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The Healthy Hound Newsletter #21

By: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| March 14, 2020

In This Issue

● Can Dogs Transmit Coronavirus?
● Blind Pug & His Guide Dog
● My Dog Ate WHAT?!
● PTSD In Dogs
● Paw Licking Reasons & Remedies
● Time For A 2nd Dog?

Recent Food Recalls

2/07/20 – UK Happy Hounds Frozen Raw Dog Food
1/16/20 – Black Hawk Dry Dog Food
9/26/20 – Performance Dog Raw Pet Food
8/31/19 – Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Dog Food

HEALTH ALERT #1

Can Our Dogs Transmit Coronavirus? The Latest Advice For Dog Parents

Last week, a Pomeranian in Hong Kong repeatedly tested “weak positive” for coronavirus, causing health officials to wonder if pets can transmit the disease to humans.

Medical experts from the World Health Organization agree the dog’s low-level of infection is likely a case of “human-to-animal transmission” since the owner is currently infected with Covid-19.

The dog has no symptoms and is doing well in a quarantine facility. Meanwhile, the WHO is investigating whether the dog was actually infected with the virus or picked it up from a contaminated surface. They say there is currently no evidence dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus.

While Hong Kong residents are warned not to kiss their dogs, the CDC says there is no reason to think pets in the United States might be a source of infection.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Gassy pup? Ginger, parsley, & peppermint oil may provide natural relief.

IN THE NEWS

Blind Pug & His Seeing Eye Chihuahua Navigate Life Together

Augie the Pug has been blind most of his life. Luckily, he has his own personal seeing-eye-Chihuahua, Pepe to guide him.

This adorable bonded pair experienced a major life change last summer when their life-long owner was diagnosed with a terminal disease. No longer able to care for Augie and Pepe, they turned them over to Colorado Pug Rescue.

Even though the rescue specializes in (you guessed it) Pugs, they knew Augie and Pepe were a package deal. Now they are hoping to find them an adoptive home where they can finish out their forever together.

Learn more about this dynamic duo and how you can help them find their happily ever after.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

According to the US Defense Department, what percentage of dogs deployed in combat have signs of canine PTSD?

  1. 5 – 10%
  2. 25 – 30%
  3. 90 – 95%

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

HEALTH ALERT #2

Fishing Poles, Engagement Rings & Rubber Duckies: My Dog Ate What??

When a fur mom’s engagement ring mysteriously went missing, Pepper the Pointer puppy was the obvious culprit. An X-ray revealed the mischievous pooch had indeed swallowed the jewelry so Pepper’s vet induced vomiting, inspiring her to give up the goods.

Poor little Pepper isn’t alone in her shame. In fact, dogs and other companion pets swallow items so often, Veterinary Practice News hosts an annual contest where vets can submit their strangest foreign body cases.

Check out all the 2019 “winners” including a Spaniel that swallowed six rubber duckies and a rescue dog with a fishing pole in his belly!

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Want to improve your dog’s digestion, boost immunity, & protect their joints? Delicious bone broth does all this and more.

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

Can Dogs Suffer From PTSD?

According to the Mayo Clinic, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

This debilitating condition is just recently being recognized in dogs. Most diagnosed cases involve military or police canines, but any dog exposed to physical or emotional trauma could potentially suffer from PTSD.

Learn the signs of PTSD in dogs, the surprising genetic connection, and how to help affected pups cope.

VET CORNER

Paw Licking In Dogs: Reasons & Remedies

by Natasha Feduick, LVT

Allergy season has begun, and with a layer of pollen on the ground, many dogs have begun their annual paw licking routine.

While allergies are the most common culprit, there are a few other reasons a dog may begin licking and chewing their paw pads and toes.

The treatments and remedies vary based on the underlying cause and severity of the problem, but if your pooch is a paw licker, you can start by using grooming wipes after every trip outside.

Check out our post for more tips to curb your dog’s paw licking.

READER QUESTION

“Should I Add A Second Dog To My Family?”

Healthy Hound subscriber, Susan has an eight-year-old Labradoodle named Lucky and a cat named Charlie. She believes it is time to add another dog to her family, but has a few concerns.

First, how will she know if she is ready to handle another pet? In addition to obvious issues like time and money constraints, Susan must consider Lucky and Charlie’s feelings as well as those of the other human family members in the household.

Susan also wants to know how to find the perfect dog to fit in with her current lifestyle. At iHeartDogs we always recommend rescue first. Resources such as The Shelter Pet Project are there to help adopters find the perfect rescue pooch in their area.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FINDING & ADOPTING A PUP

Do you have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Click here to let us know!

Quiz Answer:

1. 5 – 10%. The numbers are shockingly small, but we are still learning how this condition affects our dogs.

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