iPawz

Lick Granuloma (skin lesions) in dogs... a dermatology nightmare

Everyone who has had a dog with a lick granuloma will tell the same story. The skin lesion started as a tiny sore spot on the skin and the dog kept licking at it. Applying medications didn't seem to help much and the darn thing kept spreading outward while thickening. It often would be wet and oozing from the dog licking and chewing incessantly at it.  Finally a trip to the veterinarian revealed a name for this patch of thickened, scarred and irritated skin: Acral Lick Granuloma.   "Well, OK", the owner would say, "so what do we do about it?"

The problem is that we veterinarians cannot give the owner a specific recipe for a cure for acral lick granuloma.  The skin is so deeply affected that even down to the base layer of the skin there can be found under the microscope little pockets of bacteria, broken hair follicles, plugged and scarred oil glands and dilated and inflamed capillaries.  And if these skin lesions are removed surgically, the dog simply licks at the sutures or incision line after the surgery heals, thus creating a brand new granuloma right where the original one was!

The photo here is of an Airedale with a classic case of Lick Granuloma. The dog is perfectly healthy, is on an excellent diet, does not suffer from allergies but does have slight separation anxiety when his owner leaves for work. In this case the "cause" of the licking specifically at the affected area of skin may be self stimulation to help allay the anxiety of separation from the owner. The skin lesions will heal slightly, almost seem like they are going to heal, and overnight (or during the day while left alone) the lick granuloma is activated, licked raw from continuous passes of the tongue. Also with this dog, when one of the attempts to break the cycle of licking involved wrapping the lower leg with a cast to keep the dog away from the lesion, he began to make a new one in the same location on the opposite leg. Now there are TWO LICK GRANULOMAS!

2 new breeds entered into the 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Each year, the WKC Dog Show usually accepts a few new breeds previously not recognized to show. 2013 saw two new breeds...


RUSSELL TERRIER (Terrier Group)

The Russell Terrier is considered the ultimate working earth terrier due to their small size (10" to 12" tall) and unique chest. The hallmark of the breed is its small, oval-shaped, spannable, compressible chest, which allows them to hunt efficiently below ground, pulling, pushing and bending through tight turns and narrow tunnels. Their origin dates back to the 1800's in England where they were utilized for fox hunting and carried horseback in terrier bags. Pack hunters, they are non-confrontational, not a sparring breed. They are predominantly white with spots and come in three coats - smooth, broken, and rough. They are athletic, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. 


TREEING WALKER COONHOUND (Hound Group)

The energetic Treeing Walker Coonhound is perfectly suited for the task for which it was bred - tracking and treeing wild raccoons. Developed from the Walker Foxhound, the Virginia Hounds, and the earliest English Foxhounds brought to America, the Treeing Walker is a fast, alert, hot-nosed hunter with superb endurance, treeing ability and the desire to perform. It has a clear, ringing bugle voice or a steady clear chop with changeover at the tree. Today's Treeing Walker retains the same color and similar conformation to the Walker Foxhound. The breed is intelligent, confident and sociable. 

photos from the Wikimedia Commons.

The Right Breed Of Dog For Your Lifestyle

So...you're going to get a dog, eh? You've been thinking about this for some time now and the moment is right. There's room for a dog in your life and you're committed. But before you get in your car and go select that lucky dog, may I suggest that you think about something you may NOT have considered...

How do you and the dog match up? I don't mean temperament or behavioral characteristics of the new dog; I mean what KIND of a dog are you about to bring in to your daily life for the next twelve to eighteen years? I can't tell you how many times veterinarians have been involved with scenes like this one...

Pet owner: "Doctor, can you get me something to calm this dog down? He's really driving us crazy. All he wants to do is play; he gets these wild streaks every day where he runs around the house knocking things over and when we do take him outside he'll run away first chance he gets. We've got to find something to relax him."
Veterinarian: "Gosh, you have a perfectly normal German Shorthaired Pointer here. These hunting breeds have been selectively bred over many years to seek game, have unlimited stamina, and be able to pursue escaping game. Why did you get a hunting breed when you live in a small apartment?"

Please...take just a little time BEFORE you make the final decision to acquire a dog and check out the different breeds that would match your living habits, your living environment, and your time freedom. Far too often a new dog owner wants a certain breed because "Sheepdogs are so beautiful", or because "I've always wanted a dog just like Lassie", or "Boxers don't shed", or "Rottweilers are real protective". Your decision as to which breed of dog to provide a home for should be based on practical parameters much more than on emotional factors...

Nebraska bill gets opposition from dog breeders

LINCOLN — A proposed state law that would require commercial dog breeders to exercise their dogs at least twice a day, breed animals less often and provide larger cages for them brought howls of protest Tuesday from many breeders.

Professional breeders — some of whom care for up to 200 breeding dogs and 550 puppies at a time — said new regulations were unnecessary and would put economically stressed breeders out of business.

Judy Williamson, who operates a kennel near Alma, Neb., said her operation is already inspected up to six times a year by the federal and state governments, the American Kennel Club and a veterinarian.

“Seriously, do you feel we need more regulation?” she asked.

Proponents say that current state laws are inadequate and that more humane treatment is needed so puppies are healthy, socialized and make good pets.

“The sad reality is that the majority of breeding dogs in Nebraska live their entire lives in a cage so small they can only sit, stand, lie down and turn around — for their entire lives,” said Judy Varner, president and CEO of the Omaha-based Nebraska Humane Society.

State Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue, a leading proponent of animal welfare in the Legislature, introduced the proposal, Legislative Bill 427.

A large crowd, some wearing “Yes 427” buttons, overflowed a State Capitol hearing room for the latest debate on state regulation of dog breeders.

full story here

6 New Breeds debut in 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Six breeds will be making their Westminster debuts in 2011 now that they have been recognized by the American Kennel Club and made eligible for competition in conformation shows.

BOYKIN SPANIEL (Sporting Group)
The Boykin Spaniel is a versatile and compact gundog. The breed was developed in the early 1900's in the Midlands of South Carolina to fill the need of local hunters for a smaller retriever for hunting waterfowl. Their nickname is apropos: "the little dog that doesn't rock the boat". In the field, they steal the show as tenacious, assertive and enthusiastic flushing and retrieving Spaniels. In the home, they steal hearts as gentle, affectionate and fiercely loyal members of the family. They are truly companions for all seasons. In 1985, Governor Richard Riley signed an act making the Boykin Spaniel South Carolina's official state dog.

BLUETICK COONHOUND (Hound Group)
The Bluetick Coonhound is an athletic, compact, speedy and well-muscled hound, all of which helps it in trailing and treeing raccoons and other small game. A determined and steady tracker, the standard says that the Bluetick "should be a free tonguer on trail with a medium bawl or bugle voice." Its name comes from its dark blue coat pattern, covered in ticking and featuring black spots on its ears, back and sides. That color may come from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (French Staghound) as well as the English Foxhound. In America, Blueticks were referred to as English Coonhounds for many years.

REDBONE COONHOUND (Hound Group)
With a pleading expression accompanied by a confident air, the Redbone Coonhound is a courageous breed. Known for being a versatile hunter of tremendous skill, they are used on differing game from raccoon, bear to mountain lion. Dating back before the Civil War, breeders and hunters strove to have a hound that could not only perform in the woods but have a strikingly beautiful look. A solid red coat, a personality to please and a natural tracking and treeing ability sets the Redbone Coonhound apart from other breeds.

CANE CORSO (Working Group)
The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian Breed, robust and muscular, medium-to-large in size, yet still elegant and athletic. Historically found on the family farms, its primary function was minder of livestock and property, as well as hunting companion for large game. The overall demeanor of the Cane Corso is confidence and impressive presence. The Cane Corso is highly intelligent, and easily trained, being docile and affectionate with family and friends. The breed faced extinction in Italy in the early 1970s, but working dogs from rural farms helped to it recover. The Cane Corso was initially imported to the USA in 1988.

LEONBERGER (Working Group)
The Leonberger is a large, muscular, and elegant dog distinguished by a black mask and medium-length weather resistant coat of lion-yellow to reddish-brown color. Males and females are easily distinguished by size, with males carrying a lion-like mane. The Leonberger combines confident calmness with intelligence and a lively temperament. For its size the Leonberger is graceful and light on its feet. Originating in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in the mid-nineteenth century the Leonberger was kept as a farm dog and valued for its watch and draft abilities. Today the Leonberger is an excellent family companion, comfortable performing a wide variety of jobs.

ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG (Herding Group)
The Icelandic Sheepdog arrived in Iceland on the longboats of the first Viking settlers. Its working method adapted to the struggle for survival, making it indispensable. A hardy and agile Nordic herding Spitz that barks, it is slightly under medium sized with prick ears and a curled tail. It is rectangular when seen from the side. The coat is thick and extremely weatherproof. A confident and lively bearing is typical for this dog. The expression is gentle, intelligent and happy. Being very alert, it will give visitors an enthusiastic welcome without aggression. They are cheerful, friendly, inquisitive, playful and unafraid.

Tibetan Mastiff

This ancient breed of dog (records show their presence in 1121 BC) proudly stands as one of the strongest dogs today. Marco Polo described them as "tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion. "Known in Tibetan as 'Do khyi' meaning 'home guard' which indicates it's use as a protector of homes and livestock. It is classified as a primitive breed and still exhibits characteristics and adaptations necessary for it to survive in the high altitude and severe cols in Tibet. Intelligent and ferocious, they can ably fight mountain lions in the high mountains of Tibet, aided by their relatively large size. The first Western traveler to have encountered Tibetan mastiffs was Marco Polo. They were used to guard Lhasa. In 19th century England, King George owned a pair.

Breeders in China say adult Tibetan mastiffs sell for tens of thousands of dollars, and can even go for more than $100,000. One of them sold for more than half a million dollars last year to a woman in northern China who then sent 30 black Mercedes-Benzes and other luxury cars to fetch the dog from the airport, according to a report in the state-run China Daily.

Westminster Dog Show Debut: Dogue de Bordeaux

Dogue De Bordeaux Eligible For First Time
pictured: Ch. Mount Sinai Stiletto Skye, courtesy Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America (www.ddbs.org)

The Dogue de Bordeaux is the only newly-recognized breed eligible for competition at Westminster in 2009 and will compete in the Working Group. 

Believed to have originated in France more than 600 years ago, the Dogue de Bordeaux is highly regarded for his balanced temperament and imposing presence. The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, Bordeaux dog, Bulldogue Francais, or most commonly among fanciers, as the DDB, is a fearless, powerful dog who excels at both guard dog work and companionship to his family. With a head that may well be the largest in the canine world, the Bordeaux is unmistakable in appearance.

Though the breed did not gain significant notoriety until 1989 with the release of the Tom Hanks movie, Turner and Hooch, the DDB has always had a fiercely loyal following here in the United States, since it's import in the 1960s by Dr. Phillip Todd and Steve and Wendy Norris. The Norris Place lines can still be found in a large number of modern pedigrees today.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an astonishingly versatile breed. Athletic and quick with a keen sense of smell and hearing, the Bordeaux was custom built for guard work and shows an outstanding aptitude with minimal training. Surprisingly fond of water, though not generally great swimmers, the DDB is limitless in it's ability to accompany his owner in any activity on land or sea. Currently the DDB is able to compete in a variety of performance events including Carting, Obedience, Conformation, Weight Pulling, Water Rescue, Tracking, and Search and Rescue. Dogues make excellent Therapy dogs and thrive on the extra attention that comes with this work.

The Lhasa Apso

In its homeland of Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is known as "Abso Seng Kye", or the "Bark Lion Sentinal Dog". Due to the harsh climate where it originates, the breed is hardy and vigorous. This hardiness, along with its keen watchfulness, should always be developed, since they are outstanding qualities in the breed.

See more Lhasa Apso photos in ThePoop.com's Pict of the Litter.

The Weimaraner

Although the Weimaraner can make a great family dog, especially because of his love for children and watchdog capabilities, he is a very dominant breed and needs obedience training. The owner must remain in control. This dog also needs a lot of exercise, which cannot be ignored if he lives in a city apartment. The Weimaraner started as an intelligent mix of hunting dogs and Bloodhounds. They played a special role in wolf and bear hunts of members of the German court of Weimar.

See photos of Weimaraners in ThePoop.com's Pict of the Litter.

English Springer Spaniels

The English Springer Spaniel wasn't classifed as a separate breed from the Cocker Spaniel until the late 1800's. Portaits identifying this breed date back to the mid-1600's.  The English Springer Spaniel's original job included "springing" game and birds from hiding places. Its name emphasizes the importance of this hunting role.

See photos of English Springer Spaniels in ThePoop.com's Pict of the Litter.