Thursday, January 31, 2019

U-Ask: How to detect Ear Mites , in Dogs,Papillons, Phalenes

You ask: How to detect Ear Mites , in Dogs,Papillons, Phalenes.

Ear mites are little external parasites that can infect your dog. They live on the body and in the ears of canines, but most frequently infect the ears.
Dogs that are afflicted with ear mites will typically scratch at the ears excessively and shake their heads, even pulling out their own hair as they scratch.
Also, an infection by ear mites often produces a dark discharge, and a strong odor from the afflicted pet's ears.
If you have more than 1 dog, watch out, this type infection is highly contagious.

Dogs that are most susceptible to ear mite infections include young dogs and those that live in shelters or that have been abandoned. Puppies tend to be more susceptible because they have not yet built up any resistance to these insects. Adult dogs, only other hand, generally have developed a resistance which helps to protect them from these troublesome and irritating infections.
There are several products to treat ear mites, available in pet stores, feed stores, or your veterinarian.
Complications may arise when an animal is not treated , and has an immune hypersensitivity reaction that results in intense irritation of the external ear.
Some dogs will shake their heads so much that an hematoma of the ear will form (with blood pooling in the ear due to breakage of a blood vessel). Also a concern is when dogs will scratch at their ears to the point that damage is done to the ear canals or ear drums.

U Ask: When are Growth Plates closed in a Papillon, Dog,

(Original posted in 2009!!)

In continuation of Dukes Leg Fracture surgery, a frequent question comes up:
When will the growth plates close in a young Papillon, Phalene, Dog?
The leg bones grow from areas located near their ends. These soft areas of immature bone are called growth plates. Calcium and minerals harden the soft area, and when the process of hardening is complete, growth stops. This will happen in most dogs around 12 -16 month.
Papillon dogs are to the most part full grown at around 8 months, after that they will "fill in "gain muscle, gain on weight.
Before the growth plates close, they can be injured or fractured more easily than mature bone. An injury to the growth plate can cause the bone to stop growing or to grow incorrectly.
We are very lucky, that Dukes growth plates where not injured.
It is best not to expose your young Papillon to High Impact Exercises, such as:

Jogging (especially over hard ground, such as concrete)
Frisbee playing (Leaping after flying disks or over jumps)

If you have a Papillon, Phalene, Toy Dog , (weigh less than 25 LBS) you can begin playing and exercising those mentioned activities at around 9 months, since your youngster has stopped growing. All other dogs have to wait at least 'till they are about 15- 18months old, pending on their size, and weight.