Your poodle and diabetes

We all know about the killer disease known as diabetes.  In many cases it is manageable but for far too many, it is a deadly disease which claims many lives each and every year.

But, the sad fact is, that many poodles and other dog breeds are at risk just like humans are.  As far as your poodle and diabetes is concerned, it is a disease that is rather common in dogs.  According to the webmd statistics, the most common breeds of dogs that are affected are Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Keeshonden, and Poodles, but all breeds of dogs can get diabetes.

Your poodle and diabetes

Poodles can have diabetes, too

Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas and it is caused when there is an inadequate production of insulin, which is the job of the islet cells.  Insulin is required for the glucose to pass into cells, where it produces energy for the dog's metabolism.  A deficiency in insulin can result in hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar.  It is also the cause of glycosuria, or, high urine sugar.  Too much glucose in the urine is the reason your poodle or dog will urinate excessively and also become dehydrated and drink lots of water.
If you suspect a problem with diabetes in your poodle, take it to your vet for blood testing.  Some of the more severe symptoms of advanced diabetes are loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting and even coma.
One of the worst things you can do for your dog is to let it be overfed or gain too much weight.  A poodle's weight should be around 45 to 70 pounds for standard poodles and around 14 to 17 pounds for a miniature poodle.  Overfeeding can lead to an overweight dog, which is a bad state for a dog to be in.  Overweight and obese dogs are much more at risk for diabetes than if they were in the normal weight range.
From Webmd, this is what they had to say about the treatment of diabetes for your poodle:

Dietary control and daily injections of insulin can regulate most diabetic dogs, allowing them to lead active, healthy lives. Oral hypoglycemic agents used for treating diabetes in people have not been effective in dogs, but research is continuing in this area.

Insulin requirements cannot be predicted solely on the basis of the dog’s weight, because the degree of pancreatic failure is different in every dog. The daily insulin dose must be established for each individual. In the newly diagnosed diabetic, insulin therapy is started at home. After a week of treatment, the dog is brought back to the clinic and a blood glucose curve (a series of blood sugar tests drawn over 12 to 24 hours) is obtained to see when the blood glucose peaks and hits its lows. Refinements are then made in the dosage and timing of the injections. How to prepare and inject the insulin will be explained to you by your veterinarian. You may be asked to monitor urine glucose levels by collecting urine samples and using a test strip (a small piece of paper that indicates the glucose levels in urine).

Read from the original article here

When it comes to your poodle and diabetes, diet and nutrition is key, as well as proper food intake.  Too much food and too many treats are not going to be very good for your poodle's health in the long run.
Keep this advice in mind and please share this with others so they can know the dangers of diabetes in poodles as well.

Singing and piano playing poodle - A Video

Here's something you just don't see every day, which is a singing and piano playing poodle in action.  I think my poodle will need some lessons to get this down.  Is it a trained poodle doing tricks or just having fun with music? 
  
It's really funny to watch this poodle sing and play, not just hit a couple keys.  Maybe he is doing ear training for poodles.  Watch and enjoy this video of this cute and talented poodle that plays piano and sings.   It is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Singing and piano playing poodle

 

Please be sure to LIKE and share this one and let your friends enjoy this video too!

TV show writer punched his poodle to death

A disturbing and sad story has made the news that a TV show writer punched his poodle to death.  Ted Shuttleworth, a former writer for the TV series NYPD, was arrested on Saturday in Queens, NY.  He apparently got upset with his tiny poodle and punched it in the face.

It makes me ill to think he hit a tiny dog like this toy poodle

TV show writer punched his poodle to death

The poor little poodle died from brain trauma.  The dog was only around four pounds and it really makes me ill to think about it.  This is a pretty clear case of vicious animal abuse.  A 230 pound man hitting a four pound dog and killing it sounds to me like the murder of an innocent defenseless poodle.
Maybe the felony provision under NY state law code (section 353-A) should have been enforced.  This is what it states:

A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty. For purposes of this section, “aggravated cruelty” shall mean conduct which: (i) is intended to cause extreme physical pain; or (ii) is done or carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.
Above from http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/AGM/26/353-a

The news headlines about the TV show writer who punched his poodle to death is now all over the internet and has many of us poodle and dog owners upset of the incident.  I think Mr Shuttleworth should be given a long rest behind bars and given some time to think about what he did to that poor animal.
What are your thoughts?  Do you have an opinion on this story?  We would like to hear what you have to say.
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Do Poodles Really Have A Soul?

Have you ever considered the question Do Poodles Really Have A Soul? I have thought a great deal about this as far as my animal companions are concerned and I, for one, am absolutely sure that my cats and my poodle have souls. There is a lot of debate among various religious, scientific and philosophical communities about this but I am convinced that we humans do not have a monopoly on having a soul.

Our poodle Lucy has a soul for sure.

Do poodles really have a soul?

I can tell you that I have never heard of a kitten abusing a human or a puppy leaving a person tied to a tree and left to be hungry, dehydrated and dying from a leash that was too tight around it's neck. So, if humans have souls and are capable of such cruelty and abuse, it's only logical to conclude that animals must have souls since they are so much more gentle and compassionate than humans. Of course, there is brutality in the animal kingdom, but it's mainly for survival and animals kill for food and not for more money, property or profits, like we do.

Aside from the philosophical debate, there are many people in the field of Animal Communication or inter-species communication, like the pioneer Penelope Smith, who has worked with animals for decades. Her books are both fascinating to read and are extremely educational on the subject of the soul journey of animals and how they think and feel about us. Animal communicator Val Heart explains how animals can read us intuitively like we would read a book. They pick up on exactly what is going on with us and reflect back to us with a wide range of emotions like stress, grief, empathy and compassion. From her website, she has the following to say about the way our poodles and pets mirror us.

It's also possible that your pets are acting out. In which case, you should know that sometimes YOU are your pet’s biggest problem! Your animal partners are in many ways your best friends, the beings who know and love you better than anyone else. Unfortunately, they also mirror (reflect and sponge up) your issues and woundings, reflecting your pain and anger, sponging your grief, sadness and dis-ease. When they get sick or act out with behavior that is inappropriate and even life threatening, they are asking for help, telling us that the load they are carrying for us is more than they can bear.

Read more from the original article here 

If you are still asking does your poodle have a soul, I think it is ultimately up to your own heart to guide you to the answer that is true for you. Like most of us poodle and pet owners, we think of ourselves as caretakers and companions to our animals, pooches, poodles, pups, kittens, birds and such. My babies are my four-legged children and my family members and soul mates. They are not pets, but animal companions.

I will end with a wonderful quote from author Robert Louis Stevenson who says it best this way: "You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us." Robert Louis Stevenson

If you are looking for a great book about the soul of animals and dogs look no further. Pick up a copy of one of the best books found anywhere written by Penelope Smith called "Animals In Spirit". You can get it through our Amazon link below.

Why do poodles unconditional love us

Have you ever wondered why do poodles unconditional love us?  What is it about poodles and dogs that gives them the capacity for such unconditional love and affection, each and every day, without question.  It is truly something special that our animal companions offer to us happily.

I can leave the house for 20 minutes or an hour and come back and get the same excited and warm greeting all over again.  Our poodles and dogs give us so much in return.  Whenever we call their name or look right into their eyes, the spark of love begins to fill the room and I can just feel the connection between my wonderful little poodle and myself strengthen.

The unconditional love our poodles have for us is inspiring

Why do poodles unconditional love us

Naturally, no two poodles or two dogs are alike.  Sometimes people will adopt a stray or a shelter animal as a pet and it is not as social or friendly towards everyone the same way.  Some dogs require a little more than others but in general, dogs have an extraordinary capacity to show unconditional love for their companions than practically any human being can.

Dogs also show unconditional love when we get upset with them. They might put their head down and realize what they did was wrong. They might then come up to you and lick your face or give you their paw to show you that they are extremely sorry for what they have done. Maybe your dog is lying in your favorite chair or sitting area that you would like to sit in. You ask him or her to move and your dog obediently does what you want them to. They move to another resting area without any complaint whatsoever.
We might call their name and our dog comes running up to us, wagging his or her tail wildly. They are showing us how much they care and how happy they are that you are giving them some kind of attention.
Sometimes we might just dismiss or take for granted the unconditional love that our dog shows us constantly. We should always be aware of it and show how much we do appreciate it because one day our dog might not be there waiting for us at the door because God has decided to take him or her. You do not want to have any regrets so take the time out to show your dog the unconditional love that he or she has shown you.
Read the entire article here

Poodles and dogs of all breeds also are our protectors and warn us of intruders and people who come up to our door before they even knock or ring the bell.  I have read many real stories of dogs who have been truly life savers and heroes, warning people of a fire in the middle of the night and saving entire households and families who might have been killed in their sleep.
There are also stories of bravery far beyond the imagination such as the dog who took a bullet by getting in between a would-be robber and it's human companion and owner.  Many times, a dog will happily risk it's life to save the life of it's owner or friend.  The loyalty and deep love our pooches have for us is truly miraculous.
There was a story in 2008 of a poodle-mix who saved a baby's life that it had found left in the frigid cold in Canada.  The story about Peeka, the Lhasa Apso-Poodle appeared in goodnewsblog.

Peeka, a five-year-old Lhasa Apso poodle, began to whine and bark incessantly at the back door of the family home on the morning of Feb. 3, 2007. Peeka would not let up until owner Ed Anderson decided to look outside and see whether there was a reason for the animal’s outburst.
There on the back porch, in the –29 C weather, Anderson spotted a sleeping infant girl, wrapped in a towel and a comforter.
Anderson called police while his wife, a registered nurse, cared for the baby.
See the original story here

Stories like this and many more come to mind when we think of how selfless and compassionate our poodles and our canine companions can be.

We humans may never fully understand why do poodles unconditional love us in the way that they do, but we are certainly aware of the wonderful gift that love is in our lives. 

Please share this post with others who might also feel strongly about the unconditional love our dogs have for us.

Here is a DVD that I am sure will melt your heart and it is all about the unconditional love dogs shower us with.  It is available through our Amazon link here.

Protecting your poodle from ticks and fleas

The more time that your poodle or dog spends outdoors, the more likely it is that it will be exposed to fleas and ticks.  That is why it is so important you take steps towards protecting your poodle from ticks and fleas.

Ticks are particularly dangerous since their saliva contains pathogens and diseases that could be extremely bad for a dogs health, such as lyme disease, which can cause serious problems.

If your poodle has been bitten by a tick, bring it to your vet right away

Protecting your poodle from ticks and fleas

There are products you can use on your pet for protection such as frontline, which is one of the most well known of these products.  The drawback is that it contains powerful neurotoxins which many people do not like to use because of the toxicity of this formula.  There are some natural products and home remedies or concoctions that will do the job just about as effectively.  You can also choose to get a flea and tick collar, which is a little better than applying the frontline directly to your dog's coat and skin.

I have read that adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to your poodle's or dog's water dish will help greatly as a natural flea and tick repellant.  Others suggest adding some of the B-complex vitamins to your pet's water to help reduce the risk of getting bitten by parasites.
Essential oils can be used very effectively to prevent and repel ticks and fleas as well.  Here are some of the ones that are recommended by some experts.
You can use any of them or combine a few together.  The ones that are most often used are citronella, cedar, lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosewood, thyme, oregano, juniper, myrrh and geranium oils.
If your dog is bitten by a tick, it is pretty easily removed if you do it properly.  Try to get into the habit of inspecting your pooch regularly for ticks and if you do daily brushing or grooming, just look your pup over thoroughly to see if there are any unwanted guests.

Here are the suggested steps to safely remove a tick from your dog from vetmedicine.about.com.

• Use latex exam gloves to examine your pet for ticks. Examine using good lighting.
• Check your pet daily for ticks by thoroughly feeling for any lumps under the hair. Pay close attention to ears, around face, eyes, legs, and belly.
• Ticks will range in size from the size of a sesame seed to the size of a fingernail (engorged).
• When is tick is found embedded in the skin, use a fine pointed tweezers at the point of attachment, and grasp the tick head firmly. Remember to wear latex gloves when doing this.
• Using slow, steady, and firm traction, pull the tick straight out from the skin.
• It is critical to NOT squeeze the tick body at any time -- this can inject more potential pathogens in to you or your pet while the tick is embedded.
• Cleanse the skin with mild soap and water.
• If a small part of the tick breaks off, you can try to remove it as you would a splinter, but it is probably best to leave it alone. The body will 'eject' it in time.
• Place the tick in a jar of alcohol, noting the date, in case of future illness. Tick identification and location of tick infestation will be important.

The original article may be found here.

Take a look at the video below on the proper way to remove a tick from the body of your dog.  You can use a tick remover or a pair of tweezers.  Do it carefully and be sure to remove the tick straight out without squeezing the body.  This will only inject more pathogens into the dogs bloodstream.  Using latex gloves is recommended, so you do not come into direct contact with the tick.

Treating your poodle for a bee sting

If your poodle happens to be stung by an insect like a wasp or a bee, here are some tips as to  treating your poodle for a bee sting.  Naturally, you will probably want to call your vet, but in the immediate time frame,  here are some of the things that can help.  The good news is, that in most cases, bee stings are not that harmful, and are only fatal in extreme cases, which are pretty rare.

With the summer weather here and the insects are out in greater numbers, there is always the possibility of your poodle or dog getting stung by a wasp or a bee.  This has already happened to our miniature poodle, Lucy this year.  Fortunately for her, her reaction to the sting was relatively minor, although she did suffer some trauma.

Poodles and all dogs, in general, are playful and curious creatures.  Lucy actually likes to follow the bees and she just seems to want to play with them in an innocent way.  Naturally, we are always on the watch for bees and keep a very close eye on her when we are outside in the back yard or on our walks.  If we see her go near a bee, we just pull her back and away from it.

Does this poodle want to play with the bee that is flying around in the grass?

Treating your poodle for a bee sting

Sometimes we just can't be there every time and now and then a bee will sting your poodle or dog.  The usual places they get stung are on the body, or face or ears.  Occasionally, as sting inside the mouth will happen, which are the most dangerous to the health of your dog.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe.  In extreme cases, death can occur, but this is rare.  Some of the signs of being bitten by a stinging insect are trembling and weakness, which can resemble a seizure.  Diarrhea, vomiting and possibly going completely limp can also be a dog's reaction to being stung by a bee.
If you find the stinger still in your poodle's body, carefully remove it with a flat object like a credit card.  Don't try to use a tweezer to remove it as it could break and cause exposure to even more venom.  You can put a little baking soda and water on the area that is stung, if it is swollen.  Even a small cold pack will help ease the swelling to a bump.
The best thing to do is to take your dog to the vet, where it can be examined and the veterinarian will make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment for the sting.  Our vet, who is a holistic veterinarian, suggested using something called Rescue Remedy.  It is an homeopathic remedy, sometimes known as "calming essence" as well.  We gave it to our poodle every hour that day and she was fine within several hours.
From dog-health-today, here is what they said about the possibility of the use of Benadryl, which a lot of people have asked about using for bee stings.

Benadryl (Diphengydramine), a medicine used to treat allergies in people, is often used by veterinarians in treating bee stings in dogs. If a dog is showing signs of an allergic reaction, an injectable form of Benadryl is often used by the vet because it will act faster than the oral form. The vet will often prescribe a follow-up dose or two of oral Benadryl once the dog is home.
Benadryl is usually dosed at 1 mg per 1 lb. of body weight. One Benadryl tablet is 25 mg. It is a good idea to keep Benadryl in your doggie first aid kit. It is an important aid in treating bee stings in dogs.
Depending on the severity of a dog's allergic reaction, your vet may use additional supportive measures, such as an injection of Dexamethasone, a synthetic form of prednesone, a steroid. Dexamathasone provides a potent anti-inflammatory therapeutic action.
A dog in anaphylactic shock will receive respiratory and cardiovascular support. Fluids will be aggressively administered to counter low blood pressure. If the dog is having trouble breathing, a breathing tube will be placed in his throat or a surgical incision may be made directly into the dog's trachea. Oxygen will be administered if needed.An antibiotic may be administered to prevent the development of secondary bacterial infections.
A dog recovering from anaphylactic shock needs to have his conditioned monitored at a pet hospital for up to 48 hours prior to being released.

Original story found here

Treating your poodle for a bee sting may not require the use of Benadryl.  It all depends on the severity of the reaction and your veterinarian's diagnosis of the situation.  Using a cold compress, or putting some baking soda and water on the area that was stung is good for the meantime, but get your poodle or dog to the vet quickly to be sure there is nothing else needed as far as treatment is concerned.