Many pet owners, although they medicate their dogs to protect against heartworm, have no idea what heartworm is or why they have to treat their dog for heartworm. It is important to know why you are treating your animal for heartworm, what they are and how they infect your dog in case you should decide to adopt a heartworm infested dog, in case your dog should contract heartworm and also to be an educated pet owner.

What are heartworm? Heartworm are carried by animals other than dogs but dogs are seen as the primary host for the heartworm. Heartworms are contracted through infected mosquitoes who inject infected larvae in to your dog when they are bitten. These worms grow inside your dog’s heart, lungs and blood vessels.

How are Heartworm detected? Heartworm are detected through a blood test done by your vet.

How many worms are usually found in a heartworm infestation? There is no “usual” number of worms however there can be as many as 80 worms or even more in one single infection.

How high is the likelihood that my dog will contract heartworm if he is bitten by an infected mosquito? The likelihood is almost a certainty and so significant that the rate is given at 100%.

What are symptoms of heartworm infestation? Coughing, intolerance to exercise, lung sounds upon vet exam, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, abnormal heart sounds and eventual death.

What is the treatment for heartworm?  Treatment is an injected drug which kills off the adult heartworms. These intravenous drugs are initiated in multiple injections depending on the severity of infection. The reason that multiple injections are necessary is that the toxicity of the medication as well as the death of the heartworms cause complications in many dogs (dead worms can obstruct blood flow.) By spreading the injections out the likelihood of toxicity reduces for your infected dog. During heartworm treatment infected dogs are kept extremely quiet and still in order to reduce exacerbation which increases the chance of a negative side effect from the heartworm treatment.

How do I know if heartworm treatment was effective? Your doctor will test your dog’s blood again to detect any remaining heartworm evidence.

How do I prevent against heartworms? Heartworm preventative is extremely affordable in comparison to treating a heartworm infected dog. Around $9 a month will buy your dog a heartworm pill which usually comes in a palatable flavor for your dog, these pills kill any heartworm larvae that exist in your dog’s bloodstream. It is important to keep your dog on heartworm preventative all year round to avoid the possibility that your dog will develop a heartworm infection.

Heartworm are a very destructive force for any dog and even though heartworm medications and extremely effective in prevention a heartworm infestation your dog should still routinely be checked for heartworm every year with their annual physical exam.

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,”
or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand
the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved
for “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about
with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company
was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my
saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in
those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me
comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably
understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just
a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of
friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out
the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because
of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just
a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just
a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog”
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a
man.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile,
because they “just don’t understand.”

Author Unknown

The Labrador Retriever originates from Newfoundland, Canada they were bred to jump in to the icy waters and retrieve fisherman’s nets. Over time Labrador Retrievers were brought to England on English ships where they were trained to hunt, this is where the term “English” versus “American” labrador retrievers. The two terms really are not as relevant as the terms “field,” “show” and “pet” labradors.

Field labradors, also referred to as “American” labradors, are visibly “lankier” labs, they have longer thinner legs, smaller paws, and thinner heads. Show labradors, also referred to as “English” labradors, have blocky heads, huge paws  and appear generally stockier than field labs. “Pet” labs are a combination of the two types of labs as a result of breeding show and field labs. While “pet” labs make great pets and are great dogs they are not generally “sound” examples of the breed. Field labs are so named because they are bred to hunt in the field, their lankier look developed to assist in field hunting. Show labs are so named because they are bred to be shown as a prime example of the Labrador breed, they exhibit all of the characteristics outlined by the AKC as a “good, sound” dog.

The Labrador Retriever is a great family dog, they are one of the most intelligent breeds and are loyal and willing to please. Training a Labrador is not as challenging as training other breeds of dog as they have an extraordinary capacity for retaining information and picking it up which is one reason why Labrador’s are used in police work and search and rescue work.

Labrador Retrievers are wonderful and protective of their families and children; however, they do not make good watch dogs as they are generally friendly dogs and it is said that a Labrador never knows a stranger. Labrador’s must be socialized early as must all dogs to ensure that they live up to their temperament as sociable and friendly dogs – any dog who is not well socialized can result in aggression and fear problems which are hard to deter.

Labrador’s must have a strong leader and an active lifestyle, because they are naturally working dogs whose purpose was to be active and inactive dog results in a destructive dog. If you are looking for a couch potato dog then a Labrador is definitely not for you.

Labrador Retrievers are goofy dogs, they remain puppies and high energy dogs who are hard headed and, when untrained, uncooperative until around age 2 1/2 to 3yrs. At approximately age 2 1/2 to 3 yrs Labradors “grow up” and become adults, many people find it hard to get through the puppy hood phase but once they hit the adulthood phase they become amazingly obedient and willing to please. Harnessing your Labrador’s attention and energy is easily done with training and exercise.

Labrador Retriever dogs come in at approximately 22-24 inches high and weigh in at 60-75lbs. Labrador Retriever bitches come in at approximately 21-23 inches high and weigh in at 55-70lbs. On average Labradors live to 10-12 years. These are the average heights, weights and lifespans and some dogs do break the averages, this does not mean that they are abnormal, it simply means that they do not fit the averages outlined by the AKC for the breed standard.

Labrador’s tend to have shorter lifespans because they are a larger breed and as a larger breed their joints are prone to degeneration and wear from carrying so much more weight than smaller breeds. Labrador’s as a breed are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders and progressive retinal atrophy.

Labradors have thick double coats with an undercoat designed to protect their skin from cold and the icy waters of Canada. Grooming for Labradors is minimal; however, obesity is common for inactive Labradors. If Labradors are kept active they can thrive in apartment living as well as more expansive living situations.

Labrador’s are either chocolate, yellow or black, there are no certain characteristics assigned to any color of Labrador, a dog’s characteristics are determined by genes and environment NOT color.

In short Labrador’s make great family pets and as long as they are trained and exercised well they are content to live with any family as happy and healthy dogs.

Canine bloat aka Gastric-Dilitation-Volvulus (GDV) aka gastric torsion is an extremely serious and sometimes fatal occurrence in dogs which comes about when too much gas builds up in the stomach causing it to stretch and contort. The stretching and contorting of the stomach causes the blood supply to the spleen to be cut off which in turn causes the blood that is returned to your dog’s heart to decrease which decreases cardiological function. As the stomach bloats it can also twist (torsion) which then cuts off the esophagus and eliminates the ability for your dog to belch or vomit to reduce the gas buildup in their stomach.

When bloat occurs or when you suspect that bloat is occurring you should get your dog to the vet immediately, where your vet will administer fluids and steroids to combat the symptoms of shock that your dog will be experiencing from the trauma to organs as a result of lack of blood flow and torsion. ALWAYS call your vet ahead of time to let them know you’re on your way with suspected bloat and never try to treat bloat at home, it will not go away on it’s own and it requires veterinary treatment to save your dog’s life. After your vet administers fluids and steroids he may take blood, do x-rays and an ECG; however, prior to this he may decompress your dog’s stomach by inserting large needles in to your dog’s stomach to release the gas buildup.

Very few times canine bloat can be remedied with only the methods above; however, most cases of canine bloat require surgery to untwist the stomach and remove any tissues that were damaged during the episode of bloating. Your vet will also anchor your dog’s stomach during surgery which is thought to reduce the chance of bloat reoccurring.

Certain breeds of dog are more prone to bloating than others, dogs that have higher incidences of bloating include, but are not limited to:
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Basset Hound
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bloodhounds
Borzoi
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Collie
Dachshund
Doberman Pinscher
English Springer Spaniel
Fila Brasileiro
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
Great Pyrenees
Irish Setter
Irish Wolfhound
King Shepherd
Labrador Retriever
Miniature Poodle
Newfoundland
Old English Sheepdog
Pekinese
Rottweiler
Samoyed
Shiloh Shepherd
Sighthouds
St. Bernard
Standard Poodle
Weimaraner
Wolfhound

Just because your dog breed is not listed on this list does not mean that he is not going to get bloat!

What are the symptoms of bloat? Bloating is extremely painful for your dog and you will notice a change in his manner as soon as symptoms set in, he will become lethargic, appear uncomfortable, his stomach will be swollen and tight like a drum, he will gag but usually be unable to produce vomit, he will drool, he may pace and he may also be unable to lie down comfortably and shift around a lot.

Reducing the possibility that your dog will get bloat is relatively easy if you just keep these rules of thumb in mind:
-Feed a couple of smaller meals daily instead of one large meal
-Do not feed right before or right after exercise, wait one to two hours prior or after exercise to feed your dog
-Feed a high quality food that is not loaded with grains
-Do not allow your dog to gulp huge quantities of water before, during or after eating. Also try to avoid this habit after exercise as well as it can cause illness.
- Do not let your dog gobble his food, if you have a gulper try putting his food on a baking tray to slow his eating habits.

Most importantly of all if you notice your dog bloating or if you suspect bloat get to your vet IMMEDIATELY!