Pet Talk

Weird Dog Behavior

By Norette l. Underwood, DVM

I once knew a woman whose dog loved to eat grass. Now, many dogs love eating grass, but this woman stands out in my memory because she asked all the right questions about her dog's strange behavior. She thought about it, read about it and when she came into my office with the dog, she told me just enough details to make it easy for me to reassure her that her dog was fine.

I get a lot of questions that start with the words "My dog is acting weird..." If you feel your dog is acting out of the ordinary, ask yourself some questions about his behavior. You may be surprised at how much better you understand your dog is you just give a moment to the 5 Ws.

Why is my dog acting "weird?"
This is the main question you're trying to answer. We know our dogs so well that when they start acting even a little out of the ordinary, we notice it. It worries us. But sometimes a dog behaving strangely is not cause for concern and can be explained easily.

What is strange about my dog's behavior?
If you only ask yourself one question, ask this one. This is the information you will need to share with your vet, or whoever you turn to for advice. In the case of the woman I mentioned earlier, her dog was not just eating grass: he was gulping it down and then sometimes throwing up afterward. It is this latter part that worried her. Was something in the grass poisoning her dog?

When and where is my dog displaying the strange behavior?
If your usually quiet dog starts whining every time he sees a particular item, you can deduce that the behavior is connected to the item somehow. This is true for many other behaviors. Many times dogs change their behavior when they are stressed out. Excessive yawning, for instance, can mean your dog is feeling anxious. Keeping a close eye on when and where your dog is when he acts strange can help you figure out what is making him act that way.

The grass eating dog's owner noticed that the dog was not picky about where or when he ate grass. But she also noticed that he was only throwing up if he ate it on their morning walk, about half an hour after her dog usually ate. Now that she had all this information, it was time to take it to someone who could help her.

Who can I turn to for help?
First and foremost, you can turn to your vet. Your veterinarian knows a lot about your dog (and about dogs in general, of course!) so he or she should be the first person you go to it you are worried about your dog acting strange. If the information you've gathered about your dog's strange behavior is still worrying, your vet will be able to use that information to come up with a reason for your dogs problem or behavior. Your vet can also check if your dog's strange behavior is caused by something more serious like an illness.

Once you have enough information, you can also try searching for information on the Internet. Many people do this. However, I can't recommend it entirely, because you never know if the information you find is true. Every dog is also different, so what is true for someone's dog on the Internet is not necessarily true for your dog.

What I do recommend is using Just Answer to get a second opinion. Just Answer lets you ask a question about your dog's health and behavior, and in return you get a personalized answer from a certified vet. The vets on Just Answer are verified by a Fortune 500 firm, and all have many years of experience in the field. This service is something you can use if you are worried about your dog but want a second opinion before you go to visit your own vet.

The woman who came to visit me about her grass-eating dog already came prepared with some extra information she had gathered about her dog's issue. She had been told that grass eating is usually not something to worry about. I was able to confirm this - dogs usually eat grass because it has some nutrients that might be missing from their diet. They also often eat grass to self-medicate if they have an upset or gassy stomach, and her dog's throwing up was caused by this.

Pet Dental Health

By Dr. Norette L. Underwood

Of all dogs 2 years old or more, 80% have some form of dental disease, and veterinarians say that periodontal disease is the number one diagnosed condition in pets today.

When one of our clients two dogs fought over a bone one night, she had to rush her eldest pet, 14-year-old cocker spaniel “Toby” to the veterinary  hospital. She knew that Toby would have to have a few stitches for the bite wounds on his face, but she was shocked when I was more concerned about the severity of Toby’s dental disease.

“The infection in Toby’s mouth was of great concern to me.  One of his big canine teeth had been knocked out in the fight and if I didn’t do gum surgery to repair the hole, he would always have severe sinus infections. Because Toby’s gum disease was so advanced, I was worried about the chances of the surgery healing.  The owner said ” They never knew that dental care was that important.”

Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care.  Approximately 80% of all dogs and cats have periodontal disease by the time they are only two years old.  Dental disease affects much more than fresh breath.  It frequently leads to more serious health problems such as liver, kidney and heart disease.  That’s why more veterinarians are not just treating dental disease, but taking new steps to prevent it.  A major step in this process is encouraging owners to participate in their pet’s oral health at home.

Periodontal disease in pets is the same as it is in people. It’s a sneaky and insidious process that begins when bacteria in the mouth attach to the teeth and produce a film called “plaque”.  When the bacteria die, they are calcified into “calculus” commonly known as tartar which makes a rough surface for even more bacteria to stick to.  In the beginning, plaque is soft and can easily be removed by brushing or chewing on appropriate toys or treats.  But if left to spread, plaque leads to gum inflammation (called “gingivitis”) and infection.  Eventually, the infection spreads to the tooth root and even the jaw bone itself – causing pain and tooth loss.

Wet try to teach owners the importance of good oral hygiene when puppies and kittens are only a few months old in order to begin a lifetime of healthy benefits that go far beyond sweet smelling kisses.

Dr. Johnathon R. Dodd, DVM, DAVDC, of the Animal Dental Clinic in Austin, Texas is a big proponent of dental health awareness and says, “The bottom line is that periodontal disease is extremely aggressive…it is a disease of neglect.”

My client was fortunate that I had a special interest in veterinary dentistry, and had learned new dental procedures at a recent conference. “Toby had x-rays of his mouth and we found out that he actually had several abscessed teeth which were removed.  Toby had been eating more slowly for several months and I thought it was just a part of old age.  Now I know that he was probably in pain every time he ate.”

Veterinary dental experts strongly recommend daily dental care for pets and twice yearly mouth exams beginning when puppies and kittens are two months old.  And while that schedule may seem too complicated for some pet owners, dental specialists, veterinary supply companies have developed products that will help pet busy owners put some bite into home dental care for their pets.

A recent development that goes beyond good veterinary and at-home care, is the actual prevention of plaque using a barrier sealant gel.  This is applied by the veterinarian and continued at home by the pet owner.  Called OraVet®, this system is the first method used by veterinarians to create a physical barrier that reduces bacterial plaque adhesion above and under the gum lines.  It is applied at home only once a week after the initial hospital application. 

My client has learned how to easily clean Toby’s mouth on a regular basis in order to keep him healthy and to prevent his mouth from getting infected again.  She began using the new plaque prevention system.  “It’s not that expensive, it’s easy to do, and Toby likes the attention. And he gets special treats that actually help clean his teeth as well.”

It’s important for all pet owners to know that pets can lead longer and healthier lives with good dental care.  In fact, studies show that proper dental care can extend a pet’s life by as much as five years!  Ask your veterinarian about good dental care for your special furry friend. For more information on veterinary dentistry, visit www.oravet.com. Or

www.MyVNN.com for video information.

By Dr. Norette L. Underwood

It’s important to know which products are beneficial and safe for your pet. To simplify the product clutter, I have prepared a sampling of new, innovative products…but this is ONLY a short list!

The ever growing pet product market ranges from fashion to fun, exercise to IQ puzzles, gourmet pet foods and treats….and everything in between. 

These products are available on-line pet specialty sites, at pet boutiques and superstores... even the neighborhood groomer is likely to have a pet product line tempting you. 

In considering which new products to purchase, it’s important to evaluate what your pet will enjoy, if the product provides healthy fun activity and the value to your pocketbook.  Here’s a look at some innovative products by major categories.  And remember this is a very abbreviated list!

EXERCISE AND  PLAY  products are dually beneficial.  Look for pet-engaging toys with healthful options such as the following products:

1)   The Hydro Freeze® family of toys.  This toy product group provides hours of dog-chewing, fetching fun while simultaneously hydrating the dog.  The award winning HydroBone® is now being joined by their new HydroBall® and HydroSaucer®.

2)   If your pet needs more exercise than you have time, check out the DogTread® treadmill.

3)    

4)   Fat cat makes a great tough toy that you can use plastic water bottles in.  Great fetching and chew toy.

5)    

6)    Let your pet go wild with the Bubble Buddy®!  This bubble blower, specially designed for dogs, uses SCENTED bubbles…like chicken or bacon!  Just sit back...blow the bubbler…and let the dog exercise while chasing those tasty bubbles!

7)   For those tough pups, try Kong’s Wubba…specially designed for durability and keeping your pup entertained!

BOREDOM or BEHAVIOR ISSUES can be positively handled if you have the right product.

8)   The ThunderShirt® has a calming effect on the pet’s nervous system and has proven successful for that anxious canine, especially during summer storms.

9)   Felines are not forgotten either when it comes to good therapeutic products!  Cats that suffer from cabin fever, can safely enjoy the outdoors in their Kritter Kondo®.         This easy-to- set up enclosure gives the cat a fun way to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment.

10)             A great indoor cat product is the eco-friendly cathouse system®.  These cardboard kitty play houses are foldable, stackable and changeable and they provide hours of play fun for indoor cats.

NUTRITION AND FEEDING PRODUCTS. You can even find innovation on the pet food aisle!

11)             Award winning and very popular KONG®  continues  to introduce new toys for dogs and cats. Their new KONG Wobbler® dispenses food while providing entertainment too.  And now KONG® has come out with KONG Stuffin’®- a pepperoni-paste filler for the KONG toys!

12)             New pet food diets are released almost every week.  We strongly advise everyone to consult with your veterinarian to find the right food for your pet!

13)             Veterinarians know the importance of fresh water…so much so that a veterinarian invented the fresh-flowing Drinkwell Water Fountain® system for cats and dogs.

14)             And grooming has never been easier with products like FURminator®, the ultimate pet shedder too.

TRAVEL & SAFETY PRODUCTS. Today more folks are traveling with their pets, and there are many great travel and safety products available.  There’s everything from GPS collars for tracking that wayward pet to cute pet themed totes, safety belts, and of course—haute couture for the pet traveler. Fun travel products are sure to add charm to Fido’s adventures.

With so many new and great pet products in the marketplace, it’s easy to be overwhelmed.  Key things to look for include: Award winning designations, American- made, Eco-friendly, and of course veterinarian endorsed products.  Other important factors to consider when selecting the right products are your pet’s age, agility, and interests.

With a little research on-line or through your veterinarian, you’re sure to become an educated pet product consumer…and a real hero to your pet too!

To learn more about popular pet products, visit the Pet Library at www.PetDocsOnCall.com.

Some of the most common problems encountered during the holidays are listed below.  Please help keep your pet safe and healthy this season.

1. Outside Injuries - Many people get busy during the holidays and the biggest problem with cats and dogs is they "escape". Indoor cats see an open door left by company and they go out. Sometimes they hide, which can lead to a frantic hunt for a lost cat. The other tragic thing that can happen is a car can hit them. PLEASE be really careful by doors if you have indoor cats. If you have cats or dogs that like to try to get out - shut them in a room until the company leaves.

2. Electrocution - All the extra wires, lights and tree lights around the home lead to wires and extensions cords in different places. That's awfully attractive for a curious kitten or puppy and adult pet that enjoy nibbling on things. Pets that play with and chew on these wires can become electrocuted.  The effects are quite sudden and severe; I've seen several dogs and cats that have barely survived an electrocution, and several more that did not. Keep electrical cords hidden and invest in rugs or special guards to hide wires.

3. Tree related accidents - Many homes have a beautiful holiday tree that is full of potential danger. Some pets knock over the tree (I've seen soft tissue damage and fractures), biting and chewing glass ornaments (causing lacerations on the foot pads or in the mouth) or even worse - eating presents. Some of the presents under the tree look like toys. The most dangerous thing is when cats or dogs eat tinsel or ribbon from gifts. The ribbon on the packages can cause a life threatening bowel obstruction.

These "problems" are all preventable if you take care and monitor your pet. Be careful around the tree.  Keep them on a leash, don't give your pet any people foods and don't let him get into the trash.