North County Pet Services and Photography

Housebreaking With Training Pads

2010-05-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

If you're a dog owner who's pet needs to be confined indoors long hours, then this article is for you. Try training you're puppy or dog with training pads, and you'll find your home cleaner, with very little mopping up to do.

If you have a dog that has to stay inside your home long hours, you might want to train him to use paper or pads. This is done by using pretreated pads or papers and encouraging your dog to use these to defecate. On the pads, there are chemicals that give off a scent, which attracts dogs to use them.

Keep an eye on the puppy all the time. As soon as you see him behaving in that familiar 'need to go' way (this is when he circles around sniffing the floor), pick him up gently, and without saying anything to him, bring him and place him on the pad or the paper. When you've done that, it would help to give him a "go potty" command. Once he has peed or done his business, praise him by petting him or playing with him excitedly. Consistency with this practice will help your pet associate his need to relieve himself with the paper or pad and with the command to go and potty.

When your puppy gets the hang of it, and is more consistent with this potty behavior, you can begin shifting the papers or pads closer to the door. If you need to, you can start moving them towards the bathroom. You can even have 2 spots, one in the home, and one outside, so you just need to move the pads or papers towards the desired potty place. After getting the puppy to consistently go there, you may get rid of the paper or pads. During this training period, your puppy might have an accident or two. If it does, don't scold or punish the puppy so as to not scare him or stress him out. There are those that go as far as to rub their pets' noses in their mess. This does not help, and might even cause some setbacks. Instead, just clean up the mess quietly. Your puppy will soon realize that going potty on the pad is safe and it pleases you.

If you are trying to get the puppy to eliminate outdoors, this method would still work, but it would be a longer process. This is because you are first encouraging the puppy to eliminate inside the house, before finally getting him to go outside. If you have time to properly train your dog to eliminate outside the house, then that would be preferable and can be done by using the methods I mentioned earlier. But if you stay in an apartment and training pads are what you're looking for, try and look out for these features or criteria before buying any.

Buy pads of good quality. When you buy puppy training pads, you'd want something that can protect the floor. There are several types of training pads in the market that are of poor quality and are too thin. These pads don't absorb much and end up leaving a mess on your floor.

Select pads of the correct size. You might want to take a few factors into consideration, namely, whether you want to change them after every use, and whether your puppy can accurately pee onto the target. How big or small the dog is, matters too.

And never forget, each time your puppy does something right, praise and encourage him. Your pet's aim in life is to please you, and once you make it clear to him what you want, the training process becomes easier.

Raw Chicken For Dogs

2010-03-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Many Dog owners have a real issue with feeding raw food to their Dogs.

We forget that Dogs are natural meat eaters and no wild Dog or Wolf has ever decided to cook its food before eating!

Raw meat and bones are one of the best treats you could give to your Dog and will have the added advantage of keeping their teeth clean.

Raw Chicken for Dogs is a fantastic treat. They can eat the whole bird with no adverse consequences. Raw Chicken bones are soft and easily crunched up and digested by your Dog. There is no need to be concerned. Chicken Wings are a great favourite for Dogs. Cheap and easy to give as a great, tasty treat.

Much better is to buy a whole Chicken and cut it in to pieces. You can then treat your Dog on occasion with a super snack. They love munching on Chicken necks as well.

The only thing you need to keep in mind is the sharp needle like bone in the Chicken thigh. Remove it before feeding the thigh to your Dog. It is very sharp and may cause injury. Apart from this all other parts of the Chicken are great for your Dog. You will be amazed how much they will appreciate this fantastic treat. Once you have begun to feed raw Chicken you will wish you had done it before.

It is a simple yet super tasty treat for your beloved Dog. Why not try it and see how much they enjoy it?

If you have any concerns talk to your Vet about it beforehand. Just remember never to feed cooked bones to a Dog. Cooked bones are very brittle and can cause untold damage in a Dog.

2009-10-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

I look up and I see God. I look down and see my Dog. And in my human frailty…..I can't match their love for me.

2009-10-21T12:58:00.001-07:00

God thought of and made the dog. Dog reflects a part of God. I've seen love from both sides now. It's everywhere…..Amen….bow wow.

2009-10-21T07:38:00.001-07:00

Both God and my dog love me no matter what. I take it hard each time I fail, but God forgives..... and my dog wags his tail.

2009-10-20T18:57:00.001-07:00

I look up and I see God. I look down and see my Dog. Simple spelling G-O-D .......same word backwards D-O-G. They would stay with me all day....I'm the one that walks away. But both of them just wait for me, and dance at my return with glee.

2009-10-19T19:29:00.001-07:00

Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.

2009-10-18T09:50:00.003-07:00

"Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window."

2009-10-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

"Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to."

2009-10-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods.........cats have never forgotten this!"

2009-10-16T11:22:00.001-07:00

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language."

2009-10-15T16:53:00.001-07:00

God created domestic cats so that men might touch tigers.

2009-10-15T06:30:00.001-07:00

Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.

2009-10-15T06:24:00.001-07:00

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
— St. Francis of Assisi

2009-10-14T13:11:00.001-07:00

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

2009-10-13T22:00:00.001-07:00

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.

2009-10-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

I love dogs. They do nothing for political reasons.

2009-10-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Living with animals can be a wonderful experience, especially if we choose to learn the valuable lessons animals teach through their natural enthusiasm, grace, resourcefulness, affection and forgiveness.

2009-10-09T11:36:00.001-07:00

Every baby animal is unique and adorable, and there is no greater love than that between a mother and her young. It is the power of this love that explains why humans have always sought the company of young animals.

2009-10-08T17:29:00.001-07:00

Nature always takes her time. Great oaks don't become great overnight. They also lose a lot of leaves, branches and bark in the process of becoming great.

2009-10-08T08:42:00.001-07:00

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

2009-10-07T14:23:00.001-07:00

Emotional healing is a most amazing gift that's bestowed by our furry friends ... The choice to nurture a pet in our life can bring huge returns on our investment.

2009-10-06T11:19:00.001-07:00

Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us can meet. By loving and  understanding animals, perhaps we humans could come to understand each other.

2009-10-06T08:34:00.001-07:00

The one absolutely unselfish friend that people can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him/her, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his/her dog.

2009-10-05T18:58:00.001-07:00

Dogs are deep, deep wells you throw all your emotions into.

2009-10-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That's the essence of inhumanity.

2009-10-04T08:32:00.001-07:00

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better.

2009-10-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

People, unlike animals, have never learned that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.

2009-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.

2009-10-02T15:40:00.001-07:00

The love of all living creatures is the most noble attribute of humans.

2009-10-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

If all of the animals were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the animals also happens to man. All things are connected.

2009-10-01T20:18:00.001-07:00

If you have never loved an animal, a part of your soul remains unawakened.

2009-10-01T13:38:00.001-07:00

2009-09-30T22:48:00.001-07:00

“My dog is usually pleased with what I do, because he is not infected with the concept of what I “should” be doing.”

2009-09-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Ask people why they have deer heads on their walls.......they say because they are such beautiful animals. I think my wife is beautiful too, but I have photographs of her.

2009-09-29T22:02:00.001-07:00

Animals should be enjoyed through the viewfinder of a camera, not in the crosshairs of a gunsight. After you've finished "shooting," the animals are still around for others to enjoy.

2009-09-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst; a rat is a pig - is a dog - is a human.

2009-09-29T13:23:00.001-07:00

The basis of all animal rights should be the Golden Rule: we should treat them as we would wish them to treat us, were any other species in our dominant position.

2009-09-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

When a person destroys one of the works of man, we call him a vandal. When he destroys one of the works of God, we call him a sportsman.

2009-09-28T06:24:00.001-07:00

Ask the experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are like us." Ask the experimenters why it is morally okay to experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are not like us." Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction.

2009-09-27T12:22:00.001-07:00

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

2009-09-26T08:22:00.001-07:00

The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?" but rather, "Can they suffer?"

2009-09-25T20:24:00.001-07:00

Dogs represent all that is best in humanity.

2009-09-25T12:55:00.001-07:00

I think animal testing is a terrible idea; they get all nervous and give the wrong answers.

2009-09-25T12:42:00.001-07:00

2009-09-25T07:33:00.001-07:00

To sit with a dog on the beach is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.

2009-09-24T20:26:00.001-07:00

Anyone who has ever felt the warm heartbeat at their feet knows that dogs offer pure unconditional love and loyalty.

2009-09-24T16:07:00.001-07:00

A dog has one aim in life... to bestow his heart.

2009-09-23T13:52:00.000-07:00

"If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either."

2009-09-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

"One of my goals in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am."

2009-09-20T15:50:00.001-07:00

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

2009-09-19T19:01:00.001-07:00

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."

2009-09-18T05:21:00.001-07:00

God loved the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages.

2009-09-17T07:24:00.001-07:00

"A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion."

2009-09-16T15:53:00.001-07:00

"No matter how little money you have and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

2009-09-10T06:17:00.001-07:00

"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant."

2009-09-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

"Money can buy you a good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

2009-09-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

"In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog."

2009-08-26T09:03:00.001-07:00

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. ~St. Francis of Assisi

2009-08-15T14:09:00.001-07:00

People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

Understanding the Hackles on a Dog

2009-07-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

The hackles on a dog is a ridge of hair along its backbone that can stand up. This ridge of hair can provide invaluable information to an observer or dog owner to help prevent dog fights and avoid dog bites.

If the dog raises all of its hackles, meaning the ridge of hair along its backbone stands up from the base of its neck all along to the tail, the dog is either being afraid or aggressive and either way is in attack mode. This is a warning sign that needs to be heeded. If possible to do safely, the dog owner needs to distract the dog’s attention away from whatever it is fixed upon and reinforce more positive friendly behavior.

Sometimes a dog will raise some of its hackles when in an extremely excited state of mind. This may mean that only the hair near the dog’s neck or the dog’s tail stands up, or for some dogs, the hair at both ends of the ridge stands up, leaving only the middle of the hackles down. This typically is not a sign of aggression and simply means that the dog is very excited. This may happen, for example, when a high energy dog enters a dog park and greets the other dogs.

Even so, when meeting an unfamiliar dog that has any of its hackles standing up, it is important to take extreme caution, just in case the dog decides to attack.

The top 10 things kids should know about dogs

2009-07-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Children and dogs go together like summer and flip flops. This natural combination can have bad outcomes if the kids aren't taught basic manners around dogs, and don't understand that dogs are thinking, feeling beings too. So here's what every child should know about dogs:

Never touch a dog without asking it's owner first. Some owners don't want their dogs petted, and some dogs don't want to be petted, either.
Pet a dog under it's chin or along it's side. Some dogs might get scared if you pet the top of their head.
Do not stare into a dog's eyes. Some dogs feel threatened by this.
Try to be quiet. Some dogs are scared by loud noises.
Try to move slowly. Some dogs are scared if you jump around.
Never feed a strange dog. Some dogs are on a diet can only eat special dog food.
Dogs don't like to have their hair pulled, just like you don't.
Dogs have sharp teeth and can hurt you just by accident, so don't put your hand in a dog's mouth.
Most dogs are not mean. If you are nice to them, they'll be nice to you.
Don't hug a dog. They don't understand, and they can't hug you bac

Top 10 Most Dangerous Foods For Dogs

2009-06-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Chocolate & anything with caffeine especially dark chocolate contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine. This is a very dangerous substance to dogs. If you know that your dog has eaten chocolate take it to the vet immediately. If your dog eats a very small amount of chocolate, usually it only causes digestive issues.
Onions & Garlic contain sulfoxides and disulfides which damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Onions being the most toxic of the two, however garlic should be avoided as well.
Grapes and Raisins have a toxin that effects dogs kidney function and causes kidney damage and can lead to kidney failure.
Macadamia & Other nuts contain toxins that effect the digestive system, nervous system, and muscles.
Mushrooms effect many areas of a dogs body. They can cause shock and even possibly death.
Large Quantities of Liver results in Vitamin A toxisity and effects muscles and bones of the animal.
Human Vitamins Containing Iron damage dogs digestive system wall lining, kidneys, and liver. Be sure to use a vitamin supplement designed for dogs.
Milk & Other Dairy Products have lactose and many dogs don’t have enough lactose enzymes to effectively break it down. This effects the dogs digestive system and leads to diarrhea.
Raw Eggs contain an enzyme known as avidin which restricts the absorption of biotin one of the many B Vitamins. This can lead to an unhealthy coat and skin problems. Also eggs can carry salmonella which is poisonous to dogs.
People Food should be avoided at all times. Many people foods have far to many fats, sugars, and salt. Salt causes electrolite imballances in dogs. Sugars are not a natural food and causes obesity, and large amounts of fat and protein can’t be digested correctly and causes digestion problems as well as liver disfunction.

Dog bites - is there a dangerous breed?

2009-06-25T20:11:00.001-07:00

Dog bites are one of the biggest issues facing pet owners. Every year, nearly 5 million people are bitten by dogs, an epidemic according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 1 out of 5 of these bites requires medical care and 10-20 of them are fatal. In an effort to protect their citizens, some communities have resorted to breed specific legislation, banning the ownership of specific breeds, usually pit bulls and rottweilers. But is that justified? Are certain breeds more dangerous than others?

The age old debate of nurture versus nature applies to dogs as well, which makes it difficult to say what role genetics play in behavior. Obviously some breeds have more ability to injure people than others do. Though one is no more likely to bite than the other, a Great Dane can do more damage than a Shih Tzu, for example. But that’s really just size.

In a study performed by the CDC, dog bite statistics from the last 20 years don’t demonstrate that any breed is inherently more dangerous than another. What the study did demonstrate was that the most popular large breed dogs during that time dominated the list of breeds that bit fatally. During the 1970’s the very popular Doberman Pinscher topped the list, during the 1980’s the Pitbull and the 1990’s the Rottweiler. As the breeds became more popular, so did their likelihood to end up on the fatal bite list. Could it be a simple question of strength in numbers? Unfortunately, this data did not include non-fatal dog bites, so no small breed statistics were available.

This does support what many have believed for years: any dog can be aggressive or passive, depending on his training or environment. The main component in this – owners. Only you can ensure that your pet is safe around people. There are many steps you can take to make sure that your dog is never a threat to anyone.

Make sure that you restrain your pet. 82% of fatal dog bites are caused by unrestrained dogs. If you are in public, keep your dog on a strong leash with a handler who is able to restrain your pet. Strangers and new noises can startle your pet and cause reactive behavior that is not normal for your pet. Having a child holding a large dog is not proper restraint and could result in tragedy. Tie-outs, chains and ropes are not proper restraint. Only a fenced of 6’-8’ is acceptable.
Have a well socialized pet. By taking your pet to puppy classes, the park, the pet store and around other people where he can interact will teach him not to be afraid of new environments. Make sure your dog is properly vaccinated before allowing him to interact with other animals.
Spay or neuter your pet. Male dogs who are not neutered are responsible for nearly 80% of fatal bites. Neutering your pet helps tone down their territorial instincts and aggression.
Puppies become dogs. Teach them not to bite. It’s very cute when your 10 lb puppy is biting or growling at you or your family, but its not cute when your puppy becomes a 120 lb dog. When your puppy growls or bites, even in play, make a quick sound like a clap or yelp. Then redirect his attention to an appropriate toy. The quick sound only works at the moment your dog is biting otherwise they don’t associate it with the biting. Also make sure you reward him for his good behavior and proper chewing.
Supervise your pet. Watch your dog – any signs of growling, snapping, biting family or strangers a signal that your dog needs behavioral assistance. An extreme fear of strangers is also a warning sign to seek help with your pet.

If you think your dog could be aggressive, find a pet trainer who specializes in aggression. Be cautious in public and limit your pets contact with others. It’s important to remember any dog that is well restrained and properly supervised can be safe, regardless of the breed. An irresponsible owner though, is dangerous with any dog.

Deliberate cruelty to our defenceless and beautiful little cousins is surely one of the meanest and most detestable vices of which a human being can b

2009-06-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of a gun.

2009-06-24T13:54:00.001-07:00

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.

2009-06-23T21:05:00.001-07:00

No one in the world needs a mink coat but a mink.

2009-06-22T07:31:00.001-07:00

Amazing Power Of A Dog's Sense Of Smell

2009-06-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

The canine nose has something like twenty times as many primary receptor cells as the human nose. How all of this works to detect odors is one of the great scientific wonders of the world. Studies in a number of species have found that different regions of the mucous lining within the nose have different chemical properties, more readily absorbing chemicals of one particular molecular shape or another, or preferentially absorbing in one region chemicals that are more water soluble and in another chemicals that are more fat soluble.

The ability of the nose to make precise chemical distinctions is truly extraordinary. Some pairs of chemicals that exist in nature are identical in every way - they are made up of exactly the same elements, joined together in exactly the same three-dimensional sequence - except that one is the three-dimensional mirror image of the other. Yet such "stereoisomers" frequently have a dramatically different odor, indicating that the nose can sort them out by their complex shape alone. The molecule carvone, for example, has the odor of caraway in one of its stereoisomers, the odor of oil of spearmint in its mirror-image form.

Measurements of the acuity of the dog's nose suggest that the dog is many times more sensitive than man to the presence of minute quantities of odor molecules wafting in the air, but the data are all over the map. This is probably in part because the threshold for detecting different chemicals no doubt varies dramatically according to the particular chemical involved. Some comparative studies have found that dogs can detect certain organic chemicals at concentrations a hundred times less than people are able to; for other compounds the dog's edge may be a factor of a million or more. In police and security work, dogs can detect the odor from natural gas leaks, concealed narcotics, explosives, and currency, all at levels well below the threshold at which humans are aware of the odor.

In controlled studies dogs could detect human scent on a glass slide that had been lightly fingerprinted and then left outdoors for as much as two weeks, or indoors for as much as a month; they could pick which of six identical steel tubes had been held in the hands of a person for no more than five seconds; they could distinguish between T-shirts worn by two identical twins who ate different foods, or by two nonidentical twins who lived in exactly the same environment and ate exactly the same foods.

More than such a remarkable sensitivity to trace odors, it is the ability to pick out particular odors of interest from a welter of competing smells and to match and distinguish them that is the dog's most impressive olfactory feat. This ability is surely a reflection of the dog's superior olfactory computing powers, for it requires not just smelling but analyzing. Dogs have no innate interest in the smell of people, narcotics, or hundred-dollar bills; but if trained repeatedly to focus on certain categories of smells, they can perform mind-boggling feats of cross-matching

AVMA: Mandatory spay/neuter a bad idea

2009-06-04T12:03:00.001-07:00

The AVMA policy on "Dog and Cat Population Control" has been revised to express the Association's nonsupport for regulations or laws mandating spay/neuter of privately owned, nonshelter dogs and cats.

The Animal Welfare Committee recommended the changes to the policy, which reads, in part, as follows: "The AVMA does not support regulations or legislation mandating spay/neuter of privately owned, non-shelter dogs and cats. Although spaying and neutering helps control dog and cat populations, mandatory approaches may contribute to pet owners avoiding licensing, rabies vaccination and veterinary care for their pets, and may have other unintended consequences."

The policy was adopted in November 2004 and considered by the AWC in accord with the five-year review directive. After review and discussion, committee members agreed that the AVMA should not support regulations or legislation mandating spay/neuter of privately owned, nonshelter dogs and cats for a number of reasons, which were provided in the background of the recommended policy changes.

Although spay/neuter is an important part of effective population control programs, and may benefit individual dogs and cats if performed at the appropriate time, whether and when to spay/neuter specific animals requires the application of science and professional judgment to ensure the best outcome for veterinary patients and their owners. Prevention of unexpected litters; reduced incidences of some cancers and reproductive diseases; and prevention and amelioration of certain undesirable behaviors have been documented as benefits to spaying/neutering dogs and cats. However, potential health problems associated with spaying and neutering have also been identified, including an increased risk of prostatic cancer in males; increased risks of bone cancer and hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs associated with sterilization before maturity; and increased incidences of obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and hypothyroidism.

There are conflicting reports regarding euthanasia rates and animal control costs achieved in communities that have enacted mandatory spay/neuter.

Mandating spay/neuter can increase canine, feline, and zoonotic disease risks because some people will attempt to avoid detection of their unaltered pets by failing to seek veterinary care.

The AVMA policy on "Dog and Cat Population Control" can be read along with other Association policies at www.avma.org in the Scientific section under Policy.

Even painkillers for dogs have serious risks

2009-05-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

By Julie Schmit, USA TODAY

Like pain relievers for humans, pain relievers for dogs are big business, improving the lives of millions.
And like pain relievers for humans, those for dogs have led to heartache.
Pfizer pioneered the market for dog painkillers when it introduced Rimadyl in 1997. Nearly 15 million dogs have taken it, many for pain from degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis.

Rimadyl now has four competitors with more likely. The market for dog arthritis pain medications tops $130 million a year and is growing about 13% a year, consulting firm Wood Mackenzie says.
But 3,200 dogs have died or been put down after taking the drugs, Food and Drug Administration records show. Almost 19,000 dogs have had bad reactions to them.
The FDA says the drugs are safe, if properly used. Drugmakers say fewer than 1% of dogs have bad reactions to them. If not for the drugs, many dogs might be put to sleep sooner, they say.
"In theory, the drugs are safer for dogs than aspirin," says Steve Marks, head of small-animal medicine at the University of Illinois.
Yet the deaths and other adverse events are a reminder that all drugs pose risks, including those for animals. They also underscore that a drug's risks may not be fully known until the drug is widely sold, despite the FDA's stamp of approval.
Several million dogs received Rimadyl before its warning label was updated to add mention of death in rare cases. No. 2 pain reliever Deramaxx was marketed for a year before its label was so changed.
Despite stronger warnings and other safeguards, the drugs continue to create controversy. Some dog owners and veterinarians say the drugs are being overprescribed by vets who don't always give risk information to owners and who, like doctors for humans, are often educated on drugs by pharmaceutical companies.
"There are no safe drugs. There are only safe doctors," says Robert Rogers, founder of the Critter Fixer Pet Hospital in Spring, Texas. "The large number of adverse events occur with these drugs because veterinarians don't know how to use them." Drugmakers share the blame, he says. Their sales representatives often fail to present adequate risk information.
Adverse-event reports
Through November 2004, the FDA received almost 13,000 adverse-event reports about Rimadyl, far more than for any other dog pain reliever.
Pfizer's database includes almost 20,000 adverse-event reports. The FDA's data include those "possibly" or "probably" linked to the drug. Adverse events for all drugs are believed to be under-reported.
Pfizer won't release Rimadyl's revenue, but it says Rimadyl has the most reports because it's the oldest and biggest dog pain reliever.
Deramaxx has been used by about 1 million dogs since its 2002 launch, owner Novartis says. The FDA's data include 2,813 adverse-event reports for Deramaxx, including 630 dogs who died or were put down.
Rimadyl, with a generic name of carprofen, originated at Roche Laboratories as an anti-inflammatory drug for people. Deramaxx was developed by Novartis for dogs but was discovered by G.D. Searle, where Celebrex originated.
Both Rimadyl and Deramaxx are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, as is ibuprofen and aspirin for humans. Deramaxx is also a COX-2 inhibitor, like Celebrex and Vioxx, the pain reliever for people withdrawn from the market in September because of heart attack and stroke risk.
NSAIDs cause many of the same problems in dogs that they do in humans: Vomiting, diarrhea and ulcers are the most common. Reports of heart problems associated with dog NSAIDs are rare, the FDA says.
Before getting FDA approval, Rimadyl was tested in 549 dogs; Deramaxx in about 700. That's far fewer than the number of subjects in clinical drug trials for human drugs. Erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, for instance, was evaluated in more than 4,000 patients before it got FDA approval.
When it hit the market, Rimadyl was heralded as a "wonder drug" for freeing dogs from pain. Happy, bounding dogs were shown on TV commercials. "No drug in the history of veterinarian medicine has been met with such instant success," says Steve Dale, host of radio show Steve Dale's Pet World.
Rimadyl's fast start had a dark side: Reports of dogs suffering liver damage and other effects began pouring in. One of those dogs was George, a 12-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever owned by Jean Townsend of Johns Island, S.C.
She saw the Rimadyl ads and asked her veterinarian whether Rimadyl could help George, who, while seemingly healthy, was moving slower. Rimadyl seemed to work, but after several weeks, George sometimes couldn't move. He started vomiting and had blood in his stool. Within 30 days of starting Rimadyl, George was put down. An autopsy showed liver damage, ulceration and bleeding.
"I had no earthly idea I was killing my dog," says the 68-year-old retired government worker.
Townsend says she wasn't warned of the risks and didn't ask, trusting her veterinarian. She refused Pfizer's offer of $249 and filed a lawsuit in 1999 that was joined by 300 others.
Pfizer settled in 2003 to avoid costly litigation, it says. Each plaintiff received about $1,000. Pfizer didn't admit wrongdoing and says it informed the FDA of side effects as soon as they were reported.
"We were incapable of informing the world of what we didn't know," spokesman Robert Fauteux says.
Pfizer updated Rimadyl's label twice, the last time in 1999 noting that death occurred in rare instances. That year, it stopped TV ads. Today's print ads include the death warning.
Owners don't always get info
Deramaxx took a similar path. It went to market in 2002 with a label saying the drug "was well tolerated" with an adverse event rate comparable to dogs treated with placebos. Once again, adverse events after the drug was sold proved otherwise.
Both drugmakers now issue information sheets for dog owners describing the drugs' risks and proper use. Pfizer even attaches the sheet to Rimadyl bottles. But it may not get to consumers because veterinarians frequently repackage drugs into smaller vials. Marks says risk information is rarely discussed with clients. The FDA has said pet owners often complain about not getting the sheets.
Pooter, a 7-year-old black Labrador, went in for a checkup in February, says his owner Vickie McCullen-Main, 52, of Bethel Springs, Tenn. Pooter's veterinarian diagnosed a respiratory infection, prescribed NSAID Metacam and sent him home with a week's supply of Rimadyl and an antibiotic.
The doctor "never mentioned anything at all about the risks," says McCullen-Main. Nor did he check Pooter's blood to make sure he didn't have weaknesses that would make him a bad NSAID candidate.
Pooter started to drool, lost his appetite and bladder control. Thirteen days after his checkup, he was put to sleep. McCullen-Main says Pooter should not have received medication for pain because, "He didn't have pain."
She doesn't want Rimadyl or the other NSAIDs removed from the market. She just wants people to know, "These drugs have risks."

Houston: May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

It was great to see Houston again. He was much calmer this visit than the previous ones. As soon as I came in and greeted him, he laid down on his back for lots of tummy rubs. I took him for a walk down to the lagoon. He had lots of energy and we jogged the whole way, then walked back home. He urinated 3 times and went #2 once. Finished the visit with food and water in clean bowls. It was very hard to leave. He was being so sweet and wanted lots of petting. I stayed a bit longer, sat on the floor by the front door, and gave him lots of pets.

Some ideas on "Green Pet Ownership"

2009-04-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

- Use biodegradable poop scoop bags. These bags are made from corn, biodegrade in about 45 days and do not cost much more than regular plastic bags. Traditional plastic bags are a huge problem and its time to say good bye to them. There are several online sites that now sell them.

- Consider purchasing a dog poop composter (called Doggie Dooley's). This compost cannot be used on plants but will break the poop down to a liquid that will seep into the ground.

- Purchase recycled pet toys or toys made from sustainable, biodegradable products. Do not buy cheap toys. Many pets destroy them quickly. Better to have one well made toy for years than 10 cheaply made ones in the landfill.

- Try to purchase products made close to home, or at least in the United States.

- Keep your pet out of sensitive wildlife habitats and leash them when in our local canyon areas.

- Keep cats indoors not only for their safety but for the safety of the wildlife. Cats are predators and a major contributor to declining populations of song birds.

- Microchip you're pet. It is the best way to ensure you will be reunited with your pet if you are ever separated, and lessen the likelihood of "shelter time".

We would all love to see a cleaner, healthier planet. Any changes we can possibly make, big or small, will take us one step closer.

Beautiful Day with Pilot!

2009-04-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

Low tide, cool water, lots of dogs....couldn't ask for a better morning. Spent 2 hours with Pilot.

Morning Visit With Houston

2009-04-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

Houston is such a sweetheart and is so anxious to please. We had a good visit this morning. He and Pilot were so cute playing together. They were both very interested in watching the wildlife in the back field. Gave fresh food and water in clean bowls, took in the newspaper, and ended the visit with a few treats

It was like Summer today!

2009-04-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

Absolutely perfect weather for a walk. Started the day with lots of love and attention and some basic obedience training. I noticed that Houston's coat is a little flaky. The sample NuVet supplements that I left for you could help this condition. Ended the day with a walk down to the lagoon. I had no idea how beautiful it was down there. I brought my lab with us again on the walk. Houston and Pilot are becoming good friends. They both enjoyed the walk.

Be back tomorrow morning.

Another Beautiful Day in North County

2009-04-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Houston was really excited to see me yesterday and today. It took him a little while to calm down. At least I know that I'm loved! :o) Great walks/jogs and lots of petting. I brought along my lab for more socialization. They get along great!

Houston is really alert to the squirrels in the field. I can tell that he is a very intelligent dog. I did some obedience training with him, fed him, gave him fresh water and a few treats, and took in the newspaper.

Can hardly wait to see again him in the morning.

Great Day at the Park

2009-04-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Vida and Meaty were real sweethearts. Meaty even went in the water. Both did their business several times. They loved playing with the other dogs. I gave both of them a bath and brushed their coats. Ended the day with fresh food and water, and lots of petting.

Another great day with Houston!

2009-03-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

Great walk this afternoon. We crossed the bottom of the canyon and went up the other side, jogging most of the way. Houston was very productive (#1 x 2 and #2 x 2). Lots of petting. Ended the visit with fresh water and food in clean bowls.

This was a great experience. Houston is a wonderful loving dog.

Arrival Time: 5:05 PM
Departure Time: 5:50 PM
Total Time: 45 minutes

Morning visit with Houston

2009-03-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful morning. We spent most of our time watching the bunnies in the canyon. Houston loves all the wildlife. He was very excited to see me again, but calmed down after a few minutes. Lots of ear and belly rubs followed by fresh food and water.

Arrival Time: 7:45 AM
Departure Time: 8:13 AM
Total time: 28 minutes

Interesting Article: Why we treat our pets like royalty

2009-03-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2009/03/29/the_family_dog/

What a beautiful day........

2009-03-30T20:06:00.001-07:00

for a walk! Walked the canyon again this evening. Houston was very productive (#1 x 3 and #2 x 1). We met two new dogs and all went well; lots of sniffing! Houston was very excited to walk and wanted to explore different paths. Ended the day with fresh water and food in clean bowls and a chicken breast snack.

You may already know this but you have two Sego Palms in your yard. Please be aware that ALL parts of a Sego Palm are very toxic to dogs.

Arrival Time: 5:15 PM
Departure Time: 6:10 PM
Total Time: 55 minutes

The following are a few photos from today's walk.

Houston: March 30, 2009

2009-03-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

Houston was so excited to see me this morning. He calmed down after about 5 minutes. We spent most of our time in the back yard with lots of petting, back scratching, love, and kisses. He did his business (#1). Fresh water and food in clean bowls were provided. He also earned a chicken breast treat for being a good boy.

Looking forward to our walk this afternoon.

Arrival Time: 8:19

Departure Time: 8:45

Total Time: 26 minutes

Houston: March 29, 2009

2009-03-29T21:52:00.000-07:00

Houston was really excited to see me. Thank you for buying the easy walker harness. After a few adjustments, I had it fitting perfectly. I brought a heavy duty leash with me and attached it to both the collar and the harness. I asked Houston to sit and stay before leaving for our walk (locking the door behind me.) We went for a 45 minute walk/jog in the canyon up and down the hills. He did his business (#1 and #2). He is a great confident walker....no leash pulling at all and ears perked straight up. I brought my 4 month old black English Lab on the walk too since you mentioned Houston needed more dog socialization. They got along great, lots of kisses and sniffs and no growling. After our 45 minute walk, we spent 10 minutes in the back yard. Houston was so funny! He was sprinting around the back yard like a big puppy. He laid down on his back a lot and he got lots of well deserved belly rubs. We finished our visit with fresh water, 2 cups dry food in clean bowls, and a well deserved chicken breast treat.

Arrival time: 5:35 PM

Departure Time: 6:50PM

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (No charge for the extra time. Houston was having so much fun, it was hard to leave.)

Here are a few photos that I took with my cell phone which explains the "less than professional" quality.