When Leona Helmsley died several years ago, she left a trust fund of more money that any of us will likely see in a lifetime, with the specification that the money be used for dog-related causes. Apparently, no one considered her wishes all that important. The foundation recently awarded $136 million. Guess how much went to dog causes? A paltry $1 million – less than 1% of the total.
Does Your Dog Get Hot Spots?
I had never heard of hot spots (aka pyotraumatic dermatitis) until I got a Golden Retriever, but I understand other breeds get them, too. Most recently, after my dog’s surgery, her incision became infected and inflamed, developing a hot spot right where the staples were – OUCH! She has also gotten them after being groomed, where she may have been clipped too short, or maybe she jumped and the clippers nicked her skin. They look terribly painful, and she will do just about anything to try to find relief. She scratches at them, tries to lick them if she can reach, rubs on the carpet, etc.
According to canismajor.com, “hot spots are surface skin infections caused when populations of normal skin bacteria grow and overwhelm normal resistance. They are generally circular patches that lose hair, can be swollen, may exude a smelly pus, and can be painfully itchy, causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of self-mutilation. Untreated hot spots can spread and provoke a normally even-tempered dog to growl or nip when touched.
These troublesome sores can seem to arise in a matter of hours with no warning, but they do tend to follow a pattern that helps in predicting their occurrence.
Dogs most susceptible to hot spots are those with heavy coats and histories of allergies, ear infections, flea infestations, irritated anal sacs, and grooming problems such as hair tangles and mats, but any dog can develop this infection. Dogs in warm, humid climates may develop hot spots when they shed their undercoats if the dead hair is trapped next to the skin, and dogs with behavior problems may mutilate themselves by licking and thus encourage an infection to become established.”
Our vet generally prescribes an antibiotic spray that must sting, based on Maggie’s reaction. In this case, we had to give oral antibiotics, as well, because it was right at her surgery site.
What about your dogs – have you ever gone through this with them? Any suggestions for prevention and / or treatment?
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog
Tuesday’s Top Ten: Ways to Prepare Your Dog for a Natural Disaster
We are getting into storm season here in the Midwest. Have you ever given any thought to what you would do with your dog if you had to evacuate your home due to flooding, a tornado, or some other natural disaster? One of the other hats I wear (besides blogger extraordinaire) is Red Cross volunteer. One of our campaigns for this year is to encourage people to be “Red Cross Ready,” and for those of us with pets, it means having our pets ready, too!
Continue reading Tuesday’s Top Ten: Ways to Prepare Your Dog for a Natural Disaster
Don’t leave your dog outside when you’re not home
Thanks to friend-of-the-blogger Pam for sending this important warning about dogs being stolen right from their own back yards. Continue reading Don’t leave your dog outside when you’re not home
Saturday Survey: How does your dog feel about cats?
While we were dog-sitting last week, the guest dog had my cats hiding under the bed the whole time he was here. Made me realize how lucky I am that my dogs and cats get along, at least most of the time. How about yours?
Continue reading Saturday Survey: How does your dog feel about cats?
Fun Dog Pics
We all need a bit of levity now and again. So, we present some humor from Funpic, with our thanks for the use of the photos.
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Hope you enjoyed a laugh for today!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Chaos in Canton, OH
If you’ve been reading this blog since the beginning, you may remember that I have 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 3 kids. Just because I needed another project in the midst of the chaos that is my household, I have started another blog. If you enjoy reading me on doggies.com, I invite you to visit the MomBlogger on WordPress. Do any of you have blogs? If so, tell me what they are so I can visit them and add them to our blogroll!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog.
Too many Portuguese Water Dogs!
The editorial cartoon in my newspaper today showed a couple going to a movie theater. The poster outside, showing coming attractions was for a movie called “101 Portuguese Water Dogs”, and the lady says to her husband, “I knew this was coming!”
Celebrate with your pets
Heads up! April 18th is National Pet Owner’s Day! My credo is “Any reason for a party”, so I’m looking forward to it.
How will you celebrate? I suggest the following:
Take your dog for a long walk.
Play Frisbee at the park with your dog.
Rub your dog’s belly.
Play tug with your dog.
Schedule a long-overdue vet appointment – it’s flea and heartworm season, after all.
Spay or neuter your dog.
Make your own dog treats (recipe below).
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. chicken liver
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
- 1/2 cup dried milk
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour onto a baking tray and bake at 400 until the sides start to come away from the pan or a knife comes out clean.
Let it cool, cut into pieces and store in fridge!
Find more cool recipes at homemadedogtreats.net
However you choose to celebrate, we here at doggies.com hope you have fun!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
The Obamas’ Dog Moves In
Bo has finally arrived at the White House! NBC has a whole page and several slideshows dedicated to the event here.
There’s literally nothing for me to add!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!