can facilitate a diagnosis. The first urination in the morning is the most valuable. You can use a soup ladle to capture the urine mid-stream. Try not to have any debris from litter or grass in the sample. Store the sample in a clean (or even sterile) jar at room temperature until you can get it to the vet appointment.

Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian Deuel Veterinary Services, P.C. 2047 N Broadway Ave Salem, IL 62881 Phone: 618-548-6755 Fax  : 618-548-6855 deuelveterinaryservices.com

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This article originally appeared in the May 2013 edition of the Holistic Touch Therapy newsletter.

Animal Behavior

by C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.

On Saturday, August 31, 2013 I attended an excellent seminar on animal behavior hosted by the Dorothy H. O'Connor Pet Adoption Center in Victoria, Texas. The seminar was a great opportunity for dog trainers, handlers, owners, and veterinarians to learn from Dr. Lore I. Haug an expert in the field of animal behavior. Dr. Haug has had a passion for animals all her life. A graduate of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Haug is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a member of the AVMA, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Dr. Haug worked at the TAMU Animal Behavior Service, and is the founder of Texas Veterinary Behavior Service, a referral service dedicated to diagnosing and treating behavior problems in animals. Her presentation was jam packed with information. Dr. Haug's vivacious manner held everyone's attention while conveying a tremendous amount of valuable material. I think everyone learned much more than anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the process. I highly recommend attending a seminar by Dr. Haug if you ever have the opportunity. Check out her schedule on her website at www.texasvetbehavior.com.

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C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
c.suefurman@gmail.com
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com