In This Issue

● Dog Mom Warns About Toxic Mushrooms
● Stray Walks Through The Right Door
● Designer Puppy Scam
● Why Dogs Are Willing To Die For Us
● Vet Corner: All About Microchips
● 2020 Resolutions You Can Share With Your Dog

Recent Food Recalls

10/30/19 – Pig Ear Salmonella Outbreak Appears To Be Over
09/21/19 – Performance Dog Raw Pet Food
08/31/19 – Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Dog Food
08/14/19 – Texas Tripe Raw Dog Food

HEALTH ALERT #1

Woman Warns About Toxic Mushrooms After Losing Her Beloved Dog

A woman in Florida wants to warn others about the dangers of toxic mushrooms after losing her beloved Boston Terrier.

Alexandra Barry, of Boynton Beach, said her dog, Dino, ate a mushroom in the grass “so quickly I didn’t have a chance to grab it.”

Just two days later, Dino was grunting, unable to stand, and having “severe tremors” in addition to vomiting and diarrhea.

According to David Dorman, a toxicology professor at NC State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, poisonous mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so it can be nearly impossible to know which ones are toxic and which ones aren’t.

Learn more about mushroom toxicity and how to protect your dog.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Remove pesky undereye goobers with an old-fashioned plastic comb.

IN THE NEWS

Injured Stray Wanders Through Open Door & Finds Her Forever Home

In a whirlwind few days, a starving stray dog went from living a difficult life on the streets of Philadelphia to a viral sensation with a forever family.

It’s all thanks to a door that blew open during a storm, and the man who later closed it. In that time, the dog – who would later be named Suzy – sought shelter in the home she would later occupy for life. She just didn’t know it yet.

Suzy’s adventure began with a simple, straightforward tweet from Jack Jokinen on December 14th. Along with a photo of the emaciated dog were the words:

“I just woke up to this puppy in my house and we have no idea how it got here.”

This incredible story will warm your heart and remind you what a wonderful place the world can be.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

When dogs unconsciously mimic our facial expressions and behaviors (such as yawning) it is a sign of:

1. Intelligence
2. Empathy
3. Mockery

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

IN THE NEWS

CA Family Accused Of Knowingly Peddling Sick Puppies Over The Internet

The Loy family spent $1200 to add a 9 – 12 week old Miniature Goldendoodle puppy to their family. They were told it was a female, and named the copper-colored pup Penny.

There were problems right away. Penny had diarrhea. Her first bath revealed her coat had been dyed a reddish-brown color.

“She” also turned out to be a “he”, and was renamed Bear. A trip to the vet brought even more bad news.

Bear was not a trendy Goldendoodle, he was something much smaller like a Maltipoo. He was also closer to four weeks old than 12 weeks, and far too young to have been taken from his mother.

Worst of all, Bear was extremely ill.

Learn more about this tragic story and the pending lawsuit filed by the Loys and eight other heartbroken families.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Before you attempt to brush, bathe, or otherwise groom your dog, tire him out with a walk or play session!

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

Can Science Explain Why Dogs Are Willing To Risk Their Lives For Us?

They drag us from burning buildings, alert us to medical emergencies, battle intruders, and even take bullets for us; but what is it that motivates dogs to risk their own lives for humans?

Love? Gratitude? Preservation of the life they hold dear? All of these things may play a role, but research suggests it comes down to empathy. The canine species seem to have emotions so closely linked to our own that they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect us.

Find out what yawning, eye contact, and the hormone oxytocin have to do with the powerful bond between humans and their dogs.

VET CORNER

Everything Your Vet Wants You To Know About Microchipping Your Dog

by Wendy Brooks, DVM, DABVP

A microchip is a tiny little transmitter no bigger than a grain of rice. Typically inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades, it emits a signal when a specialized scanner passes over it, revealing a unique identification number.

Why is such a minute device so important?

“This tiny but sturdy little implant can reunite you with a lost pet, serve as proof of ownership in a dispute, or even mean the difference between euthanasia and medical care in an emergency,” Dr.Brooks writes.

Learn how microchips work, their uses and limitations, as well as their upkeep, all from the perspective of an experienced veterinarian.

TIS THE SEASON

New Year’s Resolutions That Can Benefit You AND Your Dog

Tedi Graham of the Partners for Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.) has some excellent advice to help dog parents make New Year’s resolutions their pups can benefit from, too.

Want to get fit? Focus on better nutrition? Even quit smoking? All of these popular resolutions can also improve your pup’s life!

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:

2. Empathy. Animals capable of empathy have cells called “mirror neurons” in their brains. These are the cells responsible for the phenomenon of “contagious yawning” which dogs demonstrate with their owners.

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