Dry heat & dog farts
It's 96 F right now, with 4% relative humidity. I count the blessings of dry heat. The inside of my nose is bloody, crusty, and raw from drought-dust-allergy-induced picking and blowing and sneezing. But at least I don't have that awful sticky feeling all over, because my sweat dries up so fast I don't even know it's there. There is no risk of heat stroke because there is no way I'm going outside today any longer than it takes to scoot from air-conditioned car to air-condition post office or yoga class. Wait, my yoga class isn't air-conditioned! Oh, man. I have two hours to resolve the conflict.
After putting up with toxic dog farts for weeks and weeks, I finally did some research (i.e. googled it). I found a dog fart forum! Causes and cures are tossed back and forth along with quite original and entertaining descriptions of the phenomenon and its side effects. It's nice to know we are not alone.
I learned that old dogs get flabby gut muscles. Yes, my dog is old. I read that it's caused by using inferior dog food with too much corn and other grain fillers. Nope. It's gotten worse since I switched to Natural Balance or its Costco imitation (cause or timing? see below). Obese dog lacking exercise? Hell no. Skinny old dog who gets lots of walks and even gallops sometimes. On a fart-prone list by breed, boxer is number three. Damn. Drool + farts = no more boxers in this family!
I'm leaning toward the diminished gut microbe hypothysis. Bingo! Homie has been on antibiotics for several months, first with the Demodex infection, then after gum surgery (which can release loads of bacteria that seem to want to take the express train to the heart). There are two suggested strategies for supplementing gut microbes: yogurt & raw meat/organs. Yogurt is handy (kept on hand for fruit salads), and I don't trust grocery raw meats given the scandals around industrial-scale processing. But there's a dogfood company that sells frozen raw meat in owner-pleasing varieties such as venison and rabbit. I might try some of that myself.
After three yogurt-supplemented meals, I detect (unscientifically) a slight decrease in fart intensity and frequency. They no longer actually drive us to either leave the room or expel the dog from the room amid moans, gags, and expletives. I still want to try the raw meat, especially since one of the places in town that sells it also has a self-service dogwash.
After putting up with toxic dog farts for weeks and weeks, I finally did some research (i.e. googled it). I found a dog fart forum! Causes and cures are tossed back and forth along with quite original and entertaining descriptions of the phenomenon and its side effects. It's nice to know we are not alone.
I learned that old dogs get flabby gut muscles. Yes, my dog is old. I read that it's caused by using inferior dog food with too much corn and other grain fillers. Nope. It's gotten worse since I switched to Natural Balance or its Costco imitation (cause or timing? see below). Obese dog lacking exercise? Hell no. Skinny old dog who gets lots of walks and even gallops sometimes. On a fart-prone list by breed, boxer is number three. Damn. Drool + farts = no more boxers in this family!
I'm leaning toward the diminished gut microbe hypothysis. Bingo! Homie has been on antibiotics for several months, first with the Demodex infection, then after gum surgery (which can release loads of bacteria that seem to want to take the express train to the heart). There are two suggested strategies for supplementing gut microbes: yogurt & raw meat/organs. Yogurt is handy (kept on hand for fruit salads), and I don't trust grocery raw meats given the scandals around industrial-scale processing. But there's a dogfood company that sells frozen raw meat in owner-pleasing varieties such as venison and rabbit. I might try some of that myself.
After three yogurt-supplemented meals, I detect (unscientifically) a slight decrease in fart intensity and frequency. They no longer actually drive us to either leave the room or expel the dog from the room amid moans, gags, and expletives. I still want to try the raw meat, especially since one of the places in town that sells it also has a self-service dogwash.
posted by Cranky Ol' Lady at 3:06 PM
2 Comments:
Speaking of dog washes, sometime after you left Okla I read that Tulsa does have a place that includes self-service dog washes. I've already forgotten where it is!
Remember you left Homie's 'natural' dog treats here? I started giving Eddie one (and they are huge) each evening. I noticed his poops became more Homie-like, really dark on the outside and a but mushy on the inside, and usually his poops are well-formed and very easy to pick up with tongs. So I began giving him 1/3 to 1/2 a natural treat on most evenings but not every evening, and his poop is back to normal. It might not be the treats, but then again maybe it is.
Homie hasn't been getting the farty treats because my hubby bought a box of milkbones.
The yogurt supplement has worked beautifully. After three meals with yogurt he's almost fartless (sorry we didn't figure this out while I was visiting :-).
Post a Comment
<< Home