In today’s Science Times, health reporter Donald McNeil writes about a new flu virus circulating in dogs. Mr. McNeil writes:
While fears of a flu pandemic among humans have shifted from the lethal H5N1 avian flu to the relatively mild H1N1 swine flu, the H3N8 canine flu has been a quiet undercurrent in the United States, rarely discussed except among veterinarians and dog owners in the few areas where it has struck hard: Florida, New York City’s northern suburbs, Philadelphia and Denver.
Dr. Cynda Crawford, co-discoverer of the dog flu virus.This week, Dr. Cynda Crawford, one of the discoverers of the virus and a veterinarian at the University of Florida veterinary school, joins the Consults blog to answers readers’ questions about the dog flu and the first vaccine approved for it.
Read Mr. McNeil’s full story, “New Flu Vaccine Approved — for Dogs.”
Do you have a question about canine flu? Post your questions for Dr. Crawford in the “Add your comments” box below. We will be posting Dr. Crawford’s responses in the coming week. Check back for regular updates.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Weddings are going to the dogs!
Dogs are ring bearers, flower girls,
and more
Updated: Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009, 12:37 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009, 12:37 PM EDT
By MIKE BRODY, Special Contributor
If you're going to a wedding this summer, don't be surprised to see a dog in the receiving line. The latest trend in weddings is including dogs (and other pets to a lesser extent) in the wedding party.
Pet-loving couples are increasingly including their dogs in all aspects of their weddings, including the ceremony, according to USA Today .
An American Kennel Club survey found that 18 percent of dog owners said they either have included (or would include) their dog in their wedding ceremony.
"Many people think of their pets as family members, and they wouldn't think of having a special day like this without that member," says Celina Bojorquez, co-owner of Beverly Hills Mutt Club, which sells upscale accessories like doggie tuxedos and couture dresses.
Dogs are being used as ring bearers, flower girls and to walk the bride down the aisle. They're also being seen in many wedding photos.
Celebrities are including their pets in their ceremonies as well. Tori Spelling had her pug serve as the ring bearer and flower girl at her wedding, and Adam Sandler had his dogs Matzoball (pulled down the aisle in a wagon) and Meatball at his Malibu wedding. Meatball was his "best dog" and was dressed in a tux with a yarmulke on his head.
The American Kennel Club offers many tips such as "designating a handler during the ceremony" and "keeping the dogs away from the food" for those who are considering including Fido in their wedding.
and more
Updated: Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009, 12:37 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009, 12:37 PM EDT
By MIKE BRODY, Special Contributor
If you're going to a wedding this summer, don't be surprised to see a dog in the receiving line. The latest trend in weddings is including dogs (and other pets to a lesser extent) in the wedding party.
Pet-loving couples are increasingly including their dogs in all aspects of their weddings, including the ceremony, according to USA Today .
An American Kennel Club survey found that 18 percent of dog owners said they either have included (or would include) their dog in their wedding ceremony.
"Many people think of their pets as family members, and they wouldn't think of having a special day like this without that member," says Celina Bojorquez, co-owner of Beverly Hills Mutt Club, which sells upscale accessories like doggie tuxedos and couture dresses.
Dogs are being used as ring bearers, flower girls and to walk the bride down the aisle. They're also being seen in many wedding photos.
Celebrities are including their pets in their ceremonies as well. Tori Spelling had her pug serve as the ring bearer and flower girl at her wedding, and Adam Sandler had his dogs Matzoball (pulled down the aisle in a wagon) and Meatball at his Malibu wedding. Meatball was his "best dog" and was dressed in a tux with a yarmulke on his head.
The American Kennel Club offers many tips such as "designating a handler during the ceremony" and "keeping the dogs away from the food" for those who are considering including Fido in their wedding.
Do you consider pets family? You're far from alone!
Nearly one-third of owners let their pets share their human beds, like Snag L. Tooth (left) of Portland, Ore.
From The Associated Press:
Susan Jacobs and her companion Kingston both like chicken and collards, chilling on the couch and riding in her convertible with the breeze tussling his curly black hair.
Kingston, it should be said, is a black poodle. But for Jacobs, 45, of Long Beach, Calif., he is like a child.
"The next time I travel, I'll probably take him with me," said Jacobs, a Mary Kay consultant and freelance writer. "I'm just used to him being around."
An Associated Press-Petside.com poll released last week found that half of all American pet owners consider their pets as much a part of the family as any other person in the household; another 36 percent said their pet is part of the family but not a full member.
That means pets often get the human touch: Nearly half of all dog owners and 40 percent of cat owners admit giving their pets human food at least sometimes; nearly half give the animals human names; and nearly a third let them sleep in a human bed. While just 19 percent had bought an outfit for a pet, 43 percent felt their pet had its own "sense of style."
Singles were more likely to say a pet was a full member of the family than married people — 66 percent of single women versus 46 percent of married women, for example. And men were less likely to call their pet a full member of the household.
For some single women, pets become surrogate children, said Kristen Nelson, a veterinarian in Scottsdale, Ariz. She said men are also attached to pets but are less likely to admit it because it's not seen as masculine.
A little over a quarter of pet owners celebrate their pet's birthday or the day it came to live with them and a third have included a pet's photo or name in a holiday card.
Still, 42 percent of pet owners have taken a pet on vacation, with dogs more likely to accompany the family than cats. Dog owners were also more likely to take their pets to work (21 percent) or somewhere the animal wasn't allowed (18 percent).
From The Associated Press:
Susan Jacobs and her companion Kingston both like chicken and collards, chilling on the couch and riding in her convertible with the breeze tussling his curly black hair.
Kingston, it should be said, is a black poodle. But for Jacobs, 45, of Long Beach, Calif., he is like a child.
"The next time I travel, I'll probably take him with me," said Jacobs, a Mary Kay consultant and freelance writer. "I'm just used to him being around."
An Associated Press-Petside.com poll released last week found that half of all American pet owners consider their pets as much a part of the family as any other person in the household; another 36 percent said their pet is part of the family but not a full member.
That means pets often get the human touch: Nearly half of all dog owners and 40 percent of cat owners admit giving their pets human food at least sometimes; nearly half give the animals human names; and nearly a third let them sleep in a human bed. While just 19 percent had bought an outfit for a pet, 43 percent felt their pet had its own "sense of style."
Singles were more likely to say a pet was a full member of the family than married people — 66 percent of single women versus 46 percent of married women, for example. And men were less likely to call their pet a full member of the household.
For some single women, pets become surrogate children, said Kristen Nelson, a veterinarian in Scottsdale, Ariz. She said men are also attached to pets but are less likely to admit it because it's not seen as masculine.
A little over a quarter of pet owners celebrate their pet's birthday or the day it came to live with them and a third have included a pet's photo or name in a holiday card.
Still, 42 percent of pet owners have taken a pet on vacation, with dogs more likely to accompany the family than cats. Dog owners were also more likely to take their pets to work (21 percent) or somewhere the animal wasn't allowed (18 percent).
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Must-Know Tips to Keep Your Pet's Ears Healthy
Taking care of your pet’s ears is easier than you might think. A few simple steps will help you prevent otitis externa, which is simply the medical term for inflammation of the outer ear.
There are two reasons for your pet’s ear canal problems: chronic inflammation and infection. Inflammation, if left untreated, often leads to infection.
How can you tell if your dog or cat has ear inflammation or infection?
If your pet has hot, red, swollen or itchy ears without a lot of discharge, he most likely has inflammation, whereas if those symptoms are present with significant discharge, he probably has an infection.
Inflammation
There are three main reasons for ear inflammation:
Allergies
Moisture
WaxThe most common reason for inflammation is allergies. Allergic responses to foods or agents in the environment cause inflammation throughout your pet’s body—eye/nose/throat inflammation, skin inflammation, bowel inflammation--just about any body system can be affected, including ears.
Allergies are quite common in dogs and cats. If your pet has ear inflammation, it could be he’s allergic to something in his environment or his food. Dogs with this condition will sometimes run their heads along furniture trying to relieve these miserable symptoms, scratch their ears incessantly, or shake their heads more frequently If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms you should examine his ears for the telltale signs of redness and swelling.
The second reason for inflammation in your pet’s ear is moisture, also known as “swimmer’s ear.” This often occurs in the summer when dogs enjoy being outside, playing in lakes, ponds and pools where they get water in their ear canals. If your pet enjoys being in water, this additional source of moisture, in combination with his warm body temperature provides the perfect environment for inflammation and/or infection to develop, unless you take steps to dry out his ear canals.
Even dogs that don’t swim, but live in high humidity areas, are susceptible to these ear conditions, just from the ambient moisture in the air. Other less obvious sources of moisture in your dog’s ears are playing in the rain or snow.
Similarly, when dogs go to the groomer, they are susceptible to getting water in their ears at bath time. This is another common cause of ear inflammation.
The most important thing to remember in preventing ear moisture issues is to keep your pet’s ears dry, clean and free of debris. In fact, the third major reason for ear problems is the buildup of wax.
Wax is normal in mammalian ears, but dogs and cats have varying amounts of it, just as humans do. Some dogs need their ears cleaned of wax daily. Others never have a buildup. Certain breeds produce more wax than others, such as Labradors and retrievers who are, by nature, swimmers.
If you have one of these breeds, you should get your pet accustomed to having his ears cleaned early on--from the time he is a puppy. Some breeds, such as bulldogs, cocker spaniels and poodles, can also produce an abundance of wax that needs attention daily.
It is important to determine how often your pet needs his ears cleaned so you can prevent this waxy buildup, which could lead to inflammation or infection. The only way to know is through observation.
Kitties are not immune from wax buildup. You should regularly check your cat’s ears for inflammation, as well as wax buildup. Some cats have dry ear canals that never need cleaning, and others should be cleaned regularly.
Outer Ear Infection
There are two types of organisms that infect the outer, or external ear: bacteria and fungi.
The primary fungal culprit is yeast. Yeast are opportunistic pathogens, meaning they are present on the bodies of humans, dogs and cats all the time. It is only when the animal’s health is out of check that the yeast overgrows, causing an infection. So, if the immune system is functioning properly, yeast is not ordinarily a problem.
If your dog is having chronic yeast infections, he probably has an overly warm, moist ear environment that you need to remedy. If you have been keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry and he still has chronic yeast infections, or an infection that just won’t go away, you need to look for an underlying immunological reason this is happening.
He could have an endocrine (glandular) problem, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, or even some sort of immunosuppressive problem.
The most common cause of ear problems in dogs is bacterial infections. Veterinarians classify bacteria into 2 groups: pathogenic and nonpathogenic.
Pathogenic bacteria are not normal inhabitants of your pet’s body. They are bacteria your dog could catch from, say, contaminated pond water. That is, they are not normally present on the animal. The dog goes splashing through a pond, water splashes into his ear, and then an infection results.
Nonpathogenic bacteria are the dog’s normal bacteria (typically staph species) that start to take over the ear canal, growing out of control. Dogs have a normal, healthy layer of good bacteria all over their bodies, which prevent pathogenic bacteria from taking hold, just as you and I are covered with normally helpful bacteria that can cause an infection if our immune system becomes compromised.
How do you know which type of bacterial infection your pet has?
You don’t. The only way to find out is with an ear culture.
An ear culture is a lab test where your veterinarian swabs your pet’s ear and sends the sample in to a lab, which actually determines what organism is growing in there and what medication will treat it.
If your pet has a one-time ear infection and your vet treats it with a medication without culturing, and it gets better, that is fine. But if it comes back, or if the infection becomes chronic, then you really need to insist on an ear culture.
It is very important to finish the medication, even if your pet seems better. Failing to finish the full medication regimen can lead to regrowth of resistant organisms, a much more serious problem.
Any time your pet is being treated for an infection, it is important to properly clean the ears and remove all sticky debris so the medication can reach the infected tissue. Ointment that builds up in the ear canal is nothing more than warm, sticky “goo” for the infection to grow in.
Ear Cleaning 101
I am not a big fan of using alcohol to clean the ears because it can cause burning and irritation to already inflamed tissues. However, there are many easy to obtain preparations that are appropriate.
My favorite cleaning agents are:
Witch hazel
Organic apple cider vinegar and purified water, mixed equal parts
Hydrogen peroxide
Green tea infusion (using tea that has been cooled, of course)
Tea tree oil greatly diluted in purified water (but NOT for kitties)
You can use a cotton swab to clean the outside ear area, but never use them inside the ear canal. Use cotton balls instead, since they cannot be inserted too far into the ear. Cotton swabs can damage to your pets eardrums, whereas cotton balls don’t.
If you’ve never cleaned your pets ears before, ask your vet for a quick “how to” lesson next time you’re in for a visit. If your pet has recurrent infections or significant inflammation (if the ears are very painful when touched) it’s important your vet examines the canal before you begin a cleaning regimen. Some dogs may have ruptured ear drums, and special cleaners and medications are required for these pets.
The best way to clean the ear canal is to saturate the cotton ball with your cleaning solution and repeatedly swab out the inside of the ear, until you see no residue on the cotton ball. This may take one swipe or dozens—it completely depends on how much buildup is present in your pet’s ears. You might need to do this daily, weekly, monthly, or maybe even never, if you’re lucky.
Alternately, you can use a small squirt bottle to flush the animal’s ear, then use a cotton ball to wick out the solution. The problem with this method is, usually it causes the animal to shake his head, flinging the solution all over you, your clothing and your bathroom wall. So make sure you are not attempting this while dressed in your favorite duds.
As you can see, taking care of your pet’s years isn’t as difficult as you might have thought! Just a few simple steps to keep his ears clean and dry will go far in preventing many of the outer ear conditions that most commonly afflict our precious companions.
There are two reasons for your pet’s ear canal problems: chronic inflammation and infection. Inflammation, if left untreated, often leads to infection.
How can you tell if your dog or cat has ear inflammation or infection?
If your pet has hot, red, swollen or itchy ears without a lot of discharge, he most likely has inflammation, whereas if those symptoms are present with significant discharge, he probably has an infection.
Inflammation
There are three main reasons for ear inflammation:
Allergies
Moisture
WaxThe most common reason for inflammation is allergies. Allergic responses to foods or agents in the environment cause inflammation throughout your pet’s body—eye/nose/throat inflammation, skin inflammation, bowel inflammation--just about any body system can be affected, including ears.
Allergies are quite common in dogs and cats. If your pet has ear inflammation, it could be he’s allergic to something in his environment or his food. Dogs with this condition will sometimes run their heads along furniture trying to relieve these miserable symptoms, scratch their ears incessantly, or shake their heads more frequently If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms you should examine his ears for the telltale signs of redness and swelling.
The second reason for inflammation in your pet’s ear is moisture, also known as “swimmer’s ear.” This often occurs in the summer when dogs enjoy being outside, playing in lakes, ponds and pools where they get water in their ear canals. If your pet enjoys being in water, this additional source of moisture, in combination with his warm body temperature provides the perfect environment for inflammation and/or infection to develop, unless you take steps to dry out his ear canals.
Even dogs that don’t swim, but live in high humidity areas, are susceptible to these ear conditions, just from the ambient moisture in the air. Other less obvious sources of moisture in your dog’s ears are playing in the rain or snow.
Similarly, when dogs go to the groomer, they are susceptible to getting water in their ears at bath time. This is another common cause of ear inflammation.
The most important thing to remember in preventing ear moisture issues is to keep your pet’s ears dry, clean and free of debris. In fact, the third major reason for ear problems is the buildup of wax.
Wax is normal in mammalian ears, but dogs and cats have varying amounts of it, just as humans do. Some dogs need their ears cleaned of wax daily. Others never have a buildup. Certain breeds produce more wax than others, such as Labradors and retrievers who are, by nature, swimmers.
If you have one of these breeds, you should get your pet accustomed to having his ears cleaned early on--from the time he is a puppy. Some breeds, such as bulldogs, cocker spaniels and poodles, can also produce an abundance of wax that needs attention daily.
It is important to determine how often your pet needs his ears cleaned so you can prevent this waxy buildup, which could lead to inflammation or infection. The only way to know is through observation.
Kitties are not immune from wax buildup. You should regularly check your cat’s ears for inflammation, as well as wax buildup. Some cats have dry ear canals that never need cleaning, and others should be cleaned regularly.
Outer Ear Infection
There are two types of organisms that infect the outer, or external ear: bacteria and fungi.
The primary fungal culprit is yeast. Yeast are opportunistic pathogens, meaning they are present on the bodies of humans, dogs and cats all the time. It is only when the animal’s health is out of check that the yeast overgrows, causing an infection. So, if the immune system is functioning properly, yeast is not ordinarily a problem.
If your dog is having chronic yeast infections, he probably has an overly warm, moist ear environment that you need to remedy. If you have been keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry and he still has chronic yeast infections, or an infection that just won’t go away, you need to look for an underlying immunological reason this is happening.
He could have an endocrine (glandular) problem, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, or even some sort of immunosuppressive problem.
The most common cause of ear problems in dogs is bacterial infections. Veterinarians classify bacteria into 2 groups: pathogenic and nonpathogenic.
Pathogenic bacteria are not normal inhabitants of your pet’s body. They are bacteria your dog could catch from, say, contaminated pond water. That is, they are not normally present on the animal. The dog goes splashing through a pond, water splashes into his ear, and then an infection results.
Nonpathogenic bacteria are the dog’s normal bacteria (typically staph species) that start to take over the ear canal, growing out of control. Dogs have a normal, healthy layer of good bacteria all over their bodies, which prevent pathogenic bacteria from taking hold, just as you and I are covered with normally helpful bacteria that can cause an infection if our immune system becomes compromised.
How do you know which type of bacterial infection your pet has?
You don’t. The only way to find out is with an ear culture.
An ear culture is a lab test where your veterinarian swabs your pet’s ear and sends the sample in to a lab, which actually determines what organism is growing in there and what medication will treat it.
If your pet has a one-time ear infection and your vet treats it with a medication without culturing, and it gets better, that is fine. But if it comes back, or if the infection becomes chronic, then you really need to insist on an ear culture.
It is very important to finish the medication, even if your pet seems better. Failing to finish the full medication regimen can lead to regrowth of resistant organisms, a much more serious problem.
Any time your pet is being treated for an infection, it is important to properly clean the ears and remove all sticky debris so the medication can reach the infected tissue. Ointment that builds up in the ear canal is nothing more than warm, sticky “goo” for the infection to grow in.
Ear Cleaning 101
I am not a big fan of using alcohol to clean the ears because it can cause burning and irritation to already inflamed tissues. However, there are many easy to obtain preparations that are appropriate.
My favorite cleaning agents are:
Witch hazel
Organic apple cider vinegar and purified water, mixed equal parts
Hydrogen peroxide
Green tea infusion (using tea that has been cooled, of course)
Tea tree oil greatly diluted in purified water (but NOT for kitties)
You can use a cotton swab to clean the outside ear area, but never use them inside the ear canal. Use cotton balls instead, since they cannot be inserted too far into the ear. Cotton swabs can damage to your pets eardrums, whereas cotton balls don’t.
If you’ve never cleaned your pets ears before, ask your vet for a quick “how to” lesson next time you’re in for a visit. If your pet has recurrent infections or significant inflammation (if the ears are very painful when touched) it’s important your vet examines the canal before you begin a cleaning regimen. Some dogs may have ruptured ear drums, and special cleaners and medications are required for these pets.
The best way to clean the ear canal is to saturate the cotton ball with your cleaning solution and repeatedly swab out the inside of the ear, until you see no residue on the cotton ball. This may take one swipe or dozens—it completely depends on how much buildup is present in your pet’s ears. You might need to do this daily, weekly, monthly, or maybe even never, if you’re lucky.
Alternately, you can use a small squirt bottle to flush the animal’s ear, then use a cotton ball to wick out the solution. The problem with this method is, usually it causes the animal to shake his head, flinging the solution all over you, your clothing and your bathroom wall. So make sure you are not attempting this while dressed in your favorite duds.
As you can see, taking care of your pet’s years isn’t as difficult as you might have thought! Just a few simple steps to keep his ears clean and dry will go far in preventing many of the outer ear conditions that most commonly afflict our precious companions.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hot-weather alert: How to protect your pet
We're all talking about the blistering heat and how miserable it is. Our animal friends feel it, too. Here's some advice on protecting your pets in this weather, from Dr. Juan Patino, owner of Kirkpatrick Veterinary Hospital in Orlando.
Provide shelter and plenty of water. Pets should have easy access to an area where shade, water and coolness are available all the time. Pets do not perspire, and it's difficult for their bodies to dissipate the heat. Pay special attention to puppies, kittens, senior pets, working pets and small breeds -- they have an increased risk of overheating.
Never leave your pet in the car. The inside of a car can reach temperatures up to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if parked in the shade. This can cause brain damage, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and even death.
Limit exercise. Exercise is important, but in the heat, walk your pet early in the morning or late at night and maintain a gentle pace. If the pet is panting a lot or shows signs of exhaustion, it's time to stop.
Provide shelter and plenty of water. Pets should have easy access to an area where shade, water and coolness are available all the time. Pets do not perspire, and it's difficult for their bodies to dissipate the heat. Pay special attention to puppies, kittens, senior pets, working pets and small breeds -- they have an increased risk of overheating.
Never leave your pet in the car. The inside of a car can reach temperatures up to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if parked in the shade. This can cause brain damage, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and even death.
Limit exercise. Exercise is important, but in the heat, walk your pet early in the morning or late at night and maintain a gentle pace. If the pet is panting a lot or shows signs of exhaustion, it's time to stop.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Take Your Dog To Work Day is Friday, June 26!
King, NC (PSI)—Pet Sitters International, creator of Take Your Dog To Work Day®, today announced Petfinder.com and Dog Fancy magazine as the official adoption partner and official publication partner, respectively, for the tenth anniversary of its annual Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWDay®) campaign.
Offering a fun and unique way to promote dog adoptions, the TYDTWDay campaign encourages employers to open their doors to their employees’ canines for one fun summer Friday.
Co-workers without pets are able to witness the human-animal bond when dogs visit their offices on Friday, June 26, and may be encouraged to experience this joy firsthand by adopting a dog of their own
According to PSI president, Patti Moran, the campaign is carried out every year so that the association’s 8,000 members can give back to the communities they serve. This year, the need for dog adoptions is hugely compounded by economic factors.
“Shelter’s everywhere are reporting increases in dogs populations and our goal is to create as many new homes as possible,” Moran said. We are excited that Petfinder.com and Dog Fancy magazine are joining our efforts to spread the word that ‘secondhand dogs’ can offer the first-rate love ..
Last year’s campaign made great strides in promoting the plight of “foreclosure dogs” and encouraging adoptions, garnering extensive media and a surge in traffic at www.takeyourdog.com. Mentions in high-profile publications, such as USA Today and the Wall Street Journal blog, as well as on popular shows such as “Live with Regis and Kelly” bolstered recognition of the campaign.
For the 2009 campaign, Petfinder.com, Dog Fancy magazine and PSI will work together to provide a unique, multimedia experience for businesses, shelters and dog lovers interested in promoting local pet adoption through participation in Take Your Dog To Work Day.
The TYDTWDay web site allows visitors to register participation and access downloadable TYDTWDay resource guides for businesses and shelters, as well as tips for participating and celebrating. This year the site offers an expanded registration feature, allowing international participants to register. Participants can enter their professional pooches in the official TYDTWDay photo and video contests.
This year’s campaign stresses that as people look for ways to do more with less, adopting a dog is one of the basic, most affordable ways to bring joy to a family. Using the site’s Petfinder.com search tool, individuals can locate adoptable pets in their area.
Since 1999, Pet Sitters International has encouraged suitable businesses of all sizes to allow dogs in the workplace on Take Your Dog To Work Day. During a time when many businesses have been forced to cut jobs and decrease benefits, the event is a fun, low-cost “pet perk” companies can offer to boost employee moral and align themselves with a great cause—promoting local pet adoptions.
PSI encourages businesses, shelters and pet lovers interested in learning more about TYDTWDay to visit www.takeyourdog.com for more information.
Offering a fun and unique way to promote dog adoptions, the TYDTWDay campaign encourages employers to open their doors to their employees’ canines for one fun summer Friday.
Co-workers without pets are able to witness the human-animal bond when dogs visit their offices on Friday, June 26, and may be encouraged to experience this joy firsthand by adopting a dog of their own
According to PSI president, Patti Moran, the campaign is carried out every year so that the association’s 8,000 members can give back to the communities they serve. This year, the need for dog adoptions is hugely compounded by economic factors.
“Shelter’s everywhere are reporting increases in dogs populations and our goal is to create as many new homes as possible,” Moran said. We are excited that Petfinder.com and Dog Fancy magazine are joining our efforts to spread the word that ‘secondhand dogs’ can offer the first-rate love ..
Last year’s campaign made great strides in promoting the plight of “foreclosure dogs” and encouraging adoptions, garnering extensive media and a surge in traffic at www.takeyourdog.com. Mentions in high-profile publications, such as USA Today and the Wall Street Journal blog, as well as on popular shows such as “Live with Regis and Kelly” bolstered recognition of the campaign.
For the 2009 campaign, Petfinder.com, Dog Fancy magazine and PSI will work together to provide a unique, multimedia experience for businesses, shelters and dog lovers interested in promoting local pet adoption through participation in Take Your Dog To Work Day.
The TYDTWDay web site allows visitors to register participation and access downloadable TYDTWDay resource guides for businesses and shelters, as well as tips for participating and celebrating. This year the site offers an expanded registration feature, allowing international participants to register. Participants can enter their professional pooches in the official TYDTWDay photo and video contests.
This year’s campaign stresses that as people look for ways to do more with less, adopting a dog is one of the basic, most affordable ways to bring joy to a family. Using the site’s Petfinder.com search tool, individuals can locate adoptable pets in their area.
Since 1999, Pet Sitters International has encouraged suitable businesses of all sizes to allow dogs in the workplace on Take Your Dog To Work Day. During a time when many businesses have been forced to cut jobs and decrease benefits, the event is a fun, low-cost “pet perk” companies can offer to boost employee moral and align themselves with a great cause—promoting local pet adoptions.
PSI encourages businesses, shelters and pet lovers interested in learning more about TYDTWDay to visit www.takeyourdog.com for more information.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Man's best friend fights disease, too!
Dogs help people in countless ways -- from teaming with the visually impaired to sniffing out explosives. Dogs also are serving as models for medical research (much like lab rats), which is good news for people and even better news for dogs. That's because research dollars to study diseases in animals are more available if the research also benefits people.
Dogs are far better subjects to understand human disease because dogs naturally get many of the same diseases people do, according to veterinary oncologist Stephen Withrow, a specialist within the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. They also make good research subjects because they are more genetically diverse than most lab animals.
And dog research can be quickly translated into human disease treatment. Cancer is a great example: It's naturally occurring at nearly the same rate in pets as it is in people. The non-profit Morris Animal Foundation, for which I volunteer, is working with the National Cancer Institute's Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium to come up with cures.
"Working on both the canine and the human side speeds research to learn more about devastating diseases," says Joan Coates, associate professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Coates is studying a possible connection between degenerative myelopathy in dogs and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.
 Medical research on dogs has yielded possible treatments for people with diseases. |
Researchers have long suspected that bacteria play a role in Crohn's disease, but the specific types of bacteria that drive chronic intestinal inflammation have remained elusive. In 2007, an invasive E. coli bacterium was found in the intestinal linings of boxers with a specific type of colitis, and, as a result, long-term remission in the dogs is now achieved using antibiotics rather than immunosuppressive drugs. Further scientific investigation led to this breakthrough: A similar type of E. coli was found in the intestinal linings of some people with Crohn's. Kenneth Simpson, an internal medicine specialist at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, says this finding improves the chances that antibiotics may be developed to help Crohn's sufferers with this type of E. coli.
People, of course, are prone to type 2 diabetes, and so are cats and dogs -- except sled dogs. "No one knows why sled dogs aren't affected," says internal medicine specialist Michael Davis of the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. "If we can learn why -- by reverse engineering of sled dog muscle cells -- the hope is to learn how to prevent type 2 diabetes in people, cats and dogs."
Here is more information about the cutting-edge medicine veterinarians use today that may ultimately help both dogs and people:
Sometimes, in both humans and dogs, diseases that don't seem to be associated may be. First discovered in 1973, degenerative myelopathy is a spontaneously occurring disease in dogs affecting the spinal cord, and later the nerves and muscles, ultimately leading to paralysis. For years, the cause of this disease has been a mystery.
Veterinary neurologist Joan Coates, associate professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, studied the disease, particularly in Pembroke Welsh corgis. A breakthrough arrived when she and colleagues, including Kerstin Linblad-Toh and Claire Wade, molecular genetic researchers at the Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard, discovered a gene called SOD1 in dogs with degenerative myelopathy. It turns out that same mutated gene is similar to the underlying cause of some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. In dogs, genetic risk factors now can be tested, which will help breeders decrease the presence of the genetic mutation within the breed.
Now that the gene mutation is identified," Coates says, "our long-term goal is to work with human ALS researchers and their molecular therapeutic approaches, which, if safe and work for dogs, may also help people with ALS. All in all, working on both the canine and the human sides simultaneously speeds research to learn more about both of these devastating diseases."
Researchers have long suspected that bacteria play a role in Crohn's disease, but the specific types of bacteria that drive chronic intestinal inflammation have remained elusive. In 2007, an invasive E. coli bacterium was found in the intestinal linings of boxers with a specific type of colitis, and, as a result, long-term remission is now achieved through use of antibiotics rather than side-effect-laden immunosuppressive drugs. Further scientific investigation followed, leading to this breakthrough: A similar type of E. coli was found in the intestinal linings of some people with Crohn's disease. Kenneth Simpson, an internal medicine specialist at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, explains that this finding raises the real possibility that treating that subset (of about 30%) of people with Crohn's with this type of E.coli by using antibiotics might work to combat the disease.
People, of course, are prone to type 2 diabetes, and so are cats and all dogs - except sled dogs. "No one know why sled dogs aren't affected," says internal medicine specialist Michael Davis, Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. "If we can learn why by reverse engineering of sled dog muscle cells, the hope is ultimately to learn how to prevent type 2 diabetes in people, cats and dogs."
Orange County shelter issues plea for cat adoptions
The shelter is over capacity, with nearly 400 cats and kittens. As part of national Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, the county is offering some special incentives for new cat owners.
Animal Services is sending each newly adopted cat and kitten home with a free toy, and adopters will be entered into a weekly drawing for other prizes like pet first aid kits and goody bags. In addition, the agency’s adoption welcome kits include a video created by Animal Planet Pet Video about caring for new feline family members and coupons for free flea, tick and parasite control products.
“We want to give new adopters as much support as we can in these tough times to keep their pets healthy and happy,” said Katherine Lockett, Manager of Animal Services.
Cat and kitten adoption fees at Orange County are $40 and include:
• Spaying or neutering
• FVRCP and rabies vaccinations
• FLV/FIV testing
• Microchip identification
• Deworming
• 5 lb. Bag of Science Diet Dry Food
• “Your Adopted Cat” Care and Training Video
• Adoption Welcome Kit with coupons for Advantage products
Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32839 near the Mall at Millenia and IKEA. The facility is open for adoptions Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please call (407) 254-9140 or visit http://www.ocnetpets.com/.
Animal Services is sending each newly adopted cat and kitten home with a free toy, and adopters will be entered into a weekly drawing for other prizes like pet first aid kits and goody bags. In addition, the agency’s adoption welcome kits include a video created by Animal Planet Pet Video about caring for new feline family members and coupons for free flea, tick and parasite control products.
“We want to give new adopters as much support as we can in these tough times to keep their pets healthy and happy,” said Katherine Lockett, Manager of Animal Services.
Cat and kitten adoption fees at Orange County are $40 and include:
• Spaying or neutering
• FVRCP and rabies vaccinations
• FLV/FIV testing
• Microchip identification
• Deworming
• 5 lb. Bag of Science Diet Dry Food
• “Your Adopted Cat” Care and Training Video
• Adoption Welcome Kit with coupons for Advantage products
Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32839 near the Mall at Millenia and IKEA. The facility is open for adoptions Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please call (407) 254-9140 or visit http://www.ocnetpets.com/.
Monday, June 1, 2009
How to Eliminate Annoying Litter Box Problems
The most common behavioral problem for which cat owners seek assistance is housesoiling. In fact, housesoiling is a leading cause of cats’ relinquishment to shelters.
There are three main causes of housesoiling in cats: underlying medical problems [e.g. feline lower urinary tract disease, or feline urologic syndrome (FLUTD/FUS)], urine marking, and toileting issues. Toileting problems can stem from a variety of causes, including factors unrelated to the litter box. So, it is always critical to get a comprehensive history to correctly identify the motivation for the problematic behavior.
By getting the latest scoop on litter, you will be better prepared to prevent and resolve litter- and litter-box-related toileting problems in your feline patients. Factors to consider include:
Litter fragrance
Odor control
Litter box size
Texture of the substrate material (such as clay, recycled newspaper, corn cob, wheat or other organic pellet material)
Location
Every cat has unique preferences, and the best way to identify an individual cat’s set of toileting preferences is to experiment with a variety of litter choices and box styles. This article focuses on new research related to litter and litter boxes that may be helpful in preventing and treating toileting problems.
There are three main causes of housesoiling in cats: underlying medical problems [e.g. feline lower urinary tract disease, or feline urologic syndrome (FLUTD/FUS)], urine marking, and toileting issues. Toileting problems can stem from a variety of causes, including factors unrelated to the litter box. So, it is always critical to get a comprehensive history to correctly identify the motivation for the problematic behavior.
By getting the latest scoop on litter, you will be better prepared to prevent and resolve litter- and litter-box-related toileting problems in your feline patients. Factors to consider include:
Litter fragrance
Odor control
Litter box size
Texture of the substrate material (such as clay, recycled newspaper, corn cob, wheat or other organic pellet material)
Location
Every cat has unique preferences, and the best way to identify an individual cat’s set of toileting preferences is to experiment with a variety of litter choices and box styles. This article focuses on new research related to litter and litter boxes that may be helpful in preventing and treating toileting problems.
ASPCA® Offers Tips to Help Pets Stay Cool During Hot Summer Months
NEW YORK—As the summer sun begins to heat things up, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) reminds pet parents how to keep their furry friends cool, safe and happy.
“Summertime is a wonderful time for family and friends to get together and enjoy themselves, often with a beloved pet by their side,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services for the ASPCA. “However, it’s important to consider the hidden, and sometimes, not-so-hidden dangers, that can harm our furry companions.”
Here are just a few ways animal lovers can keep their pets safe this summer:
Make Sure the Food is Friendly. Summertime is the perfect time for a backyard barbeque or party, but remember that the food and drink you serve your guests may be poisonous to pets. “Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas,,” says Dr. Hansen. “Similarly, remember that the snacks you serve your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with xylitol as a sweetner”
Pets Have it Made in the Shade. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give your pets plenty of water when it’s hot outdoors. Also, make sure your pet has a shady place to get out of the sun, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot. “Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. “On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heat stroke can develop, which is often fatal.”
A Pest-Free Pet is a Happy Pet. Commonly-used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. While there are flea products that can be used safely on dogs and cats, products labeled as “dog only” containing permethrin can be deadly to cats.. Be sure to read directions on these products carefully.
Water safety is Pet-Friendly. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure pets wear flotation devices while on boats. Try not to let your dog drink pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.
Look Out for “High Rise Syndrome.” “During warmer months, The ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of ‘High-Rise Syndrome,’ which occurs when pets fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured,” says Dr. Murray. “Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions.” Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
Be Aware of Heated Situations. When taking your dog outdoors or in the company of other animals, always keep a watchful eye on those around you. Summer is a wonderful time to engage in outdoor activities with your pet, but with more people and their dogs enjoying the warmer weather, tempers may flare over territory, so it’s equally important to make sure your dog is safe and secure around strangers and other animals.
Fireworks Aren’t Very Petriotic. Never use fireworks around pets. Says Dr. Hansen, “While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.”
Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of the reach of pets as well. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression, and if inhaled, the oils could potentially cause aspiration pneumonia.
If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, please consult the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee applies) or www.aspca.org/apcc, or take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. For more information on having a fun, safe summer with your pet, please visit www.aspca.org.
“Summertime is a wonderful time for family and friends to get together and enjoy themselves, often with a beloved pet by their side,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services for the ASPCA. “However, it’s important to consider the hidden, and sometimes, not-so-hidden dangers, that can harm our furry companions.”
Here are just a few ways animal lovers can keep their pets safe this summer:
Make Sure the Food is Friendly. Summertime is the perfect time for a backyard barbeque or party, but remember that the food and drink you serve your guests may be poisonous to pets. “Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas,,” says Dr. Hansen. “Similarly, remember that the snacks you serve your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with xylitol as a sweetner”
Pets Have it Made in the Shade. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give your pets plenty of water when it’s hot outdoors. Also, make sure your pet has a shady place to get out of the sun, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot. “Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. “On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heat stroke can develop, which is often fatal.”
A Pest-Free Pet is a Happy Pet. Commonly-used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. While there are flea products that can be used safely on dogs and cats, products labeled as “dog only” containing permethrin can be deadly to cats.. Be sure to read directions on these products carefully.
Water safety is Pet-Friendly. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure pets wear flotation devices while on boats. Try not to let your dog drink pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.
Look Out for “High Rise Syndrome.” “During warmer months, The ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of ‘High-Rise Syndrome,’ which occurs when pets fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured,” says Dr. Murray. “Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions.” Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
Be Aware of Heated Situations. When taking your dog outdoors or in the company of other animals, always keep a watchful eye on those around you. Summer is a wonderful time to engage in outdoor activities with your pet, but with more people and their dogs enjoying the warmer weather, tempers may flare over territory, so it’s equally important to make sure your dog is safe and secure around strangers and other animals.
Fireworks Aren’t Very Petriotic. Never use fireworks around pets. Says Dr. Hansen, “While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.”
Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of the reach of pets as well. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression, and if inhaled, the oils could potentially cause aspiration pneumonia.
If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, please consult the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee applies) or www.aspca.org/apcc, or take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. For more information on having a fun, safe summer with your pet, please visit www.aspca.org.
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