Living With Dogs (27 page)

Answer:
Whenever the gene pool of a dog breed is limited the occurrence of inherited defects rises. Some of these defects are immediately obvious in puppies, but other defects are slow to occur, sometimes not until middle age or older. In June 2009, the Victorian government gazetted a Code of Practice for the Responsible Breeding of Animals with Heritable Defects that Cause Disease, attached to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. In essence it is now an offence to deliberately breed animals with known inherited defects. Before purchasing a pup always inspect its parents and the rest of the litter. Take someone with you who is an experienced dog person.

In our area the Council encourages us to desex our pets. We want to breed from our Kelpie dog. What can we do?

Answer:
There are no laws which prevent you owning an entire dog or bitch, but in most areas you will pay an increased registration fee for the privilege. Once you have finished breeding then it is time to have your kelpie spayed for the health and welfare of your bitch.

We have a 19-year-old Lhasa Apso, and 15 years ago he injured his back, which is still causing some problems. He’s blind and deaf, but he’s well in himself, and we’re frightened to take him to the vet because we might have to confront euthanasia.

Answer:
If the dog is well in himself, you won’t be confronting anything because, remember, you own the dog and whether the dog is put down is a matter between you and the vet. It’s called informed consent.

Back pain in an elderly dog like this can be caused by two things: degenerative osteoarthritis, or referred pain, from some other condition. If the animal has liver or kidney disease, it will not feel pain there, but in the back. If the dog has osteoarthritis there are new drugs which do not have side effects. Don’t give him human drugs for back pain, because they can have dramatic side effects in dogs. You will have to confront the issue of talking to a vet about your dog.

Should we put down our old dog because it is blind?

Answer:
Certainly not for that condition alone. In the vast majority of cases dogs lose sight slowly and are able to adjust to the condition. I doubt that you recognised the day that your dog became totally blind. Provided that your dog continues to live on the property where it became blind you will notice that the dog will continue to exist happily. Blind dogs are simply not dependent on sight like humans. It is you that will have to change some habits such as only walking the dog on a leash in familiar areas outside of your property.

My dog is old and, I feel, is dying. I believe I must get another dog, but I am very old myself. What should I do?

Answer:
First you must deal with your old dog which you feel is dying. You need veterinary advice as to what is wrong with the dog and what is the prognosis. While I agree with your view that you must get another dog it would be wrong to go ahead without solving the current problem.

Do some homework about choosing a new dog. You need to consider what type of dog you can cope with now that you are much older. Perhaps adopting a middle-aged small dog would be more suitable than starting again with a puppy? Make sure you discuss with your relatives or friends what will happen if in the future you can no longer care for the new dog. If you cannot obtain a commitment from them then I would suggest you join the RSPCA Bequest Program, which will give you peace of mind about your pet’s future without you.

What sort of dog should we get first for the children? Is there any difference between genders?

Answer:
A child’s first dog is what I regard as a ‘learning dog’ and as such must be a full-on interactive experience. Regrettably, in my experience the number-one male of the family usually dictates what dog should be purchased, thus destroying the learning dog outcome because he is only considering his needs rather than those of the children. An interactive experience means obtaining a small dog so that the children can learn to pick it up, groom it, attach a leash and walk it, and handle it in many other ways, all under adult supervision. You should get a pup so that the children can experience the changes that occur when it grows up. It should be a sturdy type that can be equally at home outside, inside and in the car. Dog types to consider are small terriers, poodles, spaniels and their crosses. Females have a reputation as homebodies, but there is little difference with a desexed male. Good luck with the family conference!

Wounds caused by
animal bites
are always infected. Control any bleeding and seek early treatment of the infection.

Bee or wasp stings
usually occur to the foot or muzzle. Remove any sting. Anti-histamines will control the extensive swelling reaction.

If a dog is bleeding from the pads, legs, feet, tail or earflaps, don’t wash the bleeding area — it makes the bleeding worse.

Wrap a good quantity of cotton wool right around the affected area, not just locally over the wound. Firmly apply pressure to the area by bandaging the cotton wool to the bleeding part using a cotton bandage or sticking plaster.

Once bleeding is controlled, seek treatment. The sooner a wound receives veterinary treatment the better the end result.

Check not only the teeth, but between the teeth over the hard palate. Remove any bones using finger pressure or pliers.

To treat
heat burns,
apply very cold water or an ice pack to the affected area for 10–20 minutes.

To treat
chemical burns,
thoroughly wash the chemical from the affected area using running water. Then seek veterinary treatment.

Clip hair away from the wound edges and gently bathe away the draining matter with a normal disinfectant solution. Seek treatment for the remaining infection.

If diarrhoea continues for longer than 24 hours, seek veterinary advice.

Do not attempt first aid, but seek immediate treatment.

Control and confine the animal to a quiet darkened place until the fit passes. Do not attempt first aid as the dog may bite you. Seek advice when the fit is over.

Remove any visible grass seeds from paws. If grass seeds already have penetrated the skin, surgery will be required.

A grass seed in the ear causes the dog to suddenly yelp and hang its head on the affected side. A little paraffin oil in the ear will soothe the pain until the seed is removed.

Secure the animal properly. Remember that the animal is confused and in pain, and may bite or scratch you.

Always remove the animal from the roadway and verge. Assess the damage. Visible regular chest movements means the animal is alive. Ask passers-by for assistance or the nearest house to get urgent treatment for the animal.

Don’t waste time making the animal vomit. Telephone the vet for advice.

It is normal for dogs to vomit on occasion. Persistent vomiting over 12 hours requires veterinary advice.

Don’t drive round and round the district. Contact the dog ranger of the municipality, and establish whether he will contact the neighbouring municipalities, or whether you do it.

Alert the neighbourhood network by sticking a notice in the local milk bar, newsagent and butcher, and notify the vets in the immediate area. There is no point in ringing the police as they have no responsibility for dogs.

Once you’ve done all that, go to the nearest animal shelter, although it usually takes two or three days for the animal to filter through to the pound. It’s no good ringing the pound unless the dog is completely distinctive, as your description won’t necessarily tally with the description of the receiving person in the pound.

The peak dog association in each state is responsible for the administration of shows and the general running of canine affairs. They register new dogs as pure-bred and provide names and addresses of registered dog breeders. Most keep books and general information on dogs and their care.

The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) is the national administrative body for pure breed canine affairs. It does not, however, deal directly with dog exhibitors, breeders or judges. For information concerning breeders, breed clubs or shows please contact the controlling body in your state.

www.ankc.org.au