Dog lice, not nice - especially when they're in Regina

It's easy to spot and treat parasites when you groom your dog regularly.

We've known that dog lice has been in the Regina area for a while, but until now, haven't had any experience with it. To our dismay, one of our customers found dog lice. Please stay calm as:

• when noticed early, they're not harmful for your dog,

• they are easy to treat, and

• they are not transmissible to humans.

Dog lice are transmitted through contact. Therefore, because our kennel guests from different families do not physically interact, the possibility of transmission is minimal, but still possible; for example, if an infected dog leans up against or touch noses with another dog through the fence. We are hoping that our customer was one isolated case where an asymptomatic dog was here, but did not shed lice to anyone else.

It's wise to regularly check your dog for parasites. They are slightly smaller than fleas. They crawl on a dog and lay eggs on the hair. Symptoms include itching and scratching. The lice themselves look like dirt, and you're likely to notice them around your dog's head and nose. They are more difficult to detect on dark coloured dogs. If you suspect your dog is infested please contact your veterinarian. Without doing a physical check of your dog, you may not notice an infection for 21 days or more as it takes that long for the eggs to hatch.

If your dog will be in close proximity with other dogs, we recommend that you talk with your veterinarian about a regular parasite prevention program that includes regular checking and applying preventative products.

If your dog has dog lice, talk with your veterinarian about a shampoo and parasite control treatment. Controlling lice is similar to controlling fleas. Remove the parasite and continue cleaning for a few weeks to get rid of their nits or eggs. The control schedule would look something like this:

• bathing with a parasite treatment shampoo over a number of weeks (this ensures that the lice and their eggs are completely removed - follow the shampoo stand-time instruction, and be sure to check that everything is clear before stopping treatment)

• brushing and combing out to remove eggs attached to the hair shafts, then putting the lice/eggs into soapy water to drown

• using a topical insecticide treatment (similar to those used to prevent fleas and ticks)

• washing your dog's bedding, toys and grooming supplies

• washing the clothing you're wearing while shampooing and combing out your dog 

While dog lice are inconvenient, when caught early they are not harmful to your dog or family, but other parasites can be. Talk with your veterinarian about a regular parasite prevention program that includes regular grooming and preventative products. If you suspect that your dog has dog lice or any other communicable issue, please do not board your dog.

Teaching your dog impulse control: it's not about the dog

Hutchie is a very good dog who knows how to have fun, and listens to know what's expected.

Impulse control is a term used in dog training where your dog learns to wait and to do the right things, so good outcomes happen for them – food, affection, and praise.

Want to create a good dog? It's simple - be patient, be clear on your expectations, reward them when they do what you want, and ignore them when they don't get it right away.

Want a calm dog at the door? Don't freak out every time you or they come home. Instead, be calm and walk away, rewarding your dog only once they're calm.

Want a dog who doesn't jump? Instead of rewarding them by making a fuss, turn around and walk away. Once they're calm, reward them.

Want a dog who doesn't beg for food at the dinner table? Don't ever feed them at the table. Instead, pick places in your home where treats are given – and likewise, where they're banned.

Want a dog who doesn't jump on company who are sitting on the couch? Don't let them jump on you when you're sitting on the couch. Personally, I love sitting on the couch with my dog, so if you pop by, be prepared for a lap dog (mine are golden retrievers...)

Want a dog who doesn't bark to get let back into the house? Don't give him what he wants when he barks at the door. Instead, wait until he's calm and reward that behaviour.

Getting everyone in your family on the same page is very important. What doesn't work is if you want one thing, and others in your household want something else. That's not fair to your dog who just wants to know what the rules are so they can get what they want.

In a nutshell, be clear about what you want from your dog, then ask for it. Be consistent, making sure that everyone in your family is asking for the same thing. Dogs are quick learners, so work with them.

My dog never gets out – right! Help your pets find their way home.

Three days. That's the amount of time your lost dog has before he or she is legally someone else's property. Bet you didn't know that. The provincial Animal Protection Act and City of Regina by-laws are very clear about ownership. While it seems a little harsh, it makes sure that animals are cared for rather than homeless.

Time and time again animal shelters hear the same story, “I didn't get a license because my dog or cat never gets out.” All it takes is once, and you've got a problem. That's why identification is so important – it's your pets best chance of finding their way back home. In Regina it also increases the number of days that your pet is your property from three to 10. There are lots of identification options with lots of pros and cons, so it's best for your pets to wear a bunch:

• Tattoos - anyone can see that they're dealing with an owned dog. However, over time, they become difficult to read. And, if you've got a “used” dog who has already been tattooed, contact the veterinary clinic who did the original tattoo so they can update their files with your contact information.

• Microchips are very permanent. However, they must be read using a scanner so they're not accessible for Joe Public to easily check. As well, some times the chip travels from the insertion point to other parts of the body, so they can be missed even by those who regularly use the scanners.

• City licenses – typically connect your dog with the their most current owner contact information. However, they can fall off, so it's important to make sure they're tightly hooked to the collar. As a side benefit, they often they include a “get out of jail free card” saving you lots of money if your pet gets out and turns up a shelter.

• Store-bought ID tags that contain name and contact numbers are great for people who live in areas without licensing bylaws like me. They're easy to read by anyone.

• ID collars – because your dog's name and your phone number are embroidered onto the collar, they're easy to read. (Using a sharpie marker on a plain collar works too.) However, the collars themselves can fall off especially if your dog looses weight, or if it's loose.

• Rabies tags – because this vaccine is highly controlled, this extra tag can lead your dog back home.

You can be proactive by keeping a file on each pet that contains all of their information - identification markings, health records, photographs, etc. A more high-tech option is to register your pets in advance on PetLynx. They connect lost and found dogs to owners, animal shelters, municipal animal services, and others. By creating a profile for each of your pets in advance, should they ever become lost, you won't waste time searching for their vital information and photos, you can simply change their status to lost and be connected to matching found dogs. They offer a free seven day trial, and have different upgrade packages.

If you lose your pet, be proactive – quickly! Because animals roam, it's important to contact your local and surrounding area humane societies and municipalities. By having your pets wear lots of identification, checking in with municipalities, and doing your own lost dog posting, you're more likely to help your pet come back home.

The $1,600 Dieffenbachia plant: helping your pet avoid poisonous plants

Blossom is a very, very lucky girl. One day while home alone, she decided to graze on some leafy greens. Unfortunately, her choice was the toxic Diefenbachia plant. After work, her mom noticed a drooling, wheezing, non-responsive dog with blue hazing over her eyes (she said she looked like a fish does before it dies!), so she rushed Blossom off to her veterinarian. $1,600 later, Blossom was fine, and plant simply had a good pruning.

The toxic Diefenbachia plant before Blossom ate it

When dogs eat this type of plant, their esophagus swells and they suffocate to death. Unfortunately, the German shepherd and black lab, who were at the same clinic earlier ate only two leaves from similar plants. Both died.

When you live with pets and plants, toxicity should be top of mind because lots of house and garden plants are toxic to pets. I love dogs, and plants. As a University of Saskatchewan Prairie Horticulture Certificate program graduate, my tip for you is that when you live with pets and bring plants into your life, be cautious.

Here's what being cautious looks like. I live on an acreage and can always use more plants. Last summer, a friend offered me some perennial Solomon's seal plants. Right away, I accepted. My next move was to figure out this plant. I Googled it to find out its Latin name, which is Polygonatum, and quickly discovered that it's toxic to dogs, which made my planting location really easy – I would bring it in, but keep in a dog-free area of my yard.

Because many plants are location-specific - eg. what we grow in Saskatchewan is different than what is grown in California - there's no one “go-to” source for information about plant/pet toxicity. Most plants have at least two names, and more than likely many names. For example, Saskatchewanians are very proud of our saskatoon berry, which is just one of its “common names”. However, the “Latin name” for this plant is Amelanchier alifolia, and other common names for exactly the same plant are serviceberry, sarvice berry, Juneberry and shadebush. After doing the research, I wouldn't let my dogs eat Saskatoons or chew on the bush. According to the Government of Canada “The shrub has an hydrogen cyanide (HCN) potential high enough to kill cattle and mule deer. Mule deer that ingested 1 kg of fresh weight per day were poisoned and died within 24 h of the appearance of clinical signs”.

Know and research the common and Latin names of plants your dog has access to - this goes for both indoor house plants and outdoor petscaping. When it doubt, err on the side of caution.Here are some additional resources to help you out:

Government of Canada

Pet Poison Helpline

ASPCA Poison Control Centre

Doggie dental hygiene: their teeth are in your hands

Eli is 10 years old and has only one tooth. This little guy was recently adopted by a Regina family, and he obviously had bad teeth. Periodontal (gum disease) is one of the most common dog diseases, and is often preventable.

Tartar and plaque build up, then the gums recede, and infection starts. It’s nasty. Serious dental issues seem to be more common in small dogs than large. It’s often diet related – created by a soft food diet . . . think Cesar supplemented with lots of soft treats. Although they like the taste, the dog’s teeth get coated with food without ever getting a good scrubbing. Soft food is ok, but dogs need crunchy stuff too. (I know they get this stuff because their people love them, but loving them through food can hurt them.)

Unfortunately we see a lot of dogs with dental issues.

What you’ll notice with gum disease is nasty mouth odour when things get infected, and the cost of dental cleanings and extractions. A lot of people pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to fix the problem. However, some people chose not to fix it – that’s mean. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had dental infections, and they hurt – a lot. I can’t imagine the pain that some of these dogs live with. (Dr. Paddy Khuly, a veterinarian blogger, suggests that people who chose not to fix their dog’s mouth infections otherwise known as medical neglect should be charged with animal cruelty. Think about that.) Unfortunately, if the problem isn’t treated early, older dogs may have to suffer in pain for the reminder of their lives because using anesthetic on older dogs can be deadly.

Unless it’s genetic or caused by accident, so many dental problems are preventable. While tooth brushing is an option, I don’t know of many who make the effort to do it. Good on you if you do. Providing your dog with crunchy stuff is a good alternative. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) awards a registered seal of approval for products that are clinically proven to control plaque and tartar. Frankly, everyone trying to sell you something claims their product helps, but products on this list are tested and scored using established protocols – so they're scientifically proven, not just a marketing claim. There is one caution here – VOHC tests for plaque and tarter control, they don’t test products to determine if they're otherwise healthy or safe.

For many dogs, chewing raw (never cooked) bones or elk antlers works well too. Keep in mind that anything designed to be chewed may break and cause intestinal problems or injury. Most dogs enjoy chewing, and typically spend a few minutes chewing rather than bolting it down whole or in large pieces. However, you know your dog – if they don’t chew thoroughly, don’t give it to them. And, if you notice sharp edges or small pieces, take it away.

Talk with your veterinarian about what’s best for your dog. And, check your dog’s mouth regularly for signs of tartar or plaque build-up or infection. When it comes to your dog’s dental health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.