http://www.game-dog.com/ Discuss Health Issues and ask Questions. en Sun, 19 May 2013 09:09:59 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.game-dog.com/images/misc/rss.png http://www.game-dog.com/ http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64245&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 20:23:42 GMT Anyone got any experience with this? Anyone got any experience with this? ]]> Dogman_M http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64245 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64233&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 15:18:03 GMT When should you switch your bitches food when you see that she is pregnant? Are should you switch foods at all? If you are feeding a high quality kibble already is there any need to switch up from that high quality kibble? Just asking basically. When should you switch your bitches food when you see that she is pregnant? Are should you switch foods at all? If you are feeding a high quality kibble already is there any need to switch up from that high quality kibble? Just asking basically. ]]> bullyville http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64233 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64226&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 06:12:30 GMT My puppy has a really bad dry skin and hair loss under his front legs ,belly and back.... This is a first for me... Help needed and wanted.........:wagtail: I feed him Purina One and dog chow ......Only 1 puppy of 4.... Can I get some help My puppy has a really bad dry skin and hair loss under his front legs ,belly and back.... This is a first for me... Help needed and wanted.........:wagtail: I feed him Purina One and dog chow ......Only 1 puppy of 4.... Can I get some help ]]> Iceberg http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64226 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64221&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 00:46:25 GMT Dog dementia helps search for human cure Published: 6:06PM Thursday May 16, 2013 Source: AAP Scientists are hoping dogs with dementia will help them devise a treatment for people suffering from the condition. Ageing canines with symptoms such as memory loss and disorientation are... Dog dementia helps search for human cure

Published: 6:06PM Thursday May 16, 2013 Source: AAP

Scientists are hoping dogs with dementia will help them devise a treatment for people suffering from the condition.

Ageing canines with symptoms such as memory loss and disorientation are preparing to take part in a world-first trial at the University of Sydney.

Associate Professor Michael Valenzuela says 12% of dogs older than 10-years-old develop a form of dementia similar to the type that affects humans.

"(It) has many parallels with human dementia in terms of memory loss, disorientation, agitation and also, at the level of pathology, many similarities in terms of Alzheimer plaques building up in the brain," he told reporters at the Alzheimer's Australia national conference in Hobart.

Dementia in dogs is more noticeable than in other animals because of the bond between the animals and their owners, he said.

"Probably the most common and the most telling sign is when dogs start to stare at walls or get stuck behind objects," Valenzuela said.

"One of the features that owners find most distressing is when they lose that sense of familiarity with the owner or recognising the owner, loss of that welcome-home behaviour."

Researchers will grow a million cells from a skin sample near the dog's stomach and transplant them into the hippocampus, the part of the brain that processes memory.

The university's Brain and Mind Research Institute has been working on the project for five years and has already had success with rats with memory loss.

Dog owners have volunteered their pets for the next step, which begins with surgery next month.

"What we're hoping is a few months later we'll see a major improvement in their clinical syndrome," Valenzuela said.

"If we were to see that, then that would be convincing evidence to then go for a human clinical trial."

That will take time, however.

"All things going well, I think it will be three to five years," he said.

"It's very early days, so we don't want to give false hope because we don't know what the outcomes will be.

"But at least we're trialling something new, and I think in a way that will be genuinely informative about what could happen in the human condition."

Dog dementia helps search for human cure - Lifestyle News News | TVNZ ]]> 3MTA3 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64221 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64172&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 06:10:59 GMT As spring approaches, we tend to look forward to the end of winter and the rebirth of the earth. Snow melts, trees begin to bud, baby birds and bunnies abound, and sprigs of new plants begin pushing through the earth. We can't wait to spend time outdoors.
Your pet may be as excited as you to frolic in the outdoors, especially after the year's long winter. However, without proper care, this can be a time of danger to your pets. Some of those plant sprigs may be toxic to your pet.

Plants cause a large number of toxicities in pets and can result in death. In fact, in cats, plants are the second most common toxins. In dogs, plants rank in the top 5 of common toxic exposures.

Though some plants can cause serious illness or death, irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract are the most common problems. Vomiting usually occurs soon after ingestion, which removes most of the plant from the system and reduces additional toxin absorption.


Toxic Plants

The springtime plants that can result in gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats include:
Amaryllis
Ferns
Caladium
Calla lily
Hyacinth
Iris
Tulip

Plants that are considered very toxic and can result in severe illness or even death include:
Crocus
Azalea
Rhododendron
Tiger Lily
Easter Lily
Bittersweet
Clematis
Daffodil
Day lily
Foxglove
Lily of the Valley
Narcissus
Morning Glory
Death Camas


The most important part of treating ingestion of a toxic plant is to determine if your pet actually ate the plant, how much was ingested and which part of the plant was eaten. The entire plant is not always toxic. Sometimes only the seeds, the leaves, stems or roots are toxic. Also, plant identification is crucial in diagnosis. Get a sample of the plant if you are unsure of the name. This information can help your veterinarian determine the best course of treatment.

Unfortunately, there are very few specific treatments or antidotes for toxic plant ingestion. Supportive care, including intravenous fluids, may be necessary. Without proper care, some plant toxicities can have devastating effects on your pet's health.

By knowing which plants could pose a threat, you can work towards preventing your pet from access to the plant and keep your pets safe and your yard beautiful. ]]> Kelticwarrior http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64172 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64122&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 20:11:15 GMT She is about 10 weeks old, I am not a fan of keeping dogs fat. The last couple of fosters left quickly or they were fuzzy and a little plumper. Should I let a little rib be visible or up the feed a little bit more so she packs on a little more fat for now? Image:... She is about 10 weeks old, I am not a fan of keeping dogs fat. The last couple of fosters left quickly or they were fuzzy and a little plumper.

Should I let a little rib be visible or up the feed a little bit more so she packs on a little more fat for now?

]]> davidfitness83 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64122 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64114&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 21:01:26 GMT Does anybody have any opinions on nature's recipe kibble? ]]> Willy21 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64114 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64060&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 17:30:38 GMT Hey quick question i have had great success with 4oz of permethrin to 20oz of mineral oil for my hounds. But was wondering what the mix would be for the yard around them? Or should i just go buy a bug killer for the lawn? Thanks Hey quick question i have had great success with 4oz of permethrin to 20oz of mineral oil for my hounds. But was wondering what the mix would be for the yard around them? Or should i just go buy a bug killer for the lawn? Thanks
]]> hnelson http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64060 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64059&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 14:48:48 GMT Euthanasia drugs and procedures

Though it may sound morbid to say so, euthanasia is an art and a science. And although we would all like it to be a "beautiful death," it is not always as easy to achieve as one would think.

It takes a lot of practice and attention to detail to get euthanasia right. Therefore, you should know what goes into it before you find yourself faced with your next family death (if like me, you feel that a pet is a member of the family). Depressing as it may seem, it’s critical for you to understand these issues before your emotions irreparably affect your reason.

Here goes:

The first injection: Profound sedation

Telazol: Telazol is a pre-mixed cocktail of two drugs (tiletamine and zolazepam), which is a very common sedative for both cats and dogs. Tiletamine is considered a dissociative anesthetic and zolazepam is a valium-like drug in the family of benzodiazepines.

Neither drug is very pain-relieving and yet, together, they lead to an extremely effective sedation that approximates complete anesthesia. When administered as an overdose as part of euthanasia, a complete anesthesia results (no pain can be felt).

Ketamine: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic (which technically means that the brain and body are experienced separately by the patient) most often combined with valium to produce the same effect as Telazol. Ketamine, however, has some pain-relieving effects, which makes this combination preferable to some veterinarians for routine use during medical procedures.

As an overdose, however, as in the case of euthanasia, the physiological differences between ketamine/valium and Telazol are considered minuscule. Often, Telazol is preferred in these cases because it is not as rigidly controlled by the DEA as ketamine is. (Ketamine is a commonly abused "club drug," which many vets don’t want to keep around in large quantities for safety reasons.)


Propofol: Another drug we use commonly to induce anesthesia, propofol is not commonly abused and it’s ubiquitous to most practices. The problem is that propofol (nicknamed "milk of amnesia" for its white coloration) is relatively expensive. Many vets, however, keep the remains of their one-use-only vials to use as the first injection in the two injection method of euthanasia. This recycling of medications is considered ethical, safe and highly effective, even if we’d never reuse these vials on living patients (for fear of spreading infections).

Note: All of the above drugs are usually delivered IV for euthanasia. That’s because Propofol can’t go IM (intramuscular) and both Telazol and ketamine/valium sting when delivered in the muscle. Nonetheless, a brief sting is considered acceptable by many vets. The biggest benefit of IV injection is the speed of action; most animals are deeply asleep within seconds.

Medetomidine: Marketed as Domitor by Pfizer, this drug is excellent to induce a pain-relieving sedation with a sting-less IM injection for dogs. Mixed with opiates and other drugs, it also works well for painless IM injection in cats. It’s price, however, leaves something to be desired. It’s pricey for big dogs.

Acepromazine: Ace, as it’s known, is a tranquilizer commonly used in vet practice to chill out aggressive dogs through IM injection. Though I much prefer to use small doses of Domitor mixed with opiates, Ace is popular for its inexpensiveness and low abuse potential. Some animals react to the sting of the needle when delivered IM, but it can definitely be included in IV preparations.

Xylazine: Lots of vets include this drug in their first injection cocktails. It’s most commonly used as a tranquilizer in horses but it’s a great, inexpensive choice for overdosing small animals as part of the first injection.

Another note: none of these drugs causes an awake form of paralysis. Many owners fear this but, rest assured, we are not merely rendering animals motionless with our choice of first injection drugs. Nothing less than a profound sedation/anesthesia is the goal of this stage.

The final injection

Barbiturates: Almost all vets use a barbiturate for this second injection. Many different preparations of barbiturates are used to overdose animals quickly. These are almost always given IV for rapid onset of cardiac arrest (within fifteen to sixty seconds in most cases).

Sometimes, however, if the first injection is extremely effective (as it is designed to be), an intraperitoneal (into the abdomen), or intracardiac (directly into the heart) injection is considered a humane alternative. This usually happens when the intravenous route becomes complicated by severe dehydration, shock, or some other process that is limiting ready access to the veins.

Note: Intracardiac injections of barbiturates are painful and should NEVER be administered to an animal that is not anesthetized or verifiably unconscious. An intraperitoneal injection of barbiturates in a conscious animal, however, is considered a humane method by some veterinarians’ standards. Indeed, I do not believe these injections are painful, but I do not opt for this method as it takes too long for the animal to slowly fall into a deep slumber. To me, it does not seem so predictable a process as the two part injection method.

Is one injection enough?

Some vets still opt for the one injection method. If an animal is already unconscious or anesthetized I will sometimes opt for it, too. As recently as five years ago, a majority of veterinarians were still using the one injection protocol, and while it is still considered humane, the animals will often struggle and appear to resist. The two injection approach, by contrast, seems much more peaceful to most veterinarians and pet owners.

What if they move after the second injection?

Movement after death (such as an intake of breath) is not considered a sign of pain or incomplete euthanasia. It is common. In fact, some postmortem movement is typical. It happens because of electrical impulses remaining in the peripheral nerves of the body after brain waves have ceased.

Because less movement is seen if the animal is deeply sedated or anesthetized before the second injection is administered, and because humans are often disturbed to see movement after death (no matter how normal it is), this is another reason most of us now opt for the two injection method.

Is an IV catheter necessary?

Some vets require that an IV catheter be placed prior to euthanasia for added security. It is not strictly necessary, but it does often ensure that things will go smoothly. Because "missing the vein" with these injectables can mean additional discomfort, the IV catheter prior to euthanasia is generally considered a good idea. ]]> Kelticwarrior http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64059 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64051&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 20:35:15 GMT Whats the similarties/differences in feeding the racing greyhound and the APBT, and is their any similarties in the training of the racing greyhound and APBT? Thanks TB Whats the similarties/differences in feeding the racing greyhound and the APBT, and is their any similarties in the training of the racing greyhound and APBT?

Thanks

TB ]]> Torresbeag http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64051 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64037&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 00:12:33 GMT Anybody ever used safe guard on a pregnant bitch?? Anybody ever used safe guard on a pregnant bitch?? ]]> crushbones http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64037 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64017&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:00:25 GMT My dog is itchy and has weird spots where her hair is standing up all over her back.. She also now has red lines on her inner back leg. I do not see any bugs. She doesn't want to be touched, has diarrhea and vomiting. I have the soonest vet:confused: appiontment availabe scheduled, but she is soo miserable I want to help her asap. I also do not know if I should quarantine her from my kids and furniture. :confused: I cannot figure out how to upload any photos from my cell phone. : ( ]]> Kmcelravy409 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=64017 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=63988&goto=newpost Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:36:36 GMT I searched...

Are there any members feeding wild hog to their dogs? I did see this: KXII - HomePage - Headlines

but it seems if it is taken care of properly there shouldn't be any issues ]]> TexasGlock23 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=63988 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=63975&goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:54:30 GMT sorry if this has already been discussed, my mutt keeps tearing up his beds and i found kuranda beds website looking for a more chew proof bed. are the kuranda beds as durable and chew proof as they make out and worth the price? the website says they are good for the joints aswell. thanks for any... sorry if this has already been discussed, my mutt keeps tearing up his beds and i found kuranda beds website looking for a more chew proof bed. are the kuranda beds as durable and chew proof as they make out and worth the price? the website says they are good for the joints aswell. thanks for any feedback or links. ]]> jbpits91 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=63975 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=63968&goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:31:07 GMT Hey was wondering if anyone can help me out with some info on b vitamin injections.... I heard today from a guy from domrep sayin he gives them to his young pups..... Wondering if it's good or bad .... I've googled it and really ain't find shit... but know this guy got some awesome dogs.... Thanks for all the info ]]> Stoney917 http://www.game-dog.com/showthread.php?t=63968