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Vol. 3
Issue 6

The Woof Pack Times Newsletter

by: Richard Delgado

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Hi [first name],

In this issue:

1) “Beware of Foxtails!" 

2) "Prevent Doggie Hot Foot"

3) "Keep Your Pet Cool"

4) "Tell Us What You Think!"

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1) “Beware of Foxtails!"

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During these days of warm, sunny weather, it's only
natural for us to want to take our dogs away from the
urban jungle and have fun where there's grass, trees,
and fresh air.

Remember, however, that the great outdoors is
where your dog can pick up one of the biggest
pains in the nose or ear or eye -- a foxtail.

As its name suggests, a foxtail is a grass that
looks similar to a fox's tail. Unfortunately, the
plant, which is also called "spear grass," is not
like fur, but spiky, and it can be hazardous and
even deadly to your pet. There are many varieties
of this type of grass and some are more dangerous
than others.

The problem with this grass is that the mature
seeds have sharp barbs that are designed to cling
to animal fur. When your dog walks by or through
the grass, the tips with the barbs catch onto fur
and come easily off of the rest of the plant. The
purpose is so that the seeds of the plant can be
dispersed by the moving animal.

Unfortunately for our pets, especially long-haired
dog breeds, this can be a big problem. Because of
the barbs of the foxtail, it moves in only one
direction, and as the dog moves around, it tends
to burrow deeper into the fur. If your dog has
shorter fur, you will be able to spot the foxtails
more easily and remove them. Or, they may fall off
on their own. Long-haired breeds have no such luck.
The foxtails usually stay put and just get driven
in deeper as the dog moves.

It's easy enough to remove the barbed foxtails when
you see them, but if they get inside your dog's ear
canal, up into his nose, into his throat, or even
under his eyelid, the foxtail goes from being
an irritation to real danger. Unless it's removed
immediately, the foxtail will go deeper, causing pain,
internal damage, infection, and even death. The seeds
have even been found inside lungs and abdomens. Sometimes,
surgery is necessary to remove the plant, but that can
be difficult because the foxtail doesn't easily show
up in x-rays or ultrasounds.

When you take your dog out and let him run free
outdoors, keep your eyes out for the grass. You'll
want to try and steer your dog away from dry, grassy
areas. The best thing you can do is pick areas
like a nicely landscaped park free of tall weeds and
grasses.

You'll also want to keep your own backyard free
potentially dangerous weeds and grasses.

If you do let your dog run around in an area that
has more wild plant life, be sure to do a thorough
check of your pet after his romp. Do an overall body
brushing and exam, with special attention to the ears,
eyes, nose, between the toes. Also be aware of any
behavior or symptoms such as sneezing, blood from the
nose, pawing, or scratching. Even after you've
done an exam, follow up with another check later
on in case you've missed something. If you do find
a seed and if you can't easily remove it, take your
dog to the vet. Foxtails are something to take
seriously, and if you do, your dog will thank you
for that!

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxtail_(diaspore)
http://www.baltercatalogue.com/articles/57-foxtail-grass-and-dogs.htm
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesconditionsfaqs/qt/QT_cheatgrass.htm

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2) "Prevent Doggie Hot Foot"

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With all the great weather we've been having, it's
been a pleasure to take nice long walks with my dog.
Some days have been pretty hot, however, and with
summer just getting started, we can certainly expect
more sunny days. This makes me think about how I
should keep in mind how hot the ground gets during
these summer strolls around the neighborhood and how
our dogs don't have protective footwear like we do.

Concrete and asphalt can get very hot during
these cloudless days, so keep in mind your dog's
comfort and safety. Very hot surfaces can be
damaging to your pet's paw pads.

Limit the time you spend on these hard surfaces
and if you can, do most of your walking on cool
grass in dog-friendly parks, or on dirt walking
trails in wooded areas. If a park is not close
to your home, consider taking a drive with
your dog to the nearest one.

If you absolutely must be on the sidewalks or
streets, you might want to think about training your
dog to wear shoes made especially for dogs for
protection. You should try to take a walk only
during the early morning or evening hours when
it's cooler.

Also remember that your dog is much closer to the
ground than you are, and they will be affected by
the heat radiating off of the ground much more
quickly. Make sure you take water with you so you
can give your dog a water break. Prolonged exposure
to a hot surface will also affect your dog's ability
to cool himself off since dogs sweat only through
their tongues and paw pads.

Watch your dog for signs of discomfort or heat
exhaustion. Excessive panting, discolored gums,
vomiting, and lethargy are red flags for you.
If you see signs of distress, get your pet into
shade, cool him down with a wet towel, or just
water (but not ice cold) and get him to drink small
amounts of water. Get to a vet as soon as you can.

Take extra care during these months. You don't want
your fun walk to turn into a medical emergency!

References:
http://azhumane.org/PDFs/behavior/general/summercare.pdf
http://www.petfinder.com/journal/index.cgi?article=552
http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/m/m84/main.htm

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3) "Keep Your Pet Cool"

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It's summer time! Time for sun, fun, vacations, and
extra care for your pets!

Remember that your pets depend on you to keep them
comfortable during the hottest time of the year, so
don't let them down.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while you
enjoy the good weather.

* Make sure your pets always have access to fresh
drinking water.

* Don't leave your dog outside without access to
shelter that provides shade and has good ventilation.
In fact, leave pets indoors if you can.

* Never leave your pet in a car unattended.

* Take water with you on walks and car trips to
give your pet.

* If you walk your dog, don't overdo it. Walk
during the early morning or evening hours. If
you have to walk during the hotter hours, take
water with you, walk on grass to avoid hot paved
roads, and watch your dog for signs of discomfort
or heat exhaustion. If he exhibits those signs,
cool him down immediately and visit the vet.
(See previous article.)

* Remember that very young, very old, and overweight
pets will be more susceptible to heat exhaustion or
heat stroke in hot weather. Pets with medical
conditions such as heart problems are also at risk.

* When walking your dog, steer clear of areas
that might be targeted for insecticide spraying,
which is commonly done during the summer. Also keep
your pet's safety in mind when trying to rid your own
home or yard of pests that come out more in warmer
weather.

* If your pet does get over-heated, you can
put a wet towel over him, pour some water over
him, or put him in a tub or kiddie pool with
water.

* If your house doesn't have air conditioning,
try running some fans to circulate the air and
cool down the temperature.

* If you find yourself outdoors with your dog
for a while, consider putting pet sunscreen on his
sensitive nose and inside ears that stand upright.

* You can trim fur on long-haired dogs, but don't
shave it all off. The fur protects him from the sun.

* Some people cut or shave their cat's fur during
hot summer months. Some people say they would never
shave a cat, while others think it's perfectly
safe to do so. If you do decide to give your cat
a haircut, you might want to take him to a
professional groomer. If you do it yourself, get
a friend to help, use proper shears, and take extra
care as a cat's skin is very thin can be cut easily.

* Regular grooming is important, especially during
warm weather when pets shed. Brush your cat or dog
to keep fur from matting.

* Consider giving your cat a hairball remedy during
the summer. All that shedding will undoubtedly cause
more hairballs.

* Be careful of open windows in your house. Even
if your window has a screen, a dog can easily
knock it out and make an escape.

References:
http://azhumane.org/PDFs/behavior/general/summercare.pdf
http://www.petfinder.com/journal/index.cgi?article=552
http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/m/m84/main.htm
http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/shaving_your_cat

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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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