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Home of the Russkiy/Russian Toy dog, also known as Moscow Toy Terrier, Russian Longhaired Toy Terrier and Russkiy Toy

RT Breed Health

Article from Dogsters, posted Jan.15,2012

Nine Simple Things You Can Do to Avoid Costly Canine Vet Visits

Last night it happened again. My 60-pound pal, Buster, and I were walking through the neighborhood for his pre-bedtime pit stop. Suddenly, a long-haired Chihuahua darted across the street, yapping and trying to pick a fight. The Chihuahua’s hapless owner was 20 feet behind, calling its name repeatedly to no avail.

What could possibly go wrong when an off-leash Chihuahua runs across a street to pick a fight with a Labrador Retriever? In this case, nothing bad happened. No car struck the Chihuahua. The Chihuahua did not get mauled. The dog did not get lost. The dog and the owner were lucky.

I regularly see and am tasked with trying to fix the serious problems that can occur when dogs are inappropriately allowed off leash. These problems, and many other problems that I treat, are completely preventable.

Here is some advice for people who would like to avoid the canine misery and financial hardship of an unnecessary trip to the vet.

1. Use a leash. Unless your dog has absolutely perfect recall, you need to be cautious about where and when you allow your dog off-leash. Most people who think their dogs have perfect recall are completely delusional. So be judicious.

2. Pay attention to your dog. Even leashed dogs can get into trouble if their owners aren’t watching. Lots of bad things can happen, for instance, when dogs walk around blind corners ahead of their owners. Many people use retractable leashes in such a way that their dogs might as well not be leashed at all. Don’t be one of those people.

3. Use common sense around other dogs. You know your dog is friendly, but the dog he’s checking out may not be. Ask the other dog’s owner whether it’s safe to let them sniff face-to-face. If the other dog’s owner isn’t anywhere in sight, then you know something about how responsible he or she is. Use extreme caution in such scenarios.

4. Brush your dog’s teeth. Yes, it’s a nuisance to brush your dog’s teeth once daily. And yes, lots of people make lots of noise online about how their special diet or treat or toy obviates the need. The fact is that nothing works as well as tooth brushing, and people who claim otherwise usually are pushing their own agendas. Regular brushing will spare your dog the hardship of dental disease like nothing else. It also is your best bet for avoiding expensive dental work.

5. Stay away from foxtails and porcupines. Foxtails are sharp grass seeds, and everyone knows what porcupines are. These two pests can lead to your pup getting foreign bodies in his nose, anus, and every part in between. They’re easy to avoid if you use a leash and pay attention to your dog.

6. Socialize your dog properly. Well-socialized dogs get into fewer fights and are less likely to behave aggressively toward humans. Well-socialized dogs allow their owners to brush their teeth and trim their nails and check their ears — so that you don’t have to pay vets or groomers to perform these tasks.

7. Keep toxic or dangerous items out of reach. Over the holidays, I treated dozens of dogs for chocolate ingestion. I treated dozens of others for GI upset after they ate garbage or were fed inappropriate treats.

Chocolate treat season is finally winding down, but plenty of problematic ingestible items are ubiquitous. Many dogs spend time in the hospital after consuming sugarless gum (which, if it contains xylitol, can be highly toxic to susceptible dogs), macadamia nuts, raisins, or even overdoses of their own palatable medications, such as Rimadyl flavor chews. Keep these items locked up or out of reach.

8. Don’t give human medications to your pet without first talking to your vet. Very little good ever has come from the canine equivalent of self-medicating. Some human medications are markedly toxic to pets. Some, such as aspirin, rarely work but interfere dangerously with other medications that may be effective. Dogs who receive a few Advils for a sore paw may end up in the hospital for three days of treatment. Talk to your vet before you medicate your dog.

9. Get regular veterinary checkups. Planned visits can prevent unplanned ones by catching problems before they get out of control.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and safe new year for you and your dog.

Article from Canine Health Foundation's Membership Newsletter dated 10/27/2011

First Aid Kit for you Dog(s)

Unless a personal or national emergency is recent or imminent, today’s hectic pace often keep accidents and/or emergencies from the forefront of most people’s minds. However, it is vital to pets’ health that their owners not only consider, but plan for, how to deal with accidents and emergencies. A first aid kit is a necessity which, in addition to making minor injuries easier to manage, can also make the difference between a pet’s life and death.

The very first thing owners need in order to assemble a first aid kit is a suitable container. A sturdy, waterproof container, such as a fishing tackle-type box, is ideal as it will keep the items within clean and safe from damage. It is also advisable to clearly label the container as a first aid kit and include all pertinent contact information (primary veterinarian, nearest poison control center and veterinary hospital, and owners’ names, addresses, and phone numbers) in the event that the owner(s) is incapacitated or that other people less familiar with the dog(s) need to find or use the kit.

The next, and arguably most important, step is determining what items to put into the first aid kit.

While the contents will vary depending on each individual dog, there are basic essentials each first aid kit should contain; chief among these is a reference guide for canine first aid. This resource contains instructions on how to navigate myriad health problems, accidents, and emergencies.

To treat cuts and abrasions, it is important to include sterile non-stick gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic (wipes, liquid, powder, or spray) and antibiotic ointment. Styptic powder helps stop superficial bleeding. Extra towels, bedding, or clothing is also useful to include because it can not only be used to apply pressure to bleeding areas, but to also stabilize an injured or broken limb. To this end, a splint should also be added. Because shock and pain from injuries can cause dogs to unwittingly bite, the first aid kit should also include a muzzle. A rectal thermometer, petroleum jelly, and hot/cold packs should also be considered.

Some wounds may require fur removal in order to be adequately cleaned and/or dressed; the kit should contain slant-tipped scissors, a disposable razor, and/or clippers (depending on the dog’s coat) for this purpose. Tweezers are useful for removing ticks or other embedded objects from dogs’ skin. A nasal aspirator or plastic syringe can be used in conjunction with sterile saline solution to flush debris from wounds, ears, and eyes; it can also be used to administer an emetic, such as hydrogen peroxide, to induce vomiting. A can of wet food is useful as it can help reduce the effects of poisoning.

Unfortunately, accidents will happen. Having a first aid kit will soothe owners’ inevitable worries and enable them to more effectively handle obstacles to their dogs’ health when they arise. Ideally, owners will create and continue to build their first aid kits to help ensure their pets stay healthy and happy.

Retained puppy incisors is a fairly common occurrence in toy breeds. Check your puppies teeth and have puppy teeth extracted as your veterinarian recommends.

Health checks: At our kennel we have every breeding bitch and stud dog health checked with OFA & CERF. At OFA we have the heart and knees checked, and CERF checks our dogs eyes (after 1 year of age). These health checks can then be registered into the CHIC Health Registry.

It is a common misconception that hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant or antiseptic for treating wounds. While it is an effective cleaning agent, hydrogen peroxide is not an effective agent for reducing bacterial infection of wounds. Further, hydrogen peroxide applied to wounds can impede healing and lead to scarring because it destroys newly formed skin cells.

We have found Panalog to be an excellent antiseptic for wounds on your dog.

News regarding health issues & medication dosage for small breeds

Flea & Tick protection:

There is finally a generic Frontline available. It is called "Pet Armor". This product has the exact same formulations as Frontline.

Pet Armor = Frontline TopSpot  &  Pet Armor Plus = Frontline Plus

Always talk to your veterinarian before you use any products on your sweet and petite Russian Toy dogs.

If you own several Russian/Russkiy Toy dogs, buy the 4ml tube and pour it in a plastic vial or container, which has a secure non-leak screw cap lid. Take a syringe and dose between 0.2cc to 0.5cc per dog. Always apply between the shoulders. Frontline is the safest of all the flea and tick products available.

Remember, do not administer several medications/innoculations to your RT all on the same day/week. Their bodies are so small. Instead spread them out in about 3-4 week intervals.

Below is the lowest dose the company suggests, but our RTs are far smaller than 22 pounds. A suggested dose of 0.2cc up to 0.5cc should be safe. Some areas of US has more tick & flea problems than others. Dose accordingly, and always talk to your vet before administering.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pet-Armor-Plus-89-132lb3ct/15992154

"DEVELOPING HIGH ACHIEVERS"
Originally published as "Early Neurological Stimulation"
by Carmen L. Battaglia

Surprising as it may seem, it isn't capacity that explains the differences that exist between individuals because most seem to have far more capacity than they will ever use. The differences that exist between individuals seem to be related to something else. The ones who achieve and out perform others seem to have within themselves the ability to use hidden resources. In other words, it's what they are able to do with what they have that makes the difference.

To read this very interesting article, click on link  http://kalaharirr.tripod.com/achiever.html.

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