Rabies: How To Protect Yourself And Your Pets

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.

Obesity Is A Problem For Dogs, Too!

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

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.

What Does Your Dog Say About You?

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

Veterinary Study Finds Aggressive Owners Have Aggressive Dogs

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.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Jordan Reese
University of Pennsylvania

February is Dental Month

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

Feline Alveolar Bone Expansion

Radiograph - Alveolar Bone Expansion

Progression of Feline Gingival Recession

Feline Gingival Recession

Marked Gingival Recession

Moderate Gingival Recession

Furcation Involvement

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.

Peanut Butter Salmonella Infects Dog In Oregon

Oregon Public Health Division epidemiologists confirmed today that the national outbreak of salmonella linked to contaminated peanut butter products can also affect pets. Laboratory testing has confirmed salmonella for at least one dog in a Douglas County household. Dog biscuits in the household have also been found to be contaminated with salmonella.

"The dog biscuits were on the list of products recalled several weeks ago," said Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian. "They contain peanut butter that comes from the same Georgia plant that has been linked to the human illnesses."

The positive test results came from a box of Happy Tails Multi-Flavor Dog Biscuits that was sold at an Albertsons in Roseburg.

"Several other brands of pet treats are also on the recall list, and we shouldn't put too much emphasis on this particular brand," DeBess said. "This is a reminder that people need to check not only their own food, but their pet food and treats as well. If the products contain any peanut ingredients, you should check the FDA's website or contact the manufacturer or the store where they were purchased to see if they are on the recall list," he said.

Dogs, cats and other pets can get sick from contaminated food just like humans can, and sick pets are also a potential source of exposure for people. Salmonella is spread by the fecal-oral route.

"Good hygiene and hand-washing are key to reducing the risk of diarrheal disease transmission from person-to-person," DeBess said. "The same good habits work pretty well to prevent animal-to-person transmission too."

"The most common symptom of salmonella in pets is bloody diarrhea, and owners should contact their veterinarian for advice," said DeBess. He recommends that veterinarians culture dogs that are brought in and have eaten peanut butter-flavored products.

This is the first Oregon pet illness and first Oregon pet food product that has been linked to the current Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak nationwide. Over 575 human illnesses in 43 states have been identified-most in the past 3 months-including 12 cases to date in Oregon.

Case #12 was confirmed yesterday, and health officials again remind Oregonians to check pantries and shelves at home for recalled products. A link to the FDA's recalled product database is available at www.fda.gov.

This outbreak has been linked to the consumption of peanut butter and peanut or peanut butter-containing foods. The common denominator is a processing plant in Blakely, Georgia, operated by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Peanut products from the plant found their way into well over 1000 different items, prompting the largest and most complicated food recall in U.S. history.

Name-brand peanut butter sold in jars or other retail containers is not a problem in this outbreak, nor are many other products that do not contain ingredients from the PCA factory.

Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting. In humans, symptoms usually develop within one to five days after eating contaminated food. Most people get better without the need for medical attention although the illness can be serious for infants and the elderly.

Orgegon Gov.

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/138519.php

First Commercially Cloned Dog Delivered To Florida Family

BioArts International announced that they have delivered the world's first commercially cloned dog, a 10-week old Labrador named Lancey, to Florida residents Edgar and Nina Otto.

"We can't believe this day is finally here," said Nina Otto, "We are so happy to have little Lancey in our family. His predecessor was a very special dog. We are thrilled beyond words!"

Lancey was hand delivered to the Ottos on Monday, January 26th by BioArts Chairman Lou Hawthorne. "This is a very special milestone for our company - and great fun for me too," said Hawthorne, who delivered Lancey personally.

The Ottos were one of five families to bid and win an auction held by BioArts International in July for a chance to clone their family dog. Lancey's genetic donor, Sir Lancelot, died in January, 2008, and the Ottos had his DNA stored. By October, samples from the original dog were on their way to the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in Seoul, South Korea, which provides cloning services to BioArts.

Lancey was born on November 18th, 2008, and brought to the US on January 25th, 2009 after being weaned from his surrogate mother.

The Ottos, longtime residents of Boca Raton, have had many beloved dogs over the years, but Lancey's genetic donor was unique. "Sir Lancelot was the most human of any dog we've ever had," said Otto, "He was a prince among dogs."

Said Hawthorne, "One minute with Lancey and you know he's special. He's both extremely aware and very sweet. The Ottos are the first of six current clients to receive their clone. The next 6 months will be very exciting both for our clients and our staff."

Additional information about the Best Friends Again program and dog cloning is available at http://www.bestfriendsagain.com. More information about BioArts is available at http://www.bioarts.com.

BioArts International is a biotech company focused on unique, untapped markets in the global companion animal, stem cell and human genomics industries. The Best Friends Again program is a collaboration between BioArts and the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in South Korea, home to the best and most experienced dog cloning team in the world.

BioArts has been granted the sole, worldwide license for the cloning of dogs, cats and endangered species. The license was granted by Start Licensing, Inc. and applies to the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning patents developed at the Roslin Institute for the cloning of Dolly the sheep.

BioArts

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Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/137021.php

Main News Category: Veterinary

Dog Owners More Likely To Share Germs With Pets By Not Washing Hands Than By Sleeping With Dog

Dog owners who sleep with their pet or permit licks on the face are in good company. Surveys show that more than half of owners bond with their pets in these ways.

Research done by a veterinarian at Kansas State University found that these dog owners are no more likely to share the same strains of E. coli bacteria with their pets than are other dog owners.

Dr. Kate Stenske, a clinical assistant professor at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, studied this association as part of her doctoral research at the University of Tennessee. The research is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Stenske said the finding that these human-animal bonding behaviors aren't more likely to spread germs is good news because there are physical and psychological benefits of pet ownership.

"I became interested in the topic because there is such a strong bond between dogs and their owners," Stenske said. "If you look at one study, 84 percent of people say their dog is like a child to them."

Stenske said surveys also show that nearly half of all dog owners share food with their dogs, and more than half allow the dog to sleep in the bed and lick them on the face.

"We also know diseases can be shared between dogs and people," Stenske said. "About 75 percent of emerging diseases are zoonotic, meaning they are transferrable between humans and other animals. With these two pieces of knowledge, I wanted to examine the public health aspects of such activities."

Stenske's study centered on E. coli bacteria, which is common in the gastrointestinal tracts of both dogs and humans.

"People have it, dogs have it, and it normally doesn't cause any problems," she said. "But it can acquire genes to make it antibiotic resistant."

The study examined fecal samples from dogs and their owners and looked at the bacteria's DNA fingerprints. Stenske found that 10 percent of dog-human pairs shared the same E. coli strains. She also found that the E. coli had more resistance to common antibiotics than expected, although the owners had more multiple-drug resistant strains than their pets.

"This make us think that dogs are not likely to spread multiple drug-resistant E. coli to their owners, but perhaps owners may spread them to their dogs," Stenske said. "What we learn from this is that antibiotics really do affect the bacteria within our gastrointestinal tract, and we should only take them when we really need to -- and always finish the entire prescription as directed."

The research showed that bonding behaviors like sharing the bed or allowing licks on the face had no association to an increase in shared E. coli. However, Stenske said the research did show an association between antibiotic-resistant E. coli and owners who didn't wash their hands after petting their dogs or before cooking meals.

"We should use common sense and practice good general hygiene," she said.

Stenske said future research might focus on the relationship between shared E. coli and the behaviors of cat owners. Not only is cat ownership higher than dog ownership in the United States, but cats also interact with people in different ways than dogs, she said.

"We have a lot to learn," Stenske said. "In the meantime, we should continue to own and love our pets because they provide a source of companionship. We also need to make sure we are washing our hands often."

Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan
KS 66506-0117
United States
http://www.k-state.edu

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Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/136895.php

Main News Category: Public Health

Also Appears In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses, Veterinary,

Lou Gehrig's Disease In Humans Genetically Linked To Dog Disease

22 Jan 2009

An incurable, paralyzing disease in humans is now genetically linked to a similar disease in dogs. Researchers from the University of Missouri and the Broad Institute have found that the genetic mutation responsible for degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs is the same mutation that causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the human disease also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. As a result of the discovery, which will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week, researchers can now use dogs with DM as animal models to help identify therapeutic interventions for curing the human disease, ALS.

"We uncovered the genetic mutation of degenerative myelopathy, which has been unknown for 30 years, and linked it to ALS, a human disease that has no cure," said Joan Coates, a veterinary neurologist and associate professor of veterinary medicine and surgery in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dogs with DM are likely to provide scientists with a more reliable animal model for ALS. Also, this discovery will pave the way for DNA tests that will aid dog breeders in avoiding DM in the future."

Previously, ALS research has relied heavily on transgenic rodents that expressed the mutant human gene SOD1, which causes ALS. Researchers found that dogs with DM also had mutations in their SOD1 gene. Many rodent models possess very high levels of the SOD1 protein that can produce pathologic processes distinct from those occurring in ALS patients. Since the SOD1 mutation is spontaneous in dogs, the clinical spectrum in dogs may represent more accurately that of human ALS.

"Compared with the rodent models for ALS, dogs with DM are more similar to people in size, structure and complexity of their nervous systems, and duration of the disease," said Gary Johnson, associate professor of veterinary pathobiology in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. "The results from clinical trials conducted with DM-affected dogs may better predict the efficacies of therapeutic interventions for treating ALS in humans."

ALS causes progressive neurodegeneration, affecting both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The disease leads to advancing weakness and muscle atrophy, and culminates in paralysis and death. DM has been recognized for more than 35 years as a spontaneously occurring, spinal cord disorder in dogs. DM is reported most commonly in German Shepherds but also exists in other breeds, such as Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Boxers. There are no treatments for ALS and DM that clearly have been shown to stop or slow progression of the diseases. Owners of dogs with DM usually elect euthanasia six months to a year after diagnosis when the dogs can no longer support their weight with their pelvic limbs, whereas people with ALS typically progress to the state of complete paralysis and succumb to respiratory failure.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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The study, "Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy which resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis," was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. This study was a collaborative project with MU researchers and Kerstin Lindbld-Toh and Claire Wade, researchers at the Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The study was funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and participating breed clubs.

Source: Kelsey Jackson
University of Missouri-Columbia

Caution To Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products - FDA, USA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers about a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products. The products - also called chicken tenders, strips, or treats - are imported from China. FDA continues to receive complaints of sick dogs that their owners or veterinarians associate with eating chicken jerky products. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report that the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the product was manufactured in China.

What is FDA Doing?

-- FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States, is working to find out why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a precise cause for the reported illnesses.

-- FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.

-- FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.

Tips for Consumers

-- Do not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet. The products are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

-- If you choose to feed your dog chicken jerky products, watch the dog closely. Stop feeding the product if your dog shows any of the following signs, which may occur within hours to days after feeding the product:
- decreased appetite, although some dogs may continue to eat the treats instead of other foods
- decreased activity
- vomiting
- diarrhea, sometimes with blood
- increased water drinking or increased urination

-- Call your veterinarian if signs are severe or last for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to FDA have involved dogs that have died.

-- Consumers and veterinarians should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods or treats to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator listed for their area at www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

10 New Year Resolutions for Your Dog from PetPlace.com

The impending arrival of the New Year brings the inevitable resolutions: Trim your girth, be nicer toward your in-laws, spend more time with the family. We're all familiar with the promises we make to improve ourselves in the coming year.

As you make this ironclad list (you mean it this time – really!), have you wondered what resolutions your pet may be thinking of? Your dog also vows to improve himself (and he means it this time – really!). We conducted a survey of the resolutions pets may want to make for the coming year and found some surprises. Here are the top 10 New Year's Resolutions from the dog's perspective.

(Just don't say anything if he falls a little short of the goal. You keep his secrets and he'll keep yours.)

Resolution #1: I will eat less and exercise more.

Too many nights on the couch, too many dog biscuits and too little time running around the local dog park has made me a little, well, fluffier.

Resolution #2: I will beg less

I've got begging down to a fine art – he's puddy in my paws – but it sure is demeaning. I promise to reserve the begging for worthwhile things, like going out to the park and T-bone steak.

Resolution #3: I will recognize the difference between furniture and fire hydrants.

I promise not to treat the furniture and walls the way I do fire hydrants. It drives my owners batty and has no lasting benefit for me (they clear away the scent almost as fast as I can "deposit" it.)

Resolution #4: I'll stay out of the cat's litter box.

I vow to resist the urge to snoop around the cat's private lavatory – even though it's a lot of fun and really makes her go nuts.

Resolution #5: I won't bite the vet anymore.

I'll remember that the vets and their staff are just trying to help in their own, inscrutable way, although they really know how to push my buttons with those needles!

Resolution #6: I won't steal food as much.

I won't go out of my way to steal food, although all bets are off if they make it really easy for me.

Resolution #7: I'll introduce myself in more appropriate ways.

In other words, I'll focus above the waist when introducing myself to humans. Somehow, I get the feeling my normal greeting methods invade their private space.

Resolution #8: I'll do better "holding it" until morning.

When nature calls, I'll steel my resolve to wait for my normal morning walk, unless special considerations apply. I'll decide what those special considerations are.

Resolution #9: I'll bark at the mailman less.

Even though it works to put him in his place, I'll try not to exercise my authority over him and other delivery people, although my self-esteem does get a boost when they retreat.

Resolution #10: I'll tolerate those homemade bandannas more.

My owner has gone to a lot of trouble to make these things, so I'll just put up with the way they feel and the taunts of the other dogs.