Chloe, Verlinda Marsh’s eight-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, started “acting real funny” a couple of months ago.  “She was just moving around.  She wasn’t touching her food.  And she was looking at me like she wanted me to give her something,” Verlinda said.

“I started telling her, ‘No yum-yums for Chloe.  No yum-yums for Chloe,’ a phrase her dog knows,” Verlinda said.  “After three days, she still hadn’t eaten anything but she was drinking a lot of water.  I thought she was trying to live on water.”

After a week, she and her husband, Mark, were thinking that their pet simply didn’t want to eat.  “And then we noticed how her body was changing.  Her stomach got really hard and fat,” Verlinda said.  “And she was urinating all over the house, although that’s something she just didn’t do.  She has a designated area in the house and she knows that’s where she has to go.” That was a good clue that something was wrong.    

“She also was staying upstairs under the bed way too long. She would come out and look at you and her eyes were watery – really teary.  She was crying and she was shaking.  I thought she was in lots of pain.  That really scared me.  So I took her to our veterinarian at the Banfield Signal Hill practice.”

The doctor is Megan Nowell, DVM and an associate veterinarian.  She is also past SCVMA president. 

“Dr. Nowell is very nice and she really explained everything,” Verlinda said.  “I just love her.  But I never really understood what actually had happened.”  After examining Chloe, the doctor diagnosed her problem as Pyometra, a uterine infection caused by hormonal changes in a female dog's reproductive system.

“Dr. Nowell told us that it would cost us more than $3,000 to treat Chloe,” Verlinda said.  I told her we couldn’t afford to pay that.  And I said, ‘I don’t want her put to sleep and I don’t want her to suffer.  She’s my support dog.”

Dr. Nowell told her: “Well, wait a minute, let me see what I can do,” Verlinda recalled.  She phoned later and told us that there is a program we can use.”   That was Angel Fund.

Verlinda and Mark are both retired and living on Social Security benefits. They live in Long Beach not far from the Banfield practice.  They paid $500 for Chloe’s surgery, with the Angel Fund grant and hospital paying the balance. 

They were delighted and grateful for the aid they received. 

“Chloe is back to normal now,” Verlinda said.  “She had never been sick before.  She’s got a really good personality and she’s highly intelligent.  She’s never had any puppies and has never been touched by a male dog because she is in the house all the time.”   

By Jim Bell

When Scott Weldy was a kid in Mission Viejo, he would go hiking in the hills, catching snakes, lizards and other animals and bringing them home.  “I’ve always been interested in exotics,” he said.

That is probably more true now than it was then.  Dr. Weldy owns Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital in Lake Forest and he spends much of his time treating exotics of all species in three zoos and at his practice.  He also is director of the Orange County Bird of Prey Center.

On February 1 at the SCVMA Annual Celebration he will be presented with the prestigious Cortese-Lippincott Award.  That will be a special moment for Dr. Weldy.  He knew both men for whom the award is named but Dr. Joe Cortese was a good and special friend. He had met Dr. Larry Lippincott but did not know him well. 

“I really loved Joe,” he said in an interview.  “I was a technician when I first met him. It’s an honor to be up there [for this award], especially because of Joe.  He was such a gem to me.  He was a good doctor but he was a great guy, too.  If I could be half the person he was, I’d be in good shape.  My wife Marie and I really enjoyed his wife Goldee – both of them.  They were nice people.

“The only reason most people get recognized,” he said, “is because they’re surrounded by a team of people that keeps them honest and humbled.  I’ve got a good group of people around me.  We’re all part of a good team and they support me.”

Dr. Weldy moved his practice to a new facility last January, more than doubling its square footage.  Five doctors work in the facility, two of them part time.

“Tuesdays we do the Santa Ana Zoo all day and Thursdays we spend most of the day at the Orange County Zoo, then finish up in Santa Ana,” Dr. Weldy said.  “There are always two of us.

“We go to the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound in Rosamond near Palmdale as we’re needed.  Sometimes we stay overnight.  It’s a breeding center for endangered species.  They’re all exotic types: ocelots, leopards, jaguars.”  He is the veterinarian of record there.

Dr. Weldy took over the Bird of Prey Center in 1990.  Now that his new hospital is up and running, his major goal, he said, is to get the center up to par.  “That’s the last major goal of my career,” he said. “It’s a nonprofit organization.  I’m the medical director and director of the operation.  The center focuses on raptor education, rehabilitation and release.

“It’s a dream I’ve been working on since 1998.  We have a chunk of land that has some cages on it and a small building.  We’re slowly building up the cages.  It’s a temporary facility right now but we do educational programs.  The center is tucked in the back area of Rancho Las Lomas in Santiago Canyon.”

The new center is being built off El Toro Road behind O’Neill Park on land generously leased by Orange County Parks, he said.  Eventually, it will be able to provide medical and educational functions and will be the Bird of Prey Center’s permanent home, replacing the Rancho Las Lomas facility. 

“We’re trying to get grants and public money.  We’re also wrapping up endowments and trying to raise money to accomplish our goals,” Dr. Weldy said.  The center rehabilitates injured hawks and owls and releases them.

Raptors needing medical care are treated at Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital.  “That’s all free stuff,” Dr. Weldy said. “No one pays for it.  We’ve also treated racoons and bobcats, ring-tailed cats and weasels.  

“We don’t do small birds.  We work with wildlife biologists, the U.S. Geological Survey and people in mountain lion groups.  Most of the time when wildlife is brought into the practice it’s by Animal Control, and sometimes by good sam[aritan]s.”

Dr. Weldy loves the desert.  “I still go out and hunt reptiles and stuff like that,” he said, “but now I hunt them for photos.  I’m more of a desert person than anything.”

Her loves restoring old cars.  He has a 1961 Volvo that is fully restored and a 1969 Camaro that is nearly restored.  He also has a ’67 Camaro in waiting.  The Volvo is a special car.  It has been in his family since it came off the show room floor.  “My grandmother owned it then.  It later became my first car.” 

He loves driving “muscle cars” – and his motorcycle, he said.  He is planning a motorcycle trip to “Bike Week” in Daytona, Fla., with friends in March.  “I have relatives and friends all the way across the southern United States so we’ll see part of the U.S. and spend a couple of weeks doing it,” he said.

Dr. Weldy came to Southern California in 1966.  He earned a BS degree in 1979 and a DVM degree in 1985, both from UC Davis.  He returned to Orange County and El Toro Animal Hospital, where he had worked as a teenager, after he became a doctor. He worked there 10 years before starting his practice in 1996.

The year 2019 has not been a good one for Dr. Weldy.  Wife Marie died of cancer last May – eight days after his mother died.   He has a daughter, Jennifer, 34, who is a registered veterinary technician.  She is teaching at Orange County Veterinary Assistant School in Garden Grove, where she had studied.  His son, Robert, 30, does research work in human neurology.

Besides cars and motorcycles, Dr. Weldy loves travel and scuba diving.  “Almost everything I do is related to animals,” he said.  “There has got to be an animal in it somewhere.”

The Animal Health Foundation's Cortese – Lippincott Award was created to recognize and honor an individual who has gone above and beyond in making the world a better place for both animals and humans.  The winner of this award has gone above and beyond in community service, service and education of the veterinary community and the human-animal bond.

The award was named in honor of veterinarians Larry Lippincott and Joe Cortese.

AHF Board Member, Dr. Alice Villalobos, was awarded the prestigious Shomer Ethics Award at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics in Orlando, FL.

Dr. Villalobos was presented the award by Dr. Paul Pion, Co‐Founder of VIN.

Dr. Villalobos was given the award "for her years of service and leadership for the SVME, and for her role as the "Mother" of veterinary hospice and quality of life assessment at end of life, with emphasis on bioethical decision making for euthanasia, while honoring the human-animal bond.  She introduced Pawspice, an end of life care philosophy that embraces kinder, gentler palliative cancer care and palliative medicine for terminal pets, while supporting the emotional needs of carers."

To learn more about this award and it's criteria, please go to www.https://www.svme.org/page-528501

When Kyle Costa took his dog to Mar Vista Animal Hospital last May, he was told something he had heard before: Puff, a mixed-breed female who is not yet a year old, was diagnosed with intussusception, a dangerous inflammation of the intestines that is more common in younger animals.

Puff had had surgery for the condition earlier this year.  Kyle and his wife Pamela had put together enough money to pay for the first surgery but that was going to be difficult this time. 

Dr. Wendy Brooks suggested to Kyle that he could apply for an Angel Fund grant to help pay the costs.  The hospital assisted him with the application and he received $500 in assistance, an amount matched by the hospital.

That was a huge help, Kyle said.  “Angel Fund definitely got us where we needed to be,” he said.  “I didn’t want to let my dog go and, when I had no other options, Angel Fund really helped me out.  I’m very glad my dog didn’t have to die.”

He added that the staff at the Mar Vista clinic took great care “to make sure we were included in this [Angel Fund] program.”

He and Pamela rescued Puff last April when she was about two months old.  Intussusception can cause blockages and can have other severe complications.  It was a relief for both of them when Dr. Brooks’ surgery was successfully completed.   

Puff is doing very well now, Kyle said.  “She’s really healthy and is full of energy.”

Kyle, Pamela and Puff live in Rancho Park not far from Mar Vista Animal Hospital.

Dr. Jennifer Hawkins, who became SCVMA’s executive director a few months ago, will receive the association’s 2022 Cortese-Lippincott Award at the Annual Celebration April 30^th.  ON receiving this award, Dr. Hawkins said, “I am profoundly honored to be considered in the same company as those that have received this award before me.”

The award is presented annually to someone who has gone “above and beyond” to make the world a better place for humans and animals, who excels in community service and education in the veterinary community and who supports the human-animal bond.

Dr. Hawkins took over as executive director October 1, succeeding Dr. Peter Weinstein, who served in the post 14 years.

Dr. Hawkins served the Orange County Animal Care shelter nearly eight years as chief veterinarian, adding the director’s role for three years (2015-18).  She played a major role in seeing the new shelter facility through to completion in 2018.

 “I am grateful to have been part of the continuing progress of the animal sheltering industry,” she said.  “That’s been a really gratifying part of my career.”

 Dr. Hawkins has played a prominent role in organized veterinary medicine.  After coming to Southern California in 2000, she became an SCVMA member and held multiple leadership roles in the association.  She was a chapter president in 2006.  She joined the SCVMA Board of Trustees in 2009, became SCVMA treasurer in 2011, vice president in 2012 and president in 2013.

She served in the CVMA House of Delegates from 2012 to 2016 and was House chair from 2016 to 2018.  She moved to the CVMA Board of Governors in 2019 and still serves there.

Dr. Hawkins grew up in Northern California and earned her DVM degree at UC Davis in 2000.  After graduating, she worked 10 years in Southern California as an associate or relief veterinarian, then worked at the Riverside County Animal Shelter for four years before moving full time to the Orange County shelter.

 She is married to Scott Weisgerber, a graphic designer.  The couple’s nine-year-old daughter, Audrey, shares her mother’s love for animals and dotes on their two orange tabby cats, Mac and Cheddar.  Scott was awarded the 2019 Ginny Grant Award for his unselfish support of his wife’s career.

The Cortese Lippincott Award is presented annually to someone who has gone “above and beyond” to make the world a better place for humans and animals, who excels in community service and education in the veterinary community and who supports the human-animal bond.

READ MORE about this caring and giving veterinarian

Mila Gets Needed Bladder Surgery With Help from Angel Fund Grant

Yelena and her mother have been rescuing dogs and cats they find on the streets near their Reseda home for years, often finding them homes, if they cannot locate their owners.

That’s how they found Mila nearly two years ago.  A Poddle mix, she “was running around and she was in horrible condition,” said Yelena, who asked that Pulse not use her full name.  “She clearly had not been eating well and she was covered with fleas.  I had to give her three baths, one after the other. 

“We tried to find her owner.  She did not have a chip.  We posted a description of her and some people contacted us and said they thought she was their dog.  But none of them sent us a picture of her and we ended up keeping her.  I think we gave her a really good life.”

A few months ago, Yelena noticed that Mila “was straining to pee. I checked her and there was no blood.  But I took her to the vet, who asked if I had seen any blood and if Mila was eating.  The vet prescribed antibiotics, thinking the problem might be an infection. 

“That seemed to help her a little bit. But then I took her to the dog park and every five seconds she was squatting down and acting like she was going to pee.  And I decided I would take her either to the emergency clinic or the vet.  Then I looked again and I finally saw some blood.”

Yelena called VCA McClave Animal Hospital not far from her home.  “I told them exactly what was going on.  They said this was an emergency, since there was blood, and to bring her in.  Dr. Carina Cortez told me that they would prefer to do x-rays and a few other procedures,” Yelena said.

 “I was thinking, oh this poor dog!  When Dr. [Nada] Khalaf [co-medical director at McClave] called me after she saw the dog, she told me: ‘We can’t keep giving her antibiotics – we would just be going in circles.’”

Dr. Khalaf said that she saw the stone shadow on an ultrasound.  She told Yelena that she suspected stones but needed radiographs to confirm they were there.  When the x-rays were taken, they showed “two enormous stones in her tiny bladder,” Yelena said.  

“I said that I wanted to help the dog, but I really couldn’t financially, and I asked if there was any kind of financial plan I could do.  And Dr. Khalaf said she could refer me to Angel Fund.  I had never heard of Angel Fund.  She said: ‘I don’t know how much they can help you’ but that she would call and we would see. 

“And I was thinking, ‘Oh my god, maybe they would help!’  Dr. Khalaf called back and said Angel Fund would help.  I was thinking maybe $100 or $300. But the doctor said they would do more – $1,000 – and the hospital also would help, matching the grant, and that they would help me open a CareCredit account. 

Dr. Cortez performed the surgery to remove the stones.

“I was really so grateful,” Yelena said.  “I am just very, very thankful.”  She also expressed gratitude to Dr. Khalaf: “She’s the one who helped set everything up.”

She also said that she would “rate Angel Fund at 200 on a scale of 100.”  The day she learned that she was getting the grant “was a very emotional day for me.”

Mila is now doing well, she said.  “After the surgery we had some antibiotics and pain medication.  She was told to keep Mila from running and jumping for two weeks but the dog wanted to do just that.  She now urinates normally.  “She’s 100 percent different from the way she was in the dog park.

“Mila is a very special dog.”

If your dog is not breathing, knowing how to perform CPR may save his life.

By Dr. Eileen Fatcheric, DVM     -  Published:February 17, 2024

Our dogs are family members, so knowing CPR, rescue breathing, and other life-saving techniques is important. Credit: Klaus Vedfelt | Getty Images

If your dog is not breathing, knowing what to do and how to do it before you encounter such a situation could truly mean the difference between life and death. Rescue breathing is a critical part of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for dogs.

CPR on a dog VIDEO -  https://youtu.be/FWAjvNuu-pY

Dog owners who know how to perform rescue breathing, or CPR on a small dog versus CPR on a large dog, very well may save their own dog’s life. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Baker Institute of Animal Health has produced an outstanding graphic that should be on every dog owner’s refrigerator. ProCPR placed an excellent video on how to give CPR to your animal.

What If It Happens at Home?

Can you do it? You have nothing to lose by trying. A study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that mouth-to-nose rescue breathing was better than nothing and certainly worth a try if your dog is not breathing.

Furthermore, the veterinary CPR guidelines (RECOVER Initiative) state, “It is reasonable to recommend mouth-to-snout rescue breathing for dogs and cats with respiratory arrest or with cardiopulmonary arrest in a 30:2 ratio with chest compressions when endotracheal intubation is not available.”

What does this mean? Well, “30:2” means for every 30 chest compressions you give 2 breaths. You should be giving approximately 100 to 120 chest compressions (2 compressions every second) and approximately 10 breaths per minute (1 breath every 6 seconds).

Mouth-to-nose rescue breathing is not perfect. Some of the problems that arise are gas distention of the stomach, regurgitation of stomach contents, and ineffective breaths.

To administer breaths as effectively as possible, extend the head and neck as much as possible and seal the dog’s lips as tightly closed as you can to prevent air from escaping. You must blow with enough sustained vigor to see the dog’s chest rise and fall. This tells you the lungs have expanded.

Note: If the dog is choking, you need to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on your dog to clear the airway.

CPR on Big Dogs

For chest compressions in big dogs, with one hand on top of the other and the dog on his side, push hard on the lower rib cage behind the front legs. You must push hard enough to compress the rib cage to effectively push blood through the heart.

CPR on Small Dogs

For chest compressions in a small dog, it is sometimes better to use your thumbs. With the dog on his side, one hand grabs the dog’s top line, the other hand grabs the lower chest. With your thumbs facing each other and flat against the ribs behind the elbow start compressions, again with enough pressure to compress the rib cage.

Rescue breathing and chest compressions must be continued until either the dog starts breathing on its own or you arrive at the veterinary emergency center and the professionals take over.

If your dog goes into cardiac and/or respiratory arrest at the veterinary clinic, an endotracheal tube will be inserted into the trachea and rescue breathing will be administered using 100% oxygen. This is obviously the ideal situation, and the most effective way to provide rescue breathing during CPR. Performing CPR while you’re on route to the veterinary clinic is critical. Call ahead to be sure they’re open and available.

Dr. Eileen Fatcheric, DVM

Dr. Eileen Fatcheric is a 1988 graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She owned and managed her own small-animal veterinary hospital for 17 years and currently sees patients part time at VCA Fairmount Animal Hospital in Syracuse, New York.

Victoria Romero, a young graphic design student, had wanted a dog since she was eight or nine years old.  When she turned 16 a couple of years ago, she suggested to her mother that she give her a dog instead of a Sweet Sixteen party.

Her mother said no.  “So I had never had another opportunity [to have her own dog] until now,” she said.  A friend of her Mom, who had a female Maltese-Poddle mix puppy, wanted to find someone who could take the dog off her hands.

Victoria took charge of Kona in mid-November.  The dog was lethargic and she knew that the animal would need shots.  “So I called the [Aliso Animal] hospital and made an appointment for the next day,” she said.

Dr. David Bahou examined the dog and told Victoria that her new pet had parvovirus.  “This is my first dog and I really wanted to be careful with her,” she said.  “I was crying the whole time in the hospital because I thought maybe I had done something wrong.”  At the time, she had been Kona’s owner only a couple of days.

Dr. Bahou assured her that she was not at fault.  “He said that Kona’s symptoms would have started five to seven days after exposure so she had gotten the virus when she was with the previous owner,” Victoria said.   

But there was another issue: paying for Kona’s treatment.

“I was very sad because I did not have the money I needed,” Victoria said, “and the only option was putting her down. I did not want to do that.  I was already so attached to her.  I loved her so much that I couldn’t do that.  I called my family and friends to invite them to give me a little bit each.

“Dr. Bahou and the hospital staff really wanted to help me,” she said.  “When they told me about Angel Fund, I said let’s do that.  I just didn’t want to see Kona get worse because she already was so lethargic.

“I’m really grateful for Angel Fund and what they did. It really helped me out.  I hope other people can find out about Angel Fund.”

Victoria, a student at Laguna College of Art and Design, works as a baby sitter for her mother and in a child day care role at a local school district.  She expects to graduate from her program in the spring of 2025. 

She heads to one of the schools in the district each work-day morning to help young students who participate in a pre-school program, she said.  “I work about an hour and a half,” she said, “getting their minds awake for school.”  Then she returns home to supervise her two younger siblings while her mother works.

Her mother does house cleaning and some gardening work and manages a group of workers. 

Kona who is now about five months old and weighs about three pounds, is doing well.  “She’s now about 100 percent,” Victoria said.  “She has been running around the house trying to steal our shoes.”

By Jim Bell

A doctor, who hailed from rural America and described himself as “a certified hillbilly,” is the 2021 recipient of the Animal Health Foundation’s prestigious Cortese-Lippincott Award.

Dr. Michael J. Smith worked in Southern California more than three decades, though he arrived expecting to be here only a couple of years before returning to Arkansas where he grew up.

He expressed his gratitude to the foundation “for this great honor.”  Veterinary medicine, he said “has always been a vocation which I cherished, always a vocation, not a job.”

The Cortese-Lippincott Award is presented annually to someone who has gone “above and beyond” to make the world a better place for humans and animals, someone who excels in community service and education in the veterinary community and someone who supports the human-animal bond.

Dr. Smith developed a love for the mountains while living in the West and left Southern California in 2012 for Westcliffe, Colo., and his home, Crooked Spruce Ranch, at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in the southern part of the state.  “It’s truly paradise on earth,” he said.

“When I moved to Colorado, the single practitioner who had the small animal practice in Westcliffe was referring all her orthopedics and more difficult surgeries to Colorado Springs, which is 75 miles away,” he said.  For six years, Dr. Smith lent his skills to the practice, doing surgeries part time. 

He also flew back regularly to Southern California to do surgeries at his old practice he said.  “The first few years, it was every six weeks. The practice would schedule a week’s worth of surgeries.  But it started spreading out a little further to three or four times a year.  Last year, with everything that was going on, I only went twice.”

Winning the Cortese-Lippincott Award was “extra special because I knew Joe [Cortese] real well and Larry Lippincott, too.  Both of them I considered friends and Larry more of a mentor.  One surgery that I specialized in is called Caudal Equina Syndrome.  I once referred a police canine to Larry and then assisted him in the lumbosacral decompression surgery [that repairs the condition].  

“A few years later, I met Larry at one of the SCVMA meetings and I thanked him for teaching me that surgery because at that point I had done 300 to 400 of them.  He was totally surprised because that was more than he had done.”  A primary reason Dr. Lippincott did fewer surgeries for Caudal Equina is that the condition is not aggressively diagnosed by general practitioners and referred for surgery, Dr. Smith said.  

He and Dr. Cortese served together on the SCVMA Board of Trustees.  “Joe was president in 1991, the year before I was,” Dr. Smith said.  “He changed his installation banquet from a formal dress affair to a themed banquet.  Because of his rural west background the theme was western attire.  

“Not to be outdone, and having gone to Louisiana State, my installation theme the next year was Mardi Gras, costumes optional.  It was the only time I have worn green tights in public. (I was Robin Hood.)”

Young Mike Smith “grew up on a 400-acre farm near the small town of Sidney, Ark.  His father raised beef cattle and planted 12 to 15 acres of watermelons every year. 

Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and did graduate work at the University of Arkansas before being admitted to LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.  After earning his DVM degree in 1980, he took a job in Hermosa Beach.

“I never thought I would ever live in a city, yet I ended up living in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.  The advantage this provided was being able to practice the highest quality veterinary medicine.  In the South Bay we had group radiology rounds each week.  We would meet at Coast Pet Clinic with three or four other clinics and Bill Zontine, a board-certified radiologist.  We shared our challenging or interesting cases.  I learned more radiology in the first few years in these rad rounds than I did in school.”

Dr. Smith worked five years as an associate veterinarian in Hermosa Beach, then bought into Country Hills Animal Clinic in South Torrance in 1985.  He owned the practice until he moved to Colorado, when he sold it to a younger veterinarian he had brought in as a partner five years earlier.

He and his wife, Christine, met and married while students at the University of Arkansas.  They have two daughters – Janine, who lives in Lakewood, and Jennifer, who lives in El Segundo.  Both work at Emerald Health Services.  Janine is expecting their first grandchild.

Dr. Smith has always enjoyed working with wood.  “When we moved to Westcliffe, one of the first things I did was build my dream woodworking shop.  Christine calls it the ‘Garage Mahal.’”  Among his wood shop projects: custom split bamboo fly rods and custom wooden trout fishing nets.  “I’m really proud of my bamboo fly rods,” he said. “It’s an original art form.”

He also is an avid traditional archer and makes his own longbows and custom wood arrows. He built a greenhouse on the back of the garage which heats the shop in winter and keeps him and Christine supplied with tomatoes year around.  He is an avid hunter and fisherman Hand, at 68, an enthusiastic hiker.

He celebrated turning 50 by climbing California’s 14,497-foot Mt. Whitney – highest peak in the contiguous 48 states – in a day hike that started at 1 a.m. and covered 23 miles, up and back.  Dr. Smith repeated the hike each of the next seven years, ending when he moved to Colorado.

In Westcliffe, he has volunteered as a member of the Custer County Search and Rescue unit and with Outdoor Buddies, an organization that takes young and handicapped people on hunting and fishing trips.

Dr. Smith remains an appreciative fan of SCVMA.  “I’m sure there are other areas of the country which provide excellent opportunities for career development but none better than SCVMA,” he said.  “Even though I missed rural life, I have no regrets about my veterinary career in Southern California.”

Fire season -- for those of us who call Southern California home, this is an all too well-known time of year when blue skies turn amber, and we again remember that we were supposed to prepare a “go bag” after the prior year’s fire season (more on this later).

This year, we are happy to report that the County of Orange and OC Animal Care Services (https://www.ocgov.com/gov/occr/animal/) has expanded its ability to respond to public emergencies like those experienced during fire season.  In 2019, the Animal Health Foundation donated $20,000 towards the acquisition of two mobile AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers for OC Animal Care Services.  This donation, along with a $2,000 sponsorship from Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association of Orange County (www.shorelinedfa.homestead.com) and a donation of $2,000 from Noble Friends Foundation for OC Animal Care (www.noblefriendsfoundation.org), ensured that OC Animal Care Services was able to procure these much needed emergency resources.  The trailers are stocked with critical supplies that are used to create safe temporary shelter for pets displaced by natural and other disasters. 

Dr. Jennifer Hawkins, Chief Veterinarian at OC Animal Care Services, knows well the challenges of providing refuge and care for animals while striving to continue and foster the human-animal bond in the midst of an emergency.  In an interview conducted with Dr. Hawkins, she noted that one of the primary challenges associated with community evacuations is assuring people with pets and service animals that they will not be separated upon arrival at an evacuation site.  Rather than risk separation or face the possibility of being denied entry, people who have pets may refuse evacuation orders and elect to stay in harm’s way as they are unwilling to leave their animals behind (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551593/).

In response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (PETS Act) was signed into federal law on October 6, 2006.  The PETS Act requires that State and local emergency preparedness plans “address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency;” the PETS Act is further reinforced by measures in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) and the National Response Framework (NRF) (www.avma.org).  Consistent with this legislation, OC Animal Care Services and its response to natural disasters and other emergencies is well-integrated into the County of Orange’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC); however, as Dr. Hawkins advised, the EOC is only activated if two or more cities in the County are involved.

Importantly, deployment of the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers is not dependent wholly on activation of the EOC.  Dr. Hawkins envisions that the trailers will also serve to extend the services provided by OC Animal Care Services, such as in cases of animal hoarding.  For example, in May 2019, over 140 dogs seized from a home in Orange, CA required temporary care and management by OC Animal Care Services.  Though able to accommodate the large influx of animals, future similar cases may tax the existing infrastructure of OC Animal Care Services whose shelter in Tustin, CA can typically accommodate 200 dogs and 200 cats.

Each AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer contains critical reusable and disposable supplies capable of supporting up to 65 small domestic animals (e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits) for 72 hours.  The trailers are stocked with items necessary to house animals (crates, carriers, and bowls), provide and confirm identification (collars, microchips, and a microchip scanner), cleaning, and maintenance supplies.  In addition, each trailer has lighting and is wired for electricity that may be run off either a generator or 110v power supply (https://www.akcreunite.org/relief/).  Dr. Hawkins envisions that trailers will be deployed adjacent to evacuation shelters put in place by the American Red Cross (and similar agencies) so that families may remain in close proximity to their pets.

Dr. Hawkins noted the critical importance of keeping pets and service animals together with their families in times of disaster commenting that “animals do better when they are in a home setting with their humans.”  Though the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers do not come stocked with all of the comforts of home, they will function to sustain and uphold one of the tenants central to both the Animal Health Foundation and OC Animal Care Services -- that of the mutually beneficial human-animal bond.

To remain sustainable, each trailer will require restocking of its disposable supplies.  Donations, such as those received from private individuals and the California Veterinary Medical Foundation will be needed to replenish supplies after each deployment.  Persons interested in providing donations to OC Animal Care Services may do so by going to: https://www.ocpetinfo.com/involve/donate.

Now, a little more about that “go bag” that we all keep meaning to prepare…

Dr. Hawkins’ was adamant about the importance of being prepared with plans that are proactive and not reactive.  She noted that “preparedness can mitigate the effects of “messy” disasters and reduce the “noise” of its response.”  Veterinary professionals, such as those represented by the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, are poised perfectly to serve as disaster preparedness planners and educators for their community.  To that end, Dr. Hawkins’ noted, “go bags” for pets and service animals should contain, at a minimum, three days of food and medication, comfort items, and copies of relevant veterinary records (e.g., prescriptions, vaccination records).  Owners also need to have a prepared evacuation plan in place.  Key resources to help your clients (and you) be prepared in advance for the next emergency or natural disaster include:

• American Red Cross:  https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/wildfire-relief.html 

• American Veterinary Medical Association - Practice Tips:  https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/disaster-preparedness 

• American Veterinary Medical Association - Tips and Brochure for Clients: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/pets-and-disasters

• Animal Health Foundation:  https://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/how-we-help/disaster-relief.html

• California Veterinary Medical Foundation:  https://cvmf.net/programs/ 

• Department of Homeland Security:  www.ready.gov 

• Environmental Protection Agency:  https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/september-preparedness-month 

• Federal Emergency Management Agency:  https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339/emergency-preparedness

• OC Animal Care Services:  https://www.ocgov.com/search?q=animal+care 

• Southern California Veterinary Medical Association:  Sign into your account on the SCVMA Website and search in “Resources” for members 

The Animal Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation was launched in 1967 by a generous pledge from the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.  Its mission remains that of helping personal pets and wildlife in times of need through providing financial assistance to pets and their owners affected by economically challenging times and supporting worthy causes affecting wildlife, animal education, and relief during disaster efforts.

Elizabeth Kelly's dog is back to his daily walks after receiving stem cell injections for his arthritis at an Anaheim Hills pet clinic. -

Click the link below for the video

https://abc7.com/health/oc-pet-clinic-uses-stem-cells-to-help-heal-dog-with-arthritis/5970837/

Vivien Flockhart Never Says  ‘No’ to Her Veterinary Clients

Vivien Flockhart, who will receive the 2019 Phil Steinhauer Award, said in an interview that she wakes up every workday and has “that moment of ‘I don’t believe I get to do this and get paid.’  That sounds like a cliché, I guess, but that’s how I feel.”

She has been a representative for Boehringer Ingelheim (and Merial before it was acquired by BI) for 14 years.  “Before, I was a marketing manager in the agrichemical division of a petroleum company,” she said.  “I knew something about the animal health industry and when I saw that Merial had a job opening, I applied on a whim.  They said, ‘We don’t think you live in the right area but we want to meet you.’  So I met with them.  And the sales manager said, ‘We believe in you.  We’re going to give you a chance,’ even though I didn’t have any experience in animal health.”

Fourteen years later she has earned the SCVMA’s highest honor for an allied industry employee.

Melissa Garcia, practice manager at Bloomfield Animal Hospital in Lakewood, nominated Vivien for the award. “She does a lot to help the veterinary community,” Melissa said.  “Any time we need her help, she is just a phone call away. She would move heaven and earth to get us exactly what we need.

“Vivien has a great attitude and she never says no. She always figures out a solution to any problems we have.  She will fix it, even if it has nothing to do with her company.  She’ll say, ‘OK, that’s not me and then she’ll call another rep.  She bends over backwards to help – help the clinic, help the hospital, help the client, help the pet – in any way that she possibly can.”

She and her fellow employees “consider ourselves as partners with the practices in providing information and solutions for pet owners,” Vivien said.  “Not to be corny, but we want to really be part of enhancing the human-animal bond.  It is something special to think of ways that you can prolong that bond or prolong an animal’s life and preserve that relationship.”

Her relationship with the veterinary community, she said, “has been beyond my wildest dreams.  These people accept me into their practices. They welcome me with open arms. They’re generous with their time and knowledge.  It makes me feel like a fan girl – like a girl at a rock concert.

“They are so generous with their time.  It’s who they are.  It’s at the heart of being a veterinarian, I think.  They are programmed to give.  And whether that’s knowledge or healing or a relationship with a client – or being open so a rep like me can come in and talk with them – it’s who they are.

“I came to this through a happy accident.  I feel very lucky.”

Vivien is proud that Boehringer Ingelheim – like the veterinary community – “takes it as a core value to give back.”  She is the third employee of the company to win the Steinhauer Award.  Lynda Rose was the recipient last year.  Felicie Lewis, who is Vivien’s district manager, won the first Steinhauer award in 2015.  

“Winning this award is very special to me,” Vivien said.  She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Animal Health Foundation and serves as treasurer.

She grew up in Southern California and now lives in Anaheim Hills with her husband, Anthony Zampetti, a supply chain manager for an agrichemical company in Monrovia.  She has two stepchildren, Anthony and Samantha, whom she “loves and adores.”  The family has a rescue dog named Bowie.

Vivien earned a degree at Cal Poly Pomona, where she was a member of the equine riding team.  She owns a horse, which is stabled in San Dimas.

“I am pretty involved in the Arabian horse community,” she said.  “I rode competitively and a lot of my friends from Cal Poly have their horses there, so we continue the social circle from college.  We all support each other: if somebody’s showing, we all go and watch. We take care of each other’s horses and hang out and laugh and have a good time.”

Dr. Matthew Jenkins – veterinarian, investor, educator, author, self-made millionaire and philanthropist – will accept the Cortese Lippincott Award at the SCVMA’s Annual Celebration next month.

Dr. Jenkins, a lifetime member of SCVMA, practiced in Compton for more than 20 years.  He left veterinary medicine in his 40s to launch a highly successful real estate career.  In his early 80s, he returned to his alma mater, Tuskegee University, to serve as interim president for a year.  He and wife Roberta established The Matthew and Roberta Jenkins Family Foundation which provides funds for programs and scholarships to help African American students. He spent three recent years writing a compelling autobiography that has been translated into many languages and is being sold around the world. 

Today, he and Roberta live in a beautiful home with an ocean view in Long Beach.  “I couldn’t have done all those things without her,” Dr. Jenkins said in an interview. They met at Tuskegee and have been married more than 60 years.  “I’ll keep working for what I believe in for as long as I’m able,” he said.  “Our greatest pleasure has always been giving back to others.”

After earning his DVM degree in 1957, Dr. Jenkins spent two years in the Air Force as a veterinary officer.  He was assigned to duty in Greenland where he found that rabies was common.  He fashioned a plan to eliminate the disease and implemented it successfully.  Afterwards he wrote an article about his discovery. However, his superior officers “took my name and put it at the bottom and put their names at the top,” he said, “in an attempt to take credit for my work.”  The young veterinarian fought back and eventually was able to submit the article for publication under his name.

After leaving the military, Dr. Jenkins moved to California, a place he had wanted to live since reading about it in magazines as a child.  “California seemed to be a place that offered great beauty and extraordinary opportunities, “he said.

He started a successful practice in Compton that employed several other veterinarians.  He also began to dabble in real estate.  After 23 years, he sold his practice and focused on real estate, including mobile home parks in eight states.

“I decided that I could purchase mobile home park properties back east for less money than in California and eventually they would become very profitable,” he said.  “I hit it right on the head.  I paid $2.5 million for one property and sold it later for $14 million.  And I paid $600,000 for another and sold it for  $7 million.”

Looking back on his career, he said that he always wanted those who worked for him “to feel they were a part of the team.  I would ask, ‘What do you think of this?’  And then I might say, ‘Maybe your idea is better than mine.  Let’s use it.’  When you treat people that way, you’ll find that they are more involved and they become ambassadors for you.  I tried to cultivate a culture of integrity and honesty.  I gave people responsibility, asked them what they needed and what we could do to make the company more successful.”

Dr. Jenkins’ book is titled “Positive Possibilities: My Game Plan for Success.”  It relates details of his early life and his career.  It also lays out his formula for success.

“It took me three years to write it,” he said.  “It’s strictly from the heart.” Friends had been urging him to write it for 30 years, he said.  “Now they’re asking: ‘What about that next book?’”  He does not plan to write that next book.

The Matthew and Roberta Jenkins Family Foundation was established in 1984 to provide financial aid for programs and scholarships to help high school and college students, with a focus on mathematics.  Some of the many charitable projects that are funded include The MIND Research Institute, Claremont Graduate University, Tuskegee University, California State University Long Beach and The Math Collaborative.  

The life his father lived has been Dr. Jenkins’ inspiration.  “He died when I was two years old. I don’t remember him but I have always tried to follow his vision.  He was the kind of person, I wanted to be.”

In 1890 in Mississippi at the age of 16, his father John Wesley Jenkins was badly beaten by the Ku Klux Klan because he had warned black farmers that the klan planned to burn their crops and take over their farms.  The klansmen put Jenkins’ on a train headed south.  The train conductor dumped him along the tracks where a Greek immigrant found him near death.  

The immigrant’s family nursed John Wesley back to health and he started over in Alabama, becoming a prosperous and respected farmer.  His farm included the most up-to-date equipment and more than two dozen houses he had built so his workers would have comfortable living quarters.

When his father died of a heart attack at 59, his mother, Amelia, and her 10 children continued to run the farm. In 1953, Ebony magazine published a story calling their home “Alabama’s Richest African American Farm Family.”

The Animal Health Foundation's Cortese – Lippincott Award was created to recognize and honor an individual who has gone above and beyond in making the world a better place for both animals and humans.  The winner of this award has gone above and beyond in community service, service and education of the veterinary community and the human-animal bond.

The award was named in honor of veterinarians Larry Lippincott and Joe Cortese.

Dr. Lowell Novy, who was presented with the Cortese-Lippincott Award at the SCVMA Annual Celebration on January 20, is a man who does what he thinks is right – sometimes despite the consequences.

Dr. Novy was nominated for his award by Dr. Leland Shapiro, a former professor who started a successful pre-veterinary curriculum at Pierce College. The two met in 1984 when Dr. Shapiro moved to the Simi Valley.  When he asked, Dr. Novy agreed to help his students.  “Send ‘em by,” he said. “I’ll help.”

Dr. Novy also allowed the college professor, to work in his practice so he could learn more about small animal medicine.  One day, Dr. Shapiro recalled, “I was mentoring with him and he was doing surgery on an older patient. I think it was a dog but it was a long time ago.  The animal died on the table. Those things happen.  His eyes welled up.  I asked him: ‘You’ve been doing this a long time.  Don’t you ever get used to it?’  He turned to me and he said – very strongly – ‘If you ever get used to this, you’re in the wrong profession.’”

The professor also recalled that Dr. Novy often would say when a patient came in: ‘”Let’s run this test.”  Dr. Shapiro asked: “Don’t you want to run the full panel?” The answer: “No.  I think I can make this diagnosis with one test.  If not, I’ll do more.” Said Dr. Shapiro: “Won’t that cost you more money?” The answer: “Yes, but I don’t have the right to charge the client more if it’s not necessary.”

Dr. Novy splits his time between his Simi practice and his ranches in Northern California where he raises Angus cattle without chemical means to spur growth.  “He practices what we call behavioral enrichment,” Dr. Shapiro said.  “That means providing his animals with a meaningful natural environment – big grassy areas, protecting them from predators and harsh weather.   He treats them with respect and makes sure they are slaughtered painlessly.  He practices what he preaches.”

 Dr. Alice Villalobos is co-nominator of Dr. Novy.  She knew and worked with him for years.  “He referred cases to my Animal Oncology Service in Woodland Hills,” she said, “and he would call me to discuss cancer patients.  We had some amazing successes together.”   

The  Animal Health Foundation's Cortese – Lippincott Award was created to recognize and honor an individual who has gone above and beyond in making the world a better place for both animals and humans.  The winner of this award has gone above and beyond in community service, service and education of the veterinary community and the human-animal bond.

The award was named in honor of veterinarians Larry Lippincott and Joe Cortese.

From the American Animal Hospital Association

ANAHEIM   Michael Diehl has had Osiris since the pit bull was just a pup.  Diehl, 46, suffers from sudden seizures and Osiris helps keep him safe, alerting him before they happen, he said.  “He means everything to me,” he said. “He protects me from everything.”  

As one of hundreds living on the riverbed of the Santa Ana River Trail, Diehl was among 60 people and their pets who took advantage of free veterinary services offered on Sunday, July 30.

The services were offered by two groups, the Healthcare Emergency Animal Rescue Team out of Yorba Linda run by veterinarians Debra and Dr. Todd Kopit, and  Dr. Mark Malo, vice president of the  Animal Health Foundation, a nonprofit that is a charitable wing of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.

The veterinarians did wellness checks, vaccinations, de-worming and parasite treatment.

"We launched this program because we know there are many services for homeless people but not for their pets, ” said Malo, who also works at the Garden Grove Dog and Cat Hospital. “These people are dedicated to their animals. They would go without their own meals to feed them.”

Angel Nole, 32, brought his dog Bandit, a Dalmatian pit bull-mix, for shots and flea control. He also brought Robin, a six-week-old pup for his first puppy shots.

“It helps out a lot,” said Nole said, adding that he can’t afford any veterinary care.

TJ and Chance Ivey were thankful for the opportunity to get their pit bull-Labrador-mix Daisy checked out.

Daisy has helped make life bearable for the couple, they said.

“She brightens everybody’s day,” TJ Ivey said. “If they’re disgusted with life, she walks up to them and it’s a blessing.”

Laura Weatherford, DVM and board member of the Animal Health Foundation in Lake Forest, CA recently presented a $2,500 donation to the Orange County Bird of Prey Center.

Dr. Weatherford was joined by Drs. Weldy and Krause who brought Nubs a Great Horned Owl that the center uses for public education.

The Orange County Bird of Prey Center is a volunteer organization in Orange County, CA, dedicated to treating and rehabilitating injured raptors and returning them to the wild.  We believe that education is the best long-term solution to prevent and mitigate many of the dangers that raptors face.

Scott Weldy, DVM and Kristi Krause, DVM of the Serrano Animal and Bird Center, are the driving forces behind the Center.  In 2016, volunteers performed over 4,000 hours and provided 84 education presentations concerning birds of prey.  In additon, more than 84 raptors were returned to the wild thanks to these dedicated people.

The center is relocating from a temporary, private facility to a permanent, publicly accessible location which will provide housing for approximately 250 birds at any time.  The Animal Health Foundation is proud to be able to help the center in their efforts.

The Animal Health Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to helping pets and wildlife in times if need through various programs in the Southern California communities we serve. For information about or programs, please visit our website at www.animalhealthfoundation.org or contact our Executive Director at ahfed@animalhealthfoundation.org

Thanks to the generous donations from Charlene Savage, the AHF was able to begin a program which helps pets of the Orange County homeless population.  In conjunction with the SCVVC (Society for California Veterinary & Vaccine Care), we have implemented 3 Mobile Clinics in Orange County since last fall.  These test programs went so well, that the AHF Board od Trustees has committed to sponsoring 1 program a month through mid-2018.

The 3 clinics have been held by the OC Civic Center in Santa Ana, Mary's Kitchen in Orange and The Courtyard (old bus station) in Santa Ana.  The clinics have helped approximately 100 of the homeless populations' pets with vaccinations, microchips, de-wormings, ear and eye exams and treatments, and flea and tick control prevention.  The majority of animals were dogs, but we also helped cats, pet rats and rabbits!

Unfortunately, homelessness has become a permanent part of the fabric of our society.  Based on Orange County Homeless Count & Survey Report, which is done every two years (the most current data available is for 2015), the number of homeless has increased from 2013 by 5%.  And of those that are homeless, 61% do not have shelter (compared to 51% from the 2013 survey).  The reasons for such a high percentage of homeless not having shelter has not been fully explored, but one reason is pet ownership.  For many homeless, pets play an important role, especially in terms of emotional support in their lives.  The exact percentage of homeless having pets has not been fully surveyed, but the percentage might be as high as 25%.  A recent study of homeless youth (Rhoades et. al. (2015) “Pet Ownership among Homeless Youth: Associations with Mental Health, Service Utilization and Housing Status,” Child Psychiatry Human Development 46(2):237-244) found pet ownership to be 23%, with pet ownership being associated with fewer signs of depression and loneliness.  

Future events will be announced on our website at http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/events.

If you have any questions concerning this program, please contact our Executive Director at ahfed@animalhealthfoundation.org

“Rock star” Therapy Dog Gets Sidelined with Cancer
Jane Horsfield and Dan Balza of Fountain Valley, California, adopted their dog Kiss at six-months-old when her previous owner no longer had time to train her for flyball. Through the years, Kiss’ super energetic nature has made her a perfect participant in flyball, agility, and nose work competitions as well as in recreational dock diving and K9 Disc.

Named after the rock band Kiss because of her black and white face, her outgoing nature also made her an ideal candidate for pet therapy work. As part of the Animal Health Foundation, an affiliate of Pet Partners, Horsfield and Kiss started visiting adults and children at local hospitals as well as elementary schools where children practiced their reading skills with Kiss sitting by their sides.

“There is not a person she doesn’t love to meet,” says Horsfield. “She loves everyone, and everyone loves her.”

As a “rock star” therapy dog, Kiss also gets invited to special events around town to raise awareness and money for skin cancer awareness through the local Rotary Club. It was during an event that Jane noticed some swelling above Kiss’s front left paw.

“At first, I thought it was related to her athletic activities,” says Horsfield. “So, I put some ice on her leg when we got home, and it looked a little better the next day.”

The family had been down this road before

But a week later, Kiss’ lower front left leg still looked swollen. Her veterinarian, Dr. Wayne Kopit of Brook-Ellis Pet Hospital, biopsied the lump and called Horsfield the day after Thanksgiving with the results. Kiss had a soft tissue sarcoma on her leg.

He decided to refer Kiss to Southern California Veterinary Specialty in Irvine, California for the cancer treatment.

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect it to be cancer,” says Jane. “The news struck terror into my heart.”

That’s because the previous Thanksgiving, the couple also had received cancer news about their dog Sheila. She died seven months later despite extensive surgeries and treatments to save her life. Unfortunately, the heartbreak doesn’t end there. The couple has lost four dogs to cancer through the years.

“My veterinarian says 50% of dogs die of cancer these days, and that none of the cancers my dogs have had have been related,” says Horsfield. “But that doesn’t make the news any easier when it’s your fifth dog with the diagnosis.”

New treatment delivers the right stuff

When Horsfield contacted the Animal Health Foundation to let them know about Kiss’ diagnosis, they told her that Pet Partners had grant monies from the Petco Foundation’s Pet Cancer Awareness campaign to help therapy dogs with their cancer treatments.

A $3,000 grant provided help with Kiss’ surgery and chemotherapy. “We had already spent thousands on Sheila’s treatments, so we really needed this support to help Kiss,” says Horsfield.

In the past, doctors might have amputated Kiss’ leg because of the difficulty in removing the entire tumor. But a new therapy combined surgical removal of the tumor with chemotherapy beads implanted directly into the tumor site. “The beads dissolve over four to five weeks releasing chemotherapy drugs to where it’s needed most,” says Horsfield.

So far, the results are good. The tumor hasn’t grown back, but Horsfield checks the leg daily, since if it returns, it will come back in the same spot, doctors say. She and Kiss are making therapy visits again, and Kiss is participating in some of her favorite sport activities on a limited basis.

“She won’t officially be out of the woods for 18 more months,” says Horsfield. “But in the meantime, we’ve got our sassy girl back. I am grateful for the help in saving her life. I never had kids, so my dogs are everything to me.”

Illustrious Career as Surgeon Got Its Start at 13 for Bob Olds

by Jim Kelly

Bob Olds got his first break in veterinary medicine when he was 13.  “I'd always had a love of animals -  all young kids do - and I was fortunate to be hired by the late Dr. Bob Stansbury at his practice in Pasadena," Dr. Olds said. " My job was to feed animals, clean cages and record appetite before school in the morning and on weekends. My interest in surgery began while I observed Dr. Stansbury.

He had a contract with Friskies Cat Food to help determine the role diet played in the development of urinary tract disease.  He had a large ward full of cats on different diets, deficient in certain minerals. 1 fed, weighed and wrote down the data - my first experience in research. I didn't really know what I was doing, other than recording the data."

That may have been the last time Dr. Olds, a board certified veterinary surgeon, " didn't really know what he was doing."

Bob did undergraduate work at Washington State University and earned his veterinary degree there in 1967. He was accepted in the internship program at the Animal Medical Center in New York City where he completed a surgical residency.

Then he spent nine months in Europe, living in Alpe d' Huez, France, and working at a veterinary practice in Paris. He also helped obtain and trans port African animals to a zoo in Frejus, France, before returning to the Animal Center in New York as a service head, teaching interns and residents for four years.

After becoming board certified, he was hired by Dr. Ray Sprowl at Brentwood Pet Clinic in West Los Angeles in 1975. He bought into the practice in 1977 and today is medical director at what is now VCA Brentwood Animal Hospital. At 74, he enjoys surgery and teaching students and colleagues.

“I work with Western University students during their core surgical rotation," Dr. Olds said, "and it is a thrill to see the light go on in  their eyes when they understand and can apply the basic principles of fracture repair. It's fun to see their surgical skills and confidence improve during their month in our hospital. I teach them, my philosophy that there are three components to a successful case: the pet must get better, the owner must be happy in all respects and the bill must be paid. If any one of those elements is missing, you have not succeeded."

Dr. Olds cites two "wonderful opportunities" in his life. The first was going to Washington State. "I love WSU, being a Cougar, all the wonderful experiences there and the life it has afforded me," he said. " I serve on the board of trustees and help fund-raise for them." The second wonderful opportunity was marrying Janice, his wife of 40 years, "a wonderful woman, life partner and mother of our two sons. Geoff is a fireman in Maryland, whose wife gave us our first granddaughter last spring. Brian, our other son, is a film editor in Los Angeles."

At Washington State half an hour of physical education was required. Bob had competed in gymnastics in junior high, at Pasadena High School and at Pasadena City College. When he registered for classes, he selected a course labeled "advanced gymnastics" to meet the PE requirement. " I was told that it was the WSU team time and in college you just don't join a team. You must try out and earn a spot. I did that. . . . I was lucky enough to be undefeated for three years in dual meets and twice was Pacific North west champion on the pommel horse." His best years as a gymnast came after he graduated and joined a team in New York City. " I finished in second place in the national AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] in 1971 and came in first in the National YMCA, which was an AAU-sponsored event." He participated in the Senior Olympics until age 52 when "I started worrying about my hands as a surgeon."

Today, he is a jogger, hiker, backpacker and climber. Six years ago, he and his sons limbed  7,600 feet to the Mt. Everest base camp. Two years ago, they climbed 19 ,340 feet to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

During his career, Dr. Olds has repaired a congenital femoral deformity in a 10-month-old Begal tiger owned by actress Tippy Hedron, repaired a fractured radius and ulna in a monkey and performed an osteotomy on a chicken with a malunion of the tibia - "the legs were 180 degrees apart, one going forwards and one going backwards," he said. "Of these unusual surgeries, I think  the  happiest  client  was  the young boy who loved his chicken ," he said.

The case that Dr. Olds remembers best is a story told on television's Dateline 15 years ago. A dog named Charlie was put up for adoption by a family in Oregon. But the person who took Charlie was an agent for a dog dealer and Charlie was sold into a research colony at the VA Hospital in the San Fernando Va lley.  He was in a cystic fibrosis study and food was placed in to a duodenostomy and removed from a jejunostomy to check for digestibility. Six electrodes had been implanted in to his jejunum to measure motility. Silk sutures were used for the entire surgical procedure and every suture was infected.

"The Oregon Humane Society asked if I could see if Charlie could be helped and returned to the original owner," Dr. Olds recalled. "When I went to the hospital, the VA physicians and researchers said that Charlie should be put to sleep. 1 walked down to the run [where he was kept] and he ran up to me and curled up in my arms. And I said, 'We're gonna change this.' And they said, 'Nobody's done that before.' And I said, 'This'll be the first time.'

"My nurse, Brenda Stangelan, and I removed all the silk sutures and electrodes and closed both stomas. That was on the day of the Rodney King riots. After a six-week recovery at my house, Charlie was sent back to Oregon.  He was a great dog. Six months later, the owner called and said she couldn't keep Charlie any longer. So he came back to me. And he was our dog for 12 years."

Dr. Weinstein Wants to Make A Difference for Veterinarians

By Jim Bell

Dr. Peter Weinstein, SCVMA’s executive director and recipient of the 2017 Cortese-Lippincott Award, sees the association as “very strong. . .with hopefully state and even national influence.” And, he said, “my long-term vision is to make sure that it stays strong and continues to make a difference for the veterinarians, pets, pet owners and the profession.”  

Part of his vision, he said in an interview, is “to help practices remain successful and financially profitable and to ensure that veterinarians have a life balance so that they can appreciate the return on their investment of time with their families and whatever interests they have.  I see way too many veterinarians who are overworked, under-appreciated and under-paid.  I’d really love to see everyone having more fun with less stress.”

In terms of size, Dr. Weinstein said, SCVMA is in the top 10 to 15 U.S. veterinary associations. “We’re probably bigger than 40 state [organizations].

“I like what I do.  I like the outcomes and influence and I like making a difference. My personal vision statement is to help make a difference and I think that’s what I’m doing.

“I can get a lot of things done in a very short time because I have a great team, a great staff, a great Board [of Trustees].  And we’ve learned how to focus on what our strengths are. We’ve tried different things that didn’t work so we’re trying to simplify what we do so we can provide what we do better, more effectively, more efficiently, with a greater return to our membership.”

Some 60 to 65 percent of veterinarians in the SCVMA area are members of the organization. “It’s really hard to grow a professional organization these days because, for all intents and purposes, millennials are not joiners. Our goal and challenge is to figure out how to engage these younger veterinarians and give them as much value as we can for their investment [in SCVMA]. The same goes for more seasoned veterinarians.”

The Cortese-Lippincott Award is presented annually by the Animal Health Foundation in cooperation with the SCVMA to someone who has gone “above and beyond” to make the world a better place for humans and animals and someone who excels in community service and education in the veterinary community and in support of the human-animal bond.

“I hope I have done all those things, as a practitioner, as a consultant and now through the SCVMA,” Dr. Weinstein said. “I’m honored to be one of a small group of recipients. Joe Cortese was one of my mentors so I’m even more honored that I’m recognized with an award associated with his name.”

Dr. Weinstein is author of two books intended to help veterinary practice owners negotiate the shoals of running their businesses.  He has ideas for one or two more. He also is working with others on an idea that will be mostly web driven to provide support for practices and practitioners by providing educational support on the business side of veterinary medicine.

“I’m looking for ways to educate and provide knowledge that’s useful and practical and bite size,” he said, “so veterinarians can take a bite, do something, get some successes and continue moving forward.  I think that sometimes, learning about business is like drinking from a fire hose. And if you can take one sip at a time and quench your thirst, it’s probably healthier for you.  So we’re looking for ways to deliver bite-sized educational pieces with some action items that help or coach veterinarians to be successful.

“I think it’s important that veterinarians have a resource that keeps nudging them forward.  So we’re looking at creating that.”

Dr. Weinstein’s books are intended, he said, to help veterinarians “take control of the chaos in which we exist and focus on working more effectively, more efficiently, more systematically and more predictably so we’re not reinventing the wheel every day.”  His first book, “Retention Marketing for Veterinary Professionals,” was coauthored with Steve Kornfeld and published in 2013. The second, “The E-Myth Veterinarian,” coauthored with Michael Gerber, was published in 2015.

The SCVMA executive director – he has held the job since 2007 – grew up on Long Island near New York City.  His father, who died last year, was a certified public accountant, then worked 25 years as president of a private foundation.

“My mother was a biology teacher and my maternal grandfather was a general practitioner MD,” he said. “So I had the gene pool [for veterinary medicine]. When I was growing up, we had cats and I enjoyed going to the veterinary hospital to see their care provided. So I think the gene pool, the cat experience and reading “All Creatures Great and Small” by James Herriot all motivated me to pursue becoming a veterinarian. It really was the only focus I had growing up.”

Dr. Weinstein earned a B.S. degree at Cornell University, then moved to the University of Illinois where her earned an M.S. degree and his veterinary degree, awarded in 1986.  He added an MBA from Redlands University after he became a practice owner in Laguna Hills. He believed he needed “resources to help me be a better business owner as a veterinarian. So I went back to school at night for two years. Redlands had a campus in Irvine 10 minutes from my house.”

He came to Southern California not long after earning his DVM degree. “After all the years in New York and Illinois I decided frostbite was not something I wanted to continue to experience,” he said. He spent a few years working at different Orange County practices, including for Dr. John Hamil, who was his business partner when he started his Laguna Hills practice in 1989.

Dr. Weinstein sold the practice to NVA in the late 1990s, staying on as practice manager and administrator until 2000, when he left to do veterinary business consulting until 2003, when he joined Veterinary Pet Insurance as medical director and head of the claims department. He left VPI and returned to consulting in 2005, then joined SCVMA in 2007.

“I’m only the third executive director [succeeding Don Mahan and Dick Holden, neither of whom was a veterinarian],” Dr. Weinstein said. He had served as SCVMA president in 1997.

His wife, Sharon, was named winner of the Ginny Grant Award last year. She has just completed 10 years as a zookeeper at the Orange County Zoo.  He has two daughters. Brianna graduated from USC in 2016 and works for Oracle in Santa Monica.  Brooke is a sophomore at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with her eye on a veterinary career. 

On March 2, 2016, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the tables were turned on seven Adams Elementary READ teams when the handlers helped the school celebrate the birthday by reading stories to the students, with their dogs in attendance.  John Adams Elementary in Santa Ana, CA, has had AHF teams in their classrooms for eight years as reading dogs, with additional teams participating in the Adams monthly Saturday library program.  On March 2, a combination of weekday and Saturday handlers brought their dogs to school and read books to the students. The participating teams were Gretchen Scott with Luna, Tammy Heider with Gracie, Suzanne Davidson with Juneau, Daleen Comer with Macy, Jim and Dorothy Taylor with Stryker, Geneva Comer with Bonnie, and Jane Horsfield with Kiss.

Press Release: 7-20-15

AHF Board Member, Dr. Alice Villalobos [www. pawspice.com], will present the KEYNOTE  for the American Kennel Club (AKC) 20^th Anniversary National Parent Club Canine Health Conference held August 7- 9, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch.

Villalobos’ Keynote topic is the Human-Animal Bond and how we want Quality of Life at the End of Life for our pets. Her practices in Hermosa Beach and Woodland Hills, CA focus on helping families cope  and improve the quality of life for their beloved dogs and cats with advanced or recurrent cancer and other terminal illnesses.

This biennial event is hosted by the AKC Canine Health Foundation  and generously sponsored by the Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

Sometimes when meeting a new person, you just know. You know they are kind, and generous. They have an ability to put people at ease with a simple smile and easy greeting.  It’s easy to meet them, and you instantly feel like you have found a friend. When I met Charlene Savage at her home, it was very much like that, an instant connection .  Charlene has been one of the most prolific donors in the History of the Animal Health Foundation, and we wanted to meet with her to say a humble and heartfelt  “thank you”.  During the conversation, I realized her story is our story, the pet owner’s story and for those of us who appreciate the human animal bond- a reminder of why doing what’s right is always the best choice.

Charlene is a local gal-born and raised in Southern California, working in her family business while raising her own family of 3 boys (and now 7 grandchildren)-all of them pet lovers.  From an early age, she loved dogs, especially shelter dogs.  I asked her about her theory of giving – which was inspired by her loving parents – and why she chooses the AHF as a charitable organization. 

Charlene, could you tell me how you learned about the AHF?

“I started donating to the AHF memorial fund in honor of a beloved dog name Beau, a Sheppard mix.  I learned about the program from my veterinarian, Dr. Glassberg of Sunnycrest Animal Care Center in Fullerton, when Beau died. It was a nice way to remember him.  I learned that the AHF provides support for veterinary expenses and funds scholarships around the world.”  That resonated with Charlene-a charity that promotes the human animal bond and strives to make the world a better place for pets.

The Human Animal Bond

One of the tenants of The Animal Health Foundation is promoting the human animal bond.  Charlene is the embodiment of the bond that pet owners have with their pets:

“To me, the human animal bond is all about companionship. Pets teach children sensitivity and make them better people. They give us peace.  It’s not something that can be taught.  It’s natural.”

Giving

A long time adopter of shelter dogs, Charlene believes the adopted pets come with a sense of gratitude for being rescued.  An adoptee of hers was there during our conversation, happily wagging his tail as proof of her ongoing resolution to adopt shelter dogs.  I asked Charlene what was her strategy for giving. She told me she gives to organizations that speak to her and that do the right thing.

“I donate to the AHF because of the help they give people who struggle with providing veterinary care.” Charlene especially appreciates the work the foundation does for retirees who need assistance.  Another way of promoting the human animal bond…. A very humble thank you to Ms. Savage, for doing the right thing, and reminding us about the human animal bond… We will try to make you proud.

The Animal Health Foundation (AHF) understands the importance of pets and wildlife to the earth and to all humankind, and knows you do, too. Together we can make a difference in the lives of animals, while improving the quality of life on our fragile planet. The AHF is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to improving the health and welfare of animals by supporting and promoting charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities.

As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, we are financially independent and sponsor many ongoing projects. Your donations assist the AHF in meeting the needs of animal and human welfare, while supporting and promoting responsible pet ownership. Working in conjunction with the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA), we have ambitious plans for the future.

Please visit us on the web at:

 http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net

By Jim Bell

Charles Hendricks majored in agriculture at the University of Illinois and was contemplating working a family farm in southern Illinois after he completed a four-year stint in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot.  

But, he said,  “a guy who was also a pilot was going back to Ohio State to become a veterinarian and he was giving me all these good ideas about veterinary medicine and I liked ‘em. So I decided maybe I might try that, by golly, and I went back to Illinois to veterinary school.”

Today, Dr. Hendricks is an elder statesman of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. On January 31, he will be presented with the prestigious Cortese Lippincott award at the annual SCVMA Annual Celebration and Installation of Officers. The award from the Animal Health Foundation, honors a recipient who has gone “above and beyond in making the world a better place for both humans and animals.”

Son of a lawyer, Dr. Hendricks grew up near St. Louis, where his father commuted every workday. At the University of Illinois, he was enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps and went into military service after graduating. Most of his service was in southern Arizona.  He married wife Jan in 1956 after a year in the Army. “She was my first date at the University of Illinois. We dated off and on through college and never did get too serious. When I graduated and she graduated, we got to talking more to each other” and decided to marry in 1956.

After his discharge from active duty, Dr. Hendricks worked for Ralston Purina for a year in Iowa City, Iowa, collecting accounts – work he found unrewarding – so he enrolled in veterinary school at his alma mater. He had GI Bill benefits and a campus job, as well as some support from his family “With the three of those, I had enough money to pay the bills.  And my wife worked, too,” he said.  He also continued to fly military helicopters on weekends as a reservist.

After he earned his DVM degree in 1963, he did a 15-month internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, the historic nonprofit hospital founded in 1868. Then he and his wife looked west. “We were sold on Arizona,” he said. “We’d spent most of our Army life in southern Arizona and we wanted to go back. So we went there – but there wasn’t a job available.”  The young couple continued traveling west and found plenty of opportunity in Southern California.

“I interviewed with 36 different people and I accepted a job in Anaheim,” Dr. Hendricks said.  His employer “was an old codger from Colorado who’d been around a while and he was a drunk who wanted to sell his practice. It wasn’t doing that great. So I went to work for him and eventually bought the practice [in 1976]. I was committed to doing high quality work and I got referrals from all over for back surgeries like laminectomies and anything that had to do with the brain. And I also did some orthopedic work but I never got board certified.”

Dr. Hendricks said that his practice was exclusively small animal, although he had cared for horses as an intern in Boston and early in his career in Southern California. “Then I decided I didn’t want to do that any more. It took too long to get to the horse and then you had to control it and it just wasn’t worth it.”

He said that his practice grew quickly after he acquired it. “I started getting cases before I bought the place and it grew from there – so much that I couldn’t handle everything,” so he added associate veterinarians to help with the workload. And, he said, “I trained many veterinarians in Orange County.”

In 1990, he sold the practice to VCA, continuing to work three days a week.  “I stayed on until 1997. From then on, I did relief work periodically. But a couple of years ago, I decided that I was too darned old to wrestle these animals any more.”

Always active in SCVMA, he was president in 1976.  “I went through all the offices and served on the Board [of Trustees].” He also served on the board of CVMA and was a zone chairman and regional director for the American Animal Hospital Association and served on several AVMA committees.

In 1968, he and three other veterinarians started a weekly lunch meeting, inviting doctors to come in and present cases. “It was the most important thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “It was a very, very educational thing – and it’s still going on today, so it’s been around a long time. It’s called the North Orange County Clinical Pathology Conference and we still continue to meet. We started with a small group meeting every Monday in the basement in the old Santa Ana Hotel. We met there for years and years, with 25 to 30 people every week. The hotel finally closed its doors so we had to move. We went to several different places. Now we meet at Tony Roma’s. The presentations are really good. We have an x-ray viewer and a computer that shows clips.”

Now 82, Dr. Hendricks and Jan, who live in Anaheim, have a daughter who travels between Kansas City and Anaheim and a son who makes wine in the Napa Valley.  They have six grandchildren.

OC Register - Tuesday, January 13, 2015

By MARCIA C. SMITH / STAFF COLUMNIST

LA HABRA – We might cringe when pet owners put sweaters and costumes on their dogs, dressing them up like toddlers or Christmas ornaments.

But, really, some pooches do need a vest.

Take Prinz, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois who’s trained to herd more than sheep. He works like a ... well, you get it.

Prinz is one of four K-9 officers for the La Habra Police Department, and he shouldn’t be expected to go to work as naked as a porn star.

Prinz and his handler, Cpl. Nick Baclit, are dispatched regularly to unfamiliar, sometimes dark and dangerous scenes. There, together, they investigate, sniff out narcotics, search for evidence and possibly pursue armed suspects.

Baclit has a gun and a bulletproof vest. He also has a K-9 partner who’ll lead the way.

For five years Prinz has had only his instincts for personal protection at work. This made him more vulnerable to bullets, knives and other weapons or projectiles.

This never sat (or stayed or rolled over) well with Baclit, especially after March, when Baclit submitted an application for Prinz’s vest in October. Then Animal Health Foundation, a Lake Forest nonprofit, stepped in to make the $950 donation so Prinz could get covered – literally – for free.

Vested has donated more than 1,200 ballistic K9 vests since 2009, and Sandy Marcal, company president, said she was “glad we were able to help La Habra.”

So was Baclit.

“Prinz is a part of the my family and our police force. He belongs to our community, and our city. We should protect him because he protects us.”

Prinz has located stashes of drugs in dark warehouses. He has tracked down carjacking suspects.

He has sniffed out vital evidence, like a firearm in an attempted murder and knives in stabbings.

“He does a lot of dangerous work,” Baclit said. “He puts himself in danger so I can be safer.”

Now that he is vested, Prinz will be safer, too.

He’s one dog we shouldn’t mind seeing dressed up.

Contact the writer: masmith@ocregister.com

AHF Board members Madelyn Enright, Esq. and Laura Weatherford, DVM owner of Tustin Santa Ana Animal Hospital share AHF projects and information with attendees of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association's Disaster Preparedness Program in Long Beach, CA on October 26!

Board Member, Dr. Alice Villalobos spoke at the NAVC (North American Veterinary Community) conference earlier this year in Orlando, Florida.  She spoke about the "Quality of Life" scale as it relates to the companion animal's end-of-life experiences, and the human-animal bond.

The attached pdf is an article that was published in the Veterinary Advantage Magazine's May/June 2014 edition on the same topic.

Board Member and Manager of the AHF Caring Creatures' Pet Partner program - Jan Vincent - will be speaking on how alternative therapies such as Pet Therapy can foser physical, social and emotional wellbeing at a Continuing Education Meeting for medical professionals.

The meeting will be held at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills.

Dr. Alice Villalobos presented the Cortese-Lippincott award to Dr. Sheldon Altman in January, 2014 at the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association's officer installation dinner.

In her presentation, Dr. Villalobos noted that Dr. Altman grew up on a feed lot farm outside of Denver.  She has always felt bonded to Dr. Altman because they led parallel careers during the 70's and 80's.Shelley introduced acupuncture while she pioneered oncology services for companion animals in So. California and both spoke widely about their passions.

Biography

Dr. Altman was born and raised in Denver, CO, received his BS degree in Biological Science and his DVM degree from Colorado State University.  He has been a licensed veterinarian in Kansas, Colorado and California. Prior to retirement in 1998, his professional career spanned almost 38 years.  He worked for the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, practiced veterinary medicine in Southern California, spent 2 years as a staff member of the Acupuncture Research Project UCLA Pain Controll Unit, was Director of Research for the National Association for Veterinary Acupuncture and served on the teaching faculties of the Center for Chinese Medicine and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.

Dr. Altman has refereed and written articles for several veterinary journals, authored chapters in several veterinary medical textbooks and has been an invited lecturer at many local, national and international veterinary meetings, seminars and convention.  He has served on committees and been a member or a board member of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, the Colorado State University Alumni Association, American Veterinarians for Israel and the Animal Health Foundation of California.

Dr. Altman has been married for over 50 years, has three children and four grandchildren.  In his retirement, he tutors elementary school children in reading, paints and plays classical guitar (but not very well, he says).

 SCVMA Legacy: Dr. Josie Zabala Gave Second Chance to Unwanted Animals

This is one in a series of stories exploring what life and the practice of veterinary medicine was like for Southern California Veterinary Medical Association members in the past.

By Jim Bell

When Josie Zabala – born and raised in Manila – was a young veterinary student at the University of the Philippines in the mid-1960s, she could hardly have envisioned the path her life would take – to a 30-year career as director of Los Angeles County’s Department of Animal Care and Control.

“Working at the county shelter, extending the lives of unwanted animals, giving them a chance to have a second home and working the best way we could on a limited budget” was the best part of her rewarding career, she said. “We were a lot like country doctors. We learned to be very creative. ”

How did the young Filipina veterinary graduate of 1968 wind up leading the largest animal shelter in the United States?

She and other members of her graduating class were offered jobs by the federal Department of Agriculture. She worked for the government for six years, mostly in the San Joaquin Valley, while preparing for the federal and California veterinary board exams.

She passed the boards in 1974 and, with two young daughters at home, went to work part-time in clinics founded in Los Angeles by a partnership that included her husband Fred, who is now deceased. When her daughters were older, she started her own clinic in Anaheim and went to work for Los Angeles County in 1982. “For a few years, I worked at the county in the morning and at my clinic in the afternoon,” said Zabala, who still lives in Cerritos. After 18 years, she turned her clinic over to an associate.

On January 19, she will receive the Cortese-Lippincott Award from the Animal Health Foundation at SCVMA’s Installation of Officers. It will honor her for going “above and beyond in making the world a better place for both humans and animals.”

Zabala retired from the county job last summer. It was “very challenging,” she said. “When I started, there were no specific shelter veterinary positions. We were aided by the county Veterinarians Office. But when Prop. 13 passed in 1978, they phased out the county office and we started Animal Care and Control. And they hired me as the senior veterinarian in charge of all the six shelters.”

Zabala said that a shelter veterinarian’s life is different today than it was when she was named director. “There was a perception by other veterinarians that we were no good because we worked at the shelter,” she said. “They thought that we were there because we couldn’t do the job in private practice. And everything we did in those early days was questioned and ridiculed by the private sector. We found [that attitude] all over. At [professional] meetings, veterinarians would stand up and say it straight to your face.

“That has changed. Shelter medicine has evolved into a prestigious part of veterinary medicine. But we hid in the shadows because of all the condescending words we got – because they didn’t understand shelter medicine. . . . At a shelter, you are not only involved in animal health but you also take part in public safety, public health. You take care of animals that can transfer diseases to people. In fact, the [county] shelters were established because of a rabies epidemic in 1937. So every time an animal comes into a shelter, the veterinarian looks for zoonotic disease symptoms.”

Bioterrorism now is part of the life of a shelter veterinarian, who must recognize the symptoms of agents such as anthrax that might be used by terrorists, she said, and report to public health officials. Finally, she said, animal mistreatment is an important responsibility. “We see animals that have been subject to human maltreatment and we investigate it and help prosecute it. The shelter veterinarian is on the front line in abuse cases.”

Dr. Zabala gives much of the credit for her success as director of the county shelters to the veterinarians who work there. (There are 10 county veterinarians and 21 registered veterinary techs.) “Without them, everything that we tried to do would not have been possible,” she said.

Today, Zabala said, veterinary medicine is “more cutting edge” than it once was. “We have a lot of specialists in the field and we have continuing education that keeps us up to date. There was a time when we did diagnosing according to symptoms and now we have so many more tools. And the specialists are ready to help you if you have a question or a problem.

“Veterinarians today [in a sluggish economy] can be creative in helping their clients. We can make recommendations of what we can do and, if the client can’t afford it, we can go to the next choice or the next plan. The bad economy helps you grow as a veterinarian because you have to be more resourceful.”

Dr. Dirk Yelinek, practicing veterinarian and Hospital Director of the Redondo Shores Veterinary Center received the NDMS Outstanding Achievement Award 2012 for his contributions in disaster animal response.

The award was given at the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) 2012 Integrated Training Summit in Nashville, TN.

The award, for Response Team Distinguished Employee of the Year, is presented by the Director of the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

The National Disaster Medical System is comprised of 96 medical teams, five of which are veterinary teams. Award recipients are chosen by nomination by their peers.

In addition to regular practice Dr. Yelinek maintains a government position as Deputy Team Leader of National Veterinary Response Team-4, Department of Health and Human Services, and has been a member of the VMAT program since 2002.

He is also a Founding Member of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Animal Health Foundation's Executive Director, Pam Becker, was recognized as a Senior Making a Difference In Orange County by State Senator Lou Correa at a breakfast on May 11 at the Garden Grove Community Center.

Kathleen Bunge, Director of Volunteers at Kaiser Permanente in Orange County nominated Pam for the award citing "...works tirelessly to educate the community on and implement pet therapy visitation programs throughout the Orange County & Southern California area. Pam has devoted her life to this special calling:  she volunteers in several medical centers, nursing homes & a hospice in Orange County & has even visited Veterans’ hospitals & other medical centers in San Bernardino & Riverside Counties to assist efforts in implementing pet therapy programs.   In addition to her own volunteer work and activities through Pet Partners".

Pam is also an AHF Caring Creatures Pet Partner team and has been involved in Pet Therapy for about 12 years with several of her dogs.

The AHF Board congratulates Pam on this honor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 9, 2012 - Kaytee, a Central Garden & Pet brand, is recalling two products, Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Birds and Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw, due to high levels of vitamin D. These products are used primarily by bird breeders for feeding baby birds. Baby birds being fed the formula may run the risk of kidney failure when ingesting the product.

A Nestle SA (NESN) unit, Nestle Purina Petcare Co., was sued by a Chicago-area man who claimed its Waggin’ Train treats killed his dog.

Dennis Adkins’s 9-year-old Pomeranian, Cleo, became sick and died of kidney failure last month after eating Waggin’Train’s “Yam Good” chicken-wrapped treats, according to the complaint filed yesterday in federal court in Chicago.

“Waggin’ Train has spent millions of dollars in promoting trust and confidence among consumers in its pet food products,”Adkins said in the complaint. “The product was not wholesome, was not nutritious and was unhealthy.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December reiterated what it called a “cautionary warning to consumers”about a potential association between dog illnesses and chicken jerky-based products. The FDA first issued the advisory in 2007.

“The products —- also called chicken tenders, strips, or treats -— are imported from China,” according to the agency.“FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.”

Still, the agency advised consumers to not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet, saying they are intended to be eaten only in small quantities. The FDA also said owners of dogs eating the products should monitor their pets for decreased appetite or activity, increased water intake, vomiting and diarrhea.

‘Safe to Feed’

Waggin’ Train products are “safe to feed as directed,”Nestle Purina said in an e-mailed statement.

“We believe the claims made in the suit to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves,” the St. Louis-based company said.

According to Adkins’s complaint, he purchased the treats on March 11 and fed one a day to his dog -- in pieces -- for three days, starting March 13, while making no other changes to Cleo’s diet. The dog became ill on March 15 and died of kidney failure on March 26.

His other 9-year-old Pomeranian, Pharaoh, neither ate the treats nor became ill, Adkins said.

Adkins also sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), the world’s largest retailer and owner of the store where he bought the treats. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages, claiming the companies breached express and implied warranties that the treats were fit for consumption.

‘Hundreds Died’

Adkins also asked the court to recognize a class of plaintiffs comprising anyone who bought Nestle or Waggin’ Train-brand dog treats containing chicken imported from China in the past four years, and a sub-class of those who made the purchases from Wal-Mart.

“Thousands of persons purchased the dog treats at issue, and hundreds of dogs died as a result,” Adkins said.

“At Wal-Mart, we’re committed to providing our customers and their pets with safe and affordable food,” Greg Rossiter, a spokesman for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company, said today in a telephone interview.

All of the company’s pet-food suppliers are required to comply with all applicable government safety regulations, Rossiter said. Wal-Mart is aware of the chicken jerky-based food concerns and is in contact with the FDA, he said.

The case is Adkins v. Nestle Purina Petcare Co., 12cv2871, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).

British scientists conducted a study of 1,000 dog owners and identified common personality traits associated with people who tend to pick certain breeds. The findings could end up in the form of a questionnaire people can use to determine the best dog for their personality and space limitations, hopefully thereby reducing the numbers of dogs surrendered to shelters, researchers said.
 

Nearly 100 breeds of dogs are recognized to have congenital deafness, meaning a defect that has been present since birth.

Dalmatians, bull terriers and Australian cattle dogs are overrepresented. Cats can be deaf from birth but exactly which breeds are predisposed is less understood. Deafness in either species seems to be linked with white coats and/or blue eyes but not always.

An animal can be deaf in one or both ears, but we often don't pick up on any deficiency in those that are deaf in just one ear. Deafness in dogs is more quickly recognizable since we expect them to respond to the sound of our voice or loud noises. Since humans as well as the world at large are frequently ignored by cats, it's a little tougher to tell when they can't hear. In either case, deaf animals should never be bred, since the trait will be passed down to subsequent generations.

The only completely accurate way to determine if a dog is deaf in one or both ears is to perform a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) hearing test. The test uses a computer to record the electrical activity of the brain in response to sound stimulation. Since the BAER test was developed for use in humans, it does not measure the full range of canine hearing. But enough data can be gathered to determine if the dog can hear within the normal human range.

The CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital can perform this test to determine if an animal is deaf in one or both ears.

Dogs that are deaf from birth can be trained to respond to hand signals and still be wonderful pets. The trick to training them is getting their attention so they can look to you for a signal. Vibrating collars often are used to train these animals. The dog is taught that when it feels a vibration from the collar it should look to its owner.

Dogs and cats can have acquired deafness, meaning they become deaf later in life. Causes of acquired deafness include chronic ear infections, noise trauma, certain drugs used in topical ear preparations, geriatric changes and rarely general anesthesia. Dogs with acquired deafness also can be trained to respond to hand signals.

It's important to remember deaf animals need to be protected from dangers that would give auditory cues to a hearing animal, such as oncoming cars. Children need to be instructed on how to approach a deaf animal so they do not startle it.

The website lsu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm is maintained by the school of veterinary medicine at Louisiana State University and is an excellent resource about congenital and acquired deafness in dogs and cats. Helpful tips on training deaf dogs can be found at www.deafdogs.com.

Christie Long is a veterinarian at the VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital. Once a month, she will answer questions from her readers regarding pet health issues. Call her at (970) 204-4567 or send email to thepetdoctor@gmail.com.

Partridge Creek store owners enjoy the Clinton Township mall's dog-friendly policy almost as much as the dog owners who shop there.

"People really enjoy it, it brings more customers in," said Cory Hardy of Bears & Buddies, who often takes his two dogs, a chihuahua and a puggle, to work with him.

Today, dogs are welcome at places that were off limits to pets just a few years ago. No one is keeping track of the number of dog-friendly employers, but taking Fido to work and elsewhere appears to be a growing trend.

The Mall at Partridge Creek has been dog friendly since it opened almost five years ago. The concept is so successful, that Taubman Centers, which owns the mall, plans to open two more dog-friendly malls in Utah and Missouri.

Google's Ann Arbor office is dog friendly, as are all Google offices. The same is true at Amazon.com's Seattle offices. Dog-friendly stores dot downtown Birmingham. The companies see it as an employee-friendly move that also is good for business.

Julie Capp, owner of J's Silkscreens in Eastpointe, takes her lab and lab-mixes to work every day.

"Almost all my customers love them," Capp said. "They give an ambience to the shop as a friendly place."

The trend is fueled by the growing research into the health benefits of pets, said Patricia Olson, chief veterinary adviser for the American Humane Association.

"The research is pretty compelling," Olson said. Pets, she said, provide social capital.

"Social capital brings us pleasure and a feeling of wellness," Olson said. "And that's animals. Even if I don't have one, I may get social capital from having animals in a community."

A Virginia Commonwealth University study published March 30 tested employees at Replacements.com in Greensboro, N.C., to see the effect of dogs on workers. The company has allowed dogs at work for 15 years. Roughly 20 dogs are at the company on any given day.

The employees with dogs said their stress decreased as the workday progressed, said management professor Randolph Barker who headed the study. Those without dogs said their stress increased.

Replacements.com employees both with and without dogs reported a higher level of job satisfaction and employer support than those in dog-free businesses, Barker said. They also found the dogs appeared to increase employee interaction and communication.

"This might provide a low-cost wellness program for people that could provide potentially stress reduction and perhaps increase job satisfaction," Barker said.

Not everyone wants Fido around. Even supporters such as Google acknowledge they have dog-free areas for people who have allergies, who dislike or are afraid of dogs or are not comfortable with dogs.

"There's a balancing act that companies have to go through," Barker said.

A Dogster.com and Simplyhired.com online survey found that 66% of dog owners would work longer hours and 32% said they would take a pay cut if they could take their pet to work.

The survey found 49% would switch jobs to take their pet to work; 70% said a dog-friendly work place is an important employee benefit.

On any given day, five or six dogs are in the Farmington Hills offices of Marx Layne, a public relations firm.

"It's part of the overall feel we want to create; we want people to feel comfortable when they come to work," said Jennifer Cherry, senior vice president. The company has allowed pets for more than five years. "Pets are our family, they make people relax. Pets make people happy."

There are anywhere from three to five dogs each day at Summit Sports in Bloomfield Hills, which has allowed employees to bring dogs for about two years.

"I think it's a huge stress-reliever for a lot of people to be able to pet a dog or be greeted by a dog," said Alisa Robison, director of employee morale. "Some of our non-dog owners will take a dog for a walk during the day, just for a little stress relief."

Walking a dog for a few minutes "beats a smoking break," Robison said.

People with pets say they are happier when they can take their pet with them, and many shopping areas find customers like a dog-friendly atmosphere.

Biggby Coffee in downtown Birmingham has a bowl of dog treats near its door so customers can grab a coffee and a treat for their pooch.

"Birmingham is a walking community and dogs are an important part of people's lives," said owner Rose Glendinning. "The dogs definitely know there are dog treats here."

Mikayla Jidas drives from Clarkston to Partridge Creek because she can take her chocolate lab, Benilli, with her.

"It makes me feel better to know that I can take him instead of leaving him home," Jidas said.

"We've always been a family oriented center and pets are part of family," said mall general manager Steve Berlow. "Perfect strangers, if they each have a dog, it's an immediate conversation."

Contact Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki: 586-826-7278 or mmwalsh@freepress.com

Diamond Pet Foods Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Dry Dog Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk.
Recall is limited to one formula of Diamond Naturals distributed to 12 states; no illnesses reported.

Did you know that service horses are allowed where service dogs are?

 Ensuring senior cats' health requires preventive care, client communication

SmartBrief spoke with feline health expert Jane Brunt, DVM, executive director of the CATalyst Council and past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

At what age is a cat classified as a senior, and what changes in a cat's behavior or physical condition might an owner expect to see when their pet enters this stage of its life?
Keeping in mind that every cat is an individual, the "senior" status in cats has been described by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and American Animal Hospital Association in their Feline Life Stage Guidelines as cats 11-14 years of age, with cats from 7-10 called "mature" and those 15 and over "geriatric." Since aging changes are frequently a progressive continuum, many veterinarians group all three together and call them senior. "Senior at Seven" is an easily remembered phrase, and performing tests that can help identify conditions common in aging beginning at age 7 is appropriate and good medicine.

What vaccinations and other examinations or procedures are necessary for older cats?
As health conditions can change rapidly in older cats, it's widely recommended by many veterinarians that a thorough physical examination is best performed on all "healthy" senior cats twice yearly. Each patient is evaluated at each visit and recommendations should be made according to its lifestyle and health status. Decisions on which vaccinations are appropriate are dependent on risk factors including disease prevalence and municipal requirements. In addition to whatever vaccines are necessary, procedures recommended are infectious disease and parasite testing and prevention, oral care, nutritional assessment and recommendations and periodic senior health screening. The senior wellness profile in our practice is consistent with the published AAFP-AAHA guidelines and includes a CBC, chemistry profile, thyroid test, urinalysis and blood pressure as a baseline and to follow trends. Other procedures may be indicated depending on the findings of the examination.

How can owners be on the lookout for signs of common conditions in senior cats?
Knowing what a cat's normal behavior has been and then reporting any changes in that behavior to their veterinarian is crucial. And it's just as important for the veterinary health care team to ask what changes the owner has noticed. Following behavior patterns like appetite, elimination, activity and sleep patterns just as you would a kidney test are the keys to early identification of any problem. Besides the common conditions associated with aging cats, such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, periodontal and other oral disease, we are now recognizing much more arthritis in cats than ever before.

How can veterinarians communicate to clients the importance of preventive care?
The adage "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure" is so true with cats. Preventing parasites like roundworms, fleas, heartworms and others, preventing common infectious diseases like upper respiratory infection or, if at risk, feline leukemia virus, and preventing other conditions like painful oral disease or debilitating diabetes are far better for your cat, your peace of mind, and even your wallet. Following a veterinarian's recommendations for preventive care is the standard of care.  

How can veterinarians make their practices more cat-friendly and also help owners who may have trouble calming their cats get them into the clinic?
Becoming more cat-friendly is something every practice can do. By understanding what is normal for cats and how they react to change -- including transportation -- steps can be taken to avoid or lessen the stress and fear that happens when their environment changes. Starting when the cat is a kitten, carrier conditioning by leaving the carrier out, up and open with soft bedding inside will allow the cat to explore it on its own terms and become comfortable with it. CATalyst Council developed Cat Friendly Practice videos including a video "Cats and Carriers: Friends, not Foes," which can be given to clients as a resource, as well as provided to staff for training. Veterinarians should also visit the AAFP website for guidelines and to become a member, which will allow them to participate in the AAFP Cat Friendly Practice program.  

Cat-specific recommendations for maintaining optimum health
While many owners are tempted to forgo annual veterinary exams for their seemingly healthy cat, veterinarian Arlene Kim points out that veterinarians are trained to identify early warning signs of medical problems, such as dental disease, and provide vaccines that safeguard against many infections. Dr. Kim emphasizes the importance of comprehensive care, including heartworm prevention for all cats, keeping cats indoors where they are safe from predators and vehicles and feeding cats a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. WUPA-TV (Atlanta)(3/2)    

View AVMA's FAQ on caring for an older pet     

Proper nutrition helps prevent and treat disease
Maintaining a pet's optimal weight is essential to warding off disease, and food is an important tool veterinarians use to address illnesses in pets, including liver and kidney disease and allergies, writes veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus. Prescription diets are often used to combat diseases, and elimination diets are an important tool in determining the source of a pet's allergy. WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog(2/15)    

Dental care is essential to maintaining cats' health
The American Veterinary Dental Society reports that by age 3, 70% of cats will have developed gum disease. Veterinarian Lidja Gillmeister writes that this underscores the importance of routine dental care, including regular brushing with pet-approved products and dental cleanings by a licensed veterinarian. La Jolla (Calif.) Light(12/7)

Watch AVMA's video on how to brush your pet's teeth

Tumor risk from feline vaccines is low
Some feline vaccines have been associated with tumor formation in one in 10,000 cats, according to veterinarian Karri Miller. Veterinarians inject vaccines in specific locations to make treatment easier should a tumor arise, and task forces have developed ways to minimize the risk from vaccines. Vaccination is still in cats' best interest because the risk from deadly disease is greater than the risk of developing a tumor, Dr. Miller writes. The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.)(2/19)

 COMMON CONDITIONS IN SENIOR CATS

Research shows weight, parasites are problematic for cats
Recent studies have found that roughly half of indoor cats are overweight or obese, which predisposes them to type 2 diabetes, behavior problems, arthritis, cancer and even depression. In another study, researchers detected at least one parasite upon fecal examination in 50.9% of the cats tested, with Cystoisopora species and Toxocara cati topping the list at 21% each. CatChannel.com(2/21)

See AVMA's brochures on senior pets, available in English and Spanish

Arthritis affects cats, too
Osteoarthritis can occur in dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and even food animals, according to veterinarian Duncan Lascelles, professor of surgery and pain management at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. When cats have arthritis, they move less and stay closer to the ground, jumping less. Cats' pain also may prompt them to stop grooming themselves and using the litter box if the sides are too high, says veterinarian Marty Becker. ABC News(3/5)

Older cats are particularly susceptible to some conditions
The chances of developing an illness increase as cats get older and symptoms are often subtle, writes veterinarian Ann M. Anderson. Litter box usage problems and unexplained weight loss or weight gain can all be signs of an underlying disease. Enrichment in the form of creative, active and social play is also important to help keep a spring in a geriatric cat's step. The Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minn.)

Other News

Geriatric cats can develop kidney disease
WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog (3/2)     

Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall while Congress does its work? Some pampered pets get to sit in daily, but they're not spilling any secrets. Some members of Congress bring their dogs to work every day, including North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad, whose bichon frise Dakota takes over the office; some say the pets' presence has been known to defuse tense confrontations

All dog and cat breeds are susceptible to allergies, but determining the exact cause and course of treatment can be frustrating, time-consuming and costly, says Illinois veterinarian and internal medicine specialist Donna Spector. "Allergies are very challenging to diagnose accurately because it's a diagnosis of exclusion. It takes a lot of money and a lot of time. It takes a very dedicated owner."

Don't give your pet a deadly dose; medicines top the list of household poisons for pets

by Stacy Fox

khou.com

On the 50th anniversary of Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that accidental poisonings are a common problem.

From the Reading, PA Eagle

Q: We live in the country, and our cats enjoy venturing outdoors on nice days. As I plan my garden, how can I avoid plants that are toxic to cats?

A: Your letter is timely, because National Poison Prevention Week's 50th anniversary begins Sunday.

You ask about pet-safe plants, but you also should ensure the safety of other elements of your garden.

For example, cocoa mulch is toxic if ingested because it contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate and seizures. Use a mulch of hardwood or pine instead.

Insecticides and herbicides can pose problems too. Research on phenoxy-type herbicides shows they increase the incidence of cancer. Nonphenoxy herbicides, such as Roundup, do not increase cancer risk.

Don't use slug bait that contains metaldehyde, which can be fatal to pets and wildlife. Check the Internet or your cooperative extension service for safe alternatives.

Many plants are toxic to pets, including chrysanthemums, clematis, coleus, daffodils, geranium, hibiscus, hosta, hyacinths, most ivies and lilies, peony, sweet William, tulips and vinca.

For a comprehensive list and photos of pet-safe garden plants, visit the Animal Poison Control Center at www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants.
 

The animal authors of the column live with Lee Pickett, V.M.D., who practices companion animal medicine at Bernville Veterinary Clinic. Contact them at www.askthevetspets.com, 610-488-0166 or P.O. Box 302, Bernville, PA 19506-0302.

Finally, don't forget to plant catnip, cat thyme and cat grass for your kitties.

Nobody knows why lilies are toxic to cats, and Collins said this is particularly harmful because few are aware of the danger. An afflicted cat might initially become lethargic, but symptoms progress to drooling, loss of appetite, tremors, and, if left untreated, kidney failure and death.

The use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years, says Aubrey Fine, a clinical psychologist and professor at California State Polytechnic University. "One could even look at Florence Nightingale recognizing that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill," says Fine, who has written several books on the human-animal bond.

Studies in multiple countries have quantified what animal lovers already know: Pets are good for you. Evidence suggests having a dog can lower an owner's blood pressure, elevate mood and even prolong life

Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found evidence of a virus similar to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in some dogs with lymphoma. EBV was previously thought to infect only humans, but scientists hypothesize that the approximately 15,000 years of cohabitation between dogs and people prompted the virus to adapt and infect some dogs. The research, done with Penn's Perelman School of Medicine, provides new avenues for studying the connection between EBV and lymphoma in humans.

Soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs often begin as small nodules under the skin that can feel hard or soft, depending on location and surrounding structures, writes veterinarian Karri Miller, a board-certified oncologist. A definitive diagnosis can only be made with a fine needle aspirate and cytology of the mass. Treatment usually consists of surgical removal followed by radiation or chemotherapy, and Dr. Miller recommends all lumps on pets be evaluated by a veterinarian.

College students who spend time with a dog are less likely to report feeling depressed and find that dogs help them cope with stress, according to a study published in Society and Animals in 2008

Pets lost during the recent Midwest tornadoes are beginning to emerge from rubble, likely in search of food and their owners. Dogs, cats, horses, cattle, rabbits and even chickens are being rescued and taken to shelters where they are treated for injuries. Attempts are being made to find their owners

International horse travel expert and business owner Tim Dutta will transport some 50-60 equine Olympic athletes via FedEx from Newark, N.J., to England for the London Summer Olympics. The horses will be accompanied by a veterinarian and a groom and will be housed two per specially made stall during the flight. Food, drink, physical reassurance and even a sedative will be provided, if needed, to keep the animals calm and ready to compete in the games

While respiratory symptoms are a common manifestation of human allergies, dogs with allergies usually exhibit skin problems, writes veterinarian Jeff Kahler. A sneezing dog is likely to have a nasal infection, such as a bacterial infection caused by a foreign body. But, nasal tumors can also cause sneezing, and diagnostics including radiographs and endoscopy should be used to determine the cause of severe sneezing in dogs.

The high costs of advanced veterinary care and some owners' attitude that pets are family members are fueling the growth of the pet health insurance industry. Eleven companies provide pet health insurance in the U.S., and revenues are expected to total $753 million in 2014, compared with $303 million in 2009, according to research by Packaged Facts.

According to veterinarians, it's (osteoarthritis) one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in their field, and unlike their human counterparts, animals must suffer in silence.

Resident therapy dog Vi may well be doing more than just bringing smiles to the faces of stressed out parents and children. Dogs like Vi have helped launch an entirely new field of medical research over the past three decades or so.

Listen to the audio interview from npr and read the story!

Food and vet costs accounted for about 65 percent of the spending. But it was a service category — one that includes grooming, boarding, pet hotels, pet-sitting and day care — that grew more than any other, surging 7.9 percent from $3.51 billion in 2010 to $3.79 billion in 2011.

Pet Vet: Cat years aren't the same as dog years

WASHINGTON | Sat Mar 3, 2012 11:00am EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Western Feed LLC is voluntarily recalling two lots of its Kountry Buffet 14 percent feed because it may contain monensin sodium, which is potentially fatal for horses, the Morrill, Nebraska, company said on Saturday.

Monensin sodium, or Rumensin, is a medication used for some livestock and poultry. But it can be fatal to horses if fed at sufficiently high levels, Western Feed said in a statement posted on the Food and Drug Administration website.

Western Feed has received a report of some horses that died from eating the feed, it said.

The recalled lot numbers are M718430 and M720280.

The feed is packaged in 50-pound bags with the Payback logo. It was distributed December 2 to December 15, 2011, to retailers in Nebraska and Wyoming.

(Reporting By Ian Simpson; Editing by Peter Bohan)

Tainted Chicken Jerky Treats Are Still on the Shelves of Many Retailers Despite Numerous Reports of Sickened Pets

Per Dr. Peterson of the Animal Endocrine Clinic in New York: "At this time, I would encourage you to only purchase products that are made in the United States. The first thing that I do when looking at a bag of pet treats is turn it over and look for the country of origin. At least for now, I would not buy any treats that are imported from China"
 

By JUDI BOWERS

Reporter for the Big Bear (CA) Grizzly

Dr. Jacob Johnson, DVM, is all about horses. He cares about every inch of the equine for their health and to help their owners care for them as well.

Mojave River Equine Veterinary Service puts Johnson on the road to communities from Wrightwood to Baldy Mesa, Adelanto, Big Bear and Newberry Springs.. Have horse, he will travel, and that includes moseying to Big Bear Valley.

Johnson has offered equine veterinary services to his Big Bear clients for several years, first as an associate with Dr. Ron Lenhert and now on his own. Johnson opened Mojave River Equine in July 2011. Johnson takes his practice on the road with him. Instead of four walls, he delivers on four wheels.

Inside his mobile unit, Johnson can provide dentistry, dermatology, hoof care, lab services, neurology, oncology, radiology and more. He can read X-rays on a computer. He diagnoses and treats in the field. Johnson also offers lameness, pre-purchase and wellness exams, along with coggins and health certificates. He also does the routine preventative procedures such as vaccinations, deworming and check ups. About the only thing he doesn’t do, Johnson says, is breeding.

It all started in his junior year in high school, Johnson says. He had an interest in animal health, but narrowed his focus to equines exclusively. He attended Cal Poly Pomona then headed to the University of Illinois for veterinary school. Grad school involved a lot of hands-on experience, Johnson says. He had the opportunity to participate in externships in Nevada, Texas, Wisconsin and Kentucky, as well as South and Central America.

While Johnson provides all equine medical services, he is passionate about equine dentistry. Preventative dentistry is key to the overall health of a horse, Johnson says. Many medical issues stem from problems with a horse’s teeth or jaw.

Johnson says one of his clients bought a barrel horse who was unruly. The horse was for sale and the price continued to drop due to its attitude. Johnson could see the swelling on the horse’s cheek, and once he remedied the problem so the horse could adequately chew its food, its attitude also improved, he says.

Horse owners make sure their animals have routine farrier visits. Dental checkups and care should be just as routine, he says. Johnson says he likes to see results and see the animal feel better, which is one of the reasons he is so passionate about his clients and their dental care.

Equine dentistry is more cutting edge. It’s progressive veterinary medicine, Johnson says. He is big on continuing education, and focuses a lot on the dental conferences.

Gary Cecil of Big Bear City is a new client of Johnson’s. “Besides begin an extremely good veterinarian, I like him as a person,” Cecil says about Johnson. “He really cares about horses and their welfare.”

Cecil says Johnson takes all the time necessary to explain your horse’s needs and answer questions. Johnson also makes recommendations for better health and care, Cecil says.

Johnson is usually in Big Bear on Thursdays, but will make a special trip for emergency visits. He does have the ability to see patients in Apple Valley, where he plans to build a brick and mortar practice. He carries pharmacy and vet products with him as well as supplements.

Clients can share the house/ranch call fee by setting up dental or routine wellness clinics at one location. Multiple animals can be seen at one time, saving the client money and the doctor travel time.

To make an appointment, call Mojave River Equine Veterinary Service at 760-247-4024 or visit www.mojaveriverequine.com.

Contact reporter Judi Bowers at 909-866-3456, ext. 137 or by email at jbowers.grizzly@gmail.com.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Labrador Retriever is still America's top dog but the Beagle has overtaken the Golden Retriever in popularity and the Rottweiler has made a comeback, according to the American Kennel Club.

In its annual list of the country's most popular dogs, the powerful, protective Rottweiler edged into the top 10 breeds, knocking the much smaller, sweet and playful Shih Tzu out of the rankings, where it had been firmly placed for more than a decade.

For the 21st consecutive year the Labrador Retriever clinched the No. 1 spot in 2011. The German Shepherd held on to its second position, while the Beagle pushed the Golden Retriever down to No. 4 and the Yorkshire Terrier dropped from third to fifth place.

"While the Labrador Retriever has proven once again to be a family favorite, this year clearly belongs to the Beagle," American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson said on Tuesday, adding that she wouldn't be surprised if the breed snatched the top spot next year.

Along with the Rottweiler, the Boxer, which placed seventh, had a good year. Five of the most popular dogs were larger breeds.

The Bulldog, Poodle and Dachshund rounded out the top 10 dogs on the list compiled by the club, which is a registry of purebred pedigrees in the United States.

(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; editing by Paul Thomasch)

Published February 28, 2012

| Associated Press

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/28/pet-custody-cases-increasing-divorce-lawyers-say/#ixzz1ntRYSEex

For Northjersey.com by Naomi Seldin Ramirez

Question: My 11-year-old Dachshund, Hannah, has Cushing’s disease and the only comfort my veterinarian can offer her is radiation. I don’t believe that the quality of life my pet would have as a result of this treatment would be acceptable to me.

On Wednesday, February 29th six AHF teams visited Castille Elementary School in Mission Viejo to help students celebrate "Read Across America" week. The dogs visited three kindergarten classes, two first grade classes, and a special needs class. The students enjoyed meeting all the dogs and reading their favorite stories to them. The teams who attended this year were Amy Leveque with Annie, Susan Tanimura with Reika, Tammy Heider with Gracie, Jane Horsfield with Kiss, Chris Schleiter with Diamond, and Daleen Comer with Bonnie. AHF teams have participated in this event for several years, and look forward to continuing the tradition

Watch and pick your favorite

From VetStreet.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Thinkstock

Cats Behaving Normally: Often the focus for pet owners and veterinarians is on problem cat behavior, but understanding how cats behave normally is the real key to a successful relationship with them, says Dr. Sarah Heath, a veterinary behaviorist and an honorary lecturer in Behavioral Medicine within the faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool. Problems begin when people misinterpret a cat’s natural actions. In the first of a four-part workshop, Dr. Sarah Heath explained aspects of normal cat behavior and gave examples of olfactory, visual, vocal and tactile communication by cats. “If we can understand how they’re trying to communicate and what they’re trying to say, we can establish better relationships,” she says.

One of the examples Dr. Heath gave is that for humans, touch is an essential and desirable part of a relationship. For cats, not so much. Cats can sometimes find a human’s hands on them to be confining and threatening, but when they retreat from touch, people think cats are unhappy in the relationship. Not so, said Dr. Heath. They simply show their devotion in other ways. She recommends waiting for an invitation for contact in the form of a social roll, with the cat on his side in a relaxed manner. Just don’t take it as an invitation to roll him on his back and tickle his tummy.

Tuesday, February. 21, 2012

Alamy

Sure Way to Identify a Dog with Separation Anxiety: Advances in technology are making it easier for pet owners to record the actions of their home-alone dogs. Set up a camera to videotape your dog when you leave home so you can see what actually happens. You don’t need a marathon recording session because most examples of true separation anxiety occur within the first 30 minutes of an owner’s departure, reported Dr. Debra Horwitz, a veterinary behaviorist from St. Louis. Savvy Advice for Senior Dogs: Old age in dogs is a stage of life – not a disease. Dr. Julia Tomlinson, a veterinarian specializing in rehabilitation of senior dogs in Minnesota, recommended fitting older dogs who can’t gain traction on hard wooden and tile floors with doggy booties such as Power Paws. Improve your dog’s flexibility by holding a treat by his back hip to force him to move his head and curve his spine to reach the treat.

Ticks Take Over: The diversity or ticks and their distribution means there are probably more ticks in North America than ever before. In a session on canine vector-borne diseases, parasitologist Dr. Susan Little from Oklahoma State University noted that a single female can lay 7,500 to 8,000 eggs. Her advice: begin applying acaricides to dogs one to three months before prime tick season. “If you are seeing ticks on your dog, it’s too late.”

Genetic Disease in Pets: There’s more to genetics than diagnosing disease in pets. A 4-hour-hour workshop presented by Dr. Jerold Bell of Tufts University covered the veterinarian’s role in identifying genetic disorders, counseling pet owners who want to breed their animals and advising people who are buying puppies and kittens. For clients wishing to breed their animals, Dr. Bell says genetic testing should be performed before breeding, whether they are purebred, designer breeds or mixed breeds. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Health Information Center are good resources for learning which health tests are required or recommended for specific breeds.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Dogs and Incontinence: Need another reason to spay your young dog? Studies confirm that waiting until your female dog has had her first estrus (heat cycle) increases her risk for developing incontinence by 20 percent, reports Dr. Julie Bryon, DVM, DACVIM, from Ohio State University, at her presentation on canine urinary incontinence.

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GI Disorders and Brachycephalic Breeds:

Flat-faced dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs are at risk for gastrointestinal disorders because of their conformation. Dr. David Twedt, DVM, an internal medicine specialist at Colorado State University, notes: “Brachycephalic breeds have a high incidence of developing gastric esophageal reflux because of their upper airway obstruction.”

Common Causes for Litterbox Issues: To people, it's a stinky problem, but to cats, it's an important method of communication. Cats spray urine in response to environmental changes, fear, anxiety or social conflicts with other animals — including cats — or people. A new member of the household, whether a baby, spouse or other animal, can trigger the need to spray urine, which helps the cat to feel more comfortable in a different or uncomfortable situation, reports Dr. Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, a veterinary behaviorist from St. Louis. Owners can reduce urine marking by 50 percent by taking these actions: scooping the litter daily and providing one litterbox per cat plus one in the home.

Parasites Don’t Respect State Boundaries: If you live in a cold-climate state, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to protecting your indoor cat from heartworms, fleas, ticks and other parasites. “Unless your pet lives alone in a biosphere in Nevada, they need year-round protection against parasites,” says Dr. Michael Lappin, DVM, Ph.D., a professor at Colorado State University. He also points out that 40 percent of cats with evidence of fleas or flea dirt are likely to also have Bartonella bacteria, also known as cat scratch disease.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

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Allergies and Atopy:

Grass pollens, house dust mites and mildew headline the list of allergens that cause atopy, a common skin disease of dogs, but new research suggests that the symptoms worsen when dogs eat certain foods that react with these allergens. In a four-part dermatology workshop, Dr. Alice Jeromin, a pharmacist and veterinary dermatologist from Cleveland, pointed out a new study underway at North Carolina State.

Alopecia and the Sun: In other skin-related news, it turns out that a lack of vitamin D from the sun during the dark, cold winter months can also contribute to flank alopecia in dogs. Dogs need the natural sunshine to grow back healthy hair follicles. Dr. Jeromin’s advice: Bundle up and treat your dog to 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine this winter whenever possible. And, not to overlook cats with skin problems, be sure to take them to the vet as well. She noted that orange-colored cats are inexplicably at a greater risk for developing atopy than other felines.

Toxins and Your Pet: Learning your (toxic) ABCs was the focus of a four-hour workshop presented by Dr. Patricia Talcott from Washington State University, coauthor of the reference book Small Animal Toxicology. She covered the gamut of poisons far too available to dogs, including over-the-counter human pain medications and anti-coagulant rodenticides. She also noted a troubling rash of new cases being treated at WSU: dogs being intentionally poisoned after eating sausage and hamburger meat laced with rat bait.

From the Vail Daily in Vail, Co

By   Stephen Sheldon, D.V.M.

Copyright 2012 Vail Daily. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. February, 23 2012 4:21 pm

 

Pet Talk: The mangy dog is not what you think

 

One of the more common puppy problems is demodectic mange

Vail Daily

Since our holiday puppies are now around four to six months old, I thought I'd write about one of the more common puppy problems, Demodectic mange. Demodectic mange is one of those difficult to understand and explain diseases. The word mange conjures up images of unkempt, dirty, malnourished animals, yet this is often not the case with demodectic mange. A very common comment when told of the diagnosis is “but I take such good care of her; how could this happen?”

Relax. You have. What you are probably thinking about is Sarcoptic mange, or Scabies. The two diseases are vastly different.

Demodectic mange or demodex, is caused by the mites of the demodex species. It differs from Scabies or sarcoptic mange in a number of ways. First, it is not contagious to either dogs or to humans like scabies is. This is a tough concept to swallow for many of us; how can a skin condition that looks so bad not be contagious? Trust me it isn't. I had one young lady ask me “well, how do you know?”

“I went to school for eight years and I know how to read medical texts and journals,” I assured her. More than once I have copied articles for my clients. I'll repeat again. It is not contagious

Demodicosis causes hair loss, skin thickening, oozing sores, skin infections, red, irritated skin, and is usually very itchy. There are two forms of the disease, both caused by the same mite. One is called localized demodicosis; the other is generalized demodicosis. Again, this is a difficult concept to grasp; two different diseases caused by the same organism.

Localized demodicoses involves a few patches of hair loss, usually around the head, neck and hocks. It usually occurs in puppies around six to eight months old and often resolves without treatment. It is not a very serious disease. When the demodex begins to spread uncontrollably we call it “generalized,” as larger areas of the body are involved. This is a much more serious disease and requires aggressive therapy.

There is a lot we do not know about demodectic mange. Most agree it has an underlying immune system dysfunction involved with it. The most popular theory is that affected dogs have a inherited, cell-mediated immunodeficiency. Some breeds of dog (i.e.. Shepherds, Dalmatians) seem to be affected more than others, but demodex is seen in all breeds.

Diagnosis of demodex is fairly straightforward. A scalpel blade is used to scrape the top layers of skin off for examination under a microscope.

There is only one approved product to treat demodectic mange, Amitraz or mitaban. Treatment is continued two to four dips after a negative skin scraping. This averages six to eight dips. We always try to correct any underlying problems such as nutritional deficiencies, parasitic infestations or secondary skin infections. In recent years some new, off-label treatments have been discovered (these are treatments that are not FDA approved usage of these drugs). These protocols use the drugs ivermectin and milbemycin (which are the active ingredients in Heartguard and Interceptor). Some animals can be controlled with a combination of dipping and the newer protocols.

I empathize with my clients whose dogs have generalized demodicosis. The good news is that most dogs are cured and lead completely normal lives (except for breeding, which is discouraged if your dog contracts generalized demodicosis).

Veterinarian Stephen Sheldon, DVM, practices at Gypsum Animal Hospital. He can be reached at 970-524-DOGS or at the hospital website www.gypsumah.com.

Dr. Beth Guerra, an emergency veterinarian at Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services (ACCES) hospital in Renton, answers this week's questions about bloody diarrhea. It is the first of a two-part series.

Question: What causes bloody diarrhea in dogs?

Answer: Bloody stool or diarrhea is common in veterinary medicine and often constitutes an emergency because it is so alarming. Blood can show up in the stool in two ways -- as hematochezia, which is the presence of bright red blood with normal feces or diarrhea, or as melena, which is digested blood that often gives the stool a dark, tarry appearance.

Question: What is the difference (aside from the way they look)?

Answer: Dark, tarry melena represents blood that has come from the upper GI tract, such as the stomach or first part of the small bowel. It essentially has been "digested" as it moves through the intestine and, therefore, appears dark and sticky.

Conversely, bright red hematochezia represents blood from the descending colon, rectum, or anus, and appears more like actual blood.

Question: What can cause the bright red bleeding in hematochezia?

Answer: There are myriad causes that can span all ages and breeds. A thorough history and physical exam should always be performed on any patient that has hematochezia. It is also important to determine if the stool has been normal or if the pet has been having diarrhea.

External causes include masses or abscesses around the anus or anal glands that are brittle or have ruptured, trauma, passing of a foreign body, hernias or fistulas. Internal causes include colitis, stress, constipation, certain infectious organisms such as campylobacter or clostridium, parasites, masses or polyps, a prolapsed rectum or blood-clotting problems.

Question: What causes the dark, sticky bleeding in melena?

Answer: Melena is caused by any bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine. It also can represent blood from the oral cavity, nasal cavity or lung that has been swallowed.

The stool appears dark and tarry and can have a foul odor. If vomiting occurs, it often resembles "coffee grounds."

Melena can be caused by direct bleeding in the GI tract from ulcerations in the esophagus, stomach or beginning part of the intestine, parasites, trauma from passing foreign bodies, inflammatory bowel disease, or intestinal or stomach cancer.

Systemic disease such as liver failure, blood-clotting problems, kidney failure, Addison's disease, pancreatitis, certain types of cancer (such as mast cell tumor) or shock situations (such as severe heat stroke) can also lead to bleeding in the bowel.

Wounds in the oral cavity, nasal bleeding or pulmonary hemorrhage, where blood is coughed up and swallowed, can also cause melena.

Question: What are the most common symptoms of hematochezia?

Answer: Usually blood mixed with normal stool or diarrhea. The pet is often straining to defecate and may be passing small amounts of stool with bright red blood or large amounts of bloody fluid. Often blood can be seen around the perineal area or on the fur or is detected on rectal exam by the veterinarian.

Because these causes are localized, patients rarely exhibit systemic disease.

Weight loss, lethargy and vomiting are usually not observed; however, there is a disease process associated with hematochezia that can be quite severe, known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). This is characterized by acute onset of bloody diarrhea, often accompanied by vomiting, and signifies acute inflammation within the GI tract. Patients with HGE are quite ill and usually require hospitalization.

Question: What are the most common symptoms of melena?

Answer: Melena may be more subtle and difficult for owners to detect because it is not as conspicuous as bright red blood.

Diagnosis is usually made by rectal exam or examination of the feces by a veterinarian. Patients are usually ill and may exhibit a variety of symptoms including weight loss, lethargy, lack of appetite, pale gums or weakness that indicates anemia, or a history of coughing or respiratory difficulty.

Question: How is hematochezia diagnosed and treated?

Answer: Your vet should examine the anus, anal glands and rectum to rule out the possibility of a mass, polyp, or abscess.

A fecal examination is needed to rule out intestinal parasites.

If the bleeding does not diminish with treatment or the pet is critically ill (as in HGE), further diagnostics, such as a CBC/chemistry, abdominal ultrasound, or colonoscopy, should be considered.

Treatments are varied and depend on the diagnosis.

Question: How is melena diagnosed and treated?

Answer: Melena is usually an indication of a more serious illness, and because it indicates bleeding from higher up in the GI tract, more thorough diagnostics are often required initially.

The owner should be questioned about possible trauma, exposure to toxins such as rat baits that interfere with clotting (D-Con), or drugs such as NSAIDs or steroids.

Generally, a diagnostics workup should include a CBC/chemistry, urinalysis, fecal exam and coagulation profile.

Abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy can often be used to augment these initial diagnostics and are most useful in evaluating the GI tract.

Again, treatment is varied and depends on the source of the bleeding.

Question: When do I need to take my pet to the vet?

Answer: In general, any change in appearance, frequency or volume of feces can indicate a medical problem. The presence of blood in the feces, in any form, warrants a physical exam by a veterinarian.

Further diagnostics and treatment can be discussed at that time based on the history of the patient and the results of the exam.

Prognosis can be excellent, in the case of hematochezia caused by parasites, or guarded, as when melena is caused by GI ulceration or cancer.

Dr. Beth Guerra

Guerra is a graduate of the veterinary college at the University of Illinois in 2001. She worked in day practice in Chicago before moving to Seattle in 2003. She joined the ACCES staff in 2007 and works in the Renton hospital. Guerra enjoys treating trauma patients and exotic animals.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12049/1211024-338.stm#ixzz1my5nnvrW

While pet oxygen masks have been used for decades by veterinarians in offices and hospitals, their use in the field by first responders — firefighters, paramedics and animal rescue teams — has been building for a decade, experts say.

As with humans, the sooner the animal received oxygen after inhaling the smoke, the better.

          The Orange County Kinship Center, an adoption/foster care center, held the “Canines ♥Kids” party on February 11 hosted by Junior Girl Scouts Troop 855. This special Valentine's-themed party brought together foster children and six therapy dogs from the Animal Health Foundation (AHF), BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids), and Love on a Leash. AHF teams in attendance were Amy and McKenzie Leveque with Flora, Jane Horsfield with Kiss, Daleen Comer with Bonnie, and Kris Bonham with Andre, joined by Acacia Comer with Macy (Love on a Leash) and Jill Pollard with Zip (BARK).

          At the party, the children read books to the dogs, petted and brushed them, and had the dogs do tricks for treats. They each received a reading book from BARK and a dog-themed coloring book from AHF. Each child and dog went home with a special goodie bag from Troop 855, too.

          This fun and festive afternoon was the concept and hard work of fifth graders Taryn Uyematsu, Jennifer Liu, and Lauren Kuo. The three scouts designed this event to earn their Bronze Award—the highest achievement within Junior Girl Scouts. To fulfill the award requirements, the scouts must complete a service project that helps their community. They also need to log a minimum of 15 hours of work toward the project.

          These girls went above and beyond the requirements with their time and creativity. They started planning this party in September. First, they brainstormed their project idea of throwing a fun party where foster kids could interact with registered therapy dogs. Therapy animals are known to help people reduce stress and anxiety, forget their worries, and feel happy.

          The scouts then met several times over the past few months. They coordinated with therapy dog volunteer Daleen Comer and Kinship's Nina Yamasaki. They planned their budget, wrote reports, learned about therapy dogs and pet care, purchased supplies, collected donations, assembled activity books, painted banners, and stuffed goodie bags. The girls even attended an AHF evaluation so they could observe the testing process. The scouts worked hard at the party where they made welcome speeches, supervised the dog reading station, distributed refreshments, led three craft stations, and assisted the Kinship kids for the afternoon.

          Lauren, Taryn and Jennifer greatly appreciate Kinship Center and AHF for their assistance in making the “Canines ♥ Kids” party possible. These scouts sincerely hope that the therapy dogs and festive afternoon brought joy, comfort, and compassion to the Kinship kids who attended.

From: DVM360 1.5.12

Holding tightly to the title of most popular name for dog lovers, “Bella” shot into the lead among feline fans for the first time in 2011. Though the Twilight-inspired moniker has reigned as top dog since 2009, “Bella” trumped “Max” in 2011 as the prime choice for cat owners with a lead of less than 10 felines. VPI sorted its database of more than 485,000 insured pets to determine last year’s most popular pet names. Here are the results:

By Donna Stephens Manley     Published February 11, 2012      FoxNews.com

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/11/if-your-cat-could-talk/#ixzz1mHvu1qwB

"It is very frustrating to see how much pain and discomfort excess weight has on my patients," Dr. Steve Budsberg, director of clinical research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and APOP board member said in the statement. Budsberg says he sees the suffering daily, so pet-owners need to step up and stop pet obesity. "No animal goes to the refrigerator or the pantry and helps themselves," he said

The "buy local" food slogan so popular with environmentalists may catch on with people shopping for pet food.

"Avoid the newest products on the shelves and buy made-in-the-USA pet food," veterinarian Brian Forsgren said Tuesday at a news conference called by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown to publicize the death of a Westlake dog that died after eating chicken jerky made in China.

The Food and Drug Administration has received several hundred complaints since 2007 from pet owners whose dogs suffered serious or fatal kidney damage after eating chicken treats. But the agency's scientists, although they've previously found pet food products that contained harmful contaminants from China, have not been able to identify a toxin and link the jerky treats to the illnesses.

Meanwhile, Forsgren, Brown and the Westlake dog owner urge pet owners to avoid products made overseas. But is it possible to buy totally made-in-the-U.S.A pet food?

Chicken breasts "are not produced domestically in sufficient quantity to meet demand," said Kurt Gallagher, director of communications for the Pet Food Institute, which represents 98 percent of U.S. pet food companies. "In China, consumers prefer to eat dark meat chicken and other cuts, so white meat chicken breasts are available for making quality dog treats."

And other pet food ingredients are only available from foreign sources, including certain vitamins, amino acids, minerals and micronutrients, he said.

"It would be difficult to purchase a pet food that is made from 100 percent U.S. ingredients."

Senator Brown and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich have called on the FDA to recall the jerky treats; step up its search for toxins in them and other pet food; hold U.S. companies accountable for the quality of their overseas ingredients; and improve communications with the public about potential threats.

"Would a consumer who goes to the store to purchase dog treats have any way of knowing that a particular product is under review other than scouring the FDA's website?" Brown wrote in a letter to the agency.

While the senator awaits a response (which you'll read about in Animals in the News), veterinarians and pet owners can learn more at the American Veterinary Medical Association's user-friendly site; avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls

After the success of the therapy dog station at Reilly Elementary's Ability Awareness Day in January, AHF was invited to participate in Chaparral Elementary's similar event in Ladera Ranch on Feb. 6, 2012. 350 students in grades 4 and 5 visited the dogs and learned about what it takes to train a dog for therapy work, and how the dogs help people in need. Teams participating were Tammy Heider with Gracie, Jane Horsfield with Kiss, Daleen Comer with Bonnie and Rudolf Mueller and Susan Tanimura with Reika.

The long term effect of Japan's earthquake, Tsunami and disaster at the Fukushima power plant on the Fukushima pets is now known.   Animals lost their homes and families and  need long term assistance. Reuters reports that dogs and cats abandoned in the Fukushima exclusion zone after last year's nuclear crisis are facing high radiation, a lack of food and are struggling with the region's freezing winter weather. Please Donate Now to our fund to benefit these animals.

By Stephanie Pappas

4 AHF Pet Partner Teams visited Reilly Elementary School in Mission Viejo, CA on January 19, 2012.   They were there for the school's "Ability Awareness Day". The teams explained to the students what therapy animals are, how they are trained, and the difference between them and service dogs.  The students and teachers had the opportunity to ask questions and to pet all the dogs. It was a fun event for everyone!

The teams who helped make the event a success are Diann & Joe Frey with Jake, Amy Leveque with Flora, Geneva Comer with Bonnie and Daleen Comer with Macy.

Todd Ackerma, Houston ChronicleCopyright 2012 Houston Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By Todd Ackerman - Houston Chronicle

According to the the HARC (The Hoarding of Animal Research Coalition), each hoarding case is unique, and any approach should draw on a palette of solutions. Approaches can range from a therapeutically oriented, cooperative approach to a highly adversarial prosecution for animal cruelty. A middle ground involves a combination of "carrots" and "sticks" in order to achieve cooperation and compliance.

Humans are complicated genetic jigsaw puzzles. Hundreds of genes are involved in determining something as basic as height.

But man's best friend is a different story. New research shows that almost every physical trait in dogs — from a dachshund's stumpy legs to a shar-pei's wrinkles — is controlled by just a few genes.

Writer Evan Ratliff has been looking into dog genetics for National Geographic Magazine. He tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz that that quirk makes it extremely easy for breeders to develop new, custom-designed dogs — like the German hunters who bred the original dachshunds a few hundred years ago.

"These German hunters wanted some sort of dog to hunt badgers and other sort of small rodents that live in holes." So they crossed long, low basset hounds with tenacious terriers, to produce a dog that could chase badgers into their dens and then be yanked out again by the tail if necessary. The breeders also built in loose fur, so any bites wouldn't do much damage.

Other breeds, like the shar-pei, developed after breeders pursued a particularly favored look, Ratliff says.

For years, scientists thought that dogs were just as genetically complicated as humans, Ratliff says. But that turned out not to be the case. Scientists at Cornell, UCLA, Stanford and the National Institutes of Health have been comparing dog DNA as part of a project called CanMap.

"They took a whole large collection of dogs, 900 dogs from, I think, 80 breeds," Ratliff says. "And what they learned was that in these dogs, if you look at their physical traits, everything from their body size to their coat color to whether they have floppy ears, it's determined by a very small number of genes."

It's actually human interference that's the cause of what Ratliff calls "Tinker-Toy genetics" in dogs. "The way that natural selection works, it usually works on very small changes," he says. Sudden large changes can actually be harmful.

But breeders can introduce large changes in a dog relatively rapidly, by selecting the genes that have the strongest effects.

"If I want a tall dog, a large dog, then I end up selecting for this gene called IGF1, which has a very very strong effect on the size of a dog. And when you do that over a couple of hundred years, what happens is ... it becomes the gene that controls body size."

No word yet on which genes control loyalty, dog breath, or a propensity to slobber on your slippers

There are more cats living in American households than dogs, and they usually don't live alone. Most cat homes have multiple cats. When cats don't get along, that is a source of stress for the cats as well as their owners.

The top two reasons for cats being relinquished are aggression and elimination problems, and sometimes the two can be intertwined.

Almost all acts of aggression between cats are resolved without actual fighting. Cats are subtle, and a lot of behavior can go unnoticed by owners. Stress can build over years and suddenly erupt into a huge problem. Watch for these subtle signs of brewing aggression:

» Staring can be a common form of aggressive display. Watch for the other cat's behavior in response to staring. Do they stop what they are doing? Do they turn around? If so, then this staring is a form of control one cat uses over the other.

» Choice of resting spot can be a clue to what is going on. Often, an aggressor cat will lie in open areas that allow them access to important resources such as food and water bowls, litter boxes or access to outdoors. These cats may appear at rest, but their ears may be partly pinned and their tail may be switching or flicking.

» Change of behavior on the part of the recipient cat. Cats that are the receiver of daily stressful communications can show changes in weight, grooming behavior and litter box habits. They may startle more easily and change where they prefer to lay, sleep or play based on the behavior of another cat. These are subtle signs of avoidance. Sometimes, these cats become exclusively active at night when the other cat is not.

Owners typically notice a problem when their cats are actually fighting. Hissing, chasing, clawing and biting are usually obvious signals that there is a problem. Sometimes, owners misconstrue this behavior for playing. A good question to ask when trying to distinguish this is: "Does the recipient come back for more?" If there is no give and take, then it is probably not play. They might also notice when one or more cats experiences a litter box problem. Hiding and avoidance can play into why especially victim cats may start to inappropriately eliminate. This problem is inextricably intertwined with healing the rift between the cats.

Owners often are misinformed that aggression between cats is a problem that cannot be solved. Treatment of inter-cat aggression is highly individual to the cats involved but is something that can be resolved well. Ideally, it is best to work on the problem before it progresses to more serious displays of aggression.

If you see warning signs of aggression between your cats, don't wait to get help from your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist. There are many more choices for treatment when the cats are not aggressive onsite. Cats can live together in harmony.

Dr. Jennie Willis is an instructor of animal behavior at Colorado State University and owns a private consulting business, which provides counseling for problem pets and their people. For more information about consultation, seminars and classes please visit www.AnimalBehaviorInsights.com

Dr. Stephen White, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, answers questions about food allergies.

Question: What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

Answer: Food allergy denotes an immune response to a food; food intolerance presumes no immune response. In veterinary practice the difference is difficult to distinguish, and probably not clinically important in most cases, and the more general term cutaneous adverse food reaction (CAFR) is often used.

Question: How common are actual food allergies?

Answer: This is debatable, as many cases are probably noted by owners (particularly if there is vomiting or diarrhea involved with the feeding of a new food) and never reported to veterinarians. A rough estimate would be around 5 percent of dogs, probably the same in cats.

Question: How does a food allergy present itself?

Answer: The most common clinical sign of food allergy affecting the skin in dogs is nonseasonal scratching, which is usually generalized. This also may be primarily directed at the feet or ears.

The most common lesions that the owners see are a red rash, scaling, or an increase in skin pigmentation. In cats, small crusts or facial/head/neck scratching are common. Of course, there are other causes of all of these signs.

Food allergy may also cause gastrointestinal (GI) signs, such as diarrhea and vomiting. About 10 percent of dogs with skin lesions from food allergies also have GI signs. Perhaps a greater number may show mild signs, such as slightly softer stools.

Rare cases of seizures in dogs have been linked to food allergies.

Question: Are there specific symptoms that are different from the symptoms of an environmental allergy?

Answer: No, except that food allergies don't change with the seasons, whereas environmental allergies sometimes do, depending on the exposure to the allergen (pollens, house dust, etc.).

Question: How is a food allergy diagnosed? Patch test or by process of elimination?

Answer: Neither. Patch testing is for contact allergies and is difficult to do in pets as the patches have to stay on the animal for 48 hours.

Intradermal or serologic testing, as is done with environmental allergies, have been shown to be very inaccurate in diagnosing food allergies.

Eliminating various foods piecemeal from a pet's diet is also time-consuming, inaccurate and frustrating for the owner.

The ideal method of diagnosis is the feeding of an elimination ("hypoallergenic") diet. The elimination diet ideally contains one protein and one starch.

These must be based on previous exposure of the pet to various food stuffs. It is important to remember that dogs that live in households with cats tend to have been exposed to fish, through their consumption of either cat food or cat feces.

Other than fresh water, nothing else should be fed to the dog during the elimination-diet trial. This means that vitamins and chewing toys must be eliminated and that flavored medications (such as certain ecto/endoparasite preventatives) should be replaced by other, equally effective non-flavored preparations.

Protein-flavored toothpaste should be replaced by the malt-flavored variety. Because the elimination diet is not a balanced one, owners should be warned that the dog may lose weight, develop a 'dull' haircoat or scaling, or be hungrier than usual.

Cats need to be monitored to be sure they are eating the diet because cats that refuse a new diet for several days can become seriously ill.

Because many owners are unable or unwilling to cook for their pet for the time period needed, commercially prepared limited-antigen diets available through veterinarians may be used.

Usage of a commercially prepared diet will give an approximately 90 percent chance of determining a food allergy; however, none of these diets will work for all animals, and failure of an animal to improve on such a diet may warrant trying another one, or a home-cooked diet in another trial.

The length of the elimination diet is somewhat controversial; however, our observations have justified a dietary trial of eight weeks.

If some itchiness persists at 12 weeks into the diet trial, this may indicate the need for continuing the diet, but that may also indicate the presence of concurrent hypersensitivities.

In cases where antibiotics are given to treat secondary infections, or oral corticosteroids for severe itchiness, the diet must be continued for a minimum of two weeks past discontinuation of these treatments, in order to properly judge its efficacy.

Upon resolution of clinical signs with the feeding of an elimination diet, the animal should be challenged with its regular diet to confirm the diagnosis of a food allergy.

Recurrence of clinical signs is usually noted within two week. At that point the animal is given its elimination diet again, and the owner then may elect to challenge with suspected allergens, each allergen being given one to two weeks at a time.

The most common proven allergens in the dog are beef, chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy; in the cat, fish, beef, milk and milk products.

Allergies to more than two allergens are uncommon. Once the offending allergens are identified, commercially prepared dog foods that do not contain them may be fed to the pet.

In cases in which the owners refuse to do provocative testing, one of the limited antigen pet foods may be used as a maintenance diet.

Question: In addition to eliminating the food that is causing the problem, how else can a pet with a food allergy be treated?

Answer: Many will have secondary bacterial or yeast skin infections and the proper antimicrobial medications may be used. If severely itchy at the initiation of the diet, a short course of corticosteroids may be indicated.

Question: Are there some pet foods that are less likely to provoke an allergic response from a sensitive pet?

Answer: No

Question: What kinds of things should a pet owner look for when selecting a commercial pet food and/or treats?

Answer: Like many other things in life, you get what you pay for when you buy pet food. Make sure that the food lists the ingredients and that it is shipped across state lines (i.e., stick to major brands, or to foods that are not produced in your state). This insures that the food has met federal guidelines. State guidelines vary from state to state, and are usually not as strict as the federal ones.

Dr. Stephen White
White has worked as a veterinary dermatologist for more than 3 decades, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 1983. A 1979 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, he did his internship and residency at Davis as well. He held faculty positions at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, before joining the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of California at Davis as a full Professor in 1998. White has lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. He has published over 80 journal articles. His areas of major interests include cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, rabbit/rodent dermatology, nonsteroidal therapy of autoimmune disease, congenital skin disease, and equine dermatology.

Scientists at Tokyo's Yamazaki Gakuen University wondered why dogs do not seem to feel the cold in their paws, even though the paws have less insulating fur than their trunks. The paws have pads containing a high fat content, which freezes less easily than other tissues, but they also have a high surface area-to-volume ratio, which means they should lose heat easily.

In humans exposed to frigid temperatures, vasoconstriction occurs in the extremities to reduce the blood flow and resultant heat loss, and ensure the blood returning to the rest of the body does not cool too much.

The research team, led by Dr. Hiroyoshi Ninomiya, used a scanning electron microscope to study the paws of four adult dogs, and discovered that the arteries supplying blood to the pads had networks of numerous small veins, or venules, closely associated with them, and that the system essentially acts as a counter-current heat exchanger.

When warm blood arrives in the paws via the arteries, heat is transferred to the venules closely associated with the arteries, thus ensuring the blood has been warmed up before it returns to the rest of the body.

The counter-current heat exchange system prevents the body cooling and ensures the paw temperature stays within reasonable limits. The same system has also been identified in other animals such as Antarctic penguins, where it occurs in their legs and wings, and dolphins, which use a heat exchange system in their fins.

The Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus) was already known to have a counter-current heat exchange system in its paws, along with numerous other adaptations to the cold, but the existence of such a system in domestic dogs had not been previously suspected or identified. The findings suggest that domestic dogs might have originated in a cold climate, in which such a system would have had survival benefits.

Domesticated dogs are not all able to withstand icy conditions on their paws to the same extent, depending on their environment (such as habitually living indoors), and the breed. Common tips often suggested to help domestic dogs avoid cold feet in winter is to ensure their pads are not split or injured in any way, and to spray their paws with cooking spray before taking them out in the snow. Frostbite is very rare in dogs, but it can occur.

The paper is published in the journal Veterinary Dermatology.

More information: Veterinary Dermatology, Volume 22, Issue 6, pages 475–481, December 2011. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.00976.x

© 2011 PhysOrg.com

TAMPA , Florida --

Watching surgery performed on a lion might seem like something you can only catch on National Geographic Channel, but starting Jan. 23 visitors to Busch Gardens can see it firsthand.

A new $5 million Animal Care Center at the park will allow guests to learn about everything from animal nutrition to surgery.

Many of the animals at the state-of-the-art medical center will be treated in surgical rooms behind a floor-to-ceiling window. Guests can also see routine physicals, X-rays, dental care while the park's 2,000 animals are tended to in an interactive environment.

Internationally known animal expert Jack Hanna, who is scheduled to make appearances at Busch Gardens on Friday, said the only similar facility he has seen is in Australia.

"My mind is boggled seeing everything in here," Hanna said. "These are exotic animals. These aren't dogs and cats. In the zoo world before, no one really got to see that, and now everything is open basically."

So open you might even get more than you bargained for when you stop by a microscope.

"We look at all kinds of things under this microscope," said Nancy Stedman, a veterinary pathologist at the facility. "Guests will be able to see what we're looking at. They'll see everything from poop, pee and giraffe placenta."

Those looking for a less-intense experience can check out the kitchen. Experts will guide visitors through an animal diet.

"Similar to the cooking shows you see on TV, but instead of cooking food for people it'll be cooking for animals," said Jose Dominguez, a Busch Gardens educator.

Admission to the exhibit is included in the regular park fee. Busch Gardens is at 10165 N. McKinley Drive, off Busch Boulevard.

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Vallard C. Forsythe, DVM for the Sonoma Valley Sun

Past President and Animal Health Foundation Pet Partner Coordinator, Jan Vincent, was interviewed on January 13th about the benefits of therapy dogs to patients and children.

By John Beck

It seems like no matter what I do, my dog continues to gain weight. I have tried cutting down on the amount of food I feed her, and she still looks heavy. She acts like we are starving her to death. I want us both to lose some weight as a New Year's resolution. Do you have any suggestions on how to get some pounds off my dog without me feeling like I'm mistreating her?

The majority of dogs that enter my practice have at least a little bit of extra weight on them. According to a very popular food company's study, 80 percent of American pets are overweight.

There is no magic potion or pill that will fix your pet. Just like in humans, diet and exercise are going to be your best bet.

The first step is to really evaluate what your dog is eating every day. A good way to get honest with yourself is to write down everything you feed your pet. Also, have all the other people living around or interacting with your pet write down what they are feeding her, too. You might think she is only getting two treats a day, but that is just from you. What about your spouse or children? Are they all giving treats, too?

Picking a diet or low calorie food is your next step. Look at the back of your dog food bag. Feed for the weight you want your dog to be, not the weight your dog currently is. If you feed treats throughout the day, take away some of the regular food you feed to make up for the calories she is getting in her treats.

Eliminating fatty human foods is a must. A cube of cheese might not seem like a lot of extra calories to you, but for your pet it will really add up quickly. A couple of potato chips or the last bite of your hamburger makes a big difference in your pet's diet. You have to remember that 100 extra calories for your 2,000 calorie diet isn't much, but 100 extra calories in a dog that has a 600 calorie diet is a lot. If you must feed human foods, unsalted green beans make great treats. Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) makes a great additive to the food that increases fiber and makes your pet feel fuller.

Finally, remember that your pet needs to burn off the calories it is consuming. Regular exercise is very important.

If you are just starting an exercise program, start slowly. A couple of trips around the block or up and down the stairs might be all your pet can handle when you start out. You can increase the amount or time spent exercising as you go along. The same food company has found that regular exercise can extend your pet's life span by a couple of years, not to mention the benefits they get for bone and joint health.

If you are still having problems, please feel free to contact me or your local veterinarian for more tips.

Dr. John Beck has a veterinary practice at Hillcrest Animal Hospital in Victoria. Submit questions to Dr. Beck at drjohnbeck@hotmail.com.

Dogs may be as receptive to certain human communication signals as infants are, according to a new study published in the journal Current Biology.

Hungarian researchers found that dogs' eyes follow where a person is looking if the person first communicates with the dog, such as through eye contact.

The researchers showed 29 dogs a series of videos depicting a person turning toward a pot. If the person looked in the direction of the dog and said, "Hi, dog!" in a high-pitched voice before looking at the pot, the dog was more likely to follow the human's gaze and also look at the pot than if the person didn't look at the dog and only said, "Hi, dog," in a lower-pitched voice. The dogs' eyes were followed with an eye tracker.

This phenomenon, known as gaze-following, is well-documented in infants and young children, the authors wrote.

"Our findings reveal that dogs are receptive to human communication in a manner that was previously attributed only to human infants," co-author Jozsef Topal of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences said in a journal press release. "Increasing evidence supports the notion that humans and dogs share some social skills, with dogs' social-cognitive functioning resembling that of a 6-month to 2-year-old child in many respects."

Veterinarians and animal behavior experts not involved with the research said that while it may seem obvious that dogs are able to follow nonverbal cues, this is one of the few studies that offer scientific proof about dogs' ability to communicate.

"In living rooms and backyards across America, we've known these things to be true, and now we have some numbers to prove it," said Marty Becker, an Idaho-based veterinarian and author of "The Healing Power of Pets."

"Like a baby does to the mother, when dogs lock on the face and the person looks to the side, the dog will follow the look -- they have this same communication signal," said Nicholas Dodman, director of the Animal Behavior Center at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in N. Grafton, Mass. "They are looking for an expression of what the person is thinking."

"This is another example of a supposed barrier between animals and humans being knocked down by research," he added.

Becker, also a columnist for Vetstreet.com, added that, as many dog owners and trainers can attest, dogs are attuned to nonverbal cues.

"It's written all over you -- it's the way your shoulders are held, it's the cadence of your walk. They respond to those signals before they respond to your voice."

Using a car analogy, Becker explained that one of the most powerful nonverbal cues, as the study suggests, is a human's gaze.

"The gaze is like the steering wheel that sends the dog in the right direction. The voice is the accelerator."

Because of the similarities between young children and dogs, Becker isn't surprised at how dog owners treat their precious pooches.

"A recent survey said that 80 percent of people consider themselves their pets' mom and dad. They're treating their four-legged children like their two-legged children."

British scientists have discovered a “lost world” of new species of yeti crab, starfish, barnacles, sea anemones — and potentially an octopus — on the sea floor near Antarctica.

Q: We have a 15-year-old female cat and her 10-year-old daughter. The younger one urinates outside her box, mostly on the tile floor of our bathroom, at least twice a day. She also used to spray the walls and floor, but no longer does that. The cats have two litter boxes (one is electronic), and both are cleaned regularly. The vet said there is nothing physically wrong with her. We've tried quality litter, clumping litter and cheap litter. Makes no difference. Why does she continue to do this?

A: There are two main reasons that cats go outside the litter box. The first is stress, which often causes them to mark areas around the house out of a feeling of insecurity. The second is the box itself, which they either have an aversion to or prefer to replace with a more convenient or luxurious location. To address the issue, make the litter box desirable while making out-of-bounds areas inconvenient.

First, clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleaner (such as Anti-Icky-Poo) and make the taboo locations off-limits.

Second, after your veterinarian has examined your kitty to make sure she doesn't have any illness that's causing stress, painful urination or difficulty getting into the box, work on making the litter box desirable.

The number of litter boxes in your household should equal the number of cats plus one, and the boxes should be 1 1/2 times the length of the cat. They should be in a convenient location, at least 4 inches deep, and cleaned every time the cat is ready to enter. That means scooping each box twice daily.

Next, do a choice test to determine your cat's preferences. To do this, you need four boxes lined up side by side in the kitty's room. The boxes should be nearly identical, but with one thing different about each. For instance, one may have a scoopable litter, the second the same litter but scented, and the third and fourth boxes may mirror the same litters as boxes one and two, but be significantly larger.

For more information, read "What to Do When Your Cat Poops Outside the Box" at bit.ly/fsMGsB.

Sophia Yin, DVM, San Francisco Veterinary Specialists: www.sfvs.net and www.drsophiayin.com.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/03/DD9H1MHMLC.DTL#ixzz1jGZV7CFg

Dr. Stephen White, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine answers the question.

How Old is Old, in Dog Years?

Posted by: Ann Hohenhaus, DVM at 11:46 am

By Jamie Hall, edmontonjournal.comJanuary 3, 2012

EDMONTON - Edmonton veterinarian Dave Fowler and his colleagues spend part of their annual winter getaway to Mexico setting up lounge chairs on the beach, the other part setting up ironing boards in an animal shelter.

The lounge chairs, of course, are for basking in the non-stop sun. The ironing boards? They’re used as operating tables at the animal shelter in Cabo San Lucas, which is where Fowler and his team log several 12-hour days spaying and neutering a never-ending parade of homeless cats and dogs.

The annual trek began as a “fluke” after he and his wife Pam adopted a dog from Pawsitive Match, an online rescue organization based in Calgary that was bringing homeless animals, mostly dogs, back to Canada from Mexico. In addition to a multitude of health issues, the dog, a female, had a significant nerve injury to one of her front legs. She also had a bullet lodged in her neck.

“She really wasn’t the most adoptable dog in the world, but because of my position my wife thought we should go look at her,” says Fowler, who is a surgeon at the Guardian Veterinary Centre, a state-of-the-art health facility for animals that opened in Edmonton last summer.

The couple ended up adopting “Margaret” and then got another surprise. She was pregnant. After she weaned what Fowler describes as “the strangest-looking collection of puppies” they had ever seen, he performed surgery to spay her, and to amputate her front leg, which was damaged beyond repair.

Fowler developed a relationship with the people at the humane society in Cabo San Lucas who had facilitated Margaret’s move to Canada. He was impressed with their proactive approach in dealing with the runaway street population of dogs and feral cats there, using outreach and public education.

“It’s a pretty significant problem,” says Fowler. “A lot of it is cultural in terms of how people there relate to dogs and cats, certainly some of it is a certain attitude about spaying and neutering. The end result is that there’s a pretty significant street population of dogs and feral cats.”

When he offered to help in whatever way he could, they took him up on it. That was almost five years ago. Since then, he and one or two local vets, and their spouses, have made the trip every year, bringing with them whatever surgery equipment and medication they can beg, borrow or steal from local suppliers, and returning with an assortment of dogs in need of adoption.

Despite their philanthropic spirit, they’re under no illusions about the impact it has on the population of unwanted animals that roam the streets, a problem that exists in many Caribbean and Central American countries. For the most part, says Fowler, they spay and neuter the animals who have already been adopted by local families, who simply cannot afford to have the procedure done themselves.

“Obviously what we’re doing is a ‘give-back’ kind of thing,” says Fowler, “but we don’t fool ourselves into thinking that making a trip there once or twice a year has a huge impact on the feral dog population, because it doesn’t.”

He’s doing his part, though.

In addition to Margaret, he and his wife have a beagle named Bob, who’s the result of an “Edmonton pet store disaster,” and Leila, who was dumped off at the shelter in Cabo San Lucas during one of their spay/neuter trips two years ago.

“The plan was to bring her back to Alberta and spay her before we found her a good home,” says Fowler, then sighs. “But by then it was already too late — she was ours.”

The 64-year-old Army veteran who has been battling post-traumatic stress disorder is finally sharing his story, thanks to a new ally named Dazzle.

The New Face of Pet Therapy

The practice, once limited to nursing homes, is aiding people, young and old, with a range of ills

December 27, 2011 RSS Feed Print

The other plants include azaleas, Easter lilies, lantanas, mistletoe, nightshades, oleander and yew.

Jennings said it's not uncommon for pets such as Lotty to die from eating such plants, especially around the holidays with so much mistletoe around as well as poinsettias, which are toxic but not deadly.

Ruby died near the dining room window in her navy blue dog bed, the same one she’d slept on for years.

There was no stressful car ride. No cold exam table. Just her favorite people all around as she received a final injection and slipped away.

The process saved her owner, Rebecca Burcham of Oak Hill, the agony of leaving a veterinarian’s office with only an empty leash and memories of Ruby spending her last moments in a place she hated.

“Most people don’t want to die in the hospital, and I think pets are the same way,” Burcham said.

It’s a more common scenario as pet hospice, around for at least two decades, gains momentum. Nationally, about 1 percent of pet owners have used the services, said Dr. Amir Shanan, a Chicago veterinarian and International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care board president.

He expects the number to grow quickly as pet owners become willing to do more for their animals. Ruby’s hospice veterinarian serves double the patients this year over last.

“There’s a lot more going on in this field than two to three years ago, but it hasn’t reached its potential,” Shanan said. “The status of pets in our society is drastically different than what it was 10-20 years ago.”

Burcham knew she wanted to say goodbye to her 13-year-old beagle-shepherd mix at home, so, when the time came, she sought the services of Brentwood-based Buttercup’s Pet Hospice. The business provides end-of-life animal care that can include home euthanasia.

Ruby was diagnosed with cancer in June and given a prognosis of two to six months to live. She remained healthy for about four months before she stopped eating and became lethargic. She didn’t leave the house to play. The disease silenced her barks at passers-by.

“It’s a difficult decision to end your pet’s life, but to have the backup of a veterinarian to help you make it — to me that is priceless,” Burcham said. “It’s almost like you can look in (your pet’s) eyes and see them telling you it’s time to go.”

On the day of the procedure, Dr. Anne Stanland and Buttercup’s hospice team spent time with Ruby to make her feel comfortable. Then Stanland administered a sedative to relax the dog and relieve any anxiety.

Ruby lay there peacefully, barely moving. Burcham consoled Ruby like a mother would her ailing child, freeing herself of any guilt, knowing she had exhausted all other options.

After Burcham and her husband, Stan, said their goodbyes, Stanland administered the injection that stopped Ruby’s heart. Burcham gathered enough strength to help carry her 40-pound dog, wrapped in a blanket, to Stanland’s car for a final farewell.

“I was bawling like a baby because I knew it would be the last time I would see her,” she said. “She was my baby, but there is some peace knowing that she is not going to suffer.”

Suffering is eased

Stanland began Buttercup’s Pet Hospice part-time in 2007. A 23-year veterinarian, she felt bonded to the animals and their families and realized that helping pets die gracefully would be a meaningful service.

Similar to human hospice, Stanland works with pet owners to make old and ailing animals comfortable in their homes during their final days. She offers pet owners information on treatment and surgery options and tells them the signs to look for to recognize when the end is near.

She still does routine animal care in an office, but her hospice patient load is about 15-20 pets per month, double last year.

“That part of their life is viewed as one giving up, but it can be a very enriching experience,” she said. “It’s a natural progression, and I felt there hadn’t been enough attention paid to it.”

No strict rules

Most people want to do the procedure at home, in the pet’s favorite room or the backyard. Stanland accommodates their final wishes. There are no strict rules, she said. Her service, which averages about $150, also includes a keepsake lock of pet’s hair and plaster paw print.

For pet owners who choose cremation, Buttercup will take the body to a crematorium and deliver the urn afterward, but cremation costs extra and, based on weight, starts at $150.

Dr. Elizabeth Strand, director of veterinary social work at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, recommends discussing end-of-life care with the pet’s veterinarian well in advance to find out all the options.

“It prevents the owner of feeling that guilt of having to kill their best friend,” she said. “For veterinarians who offer hospice, their main concern is preventing suffering. They provide all the medical needs so that animal is comfortable.”

'Sad, but relieving'

It was stressful for Sonata Stanton-Rayburn to watch her black-and-white Pekingese suffer from continual backache. He was 16 years old, and the pain would make him sometimes whine. Limp back legs made climbing stairs difficult. Stanton-Rayburn sometimes carried him herself.

But Percy had seen snapshots of her life that many others had not. He moved with her from Knoxville to Nashville after she graduated college. He comforted her while she went through a divorce. The two celebrated when she found love again and at the birth of her son.

Percy wasn’t just a dog, he was family.

“He was that constant companion,” she said. “People who weren’t even big fans of dogs liked Percy. He made a big impression on me.”

Stanton-Rayburn couldn’t fathom the thought of ending her relationship with Percy. She and Stanland tried other treatments, but Percy’s pain wouldn’t subside. She realized euthanasia would be the only option.

“Making the decision is the hardest part, and the actual act is sad, but relieving,” Stanton-Rayburn said. “I had been battling the decision for months, and I probably should have done it sooner. With Anne Stanland, I just felt a real sense of comfort.”

Percy died in June sitting on his bed in the living room. Before Stanland gave him the last sedative, Stanton-Rayburn lay by his side and thanked him for 16 wonderful years. She hugged and kissed him.

She left the room before the last injection. Stanland completed the procedure and wrapped Percy in a blanket.

When Rayburn heard the door close, she knew Percy was gone.

Contact Nancy DeVille at 615-259-8304 or ndeville@tennessean.com, or follow her on Twitter @devillenews.

By Bryon Saxton

Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau

Tue, 12/20/2011 - 10:33pm

For the Gilroy Dispatch

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Pete Keesling

Question:

We've taken Eli, our poodle, to the same groomer for the past seven years. He loves going there and looks fabulous when they are done. They also clean his teeth and he has a beautiful smile when they finish. But our vet tells us that the groomer's dental work is not good enough and his teeth should be cleaned at the clinic. This means anesthesia and an expensive vet bill. The vet insists the groomer can't do the job, even though Eli looks so good afterwards. My husband thinks the vet is trying to drum up more business. She's a good veterinarian, and I usually trust her judgement. What's the story here?

Answer:

Bottom line ... your vet is right this time. An adequate dental cleaning cannot be done without anesthesia. Here's why.

Tartar, that brown-colored deposit you see on Eli's teeth, is made up of minerals that trap lots of bacteria. That bacteria causes inflammation (gingivitis), both along the gumline where you can see it as well as deep underneath the gums. If some of this deep-seated tartar is left too long, the bacteria will damage the tooth roots, causing some teeth to lose their strength. In addition, bacterial deposits can be unhealthy for a dog with an underlying health issue (heart murmur, kidney disease, etc).

Simple scraping with a dental instrument can't get all that tartar underneath the gums. Eli's teeth may be pearly white after his treatment, but tartar you can't see is still there and still a threat to his dental health. The only way to get rid of this stuff is with an ultrasonic instrument that causes some discomfort if he isn't adequately sedated or anesthetized.

Your own dental hygienist cleans your teeth with a scraper (called an elevator). Deep cleaning under the gums isn't necessary for those of us who brush regularly. But dentists will tell you the same story; if a patient has moderate to heavy brown tartar, the only way to clean the teeth is with their ultrasonic instrument. If you could brush Eli's teeth, you could avoid all this trouble as well.

Recently, I saw a dog whose teeth were pearly white. She'd had her teeth cleaned by a local groomer for years. But four of her incisors and two molars were loose, causing a lot of pain when she ate. These teeth needed extraction. And guess what we found when we removed them? Their roots were covered in that brown stuff: tartar.

There's a legal issue involved here as well. The Veterinary Medical Board states that teeth cleaning is a procedure that can only be done by a licensed veterinarian or by someone under the direct supervision of vet. Groomers can be cited and fined for cleaning teeth according to the law. This law is designed to protect the dental health of cats and dogs. Well-meaning groomers just can't and shouldn't do the teeth cleaning your pet deserves.

He was one of the 100 search & rescue dogs who responded to the World Trade Center on 9/11. He's one of only eleven still alive today.

Hoke, a 13-year-old lab from Indianapolis, retired last year with debilitating arthritis.

But now, this canine hero is in South Bend getting some help of his own for free.

"It's awful. It's just heart wrenching. It's just awful." Julie Noyes is talking about watching her dog Hoke suffer from crippling arthritis. For the last year, the 13-year-old lab has been having a tough time with his back legs.

"He can't chase his ball. You see the will. The body can't. But the mind really wants to."

Julie says, in his mind, Hoke is still 2-years old searching for victims at the World Trade Center, searching through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. So the lack of ability and pain is particularly hard on him. Some of his service work may have even caused this.

So Dr. Chris Persing of the Western Veterinary Clinic prepares Hoke for a stem cell treatment. Persing and MediVet, the creator of the therapy, are donating their help.

"What we hope to achieve is we extract stem cells form his own body. We extract them. We process them. We get them excited and get them ready to go do an action and then we inject them back into his own body."

It all starts with a surgery Thursday morning where they harvest fat tissue from Hoke's stomach. Put simply: then they process it, add enzymes and solutions to it and filter the stem cells out.

"Then we inject them back into his joints. Some of it will go into an IV so it can go to other areas of the body we may not have targeted that will help him as well."

It's all done in one day and often owners see results in as little as 24 hours.

Julie says, "I just thought, you know, probably in the next 6 months, I'm gonna have to put him to sleep, but now, maybe not."

Julie says even a little more time of having Hoke be able to walk normally, chase a ball again and seeing him regain a little of his dignity would be perfect.

Julie says, "Oh, it's incredible. It makes me want to cry."

Dr. Persing says, "He's served our country so I feel privileged I can try to benefit his future."

MediVet, the therapy creator has offered all of the remaining 9-11 service dogs this treatment free of charge.

If you were to take your family pet for this treatment, it would run about $2200 dollars.

Hoke will go home tomorrow.

A family in Yelm, Wash., got an early Christmas present this year when their dog, Scamp, survived a night alone under a wheelbarrow in frigid temperatures after getting hit by a car.

Paul and Reta McKinlay brought the 8-month-old yorkie shiatsu mix home this summer because their grandchildren "had just been hounding us for a dog," said Reta McKinlay.

Six-year-old twins Kaiden and Chevelle, who live with their grandparents, were thrilled..

"They have cats, but they really have wanted a dog," Reta McKinlay said.

So when the dog got run over by a car on Dec. 3, the children were distraught over the loss of their family's newest addition -- but fortunately for Scamp, it wasn't nearly as dire as it seemed.

Paul McKinlay, 61, was speaking with his oldest son in the front yard when Scamp slipped underneath the fence bordering their home and ran into the street, a dark, winding road.

"All he heard was a yelp and a thud and then a lady pulled over and my husband went running out there and found the dog," said Reta McKinlay. "The poor lady [the driver] was crying."

To the McKinlays, it appeared as though their dog had died.

"We checked to see if we felt any breathing out of his nose, and we couldn't feel any heart beat," she said. "In the meantime we were trying not to alarm the kids. They knew something was up but they weren't sure what."

Her husband wrapped the dog in a blanket and put him underneath a wheelbarrow so no animals could get to him.

Then, they told the twins.

"[Paul] was going to bury him the next morning so we went into the house and just told the kids the dog had gotten hit by a car and that he had gone to heaven like in that movie, 'All Dogs Go to Heaven.' My grandson was crying. He asked if [Scamp] evaporated like in the movie and I said, 'Yes, that's what happened.'"

The children's great-grandparents had passed away recently as well as one of their uncles, so she told them, "He's off with my mom, dad and brother in heaven and they're taking care of him."

But when Paul McKinlay went outside the following morning to bury Scamp, he lifted up the wheelbarrow and found the dog sitting up.

He and his wife rushed Scamp to an emergency veterinary clinic where they discovered the dog had bruises, a bad concussion, broken teeth and a possible hairline fracture in his jaw.

They didn't tell the kids, for fear the dog wouldn't survive.

Eventually, they transferred Scamp to another clinic where he healed for a few days.

When it seemed as though Scamp was going to make it, the twins, who were staying at the aunt's home in the meantime, found out the dog had survived.

"We put the phone by [Scamp's ] ear and they told him how much they loved him and did smooches on the phone and little dog barks and [Scamp's] ears perked up," Reta McKinlay said.

Three thousand dollars in vet bills later, Scamp came home Wednesday, Dec. 7.

"My husband has just been emotionally distraught that he left [Scamp] out in the cold, although all the vets say that's what saved him. It stopped his brain from swelling and that's ultimately why he lived," she said. "They said that being under the wheelbarrow was just perfect, it couldn't have been any better."

For the McKinlays, it was a Christmas miracle.

Sure, TIME unveiled its Person of the Year, The Protester, on Wednesday. But isn't the whole Person of the Year concept a little, well, species-ist? Being the animal lovers that we are at NewsFeed, we couldn't help but take a moment to recognize the non-human accomplishments of 2011. 

By TIME NewsFeed | December 15, 2011 | 7

Brennan Linsley / AP

The SEAL Team Six dog hasn't been made public; pictured here is the heroic military dog Drak, who was wounded in a bomb attack in Afghanistan.

Sure, your dog might bark at the mailman on occasion. But this dog helped take down Osama bin Laden. Accompanying the now-famed Navy SEAL Team Six, who completed the May 2 bin Laden mission, was a faithful four-legged fighter. The trained military dog, either a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois, was attached to a human soldier and lowered from a helicopter into the compound. Wearing canine armor, he went along to sniff out hidden explosives or, if necessary, find a secret room of bin Laden’s. A commenter on our original post about the pup noted, “This should pretty much end the ‘dogs are better than cats’ argument.” And he (or she) is even the star of our number-one animal story of 2011. This heroic dog deserves an extra treat, or twelve.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/12/15/animal-of-the-year-the-2011-distinction-that-really-matters/#ixzz1giyRc3wr

By Kim Boatman

From the Midland Daily News by Emma Johnson

Canine parvovirus-type 2 (CPV-2), commonly referred to as parvo, is a viral disease that dogs can catch if they haven't been vaccinated. CPV-2 appeared in 1978 and by 1980 it had spread worldwide.

"Parvo is a virus that affects the lining of the intestines, and has other complications as well, but it leads to vomiting and other very bloody diarrhea," said veterinarian Daniel White of Animal Medical Center in Midland.

Typically parvo starts as vomiting, poor appetite and fever. Usually by the second day there is diarrhea, which rapidly turns bloody. Because the dogs are not able to keep any water down or eat, they get dehydrated. They can go into septic shock. And veterinarians can see really low white blood cell counts that make them susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.

"It's a very contagious virus," White said. "And the virus lives for a long time in the environment, which makes it very dangerous." White says parvo can live for a year in the environment, or even longer. Parvo can withstand wide pH ranges and high temperatures. White says diluted bleach is effective against it, but there are things in the environment that you can't bleach. Disinfection of hands, clothing, shoes, food and water bowls is recommended. Household bleach (1:30 dilution) or commercial products labeled for use against parvovirus can be used.

The virus is shed in the stool of dogs that have it and other dogs can pick it up directly or indirectly if they go for a walk.

"Any dog park is an easy place to pick up the disease, so dogs should be well vaccinated, and have some flea preventative and parasite prevention," said White.

Rottweilers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherds are at a great risk for the disease. As are puppies: 85 percent of the dogs that contract parvo are less than a year old.

Parvo is treatable, but it's more likely to be fatal in puppies. It requires hospitalization to prevent shock and dehydration. Mortality associated with canine parvovirus infection is variably reported to be 16-48 percent. Severity of clinical signs varies. Most dogs recover within a few days with appropriate care, usually including steps to restore the balance of fluids; others die within hours after showing symptoms. Most dogs that survive the first 2-3 days will recover.

White says parvo isn't prevalent any more. He says it used to be prevalent when it first hit Michigan in 1980. "I used to see cases every week; now I see a couple cases a year," he said.

"Since about 1981 we've had excellent vaccines against parvo virus, and they're very effective," White said. White recommends the vaccine when a puppy is 6-8 weeks old. After the puppy series veterinarians administer the vaccine a year later and then every three years after that. Current vaccines cover all strains of the virus.

Bottom line?

"If you have a dog, get it vaccinated," White said.

From The Huffington Post, by Lynne Peeples

Once a week, Dwight Farias-Rios visits Max's yard to clean up after him. The owner of Call of Doodie, a pet waste removal service in New Jersey, is typically welcomed by about 14 mounds of the American Bulldog's feces -- some droppings fresher than others.

"Poop is gross," Farios-Rios told The Huffington Post. "It's also not healthy."

That can go for both pets and their human companions.

In fact, Max had been suffering sequential bouts of giardia infections before his owners hired Farias-Rios to do his weekly dirty work. "A vet had fixed Max up," he told The Huffington Post, "but then he kept going back out into the yard and catching [giardia] again because the owner didn't clean up his waste."

A long list of potentially infectious agents are known to live in dog and cat feces -- from E. coli to tapeworms. But perhaps less well known is the fact that a lot of these parasites actually become more infectious as the poop ages.

"It takes many types of parasite eggs a while to ripen," said Dr. Emily Beeler, an animal disease surveillance veterinarian for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Toxoplasmosis, which is more common in cats than in dogs, typically takes more than 24 hours to become infectious, she explained. Roundworm can take up to three weeks, and then may remain infectious for years in contaminated soil and water. (A recent CDC study found 14 percent of Americans tested positive for roundworms.)

Of course, this is not to say that fresh is always best. Newly dropped doo-doo still contain tons of bacteria, noted Dr. Beeler, which may also pose a health risk.

"People just tend to think [old poop] is not as smelly, a little less disgusting," and therefore easier to scoop or simply ignore, added Dr. Beeler, who co-authored a report on the link between animal feces and infectious disease this summer.

In his song "Ordinary Average Guy", quoted by a HuffPost reader Warren Pease in the comments section of a July poop-scooping story, Joe Walsh reflects this common attitude:

Pick up the dog doo /
Hope that it's hard (woof woof)

While Farias-Rios noted that Max is back to being a happy and healthy hound, Emily and other experts warn that once-a-week poop-scooping -- which is also typical of other businesses in the arising industry such as The Grand Poobah, Entremanure -- is still not enough to ensure the safety of pets and people.

"We recommend daily pickup of stool, no matter who is doing it," Dr. Beeler told HuffPost.

Max actually does his "doodie" in the front yard, potentially exposing neighborhood dogs in addition to himself. Further, both he and the neighboring mutts could also share the parasites, viruses and bacteria with their owners. When HuffPost spoke with Farias-Rios, he had just returned from doing an estimate at another potential client's home. The family's dogs use the backyard as their bathroom and end up stepping in their own poop and tracking it inside.

"Now there's a possibility of E. coli poisoning for the kids and family," he said. Of course, not all pathogens affect humans, and not all pathogens that affect humans show symptoms in pets.

Janet Geer, spokesperson for Seattle-based Puget Sound Starts Here, a partnership of regional governments dedicated to improving local water quality, also urges more frequent clean-up to limit these risks. As HuffPost reported in July, her organization is leading a campaign, complete with a music video to the tune of "No Diggity," aimed to persuade people to pick up after their pets. The public service announcements instruct how to "bag it up" and toss it in the trash.

Since the launch of Dog Doogity, Geer said she continues to see increasing social awareness and decreasing evidence of fugitive feces. Some Puget Sound-area cities have recently instituted new laws, even going as far as to require the removal of pet waste from private property every 24 hours, on top of an all-out ban on leaving any poop in public.

The education campaign continues. "A lot of people around here still think of it as organic fertilizer," she added.

Like many parts of the country, local water pollution is a growing concern in the Seattle area. When it rains, feces left on sidewalks or yards can wash into storm drains and ditches, which then flow untreated to the nearest lake, stream or wetland and ultimately wind up in the Puget Sound. Even in small doses, E. coli can get into the water system and cause significant trouble.

In addition to releasing nutrients into the water that can feed on algae and kill marine life, excrement contamination can also send unlucky beach-goers home with bouts of diarrhea or hives.

As performer Martin Luther sings in the video, "Hey yo, you don't want to swim in poo."

The Washington State Department of Ecology has studied the local sources of pollutants and linked higher counts of fecal coliform -- an indicator for the potential presence of harmful pathogens -- to residential compared to commercial areas. "This spells out dogs," Geer told HuffPost.

So what can be done to protect the public from parasitic poop, and help them to enjoy only the health benefits of pet ownership?

Some communities are enlisting high-tech solutions such as DNA testing or video surveillance to track culprit dogs and their owners.

But Michael Brandow, author of "New York's Poop Scoop Law: Dogs, the Dirt, and Due Process," doesn't see these strategies catching on. Instead he suggested on Pet Life Radio that the answer is far more simple: peer pressure and the "policing of each other" that comes with increased awareness.

And this peer pressure can be of the active variety, as described by another HuffPost reader. "I've gotten into the habit of always carrying extra bags with me when I take my dogs out," wrote NatureNerd in a comment on July's story. "When I see someone not picking up after their dogs, I will walk up to them and say, 'Oh, did you forget a bag to pick up after your dog? That happens to me too. Here, have one of mine.' So far, has worked every time."

In addition to regularly cleaning up after their dog -- or hiring help to do the task -- pet owners should also make sure that they get their animal regularly checked for parasites, advised Dr. Beeler.

"They should follow any treatment protocols that their vet recommends," she said. "This helps protect people too."

From www.auburnpub.com -

With today’s tough economic times, households are trying to save money by often self-treating their pets with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Caution should be exercised when considering using an OTC for the family pet. Acetaminophen is a very common OTC drug often found in household medicine cabinets. Either as an anti-Robin Maurillo, of Auburn, has worked for many years as a veterinary technician and as an animal cruelty investigator y, it is out there as Tylenol, Nyquil, BromoSeltzer, Excedrin, Pamprin, Midol, Anacin, Percoset or Tempra - just to name a few.

Despite numerous publications regarding companion animals and the dangers of OTC medications, many pet owners are unaware of the devastating results administering acetaminophen to your pet can cause. Dogs show signs of toxicity when doses exceed 75 milligrams per kilogram. The much more highly sensitive cat can develop toxicity at doses as low as 10 milligrams per kilogram. Cats should never be given acetaminophen in any dosage. It can be fatal!

Dogs typically are the victims of accidental consumption of OTC medications, resulting in toxicity. Chewed pill vials and punctured tubes are often the results of inappropriately stored medications that have been voluntarily ingested. Cats, however, usually have a more disconcerting pallet. Cats are more commonly administered harmful medications by their very well-intentioned owners, with sometimes fatal results. Acetaminophen toxicity can cause severe liver damage and damage to the red blood cells, which are vital to circulate oxygen throughout the animal’s body.

Symptoms of acetaminophen ingestion include vomiting, difficulty breathing, lethargy, anorexia, hypothermia, weakness, drooling and brown-colored gums. Twelve to 24 hours after ingestion, symptoms include swelling of the face, lips and limbs, uncoordinated movements, convulsions and coma. Twenty-four hours or more after initial ingestion, liver failure symptoms begin, such as a painful abdomen, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, gums and skin) and an inappropriate mental state, often resulting in death.

Treatment for acetaminophen toxicity requires an emergency trip to your veterinarian or animal emergency center, and hospitalization. If ingestion recently occurred, vomiting will be induced followed by treatment of activated charcoal to absorb any remaining medication. Acetylcysteine, cimetidine and vitamin C may be administered to aid the body in recovery from the poisoning. IV fluids, oxygen therapy and blood transfusions are given as necessary.

Acetaminophen toxicity is an emergency situation. If you suspect acetaminophen ingestion, contact your veterinarian immediately. Prompt veterinary care is crucial to your pet’s survival. There is a greater chance of survival if treatment is instituted early. Always consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. It may be less costly in the long run. What may appear as a safe medication to humans, or other species of pets, could be lethal to your pet.

Keeping your veterinarian’s, emergency clinic’s and poison control numbers conveniently located by your phone; it can help expedite medical treatment for your pet.

Robin Maurillo, of Auburn, has worked for many years as a veterinary technician and as an animal cruelty investigator

Read more: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/article_e052335c-2201-11e1-8b4c-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1gASN6aGf

The holiday season is upon us once again. Decorating for the holidays most always includes using plants and flowers to beautify our environment.

There are many plants and flowers that are toxic to pets but only a few of the most popular holiday plants will be discussed here. It is important to know what parts of the plant or flower are toxic and what symptoms your pet may experience.

• Holly is used in making wreaths or decorating mantles. It is the berries that are toxic. The severity of the symptoms usually correlates with how many berries are eaten. The symptoms seen after ingestion are vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

• Mistletoe is customarily hung in doorways so that when two people are under the mistletoe at the same time they are obliged to kiss. The berries are toxic but some sources say that the leaves and stem are more toxic than the berries. Either way, it is important to make sure that these are not ingested. This plant can cause significant vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, decreased heart rate, erratic behavior, sudden collapse and even death.

• Amaryllis (with red or red and white flowers) is very popular during the holiday season. It is the flower that is most toxic. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, depressed appetite, excessive salivation, tremors, and sometimes abdominal pain.

• Poinsettia is probably the most frequently seen holiday plant. It is the sap from the leaves (not the flower) that can be irritating if ingested. If enough is eaten it can cause vomiting but it is basically non-toxic.

• Christmas cactus only blooms around Christmas time and is generally used for center pieces. This plant is mainly toxic only in large quantities. Vomiting and diarrhea sometimes with blood and depression are the typical symptoms.

• Christmas rose is a plant with a white flower. The entire plant is toxic. The most commonly seen symptoms are diarrhea with blood, abdominal pain, vomiting, and delirium.

• Jerusalem cherry is a plant that has orange and red berries and is typically used as a centerpiece. These berries are extremely toxic especially in the green and yellow states. Ingestion results in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, mouth ulcers, shock, and even death.

It is extremely important to contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant. The more information you can give your veterinarian the better. Knowing what type of plant was ingested, how much was ingested, the time of ingestion, and what symptoms your pet is showing will help your veterinarian take appropriate action.

Kim Donovan, D.V.M., is an associate veterinarian and medical director at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital in Seminole with 13 years of experience and a special interest in feline medicine and dermatology.

Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved.

At their October, 2011 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Animal Health Foundation named Madelyn Enright, Esq. as President. Ms. Enright will serve a 2 year term beginning January1, 2012.

Ms. Enright succeeds Ms. Jan Vincent, CPDT-KA.  Ms. Vincent is also the AHF/Delta Society Pet Partners coordinator for the AHF and will retain that responsibility and remain on the board.

The other officers for the 2012 - 2014 term are:

Vice President - Veterinarian Dr. Mark Malo, Garden Grove Dog & Cat Hospital

Treasurer - Veterinarian Dr. Mike Smith, Country Hills Animal Clinic

Secretary - Ms. Sheila Nix

Other Board members include veterinarians Dr. Richard Glassberg (Sunnycrest Animal Care Clinic), Dr. Tara Haddad (All Paws Dog Daycare), Dr. Alice Villalobos (VCA Coast Animal Hospital and Pawspice.com) and Dr. Dirk Yelinek (Redondo Shores Veterinary Center)

ITHACA, NY -- When Katherine Goldberg knew her dog Griffy's final days were near, she began preparing for his last moments. She knew she wanted to give him a dignified passing; after all, he'd been her close companion for the last decade.

"It was a powerful experience," said Goldberg, a veterinarian who now runs Whole Animal Veterinary, which offers hospice care to pets. On his final day, Goldberg took Griffy to their favorite field near Cornell University -- then covered in snow -- hung flowers around his neck and fed him his last meal of hamburgers. "It was beautiful. It created closure and peace of mind," she exclaimed.

At the time, she was working as a traditional small animal veterinarian but the idea of hospice care was already burning in her mind. She had been offering some clients in-home services but felt constrained by the hospital environment. "I saw a real need for comprehensive bond-centered care," said Goldberg, who graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.

Not long after, she started Whole Animal Veterinary and receives four to five house calls a day, she said. "I come in between the time that the family is told there's nothing more they can do for their pet and euthanasia. That time frame can be considerable," she said. "What a hospice provider does is help navigate all of the decisions and challenges that come with comprehensive end-of-life care," she said. This includes grief management, she added.

Pet hospice is a growing trend in veterinarian medicine, according to the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. Modeled after human hospice, pet hospice emphasizes managing a patient's terminal illness while preparing the family for the end. Its purpose is to alleviate the physical discomforts and emotional stresses of dying.

Goldberg said that although the advancements in veterinarian medicine have given people more options, the choices are "dizzying." The decision-making process can be complicated.

"There are all these factors to consider, such as the ethical and religious decisions of the caregiver, not to mention cost," she said. Part of the process is allowing the space for grieving and respecting the relationship between pet and caregiver, she said. "It's a huge loss and people feel guilty for feeling that way because they think it's just a pet. But it's like losing a member of the family."

Losing a pet often marks the end of an era, Goldberg said.

"It's a precious time if we allow it to be. I believe so strongly that the end of a pet's life provides an opportunity for meaningful personal growth and peace of mind," she said.

Goldberg serves Ithaca and its surroundings, including Tompkins County to Interlaken and Mecklenburg, but will consider other locations, especially for hospice care, and phone consultations may be available for clients out of the area, according to the practice website.

Like humans with the analogous disorder, different dogs show different symptoms. Some become hyper-vigilant. Others avoid buildings or work areas that they had previously been comfortable in. Some undergo sharp changes in temperament, becoming unusually aggressive with their handlers, or clingy and timid. Most crucially, many stop doing the tasks they were trained to perform.

Heartworms in Dogs

From New Orleans Magazine, December 2011

Lives of their own

Most animals suffer from specific mosquito-borne parasites, and dogs are no exception. All canine heartworm infections begin with a bite from a mosquito carrying an immature form of the parasite. Heartworms are a common problem in our area, and, like men with prostate cancer, most dogs with heartworms die with them and not because of them.

“When I was finishing Louisiana State University Veterinary School, up to 25 percent of dogs we autopsied had heartworms even though they died of other causes,” says Dr. Daniel Vichot, a young veterinarian and Algiers native. Vichot attended Newman, Wake Forest University and veterinary school at LSU. He practices with Dr. Andrew Gutter at Algiers Animal Clinic where he once took his pets as a child.

“Every veterinary student leaves the gross pathology service surprised at how prevalent heartworm disease is,” says Vichot, who adds that he had no data specific for New Orleans as necropsies on dogs (just as autopsies on humans) are not routinely performed these days.

Mosquitoes vary in size, flight range, habitat and animal preference. There are more than 100 species of mosquitoes that call New Orleans home and only a few of these are vectors for canine heartworm disease. As the disease-transmitting mosquito laps up a meal of dog blood, baby heartworm larvae must break out of the insect’s tiny mouthparts and swim through a still fresh puncture site. Once an immature heartworm larva gets under the dog’s skin, it grows for weeks before primitive wanderlust instincts leads it to larger-caliber blood vessels. The most popular housing is the pulmonary artery, not the heart. It takes some six to seven months inside a dog for immature heartworm larvae to reach adult size of up to 12 inches.

“Capelli d’angelo,” was Joe Segretto’s quick response when asked for the name of the thinnest and longest Italian pasta. “You know it as angel hair pasta. We always have it on the menu at Eleven79,” says Segretto, an instant knowledge base for all things Italian and food-related. As he continued in his trademark charming, loquacious style, I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was calling for a food term to describe adult dog heartworms.

As with Italians and most other God’s creatures, it takes male and female heartworms to make babies. Adult worms must mate inside a dog’s circulatory system before gravid females can give live birth to tiny microfilariae. These microfilariae circulate in a dog’s bloodstream for years with the single evolutionary goal of being in the right place at the right time to make it into a bloodsucking mosquito’s stomach. Heartworm microfilariae cannot turn into adults without an intermediate trip through mosquitoes. The microfilariae undergo a series of molts, migrate to the mosquito salivary glands, wait for the hungry mosquito to bite another dog and crawl under skin of the next dog to grow into big worms.

Parasitologists refer to the number of parasites in any one animal as worm burden. The size and number of the adult worms are the problem. A dog can live comfortably, and usually without symptoms, with a few heartworms, but hunting dogs in rural areas can end up with hundreds of adult worms. The first symptoms of an infection are cough, exercise intolerance and maybe some weight loss. As the dog’s pulmonary arteries become more obstructed with adult worms, the cough worsens, breathing becomes more difficult and the belly appears bloated with ascites. These are all signs and symptoms of advanced heart failure.

According to Vichot, a veterinarian needs to evaluate any dog with heartworms to stage the disease before making any treatment options.

Unfortunately, most of the drugs that can kill the adult worm can also kill a dog. If too many adult worms die at one time, the lungs fill with dead worm parts and proteins in a condition that resembles human pulmonary emboli. A series of injections with an arsenic-like drug is regarded as a good treatment option for a younger dog as it eliminates the worms completely after one to two months. Cage confinement and steroids help prevent complications from a massive heartworm kill.

Dogs with more advanced worm burdens, or older dogs, might do better with some of the slow-kill or delayed-kill treatment options that are composed of the same active ingredients as used to prevent heartworms. Preventive doses of these drugs kill circulating microfilariae over months, usually without the serious adverse effects associated with sudden total kill.

“The active compounds in heartworm preventatives reduce transmission of heartworm disease, kill larval stages of the heartworms and slowly kill the adult heartworms. The antibiotic doxycycline can help by eliminating bacteria the heartworms need for metabolism. Combination drugs are often used,” says Vichot, who adds that the slow-kill drugs are usually reserved for older dogs and those with advanced symptoms.

“Your veterinarian can guide you in choosing an appropriate product that’s tailored for your pet and its environment. For instance, an independent farm dog that lives primarily outdoors with a high exposure to mosquitos, fleas and assorted wildlife likely requires a different product from a small, family house dog,” says Vichot. There are many heartworm preventatives to fit multiple situations.

Cat Heartworms
Cats are not a natural host for heartworms but, like ships at sea, heartworms will take any port in a storm. Once infected, the cat’s immune system swings into action. An overactive immune response causes symptoms resembling asthma, allergic bronchitis or other more generalized symptoms of distress. Diagnostic tests for feline heartworm infections aren’t as reliable as for dogs.

There is no safe treatment for cats with established heartworm disease other than supportive care as dead adult heartworms cause havoc in the cats’ lungs. Therefore, most veterinarians recommend preventative medication for cats. If you’re already giving your cat a neck rubdown once a month with one of the topical preventives such as Revolution or Advantage-Multi, you’re ahead of the curve. These products are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and help control fleas, ear mites, intestinal parasites and heartworms. Source: Dr. Andrew Gutter, Algiers Animal Clinic

Jennifer Hennessey, DVM, CVJ

Capital Gazette Communications

Q: My cat is 8 years old. It has been at least three years since I took him to the vet, maybe more. I used to take him once a year for a check-up and vaccinations, but it was such an ordeal that I stopped. I always got scratched putting him in the carrier, he howled the whole way to the vet, then he hissed and tried to bite and scratch the doctor and assistant. Is it worth trying to take him again?

By DR. NATALEE HOLT Animal Medical Center of New England

Like many cat owners, I no longer need to use an alarm clock. My cats keep time perfectly and wake me up every morning at 5:30 sharp for breakfast. As the time comes, one of the cats (Appomattox) will lie on the pillow, purring in my ear. Another cat (Kitty) likes to sit on the bedside table, systematically knocking everything off. The third cat (Clara Barton) runs back and forth across the bed. One morning, however, I was awakened much earlier by a horrible, almost indescribable noise. It was a combination of a cough, a hack and a wheeze, and it was coming out of Appomattox.

This noise is frequently called “coughing up a hairball” and that it is a sign of feline lower airway disease, also called feline asthma. Asthma in cats is a condition caused by inflammation and constriction of the airways in the lungs. Mucus forms in the respiratory tract and the airway walls spasm. The result is coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Many cats will have a mild form of asthma that is manifested only by an occasional cough. Other cats will have life-threatening asthma attacks that require hospitalization.

There are several diseases that can mimic asthma, including heartworm, heart failure and lungworms. Diagnosing asthma in cats starts with a chest X-ray to evaluate the heart and lungs. The inflamed airways cause a classic pattern in the lungs although some asthmatic cats can have normal X-rays. Other tests that help confirm a diagnosis of asthma include taking a fluid sample from the lungs to look for elevated numbers of eosinophils, a white blood cell that fights allergens. Testing to rule out the look-alike diseases is important before starting a treatment protocol.

It is currently believed that allergens are at least part of the cause of feline asthma. It is important to consider possible allergens in your home if you have an asthmatic cat. Exposure to cigarette smoke is a common cause. Dust and dust mites are common household allergens as are air fresheners. If your cat has seasonal signs, pollen may be the cause.

Treatment for asthma can require lifetime therapy. It usually involves a combination of a medication that dilates the airways and a steroid medication to suppress the inflammation. These medications are traditionally given orally; however, inhalers can also be used to decrease the amount of oral medications. Since cats won’t take a deep breath on command, use of inhalers requires patience, persistence and training. Removing any possible allergens in your home, trying low-dust kitty litter, and purchasing an air purifier may also minimize medication requirements. It is also possible to do allergy testing and use allergy shots for asthmatic cats.

As a side note, a cat can’t actually cough up a hairball. When your cat produces a hairball for you, it is a result of vomiting. However, if you have heard your cat cough or your cat has had a previous asthma attack, it is important to realize that there is a lot going on beneath the surface inside the lungs. In my case, Appomattox was lucky. We moved from a carpeted apartment to an apartment with hardwood floors, and her cough vanished. Having your cat evaluated for asthma, making lifestyle changes and adding treatments can go a long way to making your cat feel a lot better!

Dr. Natalee Holt is originally from the Washington, D.C., area. She received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine. She became board-certified in Internal Medicine in 2011, completed a one-year internship at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a three-year residency at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Holt loves all aspects of internal medicine, but has a special interest in gastrointestinal diseases and immune mediated diseases. She and her husband Jonathan share their home with Becca the dog, Jasmine the rabbit, and their three cats, Kitty, Clara, and Appomattox. Holt is a board-certified internal medicine specialist who practices with the Animal Medical Center of New England, 168 Main Dunstable Road, Nashua. She may be reached for consultation at 821-7222.

From Food Safety News

With a roar, tiger claims new post-op recovery den

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/claims-128836-tongue-roar.html#ixzz1eMzPFdDo

Hundreds of human and animal therapy teams in Southern California give of their time each week to bring smiles to those less fortunate who are not feeling well. 

Sayreville vocational program uses pets to help prepare autism students for jobs

Published: Friday, November 11, 2011, 8:00 AM

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger

"Harry" a deaf dog in the C.H.A.N.C.E. (Choose to Help Animals that Need Care Everyday) Program at the Center for Lifelong Learning, licks his lips in anticipation as he is giving the sign to sit for a treat by program creator Jennifer George. The program's goal is to train adult students with autism and developmental disabilities to work with animals so they may be able to get jobs with veterinarians or in other animal care facilities.

SAYREVILLE — It took a bit of coaxing from a school aide for Yasli "Cecilia" Martinez to pet an American bulldog named Harry who visited her Sayreville classroom.

But it was worth it when Martinez, 17, who is cognitively impaired and legally blind, touched the canine’s fur. The special-needs student relaxed and began to smile.

The simple interaction was the first step in a vocational program to train older students with autism and multiple disabilities to care for animals. The Center for Lifelong Learning, a public special-education school, began the program this fall in partnership with the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center to prepare students for jobs at shelters, pet groomers and veterinarians’ offices as they age out of the school system by 22.

"A lot of the struggles with these kids entering the workforce is being able to complete the tasks on their own," said Jennifer George, an occupational therapist who developed the program. "The workforce expects a certain productivity, and for some of these kids that’s very hard."

The students’ disabilities range from mild to severe. One has cerebral palsy and suffers from seizures. Another survived a stroke and can no longer speak. Others who have autism wear noise-canceling headphones because of a hypersensitivity to sound or carry a tablet that helps them communicate.

The program, Choose to Help Animals that Need Care Every Day — or CHANCE — is one of a number of opportunities in New Jersey for special-needs students as they enter adulthood. Schools are required to provide transition services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services collaborates with school districts to help students plan for their future starting as early as age 14.

Staff at the ARC of New Jersey, a family advocacy group, assess people’s abilities and interests to find suitable paid work for them — whether it’s creating gift baskets or providing security at the Picatinny Arsenal — and then provide on-the-job training until they are comfortable enough to continue on their own, said Celine Fortin, ARC’s associate executive director.

"Having a job really helps a person to have some definition in their life and some self-confidence and pride in what they do," Fortin said.

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger18-year-old Robert Henrion with his teacher, Jessica Fresendo

Despite the state of the job market, she said, "we’ve been having a pretty good success rate placing people at competitive jobs in the community."

People with autism may find it difficult to interact with co-workers and supervisors, said Autism New Jersey Executive Director Linda Meyer, but there are benefits to employers.

"Many individuals with autism like routine and insist on sameness, and once they get on a schedule, they’re probably your most reliable employee," she said.

Allies, another nonprofit organization, launched a program with the Trenton Marriott to train people with special needs to work in the food and beverage or hospitality industries. An initiative in partnership with Mercer County’s parks provides employment at a farm growing produce. The programs are supported by state funding.

Through "job sampling," the students at the Center for Lifelong Learning have been placed at sites such as Kohl’s, ShopRite and a local library, with the schools providing transportation and training, officials said. One has turned into a paid job, a part-time gig cleaning dishes for the Monroe Township Board of Education food-services department.

But George, from the Center for Lifelong Learning, wanted to give students an option they might be interested in, not just a job they can do.

Rahway resident Elaine Small’s 16-year-old son, Ernie, who has worked at a supermarket, is excited about the program.

"He told me that he would love working with dogs and cats," Small said.

George brought her two certified therapy dogs with her to class for the program’s first phase, Doggone Safe. She taught the students when it’s okay to pet a dog and how to assume a tree-like pose when confronted by a snarling canine.

She adopted Harry from a Sayreville pet shelter when she saw a sign saying he was deaf.

"He was deemed the bad dog, the unadoptable dog, the wild one," George said. "I thought he was the dog for me. I could see the potential."

She taught Harry 31 commands in modified American sign language, she said. In class, she made gestures in the dog’s face, telling him to "sit" and "stay."

"A dog with special needs helping kids with special needs? It just seemed to fit," George said. Eight students have expressed a strong interest in proceeding with the program, and later phases will teach them how to feed and groom the dogs.

George said she created small flip books breaking each task down into illustrated steps. She plans to play recordings of what the inside of a shelter sounds like so the students get used to working in a loud and busy environment.

The Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission operates the Center for Lifelong Learning and six other schools in Piscataway, Sayreville and Monroe for special-needs children. Almost one-third of the students come from outside Middlesex County, their tuition paid by the sending districts, said Superintendent Mark Finkelstein.

Programs involving dogs in the commission’s other schools have proved successful, Finkelstein said, because the students quickly bond with the animals.

"We’ve taught a variety of skills, including life skills, through the use of dogs," he said. "It breaks down an awful lot of barriers for the students. Some of the students are interacting with dogs for the very first time in their lives."

After reading this article, log onto www.petobesityprevention.com for details.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – You can buy them on-line and then take your pet wherever you go. People are actually ordering service dog vests for their pooches and pretending to need them in public places. It’s doggie deception.

Many Americans treat their dogs nearly like children. They buy them glittery collars, dress them in clothes and even push them in strollers! But, a new trend has pet owners disregarding “no pets allowed” signs and finding loop holes to bring their dogs wherever they go.

ABC 4 went undercover to see what kind of reaction Natalie Kauffman and her dog Libby would get with a mail-ordered dog vest. First, Natalie and Libby entered a café, then a Utah book store and finally a busy downtown restaurant during prime lunch hour.

“I thought it was kind of cool. They help a lot of people,” said the bookstore owner Peter Marshall.

In each place Libby and Natalie walked around, ordered food and drink and never got asked a single question. But, this fraud is creating big issues for people like Tim Daynes and Becky Anderson. They both rely on their dogs for independence.

“The simple pleasure of walking from my office to the grocery store and back,” said Anderson who has Retinitis Pigmentosa and is legally blind.

“I could not get into my house without him!” said Tim Daynes. Daynes was paralyzed when he was just 16 years old when he dove in Lake Powell and broke his neck. He is now a C-5 quadriplegic. Both Daynes and Anderson are concerned over what abusing service dog privileges could mean for their future.

“Sad, frustrated,” said Anderson.

“If you get a dog that for some reason would bite someone. As a business owner I don't blame them. I wouldn't want to see that happen,” said Daynes.

Certified service dogs are trained for two years mostly from the time they’re puppies. There is a very low graduation because the standards to become a service dog are so high.

“I can take him in to public and know that he's going to behave himself,” said Daynes.

This is something Daynes is sure about but when a non-certified dog like Libby goes into a business, how they react to stimuli is unpredictable. Anderson’s bad experience was with a flight attendant.

“She was convinced that my guide was going to hurt her,” said Anderson.

The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it very difficult to questions someone over their needs for their service dog. For some, the liability of digging into the specifics isn’t worth the risk. Basically, if you’re prepared to lie there’s a good chance you’ll get away with it.

“Maybe there needs to be a law where the pack has to have some sort of license on it,” said Daynes.

The service pack, regardless of what dog was wearing, passed for Utah standards. But, with some education, awareness and maybe even policy changes Daynes and Anderson hope to keep their future of independence in tact.

Advocates against wrongful vest use say it’s important to remember that it’s against the law to use the vests improperly and you could be prosecuted.
 

Meet the four-legged 'bio-detectives' who are pioneering a health revolution

Last updated at 12:01 PM on 16th November 2011

Daisy the labrador is hard at work on a project that could change your life and mine.

In her smart red jacket, she wanders around a metal carousel in a small centre outside Milton Keynes, sniffing at the different scents that are attached to its 12 spokes. Then she stops.

She’s found what she’s looking for and looks expectantly up at her handler — she knows that when she recognises this specific smell, she will soon get an edible reward.

Wonderdog: Daisy the labrador with Jenny Stocks who's holding new recruit Alice

While Daisy enjoys the process (and her dog biscuits) her actions are more than just a game — they have huge implications for all of us.

Because what this seven-year-old dog is sniffing is a selection of samples from a local hospital. And she has just located the only one that came from a cancer patient.

Daisy, quite simply, is being taught to sniff out cancer. She is one of the world’s first bio-detection dogs — trained animals that may one day revolutionise medical diagnosis.

We all know that dogs have far more powerful noses than humans — indeed their sense of smell is up to 100,000 times better than ours.

That skill has, of course, been put to good use for decades, in the form of drug-sniffing dogs at ferry terminals and airports as well as the Army’s bomb detection canines.

But, in recent years, a dedicated team of researchers has been developing what is potentially an even greater breakthrough.

Earlier this year, German research discovered that dogs could sniff out lung cancer from breath samples of sufferers.

The four dogs in the study learned to get it right 71 per cent of the time, far too high to be mere coincidence.

Closer to home came the story of British pensioner Maureen Burns, who made headlines when her collie-cross Max started sniffing her breath and nudging her right breast — where it turned out she had a tiny cancerous tumour developing that doctors hadn’t yet picked up.

New technology: The research might create new ways of detecting cancer (picture posed by model having a mammogram)

A dog that can smell cancer before doctors can diagnose it?

If it sounds far-fetched — a case of wishful thinking rather than genuine canine skill — then there is solid scientific theory behind it.

It’s believed that cancers produce volatile chemicals that dogs can be trained to smell, which could have dramatic implications for early diagnosis of the disease.

Does this mean that at some point in the future, every hospital and GP’s surgery could be equipped with a ‘sniffer dog’ to pounce on anyone who has cancer?

No. For now, researchers are simply hoping to prove that if they demonstrate categorically that cancer does have a generic smell, then scientists could work towards creating a machine (known as an ‘electronic nose’) to perform the same function as a dog’s wet nose can: screening breath or urine samples to search for ‘cancer scent’ with even greater ability than specially-trained dogs.

Unlike painful biopsies, this would undoubtedly make the process of diagnosis less invasive and far quicker — and more likely to be picked up earlier.

As Claire Guest, a specialist in human and animal behaviour and the doctor responsible for the British research into cancer sniffer-dogs, says: ‘One of the largest misunderstandings we face is that people think we are trying to say that dogs are better than machines — we’re not.

‘There are already machines which act as ‘electronic noses’ that are designed to identify chemicals such as cocaine, and this is what we are trying to do with cancer.

A dog's sense of smell is up to 100,000 times better than ours

‘Of course, no dog is going to be 100 per cent — but at the moment there is no machine out there that can do what the dogs are doing. Cancer detection is extremely invasive, so imagine if it could be picked up simply by a urine sample or blowing into a tube?’

Dr Guest has invited me along to spend the day at the headquarters of her trailblazing charity, Medical Detection Dogs, so that I can witness these ‘doctor dogs’ in action.

Not only does the centre train dogs to sniff cancer, it’s also responsible for training ‘medical alert’ dogs which live with people who have health problems.

They have taught 22 dogs to recognise when a diabetic’s blood sugar gets low and alert them to stop hypoglycaemia, aid narcoleptics by working out when an attack of sleep paralysis is about to start — and may soon be able to teach dogs to tell when someone with a severe allergy is about to have an allergic episode.

This all relates to the same idea — that dogs can recognise the minutest changes in smell when certain processes happen in the human body.

‘We are only at the start of working out everything that dogs can detect,’ Dr Guest says. ‘It would seem that almost any medical event has an odour change. The clever thing is that the dogs are able to work out what the norm is, and when it changes.’

While only a small group of people (mostly diabetics) have benefited from the services of the medical alert dogs so far, it is the charity’s cancer research work that could really make a difference to millions, and I’m here to see what the fuss is all about.

On arrival at the centre in Buckinghamshire, I’m greeted by a pack of dogs of all shapes and sizes, scampering around on a patch of grass outside like any other beloved pets out for a walk in the sunshine.

Shouldn’t life-saving dogs behave a little more seriously? Rob Harris, the training co-ordinator, assures me that this ‘down-time’ is essential.

‘This is their time to come out and refresh their noses. It’s a great place for them to run around,’ he says.

The dogs don’t spend every day at the centre, but usually come in two or three times a week. They either live with charity workers or full-time dog walkers — none spends its days kennelled.

At present, there are ten ‘cancer dogs’ in the training programme, but they’re never all here at once.

Today, it is Daisy the labrador that will demonstrate her skills, but hurtling around her at playtime is Ozzie, an 18-month-old border collie (he has even been to Crufts), Kizzy, a three-year-old cocker spaniel, and two new recruits, Alice, a six-month-old golden retriever, and Midas, seven months old, a Hungarian Vizsla (a breed of sleek red hunting dog).

Lifetime project: Dr. Claire Guest who is responsible for the British research into cancer sniffer-dogs has spent almost 20 years working with Hearing Dogs For The Deaf (pictured)

Watching over them is the ‘veteran’ of the centre, nine-year-old brown cocker spaniel Tangle. He was one of the original dogs that took part in the first cancer sniffing research in the world when he was little more than a puppy in 2002.

So how did it all come about? Dr Guest, it turns out, had long suspected that dogs may have cancer-detecting qualities.

Having worked for almost 20 years for Hearing Dogs For The Deaf, she had come across several stories about dogs that had started to display peculiar behaviour when their owners had developed early-stage cancer.

‘There seemed to be lots of anecdotal evidence — even a colleague of mine, Gill, told me about how her pet Dalmatian had started licking and sniffing a mole on her leg when she was in her 20s,’ recounts Dr Guest,

‘She couldn’t even be in the same room as the dog.

‘Eventually, she decided to go to the GP to have it removed — and a biopsy revealed it was malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.’

Dr Guest teamed up with respected surgeon Dr John Church (whose other research has involved bringing back the use of maggots for cleaning wounds) in 2002 to try to prove this phenomenon was more than just coincidence.

The results of their study, in which the dogs were 56 per cent accurate, sparked interest around the world. Since then, Dr Guest has been improving methods to make the dogs more accurate (using rewards has brought about the biggest change, perhaps not surprisingly).

Time to see it in action. Daisy’s trainer Rob takes me into a white room with the metal carousel in the centre.

From a cardboard box, he removes 12 plastic pots, each filled with just 0.5ml of urine.

‘The dogs work with a mix of samples donated by local hospitals,’ he says.

‘Some of the patients are healthy, some have other diseases and one has cancer.’

So far, bladder cancer has been the focal point for testing, but the charity is about to launch a new trial into prostate cancer to broaden their research.

Rob knows which sample is the cancerous one — the dogs are simply learning to recognise the scent, rather than diagnosing cancer.

He admits that at this stage, no one really knows what compounds in the samples the dogs are detecting — only that it must be there. ‘It’s difficult because, essentially, we are working backwards — we don’t know yet what it is that they can smell, but finding out they can smell something gets us one step closer to identifying it.’

He attaches one vial to each spoke of the carousel, which can be spun around (to avoid the clever dogs working out where the cancer sample is put each time simply by the position).

With all 12 in place, Daisy enters with Dr Guest. She is fed a treat (donated Royal Canin food) and then Dr Guest calls: ‘Seek!’ Daisy weaves around the carousel, stopping for half a second at each vial to sniff before she carries on. Then she reaches the sixth position.

She stops, sits and stares back at Dr Guest. Only when she hears a ‘click’ from a training device in his hand does she hurry over to her trainer for another reward.

So did she get it right? Of course she did — and another four rounds show she is spot on every time. It is staggering to watch.

‘They transform as soon as their red ‘bio-detection’ coats are on — it’s like a uniform,’ says Rob.

How on earth did Daisy, and the other cancer dogs, learn to do this? The first step, according to Dr Guest, is picking the right dogs.

‘We look for highly driven dogs that enjoy hunting for the sake of it,’ she explains. ‘Working labradors, spaniels and collies are often well-suited.

'They need to be very nose-driven — many dogs that live with humans become more reliant on their eyes.’

The dogs tend to come from rescue centres or are donated by breeders who support the charity’s work. When they first show up, often as puppies, they are put through obedience training — dogs can’t be sniffer trained until they can follow and obey voice commands.

Next, they start simple scent work and problem-solving — I’m shown a training toy the centre uses which looks like a child’s wooden block game, but different treats can be hidden under the blocks for the puppy to find.

After about 14 to 16 months (although they don’t put a time limit on it), the centre moves on to advanced sniffer training using urine samples and the handheld ‘clicker’ which is pressed if the dog identifies the correct cancer sample.

‘It pinpoints the exact time when the dog is doing something you like, and then you reward them afterwards,’ says Dr Guest. ‘They learn that the behaviour associated with the click leads to the treat.’

To begin with, they are given ‘high reward’ treats like a piece of smelly cheese or tripe — but as they become more used to it, they move on to more simple dog biscuits and food, or even a tennis ball. These are dogs, after all.

Having spent a day at the centre, there’s no disputing the incredible talent of these dogs and their trainers. So will they be the key to identifying cancers earlier than any doctor can?

It’s early days yet. But so far, the signs are that man’s best friend could turn out to be an even greater asset to mankind.

For more information, visit www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2062000/The-dogs-detect-cancer-Meet-legged-bio-detectives-pioneering-health-revolution.html#ixzz1du9Jero6

By Kearney Hub

By Anna M. Tinsley

atinsley@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- Avery was part of the family.

The 8-year-old Labrador mixed breed loved to sleep on the couch, swim in lakes and rivers, and pretty much go everywhere possible with his family, Jeremy and Katherine Medlen and their children.

But two years ago, spooked by a late-night thunderstorm, Avery escaped from his family's back yard in Fort Worth and was picked up by the city's animal control.

The Medlens found him at the shelter the next day, but through a series of slip-ups and errors -- from not having enough cash on hand to pick him up that day to having to wait until the vet could install a microchip in Avery's ear -- their dog was added to the euthanasia list and put to sleep.

"It was a horrible time for us," said Katherine Medlen, who got Avery years ago from a homeless man giving away puppies. "I've never lost a family member or a pet before."

They took their case to court, saying they hoped to prevent something like this from happening to anyone else's pet, and landed a groundbreaking court ruling this month.

A state appeals court in Fort Worth ruled for the first time that a pet's value is greater than its price tag.

It has sentimental value as well.

"Dogs are unconditionally devoted to their owners," says the ruling from the Texas 2nd Court of Appeals. "We interpret timeworn Supreme Court law ... to acknowledge that the special value of 'man's best friend' should be protected."

Some worry that this ruling, which may be appealed, could affect veterinarians, kennels and dog sitters statewide by opening the door for pet owners to sue them for sentimental value rather than market value if something happens to their dog.

'Hold for owner'

On a June night in 2009, Avery got out of the Medlens' back yard.

The next day, Jeremy Medlen tracked Avery down at the Fort Worth animal shelter. Jeremy Medlen didn't have enough cash on him to pay the fees, but workers there said he could come back for Avery on another day and they would put a "hold for owner" tag on his cage to make sure he wasn't euthanized, court records show.

Jeremy Medlen said he went back the next day but was told the shelter couldn't release Avery until the veterinarian, who was out for a couple of days, could implant a microchip in his ear.

Finally, on the day shelter workers had said they could send Avery home, Jeremy Medlen showed up with his children to pay the fines and fees and pick up his dog.

"I went in early and they looked for him all over the facility, in the males and the females sections," Jeremy Medlen said.

He was nowhere to be found.

Finally, employees showed Medlen a picture of a dog that had been euthanized that they thought might be Avery. Apparently an employee had made a list of animals to be euthanized and included Avery, despite the "hold for owner" tag, on the list, court records show.

Stunned, Medlen called his wife to tell her what happened.

"When he called me, I thought he had been in an accident or one of our human children were killed," Katherine Medlen said. "He could barely get the words out."

'Special value'

In the days that followed, the Medlens said, shelter workers tried to make it up to the couple.

They offered to give them another dog. They offered to pay Avery's burial fees. They offered some cash and another dog.

Eventually, the Medlens sued the worker believed to have put Avery on the euthanasia list, saying her negligence led to his death. They asked for "sentimental or intrinsic value" because Avery had little market value "and was irreplaceable," according to court records. Their lawsuit did not specify the amount of damages.

Past court rulings said an animal's market value was essentially the only amount that could be recovered; a Tarrant County judge had already dismissed the lawsuit because the Medlens were suing for sentimental value.

The Medlens appealed the dismissal.

After the suit had been in the legal system 11/2 years, a panel of the 2nd Second Court of Appeals ruled for the Medlens this month, saying the "special value" of pets should be preserved.

"It is the first time in Texas history that an appeals court has allowed a dog owner to recover sentimental-value damages for the death of a dog," said Randy Turner, the Fort Worth attorney who represents the Medlens. "This is a huge deal for pet owners. Up until the Medlen case, if a person came to see me wanting to sue someone for killing their dog, I had to tell them it was not worth it.

"No matter how attached they were to their pet, and no matter how devastated they were by its death, ... they [had been] only entitled to the 'market value' of the animal," said Turner, who is handling the case for no payment. "Now a jury can at least put a sentimental value on an animal that is otherwise worthless in terms of what it could have sold for on the open market."

A new precedent

"We certainly disagree with the court's decision," said Jason Lamers, a spokesman for Fort Worth, which runs the Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Control Center. "What happened in [this] case was beyond unfortunate, but we remain focused on preventing this from happening again and saving as many pets as possible regardless of any court-imposed value."

Fort Worth attorney Paul Boudloche, who represented the former shelter worker, said he was "shocked and surprised" that the justices overturned law in place for more than 100 years.

"This has a significant impact, economic impact, particularly for veterinarians who may end up having to practice defensive medicine, increasing the cost for everybody taking their pets to a vet," he said. "Kennel owners will have more exposure, even neighbors who take care of one of their neighbor's pets while someone is on vacation.

"What if you end up leaving the gate open while they are gone? Suddenly you are open to a lawsuit for the sentimental value of their dog, instead of the market value as it has been."

Boudloche said he doesn't know whether his client will appeal this ruling, which could send the case to the Texas Supreme Court, or ask for a rehearing of the case by the full seven-justice 2nd Court of Appeals, rather than the panel of three that issued the ruling.

If there is no appeal, the case will likely go back to trial court where a judge could consider the lawsuit on its merits or consider a request to dismiss it on grounds that the worker had governmental immunity.

Forgiveness

The Medlens said they didn't sue to win money.

"We wanted to have a law in place that would protect animals from being hurt," Katherine Medlen said. "Before this, animals were considered property, and you weren't allowed to sue or be compensated for sentimental value. The hurt we experienced was nowhere comparable to a piece of property."

In the two years since Avery's death, the Medlen family has not gotten another dog.

"Our children definitely want another dog, but we're not ready yet," Katherine Medlen said.

Though the Medlens will never forget Avery, they feel compassion for the shelter worker they believe was responsible for his death.

"We are supposed to forgive everyone for their wrongs," Jeremy Medlen said. "We were hurt about the shelter euthanizing him, but we aren't mad at" the worker.

"We forgive her."

Owners of animals affected by food contaminated with melamine received slightly more than half of the money in a $24-million fund established to settle legal claims stemming from the largest pet food recall in North America.

The balance of the fund went to lawyers’ fees and expenses, claims administration and public notices.

In all, $12,357,277 was paid on 20,229 claims from the United States and Canada, according to information provided by the claims administrator, the accounting firm Heffler, Radetich & Saitta LLP in Philadelphia.

A total of $27,793,975.36 in claims was judged eligible for compensation. However, the collective payout was significantly less — amounting to 45 cents on the dollar. The claims administrator cited several factors for the reductions: Some claims had been reimbursed before the court action. Some exceeded the $900 limit for undocumented damages. Most significantly, most were reduced pro rata because the fund was not big enough to pay all approved claims in full.

The claims concerned pets that ate cat and dog food tainted with melamine and cyanuric acid. Unscrupulous suppliers in China added the contaminants in trying to inflate the apparent protein levels in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate. The adulterated ingredients ended up in foods and treats made by 12 different manufacturers, according to court documents.

Discovery of the contamination led in 2007 to the biggest pet food recall in history, involving about 180 brands and some of the most prominent names in the business — Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Mars Inc., Del Monte Pet Products, Nestle Purina PetCare Co., The Iams Co. and Procter & Gamble among them — as well as dozens of retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, PetSmart, Petco and Costco. The majority of products came from Menu Foods, a Canadian company contracted to manufacture numerous brand-name and private label pet foods.

Tens of thousands of animals ate the poisoned foods, and many became sick, some fatally. The combination of melamine and cyanuric acid forms crystals in the kidneys, potentially leading to renal disease and renal failure.

The scandal led to the criminal prosecution of the American company ChemNutra, Inc., and its owners for their role in importing the tainted ingredients. They pleaded guilty last year to distributing adulterated food and selling misbranded food, both misdemeanors.

On the civil-court side, more than 100 class-action suits arose out of the incident. Those cases were consolidated and addressed by the $24 million settlement. Although court documents and related information are available online, information on how the fund was distributed is not posted publicly.

That’s not unusual, according to Timothy Eble, a class-action expert in South Carolina who was not involved in the pet food case. “Typically the manner in which payments generally will be calculated is available through the court but the amounts actually to be disbursed to any individual would not necessarily be available,” he said.

The VIN News Service obtained details on how settlement funds were disbursed by contacting Russell Paul of Berger & Montague, P.C., of Philadelphia, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. Paul, in turn, requested the information from the claims administrator.

Click here for larger view

Several claimants emailed the VIN News Service to express disappointment with the size of their shares of the settlement. Paul said he, too, has heard from a number of chagrined pet owners. “People want all of their money,” Paul acknowledged.

Count Elise Maitland of Victoria Harbor, Ontario, among the dismayed. Maitland lost her collie-Labrador mix Michigan to kidney failure after he ate tainted Ol’ Roy canned food with gravy. “The $500 I received did not even pay the vet bill, let alone a new pet,” she fumed. “...I feel we were extremely ripped off.”

Asked if, in retrospect, he thought that the settlement fund was inadequate, Paul replied, “We pushed and pushed and pushed, and feel we got the maximum we could get.”

Paul described the case as extremely complicated. The litigation involved more than 80 lawyers for plaintiffs in two countries, more than two dozen defendants and several appeals that stalled the payout.

“It was three to four years of bitter fighting, from District Court up to the 3rd Circuit (Court of Appeals) and back to the District Court,” Paul said.

Evaluation of claims likewise was complex, he noted. “Each one had to be individually analyzed, and often veterinarians had to be called,” Paul said. “The possibility was rife for fraud.”

Sherrie Savett, who served as co-lead counsel with Paul, added that even the public-communications aspect of the settlement wasn’t simple, involving the placement of notices in multiple periodicals in two countries, and creation and maintenance of the website.

Paul said the fact that plaintiffs did not receive 100 percent of their damages is not unusual in class-action suits.

Eble concurred. “If they got half of their actual damages, that’s actually a pretty good result in a class action,” said Eble, who operates a website intended as a neutral source of information for the public about class-action issues.

“What you’re talking about with 20,000 people, most would have claims that vary from $200 to $3,000, depending on what the specific facts were,” he explained. “They (individually) would not have been able to hire a lawyer to go through discovery and pursue the case for less than the value of the claim.”

Paul said he understands how deeply the contamination afflicted pet owners. “We (collectively) spent thousands of hours uncompensated talking to aggrieved pet owners just because they needed to talk,” he said. “It was a very tragic situation. Tragic. No amount of money can make certain people whole. There are elderly people who lost a pet who are devastated. I spoke to one who is on antidepressants who won’t get another dog because he doesn’t want to outlive it.”

 

Click here for larger view

Maitland, a single mother of four, likely represents the feelings of many pet owners when she says she regarded her dog Michigan as family. She adopted him when he was a year old. She was dubious at first about having a dog, but he immediately was so protective of her children — warding off strangers, for example, when the kids were in the car — that Maitland became equally protective of the dog.

Michigan was 13 when melamine wound up in his Ol’ Roy, a private-label food sold by Wal-Mart. She said the first indication that something was wrong was that Michigan lost control of his bowels. By the second night, he was leaking bloody fluids. Maitland and a friend drove Michigan at 1 in the morning to an emergency clinic 35 to 40 minutes away.

“Just walking into the emergency clinic, right on the spot, it was $500,” she recalled. “I had to borrow that money from my friend that was there. I said, ‘We can’t even get home because my car’s on empty.’ They took $25 off (the bill) so we could get home.”

Maitland ended up with about $1,000 in veterinary expenses from two clinics. When she retrieved Michigan after several days of medical care, it was with the thought that he should die at home. But he didn’t, not right away. He actually regained strength, although Maitland said Michigan never fully healed. He died 14 months after the poisoning came to light.

Maitland submitted a claim for $1,072.87. In August, she received a check for $587.

“I don’t feel like I got anything out of this,” she said. “I feel like it was a four-year wait and I think we all got ripped off.”

Like Maitland, Karl Rahder of Naperville, Ill., received a check this summer amounting to about half of his claim, which totaled more than $1,500.

Rahder’s cat, a traditional sealpoint Siamese named Inca, became sick from eating tainted Iams cat food. Rahder, a writer and teacher on international relations and global affairs, recalled that Inca began vomiting and having diarrhea, stopped eating and became listless around February 2007 — several weeks before the recall began.

Her condition “caused me a great deal of worry,” Rahder said in an interview by email. “I was afraid she was going to starve to death or die from renal failure of some kind. A quick check of various Internet forums revealed that a large number of people were experiencing exactly the same thing and were beginning to panic.”

By the time U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators determined the source of the problem, Inca’s health had deteriorated sharply. She spent four or five days in the hospital “close to death,” Rahder recounted. Inca recovered but has never been the same. “Since then, she has been weaker and more fragile,” Rahder said.

His share of the court settlement arrived this summer. He called the payment “quite welcome” if not entirely gratifying.

“It’s hard to say how satisfied we were with the outcome, considering that the payment was reduced by over half and that it took so long for the issue to be resolved,” he mused. “The larger issues, including toxic additives in pet food and a lack of government oversight, certainly trouble me.”

Since the incident, the FDA has taken steps to more closely monitor pet-food safety. In August, the agency announced the establishment of a Pet Event Tracking Network. PETNet, as it’s nicknamed, is a secure, web-based system by which federal, state and territorial agencies can share information about incidents involving pet food, such as illnesses associated with consumption.

For those who lost animals to the melamine scandal, of course, no reforms or compensation will bring back the pets.

More than half of claims involved animals that were fatally poisoned: 13,242 claimants indicated that their pets died. Another 9,001 indicated that their pets were sick but survived; 1,801 indicated that they took their pets for testing after learning about the recall but the pets did not become sick; and 1,557 claimants did not specify the condition of their pets.

An analyst from the claims administration office noted that the claims likely do not fully represent all the animals that were harmed. “The number of claims received in class actions is usually only a percentage of those parties injured,” he wrote. “Therefore, the number of claims received is probably not the total that were injured.”

Many owners whose pets died felt their animals were irreplaceable, judging from some submissions. According to the analyst, claim submissions — not all of which were approved — totaled more than $569 million. One claim alone was for more than $500 million, “almost all of which represented that claimant’s view about the value of her lost pet,” Savett said.

At the other end of the spectrum, someone submitted a claim for 30 cents. The nature of that claim, as with all the claims, is confidential, Paul said. The median claim was $951.46.

Among approved claims, the largest disbursement was $21,986. The smallest was 33 cents. The median disbursement was $430.

The settlement agreement set limits on payments in certain categories. Payment of eligible but undocumented claims was capped at $900 per claimant. Reimbursements for screening and testing of animals that ate tainted food but proved not to be ill were limited to a total of $400,000. Payments for pet food expenses were limited to $250,000 in aggregate.

According to the claims analyst, most claims fell under the “other economic damages” category. Owing to the number of eligible submissions, those claims were paid at a pro rata share of 52.1 percent. Pet food reimbursement claims were paid pro rata at 49.5 percent. Healthy screening and testing claims were paid at 100 percent. Once all qualified healthy-screening-and-testing claims were satisfied, money remaining in that portion of the fund was applied to qualified claims for other economic damages, Paul said.

Savett said lawyers for the class negotiated liberal claims procedures, such as the allowance of up to $900 in undocumented expenses. Those generous guidelines made more claims eligible for payment, she said — which, overall, ended up reducing the amount of money available for any given claim.

Eble, the class-action expert, said such suits have value beyond the monetary compensation. “They do modify corporate behavior. They do prevent theft,” Eble said. “So many of these cases ... they accomplish a goal to serve a public purpose. You don’t have to worry about getting dog food in the future that is contaminated with melamine because now they know they have to test for it. It’s too expensive not to.”


 

Purdue University announced today it will launch a new online resource in early 2012 to further the study of the human-animal bond.
The Purdue University Press and School of Veterinary Medicine will develop the site, to be called HABRI Central after the nonprofit Human Animal Bond research Initiative (HABRI) that funded the project through an $831,535 grant. Founding sponsors of HABRI include the American Pet Products Association, Petco and Pfizer Animal Health.

From Home Again Pet Chip

When celebrating the winter festivities, don't forget to keep holiday pet dangers in mind. It may require some changes to your normal decorating or dining routine, but these tips can help you create a pet-safe holiday that is fun for the whole family.

1. Practice fire safety. Nothing looks nicer than a Thanksgiving table aglow with candles. But be sure to never leave any fire unattended particularly when you have pets in the house. Not only can curious whiskers get burned, if a candle is knocked over by a wagging tail, it can lead to a serious fire.
2. Hoard the people food. Although it’s tempting to give your pets a taste or two from your Thanksgiving plate, too much human food can be bad for your pet’s health. For more about what people food to share and not to share over the holidays, click here.
3. Hide the breakables. Holiday feasts can mean bringing out treasured items like Great Aunt Mae’s fine china or your finest stemware. Just remember that your beloved pets don’t know the value of these items, and they could get broken. So if you have favorite, breakable decorations or table settings, be sure to keep them out of reach.
4. Watch out for toxic plants. Many holiday plants, including mistletoe, holly, poinsettia, and even that beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece of lilies can be toxic to pets. If you must decorate with these holiday pet dangers, keep them well away from curious paws and mouths.
5. A toast to everyone’s health. When you raise that glass of holiday bubbly, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where Fluffy or Fido can’t sneak a taste. Alcohol and pets simply don’t mix. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill, go into a coma or worse.
6. How sweet it isn’t. Although many people like to leave out chocolates for visitors throughout the holidays, it’s important to remember that these sweets are major pet dangers. Chocolate is tasty for you, but it’s toxic for Fluffy and Fido.
7. Keep the lights high. Many people enjoy decorating with strings of lights during the holidays, but do so with caution. Twinkling lights make a shiny toy, but they’re not safe to play with or chew on. Keep your celebrations shock-free by hanging lights up high.
8. Don’t decorate with food. Strings of cranberries and popcorn can be a beautiful way to liven up your household, and a fun project to do with your kids, but they’re holiday hazards for pets. Even if the food on the string isn’t toxic for Fido or Fluffy, they may end up eating the string—and that can cause serious health problems.
9. Steer clear of tinsel town. Tinsel is more than just a glittery decoration. If your pets eat it, it can cause intestinal problems that require a trip to the veterinarian.
10. Wrap it up. If you like to display your holiday presents, watch out for ribbons, bells, and other small toys that can present a choking hazard for your pet. If there are any dangerous-looking gifts, it may be a good idea to hide them safely in a closet until it’s time to open them—or open them right away. After all, no one can accuse you of being rude if you’re doing it to have a pet-safe holiday.

Tips from Home Again

As cat owners, we’ve all experienced it—the war that starts when it’s time to put your feline friend in a travel carrier. The sweet, purring ball of fluff can suddenly turn into ten pounds of fury. Fluffy might straighten and stiffen her legs in an attempt to make her body too big to fit into the crate. She may even use her claws to try and get away—or urinate due to the stress of the situation.

The trouble is, most cats only see their carriers when a trip to the veterinarian is on the horizon. Like any animal, cats develop associations. So it doesn’t take long for Fluffy to connect the mere sight of her crate with the vet’s office. To lessen her fears (and your guilt), here are a few ways you can gently, gradually help your cat learn to like—if not love—her carrier.

Start with a crate Fluffy can feel good about

Does your cat hide under the bed when she sees her carrier? For Fluffy to feel comfortable with the idea of a crate, you have to help her develop positive associations with it. You may want to consider buying a new one that’s a different color or shape. Starting from scratch with a new carrier may be far easier than trying to get Fluffy to change her mind about her first one.

The goal is to get your cat to think of her carrier as a safe, low-stress place. Begin by leaving her carrier out where she can see it, perhaps near her litter box or feeding area. If she only sees this giant, plastic contraption when it’s veterinarian time, she’ll definitely find a hiding spot when it appears.

Make her carrier a haven

Next, make the carrier a place where Fluffy can relax. Think of it as her home away from home, her portable bed, her kitty hotel. Leave the carrier door open and place a comfortable, cushy bed in it. Some plastic carriers have a top that unlatches from the bottom, so you can take the top off and let Fluffy use the carrier as a bed. After a while, when she seems comfortable with her cozy new sleeping spot, you can put the top back on. Whenever possible, leave the crate in an area that’s fun for Fluffy, such as in front of a window, in the family room or wherever she likes to snooze.

Help her feel right at home

Once Fluffy seems relaxed about the crate’s presence, feed her in it. Not all cats will take to this idea right away. If she resists at first, leave treats or food near the carrier. Start at a distance that’s comfortable for her, even if that means placing the food twenty feet away. Gradually move the goodies closer to the crate until finally placing them inside.

Put treats in the carrier regularly. By helping Fluffy develop a positive association with her crate, she can begin to think of it as a place where she can safely eat and sleep. Lastly, as time goes on, close the carrier door while she’s inside and feed her a treat. Get her used to the concept that sometimes the door will close.

Take a trial run

Now that Fluffy is comfortable eating and sleeping inside the crate with the door closed, it’s time to get moving. Pick up her crate and carry her slowly and gently to the car. If she appears to tense or panic, go back to the house until she is relaxed. Remember to take baby steps and let her get comfortable with the idea of being on the move. Eventually, you’ll be able to put the crate in the car, close the doors and drive around the neighborhood a few times. Just remember to take each step slowly and watch for cues from Fluffy. When she’s ready, she’ll let you know.

Make Fluffy’s carrier a special place that’s all her own. By helping her form positive associations, you’re making the next trip to the veterinarian a lot less stressful for both of you.

From the Chicago Tribune

The Food and Drug Administration has begun a year-long nationwide effort to test pet food for salmonella contamination, but the key concern is not the health of dogs and cats -- it's of their owners.

FDA investigators began in October taking samples of dry pet food, pet treats and diet supplements from distributors, wholesalers and retailers like PetSmart, PetCo, WalMart, Costco, Sam's Club and Target.
 

People turning to dog food for nourishment is "an urban legend," said Duane Ekedahl, president of the Pet Food Institute, but the FDA said in a memorandum released this week that it is "particularly concerned about salmonella being transmitted to humans through pet foods, pet treats and supplements for pets that are intended to be fed to animals in homes, where they are likely to be directly handled or ingested by humans."

Usually people get salmonella poisoning by eating contaminated food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it's also possible to get sick just "by putting objects or fingers contaminated with these germs into the mouth."

So wash your hands after feeding your pets and keep infants away from the dog's dish, the CDC warned.

And there is plenty of evidence to back up concern over human infection, the FDA said. The agency pointed to CDC data that show 70 people got sick from January 2006 through December 2007 in connection with salmonella-tainted dry dog food produced in Pennsylvania.

The 2006-2007 dog food outbreak featured a salmonella Schwarzengrund, according to the CDC, a bacteria known to be resistant to some antibiotics.

Antibiotic-resistant forms of salmonella have become a serious health problem because they cannot be treated with some common antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance, according to the CDC, "can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals."

 

From the Lodi, CA News

From the Indianapolis Star-Tribune -

Bobbie Werbe grew up in a family where dogs and cats weren't just pets --they were family.

Werbe's love of dogs helped forge her career as a registered veterinary technician and certified canine rehabilitation practitioner at Circle City Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Carmel, which equates to a physical therapist for dogs.

"In high school, I couldn't picture myself doing anything without animals," she said.

Her sister, Kit, refers to Bobbie as the "Jillian Michaels" of the dog world.

After an ankle injury sidelined her for the track and field season, Werbe's high school coach told her that she likely wouldn't run competitively again. She decided to prove him wrong, just as she knows dogs can be rehabilitated.

"It upsets me to see someone give up on animals so quickly. I know whatever the problem is, I can teach them how to stand and walk again and accomplish normal daily activities," Werbe said.

With the encouragement of Dr. Don Kalt at Broad Ripple Animal Clinic, she pursued a career in canine rehabilitation.

Werbe has used her techniques at home on one of her two rescued dachshunds, Billie and Winnie. Billie was paralyzed from a herniated disc. Werbe paid for her surgery and taught Billie to walk again.

"That really helped me learned what motivates a dog and what discourages them," she said.

How did you manage to stand out in a crowd and advance quickly in your career?

My patient care is a high priority to me. I make sure all of the exercises are done on time and correctly and thoroughly. I rely a lot on the dog's nonverbal to understand their feelings. They have to trust that I'm not going to hurt them. The relationship with the owner is also very important. They have to trust me and feel comfortable as well.

I am detail-oriented, and I don't give up when I set a goal for myself.

What was your first job or entrepreneurial experience? How did it impact your future?

After graduating a semester early from high school to work full time at Broad Ripple Animal Clinic before attending Purdue University, I had the opportunity to be fully immersed in the veterinary community. I learned superb patient care and client communication, which continues to help me succeed to this very day.

What's the toughest obstacle you face in your career?

The biggest obstacle is ongoing -- trying to convince older vets why physical rehabilitation is needed and earning their trust. Rehabilitation is now taught in schools. Newer vets understand it, but some of the older vets haven't used rehab specialists before.

How important is it to have a mentor? Did anyone in particular help you advance in your career?

I think it's incredibly important. I wouldn't be where I am without Jennie Dobie, Don Kalt and Kim Knapp.

I wanted to emulate Jennie. Don helped me get into Purdue with recommendations, and Kim was instrumental into providing me with the building blocks to start my post-graduate work to become certified.

What advice would you give to other young people trying to get started in animal rehabilitation?

I would tell them to buckle down, study hard and remain focused. There are a lot of distractions in college. There are a lot of things that don't seem pertinent at the time, but you pull that information back at times. Be patient. Have a plan, and check things off as they happen. It's a long road. Things don't happen overnight. Enjoy all the different learning challenges.

Call Star reporter Jill Phillips at (317) 444-6246.

Cats Are Medically Underserved

In my last post I wrote about how little attention has recently been paid to the cat in the articles published in the New York Times. Although I believe in fair and balanced reporting, the lack of newsprint devoted to the cat only hurts their feelings, not their health. As a cat owner, you might not be able to influence the editorial staff at the New York Times, but you can protect your cat’s health.

Over the past decade, veterinarians have noticed an alarming trend. Cats see a veterinarian half as often as dogs do. Just like dogs, cats can get sick and do need annual examinations by their veterinarians. Without regular medical care, your cat misses the opportunity to undergo screening tests to find disease before it becomes untreatable. Cats also need preventive healthcare, such as vaccinations and parasite prevention. I find three particular trends in feline health care particularly disturbing.

1. Rabies in cats is increasing.
In a recently published survey in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association of rabies cases in the United States, the occurrence of rabies declined in all wildlife and domestic dogs, but in cats, rabies increased. Rabies presents a double whammy: it is fatal in cats and poses a huge health risk for the cat’s family members. The good news is rabies is safely and easily prevented by a vaccination which can be given when your cat visits her veterinarian.

2. Feline diabetes is on the rise.

The Banfield State of Pet Health 2010 report documented a 16% increase of diabetes in cats and a much higher occurrence of diabetes in cats than in dogs. The epidemic of diabetes in cats is likely linked to the increase in pet obesity. Annual wellness examinations will include measuring your cat’s body weight, and if your pussy cat is getting a little porky a weight reduction diet can be developed to help keep her from developing diabetes.

3. Dental disease has increased 10% in cats over the past 5 years.
A study from France reports in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry that cats have a high rate of fractured teeth with retained roots, periodontal disease and bone loss around teeth. Every cat studied had periodontal inflammation. Cat owners can help prevent dental and periodontal disease in their cats with regular tooth brushing. Annual wellness examinations by your cat’s veterinarian can identify dental problems early, and teeth cleaning using special equipment is done with your cat under general anesthesia.

Don’t delay, call your veterinarian today. Your cat will thank you.

Photo: Dr. Philip Fox

Posted by: Ann Hohenhaus, DVM at 11:42 am

By Emmet Pierce, Insure.com

As one of only a handful of full-time pet insurance actuaries in the United States, Laura Bennett's job is to determine what ailments or injuries are most likely to drive medical costs for your cat or dog.

Her goal is to use medical data to establish accurate policy risks for Ohio-based Embrace Pet Insurance, where she is CEO. Pet insurance rates, just like rates for humans, are determined by the mathematics of risk. Insurance companies must keep their rates low enough to remain competitive but high enough to cover claims and be profitable.

If insurance actuaries know your pet's breed, age and place of residence, they can estimate the cost of medical treatment during the animal's lifetime. They base predictions on medical data, but location also is important, since treatment is more expensive if you live in a large urban center.

One of the keys to saving money on pet insurance is to buy it while your pet is young and free of disease, Bennett says. "People should buy this when their dog is healthy."

With growing databases of information to work from, actuaries have become very important to pet insurance companies, says Carol McConnell vice president and chief veterinary medical officer at Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the largest and oldest pet health insurance provider in the U.S.

"It definitely is a niche," she says of pet actuary work. "We have a woman who came from auto [insurance] and has been doing it with us full time for five or six years. We work very closely with her."

Anticipating illness and injuries

Bennett, whose company insures only cats and dogs, uses breeds to determine the likelihood of certain illnesses and injuries, particularly among dogs. "Purebred dogs have a lot of breed-specific conditions," explains Bennett. "A Golden Retriever is prone to hip dysplasia. It is more common in a Golden Retriever than a Labrador. German shepherds are even more prone than Golden Retrievers."

If you were to count raw numbers of insurance claims for cats and dogs, "ear infections would be very high on the list," as would diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues and skin allergies, Bennett says.

VPI found that the most claims for dogs in 2010 were ear infections, followed by skin allergies, skin infections, gastritis and diarrhea. For cats, the top illnesses were lower urinary tract disease, gastritis, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

Among exotic pets, the most frequent ailments were bowel obstructions, followed by gastritis, bladder infections, upper respiratory infections and eye infections.

Medical advances drive the demand for pet insurance

You might expect that recent advances in the treatment of animal illnesses would reduce medical costs, but the opposite is true. Pet insurance is becoming increasingly important for pet owners, says Bennett. As treatments once available only to humans are extended to pets, costs are rising.

Kristen Lynch, spokesperson for the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, agrees.

"Pets are living longer, healthier lives," she says. "They can do almost anything for a pet [that doctors] can do for a human. They can treat them for cancer. They can replace their hips and knees. Things that would have caused a pet to pass away at one time can be treated."

Medical doctors and animal care professionals are sharing knowledge, says McConnell. "Our medicine is much more sophisticated than it was even 10 years ago."

Before deciding that a pet insurance quote is too high, consider what your costs could be without pet insurance. Despite the financial risks that go along with having uninsured pets, "We estimate that less than 1 percent of pet owners [in the U.S] have their pets protected." says Curtis Steinhoff, a spokesperson for VPI.

The human factor

Although insurance actuaries are skilled at predicting veterinary costs, one thing they can't work into their calculations is the human factor, says Bennett.

For example, one of the most important things you can do to prevent pet injury is to secure your pets with harnesses when you drive with them in your car, she explains. How well you care for your pet plays a big role in its health.

"The ideal pet parent is someone who pays attention, feeds the pet well, keeps an eye on the pet's weight . . . and knows their pet well," she says.

Top 10 pet medical conditions

It comes down to planning ahead and remembering the commitment you made.  There are a ton of resources in this article that will help you keep that commitment when things are tough.

From the Orange County Register by Erica Richie -

When people think of going to the dentist, most wouldn't imagine seeing a mountain lion undergoing a procedure.

But that's what happened on Wednesday at the Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital.

Dr. Scott Weldy, known as Orange County's go-to vet for exotic animals, performed a difficult dental procedure on a 5-year-old male cat. The 150-plus pound cat part of Cougar Preservation — an educational outreach program — had broken his upper right canine and needed the large root taken out. The multi-hour procedure left the cat drowsy but comfortable upon his recovery on Thursday, Weldy said.

The procedure developed by Dr. Eric Van Nice, a dental veterinarian in Tustin, helped Weldy achieve the desired results.

The mountain lion first was darted, and blood was taken from him to check for parasites and other problems. Then once under anesthesia, Weldy cut along the gum line by the tooth, flapped up that part and began grinding the large remaining tooth.

"It took at least 40 minutes," said Weldy, who treats big cats at the Orange County Zoo, the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound in Rosemond and Rancho Los Lomas in Trabuco Canyon. "It's big and you have to grind away for a long time. When you're done the tooth comes out at the side of the bone line. It looks beautiful now."

With two of his upper canines missing, the cat still has no trouble eating. If the cat was in the wild, Weldy said, he could still use his claws to catch prey but would have a harder time making a kill if the prey was a larger animal.

"It's not like he has to kill his prey," Weldy said. "Up until a few years ago, people didn't do dentistry on animals. It's the kind of thing that's done on people and can be done on big cats too."

At the end of the treatment, he was given a cleaning leaving his teeth perfect, Weldy said.

A researcher in Scotland gives us insight.

Mike Sofka has been kind enough to provide us with a free mailbox and discounts on other services at UPS Store #26 in Lake Forest, California.  His support saves us more money we can invest in our projects.

Along with providing the Animal Health Foundation a free mailbox Mike’s crew of wife Jean, Marissa, Steven and Jon do a great job of UPS shipping, providing notary services. packaging, freight services, copying, finishing and printing when we need those services. If you live in the Lake Forest area stop in and tell Mike and his crew you appreciate his support of the Animal Health Foundation and of course please support his store.

Getting a Google Grant was a challenge but we met a bigger challenge in making it work for the foundation. We tried managing our Adwords campaign ourselves and found Google Grants make for challenging problems and learned in short order that we needed a professional. We interviewed several Adwords specialists and feel lucky that we made the right decision in choosing Rob Coats and his company to do our Adwords promotions.

Rob's company,Kinsey Street Online Marketing, is a Seattle-based certified Google Adwords Partner providing online marketing services and expert pay per click campaing management to businesses and to nonprofit organizations from around the world. We chose Rob because he had the most experience working with non-profit organizations like ours. We felt lucky that Rob would take us on and surprised that he offered us a 50% discount because he believed in what we are doing. Rob has managed campaigns with budgets of over a million dollars for world-renowned companies such as Microsoft.

Rob has exceeded our expectations and saved us lots of money which we are able to put into our projects helping people and animals. Thank you Rob!

Google Grants is a unique in-kind donation program awarding free AdWords advertising to select charitable organizations. Google supports organizations sharing their philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

The Google Grants program empowers our non-profit organization to achieve our goals by helping us promote our website via advertising on Google. Google AdWords ads appear when you search on Google and when you click on one of our ads, you are brought to the the AHF website. Google awarded us a $10,000.00 a month grant to promote the good work we do.

The Google Grant brought us over 6000 visitors in the past month and many have become supporters. The Google Grant has helped us meet our goals of:

• Encouraging the human-animal bond
• Promoting public education about animals
• Forwarding the study and advancement of animal health
• Aiding domestic animals and their owners and
• Supporting projects aiding wildlife

Thank you Larry Page and Sergey Brin for helping us help both people and animals!

A new federal program to report, track and monitor cases of pet food contamination and health-related incidents could help states and federal agencies better coordinate in their knowledge and responses to these occurrences. Up until now, the process of reporting pet food contamination has been on a very individual basis, says Lynn White-Shim, DVM, Assistant Director in the Scientific Activities Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The new online program, dubbed PETNet, or the Pet Event Tracking Network, will change that and will “enhance the process of coordinating across states," says White-Shim.

It’s no secret that everyone, animal lovers included, has been affected by the current economy, and pet owners choosing cremation for their pets is just another example of people finding ways to cut costs. Mike Detlefsen, president of Pet Haven Cemetery & Crematory in Gardena, told the Los Angeles Times, “The economy is cutting them back from spending $800 on a burial compared to an $80 cremation." The savings comes from not having to purchase a casket or granite markers. However, it’s important to note that cremation for humans is on the rise, and just as we see dogs sporting trendy collars and clothes to match their owner’s duds, it’s likely that many people are selecting cremation over burial simply because it’s becoming more fashionable to do so.
 

The increase in cremations might be saving owners money in some respects, but the trend has created growth in another — pet memorial items, like urns and other items designed to transport a pet’s remains, which can begin as low as $35 or so for a decorated cardboard tube, and can reach prices most of us could only imagine.

Veterinarians in Southern California have noted that the number of heartworm cases in several counties have increased over the last few years.  As a result, more and more veterinarians are recommending their clients start Heartworm medication on a regular basis.

"I appreciate this lecture because it's novel," said Katie Molitor, a psychology major at MU. "You don’t really think of horses as being therapeutic animals. You usually think them of pulling your car or doing field work."

A detailed video explaining the ABC's of canine vaccinations and how they travel through the dog to reach the intended target to do their job effectively.

Jan is a certified trainer - "it is a great day job", she says and volunteers as the head of the AHF Pet Partner program and the AHF Board President.  Read on and see what this busy person is all about...and be impressed.

Second graders who read aloud to a canine over the summer seem to maintain their reading skills during the dog days of summer, according to a pilot study published today by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.  If you live in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas and would like to participate in the AHF READ program please visit http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/how-we-help/read.html for more information.

A team of faculty and students is trying to develop procedures to inject cells from a mammal’s tissue back into its body. 

If the research is successful at Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department a horse owner could take tissue from a young animal and send it to a company that would isolate and store particular kinds of cells. Those cells could then be used at a later date to treat the horse for an injury, such as a torn ligament.


 

The Animal Health Foundation is gratified to hear that the number of people asking about adopting retired military canines has risen dramatically since the mission involving Cairo, the Navy SEALs dog whose job in Pakistan was to track anyone who tried to escape from bin Laden's compound and alerting the Seals Team to anyone approaching.

Veterinarians, including those on the AHF Board of trustees, report that the number of paunchy pooches and fat cats is on the rise, leading to health issues like diabetes, arthritis, breathing problems and more. Many of us see "food as love" ... don't love your pet to death by overfeeding!

Pet owners should explore options to accommodate pets in the event of a disaster, including finding a place to go that will take both owners and pets along with appropriately packing for both human and animal evacuees. "You need all the things that your pet would need for three or four days. So this would be food, proof of immunizations. You might need a note from your vet that your pet is healthy," says Jeanne Salvatore of the Insurance Information Institute.

For a information on "Disaster Preparedness for the Pet Owner" see  Dr. Dirk B. Yelinek's comprehensive article on this website at http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/downloads/Disaster%20Preparedness%20For%20The%20Pet%20Owner.pdf.  Do not hesitate to forward this vital information to your friends and family. 

From CNBC

ATHENS, Ga. - The University of Georgia and a handful of other institutions have received a $1.4 million federal grant to study vaccines for the rabies virus.

Bring Comfort and Care

ATLANTA — A California company has resumed selling a kind of pet frog that caused salmonella illnesses in more than 240 people, most of them children. And federal health officials are not happy.

The owners of one lucky Upper West Side cat were talking about nine lives after he survived a 20-floor fall from a high-rise building.

Forget about black cats and bad luck – this cat is one amazing animal.

“They told me that he was a miracle,” owner Barry Myers said.

Nestlé Purina Recalls Limited Number of Dry Cat Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk (Shipped Only to Colorado, Idaho and Oregon)

LAGUNA BEACH ANIMAL SERVICES reported recently that a cat killed a bat that tested positive for rabies. 

• The cat was not up-to-date on rabies vaccination.
• No current rabies certificate could be furnished.
• As a result, the cat must undergo a six month rabies quarantine, per state law. Had the rabies vaccine been current, only a one month quarantine would be required.

  And the owner is going through post rabies exposure treatment. 

Check the label for country of origin, and be observant if you give your dog chicken jerky treats. The American Veterinary Medical Association was notified last week by the Canadian VMA that several Canadian veterinarians have seen dogs with a condition that resembles Fanconi syndrome, and it may be associated with the consumption of chicken jerky treats manufactured in China. Similar incidents were reported in the United States in 2007 and investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which issued a further warning in 2008.

It’s unknown if the problem is limited to Canada. The AVMA reports that it has not received any recent reports from U.S. veterinarians about pets with illness that may be related to chicken jerky treats, and there have been no recalls of any chicken jerky treat products associated with the Canadian complaints. Brand names of the products involved are not available.

Fanconi syndrome affects the kidney tubes and can be heritable or acquired. The heritable form is rare and usually is seen only in certain breeds, including basenjis and Norwegian elkhounds. The acquired form can be caused by heavy metal poisoning or certain chemicals. Dogs affected with the acquired syndrome usually have signs that include vomiting, listlessness and lack of appetite. According to the FDA’s 2008 report, extensive chemical and microbial testing did not turn up any contaminant or a definitive cause for the reported illness. Most dogs recover, but some reports to the FDA involved dogs that died.

After checking the information on the Veterinary Information Network, Lake Forest veterinarian Scott Weldy of Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital said that so far, the reports have been anecdotal, with no evidence tying the problems to the chicken jerky treats.

“Right now they’re basically not blaming anything,” he says. “They’re saying it might be from chicken treats, but they don’t know yet.”

According to the comments on VIN, Weldy says, veterinarians are reporting cases infrequently, “maybe one case every week or two or three.” Some cases have a reasonably suspicious history.

“Right now it is speculation,” he says. “Everybody wants to jump on a cause for everything that happens, and they’ll look for some common link. Cheap treats and cheap foods are by far more popular than more expensive things because people are trying to save money. A lot more people are using cheaper products or are being sold products that are marketed better, so they’re more common in the market. Sometimes those get blamed first when they have nothing to do with anything.”

Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

“I would be skeptical to put a cause-and-effect relationship on the chicken treats right now, but I also wouldn’t feed my dog a chicken jerky treat right now,” he says. “It’s an easy thing to avoid.”

Limit the amount of jerky treats you give to a small dog. If you give your dog chicken jerky treats, pay attention if the dog’s appetite or activity level decreases, if it vomits or has diarrhea, or starts to drink more water and urinate more frequently. Signs can occur within hours to days of giving the treats.

Stop giving the jerky if your dog shows any of these signs, and take him to the veterinarian if the signs are severe or continue for more than a day. Blood tests should be run to check for kidney failure or an increase in liver enzymes and urine tests to check for increased glucose levels. Treatment involves supportive care, such as fluids and electrolyte supplements.

It can be a thorny problem. The children in the experiment — six who will work and play with dogs as part of their therapy for 12 weeks, and six others, the control group, who will play only with stuffed animals — don’t look at first glance any different from others.

Each has the bright eyes and quick smiles of most youngsters between 7 and 9. They seem engaged and eager to take part in classroom exercises.

Watch closely, however, and a few telltale signs might emerge: a bit too much fidgeting, perhaps, or a too-frequent stare into space, or a face scrunched into a grimace that seems out of rhythm with what is going on in the room.

The disorder, known as ADHD for short, is really a matter of degree, said UC Irvine assistant professor Sabrina Schuck, an educational psychologist who is leading the study.

“In my opinion, we all have these symptoms,” Schuck said. “We don’t know where we put the keys, we forget our glasses. Or having worries when we don’t pay the bills.”

It becomes a disorder when it begins to interfere with lives and relationships, she said: “When you don’t pay the bills so much you get late fees. Or, you talk so much you don’t get invited to parties.”

But these children were screened carefully to ensure they were right for the study. They have no history of medication, their diagnoses are clear and agreed upon by experts, and they are receiving no other therapy.

Each attends public school or is schooled at home.

The dogs arrive every Thursday evening at UCI’s Child Development Center, a school where Schuck serves as director that has regular classes and about 60 students, none of whom are part of the study.

Many of the school’s students have some form of ADHD, Schuck said.

And while their high energy, boundary busting movements and, at times, endless streams of talk can earn them rebukes from parents and teachers and isolation from their peers, they tend to be of normal to high intelligence, perfectly capable of classroom tasks such as reading aloud.

Scans using magnetic resonance imaging suggest that many such children have deficiencies in the limbic system of their brains, leading to problems regulating dopamine, a hormone that helps moderate behavior.

The deficiencies are likely a result of genetic predisposition combined with environmental triggers, including triggers that can take place in the womb, Schuck said.

“You hear the kids say, ‘I’m bored,’” she said. “It’s not that they can’t do the work. They just need a little bit more motivation.”

But the high-intensity and sometimes aggressive energy of the youngsters can wear their parents out. That can tip the scales toward negative messages — “Sit up straight!” “Be quiet!” “Stop talking!” — instead of the positive reinforcement that Schuck says works far better.

Soon the children are locked in a downward spiral — everyone either yelling at them or shunning them, turning what should be a normal school experience into a nightmare.

Schuck, who says as a girl she was “always getting sent to the principal’s office,” began to wonder whether the company of dogs might help the children learn what comes naturally to most of us — how to act around other people.

But while the benefit of animal therapy might seem intuitively obvious, Schuck said, there have been few attempts to measure the effect with enough scientific rigor to pass muster for publication in science journals.

“We need to be able to better demonstrate that in the literature,” she said.

So Schuck and her fellow researchers keep detailed notes, introduce and remove the dogs in carefully prescribed ways, and strictly manage settings so they can compare the dog therapy results with those of the control group.

When class is in session, two of the researchers hover around the children as they interact with their teacher, offering mostly positive comments but occasional corrections, and, if needed, timeouts from the “positive reinforcement” session.

“Good eye contact,” they might say, or, “Good job participating.” Or, they might compliment the youngsters on keeping their hands folded and listening while someone else speaks.

They earn points for the good behavior, calm but firm comments on the bad.

“Part of the reason for having dogs in the room is motivation,” Schuck said. “Positive praise and redirection is how we shape adaptive behaviors. After 60 hours of intervention we expect to approach an optimal response — and we hope to increase that response with the dogs.”

All the dogs are certified “therapy dogs” and are pre-screened, she said. And all are brought to the sessions by their trainers, who remain on hand to make sure things don’t get out of control.

“The dogs have to have a certain demeanor,” Schuck said.

The children get to play with the dogs outside as the session starts. The dogs stand by to reward the children during classes with a chance for play.

And later, in a different room, the children read aloud to the dogs.

“Sometimes for kids with ADHD and kids in general it’s hard keep them motivated,” she said. “The theory is, if kids are reading to the dog it makes it a little more engaging than if just had to read in front of their peers.”

Parents, meanwhile, receive instruction of their own in yet another room.

That is aimed at helping them cope with their children’s behavior, and teaching them to apply the same sorts of techniques as the teachers do in class.

They can also watch how their children behave in the classroom through two-way mirrors.

By the time the four-year study is finished, 108 children will have taken part, providing the scientists with a large enough sample size to tease out the true effects from otherwise noisy data.

Because the study is just beginning, the impressions of parents remain anecdotal.

Still, parents of two of the children said they’ve noticed changes in behavior they believe are directly attributable to the dogs.

Peter, the father of the cherub, said the girl is getting better at dealing calmly with her brother, as well as other people.

“The way she talks and addresses people,” Peter said. “She’ll catch herself — ‘Let me try this again.’ Personally, I think it’s because of the dogs.”

Amy said her daughter, also taking part in the study, used to be afraid of dogs.

Then came a breakthrough.

“She said one day, ‘I have found if I am calm around the dog, the dog is calm around me.’”

Both Peter and Amy asked that only their first names be used. All the parents requested that neither their children’s first nor last names be used in this story.

Parents interested in taking part can call study coordinator Tina Wippler at 949-824-8733.

A recently released report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics lists the top five human prescription drugs dispensed in the United States. As explained below, some of these drugs cause only minor symptoms while others can be potentially life-threatening. Awareness of these drugs and how they affect pets can save lives. Likewise, in cases where a pet has ingested a nonlife-threatening drug, awareness can save the pet owner a great deal of heartache.

The American English Coonhound, Finnish Lapphund and Cesky Terrier are all getting the AKC paw-print of approval, which means that you'll start seeing these types of dogs at the more than 20,000 shows and events that are held around the world.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/02/welcome-to-the-kennel-club-akc-recognizes-three-new-dog-breeds/#ixzz1Ohl3zlJy

The Animal Health Foundation of California (AHF) announced a new partnership with the Orang Utan Republik Foundation (OURF) to support needy veterinary students in Aceh, Sumatra. AHF will provide the funding for special scholarships within the OURF’s Orangutan Caring Scholarship program. The competitive awards, given to different students each year will cover the cost of tuition during the students’ four years of college and the final year of internship leading to a practicing veterinarian.

The competitive Orangutan Caring Scholarship (OCS) has been one of OURF’s main education programs in Sumatra where the organization has been collaborating with the Yayasan Orangutan Sumatra Lestari-Orangutan Information Center (OIC) for the past six years. OIC promotes and oversees the program in-country while OURF seeks fiscal support for the program. OURF President Dr. Gary Shapiro stated, “The Orangutan Caring Scholarship program is an investment in long-term orangutan conservation by supporting talented students who will advocate for orangutans as professionals.”

 Since granting the first scholarship in 2006, 33 students have received 4-year scholarships to attend the schools of biology and forestry in North Sumatra and the school of veterinary medicine in Banda Aceh. In 2009, the University of Syiah Kuala in Banda Aceh entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OIC and OURF to encourage NGO support of students within the university’s faculty of veterinary medicine. Twelve students have received scholarships to Syiah Kuala in the past three years.

AHF will be adding four new scholarships to the program in 2012 that will provide additional benefits to the successful applicants. The AHF Award will provide five years of support: four years of tuition at the university and an extra year for the internship needed to become a practicing DVM.

 The successful applicants will be obligated to provide periodic updates to OURF and AHF to be shared with organizational supporters. Maintaining a consistent line of communication will enable donors to track the progress of the student as he or she matriculates and encourages others to contribute to the program. The AHF intends to promote Acehese veterinarians as one element of successful wildlife management in this highly biodiverse region of the world.

AHF will also be assisting the University of Syiah Kuala by providing professional veterinary journals and books for their library. If you are a veterinarian or library with books to donate, please contact Pam Becker at executivedirector@animalhealthfoundation.net

More information about OURF and its program can be found at www.ourf.org.

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine is alerting pet owners to use caution with the use of an unapproved animal drug product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo (0.1% phytosphingosine), distributed by Sogeval Laboratories, Inc. of Coppell, Texas after recently receiving a report of the death of a woman associated with the use of the product on her dog.

The March adverse event report describes a woman with severe, preexisting asthma who had a sudden, severe asthma attack and died while bathing a dog using the product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo. A few days later, another asthmatic family member bathed the dog using the same product and experienced a mild asthma attack but recovered.

FDA is advising consumers with asthma or other respiratory conditions to consider consulting with their physicians prior to use of this product.

FDA is currently investigating this serious issue and will provide additional information as appropriate.

The U.S. pet market experienced sluggish growth in 2010 due to lingering effects of the recession, but sales are expected to increase at a faster rate in the coming years, according to a report released this week by market research publisher Packaged Facts.

“U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2011-2012” looks at U.S. pet market retail sales and trends overall and in four core categories: veterinary services, pet food, non-food pet supplies and non-medical pet services. The report found that sales of all pet products and services rose 4.3 percent in 2010 to $55.07 billion. This 4.3 percent growth rate is modest compared to annual growth rates the industry has experienced over the last decade, according to Packaged Facts.

For example, Packaged Facts reported in its 2010-2011 outlook that the U.S. pet market grew 5 percent in 2009 to reach $53 billion. Sales of veterinary services increased the most in 2010 to reach $19.69 billion. Non-medical pet services experienced the second largest growth increase (5 percent) to reach $6.11 billion, followed by pet food, which increased 2.8 percent to reach $18.35 billion and pet supplies, which increased 2 percent to reach $10.92 billion.

Dog owners and veterinarians have long relied on a mix of limited data and anecdotal evidence to assess which breeds are at risk of dying from various conditions, but a new University of Georgia study provides a rare and comprehensive look at causes of death in more than 80 breeds.

The study, published in the current edition of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, can be used to create breed-specific health maintenance programs and is a starting point for future studies that will explore the genetic underpinnings of disease in dogs. Study co-author Dr. Kate Creevy, an assistant professor in the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, and her co-authors examined data from the Veterinary Medical Database to determine the cause of death for nearly 75,000 dogs over the 20-year period of 1984 through 2004. While some of the findings corroborate smaller, breed-specific studies, the UGA researchers also found plenty of surprises.

Toy breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Maltese, are known to have high rates of cardiovascular disease (19 and 21 percent of deaths within the breeds, respectively), for example, but the researchers found that Fox Terriers also have high rates of cardiovascular disease (16 percent of deaths). Golden retrievers and boxers are known to have high rates of cancer (50 and 44 percent of deaths, respectively), but the researchers found that the Bouvier des Flandres actually has a higher death rate from cancer (47 percent) than the boxer.

When it comes to detecting the unexpected, female dogs might have a leg up.

Female dogs might have a leg up on males when it comes to detecting the unexpected. In an experiment designed to mess with their furry heads, Fidettes took note of a surprising outcome while Fidos apparently remained oblivious.

The results, which will appear in an upcoming Biology Letters, highlight that like humans, animals also have sex differences in how the brain works. In the study, researchers led by Corsin Müller of the University of Vienna tested 50 pet dogs, including poodles, Australian shepherds, golden retrievers and mutts. The team designed an experiment to test whether the dogs would notice a ball that inexplicably grew or shrank. In some trials, for instance, a tennis ball-sized ball would roll behind a screen, and after a short wait, a larger ball would appear on the other side. (Young babies don’t seem to notice this violation of how the world normally works, but start to react to the weirdness during the first year of life.)

When the ball was a different size after emerging from the screen, female dogs stared at it longer than they did a ball of the expected size, an indication to Müller and his colleagues that the females had noticed something amiss. In contrast, male dogs looked at the surprising ball and the ball of the expected size for similar amounts of time.

Though the researchers weren’t expecting to find a sex difference, the results aren’t too surprising, says Müller. “For humans, there is plenty of evidence for all kinds of differences between men and women in cognitive processes,” he says. “So if you think of it from that angle, you’d actually expect to find sex differences in quite a few places, and it’s not all that surprising anymore.”

So far, the researchers can’t tell if males really don’t perceive the difference, or do detect it but don’t care, Müller says.

Whether a dog had been neutered didn’t seem to make a difference in the experiment, suggesting that the brain differences behind the effect were established early in the dogs’ development and were not a result of sex hormones circulating in adult dogs at the time of the test.

Researchers don’t know how or why this sex difference exists. Müller and his colleagues don’t think strong evolutionary pressure on a dog ancestor has a role. Male and female canines didn’t have very different lifestyles that would have led to this cognitive performance difference, he says.

Medical tests can be daunting, especially when they require 45 minutes of complete stillness deep in an outsized, noisy magnet. For 16-year-old Allison Ruchman of Rumson, N.J., a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to investigate recurrent headaches provoked a level of fear and anxiety that left her desperately searching her mind for a distraction. That's when Wally, her 5-year-old beagle, saved the day.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Illinois company is recalling pet chews made of pig's ears because they could be contaminated with salmonella.

During the month of June, with the assistance of AVID and HomeAgain, the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA) and many of the shelters in LA and OC are creating a Microchip Awareness Program to educate pet owners about the inportance and benefit of having their pets both microchipped and registered. Shelters will be working in their communities to encourage un-chipped pets to come in for a chip.  Microchip Days will be organized throughout the area to provide affordable chipping for pet owners.

Is your dog one of the breeds known to have this sensitivity?

Article highlights the AHF's role in helping animals and their owners.

An April 20, 2011 Veterinary Practice News reported that Pfizer has discontinued Promeris (http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-breaking-news/2011/04/18/study-links-promeris-to-pemphigus-foliaceus-pfizer-stopping-its-production.aspx).

Missouri voters thought they scored a big win against some of the nation's most notorious puppy mills when they approved strict new dog breeding regulations last year. Now state lawmakers are changing the rules. See the "More Info" Link for the full story.

The long term effect of Japan's earthquake and Tsunami is as yet unknown, but the devastation to the animal community is unfolding now and the effect for many years will be devastating.  Animals too have lost their homes and families and will need long term assistance. Please donate to our fund to benefit these animals for years to come.

AHF Pet Partners went to Castille Elementary in Mission Viejo and read with 70 kindergartners as part of the nationwide "Read Across America" school event. This is the fourth  year we have had teams participating.

Four Japanese students from the Hiroshima Animal Care College, along with one of their teachers, visited Irvine Medical Center to learn about our pet therapy program. The students came to interview Pam Becker, Executive Director of the Animal Health Foundation and Kathleen Bunge, Director of KP Volunteer Services. Pam and three of her dogs have been one of our pet therapy teams since the program started at IMC in October 2009.

The students were very excited to visit us since this was their first time observing pet therapy in a hospital setting. Pam gave them a thorough description of how pet therapy teams operate, and with Kathleen, discussed the benefits, departments where teams can visit, and the general policies and procedures involved in the program. Due to patient confidentiality, the group was unable to visit the patient floors but was able to observe Pam and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bentley in action with a few visitors in the lobby and in the reception area.

In addition to visiting with us at the medical center, the students also visited the Los Angeles Zoo, the Burbank Animal Shelter and an animal rehabilitation facility, among other locations. These students will graduate with a Bachelors Degree in the spring from the Hiroshima Animal Care College and will seek employment in fields such as social services, teaching, animal grooming, or in animal training.  Many of the school’s graduates find employment in zoos or working in skilled nursing facilities in animal assisted therapy. 

Watch this amazing video

​​For many individuals, pets are like family and most pet owners note that they are nearly always comforted by the presence of their pets. Some say petting their dog, cat, horse, or any other animal lowers their blood pressure and gives them an overall feeling of calm, even after a long and stressful day.

For cancer patients, especially those with an aggressive disease like mesothelioma, stress is ever present. Perhaps that’s why pet therapy has proven to be so helpful for many patients who are simply overwhelmed with the hard facts of dealing with their disease.

The K9 Cancer Walks are a grass roots effort to raises funds and awareness for the Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign, which funds research that will develop prevention strategies, test new treatments, establish tools for cancer researchers and train new scientists specializing in cancer research. We are California dog lovers committed to doing our part to fight this horrible disease. Half of all dogs will be affected by cancer—but together, we can beat this disease. 

Any time, but especially during lean economic times, it's tempting to look for discounted drugs for your pets.

Buyer beware, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns Tuesday with a video and announcement, especially when it comes to ads that say you don't need a veterinarian's prescription. You could kill a dog, for instance, that has heartworms by giving it heartworm meds and kill cats and small dogs by giving them certian tick and flea meds.

We've had other posts about what safety labels to look for when buying online drugs. Some online dealers are reputable, but Patty Khuly, a veterinarian who writes a column for USA TODAY, suggests it's really most safe to get drugs from your vet.

Maybe when you go looking for a vet you could inquire about prices of medications. I'm lucky. Turns out my vet has the best prices for meds.

FDA reported Tuesday it has found companies that sell unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell expired drugs. A copy of the information you can print out can be found on their website.

Click the link below to see the video.

Officials with Wilton, Conn.-based Blue Buffalo report that “tens of thousands of dollars” and hundreds of hours have been spent analyzing various batches of dog food, including samples from bags directly linked to specific cases of dogs testing positive for hypercalcemia and vitamin D toxicity.

The California Spay & Neuter license plate, sponsored by the California Veterinary Medical Board, provides a fun and easy way for pet lovers to help reduce pet overpopulation. Proceeds from the plate provide funding for free or low-cost spay & neuter surgeries across California, and also help to raise awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/09/05/dog.treat.recall/?hpt=T2#fbid=eWlRk5cdAO5&wom=true

Miniature horse Barbie does tricks for a good cause.

The National DIsaster Search Dog Foundation(www.searchdogfoundation.org) is
having a groundbreaking ceremony )9/11/10. If you are not aware of the
foundation, it is a non-profit group that rescues dogs and trains them for
disaster search. Many FEMA certified dogs are originally from this
foundation.

The foundation has begun a 16+million dollar project to build a 125 acre
training facility in Santa Paula, CA. This will be where new dogs will be
housed and trained, and where certified dogs will be welcome to return for
training when needed. They will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony on
9/11/10 where search canine handlers, and SDF supporters can come and learn
about the project and tour the property. The executive director of the
program was a canine handler that responded to 9-11 and appreciated the care
that the VMAT teams provided for the dogs during that time.

Dog owners warned about deadly plant - SignOnSanDiego.com

By Dirk B. Yelinek, D.V.M., Redondo Shores Veterinary Center, Redondo Beach, CA and Board of Trustee Member, Animal Health Foundation,

Lights are off, sirens are screaming, it is before sunrise, cold, possibly raining and there truly is an emergency.  Phone lines are out with overloaded circuits.  Smoke billows in the distance.  You have a NOAA radio with fresh batteries.  Your generator has adequate fuel and you have started it routinely on a monthly basis since you purchased it two years ago.  The family seems shaken but fine for the time being and you have systems in place for safety for all of your family including your beloved pets and livestock.

 You planned, you prepared and you practiced…or did you?  If not this article will help you get started.

 In your approach to preparing your family disaster preparedness plan, you must know your vulnerabilities and plan ways and means of mitigating any damages.

 Ask yourself the following five essential questions in preparation of a written pre-event disaster plan:

1.      What is my number one concern?  Of course it is safety of yourself and your families lives as well as your pets and then property

2.      What will be my means of survival?  Having food, water, and shelter?

3.      What are the contingency plans, if any?  Will I need to evacuate?

4.      How will I help others?

5.      What is my plan?  Is it realistic?  Can I effectively activate the plan with the resources I have available and be safe and secure?

 What is your plan, to plan?  Creating an action plan requires input and review by all family members.  The same goes for businesses.  You cannot help anyone or any pets if you have not helped yourself and your family first.  Prepare your emergency disaster plan, practice it, and post it where everyone will see it.  It helps to have the neighborhood or community involved so take the lead and set the example.  Take preventive steps to foresee possible means for your survival and your ability to help others.

 You have a team to get started including your family, neighbors, religious group, school affiliations, co-workers and staff, financial advisor (bank), contractor, attorney, insurance agent and local response groups.  Get together with neighboring homes and businesses, pick a leader or leaders, make an outline, set follow-up meetings, and finally, have an exercise.  Make it fun.  Make it a priority.  If you have a plan that enables you to thrive for at least a few days if not a few weeks, you will be in a better position to make decisions for the future after initial crisis management.

 Here are some steps to walk you through the process.

  Disaster Tips: Humans

Know what you may be at risk for in the way of potential threats to life and property.  Disasters do not give much advanced warning.  Identify potential disaster elements that may make you vulnerable in your particular area and region:

·        Tornadoes

·        Hurricanes

·        Earthquakes

·        Floods

·        Landslides

·        Fires

·        Extremes of weather causing excess wind, heat, cold, or lightning

·        Accidental or intentional release of hazardous materials that are flammable or combustible, explosive, toxic, noxious, corrosive, chemical, nuclear or radioactive

·        Intentional release of biological or zoonotic emerging diseases. 

·        Riots/Robbery

·        Potential terrorist targets in the area.

·        Economic depression

 Plans should be in place for sustenance during the event, taking into consideration adversities such as loss of electrical and water service as well as personal injury.  One family member or person in a business needs certification in basic first aid and CPR.  Know how to prepare for each disaster before it happens.  Know what to do while it is occurring and what you can do to help others.  The best plan will allow you to continue life and work as soon as possible.

 Things to know:

        Escape routes-have at least two and draw a floor plan.

        Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.

        Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.

        Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire.

        Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

        Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).

        Establish two meeting places post evacuation.

        Designate a place near your home or business in case of destruction and the need to evacuate and reassemble.

        Designate a meeting place outside your area in case you cannot return after a disaster providing there are access roads.

        Know ways to protect important papers, computer supplies and information about equipment, furnishings, property and other records.  At least yearly or when life changes occur review insurances policies with a professional.

 Preparation of a Disaster Supplies Kit (not the same as a response-rescue kit)

What will you need?

1. Water: One gallon per person per day is required.  Water should be stored in sealed, unbreakable containers.  Identify the storage date and use and replace every three to six months.

2.  A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.  Replace your stored food every six months or if you are using commercially prepared kits keep and store as instructed.

3.  Provide clothing suitable for the weather as well as sun block, rain gear and protective shoes.

4.  Provide blankets and/or sleeping bags.

5.  Provide first-aid kit and prescription medications.

6.  Provide an extra pair of glasses.

7.  Battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

8.  Have both credit cards and cash.

9.  An extra set of car keys.

10. Emergency contact and resource list including family members, fellow employees, police and fire, insurance agents, contractors, utilities, vendors, local veterinary hospitals, boarding facilities, pet friendly hotels,  stables, Red Cross Chapter,  and physicians.

11. Have individual medical histories as well as the type and amount of medications.  Have enough to last at least two weeks.

12. Do not forget special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

 Minimizing Potential Hazards Damage: Perform a “Hazard Hunt”.Make changes to be safe in your environment before anything happens.  In a disaster, ordinary items in the home or work place can cause injury and damage.  Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.  Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.  Fasten shelves securely.  Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.  Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.  Brace overhead light fixtures.  Strap water heater to wall studs.  Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.  Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources.  Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents.

 If evacuation is necessary: Shut off water, gas and electricity.  Listen to local broadcasts on a battery-powered radio for the location of emergency shelters and other instructions.  Contact your out of state contact as well as those on your pyramid list and meet where you have planned.  Let someone know when you left and where you are going.  Avoid 911 calls unless an absolute life-threatening situation exists.  Use travel routes specified by local officials.  Lock and secure your house and work place.

 Take your Disaster Supplies Kit:Grab, go and bring all you have planned for the pets.  Assemble a two-week supply of evacuation essentials.  These are basics and you may modify based on circumstances.  Evacuation supplies should be practical and portable.  Wheels may not work for transportation in a badly ravaged area so try to assemble needs in a duffle bag or backpack you can carry.

 Supply your car:  Keep many of the same items in your car that you keep your home or business.  Include the following items in your car: food, water, carrier, leash, litter, water dish, food dish, medical records, medications, animal ID and photos, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, blanket, jumper cables, Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), first aid kit and manual, bottled water, non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter, cash, flares, maps, GPS, shovel, de-icer, and scraper.

 First-Aid Kit: Assemble a first-aid kit for your home and one for the car.  In addition to the animal first aid kit include sunscreen, insect repellent, non-prescription drugs (aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrheal medication), germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and a CPR breathing barrier such as a face shield for you and your family.

Tools and Supplies:

Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils

Chlorine Tablets for purifying water

Portable gas cooker

Paper Plates, Forks, and Knives

Emergency preparedness manual

A battery operated radio and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, non-electric can opener, utility knife, fire extinguisher, cash or traveler's checks, change

Tube tent

Pliers

Tape

Compass

Matches in a waterproof container

Aluminum foil

Plastic storage containers

Signal flare

Paper, pencil

Needles, thread

Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water

Whistle

Plastic sheeting

Map of the area or GPS preferable with pre-set coordinates for hospitals, shelters, and veterinary clinics

Clothing and Bedding

At least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person

Sturdy shoes or work boots

Rain gear

Blankets or sleeping bags

Bath towels

Hat and gloves

Thermal underwear

Sunglasses

 Special Items: Remember family members with special needs, such as infants who will need formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, medications and elderly or disabled persons needing heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, and extra eyeglasses.

 Documents readiness ( can scan and back up on computer drive) :In a water-tight container, your will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and companies (in code), inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers, and family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).

 Food and Staples: Moving through a disaster situation can be challenging from the standpoint of public health issues with food handling and sanitation.  One should not expect to be able to rely on refrigeration or save foods once opened.  Foods should be easily stored in containers that one can eat from.  MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) are high in energy, and are palatable.  Do not expect restaurants or hotels to be open during a disaster too.  Readymade meals, dehydrated foods and canned goods are your best bet.  They are portable and easy to cook.  Water should be available at a minimum quantity of 1gallon per person per day.

 Other ideas for food:

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Canned Fruit

Crackers

Gatorade

Powdered Drink Mix that can be mixed with water

Juice

Cereal

Power Bars

Dried Meats

Ready to eat soups

Cans of pasta

 Tips:

Always keep your vehicle’s gas tank three quarters full.

If you have to evacuate, do so in an orderly convoy and listen to the radio for instructions and best routes to follow.  Do not stay if asked to leave and leave early.  Short cuts may be congested.

 Disaster Tips: Companion Animals

Make a checklist of supplies for your dogs, cats, horses, and other members.  For items needing rotatation, date them with waterproof ink.  Supplies of food and water should be for a minimum of three to days per person and per animal.

 A large, lidded garbage can makes an excellent storage container for pet supplies.  Supplies can also be stored in a pet’s crate or kennel.  Make a copy of this checklist and tape it to the inner lid of the storage container for reference.

 Ask your veterinarian if he or she has a disaster plan.  If not ask for a referral to a veterinarian or emergency clinic in your area who does so you can establish a relationship should your animals need medical care during a disaster.

  Water: Seven-day supply recommended.  A 10-pound animal needs about one quart of water per day; a 40-pound animal needs about one gallon of water per day.  If tap water is not suitable for humans to drink, it is not safe for animals to drink.  Store water in plastic containers and keep in a cool dark place.  Rotate water once every two months.  Purification: Boiling, bleach (1oz/20gal Water), iodine tabs

 Food: Seven-day supply recommended.  Rotate every two or three months to ensure freshness.  Store your pet’s usual brand of food and offer it at as close to the normal time as possible.  Maintaining the pet’s normal routine will minimize stress.  If feeding canned food buy cans small enough for one feeding.  You may not have a way to properly refrigerate partially used cans of food.  You should not use food left out to spoil.  Store dry pet food in an airtight waterproof container.  Have an extra feeding dish and a spoon for scooping/mixing food.

 Shelter: Kennel or crate for housing should be large enough for the dog (or cat) to stand up and turn around, and include food and water bowls.  For cats, it should be large enough to include a small litter pan along with food and water bowls.  Label the crate with owner’s name, address, phone number and an emergency contact number.

  Sanitation: Store one or two weeks’ supply of cat litter, a small light, plastic, gardening shovel and small disposable plastic bags for waste disposal.

  Cleaning Supplies: Biodegradable camping dish soap, paper towels, crate disinfectant

 Identification:  Place photos in sealable plastic bags in case you need to post them in the rain.  Take a picture with your pet to prove ownership.  Note on the back of the photo age, breed, sex, and spayed or neutered information, and any distinguishing markings.  Tattoo, id band, microchip, and/or collar tag your pets when possible.  Breakaway collars are best for cats.  Choke collars are not a good idea for dogs because if entangled the result could be strangulation.  Have an extra collar and identification with your disaster supplies should the permanent one get lost.  If relocation occurs, you can write the new address and phone number on the tag.  Addresses are important because phones may not be working during a disaster.  Tags should have your name, phone number and address as well as the pet’s name.  An alternative is to put your veterinarian’s information on the opposite side or the emergency contact number.  Advise the emergency contact that you have listed their name and number.  Because human evacuation shelters do not allow animals, locate a place where you can take your pet.  Places to consider include veterinary facilities, boarding kennels, animal shelters, or a friend’s home.  Some hotels/motels allow small animals.

 Medical:Pet photos, medical history, and medications should be readily available along with insurance papers and important documents for evacuation.  Keep this in plastic, waterproof containers or bags.  If a pet is on long-term medication, always have at least a two-week’s supply because veterinarians may not be able to fill prescriptions during and after a disaster.  Provide instructions for administering medication.  Proof of vaccinations including current rabies information is important, as boarding facilities may not take your pet without this information.  If you have pet medical insurance include a copy of your policy.

  What Else?  Can opener, newspaper to line crates and blankets and/or towels for bedding and to cover during transport.  An ice chest may come in handy for food or medications if ice is available from the local Red Cross Shelter.  Have a harness and leash for exercise for both dogs and cats.  Disasters are stressful for dogs, and a frightened dog can slip out of a collar, but hopefully not a harness.  Booties may help protect a dogs feed from sharp objects.  A muzzle or a roll of gauze bandage is handy in the event a dog becomes agitated and aggressive during the confusion.  Include an unwashed shirt with your scent on it as a source of comfort for your pet while being cared for by others.

 Evacuation: In the event an evacuation is necessary, have a carrier assembled and ready to go.  A pillowcase can serve as a rapid means to transfer a small animal to a sturdy carrier.  The carrier needs to be able to keep the pet in and keep flying or falling debris out.  If your pet plays with toys, include some to help keep him entertained.  Always keep a collar and tag on animals that would normally wear collars.  This includes cats that never go outdoors.  Identify several possible locations where you can take your animals should you have to evacuate.  These would be places not affected by disasters occurring where you live.  This would include boarding kennels, veterinary clinics with boarding space, grooming facilities, dog and cat clubs, and training clubs.  Do not forget to consider friends and family as well.

 Small Animal Evacuation Kit

□       1-2 week supply of food (dry & canned)

□       1-2 week supply of water in plastic gallon jugs

□       Batteries (flashlight & radio)

□       Cage/Carrier (for each animal, labeled with your contact information)

□       Can opener (manual)

□       Cat/Wildlife gloves

□       Copies of veterinary records & proof of ownership

□       Emergency contact list

□       Familiar items (favorite toys, treats, blankets)

□       Flares

□       First Aid Kit (see below)

□       Flashlight

□       Instructions:

·        Diet:record the diet for each pet, including what not to feed in case of allergies.

·        Medications:  list each pet separately, including dose and frequency for each medication.  Provide veterinary and pharmacy contact information for refills.

□       Leash, collar/harness for each pet

□       Litter, litter pan, litter scoop

□       Maps of local area and alternate evacuation routes (in case of road closures)

□       Muzzles (dog/cat)

□       Newspaper (bedding/litter)

□       Non-spill food & water dishes

□       Paper towels

□       Radio (solar & battery operated)

□       Spoon (canned food)

□       Stakes & tie-outs

□       Trash bags

 Small Animal First Aid Kit

(An example of what may be included in a small animal first aid kit)

 □       Activated charcoal (liquid)

□       Anti-diarrheal (liquid/tablets)

□       Antibiotic ointment (wounds)

□       Antibiotic eye ointment

□       Bandage scissors

□       Bandage tape

□       Betadine or Nolvasan (scrub & solution)

□       Cotton bandage rolls

□       Eye rinse (sterile)

□       Flea & tick prevention/treatment

□       Gauze pads & rolls

□       Hydrogen peroxide

□       Ice cream sticks (for splints)

□       Isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads

□       K-Y, petroleum jelly or other lubricant

□       Latex gloves/non-allergenic gloves

□       Liquid dish detergent (mild wound/body cleanser)

□       Measuring spoons

□       Medications & preventatives with clearly labeled instructions (heartworm, flea, etc.)

□       Non-adherent bandage pads

□       Saline solution (for rinsing wounds)

□       Splinting materials

□       Sterile lubricant (water based)

□       Styptic powder (clotting agent)

□       Syringe/eyedropper 

□       Thermometer (digital)

□       Tourniquet

□       Towel and washcloth

□       Tweezers

 Providing Emotional Comfort: Remember to comfort a pet during a disaster. He or she is as frightened as you are, and having you near to give a hug will help keep your pet calm.  (It will probably help you too.)  If your pet is not ready to be comforted, do not force it!  Let the pet come to you when he or she is ready.

 If a pet is lost during a disaster: Know where animal shelters or animal rescue organizations are located in your area.  You may need to visit them daily to look for a lost pet.  It is important to look for your pet as soon as you realize he or she is missing inasmuch some shelters may not be able to house large numbers of displaced animals for a long time.  Take your photos.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION SHEET
Everyone traveling with pets should carry this information sheet in the glove compartment of the vehicle, one in their wallet or purse and one attached to one of the crates that has been laminated and is visible to anyone who would have to go into your car/van in the event you were in a wreck or other emergency

 ATTENTION!!!   IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Owners Name:  _________________________________________________________________
Address:  ______________________________________________________________________
Phone:  _____________________________________
Pet's Name:  ___________________________________________________________________
Breed:  __________________________Sex: ___________________Date of Birth:  ________________
Emergency Contact:  Name ____________________________ Phone #___________________.
Medical Information Alert(s): This pet has the following medical conditions requiring treatment: ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Veterinarian Information:

Name:  ________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________

What you should know about this animal: 
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

In the event that I am unable as owner to recover my animal due to injury or death: 
Contact: 
Name:  _________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________
Please board my animal at the nearest facility or veterinarian and make contact with the above named.  PLEASE DO NOT euthanize my animal unless there is severe injury and please keep pet’s identification in the event of death.  The above person has permission to recover said animal from the boarding facility.

Should my first emergency contact be unavailable please contact:
Name: _________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________
Said individual has also agreed to the above.

I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.  This animal is a member of my family and it is my wish that the pet receive the best care possible.

Signature:  _________________________________________________

Date: _____________________________

Disaster Tips: Equine

 The following are considerations for supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for horses.  Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of horses that you have.

  Water: Seven-day supply recommended.  Store in 50-gallon barrels.  Stockpile at least 20 gallons of water per horse, per day.  Store it in troughs, large tanks or barrels at accessible points throughout the property, and secure the containers in a safe manner to prevent damage.  If neighboring properties have wells, ask permission to use them in case of an emergency.  You may have to plan for ways of making nearby streams or lakes available to your horses during the crisis.  Remember if the electricity is out automatic watering elements will not be operational.

  Food: Seven-day supply recommended.  Keep the horse on the same diet it is accustomed to during a disaster.  Store feed in an airtight, waterproof container.  Rotate feed at least once every three months.  Include with your disaster supplies an extra feeding bucket in case the one normally used is lost.

 Shelter: If you do not have a barn with stalls have rope in your disaster supplies to use to tie out your horse (you must train your horse to tether before you have to do this in a disaster.)  You need a halter and lead rope for each horse.  Use leather halters and cotton lead ropes.  Nylon can melt in a fire!

  Sanitation: Minimize the threat of disease.  Keep at least a week’s supply of shavings to ensure the stall stays dry.  A pitchfork, wheelbarrow or muck bucket need to be available.

  Identification:  Microchip, tattoo or freeze brand.  Options for temporary identification include: Use of a livestock crayon to write your name, phone number, and address on the horse; use of fingernail polish to write the necessary information on ALL HOOVES of the horse; using clippers to shave your name, address, and phone number in the horse's coat; braiding into the horse's mane an identification tag with your name, address, and phone number on it.  It is a good idea to have a spare identification tag with your disaster supplies so that if you are going to be living somewhere temporarily you can put the phone number and address of that location on the tag and braid it into the horse's mane.  Keep current photographs of your horse, including in some of the pictures the person(s) who own the animal.  These can prove ownership should your horse get lost and you have to reclaim him.  In the supply kit of important papers, maintain copies of registration papers, brand-inspection records, and health records, including a negative Coggins Test result and a bill of sale or other documentation that can prove your ownership.

 First Aid Kit: Check with your veterinarian to find out what he/she recommends you include in your first aid kit.  Some suggested items include cotton and cotton rolls, disposable surgical gloves, Vet wrap, duct tape, Telfa pads, Betadine, instant cold packs, easy boot, diapers, Furazone, scissors, Blue Lotion, and tweezers.

 Medications: Always haveon hand at least a two-week supply.  Keep your horse's medical records, including records of vaccinations, with your disaster supplies and keep your horse up-to-date on vaccinations, especially tetanus as the risk of injury during a disaster greatly increases.

 Evacuation: In the event that it becomes necessary to evacuate your horse, you should have a well-maintained horse trailer and a truck that can safely pull it.  A safety check includes an inspection of the floor of the trailer the trailer hitch, the tires, and the lights and closing security.  Anything sharp or loose needs attention.  If you do not have a trailer or enough trailer space for the number of horses you have, then work out ahead of time other arrangements for transporting your horses.  Practice loading and unloading the horses so they are easy to load.  Suggestions for temporary housing include equine centers, boarding stables, racetracks, and fairgrounds.  Have a community evacuation plan if there are many horses in the area.  Setting up a "buddy" system can help save the life of your horse.

 Credits: Revised from an original article written by Elizabeth Tolson

 For additional information, please visit:

 www.avma.org/disaster/emerg_prep_resp_guide.pdf

www.cdp.dhs.gov/

www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/basic_preparedness.pdf

www.ready.gov

www.readypets.com

www.redcross.org

 Retail and Commercial Survival Kits:

www.amazon.com

www.cdfa.ca.gov

www.costco.com

www.maydayindustries.com

www.quakehold.com

www.survivalkitsonline.com

Stanley Coren, Ph.D.a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, in his July 20, 2010, Animal Behavior blog presents current research challenging the idea of the alpha dog.

CINCINNATI, July 30, 2010 - The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

         The following products are included:        

        The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada.  No canned food, biscuits/treats or     supplements are affected by this announcement.  A full listing of UPC codes can be found at www.iams.com

         These products are made in a single, specialized facility.  In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination.  As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.

         Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them.  People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.  Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

        Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.  Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

         For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

In the past year, 28 veterinary hospitals recieved $15,275 from the Angel Fund to help 39 clients afford needed treatment for their furry family member.

The Angel Fund (a continuation of the original Animal Health Care Fund) is a cooperative venture between the Animal Health Foundation (AHF) and the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA) and its members. The fund assists pet owners in Los Angeles and Orange County, California, with veterinary care when paying for care is challenging or impossible.

Daleen Comer has a Sheltie Pet Partner named Bonnie.  Her first and exceptional Pet Partner Sheltie, Duffy, went over the Rainbow Bridge this past spring. 

Daleen and her family was asked to nurse an injured wild dove back to health in their home.  An egg was hatched on August 15, 2008 and out came a Ringneck Dove they named Cloud. From the age of 2 weeks, Cloud was handled regularly, and was moved into his own cage when he was about 4 months old. He is a very social bird, and loves to ride in the car and meet new people. He gets along well with their dogs, older cat (the young cats view him as a toy, so we keep them apart) and people of all ages. He gets free flight time every day, and divides his time between his high perches and the floor. He loves to coo, and he especially loves to sing in the shower. He will be used in a weekly classroom reading program, alternating with Bonnie, our READ dog, and will also visit senior facilities.

On July 24, 2010 Cloud and Daleen became the first Pet Partner Dove Team!  Dove's cooing at the evaluations calmed everyone and it was a delightful background to a normally hectic day.

 In case you want to learn more about doves, read on:

Doves are one of the oldest domesticated species of bird (around 2,000 years), and Ringneck Doves are the most popular pet doves. They are exceptionally docile and easy to handle, and their soothing cooing is quite pleasant. They are a symbol of peace, and are often used by magicians due to their mellow temperaments. The white “doves” released at weddings are actually white homing pigeons (Ringneck Doves have no homing ability and should never be released). Although white is a common color for Ringnecks, they actually come in over 40 different color varieties.

NURSING PET THERAPY

Nursing students took a break from studying for finals May 10 by petting a few cuddly dogs on campus.

Beyond relieving their own stress, students learned a few things about how pet therapy is used in hospitals and nursing homes to soothe patients.

Representatives from the Animal Health Foundation's/Delta Society Pet Partners shared how their animals are used to improve the well-being of patients in such settings.

The pet therapy and education session, arranged by Ashley Schenkel, Cal State Fullerton nursing academic and support counselor, was part of the university's Workforce Improvement Project (WIP), a three-year project aimed at improving diversity efforts in the nursing workforce.

A cat that had its back feet severed by a combine harvester has been given two prosthetic limbs in a pioneering operation by a UK vet.

The new feet are custom-made implants that "peg" the ankle to the foot. They are bioengineered to mimic the way deer antler bone grows through the skin.

The operation - a world first - was carried out by Noel Fitzpatrick, a veterinary surgeon based in Surrey.

His work is explored in a BBC documentary called The Bionic Vet.

The cat, named Oscar, was referred to Mr Fitzpatrick by his local vet in Jersey, following the accident last October. Oscar was struck by the combine harvester whilst dozing in the sun.

The prosthetic pegs, called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics (Itaps) were developed by a team from University College London led by Professor Gordon Blunn, who is head of UCL's Centre for Biomedical Engineering.

Professor Blunn and his team have worked in partnership with Mr Fitzpatrick to develop these weight-bearing implants, combining engineering mechanics with biology.

Mr Fitzpatrick explained: "The real revolution with Oscar is [that] we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone."

"We have managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an 'exoprosthesis' that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal's limbs to give him effectively normal gait."

Professor Blunn told BBC News the idea was initially developed for patients with amputations who have a "stump socket".

"This means they fix their artifical limb with a sock, which fits over the stump. In a lot of cases this is sucessful, but you [often] get rubbing and pressure sores."

The Itap technology is being tested in humans and has already been used to create a prosthetic for a woman who lost her arm in the July 2005 London bombings.

"The intriguing thing with Oscar was that he had two implants - one in each back leg, and in quite an unusual site," Professor Blunn told BBC News.

He said that the success of this operation showed the potential of the technology.

"Noel has some brilliant ideas," he added. "And we're continuing to work closely with him to develop new technologies."

Click the "more information" link below to see a video.

ROCKPORT, Texas — Two U.S. Coast Guard cargo planes brought 62 brown pelicans to Texas on Wednesday for the largest release to date of pelicans rehabilitated after being contaminated in BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Planning and preparation

Planning and preparation are important when traveling with family pets. There are dogs and cats that cannot withstand the rigors of any type of travel due to illness, injury, or temperament. If this is the case, discuss with your veterinarian options such as hiring a reliable pet-sitter or housing your pet in a clean, well-managed boarding facility.

For car travel, consider whether or not your pet is comfortable in the vehicle before committing to a long road trip. A car-sick pet is sure to make the trip miserable for everyone. When planning your trip, if you will be staying with friends or family along the way, be considerate and ask them in advance if your pet is welcome. The same applies to choosing hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. Always check if pets are allowed or if kennel facilities are available. If a hotel or motel claims to be "pet friendly," clarify exactly what that means to be sure it will accommodate you and your pet's needs. If your pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and inform the maid and the front desk. Before leaving home, consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable allowing your pet to roam freely when no one is home.

Whether you travel by car or by plane, be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and, if possible, also has an imbedded identification microchip. While both should contain accurate contact information, consider not including your pet's name on its ID tag. How a pet responds to hearing its name used could be helpful in reuniting a lost or stolen pet with its rightful owner. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before a trip, plus taking along your pet's favorite food, toy(s), and dishes will make your pet more comfortable. Carry proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate when crossing state or international borders. Finally, keep a printed photograph (a digital copy is also good to have) of your pet with you to assist with identification in case your pet is lost.

Most importantly, before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to ensure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receive a certificate of veterinary inspection within ten days prior to travel by air.

Travel by air

Transporting pets by air concerns pet owners the most. Certain breeds such as brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats may have difficulty with air travel. Federal regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before flying. Most airlines that will transport pets require a certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) that is issued within 10 days prior to travel. Today, many major airlines allow cats and small dogs to travel in specially designed carry-on luggage that will fit underneath the seat. If you are traveling internationally, consult your veterinarian and/or your state's USDA Veterinary Services Area Office or the destination country's embassy or consulate about additional travel restrictions or quarantine requirements.

Whenever possible, book a nonstop flight and avoid plane changes and busy holidays. During warm weather months, choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights. As of the revision date of this brochure, regulations associated with the Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibit airlines from accepting dogs and cats for shipment if the airline cannot prevent exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45 degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) for more than 45 minutes when the animal is transferred between the terminal and the plane, or for more than 4 hours when the animal is in a holding facility. However, the prohibition against exposure to temperatures below 45 degrees F is waived if a veterinarian provides an acclimation certificate stating that the dog or cat can be exposed to lower temperatures. Your veterinarian cannot issue a certificate allowing exposures to temperatures above 85 degrees F for more than 45 minutes.

Reconfirm your flight arrangements the day before you leave to ensure there have been no unexpected flight changes. Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival at your destination. When boarding the plane, let the flight attendant know that your pet is in the cargo hold. If your pet will be traveling with you in the cabin, arrange to check-in as late as possible to reduce the amount of time your pet will have to spend in the busy terminal.

The various airlines occasionally update their pet travel regulations including restrictions on breeds and size, restrictions relating to weather conditions and time of year, and charges for checked kennels. Consult with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet's well-being and ask about current airline regulations.

Defective kennels are the most common cause of escaped or injured animals during air travel.

Approved transport crates, available from most airlines or pet shops, must:

• Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), sit erect, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.
• Latch securely.
• Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle or grips.
• Have a solid, leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of absorbent material.
• Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address, home phone number, and destination contact information, as well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position. In addition, carry your pet's photo and health information with you on the plane for easy identification in the event the cage label is lost.
• Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded.
   

Take time to accustom your pet to the crate in which it will be traveling. At the airport, you may be asked to remove your pet from the carrier so the carrier can be put through an x-ray scanner. To minimize the chance that you will have to chase a loose pet through the airport, put a halter or collar and leash on your pet before you put it in the carrier.

Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions. For your pet's comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended. The age and size of your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet's regular dietary routine will be considered when feeding recommendations are made. It is recommended that you not give tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air because they can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.

Travel by car

If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a few short rides before your trip so it will feel confident that a car outing does not necessarily mean a trip to the veterinarian or unpleasant destination. If your dog has a problem with carsickness, your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help it feel more comfortable during long trips. Cats should always be confined to a cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to feel secure and prevent them from crawling under the driver's feet. Providing a familiar toy or blanket can help make your pet more comfortable in its carrier. Regardless of the length of the trip, pets should not be left unattended in a car.

A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be confined in a protective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed. Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, and should never be allowed to sit on the driver's lap. Harnesses, tethers, and other accessories to secure pets during car travel are available at most pet stores. Accustom your dog to a seatbelt harness by attaching a leash and taking your dog for short walks while wearing it. Offer your dog a treat and praise at the end of the walk to associate a positive experience with wearing the harness. Don't let your pet ride with its head outside the car window as particles of dirt or other debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection.

During the trip, maintain your regular feeding routine and serve the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water in case other reliable water sources are not available. On long trips, feed your pet small portions of food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet's traveling supplies.

Travel by bus or train

Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and similar regulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are made for guide and service dogs accompanying blind and disabled persons. Consult your local carriers for current information.

Camping with pets

Traveling to country settings with your pet presents its own challenges. Skunks, raccoons, porcupines, snakes, and other wildlife can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Keep your pet within sight and on a leash. Carry an adequate supply of water for you and your dog. Be considerate of other campers. Prior to the trip, ask your veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention and make sure your pet is vaccinated against rabies. Before taking your dog on a long hike, be sure your pet is physically able to handle the exercise.

Additional pet travel & health tips

• When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an antidiarrheal medication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
• In addition to a standard identification tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address, and phone number), your pet's collar should include a travel tag with information on where you are staying while away from home. Should your pet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally.
• Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet's appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.

For more information and helpful tips on traveling with your pet

American Veterinary Medical Association
www.avma.org

Frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet – AVMA
www.avma.org/animal_health/travelingwithpet-faq.asp

Import and Export and Interstate Travel – Veterinary Practice Resource Center – AVMA
www.avma.org/services/vprc/travel.asp

United States Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.htm

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care Pet Travel Page
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml

USDA Veterinary Services Area Offices Locator
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/

International Air Transport Association Live Animals Transportation by Air (includes guidelines on selecting an appropriately sized animal carrier)
www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Importation
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/faq.htm

Kids, dogs and a good book are a great combination, according to researchers in UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine — and they have the data to back that up.

Claudia Bradford is an AHF/Delta Pet Partner with an unusual pet.  Claudia and her mini-horse Lucky were featured in the Orange County register when the Mission Viejo City Council gave her special permission to keep Lucky in the back yard.