EDITOR'S MESSAGE
UPCOMING MEETING
2020 BOARD
The board held a teleconference meeting on May 14, 2020, to vote on the slate as presented by the Nominating Committee. Since there were no floor nominations received, the club Secretary cast 1 vote for the slate as presented by the Nomination Committee.
Our new board is:
President: Linda Whitmire
Vice President: Paula Ayers
Secretary: Sharon Utych
Treasurer: Carol Land
Director: Brenda Martz
Director: Mark Fitchpatrick
Director: Carolyn Powell
Many thanks to Paula for her years of service as Club President.
2021 WINTER SPECIALTY
We are working behind the scenes putting together our February 6 & 7, 2021 Winter Specialty Shows in conjunction with the Conyers KC at the Cherokee Rose Cluster. As usual, it will be held at the Atlanta Expo Center South on Jonesboro Rd.
We will be holding on Saturday the following:
Veteran Sweepstakes & Puppy Sweepstakes: Judge* Mrs. Pat Mixon (Tudorose US) *tentative pending formal acceptance
Regular Classes with NOHS: Judge Cesar Cortes (Londoncor UK)
We will also have a ringside silent auction, snacks, exhibitor bags and a Saturday evening social at the host hotel, Drury Inn
Sunday's activities:
Junior Showmanship
Beginner Puppy Competition
Regular Classes with NOHS
We do not have a judge confirmed for Sunday as yet.
We hope you mark your calendars and make plans to attend our Specialty weekend!
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
NATURAL REMEDIES
How to Treat Your Dog’s Upset Stomach At Home
Author: Lynda Lobo www.animalsense.com
Both of my dogs have sensitive stomachs, and I’ve spent a fortune on vet bills treating semi-frequent bouts of diarrhea and/or vomiting. Most of the time it turned out to be nothing serious, and I was sent home with antibiotics and feeding instructions. Don’t get me wrong – my vet is wonderful and I have had my share of emergencies but I’ve learned that, at least in my case, I don’t have to rush my pets to medical attention every time they get a little tummy trouble. And it happens often enough that I have the routine perfected to get them back on track.
Occasional upset stomach can be totally normal for dogs, just like it is for us.
Stress, allergies, weather, and eating something that doesn’t quite agree with us can all cause an episode. Please remember though, by no means should my advice be taken as a replacement for veterinary care. These remedies are intended for dogs with mild symptoms of upset stomach that are NOT also displaying any of the following symptoms:
- Dehydration (dry/tacky/pale gums, low skin elasticity)
- Painful, distended, or hard belly
- Retching, trying to vomit, or difficulty defecating
- Appearance of blood in vomit, urine, or feces
- Lethargy
- Suspected ingestion of chemicals, poisons, medications, toxic foods, or an object
These could indicate a medical emergency, so call your vet right away.
If your dog simply gets sick every once in a while and you don’t suspect an emergency, try the following:
- Fast your dog for 12 to 24 hours. Many people feel bad doing this (I did too at first!) but your dog needs to empty his stomach. Feeding during a bout of diarrhea or vomiting can prolong their discomfort. I promise, an otherwise healthy dog can go a day without eating – she can’t hold a grudge for too long!
- Always make sure fresh water is available at all times!
- After fasting, feed a bland diet. Our go-to is 1 part boiled, skinless, boneless chicken breast to 2 parts boiled rice (brown or white). Do not use any oil, salt, seasoning, or any other additives. Feed your dog very small portions 3-4 times a day for the next 5 days or so, gradually increasing the amount to their normal daily portion.
- Continue feeding the bland diet until your dog returns to normal, then add on a couple days. Gradually incorporate your dog’s normal food. Start with ¼ normal food with ¾ chicken and rice, then ½ and ½ and so on, until you’re feeding as usual again.
Tips:
- Add a tablespoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt to the food. This helps soothe the stomach, replace healthy bacteria in the gut, and it can even stimulate appetite.
- Keeping your dog on a daily probiotic like yogurt or FortiFlora can help minimize digestive episodes.
- Pumpkin, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and bananas can also be added to help settle the stomach.
- Yes, you can use over-the-counter medicines for your dog! Imodium (dose: 1mg per 20lb every 8 hours) can be very effective. Do not give Imodium to breeds related to Collies, as they may have an adverse reaction. I use Pepto-Bismol regular strength tablets (1/4 tablet per 20lb every 6-8 hours), especially if my dog seems nauseous (drooling, licking the floor). These medications should be used no longer than 1-2 days.
- Give your dog plenty of potty breaks. He may be less able to hold it during the first 12 hours.
If your dog’s condition worsens or doesn’t improve, or if she develops any of the serious symptoms previously mentioned, contact your regular or emergency vet.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
BLAND DOG DIET RECIPES
What's a bland dog diet recipe? It's a recipe meant to be given to dogs with some form of self-limiting digestive upset. For bland diets for upset stomach and vomiting protocols, here are some vet-approved dog upset stomach home remedies.
The most common recipes for bland diets include low-fat foods. The following are several recipes of bland diet for dogs with digestive upset. Dr. McCullough on the College of Veterinary Medicine - University of Illinois website suggests withholding food (not water) for 12 to 24 hours prior to feeding a bland diet. If you own a very young puppy or a small breed prone to dog hypoglycemia, consult with your vet first.
Recipe 1: Classic Rice and Hamburger Bland Diet for Dogs
- White rice
- Lean Hamburger
Boil the rice in a container and make sure it's well cooked and tender. Cooking it separately from the hamburger helps reduce the absorption of fat. In the meanwhile, boil in another container some lean hamburger, making sure you drain off all the fat and that you're using a lean cut. For greater benefits, the rice should comprise the bulky part of the meal. "Start your pet on small frequent meals of the boiled hamburger and rice and see if the diarrhea stops" further suggests Dr. McCullough on the College of Veterinary Medicine - University of Illinois website.
Recipe 2: Classic Rice and Chicken Bland Diet for Dogs
- White rice
- Chicken breast
Boil the rice in a container and make sure it's well cooked and tender. In the meanwhile, boil in another container the skinless and boneless chicken breast. For greater benefits, the rice should comprise the bulky part of the meal. Veterinarian and Just Answer expert Dr. Fiona suggests a mixture of 75% cooked white rice, and 25% low-fat protein such as boiled chicken breast with any fat scooped off.
Recipe 3: Ground Turkey and Plain Pumpkin Bland Diet for Dogs
- Ground turkey
- Plain pumpkin
This recipe is recommended by veterinarian Karen Becker (see video below) which offers an interesting twist on the classic bland diet recipes many vets recommend. She states that even lean hamburger contains fat which is not ideal for a bland diet and can exacerbate the diarrhea and that rice can ferment in the dog's stomach causing gassiness. She therefore suggests cooking ground turkey and adding pureed plain pumpkin (not the pie type with added spices).
Recipe 4: Plain Scrambled Egg
- Eggs
Don't have rice or chicken or hamburger or turkey or pumpkin? Don't despair. Some scrambled eggs may be an option for your dog's bland diet according to South Peninsula Veterinary Emergency Clinic.
How long should you feed this diet? .It should be fed for a minimum of 3 to 5 days, by which the stools should be better formed. Afterward, you can start gradually mixing the bland diet with your dog's regular diet over the next several days until the regular diet replaces the bland diet totally according to Mokena Animal Clinic.
Disclaimer: this article is not to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary or nutritional advice. If your dog has a digestive issue, consult with your vet so any serious conditions can be ruled out.
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