Carla's FAQ

Hair Loss, Asthma & Clicky Legs

"I am a Pomeranian and was born by cesarian. My name is 'Gizmo', and I was healthy up to the time I got my first haircut, because of knots and hair like cotton baton. Well, much to my surprise my hair did not grow back. I thought the groomer must have pulled the roots out or something and was ready to go over there and bite him when the vet told my master it could be a thyroid problem. The vet tested me and sure enough that's what it was and I've been on thyroid pills ever since. It helps to a point but my hair is like cotton and cannot be combed. If I am off the pills I go bald. I had to wear baby clothes before I knew of the problem and people always laughed. I was soooo embarressed! Do you know of any other treatment?

Also, if that wasn't enough, I also have ASMA ! If I runs too fast, get dust or any kind of spray or smoke up my nose I have an attack. Do they make Asma breathers small enough for dogs like me? Also my back legs will snap up if I gets them chilled as well."

So sorry Gizmo. There is no other thyroid treatment and you must take your pills. Tell your master to get the vet to do a FULL blood panal on you. Maybe even a T3 supression test. This will give you a good idea of what is happening internally. Your Asthma attacks sound like a tracheal problem. Your snappy back legs suffer from Patella luxation. Poor kid you lucked out in the gene pool. Try and loose any excess weight and the knees and breathing will become easier. Your master's vet will be able to help with a medication called Cosequin for your knee caps. Also make sure you have some form of vitamin i.e. Geribits.

Poor Gizmo, you have more than your share of problems. Get slimmed down, on vitamins, off the tight leash and have a full blood organ function test and you'll feel so much better.

Carla.

Toy Munchkins

"I am curious as to the problems of breeding Toy Munchkins? Are they just sickly runt poms? Do you know the breeder ? Is she reputable? I happened to see the breed on Leeza the talk show and they were promoting the breed, they seem to be very cute and irristable. I would love to purchase one but I would feel terrible knowing that I'm contributing to immoral breeding practices. I would greatly appreciate more information on this breed."

Whelping Box

"Do you have any advice on what type of whelping box is best?"

The whelping box should be big enough for the mum to lie down comfortably and nurse but not so big that the puppies crawl away from her and get lost in a corner. A removable lid is handy so that she can be confined there if necessary. Some first time mums jump out if they can until they are well settled down after delivery.

Carla.

Show People

"I took my new Pom (registered AKA Too!) to a dog show and found everyone there unhelpful and some downright rude! Why are show people so elitist, after all my dog is registered as well!"

There is never any excuse for rudeness. But please keep in mind the show world is very competitive, expensive and can be downright ruthless! To some people this is more than a hobby or sport.

Here are a few hints to get an honest critique of your dog and some answers to basic questions.

• NEVER approach a professional handler. They are way too busy since they may be showing many breeds at once.
• ALWAYS watch the show time table. It is not a good idea to try and meet people right as they are lining up for the ring.
• IDENTIFY your self as a new comer and ask if your timing is appropriate or would later be better. Maybe lunch break would be a good time for introductions.
• DON'T ask if your dog is comparable with theirs. Just ask what your dog has going for it. All dogs have good points, find out what yours are.
• IF you get curt and rude answers please be aware that not all show people are like that. Attend a few shows and people will soon recognize your face.

Carla.

Bad Mouth

"I have just taken my Pom pup for his last injection. The vet says he is developing a 'bad mouth.' Can this be fixed?"

A bad bite may be overshot (the upper jaw is longer than the bottom), undershot (the lower jaw projects beyond the upper), wry mouth (a twisted jaw) or retained puppy teeth.

SOME overshot jaws will correct themselves at maturity if not too extreme. Retained baby teeth will often cause either the top or bottom jaw to grow at differant rates and give rise to numerous problems both health and cosmetic wise. Most mouth problems are HEREDITARY (due to genetic make-up). The undershot jaw may be FAMILIAR (more family members are prone to this than would be resonably expected in the normal canine population). It is a good idea to get a referral to a certified canine dentist. They may extract decidous (baby) teeth to allow normal growth of the jaws and correct placement of the adult teeth. Many non-specialist vets can also preform this service.

It is surprising how few pet owners ever look into their puppies mouth! Early detection (8-12 weeks of age) of bite problems is vital to a healthy bite. Orthodontics (bands and braces) can help some and in the dog is not too long and drawn out a treatment.

Carla.

Coughing Fits

"Sometimes my Tibetan Spaniel goes into an uncontrollable coughing fit, approximately 1-2 times a day. Some people including my vet said it has something to do with an extra piece of skin by the esophagus. Have you ever heard of this? Many thanks on behalf of me and Ladybug."

Poor lady bug. If your vet has ruled out any trachea problems then it probably isn't a serious condition. She most probably is suffering from an elongated soft palate. This is a common condition in short faced breeds. However, it might be worthwhile to try her on a ten day course of antibiotics since this condition is aggravated by swollen tonsils. The sound you hear may sound as if she is "honking". The term for it is 'reverse sneezing'. This is harmless and the dog learns to cope. Please make sure she has no dental problems because your breed is prone to retained teeth. It's not unknown for a tooth to lie near the nasal cavity and cause these symptoms. Finally be aware that short legged breeds are in close contact to the floor and dust (or powder if you use that on her) is irritating. If she honks after drinking only then it is probably reverse sneezing. You didn't state her age but if she is young she may grow out of it. It almost always reappears in old age.

Carla.

House Training

"Spicy, our 11 month old, female Pom, seems to be impossible to completely housebreak. I am at my wits' end."

Here is something to try. You will need:

• 1. A brass bell - any size large or small
• 2. Some cord to tie bell to door knob
• 3. Her favorite treats
• 4. A Crate
• 5. A weekend where you have cancelled all distractions

In the beginning feed and water the bitch well. Then crate her for at least 4 hours. She should be busting. As you take her to the door jingle your bell on the string and in a happy voice say' OUT, OUT'. Once she is outside say nothing until she preforms. When she does use a command word such as 'toilet' or 'wee-wee'. Then give her the treat.

Then back into the crate and repeat. It may take 2 weekends but soon she will be ringing her own bell.

You will need to incorporate your family members later. Even if you suspect her of ringing the bell for a treat only always reward her in the begining.

I lived in a second floor flat and had 5 bitches. There was no problem with this method but BE PERSISTANT!

Carla.

Tellington Touch

"Have you ever used the Tellington Touch with success? I have two articles about it, both published in 1990. I know if it being used with large breeds, particularly greyhounds. It was apparently developed by those working with horses. (See the February, 1991 isue of the AKC)"

Thought I'd let you know about my experience with tellington touch. We have a peke who six months ago suffered two disc ruptures. She was completely paralysed and in intense pain. She had specialist surgery (at a cost of 2400.00) and after surgery there was some nerve damage. She still felt great pain. The vet thought she felt a type of burning pain as she litteraly tore skin off any part of her body she could reach. I used T.T. and massage on her 4 times a day for 3 weeks. This helped to re-educate the nerve pathways to send proper signals. She is now walking and happier than ever.

Carla

Sibling Rivalry

I have purchased 2 female Poms born from the same litter. They are 2 yrs. old and seem to spend much of their time fighting. What is the remedy??

You have a classic case of sibling rivalry. First, you must determine if your attention is the cause of the problem. If you are routinely picking up the loser and making soothing noises, you are confounding the problem. The stronger and usually bigger dog will keep on attacking the weaker and even going so far as to seek, hunt and destroy Mother's darling. Stop being Mother and become pack leader! As pack leader you will need a first lieutenant and this will be the stronger dog. Watch their aggressive displays and AS LONG AS the weaker dog is not being injured ; do nothing. This includes NOT praising the loser. Normally, if the highest ranking dog is not reprimanded and once the weaker dog is put in it's place, most aggression will cease. If you continue to harbor the weaker dog, the stronger dog will wait until you are absent and then assult the smaller one with sometimes fatal results.

Since the Pom is a spitz dog (just like sled Huskies and just as unforgiving) infrequently severe damage can be done to the underling. This is esp. true if you have more than a few dogs. All dogs will try to hide any weakness including quite chronic illness since this 'difference' may cause a 'pack' incident. The pack will determine what is abberant behaviour and then dispose of the sick or abnormal one. All dogs, regardless of breed, instinctively know this and will try valiantlly to hide their misfortune. As much as we love our small friends, they are not human and do not think like us. It is our job to protect those under our stewardship.

Some females will develop severe grudges that can only be resolved by placing one or the other in a new home. A dog that is serious in it's attempt to harm will quite often attack it's opponent in the head and neck region. If such wounds are present, I would think seriously about permanently separating the two.

Carla

Lost Coat

My female Pom is 5 months old and has lost a lot of coat. Is she ill or could parasites be the problem?

Probably neither. Still a vet exam is a good idea. ALL Poms shed their puppy coat at roughly 4-6 months and go through what breeders call 'the uglies.' This is a truly amazing growth period that turns a small ball of fluff into a leggy, almost hairless mess. Don't worry, in 2 months she will really improve! But the bad news is she will 'blow' her coat again at roughly 12 months. After this she will have seasonal sheds but nowhere near as bad. You can avoid most coat problems by spaying. A good 'spay' coat is quite lovely although it can tend to curl at the ends.

After the 12 month shed, male coats (if the breeding is there) are beautiful but stripping during a seasonal shed, helps to keep them fluffy.

Carla

Knots

My Pom always has knots behind his ears. I cut them out every month but they just keep coming back. Is there something I can use to stop this problem?

Yes. Stop using your scissors. When presented with a mat behind the ear do not cut it off lengthwise. You should cut diagonally two or three times and then tease out the mass. Afterwards frequently apply baby powder and comb through to prevent a reoccurance.

Carla

Bathing Regularity

How often should I bathe my Pom?

If the dog is not being shown, once a month is probably adequate. A good and through brushing once a week will not only keep loose hairs off the furniture but will also do a lot to stop that 'doggy' odor.

A dog in the ring will be bathed less frequently so as to preserve coat texture and length.

Carla

Average Size

What is the average size of the Pom? I got mine from a pet shop and he is now 9 lbs. Is this too big?

The Pom standard says 3-7 lbs. for the show ring. Dogs that come from pet shops do not come from reputable breeders or show stock. Yes, your dog is on the large size but since he is just for loving, it matters not one whit.

It is interesting to note that Poms UNDER 3 lbs. adult weight often have many health problems. So, in the case of a pet, too big is much better than too little!

Carla

Too Many Teeth

My pup is 7 months old and seems to have too many teeth. Is this common and what can I do?

A lot of toy breeds (not just Poms) have retained puppy teeth. In some badly misaligned mouths a dental specialist is a must. I personally feel that an over crowded mouth is not only a cosmetic issue but a health issue as well. In most cases the vet will remove the decidious teeth to allow the permanents to erupt fully. Sometimes this needs to be done earlier than 7 months depending on the type of misalignment. Yes, even as early as 10 weeks if the upper canines are twisted or rotated. The results are always impressive both cosmetically and health wise.

This will need to be done under a general anesthestic and is not without a very small risk but a dog with a healthy bite is a happy dog.

Carla

First Litter

My bitch Buttons is expecting her first litter. I have heard that Poms have a high C-section rate and now I am sorry I mated her. Is this surgery often necessary and just how dangerous is it?

In my experience 1 in 4 bitches will need a C-section. The reasons for surgery are many but she does have a very good chance to deliver normally. With a first litter give her lots of time but make sure the vet is phoned when she starts her nesting activity. Generally 2 hours of hard, visable contractions with/or without the water bag do need to see the vet. If your vet is close and has been in touch with you by phone it is SOMETIMES O.K. to leave the bitch a little longer.

If Buttons is healthy, old enough (16 months or older but less than 3 years) and a good representative of her breed you have much to look forward to. I have assisted at and seen many Caeasarian births and have never had a dam die. I have had a few near misses but with modern day anesthetics and good surgical care there is little to fear.

Ask your vet which anesthetic he/she most commonly uses. You are looking for a vet that uses Isoflurene gas. With this gas there is not a need to give injectible sedatives as well. N.B. Some vets will still use them because they are not as comfortable masking down a conscious dog and this is their personal choice. Talk to a few vets and find one that is close enough (should an emergency arise) and make sure you ask how much experience they have delivering toy dogs. I would rather have a vet with experience in toys using his own personal combo than all the modern gadgets and medicines in the world.

With a very small Pom (say under 2 and a half pounds) some vets will use a perspex box to induce the gas and unconsciousness. This saves the animal from becoming too stressed and inhaling an overdose of gaseous anesthethsia.

She should do well. Let me know what she has.

Carla

Runny Eyes

My Pom has runny eyes. My vet has said she has no physical problems to cause this. What is causing this problem?

Since the pom is so low to the ground carpet fibres and dust are often the culprits. Also, in some Poms the tear ducts are rather shallow and tend to fill up and run over. This is usually a cosmetic problem only and not a health issue. Any saline solution for human eyes is effective if wiped over on a fibre free pad. Use strips of cotton cloth or fibre free make-up pads with the solution applied. Use them daily to keep the wetness under control.

With a cream or white Pom these stains can become very ugly and stain pink or red. A sure fire cure is to obtain Tetracycline capsules from your vet or friendly family doctor. Your aim here is to bind the porphrins in the tears or saliva to stop the staining and NOT sterilize the gut. This being the case one will need to open the capsules and with a scapel divide the powder to obtain 20 mgs. only. Some careful calculating may be necessary but it is not impossible. Save unused powder in plastic wrap in the fridge. For the first week give app. 20 mg. daily, the week after, 20 mg. every other day. This will completely clear the stains!! You may have to repeat the treatment every month or 2 but the effect is miraculous. CAUTION: never use this treatment on pup under 8 months or pregnant bitches. Tetracycline is in no way dangerous but IT WILL discolor developing tooth enamel. This treatment will often work wonders in breeds with nasal folds, i.e. Pekes and Pugs.

Carla

Patellar Luxation

My little girl of 6 months has been diagnosed with patellar luxation. My vet says an operation may be necessary sometime in the future. What is the reason for her condition?

When you next see your vet ask what degree and type of luxation your little one has. Just roughly, luxation is graded 1-4. 1 being the least severe and 4 being the result of accident. Grades 1-3 are considered to be polygenically (meaning many genes are involved) inherited. The patellas or kneecaps may luxate either/or medially or laterally. In an animal so young you may be looking at a grade 2 or 3. IF the dog shows no symptoms of pain and is only limping intermittently, surgery may not be needed for many years down the track if at all. Surgery consists of deepening the groove in the femur and/or realigning the tendon. The surgery itself will often cause arthritis to set in and this will happen at an early age.

To minimize further deteriation watch the dog's weight. DO NOT feed puppy food (adult is fine). Be careful of allowing the dog to exercise on slippery floors. Never encourage begging tricks or jumping. If the kneecap is luxating both medially and laterally the dog may develop a fairly stable "false" joint. The dog will assume a strange seal like posture when sitting but pain is not usually involved at this point.

Pregnancy ( a dog with severe P.L. should not be bred) will cause the condition to become worse. Patellar Luxation may also mimic spinal problems so make sure any vet treating your animal in the future is aware of her problem.

Carla.