ONLY THE LOVE IS CONTAGIOUS–the title of an advertisement for H3N8, the canine influenza respiratory infection. The new vaccine is a killed virus manufactured by INTERVET. Since it is also a new flu virtually every exposed dog will be infected. No one claims a flu connection between people and their pets. However, Geisinger, in its “Health Alert”, discusses H1N1 (swine origin) with symptoms that might suggest a similarity with the canine flu–fever plus cough and sore throat with or without body aches, runny nose and stomach upset. And, both flus may be treated with Tamiflu! Makes you realize how appropriate and important veterinarian Roger Mahr’s “One Health” concept is. (Remember “kennel cough” also uses nasal protection!)
(From time to time I am selected for a questionnaire from Geisinger regarding a recent visit. When possible I comment on the presence of my family pets and my concern for their well-being if anything would happen to me. All pet owners should take the time to discuss their pet’s care with their doctor–it affects our quality of life and even medical decisions!! Do we need volunteers to help pet owners when they return home after surgery and/or illness? A pet support team for illnesses like AIDs has been in place for over 20 years.)
THANK GOODNESS NO ONE HAS GIVEN WALKING BO CREDIT FOR MICHELLE OBAMA’S GREAT UPPER ARMS! AT LEAST NOT YET–BUT WAIT FOR A BO OBAMA ARMS WORK-OUT FOR OWNERS!
HAIR JEWELRY REDUX. In last week’s BLOG we discussed hair jewelry–an ancient form of keeping a family bond alive. Modern technology has intervened in pet grief to create crystal jewelry using a portion of the cremains. Go to www.crystalcompanion.com or call 732-458-8700.
CHICKEN NOT SO LITTLE. For those of you who want to add a little something extra to your dog’s food, eggs are cheap right now according to poultry raisers. Dr. Ben Sheffy, one of Cornell’s leading nutritionists, used to claim that the egg was the perfect “supplement”. Uncooked egg whites are bad for dogs but a hard-boiled egg is a low-calorie treat. Chickens, of course, are easily trained using a clicker. When I attended a poultry show to interview Martha Stewart I saw trained chickens riding on people’s shoulders. Studies have shown that hens can teach one another to complete tasks and roosters use verbal clues to alert hens that a predator is close–and even can alert others about whether the feed is a good quality. And, veterinarians try to manage the chicken environment so that there is less stress (SKY NOT FALLING IN) and more opportunity for hens to express normal behavior.
Since researchers are not allowed to use animals in ways that can hurt them, eggs are often used instead of live animals. So far we have not had a Sputnik egg of any species except the famed Kennedy Russian dog.
Sep 27, 2009 | | Uncategorized
COMMEMORATIVE COIN SET. This year, the Bloomsburg Fair is proposing to offer a set of commemorative coins bearing images of dogs in honor of the Fair Dog Show. If this set of coins has the same challenges relating to collectibility that were found with the “Lassie” coin used as a 1970s prize in the Fair canine competition, there will probably be no bidders when they come up for auction. For those of you who did not know about the Lassie coin, in the 1970s, coins bearing Lassie’s likeness were used as awards for Fair dog show winners. After all, Lassie was the most familiar dog found on a dogfood label–in this case, Recipe brand food. Today, those coins do not appear to be popular in online auctions–one way to assess collectibility.
The late Ray Gross, then the Fair Dog Show superintendent, also mandated that dogs exhibited at the Fair had to have an American Kennel Club registration. We wonder whether the coins that will be available this year will bear images of breed-standard dogs and if they do, were they approved by the AKC (as the arbiter of breed standards)?
Speaking of value, the value of a Fair Dog Show ribbon has been another discussion topic. One year, a shortage of ribbons at the Show led a worker to transfer ribbons from cage to cage. At that show, a blue ribbon winner one day was not a blue ribbon winner the next. Another topic has been the claim that the Show is the oldest–in fact, the first dog and longest held dog show in the Commonwealth was and is still being held in Philadelphia.
CANINE FLU PROTECTION AND THE BLOOMSBURG FAIR. Most important about the Bloomsburg Fair Dog Show this year is the probability that many of the canine contestants will not be inoculated with canine flu protection. (The Fair veterinarian says the reason for this lack of immunization is there is no outbreak in the area.) Canine flu is highly contagious but seldom fatal and symptoms are similar to kennel cough. Dog lovers must ask themselves if the price of admission to the Dog Show building is worth the risk of the added cost of a veterinary visit for the family dog. Coughs are a symptom this year of flu in both children and dogs.
MEMORIALIZING A PET. Many pet owners think of their pets as children. When a pet dies, pictures of pets have an important place in the family album. What about “hair jewelry” made from the hair of beloved family member? This jewelry has become treasured local heirlooms–a precious collectible with meaning. We need to think of creating hair jewelry from our pet’s hair too–a memory as important as that commemorating the death of a child or any other family member.
LETHARGY COULD BE A SIGN OF DRUG REACTION. A new cautionary label is now on flea and tick products. “Topical flea and tick products can contain ingredients that could cause a reaction in your pet. All pets have the potential to react to drug or topical products and these products are no different. To be cautious , we suggest you apply a few drops of the dosage to your animal the first time you are using this product on your pet and if your pet appears fine after a few hours then the remaining dose to your pet. If your pet begins to show skin irritation, lethargy or any other change from normal behavior do not use any more product and contact the manufacturer and your veterinarian immediately.” Remember fleas and ticks have no season. . . the field mouse can bring Lyme disease into the livingroom!
BLUEBERRIES. My dogs are still enjoying the end-of-season fresh blueberries. For people, berries boost the brain and help shrink weight; they are often a staple for dogs in competition. Now baked dog treats with blueberries by Grandma Lucy are available. Grandma Lucy biscuits also come in pumpkin, honey, and ginger.
Sep 21, 2009 | | Uncategorized
GRANDPA BUSH DIDN’T HAVE A TAIL BUT WHAT ABOUT HIS DOG? Are breed standards vanishing? Will we need DNA tests to tell a setter from a retriever from a spaniel? The AVMA has reaffirmed its view that tail docking and ear cropping should not be performed for cosmetic reasons. However, in the same report it also states that these procedures are not unethical and illegal, thus allowing veterinarians to perform these procedures without liability. The new Pennsylvania dog law says cropping and docking and dew claw removal must be done by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of birth. It also outlaws debarking and surgically birthing one’s own animal. KEEP YOUR OWN RECORDS for all procedures–when, where, and by whom. In a Bush’s Baked Beans commercial Jay Bush tells his dog he recognizes him because Grandpa Bush didn’t have a tail (the dog is dressed as a ghost and intoning that he is the spirit of Jay Bush’s grandfather in yet another attempt to get the family baked beans recipe–you’ve no doubt seen it)! Wonder if the controversy over cosmetic surgery will have an impact on commercials as well as breed standards.
RANDOM SOURCE DOGS AND CATS–STRAYS AND ABANDONED PETS FOR SALE? The AVMA is revisiting its policy on the use of random source dogs and cats (abandoned strays and lost dogs and cats) for research, educational purposes and testing. Under consideration was a resolution that would prohibit the use of animals from shelters for research purposes. Animals used to be bred for such activities. The availability of these colonies of animals gave those conducting such research one less source of variability and error. However, research is increasingly expensive. Developing new vaccines and a new dog food is more expensive than ever before. It is easier to dognap a pet or obtain a “free for free” animal and sell it for such use. Often many such animals are gathered together in trucks at interstates by “bunchers” and dealers. A research call goes out for a Golden Retriever or an Australian Shepherd or a small dog and if you own one of these dogs, then beware! The thief can be a stranger or a member of a so-called humane group. Now is the time to watch your pets and the organizations who should be helping pets–not selling them. It is illegal to use a tattooed dog or cat in research. Microchips, however, are still under scrutiny depending on the registry. There have been unconfirmed rumors that AVID has become affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States and the AKC’s HOME AGAIN is said to be having financial difficulties. The new PA dog law makes it illegal to sell a dog to anyone involved in dog fighting so at least locally we know that won’t be the fate of our stray dogs.
HE IS LISTENING. One of the 52 Vick dogs has joined a reading program and works with children. He is listening! Two of the dogs passed their TDI evaluation and cheer people. The number one problem the trainer/rehabilitators have had is teaching these dogs to trust and love people–thus our young readers have become rehabilitators. Both the HSUS and PETA advocated having the Vick dogs euthanized and spending the million dollars Vick had to forfeit for their care on other welfare causes. Instead, the funds are being used to care for Vick’s victims. Two of the 52 dogs died before they could be re-sheltered and one had to euthanized, while another was found to be too aggressive to be rehabilitated. Readers can see many of the dogs on the National Geographic channel being re-trained.
DOG MUST LIKE SNAKES. An interesting note from Larry Grocott, who heads the Geisinger therapy program in the children’s hospital. He is working with a client who owns a Jack Russell that Larry is training not to kill snakes. Seems the family also has a boa constrictor!
Sep 16, 2009 | | Uncategorized