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By Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist
As Buddy meanders around the boardwalks at Telegraph Cove or greets visitors to the picturesque northern Vancouver Island community, he relies on his guide dog Joey to steer him around hazards.
As he takes naps, Joey always keeps a watchful eye.
What Joey is doing may be run-of-the-mill stuff for highly-trained dogs -- except that Buddy is a dog too, a five-year-old Shih Tzu left blind by a cougar attack. Joey the guide dog is a one-year-old Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso cross.
It is a partnership that amazes their owners, Jim and Mary Borrowman, who run Stubbs Island Whale Watching.
"Buddy doesn't go anywhere without the puppy. Joey was only eight weeks old when we got him, so he really attached himself to Buddy," said Mary.
In February last year, Buddy, who weighs about eight kilograms, was snoozing on the boardwalk outside the gift shop.
The front door was open and Mary, with assistant Cara Aman, saw a shadow, which they thought was a large dog.
"We went outside to shoo it off and a cougar stood up and turned around with Buddy in its mouth," Mary said.
"The cougar started casually walking down the boardwalk and then Buddy started to fight, so we knew he was alive and we started yelling and screaming," she said.
Jim grabbed an axe and gave chase as the cougar took off up the stairs toward the Borrowmans' house.
As the cougar growled at Jim, it dropped Buddy, who rolled down the embankment and under the boardwalk, allowing Jim to scoop him up.
"There was just so much blood," Mary said.
"He's just a little designer dog and his eyes had already popped out of their sockets because of the pressure." They took Buddy to a vet, who treated the dogs eyes, cracked jaw, broken teeth and other injuries.
"He had five surgeries between February and June. It cost $1,200 a surgery, but it was not even a question. We didn't take a holiday that year. I don't think we could have lived with ourselves if we had put the dog down because of the almighty dollar," Mary said.
The cougar was treed by a neighbour's Rhodesian Ridgeback and shot by a conservation officer, who felt it would be dangerous to allow it to stay around a tourist area after tasting blood.
Some of Buddy's injuries healed, but he lost his sight.
Throughout that summer, Buddy seemed to be coping, Jim said. But, when fall came, the dog seemed to fall into a depression, he said.
"We started talking about another dog to get Buddy off his furry little butt. He didn't want to do anything," Jim said.
Mary contacted support groups online and was advised to get another dog. It was a gamble, though, because Buddy does not like many dogs.
"He loves people, but becomes a pitbull when there's a big dog around," Jim said.
Initially, Buddy would have nothing to do with Joey, growling at him every time the pup tried to play with Buddy's ears or tail.
But, little by little, they became inseparable and Buddy now follows Joey, said Mary, who is writing a book about Buddy.
"It's hard to know if he knows whether or not Buddy's blind. They just truck around together. The puppy's always with him," she said.
upi.com
NEW YORK -- New Yorkers can now drop their dogs off at Manhattan's first dog disco when they spend a night on the town, the firm's co-founder said.
The Fetch Club, in New York's Financial District, features a disco ball, stain-resistant carpeting and a sheepskin rug where dogs can get a massage when they're all danced out, the New York Post reported.
When the canines are done cutting the rug, they can dine on barbecued-squirrel treats or even dog sushi, co-founder Jenna Lee said.
The pampered pups can also curl up on luxurious day beds scattered around the floor, and if they're dog-tired they can head over to the sheepskin for their mutt massage.
"They love to stretch out on this rug and get a gentle rubdown," Lee said.
By JOHN SAMMON - MontereyHerald.com
Canine costume contest raises money for animal shelter
Dogs paraded in Halloween costumes Saturday at the Salinas Animal Shelter, reflecting the imaginations of their owners, many of whom wore matching attire.
The third annual "Howl-o-Ween" at the city's Hitchcock Road shelter featured a pet-and-owner costume contest, barbecue, silent auction and other stuff.
"We heard about this event and just had to come out," said Kathy Mauzey of Salinas, visiting with her daughters Stacy and Elizabeth, granddaughter Jasmine and 11-day-old grandson Benjiman. "Our dogs are like family. Of course, we spoil 'em rotten."
Three-year-old Jasmine wore a pumpkin suit to match that of her two dogs, Leila, a 10-month-old chocolate Labrador, and Haole, a 2-year-old Great Dane mix.
Brandi Casey of Salinas wore a suit with a Poison Ivy theme matched by her dog, Shyla, a 2-year-old white shepherd. The dog sported green leaves and tutu with a red wig.
"My costume and my dog's are both hand-made," Casey said.
One pooch wore a Batman costume. Another dog was a devil with horns, while another wore a unicorn suit with a tiny princess doll perched on its back.
Cindy Burnham, animal services manager, said the event raised $1,600 last year for the care of stray and lost animals.
"The money goes directly to help our animals, for spay and neuter programs, and, for example, toys for the animals kept here," she said.
The shelter's budget has been cut 10percent, and more dogs and cats arrive daily, often abandoned by owners. The facility has a yearly budget of about $900,000.
"We're getting more animals," Burnham said. "We have about 60 dogs and 40 cats in the shelter currently, and for dogs, that's about a 20percent increase over the past few years."
Many of the shelter's dogs are young Chihuahuas or Chihuahua-mixes, Burnham said.
"It used to be mostly pit bulls, though they're still popular," she said.
Burnham said it's easy to adopt a pet and, for $150, each dog is provided with vaccinations, is spayed or neutered, and is implanted with an identifying microchip.
After 72 hours if nobody claims a dog, it can be put up for adoption. Dogs are adopted, sent to rescue groups or euthanized. About 20percent of the dogs have to be put down and 60percent of the cats, including feral animals.
"We do our best not to euthanize," Burnham said.
Burnham said she would like to see more owners searching for lost pets.
"I'll go in the back and look at a dog and say, 'I know you have an owner somewhere, where are they?'" she said.
DogNews.com
A man who indecently exposed himself to a woman ended up being bitten by her dog.
The victim, aged in her 60s, was walking her pet in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, when she was approached by the flasher.
A police spokesman said the man exposed himself and the terrier growled. It then bit him on the upper right arm.
Sgt Ian Dowling, of North Cotswolds police, said the dog seemed "to have acted instinctively".
The incident happened near Dunstall Flats at about 1930 BST on Thursday.
The offender is described as slim, about 5ft 2ins tall and with "large, bluey-brown" eyes.
The victim said he was wearing navy blue tracksuit bottoms, a light blue top and a black hat.
Sgt Dowling said: "This was clearly an upsetting incident for the woman and her dog.
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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - TheAdventurousWriter.com
Knowing how to bond with your dog isn’t just being affectionate! These tips for new dog owners include dog training, obedience, and discipline. I’m no “dog whisperer”, but I am a new dog owner who wanted to return her to the humane society for a month after I got her. Now, I’m so glad I stuck it out! I hope my tips help you bond with your dog.
Before the tips, a quip:
“I talk to him when I’m lonesome; and I’m sure he understands,” said W. Dayton Wedgefarth. “When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes…the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.”
That was one of my issues with owning a dog – her wet nose and slobber all over my clothes, furniture, truck, and everything! But once I accepted it as part of dog ownership, I bonded with her much faster. I also watched all the Cesar Millan Dog Whisperer DVDs, which helped me learn about pack mentality and consistent, firm leadership.
Here’s what I learned after a month of owning and bonding with a new dog:
Give it time – bonding can take months. I regretted my decision to get a dog for almost a full month after we brought her home form the humane society. Our dog Jazz is a one-year old black lab/German Shepherd – she’s 75 pounds of puppy energy and eagerness! I’ve always been a cat lover, and never owned a dog as an adult. Since my husband and I can’t have kids, we thought a dog might enrich our lives. And she is enriching our lives now – after a full month – but it’s been a long haul. So, new dog owners, my first tip is to accept that it takes time to adjust and bond with your dog. Give it time!
Get a home assessment with a dog trainer. It can be expensive – it cost us $160 for two hours – but a home assessment with a professional dog obedience trainer can make the difference between success and failure for new dog owners. Our dog trainer helped us with everything from our tone of voice when giving commands to what type of “work” to have our dog do. Plus, she’s now “on call” for us – her service includes unlimited phone calls if we have questions or concerns.
Stay consistent with the dog obedience training. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting to constantly train your dog – especially for new dog owners! But, training and obedience is a crucial element to creating a strong bond with your dog. Firm, consistent training solidifies your position as “pack leader”, and helps your dog respect you. I learned a lot about dog training from 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog, the Dog Whisperer, and the dog trainer who did our home assessment. And, we’re taking dog obedience classes (not online, but in person) next month.
Keep trying different toys, like a Kong or Ultimate Ring. Part of knowing how to bond with your dog is giving her “work” to do. Our dog trainer recommended cow or buffalo thigh bones; dogs like to chew and lick the marrow inside. Plus, bone marrow is healthy! I’ve learned that our dog gets bored with the marrow bone everyday, so I kept experimenting with a Kong Dog Toy until I found what works. That took time – I was making it too easy for her. And, I found a Rumble Ring, which she loves.
Combine training and play with your dog – it helps with bonding! From books like 101 Dog Tricks, I learned how important it is combine play with training. We’re in the early stages of dog obedience training, so we’re still working on “sit”, “lay down”, “shake a paw”, and “fetch.” But our dog trainer encouraged us to have high expectations for Jazz. For instance, her husband hides her dog’s toys all over the house. The dog’s job in the evenings is to retrieve all her toys, one at a time. This is playful training, and it’s a fantastic way to bond with your dog!
dracony.org
If you are considering adding a dog to your family it is important to understand all that is entailed with being a successful, happy dog owner and ensuring you have a happy healthy dog. Of course, there are many things to know and understand before getting a dog but these dog wellness tips are a good place to get an idea of things you need to have and take care with to ensure safety, health and wellness for your dog. If you already own a dog ask yourself this; Are you aware of the things that can hurt your dog and aware of the things he needs to stay happy and healthy? Good dog wellness practices start with pet owner knowledge and awareness.
With compliments of Dr. Jon, veterinarian, here are some dog wellness tips to increase your knowledge and add to your compilation of necessary pet care knowledge.
Bread Dough
When bread dough is ingested, it rises in a dog’s stomach and as the dough ferments, alcohol is produced, causing alcohol toxicity. After ingestion, dogs will act nauseated, vomit, act painful, lethargic or become disoriented.
If your dog does get his paws on bread dough, call your veterinarian or local emergency clinic.
Obesity
Not only does extra weight put stress on joints and discourage exercise, but obesity may also lead to increased risk of diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Check your dog’s conformation to determine if he is too chubby. An obese dog has a rounder girth, a paunch on his underbelly and his ribs are buried.
Traveling with Your Dog
When traveling with your pet in the car, it’s import to follow these tips:
Use Proper Restraint: When traveling in your vehicle, your pet should always be properly restrained for both your and their safety. In the case of an accident, a dog can weigh up 30 times its weight upon impact while traveling at 35 mph. Today, many companies create seat belt systems and crates to keep animals safely secured while on the road.
Never Leave Your Pet In the Car: In 70-degree weather and above, it takes only minutes for the temperatures in your car to escalate to triple digits. Leaving the window open an inch does not provide adequate ventilation. Many states are passing laws that prohibit leaving your pet alone in your automobile.
Bring Water: Car travel can make your pets feel anxious and result in nervous panting. Be sure to take frequent breaks during your trip to allow your pet the opportunity to re-hydrate. Let him out of the care on a leash and give him some water in a bowl and even a nice healthy treat.
Healthy Dog Signs
There are several signs that can indicate a problem with your dog. It is important for dog owners to be aware of the signs and symptoms that indicate a problem. Problem signs include a lack of appetite, decreased activity, weakness, changes in water consumption, not grooming, bad breath, sleeping more, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, trouble breathing, frequent urination or bloody urination.
Ideal Pet Food Storage
An ideal choice for a dog food storage container is a sturdy, airtight, bug-proof container that is easy to clean and large enough for an entire bag of kibble.
Choosing a Doggie Door
Your ideal doggie door is sized to fit the standing height of your full-grown dog when measured from the top of the shoulders, and the width at the chest.
Bad Doggie Breath
Many people think that dog bad breath just comes with the territory of being a dog. This is not the case. Dog bad breath can be associated with teeth and/or mouth abnormalities.
Exercising your Senior Dog
Exercise and play is important to all dogs, including your elderly dog. Exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight may lead to a number of health problems. It places excess stress on your pet’s heart. Excess weight on degenerating joints can speed up the development of arthritis.
Your elderly dog’s mental health may also benefit from exercise. Activity keeps oxygen and other nutrients at optimum levels in the brain. The brain is like every other organ in the body in that it requires good nutrition.
Removing Skunk Odor
Try a mixture of 10 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part baking soda. Add a dash of dish-washing soap and pour into a spray bottle. Spray liberally over dry coat and allow to air dry. Avoid eyes.
This same mixture works on inanimate objects as well.
Healthy Teeth Tips for Dogs
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean can help keep your dog healthy. Use a soft toothbrush. A child’s toothbrush for small dogs is ideal; an adult size should be used for larger dogs. Use toothpaste formulated especially for pets, available at pet supply stores or your veterinarian’s office. Do not use human toothpaste – it is not safe for your dog.
Begin by only brushing the outside surfaces of the teeth. When your pet has adjusted to this, add the inside surfaces between the teeth and tongue.
Nail Trimming Problem
If you make the mistake of cutting your dog’s nails too short here is a home remedy to stop the bleeding. A small amount of flour packed onto the end of the nail will often quell the bleeding. Also try rubbing a bar of soap on the end of the nail for the same effect. Nothing, however, beats having a stash of styptic powder, which you can buy at your local pet store or at your vet’s office.
Cocoa Mulch
Mulch is commonly used in landscaping. Most types of mulch are safe, however, cocoa bean mulch is toxic. The cocoa bean produces beautiful dark mulch that has the aroma of chocolate. Unfortunately, this type of mulch is dangerous because of the by-products of the cocoa shells. When ingested, dogs can show severe signs of chocolate toxicity. If you do any landscaping make sure to use pet safe mulch.
Adding a new dog to the one you already have.
Don’t encourage ill will between future buddies with a too-close-for-comfort feeding time routine. Make sure to feed the new member of the household in a separate location, using a using separate food bowls.
Puppy Proofing your Home
Start by assuming you have a two-year-old child.
Everything that you would lock up for a child, lock up for your puppy.
Keep all cleaning materials, household chemicals, and medications locked behind cabinet doors.
Keep poisonous plants, electric cords, and children’ toys out of reach.
Block off portions of your home such as bedrooms, bathrooms, or any part of the house you are not occupying most of the time. The new puppy should have a very limited place to roam in your home until he properly potty trained and outgrows chewing on things.
Winter Paw Care for Dogs
In cold weather, the pads on the bottom of your dog’s feet can take a beating. One way to protect them is to buy special boots made of neoprene or similar materials.
Preventing Heatstroke in Cats
Do not leave your cat in the car – even if you think the weather is fine. Cars heat up very quickly and become similar to a small sauna.
When the weather is hot or even warm make sure your cat has plenty of shade and water if he is outside. Consider leaving a small tub of water for your cat to play in and stay cool in the hot weather. Make sure the amount of water is drowning proof safe.
Bland Diet for Vomiting
Many veterinarians recommend a “bland” diet for dogs that have been vomiting or had vomiting and diarrhea. The general approach is as follows:
1. First, start with water. After the small increments of water are offered, gradually offer a bland diet.
2. Small frequent feedings of a bland digestible diet such as: Hill’s prescription diet i/d, Iams Recovery Diet, Provision EN or Waltham Low Fat are usually recommended. Homemade diets can be made of boiled rice or potatoes (as the carbohydrate source) and lean hamburger, skinless chicken or low-fat cottage cheese (as the protein source).
3. Return to regular dog food should be gradual over one to two days. If vomiting continues at any time or the onset of other symptoms is noted, call your veterinarian promptly.
Protect your Dog from Common Household Dangers
There are items in every home that can hold hidden dangers to pets. Many household items may look benign yet have potential to cause serious injury. For example, a recliner can crush a small puppy or fast-closing doors may allow paws or tails to be caught. Here are a few items to keep your eye on:
1. Paper shredders
2. Ethylene glycol
3. Doors
4. Recliners
5. Potpourri
6. Bones
7. Human foods and substances
8. Trash cans
9. Unsecured medications
10. Glues and cleaners
Tips for a Successful Vet Visit
When you go to your veterinarian for your dog’s next visit, make sure you get the most out of the visit. Ask lots of questions and be prepared. Here are some tips:
Write down any questions and health concerns you have before you go and take the list with you.
Make a list of any medications your dog is on, the dose and frequency. Be sure to discuss any effects the medication may or may not have had or any difference in behavior if any since taking the medication.
Yard Safety Tips
There are several possible hazards in your yard that can cause injury or create problems for your dog.
1. Sharp nails or wires on fencing
2. Loose fence boards or areas where pets can sneak out, around or under
3. Trash tossed or blown into the yard that may be chewed on or ingested
4. Improperly stored toxins such as rodenticide, slug bait, fertilizer or antifreeze.
5. If you landscape or are having any landscaping done at your home, make sure to use pet safe mulch.
6. Make sure you do not have any pet toxic plants in your yard.
Natural Remedies for Cats and Dogs
Pet natural health care is becoming extremely common amongst pet owners around the world. It is important to remember that just like an over the counter medicine there are several different approaches and natural ingredients that can be used, so monitor your pet while he is being treated in case he needs to try a different dosage or different mix of medicine.
Being a responsible pet owner means knowing how, when, where and what when it comes to your pet, keeping abreast of changes and new findings, and putting pet wellness practices into motion on a daily basis or as required.
I will be adding new tips for pet wellness as they come my way, so be sure to check back for updates, new findings, and new advice
Pet Trivia: Do you know that dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures?
by Jeff Parke - Exotic-Pet-Tips.com
Cats are playful animals. If you are planning to get one, you should know the basics about house cat care. The moment the cat is brought into the house, you should give it his or her own room for the time being with food, water and a bed. If it has not yet been toilet trained, you should start teaching it so there are no stains in the carpet. If ever they do something wrong like climb up on the table or scratch the furniture, you must never scold them as they are very sensitive animals. You can enforce discipline without causing any harm by squirting water on their face.
If you got this as a kitten, it will easily be able to adapt itself to the environment because it will allow itself to be ruled by other pets. This means there will be fewer incidents of fighting among themselves. Your kitten will follow you wherever you go and at times jump or climb up to the kitchen counter or table. This isn’t good if you have food there so discourage this habit by having a bottle full of water around so you can squirt it into their face.
Apart from working on the scratch pad, you should trim their nails before it gets too sharp that it could hurt someone or damage the furniture in the house. You do this by pressing down on each toe which makes the claws extend. This should be inspected regularly so they also get used to it as they grow older.
You must also provide a scratching pad so it can play around without causing any damage to your furniture. This should be 3 feet in height and placed either near the furniture or their bed. When their nails get too sharp, you better trim it so they don’t hurt you or themselves.
If you have a big cat, give them room to adapt to the new environment on their own.
If your pets quarrel, don’t worry or get in between them because this is normal. But if things are really bad, then you have to separate them by confining both in different rooms. An older cat also needs to be disciplined so they know what they can and cannot do. This is why you need to keep the squirt bottle handy as this is the best way to tell them it is wrong without physically hurting them.
Lastly, bring your cat to the vet regularly and when you see something new in their behavior as quick thinking could prevent a possible sickness from getting worse. If you don’t know any, get a recommendation from one of your neighbors. House cat care is challenging but rewarding. You just have to put in the time and effort when you decide to bring a pet into your home.
Our cats rely on us to take care of them and figuring them out is key when caring for cats.
By Sue Novak - LJWorld.com
About 15 years ago I met a woman who had recently purchased a young Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. He was a magnificent bird who made me think twice when he spread his wings and raised his huge crest, bobbing his head up and down. When he hooked his beak on my wire-rimmed glasses, I gave them up pretty quickly. I’m pretty sure that pleased him.
Aside from the fact that this bird was a force to be reckoned with (he got loose from his cage one day and chased all the other animals in the house out the dog door onto the back porch), his owner realized that he would outlive her. Given that these birds can last 70 or more years, and this woman was already in her 50s, that meant that at the bird’s death, she’d be … well, older than any of us ever get to be.
Because it is much more common for us to outlive our pets, this posed a problem for her that many companion animal owners don’t often think about: Who would take her pet when she was gone?
I spent some time thinking about her situation, and as a result I have since outlined instructions, which I keep with my will, that detail what I want done with my pets after I move on to cleaning those litter boxes in the heavens.
It’s not a pleasant thing to think about, and with each pet’s passing, it means updating those instructions, but it gives me some peace of mind. I don’t want some stranger coming into my home after I’m gone and thinking of my furry family members as they would a chair or a lamp or some article of clothing to be disposed of.
After attending the wonderful Dogtoberfest in Lawrence’s South Park this past weekend, however, I learned of another way that people can provide for their animals who outlive them, if it’s within their budget.
The fantastic people at the veterinary school at Kansas State University have helped create the K-State Perpetual Pet Care Program, which, according to the brochure, is “a comprehensive program designed to provide animals with loving homes once an owner is no longer able to provide daily care.”
The program, which you can link to at www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/development/, had its start in 1996 with Lou and Norma Jane Ball, a couple in their 70s who owned two much-loved Himalayan cats. Realizing that they might at some point need someone else to care for their pets, they approached Jake Mosier, a veterinarian and hospital director at K-State.
Together they outlined the type of care the Balls wanted for their cats in their absence, and in return, the booklet explains, the Balls would “provide financial assistance to the College of Veterinary Medicine through a trust.” This began the program in which, “through a bequest, the pets’ medical care is covered for life. The remaining balance can be designated to support initiatives such as hospital renovations, programs and services.”
In preparing for your animals’ futures, the K-State team will take down all the details that are important to you for your pets’ continued care. This includes such information as daily routines and basic home life, so the staff can closely match your pets’ future adoptive home to your own, which reduces the stress in the new placement. The screening process for a replacement family is stringent.
The rewards of the program are great for everyone involved. “Your pet is assured a loving home, companionship and medical treatment,” the booklet explains, and you may choose whatever form of donation that proves best for your particular needs.
The remainder of the money that extends beyond your pet’s needs goes to the veterinary school scholarship, endowment or fund of your choice. These funds assist the school with “teaching, research and clinical health care service.”
The funds donated to this program can help veterinarians become better at what they do, which in turn improves life for pets and their owners in the future.
The K-State Perpetual Pet Care Program offers three levels of funding, beginning at $25,000 for small companion animals and reaching to $75,000 for special needs animals. Once you’ve enrolled, you may add other pets who come into your life, and if the pet you enroll predeceases you, you may substitute another animal.
Today, 76 animals from more than 20 families are involved in the program, which has provided more than $4 million to the veterinary school.
Many people who have large or close families may decide that their remaining family pets will be well cared for, but some who are more on their own may consider this a good option. It’s a win–win situation not only for your loved family members but also for the advanced understanding of companion animal medical care that you will help bring about.
— Sue Novak volunteers with the Lawrence Humane Society.
By Melanie Goble - htrnews.com
Fleas and ticks are parasites that live on the skin of animals and can spread disease. Prevention of fleas and ticks is very important.
It is recommended that you speak with your veterinarian to find the appropriate prevention tool for your pet. There are many concerns about products being used inappropriately, so it is important to read and follow the directions, and make sure you are not using a dog product on a cat.
If you have plants or wildlife in your yard, then you are at risk for fleas and ticks getting into your home. This risk goes up if you have pets that go outdoors, especially cats or dogs that hunt or chase the wildlife, or if wildlife is able to get into your home.
Fleas survive by biting and drinking blood. Some flea bites cause animals to have a severe reaction called Flea Allergy Dermatitis, which can cause them to be excessively itchy, lose fur and have infections of the skin. FAD often requires additional medical attention.
When animals groom themselves, they may ingest the fleas, making the fleas harder to find and potentially infecting the animal with tapeworms.
Although fleas do not prefer to feed on people, they will in severe infestations.
Flea bites on people are normally found around the ankles, although they may be found in other places.
Treatment of fleas includes treating the animals in the household (speak with your veterinarian about appropriate treatment for each pet) and treating the environment (the home, car, even the yard).
Your veterinarian or an exterminator can help you determine what is appropriate for your home.
A newly hatched flea can live in the pupa stage for up to 140 days before appearing as a recognizable adult flea. Therefore, treatment can last five months or longer to help prevent re-infestation.
Ticks are another external parasite that may carry diseases that may cause problems for animals and people.
There are many types of ticks, and each type can carry different diseases. The most well known is the deer tick, which carries Lyme disease.
Other tick diseases that we can see in this area include (but are not limited to) ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. Some dogs can clear the infection; others may show signs such as limping, lethargy (being overly tired), not eating or drinking, vomiting or diarrhea.
There is a simple blood test that can check for all three of these diseases as well as heartworm disease in dogs.
Although cats can be bitten by ticks, they do not appear to develop disease as
readily. If your dog is bitten by a tick, the tick should be removed completely and the site should be monitored as reactions to the bite itself can occur.
The test to check for tick-born diseases should be run about six weeks after the bite or if signs develop.
If the test is positive, additional testing and treatment may be needed.
Fleas and ticks do not hibernate and do remain alive on wildlife year round, so it is recommended to keep your dogs and cats on preventative year round.
Dr. Melanie Goble is a veterinarian at Memorial Drive Veterinary Clinic in Manitowoc.
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By Gregory Karp - DenverPost.com
Consumers should have health insurance, but whether you should buy health insurance for your pet is a different question. And it might have a different answer.
Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently analyzed nine pet health insurance plans. It used an average 10-year-old beagle as an example. The dog had common ailments and accidents over the years. Given those circumstances, none of the nine health insurance plans would have been worthwhile, the report found. In fact, the pet owner would be $2,500 to $4,300 in the hole, compared with paying out of pocket.
If the dog had chronic and major problems that boosted vet bills over the decade to about $12,000, a few insurance plans provided a relatively minor net benefit of $78 to $1,714 in a scenario analyzed by the publication.
Some veterinarians, the Humane Society of the United States and a host of pet advocates endorse pet insurance, however. They say it provides pet owners peace of mind, can mitigate vet expenses and possibly avoids "economic euthanasia."
If you would try to extend your pet's life no matter the cost, insurance could be a good idea, experts say.
Huntyr-Huntyr.blogspot.com
when my littermate, Gus, came to visit!
It was great to see him again!
We had fun digging them out!
By Brian Meyer and Deidre Williams - BuffaloNews.com
The 36 dogs arrived frightened and unkempt on Halloween night, and their rescuers could only imagine the horrors they encountered during their short lives.
One cocker spaniel was pregnant. So were three miniature schnauzers.
A Yorkshire terrier was limping. Another dog was being treated for a stomach disorder.
Lhasa Apsos, an American Eskimo dog, Papillons and other breeds were carefully removed from cages in a truck that pulled into an East Amherst dog training center Sunday night.
The dogs share a harrowing past. They were rescued from a Missouri puppy mill that had recently decided to close. Animal advocates are convinced that its appearance on the U.S. Humane Society's "Dirty Dozen" list of the most deplorable facilities in the state contributed to its closure.
"They were squishing a bunch of dogs in a little cage like this," said Janice Jabcuga, pointing at a cage that was about two feet long and two feet wide. "That's how these puppies were living."
Jabcuga's dog training center on Transit Road became the nerve center Sunday night for what advocates described as one of the region's largest rescue missions. Prior to arriving here, the group delivered 15 rescued dogs to various sites.
Numerous groups from across the country, including the Perry-based Going to the Dogs Rescue, converged on the closed puppy mill in Mexico, Mo., to place bids on dogs. Their goal was to acquire as many animals as possible in hopes of preventing breeders from buying more stock for their mills.
Melissa A. Henchen of Going to the Dogs Rescue said groups managed to acquire about 200 of the 870 dogs that were placed on the selling block. Following a journey that spanned more than 700 miles, some dogs were shaking and disoriented.
"A lot of puppy mill dogs have known a certain way of life for a really long time. And that is a cage," Henchen said.
Voters in Missouri will consider a referendum this week that would impose stricter regulations on puppy breeders, another factor that she believes helped trigger the massive auction over the weekend.
Groups across the nation raised $15,000 to place bids. A man from Byron bought the truck needed to transport the animals back to New York. Dozens of residents showed up Sunday to help wash and groom the dogs. Others volunteered to serve as temporary foster parents, and they applauded as the truck pulled up at Love Your Dog Inc. on Transit Road.
"These two are going home with me," said Akron resident Mary Prentice, pointing to two tiny Yorkshire terriers. Prentice also offered to provide temporary shelter for a Puggle.
But there's a lot of work to do before many of the animals can be permanently placed in home.
The dogs that arrived Sunday following a 16-hour journey haven't been around people. Most would have to learn basic tasks such as how to walk up stairs -- not to mention walking on leashes.
"They'll need to get socialized," said Allison Ramunno, who along with Kelly Ganzenmuller founded Speaking Out for Animals, a group that rescues cats and dogs.
The sad reality is that some of the rescued animals might not be suitable for permanent adoption, said Jabcuga, who has been training dogs for 25 years. But many of the dogs can become beloved pets, especially with training.
Michelle Senters, who works at Love Your Dog Inc. brought home two rescue dogs Sunday, even though she already has three dogs in her West Seneca home.
It's not unusual for people involved in animal rescue to offer temporary homes to large numbers of animals. John Henchen of Going to the Dogs Rescue said he and his wife Melissa have been foster parents to close to 200 dogs, he estimated.
Earlier Sunday, animal advocates held a peaceful demonstration on Sheridan Drive in Amherst to raise public awareness of some puppy mills.
The demonstration -- which was organized by Jackie Flanigan, a Buffalo native who moved to Pennsylvania two years ago -- was not targeting the Missouri kennel. But one of the pickets, 27-year-old Tara Bruegger of North Tonawanda, said it is not unusual for puppy mills across the country to contact rescue agencies for help under certain circumstances.
Morgan Dunbar, president of the Animal Allies Club at Canisius College, said most pet shop puppies come from kennels that are in deplorable condition. The animals receive little to no veterinary care.
"It's really a disgusting industry and it needs to be stopped," she said.
bmeyer@buffnews.com and dswilliams@buffnews.com
wovre.com
If you've been having trouble deciding what to do with your old analogue television once the digital conversion is in place or you just don't know what to do with a TV that no longer works, there is a solution. Consider adding new life to the old TV by making it into a habitat for pet fish. Follow these steps and you can convert an old TV into a fish tank.
Materials:
--Old TV
--Small aquarium
--Screwdriver
--Wire cutters
--SawBlocks of spare wood or 2 x 4s
Step 1: Unplug the TV. Before you do anything you need to be sure that the TV is not receiving any electrical power. If the TV recently stopped working or works fine but you just wanted to upgrade, then you might consider having an electrician handle step two to avoid any possibility of electric shock.
Step 2: Open TV back and remove tube and wires. Unscrew the back from the set and remove any of the interior pieces including the tube, electrical boards and any wiring. Some wires may be connected to the rear of the TV and these wires will have to be cut then removed. Once done with this step you should have a hollow TV shell.
Step 3: Remove the TV top. If you are using a console TV you will need to saw off the top wood panel of the TV in order to access the fish tank. You can elect to either leave the console without a top or place hinges in the back of the wood top and reset the top you removed. If using a TV without the wood cabinet then just leave the back of the TV unattached then prepare to place your tank where the back is not visible.
Step 4: Measure the TV interior. Before you buy an aquarium you want to know it will fit into the TV. Measure the length, width and height of the interior of the TV.
Step 5: Buy the aquarium. Using the measurements from step three, purchase an aquarium that is smaller than the interior of the TV set.
Step 6: Check the TV for fit and stability. Before you place the aquarium into the TV you should make certain that the aquarium will fit into the set and that the TV can hold the weight of the aquarium once it is filled with water. Consider placing blocks of wood underneath the rear of the TV set to stabilize the tank and hold the weight. Even with a console TV you might need the added stability.
Step 7: Place the aquarium into the TV. Slide the aquarium into the TV set. Place cotton padding anywhere needed to ensure a snug fit. Place support blocks under the aquarium if the TV base is not level. Install lightning if wanted.
Step 8: Fill the aquarium. Pour water into the aquarium then populate it with fish.
Converting an old TV works best when you have a console unit but it is possible to make a fish tank with any old tube TV. You may need to add some additional support under the aquarium when using a tube TV that doesn't have a console base.
Follow these steps to create the tank and then enjoy the new, serene habitat you have created.
By John Kelly - Washington Post Staff Writer
When is the best time to be a dog? Pretty much any time.
Dogs live in the moment. Dogs go with the flow. Dogs roll with it. Dogs make do with what they've got.
In winter, our black Lab, Charlie, loves frolicking in the snow. In spring, he likes sniffing the new grass - then eating it. In summer, he enjoys lounging in the hot sun. But like a lot of dogs (like a lot of humans), I think his favorite season is autumn.
Dogs such as Charlie are made to walk through fallen leaves. When I walk him in the autumn, listening to the rustling he makes as he trots along, I'm reminded of how delicate Charlie actually is. Yes, he weighs 75 pounds, but he flicks his forefeet with a certain daintiness, bends what I guess are his wrists with a certain elegance. The pads of his feet may be rough, but inside he is a dandy, the desiccated leaves the equivalent of the carefully strewn sand of a soft-shoe dancer.
Not that Charlie is overly precious when it comes to the leaves. I don't know exactly why, but dogs are especially fond of peeing on piles of leaves. Do mounds of leaves - their photosynthesizing duties done - exude some chemical odor irresistible to dogs? Or is a raised berm of any sort just too attractive a target to pass up? Is it a canvas awaiting a brushstroke, a plinth awaiting a statue?
Whatever the reason, an autumn walk with Charlie is longer than its summer or winter counterpart. He pulls at his leash, eager to sniff at the leaves. He is a connoisseur of leaves - an annoying connoisseur, actually. He seems to sniff every leaf in a pile, every blade and vein and rib. What is he looking for? What catastrophe awaits if he pees on the wrong leaf?
Charlie's favorite kind of fall day is one like we had in the middle of last week: sunny, but with a chill in the air, the sky a deep blue.
I was working at home when Charlie came up to me. That's usually a sign that he wants something, although what I think he wants most is for me to magically pull a meatball from my pocket and toss it to him.
I got up and opened the back door to let him out. But Charlie didn't want to go out. He just wanted to look out. He plopped down in a pool of sunlight and breathed in the smells of autumn. The breeze picked up, and crinkled leaves, like tea-stained love letters, blew in.
The most colorful tree in our back yard was a dogwood. Charlie approved.
Let There Be Light
Nearly as much fun as dogs are teenagers. The other day, our resident teenager told me that I needed to remind her to change the light bulb in her room.
There's a joke in there somewhere, but I couldn't think of it right away. What I did think, and say, was this: "Why do you need me to remind you to change your light bulb? I would think the darkness would do a pretty good job of that."
It's a funny thing about teenagers and reminders, though. They don't like to be reminded of certain things: You need to clean your bathroom. Did you write those thank-you notes like I asked? Don't you have homework you need to finish?
Dad, I know. Geez! You don't need to remind me!
But forget to remind them of something obvious, and you may get, say, a panicked and accusatory phone call from the school bus: "Why didn't you remind me to put my English paper in my backpack?"
Oh they're smart, those teenagers. Take homework. Our teenager deploys homework like a defensive shield. Almost any request for domestic assistance is answered with "I have homework."
How can we compete with that? Don't we want her to do her homework?
I suppose it must be what living with Alexander Fleming was like. "Honey," Mrs. Fleming would say, "don't forget that you promised to take out the trash."
"I'm busy discovering penicillin," Mr. Fleming would say.
"Oh, all right. I'll do it."
Halloween Pet Treats
Yahoo.com
RENO, Nev. – The world's longest cat measures more than 4 feet, stealing the record from another Maine Coon. The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that 5-year-old Stewie was certified as the new Guinness World Record holder after measuring 48 1/2 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail bone. That's a little more than 4 feet long.
The record was previously held by another Maine Coon that measured 48 inches.
Stewie's owners, Robin Hendrickson and Erik Brandsness, say they decided to try for the record after hearing countless people say they were amazed by Stewie's length.
Hendrickson said Maine Coons are known as "the gentle giants" of the cat world.
by Bill Chappell - npr.org
If you've ever seen a dog trying to shake itself dry after taking a plunge into water — or perhaps while standing next to the person who just gave it a bath — you've probably noticed that the technique can throw off a shocking amount of water.
That's all part of nature's design, says Andrew Dickerson, a graduate student at Georgia Tech. Talking with NPR's Robert Siegel, Dickerson described his recent study of how fast different animals "oscillate their bodies to shed water droplets," as an abstract of his work states.
For his study called "The Wet-Dog Shake," which appeared in the journal Fluid Dynamics, Dickerson and his colleagues slowed down images of animals — dogs, a bear, even a mouse — shaking themselves dry. The footage was shot with a high-speed video camera.
The researchers found that both bears and dogs shake at a similar speed — around 4 Hz and 4-5 Hz, respectively. In this case, hertz refers to the frequency of skin oscillations per second. And it turns out that the smaller the animal, the faster it has to shake to dry. Thus, a cat can get by with shaking around 6 Hz. But its nemesis, the mouse, requires 27 Hz to dry off.
Dickerson says that his work focuses on discovering mechanisms found in nature. The research on how animals shake off water, he says, may have real-world applications in improving the design of washing machines.
But he does not recommend that any human try to duplicate what is, by many rights, a dog's trick.
"If you were to get down on all fours and try to shake off water after a shower," Dickerson says, "your efforts would be most unfruitful."
Yahoo.com
This just in from the "strange but probably true" files. Fisherman Raphael Biagini reeled in what is believed to be a 30-pound koi carp in France, where the fish are quite popular. The fish, a vivid orange, looks a great deal like a giant goldfish.
However, it's important to remember that this guy only looks like a super-size version of every child's first pet. And, for the record, Mr. Biagini, who has caught many a giant carp in his day, returned the orange fish to the water after having his photo taken.
Of course, some people may look at the photo and scream, "Fake!" And, indeed, the Web is full of stories of altered photos. However, from what we can tell, a fish this size and this color is possible. According to Ken Peterson, communications director at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this isn't out of the realm of possibility. If a koi has the right amount of food and enough space to grow, he says, there's no telling how big they can get.
Indeed, koi carp have grown a lot bigger. John McCosker of the California Academy of Sciences points out that, according to FishBase.org, the largest koi on record weighed almost 90 pounds (like the orange fish, it was caught in France).
While it is a bit odd that the fish doesn't appear to be struggling, McCosker explains that this kind of fish isn't among the most wild. And the fish's color, while striking, isn't all that unique. Check out this photo from a Japanese garden in Long Beach, Calif.
Still, there are those who don't believe the photo is real. Many commenters to the Daily Mail story point out that the fish appears to weigh much more than 30 pounds. One doubter writes that the fisherman is holding the fish the way somebody would hold a 1-pound package.Â
By T.J. Greaney - Columbia Daily Tribune
Missouri has become a battleground over the issue of dog cruelty.
The ballot initiative is backed by the Humane Society of the United States, which says Missouri has become the “puppy mill” capital of the nation and the epicenter of bad breeding practices.
“We should not have to fight this fight. This is a battle that should have been settled a long time ago,” Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle said while speaking at an event in Columbia last month. “Because these standards of care — if you can call them that — are inconsistent with the values of the people of the state of Missouri.”
Current law allows dogs to be kept in wire enclosures only slightly larger than their bodies and does not limit the number of dogs a breeder can own or the number of times a female can be bred without rest. Missouri is the source of 30 percent of the nation’s puppies, according to a report by the Better Business Bureau, and yet its Department of Agriculture employs only a small staff of inspectors.
But dog breeders and some veterinary groups are fighting back. In an effort supported by much more modest funding, a Chesterfield-based group called the Alliance for Truth has turned the focus back on the Humane Society of the United States, which they characterize as a radical environmental group with the goal to eliminate animal husbandry.
“If you walked into the ballot box and read that proposition for the first time you would say, ‘Who wouldn’t vote for this?’ ” said Alan Wessler, a veterinarian and vice president of MFA Inc. “But what we end up with here is more government intrusion dictated by an unfunded mandate, with misdemeanor crimes associated with it. And it’s all funded by a charity” which “stands to swell their bank account by raising money during the conflict.”
Breeders point to the 22 pages of regulations already on the books in Missouri known as the Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act. Proposition B does nothing to add funding to the overstretched Missouri Department of Agriculture, they say.
Mark Santo of Millersburg is a breeder of Yorkshire terriers. A walk through his kennel showed pristine conditions complete with heat controls and air purifiers and ample yard space. Santo is one of 10 kennels in the state recognized by the Department of Agriculture as a “Blue Ribbon Kennel,” meaning owners agree to abide by standards stricter than the law. Although he will be unaffected by many of the provisions, Santo said he will have to stop using wire enclosures for his newborn pups that he keeps in his kitchen and spend more money on veterinary visits. Meanwhile, he said, unlicensed breeders pose the real problem.
“They’re trying to target all the licensed breeders,” Santo said. “And the only reason they’re targeting us is that they can find us. It’s like gun control, the criminals are going to have them but they’ll attack all the people who are willing to comply.”
Advocates say these complaints are a smokescreen. Since the 1980s, Bob Baker has visited more than 1,000 kennels and documented hundreds of instances of dog abuse. Baker, the executive director for the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, said he has seen dogs kept in metal barrels and dogs with hair so matted that they couldn’t move.
Baker scoffs at the breeders organization, the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, which calls for more enforcement now but opposed the implementation of the current laws when they were being debated in 1992. The group also lobbied against a move by the Agriculture Department last year to increase kennel licensing fees in order to hire more inspectors, said Baker.
“From my perspective, you need two things: You need good laws and you need good enforcement,” Baker said. “One without the other doesn’t work. Otherwise it would be like the state police saying they want to stop highway deaths, but the speed limit is 100 mph.”
The most controversial element of Proposition B is a provision that would not allow breeders to keep more than 50 intact dogs for the purpose of breeding. Dog owners say this will put good breeders out of business and cause the price of dogs in the state to skyrocket.
Wessler said during his time practicing veterinary medicine in southwest Missouri, he regularly visited good, clean kennels with more than 50 intact dogs. For these rural breeders, this is one of the few careers open to them and they count on the income to survive.
“If you’re a good operator and you’ve played by the rules, this will put you out of business,” Wessler said.
But Baker disagrees. He says under the new rules a breeder could sell 350 puppies a year and make more than $100,000.
“We’re not against them making money, we’re not against them breeding dogs,” he said. “We’re just asking that they take really, really good care of their animals.”
A CLOSER LOOK
NUMBERS: Proposition B says a kennel can have no more than 50 dogs for the purpose of breeding. Current regulations don’t establish a number.
VETERINARY CARE: Proposition B requires dogs to receive an exam once a year and to receive prompt treatment of any illness or injury. Current regulations say kennel owners must develop and follow a program of care with a veterinarian.
ENCLOSURES: Proposition B says indoor enclosures must have solid floors and cannot be stacked. Waste must be cleaned once per day and the temperature must be between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Current regulations say enclosures must be structurally sound, in good repair and with no sharp edges. It must have floors that protect the animals’ feet and legs from injury. All surfaces in contact with animals must be able to be readily cleaned and sanitized when worn or soiled. Bedding must be provided when temperatures drop below 50 degrees and ambient temperature can not dip below 45 degrees or rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
BREEDING: Proposition B says female dogs cannot be bred to produce more than two litters in any 18-month period. Current regulations say female dogs may be bred between the ages of six months and 10 years.
Sources: Proposition B ballot, Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act
Supporters of Proposition B, dubbed the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act,” have poured more than $3 million into the state to launch a campaign that includes heartrending advertisements and celebrity endorsements.
Reach T.J. Greaney at 573-815-1719 or e-mail tjgreaney@columbiatribune.com.
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BestBullySticks.com
Halloween is the time for pumpkin carving and indulging our sweettooth. If you want to treat your dog to some trick or treats this Halloween we have a simple dog treat recipe for you. You need to try our boo-tastic homemade pumpkin dog treats. If you are looking for a delicious & healthy snack for your dog this Howl-o-ween these are a must to hand out to those furry trick or treaters. Pumpkin is full of fiber, beta carotene and vitamins E and C.
Ingredients:
1½ cups whole wheat or white flour
3 tbsp. applesauce
2 eggs
3/4 cup pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 tbsp. molasses
¼ cup water
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease the cookie sheet.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a large-sized bowl, then mix together. The mixed batter should resemble the consistency of cookie dough.
3. Depending on how big you want the cookies to be, use a teaspoon or tablespoon to drop the dough onto the greased cookie sheet. Drop them approximately 1 inch apart. If you want to go the artistic route you could use a bone or pumpkin shape cookie cutter.
4. Bake for 14 minutes or until the cookies are firm.
5. For crunchier cookies, turn the oven off and leave the cookies in the oven to cool for one to two hours. This recipe makes approximately two dozen cookies, depending on how big you make them.
For freshness, store dog treats in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
By Carrie Harrington - Marin Humane Society
HALLOWEEN IS FULL of food, frights and festivities for families to enjoy, but for our pets, it can be a stressful and even dangerous time. Pets rely on the comfort and security of their daily routine and can behave uncharacteristically when their schedule is disrupted by holiday activities.
Here are some tips from the Marin Humane Society for keeping your animal companions safe and stress-free this Halloween.
Keep pets indoors
Make sure pets can't escape during the commotion of frequent visits to your home by trick-or-treaters. The sound of a knock or doorbell can easily alarm dogs; many react with an alert bark and rush to the door.
Also, unaccustomed sights and sounds can be frightening for animals, and people in costume may seem especially menacing. A nervous dog might feel threatened and growl or lunge. Pets will be happier -- and safer -- in a quiet room as far away from the front entrance as possible. Despite best efforts, accidental escapes do happen, so make sure that your pet is microchipped and/or fitted with a collar and ID tag.
Outdoor cats, especially black cats, should be brought inside for this occasion. Unfortunately, black cats have been implicated in many beliefs and superstitions for centuries.
The association of black cats with Halloween can be traced to the Druids of ancient Britain. Today, black cats are still the victims of vicious pranksters who tease, abuse or even kill. This is one night to make sure that your cat is brought indoors.
Treats can be toxic
Place the candy bowls out of paw's reach and explain to well-meaning children that even though a dog or cat may beg for candy, it's important not to share with them.
Halloween candy is not good for pets and chocolate, in particular, could prove deadly for canines because it contains a potent toxin called theobromine. Chocolate is also poisonous to cats, but since they are usually picky eaters, it's seldom a problem.
If your pet ingests chocolate, consult a veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately. The first signs of chocolate poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination and rapid heartbeat.
Also caution family members not to leave candy wrappers on the floor. Wrappers can get stuck in animals' digestive tracts and make them ill, or cause choking or death.
Dangerous decorations
Remember to keep holiday decorations out of harm's way. Curious pets (and wagging tails) are at risk for getting burned or singed from candle flames, and may cause a fire by knocking over jack-o'-lanterns or other ornaments. Electrical wires are potentially hazardous; pets risk shock by chewing on wires or can become tangled and injured by dangling cords.
Some decorations may cause stomach upset or may even be toxic if consumed. Fake cobwebs have been known to cause intestinal damage in cats and can be especially hazardous to small birds that can easily become entangled in the webbing.
Costume care
Holiday pet parades and events have become increasingly popular, especially in the pet-loving Bay Area. While some animals do enjoy playing dress-up, others are downright miserable in costume.
If your pets do like to dress up, make sure that the costumes don't constrict their movement or ability to see, hear and breathe.
Check that the costumes are flame retardant and nontoxic, and remove any small or dangling accessories that can be chewed and swallowed. Costumed pets should never be left unattended. And if they hate it -- take it off! Don't cause your pet any undue discomfort or stress.
Carrie Harrington is the director of communications at the Marin Humane Society, which contributes Tails of Marin articles. Visit MarinHumaneSociety.org.
Dr. Marty Becker - DailyGleaner.com
Q: I don't believe in vaccinations, and I am struggling to find a veterinarian who agrees with me. My dog is healthy and I simply won't risk putting disease in her. I know I have to vaccinate for rabies by law, but I just won't do the others. How can I find a veterinarian who won't argue with me?
- Via email
A: I think you're going to have a hard time finding that veterinarian because we're trained to prevent and cure disease, not give bad advice. And never giving vaccinations - not even the critical puppy series - is bad advice.
But just as in human medicine, there's a sizable camp of people who are convinced that vaccines cause more disease than they prevent.
Some of them refuse to vaccinate their pets at all, ever, counting on the health and vaccination status of other pets - so-called "herd immunity" - in order to protect their animals from the small risk of vaccines.
I believe a tailored vaccination program is key to your dog's health. Just as in human medicine, contagious diseases used to sweep through regularly, causing misery and death by the millions.
Vaccines are one of the true success stories of modern medicine, a livesaving measure of near-miraculous importance.
Manage this risk with your veterinarian's help, vaccinate no more than you need to and no more often than you need to, and you'll be doing what's best for your dog - and by extension helping all the other pets in your community.
I remember when I first started practicing as a veterinarian - dare I say it, 30 years ago - we robotically gave every pet who came in for "annual shots" exactly the same thing. No more.
Now we carefully evaluate each patient and look at breed or mix, life stage, lifestyle and emerging risks to determine exactly what vaccines and other preventive health care measures are recommended.
We call this a "personalized pet health protocol."
Fewer, less frequent, more targeted vaccines are the norm now, but no vaccines at all?
As a veterinarian, I shudder at the suffering that could mean. And I'm guessing almost all of my colleagues would, too.
- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.
By SAMANTHA GOWEN - THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Americans spend millions of dollars every year on health care for their furry companions. Surgeries for skin, teeth and joints are leading treatments for pets as they age alongside us.
Policyholders with Veterinary Pet Insurance spent more than $30 million in 2009 on surgical treatments for their dogs and cats.
The Brea-based company has analyzed data from 485,000 insured pets to cobble two lists of the most common health conditions requiring surgery last year.
It might not surprise dog owners to see skin masses top the list of Fido's health woes. His feline nemesis is dogged by tooth decay, with dental extractions leading the list.
The most common surgical claim for dogs on the list, benign skin mass, cost VPI policyholders an average of $999 per claim. The least common, auricular hematoma, cost an average of $296 per claim.
For cats, the average per claim for tooth extraction was $924, while cancer of the nasal cavity cost an average of $927.xxxx
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By Kieran Nicholson - The Denver Post
An 8-month-old pug named Kook's rattled his cage early this morning, causing enough racket to wake up his owners just in time to escape an apartment fire.
Patrick Vigil and Gail Martinez credit the dog with saving their lives and perhaps the lives of other residents at their multi-family building in northwest Denver.
"I'm a pretty sound sleeper," Vigil said. "We would have slept right through it more than likely."
But after Kook's raised the alarm, Martinez smelled smoked and Vigil stepped outside his garden-level unit to see the apartment above engulfed in flames.
"When I went out, there were flames shooting everywhere," Vigil said.
The fire broke out at about 4 a.m. at 3860 Irving St., said Lt. Phil Champagne, a Denver Fire Department spokesman.
About 36 firefighters fought the blaze for about 40 minutes, containing it for the most part to the one unit, which was gutted. The resident of the unit that burned was not home at the time.
Vigil and Martinez can't return to their unit until investigators determine how much structural damage was done directly above.
Four other families returned to their homes in the six-unit building this morning. There were no injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Meanwhile, Kook's is getting lots of praise today and he's likely in line for a treat or two.
Vigil said: "I think he deserves a little piece of steak or something."
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
Denise Baptiste - oneindia.in
Having a pet is the most wonderful thing in a home. They are lovable and caring beings. When you welcome a pet into a home the first thing the owner will do is to give their pet dog or cat a name.
It is true that one finds it hard to name their pet. So here below are easy ways to help you find the most suitable name for your pet.
1.Make a list of names you have in mind for your pet dog. Separate the male and female list.
2.It is said that animals respond to one or two syllable. So, make sure that you think of a name which will help your pet dog recognize.
3.Do not pick out names that sound close to commands. For example, don't give your pet dog a name called Joe as it is close to the command 'no'. This will help prevent any confusion when you are trying to communicate with your dog.
4.Take some time to look at your pet. Notice if they have any strange marks or colors on their body which will help you think of a unique name. For example, if your pet dog has a tinge of gold hair, you can call her goldie.
5.Do not rush in to getting a name for your pet dog. For a week, get to know the dog's personality and name him or her accordingly. For example, if you find him naughty you can call him Frisky.
6.Keep in mind the gender of your pet dog. Even though the name wont matter to the dog, it will keep people wondering why you named a female dog Tom or a male dog Tina.
You can also take help from family and friends to give your pet dog the best name he desires.
After you have decided a name for your pet dog, do not forget to try it out. Go to the park and call him or her and see if it sounds nice. In no time, when you get the perfect name , both of you will love it.
AnimalFriends.org.uk
A new study has indicated that specially trained pet dogs can be beneficial to the emotional and mental health of children with autism syndrome disorders (ASDs).
Work undertaken at the University of Montreal measured the incidence of cortisol awakening response (CAR) present in the saliva of 42 youngsters with ASDs. This is a hormone produced by the body in relation to stress and was monitored regularly, while the children were each introduced to a canine taught to respond to them.
The parents of the little ones were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding their offspring's emotional behaviour before, during and after the study, and, together with the other results, scientists collated a paper that states the pooches helped minimise emotional distress in their new masters.
"Until now, no study has measured the physiological impact. Our results lend support to the potential behavioural benefits of service dogs for autistic children," Sonia Lupien, senior researcher and a professor at the university's Department of Psychiatry and director of the Centre for Studies on Human Stress at Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, said.
People with autism are often thought to be affected positively by the presence of animals and many different creatures - including horses - are used in therapy.
NowMagazine.co.uk
The star’s pet is said to be suicidal – yes, really
She's been linked to more men than we've had hot dinners, but at least Jennifer Aniston's always had one steady male presence in her life: her pet pooch Norman.
So it's with a heavy heart that we report that Norm hasn't been himself recently.
The 15-year-old dog, who recovered from a life-threatening digestive disease last year, went missing overnight while Jen was shooting her new film Wanderlust in Atlanta.
When he was found, all was not well. Now he rarely wants to go for long walks and he doesn't respond to Jen, 41, like he used to. So, in an oh-so-Hollywood twist, Jen took Norman to see a doggy doctor, who diagnosed him as ‘depressed and suicidal'.
‘Jen became seriously worried about Norman's mental health after his disappearance,' says a source close to the actress.
‘He came back dazed and lacklustre and often doesn't seem to recognise her. She's concerned this could be it for him and she's devastated. The dog therapist said
Norman was depressed and that's what was causing him to act oddly.'
Since the diagnosis, Jen's been inconsolable. The therapist prescribed antidepressants, but Jen didn't want Norman to be on drugs.
‘She's hoping she can coax him out of it herself,' adds an insider.
'People may laugh at her, but Norman really is her best friend. She can't bear to see him like this, but he's very old and she's starting to accept he might be on his last legs.'
Poor Norm - and poor Jen!
By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Every pet should have its own vet, and pets shouldn't just go when they are sick. Dogs and cats and every other pet should have regularly scheduled checkups with a veterinarian.
But don't you have a lot of questions, especially when pet-related topics hit the news? I'm talking about things such as pet food recalls, Lyme disease, canine influenza outbreaks, adverse reactions to flea medications and announcements about new vaccines.
Good veterinarians are very busy, so we shouldn't call them every time we have a question. But now animal lovers can e-mail questions to the Post-Gazette and the answers will come from the five doctors at the Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic.
Starting on Nov. 13, questions will be answered in a new column called Pet Points, which will run every other Saturday in the Home & Garden section along with Pet Tales. Send your questions to petpoints@post-gazette.com.
Pet Points is not the place to go to get a diagnosis or treatment for a pet; you need to see your veterinarian for that. But the column will address issues that affect many pets, perhaps including the animal you love.
Lawrence Gerson founded the clinic in 1976, but he's quick to note that this column isn't just about him. He says he'll be tapping the expertise of his staff and other local veterinarians, including his daughter, Stephanie Berger, a 2009 graduate of Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Gerson, a 1975 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, is president of the Allegheny Abused Animal Relief Fund and chairman of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. He is a past president of the Western Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and the state association. He also hosted a local television show called Pet Talk on WQEX in the 1980s and '90s.
Dr. Gerson's personal pets are Millie, a Bernese mountain dog, and Pitzy, a Maltese whose name means "tiny" in Yiddish.
Black cats beware
Halloween is just around the corner, so if you own a black cat, keep it inside on Oct. 31 and for a least two days before the holiday. This tip comes from a very nice lady who said she once had a black cat that "was tortured on Halloween."
I wanted to know more, but her voicemail message did not include her name or telephone number. She said her current cat is a very dark shade of brown, so she's keeping him inside, too, to be on the safe side.
I get similar tips around this time every year from animal rights and animal welfare organizations. They say black cats are tortured, injured and even killed during the Halloween season.
Though I've interviewed many police officers and humane agents about animal cruelty cases, none of them have involved black cats at Halloween. But I'm passing on the black cat tip -- just to be on the safe side.
Barktoberfest today
This is very short notice, but if you're one of those people who like to dress dogs in costumes, there's a parade in Pittsburgh for people like you.
Barktoberfest will be held in the Strip District from noon to 2 p.m today, rain or shine, at Mullaney's Harp and Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., Strip District. There will be prizes for the best-dressed dogs who march -- on leashes -- in the parade. The first 50 people who register will get doggie bags with "pet-themed giveaways," according to event sponsor Neighbors in the Strip (www.neghborsinthestrip.com).
WDO Photography will take pet photos, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. The shelter also will have a pet adoption fair.
Here's a very long-in-advance notice: For the past four years Mullaney's has allowed dogs to dine with owners on the back deck, twice a week, during what they call their Dog Days of Summer.
Pet Tales appears weekly in the Saturday Home & Garden section. Linda Wilson Fuoco: lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3064. Got a question for a vet? Send your questions to petpoints@post-gazette.com
By Mike O'Connor - Cape Codder
CAPE COD — Dear Bird Folks,
Several different species of woodpeckers regularly come to the feeders in our yard. We have downy and hairy woodpeckers, plus red-bellies and flickers. However, I’ve never seen a single one of them use our birdbath. Other birds bathe frequently, but not woodpeckers. Do they ever take baths?
– Jennifer, Eastham, MA
Perfect, Jennifer,
A few years ago I wrote a book entitled, “Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches?” It was a huge hit and became the best selling book of all time, with that exact title. Since then, I have been thinking about writing a sequel, but I couldn’t come up with a good name for it… until now. “Why Don’t Woodpeckers Take Baths?” is perfect. It could lead to a whole series of books. There could be “Why Don’t Woodpeckers Watch TV?,” followed by “Why Don’t Woodpeckers Use Public Transportation?” and “Why Don’t Woodpeckers Shop at the GAP?” Not only are these great titles, but I think people everywhere really want to know the answers. Forget The Hardy Boys and those silly vampire books; woodpecker mania is about the sweep to country, thanks to you.
When it comes to bathing, not all birds behave the same. Just as it is with people, some birds are constantly washing themselves while others don’t do it nearly as much as we wish they would. Take robins, for example. There isn’t a birdbath anywhere that they won’t stop and use. I don’t know what robins did in a former life, but there is clearly something bad they are trying to wash away. Starlings must have a bit of Japanese culture in them because the entire flock often bathes at the same time. But unlike the Japanese, a starling communal bath isn’t a peaceful, relaxing affair. When a flock of starlings hit a birdbath, water splashes everywhere, looking like a blender with the cover off.
Birds of prey are more human-like in their bathing habits. Hawks will often walk into a pool of water and just soak for a few minutes before getting on with the actual washing. Some of the more sophisticated hawks will light a few candles, put on soft music and pour a glass of wine before they bathe, but those birds are mostly from Europe. Swallows and swifts do just the opposite. They have no time in their busy schedule to be floating around in water, so they bathe on the wing. Swallows will skim over a pond, flying just low enough to allow the water to splash on them as they go.
Other birds seem to have a touch of hydrophobia. They want to take a bath but hate getting into the water. Instead, they will take a “leaf bath.” No, they don’t roll around in a big pile of leaves. (That behavior is exclusive to ten-year-old children.) After a storm, or when there is a lot of morning dew, many warblers will flutter in wet foliage and bathe that way. Other birds are content to let the bath come to them. If it rains, they’ll readily take advantage of the falling water to clean themselves. If it doesn’t rain, they don’t get cleaned, just like ten-year-old children.
Woodpeckers probably use a combination of the above methods to maintain their feathers. If you punch up YouTube on your computer, you should find several video clips of downies and flickers, as well as other woodpeckers, splashing in birdbaths. (There’s also a fun clip of Woody Woodpecker trying to fish a dime out of a bathtub drain. It has nothing to do with your question, but you should watch it anyway.) Woodpeckers will not only use birdbaths, but they will also take the aforementioned rain baths; in the winter they will take snow baths, which are exactly as the name implies.
Woodpeckers have also been known to take dust baths. It’s seems like a major contradiction for birds to clean themselves by rolling around in dirt, but they do it. Experts aren’t sure what the birds gain from fluffing in filth, but their best guess is that it has something to do with parasite control. It is thought that the fine dust blocks the parasites’ breathing holes, which forces them to drop off the bird. Hmm. I’m going to have to try that. I’ll let you know how it works.
No matter which type of bath the woodpeckers participate in, their next move is always the same. They find a quiet spot where they can do some serious preening. During preening the birds physically remove any mites or parasites. They also repair any damaged feathers by “zipping” them up again. The most important thing they do during preening is apply oil to their feathers. The birds squeeze a bit of oil from their oil gland and apply it to their feathers. It once was thought that the oil provided waterproofing, but for the most part the oil is a conditioner that prevents the feathers from becoming dry and brittle, or from getting split ends.
After further review, I don’t think I can call my next book “Why Don’t Woodpeckers Take Baths?,” Jennifer. They probably bathe more than you realize. I’d like to write more on this subject, but I want to get back to watching that Woody Woodpecker clip on YouTube. I can’t wait to see if he finally gets the dime out of the tub drain. It’s exciting stuff.
This column is written by Mike O’Connor and the staff at the Bird Watcher’s General Store in Orleans. Original artwork is supplied by Cathy Clark. If you have a question for the bird experts, please e-mail it to bwgs.capecod@verizon.net or call 508-255-6974.
Thanks to Kathy in BHC, Az
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