Introduction
Hey dog enthusiasts, happy Monday! Last time we posted to this blog was at the request of one of our clients asking for some tips and tricks on how to deal with the snowy and icy weather that we have here in New England when bringing our pups out. Following along with this theme we took another two requests and decided to roll them into one informative post that's all about reducing stinky farts, gland cleaning, and digestive health, yuck! While this is a topic no one wants to think about, it is a reality we must help manage for our furry friends! I hope you find this information to be pertinent and useful, but remember to always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes that would impact your pet's health or well being. Enjoy!
(DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a veterinarian and this information was compiled from past knowledge and sources found on the internet for your consideration)
(Blu aka Mr. Stinky)
See A Vet!
Some digestive issues can be extremely serious and lead to long lasting negative effects on your dog's health. The best thing to do if your dog appears to have loose stool, or diarrhea, that lasts for more than a couple days, is to bring them into their veterinarian for some exploratory testing. Frequent loose stool means that your dog could not be getting the necessary nutrients needed to fuel their daily activities and if your dog is too skinny or has trouble gaining/keeping on weight, they may have a harmful parasite or medical issue. Normal stool tests do not test for all parasites, so if needed, you should also request a blood test, which is more comprehensive and will check your dog's pancreatic and digestive functioning. Doing a blood test is extremely informative and can reveal issues such as EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) that you may have otherwise missed. EPI is the inability to produce sufficient pancreatic enzymes to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, which can lead to severely underweight dogs no matter how much you feed them or change their diet. Having this knowledge could help you get your dog back on the path to a healthy life and why it is paramount to always see a vet first!
Bolting
Have you ever had a dog that had crazy eating habits? Do they get incredibly worked up whenever you touch their food container or grab their bowl? Do they have hard time waiting for you to put their food down? Do they gobble it up at a lightning pace once they can get to it? If this is the case, then you and your dog could suffer some consequences from their eating habits. This habit is known as "bolting" and it is the term that is used when a dog or pet eats their food too quickly. Bolting is quite common among dogs, as they are competitive eaters by nature, and it can be a tough habit to break without help from some products on the market, like this food bowl. These oddly shaped food bowls are designed specifically to slow down your dog when eating. By doing so, your dog will not be ingesting as much air, vomit as frequently or potentially choke on their food. Eating too fast can cause GDV (gastric dilation volvulus) or 'bloat' which is a serious medical condition that can result in death, even if you bring your dog to an emergency pet hospital. GDV is caused by the build up of gases by blockages in the stomach and can in turn result in the twisting of the dogs stomach. This twisting then blocks the entrance and exit from the dog's stomach to the rest of the intestinal system. This is not extremely common but it is serious, and is entirely preventable, so measures should be taken to stop this behavior if you notice that your dog consistently gulps down their kibble!
Bolting doesn't always result in your dog's death, thank God! Most of the time it just ends up as extra gas, which is a smelly inconvenience to you and your guests or can cause an upset tummy for your puppy. One visible indicator of too much gas in more severe cases, is that your dog may have a distended belly. Bolting can also be a good indicator that your dog may become food aggressive around other dogs and you should make sure to keep an eye on them when eating around unfamiliar animals. Never reach for a bowl of a food aggressive dog while they are eating as this could turn into a trip to the ER for stitches! Instead you should consult a trainer for tips on curbing food aggression!
Anal Gland Issues and Solutions
This is a topic that is not meant for the dinner table, but it is an important subject in regards to your pet's well being and comfortability. So first off, what are anal glands? Anal glands or Anal sacs are glands that are located in many mammals near the anus. In dogs these anal glands are primarily responsible for creating secretions that help to mark territory, but can also be secreted when particularly anxious or frightened. These secretions are natural and should not be a cause for alarm. Typically the secretions are yellow to brown in color and can be thin and watery in consistency, but could also be gritty and pasty depending upon your dog's health. Anal gland secretions smell very bad and are incredibly pungent. In the event of a serious blockage or anal gland issue, you may even notice small spots on your carpet or couch after your pet has had a seat.
Sometimes these glands can become blocked and a buildup of fluids occurs. When this happens your dog can become uncomfortable and their butts may become itchy. This will lead to your pet spending more attention licking their rears, scooting their butts on the ground or even having trouble defecating and these are a good indication that they may have anal sacculitis. There are varying degrees of severity to anal sacculitis, ranging from mild discomfort to potential abscesses or fevers. Anal gland impaction is when there is a blockage leading from the gland to the opening of the anus and typically is caused by a swollen sac that is not painful. Anal gland infection is more serious and typically results in pain, fever and visible swelling. Anal gland impaction and infection are common in dogs and you should always be watching your dog's behavior for these symptoms.
To take care of any of your pet's discomfort I recommend taking your dog in to the veterinarian to check for any glands that may need to be manually expressed. Dogs that have regular issues with their glands may need to go in once every several weeks to few months to deal with this, while other dogs may never need this. It all depends on your pup and their needs! It is also recommended that you increase your dogs fiber intake in order to help combat this issue! In the very worst recurring cases, there is a procedure to remove the glands, but this should be a last case scenario as there can be serious complications.
Probiotics and Gut Health
For dogs, just like humans, gastrointestinal health can be closely linked to the amount of healthy gut flora in their stomachs. If a pet has recently been on antibiotics or if they are frequently sick, consider getting your dog a digestive supplement like this one! These enzymes will also help your dog digest their food and can help dogs absorb more nutrients from their food. If your dog likes to eat poop (gross!) I recommend getting one of these supplements with enzymes to help cut down on their desire to ingest feces. A healthy gut will also produce more regular, solid poops that are easier to pick up and don't smell as bad! You can also ask your veterinarian about Fortiflora, as this can only be prescribed by them.
Pro Tip: You can mix some plain yogurt to their food to help them get some healthy probiotics, but be careful not to give them too much, too fast!
The Right Food
Finding the right food for your dog can be tricky, especially with all the options that there are today on the market. This can be overwhelming and you may give in to just picking up a bag with catchy branding or advertising, but picking the right food for your dog can have lasting health benefits or implications on their lives. This is also the most likely culprit for your pet's gassiness. This is why making sure your pet has the right food for them is so important!
When picking a dog food, know that it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to fully transition, so give it time unless you know it absolutely will not work for your pet (scratching their skin raw, throwing up or bad diarrhea, or spits it out and won't eat it). Also, it may seem logical to try to avoid some of the name brands or more affordable options, but this is not always the best plan of action. Many people have had good luck with their dogs who have testy stomachs using these options, just make sure that you are looking for a product that says it is for sensitive skin and stomach! Some of the more expensive brands have strange ingredients or could make your dog's sensitive stomach even more reactive. Always try to keep a journal of your dog's pooping habits, gaseousness and itching tendencies when switching them slowly from one product to another. Make spreadsheets to track which foods they have tried and which ones these seem to react negatively to and try to change as few ingredients as possible at a time. Do not try to switch brands and flavors at the same time. This will help you narrow down where any issues may be arising! As always, you should limit the amount of "human" food that you give to your pup to make sure you are not giving them anything that may be harmful and to reduce begging behavior during your meals! Foods that are high in fat or contain lactose are at the top of the list for gas producers and you should do your best to avoid feeding your dog these items!
Charcoal Bones and Biscuits
Some people have had success with charcoal treats or biscuits in reducing or eliminating their pets excess flatulence and are a good option to try! The charcoal is good for soaking up intestinal gasses and can help with issues like indigestion, bloating and gassiness.
That’s It!
Just remember to always watch the ground for spoiled food or non-edible items your dog may try to eat on your walks and thanks again for reading! I hope that you found this guide helpful and as always if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me!
Contact us @:
Email: Kevincatir@mydot.dog Phone: 207-252-9851 Instagram: @mydotdog Website: www.mydot.dog
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