 |
|
NEW In This Issue!
|
Issue #0018 - Published by L. Neilson
KKI is absolutely committed to teaching what is believed to be the “Truth” about canines and their behavior. KKI will always put the well being of the dog first and foremost, even in the face of adversity.
|
 Hi, I'm Acara! I am a fun-loving, outgoing entrepreneur who loves animals, nutrition, sports, and the great outdoors. I grew up around animals my entire life and it has provided me with years of experience of caring for animals, training, and getting to understand their unique ways. All while developing my love and passion for the all mighty dog.
I currently reside in south east Calgary and enjoy working part time at Dogsville, raising my own Mexican rescue pup, and of course caring for the dogs currently registered with See Spot Run.
Expanding my company and furthering my knowledge in the "dog world" keeps me on my toes, and allows me to better my services to the K9 species, and their faithful owners. I have recently acquired my Pet 1st Aid certificate which has been a great attribute to the high quality of care See Spot Run provides to its doggy clients. I treat each and every dog with respect and love as if it were my own for the simple reason that I vow to be the best Dog walker Calgary has to offer!
See Spot Run Dogwalking 403-796-6173 | acarakada@yahoo.ca
There are many injuries and physical disorders that represent life-threatening emergencies. There is only one condition so drastic that it overshadows them all in terms of rapidity of consequences and effort in emergency treatment. This is the gastric dilatation and volvulus - the bloat.
What is it and Why is it so Serious?
The normal stomach sits high in the abdomen and contains a small amount of gas, some mucus, and any food being digested. It undergoes a normal rhythm of contraction, receiving food from the esophagus above, grinding the food, and meting the ground food out to the small intestine at its other end. Normally this proceeds uneventfully except for the occasional burp.
In the bloated stomach, gas and/or food stretches the stomach many times its normal size, causing tremendous abdominal pain. For reasons we do not fully understand, this grossly distended stomach has a tendency to rotate, thus twisting off not only its own blood supply but the only exit routes for the gas inside. Not only is this condition extremely painful but it is also rapidly life-threatening. A dog with a bloated, twisted stomach (more scientifically called gastric dilatation and volvulus) will die in pain in a matter of hours unless drastic steps are taken.
What are the Risk Factors for Developing Bloat?
Classically, this condition affects dog breeds that are said to be deep chested, meaning the length of their chest from backbone to sternum is relatively long while the chest width from right to left is narrow. Examples of deep chested breeds would be the Great Dane, Greyhound, and the setter breeds. Still, any dog can bloat, even dachshunds and Chihuahuas.
Dogs weighing more than 99 pounds have an approximate 20% risk of bloat
Classically; a dog that bloated had eaten a large meal and exercised heavily shortly thereafter. Still, we usually do not know why a given dog bloats on an individual basis. No specific diet or dietary ingredient has been proven to be associated with bloat. Some factors found to increase and decrease the risk of bloat are listed below:
Factors Increasing the Risk of Bloating
- Feeding only one meal a day
- Having closely related family members with a history of bloat
- Eating rapidly
- Being thin or underweight
- Moistening dry foods (particularly if citric acid is listed as a preservative)
- Feeding from an elevated bowl
- Restricting water before and after meals
- Feeding a dry diet with animal fat listed in the first four ingredients
- Fearful or anxious temperament
- History of aggression towards people or other dogs
- Male dogs are more likely to bloat than females
- Older dogs (7 - 12 years) were the highest risk group
Factors Decreasing the Risk of Bloat
- Inclusion of canned dog food in the diet
- Inclusion of table scraps in the diet
- Happy or easy-going temperament
- Feeding a dry food containing a calcium-rich meat meal (such as meat/lamb meal, fish meal, chicken by-product meal, meat meal, or bone meal) listed in the first four ingredients of the ingredient list.
- Eating two or more meals per day
Contrary to popular belief, the presence of cereal ingredients such as soy, wheat or corn in the first four ingredients of the ingredient list does not increase the risk of bloat.
In a study done by the Perdue University Research Group, headed by Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman:
- The Great Dane was the number one breed at risk for bloat.
- The St. Bernard was the number two breed at risk for bloat.
- The Weimaraner was the number three breed at risk for bloat
How to Tell if Your Dog has Bloated
The dog may have an obviously distended stomach, especially near the ribs, but this is not always evident depending on the dog's body configuration. The biggest clue is the vomiting: the pet appears highly nauseated and is retching but little is coming up.
If this is seen, rush your dog to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. Only a veterinarian can properly diagnose and treat bloat. If you have even the slightest reason to suspect your dog may have bloat take him to a veterinarian now!
|
Where did summer go? Most of you already know I took the summer off from writing these newsletters. So much has happened since I last posted a newsletter in June (summer evaporated for sure).
Much has changed for Konfident Kanines. I have a new look with a new pick up truck which although not so great on gas, sure does wonders for marketing. Business has soared the past two months. It is now to the point where KKI is a full time occupation for me. I no longer work in the corporate world as I used to. Can't say I miss it either. There is much to be said about doing what you truly love doing. I am very fortunate to have the support of so many wonderful customers that keep KKI incredibly busy. I am even experiencing an increase in daytime customers now that I am available full time.
Another high note is that I am currently running a group class as well. My long time, lovely, and loyal assistant, Tiffany Candella assists me during the classes which are being held at Dogsville at Bay 2, 4921 - 120 Ave SE Calgary.
|
Larry of KKI at outdoor Seminar
Seminar Host
A special thank you to the following for all the support they have shown KKI
- Paws Pet Food & Accessories (Both Locations) Calgary
- Stop & Paws High River
- The Pet Stop Calgary
- Heaven Can Wait High River
- High View Animal Clinic High River
- Little Mutts Rescue Calgary
- Due South Veterinary Clinic
- See Spot Run Dog Walking
- Dogsville Grooming & Boarding
- All my wonderful clients!
There are two days about which nobody should ever worry, and these are yesterday and tomorrow.
|
A friend of mine and I are also studying to become Certified Therapy Dog Trainers/Handlers so this is exciting as well.
Patti at Dogsville and I are collaborating to develop a total K-9 education centre which, if all goes well, will operate out of the current Dogsville location.
Additionally I have been working hard (and it is a lot of work) to design and execute a comprehensive "stepped training school" where I can recruit and train a select group of new dog trainers. I have no intention of hanging up the leash anytime soon, however sooner or later I will have to step aside. It is my vision to pass as much as possible of what I have been fortunate enough to have learned over the past 30 years, on to someone else.
And last but not least, KKI is planning to host a brand new seminar sometime probably in the month of November. This seminar is one that much thought has been given to, and due to the overwhelming positive response, I have decided to move forward with it. The subject of this seminar will be "Dealing With Aggression". At this seminar the topic will be dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs as well as dogs that are aggressive towards humans. There will also be authentic hands on demonstrations on how to humanely and safely deal with these types of dogs. Why such a seminar? Simply put, I believe most of the behaviors exhibited by the aforementioned dogs has been created by inadequately informed humans and/or humans that simply do not understand dogs and "what makes them tick".
Watch for this one....it will be a seminar like none other and will be limited to not more than one time per year.
The True Peace
The first peace, which is the most important,
is that which comes within the souls of people
when they realize their relationship,
their oneness, with the universe and all its powers,
and when they realize that at the center
of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit),
and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.
This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this.
The second peace is that which is made between two individuals,
and the third is that which is made between two nations.
But above all you should understand that there can never
be peace between nations until there is known that true peace,
which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.
Black Elk, Oglala Sioux & Spiritual Leader (1863 - 1950)
|
|
