Tuesday, May 21, 2013
In Loving Memory
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Five more signs your dog loves you
Hi, Hot Bubba here!
I'm hot for my mom! Don't take that the wrong way! What I mean is I tend to always follow Mom around everywhere. At times she seems to act alittle annoyed at me especially when I am right under her feet and she trips over me. But,I follow her all around cuz I love her so much!
She must love me, too, cuz I'm the only one who gets to sleep next to her, except for Dad and I sleep in between them. I don't like to share Mom. I'm her alarm clock each morning, waking her up to feed us by standing on top of her, with my nose in her face until she opens her eyes! However, lately I've been sleeping in often, guess that comes with age. I'm 15, that's about 105 in people years.
Anyway, I showed Mom this great article that I found Five more signs your dog loves you and I wanted to share it since it's almost Valentine's Day!
It describes just how I feel about my mom!
Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Princess has Congestive Heart Failure. I have researching to learn as much as I can about it.
Congestive heart failure is a weakness in some part of the heart pumping mechanism, or inadequate strength of your dog’s heart to meet its body’s need for oxygen. The heart consists of four chambers; the two upper atria and two lower ventricles. There are blood valves in between the chambers that open to allow one-way flow to the ventricles, and close to prevent backflow into the atria. The left side of the heart pumps blood out to the body, while the right side pumps blood to the lungs.
Congestive heart failure tends to be more prevalent in older and obese dogs. Very large dog breeds, as well as toy and teacup-sized breeds seem to be more prone to this condition.
Early diagnosis of congestive heart failure can prevent further fluid accumulation and heart deterioration, and may elongate your dog’s life.
http://www.pet360.com/dog/health/diseases/congestive-heart-failure-in-dogs/8ncnx77E30mfNpcNdhamWQ
TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP
Treatment Options
If there is a significant amount of fluid in the chest, it is usually removed so that the dog can breathe easier. Fluid may also be removed from the abdomen and from the pericardial sac to make the dog more comfortable.
Dogs with moderate to severe right heart failure may be
hospitalized for stabilization with injectable diuretics (such as
furosemide) and oxygen therapy. Once the dog is stable, oral medications are started. Which medications are chosen depends on the disease causing the right heart failure.
Choices include the following:
• Furosemide ( Lasix ) diuretic is usually continued indefinitely and may be combined with other diuretics, such as spironolactone (especially to keep fluid levels low). Dosages are adjusted to the lowest ones that keep the dog out of heart failure.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as
enalapril, benazepril, or ramipril, may be used to improve the
quality of your dog’s life and help reduce fluid retention by the body. Their effects are not immediate, but they exert modest positive effects over weeks to months.
• Pimobendan is a newer drug that acts as a vasodilator to relieve the workload of the heart and to increase the force of contractions of the heart. Pimobendan is commonly used with other medications, such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors.
• Digoxin is used in some dogs that have moderate to severe
heart failure and very fast heart rates secondary to abnormal
rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.
• Beta-blockers, such as carvedilol, are being investigated to
determine whether they can improve the quality of life in dogs with heart disease. Beta-blockers are also used to slow the heart rate secondary to atrial fibrillation.
• Occasionally, other classes of drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, may be needed to control high heart rates caused by atrial fibrillation.
In addition to drug therapy, dogs with heart failure should not be fed salty foods, and low-salt diets may be used to limit salt intake. Although strenuous exercise should be avoided, mild exercise may be done on guidelines from your vet. If worm disease is present, it will be treated once the right heart failure is stable.
Follow-up Care
Intensive monitoring is often needed during hospitalization.
Follow-up visits are usually scheduled within 7-14 days after discharge. Recheck visits may include chest x-rays, laboratory tests, and ECGs. The interval between visits and further testing depends on the underlying disease and how your dog responds to medications. Periodic monitoring is needed for the life of your dog.
Prognosis
Most dogs with right heart failure have an average life span of 6-12 months; however, survival time is dependent on the underlying cause.
http://www.pmc-utah.com/sites/site-2751/documents/Congestive%20Heart%20Failure%20in%20Dogs%20Right-Sided.pdf
Congestive heart failure is a weakness in some part of the heart pumping mechanism, or inadequate strength of your dog’s heart to meet its body’s need for oxygen. The heart consists of four chambers; the two upper atria and two lower ventricles. There are blood valves in between the chambers that open to allow one-way flow to the ventricles, and close to prevent backflow into the atria. The left side of the heart pumps blood out to the body, while the right side pumps blood to the lungs.
Congestive heart failure tends to be more prevalent in older and obese dogs. Very large dog breeds, as well as toy and teacup-sized breeds seem to be more prone to this condition.
Signs & Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Depending on which side of the heart is weakened or disabled, your dog may exhibit different signs early on:- Shortness of breath
- Unproductive coughing due to build-up of fluid in the lungs - mostly found in left-sided heart failure
- Fainting or collapsing
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Bloated belly due to build-up of fluid in the chest cavity - mostly found in right-sided heart failure (less common than left-sided failure) Princess is struggling with this right now.
Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Heart problems and failure can be caused by old age, a number of diseases, heartworm disease, birth defects, or, most commonly, a build-up of fluid in or around the heart (congestive heart failure). Congestive heart failure is caused by an abnormality in the heart, resulting in a back up of fluid in the heart, lungs, or chest cavity. This could be caused by too much fluid or pressure in the heart, the heart’s contractions not being strong enough to empty the chambers, or the chambers not being able to hold an adequate amount of blood.Diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam of the dog. Your veterinarian will most likely do the following:- History and Physical Exam - Your veterinarian will likely listen to your dog’s heart with a stethoscope to observe any murmurs or gurgling sounds indicating a build-up of fluid. They may also take a blood pressure reading, which is typically a non-invasive process requiring no sedation. Your dog’s symptoms and breed history will be taken into account in their diagnosis.
- Radiographs (X-rays) - This may show clouded lungs or abdomen, indicating fluid accumulation. X-rays may also show an enlarged heart.
- Ultrasound - This can be used in many diagnostic processes to determine abnormalities in your dog’s body. Ultrasounds use sound waves that bounce back, producing an echo that measures the opacity of objects, and produces a picture on the ultrasound machine. When an ultrasound is performed to observe the structure of the heart, it is called an echocardiogram.
- Electrocardiogram - This test measures and records the electric impulses of your dog’s heart. This is usually done by clipping small contact electrodes to your dog’s limbs.
- ELISA testing - Your veterinarian may wish to test your dog for heartworm disease if your dog is not on a heartworm preventive. This will help them rule out heartworm disease as the cause of heart problems and coughing. ELISA stands for "enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay," and is a test used to determine if a dog has been exposed to a certain pathogen by seeing if its body has produced antibodies against the pathogen. It can be used to test for viruses, bacteria, microbes, or other material. This SNAP ELISA test requires just a few drops of whole blood from your dog and can be run in about 10 minutes. This test will show a positive if there is enough of the heartworm antigen in the bloodstream. Once it is positive, an additional blood test known as a direct test is done, again taking a sample of whole blood to examine under the microscope so the young heartworms can be seen.
Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
There is no cure for congestive heart failure, but measures can be taken to extend and increase the quality of your dog’s life.- Your veterinarian will likely prescribe drugs that will alleviate the fluid pressure in the heart and lungs, as well as regulate the heart beat.
- A drug called Vetmedin is often prescribed to open up your dog’s blood vessels and reduce the amount of work their heart has to do to pump blood.
- A diuretic drug such as Furosemide may be prescribed to flush the fluid out of your dog’s cavities.
- A thoracocentesis may be performed to manually drain the fluid from your dog’s lungs with a needle. This may require sedation and/or an ultrasound to help your vet guide the needle.
- There are multiple natural supplement options for dogs with congestive heart failure; those that include potassium, taurine, selenium, chromium, and L-carnitine, among others.
Prevention of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight for their size can greatly assist the heart in pumping blood. The more overweight your dog, the harder its heart has to work, and the more severe the heart issues. Talk to your vet about ways you can help your dog lose weight through exercise (consult your veterinarian first before engaging your pet in any strenuous exercise) and a reduced-calorie and low-salt/high-protein diet. An adjustment in your dog’s lifestyle may be the answer.Early diagnosis of congestive heart failure can prevent further fluid accumulation and heart deterioration, and may elongate your dog’s life.
http://www.pet360.com/dog/health/diseases/congestive-heart-failure-in-dogs/8ncnx77E30mfNpcNdhamWQ
TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP
Treatment Options
If there is a significant amount of fluid in the chest, it is usually removed so that the dog can breathe easier. Fluid may also be removed from the abdomen and from the pericardial sac to make the dog more comfortable.
Dogs with moderate to severe right heart failure may be
hospitalized for stabilization with injectable diuretics (such as
furosemide) and oxygen therapy. Once the dog is stable, oral medications are started. Which medications are chosen depends on the disease causing the right heart failure.
Choices include the following:
• Furosemide ( Lasix ) diuretic is usually continued indefinitely and may be combined with other diuretics, such as spironolactone (especially to keep fluid levels low). Dosages are adjusted to the lowest ones that keep the dog out of heart failure.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as
enalapril, benazepril, or ramipril, may be used to improve the
quality of your dog’s life and help reduce fluid retention by the body. Their effects are not immediate, but they exert modest positive effects over weeks to months.
• Pimobendan is a newer drug that acts as a vasodilator to relieve the workload of the heart and to increase the force of contractions of the heart. Pimobendan is commonly used with other medications, such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors.
• Digoxin is used in some dogs that have moderate to severe
heart failure and very fast heart rates secondary to abnormal
rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.
• Beta-blockers, such as carvedilol, are being investigated to
determine whether they can improve the quality of life in dogs with heart disease. Beta-blockers are also used to slow the heart rate secondary to atrial fibrillation.
• Occasionally, other classes of drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, may be needed to control high heart rates caused by atrial fibrillation.
In addition to drug therapy, dogs with heart failure should not be fed salty foods, and low-salt diets may be used to limit salt intake. Although strenuous exercise should be avoided, mild exercise may be done on guidelines from your vet. If worm disease is present, it will be treated once the right heart failure is stable.
Follow-up Care
Intensive monitoring is often needed during hospitalization.
Follow-up visits are usually scheduled within 7-14 days after discharge. Recheck visits may include chest x-rays, laboratory tests, and ECGs. The interval between visits and further testing depends on the underlying disease and how your dog responds to medications. Periodic monitoring is needed for the life of your dog.
Prognosis
Most dogs with right heart failure have an average life span of 6-12 months; however, survival time is dependent on the underlying cause.
http://www.pmc-utah.com/sites/site-2751/documents/Congestive%20Heart%20Failure%20in%20Dogs%20Right-Sided.pdf
Please Pray for Princess
Princess is having problems with her heart. It's been narrowed down to a right sided heart condition, no heart murmur, all other organs are functioning fine, and her appetite is excellent. She is retaining fluid. She looks like she is pregnant. Her weight has jumped from 17.8 to 19.6 in just one week. I'm updating our vet today on her condition. Hopefully he can just make an adjustment in her meds, otherwise, the next step would be to take her to a cardiologist for animals. He has just about tried everything he can to figure out why she keeps retaining fluid. The meds will work for awhile, sometimes for several months, then she'll start retaining fluid again.
Princess is currently on the following Medications:
Vetmedin (pimobendan)- 5 mg, 1/2 pill, given twice daily. Vetmedin is used to manage certain types of congestive heart failure. It differs from other commonly used heart drugs because it helps the heart pump more efficiently. Vetmedin opens up the blood vessels that take blood away from the heart, effectively reducing work the heart does to pump blood. At the same time, Vetmedin opens up the blood vessels returning blood to the heart, reducing pressure on the heart.
Lasix (furosemide)-20 mg, given twice daily. Furosemide is a diuretic used to treat fluid retention (edema) in dogs and cats with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or certain kidney disease. Furosemide is a potent diuretic which works by blocking the absorption of salt and fluid in the kidney tubules causing an increase in urine output.
Enalapril (Vasotec)- 5 mg., given once daily. Enalapril is used to treat mild, moderate, or severe heart failure and high blood pressure, and is usually used in combination with other medications. Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by blocking an enzyme in the body that is needed to produce a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, the blood vessels relax. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Spironolactone (aldactone)-25 mg., 1/2 pill given twice daily. Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic used in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF), edema and high blood pressure (hypertension). Spironolactone inhibits the effect of aldosterone, a hormone that causes the tubules of the kidneys to retain sodium and water. This increases the excretion of water and sodium, while decreasing the excretion of potassium.
I will keep you posted on her condition.
Update-10:00 am, just talked to the vet, he wants the lasix increased to 1 1/2 pills in the morning and just one in the evening. I'll watch her over the weekend to see if she stays the same or eliminates some of the fluid. If she doesn't, then we'll have to take her in to have fluid drawn out of her. The fluid presses against her heart making it harder to breathe.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Does Your Dog Get the Winter Blues?
After the joyous glow of the holiday season ends, the festive lights come down, the tree is stored or discarded – and we wait for some hopeful sign of spring through the gray months of January, February, and March, the winter blues can set in.
Many of us get the winter blues while waiting for warmer temperatures and sunny skies to return. Some of us mope around the house, whining, and making nuisance of ourselves with our restlessness.
Others get seriously depressed to the point where daily activities are difficult to perform. If these feelings are deep enough, the condition is called "seasonal affective disorder" or "SAD."
SAD is a disorder different from "the blahs," those moments when we feel generally down. Although not fully understood, SAD is though to be caused by a lack of bright light affecting hormonal balances. Affected people may have bouts of unexplained crying, desire for sweets, excessive fatigue, lethargy, depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
Do our dogs suffer from the same malaise? Dr. Nick Dodman, professor and the Director of the Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, explains Here
Many of us get the winter blues while waiting for warmer temperatures and sunny skies to return. Some of us mope around the house, whining, and making nuisance of ourselves with our restlessness.
Others get seriously depressed to the point where daily activities are difficult to perform. If these feelings are deep enough, the condition is called "seasonal affective disorder" or "SAD."
SAD is a disorder different from "the blahs," those moments when we feel generally down. Although not fully understood, SAD is though to be caused by a lack of bright light affecting hormonal balances. Affected people may have bouts of unexplained crying, desire for sweets, excessive fatigue, lethargy, depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
Do our dogs suffer from the same malaise? Dr. Nick Dodman, professor and the Director of the Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, explains Here
Friday, January 25, 2013
Do You Have A Dog First Aid Kit?
Do You Have A Dog First Aid Kit?
Far too many dog owners have no dog first aid kit on hand in case of emergency or any kind of sickness or injury to their pet.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy For Dogs
Ruff! Ruff! Princess here! Mom found this great article about how great apple cider vinegar is for us. The benefits of apple cider vinegar are dog gone amazing! Mom is trying to learn more about Herbal Medicine for Dog Care :Safe Dog Herbs & Preparation Tips and Homeopathy for Dog Care : Could It Be an Option for Your Dog?
Before we know it, we're gonna have to start calling her Dr. Mom! She's already taken to wearing a stethoscope which she keeps chasing me down with so she can listen to my heart! Oh no! Here she comes again! I better make a run for it! Bye for now!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
How to Perform an at Home Wellness Exam on Your Pet
Regular at-home physical exams can help you learn what is normal for
your pet’s body, and therefore allow you to detect when something is not
normal.
While it’s still important to take your pet for a professional exam at your vet’s office at least once a year, you can keep watch on your pet’s health in between visits by getting to know what’s normal, and what’s not, for your individual pet.Read more here
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Toys! Toys! Toys!
Hi, Mandy here! Santa Claws brought me some fun toys at Christmas cuz I was so extra, extra tag wagging good last year!
Sock Monkey, I love Sock Monkey!
Mom says that you crumble up a plastic bottle and put inside this one so it'll make fun noise. I sure hope Mom has alot of plastic bottles, I'm gonna make mincemeat out of this guy!
Oh no, Mr. Bill!
This guy is weird. Everytime I bite him, he calls out for Mr. Bill, whoever that is. I have a surprize for Mr. Bill when he finally gets the courage to show up...
my TEETH!
I already tore one of this guy's legs off in record time, too! 10 minutes after getting it!
Here I am with a couple of other toys from Santa.
Just a minute, Mandy!
Santa gave me Sock Monkey!
GRRRRRRRRRR!!!
and Mr. Bill, too!
Double GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
and one more thing, Miss Greedy, Santa gave me ALL of the toys cuz I'm a PRINCESS!
And don't you forget it!
And don't you forget it!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Peaceful Rest at Last!
Bubba and I were so good this past year that Santa brought us new beds. And Mandy can't use them cuz she can't fit inside the holes! Ha! Ha!
But she can lay on top.
Now Bubba can sleep in peace
and so can I.
My dad's the greatest!
Hey, Everyone! Bubba here! Check out what my dad just made for me. It's a ramp just for me! Here I am discovering it for the first time.
Wow! This makes it so much easier for me to go outside now. Thanks, Dad! You're the best!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Yuk!!! I Hate Peas!
Yuko! Mom fed me (Bubba) peas this morning and she knows I hate peas. She thought she was being slick when she mixed them up into my food. I'll show her, I'll just push them out with my nose!
So there!!! Hope she gets the message now! And I don't know what that orange colored blob was!
Double Yuko on that!!!
I'm starting a protest!
NO MORE PEAS!!!
Happy New Year! We're back!
Happy New Year!
We're Back!
Mom's been so busy and wouldn't let us use her computer. What a mean mom! Grrrrrrrrrrrr! We have you and the rest of our fans out there wondering what happened to us. (Bubba)
Especially me, I'm a princess and I have my own following. You two may bow down to me now and call me 'Your Majesty'. (Princess)
Phooey! I wouldn't bow down to you even if you bribed me with all the doggie treats I wanted! (Mandy)
Hey, Toots, I'll bow down to you if you come and lie down beside me. I'll make you my queen.(Bubba)
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Keeping Us Healthy
Our mom just read: Five Diseases Your Pet is Most Likely to Get... and Tips to Prevent Them. The information comes from Banfield Pet Hospital which has put its annual State of Pet Health Report
online, making the information available with the click of a mouse to
pet owners and anyone who cares for and about cats and dogs.
We have a good mom who takes good care of us except when she gives us a bath. We don't agree that giving baths is part of providing good care!
Overweight and obesity is a top problem for dogs. Mandy is the only one that's alittle chubby here, earning her the nickname 'Chubs'. Mom feeds us Innova Senior Dry Dog Food which has slightly more fiber from whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and 9% less calories than Innova Adult Small Bites which we used to eat. It helps to keep us slim and trim except for Mandy, who can't stay away from the tomatoes outside, always woofing them down! Maybe now since Mom just picked the last of them she'll lose some of her pudge!
Princess has heart disease which is very often a silent killer in pets and I (Bubba) has arthritis. Mandy has cancer which is in remission. She had a mass cell tumor which our vet removed, but, couldn't get it all without taking her leg, too. Then there wasn't a promise that they got it all.
Just like with humans, we get the same kinds of diseases and problems as we get older. All three of us are senior citizens, me, I just turned 15 this past October. Both Mandy and Princess are around 13, give or take a year since they were both adopted from IMPS (Internet Miniature Pinscher Service. But, we all know and agree that we'll be around awhile, thanks to the love and care that our human mom gives us. Thanks, Mom! We Love You!
P.S. Mom wanted us to post the link to this article: 10 Holiday Safety Tips for Pet Owners.
We have a good mom who takes good care of us except when she gives us a bath. We don't agree that giving baths is part of providing good care!
Overweight and obesity is a top problem for dogs. Mandy is the only one that's alittle chubby here, earning her the nickname 'Chubs'. Mom feeds us Innova Senior Dry Dog Food which has slightly more fiber from whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and 9% less calories than Innova Adult Small Bites which we used to eat. It helps to keep us slim and trim except for Mandy, who can't stay away from the tomatoes outside, always woofing them down! Maybe now since Mom just picked the last of them she'll lose some of her pudge!
Princess has heart disease which is very often a silent killer in pets and I (Bubba) has arthritis. Mandy has cancer which is in remission. She had a mass cell tumor which our vet removed, but, couldn't get it all without taking her leg, too. Then there wasn't a promise that they got it all.
Just like with humans, we get the same kinds of diseases and problems as we get older. All three of us are senior citizens, me, I just turned 15 this past October. Both Mandy and Princess are around 13, give or take a year since they were both adopted from IMPS (Internet Miniature Pinscher Service. But, we all know and agree that we'll be around awhile, thanks to the love and care that our human mom gives us. Thanks, Mom! We Love You!
P.S. Mom wanted us to post the link to this article: 10 Holiday Safety Tips for Pet Owners.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Cookies for Santa Paws
Oh Boy! Mom baked us Paw print Pumpkin Cookies! Arf! Arf! And boy, are they yummy! They are made with pumpkin, whole wheat flower, molasses, and other good healthy stuff. I'll get mom to post the recipe when she comes out of the kitchen!
She gave me the first one to eat, too! Boy, were Bubba and Mandy ever so jealous! Ha! Ha!, Bubba, I always knew Mom liked me best, not you!
Now we have cookies to leave out for Santa Paws!
Love and Kisses, Princess
Velcro Minpins!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Bubba here!
We are like velcro to Mom whenever she falls asleep on the couch. I always get first choice of where I want to lay cuz I'm Mom's favorite! That's me, wearing my snazzy snowman sweater that Mom gave me for Christmas last year.
We are like velcro to Mom whenever she falls asleep on the couch. I always get first choice of where I want to lay cuz I'm Mom's favorite! That's me, wearing my snazzy snowman sweater that Mom gave me for Christmas last year.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Behind Bars!
Santa, please save me from my mean human. She locks me up all day in here while she's in the kitchen,baking up all kinds of goodies! Help!!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Our Christmas Tree is Shaping Up!
Mom has been decorating our tree and putting presents on it and under it for us. She thinks that fence is going to keep us out of them! Ha! Just wait til she's asleep!
Here's our tree at night. Isn't it beautiful?
Friday, November 30, 2012
Looking for Mr. Right
Hi, Everyone!
Princess here! I'm modeling this sexy, midriff revealing, two piece skirt set, guaranteed to take his breath away and stop in his tracks! That's what I'm trying to do, stop a handsome stud in his tracks!
Hmmm...sunbathing didn't get him over here, maybe if I turn my head, looking like I'm totally ignoring him, then maybe he'll get interested and make the first move.
I'll be back later, gotta go strut my stuff for Super Bubba. Bye for now!
Hugs & Kisses
xxxx oooo xxxx oooo
Monday, November 26, 2012
Our Very Own Christmas Tree
We have the best mom in the whole wide world! How many human moms would put a Christmas tree up just for her furbabies? Well, ours does, with doggie ornaments, lights, presents and a REAL angel on top of the tree!
Now all we need is Santa Paws! Wait, I think I hear him!
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