Category: Ask Our Experts

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What if My Dog Bites Someone?

My dog is well-behaved, but a bunch of society kids are always trying to tease him. Though I keep telling the kids to mind their ways, I’m scared he might bite someone one of these days. What to do if that happens? – Nishu Rawat, Gurgaon

If your dog bites someone, you will probably find yourself worried and upset. Will there be legal ramifications? Could your dog be taken away from you? After a dog bite occurs, your first reaction might be shock or panic. However, it is important to take swift action if a dog bite occurs. Don’t delay! if your dog bites someone, take the following steps:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Confine your dog to a crate or another room.
  3. Help the bite victim wash the wound thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
  4. Be courteous and sympathetic to the bite victim. Avoid laying blame or getting defensive. This does not mean you need to admit fault. Remember that what you say may be used against you later if legal or civil action is taken.
  5. Contact a medical professional for the bite victim. Depending on the severity of the bite, an ambulance may be needed. No matter how minor the bite is, the victim should still seek medical care. Dog bites that look mild on the surface can get serious very fast.
  6. Offer to contact a friend or family member for the victim.
  7. Exchange contact information with the victim. Provide your insurance information, if applicable.
  8. If there were witnesses, obtain their contact information.
  9. Contact your veterinarian and obtain your dog’s medical records.
  10. Inform local authorities of the incident and comply with their orders.

Dog Bites and the Law

Dog bite laws can vary greatly depending on local jurisdiction. It is important that you research the laws in your area, so you will know what to expect. The victim can press charges against you under two provisions of the IPC — Section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animal) and Section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others). The penal provisions could fetch a maximum punishment of six months in jail, besides fine. The victim can even ask for compensation. The following conditions typically apply in dog bite cases:

  • You will need to show proof of your dog’s rabies vaccination history.
  • A quarantine period may be required. The period will likely be longer if the rabies vaccination is not current.
  • Depending on the situation and your dog’s history, it is possible for your dog to be designated a “dangerous dog.” You may have to comply with specific laws regarding the handling of your dog.
  • Laws may require that your dog is euthanized if your dog is considered “dangerous,” if the injury was very serious, or if a fatality occurred. Also, you could be held legally responsible and face criminal charges.

Your Role After the Dog Bite

The dog bite victim may choose to press charges and/or file a civil suit against you. In either case, you should immediately hire an attorney. While you may or may not be legally ordered to cover the victim’s medical expenses, it is a good idea to offer up front to pay. This shows the victim that you are accepting responsibility for your dog. It may even help you avoid a messy lawsuit. Above all, it is the ethical thing to do, even if you have an explanation for the dog bite. In reality, proving your dog was provoked or somehow justified will be difficult unless it can be proven that the victim was committing a crime. Ultimately, this simply may not be an argument that is not worth having. If you are fortunate enough to get to keep your dog, it is your responsibility to prevent this type of thing from happening in the future. Take steps to prevent your dog from biting again. In most cases, a dog bite can be easily prevented by taking the proper safety measures. If you are able to determine what triggered the bite, try to keep your dog from getting into the same situation. Work with your dog to adjust his reaction to the trigger. It is absolutely essential to work on training and socialization with your dog as soon as possible after the bite. The best plan is to contact a professional trainer and possibly a veterinary behaviourist.

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Preventing water intoxication, heat exhaustion in dogs

Water intoxication is not common, but it’s a condition that can affect pets if they drink too much water.

Water intoxication is not common, but it’s a condition that can affect pets if they drink too much water. “It definitely throws off the electrolyte balance as well as causes the pet’s blood pressure to tank,” said Dr. Danielle Bell of the Animal Emergency Clinic of North Alabama. Bell says water intoxication can happen to a dog while playing in the lake, in a pool, or drinking from a hose. It can even happen while the dog is in the water and doesn’t appear to be drinking any. Symptoms for water intoxication include lethargy and nausea. Symptoms for heat exhaustion in dogs can be similar. “Is the pet having difficulty breathing, or is the pet taking in too much water and lethargic and have nausea at that point – so very difficult to identify.”  When pets are in the water, she says to be aware and keep an eye on timing. “I would say in an hour’s timing, an excessive amount could be harmful to a small dog”, said Bell. Breaks from outside activity can help, and she says remembers to make sure they have something to drink.

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Professional grooming is very important for your pets health

The heat and humidity lately have pet owners rushing to see their groomer, because if you’re sweating or uncomfortable in this weather, your pet probably is too.

The heat and humidity lately have pet owners rushing to see their groomer, because if you’re sweating or uncomfortable in this weather, your pet probably is too.

La Crescent Animal Care has professional groomers and they say it’s not just about the haircut.

A day at the pet spa includes grooming of all sorts, such as a nice haircut with a little off the top, or a good shampooing to get that fur velvety soft again. All that special treatment should be provided by someone who does it daily. Kimberly Cook, a nationally certified master groomer at La Crescent Animal Care says, “I started certifying in 1997 and finished up in 2006. I was a competitive groomer from 2009 to 2011.”

Kimberly has the awards and recognition from her national and international competitions to back that up. Now she likes teaching her clients about proper grooming and how often it should be done. Kimberly, with over two decades of experience added, “I try to educate my clients in that it is part of their health care. So we would like you to be on a four to six week schedule.”

Tory Macejik, another pet stylist at La Crescent Animal Care, says that keeping up with grooming could pay off in the long run for your pets health. “For groomers, we pretty much check everything on the dogs body because we give them hair cuts, we give them baths, trim their nails, so we see everything. If a dog has something wrong with its’ paw or an ear infection, or ticks, or fleas, or a growth or something. We always inform the customer.”

But what about the heat and humidity? Should your pet change its’ haircut just because of the warmer season? Kimberly says no and for good reason. She explains by saying, “You don’t have to shave a dog to make it more comfortable. This can actually cause problems with sunshine, UV, and stuff like that. The most important thing is to make sure they have water and keep those paws off the hot pavement. Other than that they can have their same haircut all year long.”

After the grooming, not only will your pet be happier and healthier, but you will be just as happy knowing that it was professionally done and you don’t have to deal with the clean up of all that fur.

An interesting note from the groomers, Tory and Kimberly; they say playing soothing music and having essential oils filling the room really helps to calm the animals nerves. They even have special essential oils for cats. La Crescent Animal Care are busy and currently booking for two weeks out.

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Importance of an Annual Vet Visit

I take really good care of my four-year-old pet by making him eat right, exercise daily and proper grooming. All his vaccinations are up-to-date and he hasn’t given me any reasons for visiting the vet. Do you still suggest an annual physical exam? The vet’s bills are exorbitant, you see. – Asha Negi, Dehra Dun

Compared to human doctors, all veterinarians charge less. Unless there is a problem with the dog, ethically no vet would charge just for the heck of it. Coming to the annual physical exam, your dog is like one of your children: you spoil them rotten and care for them deeply. Since your pet is that important to you, then their health should be just as important! And we don’t mean just taking them out on walks, feeding them a balanced diet and pampering with toys and treats, although those are all important too! We’re talking about being proactive and taking them to the vet regularly for checkups. Most humans get regular health checkups, so dogs should get checkups too. Preventative care is just as important for pets as it is for their owners. Why? Because vets can help detect (and sometimes prevent) diseases and other life-threatening conditions early on, saving you money and heartache in the long run. And similar to how a car gets its oil changed, tyres rotated and inspections from time to time, it’s also a good idea for us to check in with the doc to make sure our pet’s vitals are in good shape and everything is running smoothly. Since dogs age faster than people do and can’t communicate when they are not feeling well, your veterinarian will gain valuable insights into the health of your dog.

An annual dog checkup is a great opportunity to bring up any questions and express any concerns you have about your pup (they are not sleeping well, the dog has discoloured poop, etc.). You’re paying for your visit, so you might as well make the most of your time with the expert and ask away. They might make some suggestions based on their evaluation of your dog and recommend some wellness tips. Here’s a list of specific things the veterinarian might ask about and check for during an annual dog checkup:

  • Vaccinations and current status of each
  • Blood tests (particularly for older dogs who are prone to more health problems)
  • Urine tests and any discharge, discolouration, etc.
  • Digestion, including any concerns about gas, burping or abnormal stools
  • Coughing, wheezing, sneezing, throat or nose discharge
  • Coat and skin check for hair loss, lumps, rashes, discolouration or unusual spots
  • Limbs, walking, standing and toenails
  • Ears and eyes for discharge, swelling, redness or itching
  • Intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, mites etc.
  • Dental health, including teeth and breath smell
  • Water and food consumption
  • Organs to make sure they are not an unusual size
  • Exercise levels and how often
  • Behaviours such as excessive barking or emotional instability

As for the frequency of such exams, it depends on the age of the dog. Puppies grow at a rapid pace and thus require more vaccinations and attention. So, if your dog is under one-year-old, you should expect to go to the vet more regularly for your pup’s shots and to make sure they are progressing as expected (much like a newborn). However, after the first year, dogs are the equivalent of a teenager or young adult and then they grow at a much slower pace, so they only need visits annually for any necessary vaccines and routine checkups. And just like people, older dogs may require more frequent monitoring since they have more health issues as they age. So you may want to discuss with your vet whether bi-annual visits are needed for your older dog (7 years or older). The size of your dog also determines how quickly they “age” and thus how much attention they need. Larger dogs become older quicker than smaller dogs and are usually more active too, meaning they have more risk for physical injuries and exposure to the outdoors where pesticides and bacteria live. At the end of the day, your dog’s health does affect their overall well-being, which in turn can be a positive thing for you too! So make the investment, and your dog will thank you (and you’ll thank yourself) later.

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Grooming isn’t a luxury!

I have recently adopted a Chow Chow puppy as its owners, who were shifting to the US with family said they couldn’t afford to take him along. I simply adore the pup, but I’m concerned with his grooming. A lot of people told me it’s sheer luxury and not more than a fashion statement. Is it true? –Rhea Mirchandani, Mumbai

Contrary to what many people think, dog grooming is not a luxury, but a necessity for your dog’s comfort and health, with the added benefit of looking great of course. Cleaning and grooming your dog regularly makes it easier to identify health problems before they get out of hand and leaves your pet feeling comfortable and happy. How important is grooming to your pet’s comfort and health? Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? Maybe your hair was just bunched up or stuck together? A mat can feel the same way to your dog — a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body, and you have an idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be. Your dog doesn’t need to know what a mat feels like if you keep him brushed and combed, but that’s just the start of the health benefits. Regular grooming allows you to look for lumps, bumps and injuries, all the while clearing mats and ticks from his coat. Follow up with your veterinarian on any questionable masses you find, and you may detect cancer early enough to save your pet’s life. For shorthaired breeds, keeping skin and coat in good shape is easy. Run your hands over him daily and brush weekly — that’s it. For other breeds, grooming is a little more involved. Breeds such as Pomeranians, St Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Corgis, Akitas, Chows and Huskies are “double-coated,” which means they have a downy undercoat underneath a harsher layer of long hair. The down can mat like a layer of felt against the skin if left untended. In the spring and fall — the big shedding times — you’ll end up with enough fluffy undercoat to make a whole new dog. Keep brushing and think of the benefits: The fur you pull out with a brush won’t end up on the furniture. Plus, removing the old stuff keeps your pet cooler in the summer and allows new insulation come in for the winter.

Silky-coated dogs such as Afghan Hounds, Cockers and Maltese also need constant brushing to keep tangles from forming. Coats of this type require so much attention that having a groomer keep the dogs trimmed to a medium length is often more practical. In fact, experts say that the pets, who shed the least are longhaired dogs kept short-trimmed by a groomer. Curly and wiry coats, such as those on Poodles and Terriers, need to be brushed weekly, working against the grain and then with it. Curly coats need to be clipped every six weeks; wiry ones, two or three times a year (though clipping every six weeks will keep your Terrier looking sharper). Good grooming also provides benefits for both of you. Regular grooming relaxes the dog who’s used to it, and it becomes a special time that you can both share. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles and skin free of fleas and ticks are as comfortable to your dog as fresh, clean clothes are to you. It makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet. And, for allergy sufferers, keeping your pooch clean may make having a dog possible. Some added benefit for you: Giving your dog a tummy rub after every session is sure to relax you (and your dog, of course) and ease the stress of your day.

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This Tangled Life

My Shih Tzu, Toto, has two main purposes in life: to provide unconditional love and to be the little cute thing that makes me happy. The fluffy ball of fur, however, turns into a monster when I try to brush his hair. What can I do about my dog’s matted coat? Please help. – Rekha Pandey, Mumbai

First of all, don’t panic—even with daily brushing, some dogs manage to get their hair tied up in knots, but removing them may be easier than you think. Rather than the occasional brushing that a short haired dog requires, owners with dogs such as poodles, Shih Tzu, Lhasa, Maltese, Yorkies, Bichons, Pekingese, Poms and many others have coats that require daily brushing. If such a breed goes too long without a thorough brush and comb out, mats are going to take over. Do not, however, yank on the mat or pull roughly. Dogs will remember something that is painful and will not be so eager to have their mats pulled out in the future. Keep everything positive and stop at the first signs of stress. Dogs seem to have a keen memory of distressful situations and will avoid them in the future. So, if your dog is really matted, it is better to shave him down or have the groomer do this rather than subjecting him to any painful de-matting. You might get the job done, but if it meant hurting the dog, you will have lost the dog’s confidence in you as a D.I.Y. Groomer and protest the next time you try to groom him. Finish off any grooming session on a positive note with a hug, praise and a treat if you like.

Shih Tzu Mat

All mats are not alike. Small matted dog hair can occur daily because your long haired dog is continually shedding dead hairs. This shedding process is not like those breeds that leave hair all over your house. Rather, the long haired dog sheds its hair into the coat causing small mats to form. As new hairs grow in, mats can occur very close to the skin. Shih Tzu dogs have very thick coats made up of two layers: A dense outer coat and a soft cottony inner coat. Brushing the outer coat will make the dog look good, but may not get at all the mats. Sometimes the only way to assure that the dog has been brushed thoroughly is to go over the entire body with a metal comb.
Matted hair not only make the coat look disheveled, they actually add to a dog’s distress and cause skin irritation. When this happens, the dog bites at its skin or tries to scratch causing the mat to grow in size and the hair to get even more tangled. A severely matted dog is not a happy dog. Small mats or knots are easy to remove if the dog is brushed daily or several times a week. Larger knots form when a part of the dog’s coat has been neglected for some time. Even with proper training and socialization to the grooming process, some long haired dog dogs do not like parts of their body brushed. Under the front legs, the legs themselves, behind the ears and at the base of the tail are areas that often knot if not brushed frequently. These are also areas that are very sensitive to the dog so the dog protests when these areas are being brushed.

Tangles Tips

  • Always brush your dog before you give him a bath. The bath water tends to set the mats making them even harder to remove. Use a good quality dog shampoo followed by a conditioning rinse.
  • Use a blow dryer after a bath. Blow the dog’s hair as you brush. You can brush in the direction the hair grows as well as in the opposite direction. Brush or comb a section of hair as you are drying the hair. Hand held dryers that have stands work really well if you need an extra hand. If you are using a dryer without a stand, you can create a temporary stand by rolling up a small towel and placing the dryer on it. Use a low, cool setting and monitor the dryer carefully so that the air intake is never blocked by the towel.
  • Never brush a dog without first spraying it with a styling product such as a de-tangling spray or a diluted conditioning spray. Brushing and combing dry hair will tend to split it and you are likely to be fighting against static electricity.
  • Use a pin brush and part the hair with a rat tail comb so that you are brushing small sections at a time. Begin at the lowest portion of the dog (paws) and work up the sides and then to the back and head.
  • After brushing the entire dog, go back with a steel comb and comb the hair completely. You are likely to find some mats that were missed with the pin brush. Use a slicker brush for styling and making the coat look sleek and beautiful.
  • Never brush the same area more than 10 strokes at a time. Go onto another section and come back if necessary. Brushing in one area, even if you know that knots are present, only tends to irritate the skin (and the dog).

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Hydrate For Health

It’s very hot these days and though I really try to take good care of my Golden Retrievers by keeping them indoors in an air-conditioned room, I’m not sure if he’s drinking as much water as they should. I’m afraid they will get dehydrated. – Mridul Garg, Delhi

Thanks Mridul for taking such good care of your furry friends and asking a very important question. Many loving and kind-hearted dog owners spend a lot of time and consume their energy trying to figure out which diet is healthier for their beloved pet. They take in consideration famous brands and compare multiple types of foods. They even ask advice from specialists, but they somehow overlook the importance of water. Every person who owns a dog should know how much water should a dog drink and understand that it is an equal part of its diet. Water is so important because the body of a dog consists of over 70% water, just as the body of a human. Basically, substances need to dissolve and to be transported throughout the body of a dog. Therefore, water contributes directly to the chemical reactions that are vital for a pooch’s digestive system and circulatory system to work properly. In addition, water helps a dog’s body to filter waste and regulates its temperature through evaporation. A possible dehydration of a puppy might cause serious problems and lead to heart and kidney failure. You cannot explain to your loveable dog how important it is to drink water, but most times you wouldn’t have to. A dog’s instinct helps it consume an optimum amount of water for its body to stay hydrated. As said, water is highly important for dogs because it maintains a normal body temperature and a balanced level of electrolytes. Thus, when you notice a dog not drinking water, you should schedule a visit to the vet.

There is a general rule that says a dog should drink between 0.6 and 1 ounces of water for every pound of body weight. However, you don’t have to waste your time and calculate the necessary amount. If your dog is healthy and has a bowl filled with water at its discretion, it will drink the correct amount, depending on its needs. Some days it might drink more and some days it might drink less. Regardless of its behaviour, it is recommended to pay attention if your dog drinks water or not. There are cases when they might exaggerate or don’t drink water at all. These are situations that should alarm you because they are usually signs of a health problem. If you notice your dog drinking a lot of water, then you should start worrying unless it is a really hot summer day or in case your dog only eats dry food. This is because dogs that only eat dry food usually drink more water in order to ensure their daily needs. A dog that eats wet food will drink less water in comparison with a dog that is on a dry food diet, because a part of its hydration needs are met by the food itself. However, a dog that drinks water excessively might be sick.

 

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