Skin growths are lumps of tissue that are within the skin or can be felt under the skin. Dogs can develop small bumps (papules) or larger bumps (nodules) on their skin. These lumps and bumps are fairly common occurrences, especially in the older dog.

Very often the word “lump” brings the word “cancer” to mind. However, there are many other causes of lumps. A skin growth or mass may be a malignant or benign tumor, an abscess, a cyst, a hematoma (blood-filled mass) or a reaction by the skin to an allergen (hives). Lumps are often benign accumulations of fat called lipomas. However, all lumps should be evaluated for the possibility of malignancy.

What to Watch For

Any new lump or bump should be evaluated right away, especially a lump that is rapidly growing, is warm or painful, is ulcerated or bleeding, is irregular in shape or is well attached to the tissues under the skin.

Dogs & Fireworks: 4th of July Tips For Dog Owners
A dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than a human’s, so the fireworks are likely to cause your dog some anxiety, stress and fear.
Here’s what you can do in the hours leading up to the fireworks.
Plus, what to do if you notice your dog is overly stressed by the loud noises and bright lights.
Dogs And Fireworks

As a responsible dog owner, you should do everything in your power to protect your dog on this night filled with loud bangs, pops and sizzles.
Since fireworks typically only happen once or twice a year, the sounds and lights are likely to catch your dog off-guard, confuse him a bit (or a lot!), and possibly make him nervous and on edge the entire evening.
Remember, your dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than yours!
If you want to enjoy the fireworks and you have a dog, here are your options:
#1 If you’re thinking of taking your dog outside to watch the fireworks with you…
Think again! You and your dog will have a much more enjoyable evening if you leave the dog at home.
Plus, wherever there are fireworks displays, there are usually people setting off their own personal fireworks — including sparklers and firecrackers. Aside from the danger associated with your dog being in the wrong place at the wrong time (dogs & fire simply don’t mix), the mass hysteria, loud noises and repeated flashes of light are likely to have a traumatic effect on your dog.
Whatever you do… don’t leave your dog in the car!

#2 If you live close to a location where the fireworks are set off in your town…
Your best bet is to keep your dog indoors (preferably in a crate, if he’s already accustomed to spending time in a crate). Leave your dog indoors somewhere where he is likely to do the least amount of harm — to himself, and your house!
You should also turn on the TV or a radio — with the volume turned up loud — to make it less likely that he will be able to hear the fireworks outside.
Since the flashing lights can scare your dog just as much as the loud noises, be sure to close all the curtains and blinds inside your home and turn ON all the lights in the room. This will make the bright lights from fireworks less noticeable to your dog. Plus, closed curtains and blinds offer a small degree of sound-proofing in your home, lowering the high pitched sounds a tiny bit.

#3 If you’re staying home with your dog…
Without a doubt, the best place for your dog on this night is inside the house. Preferably your house — a place that your dog is already familiar with and a place where he feels comfortable.
Ideally, you would be in the room with him to monitor any stress or anxiety which might arise. Odds are, there will be none, and you’ll simply be enjoying a night at home with your dog. But you never know.
Some dogs exhibit no signs of fear in their early years, then as they get older suddenly become terrified by the loud noises and bright lights. (This is often due to a change in their hearing, as different tones & pitches begin to sound differently to them.)

Following are some great tips for things you can do beforehand, and things you can do on-the-spot the moment you notice a change in your dog’s stress level…

Some Things You Can Do Ahead Of Time To Prevent Anxiety

Here are a few precautions you can take way ahead of time to prepare your dog for this stressful night:

Make sure your dog has his collar and ID tags on. In the worst case scenarios, dogs have been known to chew through crates, doors, and even jump out of windows due to their anxiety.
Spend some one-on-one time with your dog in the hours leading up to the fireworks. The more personal attention your dog receives from you, the less likely he will be to resent being left alone later that evening.
Let your dog outside to “do his thing” right before it gets dark and people start setting off their own fireworks.
Exercise your dog by taking him on a longer-than-usual walk or by participating in some active play with your dog. This will tire him out and make him less likely to over-exert himself later if/when he becomes stressed from the sound of fireworks.
Give your dog a relaxing rub-down or doggie massage an hour or so before dark. This will put him in a calm frame of mind early, which will help him to handle whatever stress might come later.
Give your dog a bath (assuming that your dog finds baths an enjoyable experience). Better yet: use an aromatherapy dog shampoo in a scent that is calming to dogs. (My favorite: Spa 4 Paws)
Play a rigorous game of catch or fetch with your dog in the early evening hours, to give your dog a chance to burn off some energy and tire him out a bit. This way, he’ll have less drive (and energy) to become overly excited later, once the fireworks start.
Add some cooked (plain) potato or white rice (plain) to his regular meal that evening. Just like with people, carbohydrates will make a dog fuller and sleepier than usual. A tired and well-fed dog will be less anxious.
Plug in one of those popular in-home air fresheners that release calming aromatherapy scents into your home. Or, use some other type of aromatherapy tools (candles, home diffusers, heat lamps, etc.) to fill your home with a relaxing aroma with the addition of Essential Oils. Some good choices: Lavender, Juniper, Chamomile, Bergamot, Frankincense, Sweet Orange. (More about dogs and aromatherapy.)

If you plan enough in advance, you can ask your vet for some dog anxiety medicine, or order something like Pet Calm pills or spray.

How To Calm A Nervous Dog On The Spot

The moment you notice that your dog is becoming overly excited or anxious by the loud noises and bright lights, try one of these:
• Distract your dog with some of his favorite things. Your best bet is to pull out that one special thing that your dog only sees a couple times a year. It will be such a welcome surprise to him, that he’ll become fixated on it, and less on the loud noises and flashing lights. (For our dogs, that would be a pressed rawhide bone — a rare treat in our home.)

• Interact with your dog in a low-key game of indoor catch. The interaction with you, and the act of participating in a a dog-friendly activity will likely distract him from the fireworks.

• Give your dog a KONG toy, stuffed with goodies. If it’s tasty enough to your dog, he will likely lose interest in the noises and lights and become fully focused on this special dog treat. Need ideas for new things to stuff inside?… Try these one-of-a-kind Kong recipes!

• Try introducing a brand new toy or treat (hopefully, a long-lasting chewy one!) to your dog. Perhaps he’ll be more interested in the surprise smells that are in his face, than the surprise sounds that are in his ears.|
• Do not soothe your dog too much or “baby” her in times of stress. This will probably only make the problem worse. Instead, be cheerful and in control. Also, don’t punish your dog, as this will only make him more anxious and nervous.

You could also try some basic aromatherapy for dogs. Or stick some ear plugs into your dog’s ears.

THANKS TO THE FUN TIMES

Courage Update: Vet Kennel Attendant at Center of Animal Cruelty Case Terminated
Citing death threats from angry members of the public, hospital administrator Gilbert Velasquez of the Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital has confirmed the termination of Kimberly Nizato, the California woman charged with tying a German Shepherd out and leaving it to starve for five weeks. In a statement issued last week, Velasquez had indicated that the hospital intended to continue Nizato’s employment after she proclaimed her innocence in a private conversation. Hospital officials reversed that decision when evidence led to formal charges in the case and Velasquez began receiving death threat calls.

Spring is on its way, opening up countless new opportunities to have fun with your pet. While springing into action, however, it’s important to remember that in addition to fun in the sun, spring also brings some seasonal hazards.

North Shore Animal League America has assembled a collection of helpful springtime tips for you and your pet. We want to help you keep your pets happy, healthy, safe and in the pink.

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Make sure your pets are protected with flea, tick and heart worm treatments and are up-to-date on vaccinations. Keep a file with your pets’ medical information and keep track of necessary follow up shots and appointments.
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Keep identification on your pet at all times and make certain that the information is current and legible.
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Is your dog eating grass? Unless it’s been treated with fertilizer or pesticide, don’t worry. It could mean he has a bellyache, or it could just be his natural instinct to aid his digestion.
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Springtime means spring showers and sprinklers which can leave puddles of standing water. Try not to let your dog drink out of puddles, as standing water can be filled with bacteria leading to gastrointestinal upset or ailments.
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Recreational swimming is a great way to cool off, but can be dangerous. Never leave your pet unattended near swimming pools or lakes.
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Nothing beats a leisurely spring ride in the car. If you’re taking your pet with you, make sure he is properly contained. Don’t put him in the back of a pick-up truck where he could fall out or let him hang out of open windows where debris can get in his eyes or he could get hurt.
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Goin’ fishin’? Keep bait and tackle secured, as they can be extremely hazardous to curious pets. If your pet gets accidentally hooked, seek immediate emergency veterinary attention. DO NOT try to remove the hook yourself.
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Cool breezes feel great, but open, unscreened windows can be dangerous for your pets. Make sure they can’t get to windows where they can fall or crawl out.
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Just like us, our pets have allergies too. If you notice obvious signs of allergies like swollen eyes, frequent scratching, fur/skin conditions or sneezing, you may want to take your pet to the vet to explore those allergy symptoms.
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Grooming is not just about vanity. Keeping your pet clean and groomed prevents skin irritations, fleas and ticks and keeps his temperature regulated. Make sure his nails are trimmed but not too short.
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The outdoors is not the only thing pets get a fever for in the spring. Springtime is mating season! Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered so that they don’t contribute to overwhelming pet overpopulation problem.
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Certain common spring plants can be extremely hazardous to your pet. Many can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested and some can even be deadly.

I need ideas on how to educate people about the advantage of pet adoption vs puppy mills. Do you know that there are still hundreds of people that have no idea what a puppy mill is? So this is short and sweet, just send me ideas and I’ll compose a blog and share it. I’ll also work on implementing all viable ideas. That’s it!! Put on your thinking caps.

How to Identify and Treat Food Allergies

Is your companion itchy?  Does she have digestive difficulties?  These are some of the most common issues that cause guardians to seek veterinary care for their companions.  Sometimes it is difficult to get to the bottom of those troublesome itches and tummy upsets.  They may be a sign of food allergies or sensitivities. 

The most common symptoms of allergies are:

• excessive scratching
• licking
• paw chewing

Additional symptoms of allergies:

• chronic ear infections
• respiratory symptoms such as coughing or nasal congestion
• eye discharge
• vomiting
• loose stools & diarrhea
• inflammatory bowel disease

Many holistic veterinarians also believe that seizures, arthritis, asthma and chronic urinary tract infections can be caused or complicated by food allergies.

If you and your veterinarian have ruled out other causes of your companion’s itchiness such as fleas, mange, ringworm or infection, then changing the diet may help alleviate the itch.  If tummy troubles are the predominant symptom, a diet change may help this as well.

Controlling Allergies with a Raw Food Diet

Many dogs with food sensitivities and allergies have seen dramatic improvements by switching to a raw food diet.  It’s a good idea to stick with one protein source when you begin the new diet, and then switch to another if symptoms do not begin to subside after 10 days on a raw food diet.  Often the change to raw food and elimination of grains is all it takes to begin to see improvement.  If symptoms persist, however, then switch to another protein source for another 10 days.  Duck, buffalo and turkey are often good proteins to use for an allergic animal.

If you typically mix kibble with raw, it is best to eliminate the kibble component of the diet until symptoms subside.  Then find a high-quality kibble, preferably grain-free, that contains the same protein you are feeding in the raw diet.

Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) supplementation with high quality fish oil can be beneficial for both itchy skin and digestive troubles.  EFA’s aid in reducing inflammation and support the health of both the skin and the lining of the digestive tract.

Keep in mind that any secondary bacterial or yeast infections must be treated during the switch.  Hot spots must be closely monitored as infection can easily ensue.  These must be controlled with bathing and topical treatments while the animal’s immune system is recovering.

Resources:

Natural Veterinary Medicine by Susan G. Wynn and Steve Marsden

Herbs for Pets by Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff

I found this to be informative and felt a need to share it.  My dog has allergies,  but not from his food, from something that is air born. I know this because his constant scratching starts the minute I walk out to my car and see the yellow pollen on the windshield.   A vet can do an allergy test on your pet but it is very expensive and some vets don’t even offer the service. (Mine does not)

So I am now on a quest to find out what works for my dog. Of course each dog is different but if you can offer any advice regarding non-food allergies PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT. I tried Children’s Benadryl ( which my vet told me to continue using) but it didn’t help.  Last year I used a hard to find Shampoo, NuSal T and it seemed to work but I only found it at the end of the pollen season. I’m starting the use of this shampoo again and we’ll see what happens.

So, as of now, no more trips to the groomers for a while I’ll be doing the washing. Brooklyn will love that!  He doesn’t like to go to the groomers and besides he can pay me back for that bath that he dislikes so much. And pay me back he does. Shaking water on me as many times as possible until I’m wetter than he is. I swear he’s smiling as he watches me jumping back to TRY to avoid getting wet.

Below are a few of the symptoms of allergies:

• excessive scratching
• licking
• Red Eyes

According to the Humane Society of the United States, 50 percent of children will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday. Children under the age of 5 are most likely to be bitten, and most of these bites come from a dog that the child knows, such as the family dog or that of a relative or friend.

Why are children more likely to be bitten by dogs than adults? A child moves faster than an adult; fast movement stimulates a dog’s prey drive and can sometimes elicit its chasing instinct. Children talk in higher pitched voices than adults, which can sometimes startle a dog and make it fearful. Children may frustrate a dog with rough play and teasing or inadvertently inflict pain with the pull of a tail or a poke in the eye. Younger children are closer to a dog’s eye level, making it easier for a dog to feel threatened by eye-to-eye contact and for the child to be bitten in the face. It is also much harder for a child to read and understand a dog’s body language; they can miss vital signals that would warn an adult to back off.

Remember to teach your child to always ask the owner if they may pet a dog. Let your child know that tail pulling is a BIG “no no”. When it comes to young children education is always the best. You tell your children not to talk to strangers then tell your child not to approach a dog that is a stranger. The “Act Like a Tree” is always good if an angry dog approaches. Teach your child to plant their feet firmly on the ground, not to move, and avoid eye contact with the dog. “Act Like a Tree” is the “Stop, Drop, Roll” (used in teaching children if they catch on fire) for behavior that needs to be used with aggressive dogs.

I’ve found that most pet owners have the following qualities. The more we can surround ourselves with those who are positive and healthy, the more we may model those positive behaviors. I think that I am who I am now because of my wonderful clients, both the human kind and their animals. Hopefully I possess these traits. At least I try.

If you really think about it, once in awhile you come across a person who knocks you off your socks…legitimately. Maybe they have a fantastic outlook on life, even during difficult times. Maybe they are really humble, although they are extremely gifted. Maybe they make you feel special. All of these are good.

Below, I’ve listed some of the traits I admire most in people. Although I could probably list a dozen characteristics, I thought I’d list those that seem to be the rarest or most difficult to find.

1. Selflessness: In a world where many people don’t have the time or the interest in others, selflessness is a quality that seems to be less and less common. People can be selfless in the time they give, the ability to listen, their level of patience and the love that they give. Those who are giving and generous in nature have the power to make others feel loved, appreciated and special. While those who are self-absorbed tend to do the exact opposite.
2. Tolerance: Those people who are tolerant make us feel comfortable with who we are and special as individuals. All of us are different, and many of us have quirks and idiosyncrasies. After all, these differences make the world go round. Having the ability to accept people for who they are and not expect them to be who we want them to be is important in life, happiness and in the health of our relationships.
3. Genuineness: Having the ability to be real, authentic and honest is unique in a world where we put so much emphasis on the superficial. Feeling comfortable in one’s skin and being true to one’s self is one of the most beautiful traits one can possess. To have a REAL relationship with someone requires honesty…it requires hearing and giving input or feedback that may not always be popular…it means having the strength to tell it like it is and to not be afraid to face the consequences for doing so…it means loving people for who they really are…deep down…and not for what they appear to be.
4. Sensitivity: So often we are focused on what is important to ourselves that we can forget about those around us. Those who are sensitive are often thoughtful, appreciative and loving, in a way that makes you feel understood, valued and respected. Often, sensitive people are also self-aware, making them mindful of how they impact others with what they do and say.
5. Integrity: I think this characteristic is especially difficult to find. In a time when people will do things that are underhanded to make an extra buck (Bernie Madoff…can you hear me?), expose their personal lives to the public so they can be famous (balloon boy’s dad and any other reality TV mongers) , integrity is a characteristic that is especially unique today.
6. Humility: Whether someone is super-smart, extremely talented or drop-dead gorgeous, there is something extra special about them if they don’t come across as though they know it all the time. Humility in those that possess extraordinary traits make others feel special too.

Oh boy the list could go on! What characteristics do you admire in others? Are there any that you want to cultivate?

Partially Originally published on Sheer Balance

Fun Animal Facts from Pet News and Views

Happy Holidays, and thank you for reading Pet News and Views.

Cats: Did you know that a cat has more bones in its body than a human being? Humans have 206 bones and cats have 230. Cats hear and see better than we do too. A cat’s hearing is more sensitive than people and dogs. At night, cats can see six times better than humans. All cats have an incredible sense of balance thanks to their tail.

Dogs: Did you know that dogs are related to the wolf? Scientists believe that friendship between dogs and people began more than 14,000 years ago. This friendship began when humans tried to tame wolf pups by giving them food. Over the centuries, humans have used dogs as hunters and watchdogs. For a long time, scientists have believed that dogs can tell when humans are happy, sad, angry, or frightened, making them good companions.

Fish: Did you know that fish can get dirty? Fish can have tiny animals living on their scales. If these tiny animals aren’t cleaned, the fish get sick. To clean themselves they go to the coral reefs. (It’s not a spa.) At these cleaning stations, there are special fish called Cleaners, who pick these tiny animals off of the scales. A fish called the Spanish Hogfish cleans the insides of other fishes’ mouths.

Chickens and Dinosaurs: Did you know that the chicken is the closest living relative of the tyrannosaurus-rex? Scientists compared and studied old dinosaur bones and new chicken bones. They discovered similar material found in each making the chicken and tyrannosaurus-rex distant cousins.

Monkeys: Did you know that there are more than 100 different types of monkeys? Monkeys are found in Africa, Asia, Mexico, Central America, and South American. Howler monkeys can be found in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. The male Howler monkey makes the most noise and is the loudest. When it howls, it can be heard up to 10 miles away. Monkeys live in trees and use their tales just like they use their hands and feet.

Elephants: Did you know that elephants are the largest land animals in the world? There are two kinds of elephants—African and Asian. You can easily tell them apart because African elephants are bigger and taller than Asian elephants. Asian elephants have smaller ears and shorter tusks than African elephants. Since both African and Asian elephants are so big, they spend a lot of time eating—20 hours a day. They eat large amounts of leaves, grass, and the barks of trees. Both African and Asian elephants live in herds.

Sheep: Did you know that sheep have good memories? Sheep can recognize at least 50 different sheep and 10 human faces. They can even recognize positive or negative emotions—and respond to pictures of friendly faces. Some breeds of sheep (like Katahdin and Dorper) have human-like hair instead of wool. Sheep talk to each other by hissing through their noses and by making grunting noises. When they are upset, they make bleating sounds.

Snakes: Did you know that there are more than 3,000 different kinds of snakes in the world? Most of them are not poisonous. In fact, snakes rather slither away than bite you. They only attack when they feel scared. Some snakes like the python can grow up to 15 feet long. They can eat an entire antelope by swallowing it in one gulp. Other snakes, like Garden Snakes, can be smaller than a pencil. Some snakes live in the sea, some live underground, and others live in trees.

Bugs: Did you know that three out of four creatures on earth are bugs? For every person, there are a million ants. Scientists have identified about one million different types of bugs, and these are just the bugs we know about. There are several unknown types of bugs living on this planet. Bugs live in tropical rainforests and on dry lands. They can be found in ponds and deserts. The oldest known fossil of insects dates back to 400 million years. They have been around before the dinosaur.

If you have any fun animal facts, please post here.

As a dog lover, you know that having a dog means having to deal with doggy odor on a daily basis. Young dogs, sick dogs and even old dogs can make mistakes. It is not uncommon for some older dogs to accidentally urinate in the house, or to have an episode of vomiting or diarrhea.

I talk about doggy odor a lot – mostly because it’s a big problem for dog owners. Doggy odor from drool or from your dog’s wet coat can make everything smell like dog – your furniture, your bed, your pillows … even your car.

Sometimes younger dogs can get sick or have house training problems. Older dogs can become confused. Sometimes they just can’t hold their urine as well as they used to. They can have accidents or leak urine in their bedding. It happens all the time.

Once they urinate in the house, it seem like the smell never goes away. And if you’ve had problems with your dog urinating in the house, you know that this is a smell that can be especially strong.

What can you do? Here are some tips:

1. Make sure to give your dog PLENTY of opportunities to urinate. Don’t test your dog. Take him out even before you think he needs to go.

2. Wash your dog’s bedding and blankets every week. Some older dogs will have trouble with leaking urine or anal glands … and their bedding stinks. That musty “wet dog smell”, dirt, drool and other odors can also get sealed in to your dog’s bedding, so wash it weekly.

3. Wash your dog. Some dogs need to be bathed every week while others only need to be bathed every few weeks to a month. If you can smell your dog, he definitely needs a bath! Make sure to bathe your dog on a regular basis.

4. Promptly clean all odors. If your dog vomits, has diarrhea or if he has an “accident”, quickly clean up the mess. Use white paper towels and clean/dry the mess as best you can. You can also use water.

5. Neutralize odors. Yes, doggy odors can be neutralized. A product called Zero Odor works very well to do just that. This product bonds with the odor molecule and changes it so it doesn’t stink. It is the only product we’ve found that will actually take away pet odor – for good. You can spray the floor, bedding, furniture, carpets and any areas where your dog (or any dog) may have urinated in the house.

6. We make sacrifices for the dogs we love, but living with daily doggy odor can be a real challenge. When your house smells like dog, life can get pretty miserable. And who wants to expose “outsiders” to that smell? It’s enough to make you cringe every time someone comes to the door.

Thanks to Dr. Jon