Canine Flu

Just like people, you dog can get the flu during the cold season, and you want to make sure that you watch out for the signs of dog flu.

Signs of the dog flu include:
* A soft, moist cough
* Low grade fever
* Yellow/green nasal discharge
* Rapid breathing of difficulty breathing
* High grade fever in severe cases

The canine influenza can cause mild to severe illness that may last 10 to 30 days. In most cases, the canine flu will act like any other viral infection, but there have been some cases of fatality caused by the virus.

It is very important to have your dog tested if you think that he has the flu. If you have more than one dog, you want to keep them separated, ad the dog flu is a highly contagious viral infection that is easily passed from dog to dog.

The virus is commonly misdiagnosed as kennel cough, as there is no 100% reliable test to prove the flu. But, there are serologic testing that can test for antibodies for the canine influenza virus as early as 7 days after seeing the first signs of illness. In some cases, blood will be taken within the first week and then within the second week to test for any changes in the antibodies.

If your vet thinks that your dog may have the dog flu (which is in no way related to the bird flu), he may set your dog on a course of antibiotics or just wait it out. It is a case-by-case basis as to how each vet treats each case.

There is a vaccine for the dog flu, and some vets will actually recommend it, especially if you have more than one dog in your household. Speak to your vet about the vaccine if you have any further questions.

If you're worried about other pets (non-canine) and people, keep in mind that canine influenza H3N8 has not been proven transmissible to other animals or humans. Dog to dog transfer is the only way the virus is transmissible, but you can actually carry the virus from one dog to another, which is why proper hygiene is important. Wash your hands before and after handling and caring for each dog, as you can carry the virus from your body  to another dog without actually contracting the illness.

Be Thankful

The past few years have been rough, not knowing how MIA's appointments would turn out, and even know it's still nerve-racking when we have to go in for her full exam and chest radiographs to check for cancer growth and spread.

Well, this year, we've made it through another year. It's time to be thankful that MIA has survived nearly two years, which has well surpassed the doctor's expectations for her. For that, I am thankful.

There are many big and little things to be thankful for this year, and it's time that you sit down and figure out what those things are. Did you get a new job this year? Did someone you know overcome an illness? Were you able to pay for treatment for your dog?

What happened during 2010 that you can give thanks for?

Sick Day with MIA

I had to take a sick day yesterday, as my sinuses are acting up terribly and I'm quite under the weather. While trying to recoup in attempts to be better by Thanksgiving, I spent the day on the couch with my MIA.

At first, she was curled in the recliner, but when I started squeaking the arm of the stuffed toy I was laying with, she decided to come lay with mom. And, for the rest of the day, there we sat....

This is MIA eyeing me and the stuffed toy that she can't have... (I sent my boyfriend on an errand to buy dog food for me while I was at work on Monday, and he came back with a toy and dog food. How sweet. Ha. The toy was for me... Not the dogs...)

Eventually, she came over to see me. It was all in hopes to get a hold of the toy, which didn't happen, even after a few attempts.

I was able to snap this cute picture while she slept. I was quite surprised that she didn't wake up and tear through the house with the toy... She must have known that mommy was sick. :-(

Dog Jackets for Winter

It's getting winter again, and that means it's time for jackets and sweaters for everyone. We need to bundle ourselves, our children, and some of our dogs.

Generally,  you don't want to dress your dog in clothes, as the clothes hide body communication between dog to dog and sometimes between dog to human.

Clothes can hide razzled fur and aggressive postures, but sometimes, putting a coat on your dog may really help him keep warm.

Smaller dogs, older dogs, and dogs with thin coats can easily freeze and get sick.

You don't have to put clothes on your dog for short periods outside, but if you're going on a long walk, you may want to consider putting on a coat. Just be careful of leaving your dog in clothes unsupervised.

Some dogs will fight their clothes, and may get an arm stuck if you're not watching. You don't want any harm to come of your dog while wearing dog clothes, so make sure that you don't leave jackets and sweaters on your dog long-term without supervision.

Buy Deer Antler for Your Dog

If you're looking for one of the best dog chews that you can offer for your dog, then you want to purchase deer antlers.

These are great because of so many different reasons:
1. They don't splinter
2. They don't have a strong odor
3. They don't leave a stain
4. They are all natural
5. They contain many minerals

Plus, what may make these dog chews more appealing is that antlers naturally fall off every year, to allow the deer to grow new antlers, which means that no deer have to die in order to give your dog a great treat that will last him longer than any pig ear, baked bone, or bully stick.

Supplements for a Growing Puppy

Vitamins and minerals are great to add to your puppy's daily diet, but it's a concern as to which one to buy? Well, when MIA was a pup, I saw the K9 Puppy Gold in the APBT Gazetta that the ADBA publishes, so I knew it has to be good.

I bought some, and MIA loved it. The vitamin is a simple powder mix that you add to the puppy's food. It's also good for pregnant and nursing female dogs, as well.

If you're just not sure what vitamin to buy for your puppy, you'll want to consider multi-vitamins that contain Vitamin A, fatty acids, and Vitamin D, but be leery of vitamins that contain Vitamin C, as in puppies, Vitamin C can cause different physical conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease and several types of bone diseases.

You don't have to supplement your puppy's diet, but no puppy food is going to be 100% full of essential nutrients that your growing puppy needs.  An extra vitamin will help ensure that your puppy is growing with healthy bones, muscle, tissues, and overall immunity.

You can always ask your vet which puppy vitamins he prefers, as there may be something that is better that what you've found to date.

Just remember that you want to look for a multi-vitamin that contains at least 8 essential vitamins (Vitamin A, B-complex, D, and E). You want a multi-vitamin that contains minerals that will balance out your dog's health and diet, as well as a vitamin that your dog will eat without putting up a fight.

A good puppy multi-vitamin will contain zinc, magnesium, calcium, fatty acids, and iron. If you can't find a vitamin that contains everything that you're looking for, you'll want to supplement your dog's diet in some other way. For example, non-fat dried milk is a good source of calcium and liver is a good source of iron.

Tough Toys for Pit Bulls

Not all Pit Bulls are tough chewers, and not all bullies like to destroy their toys, but I have one of those dogs. I have a Pit Bull who thinks that if it squeaks, she has to dissect it to find what makes it tick.

Rubber gets chewed like gum, plush toys get autopsied, and tennis balls get shredded. That's just what she does, so buying toys for a dog who destroys everything you give her is hard. I started buying cheap toys from jefferspet.com so that when she tore it up, I knew I only spent a few bucks on it versus full retail price from the pet store.

But, that's not always fair when the other dogs get new toys, and she gets stuck with a cheap toy from my closet.

I did find that ropes last the longest, so when the other dogs get cute toys, MIA the pit bull gets a big rope to play with. She loves it, even though she still power-chews the ends and the notes and frays the rope.

If you have a dog like mine, who loves to chew and destroy toys, you know my pain. I mean, it stinks when Petsmart has a sale on holiday toys after the holiday, and I can't buy my girl a big spider toy for $3.00. I will still buy the spider toy, but I'll give it to a friend who has a pit mix, who just loves on toys and plays normal without destroying them.

Where MIA isn't like Sammy, your dog may be like MIA. If that's the case, all you can do is try tough dog toys and see if the toy can hold up to your dog.

The rubber tires are supposed to be great for tough chewers, but after a few days, MIA's become chewing gum.

The canvass toys and plush toys made of thick materials for medium to heavy chewers didn't last long either. She loved on the toys for a while, but as soon as she made the first tiny hole, it was autopsy time.

 For the most part, all you can do is buy something that is recommended for tough toy chewers, and hope your dog doesn't destroy the toy. Otherwise, talk to friends and see what they've tried with their dogs, and maybe your dog will follow in line.

If all else fails, consider ropes, cheap toys that won't hurt your feelings when they're destroyed, or Kong toys.

Deer Antler Chews for Dogs

The newest craze for dog treats and dog bones is surprisingly deer antlers. Because deers, elk, and moose naturally shed their antlers not animal has to come into harms way in order to provide your heavy chewer with a nutritious treat.

These are natural so you don't have to worry about any chemicals or additives.

Antlers make great dog chews because they are long-lasting; they last longer than bully sticks, which have been popular for years.

Deer antlers are easier on the dog's digestive track, unlike rawhide chews which just turn into glue when in the intestines and stomach.

Antlers do not have an odor or residue, so you don't have to worry about staining your carpets or rugs after your dog has sat and chewed on an antler. Pig ears and many bones will leave a greasy, brown stain on carpets that antlers won't.

Deer, elk, and moose antlers are rich in mineral, they don't splinter, and they come from a renewable source (highly populated animals). Because these animals shed their antlers every year in order to grow a new set, it's perfectly safe and harmless for your dog and for the deer.

These treats are great for heavy chewers and for dogs that just power through most other chew treats.

* 100% natural
* Rich In Minerals
* Doesn't Splinter Like Cooked Bones
* Long Lasting
* Great for Teeth and Gums
* Not a By-Product of a Meat Processing Facility

Elk Antler for Dogs (Buy antlers for dogs by clicking on the above images.)

Pit Bull Paintings

There are tons of paintings featuring American Pit Bulls and other bullies on eBay. I love the watercolors by David J. Rogers. He is able to portray Pit Bulls in so many different colors and personalities that it becomes hard to pick which one I like the best.

Let me know if there's an artist that you like who portrays bullies in their art. I'd be interested to hear how many artist like to paint, sculpt, photograph, or use bullies in their art in some way or another.

BARF Diet for Dogs

The raw food diet is becoming more and more popular these days, as there are more dog food recalls released every time you turn around, so when you opt to feed your dog a raw diet, you know what your dog is eating.

The BARF diet, is a Bones And Raw Food Diet, that essentially brings dogs back to their roots of raw meats. The problem is that domestic dogs are not like wild wolves and wild canines; their dietary needs have changed a little.

If you opt to feed your dog on a raw diet, you want to make sure that you follow the components of a raw food diet carefully, so that you ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutrients that he/she needs.

BARF: Bones And Raw Food Diet
Components of a Raw Food Diet (BARF Diet)



I have seen Pit Bull owners use the BARF diet and swear that their dogs are healthier than any other dog on the block. But, those that I've met are in denial, as their dogs are super skinny and malnourished. The raw diet can be very healthy and nutritious, but only if you do it right.

If your dog is losing weight, you need to evaluate the situation.

Don't let your Pit Bull become skin and bones because you're in denial that there's anything wrong. Just because you think you're doing good by getting the bones and leftovers from the butchers, that doesn't mean that is going to be sufficient for your dog's daily needs.