Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc.

Veterinary Acronyms...Translating Your Pet's Records

2011-06-11T14:08:00.019-04:00

Do you ever wonder just what those acronyms peppered by vets in your pet’s charts really mean? I took my dog to the vet the other day for some advice. “Fido is a bit off, but I can’t put my finger on it,” I explained. “He’s bright, alert and responsive, as well as eating and drinking normally. But he did fall off the balcony the other day and is a bit stiff.”

In vet-speak the notes in Fido’s chart might read something like this:

JAR (just ain’t right); BAR (bright, alert, responsive); E/D+ (eating and drinking normally); HRS (high rise syndrome - animal fell off balcony or window sill) or LTF (learning to fly – animal fell of balcony or similar); NSAID bid (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory twice daily)

Of course the above tale is fiction, but one thing I make a habit of is asking for and keeping a record of my dogs’ visits to the vet. Vet records often look as if they were written in a foreign language, but with a little help you can decipher the acronyms your vet may use and be a pro at translating those records!

# - fracture
A- - inappetant
A/B - antibiotic
AB - antibiotic
abax - abaxial
abc - antibiotics
abd or abdo - abdomen or abdominal
abd n - abdomen palpated and no abnormality detected
abs or ABs - antibiotics
abx - antibiotics
AC - anterior chamber (of the eye)
ADR - ain't doing right
adv - advise or advice
AG - anal glands
AIHA - auto-immune hemolytic anemia
AON - all others normal
AWE acute wet eczema
ax - axial
B - booster
BAR - bright and responsive, or bright, alert, responsive
BARH - bright, alert, responsive, hydrated
bid - twice daily
BifN - back if necessary
BIOP - been in owner's possession
BIW - before if worried (as in revisit in 1 week or BIW)
bs or BS - blood sample
BT - blood test
C - cervical (vertebra - usually followed by a number to denote which one)
C - cough
C+ - moderate cough
C++ - severe cough
C- - no cough
CAH - Chronic Active Hepatitis
caud - caudal
CBA - cat bite abscess
CBC - complete blood count (= routine hematology)
Cc - coccygeal (vertebra - usually followed by a number to denote which one)
CCHF - chronic congestive heart failure
cd - caudal
C7d - recheck in 7 days
CDRM - chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy
CDS - cat and dog shelter
ce - clinical examination
cep - Ceporex
CHF - congestive heart failure
CHF - chronic heart failure
Co - coughv COP - cyclophosphamide/oncovin/prednisolone (chemotherapy protocol)
cr - cranial
CRF - chronic renal failure
CRI - chronic renal insufficiency
CRI - constant rate infusion
CRT - capillary refill time
CS - clinical signs
CS - corticosteroids
C/S or C&S - culture and sensitivity
CSK - Chronic Superficial Keratitis (otherwise known as Pannus)
c-v or cv - cardio-vascular
CVA - cardiovascular accident
Cx - coccygeal (vertebra - usually followed by a number to denote which one)
d - days
D- - diarrhea absent or diminished
D+ - diarrhea
D++ - drinking increased
D++ - marked diarrhea
D+++ - severe diarrhea
DBA – dog bite abscess
DCM - dilated cardiomyopathy
DD, DDx or DDxx - differential diagnosis
D&D - destroy and disposal
DHLPPi - distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza: dog vaccine covering these diseases
DI - diabetes insipidus
DIC - disseminated intravascular coagulation
DJD - Degenerative Joint Disease
DM - diabetes mellitus
do - days old (following a number)
D/O - drain out (removal of surgical drain)
D/O - dropped off (for treatment or examination)
DOA - dead on arrival
dors - dorsal
Dx - diagnosis
E&A - euthanasia and aftercare
EAG - empty (or express) anal glands
E/D+ - eating and drinking normally
EDUD - eating, drinking, urinating and defecating
EOD - every other day
EPI - exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
est - estimate
e/t - endo-tracheal
EUA - examine under anesthetic
euth - euthanize
ex or ext - external
e(x)d - every (x) days
ex lap - exploratory laparotomy
e(x)wks - every (x) weeks
F - female (see also Fe and Fn)
F1/4 - forequarters
FAD - flea allergic dermatitis
fat++ - obese
FB - foreign body
Fe - female (entire)
FeLV - feline leukaemia virus
FIA - feline infectious anaemia (Haemobartonellosis)
Fin - finish this treatment
FIP - feline infectious peritonitis
FIV - feline immunosuppressive virus
f/l or FL - front legs
FLUTD - feline lower urinary tract disease
FMD - feline miliary dermatitis
Fn - female (neutered)
FNA - fine needle aspirate
FNAB - fine needle aspirate biopsy
FQ - fore quarters
FUO - fever of unknown origin
FUS - feline urological syndrome
ga or GA - general anaesthetic
GDV - gastric dilitation and volvulus
GORK - God only really knows
H1/4 - hindquarters
H+ - history
HAC - hyperadrenocorticism
HBB - hit by bullet
HBC - hit by car
HBT - hit by truck
HBTr - hit by train
HCM - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCT - hematocrit
HD - hip dysplasia
HGE - hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis
h/l or HL - hind legs
HQ - hind quarters
HR - heart rate
hrs - hours
HRS - high rise syndrome (animal fell off balcony/windowsill)
H's - Horner's syndrome
HX or Hx - history
HyperT4 - hyperthyroidism
HypoT4 - hypothyroidism
I - incisor (tooth - followed by a number to indicate which one)
ID - identification or Identichip
i/d - inter-digital
iid - once a day
im or i/m - intramuscular
IMHA - immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
impr - improved: followed by a variable number of +'s to indicate degree of improvement
IMTP - immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
inj - inject or injection
int - internal
IOL - Intra Ocular Lens
IOP - intra-ocular pressure
ip or i/p - intra-peritoneal
iv or i/v - intravenous
JAR - "just ain't right"
jt - joint
KC - kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis)
KCS - Kerato Conjunctivitis Sicca (otherwise known as Dry Eye)
L - lumbar (vertebra - usually followed by a number to denote which one)
L - left
LA - left atrium
LA - local anesthetic
LAE - left atrial enlargement
lat - lateral
BD/LD - big dog/little dog (re fight injuries)
LF - left fore
LH - left hind
LI - large intestine
LIU - Lens Induced Uveitis
LL - left lower (eg. eyelid, lip)
ln - lymph node/s
LTF - learning to fly (animal fell off balcony or similar)
LU - left upper (eg. eyelid, lip)
LV - left ventricle
LVE - left ventricular enlargement
M - molar (tooth - followed by a number to indicate which one)
M - male (see also Me and Mn)
manip - manipulation
m/c - metacarpal
MD - myocardial disease
Me - male (entire)
med - medial
min - minutes
mm or Mmb - mucous membranes
Mn - male (neutered)
mo - months old (following a number)
MT - mammary tumor
m/t - metatarsal
MVA - motor vehicle accident
N - normal
NAD - no abnormality detected (or detectable)
NAF - no abnormal findings
nbg - treatment not working
n def - nerve deficit
NNTSA - no need to see again
NOAD - no other abnormality diagnosed
NOAF - no other abnormal findings
no C/S/V/D - no coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhoea
NOS - no other symptoms
NPO - Nothing per os/nil per os
N/S - next step
NSAID - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSF - no significant finding
nyd - not yet diagnosed
O - owner
OA - osteoarthritis
OCD - osteochondritis dissecans
OCNE - off color, not eating
O/F - off food
OOH - out of hours
op - operate or operation
P - pulse
palp - palpate or palpation
PAN - peri-arteritis nodosa
pcv - packed cell volume (hematocrit)
PDA - patent ductus arteriosis
PE - physical examination
PPi - parvovirus and parainfluenza: dog vaccine covering these diseases
PPP - pretty poor prognosis
PM - pre-molar (tooth - followed by a number to indicate which one)
PM - post mortem
PTS - put to sleep (euthanize)
PD - polydipsia
pop - popliteal (lymph node)
pred - prednisone
prn - as needed (pro re nata - Latin)
prob - probably or problem
PU/PD - polyuria/polydipsia
PUO - pyrexia of unknown origin
Px - physical examination or physical examination findings
Px - prognosis
q200 - owner has been given an estimate of $200 for this procedure (q for quoted)
qid - four times daily
QOL - quality of life
R - right
RA - right atrium
RAE - right atrial enlargement
rbc - red blood cell
RC 1w - recheck in 1 week
RCM - restrictive cardiomyopathy
RDVM - referring Dr Veterinary Medicine
Rex - re-examine
RF - right fore
RH - right hind
RI - re-examine/re-inspect
RI 7d - return in 7 days
RL - right lower (eg. eyelid, lip)
rMRCVS - Referring MRCVS
R/O - rule out
rost - rostral
rpt - repeat
rrm - restricted range of movement, eg in a joint
rrr - resting respiration rate
RS - remove sutures
RTA – road traffic accident
RU - right upper (eg. eyelid, lip)
rv - recheck
RV - right ventricle
RVE - right ventricular enlargement
Rx - prescription or dispense
Rx - re-examine
sc or s/c - subcutaneous/subcuticular
SBI - something bad inside, diagnosis of exclusion for ADR
SI - small intestine
SI - self inflicted
SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
sid - once daily
sig - signalment
SIT - self-inflicted trauma
s/m - submandibular
Sn - sneezing
S/O - stitches (or staples) out
S&P - scale and polish (of teeth)
sq - subcutaneous
S/R - suture removal
SS - skin scrape
STO - speak to owner
SWB - salt water bathing
Sx - surgery
T - thoracic (vertebra - usually followed by a number to denote which one)
TGO - to go home
tid - three times daily
T-L - thoraco-lumbar
TLI - trypsin-like immunoreactivity
TMJ - temporo-mandibular joint
Tn or TN - temperature normal
TNT - toenail trim
TPN - total parenteral nutrition
TPR - temperature, pulse and respiration
TPRn - temperature, pulse and respiration all normal
TTO - talked to owner
TWBC - total white blood cells
twds - towards
Tx - treatment
U/A or UA - urinalysis
UGA - under general anesthetic
ULA - under local anesthetic
URT - upper respiratory tract
URTI - upper respiratory tract infection
US - urine sample
US or us - ultrasound
UTI - urinary tract infection
V- - vomiting absent or diminished
V+ - vomiting
V++ - moderate vomiting
V+++ - severe vomiting
vacc - vaccinate or vaccine
V&D or V/D+ - vomiting and diarrhea
V/D - : no vomiting, no diarrhea
VMB - very much better
vmi - very much improved
wbc - white blood cell
wmd - white meat diet
WNL - within normal limits
wo - weeks old (following a number)
wt - weight
wt!! - overweight
x/60 - x minutes
x/24 - x hours
x/7 - x days
x/52 - x weeks
x/12 - x months
xr or XR - x-ray
yo - years old

Six Household Products That Are Not Dog Safe

2011-05-25T06:50:00.009-04:00

Are the products you use to clean your home safe for your pets? A check under the sink may surprise you to find many households cleaning products containing toxic ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, glycol ethers, or formaldehyde that can put young children and pets particularly at risk for things such as cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage. Studies have shown it is not enough to simply close a container containing these ingredients and put it away, toxic vapors remain behind that continue to harm both us and our pets.

Some Toxic Ingredients and Their Effects On People and Pets

Ammonia - Used in many de-greasers for ovens, glass and stainless steel, ammonia has a very high VOC, burns mucous membranes and contributes to asthma. If it is mixed with bleach, it creates a poisonous gas which can be deadly to small pets.

Chlorine - Used in disinfectants, toilet bowl cleaners and automatic dish detergent to name a few, chlorine is also used to bleach coffee filters. It can cause everything from dizziness to vomiting to laryngeal edema. Avoid this ingredient and be careful about letting your pet swim in the pool.

Glycol Ethers - Glycol ethers are found in many cleaning products that are not pet safe including glass cleaners, carpet cleaners and spot removers. It has been linked to anemia, lung damage and kidney damage in people and pets.

Formaldehyde - The thought of a funeral home comes to mind when formaldehyde is mentioned and everyone can recognize the strong, nauseating smell. But it's also used in products such as soaps and even some pet shampoos. It can contribute to asthma and is carcinogenic.

Some Cleaning Products That are Not Dog Safe

There are many, many cleaning products that are not safe for dogs on the market. Here are a few popular cleaners that contain some of the ingredients mentioned above as well as others:

Floor Cleaners - These include Pine Sol and Mr. Clean. Even if you manage to get all of the residue off the floor, the vapors linger and are dangerous to your pet. Try a non-toxic, pet safe cleaner instead.

Bathroom Cleaners - These include Clorox Bathroom Cleaner and Scrubbing Bubbles. Try a product such as Ecover Bathroom Cleaner instead. Never use a continuous toilet bowl cleaner such as Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It is very dangerous and the temptation to drink out of the toilet is a quirk in many of our pups.

All Purpose Cleaners - For use in the kitchen and around the house, the most common toxic all-purpose cleaners that scream "Danger!" are Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray and Formula 409.

Drain Openers - You may think that since this product is poured down the drain, it can't be harmful to your pet. But the toxic drain openers give off dangerous fumes long after you've emptied them. For a non-toxic, pet safe option, try a product such as Earth Friendly Enzymes Drain Opener.

Instead of using toxic cleaning products around the house, try one of the non-toxic and pet safe lines of cleaners. If you do decide to keep toxic cleaners, make absolutely sure they are put away. Put child safety locks on cabinet doors and put cleaners up as high as possible. Never use them when your pet is in the same room and air out the house after cleaning with them. Never leave any residue behind. But the warning signs are clear and you and your dog will be healthier and safer if you use cleaning products that are pet safe.

Hi My name is Tonka

2010-03-29T22:44:00.003-04:00

My name is Tonka and I am new to rescue. My mom surrendered me because she loved me. She opened a new daycare and the little kids were sticking their fingers in my eyes. I growled to tell them to stop. I was a bit stressed with all those kids. I was put in the laundry room with my friend the pug.
I am good with kids that treat me well. My mom had grandkids that came over and I liked them alot. I am good with other dogs. I wasn't around kitties. I am in foster care and Midwest Mastiff Rescue will get to know me before I'm up for adoption. I am 4 years old. I could stand to lose a few pounds but couldn't we all? So far I like everyone that I meet. I would love to have a forever family.

IN032110-1

JUGGERNAUT

2010-02-21T21:11:00.022-05:00

Juggernaut's story is not unusual but worth telling. He was purchased and not trained and eventually banished to the backyard to live a lonely life. He was removed from the owners due to neglect. He was taken in by Happy Tails Animal Shelter in Sterling IL and they worked very hard with him and gave him hope. The Shelter turned him over to Midwest Mastiff Rescue. Lucky for him he was fostered by a nice couple who continued working with him getting him out of his shell. He had given up and had shut down. They took him to training and watched him respond and become interested. He came back to life with alot of love and patience. He went to his forever home in Ohio on the 13th of February and is doing great.

"Just wanted to say thank you so much for rescuing Juggernaut from the horrible life that he had and letting us adopt him. We have had two Mastiffs in the past and we lost our last one this past November. Home was not the same without one. We decided to rescue and we are so glad that we did. Juggernaut is a blessing. He is such a joy and so full of love. Our home is complete and the ache from our loss has stopped. We will always miss our babies. Mike and Terri were his foster family and now they are part of our family. They did a terrific job with Juggernaut and the adoption process. I think Juggernaut knows that we are his forever home. He loves to play with his toys and to be by our side.
Thanks so much

Don & Vicky

MURRAY

2010-02-21T20:22:00.005-05:00

Murray was left at a shelter in Indiana. He got his second chance with a great family in IL. Murray now has 2 brothers to play with.
"He is such a part of the family. A hug can't occur without his getting into the mix. He just wants to be with us all of the time. That is what we love about him. We are loving Murray and can't imagine what it was like without him.
Bill, Laura, Joshua, Sean and Murray

Little Girl

2010-02-14T20:08:00.009-05:00

I was someone's pet. I had a name and I had a family. I am approximately 2 years old. I was found on the road and was picked up by the shelter. A kind volunteer contacted Midwest Mastiff Rescue and I am getting a chance for a new future with a family.

I love kid, people and dogs. I will need training since I am so happy and I jump for joy when I meet people.

I am heartworm positive. That means that without treatment I will die early. Treatment is expensive and I will be in foster care for a long time.

Remember to keep your dogs on heartworm preventative.
Save a life and adopt your next pet from a shelter or a rescue.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER JERSEY

2010-02-07T14:52:00.023-05:00

Foster mom Terri got the call about Jersey on July 31st. "Jersey's family was being evicted that day and no one would take her. The shelters were full. A friend and I were on the road in a matter of minutes. Jersey was in terrible shape. She was emaciated with open sores over her backside. She was bald and could not sit still from her discomfort. A visit to the vet confirmed sarcoptic mange, whipworms and a fungal infection. She spent time separated from the other dogs. We had to change our clothes and scrub down when handling Jersey in the early days. There were lots of medicated baths. As the itching stopped, Jersey started to gain weight. Her quality of life started to improve. We decided that after watching her blossom we could not let this sweet girl go.
She now spends her days lounging on the couch or relaxing in the yard with 2 other Mastiffs. She makes us laugh everyday and has been a precious addition to our family.

Here are pictures of Jersey today in her new home. Her future has
changed since her former family
gave her up and her new family knew the rewards of adopting.

DUKE

2010-02-06T11:50:00.009-05:00

Duke came from a shelter. There was no explanation why he was left there. He resides in northern Indiana and is doing well. He loves his family! Mom says that he's up to 114# at last visit. He is accustom to being part of the family. His favorite things are curling up at the end of the couch or in bed with anyone in the family. He thinks of himself as a lap dog. He will sing for treats or ear rubs. They feel like their lives are richer since bringing him home. He is fun, loving and always happy to see them come home.

"Thank you to Midwest Mastiff Rescue. We can't thank you enough for bringing him into our lives"

HERE'S HOLLY!

2010-02-05T19:49:00.008-05:00

It has been a great day. I had a bath and I don't smell anymore. I smell like lavender since foster dad put oils on me. I like to play with the other dogs here. I ran in the snow today. I am the one on the right in the video. Yes I am small. I am respectful of the old ladies Georgia and Mildred. I don't care about the parrot. I am working on the counter surfing. A little kindness and patience and I will make a great family member. I feel so relaxed and I am loving that fireplace.

I played with Ted and Flower. I think that I would like to have a pal in my new home. I can get along with just about anyone. I love not being tied out. I haven't had any accidents and I am crate trained. Sometimes I get nervous and I have to be coaxed out of the crate. I will cry but someone comes in and tells me it's ok. I would like a fenced yard because as you can see, I love to run.

KADA BEAR

2010-02-03T18:30:00.010-05:00

Kada was left behind in a rental property. The owner of the property and the neighborhood was kind enough to contact rescue. In the meantime the neighborhood made sure that she had plenty of food and water at all times.

Kada resides in Gurnee, IL with her family who think she's a special girl. She now gets to go camping during the summer and is good with the other 2 Mastiffs in the family. She is living the good life.

New Year - New Beginnings AMELIA

2010-01-31T18:00:00.014-05:00

We often are asked... "Whatever happened to .." We are hoping to update the stories of our families and the adoptions.

Amelia came into rescue after being thrown out of a car. She was taken to the local shelter. Foster mom Jean noticed that she was a very sick girl. It was questionable at first that she would survive the upper respiratory infection. With daily breathing
treatments and IV drips she came around after a few days.

Amelia is alive and well and living in Chicago. She lives with mom Clemencia, dad Michael and furry sister Bailey.

Meet Indiana Holly

2010-01-30T23:02:00.005-05:00

Holly came into a high kill shelter. An animal lover contacted rescue for help.

She is a small girl who will probably not get bigger. It takes her a little while to warm up to new people. It appears that she has spent most of her time at the end of a chain. She will start class soon with her foster family. She would be nice with a family that likes to hang out at home with the dogs. She is shy but is so very sweet. Updates will follow!

Newest Addition

2009-12-22T09:26:00.003-05:00

Here is the newest addition to Midwest Mastiff Rescue. He is approximately 2 1/2 years old and is a sweet boy. He was rescued December 21, 2009 and there will be more information and pictures to follow along with information on a new girl rescued today. If you would like to make a donation or foster any of your rescues please contact us at the links listed here on our blog. Happy Holidays!

Halloween Tips from ASPCA

2009-10-12T11:27:00.001-04:00

Halloween can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for your pets. The ASPCA would like to offer some common-sense tips to help you protect them:
Don't leave your pets out in the yard on Halloween: there are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.
Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets: chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin: pets may knock it over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.
Don't dress the dog in costume unless you know he loves it. Otherwise, it puts a lot of stress on the animal.
If you do dress up your dog, make sure the costume isn't constricting, annoying or unsafe.
Be careful not to obstruct his or her vision; even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when they can't see what's going on around them.
All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours; too many strangers in strange garb can be scary for a dog.
Be careful your cat or dog doesn't dart out through an open door.
While this can be a fun time for people and pets alike, remember that your pets are depending on you to keep them safe from the more dangerous goblins and ghouls that this holiday brings.

Little Debbie is Looking for a Long Term Foster to Adopt

2009-09-18T17:19:00.005-04:00

This is Little Debbie she is approximately 3 years old. She was found roaming a wooded area where she was dumped and she seemed to be living off of vegetation and bugs.

She is underweight and is gained a little weight since coming into rescue. She had a cyst removed from her front shoulder area,was spayed and both are healing nicely.

Debbie is a very sweet girl who wants to be loved. She is very affectionate and is so happy to finally have attention. It seems that she has never been on a leash and tends to pull a little when walking. She is a little timid when she first meets you but warms up quickly. She is need of a long term foster home to adopt. This will allow her to feel secure and completely heal physically and mentally. She is a very lovable, sweet natured mastiff looking for a wonderful loving family.

If you are interested in Little Debbie please contact tate5122@msn.com and visit our website at www.midwestmastiffrescue.org to complete an application.

Amelia is Looking for A FUREVER Home

2009-08-23T17:06:00.004-04:00

Amelia is a female English Mastiff about three years old. She is very loving with women and she is a little shy towards men but does warm up nicely. She is a very sweet girl and gets along other dogs. Amelia is very playful and loves to be with her family. Amelia likes to go on walks and walks well on a leash and seems to have had some sort of training. She is in Indiana with her foster family.

Amelia is looking for a family with older children and a family who is very patient and just wants a great dog to love. Also, she will do very well with a companion to play with and learn from. If you are interested in Amelia please visit our website and complete an application or contact tate5122@msn.com. Please help us find Amelia a wonderful home.

Hi, My Name is Kada

2009-05-18T09:45:00.007-04:00

Hi my name is Kada. I was left behind by my family possibly because of a divorce. My owners left me in the backyard and I had no food or water for a few days. My nice neighbors saw me in the backyard and they fed me, gave me water, and brought me inside. They called Midwest Mastiff Rescue to come get me. The neighbors said the owner was going to drive me to the country and drop me off. I can't imagine why since I have been with them since I was a baby. There must have been a mistake.

A volunteer with Midwest Mastiff Rescue picked me up and took me to his house. I got a much needed bath and I feel wonderful! My ears are infected but they are being worked on. They feel better now that the gunk is being cleaned out of them. I'm a very happy beautiful girl. I don't ask for much from anyone. I like to have my belly rubbed if at all possible. I tend to snort when you do this. I like to be around everyone but I am content having a roof over my head. I don't tear things up and I am a good girl. I am a mature woman so I won't tell you my age. Actually I don't know my age but I will have an idea after I go to the vet. One of the neighbors believes that I am 5. I LOVE riding around and I LOVE the wind in my face, mouth and the flapping of my tongue. If someone says "let's go" then I'm ready! I am good with puppies and I am adjusting to the other women (4 legged) here. The foster family was told that I'm good with cats. I do talk a lot just so you know. My foster family says that I am a no maintenance dog. I am potty trained and just happy being near you. Please consider adopting a mature gal like me.

XOXO

Kada

Lookout! Flea & Tick Season is Among Us!

2009-05-05T09:39:00.003-04:00

Fleas are external parasites, living off the blood of mammals. Although fleas can be a problem for your pets all year, flea populations typically explode about 5 or 6 weeks after the weather starts to warm up.

Warning Signs that you dog or cat may have fleas!!
*Sratching/biting at their skin. Fleas bite-they hurt-your pet wants them off!

*If infested with fleas, your pet can become very nervous and annoyed.

*Black Specks on your pet's skin or in your dog's or cat's bed may be "flea dirt"--the fecal matter from adult fleas. This can be usually seen more easily on a pets back or belly area.

Ticks are blood feeding external parasites of mammals, birds, and reptiles throughout the world. Ticks prefer to live in woods, tall grass, weeds and brush. They climb onto low vegetation and attach to suitable hosts which pass by, including pets and people. When they detect vibrations and chemical cues such as host odors or exhaled carbon dioxide, ticks will fall from their perch or stretch out (holding on to their perch with only 2 or 4 of their rear legs) and hope to snag or attach onto a passing host. Ticks are also capable of detecting shadows cast by a passing host.

Be careful! Ticks can be dangerous to both pets and humans. Many ticks carry bacteria and disease such as: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis and/or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Prevention:
Help prevent your pet from having problems with fleas & ticks by using preventative products which can be pruchased from your vet, or local pet stores, such as: Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix, Bio-Spot. Ask your vet which is right for your pet.

If your pet already has fleas/ticks: Many of these same products are also used to treat flea infestations. You also need to treat your home, pet's bedding and living area, along with your car (esp. if you transport your pet with fleas).

For a more natural remedy, Shear Paradise offers ALL-NATURAL, NON-TOXIC flea and tick baths too. (no dips or pesticides)
_________________________________________________________

Cash

2009-05-04T11:12:00.004-04:00

Cash is 18 months old and he was rescued from a pound in Indiana. After a little digging we determined Cash was hit by a car and dumped by his owner. He has permanent damage to the left side of his body but he is not letting this put him down. Cash has a beautiful spirit and is planning on enjoying life. Cash was recently neutered and in June he will have surgery on his leg. Midwest Mastiff Rescue received a donation to help offset a lot of the medical expenses for Cash.

There are so many wonderful people out there willing to donate money to help with medical and living expenses. We are so grateful for all the help we receive. If you would like more information regarding volunteer opportunities please check out our website and complete a volunteer application.

A Forever Family for Addyson

2009-04-14T19:08:00.002-04:00

Here is a special note from Addyson's new family.

After much soul searching, and even more researching, we decided an English Mastiff would certainly fit the bill, as an addition to our family. We began looking, all the time our beloved German Shepherd Dog Zues, was slipping away to DM (spinal paralysis). Zues took to a wheelchair very well, and even though at 12 ½ years old, and knowing he had had a good long life, it was still a devastating shock when he passed away in our arms – that boy had such heart!

I began looking in earnest. Even though my husband said he just wasn’t ready – I wrote breeders, went to dog shows – then after much talking, we decided to look to someone who REALLY needed a home – a rescue dog. This, was going to be hard, we both knew, with our somewhat unusual lifestyle – a 9 year old cat, 2 horses, 2 miniature donkeys, and 15 chickens. Although we wanted to share our life and give a home to someone who needed it, we both knew an older dog would be a HUGE challenge, and potentially a dangerous situation.

Then who did I see but Little Miss Addyson. A PUPPY Mastiff! Holy Smokes, we couldn’t believe it! Against all odds, but with all our heart, we applied to be considered, and with God at our back, and Addyson’s foster Mom Jean at our front, we finally went to pick her up.

We’ll never be able to thank Mid-West Mastiff Rescue enough for such a joyful addition to our family. From the first moment we saw her online, we knew she was our baby – and thankfully she now is. Jean, the foster Mom, did such a wonderful job, that made Addyson’s transition to yet another home not all THAT scary. She was such a good girl, and adjusted surprisingly quickly. One thing that was so nice, is that Jean let us know up front all about her, and questioned us extensively to make sure that a good fit was being made.

For all of you who may have also seen Little Miss Addyson and surely wanted her, I can tell you that this little girl is SO loved – not only by her forever Mommy and Daddy, but also by her little 9 year old rescue cat that adores her (and after thoroughly cleaning her face every night sleeps with her) – two Andalusian Stallions that are amused at her puppy antics and gently put up with her puppy play time, 2 miniature donkey brothers that calmly watch as she wants to play SO badly with them, and 15 chickens that have decided they’ve now got an exercise coach that will keep them in shape.

This little girl is already loved by all the storekeepers in our small town, and has adapted so well, it’s like she was born here. Kudo’s to Shirley and all of the people at Mid-West Mastiff Rescue – and especially Jean, our little girls foster mom. You can be assured that these wonderful people truly care about the charges and responsibilities they accept, and want only the best for these little souls that deserve a forever home.

Thanks guys, for giving us our little girl. She is a joy and light to our lives – and reminds us to find joy in everything – even when you get an unexpected snowstorm after you’ve already plowed your garden (grin) – (if you’d like to see a silly video of Addyson, go to www.proshowgold.com , and click on the tab called ‘sharing’, then click on ‘member name’ and type in LatitudeAndalusians – Addyson’s video is the first one)

Thanks so much to our wonderful foster and adoptive families.

Happy Tails for Sunshine

2009-03-19T08:24:00.007-04:00

Sunshine was adopted by a great family here in Indiana. She now has four human brothers and sisters as you can see above. The kids have a very special relationship with her since she was the first dog they were able to pick out. Sunshine watches cartoons with the kids, plays ball in the backyard, plays tag and chase. "She is everything you could want in a dog and everything a kid could want in a companion" says Kelly.

I asked the family why adopt. After losing one of their beloved mastiffs Maddie to bone cancer, their male Manstein, became very depressed. This was the main reason they started looking for another mastiff. They were very saddened to see all the dogs in rescue. The families’ pet sitter often told them stories about dogs, and other animals for that matter, that she would rescue or foster. Because of this, they looked harder into rescue and found us.

As you can see Sunshine has more love and attention she could ever ask for.

These mastiffs are a treasure for wonderful families like Sunshine's. We appreciate the great families who open their hearts and homes to foster or adopt.

If you would like to see more of our available mastiffs please go to our website or click on the Adopt a Mastiff link.

Happy Hendricks

2009-03-17T09:50:00.008-04:00

Location: Indiana

Hendricks is a 1 1/2 year old, reverse brindle mastiff. He was surrendered to a local pound.

Hendricks is adjusting nicely to his foster home and is extremely loving to the teenager in the foster family. He is getting along really well with the family pets and we're on clear about his attitude towards cats but he doesn't seem to have a prey drive.

Hendricks is getting settled into his foster home and receiving a nice warm bath and clean bed to sleep in. Hendricks is happy go lucky and is just looking for a loving family to take care of him.

Hendricks will be going to the vet very soon for his check up and neutered.

If you are interested in Hendricks please complete an adoption application.

Update on Addyson- PENDING ADOPTION

2009-03-12T08:14:00.005-04:00

Here are a few things Addyson's foster mom had to say about her.

Addyson is working on house breaking, and it's going great. Her foster mom is working on leash walking and she is very good on a leash unless another dog comes around and then she is a little skittish and tries to hide.

Addyson loves playing with her foster brothers, Eddie a 4 year old mastiff and Brooksie a 4 1/2 year old lab. She is especially fond of Eddie and they are always romping around. Addyson does stop (at least briefly) when commanded. She has also become very fond of the neighbor mastiff that she goes on walks with. The neighbor mastiff comes over and Addyson and her foster brothers all play in the yard together.

Addyson is crate trained and willingly goes to her crate when it is time for bed with a small treat. She does not whine at night nor does she have accidents in her crate. Her foster mom takes her out one time during the night and usually has to wake Addyson up to go.

Addyson doesn't mind bath time either. She sits very calmly until bath time is over. She is such a joy and has a great disposition. Addyson is very loving, trusting of people and kids, and once she knows the dog she is their new best friend.

Addyson's new family will be required to have a physical fence no invisible fencing will be accepted. She will need obedience training to build her confidence and bond with her owner. There will be a $ 50 refundable deposit that will be returned upon proof of obedience training.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ADDYSON. Please visit our website for other available mastiffs. Thank you!

Addyson from Indiana- PENDING ADOPTION

2009-03-09T09:30:00.006-04:00

Addyson is a five month old surrendered to MMR due to finanical hardship. The economy is affecting the lives of pets as well as humans.

Addyson isn't available just yet because she needs to be vetted and spayed. There will be a $ 50.00 non-refundable deposit for obedience training in addition to her adoption fee.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ADDYSON. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR INTEREST.

Cancer Warning Signs For Your Pet

2009-02-19T08:04:00.001-05:00

Cancer is the No. 1 killer of dogs and cats in the US, and was responsible for nearly 20,000 animal health insurance claims last year, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance.

The most common forms of cancer in dogs included lymphosarcoma, which affects the lymph node system; skin tumors; and osteogenic sarcoma, or bone cancer. Similarly, cats suffer from lymphosarcoma and skin tumors.
Early detection is key, according to Dr. Carol McConnell, director of vet relation for VPI. "It's necessary for pet owners to take their furry family friends for annual checkups and to regularly examine their pets for warning signs." she says.

According to VIP, early warning signs of cancer include:
-Growing lumps and bumps
-sores that don't heal
-Discharge or bleeding from any body opening
-Weight loss despite normal appetite and activity
-Going more than a day or two without eating
-Demonstrating an unusually excessive appetite
-Drinking an excessive amount of water, urinating frequently
-Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
-An unusually bad smell coming from the pet
-Fatigue and unwillingness to exercise.

If your dog exhibits one or more of these symptoms- consult with your regular vet.

Abbey Found a Home

2009-02-04T08:04:00.002-05:00

Miss Abbey was adopted! Abbey's new family previously adopted a female from Midwest Mastiff Rescue. Abbey took so well to the other female mastiff and made an instant connection with the family. It was a happy day for Abbey and her foster mom.

Please visit us at www.petfinder.com to see more of our mastiffs.

Happy Tails for Goliath

2009-01-29T09:04:00.003-05:00

Goliath has gone to a wonderful home in upper Michigan. He bonded very quickly with their three children and he loves his new dad and mom. Goliath will soon begin obedience classes. We are so happy to have helped another wonderful Mastiff find a forever home.

Many Happy Tails

2009-01-06T14:49:00.004-05:00

The holidays were a special time for Tonya, Deuce, Maddy and Diamond all four were adopted and are now in their happy homes. Check back for updates and pictures from their new families.

Looking for a Forever Friend? (ADOPTED)

2008-12-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

Meet Abbey, she was found as a stray wandering in the cold weather in the middle of nowhere. Abbey spent several weeks at an animal shelter while trying to locate her family, but no one ever came for her or called looking for her. Her foster family cannot imagine why. Abbey is a wonderful, happy, sociable girl of about three years, already spayed and in very good condition when found. Abbey is getting along with most of the other dogs at her foster home, although has raised her hair at our dominant female through the fencing. She seems fairly submissive, but her foster family thinks in the presence of another very strong female, Abbey may have issues with who will be the boss. She would do well with other male dogs or other submissive females. At the vet, she was nothing but perfectly friendly with every other dog there, both male and female, small and large alike, and rolled over many times for belly rubs from whomever passed by. She has met cats through a fence and pet carriers, and just wags her tail wildly at them. She is crate trained and has not had a potty accident indoors since arriving here. Abbey is a nice sized girl, weighing just about 130 pounds with big bone and a beautiful, thick coat. She can be very active outdoors and loves playing, but settles quietly on the couch for TV time in the evening.

Abbey does appear to have been severely disciplined in her past, however. She will startle and frighten with people she is not familiar with if they make sudden or loud movements towards her, and exhibits this fear by shrinking herself as low to the ground as she possibly can, as if in fear of being hit. She no longer behaves in this way with her foster family, and very quickly warms up to people once she knows they do not intend to hurt her. Abbey would blossom in a positive reinforcement type obedience school to increase her confidence, and show her that there are good people in the world who won't be hurting her. Abbey has so much love to give to the right family; she will warm your hearts and homes this winter and for many winters to come.

Holiday Pet Safety

2008-12-08T12:33:00.003-05:00

The holidays are a time to eat, drink, decorate and share good times with friends and family. However, the same treats and trimmings considered harmless for humans can be hazardous to your pet's health. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is offering pet owners some helpful hints to keep their pets happy and healthy during the holiday season.

Holiday sweets with chocolate are not for pets. Depending on the dose ingested, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk and dark) can be poisonous to many animals. In general, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. In fact, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.

Keep your pet on its normal diet. Any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. Boiled or grilled meats and fresh vegetables can be offered as a healthy alternative.

Don't give pets holiday leftovers and keep pets out of the garbage. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy, spicy and fatty for spoiled foods can cause stomach upset and moldy foods could cause tremors or seizures.

Alcohol and pets do NOT mix. Place unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot reach them. If ingested, the animal could become very sick and weak and may go into a coma.

Keep aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers away from pets. They can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.

Be careful with holiday floral arrangements. Lilies are commonly used and many varieties including Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and Casa Blanca can cause kidney failure in cats. Safe alternatives can include artificial flowers made from silk or plastic.

Common Yuletide plants such as mistletoe and holly berries can be toxic to pets. Should a cat or dog eat mistletoe, they could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested.

Poinsettias are over rated in toxicity. They are considered to be very low in toxicity, however, they could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested by your pet.

Christmas tree water may contain dangerous fertilizers, which if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria and if ingested a pet could end up with nausea and diarrhea.

Decorate your tree with animal safe ornaments such as dried non-toxic flowers, wood, fabric or pinecones. If ingested, ribbons or tinsel can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction. This is a very common problem with kittens.

HOLIDAY FOODS & BEVERAGES THAT ARE TOXIC TO PETS
Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic beverages can cause alcohol poisoning. If ingested, the animal could become very drunk and weak, may become severely depressed or may go into a coma.

Yeast Dough: Uncooked yeast dough, if ingested (most cases are with dogs) can rise in the stomach and cause severe pain. Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. Since the breakdown product of rising dough is alcohol, it can cause an alcohol poisoning. Many cases like this require surgical removal of the dough. Even small amounts can be dangerous.

Chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk and dark): If ingested, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate. This can be seen with the ingestion of as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog. Chocolate poisoning does not seem to be a problem in cats, although it is possible if enough would be ingested.

Nicotine: Tobacco products can be fatal to dogs and cats if ingested. Signs of nicotine poisonings often develop within 15 45 minutes. Symptoms include excitation, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Muscle weakness, twitching, depression, coma, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest can follow.

Coffee (ground, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans): Contain caffeine which is a stimulant and depending on the dose ingested, stimulation, restlessness, increased heart rate, tremors, or seizures could be seen.

Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts can cause muscular weakness, depression, vomiting, disorientation, tremors, abdominal pain and muscle stiffness in dogs. The effects can last 1-3 days. This has not been reported in any other species.

Grapes and Raisins: The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is aware of recent reports of dogs alleged to have developed kidney failure following ingestion of large amounts of grapes or raisins. There has also been one case of renal failure occurring in a cat who ate raisins. Veterinary toxicologists at the APCC are currently investigating these cases in an attempt to determine the causative agents or disease processes. At this time the exact role of grapes or raisins in these cases is unclear.

BEWARE-Antifreeze!

"Bad for dogs" understates the danger of antifreeze. In fact, antifreeze poisoning has the highest animal fatality rate of all common poisons. Every year, by some estimates, about 10,000 dogs and cats are victims of accidental poisoning by automobile antifreeze. A pet does not have to drink a lot of antifreeze to be poisoned. Most brands of commercial antifreeze consist of 95 percent ethylene glycol, an extremely toxic chemical. Even a few licks of this sweet-tasting liquid can be fatal to a cat or dog. (Ethylene- glycol-based antifreeze is also extremely hazardous to children. A few ounces are lethal.)

Antifreeze poisoning commonly occurs in spring and fall when car owners replace the old antifreeze with fresh antifreeze in their car radiators. However, poisoning can happen anytime, particularly when a car boils over or when a hose leaks, releasing the antifreeze. As mentioned above, this poisoning happens often to animals who are allowed to roam freely in their neighborhoods, but another high risk group are those dogs who are confined in garages and who may not always be provided with adequate fresh drinking water. These dogs may gain access to improperly or inadequately stored antifreeze or lick spilled or leaked antifreeze off the garage floor.

Another source of antifreeze are the decorative "snow globes" glassware. The liquid in the these displays contain 2% antifreeze and are very toxic.

Both cats and dog are attracted to the smell and taste of ethylene glycol. Remember that your car can leak coolant at any time. If you see a puddle of greenish-colored liquid in your driveway, flush the area with plenty of water and don't delay locating and fixing the leak. Another method of quick clean-up is to spread cat litter on the spill, clean up with rags (which are bagged immediately) and then rinse. Antifreeze will biodegrade in the environment, but it takes weeks or months to do so, so removing the spill is absolutely essential.

Antifreeze poisoning occurs in two stages: In the first stage, the ethylene glycol in the antifreeze causes a drunken appearance in the animal within about 30 minutes which may continue for several hours. After passing through stage 1, the animal appears to recover. Stage 2 begins when the dog's liver begins metabolizing the ethylene glycol, changing it into more toxic substances. Within 12 to 36 hours of ingestion, these metabolites have reached such a level that the dog's kidneys stop functioning, and the animal slips into a coma.

Getting the dog to a veterinarian is critical within the first 9-12 hours following ingestion. After that length of time, the liver will have already begun metabolizing the ethylene glycol into substances that cause kidney failure and ultimately death.

Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include a drunken appearance including staggering, lack of coordination, and apparent disorientation and vomiting. The animal may appear listless and depressed. Because early signs of antifreeze poisoning often mimic signs of other illness, neither you or your veterinarian may suspect antifreeze poisoning until it is too late. Fortunately, in house lab tests performed by your veterinarian by assist in the diagnosis of antifreeze toxicity.

For more Anti-freeze information visit:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/wai/poi_AF.html

http://www.2ndchance.info/antifreeze.htm

http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-59.htm

Maddy

2008-12-05T09:22:00.003-05:00

Hi my name is Maddy. I am almost 2 years old. My second birthday is coming up in February. I had a pretty rough start in my short 2 years. My previous owners kept me confined in a crate most of the time. My dad did not like me so my mom kept me in there to keep him content. After enough time my mom did the right thing and put me into rescue. I was very skittish toward men because I never had a positive experience with them. My new foster dad has shown me that men are great too. I still have some reservations at first but warm up quick. You will have to let me adjust at my pace. I like to feel everyone out on my own. I love playing with my new foster brother and sister (2 yr old Mastiff Lady & 3 yr. old Mastiff Kevin). There is a whole lot of playing with 3 teenagers in the house. Because I was in a kennel for the majority of my life I have to go to a home that will not put me in a crate. I know you are thinking right let’s leave a 150 pound puppy out to destroy everything. Honestly I do not destroy anything. I do watch my foster brother Kevin do some things he shouldn't but I know right from wrong. I just sit in my chair and think boy is dad going to be mad when he gets home. I get along with other dogs. Cats are ok but I prefer something that I can play with. I do like to sleep with everyone on the bed but sometimes I know it gets to be a bit much for my dad with three of us in the bed. If he tells me to sleep on my own bed I am fine with that too. I use a gentle lead to walk and do fairly well. I definitely would not mind some obedience classes to help with those basic commands and I think it would be good to improve my social skills. I would make some family happy to have me as their furry companion. Just give me a chance and I will show you what unconditional love is!!!

Miss Maggie

2008-12-03T12:54:00.007-05:00

MMR would like to introduce Miss Maggie a brindle, 18 month old female. She is spayed and loves kids and people she meets. Maggie is socialized with small and large dogs with little problems so far. If she is scared she will do a lip curl at other dogs but will not fight back. She seems to be a submissive female. Maggie's foster mom believes she may have been hit, she will do the duck and hang her head when a hand is raised at her quickly. She is also startled easily by loud noises.

Maggie is housebroken and is a very good girl in the house. Maggie hasn't had obedience training so we will require training. The only command she knows is sit and she will only perform this when she wants. Maggie is a counter surfer but her foster mom is working on this and she listens well to firm commands. Maggie does walk well on a leash but doesn't have any concept of the "come" command.

Maggie would fit well in a family with older children (not eye level) and she needs to be introduced slowly to other family pets. If you wish to know more about Miss Maggie you can reach her foster mom at blfoley@insightbb.com her intake number is 112508-04.

If you wish to donate to help with vet, food and other supplies please click one of our many DONATE buttons.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T15:50:00.002-05:00

Since joining Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc., I have found more people to be Thankful for during this Thanksgiving. I am thankful we have so many wonderful people who have volunteered a lot of their time, money, tears, hearts, and homes to so many wonderful Mastiffs’.

Thank you to the new parents who opened their lives and homes to adopt our wonderful Mastiff's. These guys/gals deserved a wonderful life and you have promised to give it to them.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of the volunteers of Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc., and may you have a safe and wonderful holiday.

Goliath (ADOPTED)

2008-11-25T15:17:00.009-05:00

Meet Goliath, he is a very athletic, handsome two year old boy that came into rescue as a stray. It seems that Goliath was never an indoor dog until he came into rescue, as he had no idea of proper etiquette indoors. Goliath thought it was perfectly ok to jump up on the counter right next to his foster mom and steal whatever seemed tasty to him. Imagine his surprise when he first found out that this was not ok! Boy, the look in his eyes was priceless! Since that first day, Goliath has come a long, long way with indoor manners. He no longer jumps on his foster family to greet them, but sits very nicely in front waiting for pets and hugs and kisses (and a tasty treat, of course) He does still try and get away with jumping on visitors, but is steadily learning that he is not to jump on anyone, family or not. Goliath loves other dogs and is very playful, imagine a mastiff that likes to run and chase balls! He can easily clear a 3-1/2 foot gate, so a sturdy dog pen outdoors, or a fenced-in area, with at least 5 ft fencing is preferred. Goliath would benefit from continuing work on manners and is truly a diamond in the rough. He would make an awesome agility or Flyball competitor, and would excel in Rally Obedience as well. What his foster family really likes about him, though, is that after a good romp outdoors, Goliath is all mastiffy couch potato and can spend the entire evening snuggled on the floor watching TV with his people, while gnawing on his favorite bone. Goliath crates easily and loves his crate, and has not had a potty accident indoors since the first week he's been here. Can you be the special family that sees Goliath's potential through his sometimes less-than-perfect manners?

If you would like to contact Goliath's foster mom please email her at xxldogmom@att.net

Safety Tips for Thanksgiving and Your Pet

2008-11-24T08:00:00.006-05:00

Turkey-
If you want to feed your pet a little turkey, make sure it's boneless and cooked thoroughly. Raw uncooked Turkey may contain salmonella bacteria and the bones can pose a chocking hazard.

Easy With the Spices-Sage is an herb that contains essential oils and resins that can cause stomach upset for your pet and central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities. Cats are extremely sensitive to essential oils.

To Much Isn't Always Good-
A few samplings of the Thanksgiving feast can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and worse an inflammatory condition known as pancreatitis. It is best to keep your pet on a regular diet throughout the holiday season.

Bread Dough Is Bad-Don't feed your pet raw bread dough the dough once in the body will heat up and rise in the stomach causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloating which can become life threatening for your pet.

A Feast Fit for a Kong-If you want to keep your pet busy for hours pack your pets Kong full of some delightful treats like turkey, sweet potato's, green beans and a little bit of gravy. This will keep them happy and occupied for hours, working hard to get their treats from the toy.

A Home for the Holidays!

2008-11-19T13:49:00.008-05:00

Beautiful Harley has found his forever home and will be spending his holidays with a new family. Harley is such a sweet and fantastic boy who will be truly missed by his foster mom and family.

Thanks to all the great people out there volunteering and adopting these wonderful mastiffs!

A note from Harley's foster mom:

Monday evening will be tear filled for all of us in the DePalma household. In the months we have had Harely we have seen him blossom into the wonderful dog that he is. He grew hair where he had none, his skin ailments all went away and he turned into a happy happy boy. We loved him unconditionally and he did the same to us. I could not have picked a better family for this boy but he will leave his paw print on my heart forever!

A New Home for Deuce

2008-11-18T10:17:00.003-05:00

We're so excited to announce Deuce will be going to his new home. This is such a happy time for his foster mom and Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc.

A special thanks to Brenda Foley, Deuce's foster mom for taking such wonderful care of him and helping find his new parents. Also Thak You to Shirley and Christie for rescuing Deuce from a shelter and getting him to his foster mom Brenda. Great Team Effort!

Check back with our blog for some pictures of Deuce and his new family.

Loving Lucy (ADOPTED)

2008-11-07T14:38:00.004-05:00

Jean is our foster mom for Lucy and she simply cannot stop talking about her. Lucy is doing great in her foster home she has gained approximately 10 pounds since her surgery and she's looking much better. She is completely house trained and is doing so well with her foster siblings (dogs) and she really likes being the center of attention. Jean says, Lucy does wonderfully with her male dogs and she’s unsure how she would feel about a female since she is the Queen Bee of the house. Lucy is a loving girl and wants to be by her foster mom’s side. She doesn’t really prefer one human gender over the next. Lucy is very friendly with strangers and children. She loves children and loves the attention they give her.

Lucy’s initial heartworm treatment was scheduled for October 27, 2008 but her hemoglobin was too low. She will return in three weeks to possibly begin treatment. Lucy loves to eat but that’s because she was starved for a long time so she has a lot of catching up to do. If you would like to make a donation for the care of Lucy please click one of our donation buttons and put Lucy’s name in the memo area. Lucy isn’t available for adoption just yet but if you’re interested in her please fill out an adoption form and someone from MMR will contact you.
To contact Lucy's foster mom email her at: mastiff4ever@yahoo.com

Happy Tail for Kennedy

2008-11-06T08:16:00.006-05:00

How do you measure success? Here is a successful and happy tail for Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. and Kennedy.

Kennedy originally named Kenny is an older mastiff and his family didn't want him anymore. When Kennedy entered MMR he was noted as a wonderful mellow guy and was quickly placed into the foster home who decided to adopt him.

Here is a note from Kennedy's mother.

" Kennedy is doing well he has lost 20 pounds (on purpose), now runs around the yard (or should I say prances somewhat like a Tennessee walker) and has had the growth removed on his tooth.

The golden is a little bit of a prima donna, so he generally ignores Kennedy (and vice verse). But Kennedy gets play dates with my niece's mastiff and Labrador retriever who loves playing with him and Kennedy has also developed a close friendship with the barn cat. So, it's all good."

The Little Kitten Who Lost Its Mittens

2008-11-03T10:17:00.006-05:00

Deuce is the Little Kitten Who Lost Its Mittens--but found them.

How can you resist such a cute and lovable baby?

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T14:54:00.006-04:00

Email us your great Halloween pet pictures to be featured on our site. midwestmastiffrescueblog@gmail.com

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Deuce = Big Love

2008-10-29T08:46:00.011-04:00

Hello, I'm Deuce!

I am a very loving, happy, affectionate, male Mastiff around 2 years old. I love people, cats, and kids, oh who am I kidding I love everyone. My family moved away and they dumped me at the pound.

I know some basic commands like; stay, sit, down and I walk nicely on a leash. As you can see from my pictures I am a little underweight but I'm still very handsome and my personality makes me B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

Today I’m taking a trip to the vet to be neutered. I really don’t know what that means but I’m sure I will find out soon. I’m also going to be tested for Heartworm and given all my shots.

Watch for me on www.Petfinder.com and keep in touch here to see more updates on me and many other Mastiffs’ here at Midwest Mastiff Rescue. Bark!

Donate to Help me and my friends

Volunteer Work: Everything You Do Makes A Difference

2008-10-23T13:28:00.002-04:00

If you have ever donated your time or services to work with dogs in need, or have even contemplated getting started in the world of volunteering,first - Congratulations! You're doing a wonderful thing! - and second, you know that the decision to help can be accompanied by some hesitation and nervousness. The question "What will I be getting myself into?" is a common thought, and a very natural reaction to an unknown and new road of travel.

What is important to remember is that you set your own limits; you decide what you can or cannot handle, and in what area or areas you most enjoy working. Volunteer work can be a very emotional situation where the edges sometimes become blurred; with the dogs that cross your path, the tasks you may perform, and inside your own heart. And at the same time it is the most rewarding, feel-good work you may ever do.

With this in mind, it is helpful to ask yourself a few basic questions before venturing forth:

1. Am I familiar with all aspects of volunteer work that are available to me?
2. Which of these options am I most interested in, and are best suited for me?
3. How much time can I realistically give?
4. Are there certain things I simply cannot do at this time (i.e. transportation, fostering)?
5. Do I feel most comfortable working with people? Or dogs?

There is a wide variety of duties to choose from in most volunteer work. Keep in mind that every rescue organization and shelter has different rules, guidelines, resources and roles to play in the world of volunteering. Below are some common examples of ways you may be able to help.

Transportation of dogs to new homes, veterinarian appointments, etc... telephone work, fundraising, fostering, mailings, hanging flyers, handing out information about the rescue group/dogs financial and material gifts and donations.

There may be some difficult moments to face in volunteer work. Not every dog is "rescuable", or suitable to adopt out to a home. Sometimes an organization just doesn't have the necessary resources to help. But for every hard time, there are bountiful moments of joy, warmth, and love, and a personal satisfaction in knowing that you are helping an animal in need, no matter how small of a contribution you think you are making. Remember, the majority of people do nothing, so every thing you do matters.

Halloween Pet Tips

2008-10-21T10:09:00.003-04:00

Courtesy of ASPCA

Halloween can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for your pets. The ASPCA would like to offer some common-sense tips to help you protect them:

Don't leave your pets out in the yard on Halloween: there are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.

Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets: chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin: pets may knock it over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.

Don't dress the dog in costume unless you know he loves it. Otherwise, it puts a lot of stress on the animal.

If you do dress up your dog, make sure the costume isn't constricting, annoying or unsafe.

Be careful not to obstruct his or her vision; even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when they can't see what's going on around them.

All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours; too many strangers in strange garb can be scary for a dog.

Be careful your cat or dog doesn't dart out through an open door.

While this can be a fun time for people and pets alike, remember that your pets are depending on you to keep them safe from the more dangerous goblins and ghouls that this holiday brings.

Heartworm Prevention 101

2008-10-17T07:30:00.006-04:00

We wanted to take a moment to talk about heartworm treatment and prevention. The following information is provided as a general primer.

Heartworm Information
Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs and other mammals (including wolves, coyotes, foxes and other wild canids). Heartworms belong to the roundworm family and are clinically classified as Dirofilaria immitis.

Disease Transmission: Beware the Mosquito
The disease is not spread directly from dog to dog, rather transmission of heartworm requires an intermediate host: the mosquito. Spread of the disease therefore coincides with the mosquito season. Adult heartworms in an infected dog produce offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the the animal's blood. When a mosquito "bites" that infected animal, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae. After about two weeks in the mosquito, the microfilariae become infective larvae. This step is necessary for the transmission of heartworm, because when the mosquito bites a pet dog or cat, the infective larvae are transmitted.

Heartworm Symptoms: Dogs infected with heartworms can live several years before manifesting any symptoms. Consequently, the disease is diagnosed mostly in 4 to 8 year old dogs, and is seldom identified in a dog under 1 year of age. This is because the young heartworms (larvae) take up to 7 months to mature following the initial infection. Although some dogs will not show any symptoms, the most obvious indicators are cough, exercise intolerance, abnormal lung sounds, difficulty breathing, enlargement of the liver, fl uid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, and abnormal heart sounds.

Heartworm Treatment
Most dogs can be successfully treated for heartworms if the disease is detected early. If you suspect your dog may have heartworms, seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian immediately. Usually a vet will recommend treating the patient in the following manner: Adult worms are killed with an organic arsenical drug given through a series of carefully administered injections. A few days after treatment, the worms die and are carried by the bloodstream to the lungs. There they decompose and are absorbed by the body over a period of several months. Following treatment, complete rest is needed to prevent lung damage from the dead and decomposed worms. Excitement and exercise should be avoided for at least a month, followed by gradual return to normal activity. After all adult heartworms are eliminated, another drug must be given to rid the bloodstream of microfilariae, which are not affected by the drug used to kill adult heartworms.

Heartworm Prevention: A common misconception about heartworm prevention medications is that they 'prevent' heartworm infection from occurring at all. That is not quite correct. Most types of prevention medications kill existing microfilaria but do not prevent them from entering the body. Before beginning a prevention program, a blood test must be given a veterinarian to determine that the dog is not already infected. The preventative should be administered from early spring until the end of December in cooler climates or it may be taken year round. As a safeguard, many veterinarians recommend annual or biannual screening tests even for dogs that are on heartworm preventives.

Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Today, the majority of dogs with heartworm disease survive. Most can be treated with medication, some requiring surgery. Unfortunately there are those few that do not s urvive the devastating effects of the disease. With prompt detection, needless suffering can be prevented.
It is important to remember that heartworm disease is preventable!

Consult your veterinarian for an appropriate prevention program for your dog. Please pay close attention to your vet's recommendations and advice regarding heartworm prevention - your dog's life may depend on it.

For information about Heartgard Preventative, or coupons go to http://heartgard.us.merial.com/

Our Beautiful Faces

2008-10-16T09:42:00.014-04:00

If you see a Mastiff who peaks your interest you can visit us on www.petfinder.com and enter Midwest Mastiff Rescue under shelters. Or you can just click Adopt a Mastiff here on our blog page. Here you can read profiles for each available Mastiff. If you can't adopt at this time but you would like to help MMR, make a donation by mail to Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. at P.O. Box 7983, Gurnee, IL 60031.

October is Adopt-A-Dog Month

2008-10-15T11:23:00.007-04:00

There's no better way to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your world than through adoption. When you adopt, you're opening your heart to an animal shelter or rescue center pooch who really needs a loving home. This month is Adopt-A-Dog month, and if you're thinking about adopting a dog, there's no better moment than now!
The sad truth, unfortunately, is not all adoptions end with happy endings. Too many times dogs are adopted without fully realizing what a huge responsibility dog ownership is. Cute puppies grow up, dogs don’t always listen, time is needed for care and grooming, and the costs involved can be very expensive.

The key to changing this is education. That is the crucial factor in keeping pets in forever homes. The checklist below, info compiled using a survey of over 180 shelters, is an invaluable resource.

Before You Adopt Give This List Some Thought:

1. When you adopt, you need to make a real commitment to care for your pet for its entire life, no matter what that entails, just as you would with a child.

2. Be prepared for a pet to affect other parts of your life for as long as you have the pet (can be up to 15 years for a dog and 20 years for cat). Your pet’s well-being will have to be considered in all kinds of decisions, including travel, social life, relocating to a new home, adopting other pets, having children, etc.

3. Verify in advance that you’re allowed to keep a pet where you live, especially if you rent or belong to a homeowners’ association.

4. Make any necessary modifications to your yard and fence, if you have one, to provide for your pet’s safety and to prevent your pet from escaping.

5. Never give a pet as a gift.

6. Choose a pet appropriate to your living situation and lifestyle. Figure out what size, age, and energy-level pet is most appropriate for you.

7. Never adopt a pet on a whim or because you feel it’s love-at-first-sight. Do your research and carefully consider all the aspects and implications of adopting before you make a decision.

8. If you’re adopting a pet for your kids, understand that the responsibility is yours. Kids, by their nature, often tire of things that were once new and exciting, and this includes their pets. You will most likely end up being the one who provides most of the pet’s care.

9. Plan for a several-week adjustment period during which there will be challenges.

10. Provide sufficient exercise and stimulation. (Walk dogs according to individual need, provide playtime and appropriate toys for both dogs and cats, spend time just petting and talking to your pet, include pet in family activities.)

Lucy Update

2008-10-15T10:14:00.005-04:00

Thanks to the wonderful care and quick thinking of Dr. Joy E. P. Barron at Franklin Animal Clinic, Lucy is feeling a lot better. Midwest Mastiff Recue, Inc. would like to say “Thank You,” for all the wonderful care given to Lucy. Lucy’s foster mom, Jean recognized how sick Lucy really was and knew it was critical to get Lucy to the vet before her Monday appointment. Thanks to Jean, Lucy was given a second chance at life.

Lucy is home recovering from surgery. Once Lucy regains her strength and some weight she will begin her heart worm treatments. Then back to feeling like a million bucks!

Lucy deserves a wonderful life and family. If you would like to help Lucy in her road to recovery please contact MMR. All donations can be mailed to; Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 7983, Gurnee, IL 60031.

What is Pyometra?

2008-10-13T08:06:00.004-04:00

10/12/08 - Lucy survived her surgery and is looking better. She was happy to leave the vets office with her foster mom. She will be recuperating for the next couple of weeks. When she is strong enough, her heartworm treatment will begin.
How sad that Lucy's suffering could have been prevented if her previous owners would have spayed her. A monthly dose of heartworm preventative would have spared her the harsh treatment she now requires to kill the heartworms.

Lucy is a special needs mastiff here with Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc.; any donations you can make will help with the expenses of veterinary bills and medications. Please write on the memo section of your check, To: Lucy in Indiana.

Help us Help Lucy (Rosebud) ADOPTED

2008-10-11T21:10:00.024-04:00

Meet Lucy, she is a special needs mastiff here with MMR. Lucy is approximately 4 years old and she was picked up by a shelter in Indiana who contacted MMR for help. Lucy is an example of man's cruelty to animals. Her family no longer wanted her and left her to run loose, when the shelter called her family to pick her up they didn't bother to come. This is a blessing for Lucy who will be given much love and the life she deserves.

10/8/08- Lucy was picked up by an MMR volunteer. She is severely underweight, has a cloudy eye, and smells yet she kissed the volunteer's neck when she was helped into the car. Lucy is safe with her foster mom and is being fed small portions 6 times a day. Lucy was washed with care since she is fearful of water. Someone delivered a bed for her to sleep on. Her emaciated state sent another person to bring her a bag of dog food.

10/10/08- Lucy's foster mom is very concerned with her because she is having some problems. Waiting for her vet appointment on October 13, seems to far away.

10/11/08- The vet office is able to get Lucy in today and she is examined, tested for heart worms and given a fecal. Lucy is diagnosed with pyometra,
whip worms and heart worm positive. The vet says her left eye is cloudy due to trauma. She can see but not 100% in the left eye. We must decide to put her to sleep or help fight this battle. We will fight! Lucy's immune system is compromised but she deserves a chance. Her foster mom says her good-byes and will be informed when her surgery is over.

Any donations you can make to help Lucy and MMR please mail them to Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. P.O. Box 7983 Gurnee, IL 60031. Please check back as we will be updating Lucy's story soon.

Single Fawn Male Looking for a Loving Home

2008-10-07T13:58:00.001-04:00

Hello,

I'm Harley and I am looking for a family to call my own. I am very tall and handsome as you can see. I have a lot of love to give a special family.

I'm not a misfit or anything you see my family could no longer provide the care I needed so the wonderful people at Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. took me in. I was very depressed when I came into my foster home, my very best friend Heidi, an English Mastiff, passed away in April. I am in better spirits now but I haven't really bonded with the resident Mastiffs in my foster home. I really prefer my foster family.

I tip the scales at 170 pounds but I'm still down from my previous weight of 185 pounds. I love long walks at the park and absorbing all the scenery. I do however have a high prey drive so if you have small animals or cats I won't be a good fit for you. If you think I would be a good fit for your family please click the link "Forms to Adopt" to the left and complete a Family Profile, a Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. volunteer will contact you.

Hummer was adopted!

2008-10-03T10:36:00.000-04:00

Hummer came to Midwest Mastiff Rescue when his original family moved away and couldn't take him. Thanks to the efforts of the MMR group and our wonderful adoptive parents Hummer now is living in his forever home.

It's fantastic to hear success stories! It is our goal to give our rescues the opportunity to find a loving family where they will be taken care of and loved forever.

I encourage you to check out our available mastiffs. If you can foster or adopt please fill out our adoption forms/ fostering forms and someone from MMR will contact you. MMR gets calls daily for mastiffs in search of homes because they are dumped at the pound or just abandoned in these hard times. If you cannot foster or adopted please sponsor or donate to MMR. Any amount will go a long way to help with veterinary care, food, and miscellaneous expenses.

Meet Sunshine

2008-10-02T11:58:00.003-04:00

My name is Sunshine. You can call me Shiney. I turned 2 in May and I am a striking young lady tipping the scales at 155 lbs. I have always been around women so I am more comfortable with them. I have been around kids of all ages and I am fine with them. It took little time to warm up to my foster dad. I love him dearly now and I rush to the door when he comes home. My foster family has other Mastiffs and I get along just fine.

My foster mom thinks it would benefit everyone for me to get some training after I am settled in to my new forever family so that will be a requirement of my adoption. I would like a fence to keep me safe and make me comfortable so I can lay outside. My only bad habit is drinking out of the toilet. My family loved me but couldn't keep me but have always been good to me. This has been hard on them. If you are willing to commit the time and love I will be an awesome addition to your family. Email mom at tate5122@msn.com