ANIMAL CRACKERS. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would make it a crime for any person to own or control over 50 unsterilized dogs for breeding or for sale as pets. Stating that although he was AGAINST puppy mills and FOR measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and abuse, he stressed he was AGAINST placing an arbitrary cap on the number of animals. The cap, he reasoned, would criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, kennels and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.
WELCOME HoBeaux! The O’Neill family has a new family member and he is a Boxer! HoBeaux is a High Tech brindle Boxer puppy (Dr. Trusdale‘s famous boxer kennel) that is happily living now in Bloomsburg with Jynx, the Toy Fox Terrier–did you see him on Animal Planet‘s Dogs 101? The famed agility Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen named Gy makes three!
PROGRAMS ASSIST PET OWNERS FACING TOUGH TIMES. Programs exist that target unemployed pet owners, pet owners who don‘t qualify for credit and those whose pets need emergency care–the alternative euthanasia! According to a Petfinder survey, 47% of shelters said the primary reason for pet relinquishment was economic, 16% also cited home foreclosure and 37% said there was a drop in adoptions. Pet caregivers stress that pets are at the bottom of the list for financial outlays when owners have loss of income.
Due to the economy we will see more and more fund-raising efforts for our best friends. The choices are many and often are great newspaper and television stories. Like so many of these stories some are exaggerated and some are untrue. To help a neighbor or a friend whose pets need help is probably the best choice of all. If that is not an option give to a reputable organization. We have many small groups in the area that are giving loving care to pets without publicity. Unfortunately, I recently heard of a dog in the Danville Shelter that has been there almost a year. He can‘t walk on a leash. In a case like this funding is not the answer. He needs someone to donate their time and patience. Avoid individual stories of need unless sanctioned by a reputable reference. Of late I find dog trainers much more reputable than veterinarians and in fact some rescue groups check with area trainers before adopting a dog to a family.
Did you know that the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has a Helping Pets Fund for individuals who are unemployed? The Fund offers grants to AAHA hospitals across the country. Ask locally. Veterinary colleges have funds for pet owners who don‘t qualify for credit but whose animals are likely to recover completely–will the Pennsylvania Veterinary College fund Timmy‘s hearing aid? There are funds to help animals in emergencies while some programs focus on species, breeds or medical conditions. Many offer low-cost spay and neuter procedures and routine preventative care. Sources for assistance include: UNITED ANIMAL NATIONS www.uan.org/lifeline/resources.html AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS WWW.aspca.org/about-us/Financial help with my vet bills@ under Pet Care. HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES www.hsus.org/pets/pet care under “What you can do if you are having trouble affording veterinary care“ and “Having trouble affording your pet?“
PET REHAB. Clinics across the country that offer pet rehab services are seeing appointments double and surgical procedures drop. These clinics are often dubbed “the last hope.” At present there are 130 veterinarians trained in this new discipline. In pet rehab veterinarians work with rehabilitation professionals to help pets gain pain-free lives once again.
Oct 22, 2009 | | Uncategorized
One of my favorite books/movies is “The Wizard of Oz”. During the period when I was writing the column “Canine Good Citizen Close-up” for DogWorld, a reader sent me a letter describing a dog bite prevention program she had used in her Syracuse, New York class that involved re-creating the story of Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman and Cowardly Lion. If you remember, Dorothy took the yellow brick road trip to escape the Wicked Witch of the West–really the neighbor bitten by Toto. She was saving her dog. It might be fun to re-create this story for children with that message in the Sunbury area?? Not too many of us associate responsible ownership and dog bite prevention with this classic and Dorothy is a celebrity worthy of Cesar.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of injuries is highest among those aged 5-9 years. The American Humane Society has just developed a dog bite prevention program and, of course, the AVMA has the Blue Dog program. Further, using dogs in costume seems to be particularly effective with autistic children. They need to learn dog bite prevention and how to interact with a dog safely–mastering social skills through cues to find THE BEST FRIENDS THEY WILL EVER HAVE. Since Halloween is just around the corner this might be the perfect opportunity to find and/or make costumes.
CONCERN HOTLINE. To report unsatisfactory conditions at a kennel confidentially or if a kennel is suspected of being illegal, call the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-DOG-TIP1
SENIORS AND RAMPS. I am still able to climb stairs, although the 10 PM trips are often painful. I have had so many senior canines that found these stairs difficult too. From now on I vow to teach my dogs early in life to master agility ramps. I think life will be easier for all of us.
HAND WASHING. The emphasis on hand washing as a disease prevention measure may add to the health of your dog–remember that the illnesses which live in nursing homes and can be transmitted to therapy dogs are a danger that can be prevented with more hand washing. Also, this is a chance to teach children with cold-blooded pets–especially turtles–to wash their hands after handling these creatures, which are well-known carriers of salmonella.
VICKS’ VICTIMS. As is probably already clear from other blogs, I am not too pleased that Michael Vick is going to be an active player for the Eagles, the team from the City of Brotherly Love! It doesn’t speak well for love. And, I have to wonder about the PSPCA “Second Chance Dogs”. Although I am glad these dogs will not just be marched to euthanasia–as they have been for years and years–is this hypocritical fund raising? Before Vick, they were an insurance liability. Now suddenly they have become innocent victims of animal abuse. I guess if Vick deserves a second chance, so do the dogs. He is lucky to be in such good and forgiving company. Does he deserve to linked with such noble friends and have his own TV program?
NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE. The Canine Good Citizen program is being used as a tool in evaluating the Vick victims. For those who did not know, the AKC has acknowledged that the CGC began at a Bloomsburg Fairgrounds training class. I remember the first dogs–they may have had collars but not leashes. The trainers spent a great deal of time during the first class fitting collars correctly. And, interestingly enough one of the next places to offer the CGC was the Kansas State Fair. Vets participated with the 4-H clubs. They wanted to prove that Kansas was not just a puppy mill source.
Oct 15, 2009 | | Uncategorized
A doctor friend once explained to me that October had been chosen as breast cancer awareness month because they needed to mark the disease with fear. “Let’s face it,” he said, “everyone thinks of black cats, werewolves, bats and all things dark associated with Halloween in October. Veterinarians also associate rabies with October to promote prevention of a deadly disease–in this case, rabies. How better to market prevention?” Thus, a month thatis really a pumpkin celebration now also includes a pink ribbon! Today, of course, thanks to the wonderful volunteers of the American Cancer Society the treatment of cancer is filled with warm and friendly support groups and individuals who not only drive the extra mile to make sure appointments are kept, but provide a listening ear. Rabies, however, remains a disease especially dangerous in Pennsylvania. There are more rabid cats in the Commonwealth than any state in the country. But dogs could enter the picture next year with an increase in stray dog victims due to the economy! (And although cats have “furious rabies”, foxes are also known to be quite aggressive.)
And, with the state budget problems, state testing to confirm rabies cases may suffer–did you know that even dogs vaccinated against rabies may catch it? But, it doesn’t have to be that way. If we can prevent rabies through oral bait drops to wildlife to create rabies-free zones, there is no reason we cannot treat feral cats with bait so they too are not carriers of this always-fatal disease.
At present we are importing dogs into the country with rabies–a rabid puppy from India (2007), a rabid dog from Iraq into New Jersey in 2008! Perhaps the new and unsuspecting terrorists among us?? And since rabies kills more animals in Haiti and other South American countries we must be careful before importing puppies into foster homes.
DVM Pharmaceuticals Alert. DVM Pharmaceuticals (brand name) has been shut down by the FDA for quality control violations so avoid purchasing any Teva drugs.
MORE ON H3N8 OR CANINE FLU. First of all, there is no evidence that it has been or can be spread from dogs to humans. The virus stays on surfaces for 48 hours and on hands for 12 hours so disinfecting and washing hands are important. The incubation period is from 2 to 4 days and it is marked by a cough that can last up to 21 days. Unlike the traditional flus, this is not seasonal. The American Veterinary Medical Association has just published a backgrounder on canine flu and swine flu. www.avma.org Under the orange “Public Health Bar” click on “influenza”.
PENN STATE RESEARCHER STUDIES EFFECTS OF DAP ON DOGS SUFFERING FROM THUNDERSTORM STRESS. A recent study published in JAVMA concludes that puppies that wear kerchiefs sprayed with DAP learn quicker in training classes than those with odorless kerchiefs. Now Dr. Emily Dreschel of Penn State has found that during thunderstorms the saliva of frightened dogs contains more cortisol than that of calm dogs. The DAP on kerchiefs (dog-appeasing phenome) is a vital part of the study. Anecdotal evidence indicates that DAP helps dogs who are afraid to ride in cars, too. And, I have found that DAP works in senility or canine Alzheimers anxiety attacks with my senior citizens.
Oct 07, 2009 | | Uncategorized