Ask the Vet…

by Dr. Judith Herman

Kellie T. asked about her bulldog Darah. “Is she ok? Lots of days she seems just not herself.” Well, this is interesting…. She is totally fine, but she’s talking with all your guides on the other side. You are doing a good job of checking in with how YOU are doing on this journey and making shifts to be the best version of yourself possible. That is awesome, but there are times when we have to kind of simply “be” until the next opportunity or shift happens. This is when she’s intently listening and chatting with them. Yup, sounds weird, but it’s actually pretty amazing! So, tell her your hopes and environment for these pups too. weeks. At three to four weeks, pups start to develop control of their urination and bowel movements. If set up correctly, these pups learn to leave their sleeping area and go to their potty area to eliminate.

Cynthia L. asked about Hank, her light brown terrier mix. “I want to know if his pain is being controlled on the current meds or do we need to try something else? And of course, is he happy?” Hank is such a sweet boy! Yes, his pain feels controlled, but he also feels like he’s on a pretty high dose, and he may not need all of it. If he takes it on an empty stomach, he’s loopy, so I’d have a chat with the vet to dial in the perfect amount. He likes to be more present than stoned. And he’s super happy, but you have so much going on in your life and you don’t know how to ask for help, so he’s worried about you burning out. Reach out to friends and have some silly down time. He’d like to be a part of it because in his words, he’s a social butterfly!

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A word of caution. There are people who sell or give away puppies at 5 weeks. Do not get one of these puppies. These pups miss out on the social skills they would learn from their littermates and mother.

From four to twelve weeks, puppies are ready to be socialized. This means they start meeting gentle people with quiet interactions. They have new experiences such as different sounds, places around the house, and safe places outside. Once your puppy is home, socialization means experiencing the house under supervision. Visitors can come in small groups as quiet gatherings. Keep these puppy parties short.

Consult your veterinarian on what to feed. Research has shown that fat puppies develop joint problems when they are older. Keep this in mind when you are feeding your pup. The puppy shouldn’t be skinny or fat.

Once the puppy is home, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. You want to take a poop sample with you to check for intestinal worms. The puppy can get worms from mom before he is born. Your veterinarian will discuss a vaccine schedule for your puppy and other preventative medications.

After 4 weeks, things start getting messy. Mom isn’t cleaning up after the pups and feeding them that often. Instead, the breeder’s work has just skyrocketed; the breeder is doing the cleaning up after the pups when they eat and potty. The breeder is creating a safe stimulating

Potty training takes time. The puppy is still growing and developing his muscles and nerves to control his pee and poo. You have to be helpful here and take him out after he eats, drinks, wakes up, and has played. It is helpful to put together a schedule. If possible, take him to his potty area outside on leash every two hours or so.

The breeder will send the puppy home with food he is used to eating. Continue with that food through the adjustment period of a few weeks, then slowly change the puppy over to the food you want to feed.

The other important step is to sign your pup up for puppy kindergarten. This starts at eight weeks and goes on until sixteen weeks. You may want to enroll in this as soon as you know you are getting a puppy. The good ones fill fast. The trainer will be an excellent source of information to help you navigate through puppyhood into adolescence.

Next month we’ll discuss adolescence..

Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, Maine www.mainehomeopahticvet.com

or a tick spoon/key to remove it (including the head)from the skin. (Know that there is a brand that takes care of heartworm, flea and tick preventatives in a single monthly chew. Most vets will sell a monthly dose for the budget minded.)

July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month. Many of us are conscientious about drinking fluids and keep a large bottle filled for quick drinks. Our pets deserve the same and rely on us to continually fill their bowls to keep their bodies hydrated. (Ever watch them gulp down an entire bowl of the good stuff after a brisk walk?) And don’t neglect to bring along plenty of H2O when out and about to prevent his fatigue and overheating.

Speaking of overheating, another related concern is heatstroke, which can be deadly. When a dog’s internal body temperature is above 105 Fahrenheit (F), he may be suffering from heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, weakness, rapid breathing, vomiting, dry or pale gums, and drooling. Rinse or bathe him with cool water, apply a cold pack to his head, and call your vet immediately.

Heatstroke can be caused in many ways. The deadliest, and easiest to avoid, is my #1 car rule—never leave him in the car, even with the windows down. It takes only minutes in a vehicle on a warm day for suffocation or heatstroke to occur. Even when temps are only in the 60’s, vehicles can reach the danger zone.

The temperature of pavement, sand, or paths heat quickly and can raise the internal temperature. Remember to kick off your shoes to gauge the ground temp. I neglected to check the path on a hot summer day and one of our dogs sat and refused to budge (he gave me a dirty look, too). We moved to a grass path, and we were able to motor on.

To exercise his legs, take walks during cooler daytime or evening hours. Only allow him outside for short periods, and make sure he has access to a shaded area. If your yard doesn’t have a cool, sunless spot, consider purchasing a large umbrella or hang a fabric shade sail between wood posts. And if you’re having a BBQ and he’s on the guest list, make sure well-meaning friends don’t sneak him foods and treats that could choke, like corn on the cob.

To prevent needless pain, apply non-toxic, waterproof sunblock. He can sunburn, too, especially if he’s groomed with a “puppy cut.” (Banx is sporting one now to keep him cooler, so he definitely needs sunscreen.) Breeds with fair skin, and short or thin fur have an increased risk. There are sun shirts that will protect his skin, and if he likes to wear a visor and goggles, great. If he does burn, give him an oatmeal bath for relief and check in with your vet right away.

National Lost Pet Prevention is observed this month. Frightening fireworks are a big reason pets run off. Our vet recommended the anxiety vest, ThunderShirt®, for one of ours. The vet suggested using it in conjunction with children’s cherry Benadryl to calm. (Always check

PREVENTION: Leptospirosis

the label to make sure it does NOT contain xylitol or alcohol!) We’re aware of area firework nights, so we get home prior to them, turn up the TV, and shut the curtains. For other tips on pet prevention and safe spaces, see page 7.

If you and your canine enjoy boating or kayaking, life jackets should be the norm. If he likes to swim, allow in shallower water, always with that vest on. Don’t let him drink ocean or lake water; the salt in the former can cause dehydration, and the latter may have germs and Cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria, blue-green algae, are in a few of Maine’s lakes and ponds. Their dense growths can result in algal blooms, especially during warm weather. They may turn the water green, blue-green or brownishgreen, and are technically bacteria. Avoid this green discolored water because these toxins cause liver and nerve damage, gastrointestinal symptoms, and skin irritations. Know the pond/lakes with risk levels and avoid for you and your pet’s safety: maine.gov/dep/water/lakes/ bloomriskmap.html.

Other hazards to be on the alert for are skunks and porcupines, whether in your yard or on hikes. Some curious canines chase and catch porcupines, or if they’re attacked in retaliation the quills can become embedded in the pet’s skin. This means a vet trip immediately. Skunks are a smelly nuisance. If one sprays your dog and you’ve checked for injuries, scratches, or bites (skunks carry rabies), there is a three-ingredient dish soap remedy that may eliminate the smell per Don Hanson’s Green Acres Kennel

Shop blog. (Get the recipe at blog. greenacreskennel.com/2015/05/05/ help-my-dogs-been-skunked-phew/.)

Save the Dates

3rd annual Bark + Brew in the Barn is on Saturday, July 8th, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Harmony Hill Farm in Warren. This benefits the Pope Memorial Humane Society. The 21+ event with live music, food trucks, and more, is billed to be the party of the summer. popehumane.org/ events/3rd-annual-bark-brew-in-thebarn/.

Attend SPCA of Hancock County’s Wine & Whiskers at the beautiful Bar Harbor Club on Tuesday, July 18th at 5:30 pm. Delicious food, a cash bar, live music, and auctions. For ticket info and details, spcahancockcounty. org/events/wine-and-whiskers/.

The Animal Welfare Society is hosting their annual Woofstock on July 29th, from 11 am to 3 pm. The free, family and dog-friendly festival is held on their grounds at 46 Holland Road in Kennebunk. There will be live music, beer, food, and plenty of fun. animalwelfaresociety.org/newsevents/woofstock/

Head to Bark in the Park at the Portland Sea Dogs baseball game, Wednesday, July 19th at 6:00 pm. Expect a pregame doggie parade, special seating area, and use of a private entrance (gates open at 4:30 PM). There are more dates throughout the summer. To see them and all the outing details, go to milb. com/portland/events/bark-in-thepark.

Wherever you live, even in the Northeast United States, it is worth asking your veterinarian whether your dog should get an annual vaccination against Leptospirosis. The topic may not come up during wellness exams since it is not considered a core vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Remember to ask!

If your veterinarian thinks a Lepto shot for your dog is a good idea, strongly consider it!!!

Growing OUT of or INTO?

Growing Pains Can Hurt... Seriously Hurt!

"Nobody wants to be around my parents' dogs. They jump on people, body slam and bite at us, and are very unpleasant to spend time with. My kids are terrified of them. We avoid visiting my parents because of their dogs.”

How sad is that?

They thought their dogs would “grow out of” their puppy behaviors of jumping, demand barking, countersurfing, mouthing, and even play biting. The dogs had no malicious intentions; they were typical puppies when acquired. So, what happened?

We might assume, if we wait until our boisterous, unruly but small, and adorable puppies mature into adolescents and finally adults, those annoying behaviors will magically vanish into the past along with Rollie Pollie Puppyhood. “Oh, he’ll grow out of it.” Yes, those needle-sharp teeth will be replaced by larger, smoother, adult teeth, but if he learned as a puppy that human flesh was fun to connect with, it doesn’t matter what his teeth are like, he will use them. Plus, he now has much stronger force in that bite and can inflict substantial damage, both to property and to those around him, even if there’s no actual