What is Somatitis?: Inflammation of the Soft Tissues in the Mouth in Dogs

Stomatitis is the condition where the soft tissues in an animal's mouth, such as the gums and tongue, become irritated and inflamed. It can become a major issue if bacteria or infection enters the dog's bloodstream. Treatment options are available, and the prognosis is positive for animals suffering from this medical condition.

Symptoms and Types

Common symptoms or signs of Stomatitis can include:

• Pain

• Bad breath

• Ulcerated tissues

• Extensive teeth plaque

• Excessive drooling or saliva

• Fluid buildup in the gums

The primary types of inflammation are:

1. Ulcerative Stomatitis: This condition occurs when a significant amount of gum tissue is lost in a dog's mouth, and is frequently accompanied by inflammation of the oral tissues.

2. Oral Eosinophilic Granuloma: This condition occurs when there is a mass or growth in the dog's mouth.

3. Gingival Hyperplasia: This condition occurs when gum tissue increases in size.

4. Lypohocytic Plasmocytic: This condition is characterized by the presence of plasma cells and lymphocytes in the mouth -- each are types of white blood cells.

Causes

In puppies, inflammation can occur as teeth become overcrowded in the mouth. Several metabolic disorders are also known to cause this inflammation, including an abnormal amount of waste products in the blood stream, inflammation of blood vessels in the mouth (common with diabetes), inadequate levels of the hormone (called parathyroid) and lymphoma. Infectious diseases and injuries to the mouth can also cause the inflammation.

Diagnosis

A veterinarian will examine the dog's mouth for lesions, teeth decay, plaque and other noticeable signs that may be causing the inflammation. In addition, laboratory blood work will typically be done to rule out any other underlying medical condition for the inflammation.

Treatment

Antibiotics have been proven effective in reducing inflammation of a dog's oral cavity. In some cases, teeth will need to be surgically removed to reduce the inflammation. Teeth cleaning and proper dental and oral health should also ensure a quick recovery and good health for the dog.

Prevention

To prevent inflammation, your veterinarian may recommend that you rinse or brush your dog's mouth. There are also some topical ointments that can be used to reduce or prevent inflammation of the dog's gums.

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Is your bird overweight?

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a fat bird. Too many seeds, too little flying or climbing and suddenly you could be looking at a serious health problem. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your bird stays in shape.

Why Birds Become Overweight

Obesity is a common health problem in captive birds, typically caused by poor nutrition and an all-seed diet.

In the wild, birds get a lot of exercise flying from tree to tree, escaping predators and searching for food. In captivity, birds usually have their wings clipped. If they go anywhere, they usually walk or climb. Their diet is frequently high in fat and low in important nutrients. This situation is the avian equivalent of the person who sits on the couch all day long eating French fries and cheesecake!

How to Know If Your Bird Is Overweight

Obesity in birds can lead to a variety of illnesses with the potential to be deadly. The most devastating is fatty liver disease, which is extremely common in Amazon parrots that eat an inappropriate diet. There are also fatty tumors called lipomas, which are particularly common in some of the smaller birds like budgerigars. Here’s how to know if your bird is overweight:

• Check the breast muscle. The best way to tell if your bird is carrying an appropriate amount of weight is by looking at their breast muscle, which lies over a bone called the keel. When you look at your bird from the front, there should be a bone running down its midline. This is the keel. To either side of that bone, there should be a rounded muscle. If your bird is too fat, they will have “cleavage.” In other words, the keel bone won’t be the most prominent part of your bird’s chest. If your bird is too thin, they will feel bony to the side of the keel and the area alongside the keel will feel concave (curved in) rather than convex (curved out).

• Look for fat. You can also look for subcutaneous fat (below the skin). Feathers grow in tracts, so there will be areas that are non-feathered. One of these areas is along the side of the neck beginning at the base of the jaw. If you part your bird’s feathers to look at this area, you should easily be able to see their jugular vein. If the vein is difficult to see, and there’s a yellowish tint beneath the skin, your bird likely has subcutaneous fat and is gaining unnecessary weight.

• Telltale signs. Other less specific signs of obesity may also be present. For example, if your bird gets out of breath with a small amount of exercise, it may be from carrying extra weight. Also, if your bird’s beak grows excessively long, it may be a sign of fatty liver disease, which is caused by obesity.

• Weigh your bird. Of course, you can weigh your bird periodically using a gram scale. Your veterinarian should also be keeping track of your bird’s weight during their annual physical examination.

Helping Your Bird Lose Weight

Just as it is with people, it’s all diet and exercise. Get your bird on an appropriate diet of pellets, vegetables, some beans, rice, pasta, and a very small amount of fruit. High-fat seeds and nuts are only for treats (the exception is the hyacinth macaw) and should be given in small amounts (one or two seeds) once or twice per week. Pellets should be left in the cage at all times. Home food should be left in the cage for no longer than 30 to 45 minutes at a time.

Try to increase your bird’s activity. If you have access to an outdoor flight cage, use it. If you’re in a situation where you can bird-proof your house so that they can fly indoors under close supervision, give them the opportunity to fly. Increase the frequency of showers because the preening and movement associated with bath time will burn calories. Increase activity by regularly changing the toys in their cage to increase stimulation. (However, be careful with this – if your bird is afraid of strange things, and is prone to feather picking, too frequent changes can be detrimental.)

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Keep pet birds away from these household toxins: teflon, avocados, lead, and zinc!

Did you know these three common household toxins—Teflon™, avocado, and heavy metals—present deadly dangers to your feathered friends?

Teflon™

The chemical name is polytetrafluroethylene, but most people know it by the tradename Teflon™. This compound likely lurks in your household not only as the lining of nonstick pans but also as a coating on heating elements, irons, ovens, and hair dryers.

When these appliances are heated, they can release a clear, odorless toxic gas. Unfortunately, most birds that inhale the toxic fumes will die suddenly or after a short course of having trouble breathing.

The products often state that very high temperatures—greater than 500° F—must be reached to release the toxic fumes, but factors such as imperfections in the coating can allow these fumes to be released at much lower temperatures. Birds are particularly sensitive to these fumes, so even a little bit can be deadly.

The best way to ensure that your bird will not suffer from such toxicity is to be educated about what household products are dangerous and to limit your bird’s exposure to them.

Teflon™ gas is a silent, but rapid killer. All bird owners should be educated about this household toxin. If they notice signs of difficulty breathing, including open-beaked breathing, sounds while breathing, a tail bob, and exaggerated chest movement while taking breaths, they should rush the bird to the nearest veterinary emergency room.

Veterinarians can attempt to save the bird with aggressive therapies, such as administering supplemental oxygen and controlling inflammation in the lungs. Affected birds are at risk for developing secondary infections, so they may also be given antibiotics and antifungal medications.

Because of the severity of Teflon™ toxicity, preventing exposure is the best option. The best way to ensure that your bird will not suffer from Teflon™ toxicity is to be educated about what products in your home have Teflon™ and limit exposure to your birds, particularly when those products are being heated.

Some households with avian family members will choose to remove all items that they know have Teflon™ coating and use pans with other non-stick coatings, such as ceramic. Other families will limit exposure by ensuring that their feathered family members are in a distant and well-ventilated room when any Teflon™-coated structures—including the oven—are being used.

Avocado

Avocados contain persin, which is toxic to the heart in several species, but not humans. All parts of the plant—skin, meat, pit, leaves—contain the toxin. The most common signs of persin toxicity in birds are collapse, lethargy, heavy breathing, and sudden death.

A bird that has ingested avocado should be rushed to the nearest emergency veterinary facility. If the avocado was eaten very recently, it may be possible to remove it from the bird’s crop— a pouch in the esophagus where food is stored—before it moves to the stomach and is digested.

Other emergency treatments include giving activated charcoal to bind the toxin and prevent absorption and giving cardiac medications to address any negative effects of the toxin. Again, the best treatment is prevention.

Heavy Metals

Lead and zinc, which are toxic to birds, are heavy metals commonly found in household items. Lead is not a naturally occurring element in the body, and when lead is introduced it interferes with many physiological processes, causing damage. Zinc, unlike lead, is required by the body for the normal function of certain enzymes. However, high concentrations of zinc can cause illness and toxicity, and birds are far more sensitive to the toxic effects of zinc than are humans.

Household sources of lead include older paint, drinking water in homes with lead pipes, food/liquid stored in crystal, stained glass, and other items containing solder, some jewelry, and lead fishing weights. Common sources of zinc include vitamins and supplements for humans, linoleum, galvanized metal, drinking water in homes with zinc pipes, some metallic toys, and some rubber items.

Birds with heavy metal toxicity may display a variety of signs, depending upon the amount of metal they have ingested. Typically the clinical signs are vague and include lethargy, fluffed behavior, and decreased appetite. Birds may also show signs of gastrointestinal tract disease, including diarrhea and regurgitation, as well as seizures and other neurologic signs. Anemia and kidney disease can also result from toxicity.

If you know that your bird has ingested a metal item or you are concerned that they have eaten something in your home that may have heavy metal in it, promptly bring your bird to an emergency veterinary clinic.

The best-case scenario is that the item can be removed from the bird’s gastrointestinal tract before the metal is absorbed. If your bird is acting sick in any way, a visit to your veterinarian should be your first step.

The best way to ensure that your bird will not suffer from toxicity is to be educated about what household products are dangerous and to limit your bird’s exposure to them.

If you have any questions about compounds that are toxic to birds, contact your local veterinarian.

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4 Ways to Involve Kids in Dog Training

When a new dog is introduced to the family, kids are often eager to help out. The easiest way to involve your children is by including them in the everyday responsibilities of owning a dog. Dogs need to be fed, groomed, and exercised—these are all tasks that children, especially elementary-age kids, can be involved in. Children of all ages can participate in dog training as long as the tasks are age-appropriate and there is adult supervision.

Learn the Basic Commands

The full responsibility of dog training should still remain with the adults, but that's no reason to leave your child completely out of the process. Your child doesn't have to be involved in the complicated aspects of training to bond with the dog. Basic skills such as getting a dog to sit, stay down, come to you when called, and walk on a leash are easily taught with adult supervision. These simple tasks can help your child feel that they are an important contributor. One tip: Use a food treat as an incentive to guide your dog into position when teaching your kid these skills.

Training a dog to sit

To teach a dog to sit, parents should show their child how to hold a treat just above the dog's nose, moving it back over the dog's head slowly. To follow the food, the dog will rock back into a sit. As soon as the dog sits, say 'Good dog!' and give them the treat.

Training a dog to walk on a leash

To teach a child how to walk a dog on a leash, hold a treat or the dog's favorite toy about waist high. Then tell the dog "Let's go," and start walking. The dog will watch the treat or toy and then follow it.

Training a dog to lay down

To teach a dog to stay down by holding food in front of the dog's nose, drop the hand to the ground so the dog follows the food and drops into a down position. As soon as the dog lies down, give the dog the treat and say "Good dog!"

Older kids can also help out with advanced training at home once they've learned the basics. Training is a great way to build a relationship between kids and dogs. Children will learn how to communicate clearly with the family dog, and the dog learns to respond to cues from the kids too—not just the adults.

Consider programs and classes

If your child is old enough, they can also take part in more advanced training. Classes through the national youth-development organization 4-H promote leadership in chapters across the country, and most chapters provide dog-care and dog-training programs. Children from elementary school to high school can take part in 4-H. If you're interested in getting your child involved in competition classes, the AKC offers a number of beginner and advanced dog-training programs through AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen.

Get Involved in Everyday Care

Once your dog responds well to basic sit and stay commands, involve your child in the feeding process. Have your child cue the dog to sit and stay while you put down a bowl of food or water, and then cue the dog to go to it. Model correct ways to treat the dog, and explain treatment rules before the pet enters the home. If there are any problems, such as the dog nipping when the child is giving food or when the child is helping with other tasks, tell them not to respond angrily or to hurt the dog. Instead, have them report the dog's behavior to you right away. When your child interacts appropriately with the dog, reinforce that behavior by saying "You are petting/feeding/etc. her/him so gently/well, I am so proud of you." By teaching your child basic everyday-care tasks, you will also teach them important rules such as, "Always be kind to the dog, don't take their food, don't take a toy when they are playing with it, don't ever tease them" and so on.

Try Variations of Simple Activities

Include your kid in fun, common bonding activities that double as training for your pet. A simple game of hide-and-seek, for instance, can help strengthen a dog's recall. Start the activity by filling a child's pocket with treats. Avoid using a bowl or bucket because the dog may wolf down everything at once and not want the treats taken away after a single mouthful. Have the child stand in a room that's located in the middle of the house and call the dog. When the dog finds the child, your dog should be cued to sit and then given a treat. Now another child should hide in a different room and call the dog, and so on. Once the dog learns the ropes, the children can hide in more challenging locations, behind doors or tucked in the drapes.

Another activity is to play fetch, which is best played after you've taught a "drop it" command and the dog reliably responds to it. This version of fetch is a two-call retrieve activity that reinforces common commands. Have your child throw a ball for the dog to retrieve; when the dog brings the ball back, ask them to "drop it" while showing a second ball. Then ask the dog to "sit" to reinforce the "drop it" command; after your dog sits, throw the second ball. Once the dog goes to get the second ball, continue the game by picking up the first ball.

Be Part of Exercise Routines

Children can take part in a dog's daily exercise routine to learn about responsible and fun pet ownership. Let your child join in when you take the dog for its daily walk around the neighborhood. Parents should always accompany a child and stick to walking on side streets or in parks. Avoid particularly busy streets so you'll always be in a safe environment. If you're worried about your child controlling the dog by themselves, outfit the dog with two leashes, one that the child can hold and one that you can hold. Young children will not have great stamina so it will probably be a short walk at first. Older children may be able to hold a leash on their own—depending on their size and the dog's size—but there should be strict guidelines and supervision.

Avoid retractable leashes that can be dangerous if your child's fingers get entwined in them and prevent your kids from yanking on a leash. Also, advise them to keep the dog away from other dogs during the walk. Even if your dog is friendly, other dogs may not be, and this is a potentially dangerous situation. Make sure to keep the dog close to your side since a long leash can let the dog get too far away to control. You can also take your child and dog hiking on a pet-friendly nature trail or turn your daily walk around the neighborhood into more of a hike. Start walking the dog a short distance down the street, and then build up to going around the block. If the dog is fit and able to walk distances, older children can begin with a half-mile walk and work up to a quarter-mile and 1 mile. Make sure the weather is suitable for walking your dog longer distances.

Dogs can even swim with kids in the family pool or in a friend's pool. If a pool isn't available, check to see if a local lake or beach allows dogs. Make sure your dog and your child know how to swim, and use a canine life jacket for the dog and safety equipment for children who are not capable swimmers. Other exercise routines can involve throwing a ball or Frisbee. Or try hand targeting, which is something kids can play in the yard, with the dog running from one inviting hand to the next. Kids can stand in a park or backyard and tell the dog to "Touch" while offering the palm of their hands for the dog to touch with its nose. Kids can give the dog a treat for completing this trick successfully, and then another child in the yard can call the dog. Older kids can also work on activities that will stimulate a dog's body and mind. A small obstacle course can be built in the yard so the dog and child can work on agility. Running from one low, safe obstacle to the next will provide both dog and kid with great exercise.

A tired pup is a well-behaved pup! And the same ought to go for the kids, too!

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What is Kennel Cough? How can I tell if my dog has kennel cough?

What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is a contagious, upper-respiratory disease. It is transmitted by an airborne virus and often complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. Kennel cough occurs more commonly in puppies and young adult dogs. It is often caught at kennels or shelters where dogs are exposed to many other dogs, which gives it is name. Because the virus is airborne, normal cleaning and disinfecting of kennel surfaces cannot eliminate it.

How can I tell if my dog has Kennel Cough?

Dogs with kennel cough are usually bright and alert and usually eat well; however, they have a dry, hacking cough or bouts of deep, harsh coughing often followed by gagging motions. The gagging sometimes produces foamy mucus. Most dogs with kennel cough do not have a fever.

Treatment options for Kennel Cough

• If your dog has these symptoms, consult your veterinarian for treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent or cure a secondary infection.

• Keep dogs in a relatively warm environment and make sure they are rested to help prevent the development of pneumonia.

• Prevent the spread of this disease by keeping your dog away from other dogs.

Prevention of Kennel Cough

In general, healthy adult dogs that come into contact with large groups of other dogs should have a Bordetella vaccine annually, and boarding facilities may require a booster within the last six months. Talk to your veterinarian about protecting your puppy from Bordetella with vaccination at the appropriate age.

When to take precaution and call your vet

It should be known that not every cough is “kennel cough.” Some dogs bark almost continuously while sheltered, which can lead to a sore throat or many other upper-respiratory diseases.

If your dog has a fever, is less active than normal, has a decreased appetite, has a discharge from the eyes or nose, has difficulty breathing, or is older than three years, a more serious problem may be present.

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