Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part II

Subject: Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part II

From: Angela (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Bello

To read part I of this post visit: Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part I

Reader's E-mail - Angela's Response:

Thanks for getting back to me Fay! What you’ve provided is of great help. I’m mostly concerned with his nails bleeding – he doesn’t seem to have any problems with his paws and pads. I will definitely look into the other booties you’ve suggested.

His name is Bello – he’s 9 months old now; the picture I’ve attached is when he was just 5 months.

Thanks again for your help. I’ll definitely visit your blog page soon

Angela

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Hi Angela,

Your welcome. Thank you for the wonderful picture, he's beautiful! I don't remember seeing anything to protect just the nails, but will keep looking. You may try supplementation with essential fatty acids as it does wonders for the skin, coat, and nails.

Fay

Click Bello 03/27/08 to see a photo of the wonderful Bello.

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Pet food industry remembers recalls

Many of the pet foods recalled in the United States more than a year ago haven't returned to retail stores, a Tuesday report said.PetSmart stores reported that 20 percent of the products, tainted with wheat gluten containing the industrial chemical...



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Please Help Raise Funds for the Atlanta Humane Society

Hello everyone. I hope all is well and everyone enjoyed their Easter. I am writing this post to ask for help for a reader (and friend) of the All About Labradors blog.

Her name is Patricia White and on Saturday, April 12th 2008, along with her beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever Haley, fellow animal lovers and their pets will meet in Candler Park as thousands of paws walk for a cause to raise funds for the Atlanta Humane Society.

Patricia and fellow teammates at Veracity Payments have joined forces to help raise Money to prevent pet homelessness. Her goal is to raise $2,000.

A small donation can go a long way in helping prevent pet homelessness. If anyone would like to help out, please visit Patti and Haley White's Fundraising Page at:

http://www.firstgiving.com/yellerpaws

Thanks to all for providing any help you can, it's greatly appreciated.

I'd also like to commend Patricia on taking on a noble cause and wish her much luck and success.



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Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part I

Subject: Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part I

From: Angela (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Bello

Reader's E-mail - Angela Writes:

Hi there! We have an 8 month old Chocolate lab. A few months ago, we noticed one of his nails was bleeding so we took him to the vet. The vet said the nail had been worn down to the quick and beyond – that’s why it was bleeding.

He asked if he stayed outside all the time and/or if he was running around outside a lot. Well, he sleeps and stays indoors with us most of the time other than being in a kennel outside for a few hours during the workday; the worst part is that we do have a swimming pool and he loves to run around on the deck while we are in the water.

I tried the bootie thing – he wore THROUGH them within 2 hours. The $45 dollars I paid didn’t last at all (needless to say I took them back for a refund; they are supposed to be for rugged terrain and they didn’t last in the backyard).

So, short of leaving him inside while we are outside, and beyond trying the bootie thing again, do you have any suggestions? Luckily, we have tried the cornstarch thing and it works for the time being. I just hate the thought of him not being able to go outside with us and play.

Any ideas you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Angela

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Angela,

Thank you for writing and visiting All About Labradors blog. I hope it is helpful to you.

Are you just looking to protect his nails or do you also have problems with his paws and pads?

I myself have a pool with concrete around it. In the summer time with the intense heat it would burn one of my Labrador Retriever's paws. Beside making sure I soak the concrete with the hose for a few minutes, I also use a product called Mushers Secret Paw Protector Wax ( can be found online) which helps to prevent the burning from the hot summer pavement.

Tuf Foot - used to toughen and protect soft, sore and tender paws and pads on your dog:

http://www.tuffoot.com

NEO-PAWS™ - I don't know which boot you used, but here is another one with extra durable rubber soles:

http://www.lucysdoghouse.net/LucysDogHouse/dgwrpp3.htm

Lucky Dog Neoprene Cordura Dog Boots - features the comfort of neoprene and the toughness of cordura.

http://www.gundogsupply.com

I don't really know of any others products Angela. I'm going to ask around and see if I can find anything else for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

What is your Labrador Retrievers name?

If you have any photos of him that you could e-mail, I would love to post them to the Labrador Retriever pictures blog. Thank you.

Take care of yourself and your Labrador Retriever,
Fay

To read the second part of this e-mail visit: Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part II

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Life's Abundance dog food and Nu Vet vitamins sample

This might come as a surprise to some of you but I must confess, I do look at other dog sites. Can't help it, just a big pet lover all around.

Now, the reason for my confession is because I was alerted to another dog website, Sir Bill's Scottish Terrier and noticed they were giving away I couple of free samples to try.

The first one is Life's Abundance dog food sample. I have posted before for samples of Life's Abundance products before, so if you missed out, here's a chance to let your Labrador Retriever give it a try.

Further Information on Life's Abundance: "Life’s Abundance® is made using only fresh, human-quality ingredients such as premium all natural chicken and top quality catfish with the best fresh fruit, vegetables and select farm foods. Life’s Abundance® also contains a superior blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Contains no artificial flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives."

The second sample is Nu Vet Vitamin samples.

Further Information on Life's Abundance: "We believe, based on the most current medical, veterinarian and nutritional reports, NuVet Plus™ will combat the onslaught of free radicals in our companion pets. This unique formula consists of precise amounts of vitamins, minerals and high-potency antioxidants that when combined, create a synergistic and powerful boost to the immune system."

If you would like to try one or both of these samples, visit the Sir Bills Scottish Terrier Kennel website. Scroll about half way down their website and click on the "Free Samples" link to make your request.

While your at the Sir Bills website, make sure you take a look around as they have some nice photos and useful information.

Please remember, All About Labradors blog does not provide these samples, the select companies do. Make sure you hurry if interested as samples go very quickly.

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Rollover-brand pork dog treats recalled

Here's an update in regards to our previous posting of Dog treats recalled over salmonella.

Please help spread the word to all of your fellow Labrador Retriever owners.




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Yellow Labrador with Intense Itching - part II

Subject: Yellow Lab with Intense Itching

From: Jamie (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Allee

To read the first part of this e-mail visit: Yellow Labrador with Intense Itching - part I

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hi Jamie,

The information given here is to help you learn more about your Labrador Retriever and not to replace your veterinarian's advice. Disclaimer

Let me apologize for the delays in my responses. I receive so many e-mailed questions that is does take me some time to answer all of them. I do get to talk to some great people though, and I see many photos of some wonderful Labrador Retrievers.

Thank you for sending the photos of you Lab girls, they are beautiful! How old are they? You can share as many photos as you would like with us. I do post all photos to the Labrador Retrievers Picture blog. If you have a flickr account, you can also add photos to our group, Our Lovable Labradors. Congrats on having Allee's photo published in Just Labradors mag. A belated Happy birthday to your daughter.

With the information you have supplied in you e-mails, it sounds to me like Allee is suffering from yeast infections.

Paw licking and chewing is an allergic response to something. Causes can be something in the environment, coming in contact with something, or food. When your Labrador Retriever comes into contact with one of these allergens, it makes their paws itch, causing them to begin licking and chewing at them, which can cause some serve itching. As your Labrador continues chewing and licking, moisture builds up from the saliva and causes bacteria and yeast to grow. This will cause even further itching and chewing. You may notice a strange smell to the paws, that being similar to corn chips (Fritos), which is a smell indicative of yeast.

Two question I didn't ask were: do you notice any discharges from her vaginal area and if Allee has frequent urination problems. Most of the time, a genital discharge is a sure sign of infection. There is also the possibility of Vaginitis. Here is a site to you learn more about it. Vaginitis in dogs

http://www.9seconds.ca/lifelearn_master/clinics/llclinic_298/index.php?view=pageView&pageid=100001275

Moist skin infections in the fold around the vulva can lead to Allee's scooting and licking.
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Yeast infection - when Allee's immune system is healthy, her body is able to destroy the yeast. But if her immune system is weak, yeast may produce in large amounts causing toxins. These toxins prevent the immune system from working properly, which causes the immune system problems destroying the yeast, leading to may health problems.

I would definitely recommend a visit to your veterinarian a least for the scooting condition along the vagina area, especially since it has been occurring for so long.

Here are some things I can recommend you try:

Feed a high quality based diet. Remember, when doing a food trail to determine food allergies a "hypoallergenic diet" should be fed for a period of 12-16 weeks, to monitor Allees's response.

It is important that during the diet trial nothing else is eaten. No edible chew toys (such as rawhides or bones), no table scrapes, no teats unless they are based on the same food sources as the test diet. NOTHING

I have never personally used the Canidae foods but know many who have great success using them. Here are some dog foods I recommend:

Eagle Holistic Line -

http://www.eaglepack.com

1st Choice Adult Dog Hypoallergenic -

http://www.1stchoice.ca/en/nourriturepourchiens.soins.hypoallergene.php

Wellness -

http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com

These companies also offer treat based on the same food sources as their foods.

One thing that I make sure I use with my Labradors is probiotics and digestive enzymes, which helps in keeping the pH balance of the stomach in proper balance, helping to prevent yeast infections. Probitoics are live cultures found in yogurt which will help out in maintaining and increasing the good flora (bacteria) of the gut.

You could also supplement Allee's diet with regular, non-flavored yogurt with live cultures daily. Make sure there are no sugars or sweeteners in it. You could add it to her food, or your can use it in the Kong toys if you use them. One reader of this blog stuffs it into the Kong toys and freezes it.

Some places to get probiotics and digestive enzymes:

Health and pet food stores: Acidophilus for dogs

1-800-PetMeds - NaturVet Enzymes & Probiotics

Only Natural Pet Store - they have probiotic products and a Candida Yeast Infection kit -

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/default.aspx

Pet Enzymes -

http://www.petenzymes.com

You may also want to add garlic supplementation to Allee's diet as this helps kill bacteria, fungi and infections in the system. Just a little heads up on this Jamie, it could get a little stinky when using garlic because of flatulence. :)

Supplementation with the essentials fatty acids can also be of great help to Allee.

To establishing the correct pH balance in Allee's system you can use apple cider vinegar. You can check Allee's pH balance, with pH strips, and help to re-establish the correct balance (6.2 - 6.5) with the apple cider vinegar. Two teaspoons per day in her food or water will help keep the ph balance correct.

You can also use the apple cider vinegar for itchy skin by putting it in a spray bottle and spraying on infected areas. A would not use it on open sores though.

Bath Allee in a sulfur based shampoo. After bathing with the shampoo, use a baking soda rinse as this will be helpful with itching. Take two teaspoons of baking soda and mix with a gallon of water, making sure it dissolves completely. Pour it over Allee's body and do not rinse off.

As for Allee's ears:

The best preventive measure against ear infections is performing regular ear inspections. Both your eyes and your nose can help detect a problem. Your Labrador retriever ears should have a clean, light pinkish color and should have no foul smell to them. Puss like substance discharges, waxy discharges and foul smell to ears are signs of a problem in your Labs ears

Here is the recipe for the "Blue Power Ear Treatment", which is what I use with my Labrador girls.

"Blue Power Ear Treatment" Ingredients:

16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol (Witch Hazel)
4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%

Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well. You will also need to shake solution every time you use it to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. An eye dropper can be used to fill the ear.

TREATMENT: Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed and sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait until inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days.

Shake the bottle each time before using. Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle), massage gently for approximately a minute, and then wipe with a cloth or tissue. Flood again a second time, and wipe again without massaging in. The dog will shake out the excess, which you can wipe with a cotton ball (never clean with a cotton swab, as debris can be pushed further into the ear canal). Be advised, the Gentian Violet does stain.

The SCHEDULE of treatment is as follows:

Treat 2 xs per day for the first week to two weeks depending upon severity of ears

Treat 1x per day for the next 1-2 weeks

Treat 1x per month (or even less frequently, depending on the dog)

All of these ingredients should be available at your local pharmacy. I like to use witch hazel instead of alcohol, as if any scratches are in the ear, the alcohol can cause burning. The Boric Acid Powder soothes the ear and the Gentian Violet Solution is an ant-infection agent. The solution appears to work well on many ear problems. I also like to warm my solution slightly, under warm water, to prevent the cold water "shock", but you can use it either way. There is also a commercial version of this solution called Gentian Ear Treatment.

I was also told about a vitamin E based ear infection tonic used by one of the readers of this blog, who stated this tonic worked wonders for their Labrador Retriever's ears. I had never heard about it before, but they swear by it. To learn more visit -

http://www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=4483

I hope this information will help you and your Labrador girls out. If you don't understand anything or need further help, please don't hesitate to write.

Please also keep me updated on Allee's (Frankie also) condition, and what methods you use, be it successful or unsuccessful, as this will be of help to the other readers.

Take care of yourself and your Labrador Retrievers,
Fay

Reader's E-mail - Jamie's Response:

Hi Fay,

Still absorbing all of this, although we haven't been able to use the ear solution you provided because she is very raw and sore. My husband went back to the vet again this week because the meds he gave her weren't working, she seemed to be getting worse. He made them give us the Otomax which we know works, but she still isn't getting better.

Her hearing seems to be on the down low!!! We keep testing her and can't fully tell but she seems to be having a hard time hearing and they are so red and nasty inside. Is there such thing as a dog ear specialist? The thing is we moved up here five years ago and have tried about 6 vets since then and haven't been thrilled with any! Our vet down south was fabulous! I am going to do some online research right now, but wanted to check with you first as I am very worried.

Thanks,
Jamie

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Hi Jamie,

Sorry to hear Allee's ears are getting worse. Yes, there are veterinarian specialists to help with the ears. They are veterinarian specialists of dermatology. If you want to let me know where you are located, maybe I can help find one for you.

What is the vet saying about the ears; infection, ulcerated, mites?

Talk to you soon,
Fay

Reader's E-mail - Jamie's Response:

Thank you for getting back to me! I spent an hour on the Internet today, I found some great ear clinics, but of course they were all in Michigan, Illinois, etc. I called them for CA recommendations but they said they didn't know. I finally had one tell me I needed a dermatologist. I found a big one in Los Angeles, and called them for San Diego referrals. There were two down South. One said they had a satellite location right by us but they aren't there until Weds. I told her I couldn't wait, so we are going tomorrow down to San Diego and hopefully my poor girl will get some relief, she is really unhappy!

I will let you know what they say. My husband thinks it is the new food, Lamb & Rice Canidae. I will probably let them test her for everything.

Thanks again,
Jamie

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Jamie,

It very well could be the food. Many people believe (and recommend) Lamb and Rice foods for dog food allergies. Our Labrador Retrievers had never eaten lamb and rice before, thus they never had time to develop an allergy to it. There was nothing special about the lamb and rice except as I said, our Labs had never eaten it before.

The problem is that many of the lamb and rice-based foods also contain many other ingredients, and if your Labrador Retriever has a food allergy to any of those ingredients, the lamb and rice food will do nothing to treat the food allergy.

I really think that you are going to have to strengthen Allee's immune system, with some of the things (probiotics or yogurt, etc) I mentioned in the last e-mail, especially with more antibiotics that Allee will be receiving from this veterinarian visit.

Let me know what happens at the specialist, and we will work from there.

Fay

Reader's E-mail - Jamie's Response:

He said she probably had a bad reaction to the medicine the vet gave her. They flushed it out in both ears and gave us three different pills including steroids with a schedule to go with it. Pretty crazy. Poor girl. She said she will need to be off the steroids four weeks before they can allergy test her. So I guess we have to wait about six more weeks to know anything more.

Thanks again,
Jamie

To see some wonderful photos of Allee and Frankie visit: Allee and Frankie 03/15/08

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Dog treats recalled over salmonella risk

A brand of dog treat is being recalled because it may contain salmonella bacteria, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned Thursday. The Roll Over Pork Tenders Premium Dog Treats pose of risk of salmonella infection to people handling the treats or in...




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Yellow Labrador with Intense Itching - part I

Subject: Yellow Lab with Intense Itching

From: Jamie (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Allee

Reader's E-mail - Jamie Writes:

Hello, I need itching help.

My poor yellow lab Allee itches like a freak no matter what we do for her. Her ears, jaw line, pee pee area and her paws are the worst. She licks and licks between her pads, she won't even stop if we are yelling at her or saying "treats".

We have taken her to an allergy specialist paid $600 to test her paws and jaw line. They found nothing, and wanted another $600 for full on allergy testing which would have led to allergy shots which we weren't into.

We have tried Benedryl per the allergy specialist. We have switched food more times than I can remember. We have been on Wellness Fish & Potato, Natural Balance Fish & Potato, and now I think we are on California Naturals F & P. They all claim to be the most allergy friendly.

Poor Allee continues to itch and scratch. Our chocolate lab Frankie, sometimes has started licking her paws also, but nothing like Allee. Recently we have been hearing adds for Dinovite on XM Radio and were just wondering if anyone had heard of it or tried it? http://www.dinovite.com/products.html

Any help would be great, I know if my ear itches for a second it is annoying so I can't imagine how poor Allee feel all the time.

Thanks,
Jamie

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Hello Jamie,

I'm sorry to hear about Allee's problems. I'm not sure if you want me to just answer the question about Dinovite, or if you want further help trying to aid Allee.

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As for the Dinovite, yes I have heard of their products and although I have never personally had to use them, I have talked to many Labrador Retriever owners, and other dog owners who had great success with their products. I have also read many good reviews about their products.

As for her problems, if you want me to try to help, I need you to answer a few question.

How long has Allee's had these problems?

Does this happen year round or just a seasonal occurrence?

She is licking all her paws?

As for the food changes, how long did you keep her on the food before switching to another?

Did you feed her anything else while trying the new foods?

Does Allee eat anything else besides dog food (be specific: list treats - brand and flavor, and anything else you might feed her, like table scrapes)?

Any kind of bad smell to the paws? If there is, what does it smell like?

Are paws red, swollen, or crusty/flaky?

Is Allee on Heartworm medication?

Any smell to her ears?

Any smell (musty metallic type of smell) in the anal area?

With all the email questions I receive, I always ask a favor of the person writing. If you have any photos of your Labrador Retriever, that you could email me, I would love to post them to the Labrador Retriever Pictures blog. You DO NOT have to send a photo to receive an answer to your question.

Jamie, if want further help, just get back to me with the answers to these questions, and we will continue from there.

Talk to you soon,
Fay

Reader's E-mail - Jamie's Response:

Thank you so much for getting back to me! Things have been crazy around here, our daughter turned two this past week and we have the in-laws here. I also need my husbands help in remembering some of the info for the questions you asked. I am going to answer the questions down below next to each one. Thank you soooo much for your help.

Enclosed are pix of the girls! I love to share Lab pix! When I get Just Labs Magazine every other month, it is the best because of all the subscriber pix. Allee was in the Halloween one a few years ago.

Here are the answers to the questions:

How long has Allee's had these problems? - Several years. At least three if not more.

Does this happen year round or just a seasonal occurrence? - Pretty much year round.

She is licking all her paws? - Mostly the front two, occasionally she will pick at the back ones. She is obsessive about the front two, she turns them over and goes at it! We tell her to stop and she keeps going, then we start yelling at her, and then we eventually have to pull her head away and flip her paw back up. She also does this with the vaginal area.

As for the food changes, how long did you keep her on the food before switching to another? - Some of the foods were a year or more, others were less than a year but several months if not close to a year. The only reason we changed the time before this from Natural Balance F & P to California Naturals F & P is because she threw up one night and decided she would never eat it again. Which is crazy for her because she is so food obsessed she doesn't care what she eats. Per the blogs on Just Labs Magazine and the people on it responding to me we just switched her to Canidae, we chose the Lamb and Rice over the one with everything. It has been less than a week, but things aren't looking good.

Did you feed her anything else while trying the new foods? - We try to keep the treats the same, the only F & P ones we could find were the Wellness ones so they usually just have those. They get an occasional special raw hide too.

Does Allee eat anything else besides dog food (be specific: list treats - brand and flavor, and anything else you might feed her, like table scrapes)? - We don't feed her table scraps but we do have a two year old who spills a lot! Things such as Goldfish, crackers, cereal, etc.

Any kind of bad smell to the paws? If there is, what does it smell like? - Not so much, but they do smell like dirty dog breath. I just asked my mother-n-law to smell and her description was a little yeasty. But we have had them cultured for yeast etc, twice and both times they were negative.

Are paws red, swollen, or crusty/flaky? - Very red between the pads.

Is Allee on Heartworm medication? - Yes, Interceptor.

Any smell to her ears? - She currently has yet another bad ear infection. We ran out of Otomax (which we live on) and the vet wouldn't renew it on Saturday, so we took her in and they gave us a new medicine, Gentocin/Clotrimazole. It is thinner and he said it would go deeper into the ear canal which she needed.

Any smell (musty metallic type of smell) in the anal area? - No. She just licks her vaginal area and scoots on it, she scoots like when they need their anals drained but it is to rub the front area. Sometimes she will let out a big yelp and jump down there and start licking madly. Very sad. When she was younger, around 1-2 she had major leaking problems, the vets were all clueless they even tried to tell me her back was sore so she leaked. We ended up finding a fertility specialist that did a full (internal) vaginal pap smear, etc. She had bad infections and even had to get douched. She was on Pronin for a while and eventually got passed it. She had to be seen by the specialist for about 6-12 months. One thing I think was a problem is that they apparently left staples in her tummy when they fixed her. I could just kill them, the fertility specialist says there was no reason for that other than laziness.

Poor Allee. With all of her problems she has an amazing disposition. Very secure, nothing scares her, doesn't get nervous going to the vet, etc. Frankie on the other hand rarely has anything wrong with her and she is afraid of going to the vet, flips out to get her nails cut, etc. Funny how they can be so different, but they sure love each other and I can't imagine life without them. When we had a baby everyone said things would change, but they haven't. The girls are still just as much #1's, they just don't get as many walks as they used to. :-

Again, thank you so much for taking your time out to help us!
Jamie, Allee & Frankie.

To read the second part of this e-mail, visit: Yellow Labrador with Intense Itching - part II

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AVMA: Keep Pets Safe This Easter

With Easter approaching, I don't think I have to remind anyone that reads this blog about the dangers of the goodies that go along with Easter and what they could mean to your Labrador Retrievers and other pets.

AVMA: Keep Pets Safe This Easter

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association




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Product tests dog intelligence

Ever wonder if your Labrador Retriever's intelligence is above, below, or at the average?

PoochIQ.com of Beverly Hills, Calif., is marketing a product it says can assess the mental prowess of man's best friend.



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Black Labrador Retriever Dives 8.5 feet Under Water

Pure-Breed Black Labrador Retriever, "Liddle Remington Of High Over" performs his dog diving.



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Doggy Delightz - Dog Treat Samples

Hello to everyone. Hope all is well. I have found another new free sample, this one for dog treats from Doggy Delightz.

I just want to clarify a couple things when I post free offers to this blog. The first being that I do not provide the free samples, the listed companies do. I have received e-mails with people sending me their mailing address asking me to send them samples. There is always a link provided to click to the company and make your sample request.

The second thing is that you must hurry when a free sample is posted. I also receive e-mails stating "I didn't get to request a free sample because it is expired". I have no control over this, as once again it is up to the company. The companies get overload with request and exhaust their free samples very quickly.

Information From Doggy Delightz Website: "Doggy Delightz™ All Natural baked dog treats are sure to get two paws way up! Made from only the finest all natural and organic ingredients, are just as healthy as they are delicious!

Ingredients include: whole wheat flour, parsley (natural breathe freshener), olive oil (great for healthy skin and fur), organic eggs, milk, yeast, chicken or beef broth, and raw honey. Additional flavors are available with ingredients such as beef/broccoli/cheese, sardines, ***wheat-free natural with rye, rice, oats, millet, or barley, pupzels (pretzel shaped and fishy flavored)."

If your interested in requesting a free sample, visit the Doggy Delightz website. Scroll towards bottom of the page for the offer. This one is only available to the USA only. HURRY!!

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Chocolate Labrador - Mixed Breed or Purebred

Subject: Chocolate Labrador - Mixed Breed or Purebred

From: Kayla

Labrador Retrievers name:

Reader's E-mail - Kayla Writes:

Hello,

My boyfriend and i got a female chocolate lab from a kennel not that long ago. She had been previously abused and it is obvious in her behavior. I have heard many different things about her being pure bred or mix. My boyfriend thinks she is lab/pit mix, but the dog trainer thinks she could be English lab.

I was just wondering, she looks full blood to me from the thick tail to the webbed feet. We had two other labs (black and yellow) and she looks exactly the same but brown. The only thing i am confused about is he mouth and eyelids are very pink. Her nose is brown but the inside of her mouth is a very pink shade and I was just wondering if it was normal for a chocolate lab or if it is an indicator that she is mixed.

Thank you very much,
Kayla

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Kayla,

Thank you for writing. My apologies on the delay as I receive many questions to the All About Labradors blog and it takes my some time to answer them all.

Congratulations on taking in your new Labrador Retriever!

Telling the difference between a purebred and a mixed breed can sometimes be tough. Being that you have no history on the dog (origin or pedigree) it will be hard to know for sure if she is a purebred. Believe me when I tell you that you can look at some Labrador Retrievers that appear to be purebred Labs and they're not.


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Being that you received your Labrador Retriever from a kennel, if you take a trip over to the AKC website you can look up the overall standards for the Labrador Retriever seeing if she meets the requirements, then chances are higher that she is a purebred Labrador. What you have to remember with this is that these standards are for the show ring.

Here is a website that provides the breakdown of the Labrador Retriever standards from the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), Kennel Club U.K. (KC), and the Federation Internationale Cynologique (FCI).

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/labrador/labarticle6.htm

I would recommend having your new Labrador Retriever spayed, as it will keep her healthier, and being that you don't know of her pedigree or origin, it wouldn't be a good idea to breed her.

I hope this is of help to you Kayla. If you ever need any help in regards to your new Labrador, please don't hesitate to write.

Take care of yourself and your Labrador Retriever,

Fay

P.S. What is your new Labrador Retrievers name?

If you have any photos of your Labrador Retriever, that you could email me, I would love to post them to the Labrador Retriever Pictures blog.

Reader's E-mail - Kayla's Response:

I have looked at the website and she matches the description on everything but her mouth and the AKC doesn't say anything about the inside of her mouth, that was the only thing. Her name is Godiva, I don't have pictures of her but i have pictures of my black lab Gadget when she was a puppy.

Thanks for everything,
Kayla

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Hi Kayla,

After looking over my reply e-mail to you, I left out the one important point (I'm sorry) that will make you happy. My purebred chocolate Labrador Retrievers inside of her mouth is all pink.

Glad I was of help to you.
Fay

Reader's E-mail - Kayla's Response:

Thanks again, that does help and make me feel better. I was just praying she wasn't a pit bull like my fiance thought because of the mouth.

Kayla

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Pain Management For Your Pets, Key Information Every Pet Owner Should Know

I figured this would be interesting and quite helpful for some of us Labrador Retriever owners.

World-Renowned Pain Management Expert Robin Downing, DVM, Will Conduct Webcast For Pet Owners, Covering All Aspects Related to Pets and Pain




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Free Health Supplements Sample from 4everPets

This sample request is for health supplements from 4everPets. This one doesn't state what sample they will send and you do have the option of getting a dog sample or cat sample as they ask for the number of pets in your home.

Their dog products consist of:

Information from 4everPets website -

"4 Ever™ Multi:

Multi-vitamins have become essential to health in the modern world. For most of us they provide the nutritional balance and energy our diets and lifestyles lack. Our dogs live in this same reality--so why would we deny them this balance? 4ever™ Multi , an all-natural human-grade blend of nutrients and minerals, will help maintain the general health of all ages and breeds.

Joint Revive™:

Joint Revive™ has been specifically formulated to support joint function and help maintain joint mobility. Joint Revive™ combines Human-Grade quality glucosamine and chondroitin, with other herbal ingredients. Revive your dog's enjoyment of life.

4 Ever™ Joints:

Ingredients in 4ever™ Joints have been specifically formulated to help cartilage and connective tissue in young dogs.

Missing You™:

Missing You™ is to be used for dogs exhibiting nervousness, hyperactivity, anxiety or responding to environmentally-induced stress. Missing You™'s all-natural blend is specifically formulated to relax your dog without causing drowsiness."

Be advised, samples available to US customers only.

If anyone is interested in requesting a free sample visit 4everPets.com

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Black Labrador Retriever with occasional ear problems - part II

Subject:Black Labrador Retriever with occasional ear problems - part II

From: Rick (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Nikken

To read part one of this e-mail visit: Black Labrador Retriever with occasional ear problems - part I

Reader's E-mail - Rick's Response:

Fay,

Thanks for your reply to our email regarding our Labrador Retriever, named Neeks, Neekers, Sneakers, pup. His real name is Nikken, but rarely do we call him that. We found him when he was a puppy running in and out of traffic on a State Hwy. We tried to find the owner at the time, but no one claimed him. He's a prize, we bonded immediately. He was about 10 - 12 weeks according to our vet at that time.

Neeks has some allergies, he licks his paws often. We believe that comes from something outside during the warmer weather. He used to itch excessively around his backside. We changed his diet, and included nutritional supplements. He has been on K9Rx (K9Rx.com) for a nutritional supplement. This helped, he got his coat back, and even though he is a little sensitive, he's tons better. No itching or digging. No drugs from the vet. The K9Rx is a bit pricey, but worth it. We haven't seen the vet since he has been on it for the problems he was experiencing with the digging and itching, especially around his backside. My wife wouldn't agree to an all natural raw meat diet.

Our Black Lab is really not scratching his ears. He shakes his head, though. The infection is only in his right ear. It does look a bit like mini coffee grounds, and he has had chronic problems with his ears from time to time. This infection really doesn't have a real bad odor as we have noticed with other problems with his ears in the past. It has probably been around a year since he has had an infection in either of his ears. For the most part, Neeks has been pretty healthy. I hope this information helps. I know that we really have to check his ears on a weekly basis, so this doesn't sneak up on us in the future.

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We have another Black Lab, he is only 4 years old, and knock on wood, he has always been healthy. We know about his background, he wasn't a stray when we got him. By the way, his name is Bogie. He is big, strong, and can jump like no other dog that we have ever had. Our 9 yr. old, Neeks has had his paws full in helping to bring to Bogie up. You know, showing him the ropes, etc...

Yes, I will send along a photo of Neeks and Bogie as you have requested. As with many Lab owners, we are into our guys. Just like two sons, they are family.

Thanks, once again
Rick

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Rick,

The information given here is to help you learn more about your Labrador Retriever and not to replace your veterinarian's advice. Disclaimer

Thanks for responding to my questions, and for being patient waiting for your answer. I'm receiving many e-mailed questions and with a full house of my own, it takes some time replying to all of them.

First off Rick, I must state with chronic ear problems I always recommend a trip to your veterinarian for him/her to have a look down your Labrador Retriever' ear canal, do a thorough exam and some lab work to try to narrow down possible causes. They will also make sure there is no eardrum damage.

Ear infections can be caused by a number of different things, especially in dogs like our Labrador Retrievers with their long, pendulous ears. Because the ear folds over, it covers our Labrador ear canal and prevents air from entering and drying. This results in a warm/moist ear canal that's just the perfect for organisms to grow in.

Ear mites, ears that are not dried after your Labrador Retriever has been swimming or bathing, a build up of ear wax, allergies, and growths in the ear canal, yeast, and bacteria can all lead to ear infections.

Some signs that your Labrador Retriever does have an ear infection:

They shake their head and paw at their ears. They will whine, and a foul smell (yeasty, bacterial, ear infection) may be present. If you look at the ears closely, you will see that the ear canal is red, inflamed, and full of gunk. If you touch the ear it will often hurt or elicit some moans and groans.

The best preventive measure against ear infections is performing regular ear inspections. Both your eyes and your nose can help detect a problem. Your Labrador retriever ears should have a clean, light pinkish color and should have no foul smell to them. Puss like substance discharges, waxy discharges and foul smell to ears are signs of a problem in your Labs ears.

As far as a successful regimen of treatment, cleaning of your Labrador ears regularly is your best bet. Frequency of cleaning will vary, especially in the warmer months and always after swimming or bathing. A good ear cleanser can be purchased at your local pet store. White vinegar mixed 1:3 with water can also be used to rinse the ears. It can sting if there is any ulceration of the ear canal, and can possibly be dangerous if the eardrum is damaged.

As for the hydrogen peroxide goes in regards to your question, I have had friends and readers use it with both positive and negative results. 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed 1:1 with warm water can aid in the removal of earwax from the ears. It is not as likely to cause discomfort if the ear is inflamed.

One of the best products I've used with success for gunk in my Labrador ears is called a blue power wash (actually I have seen it called many other things, as it has been on the Internet for ages).

"Blue Power Ear Treatment"

INGREDIENTS:

16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol (Witch Hazel)
4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%

Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well. You will also need to shake solution every time you use it to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. An eye dropper can be used to fill the ear.

TREATMENT: Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed and sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait until inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days.

Shake the bottle each time before using. Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle), massage gently for approximately a minute, and then wipe with a cloth or tissue. Flood again a second time, and wipe again without massaging in. The dog will shake out the excess. Be advised, the Gentian Violet does stain.

The SCHEDULE of treatment is as follows:

Treat 2 xs per day for the first week to two weeks depending upon severity of ears
Treat 1x per day for the next 1-2 weeks
Treat 1x per month (or even less frequently, depending on the dog)

All of these ingredients should be available at your local pharmacy. I highly recommend the use of the witch hazel instead of alcohol, as if any scratches are in the ear, the alcohol can cause burning. The Boric Acid Powder soothes the ear and the Gentian Violet Solution is an ant-infection agent. The solution appears to work well on many ear problems. I also like to warm my solution slightly, under warm water, but you can use it either way. There is also a commercial version of this solution called Gentian Ear Treatment.

The black material that looks like coffee grounds in Neek’s ears could also be ear mites, or allergies causing an accumulation of the materials.

To check for ear mites (once again I mention the veterinarian) you can carefully remove a bit of debris from inside the ear. Take out your trusty microscope (I know you just have one laying around) or a magnifying glass and take a look. Tiny, crablike creatures, means Neeks has mites. His ears will need to be clean thoroughly with an ear-cleaning formula, and then few drops of a medicated solution designed to kill ear mites, which is available at pet supply stores (following the directions on the label of the formula).

Another good product for ear cleaning and infections is the Zymox Products - ear cleanser and Zymox Otic (Do not use on punctured eardrums. Do not use on pregnant females).

The last time one of my Labradors had a problem with her ears (which they very seldom do) I used the Blue Power Ear Treatment and added plain natural yogurt to their diets (at the urging of a fellow Lab owner, some research and talking to the vet). The live cultures found in yogurt are called Probiotics, which are tiny organisms that help to maintain and produce good flora (bacteria) of the gut and will decrease chances of illness. No problems with ears since.

You can add it directly to their food or you can put some in a Kong (by now, everyone knows of my great love on the Kong toys), and freeze the whole thing with some treats.

Glad to hear your having success with the K9Rx, will be sure to mention it to others as a possible help. Did you try a full food allergy trial with Neeks, for a possible allergy cause? If you would like me to recommend some hypoallergenic foods, or further information on a hypoallergenic food trial, let me know.

For Meeks Paw:

Certain foods or airborne particles like pollen and house dust can be causing the itchy feet. Tree pollens, grass pollens, and weed pollens can also cause the itching. Allergy testing can be done by your veterinarian.

Here are some things you can do to help:

A nice cool bath can be helpful, since the water will assist in relieving the itching. You can add a little colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno) to the bathwater, which will help soothe the foot or your veterinarian can prescribe an antiseptic shampoo. Make sure you rinse Neek’s foot thoroughly after the bath, since any remaining soap that remains can make the itching worse.

You can just soak his foot for five minutes, four times a day, in cool water. Add a sprinkle of Epsom salts to the water as it will also help soothe the foot. A compress applied the paw for approximately five minutes will accomplish the same.

Another method that you can try is Aloe Vera applied to the paw. Make sure its 100% Aloe Vera (like the kind from the plant) not the mixture. This will not hurt Neeks if he is to lick it off.

Tea Tree oil, which you can obtain in a health food store is an antibacterial and anti fungal agent which can be used. Not long ago I did find some information on using Tea Tree oil on our dogs, which states cautions when using it, which should be read by everyone. (ALL ABOUT LABRADORS NO LONGER RECOMMENDS TEA TREE OIL)

Well I hope this can be of some help to you and Neeks. If you don't understand anything here please let me know. If you have further questions on anything else, please don't hesitate to write.

I love it when I get letters from others stating the love for their Labrador Retrievers and how they are family. You couldn't be more correct with that statement!

Take care of yourself, family and your Labrador Retrievers,
Fay

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Black Labrador Retriever with occasional ear problems - part I

Subject:Black Labrador Retriever with occasional ear problems

From: Rick (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Nikken

Reader's E-mail - Rick Writes:

We have a black lab with the ear problems on occasion. This time, he has a redish interior ear with some black stuff that has accumulated.

How about mixing in some hydrogen peroxide when clearing up an infected Labrador Retreiver ear? Would the Hydrogen Peroxide help the an infected ear heal better than alcohol or vinegar type of a mix?

Rick

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Hello The Sport,

Thanks for writing and visiting All About Labradors. In order for me to try to assist you in your Labrador Retrievers problem, I need to ask you a few questions.

The black stuff that has accumulated in your Labradors ear; is it a dry material that looks like coffee grounds?

Is your Labrador Retriever frequently scratching one or both ears?

Is their a discharge in one or both ears?

Do your Labrador's ears have a strong smell?

Has your Labrador Retriever had a problem with ear infections in the past?

Any other medical conditions with your Labrador Retriever?

What is your Labrador Retriever's name

With all the email questions I receive, I always ask a favor of the person writing. If you have any photos of your Labrador Retriever, that you could email me, I would love to post them to All About Labradors and/or Labrador Retriever Pictures blog. You do not need to send a photo to receive an answer to your question.

If you would like any caption to appear under the photo (Ex: Fido eating the garbage, my trip to the beach, dressed up, etc.) make sure you let me know. Thanks.

Get back to me with the answers to the above questions at your earliest convenience.

Talk to you soon,
Fay

To read part II of this e-mail, visit: Black Labrador Retriever with occasional ear problems - part II

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Blueberry Lane Dog Treat Sample

I would like to thank Megan for the nice e-mail and wonderful words about this blog. Megan also let me know about a free dog treat sample offer from Blueberry Lane.

Information from Blueberry Lane: Wondering what all the fuss is about? Order a FREE sample of our treats and watch them sit up and beg!"

To learn more about their dog treats and to request a free sample, click on over to the Blueberry Lane website.

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Another Chocolate Lab with Hair loss around the Eyes - part II

Subject: Another Chocolate Lab with Hair loss around the Eyes - part II

From: Michelle (Japan)

Labrador Retriever Name: Flash

To read part one of this e-mail, visit: Another Chocolate Lab with Hair loss around the Eyes - part I

Reader's E-mail - Michelle Writes:

No worries about the response time. I think it is great that you wrote back at all. Her eye is looking surprisingly better but the discharge is still coming out every day (from both eyes). I also want to say that she is a healthy active dog and the eye problem is very minor. We have 3 children (ages 8, 10 and 12) and Flash is very busy taking care of them. After the bus stop walk every morning she spends about 1 hour with her dog friends running free in Yoyogi park in central Tokyo. With all these dog parents on my case everyday I am trying to remedy her eye issue.

I thought it might be the new Tea Tree Dog Shampoo (with no artificial colors and no agricultural chemicals) I started using a couple of months ago but my fellow dog lovers here in Tokyo disagree with me. They think she has an eye infection (which might explain the discharge but not the hair loss right?). We plan to go back to the vet next week so I will ask again. Last time the vet said some discharge from the eye was normal but I should be clear-- she consistently has a blob (about 1/4 teaspoon) of green/yellowish goop in her eye that I clean 2-3 times per day.

In response to your other questions:

1. This problem never occurred before and we have lived in Japan with Flash for over 2 years.

2. I made a mistake, it is actually her left eye and is not very clear in the picture. The hair loss is just above the eye but she has not lost her lashes. The hair around the eye is thinning but not bald.

3. She is not scratching. The hair just seems to be thinning.

4. No other itching noticed (she does have a rash problem on her belly but it is much better since we switched away from chicken-based dog food).

5. No, hairless area is clear but slightly swollen like a wart.

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6. Not dry nor crusty.

7. No other pets but she is around multiple dogs everyday.

8. APDC (Austrailian Products Dog Cat) Tea Tree Shampoo and separate conditioner for dogs.

9. No obvious nasal problems but she does seem to sneeze a lot and usually has a wet nose (could this all be an allergy??).

10. Yes, she has had a problem with the heat in the summers here in Tokyo. She collapsed twice and had two seizures last year. After numerous tests and thousands of dollars in vet bills we were told that her heart is fine, probably not epileptic but a response to her bodies muscles and heat. During the hot humid months we are very careful not to allow her to over exert herself. With a modified summer exercise program there have not been any issues for the past year.

Thanks for any advice,

Michelle and Flash

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Michelle,

The information given here is to help you learn more about your Labrador Retriever and not to replace your veterinarian's advice. Disclaimer

Thanks for your patience in regards to your letter.

Infections of the eye are common in dogs and usually involve the conjunctiva, which can lead to conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” Some causes of infections include bacteria, fungi, foreign objects and irritants. Usually when discharge from the eyes continues throughout the day, an eye infection may be present. A telling sign of an eye infection comes in the color of the discharge, with it being a thick yellow, green or gray color. Healthy eyes are bright and shiny. There can be some mucus and watery discharge, but it should be minimal and clear.

Your veterinarian will usually treat this with an antibiotic ointment made especially for the eyes or with oral medications. I would make sure you clean the discharge with a clean cloth or tissue and get to your veterinarian as soon as possible, as excessive discharge has the potential to cause problems with her vision.

I thought it may possibly be an allergy-related conjunctivitis which is often associated with atopy (inhalant allergies). Some symptoms can be red eyes, the eyes are often itchy, and a watery discharge may be seen. From what you tell me though it doesn't seem as though Flash has any of these symptoms.

It is interesting to hear that her belly area is better after changing her food. Food allergies can cause hair loss in your dog, but a primary symptom is itchy skin. Other symptoms may include recurrent ear infections, hot spots, and may sometimes increase bowel movements. Did you change her to a hypoallergenic food or just something besides chicken? If you need a recommendation for hypoallergenic dog foods let me know.

There is also a condition called Demodectic mange (demodex). Demodectic mange is caused by a mite that is present in low numbers on healthy animals, including people. A common symptom is hair loss and it is generally first noticed around the eyes. The disease is classified as localized mange when it is confined to a few small areas such as the face or the front of the foot. In Labrador Retrievers over the age of two, it is classified as adult onset. Many Labs with adult onset of mange have an underlying health problem that leads to the development of the mange.

Your veterinarian will do a skin scraping where Flash's hair loss is and then examine it under a microscope to determine if mange is the problem. Treatments can include dips, medicated shampoos, antibiotics, boosting the immune system, change in diet to a high quality food, and fatty acid supplementation. I have found a couple of alternatives for treatment besides all the medications that I will let you know about if the veterinarian says Flash does have mange.

I also thought that maybe the new shampoo you are using could be causing the problem, even though the ingredients in the shampoo, tea tree oil, lavender and eucalyptus have been used for many skin conditions. Here is something I found in regards to tea tree oil that may be of great interest to you. (All About Labradors no longer recommends the use of tea tree oil).

I hope this has been of some help to you and Flash. If you don't understand anything, let me know and if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. Please keep me informed of what the veterinarian tells you, especially in regards to the mange.

Take care of yourself and Flash,
Fay

To see photos of Flash visit: Flash 02/24/08

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Free Dog Food Sample from Pet Eats

UPDATE: 02/22/08 They are now stating that this free sample is only available to Michigan Residents.

Seems as though we have had our fair share of free samples lately. This one is for a free dog food sample from Pet Eats (for those of you with cats, they have samples for them also).

Information from the Pet Eats website: "Pet Eats sells only premium natural, holistic & organic pet foods made with top quality, human-grade ingredients. All brands we sell are made in the United States and are USDA/APHIS certified and inspected. Our own Pet Eats brand food goes a step further by attaining EU certification."

For those of you interested in requesting a free sample of their dog food, you can do so by clicking Pet Eats.

This one is for the USA only.

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Another Chocolate Lab with Hair loss around the Eyes - part I

Subject: Another Chocolate Lab with Hair loss around the Eyes - part I

From: Michelle (Japan)

Labrador Retriever Name: Flash

Reader's E-mail - Michelle Writes:

I was just searching the Internet trying to find causes for hair loss around a dog's eye. We have a 6-year old female chocolate lab named "Flash" and she has been loosing the hair around her right eye gradually over the past few months. There is a yellow, milky discharge coming from both eyes. We are temporarily living in Japan and I took her to the vet here in Tokyo. She said that her eyes looked clear (no sign of cataracts) and that the discharge was probably just from hair getting in her eyes. I am still suspicious that there is something else going on. The hair loss continues...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Michelle

All About Labradors Blog Response:

Hello Michelle,

Thank you for writing and visiting All About Labradors. My apologies in the delay, as I receive many e-mail questions, and having a full house sometimes causes a delay in response.

If you still would like me to try to be of assistance to you, I need you to answer a couple of questions in regards to Flash's condition.

Has this same problem occurred any time before, and if so, how was it treated the first time?

Did this problem occur before or after you moved to Japan?

When you say around the right eye, where do you mean (circle around the whole eye, top of the eye, bottom of the eye)?

Is she scratching the hair out, or is it falling out?

Is there any other itchy areas, such as her paws?

Is the hairless area raw and inflamed?

Is the area dry and/or crusty?

What do they feed her?

What other pets do you have?

What is the pet bathed in?

Does the discharge form a crust on the eyelids?

Any nasal problems with her?

Any other medical problems with her, now or in the past?

Sorry for all the questions, as there are so many different causes of hair loss and eye discharges, it may help me narrow down some possible problems.

One last thing Michelle, with all the email questions I receive, I always ask a favor of the person writing. If you have any photos of your Labrador Retriever, that you could email me, I would love to post them to All About Labradors and/or Labrador Retriever Pictures blog. Please note, that a photo is NEVER required to receive an answer, just appreciated.

Please get back to me at your earliest convenience with the answers to these questions.

It might make it easier for you to copy and paste the questions in your e-mail, and then just write the answers next to the questions.

Talk to you soon,
Fay

To read part two of this e-mail visit: Another Chocolate Lab with Hair loss around the Eyes - part II

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Play to Save Shelter Pets

I received an e-mail from Sarah Silverman, the Social Initiative Manager at experienceproject.com, who informed of a very simple way we can help save dogs (and cats) around the country.

At the Experience Project website they have a "Play To Save Shelter Pets" trivia game, where each time you correctly answer a trivia question, they will provide food for shelter dogs and cats. For every correct trivia question answer, Experience Project donates the equivalent of 1 kibble of food to Rocket Dog Rescue & the Urban Cat Project, helping save pet's lives.



To do your part in helping out with a great cause, click the above logo and get your thinking cap on. The more people that play, the more animals they will be able to save.

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NEW Pet Greens Treats Sample

Wow, another free sample for our Labrador Retrievers. This one is from Bell Rock Growers Inc and it's for a free sample of their Pet Greens® dog treats.

Information from Bell Rock Growers website: "Cats, dogs, birds and other small animals naturally crave greens as part of a balanced diet. Certified organic Wheat
Grass contains high concentrations of chlorophyll, enzymes, anti-oxidant nutrients, vitamins A, B-complex and C, minerals, and amino acids."

To get your free sample click Bell Rock Growers.

As always, with any samples we post here on All About Labradors, you have to hurry as free samples go quick. Also, samples are only available to U.S. residents and limited to one per household.

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Meet the Breed - Labrador Retriever

Nothing but love for the Labrador Retriever in this video which introduces you to our wonderful breed.

My favorite scene is when the Labrador Retrievers jump into the water.



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Iams ProActive Health $5 Coupon

I would like to thank Deborah for writing and letting me know about this coupon. I'm also adding a new category to the All About Labradors blog for coupons.

For all of you that feed your Labrador Retrievers Iams dog foods, you can get yourself a coupon to save $5 off Iams ProActive Health by visiting the Iams website (the link for the coupon is toward the middle of their website).

Information from the Iams website:

Iams® ProActive™ Health promotes 7 Signs of Healthy Vitality.

1. Strong, Firm Muscles
2. Healthy Digestion
3. Soft, Shiny Coat
4. Healthy Bones and Joints
5. Healthy Heart
6. Healthy Immune System
7. Healthy Teeth

You can request your coupon by following the link above or by clicking on this direct link to the coupon.

The above links are for U.S. residents only and limited to one per household.

Residents of Canada can also get coupons for Iams products by clicking here.

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