Wednesday, July 26, 2006
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
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.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
It's Idaho or BUST
Why would anyone ever want to leave sunny California? Could it possibly be because in 4 months we have had 78" of rainful, only a handful of days where the sun came out, rising costs of energy bills, over inflated real estate prices, and generally over all high costs of day to day living? Since the "kid and his wife" moved to Idaho last summer, he has been hounding me to move north. "You'll LOVE IT" he says..... it is the most beautiful place I've ever seen, and the kid has seen a few places, so I trust his judgement that it will be all he says it is. Rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, mountains and an abundance of huskies. Sounds like a little piece of heaven to me! "But it's cold there," everyone warns me. Yes, I suppose it is usually a bit colder than "sunny California," but how come it is 10 degrees warmer than it is here now? They don't have rain in the forecast for the next 15 days (and possibly longer.) To tell you the truth? At the moment snow would be a welcome change to sludge, mud, rain, rockslides, flooding. Now, I tell you the huskies will surely be in husky heaven. Huskies and snow just go hand in hand.
You have to keep in mind that I am not a native Californian. I was born in Wisconsin so I know what snow and cold are all about. I lived in Mt. Baldy in So. California (and loved it there.) I have to be near family. I do miss my Son and his wife. My Son made me a Grandmother in March 06. I want to be around to see my Grandson grow and do all of the silly things that kids do, so it is Idaho or bust!
Now I have to tell you, as I was checking out my moving options, Uhaul versus Help U move and moving companies. To my surprise I got the lowest quote from a full service moving company. Now I never dreamt that in a million years. When I checked with our local Uhaul Agency, Chuck asked me where I was going. I told him Priest River, Idaho. He asked if it was anywhere near C0eur D' Alene???? I said, "yep." He said, "I rented two trucks this past week and both were headed to Coeur D' Alene." Imagine that. When I told my Son that he said, "now you know why Idaho'ans do not like Californians..... hmmmmmmm, I bet. Small wonder. I am not the only one pulling up the stakes and headed for higher ground.
I won't get a chance to give you updates until after I am settled. With two escrows going and packing I don't have much time to myself. May 1st is the estimated move date and it is a 15 hour drive. 4 huskies and me in an SUV, 15 hours of driving? Yee doggies! I will have to share that experience as well as life in Idaho.
I hope everyone is enjoying the warmth and the beauty of spring that I am not experiencing here in No. Ca. I envy you!!!!!
Happy trails!
B
You have to keep in mind that I am not a native Californian. I was born in Wisconsin so I know what snow and cold are all about. I lived in Mt. Baldy in So. California (and loved it there.) I have to be near family. I do miss my Son and his wife. My Son made me a Grandmother in March 06. I want to be around to see my Grandson grow and do all of the silly things that kids do, so it is Idaho or bust!
Now I have to tell you, as I was checking out my moving options, Uhaul versus Help U move and moving companies. To my surprise I got the lowest quote from a full service moving company. Now I never dreamt that in a million years. When I checked with our local Uhaul Agency, Chuck asked me where I was going. I told him Priest River, Idaho. He asked if it was anywhere near C0eur D' Alene???? I said, "yep." He said, "I rented two trucks this past week and both were headed to Coeur D' Alene." Imagine that. When I told my Son that he said, "now you know why Idaho'ans do not like Californians..... hmmmmmmm, I bet. Small wonder. I am not the only one pulling up the stakes and headed for higher ground.
I won't get a chance to give you updates until after I am settled. With two escrows going and packing I don't have much time to myself. May 1st is the estimated move date and it is a 15 hour drive. 4 huskies and me in an SUV, 15 hours of driving? Yee doggies! I will have to share that experience as well as life in Idaho.
I hope everyone is enjoying the warmth and the beauty of spring that I am not experiencing here in No. Ca. I envy you!!!!!
Happy trails!
B
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
