ASK DR. SCHELLING
DEAR DR. SCHELLING,
What can I do to make sure my dog has a safe and happy Thanksgiving?
- Anonymous
The annual Thanksgiving banquet, complete with last-minute preparations, a variety of guests, and too much rich food, can be stressful and dangerous for dogs. However, you can greatly reduce your canine's risks and worry level with some simple precautions, and knowledge; they're explained in this new article: THANKSGIVING HAZARDS FOR DOGS
Click here to read full article
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NOTICE:
H1N1 FOUND IN AN INDOOR ONLY CATA cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza. The cat, which is recovering, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people. To learn more about this incident, review the following links:
AVMA
Catvets.com
Iowa Department of Public Health
Dear Max,
My wife and I noticed in the last couple of weeks that our dog Connor has been chasing his tail a lot. At first we thought he was just having some fun, but now we're worried that he's doing it out of frustration. We spend a lot of time with him when we're home, and walk him frequently, though he is by himself for several hours each day while we're at work.
–Chasing Solutions
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Dear Chasing Solutions,
Tail-chasing can be innocent, even cute behavior in young puppies discovering their tails – I used to do it myself every now and then – but in most other cases it is symptomatic of an underlying physical or emotional problem.
Arrange to have your veterinarian thoroughly check out Connor to rule out physical causes for the tail-chasing, and then, as necessary, work with you to determine any psychological factors. Possibly something subtle (to you, not to Connor) is bothering Connor. For instance, you know how humans sometimes say "I feel like I'm going in circles" when they can't resolve an issue that won't go away? Well, dogs can feel that way too!
Solutions are dependent on the diagnosis, and can include lifestyle adjustments, gentle training programs, and, in some cases, prescribed medication. With Connor's dedicated team of humans, I'm sure he'll be wagging instead of chasing his tail before you know it.
This article provides lots of useful information on the various causes and treatments for tail-chasing, and may help you in advance of bringing Connor to the vet: WHY DOGS CHASE TAILS
Click here to read full article
Max
Max's Mini-Reviews
IBALLS DOG TOY: This fuzzy toy packs all of the things I love: a ball to chase & fetch, tough exterior for rough play and a squeaker to get me going when I’m feeling lazy. The IBalls toy comes in small, medium and large so no dog no matter his or her size will be able to resist its fluffy charm.
ULTIMATE RING DOG TOY: This ring is tough yet gentle. It’s made with four durable layers of fabric and contains three built in squeakers that can handle all the chomping and tugging I can dish out. As tough as this toy is, it’s also very soft, so there is no need to worry about mouth injuries while tossing it around.
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The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world.
"The biggest dog has been a pup."
–Joaquin Miller
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