i got bit: a cautionary tale

As a professional pet sitter for over ten years, I fancy myself pretty talented in reading dogs' body language. I've learned through experience to be cautious around all dogs initially. I let the canine set the pace in terms of how quickly we get to know each other. While some stick their tongue in my nostril within the first five seconds of meeting me, some are slower to warm up. Just like people, there are extroverts and introverts.

Winter holiday season is a busy time for pet sitters, and this year was no exception for me. I had a couple of pooches staying with me, and several animals of all types I was visiting each day. On Christmas, I was looking forward to visiting Chico*, a sweet little pooch I've cared for for years (one of my favorites...don't tell the others). I was especially excited because Chico's mommy told me the news that they had adopted a brother for Chico. I would get to meet Banjo! My client let me know that Banjo was a little out of sorts since he'd become a recent addition to the family and hadn't quite gotten used to things, yet, so I knew going in to take things slow and give Banjo whatever time and space he needed.

When I arrived, I let Chico out of his crate and he greeted me warmly. We kissed and snuggled for a bit, and then I set out to focus on Banjo, who I thought I saw dart into the closet. He didn't bark or seem upset...just seemed to want his space. 

I turned on the closet light and saw Banjo in the middle of the expansive space. He was lying down with his head down, looking submissive, but relaxed. He rolled a bit from side-to-side as if he was considering me as a possible play mate, but I could tell he was feeling shy and not totally comfortable. I ignored him and went back to Chico, sure to stay in Banjo's sight so he could get to know me from afar and see that Chico and I were buds. 

After ignoring him for a bit. I talked to Banjo and let him know that everything was okay. I was sure to keep the opening to the closet clear so he wouldn't feel cornered and trapped. He remained where he was, never growling, alternating his ears from forward to back, letting me know he was feeling cautious, yet might be open to the possibility of becoming friends. I did not approach him, but continued to play with Chico so Banjo could see. 

Chico decided he needed some water, so he left my side. 

I kept my distance from Banjo (about eight feet) but reached my hand toward him, palm up, trying to take our budding friendship to the next level.

Banjo suddenly leaped into action, and within a fraction of a second, his sharp teeth were clamped onto my wrist. Only after he clamped on did he begin to growl. And he wouldn't let go. I pried him off and escaped to the other room while he retreated silently back into the closet. 

I was scared and shocked. The bite was painful, but my heart hurt more. I paced around the kitchen, crying and confused, while Chico tried to comfort me. It happened so fast, and I'd taken all precautions. Banjo hadn't even warned me that he was in attack mode. As I wandered around thinking what to do, trying to stop the bleeding, Banjo charged me a second time. He jumped up and bit my thighs repeatedly. I yelled at him, and he finally retreated back to the closet, so I shut the master bedroom door behind him. Thankfully, I was wearing jeans so the injury to my legs was limited to some bruising. 

Moments after the bite occurred.

My emotions escalated. I was now being actively pursued by a very distraught animal whom I was supposed to care for. Though my drive was to make sure the animals were okay, I realized that I needed to protect myself.

With Banjo contained, I called my client, Kathy. I didn't even pretend to have my shit together, but I tried to be as professional as possible through the tears. The situation was awful. 

Kathy was apologetic. She said she knew Banjo was feeling uncomfortable but had no idea he'd react as he did. I apologized, as well. I'd never before come across a case I couldn't handle. Kathy asked me to leave immediately and to take Chico with me since he'd been to my house before. She'd have a friend who Banjo had met before come in to check on him.

I gathered Chico's things, made sure there was plenty of food and water for Banjo, opened the bedroom door cautiously, and left. I felt like a failure, though I knew I'd done everything by the book. My wrist began to throb as the adrenaline in my system wore off. 

When I got home to our Christmas celebration, my husband and friend helped me clean my wound. They both advised me to go to the hospital to get stitches, but being the stubborn one that I am, I was determined not to spend Christmas in the ER. I noticed, too, that my thumb was numb. The bite was at the base of my thumb, so perhaps a nerve was hit.

It's been a little over two weeks since the incident. I feel okay in my heart and head after replaying the circumstances over and over. Though the wound is healing well (even without stitches...so there), my thumb is still without feeling. I'm hoping that will come back.

I'm through beating myself up over it. I did everything I could. I accept the situation, and I add it to my arsenal of experience.

Each day we learn. Even when we think we are experts in a field, there is always something to learn. I learned that though dogs produce predictable warning signs 99% of the time, attacks can occur without notice. Dogs are lovable, smart creatures, but, just like people, sometimes there is damage inside that you can't see. And sometimes that angst displays atypically. 

Always expect the unexpected. 

*Names have been changed.

Aggressive dog photo source: pets.webmd.com

it's a great time to adopt: the post-holiday pet crisis

Just after the holidays, there is an influx of pets–mostly dogs and cats–who are brought to shelters and pounds or simply abandoned. These gifted pets may have been unwanted, or their well-intended owners may not have realized the responsibility and work the pets would require. Unless the pet-giver is certain a pet is wanted and the pet's new family is ready to take on the commitment for the long haul, gifting a pet is not a good idea. It looks like a dream when we see that little girl opening up a perfectly-wrapped package to reveal a silky butterball-of-a-puppy. What we don't envision are the potty training mishaps, chewed table leg or stained couch. Reality bites.

It's not the pet's fault. 

There is a post-holiday pet crisis, so if you're considering adoption (and you understand the reality of pet parenting), now is a great time to bring home a new furry family member. After impulsively indulging in a pet fantasy, many people surrender their pets in the days and weeks following December holidays. When the shelters fill to capacity, these pets are sometimes abandoned altogether, left to fend for themselves. 

So after careful consideration and planning, if you're ready to adopt, now is an excellent time to make one of these animals part of your family.

Resources:

Adoption Tips from the ASPCA

ASPCA: Find a Pet to Adopt Near You

Lost Our Home Pet Foundation (Phoenix area)

matters of the heart: my svt and the dogs, part two: the diagnosis

Mark D. Kittleson, D.V.M., Ph.D. explains how SVT may present itself.

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is defined as repetitive supraventricular premature depolarizations (SPDs). As with SPDs, SVT can originate from atrial myocardium or AV junctional tissue. They most commonly occur in humans because of reentry, although automatic SVT can occur...Few electrophysiologic studies have been performed in dog, but response to therapy (most SVTs respond to calcium channel blocker administration) suggests that reentry is also the most common mechanism underlying SVT in the dog

I spoke before about the ties between the symptoms of my own SVT and that in canine STV. If you missed that post, the layperson's description for the clinical one you just read is that SVT presents itself as a sudden, rapid heart rate for no apparent reason. It can be mild or severe. In my case, it was severe and required medical treatment.

After my hospital visit discussed in the previous post, I was referred to a cardiologist who discussed the possibility of SVT and recommended I wear a Holter Monitor for several weeks. As Wikipedia describes it, a Holter Monitor "records electrical signals from the heart via a series of electrodes attached to the chest...these electrodes are connected to a small piece of equipment that is attached to the patient's belt or hung around the neck, and is responsible for keeping a log of the heart's electrical activity throughout the recording period. A company would monitor my heart rate, and I would be required to call them to report any symptoms.

I wore the monitor and alarmed fitness instructors at the gym and many of my friends. I called the people monitoring my heart whenever I felt symptoms, and it quickly became apparent that I needed to put them in my "favorites" list on my phone. When I actually had to physically take action by calling the monitoring facility, it made me realize exactly how often my symptoms were presenting, which was several times a day. Considering that most SVT patients present symptoms only once every few weeks, my condition was fairly alarming.

When I returned to the doctor after the monitoring period, she said "I don't know how you're living like this. I've rarely seen a case this severe." She officially diagnosed me with supraventriciular tachardia, or SVT. 

SVT is typically a genetic condition, and it is congenital, meaning that you have to be born with it. Symptoms typically don't appear until adolescence, but that isn't always the case. Though not normally life-threatening, my SVT was so frequent that my cardiologist advised me to have a cardiac ablation as soon as possible. She suspected that I had multiple extra electrical connections that contributed to the severity of my condition, and she advised me not to have any more children until I had the procedure done since hormones are a contributing factor. Lucky for me, I was done having kiddos. Even so, the fact that my heart was so over-taxed on such a regular basis was not good. My heart needed a break, and so did I.

Long-term SVT can lead to progressive myocardial (heart muscle failure) or congestive heart failure in humans and dogs. 

Regarding Canine SVT, PetMD.com says

SVT may go unnoticed when it is periodic, but where there are repetitive supra ventricular premature electrical heart depolarizations (changes in the heart's electrical potential) that originate from a site other than the sinus node (the pacemaker of the heart), such as the atrial muscle or atrioventricular nodal tissue, the condition can become a serious health problem. 

When Canine SVT is slow or infrequent, there may be no clinical signs, but dogs with fast SVT (a heart rate greater than 300 beats per minute) may exhibit weakness or fainting. Dogs with congestive heart failure may cough or have breathing abnormalities. 

SVT in dogs is also thought to develop due to a genetic predisposition or for unknown reasons, but PetMD states that other factors may contribute to the condition, including

• heart disease

• digoxin toxicity

• systemic disorders

• electrolyte imbalances

• abnormal automaticity in ectopic focus (when the heart beats prematurely or outside the normal parameters)

In order to reach a diagnosis, a veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam of your dog. That exam, in combination with the symptoms you report, is critical, as dogs typically won't tolerate wearing a monitor for weeks on end (heck, I could barely tolerate it). Long-term monitors are used in some canine cases. Laboratory tests will also help the veterinarian diagnose Canine SVT. These tests include a biochemical profile, bloodworm, a urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel, which rules out other diseases. The veterinarian may also use an electrocardiogram (EKG) recording to take a more in-depth look at the electrical currents in the heart muscles. The EKG may show abnormalities in the heart's beating ability.

When I received my diagnosis, I had a mixed sense of terror and relief. My condition was serious, which was frightening, but death was not imminent, and I finally had a name and medical description for what I was going through, which helped me feel more settled about my symptoms. I imagine pet parents of dogs with Canine SVT would feel the same way.

Mystery solved. Now, what? 

In part three of this series, we'll discuss the treatment.

Further reading:

matters of the heart: my set and the dogs, part one: the symptoms

small steps to a healthier pet diet: eliminate artificial colors

I believe that making improvements on what we consume, whether for ourselves or our pets, is a never-ending process. That may sound daunting, but, really, thinking that way has been quite freeing to me. I know that there is no level of perfection to reach. I just do the best I can each day and I learn each day. And it's okay if I eat something not-so-great every once in a while. 

I have a friend–Shanon–who is a nutritionist, and that scared me at first. Would she judge everything I put into my mouth? When I got to know her better, I discovered that she is one of the most non-judgemental people I know. She offers great advice that is reasonable. It's not feasible for everyone to cook every meal at home from only fresh, organic and sustainably raised ingredients. Sure, some of us roll that way, but we didn't get there overnight (btw...I try to roll that way but fall short quite often).  

She says "let's talk about where you are now, and then we'll make some small, gradual improvements. When you're ready to take more on, I'll help you." She does this for people who eat at McDonald's fourteen times a week, for vegans who grow and raise all of their own food, and for everyone in between. And her baby steps are for real. That person who eats at McDonald's fourteen times? She'll advise them to switch two or three of those meals to In-n-out, a better choice in terms of quality ingredients. Then they work up from there. 

Shannon inspires me to make better choices within reason. I don't have to kill myself over it or feel deprived–or like I'm depriving my family. I try to apply her "method" to most aspects of my life, including how I feed my pets. Over time, I've made gradual improvements to my pets' diets, and each day I learn something new. It seems the subject of what we ingest for our health is infinite.

We read the labels on the food we purchase for ourselves and our human family members, so if you're not doing it already, it's important to do the same for the food you choose to purchase for your pet. If I take Shannon's baby steps to heart and apply them to the pet realm, the first step in creating a healthier diet for your pet (and one of the easiest ones to take) is to make sure that the food you are feeding your furry family member is free of artificial colors. As a rule of thumb, if you are purchasing a mega-brand and/or grocery store food for your pet, it likely contains artificial colors. Even some boutique brands have something to hide. As you wouldn't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge a pet food by how healthy the package looks. 

So while you go grab that bag of kibble to reference, I'll outline which colors are commonly found in pet food and why we want to avoid them. 

Yellow 5: Also known as tartrazine or E102, this dye requires a warning label in Europe. It is commonly found in processed foods we humans consume as well as pet food. It is thought to cause neurochemical and behavior effects, including hyperactivity, aggression, and insomnia. It is also linked to asthma, allergies, thyroid tumors, lymphomas, ADHD and chromosomal damage.

Red 40: Perhaps the most well-known artificial food dye because of its prevalence and bad reputation, it is tainted with cancer-causing contaminants. You've probably heard a lot about it because it's linked to ADHD and hyperactivity in children.

Blue 2: Often contains cancer-causing contaminants and may contribute to abnormal cell development, especially in the brain. It is most closely linked to brain tumors. May also cause allergic reactions.

Yellow 6: Has been reported to cause allergies and is linked to hyperactivity in children. some studies have shown that it has caused adrenal gland and kidney tumors in animals. It is also linked to skin issues, asthma, and chromosomal damage.

None of this is good.

Do our pets care about the color of their food? That's pretty doubtful. So why in the world are these artificial colors added to our pets' food?

For us.

Yes, for us. If we see green kibble in the shape of a pea, we think "real veggies." And if we see a red kibble in the shape of a steak, there must be real beef in there. The opposite is true. Orange is not cheese, either. Our pets do not choose the food we purchase for them. It's all about us, and it's a mental game. Many companies prey upon the common misconception that "color" means "real" and "fresh," when it means exactly the opposite. 

There are a million (or so) ways we can help our pets through diet, but an easy first step toward a healthier way is to make sure we are eliminating artificial color from their diets. For every food that has artificial colors, there is a better one that doesn't. Instead of shopping at the grocery store or mega pet store for pet food, try a small, locally owned shop. The employees are likely to be more educated and can help you find the right food to meet your pet's needs. 

We rotate our dog, N.A.S.H.A.'s food (another great way to keep your pet healthier). Some we purchase from our local small pet supply store, and some I order online through Petbrosia, a company that customizes and delivers dog and cat food based on the breed, age, gender, and activity level of your pet. We love it, so it might be worth checking out if you're looking to make a switch.

Feeding ourselves can be quite overwhelming, so worrying about the diet we feed our pets is just another stressor, but it doesn't have to be, and we don't need to beat ourselves up over it. Take reasonable steps to improve the situation. Ask yourself, as Shannon would "where are you now?" There's always room for improvement.

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Hybrid Rasta Mama, for whom I create original content. It appears here, with minor changes, with permission.

Food color photo source: naturallysavvy.com

goin' green gift guide for pets

Whenever I shop for my pets, I try to seek out products that are non-toxic, chemical-free, free of artificial ingredients, natural, and eco-friendly. The same holds true for holiday gift-giving. That can be a lot to ask for and sometimes a challenge to find, so I've compiled a list of some of our favorites that fit the bill. If you haven't yet shopped for your pets consider these green gifts:

Dogitalis Natural Dog Shampoo     $17.99

Dogitalis Natural Dog Shampoo is a natural clarifying shampoo that will promote a healthy, shiny coat and sooth your dog's skin naturally. It is formulated with pure essential oils and gentle, natural cleansing agents.   It is suitable for all breeds. The light citrus scent leaves your dog's coat smelling fresh and clean. Eco-friendly, this shampoo is made using only pure, natural ingredients–no paragons, sulfates, dyes, artificial fragrances or chemicals, and is made in the USA.

Digitalis Natural Dog Shampoo comes in a 16 oz recyclable PET bottle.

Back to the Roots Aqua Farm     $59.99

The AquaFarm is a three-gallon fish tank that makes a perfect home for a beta fish. It has a vegetable and herb grow-bed atop the tank that contributes to a closed-loop system. In other words, the waste from the fish provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish. No way! All you have to do is feed your fish!

Wheatgrass and basil seeds are included with your AquaFarm, but you can grow other leafy greens and herbs, as well.

SomaPet     $69.95

For over fifteen years, SomaLife has been an all-natural, cutting edge nutraceutical company focusing on three specific fields: age management, athletic performance, and brain health. They have developed proprietary formulations based on years of clinical research and supported by indisputable body science that have proven so effective that they have received international patents.

The SomaPet supplement is a specific combination of amino acids formulated to optimize the health of your pet. The specific combination, when taken orally, is designed to support the release of Growth Hormone from the pituitary, which assists in cell repair and regeneration. SomaPet aids in the following:

• Improved immune function

• Improved nervous function

• Strengthened collagen and bone

• Increased healing

• Cellular energy promotion

• Minimize exercise damage

SomaLife/SomaPet is offering some holiday specials you can take advantage of. From December 19th through the 21st, you can save 30% on your entire order!

Read my full testimony on the Well Minded blog.

USE CODE NASHA15 TO RECEIVE 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER (no expiration)!

Bowsers Eco Placemat for Pets     $25.49-$32.49

Forget those slippery plastic placemats! Bowsers Eco Placemat for Pets is manufactured from recycled rubber tires and microvelvet, which means it's both strong and comfortable, especially for pets who may benefit from eased stress on their feet, back, and joints. It can be used either as a placemat for food dishes or as a comfort mat. It repels dirt, spills, and moisture, making clean-up a snap. We love that the mat comes in eight different patterns, so you can be sure to find something stylish that suits your decor. The Eco Placemat also comes in two sizes, 10" x 20" or 15" x 27."

Bell Rock Growers Pet Greens Garden Grass Self Grow Kit     $4.99

Bell Rock Growers Pet Greens Garden Grass Self Grow Kit is a great way to grow your own wheat grass for your pet. It is ideal for cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles. It is healthy, all-natural, and gluten free and is USDA certified organic. It is a great treat, and provides an alternative to eating possibly toxic houseplants or outdoor grasses. 

All you have to do is add water, so it's super easy, and the grass grows full in just 7-10 days, so your pet won't have to wait long to enjoy!

PetPals Recycled Paper Cat House     $200.99-$220.99

The PetPals Recycled Paper Cat House comes in both one- and two-condo varieties. The sturdy cat tree is made of recycled paper and carpet. It features several sisal scratching posts, one or two condos, a cradle (two in the two-condo version), a hanging teaser toy, and a tunnel (single condo only). The six levels will allow one or multiple cats to relax, enjoy, and be entertained. The cat house is easy to assemble, so Fluffy won't have to wait long to live in the lap of eco-friendly luxury.

PetPals Recycled Paper Cat House with one condo.

PetPals Recycled Paper Cat House with two condos.

Product dimensions: 23" L x 17" W x 24" H (single condo) and 31" L x 23" W x 64" H (double condo).

Eco Tosser Dog Toy–Honest Pet Products     $10.99-$13.99

The Eco Tosser Dog Toy from Honest Pet Products is a do-gooder's dream. Unlike tennis balls, the Eco Tosser is entirely safe and free from harmful chemicals. It is completely non-toxic and made from earth-friendly, sustainable help canvas stuffed with organic will. Play fetch in your backyard, or even the pool, because the Eco Tosser floats! The toy can be machine washed and dry for easy cleaning. It is squeaker-free, ultra durable, and available in two sizes.

 What's even better, the Eco Tosser is made by disabled adults in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This article, written by me, was originally published on Hybrid Rasta Mama, for which I create original content. It has been reprinted with minor changes with permission.