If you are a large rescue or organisation please send the message out by promoting trainers and behaviourists with qualifications (academic) and FULL insurance. Verify all claims of certification and membership of associations or groups. Check out these associations with specific reference to how a member is assessed, who assesses them, how and why they are qualified to assess a person, what protocols are in place for colleagues assessing colleagues? What is the pass criteria, how is this documented and most important what is the code of ethics and what happens when a member breaks this code? Remember self regulation is no regulation.

Industry standard and regulated organistions include the Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK (APDT UK), Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors (APBC), Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), Centre of Applied Ethology (COAPE). Good trainers are and want to me members of these groups.

For now and until this area is regulated please ask questions, do not do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable and always dig deep and find the meaning of titles, associations and certifying bodies.

We booked him for a full panel of bloods with our vet and this is where it all began. The symptoms of liver disease are often vague and subtle at the early stages especially. He’s initial bloods showed up some liver dysfunction that needed further investigation. He had bile acid testing done several times and it was confirmed there was most certainly some problems in this area. Over the months that followed he had lots of test run and was referred to UCD. In August he was diagnosed with a Congenital Liver Disease called Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia.  At first, I thought this was a death sentence for him, but we learnt lots and now he has a happy and almost normal life through medical and dietary management.

 What is HMD/MVD:

The liver is responsible for lots of functions in dogs including filtering toxins, waste removal and bile production to aid digestion. The blood is carried to the liver via the portal vein which branches out into smaller and smaller vessels to be detoxified. Microvascular Dysplasia is diagnosed when these microscopic vessels are abnormal and blood is going back into circulation without being detoxified and cleaned.

Symptoms:

 They are rarely consistent and there is range of symptoms from very mild to severe and not all dogs while suffer the same ones. This condition doesn’t usually present until the dog is around age three unlike a portosystemic shunt which symptoms usually come to light when the dog is much younger and usually under one, some of the symptoms include anorexia, lethargy, salivating, vomiting, diarrhoea, hepatic encephalopathy which is an impairment of the mental state due to liver dysfunction often seen as aggression, pacing, circling, pressing head, apparent blindness and even seizures and a zombie like state. Charlie’s most obviously symptoms where lethargy and staring with occasional vomiting and diarrhoea, lack of appetite, head pressing and becoming more aggressive with other dogs. Since Charlie was only aged two his symptoms where mild but I would spend a lot of time with him and quickly notice small changes in his personality.

 Tests:

Charlie had the following tests: Basic Panel of Bloods,  Bile Acid Testing,  Ultra Sounds,  Liver Biopsy,  Blood Ammonia Testing , Vitamin B12 tests & Zinc Level Test.  It took several months to get conclusive diagnoses as many other things had to be ruled out, mainly a Portosystemic Shunt which is another form of Liver Disease.

How do we medically Manage Charlie:

The hardest thing to get our heads around was that Charlie can have no meat or fish protein and plenty of other foods are off the menu too! This is essential to his care this would result in further toxin build up and damage to his organs. He gets prescription food from the Vet made especially for dogs with Liver Disease. He can also have small amounts of cottage cheese, egg whites, goats yogurt so we have become a dab hand at making him special cakes for his training as hotdogs and cheese (which were his all time favourites) are off the menu forever!

The amount of protein he eats per day has to be measured to ensure his symptoms are kept under control. He also needs to eat numerous small meals per day to ease the work load on his liver.

He also takes several medications and supplements which include:

1. Lactulose X 3 times per day – binds ammonia in his bowel and ensure he poops frequently throughout the day

2. Long term antibiotics X 2 times per day – to decrease bacteria in his blood

3. VSL-3 – Probiotics (because he is on longterm antibiotics and this is the most suitable since it contains no manganese which dogs with liver disease don’t tolerate well)

4. Zentonil (Sam-E) – prevents more liver damage

5. Heptosupport – supports normal liver function with Milk Thistle and vitamins

6. Zinc & Vitamin E – Dogs with liver disease are often lacking in these

It sounds like a lot and at first it was difficult to get the hang of it all, but now it’s like second nature to us. Charlie is a happy dog again who enjoys long walks on the beach and doing agility training. It most certainly hasn’t been a death sentence and we are very lucky to have our beautiful dog doing very well thanks to a little bit of effort and our amazing vet who always goes to great lengths to help and support Charlie.

We have been conditioned to believe that waggy tails and roll overs are a sign of a friendly dog but we regularly miss the many distance increasing signals that dogs display. Dogs do ask for space, if we don’t listen they may ask louder by growling and if we ignore that or punish the growl without dealing with the root cause then the dog will skip straight to the behaviour that will work – a snap or bite!

A lack of understanding of canine body language is not ideal especially in a multi dog household or where there are children. So it is a great idea to sit down and educate yourself on the language of DOG!

How can I tell the difference between a tap out and a roll over?
The phrase “tap out” is a wrestling term and happens when an opponent taps the ground with an open hand requesting a release.

In dog terms a tap out is a distance INCREASING signal. The dog will roll over almost vertebrae at a time with stiff or uncomfortable body language often accompanied by lip licking, puffing of the cheeks and kicking out of the legs. Ultimately the dog will end up on his back. Generally the dogs muscles are tight and the tail can be tucked into the belly or stiff.

A roll over is more of an open body language gesture. A happy floppy lose movement. All of the muscles are loose, the body is limp and free with the tail free moving and not tucked into the belly of the dog. The legs are loose generally straight out and again floppy plus there is no kicking out or pushing away. The dogs face will be soft generally with tongue hanging loosely out and soft eyes.

How can I learn more about canine body signals?
An excellent DVD on canine body language is available from www.dogwise.com online DVD and shop for canine related books.
Title: THE LANGUAGE OF DOGS – UNDERSTANDING CANINE BODY LANGUAGE AND OTHER COMMUNICATION SIGNALS DVD SET
by Sarah Kalnajs

1. Contact your vet for a full physical. This will rule out any pain or condition that could be causing the aggression.
2. Contact us so as we can assess your dog and devise an appropriate behaviour modification plan

Common Medical Causes of Aggression:- Hypothyroidism
- Hypoglycemia
- Brian Inflamation
- Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)
- Hydrocephalus – most common in short-nosed breeds [brachycephalics].
- Encephalitis (bacterial or viral)
- Head trauma
- Brain tumor
- Epilepsy
- Brain Seizures

Other Causes Include:
- Inner ear pain, infection in the ear
- Mouth, gum or teeth pain
- Joint Pain caused by arthritis
- Ingrowing Nails
- Stomach Pain cause by intestinal parasites
- Anal Glan Pain, infection of the anal glands
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Allergies
- Injury
- Back Pain or Strain

Be sure to get your dog a full physical at least once a year and discuss any behavioural, appetite, general mood and overall health changes your dog may be experiencing.

If you are unsure contact

Anicare Veterinary Practises www.anicare.ie
OR
Cara Veterinary Practise www.caravetgroup.com