A Dogs Right To... Itch?

Winston waiting to be seen by the vet... it's definitely not a place he enjoys visiting

A few month ago Winston started to scratch a lot at his chin. I know, I know... weird place to compulsively itch. I blamed it on the higher temperatures we've been experiencing in New York, but eventually he would start waking me up in the middle of the night because his scratching was so intense he would shake the bed!

I checked the skin on his chin but it wasn't red and I didn't feel any bumps. Still, it was time to take him to the vet. It was a normal visit; the vet checked all of Winston's nooks and crannies.  Of course he didn't scratch once at his chin (thanks a lot!). The appointment came to an end and she diagnosed it as allergies. The lab I grew up with, Rugby, took Tavist for his allergies, so I was anticipating this diagnosis. She prescribed half a child's Benadryl (12.5mg). We tried this for awhile but it wasn't really working.

I went back for Winston's annual check-up where I told her he was still scratching a lot and she increased his dose. Again, this wasn't working. Last week I went back for his 3rd visit to discuss his chin allergy. She said dogs sometimes respond better to different medications. So she switched him to Claratin. We're trying this out for 2 weeks and if it doesn't work we'll switch to Zyrtec for two weeks.

I wasn't pleased with this response because clearly the antihistamines weren't working and Winston was suffering! I was talking to a friend about the situation and she coincidentally used to work at a vet office. She said that they can run blood tests to find out specifically what a dog is allergic to and then create a special serum to relieve the allergies. What a genius idea!

Well I made an appointment at the other vet office my friend told me about. Winston and I just went and had a positive experience. Instead of trying yet another antihistamine, they checked for yeast or bacteria build up that could cause itching, took blood to test for specific allergens, and gave him a steroid shot to help relieve his itchy skin.

The point of my story is that you can't give up. I am beyond frustrated since Winston is still suffering, I'm not getting a good night's sleep, and I'm paying hundreds of dollars in vet bills. If you find yourself in my position then try and talk to friends who have animals - pet allergies are quite common! They may recommend a vet they had a great experience with or can just complain along with you - misery love company!

Fido's First Flight - What To Know About Planes & Pups

Winston in his carrier on our flight before I put him under the seat in front of me for take-off

Winston has flown a bunch. Mostly just between Boston and New York, but as my readers know he's also visited the Sunshine state. Winston will be accompanying me on my upcoming trip to Boston this week, so I thought a plane entry would be most appropriate.

Here's an important tip list I've created for flying with your precious pet:

1.  Many people don't think about this, but it's really important and a big part of the trip an owner may overlook... the cab/car ride to and from the airport! Although Winston is an easy flier, he is NOT an easy cab rider. He tends to get car sick and has thrown up 2-3 times in a single ride from Manhattan to JFK. For the longest time I would just come prepared with a lot of paper towels and other throw up cleaner supplies, but then I went to the vet and we discussed a medication I could give him before a car ride. I used it for the first time a few weekends ago when Winston went for a 2 hour ride in the car to Long Island and he didn't throw up once! This has made life easier and taken a lot of anxiety out of our trips!

2. Most airlines have an extra fee to fly your pup - so call ahead and make sure you've made the proper arrangements. Don't try and get on the plane without doing so, trust me they will take you off the flight - I WOULD KNOW!

3. Make sure the carrier you've purchased has the dimensions approved by the FDA so your pup comfortably fits under the seat in front of you (and again so you don't get kicked off the flight). Another good tip is to make sure the carrier has longer straps so you can throw it over your shoulder (or there are even ones available that roll). Winston's carrier has shorter straps which only allows me to carry it in my hands... this really starts to hurt after awhile and only allows me to travel through security and the airport with one free hand - I need to get a new one!

4. As many people know, some dogs do not fly well. We've all been on flights and can hear a dog's whimper, or even bark, the entire time. Don't hesitate to contact your vet and discuss the appropriate medications. Some vets (like Winston's) will prescribe a dose of Benadryl to knock them out during long flights. Depending on your dog's particular personality and breed, the medication and dose will differ (never try and diagnose your dog, always consult a vet).

5. Try and limit your dogs water or food intake during the hours leading up to your flight. Some plane rides may be quite long and they won't be able to relieve themselves! A dog with a full bladder won't be happy! During a flight, I wouldn't give your dog any water until the last hour to half hour of the flight. A good idea is to give them an ice cube to lick. It will make sure they stay hydrated and won't cause a full bladder. At the airport, they do have dog elimination areas, so if you think little fido has to go before (or after) you take off or land - take them there!

7. During take off and landing your dog must be in the appropriate carrier, tucked under the seat in front of you. But, during the flight you have the option of putting the carrier on your lap. Some owners may find that this helps ease the dogs anxiety, but others may find it unnecessary. I personally leave Winston under the seat. He is an easy flier and rarely makes a peep, so I just put his favorite toys in the carrier and let him be.  Let sleeping dogs lie... literally!

Here are a few good links to items to purchase for traveling with your dog!

- rolling carrier: http://bit.ly/nbhNIi
- shoulder carrier: http://bit.ly/qlqhgM
- dog care kit: http://bit.ly/o8wDvv
- portable bowls: http://bit.ly/qb7LvL

Dogs In War - What Do You Really Know?

I keep coming across articles about dogs who work in the military. This of course sparked something in me, for not only do I love dogs for the joy and love they bring me, but also now for the safety they provide for me.

During my morning news routine, I came across this CNN article that started it all (http://bit.ly/jCKEHX). Apparently, during the successful mission to capture Osama Bin Laden, a dog was brought in to be a part of the SEAL team which helped to identify potential danger threatening the team.

Dogs have been part of war throughout history. There are examples dating back to 600 BC when dogs would be deployed to attack the enemy. Nowadays they aren't used in such vicious ways, more as an extra tool to help sniff out the enemy.

So the next time someone makes a "dumb dog" joke, you can tell them how smart they actually are; they save lives and help protect our country!

Here's a fun article a friend sent me from The Guardian about a special dog named Kanellos that has been taking part in the protests that have been plaguing Greece (http://bit.ly/ce92LZ).

I don't think I'll be sending Winston or Rusty to the front lines any time soon!

When Your Two Best Friends Don't Get Along

Rusty & Winston

Rusty (my yellow lab on the left) looks a little frightened when Winston gives him the evil eye :)

My family dog Rusty lives in the house I grew up in outside Boston. I grew up with three yellow labs (Rudder, Rugby, and now Rusty) and missed Rusty terribly, so I was beyond excited when I planned my first trip home with my new, smaller, "city" dog.

The cab ride to the airport and the plane to Boston will be their own posts (well deserved to say the least).  So, Winston and I pulled up to my house. I read a few articles on how to introduce dogs but I didn't know exactly what to do. Rusty is so happy-go-lucky and Winston is my perfect baby! What could go wrong? As a side note, Winston had been attacked a few months prior in a dog park in the city (hes ok but it was bad and will be another entry of course). Since the attack, Winston's been a bit defensive right off the bat towards bigger dogs. I was hoping he'd see how great Rusty was and act like he does with smaller dogs.

They met in my front yard, both leashed, and Rusty wagged his tail uncontrollably. Winston, reserved, acted half submissive, half defensive. It didn't go as well as I had hoped (I wanted them to be best friends since the moment they laid eyes on each other) but they both kind of kept to themselves, occasionally sniffing each others behinds :). As the weekend went on they got more used to each other. I didn't push them to play, they organically started to co-exist, even becoming friendly, sharing a water bowl and stealing toys from each other. Since then they have spent a bunch of weekends together and although they aren't best friends, I'll sometimes catch them playing and cuddling :)

I think more than anything, knowing the dog's history combined with their breed, is the best guide for introducing dogs. Rusty's laid back, go with the flow attitude mimics what's so great about labs, and couldn't define him any more. I know that Rusty would never get so annoyed that he'd hurt Winston (although sometimes when Rusty is playing he can get a little rough - 75 pound lab vs. a 12 pound poodle - it's bound to happen). But, I do know that Winston's toy poodle 'tude can make him a bit more snippy and so I watch him more carefully. Do what you think is right and always go with your gut... only you know your dog best!

Here's how far they've come (I think Winston sees Rusty as his big bro)...

Going To The Country!

Winston Surfing

His wet legs make him look so skinny compared to when his hair is fluffy!

Winston and I left the city this past weekend and headed to the country for some fun in the sun. We both enjoyed swimming in the pool, but it also gave us a much needed cool down from the scorching heat. This raised a popular question - how do I really keep him comfortable in the heat?

A few things came to mind. Of course, always have water available for your dog (duh). If you're just hanging out around the house or pool you can put down your dog's normal water bowl. But, what's the best way if you're on the go? Maybe going for a walk or visiting a friend's house/pool? I've tried two products. First was the canvas water bowl. At first it seemed promising, but then I noticed it started to leak, the water getting all over whatever surface it was on. I kept having to refill the bowl and walk around the puddles it made on the ground. Then I bought the dog water bottle that had the mini bowl attachment that the water spilled into for the dog's to lick up. I liked this better as it combined the water and bowl into one product (easier to carry around), but I soon came to realize it wasn't made as well as I would've liked. The bowl attachment kept snapping off and the water also did leak a little. But of the two products, I use the bottle. I think I need to invent something better though.

Secondly, there's a dog's paw pads. After Winston's first trip to Florida last summer, I'll always be sure to check them. Toward the end of our few days in the Sunshine state, I noticed he was limping. I poked and pulled, but he didn't seem to have any reaction. Upon my return, I of course took him to the vet. She immediately looked at his paws and showed me where it had actually burned and that half the pad was literally falling off. So, this weekend I made sure to keep an eye on his paws. I noticed when he sat on the (burning hot) wood patio he would pick them up. I would try and get him off the wood and have him play in the pool or stay on the grass, but of course he'd always want to stay near me on the wood (awww). So, I think it's important to have either a towel or dog bed available on the surfaces that get really hot. I've seen advertisements for "cooling" dog beds that are used outside, but don't know much about them. Maybe I should look into that more.

Lastly, I think that a dogs hair should be kept shorter during the summer months. I know there is a debate going around about this, but it seems to make sense to me. Girls, we know what the back of our necks feel like when we wear our hair down during the summer... so wouldn't you think a dog would want shorter hair? I had Winston groomed a few weeks ago for a shorter summer 'do and I think he's happier. I did look to see if his skin had burned though. Is that possible? I didn't see any red spots, but I'm sure it'll come up at Winston's next vet appointment since his owner is a little dog neurotic...

Nice To Meet You!

Hello all and welcome to my blog!

My name is Tracey and I live in NYC with my parti-poodle Winston. I hope everyone will enjoy reading about my adventures with him and share in the joy of my dog obsessed world. Comments are welcome and I hope you and your furry friend have fun!