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I have a rather personal question, which, if I offend anyone, I apologize upfront.  Has anyone ever had problems with their dog's anal sacs?  By that I mean have you had issues with them "leaking" in the most inopportune locales?  It seems whenever we take a longer car ride, Ruby usually likes to sit on my lap and rest her chin on the driver's side door.  Well, not only does she relax but something else relaxes and before you know it my nose hairs are curling from the odor.  I've smelled some pretty bad things but anal sac discharge could peel paint off the walls.  I'm wondering if this means they need to be expressed or is it just because Ruby becomes so relaxed?

Does anyone have experience with these sorts of things?  Let me know! 

Spring is doing it's best to chase winter out of the way but it's been a bit grey and somewhat chilly around Kansas City these past few days.  It hasn't, however, stopped us from heading to our favorite park for a walk.  The park is fantastic for getting a dose of physical activity - there's a walking/running path that borders the park which is over a mile around plus lots of other smaller paths in and around a pond and rose garden.  It's also draws droves of people walking their dogs.  I enjoy seeing all the different breeds....seems every breed has their human fans.  Yesterday we met a puggle (Ruby and Amie seemed to realize they were seeing their relative), standard poodle, yorkie, beagle, a great dane (in the distance it looked like a small horse as it was trotting alongside it's owner ), a beautiful golden retriever and a mixture of mixes!  Today we met a miniature rat terrier, a lab, a basenji (at least I think it was!) and a vizsla.  We even saw a guy running with his dachshund.  Didn't know that dachshunds were runners but he seemed to be enjoying himself.  The dog that is.

Just finished day #2 of my surgery rotation......spent 6+ hours on one surgery today!  It involved grafting a portion of the abdominal aorta and both right and left common iliac arteries which acted to bypass the person's original arteries.  The original vessels were literally hard as rock due to an abundance of plaque that adhered to the vessel walls.  In other words, due to a combination of unfortunate family genes, poor diet and lack of exercise, this 64-yr old gentleman underwent a major surgery to make amends for bad lifestyle habits.  Long story short, your furry friend can be your ticket to a much healthier lifestyle by getting your behind out the door for daily walks.  Also, can't forget how it has been scientifically shown that our pets can relax us and decrease heart rate and blood pressure just by their sheer presence.  

I kept wondering over and over throughout the surgery if this gentleman would be in a better place in his life if he had chosen healthier lifestyle habits?  Could his health have taken a different course if he had owned a pet, namely a dog?  

Even though it's an added complexity throughout these rotations to manage my two puggies, I never tire of seeing them first thing in the morning when we wake up, when they act just as excited day after day when I get home or when they snuggle next to you for a Saturday afternoon nap.  And there's nothing better than walking together at our favorite park....fresh air and exercise for all of us!

Cheers!

Ruby, Amie and I arrived in Kansas City on Thursday and have been getting back in the swing of things since.  We'd been in Shreveport for the past seven weeks which was enjoyable but it's nice to be back in my familiar apartment and neighborhood.  Plus, KC has some great parks, one in particular (Loose Park) that is hugely popular so we've already been there a number of times.  It has a lot of space and is very dog-friendly so the girls were thrilled when we arrived for a walk yesterday, today and, of course, tomorrow to celebrate Easter.  I try to spend as much time with them on weekends because for the next three months my surgery rotation will eat up most of my time during the week.  It's hard being away from them so much but I know it's just temporary until I start residency.  Mostly, it's about being in one place for an extended period time both for my sanity and their's!!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Onward ho! 

Ruby, Amie and I made the long drive back from Shreveport, LA to Kansas City, MO yesterday and made it without any difficulties.  Another successful trip with my dogs which I am always grateful for.  My psych clinical rotation ended this week which is why I was headed back to Kansas City to start my surgery rotation on Monday.  Ugh.  My psych rotation had very hospitable hours (i.e. allowed me a lot of time with my puggies) whereas surgery will be another story.  I've already lined up my dogwalker to come twice a day!  Fortunately I will have my weekends free and hopefully no overnight call.  As I've remarked to my family, I'm not so much stressed by the rotations and constantly changing environments but more stressed that my puggies be well taken care of in my absence.  I've been fortunate to find outstanding dogwalkers in every locale I've been to thus far.  Ruby, my 5 yr old puggie who I've had since she was a puppy, is a well-seasoned traveller.  She started in Minnesota, spent time in California then came to the island of Saba where my med school campus is located.  I adopted my second puggie, Amie, while I was on Saba and she's travelled more than she probably cares to!  As an older lady (11 yrs old this June), she much prefers a quiet, consistent environment but she's been a trooper.  I do whatever I can to limit her stress which, in turns, limits mine.    

Right now, we're looking at three months in Kansas City then it's off to Chicago for the remainder of the year.  We're all looking forward to when I start residency since that means we'll be able to stay in one location for several years!!  One more year of being nomadic.....I'm counting the days.  

A few weeks ago I noticed my one pug, Ruby, scratching ominously at her ears.  I knew before the vet confirmed my suspicions that she had an ear infection but I was completely surprised when the vet noticed that my other pug, Amie, had an ear infection far worse than Ruby's.  I felt horrible that I hadn't noticed but she never scratched or gave me any indication otherwise.  I had the vet check Amie's ears because he had a fancy camera that could peer deep into the ear canals.  Her canals were swollen and inflammed!  We started her immediately on prednisone for the first week to knock out the inflammation before I even started treating and cleaning the ears.  Today we had a recheck and the special camera showed pink, healthy ear canals to my relief. 

I've lived in several locales during the past year because of my clinical rotations (I'm currently finishing my last week of a 6-week psych rotation in Shreveport, Louisiana) so I've had the opportunity to visit a wide variety of vets.  I have to say the vet in Shreveport was incredibly informative and went to great lengths to explain the complexity of a pug's ear canal and the proper technique for cleaning and applying antibiotic ointment.  No one had done that before and we've had numerous ear infections over the years.  I was really impressed but also thankful for the information.  He also provided other helpful advice for dealing with fleas, ticks and skin allergies which are prevalent in Louisiana.  With a wamer, more humid environment, fleas and ticks are a huge problem here.  Luckily we're headed to Kansas City, MO at the end of the week where the weather is struggling to get above 50 degrees so no threat of bugs!!! 

I was stalked by a cat tonight!  I was out running around dusk and inbetween my huffing and puffing I noticed a cat sitting on the side of the road watching me.  As I was about to pass him he charged me!  I was momentarily stunned then hoped that the cat's next move wasn't going to affix itself to my thigh.  I stared him down until he ran under a car then when I turned my back and started running he came towards me again.  Crazy.  For the rest of the run I kept looking over my shouler for this frisky feline to come flying out of a tree or from behind a parked car. 

Since we're still on the subject of cats, Ruby snuck next door when I was out side washing my car.  I thought she went to visit the two young neighbor girls but I found her head buried in the cat food bowl (our neighbors feed the local neighborhood cats).  She had polished off every last morsel.  And this was after her own dinner and treats.  Is it any wonder she resembles a watermelon with legs?  Her appetite is neverending which is why we need a 24 Hour Fitness for puggies!

Cheers!   

Hello Everyone!

I'm always looking for a variety of places to walk my puggies, Amie and Ruby, both for their enjoyment and mine so when time permits we load up in the car and head out.  One of our favorites is McKinley Park because there's an endless array of activities to enjoy watching but we've also discovered the campus of Sac State particularly on the weekends.  Most of the time there's very little traffic and plenty of paved walkways to use.  Plus, it's close to the American River trail system if you feel like taking a longer walk.  Another favorite are the neighborhoods known as the Fabulous Forties.  The houses are spectacular and the landscaping is beautiful.  I'm always careful not to let my puggies pee on the ornamental cabbage!  Or at least not when anyone is looking!

If you're new to the area, exploring it on foot with your furkids is a great way to learn your way around and get some exercise.  Plus, I think Amie and Ruby enjoy the nasal stimulation of  new locales :-)

Enjoy your weekend!

Ann 

Hello Everyone! 

Glad to be a part of SacPaws to chat about all things "animal"!  I'm a proud pug owner or I should say I'm owned by a couple of pudgy pugs:  Amie and Ruby.   Ruby I've had since she was a sausage-shaped puppy (she's 5) and I adopted Amie when she was a mature lady of eight (she's nearing 11). 

Never a dull moment with these two.  Take today for instance.  After I came home from work I was hoping to catch a quick nap before we headed to the local park which has become our daily routine.  Pugs, all dogs for that matter, never pass up an opportunity to nap so it was strange when Ruby wouldn't jump in bed.  I soon found out.  Seems Miss Amie pee peed on my PJs which were lying on the bed.  And it wasn't just a small amount......she unleashed a torrent.  Unfortunately Amie has a history of letting go in the wrong places but I took one look at her sweet face and all I could was take a deep breath and begin stripping the bed.  We're currently waiting for the comforter to dry. 

What redeemed this latest chapter of pet ownership was having a wonderful romp at the local park.  Lots of other four-legged friends to meet and loads of trees and fire hydrants to smell and leave a "calling card".  By the time we arrived home the saga of the sheets had long been forgotten.  At least by the pugs anyway.

Cheers,
Ann