Dog bites are a serious problem in the United States. Each year, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Around 17 percent of these people require medical care. And in approximately 10-20 tragic cases per year, the bite victim is killed. The CDC has labeled dog bites in America an “epidemic.”

In response to this growing problem, some communities have banned ownership of certain dogs that are perceived as dangerous, particularly pit bulls and rottweilers. Are some breeds really more dangerous than others?

Breed characteristics

It’s difficult to determine just how much a dog’s genetics determine his behavior, just like it’s hard to know how much of a person’s personality is nature and how much is nurture. It’s true that some breeds simply have more ability to injure people than others do. Though it’s no more likely to bite than a smaller dog, if it does bite, a Great Dane can do much more damage than a Maltese, for example. (Even very small breeds can be dangerous to children, however.)

A study performed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the CDC, and the Humane Society of the United States, analyzed dog bite statistics from the last 20 years and found that the statistics don’t show that any breeds are inherently more dangerous than others. The study showed that the most popular large breed dogs at any one time were consistently on the list of breeds that bit fatally. There were a high number of fatal bites from Doberman pinschers in the 1970s, for example, because Dobermans were very popular at that time and there were more Dobermans around, and because Dobermans’ size makes their bites more dangerous. The number of fatal bites from pit bulls rose in the 1980s for the same reason, and the number of bites from rottweilers in the 1990s. The study also noted that there are no reliable statistics for nonfatal dog bites, so there is no way to know how often smaller breeds are biting.

Owner responsibilities

This study supports what many veterinarians have believed for years: nearly any dog can be aggressive or nonaggressive, depending on his training and environment. Owners play a big part in making sure that their pet is safe around other people. There are several steps you can take to help ensure that your dog isn’t dangerous.

• Restrain your pet. Unrestrained dogs cause about 82 percent of all fatal bites. Keeping your dog on a strong leash whenever you’re in public is a big first step toward preventing bites. Strangers and a strange environment may startle your pet. Extra precautions should be taken to make ensure your pet is at ease. If you leave your dog alone outdoors, your yard needs to be enclosed with a six- to eight-foot fence, depending on your dog’s size.
• Socialize your puppy. Puppies are more open to learning between the age of 8 and 12 weeks. This is the opportune time to start puppy classes and begin socialization with other pets. It is important to introduce the puppy to animals with a known vaccination history. Talk to your veterinarian about the proper time to take your canine friend to puppy classes, the park and the pet store. Socialize your puppy by taking him anywhere where he can interact with people and other dogs in a nonthreatening environment. Be sure to praise him when he interacts well with others.
• Spay or neuter your dog. Intact (non-neutered) male dogs are responsible for approximately 80 percent of fatal bites. When dogs are altered, they lose some of their territorial instincts, including a lot of their territorial aggression.
• Train him not to bite. Dogs will mouth, chew and bite everything from your hands to your furniture until you teach them that it’s inappropriate. If your dog is biting or growling at you or other family members, distract him with a quick sound, such as a clap or a sharp “ouch!” Then redirect his attention to a chew toy. Remember, timing is everything. Make sure your noise is heard at the exact moment the dog is biting. The dog will not understand what is going on if the noise occurs after the bite (they cannot make that connection). Also be sure to reward him when you catch him chewing on the right things.
• Watch your dog’s behavior. This may be the most important part of preventing your dog from biting. It’s easy for owners to be in denial that their sweet, furry Fido may be a threat. But if your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, it’s time for your veterinarian’s help: growling at, snapping at, or biting family members; growling or snapping at strangers; or extreme fear of strangers.

If you see signs that your dog could be aggressive or dangerous, you can ask your veterinarian to refer you to a veterinary behavioral specialist. While your dog is being treated for aggression, be careful with him in public. Be sure to warn strangers to use caution if they interact with him. It may be important to wear a basket muzzle while out in public until the aggression is managed properly. A gentle leader may also be very helpful in controlling your pet when out in public.
Following these directions won’t guarantee that your dog won’t bite, but they’ll certainly make it less likely. Any dog that is well restrained and well trained can be perfectly safe, regardless of breed. The truth is, an irresponsible owner is much more dangerous than any dog.

Article Courtesy of HealthyPet.com

It is frequently said that dogs should not be given as gifts and while it may seem like a common sense thing to many of us, it is frequently questioned by those who are not as animal savvy or as dog crazed as some.

Whether you are purchasing or rescuing a dog as a gift for someone the fact still remains that a dog should NEVER EVER be purchased as a gift for someone. There are many reasons why this fact stands true, below you can find just a few.

Dogs are a very personal thing, while you may think that a black Labrador puppy is the cutest and most desired dog in the world the person you are buying him for may well much prefer a Jack Russell. When you gift your lab puppy the person receiving him is either going to tell you to take him back or else accept him with good grace and when he becomes too much take him to the local shelter. While it is possible that this person will receive and keep the puppy you gifted he will be resented because he is not what this person originally desired and none of these situations result in a good situation for the puppy.

Dogs require a lot of time and money, while gifting a puppy may seem like a cute way to say “I love you” have you put thought in to the average cost of raising a puppy and having a dog? Does the person you are buying the dog for have the ability to provide a good (not just adequate) home for a dog? Do they have the time to raise him?  What if something is wrong with him, can they afford that?

Allergies are also a concern for people who have pets, when purchasing a dog for someone are you even aware of their allergies? Different people have different allergies to different breeds of dogs – I for example have a Labrador Retriever, however, I am allergic to German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Huskies. The feeling of having a dog that you are severely allergic to is not only miserable but it is heartbreaking when you have to give that dog up because of your allergies or inability to afford medication so that you can keep the dog.

Different dogs have different personalities and quirks, many of these are visible from the time the puppy is still with it’s mother. Not all dog’s personalities are going to mesh with an individuals personality. Getting to know a dog before deciding to purchase/adopt him is a very important step for the future owner and it allows the owner to know who he/she is bringing home to be a part of his/her life for a long time to come.

Another important thing to keep in mind when you think it’s a good idea to give a dog as a gift is that just because you know a person doesn’t mean that you really know them. The person you are going to gift a dog to may not tell you everything about themselves, they may not even like dogs, they may be going through a personal crisis and not have the resources to care for another living thing, they may be having financial difficulties that they are too embarrassed to tell you about…the list goes on and on but the bottom line is always the same, gifting a dog is a terrible idea. If someone you love wants a dog and you want to purchase him or give him to them spend time together researching what they want, visit various dogs to find a good match and make time to plan ahead for the financial burden of owning a dog.

Canine Spay FAQ

Surgical sterilization of the female dog, commonly referred to as spaying, is one of the most significant aspects of female dog care an owner can provide. The benefits to the dog FAR outweigh simply not having puppies, though as pet over-populations looms as a societal problem it is important to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

Spaying involves removal of the uterus and ovaries. It is a major surgery but a commonly performed one, ideally performed while a female dog is still in puppyhood, prior to her first heat cycle.

WHY ALL FEMALE DOGS SHOULD BE SPAYED

A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer.

After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7% and after the second heat the risk is 25% (one in four!). It is easy to see that an early spay can completely prevent what is frequently a very difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer.

But is it too late if a dog is already past her second heat? No, in fact spaying is important even in female dogs who already have obvious tumors. This is because many mammary tumors are stimulated by estrogens; removing the ovaries, the source of estrogens, will help retard tumor spread.

Spaying removes both the uterus and both ovaries and is crucial in the prevention as well as the treatment of mammary cancer.

Pyometra Prevention

Pyometra is the life-threatening infection of the uterus that generally occurs in middle-aged to older female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The hormone progesterone, which primes the uterus for potential pregnancy, does so by causing proliferation of the blood-filled uterine lining and suppressing uterine immune function. It is thus easy during heat for bacteria in the vagina to ascend to the uterus and cause infection. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without treatment, the dog is expected to die. Despite her serious medical state, she must be spayed quickly if her life is to be saved.

• This is an extremely common disease of unspayed female dogs.
• Without treatment the dog will die.
• Treatment is expensive.
• Treatment involves surgery in a potentially unstable patient.
• Spaying prevents the whole thing.

The older unspayed female dog has an irregular heat cycle. There is no end of cycling comparable to human menopause. If you still decide against spaying, be familiar with the signs of pyometra LINK, which include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, excessive thirst, marked vaginal discharge.

Simple Convenience
The female dog comes into heat every 8 months or so. There is a bloody vaginal discharge and local male dogs are attracted. Often there is an offensive odor. All of this Disappears With Spaying.

It’s Not Just a Good Idea; in Los Angeles it’s the Law

In April 2008, spaying of female dogs became mandatory in the city of Los Angeles. It is already mandatory for Culver City, Marina del Rey, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Exceptions include law enforcement dogs, dogs currently in competition training, service dogs and dogs with a medical exemption. Fines begin at $100. The City came to this resolution largely because of the huge expenses associated with its overcrowded shelter system and its euthanasia rate of approximately 4000 unwanted dogs and cats PER MONTH. This problem comes down to one of population control; education has been inadequate to solve the problem as has simply charging $100 vs $10 to license unsterilized dogs. Spaying provides irreplaceable health benefits to the pet, convenience to the pet owner, benefit to the community, and it is now legally required.

Now That we Know Why it is a Good Idea to Spay, What Exactly Happens?

It is important that the patient has not been fed in at least 8 hours. Anesthetic medications commonly induce nausea and vomiting can be dangerous in a sedated patient (vomit can be inhaled/aspirated leading to pneumonia).

A preoperative evaluation is performed; blood work is recommended for older females and may be recommended as a normal preanesthetic consideration. An intravenous catheter may be placed to facilitate the administration of anesthetic drugs, for any fluid administration, and for use in case of emergency. This necessitates shaving a small patch of skin on one of the legs.

A tranquilizer or other pre-anesthetic medication may be administered to ease the induction of anesthesia.

A medication is given intravenously to induce sleep. This medication is called an induction agent and lasts only long enough to establish the maintenance of anesthesia by the inhalant anesthetic (gas). Once the dog is asleep, a tube is placed in her throat to ensure that a clear airway is maintained through out the procedure.

Sometimes a cough is noted for a couple of days after surgery. This may have been caused by the tube in the throat. Such coughs only last a couple of days; anything that persists longer should be re-evaluated.

The tube is hooked up to a machine that delivers a specific concentration of inhalant gas mixed in 100% oxygen. An anesthesia technician is assigned to the monitoring of this pet so that the concentration of inhalant gas can be changed, color, heart rate, respiration and other parameters are followed.

In the surgical prep area, the abdomen is shaved and scrubbed. The bladder is emptied and the patient is moved to a surgical suite, where she is draped with surgical cloths or papers to isolate the area where surgery will take place.

An incision is made on the midline of the abdomen, and the three points where the ovaries and uterus attaches are tied off and cut. The abdomen is checked for bleeding and two or three layers of stitches are placed to close the incision.

It is helpful to know that should the skin stitches come out, there are two layers below holding everything closed. Sometimes skin stitches are not placed but if they are, you will need to return in 10 to 14 days to have them removed.

The anesthesia technician continues monitoring until the dog wakes up and coughs out the throat tube.

The patient is kept in an observation room until she is able to walk.

My hospital feels strongly that a night in the hospital is important to an uneventful recovery. This night in the hospital is analogous to strict bed rest, just what you would expect to be needed after a major abdominal surgery. This night also allows for proper administration of pain medication for a longer time period as well as a post-operative check up with the doctor the morning after surgery.

What to Expect at Home

Most spay patients go home the next day as if nothing had happened, although some will need pain medication for a few days.

Some nausea may occur in the first couple of days after surgery and it would not be unusual for the dog to refuse food for a day or two after surgery.

As noted above, a cough may persist for a couple of days as a result of the throat tube. This should not persist longer than a couple of days.

Dogs who show a propensity to lick their stitches will need an Elizabethan or “E” collar to restrict access to the stitches. This is not very comfortable for the dog but it must be used strictly until the stitches are out and the incision is healed.

Activity should be restricted during the week following surgery. Excessive activity can lead to swelling or fluid accumulation under the incision. If a fluid pocket does form, it should resolve on its own after a few weeks. If a fluid pocket forms and drains liquid from the incision, the dog should be re-checked with the veterinarian.

What about Behavioral Changes?

The female dog’s reproductive tract is dormant for most of the year. It only activates for the three-week period of heat. This means that from a behavioral stand point, the female dog acts spayed most of the time. This said, there has been a documented slowing of metabolism after spays and it may be necessarily to use a reduced calorie food in an adult dog. Check with your veterinarian about nutritional recommendations.

By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP
Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com
Date Reviewed/Revised: 06/09/2008
Copyright 2008 – 2009 by the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

What are the Health Benefits to the Dog?

There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.

Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering.

What Behavioral Changes can be Expected after Neutering?

The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering relate to behaviors influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs.

What Exactly is done Surgically?

An incision is made, generally just forward from the scrotum. The testicles are removed through this incision. The stalks are tied off and cut. Castration is achieved. If the testicles are not removed, the desirable benefits listed above cannot be realized. The skin incision may or may not have stitches.

What can I Expect upon Discharge from the Hospital?

The scrotum is often swollen in the first few days after surgery, leading some people to wonder if the procedure was really performed. If the dog is immature at the time of neutering, the empty scrotum will flatten out as he grows. If he is mature at the time of neuter, the empty scrotum will remain as a flap of skin. Sometimes the incision is mildly bruised. Most male dogs are eager to play by the day after surgery but, to keep the incision intact, it is best to restrict the dog from boisterous activity.

At what Age can Neutering be Performed?

Neutering can be performed at any age over age 8 weeks provided both testicles have descended. Dogs neutered before puberty (generally age 6 months) tend to grow a bit bigger than dogs neutered after puberty (testosterone is involved in causing bones to stop growing, so without testosterone the bones stop growing later). The same behavior and prostate health benefits can be realized no matter what age the dog is. (In other words, a dog does not become “too old” to obtain the same health and behavioral benefits of neutering.)

The traditional age for neutering is around 6 months of age and many veterinarians still recommend neutering at this age.

Will he Become Over-Weight or Lethargic?

Activity level and appetite do not change with neutering. A male dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity post neuter.

Will he still be Interested in Females?

His interest will be reduced but if he is around a female dog in heat, he will become aroused by her. Mounting behavior often has roots in the expression of dominance and may be expressed by a neutered male in a variety of circumstances that are not motivated by sexuality.

What if a Dog has an Undescended Testicle?

Undescended testicles have an increased tendency to grow tumors. They may also twist on their stalks and cause life-threatening inflammation. For these reasons, neutering is recommended for dogs with undescended testicles. This procedure is more complicated than a routine neuter; the missing testicle can be under the skin along the path it should have descended to the scrotum, or it may be inside the abdomen. Some exploration may be needed to find it, thus there is often an incision for each testicle. The retained testicle is sterile and under-developed. If there is one descended testicle it will be fertile, but since retaining a testicle is a hereditary trait, it is important that the male dog not be bred before he is neutered.

Is Neutering Legally Required?

In some areas, neutering may be required as municipalities attempt to prevent pet overpopulation. Check with your local city or county officials.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNA: Starting April 2008 (grace period until October 1), the City of Los Angeles has adopted mandatory spay/neuter for all dogs and cats. On February 12, 2008, the City Council of Los Angeles gave final approval to a new law that requires all cats and dogs in the city to be spayed or neutered after the age of four months, with some specific exemptions allowed. The Mayor signed the ordinance into law February 26, 2008. Violations are subject to three levels of increasing penalties, starting at $100. After the third violation, non-compliance is a misdemeanor.

Exemptions to the spay/neuter requirement are:

* Is a breed approved and registered with a registry or association approved by the Animal Services Commission, and does or will actively show or compete.
* Has earned or is in the process of earning a special title (i.e., agility, herding).
* Is used as or is in training to be a guide, signal or service dog.
* Is a dog trained or in training, for use in law enforcement, military or rescue activities.
* Has a letter from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal should be temporarily or permanently deferred due to age or health.
* Has a valid breeding permit issued to the owner pursuant to existing city ordinance.
* Additionally, all intact dogs must have an intact dog license from the city.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY: In non-incorporated regions of Los Angeles County, neutering, microchipping, and rabies vaccination are legally required for dogs by age 4 months. Read more about this and see if your area is included.

Date Reviewed/Revised: 03/21/2008
Copyright 2008 – 2009 by the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

Throughout your lifetime as a dog owner you are guaranteed to hear the words “puppy mill” whether you realize your dog is a puppy mill dog or whether you hear about the raiding or closing down of one on the evening news. The unfortunate reality is that puppy mills exist and as long as they remain supported by people frequenting them to purchase puppies they will remain in business.

What Are Puppy Mills? Puppy mills are mass breeding operations that focus on producing puppies for profit rather than for sound health and temperament. Puppy mills are almost always substandard structures with substandard conditions that result in the breeding of sick puppies who fail to thrive and frequently develop health problems later in life.

Who Goes To Puppy Mills? It would seem obvious that if only you knew it was a puppy mill you would not frequent them; however, puppy mills sell their dogs through individuals and to commercial pet stores so no one ever gets to see the actual puppy mill itself. Many of the commercially owned pet stores purchase their dogs from puppy mills because they get the dogs at a discount and many individuals are tricked in to purchasing puppy mill puppies when they purchase from individuals at local events or through newspaper ads.

How Do I Know If I Have A Puppy Mill Dog? Once you have welcomed your dog in to your home delving in to this can of worms can be painful and sometimes unnecessary. There is only one true way to prove that your pup is a puppy mill dog and that is to track the individual you purchase from or to pay a surprise visit to the “kennel” address if you have one available. Keep in mind; however, that these individuals rarely care about their animals and upon being confronted there is no telling what their reaction may be. When I contacted Jet’s “backyard breeder” (an individual who sells puppies for profit without considering the health of the dogs – thing puppy mill on a smaller scale) to inform them that before he was a year old he was displaying signs of hip dysplasia they told me they were “unaware of the problem” in their bitch; however, if I brought him back to them they would replace him with another dog. The thought of returning my boy was sickening especially knowing what they would do to him and I refused this offer adamantly, this confused them until they realized that perhaps I was seeking money for vet bills and then they began to treat me as hostile, I told them I was seeking nothing other than for them to stop breeding their bitch and was told that they would “look in to it.”

How Do I Avoid A Puppy Mill Dog? The fact of the matter is that puppy mill dogs deserve all the love in the world and there is nothing wrong with having one; however, the effort is to shut down the funding of these puppy mills by refusing to purchase their dogs. Many puppy mill dogs from mills that are raided are put up for adoption through your local humane society and most times their story will tell you of their plight. Adopting a puppy mill dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have as they are eternally grateful for being free from their past life; however, if you are afraid of the potential health problems down the road and are looking for a healthy dog you will need to research qualified and professional breeders who can guarantee the health of their dogs – be prepared to pay for this dog more than twice what you would for a backyard breeder / puppy mill dog – you really do “get what you pay for” when it comes to the quality of a breeding. Personally, if you are looking for a pet as opposed to a show dog or a professional breeding dog (please don’t add to the canine population unless you are qualified to do so!) then I recommend talking to your local rescue organizations or your local humane society and they can help match you with the perfect dog for your needs. Rescuing a dog is not only rewarding because you saved a dog from sure peril but it is also rewarding because rescue dogs somehow seem to understand that they have been given a second chance.

Learn more about puppy mills at StopPuppyMills.Org