Editor's Message
Inspirational Quote of the Day
The Darcy Fund - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Heart Failure Study
As some of you may have heard, there was a very exciting announcement at the Charitable Trust Banquet at the 2017 National Specialty. The ACKCSC Charitable Trust will be leading the way helping to fund Rejuvenate Bio Genetic Therapies (partnered with Harvard Medical School & Tufts University) on a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Heart Failure Study.
We are so excited and grateful to our members, exhibitors & guests who raised enough money in one evening to fund the next phase of this study where 10 Cavaliers will be given the new genetic therapy. This phase will begin NEXT MONTH! If all goes well, this therapy could be available to all as early as 2019.
There will be one more phase of this study before it can go to market, so if you would like to help in this very important research please consider donating to the Charitable Trust through the Darcy Fund. All monies collected through the Darcy Fund go directly to Heart research in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
To donate to the Darcy Fund please visit here.....http://www.ackcsc.org/index.php/store-home/ackcsc-charitable-trust-fund/the-darcy-fund
If you have any questions, please contact Tina Sterling sterlingtoys@aol.com
Natural Remedies
EAR INFECTIONS
Ear infections (also called otitis externa) are one of the most common health issues in dogs today. And they’re one of the most frustrating to deal with because they tend to come back, again and again.
This may have a lot to do with how they’re treated … antibiotics can help, but they set your dog up for short term success only. In the long run, they’ll just cause more imbalance that will cause more ear infections in the future. So let’s look at how to get to the bottom of those dirty ears … and 5 natural remedies for dog ear infections.
What Do Dog Ear Infections Look Like?
The symptoms are pretty obvious and may start with your dog shaking or tilting his head. If you look inside the ear, you might see:
- A brown or reddish discharge
- Odor in the ear (it often smells sweet)
- Redness
- Swelling
- Crusts or scabs on the inside of the ear
And you might see your dog:
- Rubbing his ear on your furniture
- Scratching around his ear
- Shaking or tilting his head
If your dog has unusual eye movements, is walking in circles or having trouble with his balance, it might be time to have him checked by the vet for a deeper infection. But most infections are in the outer ear only and can be treated at home.
The Causes Of Dog Ear Infections
There are several causes of ear infections including:
- Bacteria
- Yeast
- Allergies
- Hormone imbalances
You might have heard that ear infections can be caused by long, floppy ears, swimming, moisture, dirt or hair in the ear canal. But there are many dogs with floppy ears that swim every day that don’t get ear infections – it might increase the risk, but ear infections are rarely just ear infections … they’re often a sign of a much deeper problem.
Bacterial Infections
Bacteria is the most common cause of ear infections. Your dog has friendly or beneficial bacteria in his ears that keep pathogenic or harmful bacteria in check … but this delicate balance can sometimes be upset. When this happens, your dog is at risk because:
Bacteria from contaminated pond water can enter his ear and start to colonize because there aren’t enough beneficial bacteria to crowd them out and compete for nutrients.
Bacteria that normally reside in your dog’s ear such as Staphylococcus can overgrow if the dog has a stressed immune system. This is definitely a consideration if the infections are recurring.
Dog Yeast Or Fungal Infections
Fungi are also normal inhabitants in your dog’s ear. They live together in harmony with bacteria in little colonies called the microbiome. Like bacteria, yeast can grow out of control if your dog’s immune system is functioning well or if he has leaky gut.
More often than not, ear infections are the result of an immune dysfunction, such as allergies, hormone imbalances or hypothyroidism. One infection isn’t a cause for concern. Just use the natural remedies below to clean it and restore the balance in the microbiome. But if your dog suffers from repeated ear infections, you need to focus on his immune health or the infections will come back. Let’s look at the natural solutions for rebalancing the ear, then we’ll talk about how you can deal with repeated infections.
Top 5 Natural Remedies For Dog Ear Infections
These are 5 natural remedies, all tried and tested! The ingredients are inexpensive and easy to get … and best of all, they work!
Apple Cider Vinegar
The acetic acid in vinegar can help remove dirt and debris from ears. But more importantly, it can kill both yeast and bacteria. But if your dog has red, sore ears, don’t use vinegar … it will be very painful for him. Use one of the other remedies instead.
Take your apple cider vinegar and put it in a glass with equal parts distilled water. You can either put it in a syringe (you can pick one up at your local pharmacy) and squirt a little in your dog’s ear, or you can soak a cotton ball in the vinegar/water solution and gently clean your dog’s ear flap with the cotton ball.
Note: Never use Q-tips in your dog’s ears! They can push dirt and bacteria further down into the ear or they can even rupture the eardrum.
Mullein
Mullein is a plant that has antibacterial properties and it works great for bacterial ear infections. It might seem daunting to buy your own herbs and make your own recipes, but it’s quite easy. You can order good quality dried mullein at your local health store.
Here’s an easy to make recipe from veterinary herbalist, Dr Randy Kidd:
- Pack mullein leaves and/or flowers in a glass jar and cover with olive oil. For increased antibiotic effectiveness, you can add a clove or two of antibacterial garlic (freshly chopped) per pint of oil.
- Let the mixture sit for two to three weeks.
- Strain and apply several drops of the warmed oil into the ear canal with a dropper or soak it on a cotton ball and apply to your dog’s ear.
Oregano Oil
Oil of oregano is another effective natural antibiotic. It should never be used undiluted on your dog or it will cause irritation! Here’s one recipe from veterinary homeopath, Dr Michael Dym:
Add one drop or oregano oil to ½ oz of pure aloe vera juice (you can get both at your health food store). Drop a small amount of the mixture into your dog’s ear or soak it in a cotton ball and swab the ear flap with it.
Calendula
Calendula has amazing healing abilities and it’s one of the best herbs for treating local skin and external ear problems. It can be used either internally or externally, and it’s a potent antifungal herb and it also offers pain relief.
Like mullein, you can buy an already made infused oil. But here’s a recipe you can try at home:
- Pack calendula flowers in a glass jar and cover with olive oil. Add a clove or two of freshly chopped garlic.
- Make sure the leaves are fully covered with the oil and let the mixture sit for three to four days.
- Strain and apply several drops of the warmed oil into the ear canal with a dropper or soak it on a cotton ball and apply to your dog’s ear.
Keep for up to 6 months. You can also buy a ready-made infusion.
(Calendula is great for helping with ear infections, wounds, immune support and more.)
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is both antibacterial and anti fungal. And a study in “Dermatitis” in 2008 proved it to be an effective anti fungal.
Here’s an easy recipe using coconut oil:
- Place 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a saucepan on low heat with two fresh garlic cloves for extra antibacterial power.
- Simmer until the oil is liquid then let it cool slightly (you don’t want the oil to be too warm for your dog’s ears).
- Use a dropper and place two to three drops in the affected ear. You can also dip a cotton ball in the mixture and use it to clean your dog’s ear.
You’ll want to apply any of these solutions to your dog’s ear two to three times a day, for 5 to 7 days. Once the infection is gone, you can keep some on hand and give the ears a cleaning once a week to help prevent future infections. But if your dog repeatedly gets ear infections, you’ll want to move on to the last step …
Chronic Dog Ear Infections
If your dog repeatedly suffers from ear infections, this is probably an immune system issue.
The first problem you’ll want to rule out is leaky gut. Most dogs have some form of leaky gut and this can cause bacteria to grow out of control and it can cause allergy-like symptoms in the body like yeast. Here are the major causes of leaky gut and allergy symptoms like ear infections:
1. Poor Diet
Specifically highly processed, grain based foods containing wheat, rice, spelt and soy, food additives and preservatives; the lectin found in unsprouted grains; sugar, genetically modified foods (GMOs) and pasteurized dairy products.
2. Drugs And Other Toxins
This includes the unnecessary use of steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), deworming drugs, flea and tick treatments (many contain pesticides) and antibiotics (leading to an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria, also known as dysbiosis).
3. Over-vaccination
Vaccination wreaks havoc on the immune system and can cause a number of autoimmune diseases like allergies.
Chronic stress or boredom can also influence gut health. Stress negatively affects the immune and digestive systems.
If your dog suffers from chronic ear infections, it’s time to improve his diet. Of course switching to a raw diet will solve the issue of too much carbohydrate in the diet and will help heal the leaky gut.
Avoid drugs and chemicals whenever possible, including vaccines. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and ear infections are often a sign that something isn’t right in the body. Treating ear infections with antibiotics and steroids will only worsen the bacterial imbalance and the problem might move from the ears to the gut … creating immune dysfunction.
So the next time your dog has an ear infection, try these herbal solutions and put an end to the unhealthy cycle of drugs and suppression. Natural treatments are always best and they will never harm your dog’s immune system.
Recipe of the Month
Homemade Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats
Makes 2 dozen
The parsley in these treats makes them a secret breath freshener for your pooch; substitute dried mint for half of the parsley, if you like. Don't hesitate to adjust the size of the treats to accommodate very small or very large dogs, baking them a few minutes less or a few minutes more, as needed. If your dog has challenges chewing, grind the rolled oats in a food processor before adding them to the mixture.
Ingredients:
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1 cup oat flour
- 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup dried parsley
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 egg, beaten
Method:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Put banana in a large bowl and use a spoon or potato masher to mash it thoroughly. Add oat flour, oats, parsley, peanut butter and egg and stir well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
Roll mixture into 24 balls, using about 1 tablespoon dough for each; transfer to a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet as done. Use the back of a spoon or the heel of your hand to press each ball into a (1 1/2- to 2-inch) coin. Bake until firm and deep golden brown on the bottom, 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside to let cool completely.
Storage note: It's best to store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or, freeze them to give to your pal later; just be sure to thaw the treats befor handing them out.
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving: Serving size: 1 each, 45 calories (15 from fat), 1.5g total fat, 10mg cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 6g carbohydrates, (1 g dietary fiber, 1g sugar), 2g protein.
News From The Board
2017 -2018 CKCSCGA Officers
At our May meeting, the Secretary casted one vote to for the slate proposed by the Nominating Committee. Our 2017-2018 Officers are:
President: Paula Ayers
Vice President: Linda Whitmire
Secretary: Sharon Utych
Treasurer: Carol Land
Director: Beverly Manley
Director: Brenda Martz
Director: Mark Fitchpatrick
Winter Specialty Show
We are also working on setting up our 2018 show. Plans are to have TWO concurrent specialties on February 3 and 4, 2018 (Saturday and Sunday). Saturday will include Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes. Both shows are pending AKC approval. Our judges will be:
Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes – Valerie Cromer (TruElegance US); Saturday Conformation – Elaine Whitney (Sigma Chi CAN); Sunday Conformation – Robert Whitney (Sigma Chi CAN).
We will also be holding a ringside silent auction at the event.
Trophy Sponsorships
Once again, we will be offering sponsorships for the trophies we are awarding at the Winter Specialty Show. You will have the opportunity to sponsorship a trophy via our online store on our website in the coming months. Your sponsorship will be acknowledged ringside and if made by the printing deadling, the premium. Your generosity helps to defray costs of putting on a Specialty and also allows the club to offer some lovely trophies.
Do You Have A New Title Holder?
Did you know if your cavalier has earned a new title, including AKC Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog titles, you qualify for either a certificate or personalized rosette from the club? Awards are presented at the December Holiday Luncheon. The club program details are on the club website under “Member Achievement Recognition Program” (https://ckcscatlanta.org/member-achievement-recognition-program).
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Premature Puppy Protocol
Premature Puppy Protocol By Myra Savant-Harris
I've been teaching this information at seminars lately and I've spent the last couple of months researching it to the best of my ability to have it ready to present to you. Researching this stuff is often extremely difficult because there are so few written references to it, so I first have to review everything I know about human medicine and then loosely translate it to dog medicine......without being a vet. It's often difficult. If you think it will be useful, please print it up and keep it among your whelping supplies. Don't expect that every vet would be familiar with this protocol, and don't think you will find it written somewhere else, because you won't....maybe bits and pieces but not all connected in protocol form. I doubt that more than a handful of vets will be familiar with these techniques in their entirety. I would like to take a couple of minutes to give you some background information so that you can understand how all the pieces fit together. My gift is called: Premature Puppy Protocol I hope that you will learn it as you have the Fading Puppy Protocol and be prepared should you have a premature puppy in the future. You will, again, need to get the meds from your vet and be prepared. The knowledge alone will not help you. You will need supplies on hand and ready. Even an extra hour or so may well lead to the death of your puppy.
In human OB for the last 20 years or so, we have administered a medication called Betamethasone (and some vets have also used Dexamethasone with the same results) to moms who were in premature labor that was not well controlled by Terbutaline or other medications. It is commonly ordered now by the doc and administered by nurses. It is safe. In human moms, it is given every 12 hours directly to the mother where it then crosses over the placental barrier to the baby to assist the baby to form surfactant in his lungs. Remember that the premature lungs are sort of like sticky little tubes. The baby has to work awfully hard to get air into those sticky little air tubes. Surfactant will change the surface of the sticky tissue so that instead of being sticky, it will be more slick....more soapy in "feel" so that the baby can breathe easily. If you know you are doing a planned c-section a day or two early, by all means, please ask your vet to administer Betamethasone to your bitch at least 12 to 24 hours prior to the surgery. He can administer it every 12 hours if he has time. He will give it by an intramuscular injection but in OB, it is given IV. Remember something......the human placenta is much more permeable than the canine placenta and much much much more permeable than the equine placenta, so all things being equal in the injection of the medication, a differing amount will reach the baby of each specie simply because of the placenta barrier. You may need to give the puppy (or other mammal) a dose of the betamethasone directly in order to maximize the production of surfactant even if mom was given the med. The main thing that you will accomplish when you administer surfactant is that the baby will then be able to coordinate his suck, swallow and breath reflexes.
If you have an unexpectedly early premature litter at home....you need to be prepared to care for the premature puppy. You will need a very small amount of BETAMETHASONE (or DEX) and IV fluids. Doctor Greer likes Normal Saline and for a preemie, I believe that Normal Saline is the best fluid for sub cutaneous hydration. (I still like the potassium and sodium and calcium of lactated ringers for other uses, but for a preemie......don't muddy the waters with anything but normal saline) You will need syringes and short needles.....preferable about a 23 gauge, 3/4 inch needle. If your bitch delivers puppies significantly early they will have no fur on their legs and muzzles, possibly extending back even further onto their heads. The legs maybe so hairless as to appear to be pink. The body may show the "markings" of the fur which will grow in, but only finer hair may be present. The face will be almost completely bald. They may or may not be smaller than normal puppies, but the bulk of them will be certainly be smaller than normal. You may have an occasional good sized puppy who is hairless and obviously a premature puppy. It does not matter how large he is....if he is a preemie, he will still be struggling with the premature puppy problems of breathing, body temp and nursing.
As soon as possible....don't waste time.....administer betamethasone in a tiny, tiny dose to the puppy. Doctor Hutch has used the expression: Only let the Betamethasone 'talk' to the puppy. I always say: use a whisper of the drug. You are talking drops here. drops.
1. Weigh the puppy.
2. Record the Weight
3. Mix the Normal Saline and Beta Methasone using this formula:
4. One drop of Betamethasone for every 2 ccs of (WARMED to 98 degrees) normal saline
2cc.......1 drop
4cc.......2 drops
6 cc......3 drops
8 cc......4 drops
10cc......5 drops and so on.
Mix enough of the Saline plus Betamethasone to be able to administer the weight of the puppy in cc sub cutaneously. If the puppy isn't nursing after 12 hours, give it again. Best way to warm is in your bra. Mix several cc and just keep it tucked in your bra in case you need a second dose. Stop when baby has gained his full suck reflex and mom has milk.
1-2 oz puppy: Administer 1-2 cc of Normal Saline containing 1 drop of Beta
3-4 oz puppy: Administer 3 to 4 cc of normal saline containing 2 drops of Beta and on and on
I wish I could answer questions like: How big a drop? Unfortunately, this is such an inexact science for me at this point, that I can't. There is a better way to mix it, but I would need to know the exact strength of the beta you are using to do that, so....just stick with the one drop per every two cc of fluid. A little too much isn't going to hurt the puppy.....a little less may well simply not be enough. Err on the side of a big drop, ok?
The goal of the Betamethasone is to assist the puppy's body to manufacture surfactant which will enable the puppy to be able to suck, swallow and breathe at the same time. This will allow the puppy to breast feed. Over the last months, I've talked to a breeder in Phoenix who was able to keep a total of 5 tiny puppies weighing around 1.5 oz alive and nursing by using this technique. I wish I had gotten her name, but I didn't remember to do that. She was instructed in this technique by Doctor Hutch. I have refined and expanded it somewhat to include the human med aspect of it.
You must be prepared to oxygenate the puppy with oxygen running at no more than 1 liter per minute as his lungs mature.
An explanation of the warmth you will need:
A normal, full term puppy has a normal body temp of 95-96 degrees. A premature puppy, however, has left the "oven" (100-101 at time of delivery) too early; before the cookie is cooked, so to speak. He isn't ready to be at 95-96 degrees. He is an "unbaked" cookie. He needs to continue the baking process until the day arrives for his correct delivery date. His temp needs to be around 100 degrees and stable. (once the puppy is stable, you can begin decreasing the temp about 1/2 degree every day until by delivery day, he should be good at 95-96 degrees) Use a heating pad set at 100 degrees and use a rheostat (available at Pet Smart and used for Reptiles) to set his warming pad temp at 100 degrees. You will need a hot box....Isolette...for your preemies. Do not give a premature puppy to mom except to nurse.....and not until he has a suck reflex. The puppy's body can be loosely wrapped in Saran Wrap to help him to maintain his body temp as long as he doesn't wiggle out of it and get it around his face. He can be covered with a loose cloth if he is moving around. Wrap him a warm piece of flannel while he is in the box if his temp appears to vary from exam to exam. Check him often for warmth. The preemie will be much more difficult to manage as far as body temp goes. He will not be able to hold onto body heat for long, so for feedings, you will need to wrap his warmed body in saran wrap and cover with a cloth and hold him up to the mom's breasts for feeding.
You may need to use a breast pump (discussed previously on the list) to stimulate mom's breast milk to come in, and give her Fenugreek (discussed previously on the list) to encourage milk production.
Continue using sub q hydration on the puppy every 4 hours.....his weight in WARMED IV fluids for the first 12 hours. Place a small amount of glucose source: karo, honey, or tubed decorator frosting on his tongue within minutes after birth and every 3-4 hours after that. After 12 hours of age, If the puppy is stable, but still unable to suck, you will need to tube him. Use a WARMED formula of your choice and begin oral feedings by tube feeding. Feed him half his weight in ccs every 2 hours. DO NOT SYRINGE FOOD INTO THE MOUTH OF A PUPPY. You will kill a preemie by syringing for a certainty. They cannot yet coordinate a suck swallow reflex. You will actually end up eventually causing aspiration pneumonia on any puppy that you syringe, but for those of you who choose to ignore this......for sure you'll kill a preemie and it won't take you long to do it. I wish I had a nickle for every time a breeder has told me: I syringed in formula, but he died anyway. No, he didn't die anyway, you killed him. He isn't equipped to have thin liquids put into the front of his mouth. He is designed to pull a nipple far back in his mouth up against his soft palate and suck. The next best alternative is to tube feed him until the Betamethasone has allowed him to develop his lungs sufficiently to suck, swallow and breath.
Meeting Notice
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Holiday Inn Northlake on Ranchwood Dr. Atlanta. Regular meeting begins at 7:30pm. Social hour begins at 7pm. Board meeting at 6pm.
Brags
Sharon & Jim Utych are bragging on GCH Brookhaven The Dream Lives On “Edgar” as he was awarded Select Dog and Best of Breed Owner Handler and a OH Group 2 at the Waynesville KC show on Saturday, April 22. Edgar also was awarded Select Dog and Best of Breed Owner Handler at both Maury County KC shows (Saturday & Sunday), April 29 & 30. He also took an OH Group 3 on Saturday and an OH Group 2 on Sunday. Thank you to all the judges who have been recognizing Edgar.
Need Some Sunshine
Request For Information
The Cavalier Chronicle
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB OF GREATER ATLANTA
Mark Fitchpatrick, editor
