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5 Dog Health Apps Every Pet Parent Should Know

March 9, 2019

Main Photo Credit: Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash

There’s no lack of apps in the world today, but the number of apps and the plethora of uses can quickly overwhelm your phone.

As a matter of fact, I rebelled against the app takeover in January, when I read this amazing article on Medium about “How to Get Your iPhone to Work for You Not Against You“. In addition to adding your dog as a background to make your phone a source of joy and not distraction, the author suggests grouping your apps so that you don’t have pages upon pages of apps that distract you and don’t help you use your phone as a tool (which at the end of the day, is what our phones should be). It’s a 75 minute read, but 3 hours later I had reconfigured my phone to make it more challenging to spend time on social media and easier for me to reach for articles to read, meditations to do, or music to listen to.

After I completed my phone transformation, I ended up with a “Dogs” category on my phone, and it got me thinking about pet tech apps, and even more specifically pet health apps.

Pet health apps can provide you with critical information, hold you accountable for health updates and preventative medicine, and even allow you to investigate symptoms for your pet. So today, I want to share with you a brief list of 5 Pet Health Apps I think pet parents should consider adding to their phone.

When compiling the list I first completed a quick assessment of the apps that I had on my phone, and then completed a more little research.

Woof Trax

I’ve written about Woof Trax a few times on our blog, and I still think this app is fantastic! You simply turn it on while walking your dog and select a rescue to benefit from the funds you raise as you walk your dog. The more you walk with your dog, the more money you raise for your selected rescue. This app does an amazing job of combining pet health with animal altruism and I love it!

DogTrekker

Another app that I have written about before, but I think DogTrekker is great! At first this app may not seem like a “Pet Health App” in the traditional sense, but this app provides you with inspiration on where you can take your pet, whether that be adventures, hikes, beaches, etc. All of which help you keep you dog active, which is one of the pillars of keeping them healthy. Additionally, their newsletter is focused on California and the West Coast, and includes amazing ideas where you can take your dog each season.

Pet First Aid App from the American Red Cross

This app was a new download for me, but I found it recommended in several other blog posts. Once I started investigating its uses, I quickly decided this app is a MUST HAVE for pet parents! It has everything from how to check your pets vitals, to how to find what’s normal for them, to what to do about frostbite, seizures, and even CPR.

5 Dog Health Apps Every Pet Parent Should Know

Photo by Cassiano Pomsas on Unsplash

Pawprint

Pawprint helps you keep track of your pet’s medical records on your phone. Not only does this provide you with an opportunity to show proof of vaccination, but it also has the capability to help you schedule reminders for vaccination updates, and easily share information with your petsitter!

Why is having access to media record information so important? 

Having access to your pet’s medical record is critical for emergency situations. You may think that you won’t have to end up at a veterinary hospital or emergency vet far from your home, but it’s possible, and access to information about your pet’s medical history is imperative. Specifically, their reactions to surgical medications are critical for veterinarians to be able to provide your pet with the best care in an emergency.

Merck Vet Manual

Merck is king when it comes to veterinary information. I have recommended in the past, and will continue to recommend, that pet parents own this book and refer to it whenever they’re curious to learn more about their pet’s health. This app isn’t as digestible because it’s heavy on the veterinary jargon, however, it does provide you with more clinical information in the event you want to learn more about a specific disease, read case studies, or simply use the glossary to better understand your take home instructions from the veterinary hospital.

Keep in mind there are a lot of great apps that go hand-in-hand with tools for your pet, such as CleverPet, Whistle, and PetCube, but for today’s list I wanted to focus on apps that can be used specifically to improve your pet’s health.

So, that’s my list! Are there any other apps you would recommend? Besides apps do you use any other tools to be a champion for your pet’s health?

Are CBDs Good for My Pet?

March 1, 2019

Main photo by: Photo by Sneaky Elbow on Unsplash

It may be the fact that I work in startups, or let’s be honest, that I live in California, but CBD has become a more common term in the general health discussion. So much so, that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Math published research on the Health Effects (and potential benefits) of Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Since I have a tendency to talk to everyone I know about their pet’s health, many pet parents have asked about the efficacy of CBDs. Unfortunately, I stopped working in the veterinary industry right as CBD began gaining popularity, so I am lucky to be able to rely on my good friend and Rooney’s veterinary, Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM for insight on the efficacy of CBDs, and how they play a role in veterinary medicine.

There is a lot of information in this article, so to summarize, this is what we will cover today:

  • What is CBD?
  • Are CBDs safe for pets?
  • Is CBD legal to use for pets in the state of California?
  • Facts versus Myths
  • Can CBDs really help cure cancer?
  • How much research is available to prove that CBDs improve pet health?
  • Are pet parent’s really using CBDs?
  • Which CBD product is right for my pet?
  • How much CBD should I give my pet?

What is CBD?

There are several terms associated with CBD, therefore, it’s important to understand the differences between them:

“First, when I talk about CBDs, to what exactly am I referring? Cannabinoids are chemicals derived from the Cannabis plant (phytocannbinoids). More than 100 unique cannabinoids occur exclusively in Cannabis sativa plants, the most well-known of which is THC. CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol a cannabinoid that is extracted from Cannabis. CBD lacks the psychotropic (hallucinogenic) effects typical of THC.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center 

Its very important that pet parents understand the differences in the plant strains if interested in using CBD for their pet’s health because a blend with too much THC can cause problems for pets who consume the plant. 

If you are concerned that your pet has consumed THC, here are some of the common symptoms to look for according to Pet Poison Helpline:

  • sedation/lethargy
  • dilated pupils or glassed over eyes
  • dazed expression
  • difficulty walking
  • vomiting
  • low or high heart rate
  • vocalization such as whining or crying
  • agitation
  • trouble regulating temperature causing the body temperature to drop or rise
  • incontinence/dribbling urine
  • tremors
  • seizures
  • potential coma

“Signs of toxicity can be seen anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours after the animal is exposed to marijuana. The signs can potentially last 30 minutes to several days depending on the dose ingested.” – Pet Poison Helpline

Are CBDs safe for pets?

“So far, I have not witnessed any lethargy, vomiting or other negative side effects in my patients. Note that in this article we are only talking about CBDs, not THC. I have seen lethargy on patients taking combination products with THC. Also keep in mind that any vitamin, herbal therapy, holistic product or drug can have side effects in any patient.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

Is CBD legal to use for pets in the state of California?

“Now that Former Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that allows veterinarians to talk about this, I am in the clear to share my experiences with you. I recommend the use of CBDs (Cannabidiol) specifically in my Veterinary practice. I have witnessed CBDs improve quality of life in several common medical conditions.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

Are CBDs Good for My Pet?

Photo by Paul Thomas on Unsplash

Facts versus Myths

Now that we have established what exactly CBD is, and that is it legal in the state of California, we now have to decipher the facts from the myths:

“Can Cannabinoids, Hemp or Marijuana help my pet?” If you do a Google search (which I did), one would think that Hemp products can do everything from help with arthritis, protect the heart, and even cure cancer. Are these statements true and if they are, how and when should you administer them to your pet? Are these products safe? How do you separate fact from fiction?

At our practice, Amador Valley Veterinary Center, we use CBDs successfully to treat the following conditions:

  • Pain: Joint pain such as hip arthritis, elbow arthritis, back pain, muscle spasms, pinched discs in the back or neck, and surgical pain. CBDs can be used in combination with traditional pain medications such as NSAIDs and gabapentin without negative interactions. We frequently use CBDs in addition to holistic therapies such as acupuncture, especially in pets that cannot tolerate tradition pain medications. Pet parents report more energy and movement while pets with these conditions take CBDs.  
  • Anxiety: Many types of anxiety from car ride anxiety to noise phobias have been improved on CBDs. CBDs can be used for chronic anxiety with or without traditional medications like Prozac. Results vary from patient to patient, but they always help in some capacity.
  • Cognitive Dysfunction aka Doggy Alzheimer’s: This is a frustrating, under-diagnosed and under-appreciated disease in senior pets. There are not many medications or supplements that help cognitive dysfunction in animals, except for CBDs. I have one of my own pets taking CBDs for confusion, panting, and pacing that used to set in at about 8-10pm.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

Can CBDs really help cure cancer? 

“I cannot say that I have seen CBDs reduce or cure cancer. I have not appreciated that it helps with digestion or stomach disorders. I have never witnessed beneficial effects on the heart. I have a variety of patients that take CBDs for arthritis that also have metabolic diseases such as kidney dysfunction. I have not seen CBDs increase appetite or help with functions of organs. Due to the lack of research so far, there is no evidence that CBDs will or will not help these conditions.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

Are CBDs Good for My Pet?

Photo by sarandy westfall on Unsplash

Are pet parents really using CBDs?

According to a pet parent survey conducted by the Michelson Found Animals Foundation: “Those who have used CBD oil or hemp products with their pets have done so as part of a general health plan (45%), to care for an older pet (45%), for a specific behavioral condition (39%) or for temporary relief such as following surgery or on a flight (39%).”

How much research is available to prove that CBDs improve pet health?

When treatments are new, it can be tempting to jump in and try new things, but it’s always a good idea to understand exactly how much research is available before you decide to add a new “tool” to your pet parent “toolbox”.

“CBDs work on serotonin, opioids, glutamate, gaba amino butyric acid, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (Fine et al 2013) as well as ion channels involved in the transmission of pain. Cannabinoids can also influence neurotransmitters of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems (Niaz et al 2017). Stephanie McGrath, a neurologist and assistant professor at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has completed two clinical studies since 2016 on the effects of cannabidiol in dogs with osteoarthritis or epilepsy.  Dawn Boothe, director of clinical pharmacology at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, is studying cannabidiol as a treatment for epilepsy in dogs and is also developing an assay to measure cannabinoid toxicity and efficacy.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

Which CBD product is right for my pet?

A myriad of companies have approached me about CBD treats and supplements in the last 2 years. In order to really know what’s best for your pet, your best bet is working with your veterinarian, due to lack of consistency and regulation of current products.

“This is a tough question. Much like vitamins, glucosamine and herbal therapies, there is no current CBD product that is FDA approved or monitored. Why is this important? The FDA makes sure that the drug and amount on the label is the exact same amount that is contained in each pill, capsule, liquid or treat. This means that vitamins or CBDs labeled as 3mg capsules could actually have 1 mg or 5 mg. There is no way to verify. Ask your Veterinarian what products have worked for them.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

How much CBD should I give my pet?

“This is another difficult question. There have been no reliable oral absorption studies, so the doses we use are guesses based on experience. An exact dosing is made more difficult by the facts laid out above. It is best to make an appointment with a Veterinarian who has some experience with CBD products for advice.” – Summer Godfrey-Orgain DVM, Amador Valley Veterinary Center

I want to thank Dr. Godfrey for taking the time to share such valuable insight with us. We are curious, have you tried CBD for your pets? I would love to learn more about your experiences in the comments below.

2019 Fitness Goals for Your Dog

January 12, 2019

This post is dedicated to Jack from Leash Your Fitness. Sadly, Jack left this world for the Rainbow bridge recently. He spent so many years with his mom Dawn bringing joy, better health, and inspiration to people and their dogs all over the nation. Jack, you will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. 

 

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#flashbackfriday Jack and I reached great heights together ⛰ #mtelbert #hikingadventures

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As we have all gone about attempting to achieve our newest fitness and health goals for 2019, I bet some of us have already hit some road blocks and could use some grace and understanding as we continue to forge forward toward our inevitably audacious goal.

While it’s almost like clockwork to set fitness goals for ourselves at the beginning of the year, I wanted to ask everyone this year if they added fitness goals for their dog to the list of things they were hoping to move from occasional activities to daily healthy habits.

To spark the discussion, I thought I would outline a few ways that you can workout with your dog in this next month, to determine the right habits and schedule for you.

Hiking

A few years ago (3?!?!) we outlined 5 activities to try with your dog in the New Year and hiking was at the top of the list. I truly love hiking. I find it to be an activity that’s rigorous, outdoors, and reenergizing. Additionally, when we take Rooney with us he is usually reeeaalll tired afterwards and in my mind a tired dog = a happy dog.

If you are in the Bay Area, I outlined my top 4 favorite Bay Area hikes here.

Running

Running with your dog is an activity that is either natural to both of your or requires a lot of training and discipline. When I first started running with Roo it was really challenging. Rooney basically refuses to start running until he has pooped (which could be a solid half mile, or right away), then he definitely felt like the run was depriving him of smells, and lastly decided that anything above 2 miles was too far. After a few weeks of working with him to increase the distance, he didn’t seem to enjoy the longer runs. I honestly think he prefers walks instead.

Therefore, when I do take Roo for a walk I schedule my run either before or after, to ensure that he gets plenty of opportunity to sniff.

2019 Fitness Goals for Your Dog

Walking

It may seem too simple, but it’s one of those activities that is outdoors (meaning it’s great for your mood), and not too lofty of an exercise goal for many dogs and humans to try, even if just for a half a block every day to start with. I highly recommend starting small and setting yourself up for success by picking a time you can meet every day. As someone who has a flexible and ever-changing work schedule and commitments, the times I can walk Rooney are always changing, but I try to be somewhat consistent from week to week.

Tools for Success

Apps

These days there is an app for literally everything, but dog-walking apps can remind you that it’s time for your daily walk and can even help you raise money for your favorite rescue.

Bullet Journal

I am giving Bullet journaling a try this year. I am truly amazed by what the bullet journal community has created in terms of daily/monthly “spreads”, mixed in with beautiful and elaborate designs. Despite the fact that the activity itself might be a little daunting, they have some amazing habit tracker ideas that help you achieve discipline in your lifestyle, which is something I am working on.

My idea is to add health goals for Rooney, mostly maintaining weight and building muscle mass, in the new year to my habit tracker.

Photo Credit: https://wellella.com/bullet-journal/habit-tracker/

I would love to hear from you. Have any of you Bullet journaled before? Would you be interested in learning more?

Accountability Buddy

One of the most well-known ways to ensure that you reach your fitness goals in 2019 is to use an accountability partner/buddy who will make sure that you aren’t skipping out on your workouts and daily habits. Thankfully, with a dog, accountability is built right in. If you can make walking or running with your dog a consistent part of your daily routine, it’s unlikely your dog will let you forget.

We would love to hear in the comments below about your 2019 fitness goals for you and your dog? What tools are you using to  keep you accountable?

Main Photo: Photo by leonides ruvalcabar on Unsplash

Are Christmas Tree Allergies a Thing?

December 7, 2018

I’ll never forget it. One day in December at the veterinary hospital we were treating a Boxer for signs of allergies and atopy. This poor thing was so itchy, and if I remember correctly, also developing an ear infection.

California weather is considered moderate to most, meaning, we see a reduction in the number of patients with seasonal allergies in December. However, our weather isn’t cold enough to eliminate all allergens, so occasionally, we still see pets for symptoms of atopy. I remember the poor pet parent being so confused because we were struggling to figure out the exact cause of this sudden allergy flare up. If my memory serves me correctly, this dog hadn’t suffered from seasonal allergies before. What was even more curious was that in January when she came back for a re-check, she was fine. Ultimately, we determined that the Christmas tree may have been the catalyst that brought about her allergy flare-up.

Are Christmas Tree Allergies a Thing?

This photo was taken at West Elm Palo Alto, where they did an amazing fundraiser and donated $1 to the ASPCA for every photo taken at their stores and posted on social media with hashtag #WestElmxASPCA

Since this was an assumption we made at the time, and there were no symptoms left to treat, I wanted to research and share with all of you, are Christmas Tree allergies even a thing?

Unfortunately, it seems that the cases and rare and the research limited. However, this is what I have been able to uncover thus far:

The specific version of canine allergies that are caused by Christmas trees is referred to as: Christmas Tree Syndrome. While many blogs have documented this syndrome as an issue for dogs when Christmas trees are brought into the home, the evidence and explanation around the syndrome seem to be specific to human medicine.

According to an article written in Balsam Hill:

“Live Christmas trees can cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals who may be sensitive to the mold and dust often found in branches and foliage. The number of mold spores continues to rise once the live tree is placed indoors, making the holidays nearly unbearable for those with particularly sensitive allergies.

Other known causes of Christmas tree allergies are tree sap, pollen, which is scattered in the air during the fall season, and terpenes, a compound that gives pine trees their characteristic scent. Chemicals used at Christmas tree farms may also cause skin and eye irritation.”

In reality, it isn’t the tree itself that is causing the allergy symptoms in many cases, but the mold, dust, sap, pollen, and possible additives from the Christmas tree farms that are causing the irritation for many people and pets.

So the questions still remains, how do you determine if a December allergy flare-up is caused by the Christmas tree?

1) Track the severity of the allergy symptoms in a journal (rating their allergies from 1-10) from the day you bring the Christmas tree in the house.

According to an article published in IQAir:

“During the first three days that the tree was indoors, mold spore counts remained at about 800 spores per cubic meter of air. Starting on the fourth day, however, the spore counts began rising and eventually reached 5,000 spores per cubic meter within two weeks. Counts higher than 700 spores per cubic meter are an indication that mold growth is occurring in an environment.”

Based on the findings above, it’s possible that your pet’s allergies will become severe, not right away, but after the tree has started to grow more spores. Additionally, tracking the allergies through the month of January can be very telling as to the correlation between the Christmas tree, and allergy symptoms.

2) Work with your veterinarian to eliminate other causes of allergy flare-ups.

With any allergy symptoms you don’t want to wait too long to treat, and/or make too many assumptions about the cause. Allergies for pets can be a lifelong battle and the more information you get earlier on, the better. The allergy journal mentioned above will be incredibly useful for your visit to the veterinarian.

Is there anything else I can do to protect my pet?

Fortunately, the answer is yes! IQAir recommends the following to protect both humans and pets from symptoms of Christmas Tree Syndrome:

  1. “Clean and wipe the trunk of your tree thoroughly with water and bleach before you bring it into the house.” I would add that if you wipe down your trunk with bleach be extra diligent that your pet doesn’t drink the water.
  2. “Use a leaf blower to remove as many pollen grains as possible before bringing the tree indoors.”
  3. “Get rid of the tree sooner. Mold spores increase the longer the tree is around. Consider removing the tree from your home the day after Christmas.”
  4. “Consider purchasing a self-cut tree. By cutting your tree yourself you bypass the storage and transportation conditions that promote mold growth.” We are very interested in trying this next year. 
  5. “Use a high-performance room air purifier in the same room as the tree.”

I realize as I am writing this Christmas is over. However, if your pet has been suffering inexplicably from allergies this December, I highly recommend tracking their allergy symptoms through January to determine if the Christmas tree was part of the problem, so that you can prepare for next year.

We hope you had, and are having, an amazing holiday season!

The Lumpy Truth About Canine Lipomas

August 22, 2018

I can’t tell you how many patients I had visit the vet hospital with lipomas. Lipomas are so common in dogs. Yet, many pet parents may be unaware of the commonality, evaluation, treatment, and effects on their pet’s health. So Carol from Fidose of Reality and myself want to discuss them with you in detail!

Lipomas are often identified either by a pet parent or during a pet’s annual exam, during the “lumps and bumps” portion of the physical exam. As mentioned, lipomas are common in dogs. How common you ask? “About 16% of dogs are affected, Middle-aged to geriatric dogs are most predisposed.” (Embrace Pet Insurance). Now that we have established their commonality, are they something pet parents should be concerned about? Let’s find out.

Today, we discuss what defines a lipoma, what causes lipomas, if they need veterinary evaluation, and common treatment plans.

What is a lipoma?

Lipomas are subcutaneous (underneath the skin) masses or tumors that develop commonly in dogs. They are usually soft, with limited mobility under the skin. The overlying skin is usually not affected. – PetMD

While most commonly located under the skin, lipomas can develop in the chest and abdominal cavities (Embrace Pet Insurance). If your veterinarian determines your dog’s lumps are lipomas, you may feel very relieved that they are not cancerous, as you should. However, due to their ability to grow (and they can grow really quickly) lipomas can cause problems with mobility. Additionally, there is a possibility that the lipomas can grow large enough to disturb the natural anatomy of your pet, especially when they growth within the chest and abdominal cavities.

The Lumpy Truth About Canine Lipomas Photo by Sarah Crawford on Unsplash

Photo by Sarah Crawford on Unsplash

It is important to note that while lipomas are benign, they appear similar to liposarcomas.

Liposarcomas are malignant and can spread (metastasize) to the lungs, bone and other organs. These tumors are rare, but are indicative of the importance of examining all subcutaneous masses respectively. – PetMD

What causes a lipoma?

While there are things you can do to prevent lipomas the exact cause is unknown. Many veterinary professionals assume a genetic component is involved since there is a overrepresentation of lipomas in certain dog breeds (Embrace Pet Insurance). Dog breeds most commonly affected by lipomas include; Labrador Retrievers, Weimaraners, and Doberman Pinschers, according to Embrace Pet Insurance.

When working at the veterinary hospital I noticed a trend. Dogs who had significant changes in weight throughout their life seemed to come in with more lipomas. According to Dr. Karen Becker, I may have been on to something:

There is a connection between the number and size of lipomas on a dog, his ability to metabolize fat, and his overall vitality. Dogs with an under-performing metabolism have a greater tendency to develop lumps of fat. –  (Healthy Pets Mercola)

It’s important to note that among dogs, obese adult female dogs are particularly at risk for developing lipomas throughout their life (Embrace Pet Insurance).

The Lump Truth About Canine Lipomas - Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

What can I do to prevent lipomas?

Dr. Becker recommends that in addition to healthy diet and exercise, pet parents should be mindful of their dog’s BMI (Body Mass Index), which in veterinary medicine is often measured as their Body Condition Score. Exercise by virtue of increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, decreases the opportunity for lipomas to form. Along those same lines, Dr. Becker recommends adding canine massage and chiropractic to your dog’s health routine in order to further prevent lipomas from forming (Healthy Pets Mercola).

Do lipomas need veterinary evaluation?

Yes! First of all, you never want to assume that a lump on your dog is a lipoma. It’s very important to have all “lumps and bumps” checked by your veterinarian. Often, veterinarians will keep track of where your pet’s lumps are using a diagram in your pet’s medical record. In addition to keeping track of the location of the “lumps and bumps” on your pet, it’s imperative to keep track of the size, shape, and feel of each. Based on how fast it’s growing and how it is affecting your dog’s overall health, your veterinarian can better assess when a lump or bump needs removal.

What is the treatment plan if my dog has lipomas?

It really depends on a few variables. Firstly, your veterinarian will want to confirm that the lump is indeed a lipoma and not a malignant tumor. Sometimes this is done through a visual exam, often for peace of mind and assurance, your veterinarian will conduct a fine needle aspirate of the lump to determine if it is indeed a lipoma (PetMD). If the lipoma is internal, or infiltrative, your veterinarian will require imaging to determine location and a plan for removal. Often, the lipomas found within the body cavity are most intrusive and your pet may be experiencing clinical signs of discomfort. The good news is, in a 2006 study, all dogs that had the benign tumors (lipomas) removed saw a decrease in clinical signs after surgery.

Once your veterinarian has identified the cell make up and location of your pet’s lipoma, they will assess if the lipoma is impeding your dog’s mobility in any way. Occasionally, your veterinarian will recommend removing the lump(s) if they have grown large enough, and it’s precluding your pet’s quality of life in some way.

Has your dog ever had a lipoma? We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments!

As always, please hop over the Carol’s blog, Fidose of Reality for her mom perspective on Canine Lipomas.

 

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