Not a very appetizing subject for discussion, is it? It's certainly not what you'd talk about around the water cooler at work or while having coffee with friends.
Fact is, most people don't pay much attention to their dog's feet. But I'll bet some pets wish their owner's would because if these dogs had their nails trimmed regularly, their life would be much more comfortable.
There are lots of dogs that never get the benefit of a good pedicure. Of course, some never need it. But a few of these critters are forced to walk around with toenails that are so long that they suffer painful lameness, a condition that's easy to prevent.
Typically, dogs keep their toenails at a proper length just by walking and running around outside. They wear their nails down to a nice, comfortable level. Most people assume this and figure that their dog will never have a foot problem because Mother Nature will take care of things, right?
Not necessarily. Older, less active dogs rarely get enough outside exercise to keep their nails short. And indoor pets don't get out enough to do the job either. These are dogs that never wear down their toenails enough and need a regular trimming.
Without routine care, their nails may grow so long that they deflect their toes upward and off to one side. These poor dogs can't walk normally because their feet are pushed way out of position. Imagine if something was holding one or more of your toes over to the side all the time. You can bet it would hurt - a lot.
Your dog depends on you to trim its nails if they become long. And it's really an easy job. All it takes is a few minutes and a special, inexpensive nail clipper that can be found at any pet store.
Of course, some pets are a little less cooperative than others, and they can make the job more difficult than it should be. If giving a pedicure isn't something you can easily do, plan a quick visit to a grooming shop every two to three months. The cost is nominal, and it's an easy alternative. Your pooch will be happier and healthier, too.
Q: Our 11-year-old terrier, Marvin, has suddenly become deaf. We took him to the vet thinking he might have an ear infection. But the vet said his ears are clean and that he probably had nerve deafness. Can this happen so suddenly to a dog?
A: Deafness is common in older dogs. There is no particular age when this may develop, but we see it in middle-aged and older dogs. In a few, their ability to hear can be somewhat selective, as different tones and pitches are easier than others to hear. But for many, the hearing loss is complete and irreversible.
I'm glad you had Marvin examined by his vet. Occasionally deafness results from infection or some other treatable medical condition. But like him, many deaf dogs have no ear problems and are otherwise very healthy.
Deafness in dogs is just part of their aging process. And it doesn't seem to bother them at all. Like most others, Marvin should be able to adapt to his new handicap easily.
Q: There's been a lot of news lately about the dangers of Tylenol in people. This is a drug that I thought was really safe. We are using a new pain medication for our older arthritic dog. We think it's safe, but now I wonder if there is some risk to it as well. Are some of these newer pains medications safer than others?
A: The newer, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - so-called NSAIDS - are wonderfully potent analgesics. They can relieve moderate to severe pain and make life more comfortable for a lot of dogs and cats.
But all of these drugs have some potential side effects that can make your pet very sick. Before an animal is given any of these medications, he should have a physical exam. Sometimes a blood panel is needed to further evaluate your pet's health.
If you're not sure about your pooch's medication, talk to its veterinarian about the risks. Be sure you know what the risks are, and then you can decide if this medication is the right one for him.
And as an aside to our readers, never give Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) to your pet. These "human" drugs aren't predictably safe in animals and can cause serious health problems.
Pete Keesling Pete Keesling is a retired veterinarian who has lived and worked in San Martin for 31 years. He writes a bi-weekly column for South Valley Newspapers and hosts a radio talk show, Dr. Pete's Petpourri, Sundays at 1 p.m. and Friday mornings at 7:10 on KSCO 1080 AM. If you have questions about pet care, e-mail them to smvet3@yahoo.com.
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San Benito Score: Boys and girls soccer and Mid-Cals
