Lewis performs a chin rest on my hand while I wear a plastic glove
If someone ever invents an overshadowing Bingo game, Lewis and I will win!
About Overshadowing
Sometimes a stimulus we try to classically condition has more than one aspect that can be sensed, like an object that can be both seen and smelled. This kind of stimulus is called a compound stimulus. The phenomenon of overshadowing may occur when compound stimuli are conditioned because one of the simple stimuli will likely prevent the other/s from being conditioned fully or at all.
I recently encountered a situation where potentially five different stimuli were “competing” to be classically conditioned. And of those five, the one most likely to “win” the conditioning was not the one that I needed the most. I had to tackle the problem, because it was in a training project that was important for Lewis’ wellbeing.
Oromucosal Medicine Administration
Lewis has been diagnosed with sound phobia to fireworks and thunderstorms, and one of his medications is to be delivered topically to his gum and cheek tissue.
The instructions for administering this medicine require that the human wear protective gloves so as not to touch the medicinal gel, which can be absorbed through, for example, a cut in the skin. Gloves are a new thing for Lewis.
I thought about whether I should use classical conditioning to help him have a positive response to the gloves and gathered up what I needed. I use disposable kitchen gloves for a lot of tasks, so that’s what I got out. Whoa! These gloves make a distinctive noisy rattle when touched or manipulated. You can’t even get them out of the box without the dog hearing them.
You probably see where this is going.
I wanted Lewis to have good feelings about the gloves. But what aspect of them? How many things are potentially different for a dog when you put a glove on your hand for a husbandry task, one that includes putting your finger in the dog’s mouth? How about:
the sight of the glove on the hand
the sound the glove makes
the feeling of being touched by a gloved hand
the odor of the glove
the taste of the glove
We’ve potentially got all five senses involved; the gloves present a compound stimulus.
Bingo?
How about another list? How many things about the gloves might bother Lewis? No need to repeat; it’s the same list. But knowing him, I would guess that having a gloved finger stuck in his mouth between his cheek and gums would bug him the most. But of all these, the sound often happens first, and is super salient. How can I classically condition the mouth touch without it being overshadowed by the crackle of the glove?
The Environment Would Like a Word
The plastic kitchen gloves I have are awful for the environment. I would make a different decision now. There is no perfect disposable glove yet, but latex is made from rubber and some latex gloves can be biodegradable. Reusable rubber gloves would be better than what I have, but they are too bulky for this job with this dog. Feel free to comment with suggestions.
Solutions to the Overshadowing Problem
So, how do I make sure that Lewis has positive feelings about being touched (in the mouth) by the gloves, given that classical conditioning is more likely to attach to the sound of them? Here are the possibilities I considered.
Different gloves: I’m sure some of you are internally screaming a solution. Get different gloves! Quieter ones! Good idea. I’ll be looking for a better choice. But in the meantime, I’ll proceed with what I have.
Workarounds: There are some things I could try to do about the sound. I could put on the gloves in a far part of the house and play masking sounds while I did that, just to be sure. Then I could approach Lewis and do whatever step of the plan comes next. Show him a gloved hand, treat. Or touch him with a gloved finger, treat. That could prevent some of the predictive power of rattling the gloves. But when I show him or touch him, the gloves will still make noise.
Use an operant training plan: This is the solution I chose. The gloves were not scary to Lewis; they were just new and weird. So rather than aiming for classical conditioning, I went for desensitization coupled with operant conditioning.
For our first session, I tossed him a couple of treats when I got the gloves out. Then I reinforced sniffing the glove, nose-targeting the glove while I held it loosely, and nose-targeting it while it was on my hand. Then I asked him to do a chin rest on a towel in my lap with the glove on top. Lewis said, “This is easy money!”
In the next sessions, I had the glove on my right hand and touched his cheek while I held his muzzle with my left. We had previously worked on this step without the glove.
The video includes excerpts from the three training sessions where we progressed from him accepting my finger in his mouth to accepting my gloved finger in his mouth. We spent six to seven minutes of training over three sessions, which was more time than he needed.
Watch with sound if you want to hear how noisy the gloves are (and hear me say, “Good boy!” about a thousand times).
The operant work with the gloves made them predictors of good things (classical conditioning rode along). This work gave Lewis a great foundation for the next step: putting a syringe between his cheek and gum while wearing gloves. The gloved finger was a good early substitute for the syringe.
Introducing the syringe on the outside of Lewis’ mouth
Compound Stimuli
Multiple simultaneous stimuli are happening all the time. When presenting an object, you can bet that most dogs will smell it as well as see it. Lots of visual stimuli make noises, too. As one textbook points out, it’s almost impossible to avoid multiple stimuli (Pierce & Cheney, 2008, p. 58). This experience has made me think about them a lot more. The Bingo game is not all that unusual. I’m pleased I figured out a way to win this time.
Thank you to the several professionals who provided materials and direct help for Lewis’ husbandry training. I could not have done it alone!
Copyright 2025 Eileen Anderson
References
Pierce, W. D., & Cheney, C. D. (2008). Behavior analysis and learning (4th ed.). Psychology Press.
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In the photo above, Clara is waiting to grab the toy, which I have been moving around with the flirt pole. She will grab it when I give the release cue. Does this demonstrate 1) impulse control; or 2) stimulus control?
Answer: both. Keep reading.
I get it. The terms “impulse control” and “self-control” don’t sound good to positive reinforcement-based trainers. They sound blame-y. “My dog shouldn’t have grabbed that cheese off the counter; he should have had more self-control.” “Did you see her jump at that tug and almost bite my hand? She needs to learn impulse control!”
These terms seem to leave behavior science behind and label the dog. They seem to relate to negative character traits or internal states that we can’t know (but don’t like the results of). People claim they don’t have a definition in behavior science.
But guess what? They do! They have a specific definition in behavior science, well operationalized, with a long history of study. And there is no blame, no fictional narrative implied. The Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and other journals have a wealth of articles on self-control and impulse control.
For the rest of this piece, I will use the term “self-control” to cover Impulse control as well. They overlap in definition (Cooper et al., 2007, p. 16).
This is just the kind of thing I like to tackle, but I always hesitate and consider the implications. Am I nitpicking? Maybe, but I believe there is value in acknowledging a field of study that seems to be little known, and acknowledging the nuances in both concepts. So let’s start with definitions.
Definitions and Examples of Self-Control
Here is a definition of self-control from the literature of applied behavior analysis.
Self-control [is] exemplified by choosing a large delayed reinforcer rather than a small immediate one . . . — Grosch & Neuringer, 1981
This is a straightforward scientific definition. Behaviors that fit this definition can be observed and operationalized.
But the term “self-control” unfortunately has the same issue as “punishment.” The behavior analytic definition is different from the more common usage. Worse, it also differs from the definition in psychology. But we don’t stop using the word punishment; we take the time to explain. We can do that for “self-control.”
Cooper et al. mention two definitions of self-control. One relates to the Grosch & Neuringer definition above. The other was defined and used by Skinner (1953). I’ll discuss that definition in a short section near the end of this piece.
Here is a definition from the field of psychology: “The ability to resist an impulse, desire, or temptation and to regulate its translation into action” (APA dictionary). This definition has become the lay understanding of the term. But with its abstractions about internal states, there is nothing useful in it for the applied study of behavior.
. . . it is more appropriate to measure choice making behaviors. It has been described that the impulsive choice is selected when the participant chooses the smaller, more immediate reinforcer. The choice is deemed to be a self-controlled choice if the participant chooses the larger, more delayed reinforcer over a smaller, immediate reinforcer. As a result, the abstraction that self-control is a private event is minimized, if not eliminated. Instead, only the choices that are made and observed are considered within the definition. — McKeel & Dixon, 2014 (added bold mine)
In training, the definition of self-control applies to certain skills we teach. Lack of self-control is not a character trait or a label. Nor is it a pathology; it covers a lot of ordinary dog (and human) behavior.
Self-control behaviors can be operationalized when we know our species and our individual. In the photo at the top, I had moved a toy very close to Clara. Being a dog (species) who likes to play with a toy by grabbing, biting, and pulling (species/individual), her likely behavior would be to grab it. But rather than the moving toy being the cue for a grab, my release cue is the cue for it. (If you think that’s relevant to stimulus control, you’re right. But let’s wait before getting further into it.)
Waiting gets her the larger, delayed reward, rather than the immediate, smaller one. The delayed reward is more intense because I have created a history that I will play with her heartily if she waits. She has learned self-control behaviors that help the game be safer for me and still fun for her.
Self-control behaviors have been studied in many species. Check out the references for an interesting article about cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) performing self-control behavior (Schnell et al., 2021).
Here’s an article about self-control in the toutouwai (Petroica longipes), a songbird from Aotearoa (McCallum & Shaw, 2024).
Definitions and Examples of Stimulus Control
While self-control is straightforward and simple to operationalize, stimulus control is a complex topic. Behavior science books generally have a large section or whole chapter on the topic.
A behavior is said to be under stimulus control when there is an increased probability that the behavior will occur in the presence of a specific antecedent stimulus or a stimulus from a specific stimulus class. — Miltenberger, 2008, p. 145
Although the definitions use specific wording, the concept seems so abstract. At least one textbook I checked says that stimulus control is used as a label (Mayer et al., 2019, p. 326), a common criticism of the term self-control in the dog training world.
The stock phrases in the dog world have not helped. Many people, including me, have defined stimulus control by listing some “rules” about it that are training guidelines. These rules don’t comprise the definition. You can read them in this old post of mine.
I’m going to give some examples of the use of the term stimulus control, because that’s been the easiest way for me to have a beginning understanding of it.
What is the stimulus that is influencing Zani to rise onto her hind legs and sniff?
A friend who is an excellent trainer and works in applied behavior analysis posted a video I liked. It shows how she taught her dog to find an item by scent. In the description, she mentions the period when the “stimulus control of the behavior of approaching the item switches from the sight of it to the odor of it.”
At first, the discriminative stimulus for the behavior of approaching the object is it appearing in the dog’s field of vision. Then, as the trainer starts to put the item farther away and out of sight, at some point the dog starts using his nose. The discriminative stimulus is now the odor (although the sight of the item can remain a factor for visible items). We can observe the change in his behavior: he is now sniffing, whereas before he appeared mainly to be looking.
But doesn’t have to be just one stimulus. Many behaviors are under the control of multiple stimuli. Paul Chance says:
Sometimes stimulus control is exerted not by a single stimulus but by a complex array of stimuli that, collectively, influence behavior. We behave differently at a formal ball than we do at a square dance, and behavior that would be acceptable at a beach party is unacceptable at a dinner party. — Chance, 2003, p. 84
For another example involving dogs, think of the stimulus of time of day and how often that pairs with other stimuli to signal the availability of reinforcement. If I go pick up my dog’s food toy when it’s not time for a meal, he may keep an eye on me, but he won’t jump up and perform “getting ready to eat” behaviors. But if I pick it up at his usual breakfast time, the time of day plus picking up the toy together comprise an excellent prediction of an imminent meal. Either one of those by itself is a much weaker predictor.
And for my example at the beginning with Clara, when I taught Clara a self-control behavior (waiting until cued to grab the toy) I changed the stimulus control from the movement of the toy to my cue.
The “Control” Part of Stimulus Control
Since behavior relies on probabilities, control is perhaps not the best word, but it’s the one we’ve got. I agree with Dr. Susan Friedman’s suggestion of the term “stimulus influence,” which loses the negative connotations of “control” and the idea that control is absolute. Pierce and Cheney’s definition (2017, p. 171) includes that “A controlling stimulus (S) is said to alter the probability of an operant.” (added bold mine)
Skinner and Self-Control
Skinner used the term “self-control” to describe what we might call “self-management” (1953, Chapter XV Self-Control, p. 227–241). He wrote of arranging stimuli ahead of time to encourage a certain behavior in oneself later.
Here are some modern examples. If I decided to cut sugary snacks from my diet, an early step might be for me to remove all such snacks from my house. And if I wanted to decrease a fast-food habit, I might start food prepping or buy a bunch of easy-to-prepare frozen meals. These actions would fall into Skinner’s category of “self-control.” We would call them antecedent arrangements. It’s interesting, because they would not fall into the popular definition of self-control at all. We’d say such actions were removing the necessity of self-control. An example of the popular definition of self-control would be the ability to have the snacks in the house and not eat them.
Are Self-Control and Stimulus Control Opposites?
I have seen claims that these two concepts that apply to behavior are opposites in effect or implication. I don’t agree. This claim depends on using the psychology definition of self-control rather than the behavior analysis one. The latter is operationalizable, and does not oppose or conflict with the concept of stimulus control at all.
I understand the reasons not to use the terms self-control and impulse control. The standard definitions have baggage we don’t want to carry into positive reinforcement-based training. There are situations where it may be best “not to go there.” But keep in mind, self-control behaviors can be described and classified, there need be no moral judgment attached, and a trainer need not rely on aversive techniques to teach them.
Copyright 2025 Eileen Anderson
References
Chance, P. (2003). Learning and Behavior (5th ed.). Thomson-Wadsworth.
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Pearson.
Gao, Z., Wang, H., Lu, C., Lu, T., Froudist-Walsh, S., Chen, M., Wang, X., Hu, J., & Sun, W. (2021). The neural basis of delayed gratification. Science Advances, 7(49), eabg6611.
Grosch, J., & Neuringer, A. (1981). Self-control in pigeons under the Mischel Paradigm. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 35, 3–21. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.35-3
Mayer, G. R., Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & Wallace, M. (2019). Behavior analysis for lasting change (4th ed.). Sloan Pub..
McCallum, E., & Shaw, R. C. (2024). Measuring self-control in a wild songbird using a spatial discounting task. Animal Cognition, 27(1), 1-16.
McKeel, A. N., & Dixon, M. R. (2014). Furthering a behavior analytic account of self-control using relational frame theory. Behavioral Development Bulletin, 19(2), 111.
Miltenberger, R. G. (2008). Behavior modification (4th ed.). Wadsworth.
Pierce, W. D., & Cheney, C. D. (2017). Behavior analysis and learning: A biobehavioral approach (4th ed.). Routledge.
Schnell, A. K., Boeckle, M., Rivera, M., Clayton, N. S., & Hanlon, R. T. (2021). Cuttlefish exert self-control in a delay of gratification task. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 288(1946), 20203161.
Skinner, B. F. (1953) Science and human behavior. Pearson.
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Help other pets like Kaia get the care they deserve
Posted on: May 6th, 2025 @ 9:00 am, By
Kim Leary
In 2018, Kaia arrived at Homeward Pet Adoption Center, and it didn’t take long before she found a loving home. However, when a new baby joined the family, Kaia struggled to adjust. Having a young child in the house proved stressful for Kaia. She became withdrawn, and her reactivity grew as her stress did.
Her loving owners reached out to Homeward Pet. For five years, Homeward Pet Adoption Support provided behavior training, guidance, and support to try to help her thrive with her growing family.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, and although her family loved her deeply, they ultimately made the difficult decision to return her to Homeward Pet. They wanted the best for this sweet girl and hoped Kaia could find a quieter, more predictable home, better suited to her sensitive needs.
Upon Kaia’s return to the shelter, our team worked patiently to match her with a foster home that could gift her with an environment to help her decompress from years of stress. We introduced her to her potential foster family multiple times to ensure a smooth transition.
Unfortunately, the first night in her foster home, Kaia suffered what can only be described as a panic attack. She was so terrified of her new surroundings she tried to escape by throwing herself at walls and out of windows. At midnight, our team received a call from her foster family, who rushed to bring her safely back to the shelter.
After allowing time to settle back into life in the shelter, Kaia underwent a sedated physical exam and extensive testing. The results revealed she was hypothyroid – a condition that can heighten anxiety. With new medication and a treatment plan in place, Kaia miraculously began to seem less stressed.
To ensure she could feel safe and happy in a home again, our team went the extra mile. After a few months of care in the shelter, staff members were able to secure an AirBNB for an overnight to see how Kaia would do in a home environment.
Kaia had a blast – she curled up on the couch with staff, cozied in, and took a peaceful nap. In fact, she felt so at home, she even stole a piece of pizza when she woke from her nap!
Because of your incredible generosity, Homeward Pet was able to provide Kaia with the specialized veterinary and behavioral support she desperately needed to treat and ease her anxiety. Today, Kaia is ready to find her forever family.
Your GiveBIG gift isn’t just a donation. It’s a lifeline for pets like Kaia and so many others still waiting for a second chance.
Take advantage of our match pool and DOUBLE your gift, today! Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for giving animals like Kaia the care they deserve.
Meet the faces of Homeward Pet Giving Tuesday 2023
Posted on: November 28th, 2023 @ 9:21 am, By
Kim Leary
Lola’s Journey Home
As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on why I’m an avid supporter of Homeward Pet. It goes back to the summer of 2020 when I took in an acquaintance’s dog after she’d escaped from their home twice in the short time they’d had her. They asked me for help when they realized they couldn’t give Lola what she needed. Lola really needed a home with another dog to help her cope with anxiety. After fostering 60+ dogs, I was sure that my friendly dogs would boost Lola’s confidence and help her “learn how to dog” until she was ready to be adopted.
Lola was comfortable around other dogs but fearful and avoided contact with people. She was not at all aggressive, but didn’t like to be touched, wouldn’t eat with people in the room, and wouldn’t move around the house or go outside without a doggy helper to keep her company. Additionally, from what I knew about Lola’s background, it didn’t appear she’d ever had any vet care.
After another shelter wouldn’t accept Lola as an owner surrender, I reached out to Homeward Pet. Lola needed vet care and I needed support from dog behavior experts. Within 24 hours, Homeward Pet had agreed to take her in as an owner surrender and accepted me as a new foster volunteer. Homeward Pet’s Vet Clinic examined her, administered vaccinations, and spayed her. The Behavior Team consulted with me on Lola’s behavior and gave me pointers for monitoring body language, letting her make good choices, made suggestions about introducing her to other people, how to address her mild separation anxiety, and how to approach training at a pace that would build her confidence and not increase her anxiety.
Everything Homeward Pet did during this time was individually tailored to Lola’s specific needs. The shelter modified their normal intake, foster and adoption processes in ways that served Lola best and minimized her anxiety.
I fostered Lola for six months and, in that time, I became a Homeward Pet supporter for life. They truly “live their commitment” to give every animal the individual time and care needed to be ready for their adoptive home. It was no surprise to anyone when Lola and my other dogs decided she was already home, and I ended up adopting her. Today Lola still has some quirks that will probably be with her for life, but she’s relaxed and comfortable with people once she gets to know them and brings smiles to people we see on walks with her goofy grin and exuberant full body rolls.
I decided to give back by serving on Homeward Pet’s Board, fostering dogs when I can, and digging deep to donate to the programs that make Homeward Pet so special. There are many deserving animal welfare organizations in the area, but none, in my mind, more deserving than Homeward Pet.
Since I started volunteering for Homeward Pet, I’ve witnessed the shelter’s same commitment to many other dogs and cats that need medical care and behavior support so that they can live happy lives in adoptive homes.
Please join me in supporting Homeward Pet with a heartfelt donation during this holiday season. Every single donation makes a difference.
Sincerely,
Victoria Mabus
Board of Director Member and foster volunteer
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Transforming Fear to Trust: Bowie’s Journey and why your support matters
How do you help an animal that won’t interact? That was the problem we faced when Bowie and his brother Magnet came to Homeward Pet. Here were two beautiful, healthy dogs who had spent their lives outdoors, away from human contact, and had developed no trust in people. When they came to Homeward Pet, these boys kept to the back of their kennel whenever anyone approached.
Homeward Pet’s Behavior Senior Manager, Jenny Black, evaluated both dogs as individuals even though they came in together. She saw what these boys needed, and the persistence and patience it would require. She engaged the Behavior Team, a group of experienced volunteers, which I am proud to be part of. We worked with both dogs multiple times a day. At first, we would sit outside their kennel, talking to them and tossing them treats to help them build confidence and trust.
We knew the care plan would take time – weeks or even months. While this is problematic at many shelters, Homeward Pet has the unique combination of trained staff, dedicated volunteers, and the ability to invest time in individual animals to prepare them for success in their future home.
Eventually, we were able to be inside the kennel with them. I remember the breakthrough day when Bowie stayed with me and let me pat him for the first time. I knew we were getting through! After deciding to train the brothers separately, we were able to acclimatize Bowie to his harness and leash, eventually taking him on walks.
Bowie began to thrive. He became more curious, more adventurous, and more engaging. It wasn’t long after that I took him for a walk and thought “finally – he’s just a normal dog!”
Bowie was adopted almost a year ago and continues to thrive in a loving home. Your dedication and support is why Homeward Pet can say yes to animals that may need more support in learning to be a well-adjusted household pet.
This dedication is one of the many reasons I support Homeward Pet, with my time as a Board Member and Behavior Modification Volunteer, and financially as a donor.
Meet Sophie: Resilient, Loving, and the power of second chances
You know those cats that are always happy to see you, no matter the circumstance? That is Sophie. Sophie is a gorgeous 12-year-old tortoiseshell cat. Torties are usually considered the “divas” of the cat world, so you’d think she’d have some sass in her. But she ended up being one of the sweetest cats I ever encountered at Homeward Pet.
When Sophie first arrived at Homeward Pet, she was lethargic, wasn’t eating well, and was bit timid. After the clinic ran multiple tests, Sophie was diagnosed with both thyroid and kidney disease. Sophie was immediately started on meds to treat the symptoms and help her feel better.
I was fortunate to visit her on numerous occasions. At first, she was very shy and scared. But slowly she blossomed and started feeling better! During the last few times I visited her, she came out of her cat cave, purring and happy to see me. I learned that she loves head and chin scratches and is the ultimate lap cat. Once she started feeling better medically and less shy in her environment, she became the same way with everyone at the shelter.
Homeward Pet gifts their residents with whatever amount of time it takes for them to be ready to open up to the possibilities of a new home. Sophie took a little longer than many, but, for those of us who love the animals we get to interact with during their stay, that is often a bonus – for both us and them.
Sophie exemplifies why I chose to volunteer at Homeward Pet. Cats come to us from all over Washington State and have pasts that represent many circumstances. The older cats can be overlooked because it is hard to resist an adorable kitten. However older cats, like Sophie, are very special too and have so much love to give. Homeward Pet allowed Sophie time to showcase that she is a sweet and loving companion. And this time allowed her to select the perfect next home.
I hope we can count on your support for cats like Sophie that need a little extra time.
Sincerely,
Shannon Kilpatrick
Member of the 2023 HPAC Board of Directors and Volunteer
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Finding Joy in Shelter Pets: Scarlett’s Journey and how you can help
When I tell people I volunteer at an animal shelter, a response I receive far too often is, “ohhh…that must be hard.”
Which is funny, because when I think of the time I spend with the dogs and cats at Homeward Pet, it’s the easiest thing in the world. And only one word truly captures my experience:
Joy.
Soul-bursting, beaming, ear-to-ear-grinning joy.
The kind of joy that sticks with you no matter how much fur ends up all over your clothes. How much poop you clean up on a particularly messy morning. How much drool ends up all over your face from a rambunctious 125+ pound pit mix who is quite convinced that, yes, she IS a lap dog.
It’s this joy that keeps me coming back week after week.
Currently, I have a favorite little pint-sized snuggle buddy. When we first met, Scarlett was so shy and under-socialized that just sitting in front of her kennel was a Big Deal for her to grapple with. Was that hard to see? Absolutely. But, at Homeward Pet, devoting time, love, patience, and the invaluable expertise of our staff and volunteers to transform hard beginnings into happy endings is what we’re all about. Every little blossoming of confidence, every tentative step toward a piece of tossed cheese, every tiny tail wag when a familiar face approached? Now, that’s the stuff we live for. That’s the joy. Watching Scarlett transform from an anxious new arrival to a rambunctious, acrobatic ball-of-bounce who will gladly jump several feet in the air to lick your face has been priceless. Scarlett has brought us so much joy at the shelter, and I know that when she finds her family, they’ll adore her as much as we do.
This Giving Tuesday, I urge you to think about joy—how much pets have brought into your life, and how little they’ve asked of you in return. And I implore you to celebrate and honor that joy by joining us in making life better for the homeless dogs and cats in our community.
Member of the 2023 HPAC Board of Directors, and Volunteer since 2012
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Introducing the stars of this year’s Giving Tuesday Stories
As the biggest giving day of the year approaches, I’d like to highlight Homeward Pet Adoption Center. Homeward Pet has been serving our communities for 33 years, bringing together thousands of loving homes and the pets that need those homes.
In addition to making happy pet matches, Homeward Pet is a local leader in offering the community services needed to give a bit of extra assistance to help families keep pets in their homes when difficulties arise. Our in-house Vet Clinic provides spay and neuter services to the public 4 times a month, our animal behavior specialists provide support and referrals to the public in addition to the animals in our care, we operate a pet food bank, and our Home to Home team helps families that need to rehome a pet with tools to do so without putting their pet through a shelter stay.
This week you’ll get to hear the stories of some of the pets whose lives Homeward Pet has transformed — from the volunteers who worked with them while they stayed with us.
You’ll hear from …
Sam, who will share the story of Scarlett, a skittish pup, who is still looking for her forever home.
Shannon who will share a story about Sophie, a cat who needed a little extra time to learn to trust.
And Peter, who will share about Bowie, a dog who spent almost a year at Homeward Pet working through some challenging behaviors before finding someone who would love him and his anxiety.
And you’ll hear my girl Lola’s pandemic story.
If you love animals, I know you’ll enjoy hearing their stories. And if you’re moved by their stories, please join the Board of Directors for Homeward Pet and other supporters by donating to Homeward Pet this Giving Tuesday. Your donations are critical so we can continue to provide the programs that truly transform pets’ lives.
With gratitude,
Victoria Mabus
Dog Lover, Foster Volunteer, Board Member
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
P.S. Check back in on this post throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday to read the individual stories of the featured Giving Tuesday pets.
Before you decide to take on any kind of pet you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning it is possible that they will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health related issue as they get older.
You need to make sure that you read the label on the food that you are getting for your cat. Although it may seem strange because your cat is a pet, their nutrition is still just as important as yours is which is why you should read the ingredients so that you are aware of what is in the food you are giving your cat. You also need to pay attention to what formula of cat food that you are purchasing. They have food for adult cats, kittens, aging cats, cats on diets, and everything in between. You don’t want to be feeding your kitten the wrong kind of food.
The Basics Of Cat Feeding
After picking up the right food for your cat, there is a matter of where to feed your cat, when to feed your cat, and how much to feed them. If you have never owned a cat before this can be quite a tricky process to figure out all on your own. First and foremost, you need to find a place that is ideal for your cat to eat at.
Think about it from your cat’s perspective, you really wouldn’t want to eat while adults and kids are running all around you and being loud. This is why you need to find a place that is quiet and accessible for your cat to have their food and water bowl. Once you decide on a particular place, don’t keep changing it around because cats don’t always deal well with that type of change.
Keep in mind that your cat might make a bit of a mess when they are drinking and eating so it may not be wise to put the food and water in an area that is going to be ruined by the mess. You also need to make sure that you are keeping the bowls clean and changing the water out on a regular basis in order to avoid your cat getting sick.
If you are not a cat owner yet, or you are becoming one for the first time and want to be prepared for the commitment, you might find very useful the following entry: Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Important Tips, And What Supplies To Get. In this previous chapter we explain What you need to check before getting a new cat, how to deal with your new kitten, and more.
How To Feed A Cat
As far as when you should feed your cat, it is good to get your cat into the habit of eating at a particular time each day. Just as humans eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times, so should your cat. Of course this might not be quite so easy if you are away from the house during the day, but there is a solution. If the cat is eating dry cat food you can simply put the entire day’s ration into the food bowl and your cat can eat from it throughout the day.
If you aren’t sure you want to put it all in, you can choose to be half of it in the bowl. It’s really up to you and your schedule as to what a regular and convenient feeding schedule will be, but it is wise to get a regular pattern started. Listed below will give you some ideas as to how to coordinate your feeding schedule:
At 4-6 weeks: 1/2 to 1 oz – 3 to 4 times per day.
At 7 weeks to 6 months: 1 to 3 oz – 3 to 4 times per day.
At 7 months to 1 year: 3 oz – 2 times per day or you can leave 6 oz in their bowl all day.
You can also look on the package of cat food that you buy for what they suggest you feed your cat.
Just as there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when feeding your cat, there are also certain thing that you shouldn’t do when feeding your cat:
You shouldn’t give your cat bones; this is a good rule for any pet whether they are a cat or a dog. Chicken bones, pork bones, and fish bones are a big no because they can cause quite a bit of damage to your cats tummy and throat that could lead to a trip to the veterinarian or worse.
Again a good tip for any animal, don’t give your cat leftovers from the table. Although you think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a treat, you could be making a bigger problem when your cat begins to avoid their cat food.
Cats can’t eat two foods in particular, the first being chocolate and the second being onions. Both of these foods are considered a toxic food to your cat.
Despite what you may have seen on television or in the movies, cats do not need to drink milk. What more, if you give milk to your cat you might find yourself cleaning up after an icky mess since it can cause diarrhea.
The last tip is not to feed your cat any other animal’s food. They need the nutrients that are in their cat food and dog food won’t quite give them what they need.
As time goes on and you have your cat, you will find out what foods or pet foods your cat can tolerate.
How Do I Know If My Cat Is Fat?
Cats are very similar to people in many ways. Just as it is important to watch what is going into your cat’s tummy, you also need to keep an eye on how much is going into your cat’s tummy. When people eat too much food, over time they become overweight.
Cats are the same, if they become used to eating however much they want, when they want, it is a sure bet that you will have a pretty fat cat on your hands after a while. This is especially true as your cat gets older and less active. If you aren’t sure if your cat is fat or not, there are a few telling signs that you can look for that are pretty similar as to when you can tell if a person is overweight.
A double chin is always a telling sign of a weight problem. If you find that your cat has a bunch of fat underneath their chin, they might have a weight problem.
A big stomach is another sign, if their stomach is hanging, they might have a weight problem.
Another is whether or not you can feel your cat’s ribs. On a healthy cat you should be able to feel their rib cage, if you cannot feel your cat’s rib cage then your cat is definitely overweight.
Just as people think that their weight might not be a big deal, many cat owners might not feel it too distressing that their cat is a little overweight. The reality is that being overweight can cause many health problems in your cat. The more weight your cat has on their body, the more weight and pressure they have to carry around on a daily basis. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what and how much your cat is eating. If you do find that your cat is overweight you should probably speak to your veterinarian about it and look into buying a specially formulated cat food for overweight cats.
Are you still looking for the perfect feline companion for you and your family? Choosing a cat is a serious matter you need to pay attention to when you’ve taken the decision to be a proud cat owner. Different cat breeds have different needs and personality traits you must be aware of before bringing home a new kitten. Take a look at this: Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Selecting A New Cat Or Kitten. This article will help you realize what kind of cat is best for you.
Your Cat Needs To Have Some Physical Activity
Whether you have an overweight cat or not, it’s important to make sure that your cat gets the exercise they need. If your cat isn’t overweight then the exercise will help keep them active and avoid such a predicament, but if your cat is overweight then the exercise will help them to trim off a few pounds.
The great thing is that exercising with your cat doesn’t have to be a tedious activity; it can be a lot of fun. Below are a few ideas that will help you get an exercise program started with your cat:
Try to get your cat to run around some time.
Take a walk with your cat.
Get your cat some new toys that will encourage him to exercise and jump around.
Strategically place toys and treats all around the house to encourage your cat to walk around.
Switch up the games that you play with your cat so he doesn’t get bored.
Even if you are away during the day, leave approved toys out for your cat to play with.
Sometimes it helps your cat’s activity level if they have another feline companion to play with while you are away.
Important Note:
Just because you like to switch your food around because something was cheaper at the store, or a new product looked better, doesn’t mean that your cat should jump around from one cat food to another. Once your cat becomes used to a certain type of food, switching to another brand because it was on sale doesn’t always agree with their stomachs.
If it happens that you want to switch your cat’s food then you need to do it slowly. Do not just decide to replace cat food A with cat food B the next day, if so you might find you have a cat with a very upset stomach. In order to switch your cat’s food without all of the digestion trouble you will need to put just a bit more into each meal, this process can take a few weeks before the switch is complete.
Trying To Feed Your Kitten
Dealing with a kitten is completely different than feeding a grown cat. A kitten is essentially a baby in every way and needs the right amount of nutrition in order to go from being a kitten to a healthy grown cat. Kittens are just like babies in that they need to eat right in order to have strong bones, muscles, and a nervous system. You can’t feed a kitten the same things that a full grown cat eats; they need their own special food until they are old enough to move onto the next step
It’s always smart to consult with your doctor before you start a regular feeding routine for your kitten, but you do need to recognize that because they have such high energy, they need the proper food to fuel their bodies. You will find that your kitten will nibble throughout the day because they have a smaller stomach than a full grown cat.
Just as with human babies, there are going to be times that your kitten doesn’t seem particularly interested in food such as when they are teething or have lost a baby tooth. In the same instance your kitten may eat a little more during growth spurts and such. Even when you kitten begins to look and act like an adult cat, don’t rush out and buy adult cat food, they need to stick with the kitten cat food until they are a year old because of their need for a lot of calories.
There might also come instances that you need to consult with your veterinarian about your cat’s food needs such as if your female feline becomes pregnant or if your cat has health problems that are related to what they eat.
The Health Of Your Feline
Before you decide to take on any kind of pet you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning it is possible that they will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health related issue as they get older.
There are also certain that you need to do a little bit of research in order to be aware of the benefits and side effects. Also there are precautions that you can take as a cat owner in order to protect your cats health and well being.
Make sure that all harmful plants are removed from the area in which your cat lives. Some plants can be poisonous when a cat chews on them.
Cats can suffer from diabetes. Some might find it strange that humans and cats can share the same illnesses, but it is quite common for a cat to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you suspect this from your cat you should definitely call your veterinarian for further measures.
If there is anything that sparks your concern such as if you cat acts listless, has yucky stuff coming from their eyes or nose, or if they look like they aren’t eating, even though you know they are, you should trust your instincts and contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
Do not let your cat play with yarn or string. All can be fun and games until your cat swallows it and then it becomes a serious matter. If such an instance occurs you need to contact your veterinarian, but it might help to know that white petroleum jelly might help to coat the stomach so that the string or yarn can get out of your cat’s tummy with little harm.
Taking care of a pet is a serious matter, as a pet owner you must be informed of what is best for your beloved companion. In this entry you will find useful resources: The Best Homemade Pet Food According To Our Pet Food Advisor. Here you will learn about pet nutrition and homemade natural pet food.
What To Expect From A Healthy Cat
If you aren’t sure what to expect with your cat here are a few bits of information that will help prepare you as your cat grows from a kitten to a full grown cat. Within the first month your kitten will begin getting its baby teeth. At two months old a kitten can be fully weaned from their mother who is why it is important not to purchase a kitten until they are six to eight weeks old.
Between six and twelve weeks you will need to take your kitten into the veterinarian for their vaccinations, other shots, and regular checkups to make sure the kitten is doing well. At three months you can look forward to taking your kitten to the veterinarian for their rabies shot in certain states.
After that, anywhere between three and seven months your kitten will begin to get their permanent teeth. The next step will depend largely on whether or not you have a male or female kitten. For females the time to spay is anywhere between six and eight months.
For Males you are looking to neuter them between eight to twelve months. Between four and twelve months you will need to get your kitten in for their rabies shot. Between six months and two years old, your cat will need various booster shots to keep them current with regulations and for health reasons. Once your kitten hits the twelve month mark, they stop being a kitten and become a grown cat.
Just as with humans, there are certain viruses that can attack a cat’s system if they are not properly protected. Even if your cat never goes outside, they still interact with whoever comes into your home and whatever germs that they are carrying. It is really easier to take your cat to the veterinarian for their vaccinations instead of dealing with all of the bills that come from a sick cat. Ask your doctor about any vaccinations that your cat may need and have them explain them to you if you have any concerns.
Spaying Or Neutering Your Cat
Another major decision when having a cat is the question of whether or not you are going to have your cat spayed or neutered. For those who plan on breeding their cats, this is not a major concern, but for those who don’t have any plans on breeding should strongly consider these options in order to avoid a lot of complications down the road.
Not only are you protecting your cat from contributing to a litter of kittens that weren’t exactly in the cards, but you might avoid a lot of behaviors that occur when a male or female is fertile. AWhen a male or female cat is not spayed or neutered they may demonstrate such behaviors as urination, spraying their spent, and having to deal with a female’s heat cycles.
Spaying refers to a female cat in which the cat’s reproductive organs are removed in order to eliminate any chance of having kittens. By spaying your female cat you will have a more relaxed, active, and happy cat. Neutering refers to the removal of a male cat’s reproductive organs. Again, they will not be able to reproduce but you will find that they are not as aggressive as when they are unneutered.
Are We Going To The Vet?
Part of having a cat involves keeping an eye on their general health and well being. This is why it’s important to have a good veterinarian that you can go to when you have any questions or concerns. You need to be able to ask questions and receive helpful answers; after all you need to keep in mind that your cat’s health is at stake.
After many question and answer sessions with your veterinarian as you become accustomed to your cat, you will begin to be able to decipher when something is wrong with your cat. It won’t hurt if you make it a regular habit to check out your cat for any indicators that they may have a health problem. Below are the main characteristics you need to look for:
Eyes: a healthy cat has bright and clear eyes. If you notice any irritation such as discoloration or discharge, you might want to ask your veterinarian.
Ears: a healthy cat has clean ears that don’t stink or have anything icky coming out of them. If you notice that there is any discharge or discoloration your cat might have ear mites. Refer to your veterinarian for questions or how to clean their ears.
Mouth: a healthy cat has pink and healthy looking gums. Indicators that there might be a problem are stinky breath, swollen gums, or sores.
Body and Fur: a healthy cat has a thick and lustrous coat. If your cat’s coat is not shiny and thick, there might be a health problem that you should check into such as lumps, ticks, dandruff, and fleas.
Nose: a healthy cat should have a clean nose.
If there is any cause for concern you should speak to your veterinarian immediately. Even if you keep your cat clean, well fed, and vaccinated there is a good chance that your cat is going to be sick at one time or another in their life. This is similar to people, no matter how hard you try, eventually you get sick.
As with people, there are things that you need to look for in your cat to recognize if they are sick or not. Below is a list of symptoms that might trigger some concern:
Unexplained weight loss.
It’s hard for your cat to breathe.
Your cat is constantly throwing up.
Really bad diarrhea.
The cat doesn’t want to eat or drink.
Abnormal inactivity.
Lumps on the body.
Blood in urine or not urinating at all.
Abnormal behaviors.
Sneezing and hacking.
Abnormal aggressiveness.
They aren’t using the litter box.
If any of these behaviors catch your attention you should take your cat to the veterinarian.
Be Careful With Parasites!
No matter how clean you keep your cat there is always the chance that some little parasite is going to call your cat’s body its home. If you are keeping a good eye on the health and well being of your cat, you might be able to determine when one of these pesky parasites are moving in.
Ticks or Lice: Ticks and lice can be a very annoying problem for you and your cat. In order to determine if your cat is suffering from ticks and lice; you need to check your cat’s body. You can decipher a tick because you will either see the parasite or will feel it like a bump on your cat’s skin. You can actually remove these yourself if you know what you are doing. You just have to pull the tick out with tweezers, but don’t break the body while doing so.
After the tick is removed you should clean the area with an antiseptic. Lice are much easier to remove; you might notice your cat scratching a lot and find that these pests are the cause, just use a spray or powder to send these parasites packing.
Fleas: Fleas are a common problem with cats. Again, you can find these parasites with a quick examination of your cat’s body, this can even be done while grooming your cat. Fleas are not something that you can get rid of on your own; you will need your veterinarian’s assistance for this.
You may also need to look over your cat’s environment to see if there is a particular reason they contracted the flea infestation. Make sure that after you have treated your cat that you do a thorough cleaning of your cat, wash beds, vacuum, and use other flea killing products to help clear these pests out of your home and away from your cat.
Ear Mites: Ear mites have been mentioned earlier in this book because they are quite common in cats and can lead to many other health problems. This is why it is recommended to clean your cat’s ears on a monthly basis. If your cat’s ears begin to look a bit questionable and are not pink and clean, but waxy and icky smelling, your cat might have ear mites. You should take this concern to your veterinarian and have your cat treated right away.
Mange: Mange can be transmitted by a variety of different mites, but you should be wary because this is something that humans can be affected by as well. If your cat begins to lose fur in patches, bleeds, or has issues around the ears, nose, and ears, your cat might have mange. You need to get your cat to your veterinarian right away if this is a concern for your feline friend.
Please feel encouraged to say hello – we’ll be happy to help with any questions you might have, and if you’d like to comment on our site, products or service, we’d love to hear from you!
First in A Series on Goodnewsforpets.com: AI in Veterinary Medicine
Editor’s Note: Jonathan Lustgarten, MS, PhD, VMD, CSPO, is the Director of AI and Machine Learning for Mars Veterinary Health and a past president of the Association for Veterinary Informatics. He lectures frequently at veterinary meetings and is a leading expert in the use of AI in veterinary medicine. Goodnewsforpets.com Editor and Publisher Lea-Ann Germinder sat down with him at VMX 2025 to discuss AI’s impact, challenges, and future in veterinary medicine. With a focus on responsible AI implementation, Dr. Lustgarten provides insights into where the technology is headed and what veterinarians should consider as AI tools continue to evolve to improve pet healthcare and veterinary medicine.
Dr. Lustgarten, AI has been a major topic in veterinary medicine. What do you think is the biggest challenge in properly implementing AI?
The biggest challenge isn’t necessarily just the technology—it’s the operational aspect of integrating AI correctly. Veterinarians are already juggling a lot, and while AI can make tasks faster in theory, it often requires an upfront investment of time and effort. There’s also a misconception that AI always improves efficiency, but when generative AI misses the mark, it can take longer to correct errors than if a veterinarian had done it manually.
For example, voice-to-text applications are gaining popularity, but they still pose accuracy issues. The real test of efficiency isn’t just whether AI saves time, but whether it produces accurate, reliable results consistently. AI also needs to be transparent so veterinarians can understand how AI produced the output.
Is generative AI the only AI used in the veterinary clinic or are there other types of AI used?
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT is not the only tool in the veterinary clinic, but it often overshadows other forms of AI. There’s a lot of valuable AI technology in the veterinary clinic that isn’t generative that is used in diagnostics for example.
Non-generative AI, that is AI that is used to predict discrete states or things, has the distinct advantage of easily identifying (and correcting) if it is wrong. You know if it predicts the pet will get renal disease, and it does not, that the AI was incorrect. Generative AI is more nuanced as you can have an output that is close but may not capture the full story or complexity of what was said or done. Is this then a “good” or “correct” output is much harder to evaluate and improve on except by the tincture of time.
Where do you see AI making the biggest impact right now in veterinary medicine?
Right now, we’re seeing the most progress in administrative AI—things like appointment scheduling, answering basic pet health questions, and prescription management. These areas benefit from automation because they’re routine and structured. However, when it comes to direct medical decision-making, we’re further away from AI playing a dominant role. One of the biggest barriers is that veterinary medicine lacks the volume of structured data that human medicine has and the money to make the data structured when it is not, making AI training more challenging.
AI hallucinations, or incorrect outputs, have been a big concern. How do they affect veterinary applications?
This is a critical issue. AI systems sometimes fabricate information with great confidence, which can be dangerous in a medical setting. We’ve seen cases where AI systems in human medicine made up patient histories, and that kind of risk extends to veterinary AI. If veterinarians don’t double-check AI-generated content, errors could easily make their way into medical records, potentially leading to incorrect treatments. That’s why education and responsible AI practices are so important.
What about data privacy? How secure are these AI systems for veterinary practices?
Security is a big concern, especially when it comes to how AI companies handle data. Many AI providers claim to be HIPAA-compliant, but that mainly refers to access control, not necessarily to how they use the data internally. Some agreements allow AI companies to use uploaded data to improve their models. Veterinarians need to be aware of what they’re agreeing to when they use these systems and avoid entering personally identifiable information (PII) into free AI platforms.
What advice would you give veterinarians looking to evaluate AI tools for their practice?
First, always test AI tools yourself before committing to them. Don’t just rely on a demo video—request a trial period and use the AI on complex cases, not just simple ones. If an AI company cannot provide examples of mistakes their system has made and how they corrected them, that’s a red flag. Every AI system will make errors, and transparency about those errors is key.
AI regulation in veterinary medicine is still evolving. How does this compare to human medicine?
Human medicine has far more established frameworks for AI oversight, with professionals trained in biomedical informatics and regulatory pathways for AI-powered medical devices. Veterinary medicine doesn’t yet have equivalent structures, so we’re seeing a lot of AI tools being introduced without formal vetting. That can lead to problems down the line, as regulations will eventually catch up. My concern is that if AI adoption happens too quickly without proper oversight, we could see significant failures that impact patient care, and it can detract from or stop future development, which is akin to what happened to machine learning in human medicine in the early ‘00s.
Given the rapid changes in AI, where do you think we’ll be in veterinary medicine in five to ten years?
I believe we’ll see a shift toward AI as an assistive technology rather than a replacement for human expertise. Think of AI in cars—people trust lane-keeping assist, but they don’t want to give up control completely. The same will be true in veterinary medicine. AI will be an invaluable assistant, helping veterinarians recall medical histories, organize data, and improve workflow, but it won’t replace human decision-making.
We must ask your view on the debate on when we will see artificial general intelligence (AGI)?
In terms of artificial general intelligence (AGI), I’m skeptical that we’ll see anything close to human-like intelligence soon. AI excels at pattern recognition, but true intelligence requires reasoning, emotion, and creativity—things that are incredibly difficult to program. What we will see is highly specialized AI that’s exceptionally good at specific tasks but not an all-knowing system that can replace veterinarians. I do think we will have to differentiate between AI intelligence and human intelligence. I believe those two will divide as the technology progresses.
Finally, what should veterinarians do now to prepare for AI’s role in their profession?
Stay informed and engage with AI thoughtfully. Veterinarians should educate themselves on AI’s capabilities and limitations, advocate for responsible AI policies, and demand transparency from AI providers. As AI becomes more prevalent, it will be crucial to balance innovation with ethical considerations to ensure these technologies truly benefit both veterinarians and their patients.
Thank you, Dr. Lustgarten, for your expert insights on AI in veterinary medicine. Stay tuned for more interviews with leading experts on AI and veterinary medicine to improve pet healthcare!
Disclosure: Lea-Ann Germinder conducted this interview in person with Dr. Lustgarten. AI tools were used to record, transcribe, and edit, with Lea-Ann Germinder performing the final oversight and Dr. Lustgarten reviewing for accuracy.
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Canine Parvovirus: It’s the virus that wreaks havoc on a puppy’s gastrointestinal system and a diagnosis every dog owner fears hearing!
What are the chances that a dog with parvo will survive?
Learning that your pup has canine parvovirus is beyond scary—it’s terrifying! When faced with this diagnosis the first question you’d want to ask is, “How do I know if my puppy will survive parvo?”
Disclaimer: We are not veterinarians. If you think your puppy is sick you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
Unfortunately, canine parvovirus in puppies is very common and often fatal. When not diagnosed or treated in time, parvo’s mortality rate is as high as 91%!
Immediate diagnosis and treatment are paramount and will significantly increase your puppy’s chance of surviving parvo.
With aggressive treatment and proper care, your puppy has a good chance of making a full recovery and reaching a ripe old age.
In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about canine parvovirus. Keep on reading to learn if a puppy can survive parvo, signs that your pup is recovering, and much more.
What Is Parvovirus?
While most dog owners have heard of parvo, only those who’ve cared for an infected puppy truly understand how devastating this virus is.
Parvo has a high mortality rate and is one of the most infectious viruses that affect dogs.
The scary thing is, parvo can survive in the soil for years, and you can pick it up outside and transfer it to your puppy without knowing it!
Your puppy can also contract parvo through direct contact with an infected dog, so be extra vigilant if you are raising sibling puppies.
Another possible scenario of catching parvo is by indirect contact with a contaminated object.
So, every time your puppy goes outside and sniffs or licks doggy poop, there is a chance of exposure if the poop is contaminated.
Furthermore, your puppy can get parvo if they play with an infected dog or puppy, or touch a food bowl, leash, collar, or harness used by an infected dog.
Canine parvovirus is classified as a gastrointestinal disease since it causes the most damage to the stomach and small intestines. This virus destroys cells in the small intestines, which diminishes nutrient absorption.
The most common symptoms of parvovirus are:
Loss of appetite
Fever
Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Lethargy
If your puppy is experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t waste a second—take them to the veterinarian straight away!
How Do I Know If My Puppy Will Survive Parvo
Most puppies die from parvo within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of the first symptoms. Immediate reaction and treatment are crucial and will significantly improve your puppy’s chance of surviving parvo.
Our third guide dog puppy, Dublin did not catch parvo but one of his siblings did. They got him treatment right away. Unfortunately, Dublin’s sibling succumbed to canine parvovirus. 🙁
What Are The Chances Of My Puppy Surviving Parvo?
The chances of a puppy surviving parvo greatly depend on how soon after initial symptoms your puppy has been diagnosed and treated.
Up to 91% of untreated puppies will die within two to three days after exhibiting the first symptoms of parvo.
Please, don’t try to wait out the virus, thinking your puppy will get better on its own! Parvo is deadly and dangerous because it acts quickly, so you need to be quicker than the virus.
The good news is, with quick reaction and proper veterinary treatment your puppy has a 68–92% survival chance. Furthermore, most puppies that survive the first three to four days make a full recovery.
Quick reaction and veterinary intervention significantly increase your puppy’s chance of getting over parvo. However, your puppy’s chance of surviving parvo also depends on:
1. Time Of Treatment
As mentioned, the time your puppy starts treatment is essential for their survival.
Bear in mind, your puppy will have the best shot at full recovery if they begin treatment in the first 24 to 72 hours of first experiencing symptoms.
If your puppy hasn’t received its complete series of vaccinations and is showing symptoms of parvo, take them to the veterinarian right away.
A young puppy’s immune system isn’t strong enough to fight such a strong infection.
Delaying treatment is never a good idea with parvo. If you ignore the symptoms, thinking your pup will get better, their condition will rapidly deteriorate till the point of no return.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for new owners to mistake vomiting and diarrhea with a tummy ache and blame it on something their puppy ate.
In these cases, the proper diagnosis and treatment are delayed, which can affect the puppy’s chances of survival.
Still, it’s always better to take your puppy to the vet late than never! While a delayed reaction doesn’t automatically mean that your puppy won’t survive, you should be prepared for every possible outcome.
2. Type Of Treatment
Although canine parvovirus is very common, there is still no specific medication designed to kill the virus in infected puppies and dogs.
The treatment for parvo is designed to relieve the puppy’s symptoms, thus giving their immune system a chance to fight off the disease.
Treatment should be started as soon as your puppy is diagnosed, and it primarily consists of intensive care.
Your puppy should receive IV fluids with electrolytes to combat dehydration, medication to combat vomiting and diarrhea, and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
The initial treatment for parvo is aggressive and typically lasts three to four days. With the right type of treatment, you should start noticing signs your puppy is getting over parvo.
Mainly, your puppy’s stool won’t have any blood in it and should start firming up.
Using the wrong type of treatment can jeopardize a puppy’s chance of surviving parvo. Thus, it is very important that you discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.
Depending on the severity of your puppy’s condition and its symptoms, your veterinarian may suggest keeping the puppy hospitalized for the initial treatment.
This is always a good option if you aren’t able to provide at-home care or have other dogs at home.
3. Underlying Health Problems
Underlying health conditions are often overlooked in puppies since most are born completely healthy.
However, puppies from pet stores and puppy mills are often born sick and may have more than one undiagnosed health problem.
Unfortunately, puppies with underlying health issues have lower chances of surviving parvo.
The puppy’s immune system is already stretched too thin and isn’t equipped to fight on two fronts. In these cases, a puppy’s health will rapidly deteriorate and its body will start to shut down.
4. Severity Of The Symptoms
Figuring out the chances of your puppy surviving parvo often comes down to the severity of their symptoms.
If your puppy is no longer vomiting and shows some signs of appetite, these are clear signs that they are responding well to the treatment.
However, if two or three days have passed and your puppy is continuing to throw up and still has bloody diarrhea, know that things aren’t looking good.
This is the time to talk with your veterinarian and discuss the course of treatment.
If your puppy isn’t responding well to the initial treatment plan, your veterinarian may suggest a blood plasma transfusion.
This is generally only done in severe cases, and it’s a good indicator that your puppy isn’t doing well.
Even if your veterinarian does everything right, there is still a chance that your puppy won’t survive parvo.
The near-death signs of parvo include severe lethargy, continuous bloody diarrhea, anorexia, and bloody vomiting.
You may not want to admit it to yourself, but this is the point of no return. So consider doing a humane thing by putting your puppy to sleep.
While saying goodbye to your puppy will be extremely hard, take comfort in knowing they are no longer in pain and that you did everything you could to help.
What Are The Signs Your Puppy Is Getting Over Parvo?
How Do I Know If My Puppy Will Survive Parvo?
Parvo is a terrible disease, but with a fast reaction and aggressive treatment, your puppy can be on the road to recovery just in a few days. There are several signs that can let you know your puppy is getting over parvo.
Seeing these signs in your puppy means they are reacting well to the treatment and that their body is fighting the infection. The most common signs your puppy is getting over parvo include:
1. Your Puppy Stops Vomiting
The canine parvovirus causes small intestines to bleed, thus affecting the entire gastrointestinal system.
As a result, a sick puppy will start to vomit, which can lead to dehydration. A dehydrated puppy will try to drink water to stay hydrated, but will automatically vomit any solid food or water that is consumed.
The vomiting can become so bad that at some point you may find blood in your puppy’s vomit or foamy yellow bile.
Bearing this in mind, one of the first signs that your puppy is recovering from parvo is the lack of persistent vomiting. Furthermore, you will notice that your pup is no longer drooling or foaming at the mouth.
2. Puppy Stops Pooping Bloody Diarrhea
Persistent bloody diarrhea is one of the telltale signs of parvo. Besides the blood, your puppy’s stool will have a distinctive strong odor.
So when you notice that your puppy’s poop is firming up and that there are no traces of blood in it, that’s a clear sign that your pup is getting better.
As your pup continues to recover from parvo, its stool will regain its normal color and consistency.
A firmer and blood-free stool is a good indicator that there is no bleeding in your pup’s intestines and that they are recovering.
3. Your Puppy Starts Eating Normally
With the onset of the first symptoms of parvo, puppies tend to lose their appetite. As a result, your puppy will lose weight rapidly, but its belly might appear bloated.
As your puppy starts to recover, they will regain their natural appetite and start eating as before catching parvo. When you notice that your puppy is willing to eat, know this is a sure sign that they are healing.
At this point, your pup will be able to hold down any food and water it consumes, and will slowly start to regain the lost weight.
Bear in mind, puppies recovering from parvo will need to eat easily digestible, bland food that won’t irritate their stomachs.
Your veterinarian will suggest an appropriate dietary plan and you should follow their instructions to the letter.
4. Increased Activity
Weakness and lethargy are usually the first signs of parvo. As the infection progresses, you may notice that your puppy doesn’t respond to your calls.
Furthermore, depending on the severity of their symptoms, your puppy may not have the energy to move or eat.
Puppies battling parvo will also experience fever, anemia, and even sepsis, which can drain their energy levels even more.
Another sign your puppy is getting over parvo is when they start standing up and moving around without your help. As your puppy gets better, they will have more energy and show interest in toys and playing.
FAQs About A Puppy Surviving Parvo
How Long Does It Take A Puppy To Get Over Parvo?
Most puppies that survive the first three to four days of parvo will make a full recovery. However, the recovery period varies from one puppy to another and depends on the severity of the symptoms and other factors.
It generally takes puppies one week to recover from parvo, but they are still contagious up to 10 days after clinical recovery.
Puppies who’ve survived parvo should be quarantined until they stop carrying the virus in their bodies.
After that point, you should talk with your veterinarian and have your puppy vaccinated before allowing them to interact with other dogs.
What Are The Chances That A Dog With Parvo Will Survive?
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease if left untreated.
Adult and older dogs who contract parvo have better chances of survival than puppies. The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian is 68–92%.
Dogs and puppies that are diagnosed and treated within 24 to 72 hours following the first symptoms have the best survival rate and in most cases make a full recovery.
Starting treatment as soon as possible is your dog’s best chance of surviving parvo and leading a normal life.
What Are The Stages Of Parvo?
Most dogs that have been exposed to parvovirus will have a three- to five-day incubation period.
During the first stage, most puppies show signs of lethargy and slowing down. Secondary signs of infection include loss of appetite and weight loss followed by vomiting and diarrhea.
As the parvovirus starts to spread in your dog’s body, their symptoms may get much worse, resulting in dehydration.
At this stage, your puppy should already take appropriate treatment including IV fluids that will help keep them hydrated.
If left untreated, the initial stages of parvo will quickly progress, resulting in severe dehydration caused by persistent vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, secondary infection can occur as the result of a weakened immune system, which leads to sepsis and death.
What Can I Do To Help My Puppy With Parvo?
The best thing you can do to help your puppy recover from parvo is to take them to a veterinarian as soon as you notice the first symptoms.
Your veterinarian will begin treating your puppy right away with fluid therapy, anti-nausea medication, and antibiotics.
While your puppy is being treated, you will have to try to feed them with a bland and highly digestible diet.
Most puppies won’t have the energy to eat, so you should try bottle-feeding your puppy to help them get valuable nutrients.
Can A Puppy Get Parvo After Their First Shot?
Puppies are vaccinated against parvo when they are approximately six, eight, and 12 weeks old.
Until your puppy receives their full series of parvo vaccines, it can still get infected after coming into contact with a sick dog or contaminated object.
So even if your puppy got their first parvo shot, they can still catch the virus if exposed to it.
Therefore, it’s very important that you keep your puppy away from other dogs and practice good hygiene until they are fully vaccinated.
Additionally, your puppy will need to receive a booster shot a year later, and every three years after that.
Conclusion
Parvo has a high mortality rate, but most puppies make a full recovery thanks to an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.
But even if you and your veterinarian do everything right, there is a chance that your puppy won’t recover from parvo.
Faced with all these terrible facts, you are probably wondering, how do I know if my puppy will survive parvo?
Puppies treated within the first 72 hours have a 68–92% survival rate
Puppies that survive the first three to four days make a full recovery
Aggressive treatment gives the best results
While canine parvovirus is a common disease in puppies, there is still no cure for this condition.
The best and the only way you can prevent your puppy from catching this deadly virus is vaccination. So don’t wait–take your puppy for a shot today!
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