CUSHINGS DISEASE IN DOGS

This past year two of my friends' dogs' were diagnosed with Cushing's disease. Sadly, one friend lost her dog to the disease after just a few months. My other friend is working to manage Cushing's disease in her dog, helping her dog get through it while maintaining as much quality of life for him as possible. Cushing's Disease in dogs isn't an automatic death sentence, there are treatments available. However, it's not that simple and there doesn't appear to be an actual "cure". 

Treatment options depend on which type of Cushing's disease a dog has. Treatment for Cushing's in most cases relies on providing dogs with medication to control the symptoms of the disease, rather than providing an actual cure.

Watching my friends go through the anguish of Cushing's disease with their dogs really rattled me. Both friends' dogs' were senior dogs and my Husky, Icy, is 13 years old. So at Icy's next Veterinary visit I asked about Cushing's and expressed my concern about it.

My precious dog Icy. I always worry about her health!

Our Vet explained what Cushing's disease was, and that there are two main different types of Cushing's disease that dogs get. She discussed the symptoms of Cushing's disease in dogs. She also informed me that it typically effects middle aged and senior dogs.

At my request, our Veterinarian did a full blood panel on Icy. I was relieved when she reported back several days later, that nothing in Icy's bloodwork indicated she might have Cushing's. Whew! When it comes to my girl Icy, I am a serious worry-wart! I take no chances when it comes to her health. 

I've learned a lot about Cushing's disease in dogs, and I want to share that information with you here. So let's jump in.

What Is Cushing's Disease In Dogs?

Cushing's disease in dogs, also known as Hyperadrenocorticism, is due to the overproduction of the cortisol hormone, which is produced by the adrenal glands. There are two types of Cushing's disease in dogs.

Two Main Types of Cushing's Disease Effect Dogs

There are two main types of Cushing's disease in dogs.  Pituitary-Dependent Cushing's disease and Adrenal-Dependent Cushing's disease. 

Pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease 

Occurs when there is a tumor in the dog's pituitary gland, a pea sized gland at the base of the brain. The tumor causes a dog's body to produce excess amounts of Cortisol. Medication can be prescribed to inhibit the production of cortisol.

Adrenal-dependent Cushing's disease 

Is caused by a tumor on one of the dog's adrenal glands, that causes the dog's body to produce excess amounts of Cortisol. In the case of Adrenal-dependent Cushing's disease you can surgically remove the tumor on the affected adrenal gland, but if the tumor has spread this surgery may not be feasible for your dog. If surgery can't be performed, medication to control the symptoms may be the best treatment option for the dog.

It is possible to remove the adrenal tumor if the Cushing's disease is adrenal-dependent and the tumor hasn't spread. However, it may not cure the disease. But it can usually extend the dog's life by a year or more. The surgery is complex and there are risks. Some dog owners, together with their Veterinarian, choose to treat with medication instead.

Symptoms of Cushing's Disease in Dogs

The below symptoms may mean that your dog is suffering from Cushing's disease:

Symptoms of Cushing's Disease in Dogs

If you see these typical Cushing's symptoms in your dog, contact your Veterinarian right away and bring your dog in for an exam.

How is Cushing's Disease diagnosed in dogs?

To provide a diagnosis of Cushing's disease in your dog, your Vet will likely start with the following:

> Bloodwork

> Urinalysis to measure amounts of Cortisol in the urine

> Abdominal Ultrasound to see if adrenal gland enlargement or any tumors are present


Cushing's disease is something that will stay keenly on my radar. I'll watch carefully for any of the potential symptoms of Cushing's in my dog.

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You can find more detailed information about Cushing's disease in dogs on PetMd's web site 

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BENEFITS AND COST OF MICROCHIPPING A DOG

Although it is estimated that more than half of dogs in the U.S. have been microchipped, there are still many people who wonder whether or not they should microchip their dog. Microchipping your dog is a permanent way to identify your dog as belonging to you, and is one of the best ways for your dog to be returned to you if they get lost.  As an animal shelter volunteer for 8 years, I can attest to the importance and success of microchipping dogs (and cats!) In this post I'll share the benefits and cost of microchipping a dog, and why I feel so strongly about dogs being microchipped.

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Why Microchip Dogs?

Should You Microchip Your Dog? 

In my opinion, the statistics in the above graphic alone should make any dog owner want to run and get their dog microchipped!  

When I was volunteering at the animal shelter, it was always so heart-wrenching when a sweet, adorable dog arrived with no identification. Collars and tags can break off, and frightened dogs can suddenly become little Houdini's, wriggling out of collars or harnesses!  In addition, a dog's ID tags and collars can be inadvertently removed by someone, or become worn out and unreadable over time.

If there isn't a tag with updated (readable) contact information associated with him, the dog is scanned for a microchip at the shelter. If there are no tags and no microchip on the dog, there is no way to identify the owner. Shelter staff have to hope an owner makes their way to the shelter on their own in search of their missing dog.

It's a heartbreak when you can't identify a dog's owner, and a joy when you can. Once a dog ends up at a shelter, there are only a few short days before the dog is put up for adoption if the owner isn't found.  Would you want to take that risk with your furbaby? I know I wouldn't.  All my dogs and cats have been microchipped and wear ID tags. Pets should have both!

What Is Microchipping A Dog? 

Microchipping a dog entails a Veterinarian or other qualified pet health individual inserting a tiny chip, about the size of a grain of rice underneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades.  A microchip for dogs is a permanent way to identify and link your dog to you. Having your dog microchipped could mean the difference between your lost (or even stolen) dog being returned to you, or ending up as someone else's pet.  

How Do Microchips Work In Dogs? 

The microchip, a tiny chip the size of a grain of rice, is permanently inserted into your pet using a syringe, placed just under their skin. Each chip has a unique identification number that links your pet to the information you provide at the time you register your dog's chip with the microchip manufacturer, or other pet microchip registration.

Microchipping dogs is a simple procedure requiring No anesthesia or incision. It can be done during a routine Veterinary visit in just a few minutes. It's as quick & easy as getting vaccinated.

Microchipping permanently links your dog to you

Loose skin between the shoulder blades is pulled up, and a needle is inserted. The applicator trigger is squeezed, injecting the microchip into the tissue. This procedure doesn't cause your dog pain or discomfort, they won't even know it's there! Microchips are non-toxic, so your dog shouldn't experience any allergic reaction once the chip is implanted.

Keeping your dog's profile up to date with your current contact information is critical. When a veterinarian or shelter finds a lost or missing dog, they can use a scanner to read their chip. They can then contact the microchip company's recovery service informing them that they have located a lost pet that has one of their chip's implanted. The chip company will then contact the dog owner and facilitate reuniting them with their dog.

Can Microchipped Dogs Be Tracked? 

No, a microchip isn't a tracking device or GPS. Microchips use Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology enabling the chip to be scanned, using a microchip reader. The microchip stores the chip manufacturer's contact information and information that enables that dog owner to be identified and notified by the chip's recovery team.  A microchip by itself can't figure out your dog's location if they get lost. Someone needs to locate your dog, have him scanned for a microchip, and read the contact information stored on the microchip, which leads to the dog's safe return.

How long does a microchip last in a dog?

A microchip should last the life of your dog, whether you have them microchipped as a puppy or an adult dog. 

People often ask, What is the best age to microchip a dog?  A dog can be microchipped at virtually any age, from a puppy (about 8 weeks old) to a senior dog. No matter when you have your dog microchipped, the important thing is to have it done! It's never too late to get dogs microchipped - as long as your dog's Veterinarian doesn't think your particular dog has any medical reason why your dog shouldn't be chipped.  I've never heard of that happening, but you should always check with your Veterinarian whenever you make changes that concern your dog.

How Can I Find Out Where To Microchip Dogs Near Me? 

You can have your dog microchipped in a variety of places. Your Veterinarian is the first logical place to contact. You can also contact your community's animal shelters and see if any of them offer pet microchipping services at a lower cost.  Several retail pet supply stores offer both vaccinations and microchipping for pets. 

Your puppy or dog may already have a microchip. Many puppy breeders, animal shelters and rescues have begun microchipping their puppies and dogs, or offering it as a service. It's very important to note that although a chip has been implanted in the dog you're bringing home, you are usually responsible for contacting the microchip company's pet registry and providing them with your contact information. Don't skip this step! A microchip is useless without your contact information attached to it.

You can also use a separate microchip registry service. You may want to do this if, for example, the microchip company charges a registration fee you don't wish to pay. Search online for free pet microchip registries, but beware of scam sites! Make sure they are legitimate. I heard from one rescue group that freepetchipregistry.com is a legitimate free pet microchip registry.

How Much Does It Cost To Microchip A Dog? 

The price of microchipping dogs can range depending on where you have it done. From what I've seen, most Veterinarians will charge anywhere from $25 to $75.  Some pet supply retailers, such as Petco, have Veterinary clinics and offer this service at select store locations as well. However, your pet usually needs to be a patient of theirs.  The Petco near us charges $55 to microchip a dog, and the dog must be a patient of theirs and the dog must also have a Vet exam at the same time, so the cost of the microchip visit is considerably higher! PetSmart offers microchipping as well through their in-store Banfield Veterinary clinics, but I don't have pricing information for them.

How To Find Low Cost Microchipping For Dogs and Cats 

There are a number of places you should be able to find low cost microchipping for your dog.  I have seen these range from about $15 to $25.  In my area of South Florida one animal rescue organization charges $25, and one in the next county charges $20.  I searched and found that Los Angeles Animal Services Centers in California charges about $15. They sometimes offer free microchipping as a special event. You can search online for "low cost microchipping in [your county, town, or city name]".

Free microchipping events may not be given year round, but many areas offer free microchips for pets at various times throughout the year.  Try searching online for "free microchipping clinics near me" or "free microchipping in [your county, town, or city name].  You may find one or more free microchipping events happening in your area.  

Here's a YouTube video that demonstrates a dog receiving a microchip at a veterinary office.  You can see how quick and easy it is to microchip a dog!


NOTE: It is illegal for anyone other than a pet's owner to request that a microchip be removed from a pet. If a dog's owner changes, the new owner information needs to be updated with the microchip company with whom the chip is registered. It's important to always keep your contact information updated with the microchip recovery service (or whichever pet recovery service you have registered the chip with).

I hope this information helps explain why it's important to have your dog or cat microchipped, and gives folks some useful pet microchipping facts. If your dog isn't already microchipped, I hope you will consider it. Don't risk losing your precious dog because you can't be reliably linked together!

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HOW TO FIND A LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC FOR DOGS

Dog owners often ask, How much does it cost to get dogs fixed? The answer isn't so simple. The cost to spay or neuter a dog (or cat) varies widely depending on your geographical area, where you choose to have your dog spayed or neutered, and how readily available low cost spay and neuter services are in your area. Where and how to find a low cost spay and neuter clinic for dogs in your area isn't difficult. It just takes a little effort and research on your part. For me, it was so worth it!

You may have read my earlier post on adopting my dog Jessie in October 2023 from a less than ethical rescue organization. Their adoption fee of $600 wasn't made very clear in their online listing, so the fee was more than I expected. We also ended up having to get her spayed ourselves. Our Veterinarian estimated $1,000 or so to have my dog spayed. That was just too much money, especially after paying the $600 adoption fee. I decided to look for a low cost spay and neuter clinic near me. 

My dog Jessie, shortly after we adopted her

Finding Low Cost Spay and Neuter For Dogs

Fortunately, I was able to find much less costly spay/neuter services for my dog at Peggy Adams, a wonderful and very reputable nearby animal rescue here in South Florida. My dog's spay surgery only cost $150! I saved a whopping $850 by using their low cost spay/neuter clinic. That is quite a savings, wouldn't you say?! The staff at Peggy Adams was terrific, and they did a great job with Jessie's spay. I would recommend Peggy Adams to anyone in the Palm Beach County, Florida area.

How I Found A Lower Spay Cost for My Dog

To find organizations that offer low cost spay and neuter near me, I turned to my local county's animal control web site. They have a page that lists nearby animal shelter, animal rescue, and Veterinary clinics that offer low cost spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats.  

If you are looking for lower cost spay/neuter services for your pet, look online for your county's local animal control facility or municipal animal shelter, or your area's general community services offered to residents. One of those places should have, or be able to direct you to, a listing of local spay and neuter clinics in your area. Some Veterinarians even participate in offering lower cost spay/neuter services. After reading a comment on this post from my friend Terri at Tail Wag Wisdom, I will add that you can also check with your local ASPCA or Humane Society. They would surely know about low cost, sometimes even free, spay/neuter clinics in your area. What a great idea, thanks Terri!

If you can't find the information there, call your own Veterinarian and ask where you can find low cost spay and neuter services for your pet. Don't feel bad about asking your Vet's office where you can go to find cheaper spay/neuter services! They know it's expensive and sometimes beyond peoples' budgets. They're Veterinary professionals, and good Veterinarians are dedicated to preventing unwanted litters. They will likely let you know where you can find lower cost spay and neuter clinics in your area. 

When I called my Veterinarian's office, the receptionist was so kind and understanding about my dismay over what the cost of spaying my dog would be. She totally understood my desire to reduce the cost of spaying my dog.

Once you find a couple of facilities that offer low cost spay and neuter services, contact several of them to see which one offers the best prices and services. Even with low cost spay and neuter clinics, the prices can really vary! 

Here's a snapshot from my county animal control's listing of places in the county that offer low cost spay and neuter services:

A partial screen print of my county's listing of low cost spay/neuter clinics

In my county, 8 animal shelter and animal rescue organizations that provide low cost spay/neuter services were listed. I called 3 on the list and the prices varied, from $150 to about $400. I was happy to see that the animal shelter closest to me actually had the lowest cost! That shocked me because it's a really nice animal shelter! It's actually one of the nicest and most popular animal shelters in the area. I also really liked their process for low cost spay/neuter services. It was a very streamlined process that was done same day. I dropped my dog off in the morning and was able to pick her up just before 5pm. 

The staff in their clinic was so nice and treated everyone respectfully, both people and pets. This shelter has a lot of generous supporters in the community and I think that's why they're able to offer such an excellent and affordable spay/neuter program. 

I feel fortunate to have been able to save a significant amount of money on my dog's spay, and for the process to have gone so well. My dog was treated great, and the surgery went beautifully! I was really impressed.

What questions to ask when choosing a low cost spay/neuter clinic?

Once you find low cost spay/neuter services near you, select the one that works best for you and your dog. Consider the cost, and their process and procedures, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

➤ The first question will of course be about price. Find out what the total cost will be, including the Spay/Neuter surgery and whether or not the cost of any post surgery medications, if needed, is included in the fee. Spaying and neutering dogs usually costs more than spay/neuter for cats. Many places also charge less for smaller dogs than larger dogs.

➤ Where is the facility that will perform the spay/neuter procedure located? Is it in the same location as the shelter or rescue you're calling, or are spay/neuter services performed in a different location? See how far it will be from your home to ensure distance isn't an issue for you.

➤ Find out how to register your pet for spay or neuter surgery, or if it's a walk-in service where no reservations are given. Registering in advance likely enables you to drop off your pet to have it done, whereas walk-in services could require you and your dog to wait around for much of the day. 

Many low cost spay/neuter clinics are busy, so start the process early. Leave plenty of time to schedule yours if you can schedule in advance. I had to schedule Jessie's spay a few weeks out because they were so booked up, but I was later lucky enough to be able to bump it up due to a cancellation.

Peggy Adams, where Jessie got her spay/neuter surgery, ran like clockwork! The entire process was simple and streamlined. I was able to register my dog for her spay surgery via an online calendar. Their available dates and times were broken out into small and large dogs. They spayed and neutered the small dogs on the same day. Larger dogs were spayed/neutered on a different day of the week. 

The $150 cost of my dog's spay covered everything needed for the procedure. I was advised that she shouldn't run or be too active for several days following the surgery, but other than that she was good to go!

➤ Find out what information you'll need to provide to the facility. They will likely want to know basic information such as gender, age, weight, where you purchased/adopted or found your dog, your Veterinarian's name and phone number as well as vaccination information, especially rabies. If your dog takes medication or has any known health issues they'll need that information.

Most communities offer these affordable options for spaying and neutering dogs and cats. Local governments have a vested interest in limiting unwanted puppy litters, unwanted cat litters, and feral cats breeding rampantly in the streets. It's a part of public welfare, animal welfare, and even public safety. If you're searching for lower cost spay/neuter services in your community, there should definitely be options available to you. You just need to look for them!

Have you ever used a low cost spay or neuter services in your community? Tell us about it in the comments and share your experience.

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7 OF THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS FOR DOGS

In this article, I'd like to share 7 of the Best New Products for dogs I found at the Global Pet Expo conference in Orlando Fl, March 2023. Global Pet Expo is one of the largest trade shows for the pet industry in North America. 

Global Pet Expo is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Global Pet Expo is where pet industry companies showcase their products to retailers, distributors, and other members of the trade, as well as members of the media. 

As a Content Creator and Influencer in the pet space, I attended the event as a member of the media. I attended this exciting pet industry trade show to find the best dog toys, dog treats, innovative and interesting dog accessories, and other dog products to share with you!

After scouring the Global Pet Expo show floor, here are 7 of my favorite new and interesting products for dogs that were featured at the show!

PETSAFE 3 in 1 travel harness for dogs. 

We've used the PetSafe Easy Walk no-pull dog harness for many years, for our Siberian Husky dog. We can't live without it! 

PetSafe is one of my favorite brands, and since we travel a lot with our dogs I was really excited about this product! The PetSafe's 3 in 1 dog harness is a versatile harness for dogs that can be used as a standard harness, a no-pull harness, and a car safety restraint for dogs. The 3 in 1 dog harness allows me to walk my dog, and keep her safe while riding in the car by attaching the harness to my car's seatbelt. 

Whether you're taking a short ride to the park or Veterinarian, or taking a lengthy road trip with your dog, it's a great everyday harness that can transition to a dog travel safety accessory for the car! In this video, my Husky Icy demonstrates how to use the 3 in 1 dog harness.

Wellness® Supplements for Dogs

I've trusted WellnessPet products for years. My dogs are wild for their WHIMZEES dental chews, and I like several varieties of their dry and wet dog food.  I was delighted to learn that Wellness has introduced a wonderful line of supplements for dogs to help support a dog's overall health and well being! A variety of tasty supplement chews support dog health benefits in 5 different areas; Digestion, Hip and Joint support, Calming, Immune system support, and healthy Skin and Coat support. I can't wait to try them for my dogs!

Wellness supplements are currently available online from PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon. They'll also be available in pet supply stores soon. 

ANIMAL BINOME

AnimalBiome is a biotech company offering an innovative pet health solution. Their DoggyBiome and KittyBiome test kits help get to the root of a pet's gut health problems. They  use microbiome technology to assess and restore gut health in dogs and cats. Imbalances in a pet’s gut microbiome are tied to an increased risk of many health issues, including those related to digestion, skin, and body weight. 

AnimalBiome’s microbiome tests provide actionable insights that empower pet parents to restore balance to the microbiomes of sick dogs or cats. AnimalBiome’s unique supplements restore key groups of beneficial bacteria that can be lost as a result of parasitic infections and antibiotic exposure. This company's pet health technology generated so much excitement at Global Pet Expo!

ARTIE is the first countertop appliance that brings artisan-inspired and perfectly portioned pet meals that are gently cooked and ready to serve in under 3 minutes, at the touch of a button.  

The Arizona-based startup won the prestigious 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina at Global Pet Expo! Watch the video on their web site to see exactly how ARTIE works   The ARTIE product will be launching Summer 2023!

Rubie's costumes for pets

Rubie's is a company we know well. They have a huge store in New York, where we used to live. Every Halloween it was so much fun to see what giant sized characters and costumes were displayed on their massive front lawn!  I was excited to see that they have an enormous line of pet costumes available. 

I got to see an array of their beautiful, quality costumes for dogs, at the show. They have some costumes for large/XL dogs as well, and costumes for cats too!  On their website, you'll find all of Rubies pet costumes from collections like Disney, Paw Patrol, Nickelodeon, Hello Kitty, Marvel, DC Comics, Christmas costumes, and more. They have so many adorable dog costumes!  

Should I dress Icy up as Minnie Mouse, or one of the Hocus Pocus characters this Halloween - What do you think? Jessie could probably wear the Jason costume from Friday the 13th, 'cause she's a bit evil LOL!! 

Alaska Puppy Love

As many of you already know, Icy loves Salmon! I was happy to come across Alaska Puppy Love's salmon dog treats at the show. I really enjoyed talking with these guys, learning about the product and their process. 

What I think is unique about this company is that they own the entire product process, end to end. They fish for the salmon in Alaska, process, and package it in-house. There is no middle man throughout the process until distribution.

Alaska Puppy Love salmon treats for dogs

It was no surprise that Icy loved these salmon treat samples! Their healthy whole salmon skins are currently sold at Costco stores. Here's a video of Icy sampling these yummy Salmon treats.

LickiMat® 

I had heard a lot about LickiMat, an enrichment tool that can help slow down dogs that eat too fast, can provide calming to dogs, and more. I really wanted one for my dogs, especially Jessie who is pretty hyper and also tends to wolf her food down at lightening speed! I received a few LickiMats to try and I think it's a great product. 

LickiMats for Dogs

They have so many varieties of LickiMats, providing dogs with benefits like; slow down eating, provide a calming activity, relieving boredom, use as a training tool, or just a Fun activity! LickiMat has Slow feeder and enrichment products for both dogs and cats. As you can see from this video, Icy certainly enjoyed it!

People love their dogs and other pets like family. The pet industry has been growing by leaps and bounds the last decade or so, and there is no sign of that growth slowing down. I'd like to share some interesting statistics about the pet industry I learned at Global Pet Expo.

In 2023 the APPA National Pet Owners Survey showed that there are about 65.1 million Dogs and 46.5 million cats in U.S households. The majority of pets are owned by Millennials, followed by Gen X-ers, and then Baby Boomers.

In 2022 $136.8 Billion was spent on pets and pet supplies in the U.S. In 2023 that number is expected to top $146 Billion! 

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Here's the breakdown of 2022 pet expenditures

Breakdown (Actual)
                                        
Pet Food & Treats                                                         $58.1 billion 
Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine                      $31.5 billion
Vet Care & Product Sales                                             $35.9 billion
Other Services*                                                             $11.4 billion  

Total                                                                $136.8 billion  

*Other Services include boarding, grooming, insurance, training, pet sitting and walking and all services outside of veterinary care

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Mom does a nice presentation, but we're just waiting for her to bring us back some yummy treats from the conference!

Which of these great new pet products would you like to try for your dog or cat? Tell us in the comments!

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