One of my Mom’s favorite books is “To Kill A Mockingbird”. We have seen that movie so many times that Tax and I could play the major characters in a dog production of the book.

What does that have to do with rabies?

This is how my mom first learned about rabies. In chapter 10 of the book, Atticus is summoned home to deal with a “mad dog”. Atticus is given a rifle by the sheriff and shoots the animal, killing the dog with his first shot.  That is how they dealt with rabies back in the day, and that is how they deal with rabid animals today.

One day last week, a man got out of his car at a repair shop in Tyrone, Georgia. His greeting was less than hospitable.

A fox attacked him. The man fought back giving the fox a hard kick in the ribs. The hard kick had no affect on the fox. He simply rolled over and resumed the attack. The man later stated that he knew the fox was rabid from 30 feet away. The man tried to spook the fox, but the fox did not back off.  The fox bit the man on the arm.

Unfortunately, tests prove that the fox was rabid and now the man must undergo a series of shots to save his own life.

The fox moved on to the next door neighbors’. Gordon Sweet was trying to keep the fox contained in some wooden crates, but the fox bolted out and kept on attacking despite the fact that it was being sprayed with a fire extinguisher.  At last, a Tyrone police officer arrived to deal with the fox in the same manner used by Atticus Finch and now there are two men that must undergo those shots.

Shooting a fox is one thing. But what if you had to shoot the family dog?

Rabies is a disease that causes encephalitis in warm-blooded animals. The disease is transmitted by animals most commonly through a bite. If you are bitten by a rabid animal and you do not take the shots, you will die! The incubation period of rabies in humans is usually a few months, depending on where the bite is located in relation to the central nervous system.

97% of rabies cases are from the bite of a dog. Here in the US, animal control facilities have effectively eliminated rabies in domesticated animals through vaccinations.  The United Kingdom, Australia and Japan have eradicated rabies entirely in animals that live on the ground.  This is a serious problem and it gets worse every year in the US.

Getting your dog a vaccine to protect him and you from rabies is not an option! In fact, in most places it is against the law for a domesticated animal to remain un-vaccinated.

Today, there are some choices about how often your dog must have the injection. There are one and three year vaccines. Talk to your vet about the options most appropriate for your needs.

And yes, I do know the story of Old Yeller. I have elected not to mention this here because it always makes me very sad!

Call the vet, TODAY!

A friend of Mom’s called today for some advice. She acquired an eight month old male dog for Christmas. Lately, he has been showing some disturbing behaviors, as it was explained to Mom. It seems that on their walks, he goes up to an object, licks it and his teeth begin to chatter, followed by some foaming around his mouth.

Mom’s friend was convinced that somehow her dog had gotten into some poison. But this was not the case at all!

Us dogs have a Vomeronasal Organ, also called “Jacobson’s Organ”. It is located at the base of the nasal cavity. We are not the only creatures to possess this organ. Snakes, turtles, elephants and many other species also have the Jacobson’s organ. In fact, you have one, too! Unfortunately for humans, the functionality of the organ goes kaput during early development.  Oh, hamburgers, are you guys missing out!!

The organ’s primary function is to detect pheromones that carry information between individuals of the same species. It is kind of like a “sixth sense”. Or remember back when people read newspapers? Well, it’s like that, only slightly more sophisticated.

A girl dog may be out for a walk and decide to leave her “calling card” (also known as urine). This card is “read” by a boy dog. He begins by intently smelling the area and then tonguing, which means that the tongue is rapidly and repeatedly pushed up against the roof of his mouth. It is kind of like he is taking the odors off of the tongue and forcing them into the olfactory receptors. The “messages” are then sent to the hypothalamus. This is where he contemplates his sexual or social behaviors. (This is how us dogs are able to distinguish and recognize other animals and people.) During the tonguing process, many may have profuse foaming of the mouth and a chattering of the teeth may occur.

In a dog, sniffing is not the same as breathing. We sniff through a series of rapid, short inhalations and exhalations. You may notice us sniffing before the tonguing begins. Some of us dogs will sniff the air. Tax does this a lot (he’s really into smells). He holds his head back and sniffs while he moves his head back and forth. He is simply trying to locate the source of something he finds interesting. He is depending on scent particles roaming through the air getting caught on his wet nose. He can then determine the location of where the particles came from. Sometimes he begins foaming at the mouth and his teeth chatter. If you didn’t know better, you would swear that he was freezing to death!

So, don’t get so excited if you dog shows this kind of behavior. Also, do not discourage your dog from sniffing and smelling while he is on a walk. He’s gathering important information!

I had to talk to my Mom about this one. Basically all I know is that I do not have to live outside in any kind of weather!

Mom said that many years ago humans discovered they needed to take shelter because it was either cold, or raining, or too uncomfortable to live outside, so they moved into caves. If you could not locate a cave for shelter, they figured out that they could use trees and rocks to build one. They also began to figure out that some wolves could be tamed and live among the humans peaceably.

When they decided to take this route, they brought along the trusty and loyal family pet.

Through the years as they (and canines) evolved, they began to make bigger more sophisticated shelters and once again, they brought us dogs into the shelter.

Humans began to lose their body hair. They did not need it anymore, because it’s warm inside. Humans took us with them and made us a part of their world, doing away with some of the ex-wolves’ normal lifestyles. Though we were once great at adapting to elements, we changed our behavior patterns, the same as you.

This does not in any way mean that all dogs want to live in the house and sleep in a king-sized bed, like me!!

My Mom knows this man named Bill Borden. A few years back he decided to do the Iditarod. That is a race where a team of dogs pull a man on a sled over hundreds of miles, enduring very harsh conditions. Mom asked Bill if the dogs had any desire to come inside when the conditions were too extreme. Bill explained that these dogs burrow into the snow, making a little den and creating a warm environment for them to stay until it’s time for them to continue the race. They awake the next morning arising from the den and shaking the snow off of their bodies. Quite a sight to behold, I am told. It’s also kinda weird if you ask a dog like me! Those dogs, however, have a very special kind of hair that I do not have. They stay a whole lot warmer!

A dog is a big responsibility. The commitment should be the same that you would make to a child. Yes, we are animals, but we are domesticated!  How cold is too cold?  When you go outside, you must ask yourself, “Is it too cold for my little buddy? Would I stay out here all day without a coat?”

If not, then it is time to bring her inside! If you can’t do it, do not get a dog!

Mom says maybe in a few hundred years, man will have domesticated cows. Tax can’t wait!!

Lately, I’m getting a lot of questions about crying pups, possible depression, and what their families can do to help their pups.  The symptoms described are usually the same.  I hear things like, “He cries when I put him in the crate,” “She is always following me around, seeking constant attention,”  ”He seems miserable when I leave,” and/or “She is so destructive when I leave her alone.”

Us dogs have several good reasons for doing this. The first and most common reason is we like attention.  When you comfort us after we signal our dismay, that tells us that not only will our behavior be tolerated, but you REWARD us for it.  This is an awful idea.  When you give us attention, it is oh-so-enjoyable….  We feel it’s our duty to keep you happy, and we know you’re happy when you’re returning the love.

Our attention-seeking behavior is not much different from how Mom describes human babies.  Apparently, they exhibit something similar.  They cry in their cribs, car seats, pak-n-plays, their rooms, the line at the grocery store, and anywhere else they feel like it, waiting for someone to come along, pick them up, and give them some attention.  When people do this for little humans, it reinforces their bad habit of crying.  We’re not much different.

Also, it’s important to know about your dog’s life before he or she came to live with you.  My human sister rescued Bitsy, a neglected Pomeranian, from a HORRIBLE living situation.  Before her rescue, she’d been left alone in a very small room for days at a time.  Alone.  For days.  After her adoption, the first six weeks were miserable, and they lost many hours of sleep to Bitsy’s constant crying.  Because of her past, she was a lonely dog, even though she had two new sisters, but she was also afraid her new human parents would not return, a product of her history of abandonment.  The only thing that built her confidence was when someone came back.  After some intense snuggle therapy during regular interactions (NOT as a reaction to the crying), and her parents always returning to see her, she’s a healthy and happy pup, living it up!

Lastly, you should consider their age and the likelihood of deteriorating joint health.  When we talked about what to expect from a westie, we discussed their inclination for pelvic joint problems.  Be on the lookout for limping, particularly in the colder months.  Your pet’s cries may actually be a signal to you about pain they experience.  If you’ve determined this is something affecting your pet, it may be a good idea to add a Glucosamine or Chondroitin supplement or to switch to a food which contains it, after consulting with your vet.  If you’re feeling those aches and pains, maybe you should talk to YOUR doctor about supplements too.

If your dog is ACTUALLY depressed, he or she will exhibit some physical symptoms of depression, which should accompany his crying.  Watch for signs of under or over-eating, general lethargy, excessive sleeping, unexplained weight gain or loss and sometimes irritability (yes, sometimes we get grumpy).  Noticing something listed here is an excellent indicator that it might be a good time to schedule an appointment with your vet to discuss your recent discoveries.  In the meantime, playful exercise and daytime walks, that aren’t about getting busyness done,  are good for curbing your pet’s depression.  Interactive toys, that give him or her a chance to spend quality time with the family, can also be helpful.

Unless your dog is showing signs of being sick or hurt, it’s best to ignore unfounded crying.  It will be hard to do at first, but every time you give into his crying, it reinforces the crying behavior, and later on, it could result in some possessive aggression.

Last week, I wrote an article for a paw-pal about his paw licking.  Today, I have something to add to it, but it is a little too detailed to be tacked on as an update.

“Hot spots” are acutely inflamed areas of skin irritation.  Ironically, something small like an allergic reaction to flea bites (flea allergy dermatitis) causes a dog to lick almost constantly in an attempt to “cool off” the area, which actually makes matters worse.

As a dog with both long hair AND a thick undercoat, the Pomeranian is especially susceptible to hot spots.

Hot spots, known medically as acute moist dermatitis, generally occur on long-haired dogs or short-haired ones with dense undercoats, like the Siberian Husky.  Hot spots usually occur along the side of the chest, over the hip, or the paws, all areas easily reached by a canine tongue.  They appear as circular lesions with moist, inflamed, raw and hairless characteristics.  They can become quite painful and expanding rapidly with constant attention from the dog.  One that originates as the size of a quarter can be eight inches in diameter within 6 hours.  A secondary staphylococcus infection is likely, breaking down the top layer of skin, causing pus to enter surrounding hair, matting it.

Hot spots are more common during the summer, since rising temperatures mean more time outside with more potential skin enemies for your pup.  If you find one of these “hot spots,” you should trim hair around your dog’s lesion.  This allows air to get to the inflamed tissue.  You should keep the area clean, using a water-based cleaner or Betadine, making sure you rinse away the cleaner after its application.

Mom uses a home remedy involving  Black Tea bags.  Apparently, black tea contains tannic acid, which helps to dry out the sores.  To use this remedy:

1. Soak a bag of Black Tea in hot water.
2. Remove the bag from the water, letting it cool to a temperature comfortable to the touch.
3. Place the tea bag directly on the hot spot for about 5 minutes.

You can repeat this application several times per day.  If you do not have any black tea handy, you can also dry out the sores with Witch Hazel.  Do not let your dog suffer with this.  If you do not see any improvement within 2 days, take him or her to the vet, where they may prescribe some oral corticosteroids and a topical antibiotic to tackle the hot spot.

A “cousin” of the hot spots, acral lick granulomas occur similarly to hot spots, but they typically appear on the “wrist” or “ankle” solely due to the incessant licking by the afflicted dog.  This occurs likely to a compulsive desire on the part of the dog to lick the area without any physical stimulus.

My brother, Tax, has been licking and scratching a spot all day, so I suspect that tea bag Mom just had is not for a gallon of sweet tea!

This is the final part of a three-part series about worms.  You can find Part One here, a discussion of tapeworms and hookworms, and Part Two here, a discussion of whipworms and roundworms.

Even though I am a very smart dog, I learn new things everyday.   Today, I learned that heartworms, once thought to be exclusive to canines, now affect felines as well.  Cats always try to copy everything we do, but I bet this is something they wish stayed exclusive to dogs.  If you have a cat, please talk to your vet about their heartworms.  I know nothing about the disorders of cats, except their general disability of not being a dog.

Vets rarely diagnose puppies under one year of age with heartworms, but they are still susceptible.  In fact, it can take up to 7 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms.  Most heartworm positive dogs will not show any physical signs for up to 2 years.

Heartworms are quite preventable.  That is why I am saddened by every case of heartworm infestation I come across.  We do not have to get heartworms.  They spread via female mosquitoes.  When they bite an infected dog, they ingest microfilariae.  The microfilariae develop in the mosquito, eventually moving to its mouth.  Once there, the microfilariae are referred to as infected larvae.  When a carrying mosquito bites their next canine victim, the microfilariae enter the dog, growing into adulthood.  Once fully grown, they enter the blood stream and move toward the heart.  There, they will complete the life cycle, reproducing  within the heart.  The adult heartworms  then clog the heart and major blood vessels leading from it, diminishing the blood supply to major organs.  This causes the organs to weaken and malfunction.

Heartworm positive dogs show signs of their condition with a shortness of breath, general weakness, a soft, dry chronic cough, nervousness, and a dramatic decrease in stamina.  They are most noticeable after any type of exertion.

It is not recommended that you start your dog on a preventative without a negative test for their presence.  Once a negative result comes, your vet will prescribe a heartworm preventative product.  However, if the test is positive, heartworm treatment is the typical course of action.  To give you an idea of what the treatment is like, imagine having a short burst of chemotherapy.  When a dog receives treatment, it is very important that he be kept at a low level of excitability, receiving plenty of rest during his weeks of recovery.

The arsenic-based drugs that the dog receives kills the adult worms within a few days.  As the worms begin decompose, the flowing blood carries them to the lungs.  The decomposing worms break up, and the body absorbs them, expelling them through their wastes.  Severe cases may develop a cough 7 to 8 weeks after treatment, as the worms are expelled through the lungs.  One month after the initial treatment, a dog receives a treatment to kill the microfilariae.  After a week, the heartworm test is repeated.  If positive, the dog may have to undergo another series of treatment.  A negative result means a few weeks of rest and the commencement of a preventative.

As you can tell, the treatment is very rough on dogs.  The best thing is preventing the heartworms.  Your vet will prescribe the preventative medication, and it is not available for purchase without a prescription.  Some people believe that over the counter wormers also work for heartworms.  They do not, and neither do the popular flea preventatives.  You dog must stay on the preventative his entire life, as dogs previously undergoing treatment can become positive again.

Since mosquitoes carry it, dogs that are outside are most at risk.  You may be aware  of my feelings on dogs living in the yard.  In case you do not, I think it is wrong.  We belong in the house, with you, happily avoiding heartworms.  If you simply MUST leave your dog outside, please get him tested and on a preventative ASAP!

After a trip to the veterinarian, a Twitter paw-pal (who also goes by Spike) asked me about the behavioral reasons behind licking his paws.  The vet found no physical reason for it and suggested that it is psychological.  Since this is something that was worrisome enough to warrant a trip to the vet, I thought I would do my best here to help.

Photo by lastgunslinger on Flickr

There can be a number of reasons why your dog feels the need to lick his paws.  For some reason, paw licking seems to upset our humans.  As long as we do not lick them raw, do not worry about it!  Humans bite their fingernails, and you do not see us correcting them!  After all, animals across many species lick their paws for a variety of reasons.

Certain breeds, such as Dobermans, Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Weimaraners and Irish Setters seem to be more prone to licking their paws.

Seriously though, paw licking could be the result of a physical or medical condition.  Since we are dogs, the most obvious thing to look for is fleas.  If a flea bites our paw, we are going to scratch and lick at it until the sting from that bite goes away.  I think we covered the flea thing pretty well here.  It could also be a fungal infection.  For this, you need to go to the vet and let them do some tests.  They may do a skin scraping to rule out any medical conditions.  It may be something as simple as an allergy.  The vets know that if your condition responds to treatments with corticosteroids it is an allergy.  While you are at the vet, it may be a good idea for them to check your thyroid as well.  Also, do some research on the type of food that your dog eats, as it can just be an allergy to something in your food.

If the paw licking is something that started recently, it is a good idea to thoroughly check the paw area to rule out anything being stuck in the paw, on top, in the pad, and in the webbing between the toes.  As a dog ages, he tends to do this a lot because he has some pain in the bones and joints.

Obsessive compulsive disorders will not respond to any sort of treatment.  Since there are not dog therapists to discuss disorders such as this and only a handful of drugs reserved for the most severe cases, an “OCD dog” will probably not be treated merely for licking his paws obsessively, unless it manifests into a physical issue.  Often, boredom is cited as the cause for paw licking.  When dogs are left alone a lot, they learn to pass their alone time by licking at something on their body.  There are many activities you can create for your pup, if they are alone a lot.  Psychological stressors such as moving, a new addition to the household or other dogs invading the outside territory can trigger a paw licking event.  If the problem turns out to be behavioral, it may take some time to correct.  Tell your human to be patient and remind them that it is like trying to quit smoking!

Get your human to buy some Apple Cider Vinegar.  They need to mix one teaspoon of the vinegar into one cup of water to pour onto the skin of the paws.  This will help to regulate the pH in the skin, as well as serve as an antiseptic, preventing yeast or bacteria from growing into an infection.  Tell your human to be careful and not get the vinegar into sensitive areas like your eyes or butt, because it can really sting and is not good for either area.

Overall, I would not obsess over it, unless it becomes a physical problem beyond your control.

This is part two of a three-part series about worms.  You can find Part One here, a discussion of tapeworms and hookworms.

Whipworms

Whipworms are intestinal parasites that are an inch or two long.  They live in the large intestine, causing severe irritation to the lining of it.  A dog with a whipworm infestation may suffer with watery, bloody diarrhea and weight loss.  Whipworms pass their eggs in the dog’s stool, and they can remain viable in the dogs environment for years.  Within 10 to 60 days, they mature and are able to reinfect the dog.

Veterinarians diagnose a whipworm infestation upon finding eggs in a microscopic examination of stool.  Often, it can take several stool samples before a confirmed diagnosis, because whipworms pass a small numbers of eggs on an irregular basis.  If affected by chronic diarrhea, whipworms are often the culprit.  Unlike most worms, it is an accepted practice to treat for whipworms based on the assumption of infection.  A positive response to treatment is in a confirmation that whipworms WERE present.  There are several drugs deemed effective treatments for whipworms.  Dogs require two treatments at 3 to 4 weeks intervals.  Vets also advise that you should re-treat again three or four months later.  As a preventative, I suggest using a heartworm preventative that also prevents whipworms.  It is VERY rare for a canine’s whipworms to infect a human.

Roundworms

Roundworms are “spaghetti-like worms” that can cause serious problems in humans, and they are typically found in children.  Roundworms are typically white, with a diameter of a spaghetti strand and about four inches long.

Often, Kittens and puppies host roundworms, because their larvae are small enough to pass through the placental blood supply.  A mother’s milk also passes roundworms to her offspring, if she is affected.  After birth, roundworms migrate to the intestines where they mature into adults and lay eggs.  Three week old kittens and puppies shed roundworm eggs in their waste.

As adults, roundworms do little damage, since they do not attach to the intestine wall like hookworms.  They wander around siphoning off nutrients ingested by the pet.  If their numbers get large enough, they block the intestines, causing constipation.  If worms make their way to the stomach, the dog expels them in vomit.  If they enter the liver or lungs, they can cause pneumonia or hepatits.  A dull hair coat, pot bellied, unthrifty appearance, poor weight maintenance, vomiting, coughing, intermittent diarrhea or constipation all signify a possible roundworm infestation.

Most over the counter wormer solutions kill roundworms residing in the intestine.  The problem lies with killing the juvenile worms that do not reside in the intestines.  Females to be bred require a worming prior to mating and three week intervals after whelping.  Puppies and kittens should be wormed twice, three weeks apart and checked three weeks later by fecal specimen.

Roundworm larvae can blind young children, and they infect children most often.  Their infestation is the result of a child coming in contact with a roundworm egg may be while playing in a sand box.  Children often put their hands in their mouths without washing them

Do not worry, I did not forget about heartworms.  That will be the subject of the third part of this series, published next Thursday.

I HATE worms, but I did a lot of studying about them for this.  During the research, I could not a single useful purpose.  You may have heard that cockroaches will survive nuclear armageddon.  I am placing a bet that worms will too.  Today, I am going to embark on a three-part series about these pests.

Tapeworms

If you have ever found a slimy, white segmented unknown substance stuck on your sofa or carpets, it is probably a tapeworm segment.  Aside from finding them as described above or in a dog’s feces and identifying them, most tapeworm infestations in dogs go unnoticed.  In some cases, you can hear a rumbling in your dog’s stomach.  This rumbling is usually a sign of cramping and gas.  Tapeworms live in the digestive tract, attached by its head to the intestinal wall of your pup.  Veterinarians usually check for them by examining for segments stuck around the anus or in the feces.

Over the counter medications do not affect tapeworms, but veterinarians will most likely prescribe Droncit, which may be necessary for up to 28 days for treatment.  This causes the worms to lose their protective layer and then they are digested and expelled through waste.  The best prevention of tapeworms is to control the fleas, as flea larvae eat the tapeworm eggs and are ingested when your dog licks to relieve the itching caused by the fleas.

In dogs, Tapeworms can grow to up to a foot in length.  They are passed from dog to dog and are rarely found in puppies under 12 weeks of age.  Tape worm infection can cause diarrhea and irritation of the anus.  The most common intermediate source of tapeworms are fleas.  If you see fleas on your dog, then tapeworms may be present in him.

Hookworms

Hookworms are a very common intestinal parasite, and very difficult to see without magnification.  They are usually about ½ inch in length and EXTREMELY thin.  Hookworms are “bloodsuckers,” and and infestation of three hundred adult worms can drain 10% of your pets blood in one day.

Hookworms are shaped like a tiny goblet with three sets of teeth.  The shape of their mouths make it very hard and resistant to collapse as they suck.  Hookworms grasp on to the inner surface of the small intestine, and then they pierce a blood vessel releasing an anti-coagulant substance that prevents the blood from clotting even if the worm relinquishes that spot.

Because the larvae are tiny enough to pass through the placental blood supply to the fetal lungs, it is possible for kittens and puppies to be born with hookworms.  Soon after birth, the juvenile worms are coughed up from the lungs and swallowed by the newborns.  They can also be passed through the mammary glands in the mother’s milk.  It is also possible for a hookworm larva to attach to a blade of grass, a piece of food or a water dish.  They are passed through to stomach and into the intestine, where they mature.  Once mature, they begin laying eggs, which are passed with the expelled feces.  The eggs begin to hatch within 12 to 18 hours, their most favorable conditions being warm, wet places.  The larvae reside in areas with the heaviest vegetation, so trimming the grass can help to keep their population down.

There is a very unique way that these worms can travel.  Remember those worms that hatch within 12 to 18 hours?  They can find their way into the moist soil and live for weeks without food.  These larvae have the ability to penetrate the skin of a dog or cat.  Due to thinner skin in their abdomens, your pet is especially vulnerable when they lie on the ground, exciting the larvae with their body heat.  It should also be noted that the larvae can also penetrate the skin of a human.

Signs of a hookworm infestation may include, diarrhea, dark black diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, weakness, emaciation, poor growth.  Anemia due to blood loss can become so severe that it leads to death.  Most veterinarians will tell you to get an oral wormer that contains pyrantel pamoate.  These wormers are generally well tolerated by pets.  If you are breeding, it is best to worm the female before breeding and again 3, 4 and 9 weeks after whelping.  Most vets suggest that puppies and kittens be wormed twice, three weeks apart, and then check a fecal specimen three weeks later.  This is one of the reasons that breeding and boarding facilities have concrete floors, since the worms cannot live in cement.

Check out part two of the series next Thursday for information on whipworms and roundworms.

Photo by Claire DeLand

As with many people, dogs can grow grumpy in his their age.  Today, we are examining the behavior of an abused rescue with a history of biting, Mojo.  Recently, things have taken a turn in a negative direction, as he tried to bite his mom and another person he knows really well.  His mom does not know what she should do.  The catalysts for his mom’s e-mail to me involve their morning routine.  Previously, she could say “go get in your house” and he would run to his crate.  Now, he hides under the bed, and upon retrieving him, he snaps at his family, even breaking the skin on one successful snap.

Generally, a nine year old dog would be considered a senior dog, but there is not a set standard for determining this.  Whether a dog qualifies for the senior discount at Shoney’s varies greatly among different breeds, as well his size.  There is a saying about getting old and becoming set in your ways.  There is plenty of truth to that statement.  Personally, I do not like change in my world.  In fact, most dogs do not like change, especially us older ones.  Also, older dogs do tend to voice their dissatisfaction more frequently than younger ones.  Without spending any time with him, I think that he may be trying to communicate some type of pain.

That means that a trip to the vet is in order.  Upon arriving, it is imperative that you explain every detail of the recent issue to your veterinarian.  Ensure that your pooch is checked closely for arthritis, ear infection, decreased hormone productivity, loss of hearing, as well as eyesight and dental problems.  Mojo’s mom mentioned a noticeable increase in water intake in her request for help.  Excessive water intake can be a sign of several conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes and Cushing’s Disease.

Diabetes is the result or a dog’s pancreas shutting down or significantly slowing production of insulin, a hormone that helps the body process sugar in the blood.  Sometimes, diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces insulin that the body is unable to use.  In dogs, females are more likely to have diabetes, and overweight dogs have a higher incidence.  Diabetes can affect any breed, it is is prevalent in Miniature Poodles, Schnauzers, Pugs and Samoyeds.  Symptoms of diabetes include, increased thirst and urination, cloudiness of the eye and weight loss, despite an increase in appetite.

Cushing’s Disease occurs when adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, and it is common among older dogs.  Symptoms of Cushing’s include weight gain, weakening of the legs, an increase in water consumption, thinner and darker skin, an increase in appetite, hair loss, urinating more frequently and the introduction of a “pot belly.”

Kidney Disease can have any number of causes.  Some symptoms of it are an increase in thirst, a need to urinate more frequently, a loss in appetite, ammonia breath and a lethargic demeanor.

Photo courtesy of Claire DeLand

You may have noticed that we are focusing on the lone physiological symptom, increased water intake.  I think it may be Mojo’s physical condition affecting his behavior.  The increased water consumption goes hand in hand with an increased need to relieve himself.  When he is confined to his crate, he is unwilling to soil it.  His recent behavior indicates that he is upset because he cannot relieve himself in his crate.  Having to “hold it” for an extended period of time is not good for anybody, especially older dogs.

I suggest confining him to a tiled area, like the kitchen or bathroom to see if his mood changes.  I suggest a tiled area for its ease of cleanup of any urine messes.  In my opinion, a few cleanups is worth it to making your dog may be more comfortable, if you cannot increase his trips to his potty spot.  Once you have a diagnosis from the vet, he may be able to prescribe some medication for your dog and his condition.  With medication, he may be willing to return to his crate when you leave for work.

I am interested to know what the vet says about him.