YOUR PETS AND PLAGUE....

Most of our readers might wonder what this:

has to do with this:

For many of you, it's just a piece of interesting trivia that probably will never directly affect you or your pets.  However, for those of you who might be travelling with your dog and/or cat to the southwestern part of the USA or to 17 of our western states, the answer just might save you and your pet some misery.  The full explanation appears a little later in this week's issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats.

Last week's poll questions revealed only about 5% of you have had a cat diagnosed with a food allergy, about 75% of you feel that your cat has used up only a few of its 9 lives, and about 50% of you with long-haired cats brush your cat frequently and trim the mats yourself...the other half hire a pro.  Remember to answer this week's poll questions in the column to the left.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) Another pet food recall was ordered this past week.  The United Pet Group has recalled all unexpired lots of Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement Tablets for Dogs because of possible Salmonella contamination.  For more information on the specific product and lot numbers, go to:  http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/united_pet_group_100622.asp 

2) The Humane Society of the United States released this short video of a fighting dog rescue operation...titled "Saving Elvis"...go to this HSUS web site and click on "play video" under Fighting Dogs Freed In Virginia: http://humanesociety.org/ 

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

When most people hear the word "plague," they usually think about Bubonic Plague or the Black Death which swept Europe and Asia in the 14th century.  And, they wouldn't be wrong.  Plague is a disease caused by a bacterium, Yersinia pestis, that is carried by a flea, which, in turn, is usually being transported by a rodent.  In the 14th century, the main offending rodent was the rat.  Today, those fleas are still carried by rats, in addition to ground squirrels, gophers, and prairie dogs.

The disease shows 2 main forms, bubonic (in lymph nodes) and pneumonic (respiratory)...which depend largely on how the bacterium enters the body.  Believe it or not, one of the most common areas in the world to show an incidence of plague is right here in the USA...at the "Four Corners"...the intersection of the corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.  Since some of our readers might live in or near this area and some of you who live elsewhere might be traveling with your pets to the American West, this is a good time to learn more about this potentially serious disease...both for your pets and for you.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has produced this podcast interview with Dr. Paul Ettestad, former New Mexico State veterinarian.  He provides a very interesting and informative explanation of "Plague": http://www.avmamedia.org/manage/mediaimg/s280-plague.mp3

This truly is an example of knowledge helping awareness...an awareness of what is lurking in our environment and ways in which we can avoid these problems.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

While most pets don't indulge in obsessive/compulsive vices such as smoking or drinking, some animals share one seemingly unhealthy behavior with humankind: nail biting. Whether your pet is a chronic nail muncher, or just takes an occasional chew, here's what you should know:


Why Pets Chew Their Nails

According to Christina Shusterich, Canine Behavior Counselor and president of NY Clever K9, Inc. cats bite their nails as part of a grooming routine. They do this "in order to clean them, as well as to get rid of the older, outer sheath of the nail." This often occurs when a cat's nails are overgrown and could use a trim.

Nail chewing in dogs, however, is not normal. They may bite their nails "from itchiness due to allergies or an infection. They could also be biting out of boredom or anxiety." Excessive nail biting by either cats or dogs can be harmful, as it can "cause bleeding, irritation, and infections," says Shusterich.

Dealing With The Problem

There are several steps you may want to try to take care of excessive nail chewing.
Diagnosing the Cause: It's always good to check with the vet when your animal exhibits obsessive behavior to see if there could be an underlying medical cause. But if you think your dog or cat is bored, anxious or has simply irritated his skin so much that he can't stop working it, then there are a few things you might want to try.

Deterring the Behavior: An anti-itch spray paired with a head cone (Elizabethan collar) can help ease skin irritation and keep the pet from further abrading it, giving the skin time to heal. "A good over-the-counter anti-itch spray with a taste deterrent is called Lido-Med," says Shusterich.

Distracting the Pet: Bored nail biters can benefit from interactive puzzles and toys to keep their minds off their chewing. According to Shusterich, "Providing catnip for cats and hiding it in several toys can help entice them to search and play." Similarly, hiding a peanut-butter-filled Kong toy keeps dogs busy and "reduces anxiety by boosting your dog's confidence in providing a regular activity in line with his nature, and a job he is performing successfully on a daily basis."

Diminishing the Anxiety: Aerobic exercise is an essential component to reducing stress and this may also help reduce nail biting. Shusterich recommends "15 minutes of playing with your cat and 15 minutes of aerobic activity in addition to your dog's walks" to keep your pet calm throughout the day, thereby reducing their anxious impulse to gnaw on their nails.

And If Your Pet Is Still Biting?

If you haven't consulted your veterinarian yet, go ahead and call. There may be easily treatable allergies or even serious medical issues that the vet can help resolve.
Cat Claw                                                                Dog Claw

BREEDS OF THE WEEK

Every once in awhile, Helpful Buckeye takes this opportunity to introduce our readers to an unusual breed of dog or cat, along with interesting information about that particular breed.  This time, Helpful Buckeye thought you might enjoy some of the breed statistics provided by the American Kennel Club relating to some of the most notable recent trends in the past decade (1999-2009):

• The most popular pets with the biggest increase in rankings over the last decade included the Bulldog (from 21st to 7th); French Bulldog (from 73rd to 24th); Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (from 58th to 25th) and the making the largest leap the Havanese (from 92nd to 32nd).

• Working K-9 breeds favored by law enforcement and the military have shown modest gains as pets including the Belgian Malinois (from 95th to 81st), the Border Collie (from 71st to 52nd) Bloodhound (from 51st to 43rd), and the Doberman Pinscher which served heroically with the U.S. Military during WWII (from 23rd to 15th).

• A trend toward easy-to-groom breeds is seen with the rise of the Mastiff (from 39th to 27th) and the Rhodesian Ridgeback (from 56th to 48th) as well as the decline of higher maintenance breeds such as the corded breeds the Komondor (from 132nd to 154th) and the Puli (from 123rd to 149th) and on the Irish Terrier (from 108th to 132nd) and Sealyham Terrier (from 138th to 157th) which require hand-stripping.

• Among rare breeds on the decline are the Curly-Coated Retriever (from 114th to 142nd), the Sussex Spaniel (from 135th to 159th) and the Irish Water Spaniel (from 130th to 150th).

• Even before the Obama family selected the Portuguese Water Dog it was on the rise in popularity ranked 80th a decade ago to 60th currently. However, it did make a jump from 64th a year ago when all the interest in this mid-sized, hypoallergenic breed began.

For a lot more interesting breed information, the AKC has compiled several other lists based on breed registrations at: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4044 

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

If you've been looking for an acceptable alternative upon which your cat can scratch, check out this review, by Kristen Seymour, of products at: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/21/pet-product-reviews-horizontal-cat-scratchers-from-25-50/

In her review, Ms. Seymour references these web sites:
http://scratchlounge.com/index.html 
http://www.precisionpet.com/detail.aspx?ID=148
http://www.imperialcat.com/

GENERAL INTEREST

1) Helpful Buckeye has covered several different aspects of traveling with your pet in recent issues but...none of those discussions covered this type of luxury traveling: http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/jumeirah-essex-house-offers-canine-turnd/?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl6link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadling.com%2F2010%2F06%2F21%2Fjumeirah-essex-house-offers-canine-turnd%2F

Does this "turndown" service appeal to you?

2) Keeping with the theme of the superwealthy, how do you feel about the wealthy heiress who left $3 million to her chihuahuas?  Her son isn't too happy about it.  Here's the story: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/son-of-heiress-gail-posner-says-she-wastricked-into-leaving-millions-to-dogs-staff/19524407?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl1link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Fson-of-heiress-gail-posner-says-she-wastricked-into-leaving-millions-to-dogs-staff%2F19524407

3) Still in the realm of wealthy folks, Mariah Carey has been sued by her veterinarian for non-payment of a $30,000 bill for veterinary care and "extraordinary services."  More details at: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/24/mariah-carey-sued-by-veterinarian-for-30-000-tab/

4) Here's a heart-warming story of a cat that lost its back feet and a British veterinarian who wouldn't give up: http://www.aolnews.com/science/article/bionic-cat-makes-history-with-prosthetic-paws/19531500?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl1link6http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fbionic-cat-makes-history-with-prosthetic-paws%2F19531500

After reading this cat's story, do you think any of its 9 lives were used up in this accident?
5) To finish up on a lighter note, enjoy this short video of a kitten challenging its reflection in a mirror: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/25/funny-cat-video-kitten-battles-its-own-reflection/  

SPORTS NEWS

The LA DODGERS have not been winning very many games lately.  We got swept last weekend by the Red Sox, lost 2 of 3 to the Angels, and won only 1 of 3 against the Yankees, including giving away tonight's game with a 6-2 lead in the top of the 9th inning.  This loss could be the final straw for this year...a downward spiral looms.

PERSONAL STUFF

Today (June 27th) was a great day for a bike ride!  The temperature was 80 degrees, humidity was 8%, only a very slight breeze, and deep blue sky...a bicyclist's dream.  The 35 miles went by almost effortlessly.  Helpful Buckeye feels that the concept of  "a perfect day" can mean different things, depending on the topic of discussion.  June 14th, including dinner on the pier and the sunset at San Clemente beach, was one of those perfect days...just as today was a perfect day for biking.

Several of our readers have e-mailed Helpful Buckeye about Ken's progress following his heart surgery.  I am pleased to report that he is doing well, following his doctor's instructions to the letter.  His birthday is tomorrow...June 28th.

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~

SPAYING AND NEUTERING

Wow, is it possible that football season is back already? Well, sports fans, the NFL training camps all opened over the weekend...so, those of you who aren't baseball fans now have something to pick you up. As our regular readers here at Questions On Dogs and Cats know by now, Helpful Buckeye is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. It has been nice basking in the glow of the Super Bowl victory, but, as they say, it's a brand new season. As our readers also know, Helpful Buckeye lives in Flagstaff, AZ, where the Arizona Cardinals hold their training camp, on the campus of Northern Arizona University. Since the Cardinals played the Steelers in this last Super Bowl, and almost won the game, there has been a lot of interest in their practices. In past years, the crowds have numbered in the low hundreds, while this year, they've been in the 3000-4000 range. Helpful Buckeye has already been to two of the practices and the Cardinals do look like they might be for real. It's hard for me not to like them...their best player, Larry Fitzgerald, went to my undergraduate school (Pitt) and their #1 draft choice this year, Beanie Wells, went to Ohio State. Add to that the fact that most of their coaching staff has roots in the Steelers' system and you can see why they've become my second favorite team. There are a surprising number of Steeler fans out here in Arizona...I see their logos, license plates, shirts, and hats almost every day. The picture to the left is from the back yard of a house in my neighborhood, only 3 miles from the Cardinals training fields. I ran this next photo last year, but it still represents the spirit of NFL fanaticism.



Not very many readers voted in the polls this past week. The poll on Internet pharmacies revealed that most of you have not used one. The poll on Michael Vick and his dog-fighting conviction showed that most of you probably don't care whether or not he plays again in the NFL. Be sure to vote in this week's poll question in the left column...the more votes received, the better the results reflect our readers' feelings.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

Helpful Buckeye did receive quite a few e-mails this week about the American Humane Association's response to the Michael Vick situation. Most of you felt their President, Marie Belew Wheatley, gave a well-thought out response about their willingness to give Michael Vick a second chance. However, there were a few of you who wrote that he deserved NO second chance because the dogs never had a second chance. Now, the American Kennel Club has entered the discussion as well. Their Chairman, Ronald Menaker, and their President, Dennis Sprung, co-wrote a letter to the Commissioner of the NFL, asking him to NOT reinstate Michael Vick's playing privileges. You can read the text of their short letter at: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/press_center/LetterToFootballCommissioner.pdf

Then, the Humane Society of the United States weighed in with this response by their President and CEO, Wayne Pacelle: http://video.hsus.org/?fr_story=8d09fc74f54d20d16c14af3bdd09b79016a3c51a&rf=bm As you can see for yourself, opinions on this situation are all over the map. Helpful Buckeye feels that Mr. Pacelle's approach is probably the best scenario for all concerned. The dogs that died are not coming back to life and, if anything positive at all can come from this, the HSUS approach provides the best hope. On the video of Mr. Pacelle, continue watching and you will get to see the HSUS Anti-Dogfighting Training Camp program as it demonstrates some of its activities.

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

This week's topic of SPAYING AND NEUTERING does not initially conjure up the idea of a disease, ailment, or medical condition. However, there are some medical considerations that come into the picture once in awhile after these procedures have been done. Several weeks ago, one of our new readers, Martine, from CA, sent an e-mail asking that we discuss spaying and neutering and any medical issues that might be associated with those procedures. So, Martine, this is for you and "Sugar."

For this week, Helpful Buckeye will discuss the actual surgical procedures, along with a list of "Frequently Asked Questions" provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Next week, the discussion will cover the medical aspects of the benefits of this surgery as well as the potential negative effects.

From the AVMA:

Is there a pet population problem?

Yes, every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are needlessly euthanized. The good news is that every pet owner can make a difference. By having your dog or cat surgically sterilized, you will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens and enhance your pet's health and quality of life.

What is surgical sterilization?

During surgical sterilization, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs. If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinarian will usually remove her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. The medical name for this surgery is an ovariohysterectomy, although it is commonly called "spaying." If your pet is a male, the testicles are removed and the operation is called an orchiectomy, commonly referred to as castration or simply "neutering."

While both spaying and neutering are considered major surgical procedures, they are also the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on dogs and cats. Before the procedure, your pet is given a thorough physical examination to ensure that it is in good health. General anesthesia is administered during the surgery and medications can be given to minimize pain. You will be instructed to keep your pet calm and confined for several days after surgery until the incision begins to heal. After the surgery, there may be some discomfort, but this is a part of the normal healing process and can usually be controlled with various medications.

What is the best age to spay or neuter my pet?

Generally speaking, as early as possible. Most veterinarians recommend that a female be spayed BEFORE her first estrus or "heat" cycle, which usually occurs around 6 months of age (although this can be a little earlier in small breeds and a little later in the larger breeds). A male dog or a tomcat can be neutered at 6 months to a year of age. Consult with your veterinarian about the most appropriate time to spay or neuter your pet based on its breed, age, and physical condition. The best time to have this conversation would be during the 2-3 month age period while getting the puppy or kitten vaccinations. Some veterinarians are spaying and neutering pets as early as 4 months of age without any problems.

Is the operation expensive?

Professional fees for spaying and neutering reflect the difficulty of the procedures involved. The actual fee may vary from one area to another, depending largely on the economics of maintaining a veterinary hospital in a particular community. The size, age, sex, and health of your pet may also affect the cost of the surgery.

If the fee seems high, remember that surgical spaying or neutering is permanent. It's a life-time investment in your pet that can solve a number of problems for you, your pet, and a society already burdened with too many dogs and cats. In fact, it could save you money in the long run. The cost of boarding your female pet during just one or two "heat" cycles, for example, probably would pay for an ovariohysterectomy. This surgery can dramatically improve your pet's quality of life and prevent some behavior frustrations for you.

If you are still uncertain whether or not to proceed with the surgery, consider the expense to society of collecting and caring for all the unwanted, abused, or abandoned animals being house in shelters. Having your pet spayed or neutered is a part of responsible pet ownership.

Next week, we'll discuss the medical and behavioral benefits that can be gained from spaying or neutering your pets. We'll also address some of the common myths associated with spaying and neutering, in addition to discussing some of the potential detriments to the procedure.

Any comments, please send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com or click on the word, Comment, at the end of this issue and leave your comment.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

This past week, a press release got a lot of people's attention. This release detailed the account of a veterinary dentist using a laser to shorten the sharp teeth of a dog that had become a habitual biter. Take a few minutes to read this account and then think about where you would stand on this question. You'll be able to express your opinion in the poll question of the week in the left column. Go to: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/07/31/is-canine-disarming-the-solution-for-agressive-dogs/?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl6link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fis-canine-disarming-the-solution-for-agressive-dogs%2F

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

If this product is not available on the market, it should be! You can get almost anything else for your dog...why not something in their favorite scent?

GENERAL INTEREST

1) According to the folks at Petside.com, they asked 1110 pet-owning Americans whether they are pet friendly or pet frenzied. These pet owners responded that they have done these things with their pets:

• Taken them along on vacation--42%


• Included them in a family portrait--35%


• Included them in a holiday card--33%


• Taken them to work--17%


• Taken them places they're not allowed--16%

You can draw your own conclusions from these numbers, but Helpful Buckeye thinks pets are pretty well involved in our family's lives.

2) Speaking of being pet friendly, here's an article that asks the question, "Can a pet friendly hotel actually save you money?" Before you quickly answer, "No way," go to: http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/can-a-pet-friendly-hotel-actually-save-you-money/

3) There were 2 interesting stories this week about dogs surviving falls of great height. The first one involved a Golden Retriever that ran off a 40-ft. cliff on the Isle of Wight (English Channel) and landed on the rocks below. His injuries and subsequent recovery make for a nice ending: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/07/28/miracle-dog-survives-40-foot-cliff-plummet/?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl5link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2009%2F07%2F28%2Fmiracle-dog-survives-40-foot-cliff-plummet%2F

4) The second story involving a dog falling a great distance originated with a New York City man feloniously throwing his dog off the roof of a 6-story apartment building. Like the dog in England, this one also suffered fractures to its front legs and is expected to do OK. For the rest of this story, go to: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/07/31/20090731dogthrownoffroof31-ON.html

How many of you would like to be on the jury for this case?

5) Helpful Buckeye has previously discussed some of the problems associated with feral cats: http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2008/08/hot-august-night.html and http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2008/08/raining-cats-and-dogs.html

Now, the subject of how to deal with thousands of feral cats has encompassed the Phoenix metropolitan area and this article from the Arizona Republic presents the considerations at hand: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/08/01/20090801feralcats0801.html

6) Also in Phoenix, a city parks employee has come up with an idea that is saving the city a lot of money: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/08/01/20090801phxdogbags0801.html

7) Questions On Dogs and Cats has covered the "Ugliest Dog" contest in California the last 2 years, but now, an "ugliest" dog has made the news in England. "E.T." has been in a dog rescue pound for months because he can't seem to attract an adopter. Read the story and decide if you'd like to adopt him: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/07/31/englands-ugliest-dog-cant-find-a-home/?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl5link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fenglands-ugliest-dog-cant-find-a-home%2F

8) England seems to be pretty well represented in this week's stories, and this one is no exception. Casper, the cat, has been taking a free 11-mile bus ride every day for the last 4 years, unbeknownst to his owner. Read the details of Casper's escapades at: http://www.pawnation.com/

SPORTS NEWS

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves tonight to end their road trip at 3-4. Helpful Buckeye told you last Sunday that we would have a problem with St. Louis...and we did. Back home to Chavez Ravine Monday evening and some home cookin'....

PERSONAL STUFF

Holly, Helpful Buckeye really appreciates the way you always seem to hit the ground running on Monday morning. Your comment is almost always the first one in line and your feedback has been invaluable! Thanks....for you, from Voltaire, French philosopher and writer, who said, "Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."

Life is good...the fire-roasted Hatch chilis are back at the Farmers Market! I can smell them right now....

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~