Sunday, July 26, 2009

8 MONTHS?!?! WHAT!!!

Ok, so I suck. It's been what? Forever and like 3 days since I last posted?! For real! Seriously!

Saturday was 8 months for me and my peeps. We also had an outing that day to go swimming--- WOOHOOO!! Check these out:











So that's me swimming, I was using Ringo's life jacket in case I got tired. Plus I hadn't really figure out the logistics of swimming yet. But I got it down now!

Let's see, what else is going on.... Mom and I have some errands to run tomorrow but I won't get to check my weight until Tuesday, the vet isn't open on Monday's. I had my hip and elbow x-rays done and no one has called Mom to tell me I'm out of the program because of it so we're assuming I did alright. I went over to Aunt Linzey's for the 4th and had a great time there. Mostly Mom and I have been taking it easy for the summer. Her school starts again in August (on my 9 month birthday) and I'll be going to Lebanon Valley College with her. We're both looking forward to that!

We've been working on some shaping too. Mom and I chose to do "dead" so what happens is I lay down, then Mom "shoots" me and I die. :) It's really cool. I'm kinda good at it now, but we want to get better before we show it off in class.

Other than that, not much is going on in my life. Like I said, we're having a nice easy going summer. Hope everyone else is doing the same!

Much love people, you'll hear from me again,
Hawk

Monday, June 22, 2009

Weekend with Denver

Mom had to go to a wedding this weekend so I spent Saturday and Sunday with Aunt Kathleen and Denver. It was GREAT! We had so much fun!! I'm still tired out from it and was an amazing dog for Mom today during school. I wanted to post the video of this weekend for everyone to see:

Weekend at Aunt Kathleen's

Friday, June 5, 2009

One Sick Puppy

So, I'm six and (almost) a half months old now, 65 pounds and unfortunately I found out my weight yesterday at the vet's because I'm also sick. Kennel Cough. Yea, tell me about it. It sucks. Here's some info for anyone interested in what exactly Kennel Cough is. It's from http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=452

'Kennel Cough' is the term that was commonly applied to the most prevalent upper problem in dogs in the United States. Recently, the condition has become known as respiratorytracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis, or Bordetella. It is highly contagious in dogs. The disease is found worldwide and will infect a very high percentage of dogs in their lifetime.

Infectious agents involved

There are many different agents that can cause of tracheobronchitis. The most common are parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. Canine adenovirus type 2, reovirus, and canine herpes virus are thought to possibly contribute to the disease, as well. Although any one of these organisms can cause symptoms of the disease, the majority of cases are the result of more than one organism.

The most common viral agent is parainfluenza virus. This common virus will cause mild symptoms lasting less than 6 days unless there is involvement of other bacteria, as is usually the case. Most 5-way vaccines and 'kennel cough' vaccines offer some protection against this virus.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacteria isolated from dogs with tracheobronchitis. Clinical signs of infections occur 2-14 days after exposure, and if uncomplicated with other agents, symptoms will last around 10 days. However, after the infection has been resolved, the affected animal will continue to shed the bacteria for 6 to 14 weeks and can spread the disease to other susceptible animals during that time. Bordetella is one of the agents protected against through the use of intranasal 'kennel cough' vaccines. Parainfluenza and Bordetella most commonly appear together in infectious tracheobronchitis, creating a disease that normally lasts from 14-20 days.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is a dry hacking cough sometimes followed by retching. Many owners describe the cough as having a 'honking sound.' A watery nasal discharge may also be present. With mild cases, dogs continue to eat and be alert and active. Many times, there is a recent history of boarding or coming in contact with other dogs. In more severe cases, the symptoms may progress and include lethargy, fever, inappetence, pneumonia, and in very severe cases, even death. The majority of severe cases occur in immunocompromised animals, or young unvaccinated puppies.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms and a history of recent exposure to other dogs. Bacterial cultures, viral isolation, and blood work can be performed to verify individual agents of the disease, but due to the characteristic nature of the symptoms, these tests are not routinely performed.

Treatment

There are two treatment options depending on the severity of the disease. In the most common mild (uncomplicated) form of the disease, antibiotics may or may not be used. Treating the mild case does not shorten the length in which the animal will be a potential spreader of the disease. In addition, bronchodilators like aminophylline or cough suppressants may also be used in treatment of mild cases.

In more severe (complicated) cases where the animal is not eating, running a fever, or showing signs of pneumonia, antibiotics are often used. The most common ones are doxycycline or trimethoprim-sulfa. However, many other choices are also available. Steroids or cough suppressants are not usually recommended because of the risk of immunosuppression with steroids and the need to continue to clear extra fluid or mucous in pneumonia patients. Bronchodilators and even aerosol therapy can be used. In moderate or severe cases, veterinary care should be instituted, as the resultant pneumonia could become life threatening if not treated properly and promptly.

Because pressure on the throat and trachea can make coughing worse, it is recommended that dogs with a cough should wear a head collar or harness instead of a regular neck collar.

Vaccination and prevention

The best prevention is to not expose your dog to other dogs, especially young puppies. If this cannot be avoided, then proper vaccination is the next best option. Chances are that if your dog is regularly vaccinated with a standard 5-way or 7-way vaccine, he is already being protected against several of the agents causing tracheobronchitis, mainly parainfluenza and adenovirus. However, these vaccines alone rarely provide protection against contracting the disease, although they will help reduce the severity of the disease if the animal becomes infected.

There is an injectable Bordatella vaccine, and one that is given intranasally (squirted into the nostrils). Neither vaccine will totally prevent infection with Bordatella. For the injectable vaccine, 2 doses must be given 3-4 weeks apart, and protection does not occur until 1-2 weeks after the second injection.

Do not give an intranasal vaccine as an injection, as an abscess may occur.
More commonly, for best protection, an intranasal vaccine containing both parainfluenza and Bordetella is used. Intranasal vaccines create localized immunity that greatly reduces the incidence of clinical signs and illness. The vaccine may be used in puppies as young as 3 weeks of age, only one dose is necessary to provide protection, and protection occurs as early as 3-4 days following vaccination. There are several precautions and warnings that need to be observed pertaining to this vaccine. Some dogs will develop mild signs similar to tracheobronchitis when given this vaccine. Very often, the symptoms will last for several days and the dog will recover without treatment. Dogs that are vaccinated can also shed the virus and cause other dogs to become mildly infected and show mild signs. This shedding usually lasts less than 72 hours. In addition, it takes up to 4 days after vaccination for dogs to develop protection. When you combine these facts, you will see why it is strongly recommend that a dog not be given intranasal vaccine within 72 hours of coming into contact with other susceptible dogs. Do not give the vaccine the day before a dog show, boarding, etc. Try to give at least four days before contact with other dogs and preferably 7 days. This way you will protect your dog from becoming infected by other dogs, and protect those dogs from becoming infected by yours.

In kennels where tracheobronchitis is a problem, strict hygiene with thorough cleaning and disinfection of cages and food and water containers is essential. In addition, kennels that are indoors should have good ventilation with an air turnover rate of at least 12 times an hour. Agents causing tracheobronchitis can be transmitted on hands and clothing as well as through the air, so infected animals must be isolated and handlers should wear gloves and use proper handwashing to help prevent spread. Vaccination of all animals, especially puppies is indicated in problem kennels. After initial vaccination as puppies, a yearly booster is recommended. However, some dogs that are at very high risk are vaccinated every six months.

Human health risk

Until recently, infectious tracheobronchitis was considered to not be a human health risk. Recently however, research indicates that Bordetella bronchiseptica may cause disease in some humans, primarily those with compromised immune systems. In normal, healthy adults there does not appear to be a risk, but young children and immunocompromised individuals should take precautions against coming into contact with animals that have symptoms of tracheobronchitis.

Summary

'Kennel Cough,' now more commonly referred to as 'infectious tracheobronchitis' is a widespread disease caused by several different viruses and bacteria. It is usually a self-limiting disease and most animals do not require treatment. Intranasal vaccines are effective, but due to some possible side effects are recommended for animals that are at higher risk. Infectious tracheobronchitis is a disease of dogs and wild canids, it does not appear to be a risk to healthy humans.

So that's what I got. But I'm ok, so to speak. I'm still eating and being active. That's all good things. I'm on antibiotics and antihistamines. If you saw me at Puppy Class this past Wednesday (June 3rd, we were there between 610-7) and I stopped to say hi to you or your dog, I'm sorry. I didn't know I was sick, no one did. You should e-mail Darlene if your dog came in contact with me, just in case, and keep an eye on your pup. Being sick sucks, let me be the first to tell you that!







I'll be ok, there's no worries there. So don't you all fret yourselves! I don't know if I'm going to be able to come to Puppy Class though, the thing says I'm going to be contagious for 6 to 14 weeks after I'm better. Sorry guys! Keep me posted on how everyone is doing though! Even if I can't go to class, Mom will be there.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Our Trip to Philly

So last Thursday Mom took me to Philly to see her FAVORITE author Sherrilyn Kenyon. She had a signing with the author Dianna Love (who also on Mom's top 5 of authors) and we went. It was the greatest trip ever! When we got to Philly we learned something that's not so great...I won't potty on concrete. I don't know what her problem was. Mom was all like, "Go potty" and I'm looking around like "Where?"

When we were walking through the streets I was so excited that I didn't even think about leaving Mom's side. Weird, huh? I was a totally good boy!



When we got to the store Mom got to flash my papers to the "loss prevention" guy and we had a big fanfare because I was special and get to go anywhere! We went up to the third floor and got to sit in the front row (again, I'm special like that!) so that we could be out of the way and still see everything. Sherry and Dianna were late (probably the same traffic that Mom and I got stuck in) but we were happy to wait. Got to meet some way cool chicks while we sat there!

Everyone was WAY impressed that I was so well behaved and so young and so BIG! I got to meet Sherry and Dianna and even had a photo with them! It was a great day!

And the best part is that Sherry mentioned me in a post she made!!
"Hope all of you are having a great month and let me take a minute to say a very special THANK YOU to everyone who came out for the Whispered Lies tour. Dianna and I had an absolute blast!! Hawk was a special treat..."

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Hey Everyone!

So, how is everyone? Hope everyone is doing well! My Mom's computer bit the dust so we only have the laptop now. We're hoping it will be able to be saved, she doesn't want to lose any pictures (of me of course!) Thought you all might like some photographic updates. Mom took these today:










Monday, April 27, 2009

5 Months!

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Mom's being acting like a schizophrenic on amphetamines. She's been out and about training for the new job and trying to catch up on school and just acting like a lunatic. And we all know that she's paranoid about her computers so I'm not allowed on unless she's here to help. (Mom rules...blah blah blah)


Saturday was 5 months for me! We stopped at the vet today for a weigh in and I was a whopping 51.1 pounds!! WOOP WOOP!! I'm the biggest boy there is! I also lost and tried to eat two molars. Mom kept them, cause, like I said, she's a lunatic.

We've been doing a lot of the "kick the can" clicker game. I change the rules every time I knock over the cup and make it a game of keep away...hehehe. We've also been working on "stay". I'm not real great at that. I know, I know "But Hawk, you're great at everything!" Well, like Mom says, even the Yankees can't win EVERY game.

I can handle stay when Mom's in the same room. I can handle her being out of my sight, but only when I still know she's close and not for long. I can't deal when she gets more than about 7 feet awat though, that's just not cool.

Another thing is "leave it". Yes, I am a rockstar at this, however, I'm trying to find a loophole in the game. The first thing I tried was to just pick it up (reeeeeealllllllly slooooooowly) and chew the treat (reeeeeeeeeeeaalllllllllllly slloooooooowly) Mom says that's a no go, it's cheating. I'll figure something out....

We went swimming last weekend. Ringo (my homeboy) went too. He's a total fish, me-not so much. I went in after him and fell off the floating dock. I didn't come up right away and I heard Mom saying she was going in after me. Well I made it to the surface just as she was looking like she was going to jump. I tried to get back on the dock. Let me tell you something, you can't get onto a floating dock from the water, you just can't do it. Someone has to pick you up out of the water or you have to swim to shore. Figured that one out the hard way. After that I just played in the shallows with Barely and Eva. I was good with that. Ringo and Gretel were swimming machines though. Guess it's just not my cup of tea.

Well, Mom's gotta get back to her classes and I'm game for a nap in front of the fan. Catch you all later!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Continued Celebrity Status

Please feel free to start a fan club for me. It's only a matter of time.

I've got a guest spot on the 3DirtyDawgz website for posing in a collar of theirs. It's the one I'm currently wearing that Mom won for me at PawsAbilities.

Check me out and don't forget to look around the site while you're at it (I know I'm awe inspiring and can cause some to lose their train of thought...)

http://www.3dirtydawgz.com/waggintails9.html