Fractures in dogs, how to act?

Without knowledge of first aid, the dog’s broken limb should not be moved so as not to injure the area further.

$Ferulas para fracturas perro$ Accidents and falls are the most common causes of fractures or broken bones in dogs . But not all fractures are the same. When they are serious and the dog does not receive treatment, it can die. This article explains how the owner of a dog with a fracture should act , how to prevent them and which dogs are more at risk of suffering fractures , as well as the reasons.

How should the owner of a dog with a fracture act?

If you have some knowledge of first aid, you can immobilize the injured area with a magazine or newspaper.

Owners can follow certain guidelines when their dog sustains a fracture . The main one is to go to the vet as soon as possible and move the dog as little as possible during its transfer. If you have some knowledge of first aid, you can immobilize the injured area with a magazine or newspaper tied or bandaged around the affected limb.

If you don’t know how to do it, because you don’t have minimal knowledge about how to splint the limb, it is recommended not to manipulate it. There is a risk of further injuring the area. Fractures located below the elbow or knee, in the joints, are more likely to worsen if the dog is moved.

Dogs can become unconscious after sustaining a fracture . In these cases, it is advisable to move them with their heads raised and not bend or compress the neck. In this way, we will prevent them from swallowing their tongue and they will be able to breathe. In addition, the danger of injury to the cervical area is reduced.

The speed with which we move the dog to the vet is essential. It may be that the accident occurs during the weekend or on a holiday, but there are veterinary clinics that have an emergency service and are available 24 hours a day.

Some of these clinics have an ambulance for the urgent collection of injured animals. Keep in mind that internal injuries can be more serious than fractures, so the sooner they are located and treated, the better.

“Fractures that occur in flat bones heal by themselves,” says veterinarian Ángel Suela. “However, those located in long bones, such as the femur, which break the tissue, are more serious fractures,” he says. There are those that may need surgery or cards (similar to a plaster) that immobilize the affected area for a month.

How to prevent bone breaks in the dog

Falls and accidents are frequent reasons for traumatism in the dog.

The best way to prevent fractures in dogs is to avoid accidents that cause trauma. “The gutters, drains and sewers are places where the dog suffers fractures and accidents are frequent,” warns veterinarian Leire Jiménez. Most dog fractures are due to falls and run overs . “There are dogs that fall out of the window or put their foot in a place where it gets caught and breaks,” he explains.

$Solución para fractura perro$ If you have a garden at home, make sure there are no places where the animal can get injured. Any gaps where their legs get caught should be plugged. If it is a dog that likes to look out the window -and is nervous and active, like a puppy-, it is advisable to close the windows or place parapets that prevent it from falling.

Hit-and-runs are also a source of fractures and injuries, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, the animal must circulate on a leash on public roads. In the countryside, although the dog walks without a leash in some sections, it must be supervised by its owners. The animal may escape and be run over on a nearby road or fall down a ravine or well.

Dogs at higher risk of fractures

Fractures or broken bones are more likely to occur in puppies, as they are very restless and are more at risk of falls and accidents. But dogs that suffer from bone wear (osteoporosis) or are very old are also candidates.

Very old dogs, from 10 years. They are more at risk of breaking a bone and their fractures take longer to heal. Lack of calcium, due to age, slows down fracture repair.
Dogs suffering from osteoporosis or decalcification of the bones. They are more at risk of fractures because their bones are weaker and a blow can cause them to break.
Puppies and very active dogs. Above all, when the dog has access to a garden, it should be watched, since it is more at risk of falling and hitting.

Caroline Pinedo

Source: Consumer

14/10/2012/by Ortocanis

Do you already know Oscar’s Law?

Curiosities, stories

Ortocanis wants Oscar’s Law!

The main mission of the Ortocanis project is to put an end to practices that consider animals as simple objects. We are happy when we find initiatives that help this same purpose, such as Oscar’s Law .

What is Oscar’s Law?

Oscar’s Law (Oscar’s law) is a famous campaign launched in Australia that urges the government to ban puppy farms in the country and has already been joined by important personalities. They are against dog breeders and promote the adoption of pets in kennels and shelters.

Who is Oscar?

Oscar is one of the dogs rescued by Debra Tanter, founder of the movement, in January 2010. It was used as a breeding machine on a puppy farm in Victoria, Australia. Oscar’s condition when he was rescued was pitiful, requiring urgent veterinary care. Among other treatments, he had to be shaved to clean his hair, cure a terrible ear infection, treat diseased gums and extract some rotten teeth.

Once washed and shaved, it was found that he was so malnourished that his skin looked like paper and his weight was well below normal.

Days later, recovered from his operations, the authorities returned Oscar to the same farm owners who had not taken care of him without penalizing them for the negligent treatment they were offering to the dogs.

On July 9, 2011, 18 months after returning him to the puppy farm, Oscar was rescued again. His recovery was gradual given the physical and psychological trauma he had suffered for 5 long years.

Oscar is safe now, but there are still thousands of “Oscars” hiding out there on puppy farms, treated like breeding machines to supply the market, and they need you to be their voice.

Spain is the country with the highest dropout rate in Europe. We hope that many initiatives like this will emerge, which in the long run could be the solution for many abandoned dogs.

http://www.oscarslaw.org/

http://www.ortocanis.com/blog

12/10/2012/by Ortocanis

How to know if your dog is cold?

Curiosities

If you live in places where the temperature drops suddenly and the cold makes you wear gloves, hats and thick jackets, playing, walking and exercising outside the home can be very hard activities for your dog. Dogs have a layer of hair and fat on their skin that serves to protect them from the cold, but sometimes this natural coat may be insufficient, especially in the case of puppies, dogs in the Senior stage or breeds with a very small complexion and/or with little hair on the body like the Xoloitzcuintli, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested and others.

It is vital to monitor the physical condition of our dogs and learn to detect if they are cold or not. You must be very attentive when the temperature drops so that you can prevent muscle injuries, numbness or early hypothermia.

Here are some symptoms:

Tremors.
Drowsiness.
Slow breathing.
Muscle stiffness or slow and clumsy mobility.
Dry skin.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms while away from home, it is imperative that you take him to a warm place and cover him with a blanket. If you have noticed that he has a numb part, give him a gentle massage to help him warm up and regulate the circulation of the body. If the symptoms persist and the tremors worsen, it is necessary to take him to the vet immediately, as it could be something serious.

If you live in cold places, try to keep the house warm. Remember that electric heaters and fireplaces should be well away from your dog, as both could be dangerous.
It would be advisable to use them only when the temperature has really dropped and you have proper ventilation inside the house.

For our dog in stage: Puppy
If you are getting him used to sleeping in the garden and he is less than 11 months old, it is recommended that you give him access to the interior of the home. There you can provide him with the necessary protection according to his metabolism. Puppies are much more sensitive and do not have such good defenses. They need a safe and warm space. If he is older than 11 months, his sleeping space could be away from home, but as long as he has a very well implemented carrier, kennel or house with blankets and away from wind currents.

For our dog in stage: Adult
If you sleep in the garden or patio, you should have a carrier, kennel or house very well implemented with blankets and away from wind currents. This way you will feel safe and you will not be cold.

For our dog in stage: Senior
During this stage it is essential that you have your space inside the house. A place without drafts or cold ground. Remember that you can also use a carrier, kennel or a special chair for him. At his age he will know that there he will obtain calm, rest and shelter at any time and in cold seasons.

That is why with the arrival of winter it is important to bear in mind that our dogs need a series of special cares that are different from those of the rest of the year. Do not forget to consult with your veterinarian the characteristics that your dog has to withstand different climates.

Source: cutemininos.com

10/10/2012/by Ortocanis

What can we do with a dog with degenerative myelopathy?

Pathologies, Treatments, vet

Degenerative myelopathy, the progressive and degenerative disease of the spinal cord of the elderly dog, has an onset from 8 years of age. In the initial phases, the dog shows incoordination in movements, falls off its hind legs or makes strange movements; staggers and drags one or both feet or walks with knuckles.

The disease can start in one hind limb and affect the other up to the thoracic limbs. The weakness progressively worsens, the dog has difficulty standing and has trouble walking. The disease can progress for a year until the dog finally becomes paraplegic or tetraplegic and must be euthanized. It is a slightly painful disease and in most cases it affects urination and defecation, they become incontinent.

There are no treatments that reduce this degeneration or stop it, but there are measures to help these dogs that suffer from it to maintain their quality of life. It is necessary for the animal to do rehabilitation exercises and maintain lifestyle habits at home to avoid pressure ulcers, urine infections and loss of mobility.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation can help slow the process. Secondary pain symptoms (tensions), created by the animal itself when trying to move, can be controlled. The aim is to stop the appearance of atrophy (loss of muscle mass) and preserve the function of the forelimbs, as well as preserve the integrity of the hind limbs, to avoid ulcers and keep them active as long as possible, stimulate their sensitivity and work on coordination and balance of the animal to give it a better quality of life.

For this, passive mobilization exercises, massages, stretching, combined with heat, hot packs , and with some device that combat atrophy , muscle electrostimulators and TENS pain, are used.

There is another part of the therapy that tries to maintain active mobility on the part of the animal. For that, balls , plates , hydrotherapy, bars and cones , walks, etc. are used. to maintain active mobility with good coordination without loss of balance. This stage is the one that is most altered with the course of the disease and for this, when the animal begins to deteriorate, not maintain its own weight, it is necessary to maintain mobility with the use of Harnesses for hindquarters , in the case of presenting difficulty only in hindquarters, or integral harnesses , to also support the anterior limbs.

The latest novelty on the market is the Biko Brace , a device that allows the dog to walk when the disease already affects the hind limbs significantly. In advanced phases of the disease, the use of customized wheelchairs is necessary.

During the stay at home, the animal must be in a comfortable, soft but firm place so that it can be easily incorporated. special mattress for dogs If the disease is in its early stages and the animal is dragging its feet, or with its knuckles, it is important to protect that area to avoid ulcers with booties or socks for dogs

During the course of the disease, the nutrition and weight control of the animal is very important to avoid complications.

In the following video we see TEX, a German Shepherd affected by degenerative myelopathy before and after the use of the Biko-Brace device.

Marta Subirats

canine physical therapist

Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner by the University of Tennessee

06/10/2012/by Ortocanis

Hip dysplasia in dogs – lameness

injuries, Pathologies, vet

Do large breed dogs slouch?

Are the alterations in the movement of the hindquarters in our dogs due to hip dysplasia?

On many occasions consultations are made for movement disorders or difficulties, claudication, limping of the hindquarters, either in puppies or in adult dogs. It is important to understand that NOT all claudication responds to the same pathology and of course to the same treatment. It is very common to hear that older dogs “loosen”.

The term hip displasia popularly refers to hip dysplasia and if we refer to elderly animals, in most cases it is not the hip that is responsible for this problem, but rather conditions of the dorsal or lumbar spine, showing great displacement difficulties and even paresis of the posterior train. Spine problems can appear in dogs from 7 or 8 years of age, mainly in large breeds with or without dysplasia. The clinical manifestations of hip problems are more frequent in young dogs, but it must also be taken into account that a large percentage of animals are asymptomatic.

What happens in older dogs?

As our dogs get older, the first signs of aging appear: decreased activity and some lameness in the hindquarters.

If they were dogs that showed no gait problems when they were young, owners are surprised by the change in activity and it is common to think that hip dysplasia has knocked on the door. However, in many cases the spinal column of these dogs has suffered from the action of pressure and traction on the intervertebral discs, causing a fibrous hardening of the capsules (with which the cartilaginous discs support or cushion less blows and traction) and in many Opportunities the nuclei of these intervertebral discs move, squeezing the spinal cord (herniated disc) compressing the nerve roots and causing pain and neurological dysfunction.

This disease is known as spondyloarthrosis or degenerative stenosis in the lumbosacral region or in the thoracolumbar region of the spine.

The symptoms vary according to the location of the lesions, but on many occasions they are similar to hip dysplasia: pain in the hind limbs, claudication and difficulty standing up, staggering and less activity. Spondyloarthrosis can progress to paralysis of the hindquarters. Many animals have one or more affected vertebrae in a subclinical state (without symptoms) or show slight clinical signs.

In the case of spondyloarthrosis, the treatments must be very energetic.

Anti- inflammatories , neurotrophic vitamins, chondroprotective cartilage regenerators, analgesics, muscle relaxants, as well as rehabilitation therapies in more serious cases are used together. Consult your veterinarian in these cases since it is very important to make a good diagnosis, differentiate the different pathologies to implement the appropriate treatment.

What happens in puppies and hip dysplasia?

If we think specifically about puppies, not all of them show symptoms having hip dysplasia. The diagnosis can be made from 6 months of age through an X-ray taken with the animal under anesthesia, which allows a perfect position and distension of the ligaments of the coxofemoral joint.

Other lesions in the lumbar spine (cauda equina) may appear here, producing pain and lameness that may coexist with hip dysplasia or with totally healthy hips, making differential and specific diagnosis essential.

These concepts have the sole objective of giving a general idea of some of the pathologies that can affect our dogs, so as not to be left with the concept that the “hip is the mother of all evils”.

Specifically in “old” dogs and puppies, we can monitor and prevent joint problems. Oral and injectable chondroprotectors are used for this, which inhibit the processes of cartilage-degrading enzymes, are natural anti-inflammatories, nourish cartilage cells and stimulate cartilage regeneration.

It is also advisable that as our dogs approach 10 years, they are well fed but thin. Obesity or overweight is an ingredient against longevity. Moderate exercise will keep our animals active and with a good temperament.

Dr. Ana María Robles – Veterinary Doctor – MP 2626

21/09/2012/by Ortocanis

How to make a paralytic dog cart?

Curiosities

A disabled dog or cat can cope more than well with a wheelchair. It gives you back mobility and you can regain your autonomy and physical form. See how to make a wheelchair by following the steps of this video.

Go get a pencil and take note!

20/09/2012/0 Comments/by Ortocanis

Advice after veterinary surgery

Treatments, vet

Advice after surgery

All surgical intervention entails certain problems of pain, osteoarthritis, mobility, loss of muscle mass and, sometimes, functionality from the moment the pathology arises and/or once the dog has been operated on.

This group of animals needs a series of daily attentions; small details that will significantly improve your quality of life and that you, as the owner, can provide.

First of all, it is very important for this group of animals to maintain good weight control. Avoiding being overweight reduces the stress on the joints and their pain. In addition, the appearance of secondary problems caused by excess weight is prevented.

Some advices:

ON THE STREET:

Avoid walking on slippery surfaces.
The walks have to be frequent and on a leash, since in this way you get your pet to take a slow but firm step without physically exhausting it. In addition, runs, jumps or other sudden movements that can be counterproductive for their joints, especially in older animals or in certain pathologies, are eliminated.
- During walks it can be used to walk on different surfaces (never slippery, or extreme steps), thus improving control and perception of your body.
If there is the possibility that the dog swims or walks along the banks of a river or beach, do it, it strengthens the muscles and improves the range of motion of the joints and its general physical condition.

AT HOME:

Prevent it from suffering changes in temperature or air currents.
It is recommended that it sleep on a soft and warm surface, but one that is firm enough for the animal to sit up without difficulty.
If you are used to sleeping on elevated surfaces, such as sofas, beds, chairs, etc. It is convenient to facilitate the ascent and descent of the area with a ramp. In the same way, you should act with animals that are used to traveling by car and have difficulties getting in and out or their surgical intervention temporarily prohibits them from doing so.
It is advisable to have plates at their height so as not to force the joints.
It is important to avoid sudden exits, behind the ball and pronounced jumps, especially in those animals with knee and back problems.

^* These basic tips are not applicable to all animals, nor to all pathologies equally. You should always consult your veterinarian.

Marta Subirats

Collaborating canine physiotherapist of Ortocanis

Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner by the University of Tennessee

08/09/2012/by Ortocanis

Is it true that dogs sweat through their tongues?

Curiosities

On summer days, their wet tongue cools them down as much as it does our sweaty armpits . But luckily for the dogs, their tongues don’t actually sweat.

Animals with little hair on their bodies – such as humans, horses and some species of monkeys – cool down when sweat evaporates from their skin. For species with long hair, such as dogs, sweating would be like putting on a sodden coat. For this reason, dogs stick out their tongues and pant to cool down .

It takes energy, in the form of body heat, to evaporate fluid from the surface of the skin or tongue, explains Jack Boulant, a thermal physiologist at The Ohio State University , when heat evaporates moisture from the surface, the low body temperature .

After a few years, scientists have discovered that dogs’ internal thermostat, the thermoregulatory system, reacts to heat by pumping warm blood to the tongue, opening the salivary glands, and causing rapid, shallow breathing . As the warm air flows down the windpipe and tongue, it helps to evaporate moisture, which removes heat from the dog’s blood.

In addition to lowering body temperature, this process helps cool the brain . The blood circulates through the nose and tongue and reaches the brain cooler, which keeps the organ that regulates heat at a lower temperature than the rest of the body. The cooling system also works for short-nosed breeds, such as the Pekingese, which has a smaller muzzle and narrower air passages.

Any other refrigeration system in the animal world?

In fact, dogs aren’t the only animals that use clever tricks to cool off. The rats lick their bellies. Kangaroos, when resting, blow and lick their bodies, and jumping makes them stop sweating. And this may not sound very good, but storks relieve the heat by defecating on their long legs.

Source:Quo.es

06/09/2012/0 Comments/by Ortocanis

Solutions to hip dysplasia in dogs. PennHIP Method

Treatments, vet

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common mobility difficulties in dogs, especially large ones. At Ortocanis, we work every day to expand and improve our range of products for these types of problems, and we believe that any additional information is good. Here we leave you another interesting article.

At the University of León, a radiographic method has been developed for the early diagnosis of this disease with great emotional repercussions for owners.

Hip dysplasia is a very common disease in large and giant breeds of dogs, which consists of defective development of this joint.

In it, the two bones that form the joint, femur and pelvis, do not adapt correctly due to different biomechanical imbalances produced during the growth of the animal. It is a hereditary disease, so the main solution to eradicate it is to avoid breeding these animals, although it is also important to control factors such as nutrition, weight or overexertion of the puppy during its growth as well as consanguinity in selective breeding.

The symptoms presented by the animals vary according to the severity of the dysplasia, from a slight lameness to the total inability of the animal to lead a normal life.

The diagnosis of this disease is not easy, since there is no method that allows it to be determined in all cases. The method accepted in Spain for certificate purposes is radiographic, although it has the disadvantage that it must be carried out when growth has finished, that is, after twelve months for most breeds.

Early diagnosis can prevent transmission

In the Doctoral Thesis of Beatriz Melo Alonso, defended at the University of León and directed by doctors José Manuel Gonzalo Orden and Mario Manuel Dinis, hip dysplasia has been investigated in one of our native breeds: the Burgos Pointer.
The result of this research has been worrying, since 59.3% of the animals studied suffer from hip dysplasia in its different degrees, with 18.6% severe dysplasia. This high percentage should alert the Burgos Perdiguero associations to try to eradicate it.

Early diagnostic

The drawback is that the aforementioned diagnostic technique is very late, and therefore, has a great emotional impact on owners.
For this reason, another part of the research has consisted of perfecting, for this breed, a new diagnostic technique developed in the United States called the PennHIP or distraction method, which consists of taking a specific X-ray and taking a measurement on it called the index of distraction.

This study has concluded that with the PennHIP method this disease can be predicted from four months of age, and throughout the animal’s growth, with the same reliability, in the Pointer, and it has even been possible to enunciate a formula with the which will know the degree of hip dysplasia that he will have in the future from the distraction index that he presents at four months. This system could reduce this disease, which has so much repercussion, both on the animal itself and on the owners.

Source: University of León

02/09/2012/0 Comments/by Ortocanis

Wheelchair for dogs Amigo. The future in the present.

Curiosities

DUDE. The future of dog wheelchairs?

This Amigo wheelchair at the moment is just a prototype from an Israeli design student. Hopefully one day it will be produced industrially. You can be sure that we will be the first to sell it.