The Debonair Dog

03/26/2024

03/10/2024

Solutions
1.Desensitization

You can start by taking your dog into the car for a few minutes daily without going anywhere. Go through the whole routine and give positive reinforcement. Make it fun. Next, take short trips at least two to three times per week. This can just be going around the block. Once ready, start to go somewhere fun, such as a park, so that your dog will associate car rides with fun places. Repeat often to reinforce this enjoyable experience.

Offer small, healthy treats to reinforce wanted behaviors such as getting into the car and settling down in the car. Just be prepared that initially you might be cleaning these treats after they are vomited up. Avoid large meals prior to travel.

2. Comfort

Be sure that you make the car rides as comfortable as possible. A crate might be how your dog will feel the most secure, especially initially. A solid-sided crate is often better because your dog won’t see the blurred lines of movement which can worsen nausea. A seat belt or car seat may be more comfortable for older puppies. Bring your dog’s favorite toy and blanket.

Open the car windows slightly. I know for me, as I can feel sick during long trips, this makes a big difference. This can ease car sickness by helping to balance the air pressure in the car and the smells of the outside world can be a welcome distraction for your dog.

Stop frequently on long trips, as some dogs need breaks to prevent motion sickness. A good guideline is to stop after two hours to let your dog out (on a leash, of course) to relieve himself. You can also offer him a drink of water or some ice chips to chew.

3. Distraction

A frozen peanut butter or pumpkin filled kong or favorite healthy chew can serve as a distraction for your pup during travel. Calming music and your encouragement in a soft voice can also help keep your puppy distracted and calm.

4. Training

Training commands around the car experience not only makes travel safer for your dog but also builds your dog’s confidence around the activity. Have your dog wait for the command to enter and leave the car. Use a command such as “up” to invite your dog into the car. Give a command such as , “settle” to encourage stillness while riding in the car. And teach a release command to come out of the car such as, “o.k.” This release command could prevent your dog from jumping out unexpectedly when you’re near traffic.

Training around the car elevates your puppy’s confidence because your puppy is distracted by the training instead of focusing on the stress and knows exactly what you expect from him in regards to the car rides.

5. Treatments

For severe motion sickness, your veterinarian may recommend medication for nausea such as cerenia or meclizine. There are also natural herbs and plants that may help to calm your dog and settle their stomach, such as lavender, chamomile, ginger, and peppermint.

Ginger has anti-spasmodic and antacid effects to settle stomach irritation and nausea. To give ginger to prevent nausea:

Use powdered ginger
Give 30-40 minutes prior to car rides
Give ⅛ tsp dissolved in water or raw honey for each 15 lbs body weight.
You can give 50:50 with chamomile. Chamomile can be given as a tea (2 tspns-2 tablespoons depending on dog’s size), powder or fresh ground herb.
Calming Remedies:

Chamomile is a gentle herb that soothes the stomach and also has sedative effects that may help your dog relax during travel.
Valerian is safe and calms nerves.
St. John’s Wort Can help your dog relax and help treat stress.
CBC oil- helps your dog stimulate his natural ability to create serotonin which is a natural mood stabilizer.
* Be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog medications.

Lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood scents are thought to reduce anxiety and have a positive effect on behavior and mood. A study was published showing dogs spent significantly more time resting and sitting and less time moving and vocalizing during car rides when lavender was introduced for car rides.

Car travel can be a nightmare when your dog is experiencing car sickness however, with a plan and some patience you can help your dog overcome it. Don’t allow this hiccup to limit your adventures with your beloved friend.

02/21/2024

Havanese, the only dog breed native to Cuba, are cheerful little dogs with a spring in their step and a gleam in their big, brown eyes.

Why do you love the breed?

02/13/2024

Due to the inclement weather, The Debonair Dog will be closed today, Tuesday, February 13th, 2024.

12/24/2023

I Wish U All A Very Happy Merry Christmas 2023 🎅🎅🎉🎉🎉🎄🎄🎄👪👪❄️🎁🦌🦌
Click Here:- https://merrychristmasimagess.org/merry-christmas-memes/

12/08/2023

Happy ! ✡️ 🕎

11/27/2023

The Debonair Dog Is taking extra precautions to sanitise our facility with extra ventilation to provide for the wellness of our clients. We take this illness very serious to ensure a healthy environment. Please inform us if your pet has any symptoms such as a cough or nasal discharge. 🐾

11/27/2023

Preventing Kidney Disease

Prevention, of course, is always preferable to treatment.

A poor diet is the main preventable factor for CKD in dogs. Feeding dry, highly processed foods can lead to chronic dehydration and inflammation, directly affecting renal function. To prevent these issues, opt for fresh, moisture-rich foods with minimal synthetic vitamins and minerals.
Consult a holistic vet or nutritionist for a customized diet if your dog has kidney dysfunction.

Kidney damage can result from ingesting toxins, whether it's a one-time exposure or a continuous intake.

Minimizing toxins from vaccines, anesthetics, pesticides and overuse of pharmaceutical drugs.

Be sure to keep your dog away from renal toxic foods such as grapes and raisins. And from other known chemicals that are renal-toxic such as antifreeze. Be cautious around use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and heart medications ( especially diuretics) that can be harsh on the kidneys.

Minimize the use of household items such as scented candles, air fresheners, and cleaning products as they may contain kidney-damaging chemicals.

Early signs, such as increased drinking and urination, changes in coat, and bad breath, and decreased energy levels should prompt regular laboratory tests in dogs. The earlier the diagnosis the better and longer you can manage the disease.

Check out my new blog on Chronic Kidney disease. Link is in the comments below.

11/11/2023

06/14/2023

Bite wounds from dog fights at home are one of the MOST COMMON emergencies I see in The ER.

My two dogs are the best of friends but I still take all of these precautions to avoid a problem.

5 Ways To Avoid Dog Fights Amongst Housemates

1. Don’t leave dogs alone together at home even if there has never been a problem. It is always possible that something could trigger a fight between best friends. It’s better to be safe and have them separated when left alone.

2. Feed separately. Feed in separate rooms or crates. Don’t take the chance of one dog finishing and then going over to check out the other dog’s food bowl.

3. Playdates-Don’t allow your dogs to meet a new dog coming into the yard together. Have them meet one at a time with parallel walking around the block then off-leash in the backyard.

4. Prevent your dogs from fence playing or fighting with neighbor dogs. Once they get worked up, it is common for them to turn on each other.

5. Bones & toys- Be sure there are enough of the favorite toys for everyone. Separate when giving high value bones. Guarding a prized bone or favorite toy is one of the most common ways dogs will get into a fight at home.

And if you have dogs with a large age gap then be sure your older dog has plenty of time and relaxation away from the younger dog.

Older dogs often have pain associated with arthritis that can make them guarded and defensive.

If you have a dog with chronic illness he or she may also need more protection and time alone.

Recognize the cues and body language that your dogs are expressing leading up to a fight and intervene before it escalates.

Don't take chances with your dogs. I see too many horror stories of housemates that end up in serious, life-threatening fights because their owners did not take the appropriate precautions or did not recognize the cues.

12/20/2022

12/16/2022

Nicknamed 'The King of Terriers,' the Airedale Terrier stands among the world's most versatile dog breeds and has distinguished itself as hunter, athlete, and companion.

Why do you love this breed?

11/21/2022

One of the most frustrating conditions for dogs and their guardians

Treatment:
Fresh, whole food diet with a novel protein (a protein your dog has not been fed before)

Remove carbs and sugar from your dog’s diet

High quality probiotic

Prebiotics

Omega 3s

Add Fiber to the diet

Topicals treatments such as tea tree oil shampoos, topical rinses (Green tea ½ cup, 10 drops lavender oil, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar), ointments Colloidal Copper and Zinc, drying powders ( Grapefruit Seed Extract Powder and French Green Clay)

Antifungals in severe infections (ketoconazole, fluconazole)

For a more extensive treatment plan see my blog
https://drloudon.com/pet-health/yeast-infection-in-dogs/