Using Lavender and Vanilla; the Bible and dogs
LAVENDER, VANILLA. Lavender and vanilla have been combined by Air Wick into an oil odor dispenser that has changed the lives of my Springer ladies! The other evening despite guests my dogs remained quietly calm and dozing. And, in fact, my senior canine slept right through her traditional ten o’clock nightly potty break!! The only explanation I have is the new air freshener I purchased which combines lavender and vanilla. Studies have indicated that lavender has a quieting effect, especially on dogs that don’t enjoy travel. And, of course, DAP is used on puppy kerchiefs when the young ones go into training class.
THE BIBLE AND DOGS. Susan Bulanda is the author of READY TO SERVE, the SAR book of first-hand field accounts that is almost poetical and very dramatic. Susan told me her newest book was a joy to research –“dogs have a voice”! It is titled A BIBLICAL VIEW OF ANIMALS. Susan’s website is www. sbulanda.com. Click on books for more information and how to obtain an autographed copy. Also, to obtain a list of SAR teams look up National Search Dog Alliance. By the way, Bulanda is a Pottstown resident.
DO DOGS GIGGLE? My daughter believes her dog Monroe giggles. I have never seen any of the Springers I own giggle although they are supposed to be a joyful breed! But, this was the question posed by a producer of products for pets. The object, of course, is to encourage oral health and daily teeth care. I never heard the late Dixon Cuff ask the “giggle-question” but he stressed and encouraged dental care and clean therapy dog breath. Unfortunately, one of the anesthetics widely used in dental work–ketamine–has been the cause of at least 5 deaths in cats. (More pets are anesthetized than humans.) The anesthetic is made by Teva, but as in the food recall many companies have their labels on this drug (Fort Dodge and Pfizer) so not even veterinarians can be sure the ketamine they are using is not contaminated. There is an FDA alert–a little late since ketamine was allegedly discovered to be tainted in 2006! Further, another anesthetic–buterphenol–has also been recalled so both pose dangers to pets undergoing procedures and restraints.
RECENT CLINICAL FOOD TRIAL RESULTS SHOW IMPROVEMENT IN DOGS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS. The Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association recently published two studies which indicate that ingestion of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids improves clinical signs of dogs with osteoarthritis. Hills Prescription Diet j/d was the test diet against control diets (Purina and Pedigree). In one study the dogs were fed the diets for 6 months and evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. According to owners in that study the dogs had an improved ability to rise, walk and play. In my opinion in most studies involving diet and behavior–behavior comes up descriptively short. If there cannot be physical measurements there should be anecdotal material. After all, we need to know we are improving or could be improving our pet’s life. When my 12-year-old struts by with a toy and/or runs by me to avoid a nail clippers I feel good about her diet. The diet is working–perhaps. I am satisfied. However, veterinary nutritionists are not behaviorists and there is the lack. In my small kennel my 12-year-old has a morning ration of j/d while her daughters have a fish oil capsule added twice a day to their regular food. My veterinary hospital always takes a history with each visit and one of the questions involves diet and medications, supplements. It is always wise to discuss any dietary change with your pet’s doctor. (JAVMA , Vol. 236, No. 1)
Jan 26, 2010 | | Uncategorized