Exercises for the senior dog!

The Corona crises has given us more time at home. Are you so privileged to have a senior dog at home?

Then here is the chance to give it a bit more attention.

We teamed up with Line Lukowski. Line usually performs physiotherapy on dogs and cats and has a close co-work with Artemis.

She will guide us through some small exercises that can have a huge impact on the older dog.

Many older dogs suffer from arthritis. They will get stiff muscles and joints. When the dog gets up in the morning, it walks a little stiff and oppressed. As it gets going, joints and muscles warm up and the movement gets easier.

It’s especially the back that stiffens because the dog will relieve its sore legs.

Because of this it’s a great idea to stretch out. It can easily become a part of the dog’s daily routine before the walk, so it’s a natural part of the day.

You just need to do 2 stretches 3 x daily.

 

How to stretch out

Stretch 1:

  • Stand by the side of the dog
  • Hold a hand up towards the chest from the abdominal area.
  • With a treat in your hand you make the dog look between its front legs and then up again.
  • Repeat the stretch three times.

 

Stretch 2:

  • Stand by the side of the dog
  • Hold a treat up in front of the snout. With the help of the treat you make the dog move its head to the side of the body, as far as it can do.
  • Repeat to the other side.
  • Repeat the stretch three times.

Remember not to pressure the dog longer than it can go – often improvements come fast.

The older dog will also benefit from a light massage on the back. The massage will loosen up tense muscles. The more pain it has in its back and legs, the more tense it gets in the muscles to reduce the pain.

How to give massage!

  • Make slow movements down the back of the dog from head to tail.
  • Keep a hand on the dog at all times.
  • Make slow circles with a slightly rounded hand (large contact surface) from head to tail.
  • Spend about 10 minutes at night where the dog is relaxed.

Remember it’s on the dog’s premises, and not all dogs would enjoy it. If an area is uncomfortable for the dog, then avoid the massage in that area to start with.

There are so many things we can do to ease the life for the senior dog.

If your dog starts to show signs of arthritis, then contact your vet.

There are many alternatives which doesn’t involve medication. Each course is made for the individual dog.

We work closely with the physiotherapist, where Line’s treatment and programs can work wonders when the body hurts, and the life’s patina starts to show.

The dog as well as us humans benefit from working out all our lives.

Use your time at home to give your older dog a better wellbeing with some easy exercises.

 

Line Lukowski

Line Lukowski and Gilbert!

 

 

 

 

 

HELP!   My dog got stung by a wasp!

 Are you also afraid that your dog may get stung by a wasp?

Read along – get advice and learn what to do in case it happens.

What are we up against?

If we should stand a chance to win over the flying fighters, then it’s important to know the enemy.

Here are some useful facts since it is easy to get confused about the many little bugs buzzing in the air.

In Denmark, we often encounter wasps and bees.

A wasp and a bee are NOT the same. A bee is hairy and wooly, whereas a wasp is smooth and skinny; a little bizarre.

Wasp

 

Bee

 

 

A bee is usually not aggressive.  It stings only if it feels threatened, or if you step on it.  After a bee has stung you, it  loses the stinger and dies.

The wasp is a bit more advanced. At the end of the summer there isn’t much food left for the wasps.

A bee lives on nectar, a wasp eats meat as well.

That explains why the wasp is attracted to the table on the porch, which frustrates people enjoying their family dinner. We flail our arms and legs, the wasp feels threatened, and defends itself by stinging us.

A wasp can sting several times.  They lose their patience, but NOT their stinger.

If a dog meets a wasp, it will often respond to the little flying bug. It might even try to catch it. The wasp won’t like that, and it will sting the dog in defense.

The bee pulsates more venom into its prey than a wasp. If a dog gets stung by a bee, it’s important that you remove the stinger, which has a venom sac attached. If both the stinger and the sac are not removed, then it will keep pulsating venom into the body of the dog. A wasp sting doesn’t give as large an amount of venom as a bee, and doesn’t leave its stinger.

Although the venom from the two insects are not alike, the reaction to the sting is the same.

What are the symptoms of a sting?

Typically, the dog will have a sudden change of behavior due to discomfort.

The reaction depends on where it got stung.

If it’s on the snout, then the dog will rub its muzzle against the ground.

If it’s on the body, then it will try to scratch where the stung is. If it has stepped on a bee, it will raise its paw and perhaps not walk on that paw.

What can I do?

  • Remove the fur where the sting is, so you can see the area around the sting site.
  • Typically, you will see a swelling in the area that turns hot and red.
  • If a stinger is left behind, then you must remove the stinger. You can use a tweezer; or you can buy a venom remover at the pharmacy, which has to be used immediately to be effective.
  • There is no miracle remedy that cures a sting right away, but you can help your dog to be more comfortable.
  • Apply a cold compress on the area. The cold will relieve the pain immediately and bring down the swelling.
  • Rub the area with some ointment to calm the skin. You can use baby zinc ointment, or aloe vera – Kovaline – or Eight-hour-creme.
  • If you don’t have any ointment or creme, you can use honey. Honey gives a calming effect on the skin.
  • If you have any “Post mosquito crème,” then it can be used on the dog as well.
  • Make sure the dog doesn’t lick the sting. If the dog starts licking the snout, then a small injury can enlarge due to the licking.
  • Distract the dog with a walk or a chewing bone so the distress will minimize without further damage.
  • If the sting is in the paw, you can wash the paw in soap water and put a sock on the paw.
  • In case the dog swallows a wasp or bee, often nothing will happen. The insect will die on the way down to the stomach, and therefore won’t be able to actively pass on its venom. 

What if an allergic reaction happens?

In some cases, the dog may get a definite allergic reaction as a result of the sting. This is the most feared scenario for most dog owners. If the sting is in the head or mouth, then you have to monitor your dog.

If the skin of the dog starts to swell up with severe itching, then you must immediately see your vet. Severe swelling can block the airway. You can give the dog an antihistamine for humans. Still, it won’t save you a trip to your vet if your dog gets or has had a reaction to a sting in the past. You can get medicine so you are prepared for the next time.

Usually there is no need to see your vet with a sting on the body since the discomfort disappears quickly. When in doubt, ALWAYS contact your vet.

Calm down!

There is no reason to worry about bees and wasps, just use your common sense.

Don’t let the dog put its snout into fruit which has fallen on the ground, which typically attracts wasps.

If the dog finds it exciting to watch the flying insects and tries to catch them, then distract the dog and get the dog interested in something else.

Wasps and bees call out for their friends if one is threatened. Then the dog can get a real knock out and the insects get the “last word”!

“Be careful” but do not panic in case the dog gets an insect sting.

Hopefully my words here have answered most of your concerns so the summer can be enjoyed without needless worry.

Læs den danske version her!

Are snacks from China the reason for death among our pets?

There is currently a fierce debate about whether or not chicken snacks made in China are the cause of death amongst our dogs.

Fact Check:  There has not yet been identified any substance in these products that has been correlated to mortality in animals.

The problem must be viewed from a different angle.

Everything in moderation“.

The snacks are very popular because they are very tasty. As such, many people like to feed them to their dogs.

The snacks also have a high protein content. However, you can harm the body if you eat too much protein. Excessive protein intake can over burden the kidneys and in the worst case lead to organ failure.

Particularly small dog breeds are at risk.

Small dogs are often a bit picky when it comes to food and often don’t eat that much. If you are given get a couple of these treats each time and given them several times during the day, it can easily decrease the dog’s appetite and take interest from the dog’s regular diet as they feel full.

In this way the dog gets its energy mainly from protein. If protein becomes the dog’s primary food intake, in the worst case scenario, this can cause damage to the body.

Therefore, one must always be careful to ensure that the dog has a varied diet.

Denmark is a very regulated country.

Our snack suppliers all live up to the requirements that ensure consumers have access to a safe product.

Requirements are imposed on the raw materials, the production and testing of the products. The procedures that must be carried out are both complex and comprehensive in order to meet both national and international standards.

The procedures ensure that we as consumers can safely use the products.

However, there is no legislation that can stop people from giving their dogs too many snacks.

We cannot legislate on common sense.

Treat your dog with care and use snacks with moderation ?

 

 

For dansk version klik her!

Cluck – the hen

Last weekend a message popped up, which made me rush to the vet clinic faster than the speed of sound. The sweetest hen, Cluck was  in trouble. A fox had been so cheeky to catch it, but thanks to a observant owner, the fox was caught in the moment of the crime and the poor hen was safe for now.

The hen was a highly valued member of the family along with its 3 comrades, so if the hen was not too seriously injured, then it should have the chance – assuming it should not undergo unnecessary suffering.

The hen was safely brought to the clinic in a large cardboard box, where we started by taking a glance at the damages.

A hen is undeniably covered with feathers. If we were to inspect the hen probably, some of the feathers had to go. A significant amount had fallen in the heat of the battle, but blood made it difficult to assess the severity of the damage.

The feathers were gently removed and the blood wiped off.

The grim jaws of the fox had been around the neck of the hen and had left several open wounds. Fortunately, they were not particularly deep into the muscles. The hen proudly kept her beak up and had great movement of the neck and head.

We assessed for now that the hen would make it.

Everyone was concerned that the great ravages of the fox had been so severe that we had to kill the hen right away.

Surgery!

Some of the wounds were so deep, they had to be closed with a few stitches. Little local anesthetic was laid and with the owner’s safe hand as loving support for the hen, the bird was sewn together in 3 places and groomed for recovery at home.

The next few days Cluck must have peace, tranquility and warmth. She must have medications that are given with a small pipette in the mouth. In the event of loss of appetite, which is naturally taken into account, she must be fed with “Powerfood” with a small syringe.

No one can predict the outcome. But for now we are cheering on Cluck and believe she is gonna make it.

 The bigger picture!

If we look at the whole situation from above:  Most of us associate chickens with the chicken fillets from the refrigerated counter. More families today, however, keep hens in the garden for the enjoyment of all. The hens live as members of the family a lovely free life with space, care and good food.

Unfortunately, such a life is not the reality of the country’s many slaughter chickens that end their lives for human consumption.

There is no doubt that the hen is not given enough credit for being a living creature with intelligence and emotion. Cluck was clearly conscious throughout the séance. Feelings like fear, pain and security are part of the hen’s reality.

When I think about the conditions which the chickens are living under , it hurts all the way into my soul.

The meeting with Cluck at the clinic gives the reflection: When we recognise the soul and consciousness of animals, we must do better for the animals all the way around!

Tuesday the 20th. February!

This afternoon, a long-awaited message came:

The announcement that Cluck is doing well!

Our hen has overcome the brutal attack of the fox!

The large open wounds that were sewn together a Saturday morning, heals!

Cluck thrives!

It’s a nice reminder: Yes, it’s good to fight for life!

Some may have thought it would have ended with another chicken filet?

I’m glad we followed our intuition and gave Cluck a chance.

The advice that will save your dogs life!

What do I do, if my dog eats a bone from a fish or a piece of glass?

The dog owner will most likely see it happen and it is too late: the dog has eaten its catch!

What do you do?

Give the dogs some canned asparagus. Those who are white coloured and slippery.

The asparagus will wrap them self around the object in the stomach.

Thereby the stomach and intestines are projected, and won’t be damaged by the foreign object.

The foreign object will pass through the digestive system without damaging the dog.

Always visit the vets if your dog is not well!

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Is your pet suffering from allergies?

 Think holistic and help them to a better life!

 Many pets suffer from allergies. Get an overview on what you can do for your animal, if they battle with allergy! 

What is allergy?

Allergy is the body’s immune system response to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless.

The animal must have been exposed to an allergen a certain number of times before symptoms appear. Many pets are allergic to things they breathe in through the air. Animals typically, react to different pollen and house dust.

What are the symptoms of allergy?

Symptoms of allergy may occur in many disguises: itching, recurrent ear problems and repeated skin infections.

The veterinarian can do a blood sample to be examined for substances your animal may be allergic to (allergy test). Your veterinarian will be able to guide you, on which treatment needs to be initiated.

How do you treat allergies?

It might be necessary to give medication to an animal with allergies. Medication is a symptomatic treatment. It can give a “relieve” here and now – but of course does not cure the cause of the problem!

Allergy might not be completely cured. There is however a lot you can do, to help your animal to a better life.

You can have your pet vaccinated against the (substances/allergens) which is the cause of the allergy (hyposensibilisation) and build up the animal’s tolerance to allergens, which in the long run makes life more tolerable.

Keep in mind – it is NOT a “quick-fix solution”.

Battling on several fronts!

There are many things you can do to strengthen your pets immune system.

Think holistic and see the big picture: the better the immune system works and the healthier the skin is, the stronger we stand in the fight against allergy.

The body can be strengthened both inside and out.

Give the animals a dietary supplement with essential fatty acids. Over 80% of all animals with allergies will benefit from getting an extra supply of essential fatty acids.

You can get food fatty acids added, but it’s also available as a supplement to the food.

There are some new supplements that contain biotin, fatty acids and a substance called PEA. The latter can be freely described as a natural antihistamine which also helps reduce the symptoms of allergy.

Do you have a pet that can’t tolerate house dust and or pollen?

Some dogs benefit from having a bath, but not all animals enjoy the water and soap. There is an alternative to a bath!

Take a damp towel and wipe it over the animal – both on the body, head, legs and paws. This way you remove dust and pollen from the fur that can cause irritation. Think about how a car looks on summer day when there’s pollen in the air!

Use a spray to strengthen the skin. Many shampoos and conditioners are made especially to the coat! Remember when we battle allergy we need to focus on the skin.

Talk to your vet about which spray is the right choice for your animal.

Some animals benefit from a very simple solution: take a little almond or argon oil in your hand and gentle rub it into the skin.

Remember to keep your home clean; dog baskets, blankets etc. collect a lot of dust and must therefore be washed regularly. Wash your fabrics once a week at 60 degrees.

Change the bedding frequently and air out the bedroom. If your pet sleeps in the bed, give it a thorough cleaning!

Does your dog frequently ride along in the car? Cars collect huge amounts of dirt and also need to be cleaned – alternatively place a blanket where the dog lies in the car. The blanket is easy to take out of the car and wash!

A steam cleaner is a great tool for your daily cleaning of the home and the car!

Want to go a step further in battling allergies? You can purchase an air purifier for the home that cleans the air from pollen.

If you have a pet suffering with symptoms of allergy, you can try to changing its feed. There are many different allergy diets, each with their own focus area. Consult your vet in choosing the right feed for your pet.

The new feed must be administered for at least 2 months before assessing whether the animal has fewer signs of allergy.

Think holistic!

Good health is connected to both the mind and body.

How is your everyday life with your pet?

If your pet is living a “stressed” life, you might find it beneficially to look at the animal’s psyche.

Stress affects the health of the animal. The word “stress” can cover many things however the effect of stress is the same regardless of the reason.

If your animal is stressed, the body will store stress hormones (cortisol) that destroys the immune system and has a lot of devastating effects on the body – it will make the animal more prone to all diseases and is a predisposing factor for allergies!

If in doubt concerning your pets’ daily wellbeing please contact one of the country’s many skilled dog trainers.

The trainer will be able to help you read your dog’s language and signals, and thereby increase the animal’s wellbeing.

The more balanced your pet is, the better the body will provide for them and make them healthier in every way!

You can also begin the studies about the language of animals on your own.

It’s our responsibility to learn the language of animals. This way we can make the necessary changes in their lives that will benefit their health!

Allergy is a complex diagnosis. If we consider all aspects, there is a lot we can do to help our animals live a better and healthier life.

 

Take good care of your ageing dog!

I have a lot of clients coming to me with their ageing dogs! People are concerned. 

The dog doesn’t seem like itself and the owner wonders if the dog might be ill. It appears tired and not as enthusiastic in its greeting the owner when they come home and the energy isn’t what it has been.

Presented with these symptoms as a veterinarian, the dog is thoroughly examined and often bloodwork is done to rule out serious illnesses such as heart- and lungworm.

Luckily most of this week’s examinations have come up negative.

This leads us to another issue:

 We need to learn that our animals also ages.

An older dog IS NOT able to do the same things as a younger dog.

Growing older is not an illness but it does require more of us as owners in the way we interact with our beloved dogs.

To me, an older dog is amazing.

As charming as a pup can be, just as wonderful are dog which have lived a full life and have settled down in its surroundings with people and other animals. You can see the changes in the dog’s appearance e.g. pigmentation change around the nose and they tend to walk slower which marks a good life.

Many are raised with the fact that exercise is good and a lot of exercise is REALLY good and we LOVE to take walks.

I’m often told by dog owners, that they have been around the park three times and are running 10 km with their dogs.

When a dog reaches a certain age it won’t be able to continue on the same long walks as before. This is completely natural. If the walks are too long you will experience your dog becoming fatigued and less enthusiastic.

Have you for a long period been walking along without taking the dog’s age and energy into consideration?

Then it’s time to change the routine, before you are forced to by your veterinarian 😉

Shorten the walks – shorter than you might think.

Walk SLOWLY and plan ahead. In return you’ll get a mindfulness walk which will allow your dog the best conditions for sniffing its surroundings.

The dog’s nose is its most valuable tool for achieving a good walk and is especially import with older dogs.

By stimulating the dog through its nose it will have just as much benefit of a short walk as it would a long walk.

Bring along a long leash and sit down while your dog gets to sniff the surroundings around you. If your dog isn’t used to this type of walk it might take some time getting used to it – so be PATIENT.

When we’re “on the move” it is not for the dogs benefit – but our own!

It is fairly easy to give your dog a wonderful retirement on its own terms.

Contact your veterinarian if you need help finding the right amount for exercise for your dog.

It is always a good idea to give your dog a senior checkup. The results are used to evaluate the dog’s daily intake of food and level of exercise. This way we can give the dogs the best life possible!

Perhaps slowing down the pace in our daily life is also something we can benefit from.