Health Matters; DWAA Hall of Fame Inductees
FIRST CASE OF HIN1 FLU REPORTED IN N.Y. DOG. A 13-year-old neutered, mixed-breed male has tested positive for the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus, according to IDEXX laboratories. Test results were confirmed by the Iowa State Laboratory. The N.Y. dog appears to have been infected by his owner and recovered after treatment by a veterinarian. The symptoms included a dry cough, lethargy, a temperature of 103.6 and loss of appetite.
CANCER RESEARCH. A well-known human cancer research institute–Van Andel Research Institute in Michigan, a recipient of a National Cancer Institute grant–is asking for help from practicing veterinarians and dog owners. The research is on five main tumor types: ostecosarcoma, lymphoma , melanoma, hemangiosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis. The Institute is asking for fresh tumor samples and blood samples. The researcher is also doing cheek swabs on healthy dogs at dog shows. http://www.vai.org. I have forwarded this information to veterinarians I know and perhaps others would like to do so also.
HALL OF FAME. Two authors in the area of dog training books are being inducted into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame this February before Westminster. Don Arner founded Off-Lead magazine and has been active in the American Rescue Dog Association as well a a charter member of the American Boarding Kennel Association. His writing background extends back to 1974 and he is known for developing prototype programs in the use of dogs for detection of pollutants. Bob Self Sr. founded Front and Finish, a magazine devoted to companion and performance sports. He is author of such books as Dogs Self Trained and Puppy Manners. Self was one of the active consultants in the development of the Canine Good Citizen evaluation.
Writers, or as I like to think of them–“communicators”, play an important role in the world of animals and people. More than ever their talents and time are needed as we face ongoing animal welfare problems, as well as a lack of print space to reach dog owners. Many dog owners do not have Internet access and magazines are ever and ever more expensive or specialized. Recently, for example, my daughter sent me an article on the personality profiles of dog and cat owners. It is to be published this spring in Anthrozoos. This publication has not been published for a decade and since rarely do publications resurface the spring issue will be interesting. It is a global publication with authors from all over spectrum of animal interest.
And there is a new AKC publication that I haven’t seen a copy yet called CITIZEN CANINE, about the AKC Canine Good Citizen!! For the average dog lover club newsletters play a very important role in connecting members with the world of dogs. However, newspapers–both daily and weekly and letters to the editor–are also very important, and you trainer/writers might consider sending your training story to the Daily Item. No pay for your effort, but I understand a picture will be published and of course it would be great club publicity! Also, this might be a good time for local dog writers to form an organization to help each other improve their skills in order to reach the vast audience of area pet owners.
IT STARTS AT HOME. On Monday I purchased a bag of the usual food for Bacall and Heppy. (Cagney, my senior, receives a special diet of j/d and b/d). On Tuesday I opened the new bag and poured it into a pink plastic bin with a lid. The freshly purchased dry food was their usual dinner. Wednesday morning there was vomit in the x-pen shared by the girls. I fixed them breakfast and two hours later there was again vomited food in the x-pen. I called my vet and she said she would report this immediately to the manufacturer and to keep the bag in case either she or the company needed more information. She also said it was important to report this type of problem promptly. By noon I received a call that the company and hospital would replace the food with a different lot number and would deliver it in time for dinner. They took away the bag and the first batch of food. There have been no further problems. This is one reason pet owners should discuss feeding upsets with the veterinarian. This is the only way we can protect and safeguard what our pets eat. I will continue to feed the same product because in five years of using this food this was the first and only problem–if indeed the vomiting was caused by the food. As pet owners it is up to us to be proactive.