Health
Posted: 07/28/2010
SUMMER HEATSTROKE WARNING FOR YOUR PET
Dr. Tucker says beware of summer heat, especially if you have an older pet. At temperatures above 85 degrees F, especially when the humidity is high, monitor your dog very carefully. Common signs of heatstroke include:
Rapid breathing and increased heart rate.
Discolored gums. Dogs experiencing heat stroke will have dull gray or pink gums instead of the red-pink color that normally exists.
Disorientation. Dogs may not be aware of their environment.
Refusal to obey commands.
Most dogs, especially younger ones, are not very smart about the heat. While at a park, they may keep playing fetch, even though they may be close to collapsing. An older dog on the other hand, may take the ball and find the nearest tree to play with it in the shade.
Listen to and monitor your dog while out in the heat. Watch how your dog pants. If your dog is panting with the sides of his mouth wide open, he needs a rest. If the panting does not stop in 5 minutes, your pet is too hot. Spray or pour water no him, and take him to a cool area immediately.
Dr. Tucker says the bottom line in the heat of the summer is to minimize exposure to the heat, and always have plenty of water with you to cool down your pet when needed.
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Posted: 07/13/2010
DR. TUCKER'S SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
Tucker says that the long days of summer pose a long list of dangers for our pets, from sizzling asphalt to dog-park bullies to pesticides to drowning. Here are a few tips to keep your pet safe.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN THE CAR. Leave your pet at home!
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PET LEASHES. This will keep your pet out of trouble.
WATER, WATER, WATER Have plenty of it around.
WATCH OUT FOR ANTIFREEZ This is toxic, do not let your pet drink any of it.
USE EXTRA CAUTION ON HUMID DAYS Humidity interferes with your pet's ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. This is especially true for elder pets.
BE MINDFUL OF HEATSTROKE If your pet is panting heavily, vomiting, experiencing a rapid heart beat, these are signs of possible heatstroke. Immediately cool your pet down...wrap in a cool towel, and get to a veterinarian immediately.
PREVENTION is all about knowing what to do when trouble finds you!!!
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Posted: 04/01/2010
TUCKER'S FLEA AND TICK WARNING
In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency received over 44,000 reports of harmful reactions associates with commercial flea and tick products.Reactions ranged from skin irritations to vomiting to seizures to, in about 600 cases, death of an animal.
Advantage, Frontline and BioSpot are all guilty. If you can avoid these products, your pet will be a lot healthier than if you subject them to the harmful poisons and chemicals contained in them.
If you insist on using them, consult your veterinarian first.
There are many holistic remedies to the flea and tick problem that you can use that are not harmful to your pet's immune system, and are effective in flea and tick protection. Brewers Yeast and Garlic are among them.
The EPA's evaluation of Spot On products is available for anyone to read. Here is pesticide information from the EPA's Website!
TUCKER has always been very healthy. He wants your pets to enjoy a very long life!!
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Posted: 03/18/2010
EPA Warning on Pet Flea and Tick Treatments
Several hundred dogs and cats die each year as a result of commercial flea and tick treatments. Yes, the kind of treatments you can purchase at your favorite pet store - Frontline and Advantage products. The EPA has been investigating these products, and will now require new warnings on labels.
The EPA has not taken the step of banning these products, but further investigation could lead to that as well. Small pets (10 - 20 pounds) are most susceptible to the effects of these products.
All of these products contain chemical poisons that are harmful to dogs and cats.
The best treatment for fleas and ticks is good food, lots of love, and plenty of dietary supplements containing garlic, and Vitamin B complex such as Nupro Supplement or Yeast and Garlic Bits. Regular bathing and combing should be done as well.
For further information see EPA and Pesticides.
Let Tucker Know What You Think!!
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Posted: 08/15/2008
How Far Would You Go To Keep Your Scottie Alive?
What is your Scottish Terrier's life worth?
Anyone who owns a Scottie knows how expensive veterinary services are today. Over the years, veterinary exams and services have gotten shockingly high.
When I was growing up in the 1950's, an office visit for a routine exam and the required shots cost about $10. Now, you have to tap into your home equity line of credit to the tune of approximately $200.
Oh yes, the veterinarians are better trained, and they do perform procedures - hip and cancer surgery - that were unheard of just decades ago. They also aggressively treat our Scotties with expensive drugs for all sorts of maladies. In short, our Scotties get many of the same procedures that we humans get.
Tucker, our ever-watchful Scottie
For sure, veterinary medicine is now, like human medicine, not cheap. And as vets increasingly take, as many expect them to, sophisticated and heroic measures to keep dogs in general and Scotties in particular alive, the costs will only escalate to stratospheric levels.
So, I ask again. How far would you go to save your Scottish Terrier?
Please send me your comments and examples. Share your views and experiences with others who are interested.
Posted: 09/21/2007
Tucker on Rabies
Earlier this month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced..."The elimination of canine rabies in the United States represents one of the major public health success stories in the last 50 years...However, there is still much work to be done to prevent and control rabies globally."
Globally, there are at least 55,000 human deaths annually around the world attributable to rabies. Many people in China are killed by rabies each year. Only 3% of dogs in China are vaccinated against the disease.
In the United States, canine-rabies elimination was achieved by vaccination, dog licensing and stray dog control. While dog-to-dog transmission of rabies has been eliminated, this does not mean that your dog cannot contract rabies. The disease is ever-present in wildlife and can be transmitted to our pets.
Tucker suggests being especially vigilant during walks through the woods. Be wary of skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
For further information consult eMedical Health.
Posted: 08/31/2007
Tucker's Views in Painkillers for Dogs
Pain relievers are big business for both humans and dogs. They can improve the quality of life, but can also produce tragic and heart wrenching results. Just as in humans, Painkillers Can Produce Serious Side Effects in Dogs.
Pfizer pioneered the market for dog painkillers when it introduced Rimadyl in 1997. Over the past 10 years, over 15 million dogs have taken this medication. The dog pain medication market has grown to over $130 million.
Here is what disturbs Tucker, over 3,200 dogs have died after taking this medication. Almost 19,000 have had adverse reactions. Do you think that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider this drug safe? If you guessed Yes, you would be correct. This is the same FDA that was "turtle slow" to respond and act to the recent and widespread dog food mess.
Instead of protecting human and canine consumers, the FDA seems to take the side of big business - The Pharmaceutical Companies. According to a recent FDA Adverse Drug Experience (ADE) summary, "over 85% of the ADE's involved dogs greater than 6 years of age." In other words, the FDA is blaming the problem on older dogs.
Tucker is profoundly outraged with the FDA's stance on this matter. Here is Tucker's advice on canine pain medication:
1.) There are no safe drugs.
2.) There are no safe veterinarians, especially those who are eager to medicate.
3.) Do not believe anything reported by the FDA. They are always late to disclose problems with dog food and medications.
4.) If your veterinarian is prescribing pain medication, get a second opinion from a holistic practitioner.
5.) Never, Tucker means NEVER, give your dog medication that is new to the market. All you would be doing is allowing the pharmaceutical company to experiment with your dogs life.
6.) Do not believe anything promoted and marketed by any pharmaceutical company.
If the FDA claims..."Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with joint problems or with pain after surgery." Be wary.
There are seven NSAID's approved by the FDA - Etogesic, Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam, Zubrin, Previcox, and Novox. As you might suspect, they all are prone to adverse reations in canines.
Tucker says..."Keep your canine owner healthy with plenty of good nutrition and exercise." Stay away from chemicals. They are neither good for you or your canine owner.
Once again, Tucker is a shining example of enlightenment.
Posted: 08/29/2007
Tucker's Advice on Heartworm Disease
Dog heartworm is a disease common in canines throughout the United States. It is caused by a roundworm that lives primarily in the heart and large vessels of the lungs.
The worms prohibit proper valve closure as blood is pumped from one chamber to the next, seriously impairing the operation of the heart.
The results are loss of body weight, dropsy, chronic cough, shortness of breath, muscular weakness, chronic heart failure, and eventual death. Tucker says..."This is serious stuff that requires attention."
Tucker says you should take your Scottie for an annual blood test to check for the disease. Detection and prevention is a lot less expensive than treating the disease once contracted.
Although drugs have been developed that will prevent your dog from contracting heartworm, they pose a risk to your dog in the form of an adverse reaction or even the possibility of death. These drugs prevent the worms from maturing to the adult stage. Therefore, a dog that is on medication can be repeatedly infected during the mosquito season and remain free of heartworm.
American Heartworm Society
More on Heartworm Disease
Heartworm Medication Linked to Sickness and Death
Posted: 08/09/2007
Tucker's Medical Philosophy
Tucker suggests that you not choose a veterinary practitioner based on his friendliness, his proximity to your house, or how friendly the office staff appears. If you truly want your pet to live a long, healthy life, Tucker believes that you should select a veterinarian based on their medical philosophy.
How insightful of Tucker, right? Scotties are very philosophical and analytic.
There are two different philosophies of veterinary medicine - allopathic and holistic. The allopathic philosophy is referred to as the practice of conventional medicine and is advocated by the American Veterinary Medical Association.The alternative to conventional medicine is a holistic approach represented by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Allopathic veterinarians respond your pet's symptoms by offering drugs, medications or chemicals. These foreign substances trigger your pet's immune system to attack. In other words, at the very time your pet needs it's immune system at full strength to combat the actual illness, it is forced to fight the drugs instead.
This is not a good recipe for long-term health and wellness. In addition, there are always side effects to any drug or medication.
Holistic veterinarians, on the other hand, focus on the whole dog - his body, mind, spirit and environment. Their approach seeks to prevent health problems by building your dog's immune system so that it resists disease. "The holistic practitioner is interested in genetics, nutrition, family relationships, hygiene, and stress factors."
Tucker asks..."Do you want your fur friend to be treated by a practitioner who believes in stressing the immune system, or by one who wants to strengthen it?"
If you were the one being treated, what approach would you choose?
Tucker wants to live a good long life. He believes the holistic approach will allow him to do so.
If you believe that Tucker is right, you can find a holistic practitioner in your area HERE!
Posted: 06/16/2007
Vets and Pet Nutrition
Given the ever-growing list of commercial pet food being recalled, it is now time for pet owners to educate themselves about the nutritional content of the food they are feeding their "fur children."
Tucker makes me take this issue very seriously. He does not suggest that you rely on the veterinarians nutritional recommendation. Why?
Here are Tucker's thoughts:
1.) Nutrition is a very small part of a veterinarian's formal education. Most veterinary schools devote only one class to the subject of animal nutrition.
2.) Commercial Manufacturers are major donors and supporters of veterinary school programs.
3.) Many lectures delivered to students at veterinary schools on the subject of nutrition are from faculty funded by commercial food manufacturers.
4.) Pet food manufacturers provide the grant money for nutritional research conducted at veterinary institutions.
5.) Veterinarians really do not know very much about diet related diseases.
6.) The pet food industry has a significant influence on real-life veterinary practices.
7.) Many vets sell commercial dog food in their office? Some pet food manufacturers offer commissions to vets selling their food.
As consumers and caretakers of our pets, it is not wise to put "blind faith" in the veterinary industry. The lack of skepticism toward this industry is dangerous both for the pet and the consumers wallet.
If you ever want to find out how much your vet knows about animal nutrition, ask him to explain the pet food label on a bag of food in his office.
If you really care about your pets health, you will take the time to understand the difference between raw meat and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
Pet Food Crusade
Vets Pet Food Recommendations
Selecting a Commercial Pet Food
Interpreting Pet Food Labels
Posted: 06/08/2007
Dr. Tucker's Health Tips
Although most Scottish terriers have no formal education, let alone a college degree, they do have hundreds of years worth of evolutionary experience. Dr. Tucker, our Scottie, is no exception.
Since Scottish terriers have a statistically significantly higher risk of cancer than other dogs, there are certain cautions that owners should be aware of in order to protect their beloved 'fur child." Tucker suggests the following preventative steps:
Prevent Exposure to Herbicides and Pesticides
Keep your Scottie off of any lawn that you suspect may have been treated with chemicals. If you are not certain, stay away. Also, some hotels and motels treat carpets and other fabrics with pesticides. If you plan on staying at a hotel, ask what they treat carpets and fabrics with before checking in.
Read the 2003 Purdue University Research on Scotties Exposure to Herbicides.
Prevent Exposure to Cigarette Smoke
Exposure to "second hand smoke" is just as dangerous to your Scottie's health as it is to your own well being.
Use Caution with Flea Medication
Most Scotties are hyper-allergenic to fleas and, therefore, need some kind of flea control. regular inclusion of garlic in the food at feeding time is a practical, low risk, and inexpensive way of preventing fleas.
Avoid using older flea and tick products sold commercially, or provided by your veterinarian, and switch to "spot-ons" that contain fipronil.
See the 2003 Purdue University Epidemiology Study
| About the Author:
Paul McCarthy, entrepreneur, is owned by Tucker, a 12-year old Scottish terrier, whose paw prints, ideas and thoughts appear everywhere.
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