Boring but IMPORTANT Ramblings

It stopped storming so Mom said I could get on the computer. (Enzo was grounded yesterday so he missed his Good Things post... sorry, everyone.) I am NOT here to discuss good things- I'm actually going to talk about the opposite.

Ok, that's a little dramatic, but I am going to focus on an important topic that many people don't know about. In light of the Ice & Dogs Article going around (which is not 100% true- please do your research), Mom and I have decided to explain a few other strange dog behaviors and reactions.

Ok, so far I sound really boring, but.... yeah, ok, this is kind of boring. Stick with us, though, because it's really important for pet owners to read and know!

Odd Pet Behavior (that should raise some red flags!):

1. Head Against the Wall

This is an strange behavior in dogs and cats. Mom first saw this in an article titled "Dogs That Forget How to Dog. While it's slightly humorous, it's a sign of serious danger.

This behavior is a symptom of damage to the nervous system, which can include prosencephalon disease (I have no idea how to pronounce this) or a form of toxic poisoning. Other behaviors to watch out for include pacing, seizures, vision issues, and changes in training-behaviors. Causes include sodium imbalance, head trauma, rabies, tumors, or other nervous system damage. It's important to react because the pacing and head-leaning can cause lesions. Read more about it here!

2. Scooting/Licking THAT Area...

Hehe... "Scooting".... get it?

This may or may not be something that I suffer from...... We're going to stick with the most common causes (and if none of these are troubling your pooch, it's time to seek professional advice). The biggest cause of the dreaded scoot is anal sac issues. (Aren't you glad you opened this article??) This is an easy- but totally gross- fix. The veterinarian squeezes and drains the anal gland, relieving pressure and fluid. This happens in cats, too. (It probably happens more to cats because they're stupid.) On time Mom took me to get my anal glands squeezed and they put me on the table and when the vet went back there I peed on him! It was awesome! (Mom: LYLEE!) I mean... it was an evil thing to do and I feel badly for it... (not).

Other causes include fecal contamination (a.k.a. poop is stuck to our rear...) and/or worms. Trust us, we don't streak your carpet because it feels good (even though it does)!

3. Compulsively Spinning/Licking/Tail-Chasing/Etc.

Ok, not all tail-chasing/lick/etc. is danger. You should be concerned if this behavior is compulsive. This behavior may stem from an injury where dog licked themselves (and now keep licking that spot). These behaviors are also symptoms of anxiety due to confinement, limited interaction, and abuse. Sometimes these weird behaviors develop for no reason at all... Treating this is tricky because it can be a behavioral issue or chemical imbalance. First rule out any medical issues, then move on to removing the trigger, training the dog, and distraction methods. Learn more about it here!

More information!
As summer arrives, here are some treats to keep AWAY from your pets!
Chicken bones
Corn cobs
Grapes
Alcohol
LARGE amounts of ice cream (Mom gets us ice cream sometimes...)
Hostas (yes, the plant)


And here's a list of yummy GOOD (FROZEN) treats:
Apples (NO SEEDS)
Peanut Butter
Low-sodium chicken or beef broth
Carrots
Blueberries ("Beagles love blueberries.")
Ice
Beans
Lettuce
Yogurt
Pumpkin

There you have it, folks. We skipped Good Things this week but we've replaced it with informative medical advice and "Do&Don't"s of summer food! Next week we'll return you to your normal, annoying, positive puppy.

- Doctor Lylee the Dietitian