Walking With Caution

Last week’s discussion was a good one. I appreciate your input and opinions on a couple hot button topics! We have topics to keep us occupied the next two weeks, but I’m still looking for ideas. We may be covering some of our original blog topics again, updating older information. If you have an idea you’d like me to discuss, please send it my way at bkarrick@hearst.com.

Chase is back to his normal and energetic self, and the areas he had shaved for surgery are almost grown back. Here’s a photo I took with my Verizon cell phone yesterday. I tried to get him to turn slightly toward me, so you’d be able to see the side of his face. Remember how swollen it was under his ear? The abscess is gone, and the spot just about fully healed! Maybe I’ll work on his pose for next week. If I can snap a picture before Wednesday, I’ll add it to this blog!

We were out on a walk today, and when we came across another walker with her small dog, Chase started snarling and growling, hackles up. This is becoming more common on our walks, almost to the point of embarrassing for me. Do your dogs get excited, or a bit too aggressive when they see another dog on a walk? This is something that began within the past 6 to 8 months, and I was wondering if it had something to do with the aging process? Has your dog become more of a crank as they get older? How do you handle the situation? Is your dog actually becoming more mellow or more aggressive as they age?

One thing I’ve started doing with Chase when we come across another dog on a leash is pulling him right up by my side. We walk on the opposite side of the path, and sometimes into yards to avoid getting too close. Today, we ran out of space between the sidewalk and a fence, and the other dog had roaming space on his leash. He started coming toward us, and Chase sent him a clear signal he didn’t want to be bothered. I think it started the poor woman who was walking! If we see a dog at a distance, we cross the street or sometimes turn around.

I’m getting more concerned about dogs off-leash coming up to us as well. It’ll be hard to keep another dog from coming up and starting a rumble! Last spring, I mentioned a Golden Retriever that barreled at us, growling and carrying on. The only thing I could do was pull Chase in circles as I tried to kick the dog away. I’m surprised I didn’t get bit! The owner showed no remorse. We’re having similar issues in my neighborhood with three small dogs that are supposed to be in a yard with an electric fence. Unfortunately, they don’t have the collars on and bolt across the street at us all the time. I’m not only concerned they’ll come up and bite me or Chase, but they could get hit by a car!

Anyway, if you have any insight on a dog’s attitude as they age(cats can be included as well!)our fellow bloggers would love to hear from you!

Until next week-  Bryan & Chase ^..^

Hot Topic: Local Controversies

Chase had his last recovery check-up at Banfield last week, and isn’t scheduled to be back for at least 3 to 6 months. His wound has almost completely healed, and the areas shaved for surgery are quickly growing back. We even removed the E-collar a couple days ago, and I can tell he feels free once again! While at the vet, blood was taken and his thyroid levels re-tested. It sounds like his levels are normal! His medications are working pretty well. Not only has his coat increased its shine, but he isn’t shedding as much, and his energy level is back up again. Great news overall!! We’re down from 5 medications to 1 now:

Now on to what I mentioned might stir up an emotional discussion this week. We’ve got two stories in the news grabbing headlines and creating an outpouring of opinions. Let’s start with a hot topic that has generated a mass discussion on kcci.com. Here is the story: http://www.kcci.com/news/21512821/detail.html Because of my current occupation, I’m really not allowed to present my feelings/opinions on this story. You’re more than welcome to share, and I’d be curious to know what your thoughts are regarding this situation. I know emotions will run high, but please keep in mind the freedom to express opinions, and please keep those emotions in check when replying to someone’s post.

Did you know, Iowa is among the top states when it comes to puppy mills? Another hot topic jumping into the headlines this week was the discovery of dead dogs in a Windsor Heights home. Was it neglect, or is something else festering at 6530 Elmcrest Drive in W.H.? It looks like this case goes well beyond this address, but it brings to mind the long-standing puppy mill debate. How should the owners of 6530 Elmcrest be charged? This is the story on kcci.com: http://www.kcci.com/news/21519715/detail.html

Sure hope you have a chance to spend some time outdoors with your furry friends this weekend, as temperatures approach 70 Saturday! Although a bit breezy, we’ll take the wind with the warmth any November day…

Until next week- Bryan & Chase ^..^

Happy 6th, Chase!!

Not sure what happened, but I blinked and yesterday was over! My day was so packed with stuff, it didn’t dawn on me until last night that I had not written up our blog discussion. It would figure my head is so clogged this morning due to a bad cold, I’ll probably sound like I’m writing gibberish.

Thanks again to all of you who have written with either sentiments regarding Chase’s recovery, or congrats on the award I was presented. It’s so nice to hear from you. Speaking of Chase, today (October 29)is his 6th birthday! Here is a photo of the peanut butter cake I picked up for him from Three Dog Bakery. It’s a tradition, and one that he LOVES!Chase has been doing really well since his surgery, and continues to make a full recovery. One of the most commonly asked questions, right behind how he’s doing, is how long he has to wear that darn Elizabethan collar. We go in for a check up today, but I have a feeling it’ll be a few more days. There’s just enough of a scab near his ear to make me nervous. One of the first things he does each morning is reach up to scratch the area, and without the collar, we’d probably have a mess. I’m hoping(and know he is too!)the collar will be gone this weekend!!

Let’s stick with the birthday theme in our discussion this week. I stumbled on a site which happens to shed more light on an age old thought that each dog year equals 7 human years. Not quite accurate! Check this out: http://www.dogyears.com/  How interesting to see the actual breakdown, and kind of sad to think of Chase as a 45-year old human already(and that’s not at all a slam on those of you in your 40s!)

Do you have a special tradition for your pet each year on their birthday? How many of you throw birthday parties? Chase hasn’t had a birthday party since he was 1 or 2. It’s usually low-key, so he can enjoy his cake on his own. What kind of presents do you get your furry friend for their birthday? I’ll have to look around PetsMart today while we’re in for Chase’s check-up. I’d love to find him a new glow ball to replace the ripped one he so enjoys now!

1 more very wet day before a longer stretch of dry weather! This rain is getting old…

Until next week- Bryan & Chase^..^

What’s On Your Mind?

First, a big thank you to all who have sent congratulatory messages my way! I’ve been humbled and honored to accept the award for Broadcaster of the Year from the National Weather Association. Wish I could have brought back the 70s I experienced in Norfolk, VA along with the award! At least our weekend looks better.

Chase was pretty darn excited to have me home once again, and I gave him a big hug to thank him for his support over the years. I was amazed at how much hair has returned to areas of his body that were shaved for surgery. His scabs are nearly gone as well, but his Elizabethan collar stays on until they’re completely gone! He’s tried to scratch the area a few times since I’ve been home. I have a feeling he’ll be healed by next weekend. We’re already weaning him off a few of his medications!

This week, we’ll open the blog to anything you would like to discuss. What’s on your mind when it comes to pets? What are some of the hot topics? I’ll have a little more time to blog on a specific   next week, but I’m going to take my current break to answer a bunch of email messages. I will leave you with something our fellow blogger Judy sent me awhile ago:

A Pet’s Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however, you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
Author Unknown

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters. Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

Until next week! Bryan & Chase ^..^

Fingers/Paws Still Crossed

It’s with a heavy-heart I start this week’s blog discussion with news of the passing of John McLaughlin’s black lab Shadow. He was 12, and lived a great life with John and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. Between Shadow’s passing, and the loss of Doppler, Kurtis’ black lab a couple months ago, I’m count my blessings Chase continues to make a full recovery. His swelling has gone down considerably, although part of the infected area is still a bit firm. He has his sutures removed Thursday, and will more than likely be able to shed his gigantic, Elizabethan collar over the weekend! Dr. Val would like to keep him on antibiotics for the time being, so we can kick the rest of this infection completely out of his body.

During one of our vet visits, I grabbed an interesting pamphlet talking about advancements in doggy DNA analysis. I bet I’ve perked up the ears of those of you who call a “mutt” your best friend! These advancements can actually give you details into what breeds make up your furry friend.

This is more than just a matter of curiosity, as one online article points out. Finding out which breeds create your pet can mean discovering behavioral patterns/issues, a breed’s historical background, or even breed-specific health problems. Imagine the possibilities of gaining the upper hand on a health issue in a breed found within your dog, and knowing how to care for it head of time?!

If you’d like to find more information on this relatively new testing process, do a Google search for dog DNA tests. A number of sites pop up, and each company provides their procedures and prices. It can be a bit expensive, depending on who you decide to use. Speaking of testing, have any of you had your dog officially analyzed? If so, how much did it run you, and what were the results?

Before you run out and pay a bunch of money to have your dog tested, be aware that canine genetics is still pretty new, and according to another article, is not an exact science. You may use multiple services, and have widely varying results. It may make you scratch your head even more! Carefully research these genetic companies before you spend your hard earned dollar. Ask your vet if they have any information regarding DNA testing as well.

Hang in there a couple more days, and the weekend weather will improve! How about 60s by Sunday??!

Until next week- Bryan & Chase ^..^

The Road to Recovery

It’s been a LONG couple of weeks in my household, both emotionally and physically draining. I’m looking forward to the weekend, so I can hibernate and catch up on sleep! If you read last week’s discussion, we were monitoring a couple areas of swelling around Chase’s head. By mid-week, both areas had subsided and I was hoping he would be back to 100% by Friday. Unfortunately, he took a turn for the worse.

By Friday, the area of swelling under his ear had started growing again. Here’s a photo showing the lopsided nature of his head. Notice the bulge on the left side of the picture. I could tell it was bothering him. He was scratching that area a more and frequently shaking his head. It got bad enough for another trip to Banfield, and a stronger dose of antibiotics. We were hoping the higher dose of antibiotics would kick in and cause the swelling to decrease by Saturday afternoon, but it continued to get worse. As soon as the vet opened Sunday morning, we were one of the first in line. The ball on his face had grown even more overnight, and he was now in pain.

We decided to schedule Chase for a minor surgery Monday morning to open the infected area and drain it, hoping the source of the swelling would be somewhere under the skin. Until then, I was to keep a close eye on him and call immediately if anything changed. Sure enough, the spot enlarged to where it looked like it could explode, and it took one round of itching while I wasn’t looking to break it open. It was after Banfield’s hours, and I was in a panic.

Blood and pus started oozing out of the wound, and Chase was really bothered by the feeling. Every time he shook his head, fluid shot all over the house. It looked like someone was murdered in my living room! I frantically called the emergency vet and was told to bring him in right away. This was the second Sunday in a row(and around the same time as the first Sunday)we were visiting the folks at Iowa Veterinary Specialties. Once again, they were very comforting and helpful. We got him cleaned up and wrapped in a bandage. We decided it would be okay to wait until Monday to have a more intense surgery, then made our way home for a night of very little sleep. I was scared he would scratch it again, or the infection would make him even sicker.

I drove him over to Banfield Monday morning, and he was prepped and went through surgery to drain and clean the infected area. I was on pins and needles, worried for my best friend on the operating table. When I was able to swing by for an update, Dr. Enlow explained the area was an abscess, a pocket of infected material, or pus, consisting of bacteria or other organisms, as well as red and white blood cells(source: Banfield.) She wasn’t able to find a source of the infection, and said it could have been just about anything from a bite to some sort of wound. We went over the procedure they performed and his recovery period, then I was allowed to see him. His face was so swollen and head wrapped comfortably, and he barreled toward me with big hugs and kisses. It almost brought me to tears.

Chase spent the night at Banfield. They kept a close eye on him and cleaned his wounds. I was able to pick him up Tuesday afternoon, and was given recovery instructions. He has two drain tubes on the side of his face, and we’re keeping the areas around them clean. He’s on an anti-inflammatory and antibiotics with food, and has an Elizabethan collar that seems huge(here’s a photo!)We go back in to have the tubes checked tomorrow, and the stitches will hopefully come out sometime late next week. We’re not out of the woods yet, since the infection could still rear its ugly head if we don’t keep the area clean, and watch it closely. Now we’re trying to figure out ways to get some exercise without overdoing it. My questions to you this week: How many of you have had pets with an abscess? How about a pet who has had a major surgery? What did you do to get them some exercise, even though they shouldn’t do too much when recovering? Chase is giving me the “let’s play” look right now, and I want him to take it easy. And finally, did your pet get used to the Elizabethan collar??

I’ll be sure to update you over the next several days in our blog discussion. Thanks to those of you who have already sent get well wishes our way!! Until next week- Bryan & (a recovering)Chase ^..^

Checking On Chase

Our last trip to the vet wasn’t a fun experience for me and Chase. Don’t get me wrong, the staff at Banfield treated us really well as usual, but the diagnosis of an ear infection and Hypothyroidism soured the mood. Imagine my surprise when we’d make another trip to the vet a little over a week later! Yep, this time it was a Sunday evening trip to Iowa Veterinary Specialties, the emergency vet on Des Moines’ southwest side. [Photo: I'm not supposed to be up here!]

We got up Sunday morning and took a walk, enjoying the beautiful weather that greeted us. When we arrived back at the house, I went to pull his collar off and he cried out. I noticed the side of his head had swelled up and looked very red. I had to run for a few hours, but when I returned, the skin around his throat had also swelled. Since it was a Sunday, my only option was the emergency vet(I didn’t realize Banfield JUST added Sundays to their hours of operation.) The staff made me and Chase feel very welcome and were extremely helpful.

Once in the exam room, Chase’s vitals were recorded and the vet came in to check out the situation. She wanted to run a test on the swollen area around the ear, thinking it was maybe an abscess. If that was the case, he would need to be put under and the abscess drained. It wasn’t very long when she returned and said she had found a milky fluid and bacteria in the swelling, but wasn’t quite sure what was causing it. The area in his neck wasn’t a big concern yet, so we talked about keeping a close eye on it. Chase was put on a couple antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. This was in addition to his Thyroid meds and ear drops for his ear infection.

Chase popped awake Monday morning and started scratching his infected ear, letting out a blood-curdling scream as he did so. It wasn’t a pleasant way to wake up! I felt so bad, but had to get to work. I decided it would be best for me to run home on my break to check on him, and  he looked like he was still in pain. I stopped by Banfield and explained the situation, and the vet put him on a pain killer. I was told to take a couple days break from the ear drops, since rubbing the area would agitate an already painful situation.

After a few days of swollen spots and some pain, Chase is doing much better. His energy level was high yesterday and the swollen spots had shrunk. I’ve pampered him even more(if you can believe that)and continue watching his demeanor and the swollen spots closely. We’re hoping he’s back to 100% in the next couple days!

Since this is a little off our normal discussion, let’s talk about your pets and their ailments. Are they dealing with anything unusual, or the typical ear infections, etc? How many medications have they been on, and how long did it take them to recover?

I’ve already got a great topic lined up for our next blog! Until next week- Bryan & Chase ^..^

Not What I Expected

Two weeks of swimming multiple times a day took its toll on Chase’s skin. He loved every minute of it, and was exhausted by the end of each day. One of the problems with his coat is trying to get it thoroughly dry. If you have a bigger dog, you know exactly what I’m talking about. I also neglected to get his ears dried out. Labs are prone to ear infections because water sits in their deeper ear canals and festers.

When we returned to Des Moines, Chase had already started itching and I noticed flaking along his back. He was also shaking his head, and would wine if I touched one of his ears. Toward the middle of last week, both ailments were getting worse. We made an appointment at Banfield Pet Hospital and made a visit Friday. After checking out his skin and ears, the vet suggested doing a quick Thyroid test to make sure he wasn’t suffering from Hypothyroidism. Blood was drawn and the results didn’t take long. I wasn’t quite sure what Hypothyroidism meant, so when the vet returned and broke the news Chase had it, I was stunned. When you’re not aware of something serious like this, it catches your breath. I felt my heart sink, but the vet quickly assured me this was not all that uncommon, easily treatable and he’d be just fine.

I still felt so bad. I had ignored a slight shake in Chase’s leg(s) from time to time when he stood still, passing it off as nervousness. His coat was getting dull, but I chalked that up to his diet and switched foods. I got frustrated when I would throw his ball and he’d run out and lay down, almost acting lethargic. When we walk, he occasionally lags behind. All of these signs were telling me something, but it took 2 weeks of solid swimming and an itchy skin condition to get him to the vet. I’m thankful we caught this when we did, and now we’re adjusting to a lifetime of medication to treat it.

Hypothyroidism is actually common in dogs, but pretty rare in cats. Do any of you have pets who have Hypothyroidism, or maybe suffer from this condition yourself? I know several people who have it, but I don’t know anyone in my immediate circle of friends who have pets with this condition. Hypothyroidism occurs when not enough thyroid hormones are produced. The thyroid plays an important role in regulating metabolism, as well as a number of other functions. Here’s an in-depth article on Hypothyroidism: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=461

If you think something may be wrong with your pet, don’t hesitate to call your vet, or make an appointment to have them checked out. I’ll be paying more attention to the signs now and keeping a close eye on my best friend!

Until next week-  Bryan & Chase ^..^

Important Topic: Flu & Your Furry Friend

Last week, I sat back and realized my laptop was absorbing too much of my vacation time, as I was downloading and sending out vacation photos almost every day. I finally set the computer aside and made it my goal to avoid it at all costs, thus the reason we didn’t have a blog discussion last week. My apologies if you were out here looking for a new topic last week!

It seems like the talk of the town these days involves the H1N1 flu. The number of possible future infections to humans seems staggering, and people are going to extremes to avoid catching it. A Twin Cities television station was even reporting a football team was told not to shake hands after their football games, so they would avoid spreading the possible virus. Seems a bit extreme when they’re running into each other and tackling. So our question of the week: Can my pet catch the H1N1 virus?

Ironically, Chase came down with a bug last week. We were sitting on the couch one evening, and he just looked miserable. Not only tired, but sick. I reached over to wipe some drool from his mouth, and he growled at me! He’s never done that before, so I knew he didn’t feel well. A half hour later, I reached over to pet him, and he growled once again! It was so late in the evening, I started to become really concerned. The nearest vet was 45-minutes away and not always available(especially after hours.) The only vet that would more than likely be available was in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and nearly 2 hours away. I let him sleep it off, and although he wasn’t 100% the next day, he progressively got better.

So, could he have had the flu virus? Yes, dogs and cats can catch a flu virus, but not the H1N1 virus. Humans are a different enough species that it’s very difficult to pass a virus or catch a virus from our pets. From what I’ve found in reading research, cats can catch the H5N1 flu, also known as the Avian flu. Feral and semi-domestic cats are at highest risk, but a domestic cat has a slight risk of catching the Avian flu. Again, studies are still being done to confirm passing of these cases, but NO passage of H1N1 has been documented in cats or dogs to date.

The ASPCA is an excellent source for any information regarding pets. Here is a link to their site and a discussion on H1N1 flu and our pets: http://www.aspca.org/pressroom/press-releases/042909-2.html They also have very detailed articles on both dog flu and cat flu on their site. Go out to www.aspca.org and click on the Pet Care tab at the top. From there, choose either Dog Care or Cat Care, and find the health section. View all Health articles and look under Dog Flu or Cat Flu. As we discuss the flu, I’d be curious to know if any of your pets have been diagnosed with the flu, and what symptoms they were showing. How did your vet get them back to normal?

I’ve got plenty of pics to share from our vacation, so check back over the next few to catch a couple in our future blogs! Until next week- Bryan & Chase ^..^

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

You know you’re on vacation when the days all blend together, you don’t want or need to look at a clock, and you completely forget about work! Apparently, I’m on vacation!! We’re having a great time in the northwoods of Minnesota’s Arrowhead, and I’ve taken plenty of pictures of Chase to share over the next several weeks. Here’s a photo what he’s spent a good portion of his vacation enjoying. Yep, he’s into dock jumping, although not for distance.Do you remember what it was like growing up, when you had summer vacation to sleep in, play with friends all day, and stay up late? What about the excitement of going back to school in the fall? Seeing friends from other neighborhoods and meeting new teachers. It was also time for that first essay: What did you do on your summer break? So, this week’s discussion is pretty easy. Were you able to take your pets on any vacations, or do anything extra fun during the warm, summer months? 250 words in single spaced sentences, please! I’m just kidding…

Besides our annual two weeks in Minnesota, Chase has kept me busy on Clive’s trails with our daily walk or two. He’s helped me in the garden(eating string beans.)  Other than our typical summer stuff, we haven’t done anything out of the ordinary. He still makes it to the Raccoon River Dog Park with his friends at Greenbelt Kennels. After we make our way back to Des Moines in a little over a week, we’ll quietly wind our way into the fall season and think about next year’s trip to the northwoods!!

Until next week(if I don’t lose track of time!)  Bryan & Chase ^..^