Ask the Veterinatian About Coprophagia

by Julie Buzby, DVM 

courtesy Dayland via Flickr.com
Looking Guilty

Dear Dr. Buzby,

How do we get our pups to stop eating their own, or other dogs, poop?

Thanks, Lori,

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Hello Lori,

You recently queried on AllThingsDogBlog about how to stop coprophagia in dogs.  Great question, but I recommend not reading my answer while eating a meal.  Coprophagia literally means “to eat feces”.  This activity, like dogs rolling on a dead carcass, is something we humans cannot appreciate.  Yet it is a very rewarding behavior for our canine companions.

For-Bid™ is probably the product most commonly recommended by veterinarians for this issue.  It’s been around for years, and is fed to dogs for 5-6 consecutive days, then as needed.  For-Bid™ is basically wheat gluten and monosodium glutamate (MSG).  MSG is the active ingredient because it is broken down in digestion to make the stool taste yucky.  Reviews are mixed on how well the product works, but I’m leary about prescribing wheat gluten and/or sodium glutamate to my patients. 

Several over-the-counter products are also available, some with more “gentle” ingredients (such as digestive enzymes and probiotics), but they also garner mixed reviews for efficacy. Then there’s the list of home remedies, such as feeding meat tenderizer or pineapple, used for their enzymatic properties in digestion. 

I need to point out that in a multidog household, if you are giving an oral product to address this problem, the product needs to be given to all dogs, not just the dog who ingests feces, so that all the accessible excrement is altered.

Unfortunately, in my experience, there is no magic bullet for coprophagia (though sometimes one of the above products or tactics will work for an individual).

The most reliable way to address this behavior requires diligent, hygienic management of the dog’s environment and access to stool.  This means:

•   strict supervision when the dog is outdoors

•   immediate picking up of the feces to remove the temptation

•   teaching the “leave it” command

•   as a last resort, using a basket muzzle to prevent ingestion

It is important to note that this behavior is not only a problem from the standpoint of the “gross factor”, but is also a possible route of transmission of internal parasites and bacteria.

Please talk to your veterinarian about your concerns.  Though coprophagia is usually just a behavioral habit, it can be associated with a dietary problem or even an underlying medical issue.

Dr. Julie Buzby is a homeschooling mom of seven, American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certified holistic veterinarian, and passionate advocate for canine mobility.In her free time she serves on the Advisory Board for The Grey Muzzle Organization. She can be found at Twitter @DrBuzby and on Facebook.com/ToeGrips. You'll also find more of Dr. Julie's posts at our Ask the Vet Archives page.

Here are a few of her articles that may be of interest:

• Our Vet's Best Advice on Nutrition
• Skin Rashes
• Ask the Vet: Fido's Dental Care
• Ask the Vet About Giardia
• Doggie Nailcare and Posture

Dr. Julie's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.

Ask the Vet About Giardia

by Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM

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Help Avoid Giardia with Fresh Water
at the Dog Park

Dear Dr. Julie,

Could you please cover Giardia-what it is, what it does, and all the ways a dog can get it.  I recently learned from my vet that animal droppings have runoff and eating their droppings can cause this illness.  Please fill us in.

Dee

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Dear Dee,

Giardia is a microscopic parasite known as a protozoa, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs, cats, and people. 

The organism has two life stages—the tough “cyst” form for transmission outside the body, and the active “trophozoite” form which thrives in the small intestines.

Dogs contract the protozoa by swallowing the cysts which have been shed in the feces of other infected canines.  The cysts may be found in contaminated water, soil, and even on a pet’s fur.

After being ingested and passing into the intestines, the cysts change into the “trophozoite” or feeding form and attach to the wall of the dog’s intestine.  Eventually this can produce symptoms, namely foul-smelling diarrhea which may contain blood or mucus, because of damage to the wall of the intestine.  However many infected animals never show symptoms.  An infected dog will eventually pass cysts in his stool, which continues the life cycle when another dog consumes those cysts.

Diagnosis is often made based on clinical signs, but can be confirmed by special fecal examinations under a microscope or through a newer SNAP test on the stool which checks for Giardia cell proteins.

Treatment is usually fairly straightforward with prescription medications.

One up side to the harsh winter many of us endured is that alternate freezing and thawing cycles will kill Giardia cysts in the environment.

Your question eluded to the transmission of Giardia to dogs from wild animals, and the good news is that Giardia is fairly “species specific”, meaning that generally cats don’t get Giardia from dogs, and vice versa.  So the droppings of fox, coyote, and feral dogs would be my main concern for transmission.

As a final note, feces (and urine) from a variety of animals, ranging from deer to raccoons, can contain internal parasites, bacteria, and protozoa which could cause your dog to become ill.  Certainly your vet’s advice to do your best to prevent your dog from coming in contact with animal droppings is wise!

Dr. Julie Buzby is a homeschooling mom of seven, American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certified holistic veterinarian, and passionate advocate for canine mobility.In her free time she serves on the Advisory Board for The Grey Muzzle Organization. She can be found at Twitter @DrBuzby and on Facebook.com/ToeGrips. You'll also find more of Dr. Julie's posts at our Ask the Vet Archives page.

Here are a few of her articles that may be of interest:

• 10 Tips for Fido's Longest Life
• Leaner Pets Live Longer
• Finicky Eaters
• Our Vet's Best Advice on Nutrition

Dr. Julie's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.

Dr. Julie Addresses Pet Chiropractic Care

by Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM

Time for an Adjustment for Fido? Read on...

Prior to beginning my training for certification through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) in 1998, my only experience with chiropractic was from a distance.  For many summers, I’d worked as an assistant for a veterinarian who treated equine athletes.  I heard countless stories of horses performing and feeling better after their adjustments.  Often I’d hold the end of the lead rope while my boss did his work, watching his patients’ reaction to treatments—lowering their head, licking and chewing.  I vowed that as soon as I finished veterinary school and was eligible, I would add chiropractic training to my “toolbox” to treat my patients.

I kept my promise, but less than halfway through the course, I had become discouraged.  Chiropractic was so foreign to what we’d learned in vet school, I was seriously contemplating giving up.  Savannah, a young paralyzed rabbit, changed the course of my career.  She had kicked out her hind legs during a procedure at the veterinary clinic where I worked and had been instantly paralyzed in the hind end.  We’d treated her medically for several weeks with little improvement.  After finishing a pertinent training module, I asked her owner to bring Savannah in for me to palpate her spine.  Immediately after I adjusted her back, we set her down on the floor and she hopped away.  Needless to say, I didn’t quit my training! 

While limited formal research is available on the efficacy of animal chiropractic, and

Dr. Julie at Work

there are plenty of naysayers, having practiced this modality for 16 years, I am positive that it can help dogs in ways that Western medicine cannot.  Don’t get me wrong—I still embrace my veterinary training and combine a traditional medical approach with alternative medicine in my practice, but Western medicine evolved for crisis intervention.  Chiropractic seeks to prevent “dis-ease” and restore balance, to avoid the crisis.

Because chiropractic impacts the nervous system, which affects every cell in the body, chiropractic has the potential to be helpful for a variety of musculoskeletal and internal maladies.  But I find chiropractic care most beneficial in the treatment of neck and back pain, certain lamenesses, injuries, and sudden behavioral changes that can be linked to pain.

Depending on conformation, age, and symptoms, I see patients at intervals that vary from weeks to months.  I strongly recommend finding an AVCA-certified doctor in your area if you wish to learn more about this type of care for your dog.

I included routine chiropractic adjustments in my list of ten ways to help your dog live his longest, healthiest life.  (Carrie—maybe link to article there?)  In order to achieve that goal, we must work in the realm of preventing dysfunction and not reacting to it.  Chiropractic adjustments free the nervous system of interference so the body can do what God created it to do—heal itself!

Dr. Julie Buzby is a homeschooling mom of seven, American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certified holistic veterinarian, and passionate advocate for canine mobility.In her free time she serves on the Advisory Board for The Grey Muzzle Organization. She can be found at Twitter @DrBuzby and on Facebook.com/ToeGrips. You'll also find more of Dr. Julie's posts at our Ask the Vet Archives page.

Dr. Julie's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.

101 Essential Dog Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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That sounds like a tough title to deliver on, right? No worries; I've got it covered! I'm reviewing a book that is a must read for anyone who is not mega experienced in caring for a dog.  Whether you're just getting your first pup, or have had dozens, there's still something to be learned in this exceptionally to-the-point, book about the basics. Wow; was there a lot I didn't know.

Reviewing the Table of Contents tells all. Each chapter has a title that is a dead giveaway for proactive content. I like that! I am one of those insanely prepared people. Yes, I was a Girl Scout. The bottom line is you'll learn how to prevent common dog issues and how to be prepared for emergencies with this book. Again, a must read!

I especially love that the author, Dr. Jason Nicholas, included a section on prevention of toxicities (I'm all about avoiding chemicals, in case you didn't already know that) and even tackled some of the simple, yet extremely important tips you'll wish you had read years ago. This is where his experience really shines. As I share a few of the highlights that may or may not be surprises to you, stay with me. At the end of this post, I'll share my top two picks for great new information.

Here are some of my favorite finds in this excellent guide for all dog owners:

• Household items that must always be kept out of reach or secured for your dog's safety: batteries, magnets, gifts, cat litter, trash cans, compost piles, fishing gear, dirty laundry, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers, and an extremely obvious one--dirty diapers. 
• Prevent a number of potential traumas with these proactive activities: leave dogs inside while doing yard work, fence in your pool and drown-proof your dog (teach him how to get out!), pay attention to your dog at the dog park, steer clear of sticks as a toy or fetch item, place power cords securely behind furniture or other barriers, use reflective vests or lights when walking Fido at night, take care around dangerous objects that move without Fido's understanding (escalators, paper shredders, rockers and recliners, don't allow your pack to "work it out on their own"--prevention is key, don't allow heads outside the car window, check fitted items as your pup grows, and let a groomer remove mats from fur safely with trimmers.
• Prevent toxicities with these tips. Keep well out of reach: plastic bags of all kinds, purses, diaper bags, backpacks, medications, plant bulbs, gum, antifreeze, poisonous foods for dogs, home and garden pest poisons, houseplants, poisonous outdoor plants such as Sago palms, and local wildlife dangers. Supervise cooking and countertop foods carefully.
• Prevent diseases and illnesses and recognize the signs. Follow your Veterinarian's preventive care advice including grooming, ear and mouth care.  Watch for changes in your dog's habits and interests. Don't be that person who leaves a dog in a car on a warm day. Heat stroke kills.
• Prevent multiple problems with these tips: Fence your yard, provide a truly pet-safe area inside, keep your dog indoors when fireworks are anticipated, supervise young children and babies with your dog, prevent bolting, make time for walks, training and play, emphasize puppy socialization to reduce many behavioral issues down the road, secure your guests' rooms when they are away, and train seriously use leashes on all walks.
• Prevent emergencies: keep a pet first aid kit at home and in your car, keep pet E.R. and poison control numbers in your phone, consider health insurance to help manage healthcare costs, educate yourself on pet first aid, travel with a copy of your pet's vaccine record and most current rabies shot, and don't induce vomiting until you have talked to poison control or a veterinarian.

That was a mouthful, huh? Well, now it's time for the academy's choices on the top two tips. You probably know that I'm a staunch advocate of crate training. There are a million reasons that a crate could save your dog's life, not just as a puppy, but all the way to the end. Dr. Nicholas pointed out an excellent safety tip for crate use, as well as for dogs who live where decks are present. Read on...

Because of the small openings between deck boards and crate wiring, small openings can sometimes catch items and trap a dog. For this reason, your dog should not be left in these areas while wearing choke chains, pinch collars, or dangling ID tags. Consider ID tags that lie flat against your dog's collar for better safety and comfort.

And my second choice for an outstanding tip is #67: "Be aware of Salmon Poisoning Disease." I'll admit it. I have never hear of this. Dr. Nicholas indicates it is exclusive to the Pacific Northwest, so I'm vindicated being a Florida native. But I'm headed that way soon enough on a trip with dogs in tow, so that's a topic I plan to read up on now that I know it is potentially deadly. 

Join me? After you've read the details of some of my highlights above in a copy of 101 Essential Tips, let's all do our homework to assure our dogs don't turn up with any of these surprising problems. I've already Googled this disease and learned that this disease only strikes dogs. Other animals and humans are not susceptible. Check this out and pat yourself on the back for learning one more thing to help your dog stay healthy and happy.

The sad news about Salmon poisoning is that 90% of infected dogs that go untreated will die within about 14 days. This is just one of the amazing and life-saving tips you'll learn about in this terrific book. Please read it cover to cover. You and your dog will benefit greatly.

Dr. Jason Nicholas, BVetMed, is the founder of The PreventiveVet.com, a site where you can learn more to prevent, be aware and be prepared. You'll find lots of free downloads there, so visit and enjoy. You'll also find Jason on Twitter and Facebook. 

I was provided with a review copy of 101 Essential Tips by Dr. Jason Nicholas. He did not compensate me for the review and the opinions included herein are completely my own.

Dr. Julie Talks Exercise for Your Dog

by Dr. Julie Buzby

Exercise is Good for All

It’s been the coldest winter in 100 years in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, my home.  This has curbed much of our family’s normal outdoor activity, including long walks for our dog.  I bought him his first coat, but he’s as eager as we are to get back inside on these bitter days.  Consequently, I’ve noticed a subtle change in his muscle tone and his behavior tending toward neurotic.  I know it’s because he’s not expending enough energy on our walks!

Exercise is essential for the wellbeing of our dogs.  Physical activity helps our pets maintain a healthy body weight and muscle mass, reduces their risk of certain diseases, and is vital to psychologic wellbeing. 

Exercise Enhances Bonding

We’re in the middle of a series of articles on helping your dog live a long, healthy life.  Exercise may be a reasonable substitute for the Fountain Of Youth!  A 2012 study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute found that exercise had a stronger correlation to life expectancy than body weight.  Further, whether a person was of normal body weight, overweight, or obese, increased physical activity added years of life.  Though more physical activity generally corresponded to a longer life expectancy, even modest amount of exercises were proven to pay dividends in health and longevity.

Although this research was done in humans, it should encourage us to stop making excuses and provide opportunities for our pets to move!   An exercise program should be tailored specifically to your dog, taking into account breed, age, physical condition and health status, as well as your own lifestyle. 

Start slow and slowly work up to higher levels of activity as exercise tolerance improves.  Unless your dog has medical restrictions, he should be able to tolerate 20 minute leash walks at least 5 days a week, working up to one hour walks.  Other options for activity include swimming, retrieval play, jogging, and biking.  Beware of “weekend warrior” activity, which commonly leads to unfit dogs overdoing it and suffering injuries.

I’m a huge believer in the old adage “Use it or lose it.”  Be inspired knowing that wherever you and your dog are on the fitness spectrum, you’re likely to extend your lives together through exercise.  A consistent exercise plan will positively impact your dog’s quality and quantity of life!  In fact, as research has shown, it’s good for both ends of the leash!

Dr. Julie Buzby is a homeschooling mom of seven, American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certified holistic veterinarian, and passionate advocate for canine mobility.In her free time she serves on the Advisory Board for The Grey Muzzle Organization. She can be found at Twitter @DrBuzby and on Facebook.com/ToeGrips. You'll also find more of Dr. Julie's posts at our Ask the Vet Archives page.

Here are a few of her articles that may be of interest:

• 10 Tips for Fido's Longest Life
• Leaner Pets Live Longer
• Finicky Eaters
• Our Vet's Best Advice on Nutrition

Dr. Julie's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.

Ask the Vet: Bones as Fido's Dental Care

by Dr. Julie Buzby

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courtesy Photonquantique via Flickr.com
A Little Help Please

Dear Dr. Julie:

Thank you for the wonderful tips. Do you have any thoughts on the use of raw beef marrow bones for dental health. I'd like to hear the pros and cons. Also, which of the products such as Greenies would you recommend?

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Dear All Things Dog Blog readers: 

It’s great that you’ve framed the question as an evaluation of pros and cons, because both must be considered.  In the pros column, chewing is a rewarding activity for many dogs, and can indeed be beneficial for the teeth and gums.  In the cons column, chewed items can cause fractured teeth, pose choke or obstruction hazards, flare up food allergies, and supply unwelcome calories to a dog’s diet.

Bones, particularly with meat still attached, can help clean teeth.  That has been my personal observation, and was demonstrated by at least one scientific study.  But, overall, I have to give “beef marrow bones” a thumbs down.  Even though my patients who chew on bones often have pearly whites, in my opinion, the risks outweigh the benefits. 

Bones are notorious for cracking the crowns off the big upper 4th premolar (or carnassial) teeth in dogs.  If you lift your dog’s upper lip, you can identify this tooth on each side, because it looks like a miniature upside down mountain range, and is the biggest tooth in the mouth.  The only way to address these fractured teeth is with a major dental procedure under anesthesia—generally extraction.  Left alone, a fractured crown is an abscess waiting to happen and is very painful. 

Bones can also cause esophageal or intestinal obstruction, perforation, and constipation.

Similar to bones are antler chews.  I have a personal vendetta against antlers.  They seem to be very popular lately as “natural” chew toys, and I bought into the propaganda.  My own young dog, with immaculate healthy teeth, cracked the tips off of five of his premolars in a matter of hours gnawing on an antler.  They are absolutely just too hard.

One of my colleagues says that chewing on bones and antlers is like playing in traffic.  You may get away with it for a while, but eventually something bad will happen.

Water additive:  My recommendation for dogs is Healthymouth™.  It is recommended and sold by numerous board certified veterinary dentists and has been proven successful in many clinical trials.  This anti-plaque product contains no alcohol or xylitol, and has seven seals of approval from the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

Greenies:  Though don’t stand up very long to tough chewing, Greenies can be a fun treat for dogs and are proven to help reduce plaque and tartar.  They have also been awarded the VOHC Seal of Approval.  For a pet on a weight loss program, beware that that they do contribute calories.

As a general rule, rubber chew toys are considered safe, but I recommend using all chew toy products under “adult supervision”. 

As a final note, it’s important to understand that these items may be helpful for plaque and tartar control, but are not able to treat dental disease.  Rather, they are part of a comprehensive oral healthcare program that should include daily teeth brushing and regular professional examinations.

Dr. Julie Buzby is a homeschooling mom of seven, American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certified holistic veterinarian, and passionate advocate for canine mobility.In her free time she serves on the Advisory Board for The Grey Muzzle Organization. She can be found at Twitter @DrBuzby and on Facebook.com/ToeGrips. You'll also find more of Dr. Julie's posts at our Ask the Vet Archives page.

Here are a few of her articles that may be of interest:

• 10 Tips for Fido's Longest Life
• Leaner Pets Live Longer
• Finicky Eaters
• Tweaking Your Dog's Vaccinations
• Insight on Friendship Changes

Dr. Julie's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.