HEALTH BLOG

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Welcome to the Health Blog of the Scottish Terrier Club of New England, Inc. In this Article regarding the health and well-being of our beloved Scotties we'll present some common things at home that could make you Scottie sick.  Future posts will cover a range of information from basic care of your Scottish Terrier to genetic issues that can be in the breed.

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Most responsible homeowners make an effort to keep harsh chemicals, rat poison and other dangerous substances away from pets. However, the same people may not realize how many other pet toxins lurk in the home.

Here are some other items that could make your pet sick:

1. Ibuprofen: You may have the best intentions in giving human pain medications to pets, but no drugs should be given to pets without first consulting your veterinarian. Ibuprofen in particular can cause significant intestinal and kidney damage and many other over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans can harm animals. Also keep in mind that child-proof medicine bottles are not necessarily animal-proof, and pets could ingest a whole bottle of drugs.

2. Pet medications: It's also important to keep animal medications out of reach of pets. They are often enticingly flavored, so if pets find their way into the bottle, they are likely to gobble far more than a safe dosage.

3. Grapes and raisins: It's also important to be careful with snacks for animals. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Some tests show as few as seven grapes can be toxic. Onions and garlic are also dangerous for both cats and dogs, though typically in larger amounts.

4. Sugar-free gum and mints: Sugarless candy and other items often contain xylitol, a sweetener that can cause low blood sugar and liver failure.

5. Chocolate: It's not a myth propagated by chocoholics trying to hoard their sweets. Chocolate can be deadly for dogs and other pets. A mild stimulant in chocolate can be far from mild for pets. It can cause seizures, vomiting, diarrhea and heart problems. Dark chocolate is particularly dangerous. Also, coffee and other caffeinated drinks contain similar substances.

6. Alcohol: Your dog may be your best buddy, but don't share a beer with him. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory problems in many animals, and may be deadly.

7. Lilies: Lilies top a long list of common plants that can be toxic to animals. A cat that eats even small amounts of lily parts can incur severe kidney damage. Other dangerous plants include sago palms, tulip bulbs, azaleas, rhododendrons, yew and English ivy.

8. Batteries: Again, most corrosive acids are kept away from pets, but pet owners may not think of keeping batteries well out of reach. Battery acid can cause corrosive injuries to the mouth and stomach of many animals. Liquid potpourri may also be similarly dangerous.

9. Christmas trees: If pets eat tinsel and other decorations, the material can cause intestinal problems. Similarly, Christmas tree water may contain dangerous bacteria and fertilizers.

10. Citronella candles: Citronella smells good, so it attracts dogs, but it can cause diarrhea and stomach cramps if ingested.

If your pet may have consumed one of the above toxins or other dangerous substances, contact your veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Remember the best time to be prepared for an emergency is before it happens!

Common Sense Dog Safety ideas from Charlie Stevens

Everyday bits of knowledge that every dog owner has forgotten at least once. 

We all know never to leave our Scotties in a parked car with the windows closed in the summer. Winter can be just as challenging.  If it is15 degrees outside, it won't take long to reach 15 degrees inside a parked car.

Never leave your Scottie out in the sun for long periods of time.  Provide lots of shade for your Scottie, and always provide plenty of cool, clean water to prevent dehydration, inside ad outside in your fenced yard.

Dogs can have severe allergic reactions to insect bites.  If you notice your dog acutely swollen around the muzzle, or developing hives, it is best to get him or her treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Inflammatory response can lead to severe illness and respiratory distress.

Read all labels of flea and tick medication carefully. Misuse can lead to toxicity and even death.

Scotties should not ride in truck beds. They can overheat there as well.

Avoid leaving windows and doors open in your house. A determined Scottie can tear through a screen.

Keep your scottie away from mouse, ant, and roach traps or bate. 

Human medications can be lethal to small dogs   Even chocolate can be toxic, even lethal.

Fertilizer, antifreeze and pesticides can be deadly to pets. Store them safely.  Don't allow you pet to walk on a freshly fertilized lawn

Finally if your a gardner, check the toxicity of the plans in your garden: Easter lily, Azalea and amaryllis, also  Lilly-of-the valley. Foxtail (spear grass) can be a health hazard for skin, ears, eyes and nose.  

Excerpts from Scottie Tails #1 2013

IN REMEMBRANCE.

C.S.LEWIS , a novelist, poet, academic, literary critic and lay theologian known for his literary work ,The Chronicles of Narnia, was reportedly asked at one popular lecture: "Will my dog be in heaven?".  He reportedly responded: Would it be heaven without your dog? Getting an answer in the negative, he then said, "well then your dog will be in heaven.  

There is a secular work by an unknown author "Just this side of Heaven is a Place called Rainbow Bridge"  The author imagines all animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.  He imagines them all running and playing together. He imagines their excitement when you are spotted.: "You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again."  ...Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

Please send a digital picture of your beloved Scottie who we can memorialize in this blog.

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Agility events

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Agility is the one AKC venue where you can not only see dogs as true athletes, but also witness teamwork between the handler and dog that is unequaled in any other venue.  As a worker you get an unequalled view  of the event from inside the ring.  You will be thrilled by some of the runs, amused by others as the agility teams of dogs and handlers try to negotiate the course as fast as possible while not committing errors that cost them points.  The atmosphere is relaxed for the most part as the majority of the participants are there to have a good time. 

As a worker, you not only get the best seat in the house, you will also get free lunch, the gratitude of the judge and the participants. You will also experience  the satisfaction from knowing that you contributed to the one event that provides most of the funds necessary for the club to function.  Agility keeps us solvent, so it is important that our trials run smoothly. Entrant's satisfaction will insure return participation next year.  We will need club members to help. Any time given by club members will be appreciated.    

Please call or email me if you can come, even if only for a few hours.  All assistance is greatly appreciated and no effort is too small.   Paws 'N Effect  36 Corporate ridge road. Hamden CT.

John McNabney 860-485-9127  jmcnabney@snet.com

[This article originally posted in Scottie Tails by John McNabney ,January 2014 about the April 2014 Trials.  We currently are planning a two day event this April.  We would like to see you there. KH]

Rescue 2014 by David Caudle

David Caudle with two of his Rescued dogs

My mother Adele is a life-long dog lover whose favorite breed is the Boxer.  Her involvement with the Second Chance Boxer Rescue organization began with  my helping Adele look up a rescue Boxer on the internet. She then got very involved in rescue doing fostering, transporting and other rescue duties for the SCBR over the years.

I had already owned two scotties and a westie.  When they passed on it was only a couple weeks before I decided to get another dog.  My mother's experience with rescue is what made me consider rescue Scotties. I contacted Barbara at the STCNE and rescued Angus and Molly, then Max and finally Robbie.   I joined the STCNE working with rescue

Age has finally caught up with Adele but when her beloved Boxer, Jack, passed away from cancer she agreed to foster a 12 year old Scottie named Morris. He is now 15, deaf and nearly blind and still a "chow hound." Best of all he helps keep my mother's love of dogs alive and makes her feel useful by helping animals.   

This is an excerpt of a longer article published in Scottie Tails, Spring 2014

Facebook and its importance to the Scottish Terrier Club of New England

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Social media has rapidly become a significant part of our modern civilization. It is a defining trait of how integrated our social interactions have become.  We credit this achievement of the developments in technology and how that has advanced the creative ways that people interact with each other.  

Facebook today is the world's largest social network, with over a billion users worldwide.Some of the ways club members can use Facebook

• See updates and posts from Friends
• Share videos and posts with Friends
• Share information of the club's profile page
• Invite Friends to join Groups and participate in Events
• Share with available friends and members of other Scottie clubs and organizations.

The club will see continued growth in the community already captured and will attract a younger audience to STCNE activities.  Having a Facebook presence gives STCNE the ability to promote all of our annual events and activities for free.  It amounts to free advertising and a central point to build a larger membership base.

Extracted from an article which first appeared in Scottie Tails, January 2014

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