CAVALIER CHRONICLE

Last month I talked about - Summer is amongst us and the days are starting to get hot.

I am going to share another article this one is so important for us all to read and not only remember how hot it can get in a car in just a few minutes (Even when you don’t think it is hot outside). Also if you use a handler please interview them and know their practices!!

Thank you Barbara Pepper for sharing this information:

Will we ever have a summer when we aren't posting about this?

From Canine Chronicle

Sadly, in Ottumwa, IA, reported carelessness by a handler caused the loss of three dogs that expired in a hot car. Craig Eugene reportedly left several toy dogs in a car running with the air-conditioning on, and went inside the building to show a dog. The car stalled and some of the dogs died. I heard that one dog was rescued and was in critical condition. How many times will this happen before everyone learns from others’ mistakes? It seems that this is happening more and more when it should not be happening at all! I sincerely hope that owners take note and are extremely careful before sending their dog with someone who claims to be a professional handler. True professionals do not place their charges in a life-threatening situation. True professionals worry about their dogs first and the show ring second. True professionals understand that the dogs in their care rely on them to survive. I suggest that all owners confirm what their handler’s protocol is for caring for their dogs–not only in general, but in situations that involve extreme heat.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Paula Ayers, President

I would like to thank all who have provided information to be placed in the newsletter. The only way we are able to have the newsletter we all desire is through sharing. Please keep your brags, photos, and club related information coming. Please feel free to share any suggestions you might have with me at Fitchpatrick@Earthlink.net.

“Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.”– Ray Kroc

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the Holiday Inn Northlake on Ranchwood Dr. Atlanta. Regular meeting begins at 7:30pm. Social hour begins at 7pm. Board meeting at 6pm.

Wonderful educational opportunity. Be sure to notice that this seminar is available as a webinar option for those who are unable to attend in person.

Au b u r n S u m m e r Te a c h i n g I n s t i t u t e 2 0 1 7

2017 CANINE BREEDER EXCELLENCE SEMINAR

Program Speakers:

Robert C. Cole, DVM, DACVR –

Assistant Professor, Radiology

Shannon D. Boveland, DVM, MS, DACVO –

Associate Clinical Professor, Ophthalmology

Randolph L. Winter, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) –

Assistant Professor, Cardiology

Carla L. Barstow, DVM –

AKC Companion Animal Theriogenology Resident

Robyn R. Wilborn, DVM, MS, DACT –

Associate Professor, Theriogenology

Aime K. Johnson, DVM, DACT –

Associate Professor, Theriogenology

WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017

TIME: 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

(CHECK-IN AND BREAKFAST 7:30 – 8:00 A.M)

WILFORD AND KATE BAILEY SMALL ANIMAL TEACHING HOSPITAL,

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE,

1220 WIRE ROAD, AUBURN, AL 36832

SEMINAR COST:

SEMINAR COST:

$60 (THROUGH AUGUST 4)

$75 (AUGUST 5 – 23)

$100 ON-SITE

• Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, and all program notes included in price

• Continuing Education credits will be available for veterinarians

• Webinar Option is available for those unable to attend on-site

REGISTRATION WEBSITE:

http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/veterinarians/ce/

Contact Meredith Smildsin, Event Coordinator,

(334)844-2497

or mls0052@auburn.edu with questions.

Program Topics:

• Radiographic exams for common problems: OFA vs PennHip Evaluation

• Ophthalmologic (OFA) exam

• Cardiology screening tests

• Supplements

• Ovulation Timing

• Preservation of Genetics

• Round Table Discussion with Theriogenology Team

HealthyPest.Mercola.com

By Dr. Becker

Does your dog have mechanosensitive aspiration reflex? Inspiratory paroxysmal respiration? Pharyngeal gag reflex? Does he by chance do this:

If so, he's reverse sneezing, which also goes by the medical terms listed above. But reverse sneeze is actually a much better descriptive term for what's happening than those other tongue twisters.

Reverse sneezing is a fairly common condition in dogs. It happens more often in small breeds, probably due to their smaller throats and windpipes. Pugs, Bulldogs and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds have elongated soft palates and occasionally pull the palate into the throat, which can trigger reverse sneezing. The condition is very rarely seen in cats.

Appearance and Sound of a Reverse Sneeze

For some dogs, reverse sneezing is a more or less normal event. Just as sneezing is a part of life, reverse sneezing is also a part of many dogs' lives.

In a regular sneeze, air is pushed forcefully out through the nose. In a reverse sneeze, air is pulled rapidly in through the nose, and the sound is very different. The noise that accompanies reverse sneezing is typically a sudden, startling honk that makes many uninitiated dog parents think their pet is either choking or having an asthma attack or seizure.

Dogs in the midst of a reverse sneezing episode often stand still with their front legs splayed, neck extended or head back, and eyes bulging as they make a loud honking or snorting sound. It's the look and sound of reverse sneezing that often causes people to panic and rush their dog to the nearest emergency animal hospital.

Episodes of reverse sneezing can last from a few seconds to a minute or two. As soon as it passes, the dog's breathing returns to normal and he behaves as if nothing happened.

Causes of Reverse Sneezing

Reverse sneezing is caused by a spasm of the throat and soft palate. The spasm is triggered by an irritation to the throat, pharynx or laryngeal area. Some of the most common triggers include:

Excitement

Pulling on the leash

Air freshener sprays, plug-ins

Exercise intolerance

Environmental irritants

Perfume/cologne

A too-tight collar

Household chemicals

Sudden change in temperature

On rare occasions, a respiratory infection, chronic post-nasal drip, nasal polyps (small, non-cancerous growths in the nasal passage) or other masses or foreign bodies (e.g., foxtails) cause the condition.

Some dogs seem to reverse sneeze when there's a sudden change in temperature, either coming inside or going outside. In fact, my sweet Boston Terrier, Rosco, used to reverse sneeze every time he went outside in cold weather. I'd open the front door and right on cue, he'd reverse sneeze!

How to Help a Reverse-Sneezing Dog

Reverse sneezing rarely requires treatment. As soon as the sneezing stops, the situation is resolved, but since these episodes can make your dog anxious, it's important that you remain calm. If you flip out each time she reverse-sneezes, you can actually condition her to panic when it happens.

If you feel the need to do something for your dog, you can try massaging her throat to stop the spasm. You can also try covering her nostrils very briefly. This will cause her to swallow, which usually helps clear the irritation and stop the sneezing:

If the episode doesn't end quickly and if you trust your dog's response, you can try putting your hand in her mouth and pressing on her tongue. This will cause her to open her mouth wider and help move air through the nose effectively.

The truth is, these types of interventions are usually unnecessary and can even add to your dog's stress (and yours). I do recommend you pay attention to when the reverse sneezing occurs, where your dog is and what she's doing right before or as it begins. If you can identify the triggers for her reverse sneezing episodes, you can work to reduce or resolve the problem.

When to Make an Appointment With Your Veterinarian

If the reverse sneezing becomes a chronic problem, or episodes are becoming more frequent or longer in duration, I recommend making an appointment with your vet to rule out things like a potential foreign body in the respiratory tract, a collapsing trachea, nasal cancers, polyps or tumors, nasal mites, kennel cough or a respiratory infection.

If you're able to videotape your dog during an episode, it can help your vet determine whether it's reverse sneezing or perhaps something else. If your dog is experiencing prolonged episodes of reverse sneezing, any sort of discharge from the nose or other respiratory problems, it's also time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.

And if you happen to have a kitty who's experiencing episodes of reverse sneezing, since the condition is less common in cats, it's important to investigate the possibility of feline asthma or an upper respiratory infection. Just as dogs sneeze intermittently throughout their lives, most dogs have at least a few reverse sneezing episodes as well. In the vast majority of cases, the episodes resolve on their own and leave the dog no worse for wear.

Expensive clinic visits and high vet bills – not to mention all those costly allergy medications your vet can prescribe – may be the reason why you put off taking your itchy, allergic pooch to the doctor. The constant itching and scratching can lead to hair loss, trauma, and skin infections…and, as loving pet parents, we don’t want to see our fur babies suffer.

Here are 16 all-natural, inexpensive (or free) remedies available to you, some of them as close as your pantry or refrigerator.

Vitamin E will work on your dog’s dry skin just like it works on your wrinkles. I like to break open a capsule and rub the oil directly on my dog’s dry, itchy areas. Not only does the oil feel good to her, but also the massage action warms her muscles and helps the vitamin E penetrate faster to problem areas.

Yogurt Feeding your dog plain, low-fat yogurt keeps the good bacteria in your dog’s intestines in balance and helps keep yeast infections at bay. A little bit of yogurt in your pet’s diet is not only a healthy treat, but can boost the immune system so that skin and ear yeast infections can’t take hold. When my itchy dog was a puppy, I would give her a teaspoon of yogurt daily to help build immunity and prevent diarrhea. Alternative- Feed your dog a grain-free food with probiotics.

Chamomile tea & Herbal Tea soaks, chilled in the refrigerator, can alleviate any minor skin irritations when sprayed on sensitive, itchy spots. The chilled tea kills yeast and bacteria on the skin and relieves inflammation. When my itchy dog starts gnawing on her paws, I like to either spray them with the chamomile or just have her soak her paws in a small tub of the cold tea. Warm chamomile tea bags can soothe itchy, irritated eyes for both you and your dog. You can also try green tea and calendula.

Ground oatmeal poured into a bath or a shampoo, is an age-old remedy for itching, inflamed skin. You can either use the baby oatmeal cereal found at your local grocery store or grind it yourself in your food processor or coffee grinder. Your dog will love sitting in a warm bath containing oatmeal because it brings immediate relief to irritated area. Alternative- buy colloidal oatmeal shampoo and conditioner all ready mixed and ready to go.

Epsom salt soaks and heat packs can reduce the swelling of itchy paws and inflamed sores. A bath of warm water and Epsom salt also speeds up the healing time for any small, open sores, particularly when combined with veterinary antibiotics.

Evening primrose oil, an essential oil,has active anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties. You can apply primrose oil directly to your dog’s skin to treat dry or itchy skin issues. Likewise, giving your dog evening primrose oil by mouth helps calm allergies and boosts the immune system – and it only takes a few drops on her food or in her water to do the trick.

Eucalyptus Conditioner – Steep 1 teaspoon dried eucalyptus (or 2 tablespoons of fresh eucalyptus) in a pint of boiling water for 10 minutes, covered. Allow the eucalyptus water to cool to body temperature and pour it over your dog after her final rinse. Rub the mixture in and towel her dry without further rinsing. The eucalyptus in the conditioner repels fleas while promoting a soft, glossy coat. Alternative: Buy a an all natural eucalyptus shampoo and conditioner that’s already mixed and ready to go. Hint- make sure that it’s real eucalyptus essential oil, and not a fragrance.

Dry Shampoo – If your pooch hates getting into the water, an all-natural dry shampoo can keep her skin healthy and coat smelling good. Spread ½-cup to 1-cup of whole bran, uncooked oatmeal, or cornmeal on a cookie sheet and warm in the oven on low heat for 5 minutes to bring out the natural oils in the grain. Grab a handful of the grain (leaving the rest in the oven to stay warm) and rub it into your dog’s fur and skin with a towel, concentrating on the greasy, dirty areas. Then thoroughly brush the areas to remove all the grain. This dry shampoo exfoliates the skin while removing any nasty residue from your dog’s coat.

Essential Oil Shampoo – Add a few drops of eucalyptus or pennyroyal essential oil to natural shampoo or castile soap. Rinse your dog with clear water. Rinse again with vinegar-water (1 tbsp. to 1 pint warm water). This easy-to-make shampoo and rinse removes soap residue and prevents the dandruff that can result in itchy skin. Alternative: Buy a an all natural eucalyptus shampoo and conditioner that’s already mixed and ready to go. Hint- make sure that it’s real eucalyptus essential oil, and not a fragrance.

Herbal Flea Powder – Combine one part each of as many of these dried and powdered herbs as you can find: rosemary, fennel, eucalyptus, rue, yellow dock, and wormwood. Put this mixture in a clean, dry shaker-type jar, like one used for parsley flakes or Parmesan cheese. Apply the flea powder sparingly to the base of your dog’s coat by brushing back the hair first, then sprinkling in small amounts around the neck, belly, and back. You’ll need to use the powder several times a week for a severe flea infestation, and place your pooch outside in they yard so the repelled fleas don’t end up in your home. Remember, this powder only repels the pests…it does not kill them. Alternative: Buy all natural off-the-shelf sprays.

Natural Skin Tonic – This lemon-based tonic not only repels fleas, it works as a general skin toner for itchy pets. Thinly slice a whole lemon, including the rind, and steep it overnight in a pot of boiling water. The cooling water draws out d-limonene, vitamin C, and other healing ingredients found in the whole lemon. The next day, sponge it on your dog’s skin and let the solution air-dry. You can use the lemon tonic daily for cases of heavy flea infestation.

Baking Soda- Prepare a thick paste by using a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water. Apply to affected areas of your dog’s skin, leave for 20 minutes, and then rinse off. Alternatively add one cup of baking soda to your dog’s bath water if he is itching all over.

Apple Cider Vinegar- Prepare a 50/50 mix of apple cider vinegar with water, and use a spray bottle to apply it to affected areas.

Aspirin Mix- Crush two aspirin tablets and mix with a small amount of rubbing alcohol (do not administer by mouth). This mixture can be applied directly to affected areas of skin using cotton wool or cotton swabs. For maximum effect, apply in conjunction with one of the previously listed remedies.
Give your dog a bath – There is a common misconception that you shouldn’t bathe your dogs very often and that doing so can make skin conditions worse. Most veterinarians treat skin disease through a combination of steroids and antibiotics. But if you’re like me, you want to stay away from harsh drugs and try all natural courses of action first. The use of ’shampoo therapy’ to treat skin conditions may be the most overlooked natural therapy for dogs with skin disease.

Brush your dog every day – Who knew that something so simple and basic as brushing your dog’s coat could help to control and eliminate itchy and irritated skin. When his skin is itchy, inflammatory blood cells and chemical compounds such as histamine and prostaglandins accumulate in the affected area. These are all responsible for the reddening and inflammation that causes the itch.

Feed your dog coconut oil – Every night I mix up my dogs food with some coconut oil. In the summer it’s really easy because the oil is liquid due to the hot weather. In the winter it solidifies so you have to microwave it a few seconds before putting it on your dog’s food. Coconut oil is excellent for your dog’s coat and general health. You don’t need a dog specific coconut oil, a high quality human brand will do.

Homemade Dog Food

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 lb ground turkey
• 1 lb baby carrots
• 2 small baking potatoes
• 3 cups brown rice
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook all 3 ground meats together in larger 6 quart dutch oven.
2. Add rice, chicken broth and water. Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes.
3. Add potatoes and carrots, and slightly beaten eggs. Cook for an additional 20 - 30 minutes.
4. After cooking, put mixture into storage containers. This freezes very well.

Paula Ayers proudly brags.....What a fabulous time Hogan had in Washington! GCHB Brookhaven Here Comes Hogan grabs 3 breeds and tops it off with a group 2 placement!

The newsletter is only as good as the information shared with the editor. Please be generous with the sharing of your brags and any additional information you would like to see in the newsletter. That information can be sent to me at Fitchpatrick@Earthlink.net.

Do you know a club member who needs some sunshine? Please contact Maureen Miles and she will send a card on behalf of membership to brighten that person's day! Maureen can be contacted at 770-460-9197 or maureenvmiles@gmail.com

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB OF GREATER ATLANTA

www.ckcscatlanta.org

Mark Fitchpatrick, editor

Fitchpatrick@Earthlink.net