Stone Creek Shepherds

01/22/2024

12/16/2023

Do not use Rimdyl/ Carprofen. Please.
Natural remedies for arthritis, 1000mg MSM daily,Pjycox chews daily...don't do Rimadyl.
Rest in Love, til we meet again, Achilles. Walk with Chris to the end of his days so he never feels alone!

12/16/2023

PSA: Just tell ur vet no!
U may or may not have a problem but are u willing to gamble?
5days and a bad reaction, negligent vet attention and my owner lost his best friend service dog and beloved boy, Achilles. I do not condone RIMADYL!!NEVER HAVE... its a hospice med for palliative care when it's necessary. It helps ease the end because it causes the end!

Ask for Tramadol, Previcox for surgical pain relief.
Ask for Meloxicam for arthritis or Gabapentin for nerve /spinal issues
But no Rimadyl by any name.

11/24/2023

Fyi- especially my GSD and large breed owners....

https://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/articles/hermangiosarcoma?fbclid=IwAR0JHNEjjT8HI5P3r4_akkplmpd9DVyfQDX-LhcH22nRRZilyqH14m-1Ygo

Hemangiosarcoma, also known as HSA, is an aggressive type of cancerous tumor mostly found in large breed dogs. It most often affects the spleen, an abdominal organ that filters red blood cells and provides various immune system functions. The spleen is not an organ essential for life, so its

11/05/2023

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCELLENT GUIDELINE WITH FACTS AND REASONS. IF U TRULY WANT THE BEST POSSIBLE LIFE AND HEALTH FOR UR PUP, PLEASE READ, TAKE NOTE AND OBEY. WE LEARN. IT'S STUPID TO KEEP LOSING BECOS WE KEEP DOING IT WRONG.- SCS Debbi

Today we bring you the explanation of why we should not perform intense physical exercise with puppies until 18 months and even 24.

Puppy growth rates vary greatly by size. It's important to adapt diet and exercise to your puppy s' specific requirements to ensure ideal skeletal development. Endocondral ossification (the process during which cartilage turns into bone) differs according to the adult size of your puppy, with closed growth plates (complete ossification has occurred) between 3 months in toy breeds and 24 months in large breeds (see photos).

There are many factors affecting growth rate and maturity age, for example, males mature more slowly than females. There are variations in periods of 'fast growth' ranging from birth to 11 weeks in small dogs and toys. Large breeds range from birth to 20 weeks (Hawthorne et al 2004) excessive exercise and inadequate nutrition during these periods can lead to conformation and malformation of bones, which can lead to osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.

Recommended exercise levels for puppies are 1 minute for each week of their life, twice a day. This should be low impact at a steady pace.

If your goal is to train to compete for flyball or agility (for example), it is recommended to avoid any jump training until full ossification has occurred.

This is what we mean to tell you not to rush with your pups, work other things with them. Work their minds, smell, worry about socializing, etc.

After spending the development months and making the corresponding plates, consult your veterinarian if your dog is 100 % for sport.
by JL Sippel

10/30/2023

Such a great message... thank you, Toby Mac!

10/21/2023

Anita Blair was the first guide dog handler in El Paso, Texas, when she graduated from The Seeing Eye in March 1940 with Fawn, a German shepherd. The photo is a black and white photo of Anita being guided by Fawn across a bustling city street in the early 1940s.

Just a month later, Anita and Fawn were crossing a street in El Paso when a car nearly hit her. “Fawn, the fawn-colored German shepherd, with perfect timing checked her mistress’s pace, so that the car sped past without the driver being aware that the young woman could not see,” the El Paso Times reported on April 19, 1940.

Fawn was at her side when she graduated from the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy – now known as the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP – with a bachelor’s degree in 1944. She later earned a master’s degree from Texas State College for Women, now Texas Woman’s University, in Denton.

In 1946, Anita and Fawn were again in the news during a tragic fire at the 23-story Hotel LaSalle in Chicago. According to the June 6, 1946, issue of the El Paso Times, Anita was awakened by screams. “When I opened the door the smoke was so heavy I could taste it,” Anita told the newspaper. “I closed the door but did not want to get Fawn excited. Because of her I remained calm – and probably because of me she did the same.”

Fawn led Anita out the window and down the fire escape – 11 stories down – while the fire raged. Sixty-one people were killed in the fire.

In 1952, Anita became the first El Paso woman – and the first blind woman in any state – to be elected as a state representative. During her time in office, Anita fought for funding for the State School for the Deaf, teacher pay raises, and a bill that allowed women to serve on juries.

Anita returned to The Seeing Eye five more times to be matched with successor Seeing Eye dogs. Her last was Beryl, a black Labrador retriever, in 1990. Anita died in 2010 at the age of 93, and in recognition of her service as a state legislator, is buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

10/13/2023

💜🐾💜

09/06/2023

https://www.woofur.ca/blog/6/17/2016-diatomaceous-earth-for-pets

We are too at Stone Creek Shepherds! Love DE!

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

08/31/2023

Take note folks... u will find that RAW fed dogs if fed a balanced proper diet and not overfed, will look like the third dog down... well sculpted muscle structure.

BIG is not healthy or best, there's nothing cuddly about obesity in dogs in any breed! Ur killing them slowly... destroying their joints, taxing their hearts and wasting their lives by cutting their time short.

Be good to ur dog and LEARN Tru nutrition for ur dog best life! 💜🐾💜

Many of you know we are huge proponents of keeping your pets lean and fit. Unfortunately (particularly in the States), many people don't know what a lean dog is supposed to look like. Owners of healthy, lean dogs are always being told their dogs are "too skinny" when in fact they are not. We are just used to seeing overweight dogs and think that's normal.

Here's one of our favorite visual comparisons from malnourished (too thin) to obese. The middle two pics are healthy lean dogs. From the side, you should see a nice tuck behind their ribs and a noticeable hourglass waist when looking down on their back. And for some short coat dogs, yes seeing one or two ribs is OK!

Keeping your dogs at the low end of their healthy weight range will not only help their joints and prevent disease, studies have shown that dogs which are kept at a lean weight, live two years longer than overweight dogs!

📷 Thanks Midwest Canines for this great visual. ♥️

08/14/2023

Definitely. Well said. Straightforward.
Time for folks to wake up.
Yes, u can "change" ur high drive, high prey, high protection pup into a precious soft cuddly skittish best bud but underneath, ALWAYS within...AS THAT PUP GROWS UP AND MATURES... u are dealing with the true dog!!
ESPECIALLY a well-bred, intelligent, balanced breed.

07/20/2023

💜🙏💜

05/29/2023

05/26/2023

Take this subject of VACCINOSIS serious. Sometimes it's unavoidable. Because LAWS are put into place without consideration for the reality of the biology of the breed that the law is taking advantage of. And the other laws are put into place to counteract something and the vicious cycle is at the expense of good health and Owner judgment! And all we can do is fight the after effects. 😔

https://leerburg.com/vaccinosis.htm #:~:text=Vaccinosis%20is%20the%20term%20used,we%20are%20led%20to%20believe.

The unfortunate thing about vaccinosis is that people don't get involved in learning about it until after there is a problem, and by then it's often too late.

05/23/2023

Heads up awareness folks, please! Extremely important... ice cream, peanut butter, and toothpaste... beware please. Watch out with accidental gum consumption....

Birch Sugar is Xylitol!

Let's learn more.

YES! Birch sugar and Xylitol are poisonous to dogs! However, let's get more specific.

Did you know that miniscule amounts of xylitol can be found in many natural foods, including (but not limited to); berries, pineapples, apples, carrots, oats, and many others? Of course, as we know, these are considered to be safe in reasonable amounts.

We also know that non-poisonous sugar (not to say that it's a health food!) comes from some other trees. For example, maple trees.

However, like many other plants, the birch tree is toxic to dogs. The concentrated sugar made from the bark of birch trees is dangerous to canines because it contains high amounts of xylitol.

So, let's investigate this substance that poses a deadly threat to our furry friends.

Xylitol's industrial production begins with a polymer extracted from hardwoods or corn cobs. This polymer, called Xylan and derived from the crushed plant fiber, is manipulated through multi-step processes into another chemical which is further manipulated into Xylitol, a sugar alcohol. It can also be produced through multi-step microbial processes which includes the fermentation and biocatalytic processing of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Xylitol made from birch wood uses sulfuric acid to extract the polymer and corn cob sourced uses hydrogen, hydrochloric acid and steam. Most producers use corn cobs due to greater availability and less expense. Using corn cobs doesn't make it less dangerous to your dog as the chemical extract acts the same.

The concentrated extract from birch tree bark has exploded in popularity as a sugar substitute because it's sweet, lower in calories than white sugar, and sounds "natural."
Because it contains a high amount of xylitol, it's being touted as being the new "sneaky" name for Xylitol. However, it's not so much "sneaky" as it is appropriate labeling. The big problem is that dog owners weren't warned of the dangers of concentrated birch sugar to their pets.

Xylitol is also still made by labs and manufacturers from other substances. Unfortunately, all of it lethal to dogs.

Even small amounts of concentrated xylitol can cause life threatening acute low blood sugar. If your dog has ingested some, please call your vet or the emergency vet, and get help immediately. You can reach the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning include: lethargy, weakness or collapse, tremors, vomiting, seizures, jaundice and coma or death. All size dogs are susceptible to Xylitol, and larger ingestions can cause liver damage and necrosis (the death of most or all of the cells in an organ or tissue ).

Before sharing something with your dog, check the ingredient list for Xylitol or Birch sugar. Even if it isn’t listed, check the “sugar-alcohol content” on the nutrition label. If it lists a sugar alcohol, please don’t give it to your dog. Xylitol could be lurking in this vague, obscure description. Look for these terms in supplements and dog treats also.

The bottomline: The birch tree is considered toxic to dogs. And birch bark sugar contains dog-dangerous levels of xylitol. Yet not all Xylitol is made from birch bark. Either way, it's all toxic to your dog!

Smooches to your pooches! 🐾

05/21/2023

Absolutely!

Is diatomaceous earth safe for dogs? Read all about the many benefits and uses of diatomaceous earth for your dog ...

05/04/2023

Another warning folks...

These toads are bad bad bad. The large and deadly Cane toad (AKA Bufo toad) makes me worry every time I let Brody out in the back yard. We’re heading into the hot, rainy season when the Bufo Toad’s activity is at it’s peak. If your pet encounters and interacts with a Cane toad the impacts will be almost immediate. They release a toxin, and if your dog tries to bite it or carry it, they can become sick and die in as little as 15 minutes without proper treatment. Some of the symptoms to watch for are:
Excessive Drooling
Convulsions
Reddened gums
Head Shaking
Loss of Coordination Follow these steps to treat:
Wash toxins forward out of the mouth using a hose for ten minutes, being careful not to direct water down the throat.
Wipe gums/tongue with a dish towel to remove toxins.
Get your pet to the vet! Kurt J. Thoreson captured and humanely killed these two last night which is recommended by FWC. Since these are an invasive species, they do not have any place in our ecosystem. If you must handle this toad with your hands, use protective latex gloves at all times. https://www.tampavet.com/DrWebsters-Blog/deadly-cane-toad-aka-bufo-toad/