MASSACHUSETTS
CANINE RESPONSE TEAM, INC.
VETERINARIAN NOTES
INDEX
Bloat
Cancer
Ear Infections
BLOAT
The following are some websites with
information about gastric torsion (ie, "bloat"). Bloat can be
caused by a variety of factors that can come together to create the condition in
any given dog. Some of these factors include feeding portions of food that
are too large; working the dog too soon after feeding; watering or feeding the
dog too soon after exertion; feeding a too rich diet. Another factor
gaining support within the vet community is that stress can be a factor in dogs
that bloat. The bottom line To minimize the risk of bloat, one should
divide a dog's daily food into several small portions, feed only a small amount
if one is going to work the dog, wait at least one-half hour after working the
dog before feeding a main meal and do not allow the dog to run around after
eating a main meal. To learn more, please visit the following websites:
http://www.dnet.net/~cottrell/bloat.htm
http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bloat1.htm
http://www.alaskanmalamute.org/jk0197.htm
http://devinefarm.net/rp/rpfbloat.htm
And the following is a Great Dane website that
offers additional information on bloat:
http://www.ualberta.ca/~dc8/szbloat.htm
CANCER
The following are some websites with information about cancer in dogs. Canine cancer can be caused by a variety of factors, some known/some not, but there are all degrees of treatment. Here are some sites that may shed light on the options available.
University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Cancer Center
http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/specialty/vet_onc/
Vet Info Center
www.gsm.com
EAR INFECTION TREATMENTS
"BLUE POWER EAR
TREATMENT"
INGREDIENTS:
16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol
4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%
Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well. You will also need to shake solution every time you use it to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. To use, purchase the "Clairol" type plastic bottle to dispense solution to affected ears.
TREATMENT: Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed and sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait until inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days. Shake the bottle each time before using. Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle), massage gently to the count of 60, wipe with a tissue. Flood again on first treatment, wipe with a tissue, and leave alone without massage. The dog will shake out the excess which can be wiped with a tissue.
SCHEDULE OF TREATMENT: Treat 2x per day for the first week to two weeks depending upon severity of ears. Treat 1x per day for the next 1-2 weeks. Treat 1x per month (or even less frequently, depending on the dog)
NOTES:
All of these ingredients should be available at your local pharmacy. Be careful,
however, as the Gentian Violet does stain fabrics!! Do not do this indoors; wear
old clothes. It doesn't seem to stain dog hair. Also, do not use Gentian Violet
Solution in strengths above 1%. Solutions in strengths above this will burn the
tissue and the body will have difficulty generating new tissue. Dogs do not seem
to object to even the first treatment despite the alcohol -- the Boric Acid
Powder soothes the ear. The Gentian Violet Solution is an anti-infection agent.
The solution appears to work well on any and all ear problems from mites to wax
to canker. After the 2nd or 3rd day you can clean out the ear with a Q-tip or
cotton balls. Their success rate for this treatment is 95-99%. Those who do not
succeed have usually not done the treatment long enough or have not been regular
about it. Dogs on the verge of ear canal surgery have been returned to normal
with only the regular follow-up treatment to keep the ear healthy. If an
infection seems to be remaining in the treated ear after the above course of
treatment, you may also have some Pseudomonas bacteria in the site. This
can be eradicated by using a gentle flush of raw apple cider vinegar and (warm)
water. PROPORTIONS: Use 2 tablespoons of vinegar to one cup of water, 2x per
week. Blue Power Solution also seems to be effective for treating fungus-type
infections on the feet and elsewhere on the dog, for cuts on dogs or people, and
for hot spots. You may find other uses for this simple anti-infective agent.
Remember it is for external use only and be careful not to get into the eyes.
Reposted with permission.
Comments about PLAIN BORIC ACID TREATMENT
Folks have used straight Boric Acid, in dry powdered form, on the worst pair of
ears seen in years. They were so swollen they were almost cauliflowered, oozing,
smelly and bleeding at the tips from head shaking. Repeated treatments of
Panalog, Surolan, vinegar, you name it, cleared it only temporarily. I used a
soft, large makeup brush and puffed it around the ear canal daily. Because it is
dry, the dog has no objections. Definite improvement in two days. Totally
cleared in one week. Weekly powder has kept them clear for months. Ears are now
pink, smooth, clean and (almost) sweet smelling!!
Reposted with permission.
CAUTION: Boric acid is a very mild almost neglible antiseptic but some people warn not to use it as a powder. Rather, the powder must be mixed with water as there is some hazard to inhaling the dust. But dogs that do not respond to traditional ear treatments (surolan, optimax, reader, cider vinegar) have tried this ear flush and after the third treatment, the ears had started to clear out and were pink.
NOTE: The foregoing information is carried above for informational purposes only and MACRT makes no guarantees as to the safety or the effectiveness of the above described Ear Treatments. The Ear Treatments described above have been in usage for many years but the reader uses the Treatment at their own risk and, as always, it is best to consult your veterinarian first before initiating any health treatments.