Archive for the ‘Chasing Our Tail’ Category

We dogs can develop allergies just like you humans. Basically, an allergy is caused when the immune system has a hypersensitive reaction to something known as an allergen. Allergies can develop suddenly to things that never bothered us before. There are 5 known types of allergies in dogs:  contact, flea, food, bacterial and inhalant.  Here is a little bit of information to help you understand each of the five types of allergies.

1.  Contact – this is the least common type of allergy in dogs.  An example of a contact allergy would be an allergic reaction to a type of bedding like wool or cedar shavings or to cleaning products.  It causes a local reaction on the skin where it comes in contact with the allergen and causes skin irritation and itching.  Removing the contact irritant solves the problem.

2.  Flea - this is a common allergy in dogs.  Those of us dogs who are allergic to fleas have a severe reaction to the saliva of the flea when it comes in contact with our skin.  One bite can cause very intense itching.  The most common place for this to happen is on our back side right where our tail connects to our back.

3.  Bacterial – as disgusting as it sounds to a “Diva”, all of us have staph bacteria that lives on us without  causing any problems.  Some dogs can become allergic to this bacteria.  When that happens, it causes an area or areas of hair loss that look similar to ringworm. YUCK!!!

4.  Inhalant – this is the most common type of allergy in dogs.  We become allergic to the same inhaled allergens that affect you humans such as trees, grass, weed pollens, molds, mildew and house dust mites.  We usually react to these allergens with severe itching.

5.  Food - we are not usually born with food allergies, but develop them to food products we have eaten for awhile.  This allergy is usually to the protein compound found in our food such as beef, pork or chicken.  Symptoms of food allergies can be itching, digestive disorders and respiratory distress.

There is alot of information on the internet regarding dogs and allergies.  My mom found the following websites helpful when she was researching this blog topic for me:  www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/allergies, www.petwave.com/dogs/dog-health-center/multi-body-system-disorders/allergies/aspx, and www.dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/allergies_in_dogs.  If you suspect your dog may be suffering from allergies,  you should consult your veterinarian for a professional diagnosis.

Many of you may already know that my mom owns a dog daycare that also has a self-serve dog wash and full service grooming.  I go to work with her everyday, along with my doggy brothers and sister, to make sure she does everything right.  I get to see all the dogs who come to play in daycare and I get to watch the dogs being washed by their parents in our self-serve dog wash.  The daycare dogs are always happy to be here but the dogs being washed look very unhappy, especially the older dogs.  They look so tired and sad.  So I thought it might be helpful if I had my mom research how to make bathing or grooming your older dog easier.  Here are some ideas she came up with that I, Dallas the Diva Dachsie, endorse.

1.  Most dogs get a little stressed at the thought of a bath and older dogs can get particularly stressed  and exhausted.  Try to make the experience as calm as possible.  Speak in a low, soft, calming voice the whole time.

2.  Spend a little time prior to the bath petting and lightly massaging your dog to calm and reassure them.  This is also a good time to check for any new lumps or bumps that you should bring to the attention of your dogs veterinarian.

3.  Use a ramp or lift your dog into the tub.  Older dogs may have arthritis or sore muscles and joints that make climbing into a tub difficult and painful.

4.  When shampooing your older dog, rub extra gently as skin becomes more fragile with age and can become irritated easily or even tear.  Also, be sure to use a gentle emolient shampoo and follow up with a lightweight aloe conditioner to soothe the skin and prevent drying.  If your dog has skin allergies or hot spots, use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner or a medicated shampoo from your veterinarian.

5.  Try to keep the whole grooming process shorter rather than longer.  Older dogs may be unable to stand for the entire time.  The less time you take to bathe and groom them the easier it will be for them.   Let your dog be in the most comfortable position, which may be laying down. If possible, do any brushing and nail trimming at home in advance of the bath.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful in making the bathing experience as pleasant as possible for your older dog and for you .  Happy grooming!!!

Spring is here and as the days get warmer and longer,  you are probably spending more time working in your yard weeding, planting and fertilizing.  The warmer weather also means we dogs will be spending time in the yard investigating all the new smells and lounging in the sun.  However, leaving us to wander unsupervised in the yard may not be in our best interest.  If it smells interesting we are probably going to eat it.  Many common outdoor plants and bulbs are toxic to dogs as are some of the fertilizers and pesticides that you use to make your yard lush and green.  Hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrums, english ivy, jasmine, many lilies, fox glove, chrysanthemums and some mushrooms are just some of the plants that are toxic to dogs.  Crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, gladiola and tulip bulbs are also toxic to dogs.  Fertilizers for the grass and plants as well as yard and plant pesticides and weed killers can stick to our paws and be easily ingested when we lick our paws.  Slug bait is tasty to the common canine but very bad for us.

There are some things you can do to make your yard more dog friendly.  The ASPCA website, www.aspca.org,  has a list of outdoor and indoor plants that are toxic to dogs.  Another good source for toxic plant  information is the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website for pet owners, www.healthypet.com. Try to plant only dog friendly plants in your yard and keep us away from any toxic plants you may have already planted.  When buying fertilizers, pesticides, weed killers and slug bait look for non-toxic, green alternatives.  If you have to apply something to the grass or plants that is not safe for pets,  be sure to keep us off the grass or away from the plants for atleast 24 hours or until the yard has had a good watering so the chemicals can be absorbed by the plants and not us.

If an accident happens and, despite all your precautions, we should happen to eat or get into something we shouldn’t,  immediately call your vet and tell them what we’ve eaten.  They will be able to advise you best on what you should do.  If your vet is not available, the ASPCA has a Poison Control Center which can be reached at 1-888-426-4435.  It’s also a good idea to have the telephone number for the closest emergency veterinary clinic as well.

Happy spring and thanks for making your yard a fun and safe place for us dogs!!!!

With wags and slobbers,

Dallas the Diva Dachsie

Along with the fun and excitement of the holidays come certain precautions that need to be taken when you live with a dog. Alot of us are real party animals but not everything that becomes a part of your holiday celebration is good for us. I asked my assistant, otherwise known as my human, to research some of the holiday plants, foods and other materials that can cause problems for dogs. Here’s what she found.

Holiday Plants – mistletoe, holly berries, lilies and poinsettias are poisonous for dogs. If you have them as part of your holiday decor, make sure they are out of “chewing” range.

The Christmas tree – where do I begin as the Christmas tree presents so many different ways for us to get into trouble. The opening to the tree stand should be covered with foil or mesh to keep us from using it as a holiday water bowl. The water might contain harmful fertilizer from the tree, bacteria, or chemicals to help preserve the tree. Tinsel and angel hair are big no no’s as they can cause major gastric emergencies if we eat them. Give careful thought to the ornaments you put on the lower branches. We usually try to eat anything that sparkles and catches our eye. Electrical cords can look like a new chew toy to us so make sure they are tucked safely away out of our reach. Be mindful of any wrapped presents you put under the tree containing food or candy. They most likely won’t stay wrapped for long and the present is also likely to disappear only to reappear later…….I think you get the point.

Food & Drink – what can I say about this subject other than most dogs are not very discriminating eaters and will eat just about anything you give them, especially if it smells good. However, not everything on your holiday menu should be on ours. Some examples include fatty foods, chocolate, raisins and currants found in fruit cakes, sugarless candy or gum containing xylitol, and alcohol. Make sure your holiday guests know that Santa will put them on his “naughty” list if they give your dog anything to eat that you have not approved.

Toys & Treats – new toys should only be given to us when you can be there to watch us and make sure we aren’t going to destroy them and swallow something that we shouldn’t. New treats should be given to us sparingly until you know how our tummies will react.

It’s a good idea to have the telephone number for the nearest emergency veterinary clinic for any after hours emergency.  Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital  503-228-7281; Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin  503-691-7922;  ASPCA Pet Poison Control  1-888-426-4435.

The holidays can be a fun time for you and your dog.  You just need to “dog proof” your home the same way you would “kid proof” your home for the holidays.

Happy Birthday to us!!!!!! Camp Doggie Tails turns 5 on December 4th. Everyone loves a reason to celebrate because it means I, oops, I mean we get to do something fun and special.

After 4 years of celebrating our opening in 2004 with a fundraiser that featured dog photos with Santa, my mom decided to do something a little different. This year we are having a fundraiser to support dogs in need. Beginning December 1st through December 21st, we will be taking dog food donations for AniMeals and the Pongo Food Bank.

The AniMeals program was started by Friends Involved in Dog Outreach (FIDO) when it was discovered that many seniors who receive home delivered meals were giving some of their food to their pets. The program currently assists 135 seniors in the feeding of their dogs and cats. For more information about AniMeals you can check out their website at www.Fido-Clackamas.org/animeals.

The Pongo Food Bank, Portland’s first pet food bank, was developed by Larry Chusid when he discovered that homeless shelters typically don’t provide food for pets. This non-profit provides high quality pet food to people who are struggling financially and can’t afford to buy food for their pets. To learn more about this program, check out their website at www.thepongofund.org.

You can drop off your dog food donation at either one of our locations beginning December 1st through December 21st and we will deliver it to the charity of your choice.  Your donation will help make life for our dog friends in need a little more bearable.  As my mom always says, “Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.”

Welcome to “Everything Dog” according to me, Dallas the Diva Dachshund. I’m a miniature black and tan dachsie, 8 pounds in all. Don’t let my size fool you. I’m cute, smart and have alot to say. I live with my human, who I call mom, and four other dogs. My mom owns two dog daycares, so in our house it’s all about dogs and, of course, ME!!!

There’s alot people need to know about man’s best friend in order to make sure we doggies have the best life possible.

Stay tuned for regular updates on “Everything Dog” according to me, Dallas the Diva Dachshund.

Welcome to our new blog, Everything Dog According to Dallas the Diva Dachshund, at Camp Doggie Tails!  We look forward to participating with you in an ongoing dialogue about dogs, dog care, dog day care and many other things.