Dog Logic Health Pages

Are you well informed, familiar, and educated about Danes?
What is your experience with Great Danes?
Do you own a Great Dane ?
Approx. how many Danes do you currently care for in your practice now?
Would you supply me with 3 Dane patient references?
Do you support Dane owners who feed low protein diets and avoid Science Diet feeds?
Do you refer after hour calls to emergency vet clinic? Where?
Do you handle them personally?
Make emergency house calls ? (Danes down are hard to move alone)
Do you use live, modified live or killed vaccines?
Do you support Dane owners who prefer to follow Jean Dodds' vaccine schedule?
What diet do you recommend for Danes?
Bloat /GDV- how many have you treated in the past year?
Are you proficient at or have performed, Gastropexy (surgery to help prevent torsion)?
OCD- are you able to do an xray WITHOUT putting the dog to sleep?
What type of anesthesia do you use? Do you administer it according to weight?
Are you connected in any way with Vet schools? Which ones?
What is the cost of and office visit ?
What would YOU prescribe/recomend to boost/fix a pups immune system?
Would you take new/experimental information about treating Great Danes seriously?
Are you open to new info, treatments, techniques....would you work with an informed owner?
Would you feel offended if a second opinion was desired for a serious health problem?

Anesthesia

I was interested to find out what anesthesia is being used out there , and made several phone calls to vets I use. I will only give GENERAL information here, so that you may ask your vet about each of these anesthetics and how they are administered, and IF they are right for your situation.

*A note here in reference to 2 separate veterinarians advise. Anesthesia on ANY puppy is risky. They all recommend doing "Pre-anesthetic blood screening" to test for sensitivity, before any anesthesia is EVER given any time, as the dog can BECOME sensitive later on. Insist on this for your dogs and cats.

*IMPORTANT note! DO NOT take any info on this page as final! It is combined OPINION and Info from reliable sources ONLY! Consult with your vet, or better yet SEVERAL vets! Print this out and consult and learn! (see disclaimer)

ACE (Acepromazine) The more informed vets DON'T recommend using "Ace" (acepromezine) or other systemics, unless absolutely necessary.... they tend to stay in the dogs system for a long period of time, and need to be metabolized by the body to rid itself of the remains. See SIDE EFFECTS Chart.

INJECTABLE ANESTHESIA
Propofol A fast-acting anesthetic, metabolized by the liver, has a terminal half-life of 1-3 days - "reflecting the extensive tissue uptake." Is said to have little or no side effects in the majority of uses.

Telazol is a new anesthetic that is administered by injection, usually in combination with other drugs. It is another one that I choose not to allow used on my dogs, (because of the "combo" effect). The combination or "cocktail" with two other drugs, Telazol is often mixed with Xylazine (aka Rompun) and Atropine.

Ketamine another anesthetic that is administered by injection. (See Articles on Ketamine). It is used in short-lasting surgical interventions and as a pre-anesthetic when using gas. When used alone, ketamine produces unreliable anaesthesia (Allen et al 1986). Although ketamine is a poor muscle relaxant, the extremities and neck may become rigid during use. An increase in body temperature, intraocular (Internal eye) pressure, heart rate and arterial pressure occurs in a ketamine induced anesthesia. In order to minimize or eliminate these side effects, ketamine is commonly used with xylazine or acepromazine, both of which have there OWN negative side effects. Often used in a "Bag" along with Acepromezine. I will not allow any vet to administer either Ace or Ketamine (Ketaset) to my dogs.

*A note on using injectible anesthesia: The dosages are harder to gauge with very small puppies, as is the "depth" of anesthesia. (How deeply the dog is under). Veins are harder to find in small puppies, and the vets are always cautious about potential dosage problems. AND Giant breed dogs are MORE sensitive to dosage, ie: The bigger the dog, the less medicine they may need per pound of body weight. Propofol because of thdepth of anesthesia problem, is difficult to dose in small dogs.

If your vet wishes to use something called a "bag" injection, please ask them to explain the various drugs thatmake it up before they use it.

Isoflurane and Halothane are both Gases. The main difference is this:

Isoflurane is the newest, which makes it easier on the dogs' system. I has a short half-life, meaning it wears off very quickly. The uptake to the body tissues is minimal. Therefore the dog (or human) wakes up quicker without that hangover effect. But the results also depend on what other
drugs are used during the surgery - Isoflurane is used to knock the dog out initially, then other drugs are introduced for the longer term of the surgery. (We are back to which one is which). It is metabolized mainly through the respiratory system and just .02% through the liver.

Halothane Is metabolized slowly by the body, and SOME elderly and puppy dogs may have problems on it. The main problem with Halothane, and one of the main reasons they don't use it in the UK as much anymore, is liver toxicity. It is a definite but uncommon side effect - but obviously very serious when it does occur.

For the purpose of administering Gases, Intubating is fairly routine. The problems associated with the tube can be avoided by pre-cleaning and sterilizing the trache tube EACH time with an antibacterial solution. Sterilization of the tube is not easy, but it MUST be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to rid it of germs and mucous (ASK to be sure this is occurring, I write it directly on my animals surgical orders that this MUST be done, and ask the vet to sign it). The residual mucous can cause breathing difficulties WHILE the puppy is under. The immune system is not as strong in a young puppy, and infection chances are increased if the tube is not cleaned.

All animals under anesthesia should be monitored for things like heart rate , pulse, reactions, eye response and breathing.

This was what I was able to glean from the conversation I had with these Vets. Your own vets if they care, will spend time going into more depth with you on these issues. If you are not satisfied with your vet, talk to him and try to get some satisfaction. If you cannot, find a vet who will listen and spend the time explaining things to you.

Remember, our vets are supposed to be the front-line of defense for the safety of our animals, and our best resource for info which will protect them. A good relationship with your vet is a MUST. Do not be intimidated, these doctors aren't gods, they are animal loving humans, just like you and I, just better educated in veterinary care. Get down and dirty with them, and do not be afraid to probe them for info, AND to give them info that YOU have as well. They should be willing to listen, educate you, and perhaps even learn something from YOU.

Bach Flower Remedies/ Bach Rescue Remedy

Bach Flower Remedies are a system of holistic natural healing that grew up out of homeopathic medicine. Flower Remedies are to the emotional body what homeopathics are to the physical body. Each of the 38 Remedies correlates to an emotional state such as fear, self doubt or worry. The Flower Remedies act as a catalyst so that an animal's own system can achieve balance after being in a state of imbalance due to the stress of a period of strong emotion. These strong emotions scientists have found to be the seed of most physical disease. It, therefore, is logical to say if you achieve an emotional balance you also will affect the physical dysfunction.

The Flower Remedies are an approved Food and Drug Administration over the counter remedy and available to anyone without a prescription. They have no side effects, can be taken with any homeopathic remedy or allopathic drug and overdose is impossible.

Note: Please substitute the word ANIMAL for any species listed below (such as horse).

Bach "Rescue Remedy"

In the early 1930's the noted British physician and scientist, Dr. Edward Bach, observed that many of his patients would display emotional and psychological difficulties such as apprehension, worry, loneliness, boredom, depression, uncertainty, hopelessness or fear prior to the onset of physical illness. He also noted these same difficulties inhibited the body's natural healing ability to prevent and/or overcome disease. Leaving his lucrative Harley Street practice, Bach moved to the English countryside and dedicated his life to studying the relationship between a person's state of mind and the onset of progression of disease.

Unlike standard medical approaches which treat physical symptoms, Bach believed the only way to truly prevent or deal with an illness, once manifested, was to address the underlying emotional causes. Concerned over the misusage and side- effects of most chemical drugs, Bach believed a safe, gentle treatment could be found in nature.

After many years of research and testing, Bach discovered that the preparation of 38 flowering plants, trees and special waters alleviated a broad range of emotional and psychological difficulties. Bach also developed a highly effective combination emergency rescue formula for the relief of stress during acute stressful situations. "Rescue Remedy" is regarded as the panacea Remedy, having the ability to calm and distress any situation especially, those created by traumatic incidents where an animal was terrorized, injured, or abused.

But, how does one know what emotions animals are experiencing? You would be surprised as to how easy it is to "read" an animal. All it takes is some observation and a little insight. You might discover that animals take less effort than humans!

The Flower Remedies come in small stock bottles. Cost is anywhere from $16 (10 ml) -$25 (20ml). This concentrate is used to make a dilution of a formula just for you or your horse. Four to six drops are added along with a teaspoon of brandy or apple cider vinegar to a 1 ounce dropper bottle. Fill the rest of the way with spring water and shake vigorously up and down.

The Remedies can be taken directly from the stock bottle or from the personal dilution bottle by placing 2 - 4 drops in your horse's feed or water. The Remedies are easy and convenient to use with varied methods of application that can be selected to suit an individual's specific needs. The most common forms of administering the Remedies are placing them into the animal's food or water; dropping them directly into the animal's mouth; or rubbing the needed remedies on one's hands before petting them. Another innovative method for stalled horses is to place the Remedies into an automatic misting units such as fly repellent units.

In acute or emergency situations, you can apply the Remedies every few seconds until a change is noticed, then every 5 minutes until another change is noticed, and then every fifteen minutes. By this time, your horse should be calm and restored to an acceptable level of homeostasis. Normally giving the Remedy 4 - 8 times daily is acceptable, especially immediately upon rising and before retiring.

There is no improper or wrong method of applying the Bach Remedies. It is truly not necessary to be precise in counting the number of drops in any of the dilution methods. The suggestions given, herein, are merely to offer a reasonable parameter of accepted dilution methods. Follow your own judgment and insights. Remember, you cannot overdose the Remedies for they are non-toxic.

The following is a description of the Flower Remedies that make up Rescue Remedy, the most commonly used Bach Flower Remedy. Rescue Remedy is not a Flower Essence in itself but a combination of five of original Remedies. Once these five remedies are combined, the Rescue becomes an essence unto itself. It is different combined, than its individual essences.

Clematis
- Increases attention span and ability to focus on the training lesson at hand.
- When the animal is comatose or unconscious for any reason; returning the animal to consciousness.
- After any surgery to increase recovery alterness time.

Impatiens
- For the very nervous animal.
a. Any form of nervous difficulties, especially those that have the nervous shakes.

- For the overly anxious animal.
a. At feeding times
b. Before a race
c. For animals that have epileptic type fits especially when agitated by being overly excited or upset.

Rock Rose
- For any form of terror and panic
a. After an accident, injury, fire or any terrifying event.
b. For the overly fearful animal that possibly was terrified sometime in their life. Fear does not dissolve naturally.

- Rock Rose is for dauntless courage.
a. For animals that are used in service to mankind such as police work.
- For the courageous animal to accentuate their already innate abilities.

Cherry Plum
- For the animal that looses control, becoming wild and crazed.
a. for vicious animals that become dangerous when provoked.
b. For the high strung animal, including horses, that lose control easily.
c. for the animal that is destructive, losing control.
d. Losing control when seeing another animal enter into their territory.
e. To help retain control during mating season for both sexes.

- To remain in control when:
a. In competition when stressed by strange people, noises, animals.
b. Training animals not to react to gun fire.

- For the animal that becomes frantic when traveling such as horses that spook when being placed in trailers.

- The animal who chews himself
a. Allergies to grasses
b. Staying away from stitches after surgery.

Star of Bethlehem
- Star of Bethlehem is for all forms of trauma.
a. For the emotional trauma from the loss of a loved master or mate.
b. Physical trauma after an injury of any kind.
c. Birthing trauma
d. Traumatized from extreme cold or heat.

- Star of Bethlehem is needed any time comfort is indicated. a. To give comfort to animals who were left alone or are in a kennel feeling unloved.
b. For an injured or ill animal who is required to remain at a veterinary clinic, during which one time their owners are there with them.

NOTE: Rescue Remedy is not meant to take the place of emergency medical treatment. In serious conditions or situations requiring medical attention, a veterinarian should be notified immediately.

Agrimony
- Agrimony is for the animal that never complains, even when it is obvious that the animal is in pain.

- Useful for any kind of skin infestation or irritation that causes the animal to chew themselves raw: biting ticks, fleas and flies, parasites, mange, eczema.

- For the restless animal that roams from place to place. For the animal that paces back and forth - stall weaving in horses.

- For use when a horse is anxious for some unknown reason and refuses to enter certain stalls.

Beech
- Beech cures those picky eaters, who of course, prefer only the most expensive foods.

- When intolerant of grasses, insects, dampness, light or dark, heat or humidity or cold.

Centaury
- For the timid horse that gets easily pushed around in the pasture.

- Increases an animal's will to live when fighting an illness, after an accident or during a difficult delivery for a mare and foal.

Cerato
- For the "air head" or inattentive horse that appears too stupid to learn or learns very slowly.

- Cerato keeps animals "on track". Therefore, it is ideal to administer before and during a training session and during competitive events.

Chestnut Bud
- To break bad habits such as: horses that won't leave the barn or trailer.

- During any new training session to increase memory retention.
- To break old habits taught by other trainers.
- Enables horses to be more sure-footed on mountain trails - more keenly aware of their surroundings.
Chicory
- For the animals who thinks they "own" their master.
- Use at weaning time to help mare and foal to separate.
- The key word for Chicory is "congestion". If an animal has organic,congestive symptoms such as in the lungs, bowels, heart or nasal passages and the animal is desirous of attention, then, chicory could be indicated.

Crab Apple
- To cleanse all wounds, abrasions, or rashes.
- To rid animal and surroundings of any annoying odors.
- To help diminish their scent when in season.

Elm
- Anytime an animal is overwhelmed by rigors of traveling, such as horses traveling in trailers or airplanes.
- For being overwhelmed by something. Horses being shod, too many strangers in their space, being placed in unfamiliar territory.
- for easily-overwhelmed, high strung horses.

Genetian
- For set backs of any kind, such as being relocated, sold or given again and again.
- For long illnesses or when there is a relapse.
- Depression resulting from the set back experienced by an animal when, for example, it's baby dies.
- For horses that have had a bad experience due to injury or an abusive trainer and now has little initiative to re-begin a training routine.

Gorse
- Gorse is indicated when there is a challenging situation where there are signs that the animal has given up or feels that the condition is hopeless. For example: A horse badly abused or abandoned needing to have their hope of living restored; a critical injury or surgery, for a horse that has been severely neglected.

Holly
- For horses who are known to be mean and dangerous.
- When the horse is performing unacceptably. Being dangerous, or a horse causing other horses to react.
- To be taken when mare rejects her foal.
- For the surrogate mother and adopted baby to accept each other.
- When there is a need for more love such as in abused and neglected horses.

Honeysuckle
- for the sulking horse that is lamenting the loss of their master, mate or baby caused by death or separation.
- For horses that have been over-exerted or exhausted.
- For horses that do not perform well when away from home.

Hornbeam
- For the horse that appears mentally lethargic and tired during riding but when it is freed it jumps about with plenty of energy to spare. Or, for the horse that peps up when near the barn.
- For race horses to face the race and jump out of the shoot first.

Larch
- To increase confidence. For the horse that has had their confidence beaten out of them, or for the horse that performs better in pairs.

Mimulus
- For known fears such as thunder and lightning, crossing water, of strange noises, of strange objects. - For the shy, timid, fearful, or abused horse.

Mustard
- For the horse that is experiencing very deep depression.
- For the horse that has personality changes when "in season".

Oak
- For the horse that is a hard worker yet seems to be over burdened, needing to struggle with the task at hand.
- to rebuild the strength of horses that have been starved or mal-nutritioned, over bred, over worked, over exposed to weather extremes.
- Take Oak in preparation for strenuous times ahead.

Olive
- For exhaustion from an especially long ordeal, as in the case of long term pain or abuse caused by the elements, an illness, man's cruelty or predators.
- If plagued with allergies that cause the adrenal system to become exhausted.

Pine
- Pine is the suffering remedy. The Pine type will take it upon themselves their master's pain or illness.

Red Chestnut
- For use when an animal sense impending danger such as: tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, being taken away to the vet or being put to death.

Rock Water
- Increases flexibility for animals that have stiff joints and muscles. Massage topically into stiff sore joints and muscles. Will achieve a more fluid gait.
- For the stubborn or cantankerous horse who refuses to flow with when forced to adhere to a new set of rules. Is uncompromising and inflexible.

Scleranthus
- For the horse that has equilibrium difficulties. For horse that are clumsy.
- for neurological confusion - such as might happen with some kinds of seizures.
- For mares with "yo-yo" hormones that often cause "yo-yo" emotions.
- For horses that suddenly buck or bite.

Sweet Chestnut
- Give Sweet Chestnut during competitive events when the horse shows sign of fatigue that indicate it might not finish the event. Sweet Chestnut strengthens them mentally so that they can perform well physically.
- Sweet Chestnut is for endurance energy and therefore, ideal to tap hidden reservoirs of energy before a physically taxing event.
- To prevent burn out.

Vervain
- For the very intense, hyperactive, high energy horse. This type of horse appears to have inexhaustible energy. This type is anxious to learn but is often difficult to teach because it has it's own way of achieving a lesson's objective.

Vine
- For the horse that thinks he is the "master" and rules the barn, stall or pasture.

Walnut
- Walnut protects against outside influences such as insecticides, pollution and sensitivities to pollens and grasses.
- Protects by insulating the horse due to changes in it's environment - new owners, new barn or when traveling.
- Walnut eases hormonal cycles.

Water Violet
- Water Violet is indicated for the horse that prefers to be left alone, especially when ill.
- For horses that never receive attention and are forgotten by their owners, rarely being released from their stall.

White Chestnut
- White Chestnut works to quiet and still an animal's mind during training sessions or competitive events, enabling them to listen only for their master's command.

Wild Oat
- For the horse that appears depressed, possibly because it is idle and not doing what it was trained to do.
- To create more opportunities to win competitive events.

Wild Rose
- Wild Rose remedies apathy as it's virtuous action evokes the happiness and jubilation for life necessary for: horses confined to stalls and never let out, helping old and grouchy horses to have more fun, for horses that have lost their spirit.

Willow
- Willow is basically for resentment which is caused by feeling victimized by an abuser.

"Practical Uses and Applications of the Back Flower Emotional Remedies" by Jessica Bear, N.D.

PANOSEITIS HERBS

These herbs are recommended by many breeders for the dog experiencing the "floating" pain associated with Panosteitis. If fed regularly in conjunction with a LOW PROTEIN - Moderate Fat diet, they are said to help relieve the pain and discomfort of Panosteitis. In my experience , my dogs have benefitted from eating them with food. That is not to say they will help all dogs. Pano is a self limiting problem, usually disappearing at the age of about 9 months or so.

These herbs are mixed with each feeding 1/8 tsp per herb.( I usually mix a batch of all 9 herbs in equal portions, and add 1 tsp per feeding.)

You may buy ANY of these herbs at most health food stores and mix them yourselves. If you are not so inclined, I usually have some here, premixed and frozen for freshness.

Blue Vervain Powder
Boneset Powder
Comfrey Powder (or leaves ground)
Fenugreek Powder
Golden Seal Herb Cut
Mullein Leaves cut
Nettle Powder
Rose Hips Powder
Sarsaparilla Powder
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                                                              $30.00
Shipping                                                    5.00
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Total                                                     $35.00