by: Richard Delgado



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In this issue:



1) "Your Pet Can Tell You When They Are in Pain" 



2) "When It's Wet and Rainy, Your Dog Still Needs Exercise"



3) "Should You Express Your Pet's Anal Glands or Not?"



4) "Tell Us What You Think!"





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1) ì"Your Pet Can Tell You When They Are in Pain""



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We never want to see our pets uncomfortable or in

pain. And in many instances, when they are in pain,

they will mask it and you won't know they need help.

The common belief is that it's instinct - an animal in

pain is weak, is vulnerable to attack, and won't

survive long in the wild. To better the odds of

survival, the animal hides its pain.



So, knowing that animals tend to hide pain is a good

first step toward ensuring that you get your pet the

help he/she needs quickly when needed. The next is

knowing your pet well. You observe and interact with

your pets every day, so you will be the first to

notice when something is amiss.



Here are some signs to watch for:



* Unusual behavior

I know my cat's behaviors pretty well. I know how they

act on a day-to-day basis, what they tend to do during

the day and night. If my usually active cat who likes

to sprint across the room once in a while for no

reason stops that behavior, seems lethargic or quiet,

or sleeps even more than usual, that would raise red

flags for me. If my very affectionate cat who loves to

snuggle starts to prefer being alone or even avoids

contact, that would definitely mean something is

wrong.



* Unusual vocalizations

Hurt animals will sometimes tell you through

vocalizations such as squealing, hissing, screaming,

etc.



* Ceases grooming

If you notice that your usually soft and fluffy cat

looks ruffled and greasy, that might be a sign that

he/she has stopped grooming his/herself. Animals that

don't feel well will stop grooming.



* Weight gain or loss

Pay attention to your pet's weight. Pain can cause

your pet to eat less and lose weight. Or, pain may

slow your pet down and it will get less exercise,

leading to weight gain. Too much gain or loss signals

a problem.



* Difficulty eating/bad breath

If your pet has trouble chewing food and/or has bad

breath, you should get his/her teeth checked. Animals

have the same problems as we do when it comes to

teeth. They have plaque and tartar, and can develop

cavities and gum disease. Most pet owners probably

don't brush their pet's teeth regularly, so the

likelihood of dental problems is increased.



* Having bathroom accidents

Although at times a stray poop may be a behavioral

issue (like the time my friend's cat pooped on her

comforter because she hated her new cat litter),

sometimes it's a physical problem. Another friend had

an older cat and as the cat began to have problems

moving around, she started to go here and there on the

bedroom floor. She just couldn't make it to the litter

box all the time. A common cause of accidents is

urinary tract infection.



* Limping, scratching, biting

If you notice your pet limping, that's a sure sign of

pain. If there is excessive scratching or biting of a

particular area, that area is probably bothering them.



The best thing you can do for your pets is to get to

know them and their habits and behaviors. That way, if

you encounter anything out of the ordinary, you'll be

able to react quickly and save your pet from

experiencing unnecessary and prolonged pain. If you

see any of the signs listed above, you should take

your pet to your vet for a check-up. Tell your vet

what you've observed so they can receive the best

care possible.



References: www.healthypet.com/

http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/orc/iacuc/Recognizing%20Pain.doc.





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2) "When It's Wet and Rainy, Your Dog Still Needs Exercise"



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Sometimes there's nothing more relaxing than to

snuggle up on the couch with a good book on a damp and

dreary day. And I'm sure your dog would love

nothing more than to curl up next to you to keep you

company. That would be a fine thing to do on a rainy

day, but remember that at some point, you'll have to

rouse yourselves and get out there for your daily

walk.



If you're like me, you don't particularly like the

idea of stomping around out in the rain, but it's one

of those things I just accept as a dog owner. Big or

small, young or old, all dogs need daily exercise. A

good amount of exercise means 30 to 40 minutes or

walking at least one mile. If you can accommodate

several 20-minute walks every day, that would be

ideal.



If you're willing to brave the weather, consider a

raincoat made especially for dogs. But, if going out

in the rain is just not something you're willing to

do, how about some indoor alternatives?



* One of the easiest ways to deal with the rain is to

just walk your dog around and around inside your

house. Clip on that leash and make a circuit

throughout your house.



* If you happen to own a treadmill, you might want to

teach your dog how to walk on it. I just saw an

episode of "Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic

Channel where Cesar Millan got a dog to start walking

on the treadmill. He just put the leash on the dog,

led him to the treadmill, had him first just step onto

it, then eventually turned on the machine (at a very

low speed to start). Cesar was straddling the moving

part of the treadmill while the dog started walking

just beneath him. After a bit of zigzagging, the dog

got the hang of it, and just started trotting along.



There are even treadmills made especially for dogs.

Hop online and you're sure to find one of these

products for sale. There are also video clips of dogs

walking on treadmills so you can see how it all works.



* You can also play games with your dog, such as

fetch. You do have to be careful with games because

they can tend to make dogs a bit too excited. So, you

might want to consider games that require more mental

exercise such as hide and seek with a favorite toy or

treat.



Exercising your dog is not only for his/her physical

health, but also for his/her overall well-being. A

well-exercised dog is less likely to have behavioral

issues such as separation anxiety, excessive barking,

digging, and chewing.



Also, please note that just leaving your dog out in a

big yard in good weather doesn't mean he/she is

getting proper exercise. Dogs don't tend to exercise

on their own. You have to take charge of that part of

your dog's life to ensure that they get plenty of

exercise every single day.



References:

http://www.dogguide.net/physical-exercises.php

http://www.doggiesparadise.com/exercise.shtml





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3) "Should You Express Your Pet's Anal Glands or Not?"



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This may be an unpleasant topic to some, but it's

something pet owners should be aware of so they can

deal with it if and when they have to. The topic? Anal

glands.



WHAT ARE ANAL GLANDS?



Anal glands can be found on either side of your cat or

dog's anus, underneath the skin. They are small sacs

that secrete a liquid that has a strong, unpleasant

odor. This smelly liquid is that cat or dog's unique

and identifying odor. Normally, the liquid is secreted

along with the animal's feces. If the animal's feces

is not hard enough (which some attribute to modern pet

food, which is usually higher in fillers rather than

meat), the anal sacs will not receive enough pressure

to "express" the fluid. Sometimes, a dog or cat will

express their glands of the fluid when it is startled

or scared. Some even express their glands when the vet

uses a rectal thermometer. One of my clients

experienced that with a newly acquired cat. She took

the cat in for a check-up and during the exam, the

room was suddenly filled with a very stinky odor!



HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET'S GLANDS NEED TO BE EXPRESSED?



Like any pet issue, some animals don't have any

problems while others have consistent problems with

their glands. For some, a high-fiber diet (that will

bulk up feces) and regular checks of the anal glands

might be necessary. It's up to you to stay observant

and act fast when you see something out of the

ordinary. If the glands are not expressed regularly or

adequately, the liquid can become thicker and the

glands can become impacted. If bacteria enters the

glands, an infection can result, and even escalate to

an abscess. This is very painful for the animal and

will need medical treatment.



Some problem signs you may want to watch for include:

* "scooting," or dragging of the rear end on the floor

* excessive licking of the anal area

* crying when trying to defecate

* unusually soft stools

* unusually strong odor from the anal area

* obvious sensitivity in the rear end



Take your pet for a vet visit if you suspect an anal

gland problem. As with any medical condition, the

sooner you address it, the better. If the problem

becomes chronic, surgical removal of the glands might

be necessary.



CAN I EXPRESS THE GLANDS MYSELF?



Yes, if you are properly instructed and motivated, you

can learn how to express your pet's anal glands. The

best thing you can do is talk to your vet about this

topic and see if they can help you with instructions.

Expressing the glands means locating the sacs and

applying the proper pressure in the right direction.

This is a sensitive area, so learning how to express

the glands properly is important. If you don't do

things correctly, you can potentially cause more

problems, like infection. You can also have your

groomer do the deed.



Here is a site I found online that demonstrates

expressing the anal glands of a dog.

http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/dog-grooming-basics-glands.htm



References:

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Dog_Anal_Glands

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1322&articleid=509





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4) "Tell Us What You Think!"



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We'd love to hear what you think of this issue! This is

just one issue, with much more important information

coming in future months.



Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for

upcoming issues to us at:



rdelgado@thewoofpack.com



Your feedback matters to us!





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Copyright 2008 by The Woof Pack.

All rights reserved.



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