Over Vaccination and Titer Tests

As an adult, I had a vaccination for Yellow Fever. Hours afterward I began to feel like I had the flu, which is a common side effect. My travel mate felt no side effects to her vaccination. So yes, we're all different. And there is no doubt that certain breeds of dogs are more sensitive to the rabies vaccine. In the past 3 years, just in my own neighbourhood, I've met two Weimaraners who lost their sight shortly after a rabies combination vaccination. It is very important to find out what the recommended protocol is for your specific type of dog, because most veterinarians still work under a one-size-fits-all assumption.  


Thankfully some vets are actually working to educate patients and change the way the rabies vaccine is administered. For example Dr. Jean Dodds has created a study called the Rabies Challenge, to prove that one rabies vaccination can last at least SEVEN years (a far cry from the 1-3 years claimed by vaccine manufacturers). Most observers suspect the vaccine lasts for life. There is a way to find out if your dog is still immune; it's called a titer test (a blood test which measures antibodies). About 2 years ago I titer-tested my own dog who was 6 years "overdue" for Parvo and Distemper and he came well within the protected range.  This week I received the results of his rabies titer. He's 10.5 years old and was vaccinated once at 6 months old. Currently he scores SIX times the required amount for immunity. 

Unfortunately, the USDA won't accept titer tests, so at the end of the study all the dogs have to be injected with the actual rabies virus. But everyone at "the challenge" is working towards changing that too. 

As per Dr. Dodds' website, documented reactions to the rabies vaccine include:

•               Behaviour changes such as aggression and separation anxiety

•               Obsessive behaviour, self-mutilation, tail chewing

•               Pica - eating wood, stones, earth, stool

•               Destructive behaviour, shredding bedding

•               Seizures, epilepsy

•               Fibrosarcomas at injection site

•               Autoimmune diseases such as those affecting bone marrow and blood cells, joints, eyes, skin,  

            kidney, liver, bowel and the central nervous system

•               Muscular weakness and or atrophy

•               Chronic digestive problems

My wish is that veterinarians would take more time to educate themselves on the risks, updated protocols, and breed-specific studies before insisting upon boosters. As with most of the decisions you make that affect your dog, doing your own research and forming your own opinions will be your best bet for doing right by them. This article will provide you with some good tips for doing just that. 
At the very least, never vaccinate elderly or sick dogs, or dogs who have had a negative vaccine reaction in the past.  It will dramatically increase the risk of serious side effects. 


*small disclaimer: I am in NO away advocating against core vaccines such as Parvo, 
given at puppy-hood*

When Not to let your Wiener Dog be a "Dog"

Every dachshund owner knows their dog is prone to spinal problems. We also know that we can help prevent back issues by not allowing them to jump off furniture or engage in heavy play with larger dogs.

I don't have a lot to say on this subject other than get pet insurance for your winer dog and please don't let them jump off the furniture. If you must allow furniture access, build or buy doggie steps. Yes, they look awful, but so does this.

Below is my gal, Millie. She likes to sleep to tightly curled up that her tail wraps over her nose and the tip of it touches between her eyes. You can see her back is shaved; this is about 2 weeks post-op and that's as tight as she could curl up. It took her a long long time to regain that flexibility, among other things. 

Saying Good-Bye: Was the Heartache worth it?

Louis CK has a funny bit about dog ownership. He jokes about how bringing home a puppy essentially begins a "countdown to sorrow" for the entire family. He's right, in a way. But I've asked many dog owners if they would have traded a second of their dog's life to not go through that unbearable grief. So far it's a unanimous "no way".

A year ago, today in fact, I watched my best friend make the decision. Blazer had been Yvette's companion for 12 years and he truly was one the great ones. It was raw and gut wrenching and I'll never forget it.  It made me swear that I would never ever get another dog and she did the same. Just over seven moths later, Yvette opened herself back up and took the plunge. (meet CeCe)

If she can, we all can. After all, it would be selfish of us not to 'cause we're such awesome owners :) Please see her amazing blog entry about when it's time to let go, and what you can expect afterwards. It has helped many people, so please share it with anyone you know that might me struggling with deciding when the time is right, or someone who is already grieving.

Blazer

Is Day Care Right For Your Dog? Tips for Choosing a Good Facility

A great doggy day care could be a wonderful thing for the right dog. This Whole Dog Journal article will walk you though how to know if it's right for your dog, and how to chose a good facility. If you're considering DDC, this is a MUST read.

There isn't much I can add except to tell you my own thoughts on the subject. I've been dog walking a long time and part of what I love is how happy each dog is to see me when I arrive. Truthfully, they're just as happy when I return them home. Dog love their houses. I don't think I have a single dog on my roster who would prefer to spend the day at DDC than go for a short car ride, run, play, swim, and then spend the rest of the day lounging on their own sofa, waiting to greet their peeps.

Some of my clients have made the switch from DDC to dog walking because at the end of the day their dog was actually too tired; they wouldn't wake up to eat, play with their owner, or go for a walk. Some of you might think that's great, but personally, I like to hang out with my dogs and do fun things together. Dogs require a lot of sleep, and if they can catch their Zs between walks and at night while you're sleeping, you will likely have a chilled out dog rather than a zombie.

I'm not bashing DDC, if I had a balanced, easy-going, confident German Short Haired Pointer, I would probably find the best possible facility I could and save my sanity. And I'm sure my GSP would STILL be up for a walk at the end of the day with me. Because they're nuts :) But again, just like with dog walking, you'll need to asses whether your dog is a good candidate for DDC and be very selective when choosing a facility. I can't stress enough how important the information in this article is.

If you live in the city of Toronto and you need to send your pooch for day care, feel free to contact me for referrals. It's not a service I provide, but I keep my ear to the ground :) And if you're in the market for a dog walker instead, here's how to find a good one.

Pet Food Recalls and Protecting Your Pet

Every time I hear about a new pet food recall, I cringe. I know that my own dogs will be unaffected since I home cook, and that offers relief. But I immediately check the updated recall list to see if any of my dog walking clients will be affected. Yes, I know what almost every dog on my roster eats...I'm like that!

In the most recent case at Diamond Foods, the main concern is for the well-being of the humans in the house, especially the very young or elderly. Not to say dogs can't become ill from salmonella, they can, but they're not as sensitive to it as we are.

So what steps can you take to protect your dogs and your family? Well aside from preparing your own food, education is a huge factor. I strongly encourage all pet owners to read this well-written article which helps identify the major industry players, ingredients, label rules, industry standards, manufacturing processes, etc.

Recently I posted a very short list of commercial products I feel are "safe," which could help you in decision making. But the key really is to arm yourself with the knowledge that will allow you to identify products that are good for your dog.

my dog's food :)

Is Fido in Your Will? He Should Be

Working in rescue I come across so many people trying to re-home pets that once belonged to family members. I'm sure the folks who left them behind assumed they would be cared for. Don't take this for granted. Read this article, have open communication with family and friends and get it all in writing.

On a lighter note, here are some new pictures.

I just can't help myself...

This is a picture we took of  Benny and Ellie, two puppies I walk. 

They're besties who LOVE to face-wrestle. 

Best job ever!

#WoofMeowTweet

In 2009 I started a Twitter account, and since then have not tweeted even once. That is, until today.

I "get" social media and the role it plays in the world of business, but the thought of learning Twitter and maintaining it gave me a headache. I mean if you're a big business dog walker (several employees and an office manger), you might have the time and energy. But I'm not. So between dog walking, replying to messages and emails from clients, caring for my own dogs, nutrition work, maintaining Facebook, and the rest of life (all things I love, btw), there was no way I could add Twitter.

Then along came Katie. In addition to being one of the most wonderful, conscientious dog walkers I've ever met, she loves social media. She graciously accepted the @oh_my_dog password (promptly changed it) and is making this Tweeting thing finally happen. 

Sure it's a long-winded way to say, "we tweet now so please follow us." But it's not like I buried the lead. :)

How to Choose a Great Dog Walker - Some Stuff You Might Not Think Of

It's come to this: Many dog owners are being duped.

A responsible dog owner tries to do right by employing a walking service for their pooch. Sadly, what some don't realize is the service they're hiring isn't all sunshine and rainbows. What you hope for is a group of dogs frolicking in the park, playing chase, resting in the shade of a tree, fetching, wrestling, etc... . Sure, it can be that way. It should be that way. And in many cases, it is that way. But more often than not, it isn't. I could regale you for hours about the crappy dogs walkers I see day-after-day, but that's a different story for a different day.

With this post I want to help unsuspecting owners realize that dog walking has it's duds, just like every other profession. So how do you do your due diligence when hiring a dog walker? Here is a start:

1. Ask the other dog owners in your dog park who they use. Ask if they are happy with the service. I'm amazed at how many people are using a service they have "weird feelings" about.

2. Read your potential dog walker's website thoroughly to see if it feels like a good match.

3. Ask for references and CHECK them.

4. Potential dog walkers should want to set up a meeting in your home to meet you and your dog. During this time make sure your dog and the walker seem comfortable together. Listen to your gut.

5. If you’re considering a service that has employees, ask the owner of the company to bring the employee who will be responsible for your dog’s care to the first meeting. Also insist that you always be informed when staff changes occur. Make sure you will be allowed to contact your walker directly, instead of only having a manager's contact info.

6. Be sure your potential walker has a Dog Walker License form the City of Toronto. This means not only that they are bonded and insured, but also that they must adhere to city by-laws. (Dog walkers who do not use city green space however, are not obliged to have a license. These are dog walkers who use city sidewalks rather than parks.) I'm concerned about dog walkers who don't use public spaces (i.e.: rented hidden, private lockups). I personally feel your dog walker should be comfortable with, and encourage public scrutiny. I also know for a fact that dogs become bored when they visit the same place every single day.

7. Be clear about what type of service you are receiving. If your dog is not supposed to go off-leash, don’t leave this information out. If you want leash-free time in the park, make sure your new walker uses safe, legal off-leash parks.

8. Disclose any and all behaviour issues and personality quirks your pooch may have. When you meet with the potential walker, they should have plenty of questions in this area. If they don't, then likely they don't know much about dogs. Moving forward, stay in touch with him/her regarding any new issues, and positive changes also.

9. You want someone who is certified in PET first aid.

10. Can’t stress it enough: listen to your gut.

11. Especially if you have a puppy, ask your walker if he/she is going to work with your dog on some training basics. If they intend to work with your dog, ask them what training methods they believe in. If the answer doesn't involve the word "positive" (see my post), and instead uses words like "alpha, dominance, Cesar, etc... " then don't hand over your key. 

More on this subject from a local dog trainer. 

Thanks for reading!

Underwater Dogs

In case you haven't yet seen these AMAZING shots of dogs underwater! By photographer Seth Casteel