Sunny Saints St. Bernard Rescue

Springtime has sprung weeds, rather than roses, for some of our Sunny Saints.  Last week, young Rosie from Napa went in for her spay surgery.  As the good doctors at U.C. Davis were prepping her for surgery, they found a foxtail embedded in a pocket in her throat.  Same day down south, new rescue Angus was in surgery having three foxtails removed from his paw.

Foxtail is a weed that grows in abundance in the west.  As the weather warms, it starts to dry, turning from green to brown. The seed head drys, becoming stiff and sharp. It presents a very real danger to your Saint, working its barbs into any part of your dog, including  the nose, toes, ears, eyes and mouth. And they don’t stop there.  Once inside the dog’s body, foxtails will travel.

Dr. Laura Weatherford (Dr. Laura), of Tustin Santa Ana Veterinary Hospital is treating several dogs for foxtails right now.  She confirmed that foxtails are a big problem in California, explaining that “Foxtails are arrow-shaped, and will only move in one direction. They can penetrate skin and tissue, migrating around the body causing bad infections and pain.”

According to Dr. Laura, these bad seeds are difficult to find and remove.  One current patient has a small abscess between his toes. She probed while the dog was awake, but was unable to find a foxtail.  She said sometimes  surgery is necessary to explore the cause.  Sometimes, the foxtail has just punctured the skin and caused an infection, but the dog was able to get it out before it got all the way in.  She has another big dog that may have a foxtail under his tongue.

Foxtail Grass and Your Dog, an article on WebMD.com, recommends checking for foxtails or contacting your vet if your Saint displays any of these symptoms:

• Feet. Foxtails love your dog's feet and can easily become embedded between tender toes. Check for foxtails if you notice swelling or limping or if your dog is constantly licking the area.
  
• Ears. If your pooch is shaking his head, tilting it to the side, or scratching incessantly at an ear, this could be the sign of a foxtail -- one that may be so deep inside the ear canal you can't see it. Your veterinarian needs to take a look using a special scope.
• Eyes. Redness, discharge, swelling, squinting, and pawing all may be signs your dog has a foxtail lodged in its eye. If you think this may be the case, seek veterinary care immediately.
• Nose. If you see discharge from the nose, or if your dog is sneezing frequently and intensely, there may be a foxtail lodged in a nasal passage.
• Vagina or penis. Foxtails can find their way into these areas too. So if you notice your dog persistently licking at its genitals, foxtails could be the cause.

Avoidance seems to be the key to keeping your Saint safe.  When you walk, stay off the grassy, overgrown areas, and check his or her coat thoroughly afterward.  Keeping your yard free of weeds will help also.  And, as always, we recommend checking with your vet if you have any questions, concerns or suspicions.

The following links may be helpful:

http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=4226  Foxtails Pose Autumn Threat to Dogs

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/foxtail-grass-and-your-dog

As always, please share any tips or comments that may be useful to others in the Sunny Saints family.  If you post your comments here on the blog, rather than on Facebook, we will have an easier-to-find reference!

Sunny Saint Bojangles, or “Bo,” was resting up on a Sunday night, from a fun-filled weekend that included the Sunny Saints reunion picnic. His mom Sandi saw that Bo was not acting normally.

“Bo just wasn’t himself,” explained Sandi.  “I noticed that something was different shortly after he ate.  He was very restless, up and down, and that was not like him. Then, about 45 minutes later, he started drinking a lot more water than usual. He started pacing, then wanted to go outside.  He then started retching horribly and threw up about six times. It was frothy and foamy, and I could see his stomach was extended and as hard as a rock. “

Sandi’s gut instinct told her something was very wrong, and she immediately suspected dog bloat, or gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).   She’d read an article “Bloat in Dogs,” a few weeks before, that had been posted in Facebook by Sunny Saints supporter April.

“I went back and read it.  Bo had all the symptoms for bloat.”  Sandi did the right thing.  She did not hesitate, and rushed him to the emergency vet hospital, ten minutes away from her home.

Is this something for all Saint owners to be scared of? Yes, or at least, very concerned, and for good reason. Bloat is a leading killer of dogs, second only to cancer. It's estimated that every year, about 60,000 dogs in the United States are affected by bloat, and a third of them die as a result.  Even more scary is the fact that the large, deep-chested breeds, such as Saints, are more at risk for developing the dreaded condition.

According to Vetinfo.com, “Dog bloat occurs when an animal rushes through a large meal and then becomes active right after the meal. By gulping excessive air with the meal and then running around, the stomach ends up twisting, preventing the excessive air from releasing in a burp. Worse, the spleen can become trapped in the twist, reducing blood flow to the stomach. The stomach tissue, starved of oxygen-rich blood, dies, and toxins increase, leading to blood poisoning. With dog bloat, the stomach can rupture. Other organs become poisoned by the toxic blood supply and shut down. The chain of events quickly leads to death if immediate health care is not given.”

According to Sandi, x-rays revealed that Bo’s stomach had twisted and there was a very large pocket of air the whole length of the stomach.   “The vet said that if I had waited another hour, Bo wouldn't have made it. I owe thanks to April for posting that article. I'm so glad my boy is home.”

“Bloat in Dogs”  lists typical symptoms that may or may not occur in each case:
·      Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-30 minutes
This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been referred to as the "hallmark symptom."
·      Doesn't act like usual self
Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that almost always occurs.
·      Significant anxiety and restlessness
·      "Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance
·      Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy
·      Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)

The article cautions that, from the onset of the symptoms, there may be only minutes, or hours to get your dog to the vet.  Bottom line, know your dog, and know when he or she is not acting “normally.” Be prepared!  Know in advance what steps to take if you suspect bloat.

Be sure to talk to your vet about bloat, and read up on it.  Sunny Saints and most of our supporters are not experts on medical issues, but we do have experiences to share.  Keep your vet’s phone number handy, as well as the phone number of the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.  Some recommend keeping a gas relief product on hand, like Gas-X, or Mylanta Gas.  It could buy some more time to get your beloved Saint to the vet.

For more information, check out the following links:
·      http://www.Vetinfo.com/dog-bloat.html
·      http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
·      http://www.webvet.com/main/2008/05/30/bloat

And, as always, please feel free to share information or experiences that may be useful to the rest of us Saint lovers. Looking forward to your comments!

Parents know very well that preschoolers, with their not-fully-developed immune systems, bring home all kinds of bugs and germs.  But did you know that puppies and young dogs can, too?

Jen recently tried to wipe something off of Bailey’s tongue, thinking it was a piece of paper, or popcorn, sticking to it.  Realizing it was a growth of some kind, she frantically texted a photo of it to her vet, then scheduled an appointment for her 14-month-old saint.    Turns out, Bailey had a case of canine papilloma virus, or warts.  The virus strikes puppies and senior dogs because their immune systems are weak or not fully developed.   It spreads through direct contact or sharing items such as toys and water bowls.  It looks like cauliflower-shaped growths within or around the mouth of the animal.

According to Vetinfo.com , “If you have a multi-dog household and a dog with warts, you should keep him isolated for 1 to 2 months. However, adult dogs and dogs that have healthy immune systems are very unlikely to get the virus, so you may only keep your pet away from puppies and older dogs to prevent infection. However, the infection cannot be fully controlled, as the incubation period may last up to 2 months and the dog may not present any signs of warts but still be a carrier of the papilloma virus.”

You should check with your vet to get a proper diagnosis, but the good news is that, most often, the problem resolves itself in a few months.  If the growths are interfering with eating or swallowing, there could be a surgical option.

If you have a young dog, ask your vet about the papilloma virus, or  you may want to check out  Vetinfo.com or http://www.webvet.com/main/2008/06/06/papillomas-dogs.

Sunny Saints staff was recently asked to list three, four or more things that people may not know about dog rescue.  Not surprisingly, our discussion started off with the joy and satisfaction of saving lives, and the pride we take with creating happy families.   However, some surprising revelations were made, and we want to share them with you.

First, everyone thinks that all you need is a big heart to work in dog rescue. Wrong. You need to be able to think smart and have a strong backbone, to know what you can humanly do and not do. You need to make tough decisions about when to put a dog down for health or public safety reasons. You may have to walk away from a beautiful Saint in the shelter, knowing you have no suitable foster home for him, or if he’s animal aggressive. If an animal is placed in a home, and injures someone, your rescue could be liable, and be shut down by an insurance claim or lawsuit. Sometimes, you let one animal go for safety reasons, so that you can continue to SAVE many more. It can seem cruel and heartless at times. You must keep focused and keep your eye on the gold: Finding forever homes for as many  Saints as you can.

Dog rescue can be very depressing. You wonder, "we are only saving one Saint at a time, while thousands are dying and/or being abused." Yes, we aren't even approaching the TIP of the iceberg. Sunny Saints volunteers must remind themselves that they are removing sadness and misery from the world with each dog saved, and bringing joy - lots of joy - to families.  Removing sadness and misery, replacing it with joy. Not a bad thing.

It takes all kinds of people to form a successful rescue. It starts with passionate people, and you must assemble a team of people with diverse talents and skills. It takes business savvy, sometimes legal knowledge, dog training and behavioral knowledge, accountants, nurses, marketing pros, computer pros, vets, etc. This is just a very short list of the types of people we have involved. Sunny Saints seems pretty straight forward in its mission, but it takes a diverse village to run smoothly to continue it's success.  

It doesn't take a large yard, tons of time or even lots of money to help save Saint Bernards. Volunteering at an event for a few hours, donating $5 for food, helping transport a dog to a new home... priceless. And we can't do it without you. Even posting a flyer for a dog that needs a foster home. You may have just saved a life. It's so darn easy.

And the number one bonus of being a Sunny Saints volunteer is that you meet the nicest people, from ALL walks of life. To all of our Saint-loving, big-hearted friends: we can’t do it without you! You are appreciated! 

Now, it's your turn to add  to our list of "things you'd never know about dog rescue."

Thank you for opening up your hearts and homes!

It may be fall, but we still have the warmth of the sun … perfect for bathing your saint!  Sunny Saints supporter April recently shared some grooming tips, and,  given that her saints Goliath and Persephone are always looking so good, we figured we had to pass on her secrets to you.  Her dog baths may end up sounding more like “spa day,”  and you may not have the time or stamina to do the same, but find what works for you.  April’s grooming bucket includes a slicker for removing mats and tangles, a rake for combing through the long hair, a Zoom Groom rubber grooming brush, dog shampoos, and a pet dryer.  Shampoos formulated for dogs, rather than humans, are best, because the human variety can be very harsh on a dog’s skin, leading to dry and itchy skin. 

Spa day for these pampered pets starts off with teeth brushing, using an enzymatic toothpaste and a human toothbrush.  Other saint owners have suggested a baby washcloth wrapped around a finger to clean the teeth. Be sure to look for any redness, bleeding, or loose teeth that may need a vet’s attention.  April says she started doing this when her dogs were young, so they are used to it and don’t fight it.  If it becomes a test of wills to clean teeth, leave it to the professionals.  Some of her favorite products for maintaining healthy mouths are … Tropiclean Fresh Breath Water Additive and Fresh Mint Foam .

After a trimming of the nails, hair on the paws, and a sanitary trim,  you should spend time on a thorough brushing.  April has learned from show groomers that it’s essential to get all the knots and tangles out prior to the bath, as well as to remove the dead undercoat and matting, to allow proper penetration of water and shampoo to the skin.  This bath prep can be time consuming, depending on the dog, and can take up to 30 to 45 minutes!

Whether you bath your Saint outdoors or in your bathroom, secure them with a leash to prevent runaway wet dog. Now, this passionate Saint owner uses three (yes, three) professional-quality shampoos, but swears there is a method to her madness.  First, using a baking soda-based shampoo , transferred to a restaurant-style ketchup squeeze bottle for ease, she runs a bead of the shampoo from the neck, down the back to the tip of the tail, and down each leg.  Spritz with water and start to lather and then rinse.  If you’ve done a decent job of brushing out the hair and undercoating, the water and lather will get down to the skin, and not just merely the top coat.  This should “deodorize” your dog.  

The second step involves a whitening shampoo.   Be sure to include the dog’s head and chin in this step.  The third step is the freshening shampoo.  Now’s the time to bring in the Zoom Groom rubber brush which is great for working in lather and a soothing rub down.  Rinse well, and rinse again to make sure no trace of shampoo remains.  An oatmeal and baking soda conditioner may help troubled spots in the coat.  Allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

After towel-drying thoroughly, Persephone and Gogo get a few finishing touches, While many choose to let their saint “air dry,” April actually invested in a pet dryer, because not only does she not want the “wet dog” smell in her home, but she says it prevents your pup from getting hotspots and other skin problems as a result of the lingering moisture.  She uses the Metro Air Force Quick Draw Pet Dryer  that she found on petedge.com for less than $100.

April reminds us that saints’ floppy ears, combined with moisture, are a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.  Grooming isn’t complete without an ear cleaning, using an alcohol-based cleaner to remove any trapped water.  While your saint is still leashed, and holding the tip of the ear firmly, keep the whole ear upright and squirt a generous amount of the cleanser into the ear.  With your free hand, gently but firmly massage the base of the ear.  You will hear a squishy sound, and your dog will not be happy.   “Let go and move away,” she warns, “as your dog will shake his head.”  Repeat on the other ear.  With a few paper towels, or cotton pads, and two fingers,  wipe out and dry the inside of the ear.  She finishes off this star treament with a spritz of fragrant grooming spray.

Sunny Saints does not officially endorse any particular brand or type of products, but we do have a lot of passionate St. Bernard lovers and supporters who have a lot of experience and situations to share.  We’d love to hear about your dog grooming tips that just might make life easier for the rest of us!