Sherry’s Corner

Using Lavender and Vanilla; the Bible and dogs

LAVENDER, VANILLA. Lavender and vanilla have been combined by Air Wick into an oil odor dispenser that has changed the lives of my Springer ladies!  The other evening despite guests my dogs remained quietly calm and dozing.  And, in fact, my senior canine slept right through her traditional ten o’clock nightly potty break!!  The only explanation I have is the new air freshener I purchased which combines lavender and vanilla.  Studies have indicated that lavender has a quieting effect, especially on dogs that don’t enjoy travel.  And, of course, DAP is used on puppy kerchiefs when the young ones go into training class.  

THE BIBLE AND DOGS. Susan Bulanda is the author of READY TO SERVE, the SAR book of first-hand field accounts that is almost poetical and very dramatic. Susan told me her newest book was a joy to research –“dogs have a voice”!  It is titled A BIBLICAL VIEW OF ANIMALS.  Susan’s website is www. sbulanda.com.  Click on books for more information and how to obtain an autographed copy.  Also, to obtain a list of SAR teams look up National Search Dog Alliance.  By the way, Bulanda is a Pottstown resident.

DO DOGS GIGGLE? My daughter believes her dog Monroe giggles.  I have never seen any of the Springers I own giggle although they are supposed to be a joyful breed!  But, this was the question posed by a producer of products for pets.  The object, of course, is to encourage oral health and daily teeth care.  I never heard the late Dixon Cuff ask the “giggle-question” but he stressed and encouraged dental care and clean therapy dog breath.  Unfortunately, one of the anesthetics widely used in dental work–ketamine–has been the cause of at least 5 deaths in cats.  (More pets are anesthetized than humans.)  The anesthetic is made by Teva, but  as in the food recall many companies have their labels on this drug (Fort Dodge and Pfizer) so not even veterinarians can be sure the ketamine they are using is not contaminated.  There is an FDA alert–a little late since ketamine was allegedly discovered to be tainted in 2006!  Further, another anesthetic–buterphenol–has also been recalled so both pose dangers to pets undergoing procedures and restraints.

RECENT CLINICAL FOOD TRIAL RESULTS SHOW IMPROVEMENT IN DOGS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS. The Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association recently published two studies which indicate that ingestion of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids improves clinical signs of dogs with osteoarthritis.  Hills Prescription Diet j/d was the test diet against control diets (Purina and Pedigree).  In one study the dogs were fed the diets for 6 months and evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. According to owners in that study the dogs had an improved ability to rise, walk and play.  In my opinion in most studies involving diet and behavior–behavior comes up descriptively short.  If there cannot be physical measurements there should be anecdotal material.  After all, we need to know we are improving or could be improving our pet’s life.  When my 12-year-old struts by with a toy and/or runs by me to avoid a nail clippers I feel good about her diet.  The diet is working–perhaps.  I am satisfied.  However, veterinary nutritionists are not behaviorists and there is the lack.  In my small kennel my 12-year-old has a morning ration of j/d while her daughters have a fish oil capsule added twice a day to their regular food.  My veterinary hospital always takes a history with each visit and one of the questions involves diet and medications, supplements.  It is always wise to discuss any dietary change with your pet’s doctor.  (JAVMA , Vol. 236, No. 1)

Parvovirus Puppies and Protection; Pets in Haiti

PARVOVIRUS PUPPIES AND PROTECTION. I recently received an e-mail from a local rescue that accepted and transported a litter of puppies that had parvovirus.  They needed money to help pay the mounting veterinary bills, which included the Watsontown Emergency Center–over $5000.   I worry about the little ones that are suffering as well as those working to keep them alive.  Could this be avoided?  It should be and must be or this tragedy will be repeated and the disease will spread by well-intentioned small shelters that have more love than they have good sense and ample resources.  One step might be to broaden the scope of the Puppy Lemon Law, which now has jurisdiction only over commercial kennels and pet stores.  The Puppy Lemon Law does not apply to individual small breeders or to non-profit shelters and rescues.  In this time of rapidly mutating viruses this must change.  The Puppy Lemon Law or the Dog Purchaser Protection Act is enforced by the Attorney General–currently candidate Tom Corbett.  We live in a virus danger zone.  We cannot tolerate negligence.  There is a good vaccine to prevent parvovirus just as there is rabies.  This should and could be prevented so that all are protected.

      Animal-Vues has always fought for more education and communication between pet professionals and the pet-owning public.  Susan Bulanda, an educator, author, and well-known SAR trainer and leader, is offering a free seminar through teams of “Canine Training and Management” at Kutztown University on February 13^th.  Volunteers and workers from rescue groups, shelters, non-profit animal welfare organizations, individuals fostering dogs should attend.  So should veterinarians and animal healthcare professionals. Trainers and behaviorists will be interested in the parts on rehabilitation related to dogs raised in commercial environments.       

ARCH AND HAITI. As I write this BLOG, two teams of SAR dogs are on the ground and two more are expected to arrive this week.  Five additional teams have been activated awaiting deployment.   It will probably be some time before the TDI therapy dog teams trained for disaster work are deployed.  Disasters can be large or small, local or global, involve one person or many.  Quite different in mission from the search-and-rescue teams that work to help people, the county animal response teams work at home to help other animals in need.  However, with the magnitude of the earthquake I doubt whether any teams trained in this task will be sent in for a long time.  Veterinarians have a fund and  medical veterinary assistance teams (VMAT), which will no doubt be arriving soon to give any animal assistance needed.  Donald Kamsler was an early member of this group during 9/11 as well as the Bush inaugural.  Also, the American Humane Association was a pioneer in animal disaster care, publishing the first Guidelines.  To keep up with the effort and Haiti and to contribute, search for ARCH.  ARCH is a group of legitimate animal aid organizations.  ARCH members include Humane Society International, American Humane Association, International Fund for Animals and the World Society for the Protection of Animals.    

Canine King of Pop Culture

CANINE KING OF POP CULTURE. The American Kennel Club recently polled readers on the most popular dogs in society.  As you might expect there were few surprises.  Snoopy was crowned the Canine King of Pop Culture!  ( I wonder how many of Snoopy’s admirers know he was born in a western puppy mill!)  Fourth on the top ten list was Eddie, the deceptively well-behaved Russell Terrier in “Frasier”.  “Duke” of Bush’s Baked Beans fame led the voting in advertising and Lassie was top dog in the movies.  Bo Obama, of course, won the nod as top political dog. 

BETTY WHITE will receive an award on January 23^rd.  The renowned, animal-loving actress will be presented with the SAG Life Achievement Award by Sandra Bullock.  White was one of the first to publicly praise the CGC, and is a former president of the Morris Animal Foundation and a present member of the Board. 

PA HIGH COURT HAS RULED THAT THE PA SPCA IS NOT A STATE AGENCY AND CAN BE SUED!  Once again the organization is reputedly in disarray with Board resignations, new board members and looking for a new CEO.  The organization lost a case involving a Reading kennel. It will be back in court this week on a cruelty citation leveled when the owner of a 100+ dog kennel was cleaning feces during a rainstorm.  According to Julian Prager the whole country is watching this trial due to what is termed the SPCA’s “high-handed” behavior.

SHELTER STRAIN. This week, more than 100 commercial kennels will close, putting a severe strain on small shelters struggling to find homes and temporary housing for a flood of dogs.  One shelter manager who has placed 75 of these dogs says the major problem that the dogs have is “shyness”.  “They’re not vicious,” she says, “they are frightened.”  This is a problem shared with the Vick victims.  When we terrorize our dogs, are we teaching lessons of terrorism?   

NEEDED GUIDELINES. With AKC mixed-breed recognition  there is a need for guidelines to help those who want to adopt or purchase a mixed-breed puppy.  Many if not most of the guidelines, of course, are already in place or in the Puppy Lemon Law.  However,  in order to be eligible for the new AKC programs both parents must be from AKC-recognized breeds.  A puppy from two goldendoodles would not be eligible.  A puppy from a Golden Retriever and a Poodle would be eligible.  So once again if a mixed breed is preferred –meet the dam and sire if possible.  If they have a CGC and are active in therapy or other performance events the puppies could be more desirable.  Take the time to search and to evaluate the owner/breeder and kennels–avoid BACKYARD BREEDERS WHO ARE THE NEW PUPPY MILLS (under the 26-dog limit of the Dog Law radar).  Take the time to visit more than one breeder, more than one shelter and rescue.  Also, with mixed breeds price is important.  Don’t buy “trends” –they cost more.  It may be just as economical to buy a purebred dog as one of the new “designer dogs”.  Do ask for veterinarian references and references from trainers and others who have purchased/trained  puppies from past litters. Breed rescues are probably the most reliable source of mixed-breed litters.  And, remember a pet store puppy cost more than the same puppy from a breeder or a shelter.  Check veterinary hospital bulletin boards and avoid newspaper classifieds and the Internet.    Above all–think long and hard about your lifestyle and your budget!  The new dog will be an important  family member.  There is no such pet as a free pet!  Now we need to publish informational guidelines. 

New Year’s Health News and the Pet/Owner Bond

THE RISK OF CUDDLING. Sick in bed and enjoying the warmth and companionship of your pet?  Not so fast!  According to a report in JAVMA, although the number of animal cases is small, evidence suggests that pets can catch the flu from their owners.  Thus far, cats seem to be most susceptible–not just to H1N1 but all forms of flu.  It must be stressed that there is no evidence indicating pets give people flu–the evidence is that WE ARE THE CARRIERS and infect them.  Tell your veterinarian if someone in the home has been ill.  Is it any wonder cats are constantly washing their paws?    

INTERNET ADVICE FROM A VETERINARIAN. Nancy Kay, DVM, recently shared guidelines on how to find reliable, accurate information on the Internet.  Kay’s first suggestion–ask your veterinarian for Web site recommendations.  Second– search for veterinary college Web sites.  Enter “veterinary college” or “veterinary school” after the disease or symptom you are researching.  She also says that Web addresses ending in “.org”, “.edu”, and “.gov” represent nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and governmental agencies, respectively, and will likely be sources of objective and accurate information.  And, if your dog has a breed-specific disease pay a visit to the site hosted by that breed’s national organization.  Kay cautions against business-sponsored Web sites.  And, last of all, she says that disease-specific online forums provide information and a wealth of emotional support.  She advises searching those sponsored by Yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com). More Kay advice: look for groups that have lots of members and have been around for several years.  Kay is a Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine; the recipient of the American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award; and author of Speaking For Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life.    

GOLDEN GIRL BETTY WHITE FUNDS RESEARCH. The Morris Animal Foundation has announced that Betty White will match up to $25,000 donations made to fund research into Leptospirosis, a potentially fatal and contagious disease affecting a growing number of dogs.  Data indicate that the disease is spreading despite the use of two vaccines. Early signs of the disease include lethargy and vomiting.  Humans are exposed through contact or shared environments, such as streams, pools of water and snow. My dogs lick snow. Do yours?

DO WE NEED THERAPY DOG SPECIALISTS? Therapy dogs pass a universal evaluation that allows them to be active in nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, schools and even prisons.  However, like service dogs, some show aptitude more suited to certain areas than do others–not better.  Different.  Should we recognize these talents with advanced training and evaluation?  For example, some dogs seem to enjoy children more than adults.  And, I have known quite a few dogs that seem to have a wonderful ability to work with autistic children.  These dogs are special because they seem to understand a special type of child. TDI has specially trained and evaluated dogs that work with disaster victims.  Is it time to take a similar  recognition into our communities and move a few steps further?