Welcome to the official site of the Bichon Frise Club of Greater Los Angeles Our meetings/activities are held approximately every month. Visitors are always welcome. Our upcoming meeting date will be announced on this page and on members’ e-mails. Your Bichon is always welcome at our meetings and activities. (The Bichons love their “play dates.”)
Terry Ellen Collings
President, BFCGLA
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net
For information about membership, please contact Myrna Baum at myrna999@aol.com. Hope to see you soon!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
BICHON BUZZ
BICHON FRISE CLUB OF GREATER LOS ANGELES JULY 2018 |
|
NEXT MEETING
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Saturday, July 28, 2018
_________________________________________________________________________________
Hope you are having a delightful summer and that you and your Bichon can join us at our next regular Bichon Frise Club meeting. It will be Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the home of Sally Friedl, 29416 Green Grass Court, Agoura Hills, 91301 (818-813-9295-home, or 818-903-7342-cell) at 12:30 p.m. Sally even volunteered to feed us!! WOW! Great hostess!?
Important: Please RSVP to Myrna Baum at 805-306-9516 or myrna999@aol.com so we’ll have an estimated head count for lunch. You are welcome to bring a friend (even better if he/she also has a Bichon)!
Looking forward to seeing everyone and all your great Bichons, too!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Hope you are having a delightful summer and that you and your Bichon can join us at our next regular Bichon Frise Club meeting. It will be Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the home of Sally Friedl, 29416 Green Grass Court, Agoura Hills, 91301 (818-813-9295-home, or 818-903-7342-cell) at 12:30 p.m. Sally even volunteered to feed us!! WOW! Great hostess!?
Important: Please RSVP to Myrna Baum at 805-306-9516 or myrna999@aol.com so we’ll have an estimated head count for lunch. You are welcome to bring a friend (even better if he/she also has a Bichon)!
Looking forward to seeing everyone and all your great Bichons, too!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Here's Where Your Vet Checks Your Pet for Signs of Disease By Dr. Becker
When you take your dog for a wellness exam, do you have any idea what your veterinarian is looking for as he or she pokes, pushes, prods and palpates your dog? While some vets are quite forthcoming and explain what they’re doing and why each step of the way, others are considerably less communicative.
Of course, some clients aren’t especially interested in the details of their pet’s physical exam. But if you’re curious about what your vet is doing and learning about your pet during an exam, I encourage you to ask questions. If an answer you receive is confusing, ask for clarification.
Your Dog’s Physical Exam
The physical exam is a critically important part your pet’s wellness checkup. All body systems should be assessed to check for any abnormalities.
During the physical exam I also check a pet's weight, muscle tone, and joint range of motion, and measure the animal's current status against past exam findings as well as norms for the breed, age, and gender.
The following chart provided by dvm360 with my additions, may help you better prepare for your next veterinary wellness visit with your dog.
When you take your dog for a wellness exam, do you have any idea what your veterinarian is looking for as he or she pokes, pushes, prods and palpates your dog? While some vets are quite forthcoming and explain what they’re doing and why each step of the way, others are considerably less communicative.
Of course, some clients aren’t especially interested in the details of their pet’s physical exam. But if you’re curious about what your vet is doing and learning about your pet during an exam, I encourage you to ask questions. If an answer you receive is confusing, ask for clarification.
Your Dog’s Physical Exam
The physical exam is a critically important part your pet’s wellness checkup. All body systems should be assessed to check for any abnormalities.
During the physical exam I also check a pet's weight, muscle tone, and joint range of motion, and measure the animal's current status against past exam findings as well as norms for the breed, age, and gender.
The following chart provided by dvm360 with my additions, may help you better prepare for your next veterinary wellness visit with your dog.
Body Part What Your Vet Is Looking For·
Mouth * Signs of periodontal disease in teeth and gums
* Bad breath
* Tooth wear
* Fractured teeth
· * Plaque accumulation patterns
· * Tongue coat and color
· * Gum hydration and color
Neck· * Irregularities or changes in size of lymph nodes and thyroid gland
· * Cervical range of motion
· * Muscle tension from collar
Eyes· * Signs of disease
· * Discharge
· * Squinting or tearing
· * Abnormal movement or reaction to light
· * Clouding of the lens
· * Iris health and irregularities
· * Eyelid, corneal, and sclera (the white part) health
· * Changes in vision
Ears· * Signs of an ear infection (pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, yeasty smell,
discharge)
· * Excessive wax
· * Color of the pinna (flappy part)
Heart· * Weak or abnormal heart sounds
· * An abnormally fast or slow rate
· * Irregular beats or murmurs
Lungs· * Wheezing, crackling, or other abnormal lung sounds
Abdomen· * Any irregularities in the margins of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and bladder
· * Masses or tumors
· * Thickened intestines
· * Mammary chain abnormalities
Base of tail· * Abnormalities in anal glands
· * Fecal mats
· * Evidence of soft stools
· * Growths
· * Parasites, like tapeworm segments and flea dirt
Legs· * Limited range of motion in all limbs
· * Signs of pain or discomfort
· * Grinding sound in joints
Coat, skin,
and nails· * Poor overall quality of coat
· * Lumps and bumps
· * Warts and skin tags
· * Rashes
· * Areas of hair loss or excessive dander
· * Matted or saliva-stained fur
· * Fleas or ticks
· * Calluses
· * ingrown, overgrown, or flakey toenails
Holistic vets will also palpate the vertebrae down the spinal column, assess joint range of motion and health, assess the body according to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), ayurvedic or homeopathic principles, and assess pain or guarding behaviors as well as areas of tension, heat or cold.
Tests Commonly Performed During Wellness Checkups:
· Complete blood count (CBC)
The CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood's clotting ability, and the ability of your pet's immune system to respond. It provides a detailed look at the blood itself and reveals problems such as anemia or the presence of infection.
· Urinalysis
The urinalysis is used to assess the overall health of your pet's urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder, and to check for other health indicators such as glucose regulation and liver function.
A complete urinalysis measures the function of the nephrons in the kidneys and gives information about your pet's metabolic and fluid status. The test is also used to evaluate substances in the urine that might indicate an underlying disease process.
· Thyroid screen
The thyroid screen helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is an especially common ailment in older dogs. T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone.
Decreased levels of thyroid hormones often signal hypothyroidism in dogs. Performing a complete thyroid panel is important, as measuring just a T4 may not reveal an underlying thyroid problem.
· Glaucoma screen
Glaucoma testing measures the pressure in each of your pet's eyes quickly and painlessly. This is an important test because undetected glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness.
· Retinal exam
This eye test is used to check for evidence of problems deep in the eyes by viewing the structures beyond the lens, through the pupil. The retinas should be healthy and there should be no signs of bleeding, degeneration, inflammation, or detachment.
· Blood pressure measurement
This test checks your pet for hypertension (high blood pressure). Like humans, pets with hypertension are at significantly increased risk for kidney problems, heart disease, blindness, and other complications.
· X-rays
Radiographs (x-rays), if indicated, can also be helpful as part of a pet wellness checkup. If your vet finds abnormalities on physical examination, digital x-rays may be needed to identify the underlying problem. Chest x-rays, for example, can reveal certain things about the heart and lungs.
Abdominal x-rays can be used to assess the liver and kidneys. X-rays best define problems within the skeletal system, such as arthritis and bone tumors.
Since many vet clinics don't have digital x-ray equipment and their x-rays still involve radiation, I don't typically order them unless the results of other tests indicate a potential problem requiring further investigation.
Partnering with your veterinarian in the care of your dog should always be the goal. While it’s true your vet is the degreed veterinary professional in the partnership, you know your dog better than anyone, and are therefore the primary advocate for your animal companion.
As an involved, hands-on guardian, you are in the best position to make informed decisions for your pet — decisions that may not always agree 100 percent with the recommendations of your veterinarian.
Tests Commonly Performed During Wellness Checkups:
· Complete blood count (CBC)
The CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood's clotting ability, and the ability of your pet's immune system to respond. It provides a detailed look at the blood itself and reveals problems such as anemia or the presence of infection.
· Urinalysis
The urinalysis is used to assess the overall health of your pet's urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder, and to check for other health indicators such as glucose regulation and liver function.
A complete urinalysis measures the function of the nephrons in the kidneys and gives information about your pet's metabolic and fluid status. The test is also used to evaluate substances in the urine that might indicate an underlying disease process.
· Thyroid screen
The thyroid screen helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is an especially common ailment in older dogs. T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone.
Decreased levels of thyroid hormones often signal hypothyroidism in dogs. Performing a complete thyroid panel is important, as measuring just a T4 may not reveal an underlying thyroid problem.
· Glaucoma screen
Glaucoma testing measures the pressure in each of your pet's eyes quickly and painlessly. This is an important test because undetected glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness.
· Retinal exam
This eye test is used to check for evidence of problems deep in the eyes by viewing the structures beyond the lens, through the pupil. The retinas should be healthy and there should be no signs of bleeding, degeneration, inflammation, or detachment.
· Blood pressure measurement
This test checks your pet for hypertension (high blood pressure). Like humans, pets with hypertension are at significantly increased risk for kidney problems, heart disease, blindness, and other complications.
· X-rays
Radiographs (x-rays), if indicated, can also be helpful as part of a pet wellness checkup. If your vet finds abnormalities on physical examination, digital x-rays may be needed to identify the underlying problem. Chest x-rays, for example, can reveal certain things about the heart and lungs.
Abdominal x-rays can be used to assess the liver and kidneys. X-rays best define problems within the skeletal system, such as arthritis and bone tumors.
Since many vet clinics don't have digital x-ray equipment and their x-rays still involve radiation, I don't typically order them unless the results of other tests indicate a potential problem requiring further investigation.
Partnering with your veterinarian in the care of your dog should always be the goal. While it’s true your vet is the degreed veterinary professional in the partnership, you know your dog better than anyone, and are therefore the primary advocate for your animal companion.
As an involved, hands-on guardian, you are in the best position to make informed decisions for your pet — decisions that may not always agree 100 percent with the recommendations of your veterinarian.
Items to keep away from your pups:
More good Bichon information:
According to Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, CA, the most common canine ailments are ear infections. Ear infections in dogs are very uncomfortable and are typically easy to detect by human caregivers. Watch for your dog to be repeatedly shaking his or her head or for excessive itching of his or her ears. AT LEAST once a month, preferably weekly, look inside the ears for inflammation, redness or smelly discharge. Tilting of the head to one side is another common sign of an infection. If you suspect an ear infection, then an immediate veterinary examination is necessary. Untreated ear infections are not just extremely painful for your dog, but they can lead to greater problems including closure of the ear canal. Generally, on most canines, typical causes of canine ear infections include mites, bacteria, excessive wax, matted hair, or abnormal drainage.
Further, caution against wet/moist ears--they must be totally dried after a bath. Good idea to swab the ears at least once a month, or more with ALCOHOL -NOT peroxide. VPI
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
According to Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, CA, the most common canine ailments are ear infections. Ear infections in dogs are very uncomfortable and are typically easy to detect by human caregivers. Watch for your dog to be repeatedly shaking his or her head or for excessive itching of his or her ears. AT LEAST once a month, preferably weekly, look inside the ears for inflammation, redness or smelly discharge. Tilting of the head to one side is another common sign of an infection. If you suspect an ear infection, then an immediate veterinary examination is necessary. Untreated ear infections are not just extremely painful for your dog, but they can lead to greater problems including closure of the ear canal. Generally, on most canines, typical causes of canine ear infections include mites, bacteria, excessive wax, matted hair, or abnormal drainage.
Further, caution against wet/moist ears--they must be totally dried after a bath. Good idea to swab the ears at least once a month, or more with ALCOHOL -NOT peroxide. VPI
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Our BFCGLA Officers and Chairpersons:
President: Terry Collings 714-970-7194 (mtcollings@sbcglobal.net)
Vice-President: Marjie Hessamian Ungureanu
Secretary: Myrna Baum, 805-306-9516 (myrna999@aol.com)
Treasurer: Sharon Suzuki
Directors: Sandy Fair, Hertha Faulkner, Blanca Guzman, & Janice Smets
Web Master Chairman: George Steinheimer
Refreshments Chairman: Cheryl Steinheimer
Honorary Food Samplers: Toby and Baxter Steinheimer
Club Cheerleaders: Tiffany Collings, & Bon-Bon Steinheimer
Bichon Buzz: Terry Collings
Terry Collings BFCGLA
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net
714 970-7194
Here are our Friends, Fun, Food, and Fluffs at our December 2017 meeting at Topper’s Pizza in Thousand Oaks.
President: Terry Collings 714-970-7194 (mtcollings@sbcglobal.net)
Vice-President: Marjie Hessamian Ungureanu
Secretary: Myrna Baum, 805-306-9516 (myrna999@aol.com)
Treasurer: Sharon Suzuki
Directors: Sandy Fair, Hertha Faulkner, Blanca Guzman, & Janice Smets
Web Master Chairman: George Steinheimer
Refreshments Chairman: Cheryl Steinheimer
Honorary Food Samplers: Toby and Baxter Steinheimer
Club Cheerleaders: Tiffany Collings, & Bon-Bon Steinheimer
Bichon Buzz: Terry Collings
Terry Collings BFCGLA
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net
714 970-7194
Here are our Friends, Fun, Food, and Fluffs at our December 2017 meeting at Topper’s Pizza in Thousand Oaks.
|
|
|
|
October Bichon club meeting 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
We all enjoyed our September meeting (and lunch) at Lazy Dog Café in Downey.
Here’s Toby “chowing down” the chicken and brown rice bowl!
|
|
|
Happy PetExpo volunteers!
|
Our Board of Directors
|
|
Another happy Bichon meeting!
|
Looking for you July 15th
|
This photo of Marlene was taken in 2014 outside a restaurant near her home
in Lake Havasu, Arizona
in Lake Havasu, Arizona
|
|
|
In loving memory of our president, Marlene Steiner, who passed away October 22, 2016
Marlene's encouragement and guidance meant so much to all our members over the years.
Terry Collings BFCGLA
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net 714 970-7194
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net 714 970-7194
|
|
|
BFCGLA Officers
Terry Collings, Interim President 714-970-7194
Marjy Hessamian Ungureanu, Vice-President
Sharon Suzuki, Treasurer
Myrna Baum, Secretary (myrna999@aol.com)
Hertha Faulkner, Director
Webpage Manager: George Steinheimer
Food and Table preparations: Cheryl Steinheimer
Honorary Food Samplers: Toby and Baxter Steinheimer
Club Cheerleaders: Chloe Staley, Tiffany Collings, & Bon-Bon Steinheimer
________________________________________________________________________________
