Keep Austin Dog Friendly

Through Responsible Dog Ownership.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

How to Treat Hot Spots and Check out Dublin Dog

The weather is warming up, and coat blowing season is here.  For those owners with double coated dogs, get ready to be completely covered with hair.  In addition to hair, this also seems to be the season when dogs get the dreaded hot spots.  If you don't have a strong stomach, don't click the following links for photos of hot spots. 


bullet Photo 1
bullet Photo 2
bullet Photo 3

Hot spots are essentially lesions on the skin that can be caused or started by a number of things.  Licking or gnawing on the area tends to exacerbate the problem turning a small itchy spot into a full blown hot spot.  Common areas for hot spots include the neck, under the ears, and around the base of the tail.  


bulletFlea bite dermatitis
bulletBug Bite
bulletItching due to allergies
bulletWet or damp coat after a swim or bath
bulletLicking a spot due to boredom
bulletUnder matted coat during coat blowing season

There are many methods of treating a hot spot described online, and I don't particular endorse any one of those. However, in my experience, less is more for hot spots.  Like any damage to the skin, the dog will heal itself.  I personally keep the area on my dog dry and clean.  I will sometimes apply the spaniel ear cleaner solution to the area and fan dry.  I'll check the area to make sure that it isn't infected once a day, and that's about it.  Many vets will typically recommend that you shave the area, treat it with topical ointment, put the dogs on antibiotics, and make it wear an e-collar.  While that might be the treatment for very severe or large hot spot, most dogs won't need such extensive care. 

Other home remedies for hot spots I've found (I haven't tried them or recommend them): 



bulletCrush an aspirin and coat the hot spot with it.
bulletUse topical hydrocortisone cream on the spot.
bulletUse spray anti-itch on the area.
bulletTreat it with tea tree oil.
bulletDust with Gold Bond Medicated Powder

Some ways to prevent hot spots are: 


bulletKeep your dogs dry and clean.  Make sure to thoroughly dry your dog after baths and swim.
bulletBlow dry under your dog's ears if they have dropped ears like a Golden or Basset Hound.  Damp skin can get raw and itchy.
bulletIf your dog has seasonal allergies, see your vet for treatment options.  Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream are common treatments.
bulletIf your dog has an insect bite, make sure to keep the area dry and treat with anti-itch spray or cream.
bulletUse a non-stinky collar when your dog goes swimming.  Dublin Dog makes very cute, easy to clean, easy to dry collar that can help prevent hot spots around the neck. Dublin Dog collars are made out of recycled plastic, and they come in a wide variety of colors and designs. 
 
Check out photos of @mousethedog and @beezthedog in their Dublin collars! Photos by John M. P. Knox. Collars courtesy of Dublin Dog.



Monday, May 10, 2010

Parvo Awareness Week and Doga!

Here's some upcoming activities and information for keeping your dog healthy mentally and physically. 

Parvo Awareness Week | May 10-16 |$5 Vaccinations
Austin, TX - May  5, 2010 - Emancipet and Animal Trustees of Austin are banding together to help protect your puppy and dog from the deadly Parvo Virus.  During the week of May 10-16, both organizations are offering the Parvo vaccination (DHPP) for just $5. No appointment necessary.
Parvo typically attacks the intestinal tract and can be carried between dogs on clothes, hands, and shoes.  Symptoms can arise quickly and treatment often requires expensive hospitalization.  The best way to prevent the spread of this virus is to vaccinate your puppy or dog today.   
For more information on clinic hours visit www.emancipet.org/wellness or visit www.animaltrustees.org
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DO YOU DOGA WITH YOUR DOG?

            AUSTIN (May 5, 2010)— Blue Moon Doga
                      (www.bluemoondoga.com), has hit Austin!

Doga has hit Austin!  For those of you that do not know what Doga is; it is yoga for dogs and their owners.  Blue Moon Doga is the first of its kind in Houston, and is now expanding to Austin!  Blue Moon Doga is different from other doga programs.  It incorporates the principles of basic yoga positions, positive training methods, nutrition, and conditioning for the mind, body, and spirit of your dog.  Blue Moon Doga was created by Marilyn Swick, using the founding principles that she has utilized for over 30 years working and competing with horses and dogs at the highest levels.  She has incorporated basic yoga poses for the dog and the owner, which result in a high quality bonding session for you and your dog.  Any size or age dog and any size or age human can do Doga.

You and your dogi will learn basic yoga poses and can progress individually based upon you and your dog’s abilities.  You can learn privately or in a group setting.  Marilyn likes to teach outside to incorporate nature into the doga sessions.

Nutrition is very important so that your dogi can function at the highest and healthiest levels.  Conditioning your dog will include a tailor-made program that fits your life-style and your dogi’s age and physical abilities.

Zoey, our head dogi is available for fund-raisers, DOGA demonstrations!  Look for her BlueMoonDoga book out this summer for paw-signings.  For more information see www.bluemoondoga.com.  DOGA and become one with your dogi!

Blue Moon Doga will be exclusively offered in Austin at Southpaws Playschool at 2324 B South Lamar Blvd.  Please call Sonya Wilson at 512.440.7529 for more information or visit her website at www.southpawsplayschool.com

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Lee Mannix - Austin's Own Dog Whisperer

It is with great sorrow that I write that Austin has lost a great member of the canine community.  Lee Mannix was tragically killed in a car accident on Sunday, May 2nd.  The Statesman's report is located here.

Aside from dog training, Lee Mannix was known for his great generosity and work that he contributed to rescue groups in the central Texas area.  While I haven't taken any classes at the Lee Mannix Training Center, it isn't difficult to find someone who has taken Lee's classes.  After Hurricane Katrina, when many dogs were displaced, Lee's facility took in Ruska for training.  Let's just say that Ruska had some behavioral issues, but she was adopted to a wonderful owner. 

That owner brought Ruska to my drafting classes, and well, this photo says it all.

Ruska went from disaster dog with behavioral issues that would have landed her life behind bars or worse to a dog that was the life of the parade.  She won 3rd place with her cart in a parade in Lampasas in 2007.  Ruska is just one of many examples of Lee's ability and generosity to the Austin canine community.  Lee Mannix was also one of the early supporters of Keep Austin Dog Friendly

Remember him fondly by holding your puppies tight and training them well.  While Lee may no longer here, his lessons live on in the people and dogs he touched.  Training never ends, and neither will Lee's teachings.