10 Most Common Health Diagnoses for Dogs

With dogs -- just as with humans -- prevention is always better than the need for a cure when it comes to health. Be diligent! Every month you should check your dog carefully and systematically for possible early signs of illness. Keep in mind some stoic dogs are very good at hiding ill health or pain, so be vigilant. Some issues are preventable and some are not, but being precautious always helps. Here is a health checklist to keep you on track; these are the 10 most-diagnosed issues for dogs.

1. Ear Infections
Otitis externa, commonly referred to as an “ear infection,” is a condition characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal. It affects up to 20 percent of dogs, especially those with floppy ears. You can prevent ear infections by gently drying your dog’s ears after bathing or swimming. It’s a good idea to take a look into their ears at least once a week. Problems are far easier to treat if they’re detected early. If you notice any odor, redness or discharge from your dog's ears, please call your right away.

2. Skin Allergies/Dermatitis

Most skin allergies derive from fleas -- the most common cause -- or substances in the environment such as pollen and mold. There is not much you can do to prevent airborne allergens but you can prevent flea problems by putting your dog on a good year-round flea preventative – with the emphasis on year-round because fleas can survive indoors throughout winter. Frequent vacuuming and the changing of air filters also can cut down on the amount of allergens your dog might inhale.

3. Diarrhea

Almost all dog owners are familiar with this condition characterized by loose, watery stool. The most common causes are the ingestion of table scraps and spoiled food, excess plant material, and a sudden change in food.

4. Vomiting

At one time or another, your dog may have a bout of vomiting. Usually he or she will have eaten something disagreeable, eaten too much or too fast, exercised too soon after eating, or is suffering from any number of non-serious conditions. To prevent vomiting don't give your dog table food, change their food gradually, and monitor the dog to assure he or she is not eating things that can’t be digested.

5. Pyoderma

This common condition is a skin bacterial infection. There are several causes; some are more easily prevented than others. The best ways to curb pyoderma are to prevent fleas and ticks, and bathe your dog periodically. Problems are easier to treat if they are detected early so if you see redness, swelling or discharge, consult your vet.

6. Urinary Tract Infection

Inflammation of the urinary bladder is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Provide fresh clean water aplenty and give your dog many opportunities to urinate. Reducing the need to “hold it” can help prevent infections.

7. Conjunctivitis

Another issue is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the tissue coating the eye and lining the eyelids. There isn't much you can do to prevent conjunctivitis. However, you can reduce the likelihood of your dog's eyes becoming irritated by preventing things from blowing into them. If you use spray cleaners, paints, or other aerosols that may irritate the sensitive eye tissue, remove your dog from the area until they are out of the air.

8. Mass

Skin growths or masses are lumps of tissue that are within or can be felt under the skin. There is nothing you can do to prevent skin masses but early treatment and surgical removal are much more affordable than more complex procedures. At times, these prove to be benign fatty tumors, but make sure your vet checks out any mass or growth to be safe.

9. Giardia

This is an easier one to prevent. Giardia is a protozoan parasite found all over the world, which frequently causes diarrhea. It is common in animals under close confinement, such as those in kennels, animal shelters, and pet stores. Giardia is common in contaminated water. Prevent your dog from drinking out of old or muddy water puddles, especially in dog parks.

10. Foreign Body Ingestion

This happens when an indigestible object is caught in your dog's stomach or intestines. To prevent problems, keep all items your dog might ingest -- but shouldn't -- out of his or her reach. Observe behavior when playing with toys to ensure your dog doesn't try to “eat” them. Check toys regularly to make sure they are not getting too worn out.

Always Pay Attention to the Attitude, Too

Keep in mind your dog's general attitude can speak volumes. If you notice the head and tail are down and he or she seems quieter and less playful than usual, it can mean your dog is not feeling up to par. Dogs not feeling well may also skulk in corners, dig holes in the garden to lie in, or even perhaps appear unusually aggressive for no apparent reason. If you're worried or notice any unusual changes, always ask your vet for advice.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://https://www.facebook.com/pages/DDs-Pet-Patrol-LLC/113722645371614?ref=hl.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Pet Ownership: Good for your Heart…Good for your Health

Often when we think of ways to relieve stress, we consider exercise, meditation, yoga, a massage, or a vacation, for starters. While all these are viable strategies, perhaps another should come to mind: getting a new best friend -- in the form of a loving and ever-loyal pet. Research shows unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or are definitely too busy to properly care for one, pets can provide excellent social support and stress relief, among other benefits -- perhaps more so than human friends.

Let’s take a look at some of the main health benefits of dog and/or cat ownership:

Mood enhancers: For animal lovers, it’s simply impossible to stay in a bad mood when loving puppy eyes meet yours, or when a furry, purring cat rubs up against your hand. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of pets. Many studies show anyone with an illness or disease is less likely to suffer from depression if there is a pet in the household.

Blood-pressure control: 
While drugs can generally reduce blood pressure, they aren’t as effective for controlling spikes in blood pressure due to stress and tension. However, in a recent study, groups of hypertensive New York stockbrokers who got dogs or cats were found to have lower blood pressure and heart rates than those who didn’t get pets. When they heard of the results, most of those in the non-pet group went out and got pets!

Exercise partners: 
Whether we walk our dogs because they need it, or are more apt to enjoy a walk when we have companionship, dog owners do spend more time walking than non-pet owners. Because exercise is good for stress management and overall health, owning a dog can be credited with increasing these benefits.

Social support (aka conversation starters): 
If we’re out walking a dog we come across as more approachable, giving people a reason to make eye contact, smile, say hello, and stop for a chat. We meet more people thus giving us the opportunity to increase a network of friends and acquaintances; this, in turn, delivers great stress-management benefits.

Unconditional love and companionship: 
Pets can be there in ways people cannot. They not only offer love and companionship, but also enjoy comfortable silences and quiet time as long as they are able to snuggle and cuddle with us. They are the ideal prescription for anyone who lives alone. In fact, research shows nursing-home residents reported less loneliness when visited by dogs than when they spent time visiting with friends and family. These particular benefits can reduce the amount of stress experienced in response to feelings of social isolation and lack of social support from people.

Stress relief: 
While we all know the power of talking about your problems with a good friend who’s also an excellent listener, recent research shows spending time with a pet may be even better. When conducting a task that’s stressful, people actually experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a supportive friend -- or even a spouse or partner -- was present. Perhaps this is because our dogs and cats again offer unconditional love -- and don’t ever talk back!

Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress if you do indeed feel you cannot offer a dog or cat what they need for a quality life. However, the benefits of having a pet far outweigh the drawbacks for many people. If you haven’t discovered the joy of pet ownership yet, why not consider having a four-legged best friend who is always by your side while also being capable of reducing life’s stressors?

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Pink Ribbon Pooches for Breast-Cancer Patients

With an eye and heart turned toward those diagnosed with – and in treatment for – breast cancer, the co-writer of this blog recently created a Facebook portal to assist patients who may need help with their dogs and also to share pertinent news, research, and info.

Pink Ribbon Pooches – found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PinkRibbonPooches – was created as a service for women diagnosed with breast cancer who have dogs, and particularly single women who have no family or other household members to help during this stressful time. The network's three primary goals are to help find temporary foster homes or a pet-sitter for dogs during surgeries and procedures as needed, to match rescued dogs with breast-cancer survivors who can benefit during the healing process by having a canine companion, and to assist in finding homes for dogs whose owners may not have survived.

On the page, you also will find the latest breast-cancer news of the day in addition to the mission to help breast-cancer patients with dogs.

Please check out the page and support with a “like”; don’t forget to share with your friends, family, and colleagues who may be fighting breast cancer or perhaps know someone who is. Many thanks!

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Set Your Dog Up for Good Holiday Behavior

Most of us are guilty of occasionally sneaking our dog a table scrap as a treat. While never a great idea, with the holidays coming up rest assured dogs will be salivating over all the delicious scents wafting out of the kitchen and off the dining table. Sad, hopeful eyes might just get him a bite of food that will make him ill as dogs are sensitive to a wide variety of foods from garlic and onions to grapes. Also beware there’s always the chance he’ll help himself to something off the table that will make him sick.

Unfortunately, once a dog starts to beg, it will become non-stop unless steps are taken to discourage the behavior. The key is to be consistent. Research has shown if you reward him even once, the bad habit will become even harder to break.

Make sure everyone in the family knows and follows the training rules. If a child is sneaking your pet a treat, the dog is going to soon learn which family member to sit by under the table. If you don't notice the sneaking and reprimand the dog, he’s going to have no clue what is wrong because as far as he knows he's asking for something politely and getting it. So, it’s imperative not to give any treats from the dinner table.

Next, teach your dog to sit or lie down instead of trying to discreetly get into someone’s lap or nudge a leg. Make it clear pushy behavior is a no-no; if he rises, respond with a firm “no” and place him back in the proper position. Remember to always praise and reward him for good behavior.

Aside from issuing commands, ignore your dog. Don't pet him or offer comfort as positive reinforcement can also encourage begging. A few dinner nights of “tough love” will result in a much more well-behaved dog.

• Until your dog's table manners are up to par – meaning no begging – you may also want to try the following steps:
    If your dog refuses to comply with your commands, simply have him stay in another room. Do not respond to his barks. By keeping him isolated while you eat, he may eventually associate begging with being sent away. 
The caveat: of course this disrupts a nice dining experience for you and your guests.

•  Feed your dog prior to your meal, or try giving your dog a toy that dispenses treats just prior to your meal. Make sure you do not give it after he starts begging, or he will perceive it as a reward. 


After dinner is finished, give your dog one of his favorite treats or perhaps a special leftover such as turkey. Once he realizes he'll get something sooner or later, he'll be much more likely to wait it out. This can be reinforced at every meal or snack time; never feed your dog until you’re finished, showing your role as both alpha and provider. But do remember to always acknowledge his good behavior with praise and a goody!

Bone appetit!

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Tips for Giving Your Dog a B-A-T-H

Does the spoken word “bath” send your dog scampering under the sofa? Does it bring dread to you knowing when they're finally free they will charge -- soaking wet -- onto your bed – damp-dog smell and all?

Many challenges result from dogs being afraid of the noise, disliking a soap scent, or simply not caring for the feel of water on their skin. Nevertheless, when your dog starts to smell like a dog, it’s bath time. Regardless of how you do it, dog baths need to be a regular event in your home, no matter how messy or unpleasant the job can be. Whether you are able to bathe your dog outdoors in warm weather or need to give baths indoors in a tub, we will offer some pointers here to help make your job as a fur parent a bit easier.

Start When They’re Young

It’s easier to get a puppy adjusted to being bathed and having nail trims and grooming than it is for an older pet. If you do adopt an older dog, present grooming as a fun part of your routine. Select a special treat for after-the-bath time and perhaps let them take a favorite water toy in the tub during the rub-a-dub-dub.

Brush First

For dogs with long hair that easily mats and tangles, purchase a commercial conditioner readily available at your local pet store. Apply and gently work out mats to prevent your dog from fearing the brush. Cornstarch or baby oil can also be applied to stubborn mats to help smooth fur and work out tangles prior to brushing.

Tangled wet fur is to be avoided. Brush your dog before bathing so fur is smooth and mat-free. Prep by spraying your dog with a light coat of water or conditioner to smooth the fur and make brushing more pleasant.

Gentleness is Key

Dogs have sensitive areas, too, and generally don't like water in their eyes and ears; use a damp cloth to clean the face while keeping the shampoo and conditioner away from the area.

If grooming is problematic for your pet, make sure there's no medical reason for the discomfort such as raw or itchy patches of skin that can be irritated by brushing too hard or that result from using a harsh shampoo.

Be Fast and Efficient

Bathe your dog as quickly as possible to make the process less stressful for both of you. Be thorough and do a good cleaning, but whether you're using an indoor tub or shower or bathing in the yard, do it as quickly as you can. Dry your dog immediately using a pet chamois, lots of big soft towels, or a hair dryer set to a low setting.

Dogs Will Be Dogs

At some point in their lives even the perfect dog will get into something incredibly sticky like tar or sap. Removing this from fur can hurt, but most sticky spots can be softened by applying peanut butter or shortening and working the mat loose with your fingers; olive oil can also be used to loosen the mat. For more solid masses like gum, try freezing the mat with an ice cube and breaking it loose from the fur.

Rest assured, your pet will be a lot happier – after the fact – when he or she is nice and clean. And, believe it or not, with a little preparation and the right tools it can actually be fun for both of you after you get used to the process.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Soaring Temperatures Require Special Pet Care

With this summer’s temperatures hitting 100-degrees-plus across the US, it’s time for a reminder on how to keep your pets safe and cool. Basically, anything a human needs a pet needs in these heatwaves. Just be mindful of the major mistakes pet owners make and don’t be guilty of making them. Irreversible damage can be done in seconds, in some cases.

We all know leaving a pet in a parked car can be a deadly mistake. The interior temperature easily can reach 120 degrees in a few minutes. Don’t think partially open windows will protect your pet from heatstroke -- or worse. When temperatures are on the rise, please keep your pet at home.

When exercising your dog, do so in the morning or evening when temperatures and pavement are cool.
 Better yet, simply stay off concrete and asphalt. Your dog's feet should be safe on grass while you exercise together. Summer heat can turn a road as hot as a frying pan. Even though your dog's feet are tougher than yours, the scorching surface of the road or sidewalk can do serious damage in no time flat.

Dogs should NEVER be in truck beds, but if they are they can suffer serious injury or heatstroke. Debris from the road damages eyes, not to mention they can easily jump or fall out of the truck bed. Think about their feet, too. If you cannot touch the hot truck bed with your bare hand, your dog should not be suffering on the hot metal. It’s also not a good idea to let dogs hang their head out of open car windows at any time because, again, they can get debris in their eyes.

If your pet is outside during the day for any reason, remember to provide shady protection from the sun and plenty of fresh water. Keep in mind older, short muzzled, and overweight dogs are more likely to overheat during hot weather.

Comfort pets during a thunderstorm or fireworks’ event. Make sure every animal, including livestock, has current and legible identification tags or a microchip ID. Keep your pet/s indoors in a safe area and never leave them unattended outside.

Pets can get sunburns so they should have sunblock applied to sun-sensitive areas such as tips of ears, nose, the belly, and groin areas that typically have sparse hair coverage and thinner skin. Cats love to sunbathe and dogs often will belly up for some sunning as well. Think about getting season-appropriate groomings for cats and dogs to reduce matting and keep them comfortable in the heat. What products are safe to use for pets? Remember dogs -- and especially cats -- are adept at licking off topical lotions, sprays, and creams. These substances can be toxic for dogs and more so for cats. It was once recommended that anything safe for human babies would be OK to use on pets with supervision (let the lotion soak in before licking can occur); this is a guideline, but with the following considerations in mind. 
Using products on a species not covered by product usage guidelines is off-label usage. Please consult with your veterinarian prior to using any human products or medications on your pet.

If traveling with your pet, add these to your vacation checklist: current ID tags and vaccines, copies of health records and medications, your pet’s regular food and water, and don’t forget a leash.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and Like us on Facebook at DD’s Pet Patrol LLC.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).