Sherry’s Corner

Musings at the End of September/Onset of October

FOR THE LOVE OF MADDIE. MADDIE’S FUND started with the love of a dog, Maddie.  David and Cheryl Duffield began the charitable trust with a $300 million gift.  Object: a no-kill nation.  Many believe the fund gives money to shelters that go “no-kill”.  This is a very small part of its mission.  There is more than not killing unwanted animals–there is education in responsible ownership.  Maddie’s Fund funds the development of systems that save all healthy and treatable animals in a geographic region. 

      To qualify for funds, an ENTIRE community must unite animal control, private shelters and rescue groups in a long- range plan to end the killing of healthy and treatable pets.  Since 1998 the fund has given $35 million to communities all over the country, including $8 million to shelter medicine programs at 16 veterinary colleges.  Although the Pennsylvania SPCA has received Maddie’s Fund funding it is difficult to see its effect in this area.  There is little community and/or county effort and leadership to bring together organizations to achieve these goals and, in fact, to some it seems Maddie’s Fund has had a negative effect on area pets.    

WHAT IS DAP?  For dog owners it is a synthetic DOG APPEASING PHEROMONE commercially marketed for the treatment of stress in dogs–a mixture of fatty acids representing components of a natural pheromone identified in sebaceous (fatty) gland secretions from the intermammary sulcus of lactating bitches.  These secretions have been isolated during a period beginning 3 to 4 days after parturition and ending 2 to 5 days after weaning.  DAP treatments have been described as having a calming effect on dogs in stressful situations and a positive effect on behavioral problems that may include fireworks and house soiling.  Clinical trials are few but there is an unscientific, unproven wealth of anecdotal material on DAP’s effects.  However, one clinical trial found that puppies wearing DAP collars learned faster in training classes.  A more recent study found that DAP had a positive effect on the surgical recovery of spay/neuter shelter animals.  In this study the authors also speculated that DAP might have a positive effect on lactation after a cesarean section.  As always it is always best to read the original clinical study.  A word of caution: nutritionists are saying that DHA benefits brain function in dogs–check out the packaging advertising on puppy food!  It probably does but as yet this has not been scientifically proven–nor has a behavioral link been established.  At best it has been accepted by nutritionists that DHA has a positive effect on sight, specifically on the retina. 

AKC GAZETTE REPORTS NEW VACCINE FOR LEPTOSPIROSIS. Leptospirosis can cause fever, jaundice, liver inflammation and death.  In August Merial launched Recombitek 4 Lepto, a four-way vaccine that prevents the shedding of spirochetes.  This is a new weapon in the protection of dogs from this increasingly visible disease.  The standard vaccine for leptospirosis is one of the core vaccines.  Discuss this option with your veterinarian.

GOOD HEALTH IN THE FOOD DISH.  Only 7% of pets that could benefit from a therapeutic food are receiving such a regimen, according to AAHA.  Accordingly, there is a push on to emphasize nutrition’s role in proper veterinary care. Veterinarians are being urged to discuss nutrition with every pet owner during every hospital visit.  Therapeutic diets have been described as “almost medications” and there are diets for dogs that need to lose weight, dogs with arthritis, senility, allergies, sensitive stomachs, kidney disease, etc. etc.  There even has been and perhaps still is an effort to develop a cancer diet that would have the effect of starving tumors. Therapeutic diets are only sold in veterinary hospitals and require a prescription.