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The Healthy Hound Newsletter #33

By: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| June 6, 2020

In This Issue

● Commonly Overlooked Ailments
● Hemp For Fireworks Anxiety
● Your Dog Wants To Rescue You
● Two Dogs Die In Air Conditioned Car
● Doggy Doorway Manners
● Spotting K9 Eye Conditions
● Kissing Bugs & Chagas Disease

Recent Food Recalls

3/23/20 – IcelandicPlus Fish Treats
2/14/20 – Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Pet Food
2/07/20 – UK Happy Hounds Frozen Raw Dog Food
1/16/20 – Black Hawk Dry Dog Food

HEALTH ALERT #1

10 Ailments Dog Owners Commonly Overlook

Recognizing the signs of pain and illness in dogs is always difficult. Our furry friends tend to be quite stoic, a throwback to their wild ancestors.

Unfortunately, the longer it takes to diagnose a problem, the longer your dog suffers. A delay in treatment can also lessen the chances of a positive outcome.

Dr. Cathy Alinovi, veterinarian and owner of Healthy Pawsibilities, offers her list of the 10 most commonly overlooked ailments dogs face and how to recognize them.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Freshen your dog’s breath & help stave off periodontal disease by adding THIS to their water bowl.

HAPPY, HEALTHY MUST HAVES

Why Hemp Oil Might Be Your Dog’s Best Friend During Fireworks

Fireworks are a fun, exciting part of our Independence Day celebrations, but for many dogs, the flashes and bangs inspire pure terror. Every year, these pups suffer from devastating fireworks anxiety, sometimes resulting in accidents and injuries.

If you have given up on finding relief for your pooch, it is time to try hemp oil – a safe, all-natural solution to a number of canine health and behavioral issues.

Find out if hemp could be the answer to your dog’s debilitating fireworks anxiety.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

True or False: It is safe to leave your dog in an unattended vehicle as long as you leave the A/C running.

  1. True
  2. False

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

HEALTH ALERT #2

Study Shows Your Dog Can Rescue You Even Without Training

Stories of dogs helping their humans in times of crisis date back to the early days of their domestication. Most of these hero dogs have no formal training, they simply act on instinct.

A recent study at Arizona State University confirmed what dog parents have always known: our dogs will try to save us when we are in distress.

“A lot of the time it isn’t necessarily about rescuing,” said Joshua Van Bourg, a grad student in ASU’s Department of Psychology. “But that doesn’t take anything away from how special dogs really are. Most dogs would run into a burning building just because they can’t stand to be apart from their owners. How sweet is that? And if they know you’re in distress, well, that just ups the ante.”

Learn more about this landmark study and what it says about the incredible bond we share with our dogs.

IN THE NEWS

Two Dogs Die In Hot Car When Engine Shuts Down Unexpectedly

A tragic incident in High Ridge, Missouri this week highlights the danger of leaving dogs alone in vehicles. A German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever passed away in their owner’s car outside a dog training facility.

The owner left the engine running and the air conditioning cranked while she attended a lecture. It is believed that the car ran out of gas, and with temperatures in the low 90s, the vehicle quickly overheated.

The incident is being classified as a horrible accident, and the police were not contacted. It just goes to show that our beloved dogs are never safe in an unattended vehicle, no matter the circumstances.

Here’s what you should do if you see a dog in a hot car.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Help deter pests naturally with Happy, Healthy™️ Nature Guard Citronella Flea & Tick Spray.

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

How To Teach Your Dog Doorway Manners

Several readers of The Healthy Hound have written in with questions about their dogs barking and crowding around the door when the bell rings or visitors arrive.

This is a common behavioral problem, especially for owners of multiple dogs as they tend to feed off each other’s excited energy.

Professional dog trainer, Kristina Lotz addresses the issue and offers tips on first “managing the door,” and then training alternative behaviors for your dog(s) to perform when it comes time to go outside or greet guests.

VET CORNER

How To Spot Canine Eye Conditions

by Dr Lucien Vallone

According to Dr. Lucien Vallone, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, there are three main categories of canine eye problems: diseases of the ocular surface, diseases that cause inflammation within the eye, and glaucoma.

Fortunately, many of these conditions are highly treatable and even correctable, especially if caught early.

Dr. Vallone discusses the signs and symptoms of the most common eye conditions in dogs.

Dr. Erin Turner, another assistant professor at Texas A&M, offers advice on recognizing the signs of vision loss.

TIS THE SEASON

Protecting Your Dog From Kissing Bugs & Chagas Disease

Don’t let the cutesy monicker fool you – kissing bugs get their name from their nasty habit of biting around the eyes and lips. They also transmit Chagas disease which affects the heart and other organ systems, and can potentially be deadly to dogs.

At least eight of the 11 species of kissing bugs carry Chagas disease, and while the bugs are more common in the southern states, they have been spotted as far north as Pennsylvania during the summer.

There is no preventive vaccine or treatment for Chagas disease, but the symptoms (including heart disease) can be managed to help your dog live longer with the condition.

LEARN MORE ABOUT KISSING BUGS & CHAGAS DISEASE

Do you have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Click here to let us know!

Quiz Answer:

2. False. As the recent incident in Missouri demonstrates, leaving dogs in an unattended vehicle is NEVER safe. The car may run out of gas or the engine may stall for a variety of reasons, so even leaving the A/C running is no guarantee.

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