Did
You Know?
INDEX
Separation
Anxiety: return
to top
Separation anxiety is an important behavioral
problem, which can cause huge emotional distress for both dogs and
owners. It occurs in dogs of any age or breed, and is one of the
most common reasons for pet owners to give up their dogs or have
them euthanised.
What are the signs of separation anxiety?
- Dogs experiencing over anxiousness when
separated from his owner. How severe the anxiety and behavior
vary from dog to dog
- Some dogs become anxious if they can’t
actually see their owner; they constantly follow the owner from
room to room.
- Other dogs can tolerate being alone in
a room but will check frequently to make sure the owner is still
in the house, and then go back to playing or chewing on a bone
in another area.
- Some dogs don’t become anxious
until the owner actually leaves the home.
- Some dogs become most anxious as soon
as the owner leaves, and other dogs have a period of time during
which they are comfortable alone, but they become anxious if the
owner is gone for a longer time.
- Often the longer the owner is gone, the
worse the anxiety gets.
- It can cause whining, pacing, salivation,
barking, howling, hyperactivity, scratching, chewing, digging,
urinating or defecating, and destruction of personal items or
household objects.
- Dogs have been known to break their teeth
and tear their nails and skin trying to get out of crates, and
to destroy doors, and jump through windows as their anxiety increases.
- They often have an overly excited response
when their owner returns home. Whining, jumping, or running in
circles. This behavior may go on for a length of time after the
owner gets home, and the dog will have the same extreme response
even if the owner has only been gone for a few minutes.
What are the causes of separation anxiety?
- No one really knows, why some dogs develop
separation anxiety and others do not.
- It can occur in animals from multiple or single-pet
homes.
- Animals with a history of abuse or of multiple
homes have a higher risk
- Dogs that have missed out on normal social
interaction with people or other animals, especially as puppies
- A change in the owner's work schedule,
- After the household has moved to a new home.
- Some dogs may also develop it as they grow
older.What should I do if I suspect my dog has separation anxiety?
- Dog owners must understand that the bad behavior
the dog has is due to anxiety, and not because the dog is angry
or trying to 'get back' at the owner.
- Scolding or punishing the dog only leads to
confusion, more anxiety, and worse behavior.
- By videotaping some dogs whose owners have
punished the dog for his destructive behavior, it’s been
shown that the dog's anxiety level increases just before the owner
would normally come home. In these cases, behaviorists feel the
dog's problem behavior is not due to anxiety about being alone,
but because the dog is anxious about the punishment its going
to get when the owner returns.
- If you think your dog has separation anxiety,
talk to your veterinarian. It is important to make sure that your
dog's behavior is really due to separation anxiety and not to
something else. Your veterinarian may recommend some testing to
make sure your dog does not have any underlying medical problems,
which could cause behavior problems or make them worse. (For instance,
accidents in the house may occur if your dog was never actually
fully housetrained, or if he has a urinary tract infection. A
dog may bark when alone because he feels he is protecting his
property, or because he can hear another dog.)
Can separation anxiety be treated?
- For dogs with separation anxiety, the best
approach is usually a combination of both behavior altering exercises
and anti-anxiety drugs. In most cases, using only one will not
be enough.
- The medication is used to help your dog relax
so that she can concentrate on performing the behavior modification
exercises
- The exercises are what actually change the
dog's response to a stressful situation, over time.
- More overall exercise and mental stimulation
is also important (playing fetch, working on commands, practicing
agility exercises at home or in a class).
Conclusion
- Remember your dog does not have this
behavior problem because he is mad at you or trying to 'get back'
at you.
- Punishment, especially after the fact, will
only be confusing and cause more anxiety.
- Always start with a visit to your veterinarian
to rule out health problems.
Separation anxiety can be a very frustrating and
upsetting for both you and your dog, but with patience and proper
treatment it can usually be greatly improved.
Summer Threats to Your Pets:
return to top
Hyperthermia (over heating)
- Hot weather brings special dangers for pets
whose owners do not protect them from the heat. Most reports about
animal suffering in the heat involve dogs.
- These poor dogs might be left in the car "for
just a few minutes,"
- Chained in an unshaded yard with no water,
- Taken jogging or otherwise exercise them in
the heat of the day.
- All of these can be fatal for a dog in a matter
of minutes. But dogs are not the only animals at risk.
- A hamster left in a cage sitting on a sunny
windowsill can die from the heat,
- or a guinea pig whose water bottle runs dry
can die of dehydration. Prevention:
- Don't take your dog (or any pet) with you on
errands
- Don’t exercise with your pet in the heat.
- Your dog should be inside the house most of
the time; but if you are determined to keep your pet outside,
make sure that he has shade and plenty of fresh water.
- Check the location of small animal and birdcages
and make sure that they are protected from the direct sunlight
and have fresh water available at all times.
Sunburn
- Cats and dogs can get sunburned.
- Cats with white ears are especially prone to
develop sunburn on the tips and edges of the ears.
- Collies and other dog breeds such as Shetland
Sheepdogs, who have no pigment on their nose, can develop a condition
called 'Collie Nose,' or 'nasal solar dermatitis.' This is actually
caused by a hypersensitivity to the sun.
- Some pets, whose hair is clipped very short
over their bodies or for some reason have sparse hair can also
develop sunburn where their skin is exposed. Prevention:
- Pets susceptible to sunburn should be kept
out of direct summer sun, especially in the middle of the day
when the sun is particularly strong.
- Sunscreens (SPF should be 15 or greater), including
those developed specifically for pets and those containing titanium
dioxide, as the active ingredient should be used to prevent sunburn.
- For pets with skin exposed on their bodies,
a t-shirt (children's or adult, depending on the size of the pet)
can be fitted over the body.
- As with humans, animals with skin that has
been sunburned are more likely to develop skin cancer, so protection
from sunburn is extremely important.
Winter Threats to Your
Pets: return to
top
- Frostbite and Hypothermia in Cats and
Dogs
- It is wise to prepare our pets for the
cold winter temperatures coming ahead.
- It is a misconception that cats and dogs
can withstand cold temperatures because they have fur.
- Some large dog breeds are well equipped
for the winter months and love to be outdoors while others like
small breed dogs are more sensitive and have no tolerance for
the cold.
- Even a quick moment outside to do its
business is all it takes for a little Dachshund's paws to freeze
up and have him shivering.
- Providing your Dachshund or other small
breed with a coat and boots is a smart move.
- Cats usually don't stay out doors for
long when it's very cold. They might make a quick pounce and come
right back into the house. Always make a note of the upcoming
forecast before letting your cat out. It might be colder the next
day and if kitty hasn't come home he or she will be more at risk
to developing frostbite and hypothermia especially if hurt.
- If you are not going to be home to let
your cat back into the house don't let it out.
- Don't leave a cat or dog out in cold
temperatures! The consequences could cost your pet its life.
Hypothermia (too cold)
- Hypothermia is an abnormal lowering of
the body's temperature. This is a serious condition that can cause
unconsciousness, shock and even the death of a pet.
- Pets that are outdoors in cold or subzero
temperatures can become hypothermic. If your pet shows signs of
frostbite he or she may be also experiencing hypothermia. However
do not rely on frostbite alone as an indication of hypothermia,
as it can occur without the presence of frostbite.
SIGNS may include
- A low body temperature (below 37.5) (normal
is 38.5 C)
- Shivering and weakness may occur.
Always seek Veterinary care. Kidney and bladder problems are common
in pets that have been exposed to cold temperatures (infections
can kill).
An animal that has been hypothermic and or has frostbite is in
danger for his or her life. Veterinary care is a must.
Frostbite
Animals have ways of dealing with cold temperatures
but when exposed to extreme freezing temperatures for longer times
these same mechanisms that work to keep them warm and alive can
actually cause damage and death to the tissues of their extremities
(tips of ears, tail, foot pads.) more commonly known as frostbite.
When a dog or cat is exposed to cold temperatures its body reacts
in stages:
- Your pet's fur provides insulation just
like us wearing a coat. Its hairs, when exposed to cold air undergo
pilo-erection. This is like you and I getting goose bumps. The
hairs "stand up erect" trapping the air in that layer.
This air is warmed by the body and ads additional insulation.
When the body's core temperature decreases, an involuntary reflex
by the skeletal muscles known as "shivering" is triggered
to generate heat and warm you up. Animals like humans experience
this same reaction.
- When the body is really getting cold
and the animal’s life may be at risk, the body responds
by vasoconstricting the peripheral tissues. This means the body
is being selective in where it is sending warm blood.
- The organs are the most important to
keep an animal and human alive so blood is circulating in the
core of the body (heart, liver, kidney lungs,) and shuts down
temporally by constricting blood vessels to the extremities until
the body's normal temperature is reached.
By this stage if a cat or dog has not received First Aid or warmth
on it's own, frostbite will develop. Tissues that have frozen
due to this response die.
Cats and dogs often experience frostbite on the tips of their
ears, tails, face, footpads, legs and the genitalia in male dogs.
Frostbite can result in the loss of limbs, toes, tips of ears.
Symptoms to look for if your pet has been outdoors and
you suspect it may be suffering from frostbite:
- Ice on body and limbs
- Shivering
- Tissues are bright red followed by pale
color to black color (death of tissue/ sloughing of skin)
Prevent self-trauma
- When the tissues are warmed it may cause
some discomfort to your pet. The same also occurs when tissues
are dead.
- Wrap your pet in a blanket to prevent
self-trauma and keep him or her warm.
- Seek Veterinary care. Secondary infections
can sometimes result from gangrene tissues.
Holiday Tips return
to top
While you are busy making your plans for the holidays,
please don't forget to include your pets. Though holidays are a
time for giving, but there are some things you should not share
with your cat and dogs!
Bones and Fat
That feast will no doubt leave a lot of bones,
but don't feed them to your pet. Small bones or chips can get stuck
in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.
All of the fat your pet needs is in the high quality pet food you
provide him. Any additional can cause severe stomach upset to your
pet so please don't share that chicken skin or gravy!
Plants
Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous
when eaten. Poinsettia may not be truly poisonous unless eaten in
mass amounts, but the white sap and leaves can certainly cause severe
stomach distress. The best approach is to keep the plants out of
your pet's reach.
Electrical cords
Most animals have the urge to chew. Be careful
of holiday lights and cords. Some dogs have actually chewed the
lights right off a Christmas tree.
Candles
A lit candle should never be left unattended
especially if it is left within the reach of a pet. A tail, a paw,
a candle and hot wax can quickly spell disaster. Anchor candles
securely and away from pets.
Chocolate
If you give chocolate to your pet, it could
make him very ill or kill him. The ingredient in chocolate that
is toxic to pets is theobromine. Even small amounts of theobromine
can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets. More can be fatal.
The amount of chocolate that can kill your pet depends on the size
of the dog and the type of chocolate. For instance, baking chocolate
has eight times as much theobromine as milk chocolate does.
Estimates of the smallest amounts that can be fatal are:
* 4 to 10 ounces of milk chocolate or 1/2 to 1 ounce of baking chocolate
for small dogs. (Chihuahua, toy poodle)
* 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 2 to 3 ounces of baking
chocolate for medium-sized dogs. (Cocker spaniels and terriers)
* 2 to 4 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 4 to 8 ounces of baking
chocolate for large dogs. (Collies and Labrador retrievers)
Cats seldom will eat chocolate. If your pet accidentally gets chocolate,
consult your veterinarian. He may need to have vomiting induced,
his heartbeat and breathing stabilized. He may also experience seizures.
Your vet can help your pet by slowing the absorption of the theobromine.
Fireworks
Many pets are frightened by fireworks. Keep
your pet confined, where he can't hurt himself due to stress and
panic. If your pet gets anxious or upset, speak to your veterinarian
about what can be done to modify his behavior and to calm him down.\
Pine needles/trees
Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's
intestines if sharp enough. Make sure your tree is well secured.
If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog with an active tail,
anchor the top of the tree to the wall, using strong cord or rope.
Preservatives often used in the water in a tree stand can cause
stomach upsets, so be sure your pet can't get to the water.
Ornaments
Sharp or breakable ornaments should be kept out
of reach. String (tinsel and ribbons), should be safeguarded at
all costs. They are thin and sharp and can cause severe problems
to the intestines or ball up in the stomach.
Visitors
Holidays always bring visitors. Watch out for
open doors and escaping pets. Make sure your pets have collars and
tags on. Ask guests to keep an eye out for pets under foot and remind
them that sometimes your normally friendly pet may be less than
willing to deal with kids or rooms full of strangers. Provide a
special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets
to hide to when things get too stressful. |
