Gentle Care Animal Hospital

October Updates from GCAH and Voting for the 2010 Maggy Awards

2009-10-13T18:14:00.003-04:00

Hitting subscriber inboxes in moments is this month's eNews from Gentle Care Animal Hospital!

If you're not on the list, be sure to check it out online: http://www.petrepair.com/enews/2009-10.html.
Included this month:
-Voting for the 2010 Maggy Awards
-PetRepair.com Gets a New Look
-Meet Spotty the Goat
-Fall Reminders
-From the PetRepair.com Blog
-Coming Next Month: The Holidays and Your Pets
If you're not on the list, sign up today! http://www.petrepair.com/enews.html

2010 Maggy Awards - CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY!

This year, Gentle Care Animal Hospital has been nominated in the Maggy Award Categories of Best Veterinary Hospital and Best Grooming - we sincerely appreciate your thoughtful nominations!

We invite you to join us in voting for your local favorites - now through October 31st! Restaurants, shopping, services, and lifestyles are just some of the categories you'll find to vote on. As always, thank you for your support! We truly take great pride in becoming one of your local favorites!

Click here to cast your votes for the 2010 Maggy Awards today!

Wags & Shakes,
The Doctors and Staff of Gentle Care Animal Hospital

A Pet In Your Life Keeps The Doctor Away

2009-09-30T07:21:00.002-04:00

Lowers blood pressure, encourages exercise, improves psychological health - these may sound like the effects of a miracle drug, but they are actually among the benefits of owning a four-legged, furry pet.

"Pets are of great importance to people, especially during hard economic times," "Pets provide unconditional love and acceptance and may be part of answers to societal problems, such as inactivity and obesity."

In the preliminary program, a group of older adults were matched with shelter dogs, while another group of older adults were partnered with a human walk buddy. For 12 weeks, participants were encouraged to walk on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week. At the end of the program, researchers measured how much the older adults' activity levels improved.

"The older people who walked their dogs improved their walking capabilities by 28 percent," Johnson said. "They had more confidence walking on the trail, and they increased their speed. The older people who walked with humans only had a 4 percent increase in their walking capabilities. The human walking buddies tended to discourage each other and used excuses such as the weather being too hot."

Pet ownership may have multiple health and emotional benefits for both children and adults. "Today, pets are in more than 60 percent of American homes and more people are incorporating pets into their leisure time, such as making them part of their exercise routines, taking them to dog parks and bringing them to family events."

Source:
Kelsey Jackson
University of Missouri-Columbia

Agility contests for cats? It's purr for the course

2009-08-26T07:28:00.001-04:00

They work their way through a daunting course of tunnels, jumping and weaving through poles. All on cue. Sort of.But whatever they decide to do, it's more than most normal-thinking people would expect.For these animal athletes are cats, doing their owners' bidding — more or less — in competitions patterned after canine agility contests.
The felines are enticed, cajoled and sometimes just released like bullets to maneuver over or through six to 14 obstacles. The best make it in about 10 seconds or so; the less eager take, well, a few minutes.For pet owners stunned when their own cat deigns to jump off the kitchen counter in the same week she's ordered to do so, the idea of an on-demand feline performance — in public, of all things — seems implausible.

But evidence is appearing at cat shows all over the world, and interest is growing."Many people show up at our events saying, 'I heard there was cat agility, and I didn't believe it. I had to come and see it with my own eyes."They're blown away," says Vickie Shields, a cat-agility pioneer who with three friends put on the first-known contest in Albuquerque in 2003.They founded International Cat Agility Tournaments. The tournaments were held at about 25 shows put on by The International Cat Association clubs in the USA last year and at about 100 worldwide.

"Cats are very smart and very trainable, but they're not dogs. They don't take orders," Shields says. "They will do things you want them to for praise and for fun — and if they want to do it."It's a simple matter of training, she says. Most people use clicker training (a click sound is made when the cat performs the desired action) and toys on sticks as lures to indicate where to go next.

"This whole thing about cats being untrainable is ingrained in society, and it's a myth," Shields says. "Agility is all about showing how smart and trainable they are, the bond between cat and owner, and showing the cats in active, athletic ways that you don't see when they're posed and judged at shows. You can get chills watching the speed and coordination of some of these cats." And not so much with others.

"Some cats will get in there and then quickly decide 'I'm just not doing that' and sit in the middle and take a bath," says Carol Osborne, a certified ringmaster for agility competitions put on by the Cat Fanciers' Association.About 40 shows will feature agility competitions this year, including two this month in Maumee, Ohio, and DelMar, Calif., and three in February in Portland, Ore., Oak Lawn, Ill., and Cincinnati.

"Some of the cats finished in two minutes, some didn't finish at all, some got distracted in the middle and went off on their own adventures,' says Bengal cat breeder Ree Hertzson, who saw her first agility competition at The International Cat Association show in Syracuse. "And the Persians would stop after a few seconds and lie around looking pretty."

At the urging of others at the show that day, Hertzson put her show cat Packer into the agility ring without preparation or training on the part of either owner or feline.

Packer was like a Thoroughbred at the gate. When released, he blasted through the course in 14.5 seconds, directed by a toy Hertzson held. "Some cats are instinctively driven to do it, apparently," says Hertzson, who was astonished by Packer's performance. Also, he's very toy-driven, which prompts him to track wherever the toy goes.

Packer ran the course repeatedly that day and was eager for more. "By the 11th time, he didn't need the toy anymore to know what sequence to follow. He ran me ragged." Most cats require a larger measure of preparation. And shows generally offer opportunities for "practice runs" for newcomer cats and owners."You can observe the new cats going through this, and then, suddenly, the light comes on for them. They get it. They know exactly what they're supposed to do," Shields says.

Says Oborne: "The cats that figure it out and do well love it and finish the run and cry to go back." Then there are the ones that don't."Not all cats reach that light-bulb moment," Shields concedes.Osborne recalls one feline that everyone called Perimeter Cat because each time he got onto the course, "he would not go over, under or through anything, he'd simply trot all around the ring, on the outside of the obstacles, avoiding every one of them. He ran the course many times, and he never did things any differently."

This was not a disappointment to the audience, she says. "Everybody loved watching him."
Indeed, part of the appeal is the possible train-wreck aspect that proves cats are independent thinkers. Another is that any cat can be entered, not just bluebloods. So house cats and shelter kittens have done agility. A three-legged cat has competed and done admirably, as has a blind one.Some things have become evident, Shields says. "Males get distracted more often. But they're also the more powerful jumpers."Another: "Persians will do a couple of obstacles, then rest."
By: Sharon L. Peters, from USA TODAY.

Is Your Cat Right or Left Pawed?

2009-08-11T15:46:00.003-04:00

Clients of mine, Tammy and Chuck, sent me this article so I thought I would pass it on: I think it's pretty interesting.
It may not be obvious from the scratch marks cats dish out, but domestic felines favour one paw over the other. More often than not, females tend to be righties, while toms are lefties, say Deborah Wells and Sarah Millsopp, psychologists at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland.

However, these preferences only manifest when cats perform particularly dexterous feats. That's for the same reason we can open a door with either arm, yet struggle to write legibly with our non-dominant hand. "The more complex and challenging [the task], the more likely we're going to see true handedness," Wells says.

She and Millsopp tasked 42 domestic cats to ferret out a bit of tuna in a jar too small for their heads. Among 21 females, all but one favoured the right paw across dozens of trials, while 20 out of 21 males preferentially used the left. One male proved ambidextrous.

Not so for two simpler activities: pawing at a toy mouse suspended in the air or dragged on ground from a string. No matter their sex, all of the cats wielded their right and left paws about equally on these less demanding tasks.

Hormone levels could explain sex differences in paw choice, Wells says. Previous research has linked prenatal testosterone exposure to left-handedness. While studies of two other domestic animals, dogs and horses, revealed similar sex biases.

Journal reference: Animal Behaviour (DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.06.010)

Tuning In To Your Cat

2009-07-26T07:34:00.001-04:00

Anyone who has ever had cats knows how difficult it can be to get them to do anything they don't already want to do. But it seems that the house cats themselves have had distinctly less trouble getting humans to do their bidding, according to a report published in the July 14th issue of Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.

The rather crafty felines motivate people to fill their food dishes by sending something of a mixed signal: an urgent cry or meowing sound embedded within an otherwise pleasant purr. The result is a call that humans generally find annoyingly difficult to ignore.

"The embedding of a cry within a call that we normally associate with contentment is quite a subtle means of eliciting a response," said Karen McComb of the University of Sussex. "Solicitation purring is probably more acceptable to humans than overt meowing, which is likely to get cats ejected from the bedroom." She suggests that this form of cat communication sends a subliminal sort of message, tapping into an inherent sensitivity that humans and other mammals have to cues relevant in the context of nurturing their offspring.

McComb said that she was inspired by her own cat, who consistently wakes her up in the mornings with a very insistent purr. She learned in talking with other cat owners that some of their cats too had mastered the same manipulative trick. As a scientist who already studied vocal communication in mammals, from elephants to lions, she decided to get to the bottom of it.

It turned out that wasn't so easy to do. The cats were perfectly willing to use their coercive cries in private, but when strangers came around they tended to clam right up. Her team therefore had to train cat owners to record their own cats' cries.

In a series of playback experiments with those calls, they found that humans judged the purrs recorded while cats were actively seeking food as more urgent and less pleasant than those made in other contexts, even if they had never had a cat themselves.

"We found that the crucial factor determining the urgency and pleasantness ratings that purrs received was an unusual high-frequency element - reminiscent of a cry or meow - embedded within the naturally low-pitched purr," McComb said. "Human participants in our experiments judged purrs with high levels of this element to be particularly urgent and unpleasant." When the team re-synthesised the recorded purrs to remove the embedded cry, leaving all else unchanged, the urgency ratings for those calls decreased significantly.

McComb said she thinks this cry occurs at a low level in cats' normal purring, "but we think that cats learn to dramatically exaggerate it when it proves effective in generating a response from humans." In fact, not all cats use this form of purring at all, she said, noting that it seems to most often develop in cats that have a one-on-one relationship with their owners rather than those living in large households, where their purrs might get overlooked by poorly trained people.

In those instances, she said, cats seem to find it more effective to stick to the standard meow.

The researchers include Karen McComb, University of Sussex, Brighton, U.K.; Anna M. Taylor, University of Sussex, Brighton, U.K.; Christian Wilson, University of Sussex, Brighton, U.K.; Benjamin D. Charlton, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, GA.

Source:
Cathleen Genova
Cell Press

Rabies: How To Protect Yourself And Your Pets

2009-07-19T07:26:00.000-04:00

Rabies is a virus that occurs in mammals and infects the central nervous system; the disease can cause death in humans if it is not treated. Nearly 90 percent of cases occur in wild animals (raccoons, bats, foxes etc.); less than 10% of cases occur in domestic animals like dogs or cats. Humans usually become infected when they are bitten by an infected animal.

Early symptoms of rabies are fever, headache and general malaise. Since these are similar to other illnesses, infected persons often do not seek treatment because they are unaware they have rabies.

Progressive symptoms include:

-- Insomnia

-- Anxiety/confusion

-- Partial paralysis

-- Agitation

-- Hallucination

-- Excess saliva

-- Difficulty swallowing

-- Fear of water

If you have been bitten by any animal you should seek medical care immediately. After possible exposure to rabies, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. Treatment for someone who has contracted rabies is called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP treatment consists of one dose of a substance called immune globulin and five doses of the rabies vaccine over 28 days, both of which help your body fight the virus. Treatment must be given as soon after exposure as possible for the best chance of recovery.

If you see an animal you suspect of having rabies, you should call your local health department or animal control agency. These agencies will have ways to safely remove the animal from the area so that no one becomes infected. Infected animals often display symptoms similar to those listed above and may seem to be acting strangely or seen somewhere outside their normal habitat.

The best way to prevent the spread of rabies is to have all your pets vaccinated against the virus. This will also help prevent them from being infected if they come in contact with an infected animal.

NC Health Info is a guide to reliable health and medical information that links users to local health services throughout North Carolina.

Puppy love: More pets partake in even formal weddings

2009-06-24T06:41:00.001-04:00

Wedding attendants are going to the dogs.

Pet-loving couples are increasingly including their dogs (and other pets, to a much lesser degree) in the wedding parties of some very formal weddings — decking them out in silk and satin and including them in the receiving line, on the program and in the portraits.

"Many people think of their pets as family members, and they wouldn't think of having a special day like this without that member," says Celina Bojorquez, co-owner of Beverly Hills Mutt Club, purveyor of upscale accessories like doggie tuxedos ($70 and up) and couture dresses ($170 to $500).

The shop has outfitted canines for scores of weddings in the last couple of years. Not all have been done up in full-dress regalia; some have merely donned accessories for a little special-day elegance. Bojorquez has sold dog-besotted soon-to-weds silk ties and bow ties for their four-legged pals, satin bandanas, crystal leads and collars, and, in one case, a gold harness and leash to match the bride's gold dress.

Though pets have long been part of casual weddings in meadows, on mountaintops and at the seashore, their participation in chichi affairs at the most ornate churches and refined locales is a more recent phenomenon.

Increased numbers not withstanding, not everyone is completely enchanted with the notion of animals in the aisles or at the altar. Many locales prohibit them; many families and wedding planners discourage their participation.

Lynda Barness of I Do Wedding Consulting in Philadelphia always warns couples of the potential perils — "animals are animals, and they can do animal things," she says — and so far all her clients have concluded that including pets in the wedding party isn't necessary. "But as part of the portraits, that's just fine."

Her concerns range from potty issues to a dog acting up because it's not used to being in a room with 300 people to the fact that "the bride and the groom and others in the wedding party have enough to tend to that day."

Also, "if a dog isn't used to wearing a top hat, there may be issues."

Beth Anstandig of Los Gatos, Calif., acknowledges there may be matters to work out but says having her own two border collies involved made her wedding day even more special. "The guests loved it," she says. And she and her husband cherish the photos featuring the dogs — especially because both have since died.

"We are so happy to be able to look back and remember them as they were on that day."

He's a loved one, too

"The family was a little skeptical," Kaycee English says with a chuckle about the moment last year when she announced that Bowser, the Australian shepherd pup she and John English had fallen for on Petfinder.com, would be part of her fancy wedding. "Bowser had instantly become a family member." They adopted him from Purrs and Pups Animal Rescue in Riverdale, N.J., weeks before their wedding day.

"The people I loved would be there, and there was no way Bowser wouldn't be," says English, of Freehold, N.J., who works for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So she bought Bowser a canine ring-bearer outfit, and he pulled off his wedding-day role without incident (dissolving a worried dad's concern about crazy-dog potential and lost rings).

No pets? 'Unimaginable'

Los Gatos, Calif., psychotherapist Beth Anstandig was something of a trendsetter when, five years ago, she informed her stunned parents that her beloved border collies, Levi, 11, and blue-eyed Frank, 9, would be attending her very fancy, very formal wedding.

The dogs had joined her on road trips, seen her through grad school, accompanied her to classes when she was a teacher and "helped me grow up," she says. It would have been "unimaginable" to have such an important day without them.

Her fiancé, Eric Killough, had grown to love the dogs, too. He joked that he intended to have an "adoption ceremony" to formalize his relationship with them.

On the wedding day, a groomsman walked Levi and Frank down the aisle to the altar, and there they remained quietly throughout the vows. "They weren't there because it was cute to have them there," Anstandig says. "They were there because they belonged there. It would have felt incomplete without them."

Speak now or forever hold your pooch

Jessica Sempek of Skokie, Ill., encountered some "naysayers who thought it was strange" when the topic of Emmie and Lady Bug being part of the ceremony arose during the planning of her elegant wedding to Scott Stewart last summer. But those voices were quickly silenced.

"We have two of the most amazing girls," Sempek says. The couple adopted the two mixed-breed Kentucky-born rescues months apart from Heavenly Hearts Rescue of Southeastern Wisconsin.

When the couple — she works for the American Medical Association, he's a hospice nurse — exchanged vows, the two dogs were at the altar. They were walked down the aisle on rhinestone leashes by the groom's nephew.

By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY

New airline Pet Airways' only passengers to be four-legged

2009-06-19T14:48:00.001-04:00

A solution to some of the anxiety that Deborah Kehoe Wade and other pet owners suffer when they have to put a furry family member on a plane may be around the corner.

It's the sort of anxiety Wade experienced when she moved from Washington, D.C., to Bogota, Colombia, two years ago, despite paying a New York pet travel service more than $2,000 to ship her pets.

"The guy in New York did a good job," Wade says of the service. "He was very nice. But it was kind of disconcerting. You never met him. You just talked to him on the phone. And you're trusting him with your pet.

"I do think it would be nice to take your dog out to the airport and hand your pet to a person who can tell you that they personally will put your pet on the plane and see to his needs," she says.

Soon, pet owners who live in a handful of large U.S. cities will have the ability to do that. Pet Airways plans to begin service on July 14 as the USA's first pets-only carrier — no human passengers allowed. The introductory fare: $149 each way. For that, pets will be flown in individual crates in lighted and pressurized plane cabins, with a human attendant checking them every 15 minutes. They'll board, just like people, from their own airport lounges and get overnight lodging accommodations on long-haul flights. Their owners can track their whereabouts at all times online. They can even earn "pet points" as frequent fliers.

Pet Airways won't solve every owner's needs initially. It will serve only five U.S. destinations: Baltimore/Washington International Airport, plus non-commercial airports in the New York City area, and in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. It's catering to dogs and cats starting out. And it'll fly each route once a week.

But Pet Airways founders, husband and wife team Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, have big expansion plans and are convinced there will be plenty of demand from pet lovers to achieve them.

"We're planning on growth to 25 cities in the next couple of years," Binder says.

Potty breaks for 'pawsengers'

Lots of start-up airlines with big ambitions have failed. Unlike Pet Airways, most didn't launch amid a deep recession. But Binder and Wiesel believe they've found the right specialty market and a modest enough operating plan to make it.

"There're about 87 million U.S. households that have pets. It's a niche market, no doubt. But the pet community — pet owners and pet lovers — they get it," Binder says. "They've known for a long time that there's a need for this. We're pet owners ourselves. We are our own market."

The key to Pet Airways' success may be its choice of aircraft: the affordable, economical Beech 1900. Designed as a 19-passenger turboprop for use by regional carriers serving small markets, the 1900 used to be one of the most widely used planes by regional airlines. But travelers' preference for jets forced airlines to abandon turboprops starting in the late 1990s, even though jets are more expensive to operate. That left the market flooded with little-used 1900s.

Geoffrey Gallup, co-owner of Suburban Air Freight, an Omaha-based air-freight specialist that will operate Pet Airways' planes under contract, says he can supply as many 1900s as Pet Airways needs. If it needs more than the four 1900s currently in Suburban Air's fleet, Gallup says, more can be obtained for about $1.5 million each. That's paltry compared with the $10 million to $35 million price tags on used jets.

The 1900 won't fly as fast or as far as a jet. But unlike time-conscious humans, dogs and cats shouldn't mind. Making more frequent stops for fuel actually is a good thing for animals. It'll give attendants time to get the animals out of the plane for a walk and potty break.

With all its passenger seats removed except those for in-flight pet attendants, the 1900 can hold up to 50 small animal crates, though typically it will fly with smaller numbers of what the airline calls "pawsengers."

"It's a completely novel idea that is fascinating to me," Gallup says. "The more we talked to Dan and Alysa about it, the more we came to see that they've done their homework."

Pet comfort and owners' peace of mind are what Pet Airways is selling more than the transportation. It's a lesson Binder and Wiesel learned from experience.

In 2005, the couple moved from California's Bay Area, where they'd been successful recruiters for and consultants to several venture-capital groups and tech start-ups. They figured that Zoe, their 17-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was too old to make the cross-country drive to Delray Beach, Fla., comfortably. Zoe traveled in the dark belly of a jetliner.

Zoe survived the flight better than Binder and Wiesel, who fretted while their dog was in transit.

"We thought there had to be a better way," Binder says. That was the genesis of Pet Airways.

Owners' fear bigger than risk

Few of the estimated 1 million or more animals that fly annually are lost, injured or die during air travel. In 2005, the first year that airlines had to report those numbers, 102 pets died, 48 were reported injured and 30 more were lost. In 2008, only 31 pets (dogs, cats and birds) died in transit on airlines, with only eight injuries and four animals reported as lost, according to the website PetFlight.com.

But it's not necessarily statistics that matter most to owners. It's a perceived lack of comfort, the sometimes hassle involved in transporting live animals by air, and a fear that their pets will be harmed that spark anxiety.

There are commonly quoted, but hard-to-substantiate, statistics from various animal welfare groups that suggest more pets are harmed in transit than the officially reported numbers indicate. Pet Airways itself quotes a study by the San Francisco SPCA that estimates that about 5,000 animals are injured, out of an estimated 1 million to 2 million that travel by air each year.

It's Pet Airways' goal to ease those concerns by convincing owners its service is safer.

"We're going to provide a level of care that will both keep your pet comfortable and make you comfortable with the whole process of transporting them," Binder says.

Not the only way to fly

Pet Airways isn't launching its service into a competitive vacuum. Although their policies vary widely, all the USA's biggest passenger airlines allow at least some type of pet travel.

Even Southwest (LUV), which had never allowed pets onboard, announced last month that it would let cats and dogs in the cabin if their approved carriers fit under a passenger's seat.

In recent years, two airlines, Continental (CAL) and Delta (DAL), have created special operations aimed at treating animals better. The few available statistics don't prove conclusively that their approach is safer or more successful, but their goal is to make people comfortable with the idea of putting their pets on planes, thereby giving the owners greater reason to fly on them, too.

Continental's PetSafe program (Delta's similar program is called Pet First) features airport kennels at its hubs and temperature-controlled vans that deliver pets to planes moments before they push back from gates and pick them up immediately after a plane docks. That gives pets last-on/first-off treatment and reduces chances of prolonged exposure to temperature extremes on the loading ramp and potential hazards in cargo areas.

"We have specialized workers in our hubs who actually bid for PetSafe jobs. That's all they do, work with animals all day long," says Lisa Schoppa, manager of product development in Continental's cargo division. "Most importantly, they're empowered. If they see something wrong with a puppy, for example, they have full authority to pull that puppy off the flight line and take them to a vet if they think that's necessary."

In addition, there are about 300 independent pet travel specialists around the world who are members of the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association. These companies are best described as travel agencies for pets, says Gay O'Brien, IPATA's president and head of family-owned O'Brien Animal Transportation & Services in Foster City, Calif.

Pet travel companies help humans navigate the complex and often contradictory rules that govern animal travel.

Their services, which can include door-to-door service or other special handling arrangements, cost more than dealing directly with the airlines, even though most animals shipped this way wind up being on the same planes. But pet travel companies argue that their value-added services reduce owners' hassles, and are worth it.

Obesity Is A Problem For Dogs, Too!

2009-06-17T06:22:00.000-04:00

It's not just humans that suffer from obesity - vets say that emerging obesity problems in dogs are leading to shorter lives and reduced quality of life.

The warning comes in the wake of the launch of an over-the-counter weight loss treatment for humans.

Dr Alex German, an expert in dog nutrition and obesity problems, from Liverpool University, said: "Some estimates say that around 40% of pet dogs in the US are overweight or clinically obese*, and the anecdotal evidence from colleagues is that we are already seeing a similar problem in Europe.

"Excess weight results from lack of exercise and inappropriate diet and, if owners are working longer hours, they will have less time to exercise their dogs properly. The credit crunch may potentially have an impact, since it may make owners more reluctant to take their pet to a veterinary surgeon, thereby missing out on important advice on health and wellbeing."

As in humans, overweight dogs may experience associate medical problems including arthritis, respiratory problems, diabetes and incontinence. Some pre-existing conditions, such as osteoarthritis, may be exacerbated, and the dog's quality of life reduced because of its impaired ability to play and take exercise.

Dr German said: "Once a dog becomes obese, or even overweight, it really is best to take veterinary advice about how to solve the problem. Sudden implementation of a rigorous exercise routine, without consideration of co-existing health problems, may exacerbate the problem.

"Weight loss usually involves a combination of dietary energy restriction, increasing activity levels and, in some cases, prescription medicines," said Dr German

"Although many of these impose a potential financial cost and in a recession, owners may be less willing to carry the financial cost."

In some breeds, and in cross breed dogs, it can be difficult for owners to establish the ideal weight, and information available on the internet may not always be accurate or appropriate.

He stressed that dogs can become overweight for all sorts of reasons - including compulsive eating and theft of food, begging from people other than the owner, and pre-existing medical conditions which limit their exercise. "Food is associated with love, which means you are dealing with both diet and psychology," he said.

*According to The American Veterinary Association, a dog which is 5-20% over its ideal weight is 'overweight', and one which is 20% or more over its ideal weight is 'obese'.

For further information, please visit http://www.canineobesity.info

Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc, is a world leader in animal health, committed to providing high-quality, innovative health products, including pharmaceuticals and biologicals for livestock and companion animals. Pfizer Inc, a research-based pharmaceutical company with global operations, discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals.

Source
Pfizer Animal Health

New Canine Mast Cell Tumor Treatment

2009-06-07T08:09:00.002-04:00

Pfizer Animal Health today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first canine cancer therapy in the U.S. - PALLADIATM (toceranib phosphate) - which was developed by Pfizer to treat mast cell tumors in dogs. Pfizer made the announcement to veterinarians attending the 2009 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Convention.

"Pfizer Animal Health is proud to bring the first canine cancer therapy approved by the FDA to U.S. specialists, their patients and caregivers," said George Fennell, vice president, Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health. "In the weeks and months ahead, Pfizer will introduce PALLADIA to boarded specialists to expand the body of clinical experience with this new therapy. The experience gained during this time will enable us to support veterinarians more effectively when we make the product available for purchase in early 2010," Fennell said.

Pet caregivers should continue to consult with their local veterinarians about options for their dogs with cancer, who may then refer appropriate cases to specialists for treatment with PALLADIA.

A new option to treat canine mast cell tumors

According to the Morris Animal Foundation, cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs. 1

Pfizer Animal Health estimates 1.2 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the U.S. every year. 2 Mast cell tumors are the second most common tumor type and are often seen as lumps in the skin. These tumors are classified as grade I, II or III, with grade III being the most severe. If not treated, they can spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes.

Prescription-only PALLADIA is an oral therapy indicated to treat Patnaik grade II or III recurrent cutaneous mast cell tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement. PALLADIA belongs to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) class of compounds. It works by blocking the activity of key receptors important for the development of blood vessels that supply tumors, as well as receptors critical for tumor survival.

"PALLADIA is an exciting, new treatment option for dogs with mast cell tumors," said Cheryl London, DVM, PhD, board certified medical oncologist and associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

"At the completion of a PALLADIA clinical study, approximately 60% of dogs had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop growing. Also, we determined that dogs whose tumors responded to PALLADIA experienced an improved quality of life,"3 said Dr. London, who has helped Pfizer Animal Health's Veterinary Medicine Research & Development to develop PALLADIA since 2000.

PALLADIA can be administered in a veterinary clinic or in the home by a dog's caregiver. PALLADIA is not for human use and is only available in the U.S. Adverse events with PALLADIA can be serious but most are mild to moderate and are generally manageable. The most common side effects of PALLADIA involve the gastrointestinal tract and signs include diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy and vomiting. Life-threatening adverse events are rare but possible and early recognition is critical. Children should not come in contact with PALLADIA. In addition, all individuals, including children and pregnant women, should avoid direct contact with broken or partially-dissolved PALLADIA tablets or biological waste from dogs treated with PALLADIA. For specific dosing and prescribing information, visit http://www.palladia-pi.com.

Veterinarian Offers Advice On Evacuating With A Pet If Disaster Strikes

2009-05-16T10:41:00.000-04:00

A veterinarian at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine has advice for pet owners who want to consider how pets fit into their own household emergency plans -- especially if that includes evacuating.

Dr. Marjory Artzer, professor of clinical sciences, suggests thinking about the supplies you'd ordinarily have on hand at home but may not have access to if forced to evacuate. This includes pet food, which can be bagged in easy to handle amounts, as well as bottled water, a leash, a pet carrier and an adequate amount of any medications your pet regularly takes.

Artzer said heartworm medications and flea/tick preventatives are essential. Pet owners also may want to include bandaging material for wounds.

Pets not of the canine or feline variety require considerations in addition to the basics like food and water. Artzer said owners should think about a safe means of transport and a way for environmental temperature control.

Artzer also suggests bringing along paperwork like health records and registration.

"It may make a difference in how the pet is handled," she said.

Having pets properly identified can make an emergency or evacuation go more smoothly, too.

"An ID tag on a collar is an easy way to see immediately, but they can get lost," she said. "A permanent way is microchipping."

In an emergency, your pet's nerves can be just as frayed as yours. To make animals more comfortable, Artzer suggests doing a pets' favorite activity every day, whether it's walking, playing ball or just brushing its fur.The best time to think about an emergency or evacuation plan for your pet is before disaster strikes. Artzer suggests thinking of alternatives to evacuating with your pet ahead of time.

"Have a backup plan for help, like a friend or boarding facility," she said. "It is important to think ahead."

Source: Kansas State University

Flu Outbreak: There's More Than One Doctor In The House

2009-05-16T06:21:00.000-04:00

Physicians aren't the only ones on the front lines of the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak. Veterinarians play an important role, too.

Whether they're conducting research or serving as "disease detectives" at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, playing a critical role in state and local health departments or ensuring the health of our domestic swine herds by continuing to give regular vaccinations against influenza and increasing biosurveillance and security measures on farms, veterinarians are in the middle of the action when it comes to identifying and helping control the H1N1 flu.

"Veterinary medicine is so much more than giving vaccinations to pets," says Dr. Faye Sorhage, president of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians and the New Jersey state public health veterinarian. "When you look at all the new, emerging diseases, there are so many that are zoonotic in origin that require the expertise of both physicians and veterinarians. That's what's happening today. These experts are working side-by-side on this flu virus."

And that's a good thing for all involved, says Dr. Russell Currier, the executive vice president of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, the professional organization responsible for certifying veterinary specialists who work in food animal health and public health.

"This new outbreak shows that we have emerging infectious diseases that can spread very quickly," he said. "It took Magellan three years to circumnavigate the globe, but you can do it now in a day."

Sorhage echoes those concerns.

"Globalization is adding to our concerns, which makes increased surveillance, detection, testing and research, especially when it comes to these new viruses and zoonotic diseases, so important," she said. "The situation mandates the participation of skilled veterinarians working in these areas."

It's long been known that many diseases affecting people have animal origins. Take, for example, West Nile virus, monkeypox, Ebola -- and some types of influenza. Veterinarians play a critical role in identifying, controlling and helping treat all of them.

"This traditional inter-relationship between disciplines has existed for a long time and continues to grow stronger every day," Currier said. "We have a history of physicians working with animal diseases and veterinarians working on human diseases. We need the physician, the veterinarian, the virologist, the epidemiologist and the environmental scientist to research these diseases. This flu episode brings into sharp focus the importance of one medicine."

Dr. Roger K. Mahr, former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has championed the One Health concept since his installation as AVMA president in 2006, when he made it the cornerstone of his term in office.

Mahr continues that effort today in his duties as project director for the One Health Joint Steering Committee, and in light of the challenges the world is facing with the H1N1 outbreak, a spotlight on a united approach to world health couldn't be timelier.

"The newly emerging H1N1 virus clearly underscores the need to embrace the One Health concept, which is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines, working locally, nationally and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment," Mahr said. "The basis for understanding and addressing the 2009 H1N1 virus, as well as other emerging and potentially emerging diseases, is that a changing environment populated by interconnected animals and people creates integrated challenges. These challenges require integrated solutions and call for collaborative leadership."

Dr. Peggy Carter, president of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, said the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak once again highlights the role veterinarians play in keeping both animals and people healthy and safe.

"People and animals are aligned in a new health paradigm, just like our banks are linked in a global financial system," Carter said. "This really is one team, one fight."

The AVMA and its more than 78,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

New Doctor's Joining the Team At Gentle Care Animal Hospital

2009-05-13T15:36:00.002-04:00

We are happy to announce that we have two new doctor's joining the team at Gentle Care Animal Hospital. They both have a combined experience of around 20 years and both bring a unique experience to the practice. I know you will immediately feel comfortable with both of them so without further ado let's start the introductions.

Dr. Diona L. Krahn grew up nearby in Rockingham, NC. She graduated from Meredith College in 1994 with a batchelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Since her graduation from NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, Dr Krahn has been providing care for small animals in the Cary/Apex area. During her years in practice, Dr. Krahn has obtained advanced training and experience in veterinary dentistry. She also has a special interest in endocrine disease. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, and The American Veterinary Dental Society. Outside of small animal practice, Dr. Krahn enjoys yoga, cycling, hiking, being outdoors and spending time with her family. The Krahn family includes Dr. Krahn and her husband, two young active boys (Xander and Cael), two cats (Bob and Abigail), and a Whippet named Cooper.

Dr. Jennifer Parker is originally from Columbia, SC. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Duke University and then attended the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 she practiced small animal medicine in Statesville, NC for 4 years. Dr. Parker then moved to Houston, Texas where she has worked for the last 5 years. She recently relocated back to North Carolina and joined Gentle Care Animal Hospital in May 2009. She lives in Cary with her husband, Eric, two daughters, Caroline and Lauren, and two dogs, Jack and Georgia.

Pork Products Are Safe To Consume, Human Exposure To Pigs Will Not Infect You, Says American Veterinary Medical Association

2009-05-04T06:48:00.000-04:00

Human exposure to pigs and the consumption of pork products will not increase your risk of becoming infected with swine flu, says AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association). Pork products are safe to eat, the association stresses.

Dr. Ron DeHaven, CEO, AVMA said "This disease is transmitted from human to human and, as far as we know right now, it does not involve pigs, livestock or pets. That said, the association advises people to follow proper cooking guidelines for all meat products including pork to avoid food borne illnesses such as salmonella."

According to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, no new virus has been found in pigs.

Dr. DeHaven said "The AVMA is working with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and so far there have been no reports of outbreaks among swine herds, although members of the group are stepping up surveillance for the virus and keeping in close contact with federal and state animal health officials."

Dr. Bret Marsh, the Indiana state veterinarian, explained "It's unfortunate that this flu strain is being called swine flu, because the virus is a combination of viruses including swine, poultry and human influenzas. The reality is that swine flu hasn't been found in swine populations in the USA."

The AVMA believes that this new virus is being transmitted from human-to-human. People who had no contact with pigs are transmitting the virus to other people who had no contact with pigs, says the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The CDC adds that there is no evidence that pigs have been infected with this new virus.

The virus is believed to originate in North America, where cases of infection were first reported. It has caused serious illness and deaths in Mexico, and one death in the USA. However, Mexican authorities say the death rate is falling fast as health services rapidly learn to treat people effectively and the population seeks medical help as soon as symptoms appear.

Symptoms of Swine Flu, or North American Influenza

Ordinary seasonal human flu like symptoms

Fever
Cough
Sore Throat
Aching body and bones
Fatigue
An additional symptom can include diarrhea and/or vomiting

Source
American Veterinary Medical Association

Further information on Swine Flu

See a Map Of H1N1 Outbreaks
See our Mexico Swine Flu Blog

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today

Purdue Professor Links Gum And Heart Diseases In Dogs

2009-04-19T10:39:00.001-04:00

Purdue University study has recently demonstrated a link between gum diseases and heart problems in dogs.

"Our data shows a clear statistical link between gum disease and heart disease in dogs," said Larry Glickman, a professor of epidemiology, who conducted the study. "We knew from previously published research that there was growing evidence of a link between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes, birth defects and low birthweight among humans. So we thought it was time to assess whether such a link existed in dogs. The research is important because gum disease occurs in up to 75 percent of all dogs by middle age."

Glickman's study was published in the February edition of the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association.

For his research, Glickman examined records of 59,296 dogs with gum disease and matched them to those of a similar number of dogs without gum problems. He followed the dogs over time to see which ones developed heart diseases and the type of heart disease that developed. He then did statistical tests to see if the incidence of heart disease would increase as the severity of the gum disease increased.

Moving forward, Glickman wants to understand how gum and cardiac diseases are related.

"We'll first evaluate whether gum disease in dogs causes systemic signs of inflammation and identify the specific bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for inflammation," he said. "Knowing the mechanism is important because it'll allow us to develop preventive drugs and then examine their effectiveness. We can also get pet food companies to develop foods that will prevent gum disease in dogs and cats."

Gum diseases can be prevented by good oral hygiene and regular visits to a veterinarian who can scale and clean the dog's teeth, Glickman said. But many pet owners don't realize that gum disease causes more than just bad breath, he added.

Glickman was assisted in his research by George Moore, a veterinarian at Purdue University's Small Animal Hospital, Gary Goldstein, a veterinary dentist at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota at St. Paul, Minn., and Elizabeth Lund at the Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, Ore.

Writer: Soumitro Sen

Source
Purdue University

Soy May Aid In Treating Canine Cancers

2009-04-19T10:37:00.000-04:00

Researchers at North Carolina State University are looking to soy as a way to make traditional canine cancer therapy more effective, less stressful for the dog and less costly for the owners.

Dr. Steven Suter, assistant professor of oncology, and NC State colleagues studied genistein - a molecule found in soy that has been shown to be toxic to a wide variety of cancer cells in humans - to determine whether it would also inhibit the growth of canine lymphoma cells.

The researchers found that a commercially available form of genistein called GCP was effective in killing canine lymphoid cells in a laboratory setting, and that GCP is "bioavailable" in canines - meaning it is absorbed into the bloodstream where it can affect cancer cells in the body. The researchers hope that their findings will lead to the use of GCP for their canine patients in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

The researchers' findings were published in Clinical Cancer Research.

"Humans have been using soy in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy for some time as a chemo potentiator," Suter says. "This means that the GCP makes the chemotherapy work more efficiently and faster, which translates to less stress on the patient and less money spent on chemotherapy."

Since dogs absorb GCP in much the same way that humans do, Suter hopes that veterinarians will be able to offer this therapy to canine patients in the near future.

"Since GCP is a dietary supplement, it is harmless to patients," he adds. "Plus it's inexpensive and easy to administer in a pill form. There's really no downside here."

Source:
Tracey Peake
North Carolina State University

What Does Your Dog Say About You?

2009-04-19T10:36:00.001-04:00

Yes, you can match a dog to its owner. But the match is only skin deep. This is the finding of a study presented at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference in Brighton.

In the study, carried out by Charis Hunter and Dr Lance Workman at Bath Spa University, a group of 70 people who do not own a dog were asked to match photos of 41 dog owners to three possible breeds - labrador, poodle or Staffordshire bull terrier. Owners were correctly matched to their breed of dog above the level of chance.

Dr Lance Workman said: "This suggests that certain breeds of dogs are associated with particular kinds of people. The non dog owners used stereotypes to match the dogs to their owners. These stereotypes persisted into judgements of the dog owners' personalities: non dog owners considered the owners of each breed to share certain personality traits.

"But when we tested the dog owners' personalities, we found no strong links between any particular personality trait and choice of dog breed, so any shared qualities are only skin deep."

Source
British Psychological Society

Tobacco Is Toxic For Toto Too

2009-04-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

The American Legacy Foundation(R) is challenging pet owners to quit smoking for their pets during the month of April, which kicks off Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. A growing body of research shows there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke -- for humans or for animals. And one new study shows that nearly 30 percent of pet owners live with at least one smoker -- a number far too high given the consequences of exposure to secondhand smoke ("SHS").

"Secondhand smoke doesn't just affect people," said Dr. Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, President and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation(R), the national independent public health foundation dedicated to keeping young people from smoking and providing resources to smokers who want to quit. "While most Americans have been educated about the dangers of smoking to their own bodies, it is equally important that pet owners take action to protect their beloved domestic pets from the dangers of secondhand smoke."

An estimated 50,000 Americans lose their lives to secondhand smoke annually and 4 million youth (16 percent) are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. A number of studies have indicated that animals, too, face health risks when exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke, from respiratory problems, allergies and even nasal and lung cancer in dogs and lymphoma in cats. In addition, the ASPCA, one of the largest animal rights groups in the U.S., lists tobacco smoke as a toxin that is dangerous to pets.

"Nicotine from secondhand smoke can have effects to the nervous systems of cats and dogs," said Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Medical Director of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center. "Environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans. Studies have shown increases in certain types of respiratory cancers in dogs that live in homes with smokers. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke has been shown to cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts. For these reasons, owners should not expose their pets to secondhand smoke in order to minimize the risk of their pets developing lung disease or cancer."

According to a study published in the February 2009 edition of Tobacco Control, 28 percent of pet owners who smoke reported that information on the dangers of pet exposure to SHS would motivate them to try to quit smoking. These findings, coupled with the research on the effects of SHS exposure to animals, signals a new front in the public health community's battle to save lives from tobacco-related disease.

In order to better protect dogs, cats or other pets, the foundation and ASPCA recommend that smokers -- who often consider their domestic pets a part of the family -- "take it outside" when they are smoking. The foundation also provides resources and information to smokers who want to quit for their own health through a national campaign called EX(R), including a Web site for smokers who are quitting just for their pets:

-- EX encourages smokers to approach quitting smoking as "re-learning life without cigarettes"

-- The resources from the campaign help smokers consider the "triggers" that make them want to smoke each day. The program is based on helping people understand that if they can get through each part of their day without a cigarette, they can quit for good.

-- The campaign features www.BecomeAnEX.org, a state-of-the-art Web site with interactive tools and information to help smokers prepare for quitting by developing a personalized plan. The EX Web site offers a virtual community and forums where smokers can share stories and best practices about their quit attempt.

The American Legacy Foundation(R) is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington, D.C., the foundation develops programs that address the health effects of tobacco use, especially among vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco, through grants, technical assistance and training, partnerships, youth activism, and counter-marketing and grassroots marketing campaigns. The foundation's programs include truth(R), a national youth smoking prevention campaign that has been cited as contributing to significant declines in youth smoking; EX(R), an innovative public health program designed to speak to smokers in their own language and change the way they approach quitting; research initiatives exploring the causes, consequences and approaches to reducing tobacco use; and a nationally-renowned program of outreach to priority populations. The American Legacy Foundation was created as a result of the November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry.

Source: American Legacy Foundation

ProLabs Launches USDA-Approved LTCI To Aid In Treatment Of FeLV And FIV

2009-04-19T10:30:00.000-04:00

Veterinarians and Cat Owners Get Help in Treating Killer Diseases. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are the most common life-threatening infectious diseases of cats. Until LTCI's introduction, there was no approved treatment for these widespread, incurable viruses that, like HIV/AIDS in people, suppress the immune system.

About 3% of all US cats are infected with FeLV, and a similar number suffer with FIV. These rates are dramatically higher in stray cats and house cats that go outside.

As news of the availability of LTCI's (Lymphocyte T-Cell Immunomodulator) groundbreaking technology spread, excited cat owners were buzzing about it well before most veterinarians had an opportunity to read about it in their professional journals.

"As soon as we announced the launch of LTCI, concerned pet owners and hopeful veterinarians -- who have been looking for a treatment for FeLV-FIV for decades -- have been calling and e-mailing with questions about how LTCI works and where to get it," reports Brian Reardon, Brand Manager for ProLabs, Ltd., the marketers of LTCI. "It's a great product to talk about: It's safe, and as the only FeLV/FIV treatment that has ever been granted a conditional license by the USDA, ProLabs is in a very enviable position within the pet animal health world."

Until LTCI became available, veterinarians who diagnosed feline patients with FeLV and/or FIV had no approved treatment for these disorders. "LTCI provides veterinarians with an approved treatment option beyond anything previously possible. Telling clients that 'there is nothing to be done' for their cat should no longer be in a practitioner's lexicon when it comes to treating cats with FeLV/FIV," commented ProLabs Technical Services Manager, Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig, at a recent meeting of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Source
ProLabs and Tradewinds, divisions of AgriLabs, Ltd.

Make a Pet-Safe Carpet Deodorizer

2009-04-01T08:08:00.001-04:00

It isn't hard to find carpet powders at most grocery and home improvement stores, but finding one without a lengthy list of chemicals inside is another story. Keep Fido and Whiskers happy with a DIY mixture.

Having a pet increases the odors in your home, especially on the carpets and upholstery they spend all day lounging on. While strongly scented carpet powders can most certainly help you get the smells outs, most store bought powers have all sorts of compounds in them you may not want your pets sniffing up. Fortunately over at the home design blog Re-Nest, they've shared a simple and pet-friendly alternative to store bought powders:

Baking soda is an ever-popular deodorizer and it's pet-safe. Crush up a handful of dry lavender and mix with a cup of baking soda, and sprinkle that over your carpet. If you'd like to use essential oils, mix a few drops of your favorite(s) in with baking soda (not enough to make it wet), and then break up any clumps and sprinkle that over your carpet.

Let it sit for a bit, vacuum it up, and you've got fresher and fido-friendly carpets.

Cat on a leash: We'll walk you through it

2009-02-25T17:50:00.001-05:00

By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY

Back in the late 1950s when I was a wee one in small-town Maine, we all — kids and grown-ups alike — snickered relentlessly at the lady who lived across Benton Avenue from my grandparents. Every afternoon she'd carry her massive tiger cat outside and connect a long cable to its harness, and the cat would spend the next several hours sunning herself, scratching at the maple tree and stalking birds.

This was at a time when people had mostly indoor-outdoor cats that roamed at will. Most of those cats had short lives, the result of unfortunate run-ins with cars, foxes, dogs and other cats. The neighbor lady's cat, on the other hand, lived nearly 20 active, sociable years. So much for our derision.

I thought about that old cat recently when on two separate occasions I saw women walking their cats through the park. Yup. Cats in harnesses on leashes strolling about the boulders and pine trees. Acting like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Turns out that in these times when most cat breeders, trainers and shelter personnel implore people to protect their cats by making them indoor-only pets, a few are recommending leash walks for felines as a way to stimulate them, keep them fit and allow them to connect with nature.

There's even a new self-published book, Walk Your Cat, The Complete Guide (Spiraka, $12.99), written by Steven Jacobson and Jean Miller, a married couple who have trained a handful of cats to prowl about confidently at the end of a leash.

"After a tough day," says Miller, a Virginia Tech philosophy instructor, "it's a nice, relaxing thing to come home, get the leash and take the cat out for a long walk."

Right.

Even she acknowledges that those words have an odd ring to them.

She hopes that in five or 10 years, though, cat owners the world over will be seen every evening de-stressing with cat walks. For the moment, however, as perhaps the nation's most vocal cat-walk advocate, she's "spending a lot of time trying to overcome the stigma."

The reasons leash walking for cats isn't already part of the American routine, she says, are twofold. First, most people think you can't train cats. More important, anyone who has ever tried to venture into kitty-stroll territory has probably been wildly unsuccessful. And that, Miller says, is "because they've used a dog model of leash training. That's certain to fail."

Miller and Jacobson have developed a step-by-step method that they say ensures success as long as the owner abides by the ever-so-important, can't-be-breached, No. 1 rule: You can't rush the process. It could take months to get a cat accustomed to the harness, confident with the process, no longer struggling against the leash, responsive to such words as "wait" and "no," and willing to return home when it's time.

The authors say that the command-and-control approach often used with dogs never works with cats (and will likely spur them to escape their harness and dash off), so it's important to know how to motivate them, how to reassure them when they get nervous, and how to habituate them to the sometimes-scary sounds and sights of the great outdoors. The couple's training method offers instruction in all these areas.

"Patience," Miller says repeatedly. "Without patience it's not going to work."

In other words, you'll wind up with "a flying furball at the end of a leash."

Lovely.

All this to give your indoor cat a few minutes to stalk a bird and roll in the grass?

"Cats have a very real need to go outdoors," she says. And though she advocates that cats be inside-only for their own safety if they're not attached to a human hand, she believes owners can accommodate a feline's nature needs with leash walks that allow them "the incomparable variety and intensity of sights, sounds and smells," not to mention the significant "behavioral stimulation."

Phooey, many cat experts say. You can give an indoors-only cat sufficient stimulation, you've just got to work at it — playing games with them, providing enrichment toys and climbing stands, and keeping plugged into the things they like, like dripping water, wadded-up paper or chase games.

"I'm totally against walking cats … for a lot of reasons," says Redwood City, Calif., cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger, columnist for Cat Fancy magazine. First and foremost, she says, "you can't control the environment" when you're outdoors, and if a cat freaks out because a truck drives by or a dog trots up out of nowhere, bad things will probably happen.

Moreover, she says, once they catch that love-the-outdoors bug, "they'll want to go out all the time" and are likely to become "door darters" that seize every chance to escape, or spend hours "howling at the windows." (Miller offers instruction in her book that she says will prevent those things.)

Still, for all her reservations about the concept, Krieger says "there are some cats that do fine with leash walking" especially "if they're started very early, like show cats."

Change happens. And maybe Miller's dream will come true. I've known a parrot that allowed himself to be hauled through the neighborhood in a little red wagon, and a massive pet pig that slept in a bathtub and led the family's goat around the yard by a rope, so I guess cats on leashes may not be all that extraordinary.

Veterinary Study Finds Aggressive Owners Have Aggressive Dogs

2009-02-21T04:23:00.000-05:00

In a new, year-long University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified.

The study, published in the current issue of Applied Animal Behavior Science, also showed that using non-aversive or neutral training methods such as additional exercise or rewards elicited very few aggressive responses.

"Nationwide, the No. 1 reason why dog owners take their pet to a veterinary behaviorist is to manage aggressive behavior," Meghan E. Herron, lead author of the study, said. "Our study demonstrated that many confrontational training methods, whether staring down dogs, striking them or intimidating them with physical manipulation does little to correct improper behavior and can elicit aggressive responses."

The team from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Penn suggest that primary-care veterinarians advise owners of the risks associated with such training methods and provide guidance and resources for safe management of behavior problems. Herron, Frances S. Shofer and Ilana R. Reisner, veterinarians with the Department of Clinical Studies at Penn Vet, produced a 30-item survey for dog owners who made behavioral service appointments at Penn Vet. In the questionnaire, dog owners were asked how they had previously treated aggressive behavior, whether there was a positive, negative or neutral effect on the dogs' behavior and whether aggressive responses resulted from the method they used. Owners were also asked where they learned of the training technique they employed.

Of the 140 surveys completed, the most frequently listed recommendation sources were "self" and "trainers." Several confrontational methods such as "hit or kick dog for undesirable behavior" (43 percent), "growl at dog" (41 percent), "physically force the release of an item from a dog's mouth" (39 percent), "alpha roll"physically -- rolling the dog onto its back and holding it (31 percent), "stare at or stare down" (30 percent), "dominance down" - physically forcing the dog down onto its side (29 percent) and "grab dog by jowls and shake" (26 percent) elicited an aggressive response from at least 25 percent of the dogs on which they were attempted. In addition, dogs brought to the hospital for aggressive behavior towards familiar people were more likely to respond aggressively to some confrontational techniques than dogs brought in for other behavioral reasons.

"This study highlights the risk of dominance-based training, which has been made popular by TV, books and punishment-based training advocates,"Herron said. "These techniques are fear-eliciting and may lead to owner-directed aggression."

Prior to seeking the counsel of a veterinary behaviorist, many dog owners attempt behavior-modification techniques suggested by a variety of sources. Recommendations often include the aversive-training techniques listed in the survey, all of which may provoke fearful or defensively aggressive behavior. Their common use may have grown from the idea that canine aggression is rooted in the need for social dominance or to a lack of dominance displayed by the owner. Advocates of this theory therefore suggest owners establish an "alpha" or pack-leader role.

The purpose of the Penn Vet study was to assess the behavioral effects and safety risks of techniques used historically by owners of dogs with behavior problems.

----------------------------
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
----------------------------

Source: Jordan Reese
University of Pennsylvania

Dental Care at Home for Your Pet

2009-02-16T16:33:00.003-05:00

Our last post was dedicated to educating our clients about the importance of dental care for your pets and what we as a practice can provide. The next most important pieces information that we can provide to you concern what YOU can do at home to ensure proper dental health for your furry loved ones.

Dr. Bowden passes along these tips for good home practices for keeping pearly whites in tip top shape:I am convinced that most of our patients over 3 have some degree of periodontal disease and many of those are suffering in silence. Time and time again, I have seen renewed vitality, health, and happiness in my patients following surgical extraction of one or more painful, infected teeth.

In additional to regular exams and professional cleanings, your pet needs daily attention at home. Imagine what would happen if you didn't brush your teeth for 6 months to a year!

Annual dental cleanings are no substitute for daily home care. Less than one month after a professional dental cleaning, plaque and bacteria are found on the teeth and below the gum line.

+ The efficient daily use of a soft-bristled toothbrush, with appropriate animal toothpaste, remains the only proven method for long term control of plaque and gum disease.

Judicious home care can prolong the interval between professional dental cleanings, although most pets will need annual cleanings for optimal oral cavity health. Our registered dental technicians can demonstrate proper tooth brushing techniques for you.

+ Chewing exercise is also beneficial as it stimulates natural teeth cleaning and protection mechanisms.

+ There are many products now available to augment your home dental care program. We recommend CET chews for dogs and cats and any over-the-counter product that carries the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval on the product label.Be sure to look for that seal of approval as many consumer products claim to produce results, but may not be best for your pet.

February is Dental Month

2009-02-16T02:27:00.017-05:00

Gentle Care Animal Hospital Celebrates National Pet Dental Month
Dr. Trudi Bowden provides this month's feature on your pet's pearly whites!

To educate pet owners about the importance of regular dental care, February has been designated National Pet Dental Month by a partnership between the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Dental Society, Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, American Veterinary Dental College, Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, Veterinary Oral Health Council® and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.

Unfortunately, dental care is often ignored by owners. A recent American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) survey indicated that 66% of pet owners fail to provide essential dental care when recommended by their veterinarian. In fact, some studies suggest up to 90% of cats and dogs do not receive appropriate dental care. Experts agree that periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease of all cats and dogs. Periodontal disease is present in 70% of cats and 80% of dogs as young as three years of age. Although daily removal of plaque with tooth brushing is necessary for pets and people, the reality is that only two percent of pet owners actually follow through.

Regular preventive dental care includes oral home care by the pet owner and routine professional dental care by your veterinarian. The expenses associated with professional dental treatment are not insignificant. If, however, preventive care is ignored, the cost to the owner is often substantially higher for management of moderate to severe dental disease. More importantly, we must acknowledge that many of our pets are suffering in silence with undiagnosed periodontal pathology.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of one or more of the support structures surrounding the teeth (gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone) and is caused by a buildup of plaque over time. When compared to gingivitis, periodontitis indicates loss of surrounding bone due to infection. Initially, plaque is soft and brushing or chewing hard food, hard treats, or toys will dislodge it. If allowed to persist and spread, plaque can lead to gingivitis, inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, periodontitis may cause loose, painful teeth as well as internal disease.

Periodontal disease is caused by plaque. It begins as a sticky bio-film of plaque composed primarily of bacteria. Plaque builds up on the tooth surface and over time will harden or calcify into tartar due to the mineral content in normal saliva. With progression of tartar, or calculus, plaque begins to accumulate more rapidly. Initially, plaque is soft and brushing or chewing hard food, hard treats, or toys will dislodge it. If allowed to persist and spread, plaque can lead to gingivitis, inflammation of the gums. Inflamed gums are red, swollen, and bleed easily.

As plaque and calculus develop below the gum line, a professional cleaning is necessary for complete removal. If the plaque and tartar buildup continues without intervention, infection can spread to the root of the tooth. In the final stages of periodontal disease, the tissues and bone surrounding the tooth are destroyed and the tooth becomes loose. This is a very painful process for your pet, but these problems can be averted before they even start.

Bone loss from periodontal disease occurs below the gum line. This can not be detected on a routine, awake examination of the oral cavity. In order to evaluate the stage of periodontal disease as well as the best option for treatment, your pet must be examined under general anesthesia. In addition to a visual examination, a periodontal probe and dental radiographs are used to measure bone loss.Stage 1: Gingivitis only, no attachment/support loss. Gingivitis is treatable and curable with daily tooth brushing.

Stage 2: Early periodontitis-less than 25% support loss. Periodontal disease is not curable once bone loss occurs, but may be controllable once treated and followed up with strict home care.

Stage 3: Established periodontitis- between 25-50% support loss. These teeth may be salvageable with a firm commitment to daily home care and more frequent professional cleanings.

Stage 4: Advanced periodontitis- greater than 50% support loss. Extraction is typically the only option for these teeth.

What are the signs of periodontal disease?

The most common sign of periodontal disease is halitosis or bad breath, caused by plaque (bacteria) accumulation. Experts agree periodontal disease is painful; it is an insidious chronic inflammatory disease to which most patients gradually adapt or cope. Some dogs and cats will have problems chewing hard food; others will paw at their mouths. Tragically, most will not show any obvious signs to their owners. By the time a cat or dog shows obvious oral cavity pain and dysfunction, severe periodontal disease is well established and numerous teeth must be extracted. Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. Studies have shown that dogs with severe periodontal disease have more severe microscopic damage in their kidneys, heart muscle and liver than do dogs with less severe periodontal disease.
Signs to watch for: Bad breath, missing or loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar, guarding the head/face/mouth, drooling, dropping food from the mouth, swallowing food whole, changes in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth, bleeding from the mouth/gums, loss of appetite, unexpected weight loss

What is the cost of a routine dental prophylaxis?

The definition of a ‘dental prophylaxis’ is a professional dental scaling, polishing, and fluoride treatment to maintain healthy teeth. Sadly, by the time most owners allow their pets to have their teeth professionally cleaned, some degree of periodontal disease is already present and the procedure is no longer considered ‘routine’.

If however, your pet has no periodontal disease and no fractured/missing teeth, a routine cleaning will average less than $300. This includes a comprehensive pre-surgical exam, IV catheter for emergency venous access/delivery of IV fluids and other medications, anesthetic monitoring with Pulse-oximetry, temperature, blood pressure, and EKG in select cases, supplemental heat, premedication for pain relief/sedation, dental probing/charting of the entire oral cavity, scaling and subgingival curettage of all accumulated plaque/tartar, polishing of all teeth, application of an antiseptic rinse and fluoride treatment. This does not however include the cost of dental radiographs (x-rays), extractions, nerve blocks, suture material, antibiotics, pain medications, or home dental care supplies. Many pets presenting for a presumed routine cleaning will have one or more problem areas identified while under anesthesia. It is important to discuss this with your veterinarian in advance so that diagnostic and treatment options and cost can be discussed and agreed upon in advance.

How often should my pets teeth be professionally cleaned?

The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines recommend regular oral examinations and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs and cats. AAHA recommends these procedures at least annually starting at one year of age for cats and small-breed dogs, and at two years of age for large-breed dogs.

Are dental radiographs (x-rays) really necessary?

Radiographs of the teeth are needed periodically in order to completely evaluate your pet’s oral health. Approximately 70% of the tooth is below the gingiva and not visible on oral exam alone. In many cases, the surface of the tooth can appear quite healthy, while significant disease is present in the tooth root and/or surrounding bone. Early detection can prompt treatment to prevent the development of a painful tooth root abscess. In many cases, x-rays will confirm the need for extraction of teeth that are loose or badly infected.

Last Thoughts
Many clients often ask, "Are his/her teeth bad enough to need a cleaning this year?"

In taking a pro-active approach to veterinary care, the doctor's of Gentle Care Animal Hospital don't recommend waiting until the mouth is in bad shape before you are willing to seek dental care.

A commitment to home care and annual veterinary dental care is an investment in your pet's dental health and comfort.

See for yourself, the following images are provided from two works by Jan Bellows, D.V.M., Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College - Smile Book III and Canine Periodontal Disease – Diagnosis and Therapy.

The first two images provide a normal benchmark of both dog and cat dental conditions for comparison:

Normal - Canine

Normal - Feline

The following images detail increasing attachment loss:

25% Attachment Loss

Radiograph - 25% Attachment Loss

50% Attachment Loss

Gingivitis is not a people-only problem!

Early Gingivitis

Advanced Gingivitis

Periodontitis

Severe Tartar / Early Periodontitis

Feline Alveolar Bone Expansion

Radiograph - Alveolar Bone Expansion

Progression of Feline Gingival Recession

Feline Gingival Recession

Marked Gingival Recession

Moderate Gingival Recession

Furcation Involvement

Progression of Periodontal Disease

Grade 3 Periodontal Diseases - Canine

Grade 3 Periodontal Diseases - Feline

Stage 4 Periodontal Disease

As you can see, conditions can deteriorate quickly between stages. Preventative dental care at home and at your vet can help spot these issues become they become a problem.

A Sussex Spaniel (the Oldest Dog Ever to Win) Takes Westminster Dog Show 2009

2009-02-15T09:04:00.003-05:00

Westminster 2009 Winner

Another wonderful show. This years Westminster Dog Show was unbelievable! These were some of the most beautiful dogs ever. Over 2522 beautiful dogs were displayed representing 170 breeds during this two-day event. Competition and judging were tough, with a number of dogs returning to the show ring.

This year, a beautiful 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel that goes by the name "Stump" was the winner! He is the oldest dog to ever win the Westminster Dog Show! This gorgeous and charismatic pooch, formally named Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee wowed both judges and spectators.

He won best in his breed group then continued on to win best in show on the final judging at the 2009 Westminster Dog show! Stump was born December 01, 1998.

"Stump" was handled by Scott Sommers, Scott also handled Ch Special Times Just Right! - a Bichon Frise that won the 2001 Westminster Dog Show. This is the first time a Sussex Spaniel has ever won the Westminster Dog Show.

This is the first win for the Sussex during the 133-year history! The show took place at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

For more information about the Sussex Spaniel breed, go to Choosing a Sussex Spaniel breed profile.

2009 Westminster Dog Show Results for Best in Breed Group

Toy group: Ch Cilleine Masquerade (Breed: Brussels Griffon)

Herding group: Ch Cordmaker Field Of Dreams (Breed:Puli)

Hound group: Ch Gayleward's Tiger Woods (Breed:Scottish Deerhound)

Non-sporting group: Ch Randenn Tristar Affirmation (Breed:Poodle Standard).

Terrier group: Ch Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot (Breed: Scottish Terrier)

Working group: Ch Galilee's Pure Of Spirit (Breed:Giant Schnauzer)

Sporting group: Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee (Breed: Sussex Spaniel)

The Westminster Dog Show, in its 133rd season in 2009, is the second-longest continuously running sporting event in the United States, next to the Kentucky Derby.

Future Dates

You may want to mark you calendar for next year's event. Next year will mark the 134th year!

Next year's dates are: Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16, 2010.