We interrupt this broadcast for this........

important celebration.  My current blog agenda has been on puppy socialization and training, however, it has come to my attention that November is National Pet Diabetes Month,  topic that I think is well worth interrupting my behavior blog series.

Statistics show that one in 400 dogs develop diabetes and 1 in 50 cats,  with obese pets being especially prone to the disease.  Just this week, I have been forced to euthanize two cats that suffered from non-diagnosed diabetes.  These cats had been compensating for their disease for several months, with complaints by the owners of increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, and lethargy.  Both of these cats had been obese but at the time of their visit with me now weighed 6 pounds.

The classic symptoms for diabetes is increased thirst, increased appetite, increased urination.  Other signs can include lethargy, weight loss, and cataract formation.  There are several other diseases that present with these same clinical signs, therefore it is important for you to visit your veterinarian in order to have your pet properly diagnosed.

Diabetes is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetics and environmental factors.  There are certain breeds of dogs that are more likely to develop DM.  Age is also a risk factor, with middle to older animals being the most affected.  Obesity is yet another risk factor.  In this clinic it is not uncommon for me to see the development of DM in pets that have suffered from a history of pancreatitis.  Pancreatitis is also more likely in obese animals, and also commonly seen in some breeds of dogs.

Diabetes is manageable.  Diet, weight loss and insulin therapy is used to treat DM.  Once diagnosed, treatment for this disease is life long and requires regular veterinary check-ups, and monitoring of glucose levels.  Coping with this disease can be expensive, with the cost of insulin, syringes, and prescription diets.

As I say frequently, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and I would much rather prevent than to treat.  My best advise.... monitor your pet's weight, if overweight, talk to your veterinarian about a weight reduction program.  Exercise...good for the body and the mind.  Have regular annual exams for your pet by your veterinarian, including blood work.  For older pets, these examinations should be every 6 months.

A healthy pet is a happy pet.  Celebrate National Diabetes Month by being aware, educated and having your pet regularly examined by a veterinarian.

Puppy Development and Socialization Series--Part 1

During a the puppy's neonatal Period (0-14 days) it's one mission is to find warmth and food.  However, there are lots of things going on during this period.  Of their five senses, only three are working; touch, taste and smell, and they are not fully developed.  They do respond to pain, discomfort and minor disturbances by whining.

During this period of time, a human parent of these neonates can do several things that can help the puppy develop a good foundation to stressors and other stimulus later in it's development.

The neonatal period is an ideal time to start handling puppies for short amounts of time.  Feeling the ears, feet, tail and mouth and holding them in different positions for even 30 seconds to several minutes a day may greatly decrease their stress and reactivity to handling later in their life.  These micro-stressors will help them develop the ability to cope with real life stressors later.

The lack of this handling during this period is why many 'puppy mill' and pet store puppies do not make well adjusted pets in your home after you adopt them.  Puppies raised by large breeders do not get handled very much, if at all.  And by the time they are weaned and sent to pet stores, the handling they have gotten has been rough, abrupt and down right scary for the puppy.  No wonder they cry, whine, shy away from you and even growl with handling after they reach their final destination.  This is also why it is more advisable to purchase a pup from a 'hobby' breeder, who raise an occasional litter, and the litter is raised within a family environment, where children and people handle the puppy with love and care.

As soon as puppies can hear, a breeder or caretaker should consider playing sound CDs so that the puppies can become accustom to the types of sounds they will hear later on in life.  Ths way they are less likely to become fearful of common sounds due to the lack of early exposure.  Sounds of traffic, fireworks, storms, sirens, children playing, pots clanging, vacuum sweepers, etc. will be come old hat to the puppy later in it's development if they have heard all these sounds while still with the mother and littermates.

More later in Part Two about socializing the puppy for a good foundation to a sound adult life.

Halloween is near!

Ghosts and goblins will be roaming the streets soon.  My heart beat is accelerating!!!  I am so excited because this year two of my grandson's will be spending the week-end with us, and I will get to take them out for haunting!  Meade will be able to join us and that should be fun too!

Reminder that we are hosting our Trick or Treats for Pets on Saturday, October 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  We will have lots of treats and give aways.  Prizes include free flea control, coupons for services, and doggie treats!

If you are unable to attend, don't forget to submit your pet's costume picture and enter our website pet costume contest.  You can e-mail me at drgray@animalcarefs.com  or visit our ACC website.  Go to our Photo gallery via the "other features" menu tab.

I also wish to remind you to be vigilant in the treats that your pet can steal.  Many candies are toxic to dogs.  Be sure to put out of their reach and teach your children not to share with the family pet.

Early Weaning Can Lead To Behavioral Problems Later

In my practice I see too many dogs (cats too) that suffer from at least one behavioral issue/anxiety.  The most common is fear anxiety issues.  It always breaks my heart to see a dog that has such anxiety that it has melted under an exam room chair, cowering in a corner, shaking, eyes dilated, some move forward barking (trying to make himself big and mean to scare off the evil one, which is usually me or my staff).  On discussion with it's owner, they tell me that they are afraid of all strangers and has snapped at people when they approach or enter their home.  Mistakenly, the owner feels the dog is aggressive, when in fact the dog is just afraid and the best defense is a good offense.

Recently a study out of Italy, reported that puppies separated from their litters early on are significantly more likely to develop potentially problematic behavior as adults than puppies that stay with the litter until they are at least 8-10 week old.  Attention seeking and reactivity to noises were the most commonly reported behaviors.  Aggression toward the owner, paw licking (a sign of anxiety) and shadow staring were significally more likely among dogs that had been separated from their litter before 60 days.  Early separation from the dam and littermates, especially when combined with housing in a pet shop, might affect the capacity of a puppy to adapt to new environmental conditions and social relationships later in life.

For you the reader, this may be very enlightening.  For me, it is not really news.  We know that the greatest socialization period for puppies is between 3-12 weeks of age.  This period is associated with the development of many social behavior patterns and a great deal of learning about it's environment.  What is learned during this early period is lasting and provides the foundation for many adult behavior patterns and problems, appetites and aversions, social affinities and responsiveness, play behaviors, pack behaviors, reactions to separation and many other social skills.  Puppies withdrawn from litters early, do not receive this vital information.

A good example:  Puppy breeders (aka puppy mills), bred for puppies as a source of income.  They often house numerous females, sometimes in the hundreds.  Puppies born in these facilities, do not receive a lot of human contact.  These puppies are weaned at 4-6 weeks of age, and sent to a broker, housed with or without other puppies, and certainly not having a positive experience.  They are with a broker a short time before sent to pet stores.  Now the pup is without it's litter, in a small cage alone, with people they do not know, in a place they are unsure of.  Strange people (potential new owner's) with children (who handle the puppy roughly) pick him up, drop them (accidently), pull ears, tails, etc.  Again, not a pleasant experience.  So the puppy is learning ....people are scary!!  You buy this puppy that has been mauled by many, and take him to yet another unfamiliar environment.  You have children, perhaps young ones that have not been taught how to handle puppies, who pick them up and drop them.  Or perhaps you have a quiet home, where there is little noise or company.  Both situations do not provide this impressionable puppy with information that he will need as an adult.  Thus...you have a dog that is fearful of strangers, jumps startled at every sound, barks excessively, and often becomes aggressive.

Answer to this problem:  If you are going to purchase a puppy...buy one from a private reputable breeder that raises the pup in their home, where they get lots of human contact and are at least 8-10 weeks old before they leave the litter.  Once home, socialize your puppy to people (children) and different environments in a positive and fun manner.  Arm yourself ahead of time before you bring a puppy home, what emotional needs (socialization skills) should you be prepared to provide for your pup so that it grows up to be a well adjusted adult.  Just like raising a human child.  I tell my clients when they bring a new puppy to see me---"Whatever you think your dog is going to experience as an adult expose him to those things now."  People, places, children, your veterinarian, wheel chairs, vacuum sweepers, loud noises, etc. and be sure that you make them positive experiences by rewarding them good behavior.  Don't let children and puppies play without adult supervision and teach your children and your puppy how to play together so that it fun and not scary and harmful.