Presidential Quote: “Study hard and you might grow up to be President. But, let=s face it. Even then, you=ll never make as much money as your dog.@ George H Bush (1992, after learning Millie had made nearly a million dollars in book royalties.)
Dog Speak: Did you ever wonder how dogs bark in other countries? There is a glossary that explains their language. In Denmark dogs say Avuf-vuf@; in Iran, it’s Ahauv-hauv@; Italian dogs, on the other hand, say Abau-bau@. The far eastern dogs seem to have the most unusual sounds. Indonesian dogs say Agong-gong@; in Taiwan, it’s Awang-wang@; and in Thailand–@hong-hong@.
Pedigree Food Recall: The recent Pedigree food recall reminds us that Mars is a part of Nestle and Nestle is a part of Purina! It gets complicated. Also, the foods affected are sold under so many names. Ol Roy is affected and is a Walmart brand and Wegman=s will be emptying its shelves of the Bruiser brand! The plant was in Everson, Pennsylvania, so we can=t blame the Chinese. And, the problem was salmonella, which can affect pets and people–so this is more serious than increasing protein levels with suspicious labeling. Did you know the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has a free e-mail service that will alert you promptly on recalls and dangers? The subscription service has many categories and as a new subscriber I will keep you posted on what this means so that perhaps readers would like to also join the subscription list. Apparently the UPC code reveals where the food was produced. PAE means Everson, Pennsylvania. Of course I checked all the treats made by Pedigree, too.
AKC-Proposed Revision of Dog Groupings: The AKC is proposing a revision in dog groupings, which will affect conformation events, among other things. Instead of 6 groups there will be 10. The Sporting Group will be divided into Group 1 with Setters and Pointers and Group 2 with Retrievers and Spaniels. (The Irish Red and White Setter gains full recognition in 2009. ) The Hound Group is also divided into two groups–Scent and Sight Hounds. The Working Group remains the same but gains the Leonburger and Cane Corso. Terriers are Group 6 and Group 7 is the Toy Group. Group 8 is titled ACompanion@ and consists of Bichons, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Chinese Crested, French Bulldogs, Lhasas, the Lowchen and the Miniature and Standard Poodle, as well as both the Tibetan Spaniel and Terrier. Group 9 is the Herding Group and the new Group 10 is called ANorthern Breeds@. In the 10th group are the Akita, Malamute, Eskimo, Shar-Pei, Chow, Spitz, Keeshond, Elkhound, Samoyed, Husky, Schipperke and Shiba Inu. The Board of Directors is due to vote on the proposal in October and the delegates get to voice their approval or disapproval next year. Since researchers are finding that there are breed-specific dangerous drugs, categorizing dogs into groups must be done cautiously. For example, the last study I read discussed dangerous drug effects in Aherding dogs@. The long-haired Whippet was included with Old English Sheepdogs and Australian Shepherds. But is a herding a dog a dog bred for the purpose of herding or is it one the AKC decides belongs in the herding dog group for purposes of conformation judging? Should dogs be grouped along drug sensitivity breed lines or by other criteria? Is safe convenient?
Seniors and Their Dogs: It seems like only yesterday thatI watched a dog with greying muzzle, portly and slow of gait, enter the veterinary hospital where I take my pets. The owner would be on the other end of the leash, of course, and usually grey-haired, moving slowly and perhaps even a bit portly too. The veterinarian (now retired) would joke, ABring your owner into the hospital, Spot@. Today I am one of those Apet/people portly dog couples@ as both Cagney and I move slowly. According to the new president of the Dog Writers Association of America, Carmen Battaglia, our number will increase from one in eight to one in four in the next twenty years. Battaglia is concerned and wants dogdom to work now to meet the need of seniors in learning about the issues that affect us.
Sep 22, 2008 | | Uncategorized
Rachel Ray uses the word “NUTRISH” often on her TV program. How does Nutrish translate into dog food? Samples of ANutrish,” her new food for dogs, are available currently at Giant for 69 cents in a one-serving medium-size-dog-size. I chose the chicken and vegetables for my test panel of Springer Spaniels. Let us say, it was not a Apaws up and lick the bowl for more@ but neither was it a Anose down and turn the back@. The ingredients look good in print–especially Areal chicken and dried peas, carrots and tomatoes@. I think we will add a few packages to our evacuation supplies, especially since it is good until 6/09 and part of the price is contributed to Rachel=s Rescue. Now if we can just persuade her to put the samples in bowl-shaped containers.
A veterinarian recently recommended that pet owners consult with their pet=s veterinarian before feeding a weight-reducing diet. He noted that dogs with conditions such as hypothyroidism , chronic arthritis, liver failure, etc. , may appear to be overweight and suffer unnecessarily when owners put them on an over-the-counter weight management diet. He also noted that many cats considered overweight could be suffering from diabetes. Health claims by these foods could encourage pet owners to make their own diagnosis. And, he further noted that all pet food labels should urge pet owners to consult with a veterinarian before feeding. I would go one step further and state ethat from personal experience I have found many of the labels as well as even the names of pet food to be misleading and even false. And, I would discount most TV pet food commercials. A recent issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association further explores this theme by investigating prescription diets, exercise and drugs for the management of obese and overweight pets. It is important to remember that none of these solutions for slenderizing a fat Fido or Fluffy has been scientifically proven. But, obesity remains the most popular disease on the advertising radar for pets and people. Interestingly enough, the commentary concluded that weight loss exercise in conjunction with diet was most often to be effective if dog and owner exercise together.
Heppy is easily bored and always in search of a challenge. Thus I found that a trick my former Sunday School teacher used with her son is now one of my answers to this perpetual need. Mrs Randall used to make up great stories about her son=s toy elves. Then when her son was asleep she would hide the toy elves around the house. Each morning he would search for them as part of an ongoing tale–probably a pre-TV reality children=s drama. At the moment Heppy=s favorite toy is an AKC sheep that has lost his baah. (No. Not a Biblical parable!) When she isn=t looking I hide the sheep. She has such fun searching for the wayward toy and is so proud when she finds it and parades it by me. Such is the craziness in my home each day. Oh yes, Mrs Randall=s son grew up to be a famous California artist. I have no such aspirations for Heppy. (My pet sitter [a man] told me that if Heppy were a girl he would hate to date her! I haven=t spoken to Heppy about this either–that would be taking humanism too far.)
Sep 14, 2008 | | Uncategorized
If you have seen the latest population headline on minorities in America you must wonder–as I have–how this will impact dogs. Canine performance competition seems to be dominated by white owners, judges, and ring stewards. The veterinary profession is already wondering how this trend will affect animal welfare and care. By 2042, white dog owners will be in the minority if ownership follows the general population–but will it? And, what will be the influence of other nationalities and cultures on our best friends? Our foremost and most popular dog trainer is Mexican and he certainly has exerted a powerful and strong influence on dogs, especially with regard to the concept of “pack@–currently a topic of debate by many behaviorists and trainers. Another trainer, not as well known, is Terry Ryan. She introduced the Canine Good Citizen to Japan where it has become a great success. Ryan rose to fame during the early days of the Delta Society as a dog trainer who pioneered in training using games. Today she introduces us to trainers like Turid Rukgaas through Legacy by Mail. If you haven=t checked out Legacy you should!
GROOM EXPO is in Hershey September 10-14, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. They advertise exciting seminars on grooming, boarding, pet day care, animal behavior, training, retailing and mobile grooming. The grooming demonstrations feature contestants from Animal Planet (there is a wide diversity of nationalities in this occupation). Events that caught my eye were the Saturday evening ADancing with the Dog Stars@, the puppy playground and AGrooming Golden Retrievers the Malaysian Way@by Gan Wee Yet. Grooming can be a dangerous profession and some of our best dog trainers/handlers began as groomers.
Another conference of interest is the Federated Humane Society of Pennsylvania conference on October 16-17 in Reading. The keynote speaker is Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)–you saw him on Oprah during the puppy mill programs. Already there is an uproar about the choice. Many claim the president of a group that advocates population control through killing animals and mandatory spay/neutering should not be addressing a humane organization. (It is said that HSUS only funds kill shelters.) The President of Federated is Anne Irwin, a down-to-earth, no-nonsense lady. She introduced the concept of mandatory fire safety in kennels which now has been incorporated into our dog law proposal. The delegate many of you have met is Julian Prager. Prager seems to have a balanced view of canine legislation issues and is probably most knowledgeable of all dog lovers. He has spoken before many local groups and is often visible in the bulldog ring at dog shows.
I once had the privilege of attending a Federated Humane Society conference held in Scranton. I went with a member of the Geisinger Medical Center administration. He was concerned with what was being proposed to prevent dog bites since the victim population is composed mainly of toddlers. It was in the Ano smoking@ days and I remember him going from table to table and removing the ash trays! He told me he was going in order to see what Acrazy animal rights dog people looked like@. What did he see? The keynote speaker that year wore a simple flowered house dress and lots and lots of diamonds.
By the time this is published Connie Cuff will already be in the Daily Item as the first dog trainer to answer a question. The question came from Robin Montgomery. Please feel free to send in questions and, if you are a trainer volunteer, to answer questions. I have two other very respected and accomplished trainers on the panel and can always use more. Your question, your answer, may help a dog , a dog owner.
As some of you know we have lost another outstanding dog person–Terry Slaybaugh is now mushing in heaven with his beloved Siberian Huskies. Survivors include his wife Doreen, who has promised to return to stewarding, and their Shiba Inu–Doreen calls the breed a Asmall Aikta@.
Sep 07, 2008 | | Uncategorized
A special report in the most recent Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association examined the factors governing household expenditures for pets. Discounting the poor economy, which admittedly is hard to do, the most caring pet homes are those where the head is married rather than single. In these households, a greater proportion of the family budget is spent on pet care–so shelters and breeders should seek households where the head is married. Owning a home is also a plus. Further, pet expenditures seem to peak when the family size is four.
The BLUE DOG parent guide and CD are now available through the AVMA. This set is probably the most exciting and important advance in dog bite prevention education. The program is targeted to children ages 3 to 6 years of age. I liked it for its emphasis on the topic of toys and their role in dog bites, and also for offering the “ladder of aggression”. Veterinary practices, human healthcare practices, schools and canine rescue centers can all contribute to the safety of the community and the welfare of dogs by promoting, purchasing and distributing copies. The cost is $8. FFI 800-248-2862, extension 6656 or visit www.avma.org/bluedog.
HELP WITH A DOG PARK is available through the AKC. The AKC Government Relations department offers “Establishing a Dog Park in Your Community” in a step-by-step guide for creating and maintaining an off-leash dog park, including a list of suggested rules and regulations for park-goers. It is available online at www.akc.org/canine-legislation/dogpark.cfm. You may also order copies by calling the AKC Order Desk at 919-233-9767 or by sending an email to orderdesk@akc.org.
According to the Legislative Report from Julian Prager (Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs), significant amendments were made to the dog law proposal in the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee BEFORE THE BILL WENT TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. It was voted down by committee members and so never saw action. Would passage have prevented the death of the 80 dogs in two kennels? Many are blaming the nay votes as being responsible for these deaths. Did you know a candlelight vigil was held for the 80 canine victims? 80 dogs biscuits and 80 flowers were placed by a tractor. And, of course already the 80 canine victims? 80 dogs biscuits and 80 flowers were placed by a tractor. And, of course already there is new legislation to prevent owners from shooting their dogs. It will be legal to shoot a dog, however, if it not on the owner’s property and/or the owner is not nearby–in other words, running at large! What will the sportsmen think of this? It is doubtful now the dog law proposal will see action in the senate before 2009. Yet to be heard from is the group “DogsDeserveBetter” who are against tethering.
THE TREEING WALKER COONHOUND has been accepted into the Miscellaneous Class effective January 1, 2009 by the AKC at its September meeting. The Finnish Lapphund has been accepted for competition in herding events. The AKC Canine Health Foundation needs Keeshond, Alaskan malamute and Samoyed thyroid samples for research. akcchf@akcchf.org. Sometimes thyroid levels vary according to breed. In one local case an aggressive Akita with a bite history became non-aggressive when his thyroid levels were monitored. His veterinarian was not aware that the thyroid standard did not apply to that breed.
Therapy dog teams–here are some items that may interest you. Bio-Groom makes a Show Foot Anti-Slip spray that helps to prevent slipping on slippery surfaces. I also like to use it when I have an senior canine citizen who isn’t steady on her feet. It is available through Cherry Brook. There is also a new WHOLEMEALS bone-shaped product sized for your dog. I have not yet tried it with my dogs but I think it could be the answer as an emergency meal in an evacuation kit. It is made by Mars and the principal ingredients seem to be rice meal and chicken by-products plus wheat flour. Not impressive! WHOLEMEALS is available through Brookside and Sunlight.
Sep 04, 2008 | | Uncategorized
This is the end of the review of the pet therapy canine health guidelines published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Guidelines suggest you discuss with your veterinarian an appropriate flea, tick and enteric parasite program if you have a therapy dog. They believe, however, that topical pasasiticides should be applied a minimum of 24 hours and preferably at least 48 hours before a visit. Bathing with a flea shampoo is not recommended because patients may be sensitive to ingredients in the shampoo. The Guidelines also require that licking be prevented for 2 reasons–the skin of the patients and staff can be contaminated with pathogens, providing an opportunity for your dog to acquire the pathogen; and because susceptible people can become infected with pathogens found in animal saliva. The guidelines also warn against “shaking paws” because the paws can become contaminated when walking through the healthcare environment.
LOBBY DAY IN HARRISBURG IS SEPTEMBER 15 AT 10 A.M. CONTACT Pennafeddogclubs@aol.com FOR MORE INFORMATION.
MISSION ORANGE
Yes, there is a caring link between Danville and Philadelphia and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). But, just as Danville is wholly separate from Philadelphia, so the PSPCA is wholly separate from the ASPCA. MISSION ORANGE brings both organizations together through site and through purpose but they are SEPARATE.
What is MISSION ORANGE? It is a “focused effort to create a country of humane communities, one community at a time, a nation in which there is no more unnecessary euthanasia of ADOPTABLE animals simply because of a lack of resources and awareness. (Important for pet owners and especially those in our Danville branch area is their definition of “adoptable”! What is it? We do know the ASPCA saved most of the Vick fighting dogs through rehabilitation and were able to re-home them even though HSUS thought they should all be destroyed!)
The first target communities are Spokane, Washington; Austin,Texas; Philadelphia, PA; Tampa, Florida; Gulfport, LA; Biloxi, Mississippi; Charleston, South Carolina; and New York, NY. As each community becomes sustainable, another can be added to the list. Does the community of Philadelphia include the communities with branch shelters and will they then operate under MISSION ORANGE guidelines? FFI hredfern@pspca.org and ask for link to MISSION ORANGE.
Ed Sayres is the ASPCA CEO. I met him when he was at St. Hubert’s Giralda at the shelter and training facility begun by Josephine Rockefeller Dodge. He wore a pony tail then– today, his hair is closely cropped, but if you want to see him in his early years and listen to him talk about the Canine Good Citizen program (the CGC was the puppy kindergarten curriculum there) and the dog shelter, get a copy of the Animal-Vues CGC videotape produced by the Latham Foundation. He is hard not to like–a kind and humble sense of humor, a man who ate lunch with his staff and the other employees. I think his parents and Mrs Dodge would be most proud of the life work he has chosen.
Aug 17, 2008 | | Uncategorized
HEARD AROUND THE WATER BOWL. “No kill shelters” are “limited access shelters”. For some shelters a temperament test and a physical are required in order to surrender a pet! (Some shelters use a foster system only. This has its drawbacks as well as advantages–just as with foster homes for children! Foster homes can be subsidized mini-boarding kennels without supervision.) The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been called a paper industry! It has no shelters or foster system. And, a very reliable source was overheard calling one area shelter “a non-profit puppy mill”. And last, but far from least, one veterinarian asks, “At the request of a good client, would you inject or dispense an anabolic steroid or a growth enhancing agent for his or her hopeful prize-winning dog?”
ANTIOXIDANTS seems to be the banner cry of nutritionists. How do they work and what are they? GOOD molecules have paired electrons. BAD molecules or free radicals contain unpaired electrons which attack cells and even scavenge electrons. Think of these free radicals as thieves trying to steal electrons. The bad molecules can originate within the body itself or can come from a bad environment–air pollution, exposure to UV light or radiation. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals either by providing the extra electron needed to make the pair or by breaking down the free radical to render it harmless. Because antioxidants are used up in this process, the diet needs to have a constant supply. It is best to obtain the antioxidants through natural food and not supplements or processed food. Blueberries are a good example. A recent article in the AKC Gazette noted that blueberries are added to the diet of dogs at Westminster to help combat damage from air pollution, etc., etc. My Springers have a breakfast ration mixed with non-fat plain yogurt and topped with fresh blueberries when they are in season. Frozen blueberries will work too. All colorful fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants. See which ones your pets might like best sprinkled on their usual meal. And, let’s hope a pet food store will bring a farmer’s market to its front door.
CAGNEY, my senior canine companion, and I seem to be sharing the same or similar supplements. We both take fish oil and milk thistle. She takes CosequinD for her arthritis and I take Cosamin DS for mine. Both are made by Nutramax. She now takes Relax Caps since she had a seizure and I am wondering if she should share these with me too.
When I was able to do pet therapy it was always wise to remember never to visit a resident alone. I remember one team who suffered because someone felt slighted in the room and later reported the dog had scratched her. Investigation revealed that she had scratched herself with a nail file. Still it took awhile before therapy dog teams were allowed back into the facility, preventing others from all the benefits of such visitation. Two teams can witness the events. Back to pet therapy guidelines as reviewed in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association. They advise that dogs visiting family members in a healthcare facility who do not have therapy dog certification be CONFINED TO FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY–no sharing because he is so cute and everyone wants to meet him! The Guidelines also exclude animals who have been fed any raw or dehydrated foods, chews or treats of animal origin within the past 90 days. The threat is of course salmonella. Also excluded are animals who are being treated with antimicrobials, animals receiving immunosuppressive dosages of any medications, animals with open wounds, ear infections, or acute moist dermatitis and of course animals in season.
I will finish this quick review of the Guidelines next week. Until then your veterinarian has access to this article and I am sure can answer your questions.
Aug 10, 2008 | | Humane Society of the United States, antioxidants, blueberries, no kill shelters, pet therapy
The most recent issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has a most informative article summarizing and commenting on guidelines for pet therapy in health-care facilities. One of the most startling points in the commentary was the emphasis on hand hygiene! The authors not only recommended that patients who touch the dogs practice proper hand hygiene, but that the owner/handler do so, too. Question–does this mean we should carry wipes and/or suggest to administrators that after a therapy dog visit they make sure those touching the dogs also be cautioned to use wipes? The article’s authors also suggest that all leashes be nonretractable and that collars and leashes be clean and odor-free. They recommend against allowing puppies to participate in therapy since they are more likely to shed zoonotic organisms and suggest that the owners of therapy dogs be aware that as dogs approach their geriatric years they may change both mentally and physically which could adversely affect their ability to interact safely with patients. And they further advise that dogs from an animal shelter not be taken into a healthcare situation until they have lived at least six months in a permanent home. An old idea that was discarded was discussed–using veterinarians as evaluators. However, the veterinarian would have to have hands-on experience in pet therapy. I know of only one who would qualify–Don Kamsler. (I hope to share more of the guidelines in future BLOGS.)
THE PLANET DOG Foundation has awarded $10,000 to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to help it fund the PAWS FOR PURPLE HEARTS program, a cooperative project between the Bonnie Bergen Assistance Dog Institute and veterans hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The program trains service dogs in therapeutic intervention for returning wounded soldiers who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other returning military men and women who have become paraplegic or quadriplegic as a result of combat-related injuries. The PAWS FOR PURPLE HEARTS program also supports therapy dog visitation programs centered at the Walter Reed Medical Center. FFI: www.planetdogfoundation.org or call 207-761-1515.
AN EASTON MRI FACILITY FOR PETS–Animal Scan advertises on-site veterinarians and certified MRI technologists, a board-certified veterinary radiologist with same-day scheduling and same-day results. Phone 877-838-6747. Fax 610-250-9403; http://www.AnimalScan.org
OTHER DOGGY NEWS FROM UP POCONO WAY
I have been thinking in that direction due to the great cluster of AKC dog shows recently at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. If you went, you saw Michael Scott show the #3 all-breed dog in the country, a Pointer, to Best in Show back to back!
The Back Mountain Veterinary Hospital not only uses ultra sound for help in a diagnosis but uses the Internet for second opinions from veterinary specialists across the country.
The DOGHOUSE DANCERS, a freestyle dancing club, puts on demos, matches, classes and seminars. Phone 570-696-4925 or 570-477-2943.
At the Harvey’s Lake Veterinary Clinic, Dr. John Bucha advocates raw diets for pets. The Clinic is a distributor of Nature’s Variety.
The area also boasts a dog park which opened this spring. (The only other one I know of is located in State College.) THE GARDEN VILLAGE DOG PARK is located in West Pittston behind the Muncipal Building. Open dawn to dusk, the park was created by the WOOF! Pack members of the Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2008. Contact the group at luzcodogpark@gmail.com or 570-332-3583.
Aug 02, 2008 | | Animal Scan, Back Mountain Veterinary Hospital, Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Bonnie Bergen Assistance Dog Institute, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Doghouse Dancers, Don Kamsler, Dr. John Bucha, Easton MRI facility, Garden Village Dog Park, Harvey's Lake Veterinary Clinic, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Michael Scott, Paws for Purple Hearts program, Planet Dog Foundation, pet therapy, pet therapy in healthcare facilities, therapeutic intervention, veterans
Those who have felt the effects of the recalled pet food are now organizing into a class action settlement. If you purchased, used, or obtained, or your pet consumed pet food and/or pet treats that were recalled between March 16, 2007 and the present, because they allegedly contained contaminated wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate you may be eligible to participate in a class action settlement and receive compensation. For further information, visit the settlement website at www.petfoodsettlement.com or contact the Claims administrator, Heffler, Radetich &Saita LLP / PO Box 890, Philadelphia, PA 19105-0890 1-800-392-7785
Animal Crackers. Once upon a time Dr. George Leighow and I hosted a radio program called Animal Crackers. We had guests both local and national and covered some very exciting topics. Among our more famous local guests was of course, Dixon Cuff. Nationally known guests included Ginny Thornburgh, Max Lang, Nicholas Dodman, Job Michael Evans, Herm David, Ken Marden, Alan Beck, and others. So it is with considerable interest that I report that the newest reward/reinforcement/treat for those dog owners who use them to train and/or keep the attention of their dogs are ANIMAL CRACKERS–THE KIND WE EAT! These come in a box, of course, and have the value of being small, crunchy, easy to eat, and safe. Giant Market has big boxes of these crackers for a dollar each. Try them.
ED AND TONI EAMES have long been author/advocates for service dog teams. In a recent article they report on the services available for these hard-working canines at no charge. Participating companies include: Bayer Anima Health, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Nestle Purina Nutramax Laboratories, IAMs , Royal Canin USA and Hills Pet Products. The program is administered by Nutramax; the veterinarian applies for a grant on behalf of his disabled client. The Eames also report that there is a brisk sales of signs reading, “No petting or feeding”.
PET SERVICES. The Columbia/Montour Area Agency on Aging offers rides for a minimal fee through a local taxi service. If the senior is also a pet owner, crated dogs and cats can also be transported to veterinary hospitals. The cost is $9 each way but well worth it if that is the only way to make sure a pet gets the medical care he or she needs. Also, Erie Insurance’s auto policy will insure pets hurt in an auto accident up to $500 per animal, $1000 per loss. The added coverage will automatically be applied at no additional charge in most states. For more information, check with your ERIE agent.
INTRODUCING — Wayne Pacelle, the head of the Humane Society of the United States, who is tall and handsome–not the usual suspect. The 47-year-old vegan neither eats nor wears animal products. He says he is too committed to his work to marry or raise children. Divorced long ago, he lives in a condo in Washington with his girlfriend, Christine Gutleben, who runs the HSUS program that reaches out to religious leaders and congregations. When Christine moved in with him she brought her cat, Libby. Gutleben says he is “interesting with animals”–doesn’t want to invade their space–and so Libby has free run of the place, including the kitchen counters and Pacelle’s chest.
WHAT ABOUT DOG FOOD? We began this segment on recalled dog food but what if we could detect spoiled pet food at the check-out in the grocery store? It would certainly prevent so many emotional as well as financial problems! Craig Grimes, a professor of electrical engineering at Penn State University Park, has created a practical gadget that can detect bad milk, juice, or soup using a thin iron strip that vibrates in a magnetic field. When a customer checks out at the grocery store, the scanner can detect when this strip vibrates differently, indicating a change in the consistency of liquid. The technology has also been used to detect blood clotting characteristics, stressed roadways, and new bridges. Now if it can just be adapted to pet food!
Jul 23, 2008 | | Alan Beck, Craig Grimes, Dixon Cuff, Dr. George Leighow, Ed and Toni Eames, Erie Insurance, Ginny Thornburgh, Herm David, Humane Society of the United States, Job Michael Evans, Ken Marden, Max Lang, Nicholas Dodman, Penn State, Wayne Pacelle, animal crackers, radio program, recalled pet food, service dog teams, spoiled food detector
The newest field in veterinary medicine is NUTRIGENOMICS. This is the science of how nutrients in food affect gene expression and has implications for therapeutic nutrition. Hills Pet Nutrition (Science Diet and Prescription Diets) is presenting a symposium in this emerging field at the upcoming AVMA convention. One of the interesting topics is titled, “Altering Genomic Destiny Using Nutrition to Interrupt the Course of Arthritis.” Another lecture concerns applying genome knowledge to nutrition for senior pets and there is also one denoting implications for puppies. I am always extremely careful in choosing puppy food and have found over the years that a reputable “all stages” food is to be preferred. Especially with Springers I have found most puppy foods are “too hot” and add to training problems–even aggression.
In my opinion the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine has always had nationally acclaimed board certified nutritionists. Owners must be very careful of who they trust with their pet’s diets. A veterinary nutritionist is the most reliable source of information followed by your pet’s veterinarian. Although reading the label is a must, always remember that it is mostly advertising in a highly competitive, lucrative business. A case in point–the Perdue chicken! Once advertised as free from antibiotics, this has now been dropped by edict due to the antibiotics used in the food the chickens are fed.
PROHEART 6 has returned to the market after being recalled in 2004. This heartworm preventative is available on a limited basis with a revised label and information sheet. The new label warns to avoid administering the drug within one month of vaccinations and to use the drug with caution in dogs with pre-existing allergic diseases, including food allergies and flea bite allergy. Veterinarians are required to register with Fort Dodge, the manufacturer, and participate in a web-based training program prior to obtaining the product.
The CRU VIN DOGS WINE GROUP has announced its support of the Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign. (Sixty percent of all Golden Retrievers die of cancer.) The group has bottled a chardonnay to benefit the fund. This is a limited edition with a pastel pencil illustration by artist Jay P Snellgrove. Also available are hand-signed illustrations, white cotton T shirts and blank note paper. More more information 303-243-2345 and www.CureCanineCancer.org
Eleven-year-old Cagney suffered a seizure recently. While this is a frightening and tiring episode for both owner and pet, this one opened an educational door and the following are some of the coping mechanisms I found helpful. X-pens are collapsible folding wire sections that can be joined in different sizes and configurations. They are widely used in most performance events and are very visible at dog shows. I use them both inside and outside. Cagney’s X-pen gave her plenty of room. I lined it with a whelping box pad (K-Vet) that could be washed and provided traction for walking–and of course her favorite pillow! To help her get up and take the first steps a bath towel around her waist was comfortable and easy to use. On advice of her veterinarian, as she was weaned down to a maintenance dose–Milk Thistle was added to her diet along with Relax Caps by Crystal Star. And, in the way of all care givers I kept a daily record of her medications and actions–her veterinarian was delighted with this addition to her records. Each dog seems to experience seizures in an individual way. Two other additions to care I feel are indispensable. One is a pet sitter who has had experience with dogs who have a seizure history–you need to have time to nap, to get away from the house. The other is the book THE NATURE OF ANIMAL HEALING by Martin Goldstein, DVM. It is available through Amazon and belongs on the shelf next to the book on first aid.
Note: In the beginning I put a few drops of Bach’s Rescue in her drinking water but on the advice of Deb Traugh switched to rubbing drops on my fingers and massaging Cagney. (Traugh easily put Cagney to sleep with a massage and the veterinarian recommends massage also.) I did not play harp music but in the future I probably will add this to the routine.
Jul 21, 2008 | | AVMA, Bach's Rescue, Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Dodge, Golden Retrievers, Hills Pet Nutrition, Jay P. Snellgrove, Martin Goldstein, Relax Caps, genome, heartworm, milk thistle, nutrigenomics, seizures, senior pets, therapeutic nutrition
The headlines read, “FDA approves Pfizer antibiotic for cats, dogs”. The story discussed a new single-dose antibiotic from Pfizer that shortens treatment from two weeks to one day! Yippee!
Now we must patiently wait for the marketing tests to be completed. Since drug companies claim it is too expensive to test until after a drug is marketed, I usually avoid new drugs until the side- and after-effects are widely known. And, new drugs are apt to be more expensive. Although Pfizer claims the drug has been tested successfully in Europe, I will await the hospital trials here in this country–and cost reduction. However, I am looking forward to the advantages of this new one-day antibiotic–especially for cats. Just think–the veterinarian can pop the pill into our pet’s mouth right in his hospital and we can take him/her home. No more searching for the cat in the closet or wrapping the pill in a hot dog or cheese for 14 days. You might almost call this antibiotic a “wonder drug”. Let’s hope there are more in the pipeline and they are all safe and effective.
This probably belongs with recipes. I call it “Mutt Mix”. Combine 2 cups of cheerios and 2 cups of rice chex and mist with cooking spray. Sprinkle the damp cereal with a tablespoon of garlic salt and a half cup of grated parmesan cheese and bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Last week I was introduced to the Columbia/Montour Area Agency on Aging pet policy. It consists of 5 rules to guarantee the safety of the pet owner and pet as well as their representatives. After reading the rules I wondered why dog organizations were not asked to give a talk and demonstration for these dedicated caregivers? To summarize the rules: all pets must be secured when an AAA representative enters the home and the representative is not responsible for keeping the pet in house and/or yard. Pet owners are financially responsible for injuries and damages. Home-delivered meals have to be left inside the home and have face-to-face contact with the person for whom the meal is intended. Having had considerable experience with my caregivers and my pets, I wonder if perhaps the pet owner should also take time to make up a pet policy for his/her home. Rule one might be to make sure the pet is under control before opening a door. Rule two could be something about proper introductions. And, there should be limits for interactions. It might also be a good idea to request a caregiver who likes dogs and/or cats.
I was not aware that there is a CRISIS RESPONSE COALITION and they are looking for members in the NY/PA/CT/NJ area: “This animal-assisted response organization uses therapy dog teams to provide needed comfort and emotional support in times of crisis and traumatic events.” FMI NCRC 732-381-5838.
Jul 13, 2008 | | "Mutt Mix", Columbia/Montour Area Agency on Aging, Crisis Response Coalition, Pfizer, pet policy