SARS, Salmonella, Swine Flu, and Significant Women Behaviorists
Many of the diseases we face today in both pets and people probably originate with the importation of exotic animals. It used to be that when wild animals were not in their natural habitat they were confined to circuses and zoos and not apt to show up in a child’s bedroom. Now they are commonplace in pet stores, roadside zoos and at fair petting zoos–as well as pet and toy parades. In fact, I have even seen exotic animals receiving rabies vaccinations at a free rabies clinic! (This was the same rabies vaccine manufactured to protect dogs and cats. Would this vaccine protect or infect an exotic animal?) And, we know both wild animals and farm animals are invited into nursing homes where they are not only a disease danger both to residents and staff but to therapy dogs. SARS is said to come from caged civet cats in a Chinese market and of course turtles are a prime source of salmonella. Very few species receive a health screening when they enter the United States and we know very little about the diseases exotic animals carry. (We do know that pigs can catch swine flu from people!) In short, legal as well as illegal importation of wild animals and public exposure probably pose more of a threat to America than so-called dangerous dogs!!
Dr. Mary Burch has done much to encourage and broaden the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. Dr. Burch is an animal behaviorist from Tallahasee and came to fame working with Rottweilers on the local police force. These dogs were not only trained to attack but were kind and stable enough to qualify for a CGC. (I doubt the Northumberland police dog who attacked the dog in his search for a Danville bank robber had a CGC!) The Rottweiler, which is not a breed often seen on a police duty rooster, is one of those breeds not for “the first-time owner”. It has an authoritative baritone bark (as well as a warning Rottweiler rumble) and high intelligence, and requires an intelligent owner–one with a lot of adult-dedicated dog-time. Wonder if this is a commentary on our local police officers’ dog handling training? Burch is now owned by “Wyn” (aka Ch. Noel’s Wynn Wyn Situation, UD, OA, AXJ, CGC), a 9-year-old Welsh Springer Spaniel. Burch also successfully lobbied the Florida legislature into being the first state to recognize the CGC as a successful program. And, as far as I know she was the first to work with “crack babies” using dogs to achieve results in therapy.
Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a former president of the AVMA, has written recently on the use of DNA tests to determine which breeds comprise the mixed-breed companion you share your bedroom with–”I don’t recommend these tests unless they are used for curiosity’s sake. It does not reveal anything other than what an ancestry MIGHT be.” According to an article in YOUR DOG, testing ranges from$60 to $125 and varies in accuracy on the number of dogs in the database. The most accurate appears to be WISDOM PANEL MX by Mars Veterinary. At this time neither disease susceptibility nor behavior can be predicted from these tests.
Jul 29, 2009 | | Uncategorized