CBD Products on the Market

If you and your veterinarian decide that you should try CBD as a treatment for your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing CBD oil. Not all oils are the same; you’ll want high-quality CBD oil to have a better chance of it working.

• Look for organic. If the CBD oil is not organic, it at least should not contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents.
• Don’t price shop. The higher the quality and purity, the higher the cost. You don’t want to go for a cheaper option that could have toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives.
• Get the analysis. The manufacturer should provide a certificate that tells you the amount of CBD that is in the product. Many CBD oils contain only small amounts of CBD. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product.
• Buy CBD as a tincture. You can buy dog treats containing CBD, but the best form to administer is a tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop.

The CBD Trend

Why are we hearing so much about CBD oil now? Dr. Klein points to the legalization of marijuana in many places, which has triggered interest in marijuana-related products. “We are likely to see continued interest in CBD and an increase in research about its uses and efficacy in the coming years,” he says.

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What you should know about CBD Oil for Dogs

When it comes to CBD oil for dogs, there’s a lot of information floating around online. Of course, you want to do what’s best for your pup, which leads to the question: What are the need-to-know facts regarding CBD oil?

We spoke with Lauren Sanders of Hempworx and she helped explain what CBD oil and treats do, what it and the safety concerns and side effects.

CBD Oil

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol.  It is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. It is important to state that CBD does not contain THC. THC is what gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. In fact, most CBD products are derived from hemp and not from marijuana.

How Does CBD Affect Dogs?

There is no scientific research so the FDA can’t properly issue a dosing chart.  Nobody knows what dosage would be toxic to your dog or the risk of reaction as well. It is always smart to consult your vet before giving your dog anything new.  Starting with smaller doses and closely monitor the effects.  What scientists do know is that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state.

What does CBD help with?

While there’s no definitive scientific data on using CBD to treat dogs, there’s anecdotal evidence from dog owners suggesting it can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, as well as helping to control seizures. 

It has many anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact, and for possible anti-cancer benefits, although there’s no conclusive data on this use.

Other ways CBD oil can help is with Allergies, Anxiety, Appetite, Arthritis, Fatty Tumors, Chronic Pain, Quality of Life, Digestive Issues, Seizures, Glaucoma, Hot Spots and Skin Problems.

 

Possible Side Effects of CBD in Dogs

While there’s no scientific data on the side effects of CBD usage for dogs, there are potential side effects based on how CDB affects humans.

• Dry mouth: Research has shown that CBD can decrease the production of saliva. For dogs, this would manifest as an increased thirst.
• Lowered blood pressure: High doses of CBD have been known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Even though the drop is small, it might create a brief feeling of light-headedness.
• Drowsiness: Dog owners have used CBD to treat anxiety. The calming effect of CBD can also cause slight drowsiness, especially when using higher doses.

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A Raw Story

Raw is Intimidating

Feeding your loved ones a raw diet can be intimating to start, but once you see the benefits, there is no turning back.  On our Raw journey, others like to share their Raw stories with us.  Here is one from AJ Larribas of RBF Bullyhouse in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Raw is intimidating! There’re so many things to know! There’s so many different types of raw. We decided that PMR or Prey Model Raw was best for our English Bulldog. Raw Meat, Raw organs, Raw Bones. 80% Meat, 10% Bone, 10% Organs or 80/10/10 80% Meat, Minimum of 3/4 proteins the more the better. Examples= Beef, bison, chicken, fish, gizzards, heart, goat, kangaroo, ostrich, pheasant, duck, pork, quail, rabbit, sheep, tongue, tripe, turkey, venison. Do not feed bear, fox, raccoon, wild boar, or other carnivores. 10% Secreting Organ examples= Brain, kidney, liver, ovaries, pancreas, spleen, testicles, thymus. 10% Bones Feet, necks, ribs, whole prey wings. Your raw diet must have calcium. Organs are the Multi-vitamins. Muscle meat is the foundation. Watch the Fat. Variety counts! Balance over time. Feed fish once a week. Eggs are also a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin 812, Riboflavin, Iron, Selenium and fatty acids. The shell is also full of vitamins and calcium. Over all eggs help provide healthy coats. Eggs should always be farm fresh and free of chemicals to be safe! The first rule I follow is ALWAYS use a metal stainless steel bowl. CLEAN IT OFTEN. If properly cleaned stainless steel will not trap harmful bacteria. The amount you feed is based off of age and weight. This is just a rule of thumb. EVERY dog is different. Depending on the breed, activity level and metabolism of certain dogs being fed higher percentages is necessary to keep a dog healthy. 7-10 weeks old= 10% of current weight. 10-16 weeks old= 8% of current weight. 16-20 weeks old= 7% of current weight. 20-24 weeks old= 6% of current weight. 24-36 weeks old= 5% of current weight. 36-56 weeks old= 4% of current weight. 56-68 week old=3.5% of current weight. 68 weeks and up= 2%-3% of current weight. Other examples of raw suggest 2% to 3% of ideal adult weight. For example if they should weigh 50 pounds feed 1 pound of food. Weight loss is 1.5%-2% of current body weight. Maintaining weight is 3%-4% of current body weight. Weight gain or high energy is 5+% Some dogs are more accustomed to eating once a day. My pack is more accustomed to eating twice a day. My English bulldog eats 1.92 pounds day. He eats 1 pound for breakfast and .92 for dinner. Do what is best for you and your pack!

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Tip and Tricks to prevent Bulldogs from Overheating

Keeping Bulldogs Calm and Cool

Owning a Bulldog is a unique and rewarding experience.  However, they are a unique breed and one of their most important characteristics is they have a tendency to overheat.  Take extreme caution especially as we make our way back into the summer months. Keeping your dog healthy and happy is crucial.  Here are some ways to help prevent overheating in your Bulldog.

Limit outside exposure during hot weather days.  Bulldogs are indoor dogs by design so if you must take them with you in extreme heat, always have some cold water on hand to cool them down.  Cooling towels can help with that a well.  

Bulldogs are easy going by nature and love to be around people.  When they are overheating, they aren’t going to alert you.  If your Bulldog is outdoors with you during extreme temperatures, find them some shade.  Also, don’t leave them alone for long stretches of time.  Keep an eye on them as you know your Bulldogs temperament better than anyone.  Any signs they are acting different, get them inside and cool them down.

Limit your Bulldogs playfulness during hot days.  They don’t know their own limits and they just love to play.  They will play themselves right into exhaustion. Monitor their activities to ensure they aren’t at risk for overheating or heat stroke.

Overheating is something can also occur indoors as well.  If you are inside and uncomfortable from the heat, your Bulldog is probably as hot or hotter.  Always have water available to your Bulldog.  If their sleeping, eating or resting areas are in front of a sun filled window, change those areas up or keep extra fans around to keep them cool.

Bulldogs are unlike most other breeds of dog.  They have short snouts and because they don’t pant as much as other dogs, they can’t maintain body temperature.  This is what cause the Bulldog to overheat.  Signs this is happening are vomiting, glazed and glossy eyes, abnormal breathing, dry, dark or pale gums and unresponsiveness.  If you see any of these signs, using a water hose, wet towels or a bathtub, soak the dog in cool water.  The important areas to concentrate on are the Head, Neck and Nose area.  After that, concentrate on their legs.

If you are unable to help your Bulldog using these steps, seek immediate help from the closest animal hospital or veterinarian to help prevent heat stroke or other serious health issues that may arise.

Head over to BallparkBulldogs.com for more Bulldog tips and information.

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Benefits of a RAW diet in Bulldogs

The Raw Journey

Vets labs all over the world have done tests comparing a raw diet for dogs against dry dog food.  In every trial that I have read, it found that Bulldogs fed raw meat had significant health benefits the dry food didn’t provide.  This gave us the confidence to try it with our puppies and the benefits they spoke of were evident.

First let’s start with their Coat.  This was the second thing we noticed (first thing at the end) and it happened quickly.  Almost half of the protein Bulldogs eat goes directly to their skin and coat.  When they have a raw diet that is high in protein and fat, this helps give a Bulldog the beautiful coat they deserve.

The next thing we noticed was the Behavior of our Bulldogs.  When you remove the dry kibble, Energy levels were increased. Without those high carbohydrates found in dry food, blood sugar and insulin levels were not raised.  Also, they are just full of chemicals and low in vitamin B which benefits theirs brains.  Just look at the labels.

The next thing we noticed was their waste.  Dry food would be terrible to dogs if they didn’t load it up with salt. With so much salt, they have to drink more water which leads to more bathroom breaks and accidents that happen that normally wouldn’t.  Bathroom breaks aside, this absolutely leads to kidney issues and shorter lives of our loved ones.

And last is the SMELL. Bulldogs are gassy gassy gassy. With fresh food easier to digest than dry food, this leads to less of it!  I haven’t smelled my Bulldogs gas since the FIRST day they started RAW.

There is a tremendous amount of kidney disease, pancreatitis and cancer occurring in dogs today and dry food seems to be the cause.  For us, the benefits of Meat and Bone are the difference!

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Heartworm in Dogs: What You Should Know

Part 2 – Symptoms and Treatment of Heartworm

 

 

The Symptoms of Heartworm Infection

In the early stages, there will be no signs of disease and it won’t show up on a blood test.  Around six to eight months after the mosquito bite, blood tests will reveal the presence of antigens or microfilaria, according to the AHS. Other blood tests can measure antigens secreted by the female heartworm.

As the worms grow and multiply, the following symptoms will become evident, increasing in severity as the disease progresses. There are four classes of infection:

• Class one has no symptoms or just mild cough.
• Class two is marked by mild exercise intolerance and persistent cough.
• Class three will result in greater exercise intolerance, abnormal lung sounds, weak pulse, syncope (fainting caused by impaired blood flow to the brain), decreased appetite, weight loss, ascites (swollen belly due to heart failure).
• Class four is known as caval syndrome, a life-threatening cardiovascular collapse, which is marked by labored breathing, pale gums, and dark coffee-colored urine, leading to complete organ failure and death.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Heartworm Disease

If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm through a blood test, your veterinarian will use different tests as confirmation. These include:

• Radiographs to pinpoint abnormalities in the right side of the heart and pulmonary arteries.
• Ultrasounds to show abnormal organ shape as well as wriggling worms.
• Echocardiogram to see inside heart chambers and visualize worms.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, your vet will advise you to:

• Restrict activity. Exertion will worsen heartworm damage. Crate confinement may be necessary.
• Kill adult worms. One drug is available for this purpose in the U.S. — Immiticide, manufactured and marketed by Merial. It is administered by deep intramuscular injection into the dog’s lumbar region of the lower back and is recommended for disease that has not progressed past class three. In addition, other drugs such as heartworm preventives, antibiotics, and steroids may be part of your veterinarian’s protocol.
• Surgery. In extreme cases, veterinarians will resort to surgery, physically pulling the worms out.
• Follow up with heartworm tests. The first should take place six months after successful treatment.

Preventing Heartworm

Treatment for heartworm is very hard on the dog, which is why veterinarians are so adamant about yearly testing and administration of preventative compounds — what scientists call chemoprophylaxis. These medications are also effective against other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, fleas, and tapeworms. Different formulations are available for dogs and cats, and it is important that you do not mix them up.

Following is a list of some preventatives. Discuss with your veterinarian about which one best fits your dog’s needs:

• Heartgard ®Plus for Dogs (chewable, ivermectin/pyrantel)
• Tri-Heart®Plus for Dogs (chewable, ivermectin/pyrantel)
• Iverhart Max® for Dogs (chewable, ivermectin/pyrantel permeate/prziquantel)
• Sentinel® for Dogs (chewable, milbemycin oxime/lufenuron/praziquantel)
• Revolution® for Dogs (topical, selamectin)
• Advantage Multifor Dogs (topical, imidacloprid + moxidectin)
• Trifexis (Milbemycin and spinosad)
• ProHeart® 6 (injectable, given only by a veterinarian) — Lasts 6 months. Not effective against intestinal parasites.

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Heartworm in Dogs: What You Should Know