CHF is one of the most common heart problems in dogs, especially older, smaller breeds. Heart disease affects up to 11 percent of the almost 75 million dogs in the United States, and the incidence of heart disease could be as high as 60 percent in aged dogs. The majority of dogs die within one year after showing clinical signs of CHF.

While there is no cure for CHF, clinical study results have shown that dogs with the condition live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life when treated with Vetmedin. QUEST (Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time), the largest clinical study of dogs with CHF ever conducted, revealed that dogs treated on Vetmedin lived nearly twice as long as those not treated with Vetmedin. On average, dogs on Vetmedin lived 267 days, versus 140 days for dogs who did not receive the new drug.

“Vetmedin is proven effective in prolonging the lives of dogs suffering from heart failure,” said Sonya Gordon, DVM, DVSc, a veterinary cardiologist at Texas A&M University. “Once a veterinarian diagnoses heart failure in a dog, Vetmedin can immediately make the dog feel better and nearly double life expectancy.”

CHF leads to excessive water and salt retention, causing fluid build-up in the lungs. Signs of CHF in dogs include a reduced willingness to walk or exercise, fatigue, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite and coughing.

Vetmedin alleviates CHF symptoms by opening up blood vessels, thereby decreasing resistance to blood flow, and helping the heart to pump more efficiently. Available by prescription only, Vetmedin is administered orally to dogs in chewable tablets twice daily and may be given alongside other cardiac medications. Pet owners should begin to see an improvement in their dog within the first week on Vetmedin.

Studies show that more than half of dog owners are unaware that their dog may be at risk of heart failure, yet knowing what to look for and catching it early are keys to prolonging and improving the quality of a dog’s life. Important steps that dog owners can take to keep their pets healthy and heart disease-free are maintaining the dog’s proper body weight, providing regular exercise and taking the dog to a veterinarian at least once a year for a checkup. Dog owners can learn more at www.yourdogsheart.com.

Vetmedin (pimobendan) has been available in Europe for over seven years and is now licensed in more than 15 countries worldwide. It is indicated for the management of signs of mild, moderate or severe congestive heart failure in dogs. Vetmedin comes in capsules and chewable tablets. In the United States, only the chewable tablets are licensed. Both the capsules and chewable tablets contain the same pharmaceutical ingredient, pimobendan, and are considered equivalent for clinical use. Bioequivalence, however, has not been established.

Trendy health fads seem to come and go on an almost weekly basis. we always seem to be hearing about the latest, greatest health, fitness or diet regimes that ‘the stars all swear by,’

The trouble with health fads is that they have a tendency to cloud popular opinion of some relatively new or lesser known treatments that actually work.

Canine Hydrotherapy Works.

It is not a fad and many dogs have reason to be grateful for its existence.

What is Hydrotherapy?

Weightless Exercise

Hydrotherapy offers a therapeutic, relaxed and enjoyable workout, which many dogs are deprived of in day to day life, especially through arthritic joints, after an injury or surgery.

photo credit: emma.kate

Controlled swimming allows muscles to be stimulated and exercised without the stress element associated with land based exercise, causing potential pain.

Vets recommend a course of hydrotherapy for pre- and post-surgical conditioning, to reduce weight in obese animals, for painless exercise for pets with arthritis or dysplasia, cardiovascular workout for seniors, rehabilitation for stroke sufferers, and pain management. It is therefore of use in many orthopaedic conditions both pre-operatively to improve muscle tone to affected limbs (for instance, prior to total hip replacement) and post-operatively to improve repair – for instance in post-operative care of cruciate ligament rupture, osteochondrosis or fracture repair where light swimming can begin as soon as the sutures have been removed.

Preliminary observations suggest that hydrotherapy, if initiated early in the course of disease, can help to maintain muscle tone in cases of degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) and other neurological diseases with similar presenting signs.

In show dogs and racing dogs, it provides an effective means of maintaining fitness and toning muscle, particularly in the winter months, and is a valuable aid to weight control in the obese pet.

Benefits of Canine Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy techniques help to relieve pain and strengthen and re-train muscles; because the animal is effectively weightless when swimming. Hydrotherapy acts by encouraging a full range of joint motion, thus improving muscle tone without imposing undue stress on damaged tissues. This is why results can occur so quickly.

Each hydrotherapy session should be tailored to an individual dog’s condition and fitness level – all dogs should therefore visit through a referral from a veterinary surgeon. An assessment of the dog’s condition will be made and the treatment given at each session recorded. In this way the progress that the dog makes can be monitored. The rate at which such progress is made will be dependent on the breed of dog, condition for which it being treated, age and fitness level.

How Safe is Canine Hydrotherapy?

There are no set dimensions for hydrotherapy pools. What is ideal for a Yorkshire Terrier will be significantly different to that needed by a Newfoundland. All pools should have water heated to a temperature in the range 24 to 300C and should allow all year round operation.

The combination of water and electrical circuitry makes it essential that the operation adheres to strict safety standards.

Malcolm Adler, Company Secretary of the CHA (The Canine Hydrotherapy Association), and a Director at the Hydrozone Therapy Centre in the UK explained: “It is always advisable to visit a hydrotherapy pool before you begin any treatment programme, to inspect the facilities, ask about qualifications and training, check water quality and insurance cover, and discuss your dog’s condition and the treatment programme. The key aspect is quality treatment for your dog.

Typically a session will allow for up to 30 minutes, to include time for drying the dog afterwards. In most centres, owners are encouraged to attend sessions to help reassure their dog during its initial exposure to water”

Further Research…

There is an enormous amount of case history and glowing customer testimonials on the benefits that hydrotherapy has brought to their dog’s condition and overall well-being. However, there is still a lack of formal study and scientific data and one of the aims of the CHA is to promote such work, and the Association welcomes inquiries or contributions from any interested party in this respect.

*Bond et al. A survey of flea infestations in cats & dogs in the UK during 2005.

Vet Rec 2007 160, 503-506

Unknown to most, only 5% of a flea problem is on your pet, with a shocking 95% in the pet’s environment as eggs, larvae & pupae. To prevent & control flea infestations you need to break the flea life cycle.

How To Break The Flea Life Cycle

The life cycle can be broken by using FRONTLINE Spot On regularly to kill adult fleas on your pet. Treat your cat every five weeks and your dog every two months. All of your cats and dogs should be treated as each pet can act as a host. Also, regularly vacuum your carpets and furnishings and be sure to wash your pet’s bedding above 60ºc. All this will help reduce the number of eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment.

In addition to the above, if there is an active flea infestation, treat your home with an environmental spray containing an insect growth regulator to kill eggs and larvae. Be sure to treat those hard to reach places such as under the furniture as this is where the numbers of larvae will be highest. Your pet can still have continued access to affected are as as this will ensure newly hatched fleas are killed on contact with FRONTLINE Spot On when they jump onto your pet.

And What About Ticks?

It’s not just the flea life cycle, it’s also the life cycle of ticks. The whole tick life cycle can take several years to complete. Ticks lay their eggs in large numbers (1000 to 10,000 from just one tick) before dying. Eggs hatch into larvae which seek a host animal, feed for several days, before dropping off to find shelter in which they moult in nymphal ticks.
The nymphs do the same as the larvae (seek host, feed, drop off) and moult into adult ticks. Adult ticks follow the same habits, with the females then laying eggs to complete the life cycle.

All pretty grim and not much fun for your pet if they are the chosen host. FRONTLINE Spot On kills the three most common species of ticks found in Europe within 48 hours. Once they’re dead they should drop off naturally or can normally be removed with a gentle pull using tweezers. If not, consult your vet.

>> Highly Recommended >>
For further info please visit www.hugyourpet.co.uk

FRONTLINE Spot On contains fipronil. Always read the label.



Ticks are members of the acarid family, like spiders and they’re second only to mosquitoes in transmitting infectious disease to humans and animals.

Where are they found?

Traditionally, ticks are found in areas of heathland, moorland and woodland but are now increasingly present in urban parks and gardens.

How can I tell if my pet has ticks?

Ticks are easily identified as smooth grey-brown swellings appearing generally where the hair coat is thin (ears, face, abdomen, legs etc.) They first appear 1mm across in size, but can grow up to 15mm as they feed.

What problems can ticks cause for my pet?

Upon finding a suitable host, ticks attach and begin to feed on the host’s blood. Ticks pierce the host’s skin with their mouthparts and secrete a cement-like substance which seals the mouthparts in place, preventing easy removal of the tick. It is for this reason that care must be taken when removing ticks in order to ensure that the mouthparts are not left behind. If this does occur an abscess can develop at the site.

As ticks feed on the pet’s blood it is possible for them to cause anaemia in heavy infestations. Ticks can carry Lyme disease which can affect humans as well as dogs. Clinical signs in dogs include fever, lethargy, arthritis and occasionally skin lesions.

How do I get rid of ticks?

Routine treatment using a product like FRONTLINE Spot On once a month for your dog or cat will help protect against ticks, as well as fleas.

FRONTLINE Spot On is not a tick repellent but it will kill the three main European species of ticks within 48 hours, and it helps prevent transmission of the infections they may carry.

Ticks should drop off once they’re dead, but if not, remove them with a tick hook or a pair of tweezers. If you can’t remove them, ask your vet for help.

It’s essential to take puppies outside on a regular schedule so they learn to anticipate potty time and hold their urine or stool until then. If you’re not consistent about when you take a puppy out, it’s more likely to have accidents in the house – and that’s not good.{+++}

“After a puppy has the habit of peeing in the wrong place, it’s hard to change its mind,” says Stanley Kissinger, a Yorkshire Terrier breeder in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “But once the pup gets the idea, it’s extremely easy to train.”

With that in mind, take your puppy out early and often. Physiologically, the puppy won’t be able to hold its urine for long periods until it’s older, but it can learn that outdoors is the place to go.

Establish good habits by taking your puppy out on a leash and giving it plenty of time to sniff around and find just the right spot. Keep its mind on business by repeating the words “Go Potty” in a friendly tone. Stanley says that, “As soon as it potties, be happy and express that joy to the puppy. Take the pup back into the house immediately so it knows it was outside for that one purpose. It registers in its memory after several repeated events.”

A Quick Word About Lifestyle Changes

Taking on the responsibility of raising and house training a puppy may necessitate certain lifestyle changes, particularly for single people. If you work outside the home and like to push that snooze button to the limit, brace yourself – you’ll need to get up at least a half hour earlier to allow time for your puppy to potty and play before you leave.

Should distance permit, your formerly errand-filled lunch hour now becomes time to go let your puppy out for a potty break. Moreover, forget that after-work drink with a coworker; you’ll need to rush home to tend to your puppy.

When proximity prevents you from going home at lunch or during periods when overtime crops up, you must make alternative arrangements for getting your puppy out. Hire a pet-sitting or walking service, or enlist the aid of neighbors willing to help. Whichever the case, it is imperative that your puppy gets out to potty and play during the day.

Frequently inspecting your dog is essential. This is not just to detect cancerous tumours, as many other canine maladies come in the form of a bump or boil. It is, however, extremely important never to leave a discovery to just go away. Because, if it is cancer, then every second is valuable to ensure that treatment starts in earnest.{+++}

Fortunately, research into the treatment of canine cancer is continuing at a furious rate, and has been for the past twelve years. Scientists at the University of Cincinnati have developed new treatments for certain types of cancer in dogs, and other new treatments are constantly under development.

Radiation treatment has been implemented with high levels of success. However, at present certain cases are more suitable for treatment than others. The treatment has been working more successfully in cases where the tumour was localised. (A localised cancer is one that has not spread) The radiation treatment prevents the cancer from spreading by sterilising the cancer cells so they don’t reproduce. This may not result in a reduction in the actual size of the lump straight away, but it will ensure that cancer is unable to affect the rest of the body.

This particular method of treatment is more suited to low grade cancers. (Low grade cancers do not begin to spread until the latter stages of the illness) It is also more effective on smaller tumours, because larger tumours will need to be removed before radiation treatment can begin. Cancers on the limbs, chest, face and mouth are more suited to this treatment, whereas cancers affecting the brain, spinal column and intestines are not.

It is highly important to accept that not all tumours are cancerous and that not all cancers are tumours. A tumour may be benign, in which case it will not spread and will not cause illness, but it is always wise to keep an eye on such things in order to monitor any growth or change in shape or texture. A tumour may also be malignant, in which case it is going to, or already has, spread and caused cancer. A cancer may develop from a neoplasm. A neoplasm is a new growth on the body. If a neoplasm is malignant, then it is cancer.

For a dog to receive the radiation treatment he will need to be in an otherwise good state of health. This is so that his body will be strong enough to tolerate the radiation. Although the treatment is painless for the dog, it does have certain side effects such as hair loss, skin burn in the treated area and skin ulcerations.

A dog diagnosed with cancer will be referred to a specialist for treatment. Before treatment commences the dog will undergo certain examinations to ensure he is in a fit state. They include a blood profile, a chest x-ray and urinalysis. The treatment will last for a total of three weeks. The radiation is administered in six minute sessions each week day, but the dog is required to remain at the treatment centre for a further ninety minutes for monitoring. The entire treatment programme will cost $1150.

Certain dogs are more prone to cancer than others. The unlucky breeds include; Boxers, Boston Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Airedales, Border Collies and Scottish Terriers. Un-spayed bitches and un-neutered dogs are also at higher risk. Cancer is more commonly found in older dogs and since modern medicine is lengthening dog’s lives, statistics indicate a sharp rise in canine cancer which can be misleading.

Certain types of cancer are more commonly found in certain breeds or type of dog. Large dogs are prone to bone cancer. Short nosed dogs are prone to cancer of the skin, breast, testicles and brain. Long nosed dogs such as Labradors and Dobermans are prone to cancer of the nose. Boxers are susceptible to cancer of the skin, testicles and bone. They are also prone to lymphoma, an aggressive cancer which attacks the lymph nodes. Darker coated dogs are more likely to develop skin cancer than lighter coated dogs. Cocker Spaniels are prone to cancer of the skin, anus, mouth, throat and breast. However it is worth noting that these cancers are not peculiar to these breeds.

If your dog has to undergo any form of cancer treatment it is important to ensure that he is well nourished throughout the whole illness. This is important for many reasons, one of which is concerned with the behaviour of cancer cells inside the dog’s body. In order for the cells to grow, they need nutrition.

They steal the nutrients they need from the dogs food intake, particularly glucose and fats. It may seem like an option to reduce the intake of these nutrients in the dogs diet and replace or supplement them with other ones that will not encourage the cancer to grow. However, fats and glucose are essential to help the dog to fight the disease. A reduction in the processing of these nutrients (i.e. he takes in the nutrients but they are processed into energy by the cancer cells and not by him) will result in a reduction in the dog’s sense of smell and taste. Also it is likely that liver problems will develop if his food intake is not sufficient to feed both him and the cancer cells.

These nutrients are essential to the body so that it can perform OMEOSTATIC mechanisms. This means the body will simply not function correctly without fats and glucose, which is why people and animals become weakened by cancer. If necessary, force feed or tube feed your dog to ensure he is receiving sufficient nourishment. If this does not happen a downward spiral of energy wastage, weakness and weight loss will occur. Any element of that downward spiral can result in any other element occurring, but remove one element and the symptoms should lesson.

Owners of all dogs should be vigilante of possible cancer in order to reduce the risk of cancer developing to untreatable stages. Any suspicions should be dealt with as priorities. But do this in a calm and rational manner to ensure that nobody worries unnecessarily and nothing problematic is overlooked.

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Nonetheless, we believe that our pets love us, they appear to be embarrassed when we dress them up in silly clothes, and they certainly look like they’re feeling guilty after doing something wrong.” But do they know right from wrong, and when they do the wrong thing, do they really feel guilty?

What would it take for us to be convinced that our pet actually experiences a specific emotion? Is it possible that his appearance, the way he looks in his body language and behavior, leads us to confuse guilt with submissive, defensive behavior?

Do we think that he’s experiencing guilt from the way he looks or from the situation that seems to call for guilt? Do  we think that our dog  actually feels emotions such as guilt, love, shame, hope, pride, relief, regret, or revenge? It’s an interesting question, and behaviorists are still working on it. But let’s look at it in terms of revenge.

When we think of getting revenge against someone who has “done us wrong,” we think of doing something to get back at the person. We decide on the appropriate revenge by imagining how it would make the person feel to have such-and-such happen to him. If we think it would really make him feel bad, and it would get back at him in an appropriate way, it makes us feel good, even if we just imagine it. We don’t actually need to get revenge, we just need to imagine his reaction if he were to get what he deserves.

Your dog probably doesn’t have the ability to imagine how you would feel if he were to soil your bed as revenge for leaving him alone all weekend. And he probably wouldn’t chew your favorite shoes as revenge for locking him in the bedroom and keeping him from enjoying that piece of chicken you had last night.

The ability to look into another’s psyche to imagine one’s emotional response to a planned endeavor is what behaviorists call revenge. Revenge requires a “theory of mind” that dogs do not have.

Dogs see the world from their perspective. That’s why arranging their daily lives from their point of view works so well. Not only would it seem strange to understand why you won’t give him a dog biscuit before dinner because it would spoil his appetite, but it would seem even more strange if he is seen planning something later that evening to make you feel bad in some way for your stinginess.

Yet we often find ourselves believing that this is exactly what our pet must have done when we discover that he’s chewed our best shoes. In reality, our pet’s behavior is probably caused by a disruption of his routine, an increased arousal or excitement, or a way to relieve discomfort or frustration.

Now that you understand your dog’s emotions, you can go about changing them to create a mood that is incompatible with the mood that drives his misbehavior. The concept is called the principle of competing motivations: A dog cannot be angry, fearful, or depressed and happy or exited at the same time!

The introduction between a cat and a dog can best be broken down into the following seven steps:

Step 1: When you first bring home the new dog or cat, confine each of them to a specific area of the house where they cannot see one another. The object is to allow the two animals to smell and hear each other without seeing each other. This arrangement gives the newcomer plenty of time to get used to his or her new living area, while your resident pet is safely confined on its own.{+++}

Step 2: During this time apart, grab an old towel or T-shirt and rub it all over the new dog or cat. Then take the towel and bring it into the room where your resident pet is at. Place the towel next to the dog or cat so that they can get used to the new pet’s scent. This is the first step in getting each animal used to one another.

Step 3: Allow this arrangement to go on for about an hour or two. After this time period is up, switch up the scene. Place each animal in the room where the other was at beforehand, and be sure to give a scented towel to the new cat or dog, with the other pet’s smell rubbed on it.

Step 4: Next you will create a positive association with one another by having each animal on different sides of a closed door. Place some treats or pet food for both of them next to the door. The goal is to get each animal to enjoy their food while knowing they’re close to one another. This starts a positive association between the joy of food and knowing that both pets are doing something fun while sensing each other’s presence.

Step 5: Continue with this arrangement until you notice that the animals are less curious about sniffing each other from underneath the door. Your next move during this introduction period is to allow each animal to see one another, but still being divided by a gate or screen door. There may be some initial tension which will eventually subside through treats and petting of both animals.

Step 6: Once they are both calm and relaxed, slowly allow more interaction to happen. For example, you can bring them both into the same room, but keep your dog on a leash while you sit on the couch. The cat will approach your dog at its own pace. Should your dog become overly excited and aggressive, a quick spritz of water is plenty for discipline. Your job is to prevent your dog from creating the habit of becoming excited and wanting to chase the cat. And the cat must come to understand that the dog will not harass it.

The manner in which a dog reacts to a new cat can fall into several categories. Some dogs will immediately perceive a cat as prey and will do everything they can to chase the cat with full intentions of hurting it. {+++}

The relationship between cats and dogs is one of legendary status. Natural, sworn enemies of the animal kingdom. The lumbering dog and the fleet of foot cat have been at each others throats for generations. But does it have to be this way?

In short, yes. Cartoon makers would be out of business and the world would probably come to a grinding halt if cats and dogs actually decided to call a truce. We as humans do have the ability to act a mediators between the warring factions and in some cases, we can get the two species to co-habit with no problems.

When a cat and dog have grown up together, either when the kitten was introduced or the puppy, there is normally a healthy relationship built up over the course of time. In a lot of cases cats and dogs actually do get along and even ‘LIKE’ each other.

Problems tend to arrive when adults of either species are suddenly introduced to an established household (and pecking order). This situation may arise because someone has asked you to look after their pet for a short while or you may have been kind enough to adopt an adult cat or dog from a rescue Centre.

Upon introduction of a new four legged creature to the home, established members may become jealous, defensive, aggressive, withdrawn, protective, possessive or all of these things. Dogs tend to react worse to the introduction of a cat than vice-versa.

Dogs have a natural place within a pack and new animal will be seen as threat to that position. Cats tend to deal with the meeting of a dog with distain and often come across as un-interested. This fine. It is when there is a clear animosity between the two that problems occur.

Dogs instinctively chase other animals that move or run suddenly. Cats do not particularly enjoy being chased by other animals and thus friction occurs. Training your dog not to chase the cat is a must. It is essential that you correct your dog for chasing while at the same time, you must ensure that you do not build up a will inside the dog to chase when you are not there.

In many cases chasing behaviour is more of a problem in dogs that have NEVER been allowed to chase. Take for instance, two identical puppies are born. One is sent to live with an owner who lives in a small flat, in the middle of a busy city. Contact with other animals in nil. This dog, on a walk to a park, sees a cat for the first time in his life, slips the lead and begins the chase. This is dog instinct in action.

The dog has no reason to chase the cat but animal instinct dictates that he should. The other puppy meanwhile, was sent to live on a huge farm surrounded by ducks, livestock, chickens and other farmyard animals. He is allowed to roam free on the farm from a young age and is never prevented from chasing anything.

As a youngster this dogs instincts are just the same as the other dogs. He chases all the animals but achieves no success in catching any. The chasing soon becomes futile and his other canine strength kicks in, intelligence. This dog neither has the will or ambition to chase. He’s got it out of system and prefers instead to just watch the other animals and learns to live with them side by side.

This story illustrates that it is very often better to let two animals ‘sort themselves’. They will establish a relationship, be it love, hat or just tolerance. By interfering continually, many owners can cause friction because of the restrictions placed on the dog. After all, he will wonder what it is that must be so good, that you are bending over backward stop him doing.

Be observant. Be vigilant. Make sure early contact is supervised. Make sure feeding is supervised. But make sure you don’t upset the natural relationship that will develop between the two animals.Other dogs will be less aggressive and more on the curious side towards the animal. This curiosity can turn into play or aggression, which depends on the way the cat responds to the dog. The dog may want to play at first but the cat may feel threatened, become defensive, and start acting aggressively. This can trigger and provoke the dog’s own aggression.

Then there are dogs who seem to fall in love at first glance when they see a cat. They are relaxed when in the cat’s presence and view the animal as the ultimate play toy. Hopefully the cat will respond in the same manner and there will be no problems between them.

In most cases, it is very difficult to determine what each animal’s intentions are during the first few hours of socialization.  If you are not sure how the meeting is going and whether or not the situation could turn aggressive, you can always seek the assistance from a certified animal behaviorist or other knowledgeable consultant that studies dog and cat behavior.

Rules Of The Introduction

If you plan on bringing a new cat or dog into your home where you already have a pet residing, the manner in which you introduce the two animals can mean the difference between a long-lasting relationship or aggression and injury to one of them, which will most likely be the cat.

Your goal during this introduction is to help both animals become familiar with one another in small baby steps, or doses, if you like. Friendship between a cat and a dog depends upon friendly familiarity.

The very first introduction should be a positive experience for both of the animals. As we’ve mentioned before, always be on your guard for the cat’s protection and safety. And when your animals cannot be supervised, they should all be separated until you get back home.

The length of this introduction phase can vary. Sometimes cats and dogs can become best friends in a matter of days, while other situations could take weeks or even months before the animals start tolerating each other.

You must be willing to put in the time in order to babysit these meetings for however long it takes. It may go fast or it may move at a snails pace.  Either way, your responsibility in guiding the animals together and maintaining the peace is key to a successful friendship.