Thoughts on caring for your dog

On Friday evening Michelle Tilghman DVM, CVA, CCRP provided the Dogwood Welsh Springer Spaniel Club with a lecture on care for the older dog.  The talk was very well attended, lively, and interesting as Dr. Tilghman provided advice that applied to any dog.  Some high points of the talk:

Overall health indicators for the WSS

• Ranks 25 of 413 (top decile) in terms of epilepsy (2006 study)
• Ranks 77 of 719 (just outside of top decile) in OFA Hips (12.2% dysplastic versus 14.8% excellent)
• Ranks 8 of 437 (top decile) in thyroid
• Autoimmune is good.  Autoimmune problems (e.g., cancers) mostly affects the big blonde dogs (e.g., Goldens) but not Welshies. Melanoma hits the mouth, tongue, and footpads.  This means that for any dog, do good oral checks.  

In my non-professional view, these are very good rankings for the Welshies.

Spay & Neutering
In Dr. Tilghman's opinion, don't spay until after the first heat.  Don't neuter until about 18 months (until the dog clearly looks like a boy).  She wanted the benefits of those hormones to develop the body, especially on the male dog testosterone plays a role in the closing of the bone plates.

Diet
Dr. Tilghman was refreshingly open to different diets, recognizing that every dog is different and owners themselves may face some constraints.

Vitamin B-12 is important.  B-12 deficiency can hit an older dog and make them lethargic.  B-12 is found in egg, fish, meat, poultry. Some cottage cheese in the diet is good, if the dog can tolerate.   A cooked egg 3x per week can help nurse the kidney of an older dog.  Cook it, but not too much.  Organ meat is a good source of B-12.  These sources aside, Dr. Tilghman noted that B-12 deficiency usually requires supplemental shots.  Oral treatment for deficiency is not always effective.

She noted that a high-fat diet keeps dogs cooler [ed note: not sure why.]

A dog that eats crazy things may have heartburn and eats just to put the fire out.  Eating temporarily calms the tummy, putting the dog in a vicious and compulsive eating cycle. Indiscriminate eating might be solved by changing diet or it might indicate a thyroid problem which requires vet assistance.

Antibiotics and probiotics
Antibiotics are wonder drugs, no doubt about it, but they can kill bacteria indiscrimintorily.  A probiotic can help.  Dr. Tilghman thought that Activia was good.  Yogurt, too, but probably not as much as Activia.  She said to look for probiotics that list acidophilus.  This can help the good bacteria in the gut.  Lactobacillus acidophilus (acid-loving milk bacterium) can help too.

If you are giving a dog antibiotics, don't give probiotics at the same time.  Wait a half-hour or so.

When buying a probiotic, look for a brand that contains a mix of cultures.

Teeth
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then the mouth is the gateway to the body.  Good oral health is essential to the spaniel.

Wrap some gauze around your finger to wipe teeth down.  Dr. Tilghman did not give an opinion regarding canine toothpaste (wasn't asked the question).  She said to be sure to get way back to the molars.  These teeth have glands above them that secrete saliva and so are prone to tarter.  Healthy teeth & gums are essential for a healthy dog of any age. 

Fleas & Heartworm
Don't give the Frontline and Interceptor on the same day.  It puts too much stress on the liver.  Stagger them.  

Heartworm has a 45-day cycle.  30 day treatments are optimal, but you have a little window in giving the heartworm medication.  In many northern areas, people back off the flea meds during the winter.

Eyes
Antioxidants can help.  Colorful foods (blueberies, carrots, green pepper, sweet potato). 

Coat
The sweet potato is good for eyes and coat.  Sardines are wonderful for coat.

Skeleton
The older dog may develop arthritis.  Keep the dog a little thinner.  Keep the dog active.  Glucosemene and antler are good additives for joints and skeleton.