Archives for May, 2009
It is with great sadness that we report that Dr. Josephine Deubler died on May 17th. She was the first woman veterinarian to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Jean Cunningham had Deubler as a teacher and told me that there were only 10 women in the class. How things have changed! I am sure we have more than 10 women veterinarians practicing in the Valley and many of them have either a large animal or mixed practice. Deubler was also show chairman of the Bucks County Kennel Club as well as the Montgomery County Kennel Club–the world’s largest all-terrier show. A Dandie Dinmont terrier fancier, she won Best of Breed at Westminster. She was a licensed AKC judge and judged Westminster in 1998. Deubler helped to establish the Animal Rescue League of Philadelphia. She was a member of the Dog Writers Association of America–truly a renaissance woman. We don’t find such a combination of talents and skills often in one person. We definitely need more veterinarians who are actively engaged in the pet world outside of their practices. It is also a bonus when they can communicate skillfully.
When I read about the Visitor’s Bureau marking “Backyard Tourism Week” I have to wonder how many tourists will wonder at Pennsylvania’s backyard dogs–and the dogs wandering the roads in search of a family who abandoned them? In the videotape on the Canine Good Citizen Ed Sayres Jr., ASPCA president, is shown discussing the “backyard dog” . According to Sayres, puppies begin their family life inside the home and as they mature and become training problems they are banished to the yard. But this is too often just a temporary residence, according to Sayres. These “backyard dogs” are on their way to a shelter. When Sayres did the videotape he was the director at St. Huberts in New Jersey. There are lots of backyards in New Jersey, particularly in that area of the state. Today his jurisdiction is New York City–quite a difference in backyards. I am sure the behavior problems are due to more than a lack of socialization. They are probably “street dogs” with more than a tinge of aggressive behavior. Today, however, many dogs no longer have a backyard because of foreclosures or because owners have to move to residences that won’t accept family pets. Although members of the organization “Dogs Deserve Better” seek to make sure that dogs living in backyards have adequate shelter and care, the dog owners also are in need. Dogs and all pets have become what Kathi Lynn, director of the Columbia/Montour Agency on Aging, calls “the other family members”. They are sharing a frugal family life but if they are not in a shelter and they are either living on the street or in a home where there are not enough resources they are forgotten. There are no food drives and free rabies clinics for these pets.
Probably the most dangerous virus of all is not swine flu but rabies. Now there is an unsubstantiated rumor of a social contact mutant rabies virus in Arizona that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating. Right now it is being reported in bats and foxes. The key word here is UNSUBSTANTIATED. There has been a reported drop in rabies vaccinations in the state for both cats and dogs. It is wise to remember that the fine for having an un-vaccinated dog is $300 a day.
May 25, 2009 | | Uncategorized
Two pieces of legislation bear watching. House Bill 1254 involves tethering. Amendments have been offered that perhaps might make this bill acceptable but it is still a mystery why dogs should not be tied out between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM. If dogs are barking during these hours then it seems they should be considered a nuisance and having them tied at that time is not an act of cruelty? In the case of House Bill 39, which deals with tail docking and ear cropping, many of those who advise against this bill are opposed to anyone else making health decisions for their dogs. Briefly, many of the human pro-choice arguments circle this legislation. Whether the owner and the veterinarian together should make this decision based on their beliefs about what is best for an individual animal is a personal matter. (Monroe came home for Mother’s Day and her tail was wagging so fast and so hard that if it hadn’t been docked it would have been badly bruised or broken! When you have that much joy to tell– what is better than a fast short tail!)
In New Jersey a court decision returned a dog to one of the owners in a custody case, citing a principle like one used in child custody cases— in this case, a “best interests of the pet doctrine”. This was not opposed by the AVMA since it did not involve placing a monetary value on the dog. The AVMA opposes valuing a pet except as a breeding animal with a pedigree and a use. They believe this will open the door to malpractice suits. In a similar livestock-oriented mindset the AVMA opposes spay/neuter for animals.
It has been announced that Cesar Millan will spearhead an effort by the National Geographic Channel to prevent breeding and retailing of puppies. This is an effort to force purchasers to obtain dogs from humane societies and rescues which will be exempt from all state and federal regulations. Rescues and humane societies already have total immunity from puppy lemon laws.
I just renewed my membership in the Keystone English Springer Spaniel Club. Renewal is more than a fee. There is also a pledge to take back a dog from a seller if it doesn’t fit their lifestyle. This is a dog’s life guarantee. And, besides the listing fee each member pledges a donation to the breed rescue fund every time a puppy or dog is sold. As Steve Dale wrote, ”good breeders are part of the solution–it is the breeders who breed only to make money and it is the pet stores who give them easy access to the public who are the problem.”
TIP OF THE WEEK. Readers are invited to use the AKC tracking system to research Pennsylvania laws as well as national and other states’ laws.
And, as long as we are now writing about other states and how they handle pet problems–the Chicago Red Cross chapter is partnering with the AVMA in finding temporary homes for pets when fire destroys homes. The Red Cross was able to find homes for displaced people, but not their pets. Consequently they found families sleeping in their cars with their pets. Area veterinarians are now offering shelter for these pets. Housing animal victims of a house fire is a program many hope will become a national effort.
The May issue of YOUR DOG, the publication of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, has an excellent article on grooming tips for every stage of your dog’s life. Dr. Lowell Ackerman, one of the top dermatologists in the country, weighs in with advice throughout the article. For example, he advises using cornstarch on mats before combing. I use a mixture of cornstarch and baby powder when grooming out any mats in my Springers’ coats. Doing so has the advantage of removing oils and dirt and leaves a good smell.
May 20, 2009 | | Uncategorized
A veterinarian has suggested guidelines that may be used by pet owners when they feel euthanasia may need to be an option. He says the owner should ask himself: is the condition prolonged, recurring or getting worse, no longer responsive to therapy? Is the pet in pain and is it no longer possible to alleviate the pain? If the pet should recover, is he likely to be an invalid or unable to care for himself or to enjoy life? And he also asks–can you provide the necessary care and will such care interfere with your life? Will the cost be unbearably expensive? Can the pet walk and balance reasonably well: is he able to eat and drink enough for normal maintenance; able to breathe without difficulty; able to urinate and defecate without difficulty?
The decision to euthanize should be made on an individual basis with the veterinarian. These guidelines are offered only to help a pet owner focus on the problems.
SHELTER MEDICINE–USING LIVE ANIMALS FOR SURGICAL PRACTICE
Although many veterinary students opt not to use live animals to learn surgical procedures, shelter medicine forces them to use living, breathing cats and dogs to learn spay and neuter techniques. Spays are “major abdominal surgery”, according to John Berg, DVM, chair of the Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School, and performing them is “especially helpful in developing skills.” Thus, ironically population control requires the use of animals and perhaps more skilled future veterinarians. A BIGGER PROBLEM IS–AFTER DECADES OF ADVOCATING AND PRACTICING SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY, WHY ISN’T IT WORKING?
SMUGGLING ACROSS MEXICAN BORDER
According to USA Today smugglers are buying puppies cheaply in Mexico and selling them in this country for up to $1,000 each. Many of these puppies are underage and carrying distemper, rabies, parvovirus and ringworm. Many of the illegal puppies find temporary homes in non-profit shelters that can circumvent dog laws before putting the puppies up for adoption. (Shelters have immunity from puppy lemon laws and all federal and state regulations.) They then become part of the FOR PROFIT SHELTERS that are becoming more prevalent. Also, Columbian smugglers are reportedly turning puppies into drug mules by surgically implanting them with packets of liquid heroin.
It is not only wise to buy American, but adopt American and if possible from local organizations.
WHAT I WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY
Lowe’s has children’s gardening tools on sale. I have asked my daughters for a child-sized rake and a hoe. Over the years I have found that these short-handled rakes are wonderful pooper scoopers! I have had many people help me with dog care over the past two years and these rakes are the favorites because they work in all lengths of grass as well as other surfaces. They are also great indoors for snagging a wayward toy from a hard-to-reach corner or a milk bone that took a detour! The hoes, while not as valuable, are equally impressive in their unique pet care ways.
May 09, 2009 | | Uncategorized
Last week I began to provide information on the recently announced American Kennel Club (AKC) Mixed-Breed Program. Beginning on October 1, 2009, dogs that are registered in this program will be issued an ID number after owners pay a $35 fee and provide evidence that their dog is spayed or neutered. Dog owners should remember that this ID number is a LISTING and not a REGISTRATION. Also, THIS DOES NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE ILP PROGRAM. ALL dogs will be designated as mixed breed–there will be no special designation for designer dogs. For more information on the listing service, email mixedbreeds@akc.org.
Owners of mixed breeds will be eligible to compete on April 1, 2010 for titles that are equivalent to standard purebred titles in agility, obedience or rally, but those that receive these titles will be designated with a mixed-breed suffix or the letter M. In other words, mixed breeds will be eligible only to compete in standalone events. The definition of a standalone event is an AKC Agility, Obedience or Rally event that is NOT held on the same date and show site as an AKC All-Breed show, group show or independent specialty.
In Phase I, listed dogs will receive a certificate of participation and an identification number. I will stress again that this is not an AKC registration. In Phase II, effective July 1, 2010, benefits such as a window decal, a free initial veterinary visit, a trial offer of pet health insurance, etc., etc., become available. In Phase III, benefits are again enhanced with the addition of an interactive website.
CAN’T TAKE THE FARM OUT OF ROVER. “We’re going to see a lot of dairies go out of business in 2009 because of extremely low milk prices. Not only do we have some customers going out of business but we’re going to have everybody else looking very carefully at where they have to spend money.” This is according to Dr. David Anderson, a livestock economist writing in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He goes on to warn that farmers are treating preventative medicine as an expense rather than an investment. This means higher food prices for consumers and even perhaps more danger in the food we eat. It will be even more obvious when making pet food purchases. Oats, corn and other products, which make up the main ingredients in our pets’ diets, must be viewed with suspicion. Buy established brands. Natural is not always better. Buy from pet food stores. And remember that even if premium foods are more expensive, a pet requires less in his dish in order to maintain health and vigor–usually less than the recommended amount. My 40- to 50-pound Springers’ base diet is no more than a cup and a half of kibble each day. Be careful with supplements–consult your veterinarian. Usually the first thing a behaviorist changes when treating a problem is diet and many diseases can be helped with proper diets.
May 03, 2009 | | Uncategorized