Canine Lice....Yes dogs can get Lice too!

Although dogs can get lice, rest assured it is a different kind of lice than humans get, and much easier to treat. Also it is not transferable to humans or cats. 

Dog lice are species specific, so you, your kids, and your cats cannot get lice from your dog. A person with a human form of lice cannot pass it to their dog. Human lice crawl fast; dog lice are almost motionless. The human form of lice likes clean hair. A dog’s coat is not clean enough for human lice to live on.

There are two species of canine lice: 

1.  Biting (Mallophaga): trichodectus canus and Heterodoxus spiniger (feed on skin flakes and skin)

2.  Sucking linognathus piliferus setosus (feed on dogs’ blood and are more irritating)

        Cats have one biting louse and that is Felicola subrostratus.

Lice lay eggs (termed nits) on the hair shafts. The lifecycle takes about 21 days to complete.

Females lay up to 100 eggs or nits.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

They are flat, gray, wingless parasites that are about a twelfth of an inch long. Dog lice are very slow movers. In fact, they hardly move at all. Unlike fleas they do not jump from dog to dog, but dog lice are still spread through dog-to-dog contact. This means if your dog interacts with other dogs on the trail, at the dog park, at your friend’s house or wherever dogs congregate... your dog may catch them. 

Symptoms your dog may show:

• Excessive itchiness and scratching.
• A dry scruffy-looking coat.
• Hair loss, most often around the ears, neck, shoulders, groin, and rectal area.
• Anemia, particularly in puppies and small dogs and particularly with severe infestation.

Picture below of Canine Lice:

What to do If your dog has lice: 

You have a few options on how to deal with the problem. Dog lice can cause severe irritation and illness to your dog. In addition, dog lice carries disease and can cause complications such as anemia.

Contact your vet about using Frontline, Advantage, Revolution or other medications given by your vet as a preventative measure, and if your dog has visible lice. It is recommended that you repeat two weeks later. Also you can bathe your dog in a pyrethrin-based shampoo at seven-day intervals.

Revolution is one of the most recommended preventatives, but always consult your vet first.

The Kennel Cough Myth

THE KENNEL COUGH MYTH

Kennel cough is a fairly common ailment in dogs. People tend to associate it with dogs who are being or recently have been boarded (or "kenneled"). But your dog need not be boarded to catch kennel cough. Kennel cough is caused by an airborne virus,(parainfluenza) or a Bacteria called Bordetella, which is highly contagious. The Bordetella bacteria resides in almost every dog, however a good immune system keeps the bacteria under control. A low immune system or stress, can trigger Bordetella to take hold and results in infectious trachiobronchitis . Any time your dog is in the vicinity of an infected dog, the potential exists for infection. The incubation period is about 4-10 days, meaning your dog will not display symptoms of illness for about 4-10 days following exposure to the virus. Having a strong immune system is best way to avoid coming down with symptoms if/when your dog is exposed to the virus. This is why not every dog in the kennel (or house) will get it if there is an outbreak.

Although there is a vaccine (Bordetella) for Kennel Cough, it is often not effective in preventing infection. The most likely explanation for this is that there are many strains and mutations of the virus out there. Therefore, it is hit or miss whether the vaccine used on your dog will be the right one for the strain with which your dog comes into contact. This is similar to the "flu shot" for people; each year a vaccine is developed based on which strain(s) are suspected to be most prevalent. Be aware that your dog can still catch Kennel Cough even if s/he has had a shot to prevent it.
More commonly, an intranasal vaccine containing both parainfluenza and Bordetella is used. Intranasal vaccines create localized immunity that greatly reduces the incidence of clinical signs and illness. There are several precautions and warnings that need to be observed pertaining to this vaccine. Some dogs will develop mild signs similar to tracheobronchitis when given this vaccine. Very often, the symptoms will last for several days and the dog will recover without treatment. Dogs that are vaccinated can also shed the virus and cause other dogs to become mildly infected and show mild signs. This shedding usually lasts less than 72 hours. In addition, it takes up to 4 days after vaccination for dogs to develop protection. When you combine these facts, you will see why I strongly recommend that a dog not be given intranasal vaccine within 72 hours of coming into contact with other susceptible dogs. Do not give the vaccine the day before a dog show, boarding, etc. Try to give at least four days before contact with other dogs, and preferably 7 days. This way you will protect your dog from becoming infected by other dogs, and protect those dogs from becoming infected by yours. Our experience with this vaccine is that almost every dog that has had this vaccine, when put in a boarding situation, develops kennel cough if stressed. Adverse effects the intranasal vaccine can burden your pet with are: Permanent Post nasal drip, Upper respiratory damage, and dogs with heart problems, this vaccine can be fatal.

The usual symptoms of Kennel Cough include a dry, "non-productive" cough. The dog sounds as if there is something stuck or caught in the throat and the coughing is an unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the object. Sometimes the coughing/gagging seems very violent. The episodes of coughing may go on for minutes at a time and then be repeated at intervals. Of course you will want to check your dog and make certain that there isn’t anything actually stuck in the throat! One way you can "test" for Kennel Cough is to press the throat gently, right in the collar area. If the dog has Kennel Cough, this will probably trigger some coughing.

If your dog does develop Kennel Cough symptoms, don’t panic! The way this illness operates is analogous to the common cold that we humans sometimes catch; simply put: it must run its course. There is no magic pill or cure, but there are many ways to treat and ease the symptoms. The goal is to support the body (immune system) while it is healing itself. Antibiotics are NOT indicated (although they are routinely prescribed and used) because this is a virus, not a bacteria. Antibiotic use is actually thought to slow the healing process. Kennel cough generally will be gone in two weeks time or less, with or without antibiotics (but probably faster without).

Summary
'Kennel Cough,' now more commonly referred to as 'infectious tracheobronchitis' is a widespread disease caused by several different viruses and bacteria. It is usually a self-limiting disease and most animals do not require treatment. Intranasal vaccines are effective, but due to some possible side effects, are recommended for animals that are at higher risk. Infectious tracheobronchitis is a disease of dogs and wild canids, it does not appear to be a risk to healthy humans or cats.

Here are some ideas for natural treatments you may use to treat your dog’s Kennel Cough symptoms. None of these will harm your dog in any way, even if s/he does not have Kennel Cough, but you may want to check with your own vet before giving them to your dog.

For boosting the immune system and fighting off infection:

Vitamins:
500 mg Vitamin C 3x/day (250 mg for tiny dogs) (If you already supplement with vitamin C, great! But this is in addition to the regular daily dose, and is spaced out during the day.)

Herbal tinctures:
Echinacea (give a few drops, 3x/day, either directly into the mouth or on food)
Goldenseal (same instructions as Echinacea)

Other:
Colloidal Silver (Give just a drop or two, 3x/day. May be mixed with food or put into drinking water.)

For directly combating the Kennel Cough virus:
Homeopathic Remedies:
Bryonia (give 1-2 pellets/tablets 3x/day, allow no food for ten minutes before and after the dose. Most health food stores sell homeopathic remedies in the 6X or 6C potency, which is fine to use. If you have a choice of potencies, ask for 30C, which is a bit stronger. Homeopathy works when the correct remedy is matched to the correct symptoms, regardless of the potency of the remedy.)

Drosera (same instructions)

For soothing throat irritation:

Honey (about a teaspoon for a small-med dog, a tablespoon for a larger dog, 3x/day)

Eliminate exposure to second hand smoke.

Maintain humidity in the environment.

If you have more than one dog in your household, and one of them develops Kennel Cough, you can try to keep that one isolated, to minimize exposure to your other dog(s). However, by the time your dog is symptomatic, the virus has probably already been "shared" with your other pets or any other dogs with which yours has had contact recently. You may wish to treat all of your dogs, as a preventive measure for those that are asymptomatic, to ensure their immune systems are strong enough to ward off infection from the virus. Also, it would be good pet ownership to refrain from taking your ill dog to obedience class, dog shows, or any other dog-related event until s/he has recovered

Source Credit for this article belongs to K9 Social Club Inc.

Keep those Paws Safe: Hot Pavement

Summer is Here, Are you prepared?

Summer is finally in full force. This means lots of fun at the beach, camping trips, swimming and evening nights at the park with your pooch! As happy as all of us Vancouverites are to have the summer sun out, it's important to be aware that the heat brings dangers to our furry friends. As the sun heats up roads, sidewalks and sand, the pads of your dog's feet need to be protected from burns and blisters.

I'm positive almost everyone has experienced the sensation of standing on a very hot road and know just how unpleasant that can be. Not many people realize how dangerous this can be for our dogs.

Be sure to recognize the signs that of your dogs pads being affected by the hot pavement. Signs such as limping, refusing to walk, darker than usual pads, blisters, redness, missing parts of the pad or licking and chewing the foot.

Water is always a refreshing way to cool of your dog but be aware that pads that have been softened by the water are more likely to be injured.

If your dog experiences any of these symptoms, the best treatment is to immediately flush the injured paw with cool water, get the dog to a grassy area, and carry him/her if possible. The paws should be kept as clean as possible and bandaged until they fully heal.

Always consult your vet if your dog has injured their paws.

Have a fun and safe summer with your four legged friends!

One Year Old

Dapper Dog Port Coquitlam Turns 1

It's been a busy few weeks, which is why the weekly blogs have not been up to date. All last week we celebrated the 1 year anniversary of our Port Coquitlam location.

All the staff would like to thank all of our lovely daycare and grooming clients for joining us on our journey. Although Dapper Dog has been around for over 5 years, the daycare is our newest venture. We learn so much every day from our clients and have gained so much more knowledge along the way.

From all of us here at Dapper Dog, we thank you and look forward to many more years with you and your furry friends/family!

http://www.dapperdog.ca/

Oral Care for Your Dog

Dogs need

Monitoring Your Dog’s Dental Health

A lot of dog owners don't know that dogs teeth need to be checked and kept healthy. Most people just assume that dogs bad breath is normal. Catching teeth problems early will help avoid severe dental disease. The best and easiest way to keep track of your dog’s teeth is to look at them on a regular basis and check for signs that may indicate a problem. Some signs that your dogs teeth may need professional cleaning or a vet trip are:

• ~ Bad breath
• ~ Reluctance to chew / crying out when chewing
• ~ Salivating from the mouth more often than usual
• ~ Bleeding gums
• ~ Tartar Build Up
• ~ Red and/or puffy gums

If Plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar there is a serious risk of Dental Disease. When the bacteria is allowed to grow it eats away at the teeth and gums. If this happens your dog might get such things as: Halitosis, periodontal disease, oral pain and tooth loss. The bacteria not only causes disease in the mouth – they can also affect the heart and kidneys. Preventing Dental Disease in Dogs is very important and can be achieved many ways. Here are a few steps:

~ Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste as it can make your dog very ill.

~ Daily brushing is recommended. Use a “finger brush” or special long toothbrush designed for use on dogs. When introducing your dog to tooth brushings, the finger brush is a great way to start as it feels less awkward for them as brushes can.

 ~ Having your dog chew on raw bones or tough raw meats such as pigs legs. It's great for the                  "flossing" effect. Try to avoid giving marrow bones or any cooked bones as they can chip your dogs teeth or splinter and cause a painful reaction on their stomachs.

If your dog's teeth have gotten away from you and have now got a solid build of of tartar, you may need to consider having your dogs mouth seen by a professional. Your vet is usually a good first stop. They can clean your dogs teeth under anethetic, but if you are not comfortable having your dog put under, you can also look into having a non anethetic procedure done at your own home.

There are many options to help keep your dogs teeth and gums happy and healthy. Help your dog live the happy healthy life they were born to experience!!

The Importance of Trimming Your Dogs Nails

One of the most common things we come across here at Dapper Dog is over grown toenails. Alot of owners just don't know how often they need to be done or even done at all. We want to help educate people, helping them understand that maintaining your dog's toenails is more than just for vanity's sake.

Major toenail issues that can occur are:

If dogs toe nails are allowed to continue growing, they can actually grow into a complete circle and pierce the dog's footpad causing pain and potential infection. If your dog has dewclaws, it is especially important to trim those as those nails have no way of naturally filing down as they don't reach the pavement. Some outside dogs that walk on concrete have the opportunity to wear down their nails naturally.

We offer nail trimming packages as well as drop in nail trimmings for your dog. We are always eager to answer anyones questions when it comes to these important matters.

Help your dog get a grip and have their nails trimmed regularly :)

Paws for Winter Saftey

With the snow finally deciding to show up here in the lower mainland, the dogs get to enjoy all the fun things that snow has to offer. Things like turning snowmen a shade of yellow, eating all the freshly dumped snow, running around like little puppies, and helping your kids plow down the hills on their sleds.

As fun as this weather is to most of your dogs, there are some hazards that we need to be aware of. Snow, slush, ice and cold weather all take their toll on a dog's paws. In addition, rock salt and other sidewalk treatments can leave your dog with painful, sore feet.

To prevent your dogs from having sore painful feet you will want to make sure to wash their pads asap once they have been in contact with road salt or road de-icing chemicals. Also be sure to not let your dogs lick their feet before washing or wiping them down as some of these chemicals can also cause your dogs to have upset stomachs.

Another good option is to buy your pooch a product called "Invisible boot". Dapper Dog has been selling invisible boot since we opened 5 years ago and highly recommend this product. It's 100% natural and provides a protective barrier against salt, ice and cold weather.

So be sure to maintain a happy healthy lifestyle for your furry friend and keep enjoying the fun stuff winter has to offer! If anyone has any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us :)

www.dapperdog.ca