Urinary Tract Infection: What It Is And How to Prevent It

 Dog owners know all too well the struggles of seeing their dog in pain. And that is why it is so important to look out for signs of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in our dogs.

UTI refers to the infection of the urinary tract and is a common occurrence in dogs -- about 14% of dogs will experience a UTI in their lifetimes. Thankfully, UTIs are relatively easy for dog owners to spot. This means that the quicker it is recognised, the quicker it can be treated and the quicker our dogs can return to their former state of comfort.

How do I tell if my dog has a UTI?

Some of the symptoms of UTI in dogs include straining during urination, inability to control the bladder, excessive licking of genitals, dripping urine and fever. One of the more tell-tale signs to look out for, however, is bloody urine. In this case, your dog has likely contracted a UTI. The dog's urine would also have a fishy odour.

What causes UTIs?

Generally, UTIs are caused by bacterial infections, such as E.coli. Did you know? Female dogs are more likely to get a UTI as their urethras are shorter, making it easier for bacteria to access the bladder.

But that doesn't mean that male dogs are immune; Other less common causes of UTI include kidney disease, prostate disease, cancer, diabetes and bladder inflammation.

How is a UTI treated?

If you suspect that your pup has a case of UTI, do take a trip to the veterinarian. The veterinarian will usually conduct a urinalysis to determine the exact cause of the UTI. Following this, a set of antibiotics will be prescribed. In more severe but less common cases, the veterinarian might even suggest surgery to remove any bladder stones or tumours.

But as the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure! To prevent your furry friends from contracting a UTI, do ensure that your dog has a constant supply of fresh, clean water. In addition, make sure that your dog is let out frequently enough to do its business! An extra precaution to take is also to use antibacterial wipes (sold at pet stores) to ensure that your dog's genital area is clean and safe from harmful bacteria.

While "bloody urine" and "bacteria infections" might sound alarming, fear not: UTIs are usually not serious and can be treated with proper care and advice from your veterinarian. In rare cases, however, UTIs may lead to damage to the kidney. It is thus always a wise choice to consult your veterinarian to ensure your dog's health in the long run.

Written by: Erin

IQ Toys and Mental Stimulation

 “Argh! It’s raining again!” 

Do you often find yourself in such situation where your plans for a walk with your dog are dashed by the sudden downpour? 

That’s probably ok if your dog has a chill and laidback character and doesn’t mind missing the walk occasionally. For some, the walk could be their daily highlight which they look forward to eagerly as it exposes them to a world of myriad scents which stimulates their senses. In the absence of such physical stimulation, boredom could set in, which could lead to some behavioural issues such as barking, chewing on shoes etc. 

So as a concerned paw parent, what can you do? 

Well, that’s when mental stimulation comes in handy. But first, what’s mental stimulation? 

Mental stimulation can be likened to enrichment activities for our dogs, giving them something meaningful to do, thereby alleviating boredom. The best part of it is, it can be done indoors, at home, so you will never be restricted by the rain again! 😊

To get you started on some mental stimulation activities for your dog, we’ve done the groundwork and put together a list of simple activities. Just remember, start slow and simple to build up your dog’s confidence and take it further from thereon.

Mental stimulation activities:

Have your dog work for his / her food

We all know how food motivated most dogs can be. Instead of just serving their food in their bowls, why not turn it into a game for them by either hiding their food in corners around the kitchen / house and have them sniff it out or using food dispensing toys.

Get an IQ toy

Hide treats in IQ toys such as snuffle mats and have your dog go sniff them out. Keeping them focused on the task on hand helps to stimulate them mentally, and provides that boost of confidence as well when they successfully sniff out that treat. 

Create games at home 

Alternatively you can also create simple games using simple stuff commonly found at home. Here are 2 options. 

Guess the right container game 

Essentially, you invert 3 identical containers / cups and hide (yes you guessed it right, treats) under one of them. Swap them around and have your dog sniff to guess the right container where the treat is in. Of course the prize will be he gets to eat the treat 😃

Tennis ball and muffin tin game

Place small treats (again!) in a muffin tin and cover them with tennis balls. It will be up to your dog to figure out how to remove the balls and get his / her way to the treats.  

 

Create indoor agility course

Place cushions, small stools or towels in a planned course in the house. Entice your dog to overcome then to reach the other side where the grand prize of (food!) awaits.

This is where you can be inventive to decide how challenging you want your obstacle course to be, but it will be good to start simple so that it encourages your dog to carry on. Vary the obstacle course after awhile to keep up the fun factor for your dog. 

We hope you will find the above information useful.

More information can be found online as well, particularly (www.puppyleaks.com) where reference was taken. 

Environmental Allergies for Dogs

Have you ever noticed your dog excessively scratching itself or licking its paw? This could be a sign that your furry friend is allergic to something in its environment! Unfortunately, allergic reactions in dogs have been on the rise in the past decade- having a sharp increase from 2019 onwards.

Inhalant and Skin Contact Allergies

Allergic reactions occur when a foreign particle (allergen) causes an overreaction of the immune system, leading to inflammation, which manifests as redness, swelling and itching. There are 2 ways a dog can be affected by the allergens in their surroundings- by inhaling and skin contact. Such allergies tend to be hereditary in nature. Therefore, they are, sadly, difficult to avoid. They often first show up when a dog is 6 months to 3 years old. You might notice allergies are seasonal, or that they get better or worse if you move to a new place. Most breeds of dogs are affected by this condition. Breeds that are more susceptible include Bichon Frises, Bulldogs, Chinese Shar-Peis, Cocker Spaniels, Retriever and Terrier Breeds, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos.

Common Allergens

A very large number of substances can act as allergens. Most are proteins of insect, plant, or animal origin. Small chemical molecules can also cause allergic reactions. Examples of common allergens are grass or tree pollen, fungal or mould spores, dust mites, dander (dead skin flakes), insect proteins such as those in flea saliva, and some medications. 

Unexpectedly, some fabrics can cause reactions. This is because manufacturing synthetic fabrics requires chemicals and processing. These chemicals, such as flame retardants, are known to be allergenic. Some fabrics also allow the accumulation of dust mites, mould, mildew and bacteria that can exacerbate skin sensitivity. To know more about which fabrics one should look out for, please refer to the tips section of this blogpost.

Harsh cleaning solutions (eg. bleach and Dettol) should also be avoided as they contain chemicals toxic to your furry friend. Your pet will end up ingesting these substances when they lick the floor or their paws! Not to mention, they may even breathe in toxic vapours produced from these cleaners, causing them respiratory problems. To know more about which cleaning agents one should use or avoid, please refer to the tips section of this blogpost.

Please also note that some essential oils and liquid potpourri are toxic to your pet and can lead to poisoning! They have chemicals that are rapidly absorbed orally or through the skin which are metabolised through the liver. Therefore, puppies and dogs with liver disease are more sensitive to such chemicals. While exposure to low amounts only result in gastrointestinal upset, certain concentrated oils can affect the liver (eg. pennyroyal oil), and the nervous system (eg. tea tree oil). They also irritate or burn the skin and mouth. Even a small amount could be harmful to our precious companions. To know more about which essential oils to avoid, please refer to the tips section of this blogpost.

Symptoms

Symptoms can appear anywhere on your dog’s body. The symptoms mentioned above are the common ones to look out for in your furry friend. In general, your pet may show signs of irritation on their skin (eg. scratching or licking) or irritation in their respiratory tract (eg. runny nose and sneezing). If you observe any of these symptoms (could be one or more), especially if they happen frequently, it is enough to consider allergies as a possible cause. Most importantly, it’s best to visit your vet to properly diagnose and treat your furry friend.

Practical tips

Wipe your dog’s paws and belly with a clean cloth after their walks to remove pollen and other allergens.

Use skin ointments or creams for small flare ups. Check with your vet for safe options.

During flare ups, use pet allergy shampoo with soothing aloe and oatmeal, or medicated with allergy-relieving ingredients.

For fabrics for your pet’s bedding, avoid wool, synthetic fabric and those with vinyl coating. Instead, use 100% cotton or hemp which are natural materials, tightly woven microfibre and textured nylon.

For cleaning agents, use natural products such as baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. To find out the detailed list of chemicals and cleaning products to avoid, please navigate to this page: https://www.rover.com/blog/uk/pet-safe-cleaning/

For essential oils, avoid Citrus, Pennyroyal, Pine, Tea Tree and Ylang Ylang oils. Instead, use Chamomile, Frankincense, Ginger, Lavender, Myrrh and Peppermint oil. To find out the benefits these oils will bring to your dog, please navigate to this page: https://wildearth.com/blogs/dog-knowledge/what-essential-oils-are-safe-for-dogs/

 

Let’s work together to be informed and create a safe & comfortable environment for our furry friends at home! ❤️

Sources:

https://www.banfield.com/en/about-banfield/newsroom/press-releases/2021/banfield-pet-hospital-data-shows-increase-in-care-for-pets-in-2020-despite-pandemic

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/allergy-general-in-dogs

https://www.thisdogslife.co/10-breeds-prone-allergies/

https://bondvet.com/b/allergies-in-dogs-common-allergens-treatment

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/can-dogs-be-allergic-their-beds

https://kuranda.com/faq/dog-bed-fabrics-for-dogs-with-allergies

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-poisoning-in-dogs

Written by : Jewel Wee

Bones As Dog Treats - Good or Bad?

We often hear phrases like “give your dog a bone” and see comic strips feature dogs chewing on bones which has naturally led us to associate dogs with bones. Many of us may also have heard about the benefits that come with giving dogs bones. Some say that recreational bones are beneficial as they act like a “floss” for dog’s teeth, breaking tartar down and reducing the likelihood of gum disease. It is also said that chewing on bones provides mental stimulation for dogs and reduces anxiety. 

However, is it really all that harmless to give bones to dogs? 

Can I simply give my dog any kind of bone? 

It is important to note that there are different types of bones, and this distinction is crucial in deciding what we can feed to dogs. Some bones are relatively harmless to dogs, while others could cause serious problems. 

1. What type of bones should we NOT feed dogs? 

Cooked bones of any kind 

• They splinter into small, sharp pieces that can cut your dog’s mouth, throat or intestines. This can lead to a number of health issues, including: choking, fractured teeth, cuts in the mouth or tonsils, vomiting and diarrhea, severe constipation leading to extreme pain for your dog, etc. 
• Cooked bones are also not as nutritious as raw bones because beneficial nutrients are lost in the cooking process.

Both raw/cooked rib bones (especially pork rib bones!) 

• These bones have extremely high fat content so it is not advisable to feed them to your dogs.
• Dogs lack the mechanism to break down that high amount of saturated fat from such bones and can suffer from pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas often caused by too much fat in their diet). Pancreatitis can show up as vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea and a loss of appetite in dogs. Warning: Severe cases can be deadly! Hence, it is crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately when you notice such symptoms in your dogs.

2.   How can I safely give my dog a bone? 

Give raw meat bones 

Many veterinarians say that most raw meat bones are edible and relatively safe for dogs (e.g. raw chicken, turkey, lamb or beef bones are soft enough for dogs to chew, eat and digest). However, it is still better to practice this with caution as raw bones may contain bacteria and can spoil in just a few days! Remember to give the bone a good cleanse before giving it to your dog. 

NOTE: you should NEVER feed pork bones (not even raw ones) to your dog as they easily splinter and crack into smaller pieces which may get stuck in your dog’s throat and cause internal injury

Supervise your dog when giving him/her a bone

It is important to supervise your dog when you give him a bone and take it away when it’s breaking apart and getting too small as it becomes a choking hazard! Never leave your dog to chew a bone alone! 

 

Don’t feed your dog a bone that is smaller than the size of your dog’s mouth

Rule is that you must never feed your dog any bone that it can swallow whole. 

Try to give your dog bones that are longer than the length of their muzzle to prevent this, e.g. some veterinarians advise looking for one that’s about the size of your dog’s head! This allows your dog to chew while reducing the likelihood of it breaking and your dog swallowing a large chunk of bone. 

Set a time limit 

You can try letting your dog chew for 10-15 minutes at a time. Aggressive chewing for an extended period of time could cause injury for your dog and damage your dog’s teeth. 

 

Only give the bone after a meal

A less hungry dog has a lower tendency to chew and swallow a bone too quickly and aggressively. On the other hand, hungry dogs are more likely to swallow pieces of a bone or chew the bone too hard which can cause injury to their mouths. 

 

3.   What other alternatives are there? 

We all know that dogs naturally love to chew, so it’ll be tough to stop this practice immediately. Furthermore, there are numerous benefits of giving bones to dogs in terms of improving their dental hygiene as well as keeping them mentally stimulated and entertained. Bones can even be a source of distraction for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety! Hence, most vets and dog experts suggest that you provide chew toys (e.g. dental chews for dogs pictured above in both edible and non-edible forms) and simulated dog bones that are made for dogs of all sizes. These are much safer alternatives that will keep your dogs happy and satisfied all the same while still providing many of the benefits that a real bone does. 

Whether or not the risks of giving your dog a bone outweigh the benefits is still a highly-debated topic even among experts and veterinarians. Regardless of the kind of bone you end up choosing to give your dog, ensure that it’s done with due consideration for your dog’s safety!  

Written by : Alyssa

Image credit: 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/fda-warns-pet-owners-giving-dogs-bone-treats/story?id=51444562
https://blog.homesalive.ca/dog-blog/raw-bones-for-dogs
https://topdogtips.com/vet-recommended-dog-dental-chews/

Daily Water Intake

Today, let’s talk about your dog’s daily water consumption Do you know how much water your dog needs daily? 

According to pets.webmd.com, dogs on average require around 30ml of fluid per 450gm of body weight. Similar to humans, the amount of fluids required will differ due to age, lifestyle, diet, weather etc. Take for example, if your dog the day had been unusually warm and your dog had been running around, then instinctively it would be reason that he would require more water. 

However, it is important to note that the volume of water consumed daily can cut both ways. Too much, or too little, can both signify underlying health issues (e.g. liver and / or kidney illness, dehydration, urinary tract infection) which is why as a concerned dog owner, you will need to monitor your dog’s drinking habits. This can be easily achieved by using a drinking bowl with markers to track your dog’s daily water intake. Ensure the bowl is refilled to the same level daily to facilitate the tracking.

What happens if your dog just isn’t a big fan of drinking? In such cases, there are several options that can be considered:

Adding water to his favourite treats or meals (this works very well if your dog is highly food motivated)

Using water alternatives such as milk, yoghurt or broth, keeping in mind your dog’s health condition. As dogs could be lactose intolerant, milk or yoghurt should therefore be diluted with water prior to feeding. Additionally, broth used should be clear and relatively low in oil, and bone broth is not suitable for dogs with existing kidney issues due to the higher level of protein content.  

Feeding fruits with high water content. The drawback of this is that fruits tend to have high sugar content as well, so you would need to strike a balance. 

Aside from the above, it is also good to send your dog to the vet for regular health checks (i.e. full blood tests, ultrasounds) to detect any possible illnesses. This will become more crucial as your dog ages as arresting the medical condition earlier can really make a difference to the quality and length of life they lead.

Written by : Syn Hwei

Annual Checks for Senior Dogs

Just like in humans, checkups and preventive screenings are good at any age for dogs, but especially for senior dogs. And this is not just ensuring your senior dogs' vaccinations are up to date. In fact, if you have been diligent with the administration of your dog's boosters every year when they were younger, the duration between the booster in an older dog can be stretched beyond a year provided your senior dog is not often exposed to environments where they may potentially contract diseases as the assumption is that the dog has already built up a certain level of immunity against various diseases through the regular boosters in its younger years.

Senior dog, Mantou

As like with people, age carries a heavier risk of health problems. Senior dogs are just as susceptible to the same kind of health risks that senior humans are faced with. Diseases like Chronic heart disease, Arthritis and Cancer become more prevalent in senior dogs, just as they do in people beyond a certain age. Some of these diseases may not necessarily present outward symptoms in their early onset. Coupled together with a dog's inherent ability to withstand higher thresholds of pain, by the time these conditions present noticeable symptoms and signs, it might already be too late to do anything. 

Senior dog, Chelsea

This is why annual checkups are especially important for senior dogs. Annual checkups allow vets to spot health problems early on. Additionally, you may want to also consider opting for a blood test for both kidney & liver functions which are typically not included in standard health checkups unless specifically requested. Detecting a health issue early on allows for better treatment and management, this allows both the owner and dog to be in a better position to address the deterioration of any health conditions. All of this translates into ensuring a better quality of life for your dog in their senior years. 

Senior dog, Zeus

From a financial standpoint, it is much cheaper to prevent diseases as opposed to the cost of treating them. Annual checkups can also highlight areas of concern that may potentially develop into health issues later if left unattended. Sometimes all it takes is a simple change in diet to prevent the onset of chronic organ disease rather than lifelong medical treatment once the disease has taken root. 

Senior dog, Chloe

All these benefits mean that you have more time to make happy memories with your dog in his golden years. With all the pros heavily outweighing the cons, there really is little argument why you shouldn't schedule your dog for annual health screenings. Just as how you would advise a senior member of your family to go for regular health checks, why not extend the same consideration towards your precious furkid? Have you scheduled your dog's yearly checkup this year? Even if you have lapsed on this, it still is better late than never so book an appointment with your vet today!

Senior dog, Milo 

Written by: Samantha

Rehoming A Dog

Rehoming your dog? Here’s a quick guide. 

For whatever reason, some of us might find ourselves in a position where we have to rehome our dog. Whether you’ve rescued a stray or need to move away, here are three things to take into account. 

1. Ensure that your dog is prepared to go

Before settling your dog into a new home, ensure that it is microchipped and sterilised. Microchipping your dog allows for easy identification should it go missing. On the other hand, sterilisation prevents unnecessary breeding while reducing the potential of certain cancers. So, be sure not to skip these important steps! 

2. Do your due diligence: vet potential new owners

We all wish for our dogs to be rehomed to a safe and pleasant environment. The best way to ensure this is to do a quick check on potential adopters, looking out for any past track record that could be a cause for concern. 

If all goes well, the next step is to ensure that the potential adopters are able to care for the dog well. You may consider checking how long the dogs will be left alone at home. Understandably, many people have work to attend to, which would require them to leave the dog at home alone. However, if this occurs for up to 10 to 12 hours regularly, it would be better to find a potential adopter who can afford to be at home more often. 

Similarly, do take note of the adopter’s ability to walk the dog daily. This is to make sure that your dog would be well taken care of in its new home. 

3. Check the safety of the new home

Finally, do take the precaution and check the safety of the new home. Are there window grilles put in place? Is there any way for the dog to squeeze out through gaps in the gate? To be assured, you can consider requesting a video of the house. 

Another tip is to take the trip and send your dog over instead of having the new owners pick it up. This way, you can gain more insight into your dog’s future living conditions and assess its safety. 

Do also take note: remember to double leash your dog -- one martingale collar and one martingale harness. This is to prevent your dog from escaping in the rehoming process. 

And there you have it -- your dog is ready to be rehomed! Hopefully, you can now rest assured that your pup will be rehomed into safe hands. 

Sources: 

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/owning-a-pet/caring-for-your-pet/sterilising-your-pet

Written by: Erin