The second stop on the NCCF’s Bark and Bowl was organized by Kim, Amy and the Delaware Valley Chapter of the NCCF and led us to Philadelphia PA. Over 20 teams registered to join the fight against Canine Cancer, some coming from as far as 2 hours away!

But the biggest story of the night wasn’t the teams, prizes or monies raised, it was meeting the reasons for the Bark and Bowl; Natasha, Dexter, Bullitt and Face!

The Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Service (CARES) Cancer Center invited Dexter and Natasha, both 2 and 3 years post Lymphoma! They received lots of love, belly rubs and of course, Halo’s natural dog treats.

Team Bullitt, our top fundraiser brought in over $1,100!! Bullitt joined his mom and dad, Cheryl and Tim, to show his love, support and those puppy dog eyes. It was love at first sight when they met in 2003, even though Bullitt’s naughty ways resulted in several carpet and woodwork repairs, but that’s just Bullitt being Bullitt!

Diagnosed with Thyroid Carcinoma in December, he had the lump, thyroid, a jugular, some nerves and muscle tissue removed in January. He has been getting chemo every 3 weeks and its taking it like a champ with his head held high! Just 2 weeks ago an X-Ray showed that the nodules in his lungs had shrunk/stabilized. Let’s hear it for Team Bullitt! (photo courtesy of WhoShotYourDog.com)

Team Face, composed of associates and families from CARES Cancer clinic, bowled for their Osteosarcoma survivor Wags Face. A former racing Greyhound, Wags Face retired and became a blood donor at Kansas State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and was later adopted by Dr Applegate.

On February 8, 2011 Face had a leg removed as a result of the bone cancer and later dislocated his right hip, but still managed to support Team Face on their lane! (photo courtesy of WhoShotYourDog.com)

It is the goal of the NCCF to fund more and more research grants by way of events like the Bark and Bowl’s and with the help of corporate partners like HALO, to eliminate Cancer as a major health issue in dogs and create more of these Survivor stories!

Once again teams sniffed us out at www.barkandbowl.com, joined up and raised money for a cure. Every bowler went home with an exclusive Bark and Bowl tee shirt and goodies from partners PetSmart, John Paul Pet, Whole Foods, MYPHL17 and the only food to receive the NCCF Pink Paw Seal of Excellence-HALO Spot’s Stew.

Be sure to join us for our next tour stop-South Florida- the one that started it all! Bowl with us on May 13th for the biggest Bark and Bowl event in the NCCF’s history!

That’s because over 200+ friends came out to support the Portland, Oregon areas very first Bark and Bowl to benefit the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

Cancer is a major health issue in dogs with 1 in 3 dogs being affected, and of those half will die. The National Canine Cancer Foundation is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer.

After a very successful inaugural Bark and Bowl in 2010, the NCCF announced that it would take the Bark and Bowl on tour in 2011-First Stop Portland.

A supporter and friend since the beginning, HALO joined us for the second time as the Official Dog Food of the Bark and Bowl. The only dog food to receive the National Canine Cancer Foundations Pink Paw Seal of Excellence, every bowler went home with a deeeelicious sample of Spots Stew and official Bark and Bowl tee shirt! Needless to say, the pups ate well that night. Bowlers competed for raffle items such as a one of a kind “We Are The Cure” basketball signed by Portland Trailblazer LeMarcus Aldridge, Portable gas grill, and Free Doggy Day Care while 3 lucky dogs took home a 15lb bag and a case of Spots Stew!

Teams sign up at www.BarkandBowl.com, tell their story, and raise a minimum of $500 in order to compete. Team Lab Lovers, Pup Patrol, Sasha Chu and Penny and the T’s join business partners like HALO, Budweiser, Whole Foods, John Paul Pet, K103 fm and NW 32 TV in their commitment to Bowling for a Cure. No gutter balls here…it’s all for the dogs! The lights go down, glo balls come out and its Bark n Bowl time with a live DJ, complimentary team pictures on the Pink Carpet, team contests, vendors and raffle prizes all night long!

Mark it on your calendar and join the pack. The Bark and Bowl US Tour continues to roll with stops in Philadelphia, Charlotte, West Palm Beach, D.C., Dallas, Baltimore and Miami! See you there.

2.) Early detection is vital. You should routinely examine your dog for any physical or behavioral abnormalities and bring your dog in for regular veterinary exams. Things to look out for include: abnormal swellings, lumps under armpits and under the jaw, sores that won’t heal, foul breath, weight loss/poor appetite/difficulty eating, difficulty breathing, or bleeding/unusual discharge from any orifice on your dog’s body.

3.) Mast cell tumors are one of the most common cancers found on and under the skin of dogs. Any breed or mixed breed can get them, but Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Shar Peis have shown an increased propensity for them, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Between 10 and 15 percent of dogs with a mast cell tumor end up getting more of them throughout their lifetime, the ACVIM reveals.

4.) Not all skin growths and masses on your dog are cancerous. Just like with humans, some tumors are benign (harmless), while others are malignant (harmful). Veterinarians confirm tumors in dogs through x-rays, blood tests and ultrasounds, and diagnose benign or malignant tumors through a biopsy, where a tissue sample is taken from the dog and examined under a microscope.

5.) Spaying and neutering reduces your dog’s risk of certain cancers. This is particularly true of uterine and breast/mammary cancer in females, and testicular cancer in males (if neutered before six months). This is important because breast cancer in dogs is fatal in about 50 percent of cases, according to the ASPCA. And let’s not forget, spaying and neutering helps control the pet population, as well.

6.) Chemotherapy isn’t just for humans. That’s right—this treatment you’ve heard about for human cancer patients is also used to put canine cancer into remission. Chemotherapy can extend the life of a dog with cancer, even canine lymphoma, and in some cases, even pose a cure. Chemotherapy damages rapidly growing cancer cells in dogs, slowing or stopping their growth entirely. The bad news is chemo can produce some rough side effects in your dog, like vomiting and nausea; however, the good news is dogs rarely lose their hair from the treatment like humans do, the ACVIM says.

7.) Cancer treatment for dogs is expensive. This is especially true of advanced treatments. You may want to consider getting a pet insurance policy when you decide to own a dog, especially if you have a high-risk breed. A pet insurance policy can give you peace of mind that you won’t go broke when obtaining the best cancer care for your dog.

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation Awards Halo, Purely for Pets Its First Award of Excellence.

Phoenix, Arizona – January 20, 2010 – With statistics showing Cancer striking 25% to 30% of our dogs, the National Canine Cancer Foundation feels as part of their commitment to finding cures and new treatments for cancer in dogs, they are rewarding companies and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their desire to consider the complete, holistic well being of pets in the operation of their company and within their products and/or services or with their actions as an individual. Halo , Purely for Pets is the very first company to be awarded the National Canine Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Excellence.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Excellence is their most coveted award.  The Seal of Excellence will be awarded to only a very select few companies and/or individuals and the award is based on some of the most extensive criteria. A detailed list of the criteria can be found on the NCCF’s website by clicking here.

“I have been a big fan of Halo Pets for years and it’s very appropriate that we awarded them the very first Seal of Excellence, since some of our criteria for the Seal of Excellence was modeled after the operation and business practices of Halo,” according to Gary D. Nice, President of the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

For over two decades, Halo, Purely for Pets® (www.halopets.com) has created holistic pet products of uncompromising quality.  Halo believes nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet’s life.  Halo produces natural pet food, treats, supplements and grooming products – including the award-winning Halo Spot’s Stew, Dream Coat and Liv-a-Littles treats. Halo products are available at PETCO, Whole Foods, thousands of independent pet specialty and natural food stores, and online at www.halopets.com.

Ellen DeGeneres – a long time Halo customer — became a part-owner of Halo in 2008, saying, “because I think Halo is incredible, I decided to become part owner in hopes that all animals have the chance to be the healthiest they can be.”

“So many of us have lost four-legged loved ones to this terrible disease,” according to Halo Vice President of Marketing Communications David Yaskulka. “While we all strive for a cure, health professionals are telling us to eat natural foods, avoid harsh chemicals, and lead active, healthy lives to have the best chance of avoiding cancer. Halo customers try to do exactly that for our pets. Everyone at Halo is deeply honored to be recognized in this way.”

About the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation (www.wearethecure.org) is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer.

Its purpose is to encourage and provide grant support for basic, pre-clinical and clinical research in high impact and innovative cancer research, which is intended to develop innovative approaches to a cure, treatment, diagnosis or prevention of cancers in dogs. The program fosters collaboration between basic and clinical scientists with the intent of enhancing the transfer of basic research findings to clinical usefulness.

Here’s a quick look at the some of ways in which you can boat train your pet.

1) First introduce your pet to the boat. Then anchor it on the beach and allow him to get used to it. Teach him how to get in and out of the boat. Training your pet how to sit tight in a boat is an equally important part of the training. Once he has mastered this, make him perform drills. Allow him to run straight to the boat from some marked location and on arrival teach him to climb back into the desired location. Once he gets used to this set up move the boat into shallow water and implement the same procedures. Then try moving the craft in the shallow waters. Watch out for his demeanor. Initially you would notice a marked discomfiture, but gradually he would get used to the changing circumstances around him. Try to replicate the real life scenarios as closely as possible.

2) Your behavior shouldn’t exhibit any hurriedness or anxiety. Otherwise, he’ll pick up on that and start behaving weirdly.

3) You should set the expectations right and not keep changing them under different circumstances. This would instill in him a strong belief that he should conduct himself in a particular manner under all the prevailing conditions.

So, today I would like to share these tips with my readers:

1. Never put your pet into the tub and then arrange the toiletries. Instead keep things handy so that the process doesn’t take much time. If possible spread a mat or a large towel on the floor of the tub to prevent slippage.

2. Brush your dog properly before applying water. Also, avoid brushing the coat immediately after shower. This may lead to a lot of unnecessary breakage.

3. Take care of his eyes and ears. Insert cotton balls into his ears to prevent seepage and if possible put a drop or two of sterile mineral oil so that he doesn’t experience pain if traces of shampoo or soap enter his eyes. The more comfortable you make him, the better it is for him.

4. If your dog is frightened of water don’t fill the tub up to the brim. You can also make him do a couple of practice runs.

5. You can seek a friend’s help if you can’t manage him alone. Some dogs tend to escape from the tub frequently. So, you can ask your friend to hold him while you apply soap or shampoo. Once it’s over dry him naturally. Avoid hair dryers as they can be detrimental to your pet’s fur.

If your pet is averse to bathing, don’t reprimand him. Instead follow the above guidelines and get amazing results.

However, gum discoloration, dryness or paleness does not indicate any one type of abnormality. Different colors have varied implications.

Check out the ailments associated with altered color of the gum:

Pale gum – Lack of redness generally stems from anemia caused by a decreased number of red blood cells (RBC). But this thwarted production of RBC could be an indication of  underlying illnesses like internal bleeding, low blood pressure or more serious complications.

Brick red gum – If gum becomes brick red in color it means there is an overproduction of red blood cells and augmented circulation of blood in your pet’s body. This occurs when the blood becomes thickened due to dehydration and sunstroke.

Yellowish gum – Gum turns yellow when there is an excess of bilirubin in the blood. This condition results in jaundice which occurs due to liver failure or a blockage of bile ducts.

Blue gum – When there is a lack of oxygen in the blood gum appears blue. This condition is known as cyanosis. Your dog could also be suffering from a lung disease or hypoxia — a pathological condition in which the whole or a part of the body is deprived of adequate supply of oxygen.

Dry gum – When there is an adequate amount of fluids in the body gum appears wet and shiny. But when there is a lack of it (dehydration), they appear dry to the touch.

However, there is a point to be noted. Sometimes you might notice dark pigmentation on his gum or tongue. Let me tell you there is no need to press the panic button because this is quite a natural occurrence. So, only if you come across abnormal conditions like bleeding around the teeth, swelling, discoloration, bleeding and redness of the gum, particularly surrounding the teeth, you should immediately consult the vet.

Only a healthy vaccinated dog is eligible for blood donation. However, before the donation process gets underway the dog has to undergo a comprehensive physical examination, including a complete blood count and blood chemistry profile. He would be tested for other possible conditions like Brucellosis, Rocky Mountain, Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, and several other ailments. A dog who has received blood transfusion earlier is not eligible for donation. A potential donor also cannot be under any medication and should be protected against heartworm diseases.

There are basically 2 types of programs —  “Full Pints Program” and also “Half-Pints Program”. To be able to qualify for the full-pint program, a dog must be at least 1 year old and weigh 50 pounds or more. But for half-pint programs, donors must be at least 1 year old and weigh 35 pounds or more. The potential donor must be a nice, easy going dog with a universal blood group.

The process of blood donation, however, is rather simple. The donor is placed on an elevated platform and blood is extracted from a large vein from the neck. It is not carried out under anesthesia and takes about half an hour. After the process is accomplished the dog is treated to a nutritious meal and given water.

I have summarized some of the potential benefits of flaxseed for my readers.

Here’s a quick look:

Keeps the coat glossy – Surprisingly enough both dry and greasy coat can be an indication of fatty acid deficiency. If there is a lack of this vital nutrient in your dog’s body, his skin can turn dry and flaky. But if there is an excessive amount of oil in his coat, chances are that he is suffering from a similar deficiency. Fatty acid insufficiency can also lead to ear infections and other skin problems. So, if your dog is suffering from any of these problems, you can supplement his diet with flaxseed oil in consultation with his vet.

Prevents Arthritis – Just like humans, arthritis too can affect dogs. It is indeed  distressing to see our buddies groan with pain. As we are very often unaware of the cause there is very little we can actually do to ameliorate the situation. The joint pain stems from a deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. In the absence of this nutrient, inflammatory prostaglandins, hormone-like substances produced from wrong kinds of fat can attack the joints, resulting in pain and inflammation. So, what we can do is treat them to a flaxseed meal which tends to lower the inflammatory response. This in turn reduces swelling and in turn, arthritis pain.

Prevents cardiovascular diseases – Flaxseed has multifarious benefits on the cardiac health of dogs. Its thinning properties help in preventing blood clots. Flaxseed also lowers blood cholesterol and high blood pressure by improving the elasticity of blood vessels. Flaxseed has been found to be useful for other conditions, like allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and cancer.

Flaxseed oil is available both in liquid form and also as chunks. However, for appropriate  guidelines you should consult his vet.

This medical condition also causes red blood cells to rupture thereby leading to a compromised immune system. This situation may further compound into hemolytic anemia.

Some of the symptoms of onion toxicity may include general debilitation, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, pale or bluish gums, blood in urine, jaundice, fever, loss of  appetite and increased heart rate. If any of these symptoms come to your notice, you should immediately rush him to a doctor who will first decontaminate his body and then administer intravenous fluids. Sometimes, in case of acute anemia, blood transfusion may be necessary.

However, having said all this, I would like to add that onion toxicity is very much preventable. What you only have to do is completely cut down on his consumption of food items stuffed with onion like pizza, hamburger, sandwich meats, canned spaghetti, gravies, and spicy meals. Finally, keep an eye on whether he is consuming left over food or not. So, by exercising these precautions you can actually minimize the risk of onion toxicity in dogs.