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Every day we hear more about the new “hybrid” dogs, or “designer” dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of adorable puppies that are examples of this new “breed.”

Of course they’re cute! All puppies are! Should you pay hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars for one? Certainly not! The offspring of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a mutt. And if you have one, you should love it, train it and care for it as if it had the bluest blood of the canine kingdom.

Every dog breed, and there are hundreds in the world, was “created” by humans. Each breed was developed for a specific purpose - whether that original job was guarding the flock or being the ideal lap-dog. There’s no reason that development shouldn’t continue. If there is a need for a dog with particular characteristics, enterprising individuals will come forward to fill that need.

However, it takes many generations to “breed true.” Compare yourself to your siblings. Do you all have the same looks, same personality, same interests and strengths? Chances are, you don’t. Each of you has some of the “best” traits of your parents. But those may not be the same traits. And each of you has some of the worst.

Two of the best-known mixed-breeds out there now are the “Golden Doodle” and the “Puggle.” The thinking behind these crosses is fairly obvious: wouldn’t it be nice to have a Golden Retriever’s personality and willingness to please combined with the Poodle’s non-shedding coat and intelligence? Wouldn’t it be equally delightful to have a small dog without the breathing issues of a Pug, but quieter than a Beagle?

But there is no way of knowing you won’t get a high-strung, noisy, stubborn, slobbering mutt who sheds like the dickens!

If you are considering spending the kind of money that these “hybrids” are commanding, be sure to research all of the traits of the contributing breeds. You will get a mixture of the two. And an equally adorable mixture may be waiting for you at your local shelter - the size you want, with the coat you want and the adorable face that melts your heart.

If you require certain characteristics in your puppy - whether a family member has allergies, or you have a very small, or no yard, or your household requires a quiet, “easy keeper,” or if you wish to fully participate in the world of canine competition, consider a pure-bred animal. There are over 150 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Research them at www.akc.org. Surely one of them is right for you.

Hope Saidel is the co-owner of www.GollyGear.com, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club.

Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several tips to keep in mind before starting any dog obedience training. First of all, understand that dogs have an attention span of no more than ten minutes. Training routines, therefore, should be limited to this time frame. Secondly, all training should be positive. Reward your dog for correct behavior and always end your obedience training sessions on a positive note.

Training for a dog is similar to going to work for a human; if you do not get anything good out of it, you will stop working. Having fun is a big plus! Third, remember to be consistent. For example, if you feed your dog from your plate, don’t expect him not to beg when company arrives.

Work with him each day reinforcing basic skills and behaviors. Use the same commands and hand signals each time. When his behaviors slip, look at how you may be responsible. Next, teach the action before labeling it with a command. For example, before you say, “Fido, sit,” show him with the technique below what a sit is. Then, reward him saying “good sit” when he is in a sit. After a while, you will be able to say “sit,” and he will know what that means.

Finally, remember that you will get more cooperation when you are positive and patient. Instead of forcing your dog into a sit position, bring a tasty treat above and then back over his head until he sits back to get it. Reward him not only with the treat, but with lots of praise. These general rules will help any dog owner apply the basic dog obedience training command with success.

Let’s look at these basic dog obedience training commands. We just learned sit. From a sitting position, lower a treat straight down under the dog’s neck, when the dog bends down to accept the treat pull it slowly out so that the dog can comfortably lie down. In the beginning, you may have to hold his butt down to let him know that you do not want him to get out of the sitting position. Gentle guidance during the first stages is okay. Reward when your dog has all four elbows on the floor.

It is important that your dog have a releasing command such as “Okay.” When you open doors, give him food, or let him in/out of the car, use this releasing command to signal permission. After a weak of hearing this word, practice his wait at a door, not allowing the dog to pass without hearing the releasing command.

Come is also an important dog obedience training command. Using a long lead, let Fido wander off and then call his name and begin reeling in. When he gets close to you, say “Come.” Try this repeatedly until Fido loves the command “Come” and you are no longer having to reel.

Kelley Blackston

P.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you.

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Dog Obedience Training

Fleas multiply fast and do not voluntarily leave the body of the pet, the flea allergy will last for a long time.

There are symptoms that will tell the pet owner that the dog or cat is being troubled by a flea allergy. Some symptoms displayed by dogs are slightly different to those found in cats. But in general, the symptoms of a flea allergy are continuous itching, loss of hair, occurrence of sores, and unexplained depression.

Among dogs, the specific symptoms are:

Massive loss of hair

Presence of red and swollen sores

Irritation and scratching in certain areas, such as:

Among cats, the symptoms of flea allergy are:

Constant scratching in various parts of the body

The formation of painful scabs in sensitive areas, such as:

A diagnosis of flea allergy no longer involves skin tests and blood tests. The mere presence of fleas indicates that flea allergy has befallen on the pet. The owner can even conduct his own examination by looking for fleas in the coat of the dog or cat. Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of their host. They are tiny but can cause powerful irritations. They are usually black in color, which makes them more difficult to detect especially if the coat of the pet is also dark-colored.

Fleas also move fast. This makes it impossible to individually catch the fleas. They scatter their dirt all over the pet’s body and this adds to the skin irritation. The flea dirt looked like regular black dust when dry. But when wet, the flea dirt shows a reddish old copper-like color.

Fortunately, there are proven ways to remove the fleas and allow the pet’s body to heal itself from the allergy.
Using flea combs - These devices can be purchased from any pet supply store or from the veterinarian. Flea combs are designed so that they can sweep out the fleas along with the flea dirt from the coat of the pet.

Bathing or immersing the pet in a recommended solution - The solution is usually a mixture of water and a detergent which is recommended by the vet. The detergent can immediately kill the fleas and loosen their hold on the skin.

The pet owner will find the dead fleas floating in the bath solution. This solution may also turn reddish due to the presence of so much flea dirt.

Cleaning the environment - A good general cleaning will get rid off the source of fleas. Cleaning the pet will not prevent the recurrence of flea allergy. The environment must be cleaned too.

Applying anti-itch medications - These medicines can be administered orally or by direct application on the affected area. They will reduce the painful itching and prevent further infection.

Grace Palce is writing articles for pet meds 101, a comprehensive dog medicine site.

It started with a little treat between meals. Then a couple more treats between meals. And pretty soon those little treats began to add up, and that little spare tire around the middle became more like a fifth wheel. You can stop pinching yourself. I’m not talking about your spare tire. I’m talking about your pet’s spare tire.

And poor Max and Bailey aren’t alone. Recent research studies found about 25% of our furry friends are obese or overweight.

Why is your pet’s weight a problem? Why can’t Max just be fat and happy? Because obesity decreases your beloved pet’s lifespan, and may lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart complications, endocrinal diseases and bad joints. Somehow “fat and happy” is beginning to sound a little less jolly now, isn’t it?

How do household pets become overweight in the first place? You might want to step in front of a mirror and take a good look, because the culprit often times is you, the loving, doting pet owner who shows love to their dog or cat by giving them high-calorie treats and table scraps. We’re all guilty of over-indulging our pets at some time in their lives. It’s hard not to. One look at their cute little faces begging at the table and us humans melt.

But, now, it’s time for a little discipline - for us and for them. They will stop their begging at the table if we don’t give in to them in the first place. You see, they continue their sad-sack, “if you loved me, you would give me some of that pork chop” look because it works. It’s time for it to stop working.

Table scraps, of course, isn’t the only reason for your pet being overweight. Some people have a tendency to overfeed them with their own pet food, or leave food out for them at all times so they don’t go hungry. It’s always a good idea to take a look at the recommended amounts on the cat or dog food bags to see what the suggested amounts are, or follow your vet’s recommendations. Then, stick to those amounts, no matter what pathetic little faces they make.

There are plenty of diet pet foods to choose from, available online or at the local pet store. Be sure to ask your vet if your pet requires diet food, and make the changeover from the regular food to the diet food gradually. Put a little of the diet food in with the regular food at first, then gradually increase the amount until the diet food is the only food your pet is eating.

Another reason for pet obesity is lack of exercise. For a dog the solution is to take the dog for more walks during the week. If you can’t walk the dog yourself due to your work schedule, do your dog a favor and hire a dog walker to walk your dog on a regular basis. Not only will this benefit your dog’s weight, but will also give him/her numerous other health benefits, as well as just contribute to your dog’s overall happiness. Many dog walkers will walk your dog for $10 to $15 a visit. That may seem like a lot to pay (especially for several walks a week), but if it adds quality time to your dog’s life, it’s worth it.

As for indoor cats, you’re going to have to get your cat to play more. And that may require some time and energy on your part. Provide your cat with plenty of toys for individual play, as well as balls and wands for you and your cat to play with together.

How can you tell if your cat or dog is overweight? Take a look at the rib cage of your pet. The ribs should not be visible to the eye, but should be easily felt without pressing. If you have any doubts, consult with your vet, who will recommend food portions or special foods, as well as give exercise suggestions.

Your pet doesn’t have to suffer from health problems relating to obesity. With feeding discipline and added exercise, you can help ensure that your pet will truly live “a dog’s life” - even if she is a cat.

Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became
domesticated, man became aware of the dogs herding ability.
Tactics used by hunting wolves, witnessed by humans, such as
driving and separating one animal from the flock, were further
exploited and bred into these dogs. As in other dogs, the
animals possessing the best inherent herding abilities were
further developed to assist human shepherds in their daily
duties.

As you know, German Shepherds fall into the Herding Category of
dog breeds- the breed was derived in the late 1800’s from
several different types of herding stock. As the breed gained
popularity, it also gained new “jobs” and duties as varied as
can be possibly imagined- from work in the wars,
search-and-rescue, tracking, police work, protection, to guide
dog, companion dog and more. Still, some animals(GSD’s) are used
today actively as herding dogs.

Exactly what is involved in the process of herding? First, a
willingness to work and to cooperate with others. In the wild
wolves or wild dogs work as a unit when hunting prey and each
animal may have a particular “job” to fulfill in order to bring
down the intended victim. Some may be following the prey while
others attempt to head it off. Still, another may be the pack
leader who in essence coordinates the events of the hunt.
Herding dogs now work essentially with a human as pack leader in
attempting to control herds of livestock.

Herding dogs may have natural abilities and fall in one of two
basic categories- either that of gatherer or driver. Drivers
generally move the stock away from the handler while still
grouped, while gatherers tend to head off stock, keep them
grouped and move them toward the handler. Generally speaking,
gatherers are more versatile than drivers and it is much easier
to cross train a gatherer to drive than it is to cross train a
driver to gather.

Overall, principles of herding are based on the dogs natural
instincts though other training methods abound. First dogs must
obey the handler and follow commands. This, along with mutual
trust and respect, are the most important aspects of the working
relationship between the dog(s) and the handler. After being
introduced to stock, the animals are taught to position
themselves in relation to the handler and stock based on their
“job” and the direction in which the herd is to be moved. It is
the handlers job to give the dog guidance in working the stock.

Later in training directional commands are learned by the
animal in training. Most commands are in the form of verbal cues
or whistles although visual commands may sometimes be involved
as well. Possible commands may include “easy” or “steady” (move
slowly), “stop”, “down”, or flanking commands such as move
counterclockwise or clockwise around the herd. Once the dog
masters the basic gathering commands it is taught to drive the
herd and as it learns each lesson, it is taught other more
difficult commands.

Qualities a good herding dog must possess are obedience,
trainability, adaptiveness, good health, responsiveness and,
most importantly, being able to use its own judgment. “Standing
up” to uncooperative stock or being gentle with cooperative
stock are other qualities of utmost importance in an actual
working herding dog. Article written and reprinted with
permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs,
Puppies and Dog Breeders - “Your New Best Friend” Copyright
2005. All rights reserved.

During the mid nineteen hundreds, an American breeder developed a cat breed that was so laid back and relaxed that it would hang limply like a cloth doll when people held it. This breed was developed from a Birman cat and a longhair cat with an unknown ancestry. The breeder called these cats the Ragdoll because of their calm, relaxed nature. Although the Cat Fancier’s Association did not recognize these first cats as the Ragdoll, their descendants became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.

This breed is one of the largest of the cat breeds, weighing between ten and twenty pounds. It is no surprise that such heavy cats have big, muscular bodies. Their heads are slightly round, their ears are small and rounded, and their large eyes are in a brilliant blue color. This breed’s tail is slightly bushy and tapers at the end.

The Ragdoll does not come in a wide range of colors and patterns. In fact, there are actually only four colors accepted by the Cat Fancier’s Association, Seal, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac. You can find these colors in pointed, mitted, or bicolor patterns, but some breeders avoid mitted cats because they look too much like the breed’s Birman ancestors.

The Ragdoll’s calm demeanor makes it the perfect choice for families. These cats are almost dog like in their behavior, greeting family members at the door, following them through the house, and snuggling down beside them on the sofa. If you do not believe in de-clawing your cat, but are concerned about having your furniture ruined, you may want to consider this breed as well. Some Ragdoll owners say their cats have learned to use a scratching post instead of furniture arms to sharpen their claws much more quickly than their other cat breeds. Since these cats seem to make an effort to keep from scratching people, as well, they may be less prone to scratch furniture in the first place.

While this cat breed does not need the company of other pets and seems to prefer to spend time with family members over cats, it does not mind living with other cats. Perhaps this is because this breed is so much larger than other cats, but it is most likely because the Ragdoll is just so sweet natured.

Since the Ragdoll is a longhair cat, some prospective cat owners are a bit hesitant about choosing this breed. They are afraid they won’t have time for the frequent grooming most longhairs require. However, this breed’s silky coat texture makes it a very low care cat. Combing through your cat’s hair weekly to remove stray hairs or debris is all that is necessary to keep his coat looking fantastic. One thing you may want to keep in mind is that although most longhairs are prone to hairballs, these cats rarely develop them.

If you want a sweet tempered, family oriented cat, then the big Ragdoll may be the ideal breed for you.

I would love to share my secrets with you and my new special articles on
cat training do just that! Everything you need to know to train your cat is included in these special reports: See our section on Cat Breads.

A dog is a man’s best friend. You do everything you can to
maintain your optimum health. Doesn’t your best friend deserve
the same? Your dog is an active (probably the most active!)
member of your family and needs the same, if not more attention
to health and nutrition as you do, to stay healthy and live
longer.

Feeding your dog correctly doesn’t need to be a full time job
for you. All you need to do is use a little commonsense and have
correct information about the breed and age of your dog.

Let’s divide dogs into two categories - small & adult.

Small Dogs & Puppies

It has long been established and proven that small dogs have a
different metabolism in comparison to large dogs, due to the
physiological effect of their body mass. For example, a great
Dane weighing 100 pounds needs to consume about 23 calories per
pound of body weight. A Pomeranian weighing 6 pounds needs to
consume 47 calories per pound of body weight every day - more
than twice as much!

As the owner of a small dog, you need to be certain that your
dog’s energy needs are being satisfied. Be sure to choose a diet
that’s been formulated properly with an optimal balance of
highly digestible nutrients. Digestibility determines how much
your dog can actually utilize of each nutrient in a diet.

Puppies require almost twice or thrice as much food as adult
dogs per pound of weight. To keep up their energy levels, they
have to be fed as frequently as three to four times a day until
they are six months of age.

Diet is always the key to raising your puppies. The diet should
be balanced, nutrient rich, should contain high levels of
phosphorous and calcium and be highly digestible. It should also
contain high-quality proteins and should adhere to the
Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AFFCO)
procedures. This ensures that the puppy develops strong bones,
muscle and tissue.

For Adult Dogs

Your dog needs a combination of fats, carbohydrates, proteins,
vitamins, minerals, and water in a balanced diet to meet their
daily needs. A lot of dog food bags claim they are a complete
food. This means nothing if the nutrients cannot be absorbed by
your dog’s system. Major companies take great care in this
respect by trying to provide the nutrients in an absorbable
form.

Dog foods must also consist of mineral and vitamin supplements
in a balanced form. The proportions should be accurate so that
they do not interfere with each other in your dog’s system. This
provides the maximum benefit to you dog. If the food consists of
one ingredient in overdose and the other in a lower dose, it
could have an adverse affect on your dog’s health.

Given below are some feeding tips to make chow time more
pleasant:

- Always keep the food dish clean. - Feed adult dogs twice a day
to prevent hogging at one single meal. This also lessens the
chance of your deep chested dog developing bloat or stomach
torsion. - Feeding Schedule should be relaxed so that your dog
knows the approximate meal time but will not bother you if you
are a little late. - Keep people and other pets away from your
dog while feeding, so that he does not get insecure and feel a
need to defend his food. - Never let your dog have free access
to food, otherwise they have constant activity in their
digestive systems. - Make sure your dog sits to have his food,
so there is less chance of food spilling all over the floor. -
Never let your dog play with his dish, teach him manners
instead. - Leave the dish for 15 minutes so that he licks it
clean.

Characteristics of a Rottweiler
By Rachael Stacknick

Member of: www.web-rover.com

The Rottweiler

Origin: Rottweil Germany
Colors: Black with clearly defined tan or mahogany markings
Bred for: Guard and cattle drover’s dog
Coat: Coarse, short coat
Head and skull: Head is medium length, skull broad between the ears
Temperament: Good natured, not aggressive, nervous, or vicious. Courageous, obedient, with natural guarding instincts.The rottweiler with strangers is generally aloof and most times will not come up to a stranger wagging his tail.
Size: Dogs 25-27 inches, 23-25 inches for females
Weight: Dogs 85-115 pounds females 80-100 pounds
health Concerns: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Aortic Stenosis, Cataracts, Diabetes Mellitus, and certain types of cancer.

If you are going to own a rottweiler it is important that you are prepared to do obedience training with your dog. Rottweilers are powerful and very smart dogs. They have been known to be pushy with their masters if they believe that they have taken a step up the “pack” ladder. It is very important that your rottweiler knows it’s place in the “pack”. This comes with proper training, and the time and patience to work with your dog.

Rottweilers are a great family dog. A person who wants to own a rottweiler needs to make sure that they have time to spend with the dog as a rottweiler is known to “stick like glue” to their family. They have big hearts and are very loving and attentive. They can’t stand to be away from “their people” for huge amounts of time. If you are going to be away for a long period of time during a day or night I suggest you at least have someone come over to let your dog outside to relieve himself and have some human contact. On that note, rottweilers should not be left alone all the time to their own devices, this is when things can become very dangerous, remember this is a powerful dog things can be destroyed including the relationship between you and your dog. If you are looking for a dog that will sit outside and guard your house please do not get a rottweiler. Although they are a very imposing dog, and most will protect if need be, it is not fair to have a dog if your only reason for wanting one is to protect you!

Rottweilers have a very strong gait when they run, there should not be any hinderance in their walk or run. When running a rottweiler should have a smooth front reach and their back legs should move forward towards the front of their body. They should not splay their legs in or out. A rottweiler will need an area where they can run and play, they love to be clowns and show off for anyone who will watch.

Owning a rottweiler is a big step, from the constant socialization to the obedience training it can be taxing on someone. Getting your rottweiler from a non reputable breeder may set you up for problems with your rottweiler (i.e. health problems). Although nothing is assured when you buy a dog, it is better to have a little bit of understanding about genetic problems. I personally suggest for anyone who owns a rottweiler or is thinking of getting one that they have OFA certifications done on their dogs hip, elbows, eyes, and heart once they have reached the age of 18 months. Again this is not a for sure thing but you can rest a little easier knowing if they have found any signs of possible future problems. Be thorough, your dog deserves it!

So, if you are thinking about getting a rottweiler these tips are just a few of the things you need to think about. If you have studied the breed (which i highly suggest) and you still want a rottweiler then remember. They are big loving dogs that need just as much attention and affection as we do…..and they will love you all the more for it!

About the Author

For more great info on the Rottweiler, check out www.web-rover.com

It is very certain that there is no guarantee that your dog
will never bite someone under any condition which you may
not even predict. However, you can reduce the risk attached
to dog bite. The popular saying is that prevention is
better than cure.

Since prevention of dog bites is not the responsiblity of
dog owners alone, here we will be discussing preventive
measures the prospective dog owners, dog owners, parents,
and general member of the public can make instant use of.

Preventive measures applicable to potential dog owners

The first thing you must do before you think of bringing in
a dog to your househood is to first evaluate your
environment and your lifestyle.

Though their is no breed that will not under any condition
which you may not predict, however it is still very
important for you to consult professionals like
veterinarian, dog behaviorist and breeder to determine the
breed that will be suitable for you, your family and most
especially that will be suitable for your environment.
Obtainning breed specification will help you alot in
avoiding any possible future trouble.

Prospective dog owner should not buy a dog that is bellow 8
weeks of age. Puppy bellow this age will not have the
opportunity to learn bite inhibition from his litter mate at
all.

Buying dog that is above 4 months is a bit risky to be
introduce to your home as you may not predict the dog
behavior. However, if you are to buy older dog at all make
sure that you did not purchase a do with any history of
aggression.

If any of your children exhibit any fear or apprehension of
dogs, make sure you delay bringing in a dog. You should know
earlier if you seek your children’s opinion during your
evaluation of your environment. However, if your child is no
yet 6 years of age it is adviciable to hold the purchase of
large dog.

Preventive measures for dog owners

According to Human Society of the United States resports
spayed and neutered dogs are three times less like to bite.
Thus is is highly essential for you to spay and neuter you
dogs. Doing this will reduce their frequent aggressive
tendency.

As a dog owner it is very important that you socialize your
dog. If you socialize your dog well it will be much likely
you will experience dog bite. Socializing you dog help boost
it’s confidence and reduce it’s been nervours or frightened
under normal circumstances.

So socialize your dog very well by introducing your dog to
your member of family, other people, and experiences that
could possibly course nervousness and fear biting in future.
Do this and make it feel at ease with people and other
dogs.

Dog training will also help you in preventing dog bite. You
have to learn proper training techniques by attending dog
training class. Attending these classes will help you
socialize your dog. Train your dog to respond to some basic
comands such as “stay, “leave it” and “come”. Also train you
dog to drop his toys on command . If you don’t do this you
will have to retrieve it from his mouth. Thus taking risk of
your finger been bitten.

Teach your dog acceptable behaviors by enrolling in an
obediece class. Attending this class you dog will be trained
to be submissive and respect your leadership in the house.
Games like “tug of war”, “wresling”,”siccing the dog on
another person” should not be avoided as it encourages
aggression.

For continuation of this article and other interested advice
on dog bite prevention
Visit http://www.dog-bite-prevention.com

About the Author

Editor and publisher of Dog Bite Prevention newsletter at www.dog-bite-prevention.com

Disease

This condition occurs when the adrenal glands, two small glands
that are near the kidneys, don’t secrete enough hormones. The
most important hormones are mineralocorticoids and
glucocorticoids (cortisol). These hormones are responsible for
many of the body’s functions including the ability to use
glucose, dealing with stressful events and the maintenance of
normal levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
Addison’s occurs when there are insufficient levels of both
hormones or of just glucocorticoids.

Demographics

The condition is most common in young, female dogs but can
manifest later in life and in male dogs. Cats are rarely
affected.

Signs

Signs associated with insufficient production of these hormones
vary. It can be chronic and vague (known as “waxing and waning”
signs- good days and bad days) with recurrent periods of poor
appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness or it can present
acutely with sudden collapse and shock. Its presentation can
mimic many other diseases including kidney, neurological and
gastrointestinal disease, and tests are needed to differentiate
Addison’s from other conditions.

Diagnosis

Routine blood tests can suggest this disease, especially when
there are low blood sugar levels, high calcium levels, low
sodium levels, high potassium levels and low red blood cell
counts. But patients with Addison’s may not have all of these
changes. The most definitive test to determine if a pet has
Addison’s or not is to do an ACTH stimulation test. This test
will indicate if the animal has normally functioning adrenal
glands or not. Two blood samples are obtained to measure
cortisol levels in response to the administration of a hormone
(adrenocorticotropic hormone). In normal dogs, there will be an
increase in blood cortisol levels between the first and second
samples. In dogs with Addison’s, the cortisol levels start low
and stay low since they can’t respond appropriately.

Treatment

The main goal of therapy is to replace the hormones that pets
with Addison’s can’t make. This can be done with an oral
medication called fludrocortisone (Florinef) that must be given
daily. It is mostly a mineralocorticoid, but it also has some
glucocorticoid activity. There is also an injectable medication
called desoxycortisone pivalate (DOCP) that can be given about
every 25 days, according to the pet’s needs. Since this is only
a mineralocorticoid, a small amount of an oral supplementation
of glucocorticoids in the form of prednisone or prednisolone
must be given daily or every other day. Every dog varies in its
response to medication and thus must be closely monitored,
especially in the initial phases until it can be determined how
that individual is responding. It is important that the pet
owner of a dog with Addison’s is aware that stress of travel,
grooming, boarding, surgery or other activities may necessitate
a temporary increase in the amount of glucocorticoids that help
the body cope with stress.

Monitoring

It is important to evaluate the pet clinically (i.e. energy
levels, resolution of signs of vomiting, etc) as well as with
laboratory tests such as electrolyte levels and kidney function.
At first, after the initiation of treatment, it may be necessary
to frequently check these levels. Once the pet is stabilized and
its needs for the medications are determined, checking the pet
every 4-6 months is usually sufficient.

Prognosis

At all times, the owner must stay vigilant for a decline in the
pet’s condition and recurrence of the previously noted signs.
With the appropriate medication and close monitoring from the
owner and veterinarian, pets with Addison’s can live a normal,
good quality of life. However, the pet owner must be prepared
for expenses associated with the medications (Florinef and DOCP
are both expensive) and with rechecking laboratory tests.

If there are any problems or questions, please contact your
veterinarian.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin
any course of treatment without consulting your regular
veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every
12 months.