SWINE FLU AND YOUR PETS

The last couple of weeks have provided all of us with lessons on virus infections, virus epidemiology, virus treatments, and virus vaccinations. The swine flu outbreak in Mexico and its subsequent spread to many countries around the world has shown us just how globally-connected disease processes can be. Some people have questioned the necessity of all the news coverage of this disease, saying the hype was not justified. The big problem with that point of view is that any influenza outbreak can have the potential of becoming a really bad pandemic. The influenza virus is constantly going through genetic changes and mutations...that's why the flu vaccination you get each year contains different versions of the virus, depending on what's expected for that flu season. Most of these variations are still just the "regular" type of flu, no worse than what we experience each year. However, when the genetic changes involve components from different species, the results can be devastating. My feeling is that publicity helps people stay informed, and informed people should be able to make better decisions concerning this type of outbreak. The above photo of the swine flu virus makes the virus appear to be a simple particle, but if the right combination of swine, avian, and human genetic information had been incorporated this time, the outbreak could have been much worse.

There are now some virus medications available, for both prevention and treatment of influenza. An additional use of technology for this outbreak was the installation of thermal-imaging devices in international airports. These scanners were used to detect anyone with a higher than normal body temperature going through the airport.

Questions about swine flu and your pets will be addressed later in this issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats.

Wow, it's hard to believe that it has been a whole year since the beginning of this blog! That's right...May 16, 2008 marked the introduction of Helpful Buckeye and Questions On Dogs and Cats, when we said, "Play Ball!"

Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch painter, said: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." The jury is still out on whether this blog has become a "great thing," but it definitely has been the result of small things coming together. This first year has been an evolutionary process, trying new ideas, different formats, and responding to our readers' preferences. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience for Helpful Buckeye, and sidekick Desperado, and we hope it has been the same for all of you! Thanks for your interest and support. Onward to the second year!

The polling question last week on pet characteristics you treasure the most prompted a lot of responses. All of the listed characteristics were mentioned, but "Everyday Companionship" was chosen by every respondent. Makes sense to me! Be sure to answer this week's polling question in the column to the left.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) The Cat Fanciers' Association has released their annual list of the most popular cat breeds, based on kittens registered each year. Persians, the breed that took the top spot in 2008, have been the most registered breed for decades. The Exotic, which many describe as "the lazy man's Persian," overtook the Maine Coon to move into the #2 spot. Rounding out the top ten breeds are Maine Coon, Siamese, Abyssinian, Ragdoll, Sphynx, American Shorthair, Birman, and Oriental. More information on these and other breeds is available at their web site: http://www.cfa.org/ Exotics resemble the Persian without the long hair issues. A Persian and an Exotic are shown below.

2) The American Veterinary Medical Association has revised their stance on the question of mandatory spay/neuter laws that are showing up all over the country. Their research has shown that some pet owners will avoid having proper veterinary care for their dogs and cats in an effort to hide the fact that they haven't been spayed/neutered. For the whole opinion, go to: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/may09/090515j.asp If this is truly the case, then more publicity of the benefits of spaying/neutering might be necessary.

3) Stories about lost pets being reunited with their owners have become fairly regular in the news, most likely as a direct result of pet owners making greater use of micro-chip technology. The best story this week comes from Texas and is about a dog that was missing for 8 years:

AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas family said they have been reunited with their long-lost pet dog, but they do not know where the animal has been for the past eight years. Alison Murphy of Austin said she and her family offered a $500 reward for the return of their dog, Dancer, after the dog went missing eight years ago, but they received no word of the beloved pet until the Humane Society in New Braunfels, Texas, called last week, KVUE-TV, Austin, reported. The Humane Society told Murphy that a musician found the dog wandering the streets of New Braunfels, Texas, last week and brought it to the group's office, where workers used the dog's microchip to track down its owners. Murphy said the dog, which now answers to the name Fern, does not appear to have lived on the streets for very long. "Her teeth are in great shape," she said. "She just doesn't look like she's been on the streets for 11 years. Somebody's been taking care of her." "It's just wonderful to have her back," Murphy said. "She's older now and she's a little more mellow than she was, of course, as a younger dog but she still likes to go for walks first thing in the morning. And she likes to cuddle at night. She's still the same old girl."

One of Helpful Buckeye's columns on Micro-Chips in Pets has been published this week on the All About Dogs and Cats web site at: http://www.allaboutdogsandcats.com/MicrochippingYourPet.html If you missed this column the first time around, check it out.

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

The AVMA has put together a nice set of questions and answers about the Swine flu outbreak and it ramifications for pets. Take a few minutes to go over this list and, if you still have questions, send them in an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com or post them as a comment at the end of this issue.

Frequently Asked Questions About 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus
Updated May 4, 2009
The recent outbreak of a new strain of H1N1 influenza among people in North America has heightened awareness of this type of influenza commonly called "swine flu," and has raised fears of a 2009 H1N1 flu epidemic or even a pandemic. These questions and answers are based on what is currently known about the virus, and will be updated as we get new information.
Q:What is swine flu?
A:Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. The "classical" swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. Swine flu viruses cause illness in pigs, but the death rates are low. This new virus, although it is being called "swine flu," is not the same virus.
Q:How does this virus differ from bird flu?
A:The 2009 H1N1 flu virus is an entirely different virus than the bird flu you've been hearing about in the news. Among these differences is that humans infected with bird flu were infected by direct contact with sick birds, and this new virus is not spread by contact with animals. In addition, the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus that causes the bird flu in the news has not been reported in North America.
Q:Did this flu come from pigs? Can I catch it from pigs?
A:Although this new influenza was originally labeled as a "swine flu," it is being spread from person to person, not from pigs to people. None of the U.S. cases had contact with pigs. In addition, no U.S. pigs have been found to be infected with this flu strain.
No U.S. pigs have been found to be infected with this flu strain. However, on May 2, Canadian authorities announced 2009 H1N1 infection in a herd of pigs in Alberta. Based on the evidence to date, the pigs were likely infected by a farm worker who had been infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus during a recent trip to Mexico. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is investigating the situation. For updates, go to the CFIA's Web site.
At this time, we don't know exactly where the virus came from. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are investigating the cases.
Q:What is known about the 2009 H1N1 virus?
A:This new virus was first reported in late March/early April in central Mexico and the border states of California and Texas. Experts predict that the virus has the potential to spread worldwide, and has been reported in other countries outside North America.
The symptoms are very similar to human respiratory flu, with possible additional gastrointestinal side effects such as vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhea. In the United States, the cases so far have had self-limiting flu-like symptoms—just as with the "normal" seasonal flu, they are ill for a few days and then recover. In severe cases, pneumonia can develop.
The information is rapidly changing because this is an emerging situation. For up-to-date information, the CDC H1N1 Flu site is a good resource.
Q:How did the new virus develop? Where did it come from?
A:In general, influenza viruses commonly stick to one species when it comes to infection; for example, dogs and cats don't get seasonal flu from their owners. However, under the right conditions, influenza viruses from different species are capable of mixing and swapping DNA (this is called reassortment), resulting in a new virus. Swine flu can merge with other influenza viruses, such as avian or human flu, to produce new strains. The 2009 H1N1 flu virus consists of North American swine influenza viruses, North American avian influenza viruses, human influenza viruses and swine influenza viruses found in both Asia and Europe.
Q:Can my pet get the 2009 H1N1 virus?
A:To date, there is no evidence that pets are susceptible to this new strain of influenza; it appears to be transmitted only from person to person or from human to swine. There still is not enough information yet for us to know for sure if the virus can be transmitted to other animals. The best advice is to always follow common sense guidelines when dealing with animals (eg, washing your hands). In addition, it's more important than ever that pet owners keep a good eye on their pet's health and consult a veterinarian if their pet is showing any signs of illness. Keeping your pets healthy reduces their risk of becoming ill.
Q:Can my pot-bellied pig get the 2009 H1N1 virus and give it to me?
A:To date, the 2009 H1N1 virus has not been reported in pot-bellied pigs. However, the recent report of probable human-to-pig transmission of the virus warrants extra caution by pig owners. After all, pot-bellied pigs are considered swine, and therefore may be susceptible to the virus. For the time being, a cautious approach would include all contact between your pig and anyone who is ill or has recently been exposed to an ill person. Remember that pot-bellied pigs can become ill from a number of causes, and keeping your pig healthy and free of disease helps protect your pig as well as you. If you have a pet pig and it appears ill, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Q:There are feral pigs in my area. Can they spread the 2009 H1N1 virus?
A: To date, the 2009 H1N1 virus has not been reported in feral pigs. However, the likely infection of a swine herd in Alberta, Canada by an infected worker means caution is recommended. Remember that feral pigs can spread other diseases, and it is best to avoid contact with them—this goes for you and your animals. Feral pigs are best left to the proper authorities to handle, so contact your local animal control office if you need to report a feral pig problem.
Q:I keep hearing the words "pandemic" and "epidemic." What do they mean, and what is the difference?
A:An epidemic is a marked rise in disease in an area. This new virus is certainly causing an epidemic. This is not unusual for a new virus—because people have not been exposed to the virus before, their immune systems aren't ready to fight it off, and more people become ill. The SARS epidemic of 2003 is an example.
A pandemic is like an epidemic that's expanded to a larger area. In most cases, "pandemic" is used to describe a world-wide epidemic of disease. The 1918 Spanish flu and the Black Plague are extreme examples of pandemics. Keep in mind, though, that a pandemic doesn't necessarily mean millions of deaths—it means a widespread epidemic.
Q:Will this become a pandemic?
A:That remains to be seen. The appropriate responses are caution and increased awareness, not panic.
Q:I've heard news reports of a swine herd in Canada that has 2009 H1N1 flu. How does this change the situation?
A:Keep in mind this is an ongoing investigation, and there is still much to be learned from it. The most important thing learned from this is that people can pass the infection to pigs. Swine farms and veterinarians are continuing their surveillance and biosecurity programs to protect our nation's herds and our public health. Otherwise, the situation really hasn't changed for most of us. Caution and common sense are still important, and pork products are still safe to eat.
Q: How should I protect myself from getting the 2009 H1N1 virus?
A:Common sense is always the best guideline. According to the CDC, the following precautions should be taken at all times to promote good health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue—flu and cold germs are spread mainly by person-to-person contact and the coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as these are the primary places germs can enter your body.
Have limited contact with people who are obviously sick.
If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
Q:Can I get the 2009 H1N1 virus from eating pork?
A:No. There are no reported cases of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people from eating pork. This new virus is not a food-borne disease. However, good food hygiene is always recommended to protect yourself and your family from disease.
As always, when consuming meat products safe food practices should be followed. You can consult the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Be Food Safe site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Be_FoodSafe/BFS_for_Consumers/index.asp for tips on the cleaning, preparation and safe cooking temperatures for pork, as well as other meat and poultry products.
Q:I think I might be sick with the new virus, and I want to get a prescription for an antiviral. Can I get that from my veterinarian?
A:No. It is illegal for a veterinarian to prescribe medications for people. It is also unethical and illegal for a veterinarian to write a false prescription for a pet so the pet’s owner can obtain the medication for themselves.
Q:What if my pet needs an antiviral drug? Will my veterinarian be able to get the drugs?
A:This new H1N1 virus is spreading by human-to-human contact, and there is no evidence to date that it can infect animals. Keep in mind that pandemic planning, by necessity, must place a priority on treating infection in people—for that reason, antiviral medication supplies will be closely guarded and there may be strict guidelines in place that will determine how they are dispensed. Availability of antivirals may be low for non-pandemic response use. We encourage veterinarians to use their clinical judgment and weigh these factors when considering the necessity of an antiviral drug for a client’s pet. The use of antiviral medications in food animals is strictly regulated—and is prohibited in some species—and food supply veterinarians are already aware of these regulations.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

Now that we are getting back into the time of year when thunderstorms and other violent weather patterns make their appearance, it would be a good time to review some of our pets' phobias related to the weather. The AVMA has produced this very interesting podcast on Storm Phobias: http://www.avmamedia.org/display.asp?sid=123&tid=207&NAME=Storm_Phobias_in_Pets

After listening to this podcast, you might also want to go back and review 2 of Helpful Buckeye's columns on thunderstorms at: http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/search/label/Thunderstorms There are actually 2 separate issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats referenced at this site...simply cursor down to find each reference.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

You came home and saw gouges on your front door the size of claw marks. Then you saw the puddle, again. Wasn't your fault traffic was at a standstill and you were twenty minutes late getting home. Or, you are dead tired and just want to veg out on the couch, but it seems every fifteen minutes or so, Fido or Fluffy wants out…again! You need to install a pet door!!

So goes the advertisement for The Pet Door Site, at: http://www.thepetdoorsite.com/ After reading over the information available at this site, a pet owner will almost feel a little guilty about not having one of these installed for their dog or cat. Click into each of the categories and you will find a model for just about every situation.

PHRASE OF THE WEEK

OK, tell Helpful Buckeye, in plain English, what this phrase means: "It is fruitless to attempt to indoctrinate a super-annuated canine with innovative maneuvers." Send your answer to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com or submit a comment at the end of this issue.

GENERAL INTEREST

1) Archaeologists at the University of Pennsylvania have used a CT scan to determine that the small mummified bundle found with a mummified human in an Egyptian tomb is that of a puppy. This discovery was considered to be a bit unusual because Egyptians of 2300 years ago usually only buried birds or cats with their owners. The whole story is at: http://news.aol.com/article/mummified-puppy/459593?icid=mainmaindl1link7http://news.aol.com/article/mummified-puppy/459593

2) For those of you who have to leave a dog at home unattended during the work day, you might want to consider this set-up for a diversionary activity for your dog: http://www.thefunnystuff.net/viewmovie.php?id=1210 Watch "Jerry Dog" as he entertains himself....

3) Domestic cats purr at about 26 cycles per second, the same frequency as an idling diesel engine. A domestic cat hears frequencies up to about 65 kHz, humans up to 20 kHz. Its sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than that of humans.

4) We've all played Simon Says at some point in our lives and remember how easy it was to be tricked into doing something at the wrong time. Well, watch this dog playing the game (with your speakers turned on) and determine for yourself if you could beat him: http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=10636

5) Helpful Buckeye's former business partner (yeah, he's a Buckeye too!) sent this interesting web site along for inclusion in the blog. IDEXX, a company that produces a lot of the laboratory tests available in veterinary medicine, has put together a really nice and informative site about the various tick-borne diseases at: http://dogsandticks.com/index.html In addition to information on tick-borne diseases, dog owner tips, and Frequently Asked Questions, you also have the option of selecting your state (and even your county) to find the incidence of the various tick-borne diseases: http://dogsandticks.com/US-map-lyme-disease-dogs/index.html

6) This past week, a dog in southern California helped save his owners from an attack by a mountain lion on a trail. The dog, named Hoagie, surely lived up to its name and became a "Hero"....(which is also another name for a hoagie). This canine hero had to have several hours of surgery to take care of its wounds, but is expected to survive: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/05/06/hero-dog-saves-owners-from-mountain-lion/?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl5link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fhero-dog-saves-owners-from-mountain-lion%2F

SPORTS NEWS

In addition to learning a lot about viruses this past week, we also had the opportunity to learn a lot more about human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), courtesy of Manny Ramirez. Unfortunately, Manny didn't learn enough about HCG and it cost him a 50-game suspension. It will be interesting to find out how well the Los Angeles Dodgers will be able to adjust to life without Manny.

PERSONAL STUFF

From time to time, Helpful Buckeye has used quotes about optimism and/or pessimism, mainly because those two concepts have so much to do with how we get through our day. Rene Descartes, French philosopher and mathematician, had this contribution: "An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?"...while President Harry Truman said this: "A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties."

In part, as an observation of our first anniversary of Questions On Dogs and Cats, Helpful Buckeye and Desperado, joined by the two Cowpokes, will be making an attempt to conquer the West Fork of Oak Creek this Thursday. This is considered to be one of the best hikes in the state of Arizona and the weather looks like it will be perfect! Two of us are true-blue optimists (I wonder if it could be the Pisces effect?) and two of us are confirmed pessimists. Whatever goes, it seems to make for an interesting combination when we're together!

I just went over 1800 miles on my bike this week, from the 1st of January....

~~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.~~

PUT ME IN COACH...I'M READY TO PLAY, TODAY!

PUT ME IN COACH...I CAN BE CENTERFIELD! Ah, yes, it's that time of year again, when all the Major League Baseball teams are equal and "there's new grass on the field," as John Fogerty sings in the song, Centerfield. Enjoy this video of John Fogerty, accompanied by Keith Urban, as they sing what Helpful Buckeye considers the best of all the baseball songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTl-NnuLjaE Go ahead and turn up the volume, you'll enjoy this one! For extra points, send me an e-mail with a description of John Fogerty's "guitar", to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

Opening Day always stirs the passions of any baseball fan, human or otherwise, as you can see in the opening photo. The dog even looks like he's in the centerfield area of the ballpark, doesn't he? Baseball has always been Helpful Buckeye's favorite sport, both to play and to follow. Growing up and following the Dodgers when they were still in Brooklyn, Helpful Buckeye always wanted to be Duke Snider, the centerfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Like the song says, "I can be centerfield"....

Last week's poll question confirmed what Helpful Buckeye has suspected for a long time. We've got some really smart followers of Questions On Dogs and Cats! Everybody but one got the right answer of Lyme, Connecticut! There are still many of you who are sending your answer to our e-mail address, and that's OK. It still gets included in the poll results. However, you can simply mark the box for your answer right there in the polling section and click "Vote." Be sure to check out this week's poll question in the left column and be sure to vote!

Another comment from Holly showed up this week:
"Once again, I turn to you to start off a week with some background, additional pet thoughts for consideration, and a feeling of gratitude for all the work that you put into this labor of love! Have a great week, Doc, with my thanks!"

Holly, you'll spoil me if you keep this up! But, thanks for the kind words....and where do I send the check???

Remember, you can submit a comment by clicking on "Comments" at the very end of each blog issue. The process is very easy to follow and your comment will then appear with the others. You can send it anonymously or with your name. You can also send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) A story in the news this past week concerns the use of carbon monoxide gas for euthanasia of unwanted pets in animals shelters across the USA. Twelve states currently do not allow this form of euthanasia and several more are considering adopting the ban. Humane societies feel the use of carbon monoxide is an inhumane method of euthanasia, while many of the people who put these animals to sleep, including some veterinarians, feel that it is a necessary addition to their choices of euthanasia, especially where a wild, impossible to handle animal is involved. Read the whole story from the USA Today at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-01-animalgaschamber_N.htm

2) The American Veterinary Medical Association has released this pod cast on food safety and the role of the veterinarian. With all the publicity concerning food contamination and the resulting sicknesses, both in humans and their pets, this audio report describes the contributions of the veterinary medical profession to the goal of food safety: http://www.avmamedia.org/display.asp?sid=129&NAME=Chew_on_This:_Veterinarians_Keep_My_Food_Safe?_Really

3) Most of you are familiar with the concept of hospice care, if not in your immediate family, at least in your circle of acquaintances. Well, a veterinarian in Chicago has started a hospice for pets and has been instrumental in forming a group that is trying to make this available nationally. Modeled after human hospice, pet hospice emphasizes managing a patient's terminal illnesses while preparing the family for the end. This is done in a number of ways, from the use of grief counselors to pain management techniques. For the rest of this really interesting concept, read this: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/apr09/090415o.asp

4) Now that Helpful Buckeye has just finishing discussing Borreliosis (Lyme Disease) last week, you will appreciate that April has been designated as "Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month." Here is the press release from the AVMA: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/apr09/090415p.asp You should also understand that this press release is partly funded by Merial Co., which is one of the producers of the Lyme Disease vaccine, and we discussed last week the uncertainties involved in using the vaccine.

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Helpful Buckeye spent last week discussing the main diseases carried by ticks, some of the 8-legged parasites that confront your dogs and cats. This week, another of those 8-legged parasites, the ear mite, will be the topic for discussion. Ear mites are fairly common in both dogs and cats, especially the younger ones that tend to roam and have contact with other dogs and cats. Ear mites are spread from pet to pet by casual or close contact with a dog or cat already infected with the mites.

Ear mites are tiny, almost microscopic parasites, although the adults can be seen by someone with good eye sight. These mites crawl down into the ear canal of your dog or cat and cause a very intense irritation of the skin in the ear canal. Your dog or cat will start with excessive head shaking and/or scratching at their ears. They may scratch to the point that it creates bleeding sores around the ear flaps. You might even notice a strong, offensive odor coming from the ears, in addition to seeing a brown or black waxy discharge building up in the ear canal. Your veterinarian can determine if ear mites are involved by using an otoscope to look down into the ear canal.

The magnifying portion of the otoscope will illuminate the ear mites and confirm the diagnosis. The magnified adult ear mite looks like this: and, if you have good eyes, those adults are visible (the white ovals) on the end of the otoscope speculum:

Treatment of ear mites involves the thorough cleaning of the ear canal, followed by administration of a medication that will kill the mites (a miticide). If the ear mite infection is advanced enough, your veterinarian may need to do the ear cleaning under sedation or anesthesia. A topical treatment will be sent home with you to help kill any mites left in the ear canal. Due to the life cycle of the ear mite, you should use this medication for a 2-4 week period. If your veterinarian feels that some of the ear mites are also damaging the skin around the ear flap, they might recommend a product for more general usage on the skin.

Helpful Buckeye will finish the discussion of mite diseases in next week's issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats.

Under the theory that humor is the best medicine (and, possibly, the best instructor), enjoy this cartoon from The New Yorker: NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

1) Most of us are aware of the contributions that dogs make to the betterment of certain humans' lives. Now, the American Kennel Club is sponsoring a "Canine Hero" contest that will award a prize in the following five categories: law enforcement, search and rescue, therapy, service, and exemplary companion dog. To read the rest of this very interesting story, go to: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3798

If you know of a dog that is deserving, go ahead and send in your entry!

2) The Centers For Disease Control has released the results of a study that evaluated pet-related falling injuries and the results were pretty amazing! It turns out that many of us are tripping, stumbling, or just plain being dragged to an injury by our pets. "An average of more than 86,000 people are seen by hospital emergency departments every year because they trip and fall over their pets or their pets' paraphernalia. This accounts for approximately 240 visits per day, but only 1 percent of the total trip-and-fall injuries. Most of the injuries occur at home, and children and seniors were more commonly injured." The rest of the report provides further details of these falls and offers several suggestions to help us avoid them: http://www.avma.org/aa/pet_induced_falling_injuries.asp

3) Since we are getting back into spring-time weather, with its warmer wind patterns, thunderstorms will be spreading across much of the USA. Thunderstorms affect every pet in different ways. Some dogs and cats act as if they don't even hear the thunder, while others seem to become frantic at the first thunder clap. Helpful Buckeye covered this topic last summer, which you can access by clicking on "Thunderstorms" under "Labels" in the left column. Then, go to this article from the USA Today for another perspective on how involved this relationship can be between a dog and a thunderstorm: http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/pettalk/2009-03-31-thunder-dogs_N.htm

PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK

Since April has been designated by the ASPCA as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, it is only fitting that Helpful Buckeye direct you to the ASPCA's web site for their "Go Orange" products that are available: http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/

GENERAL INTEREST

1) Several weeks ago, we talked about the increasing presence of pets in the workplace. Now, the new trend seems to be pets showing up in church! The USA Today called it "Paws in the Pews" in an article this past week: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-30-dog-church_N.htm

2) For a different view on the types of bedding now available for pets, take a look at these: http://home.aol.com/new_in_home/photogallerytall/_a/outrageous-pet-beds/20090310190709990001?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl7link7http%3A%2F%2Fhome.aol.com%2Fnew_in_home%2Fphotogallerytall%2F_a%2Foutrageous-pet-beds%2F20090310190709990001

Which are you thinking about acquiring?

3) We hear so much about "reducing our carbon footprint" in these times of "Green" concern. Yes, there are now some suggestions for reducing the carbon "pawprint" of your pets: http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009/03/30/news/national/20090330_us_ne_193624.txt

4) This quote from comedian Bob Hope provides some humor for the week: "They say animal behavior can warn you when an earthquake is coming. Like the night before that last earthquake hit, our family dog took the car keys and drove to Arizona."

5) Most of you have probably seen David Letterman and his "Stupid Dog Tricks," some of which are pretty funny. Here's one that maybe takes top prize: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DalB-CvO7Qc

6) For those of you who may be getting a cat for the first time and have been wondering where might be the best place to put the cat's litter pan, here are a few suggestions: http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/ask-real-simple/where-put-cat-litter-box-00000000011531/?xid=askrsnews

7) With the onset of warmer weather in most locations, many plants and flowers will be soon coming into full growth and blooms. A lot of you will even have "forced" bulbs to bloom indoors. This warning about the toxicity of lily plants, from the American Association of Feline Practitioners, may be beneficial to your cat: http://www.catvets.com/newsroom/?Id=410

8) For those of you who were wondering if Donald Trump ever had a dog:

9) A new breed of dog was discovered in Flagstaff recently: .....a Black Metallic Terrier?

SPORTS NEWS

Rabid Fans Face Health Risk
ORLANDO, Fla. (UPI) -- A California cardiologist says living and dying by the success or failure of a favorite sports team can be deadly. Robert A. Kloner, director of research at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, said there was an increased number of deaths for two weeks following the closely contested 1980 Super Bowl between the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Four years later, deaths fell after the LA Raiders easily beat the Washington Redskins, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Similar results were reported following major sporting events in Germany and France. Kloner said becoming emotionally involved in a team isn't always good for the heart. He is presenting the research at an American College of Cardiology meeting in Orlando, Fla., the newspaper said.

Wow, Helpful Buckeye might need to pull back just a little on the enthusiasm level for certain teams...nah, it's too much fun living and dying with my teams and their level of success.

On that note, with college basketball almost finished for the year and my team, Pitt, out of the running, Helpful Buckeye will just sit back and enjoy the Michigan State Spartans trying to disrupt the exploits of the North Carolina Tarheels. At just about the same time as that game is tipping off, my Los Angeles Dodgers will be seeing the first pitch of the baseball season, in their defense of their NL West Champion title.

This song will be played and sung countless times during the baseball season at all of the ballparks, but how many of you knew that there were verses to the song? Sing along and enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4-gsdLSSQ0

PERSONAL STUFF

This quote from Rene Descartes, French philosopher and mathematician, helps to settle a burning question we all have asked: "Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has."

Common sense decrees that this is the "End":

~~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.~~

HOLIDAY ROAD

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1)In last week's posting, we discussed having a pet missing as a result of a natural disaster. We also suggested preparing a small animal evacuation kit in case you need to get away from a natural disaster. Well, Helpful Buckeye suspects that all of you did read the advice, thought that it made pretty good sense, and then figured it always happens to someone else, somewhere else...so maybe I'll have time to do this later on.

Can you say...FLOODING OF HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS, that was "Beyond What Anybody Could Even Imagine?" The residents of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, had no idea their city would be inundated by so much water this week. No one had much, if any, time to get valuables together before trying to escape the onslaught of water. The pictures coming out of Cedar Rapids, even though quite graphic, cannot measure the depth of loss and devastation felt by the survivors.

Can you imagine how some of them must feel when they think of missing dogs and cats or how much they wish they had prepared some kind of evacuation kit that included some of the items we listed last week? Other people's sufferings can become yours in a heartbeat...hardly anyone in the USA is immune from some type of natural disaster. So, give it another try...take care of IDs and vital information for your pets, plus put together a small pet evacuation kit for that moment when you might experience an event "Beyond What Anybody Could Even Imagine...."


PetSmart, Inc. has sent a large mobile trailer-type facility that will be used as a temporary shelter for the treatment and housing of displaced and lost dogs and cats, as described in this news release: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=868540

2)Also, in the news this past week is the removal of most kinds of tomatoes from grocery store displays, due to...possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonella bacteria are the cause of typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and certain types of food borne illnesses. The genus Salmonella was named after Daniel Elmer Salmon, an American veterinary pathologist. Salmon, along with Theobald Smith, discovered the organism that also causes hog cholera, a devastating disease of pigs. Helpful Buckeye is hoping the potentially dangerous situation will be corrected soon because tomatoes are a big favorite!

3) You've all seen this road sign before, right? It means, "Two Way Traffic," and indicates that traffic is going in both directions. Well, from now on, this sign will be a symbol for the dialogue that Helpful Buckeye is trying to achieve in the postings of this blog. Understandably, most of the dialogue has been "One Way" in our early issues, as the pace and content are getting established. However, as we've discussed before, a blog will be much more successful with responses from its readers, either by comments or e-mails. So, it's time for the "Two Way Traffic" to begin! Let's talk! Any comments, please send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Vaccines are medical health products that trigger protective immune responses in pets and prepare them to fight future infections from certain disease-causing agents. The concept of a vaccination has been around for almost 300 years. In 1718, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (yes, you've seen that name before, haven't you?) reported that the Turks have a habit of deliberately inoculating themselves with fluid taken from mild cases of smallpox (a viral disease) and she inoculated her own children. Later that century, in 1796, Edward Jenner (an English physician)used the word vaccination for the first time. Louis Pasteur (French microbiologist and chemist) developed the first vaccine as a protection against a bacterial disease (anthrax in cattle) in the 1870s and then, in 1885, gave the first rabies vaccine to a human. For those of you still wondering, Lady Montagu provided the quote about reading we used two weeks ago on these pages.

Vaccines can lessen the severity of future infections and certain vaccines can prevent infection altogether. Your veterinarian has a variety of vaccines from which to choose when it comes to mapping out a protective program for your pet. Even though some formerly common diseases have now become uncommon, vaccination is still highly recommended because these very serious disease-causing agents continue to be present in the environment. Your veterinarian will tailor a vaccination schedule to suit your pet's needs. Things to consider when making this decision are your pet's lifestyle, access to other animals, and amount of travel to other geographic locations...all of these factors will affect your pet's risk of exposure to disease. Not all pets should be vaccinated with all vaccines just because these vaccines are available. Most veterinarians will offer a "Core" set of vaccines, which are recommended for most pets in a particular area. Then, there are the "Non-Core" vaccines for pets with specific and unique needs.

"Core" vaccines are recommended for all puppies/kittens and mature dogs and cats with an unknown vaccination history. These generally include parvovirus, distemper virus, adenovirus, and rabies (for dogs) and herpes virus, calici virus, panleukopenia virus, and rabies (for cats). The "Non-Core" vaccines are optional choices that should be considered in light of the exposure risk of the pet and, in general, are less effective in protecting against disease than vaccination with the "Core" vaccines. These generally include parainfluenza virus (kennel cough), distemper-measles combination, Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), Leptospira, and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) for dogs and leukemia virus, immunodeficiency virus, calici virus, Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella bronciseptica (for cats). Generally speaking, the vaccination plan for each individual pet should be decided by the owner and veterinarian at routine annual examinations, following a discussion regarding the pet's lifestyle in the year ahead.

One area of concern in the vaccination of cats is the appearance of vaccine-associated sarcomas, in particular their association with the feline leukemia virus vaccines and the killed rabies virus vaccines. The frequency of these sarcomas started to increase in the early 1990s and have become the focus of many research projects, by both veterinarians and pharmaceutical companies. If you find a lump at a vaccine injection site, you should have your veterinarian examine your cat as soon as possible. These lumps are almost always of no consequence and will go away after a few weeks. The persistent lumps are the ones that require further evaluation and your veterinarian will work with you on the correct approach.

We will discuss these various vaccinations in greater detail in future issues, as space and subject matter allow.

Of course, if you have any specific questions about vaccines, send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

1)As an aftermath of some of the weird natural weather events we discussed last week, we have the consideration of THUNDERSTORMS and their effect on dogs. Thunderstorms are frequently associated with tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as being of the "normal" summer afternoon variety seen in large parts of the country. Helpful Buckeye got an e-mail last week from Jack in western PA, asking what he could do to help calm his dogs during a thunderstorm. He also wondered about some of the advertised holistic treatments for this and their effectiveness.

A dog's anxiety over a thunderstorm can be manifested by everything from nervousness to extreme destructiveness. Most veterinarians will tell you that tranquilizers or other calming medications are usually going to be ineffective in reducing nervousness due to thunderstorms...for the simple reason that your dog will know well in advance of the actual thunderstorm that something "bad" is about to happen. They can sense the changes in barometric pressure that precede such a weather event and will usually be distraught well before you can give them any medicine. For this reason, veterinarians are more likely to urge you to consider some form of behavioral modification that will acclimate your dog to such stressful situations without being "afraid." Most big cities will have large referral veterinary clinics that might have a pet behavior specialist on staff. A behavioral specialist would work toward desensitization and counter-conditioning of the problem.

Since you asked about homeopathic/holistic products as a treatment for this problem, I should give you my opinion of homeopathic medicine and treatments. Most veterinarians (and physicians) don't feel real comfortable recommending homeopathic products for a couple of reasons: they weren't trained in their usage, and they don't feel comfortable with the lack of proper research into their potency, effectiveness, or toxicity. This being said, there is no doubt that some of these homeopathic products do work, both in humans and animals. There are some "natural" products available in holistic pet stores that don't have toxicity problems and have been reported to provide "calming influences"...these would be the flower essences, such as "Anaflora's Special Stress Tincture." You'll have to use your own judgment on this one.

Unless your dogs have shown the destructive behavior, you might be better off to work on providing them with a familiar, sheltered area, which would help them feel more secure during a storm. In addition, you should be careful not to comfort or coddle them during their distress because they will probably interpret your actions as an approval of their behavior and continue to act that way. And, if the behavior is terribly stressful for them or if they are destructive, you should consider a consultation with a behavioral specialist (preferably one with a veterinary doctor degree in addition to the behavioral specialty training).

2) Traveling with a pet can, and should be, a positive experience for the whole family. Who can forget the Griswold family, in National Lampoon's Vacation, as they vacationed across America...and, yes, that movie is celebrating its 25th birthday this year! At a rest stop, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) ties the family dog, Dinky, to the rear bumper of the car...forgets that he has done so, drives away, and you can guess the rest. At this point, you should take a moment to reflect and watch the animated video of the theme song, Holiday Road, from the movie, as sung by Lindsay Buckingham:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVxNg0TSXXs&feature=related

If your pets will be traveling with you, check out pet-friendly lodging, RV parks, campgrounds, national parks, and outdoor restaurants at the following web sites:

• http://dogfriendly.com/


• http://www.petswelcome.com/


• http://www.fidofriendly.com/

These web sites have numerous categories of interest to choose from as you plan your stops along the road.

Don't forget to pack enough water for your pet and a drinking bowl. Travel induced panting, excitement, and anxiety can lead to evaporation of body fluid and then to dehydration. Also, repeating a suggestion from 3 weeks ago, you should pack a few of the Cool 'N Dry Shammy products, from: http://www.super-cool-products.com/automarinepet/petcareproducts.html , to help with the cooling-off process on those hot afternoons heading into the sun. The humans on-board will also really appreciate the cooling effect of the Sammy Cool 'N Dry Towel, available at the same web site.

Remember to have with you all of your pet's proof of vaccinations and any pertinent medical history, especially if an ongoing treatment is involved. And, as Clark Griswold found out, be very careful at rest stops and any areas that might be unfamiliar to your pet...always have them on a leash (but not tied to the bumper!)...a pet running loose in an unfamiliar area is likely to become a lost pet!

Wherever you are traveling this summer with your pet, it can be a positive experience for all involved, but especially if you've done your homework ahead of time. Helpful Buckeye wishes you safe travels, with or without you pet, this summer. To help you get into a travel mood, enjoy this video of the Nat King Cole version of Get Your Kicks (On Rt. 66): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbQXalTGu-8 ...the pictures of the old buildings along old Rt. 66 are pretty interesting!

ANY COMMENTS, please send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

WORD/PHRASE AND DEFINITION OF THE WEEK

Black Diamond--this is sort of a trick phrase, but you'll get it when you read the following news story:

ILFRACOMBE, England - A British woman said she turned her beloved, recently deceased cat into a one-third-of-a-carat black diamond ring with the help of a U.S. firm. Sue Rogers, 45, said she was so distraught over the death of her 11-year-old cat, Sooty, that normal avenues of memorial didn't seem special enough for her beloved pet, The Telegraph reported Monday. Scientists with Chicago's LifeGem said they created the diamond by extracting 2 grams of carbon from 100 grams of the cat's ashes. They placed the carbon in a diamond press, where it was submitted to more than 1 million pounds of pressure and temperatures reaching 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit. Rogers told The Telegraph the black diamond, thought to be the only such jewel in the world made from animal ashes, was cut, polished and set in a gold band. She said the item cost her more than $4,000. "I asked the company if they did black diamonds and they said they had never done one before. But thankfully they were able to and now Sooty is a black diamond," Rogers said to the newspaper. "They use ashes, but not all of them, so it is still possible to scatter some ashes in the traditional way as well." I guess even "Black Diamonds" would be a "girl's best friend!"

ANECDOTE OF THE WEEK

When Helpful Buckeye was still in veterinary medical school, it was a good idea to spend some time working in a veterinary clinic in order to gain some practical knowledge. I worked at a small animal clinic in a little town outside of Columbus and got to see a lot of interesting and instructive situations. One evening, a close personal friend of the veterinarian brought in his favorite Labrador Retriever, which had just been hit by a truck outside of his housing development. The man was in tears as we examined the dog to see if we could do anything to save him. As the exam progressed, the man said, "If I could catch the dumb jerk that hit him, I know what I'd like to do!" To this, the veterinarian (who was a crusty sort of guy) put his arm over his friend's shoulder and responded, "Charley, I don't know if we'll ever find the guy who hit him, but I know what I'd like to say to the dumb jerk that let him run loose!" Granted, his table-side manner may have been a little edgy, but the point was that the owner had let the dog run loose...and, therefore, was ultimately responsible for his fate. The dog didn't make it....

GENERAL INTEREST

On 9 June 1973, Secretariat won racing's Triple Crown with a spectacular victory in the Belmont Stakes, first horse to do so since Citation in 1948.

Also, on 9 June 1934, Donald Duck made his first screen appearance in "The Wise Little Hen."

The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum was dedicated on 12 June 1939 in Cooperstown, NY...Hit the ball and touch 'em all!

Desperado saw an interesting bumper sticker this week. It read: WAG MORE, BARK LESS That's a pretty good sentiment for dogs...and people! Which reminds me, if you see a good bumper sticker that fits in with our motif, send it to us in an e-mail (include a picture, if possible) and we'll run it.

With the discussion of heartworms last week and the mosquitoes that carry them, some interest has arisen about the newer forms of mosquito control available on the market (mostly for humans). The following web site has a lot of very current suggestions for your consideration: Click here: Week of 6/8/2008

One of our readers sent in a note they received from their electric power company advising them of ways to keep meter readers safe from dogs in the yard where the electric meter is located. Helpful Buckeye thought this was pretty smart on the part of the electric company, huh? Now, if the dog owners will comply with the request to chain their dogs away from the meter and try to pay attention to the meter-reading date, perhaps we will have more incidents of "being a good pet neighbor" and fewer incidents of dogs getting pepper spray in their face.

On 6/14/1951, Univac I, the world's first commercial computer, designed for the U.S. Census Bureau, was unveiled. A lot of computer brand names have come and gone since then!

Lastly, an interesting water-filled pad for dogs has gotten Helpful Buckeye's attention. It can be used for cooling, as well as for comfort...consider taking it along on your vacation! See it here: http://www2.pulsetv.com/prodinfo.asp?number=4052

ANY COMMENTS, please send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

SPORTS NEWS

The LA Dodgers continue to be the tonic for other teams' improvement! At the rate we're losing games, we won't even be in second place for long!

PERSONAL STUFF

The Russian Olive trees are now in bloom in our area...the sweet, spicy aroma pervades the neighborhoods along one of Helpful Buckeye's bike routes.

Until next week...au revoir, hasta la vista, auf Wiedersehen...which are foreign dog talk for...see you later, alligator! Close it out by enjoying Bill Haley & The Comets doing the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBaTdjSsrGw

~~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.~~