Friday, July 28, 2006

Honest Dad, we've been good!!! (Yukon discovers the kids.)

Priest Lake Events

For all of you who expressed interest in the local sled dog races, and skijoring links, I am posting some info for you:

Priest Lake Events
Sled Dog Races
In early February, Priest Lake plays host to the U.S. Pacific Coast Championship Sled Dog Races at the USFS Airstrip. Bundle up, grab your thermos of hot chocolate and come out to enjoy the fun! 208 443-3191
http://www.fyinorthidaho.com/Calendars-Events/Annual-Events.aspx
http://www.inlandempiresleddogassociation.itgo.com/

Skijoring Links
http://www.skijornow.com/skijornowhome.html
http://www.sleddogcentral.com/skijoring.htm
http://www.gearfordogs.com/pages/Skijoring_Gear.shtml
http://www.cross-countryski.com/ebay.html
http://www.skis.com/dts/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=2746
http://www.docvetpal.com/productannex.html
https://commerce79.datapipe.com/2dogsandacat/store.asp?area=FullProduct&productid=44

Skijoring Equipment and Supplies
I just found a skijoring harness package online at Ebay that I am bidding on ($24.95) It has everything to get started, less the ski's. I found the cross country skis, boots, and bindings at www.skis.com (link above.) I know what Yukon and I will be doing this winter. YES, Steven, I got you rigged up for Christmas. Anyone let me know if you would like the Ebay sellers link. My email: mailto:blhamann@verizon.net

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

This little girl found love..... and it looks mutual. This puppy will be living in Spirit Lake with the Maine's.

Diesel headed to Hauser, Id with new family


One Happy Diesel Dog!!!!!!

Well, today was a sad, but happy day at Windtalker's. Diesel set off on a new adventure. He went to his new home with Judyth and Jennifer. There he is the "Top Dawg," well second to Sassy his new girlfriend, who keeps him in line. I checked in on him this evening and he and his new flame were romping around the yard and jumping in and out of their puppy pool. Sounds like puppy love to me. With Diesel went two of our puppies from the last litter, so Diesel will have his own husky pack. He no longer has to fight with Dad, who always let him know who was "king of the hill." I am happy for Diesel...... but still sad to see a loved one leave our pack. Diesel is giving Jennifer big puppy kisses.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Siberian Husky Health

I want to post some information so that you may spare yourself the grief that my family went through with one of our beloved Siberian Huskies. When we first got Pandi Beari, although she was timid, she was robust and healthy. She always had a good appetite up to the very end so we really didn't realize how sick she was until it was too late.

One day Pandi got a rash around her mouth and it did not heal. I took her to the vet who prescribed topical ointment and antibiotics and it seemed to clear up the rash for a bit but it came right back. The Vet was in awe. I started researching the web and found a lot of good and useful information available. The best site that I found was: http://www.huskyhealthfoundation.org/

After reading I concluded that she most likely had a zinc deficiency. Huskies are not able to store zinc in their systems like other dogs do. They need zinc either supplemmented in their food or with a vitamin/mineral supplement. The zinc deficiency, if left untreated, will lead to a multitude of other ailments and illnesses. Pandi got diabetes and as a result started to go blind. Mind you, this did not all happen over a course of months. This happened in just a matter of weeks. I watched a once healthy dog go down, losing 20 lbs. in a matter of two weeks. The blood tests did not show the zinc deficiency. A special blood test is needed for that and if you don't know what to look for the test is not normally done.

In Pandi's instance it was irreversible and too severe to save her. We had to make a very hard decision and have her put down, but it was the only humane thing to do. She could barely stand up any more and she had all but lost the sight in both eyes.

We had two other dogs that started to have seizures and both were pups (under a year.) At first we thought it was epileptic seizures, but then Krystal started getting the same rashes around her mouth (and ears) as Pandi did. As we read more on the zinc deficiencies one of the secondary ailments/condtions listed was seizures. We changed our dogs food to a Lamb & Rice formula (high in vitamins, minerals and zinc.) We started to give them daily supplements of Pet Tabs Plus (with minerals.) The rash cleared up (although it took almost a month,) and the seizures stopped.

I printed off the information sheet (from the huskyhealthfoundation.org website) and took it into my vet so if he was ever faced with another husky or dog with these symptoms he would include a blood test for zinc deficiencies. I am sorry that I did not learn this in time to save Pandi, but we learned in time to save our other two girls. If you own a husky it is very smart to educate yourself on the Husky Breed specific ailments. Also educate yourself on Husky temperaments and characteristics. Huskies can prove to be a challenge, but I am a firm believer that once you own a husky you will never own anything else. I know I won't.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

B

Ooooooh.... New Arrivals



We have a new litter of puppies, born 6/15/2006. We are currently taking deposits as they will not be ready to go to their new homes until mid August, but all are eating solid foods and are happy, healthy and plump. We have blk/wht, gry/wht and pure white. They are AKC registered and have both Am and Can Champion bloodlines. For more info email: windtalkers@surfbest.net Thank you for your interest in Windtalkers Siberians.