THE HOMESTEAD HOUND, PART II

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CREATING A PETFIRST AID KIT
•Bandage material, consisting of telfa pads, cast padding, elastic wrap and white medical tape
•Rectal thermometer
•Antibiotic ointment
•Plastic pop bottle cut in half (for CPR)
•An 18-gauge, 1 1/2" needle (for relieving bloat)
•Penlight
•Hydrogen peroxide
•Tweezers
•Scissors

Provide Sensible Nutrition

Controversy continues among veterinarians about the best diet for dogs. In general, the quality of grocery-store brands is closing the gap with premium brands such as Hills ® and Eukaneuba®. The main difference between grocerystore brands and premium brands is that premium brands are field - tested with dogs and use higher-quality bulk ingredients. I have seen plenty of dogs, however, that eat the cheapest discount-store dog food available and live - disease-free - to a respectable old age.

Nevertheless, even the best diet can be sabotaged with table scraps and highcalorie dog treats. Supplement your dog's diet with low-calorie abrasive treats such as Milkbones° and keep in mind that a dry diet will generally keep the teeth in better shape. Vitamins are usually not needed as a supplement when a highquality food is offered.

Be mindful of the kind of table scraps you feed your dog - especially those high in fat - because they can trigger a bout of pancreatitis. On a recent farm call, I found an elderly, obese dog collapsed in the yard and unable to stand. She was regularly fed leftover pork chop bones, and blood tests revealed pancreatitis. In this condition, the pancreas becomes inflamed and actually starts to digest itself with its powerful enzymes. Despite intravenous fluids and antibiotics, the dog died within several days. This is an unfortunately common tale.

Don't Ignore Behavior Problems

Excessive barking, chasing livestock and wildlife, killing chickens and chasing trucks are not qualities that endear farm dogs to their owners or neighbors. Moreover, these behaviors are far more life-threatening than many medical diseases.

Unfortunately, many behavioral problems are so genetically ingrained that no amount of behavior modification will help. Other problems like house-soiling, destructive behavior (due to separation anxiety) and some kinds of aggression and excessive barking can be improved with a combination of behavior modifi cation and some newer medications. (Yes, Prozac might help your dog.)

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