Ask the Vet: Shedding by Kristel Weaver, DVM, MPVM

My dogs shed excessively.  When I leave the house I have to use the lint roller on my clothes, the house has to be vacuumed twice a week and when we go on vacation we find hair in our suitcase even though the dogs never go near them!  Like many dog owners, I get tired of living with so much dog hair.  Here are some of the frequent questions clients ask me about shedding.

Why does my dog shed so much?

Shedding varies depending on the breed of dog.  Breeds with short hair shed more than breeds with long hair.  Dogs that are primarily outside will shed their coat as the seasons change, where as dogs that are primarily inside will shed a little bit year round.

Hair length is determined by how long the hair follicle spends in the anagen or growth phase.  Dogs with short hair have a short growth phase (months) whereas dogs with long hair may have hair follicles in the anagen phase for years.  Hair also goes through catagen, which is a transitional phase and telogen, which is a resting phase when the hair falls out.  Then the cycles starts over again for that hair follicle.

The seasonality of shedding is based on hours of daylight, controlled by the hormone melatonin.  Usually the biggest shed is when the days increase in length, in the springtime.  Indoor dogs are affected by artificial light and do not show the same seasonal shed, instead they shed a little bit all the time.

What can I do to stop my dog from shedding so much?

Unfortunately you cannot stop a dog with short hair from shedding.  You can minimize the shedding by feeding a high quality diet, using flea preventative to minimize scratching and treating skin problems.  If you brush your dog regularly you may find less hair around the house.

What breeds are considered hypoallergenic or low shedding?

Breeds that have continuously growing hair shed less.  These dogs are sometimes called hypoallergenic, however a better name for this group is low shedding since all dogs have dander and can be a source of allergies.  Breeds that are considered low shedding are the Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested Terrier, Coton de Tulear, Havanese, Maltese, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Schnauzer, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier.  Poodle mixes are very popular, however there is still some variability in how much they shed, even within a litter.  Keep in mind a dog with continuously growing hair needs to be brushed regularly and take frequent trips to the groomer.

Hopefully this information helps you understand why you find dog hair everywhere or why your dog needs to be groomed all the time!

Dr. Kristel Weaver is a graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis where she received both a DVM and a Master’s of Preventative Veterinary Medicine (MPVM).  She has been at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in San Ramon since 2007.  She currently lives in Oakland with her husband and their daughter, Hayley. If you have questions you would like Dr. Weaver to answer for future articles, please email info@webvets.com

Safety Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach by Nikki Smith and Erin Selby

Summer is a great time to take your dog to the beach. We are lucky to live close to so many dog-friendly parks in the East Bay. Some staff favorites are Point Isobel, Muir Beach, Del Valle, Ocean Beach, and Crissy Field. The best way to enjoy the beach with your dog is to be prepared and follow these safety tips:

• Be mindful of your dog when playing in the water. Make sure your dog can swim. For more on how to teach your dog to swim, go here. Even water savvy dogs can become tired or become caught in a tide or an undertow. Consider investing in a special canine life jacket.  Practice common sense and caution when your dog is playing in the waves.
  

• Supervise your dog at all times. It is a joy to watch them run around in nature but be aware of your surroundings. Dogs can fall off rocks or trails or injure themselves. Beaches frequently have hazardous objects or strange materials around so it is important to keep an eye on your dog at all times to keep them from ingesting anything foreign or cutting themselves. Never leave them alone.

• Come prepared. Bring a first aid kit, a leash, treats, and bottled water with a portable water bowl. Pack extra towels and a blanket to dry off your dog and to protect your car for the ride home. Even if you are visiting an off-leash beach it is always a good idea to have a leash on hand. It's best to keep your pet protected and under control when necessary. Keep your dog’s collar and current ID on at all times. Bring plastic bags for cleaning up after your dog.  

• Salt water is a bad for dogs because it can cause them to vomit/regurgitate or have diarrhea if too much is ingested. If you see your dog drinking salt water, stop them and offer them some fresh water from a portable water bowl.

• Dogs may get car sick so cover your car seats with plastic bags and cover plastic bags with towels or blankets for comfort. Consider talking to your veterinarian about an anti-nausea medication.

• It is common for pets to be sore after a day of heavy activity, especially senior or overweight pets. Talk to your veterinarian about whether or not anti-inflammatory medication is appropriate for your pet and if the pain continues after a few days please call us to schedule an examination with your veterinarian.

• Apply a flea and tick preventative such as Frontline Plus (ticks are a higher risk closer to the coast and in the tall grasses) at least 3 to 4 days before you head off to the beach.
  

• Make sure your pet's vaccines are up to date. Don't let your dog chase or harass the wildlife.This is for your dog's safety as well as the wildlife's.

Ask the Vet – Canine Heart Disease by Kristel Weaver, DVM, MPVM

Did you know that dogs don’t get clogged arteries and heart attacks like humans?  If only we knew why, we could make millions in pharmaceuticals!  Even though dogs don’t have heart attacks, heart disease is still a common problem.

Think about the heart as a pump.  Its job is to pump blood to the lungs and body twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  It can’t take a break and sometimes has very high demands put on it, like during exercise.

What types of heart problems do dogs have?

Heart disease is either congenital (present at birth) or acquired.  Acquired heart disease develops sometime throughout life, often as a senior, and is typically due to genetics rather than diet with one exception: some dogs develop dilated cardiomyopathy from eating diets deficient in taurine.  Taurine is an amino acid that is supplemented in all major commercial dog foods.

Here is a brief summary the common forms of heart disease in dogs:

Congenital heart disease
PDA – When a vessel doesn’t close properly after the puppy is born and blood goes the wrong direction.  

Septal defects – When there is a hole in the wall of the heart between chambers.

Aortic or pulmonic stenosis – When the exit pathways for blood leaving the heart are narrower than they should be.

Acquired heart disease

Valvular disease – A leak occurs because a valve didn’t close properly.

Dilated cardiomyopathy – When the heart walls are stretched thin like a balloon.

Arrhythmias – An irregular heart beat.

Pericardial disease – When fluid builds up in the sac around the heart.

Heartworm disease – Worms in the heart cause a blockage of normal blood flow.

How do I know if my dog has heart disease?

Heart disease can have no visible symptoms but your veterinarian may hear a murmur or abnormal rhythm on physical exam.  When severe enough, heart disease leads to difficulty breathing, blue or grey gums, coughing, weakness or fainting episodes.  If your veterinarian suspects heart problems he or she will probably discuss doing tests such as chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).

How is heart disease treated?

Treatment is based on the underlying problem and either involves giving medications or performing a procedure.  A low sodium diet is recommended for most types of heart disease.  Medical treatment consists of diuretics (to dry up fluid that has overflowed the system), anti-arrhythmic medications or other medications.   Procedures or surgeries for heart disease are less common and performed by a cardiologist or surgeon.  These include placing a stent, coil, balloon dilation, placing a pacemaker and open chest surgery.

Some forms of heart disease are regularly treated and managed by veterinarians in general practice.  For more complex heart problems there are board specialized cardiologists who practice at specialty hospitals or veterinary universities. 

Next month I’ll talk about heart disease in cats, because of course, they have their own set of problems!

Dr. Kristel Weaver is a graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis where she received both a DVM and a Master’s of Preventative Veterinary Medicine (MPVM).  She has been at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in San Ramon since 2007.  She currently lives in Oakland with her husband and their daughter, Hayley. If you have questions you would like Dr. Weaver to answer for future articles, please email info@webvets.com

Ask the Vet: Pets, Babies and Toddlers by Kristel Weaver DVM, MPVM

Writing about pets and small children is a subject very relevant to my world since I have a two year old, a baby due in July, two dogs and a cat.  Even if you don’t have little kids of your own, you might have friends with kids, grandchildren or neighborhood children who want to play with your pets.

What can I do to help my pets adjust when I bring a new baby home?

Bringing a new baby home is a big change for everyone, including your pets!  With a little preparation you can help make the transition go smoothly.

Routine - Dogs and cats love their daily routine.  The best thing you can do for your pets after the baby arrives is to preserve their routine.  Try to maintain a regular walk and feeding schedule.  If your plan is for the baby to move into the bedroom and the pets to move out, transition them to their new sleeping spot before the baby arrives so they’re adjusted by then.

One-on-one time for the pets – I know life gets really busy and crazy once you have kids, but try and carve out a little time each day to spend with your pets apart from the kids, whether that is snuggling, petting or playing together.

Food dispensing toys – There are a variety of food dispensing toys for dogs, like KONG® or Busy Buddy® toys, to keep dogs busy and happy.   If you need some space from your dogs it’s ok to put them outdoors or in their crates with a food dispensing toy for a couple hours. 

Do I need to worry about my pets getting my baby sick or vice versa?

Preventative care - Before the baby arrives I recommend having your dog or cat examined by your veterinarian.  Make sure your pet’s vaccines are current.   Dogs should be on heartworm preventative and flea control.  Most heartworm preventatives are also general de-wormers so giving that once a month dose keeps them parasite free.  Fleas can carry infectious diseases so using a monthly preventative for both dogs and outdoor cats keeps fleas out of the house.  A healthy, parasite free dog is not going to get your baby sick.  Likewise, the majority of infections that kids get will not affect your dog or cat.

Baby-proof - Cat litter boxes should be put in areas that are inaccessible to the baby once he or she starts crawling since cat feces can carry infectious diseases. 

Allergies - Interesting research has shown that newborns exposed to dogs and cats are less likely to develop allergies than children without pets.  Acquiring pets after they are born did not show the same benefit.  This suggests that it is good for our baby’s immune systems to be exposed to pet hair and dander and even an occasional kiss!

 

My two year old seems to resent the dogs. How do I get her involved?

Many toddlers go through a period where they feel like the pets are competition and are jealous that their parent’s attention is split.  If this is the case, try to get your toddler involved in caring for their pets.  Depending on the toddler’s age he or she may be able to scoop kibble into bowls, brush or help give baths, and practice giving basic commands.  Be careful with kids touching food bowls when a dog is eating as some dogs are protective of their foods.  If giving treats, have your toddler hold the treat flat in their palm, or put it on the ground for the dog to take.  Teach the command “leave it” to your dog to make sure he or she doesn’t snap at treats in the child’s hand.

Supervise games involving both the pets and the toddler – try laser pointer, fetch or chase.  Model gentle behavior towards pets and teach your toddler to use words instead of pushing and grabbing to get the animals to cooperate.  Babies and toddlers should never be unsupervised with pets.

My toddler wants to pet every dog we encounter.  How do I teach him to be careful?

Before petting someone else’s dog, teach your toddler to ask “Is your dog kid friendly?”  If the owner thinks her dog is friendly (some dogs are ok with adults but not kids), kneel down and help your toddler put out a hand slowly for the dog to sniff, then pet its back gently.  Many dogs don’t like their head being pet and are scared by the fast movements of kids.  Toddlers should not be petting strange dogs without direct parental supervision and assistance.  If you get a bad vibe from the dog, don’t risk it.

Teach your toddler about dog body language – A nice dog that will tolerate getting pet has a relaxed wagging tail, does not making hard eye contact and is moving towards you.  A dog that is scared and potentially aggressive is moving away from you, showing the whites of his/her eyes, lifting a lip in a snarl or might have a ridge of fur up on his/her back. 

As children grow, they learn to love and appreciate animals as much as we do.  They also become more respected by our pets.  Hopefully these tips help you to keep everyone happy and healthy!

Dr. Kristel Weaver is a graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis where she received both a DVM and a Master’s of Preventative Veterinary Medicine (MPVM).  She has been at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in San Ramon since 2007.  She currently lives in Oakland with her husband and their daughter, Hayley. If you have questions you would like Dr. Weaver to answer for future articles, please email info@webvets.com