Eat Yogurt!
As part of my belief in preventative health care, my dogs begin to eat yogurt when they are very young, on the advice of my veterinarian. When the puppies are still on their mother’s breast–about 2 to 3 days of age–I put regular yogurt on the tip of my finger and encourage them to lick it off. It isn’t long before they are avid yogurt consumers, and what is known as “easy keepers”. ( An “easy keeper” walks by a bag of dog food and gains weight!) But, there is always more to learn about feeding our best friends. Recently I found an article on probiotics. I discovered that the probiotic ACIDOPHILUS was best given in the morning while at night BIFIDUS is the probiotic that is most effective. Most yogurts have both. However, the doctor recommended giving the probiotic 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast and l5 to 30 minutes after the evening meal. When determining which product to use, the CFU indicates colony forming units or viability–the expiration date helps with this. Most important it is recommended to give probiotics for the duration of any medication and one to two weeks after medication. Since I have 3 dogs I buy un-flavored low fat plain yogurt with probiotics in a tub.
Have you heard about DSA? Dog Scouts of America. For more information, visit http://www.dogscouts.org
SAFE HARBOR FOR DOGS is a new organization of humane societies formed to shelter large numbers of dogs from commercial kennels in Pennsylvania which are closing or have dogs they do not want. SAFE HARBOR is an alternative to euthanasia or neglect. As I understand it, once the state dog law officer is notified by the commercial kennel of these circumstances, the dogs are transported to appropriate shelters and checked by the PAVMA. Participating groups include the SPCA of Luzerne County, Humane Society of Berks County, Bucks County SPCA, Clearfield County SPCA, the Humane League of Lancaster, and the York County SPCA.
FOR THE HEALTH OF ALL DOGS–A total of $50,000 raised during the Westminster Kennel Club Show was donated to the AKC Canine Health Foundation to study the canine influenza virus, a respiratory disease. The virus first discovered in Greyhound kennels in 2003 affects all dogs and is highly contagious. The funding will attempt to answer who is susceptible, how it is transmitted and how it can be prevented.
MARCH IS GIVE A DOG A KONG MONTH! The PA SPCA is asking for donations of KONGS–those fillable red or black rubber toys for pets of all sizes. They keep pets busy while waiting for a forever home.
I do receive queries about doggy daycare. There are pet sitters who will come into the home and feed, walk and brush a dog two or three times a day. However, I believe what we truly need is “doggy night care”. Especially if a pet is ill, recovering from a procedure or elderly, it would be great to have someone who could give medications, check vital signs and walk or clean up after a pet. The result would be a rested owner and a better quality of life for the whole family. This would be a good occupation for retired vet techs, nurses and caregivers. Call it home hospice care or pet nursing care.
Sources: Canine Chronicle, Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs, the American Kennel Club, the PA SPCA Newsletter.
Mar 21, 2009 | | Uncategorized