Peoria Humane Society

Dog Care and Health

You will find further relevant articles on the Cross Species Issues page.

Protecting Your Pet

Tips on How to Protect Your Pet and What To Do If Your Pet is Lost

Most people consider pets part of the family and do a really good job of providing the protection and care they need. But even the most diligent pet owner can have a pet slip through an open door or gate and then the heartache begins. The Peoria Humane Society and American Humane Association offer these tips on how to protect your pet from getting lost and what steps you should take if your pet does get lost.

How to Protect Your Pet

Make sure your dog and cat always wears a collar with a current identification tag. Pet stores, veterinary offices, and animal shelters often have forms to order ID tags.
The tag should include name, address, phone number (day and evening is best) and the pet's name. If you're willing to pay a reward, then put the word REWARD on the tag too.
Put a temporary tag on your pet when you move residences that includes a relative's or friend's telephone number. Many animals are lost when owners are moving. Use masking tape over your current tag or consider purchasing an instant tag, now available at pet stores and other retail outlets.
Keep a file with a written description of your pet that includes their size, markings, weight, and unusual features (like a white cat might have a blue eye and a green eye).
Keep a photo on file to use for posters or to take to the animal shelter.
Keep your cats indoors and tagged! Many stray cats that end up at shelters are indoor cats that slipped past an open door.
Get your pet a tattoo or microchip. Tattooing is a permanent ID system that involves marking pertinent information on the skin of the pet. Microchipping involves implanting a tiny electronic capsule under the skin that can later be scanned (many animal care and control agencies, veterinary clinics, and research labs have scanners) to identify you as the owner.
Keep dog license tags and rabies tags up-to-date as they can help shelters locate the pet's owner.

What to Do When Your Pet is Lost

Act fast. Don't wait days hoping they will come home. The quicker you begin your search for your lost pet, the better the odds of finding them.
Check PAWS every day. Don't just call, visit and physically search for your pet. Unless you lost a Dalmatian, many animals are difficult to describe over the phone.
Use your pet's photo to make "lost pet" signs. Put them up in your neighborhood and in local post offices, libraries, pet stores, vet offices, groceries stores. Inform your vet and groomer that your pet is lost in case they receive a call
Place ads in local newspapers and offer a reward in case someone found your untagged pet and was thinking of keeping him.
Watch the found ads. Respond to any that might be close to your pets description. A week of wandering can make a white pet look a drab gray and their description may not exactly fit how you remember Tiger.
Call the radio station. Some radio stations will broadcast lost pet information free. Give them very detailed information on where the pet was lost, its description and how to contact you.
Search your neighborhood or area where the pet was lost. Ask people if they have seen your pet. Let them know your pet's missing and offer a reward. Call your pet and check any places they could have become trapped, such as basements, garages, or under vehicles.
Often times lost pets will hide during the day, so be sure to go out again at night with a flashlight and call out for them. Sometimes a can of food can lure a hungry and scared pet to you.

For more tips on finding a lost pet, contact the PAWS at (309)672-2440 or the American Humane Association at 303-792-9900.

How to Avoid Being Bitten

Never approach a strange dog, particularly one who's confined or restrained. Don't pet a dog, even your own, without letting him/her see and sniff you first. Avoid running past a dog or turning your back on a dog and running away. A dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch fleeing prey. Unless you know the dog very well, don't disturb a dog who's sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. Use caution with strange dogs. Always assume that a strange dog may see you as an intruder or a threat.

What to Do If You Think a Dog May Attack

Never scream and run. If you do, you'll probably trigger the dog's chase response and only increase your chances of being attacked. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until he/she is out of sight. More than 60% of bite victims are children. Teach your children to remain motionless when they are approached by a strange dog. If you allow a strange dog to sniff you, in most cases the dog will leave when he/she decides you aren't a threat. Avoid direct eye contact with the dog. Staring into a dog's eyes is perceived by the dog as an act of aggression and dominance and will only challenge the dog to attack. In a loud and low voice, tell the dog to "go home." If the dog does attack, "feed" him/her your jacket, purse, or anything that can come between you and the dog. If you fall or are knocked down, curl into a ball and put your hands over your ears. Try not to scream or roll around.

What to Do If You Are Bitten

Wash the wound and immediately consult a doctor. Report the bite to the local animal-control department, animal shelter, or health department. Tell animal-control personnel as much as you can about the dog--what the dog looks like, where you saw the dog, whether you've seen the dog before, and so on. It's important for animal-control personnel to locate the dog as quickly as possible.

Canine Vestibular Disease

One day our 15 year old dog became disoriented, unbalanced and appeared to be confused. He was leaning toward one side, shaking his head, going around in circles, etc. We thought he may have had a stroke and took him to the emergency animal clinic. Instead of stroke it turned out he was suffering from Canine Vestibular Disease—also known as “old dog vestibular syndrome.”

Vestibular means a problem with the connections between inner/middle ear and brain causing ataxia. Dogs with ataxia stand with their limbs braced, they walk with difficulty and have a “drunk” type of motion because they have lost their sense of balance. When the vestibular nerve, which travels from the inner ear to the brain, malfunctions. It disrupts the animal’s sense of balance and orientation.

It is important to find out where the vestibular abnormality is located. The disturbance can be peripheral, meaning it is located outside the brain, or central, located inside the brain. The distinction between the two is subtle and is best diagnosed by a veterinary neurologist. The peripheral disturbance is the most common and least serious.

It has been suggested that there is a correlation between old dog vestibular syndrome and hypothyroidism so blood work should be done to rule out this problem.

The ears should be thoroughly examined because the same symptoms can result from a severe ear mite infection. Also certain types of antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentomicin can cause vestibular syndrome.

This syndrome is not a life threatening condition, nor should it even be called old dog vestibular syndrome because young dogs have also contracted it. However, in most cases old dogs are seen by veterinarians with this condition more often.

Time is a major factor in old dog vestibular syndrome. Recovery time depends on the afflicted dog. Eventually the animal teaches itself to compensate and overcome old dog vestibular. Rest and quiet are required during this recovery time, and it’s important to keep the dog in a well lighted room. If possible, avoid carrying the dog, or, if this is unavoidable, lift the dog slowly and smoothly and hold the pads of it’s feet while airborne. Lifting and moving it through the air disrupts the dog’s sense of orientation. Keeping the dog’s feet firmly on the ground with it’s eyes on the horizon helps regain it’s balance.

This condition is sometimes misdiagnosed and dogs who could have recovered have been euthanized because the condition appears so severe. It is important to note that there are no warning signs, which may lead to the conclusion that it is a stroke. Fortunately most dogs will be spared this affliction. However, if your dog does contract this disease, it is comforting to know that it is not fatal and recovery is merely a matter of patience and tender loving care. Please note that a serious inner/middle ear infection—which can occur without the customary smelly ear—has the same severe and frightening symptoms. An infection can usually be cured with antibiotics and the dogs have a complete recovery. Drugs that might be used to treat old dog vestibular syndrome include Cholodin Tabs and Winstrol V. As always, check with your vet.