ARE YOU & YOUR PETS READY?

What's that???  Oh, no, it's a tick!  And this is only March!  This past winter was, by all accounts, a much milder one than most throughout much of the USA.  As a result, springtime seemed to arrive somewhat sooner as well.  We've all enjoyed the early blooming flowers but, it has also has become evident that we're going to be experiencing an earlier onset of external parasite season...for us and our pets.  Experts are not fully in agreement that there will be MORE ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes than normal but they all agree that the bothersome season will be longer than normal.  So, rather than put your head in the sand and hope that nothing bad happens, you'd be wise to heed the warnings and brush up on your defense mechanisms for these external parasites.

This Season's Ticking Bomb

Warm Weather Means Ticks Will Be Out Early; A 'Horrific' Season for Lyme and Other Diseases

They can wait for months, clinging to the edge of a blade of grass or a bush, for the whiff of an animal's breath or vibration telling them a host approaches.


Around the country, state and federal health officials are battling a continued rise in tick-borne diseases including Lyme, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Laura Landro has details on Lunch Break.


They are ticks—and when they attach to your skin and feed on your blood over many days, they can transmit diseases. Often hard to diagnose and tricky to treat, tick-borne illnesses—led by Lyme disease—can cause symptoms ranging from headache and muscle aches, to serious and long-term complications that affect the brain, joints, heart, nerves and muscles. Preventing bites to head off illness is particularly important, experts say, because the complex interaction between ticks, their hosts, bacteria and habitats isn't completely understood.

Warmer temperatures are leading some experts to warn that tick activity is starting earlier than usual this year, putting more people at risk.


"This is going to be a horrific season, especially for Lyme," says Leo J. Shea III, a clinical assistant professor at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, part of New York University Langone Medical Center. He is also president of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.


Lyme may be identified after a tick bite, for example, by an expanding rash that looks like a bull's-eye. But that doesn't always happen, and even after a tick bite, antibodies against Lyme may not show up for weeks, so early blood tests can turn up false negatives. Symptoms such as fatigue, chills, fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes may be misdiagnosed. Some infections can go undetected for months or even years. When caught early, tick-borne diseases can be treated successfully with two weeks of antibiotics, but doctors and researchers still argue about whether a chronic form of Lyme exists, and whether it should be treated with longer courses of the drugs.


Between 1992 and 2010, reported cases of Lyme doubled, to nearly 23,000, and there were another 7,600 probable cases in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But CDC officials say the true incidence of Lyme may be three times higher. Other infections, including babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis are steadily increasing, too. While not all ticks carry disease, some may spread two or three types of infections in a single bite.


Researchers say the primary reasons for the global rise of tick-borne illness include the movement of people into areas where animal hosts and tick populations are abundant, and growth in the population of animals that carry ticks, including deer, squirrels and mice.


"We haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the type of pathogens ticks can be harboring and transmitting," says Kristy K. Bradley, state epidemiologist and public health veterinarian for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.


Animals "are a traveling tick parade," Dr. Bradley adds, with pet dogs "bringing them into the home and onto furniture and carpets."


Regularly checking the body for ticks can reduce exposure, because removing them quickly can prevent transmission of disease, says Kirby C. Stafford III, chief entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, or CAES, in New Haven.


Showering or bathing quickly after being outdoors can also help wash off crawling ticks or make it easier to find them. What won't work: simply jumping in the pool or lake, because ticks can hide in bathing suits and don't quickly drown in water. There are tick-repellent sprays for clothes, but it is wise to immediately launder and dry garments at high temperatures after hiking or golfing in areas where ticks are present.


The CDC is conducting the first study of its kind to determine whether spraying the yard for ticks can not only kill pests, but also reduce human disease. Participating households agreed to be randomly assigned a single spray with a common pesticide, bifenthrin, or one that contained water, without knowing which they would receive.


Paul Mead, chief of epidemiology and surveillance activity at CDC's bacterial-illness branch, says preliminary results from about 1,500 households indicate that a spray reduced the tick population by 60%.


"But there was far less of a reduction in tick encounters and illness," indicating that even a sharp drop in tick populations leaves infected ones behind. "We may have to completely wipe out ticks to get an effect on human illness," he says. The CDC is enrolling households for a second arm of the study and expects final results late in the fall. Organic repellents such as Alaska cedar are also being tested in other studies.


Sometimes fire is the only solution: Wildlife biologist Scott C. Williams roams Connecticut's woods armed with a propane torch to incinerate clumps of Japanese barberry, an invasive plant species that chokes off native vegetation and provides a favorite habitat for ticks.


The CAES program to control the red-berried shrub—once cultivated as decorative—is part of the growing, multifaceted effort around the country to prevent the spread of infections like Lyme, which Dr. Williams has been treated for twice since beginning the project in 2007.


Dr. Bradley's home state of Oklahoma is one of several working with the One Health Initiative, a global program to improve communication between physicians and veterinarians to prevent the spread of infectious disease from animals to people, such as recommending tick collars, sprays or topical treatments with pesticides for dogs.


One problem, says Laura Kahn, a founder of One Health, is that "vets don't like to advise people on human health and physicians don't typically think about these things, so it falls through the cracks." About 75% of new diseases that have emerged globally in the last 30 years are spread from animals to people, many of them through ticks, says Dr. Kahn, who is also a science-and-global-security researcher at Princeton University.


Jason Lipsett, 21 years old, was diagnosed with Lyme in November, after suffering for three years with symptoms including problems with his jaw, recurring sinus infections, migraines and trouble sleeping. He had to give up playing tennis and take a medical leave from Bentley University in Waltham Mass., where he was a senior. He doesn't remember being bitten by a tick but had been camping in the woods in New Hampshire and often spent time outdoors during the summers at a family home in Cape Cod.


Doctors told him he might have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. Depressed about his health, he began seeing a therapist who knew about the symptoms of Lyme and referred him to another physician. That doctor determined he had Lyme—and babesiosis, caused by a parasite that destroys red blood cells.


Mr. Lipsett has been on an antibiotic regimen for four months. He says he has felt better each month and that he is prepared to stay on the drugs until he and his doctor are confident the disease is under control. He is making up courses and hopes to graduate next year. He plans to participate in a 5K run on April 29 to raise money for Time for Lyme, a Stamford, Conn. nonprofit that supports research into Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses.


"I may not be able to run, but I'm going to try to walk it," he says.

Adated from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577305630267988716.html?mod=dist_smartbrief
 

Veterinarians Worried Worst Flea Season About To Begin

As Caitlin G’Sell enjoyed an early spring day in Forest Park, Missouri, with her 13-year-old Labrador Cosette, it was pretty obvious to her when the weather is this nice for this long at this time of year, flea season is going to be terrible.

“I think it snowed twice and there was hardly any freezing so a lot of the parasites and their eggs will survive this winter,” she said.


Many veterinarians are worried the worst flea season in recent memory is about to begin, or perhaps is already upon us.


“We probably saw more live flea cases throughout the winter than what we normally would, because it never got cold enough. They were still hatching out and able to get on the pets,” said Dr. Teresa Garden from Animal Health and Healing in Richmond Heights.


The problem with fleas is once you have one, you can soon have an infestation because a single female can lay up to 800 eggs.


“It is much easier to prevent the problem than to deal with it after it has started,” said Dr. Steven Schwartz, the director of veterinary services at the Humane Society of Missouri.


Like many veterinarians, Schwartz recommends flea and tick protection year round, and not just for outdoor pets.


“The classic we come across is that someone will say, well I have cats that stay indoors, my dog goes outside so since the cats are indoors there is really no reason to worry about flea problems with my cats. That is unfortunately not true. All of the animals become susceptible as soon as one of the animals goes outdoors,” Schwartz said.


One way to discover fleas early is to go over your dog with a flea comb, which can find fleas and flea dirt much better than you can just with your eyes. If black specks fall out of the hair you’ve combed, chances are you’ve found fleas. The best way to tell is to shake the hair pulled out by the comb over a white surface. Then add water to any black specks you find. If those specks melt and turn red, it is flea dirt, meaning your fleas have already made a home on your pet.


Along with fleas, ticks are expected to be bad as well, especially for pets that spend much time around water.

Adapted from: http://fox2now.com/2012/03/06/veterinarians-worried-worst-flea-season-about-to-begin/
 

The Downside of a Balmy Winter? Long Walks With the Dog Aren’t Carefree

By KAREN ANN CULLOTTA

Annette Kowalczyk, a retiree, and her trusty dog, Beau, were extraordinarily active last month, relishing long walks through her suburban Chicago neighborhood — a pleasant change from last winter, when icy sidewalks and bitter cold made their favorite pastime downright treacherous.


Alas, for poor Beau, a Bichon Frisé who suffered a nasty tick bite in February, the balmy winter weather also appears to have encouraged legions of ticks to abandon their typically sedentary winter habit of lounging docilely under snow drifts, in favor of feasting heartily on a late-winter canine blood meal.


“The vet said the tick didn’t settle down until he found a juicy spot on Beau’s neck,” said Mrs. Kowalczyk, 74.


“I was horrified,” she added. “It wasn’t like we were walking in the forest. We were on the sidewalk, in my neighborhood.”


While entomologists say that the mild weather in much of the country this winter is unlikely to spawn a tick population explosion this spring and summer, they suggest that just like humans and dogs, the pesky critters appear to be enjoying the great outdoors a month or two earlier this year.


“Usually, by late December it’s too cold for ticks to be out questing for a blood meal,” said Richard Pollack, a public health entomologist and instructor in the department of immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health.


“Last year at this time, people were sitting in their living rooms watching TV, but now they’re out in their neighborhoods, enjoying the warm weather with their dogs and wearing T-shirts,” Dr. Pollack said.


“It’s not necessarily so that the warm weather has created more ticks,” he added, “but it has created the opportunity for both humans and ticks to be more active, and to make contact with each other.”


While some experts say the prevalence of dog-biting ticks this mild winter indicates neither a more virulent tick nor an increased risk of Lyme disease in dogs and humans, a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that data from dogs may help predict areas of Lyme disease emergence. In addition, the study found that combining data from both humans and dogs could assist health officials in targeting Lyme disease prevention efforts.


Though most entomologists decline making any predictions about the coming tick season, Dr. Scott Demanes, a veterinarian from Peoria, Ill., said that ticks this winter had kept him busy treating dogs with tick bites well beyond late fall.


“The whole winter, there’s never really been a lull,” Dr. Demanes said.


“If a dog is not scratching the area a lot, many owners have no idea the dog has a tick bite unless it starts to engorge with blood,” he said.


At the Bristol County Veterinary Hospital in Seekonk, Mass., Dr. Amy Hurd recommends that all dogs be tested annually for Lyme disease. She also worries that the bleak economy has led some pet owners to forgo buying the protective lotions that ward off ticks.


“Times are hard for a lot of people these days, and for some pet owners, tick lotion can seem like a luxury — they just don’t have the money,” Dr. Hurd said.


“There are a lot of choices to make, but with the warm winter weather we’ve just had, dog owners should be applying a tick lotion and checking their dogs every day,” Dr. Hurd said.


Of course, even the most vigilant pet owners can discover that despite their best efforts, they have not eluded the ever intrepid and terribly tiny tick. Aggie Hozempa of Warren, R.I., and her yellow Labrador retriever, Libby Lane — one of Dr. Hurd’s patients — both received a diagnosis of Lyme disease contracted from tick bites in November.


“I had severe pain in my right knee, and when an M.R.I. ruled out an injury, the doctor ran a blood test, and I tested positive for Lyme disease,” Ms. Hozempa said. “Dr. Hurd tested Libby Lou, and it was the same story, but my dog had zero symptoms.”


Both Ms. Hozempa and Libby Lane were treated with doxycycline and are now healthy and symptom-free, resuming their daily walks, covered with a protective tick lotion and never straying from a paved bike path.


“As a golfer, if on occasion my ball ends up in the woods, I will not go and get it,” Ms. Hozempa said. “Tick bites and Lyme disease are just so bizarre and frightening. I’m trying to be proactive, but these ticks are like the size of a pepper flake. The wind can blow one on you or your dog, and you’d never know it.”

Adapted from: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/us/a-mild-winter-means-a-longer-tick-season.html?_r=1
 

Tick talk: Experts recommend precautions against Lyme disease after mild winter

By Alana Melanson

Though the tick season may have started earlier due to the mild winter the region has experienced, it does not necessarily mean there will be more ticks later on, experts say.  According to Dr. Sam Telford, a professor of infectious diseases at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, there is no surefire way to predict the cycles of tick populations.

Telford has been studying Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses since 1984, and says there is still no predictive model that observations could be plugged into to determine how future seasons will go, despite predictions some are making that this season will be particularly bad in terms of a larger tick population and more cases of Lyme disease.


Telford said the fall of 2010 was a particularly bad time for ticks because of a number of environmental factors that came into play. For instance, oak trees produced more acorns, meaning squirrels, mice and other rodents were plentiful and able to survive longer through the cold weather, he said, acting as hosts for the ticks and spreading them wherever they scurried.  The amount of moisture available in the environment plays a role as well, he said.  Ticks require very high humidity to survive for a long time," Telford said. "That's why we don't see ticks on well-groomed lawns."  With the sun beating down and nowhere for the ticks to hide, Telford explained, they can't survive for long in those hot, dry conditions and will often take shelter where there is more vegetation.


Someone would have to spend four hours in the center of a lawn, or 20 minutes at the edge of a yard bordering a forest, to be exposed to the same amount of ticks one could pick up from five minutes in the deep woods, he said.  Telford said there are likely to be about 10 times fewer ticks present from noon to 4 p.m., as that is when daytime temperatures usually reach their peak and when it tends to be least humid.  If May and June are dry, he said, there could be relatively fewer ticks than normal at that time of year. But because no one can accurately predict the long-term course of New England weather, he said it is best to practice good sense when it comes to traversing through wooded areas.


A large deer population also affects whether there will be a boom in deer ticks, Telford said, and deer are staying closer and closer to suburban areas as development takes over their woodland homes. Retaining a proximity to houses and settled areas also means the deer are less likely to be hunted in those areas, he said.  According to Tom O'Shea, assistant director of wildlife for Mass Wildlife, Fitchburg and its environs tend to be around the state's deer-density goal of 12 deer per square mile, but east of the area, deer densities are significantly higher.  Lowell and its environs, for instance, have some of the highest deer densities in the state, he said, at between 20 and 30 deer per square mile.  Some communities further east, such as Andover, Dover, Medfield and Sudbury, have experienced a surge in Lyme disease, and as a result have allowed hunting on municipal properties to bring the deer population down, O'Shea said.


Although ticks can pose quite a problem, that shouldn't stop people from enjoying walks in the forest, Telford said, adding that they should simply be more vigilant and take proper precautions.

Wear long sleeves and tuck long pants into socks, he said, and spray ankles and shoes with bug repellent. Although most strong repellents with DEET will work, he recommends permethrin, a chemical used in military uniforms that causes ticks and mosquitoes to die within a few hours of exposure. It is also the active ingredient in most head-lice shampoos, he said.  "What's even more helpful is to take a shower after walks in the woods," Telford said, explaining that running water is likely to remove any ticks that have not implanted themselves.  He recommended checking one's own body for new bumps as well as having a partner check areas that are difficult to see.


If bitten by a tick, it generally takes an attached tick about 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease and other tick-carried illnesses, Telford said. Only Lyme may boast a bull's-eye rash, but all will produce flu-like symptoms, including fever and muscle aches, he said, so if those are present, it is best to see a doctor.


If one is worried and does not want to wait until symptoms are exhibited, most doctors will prescribe a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline to try to prevent an infection, he said.


If possible, Telford recommends taping the tick to an index card and writing the date on it, to show to a doctor later should symptoms arise. Several online resources for identifying types of ticks and other insects are available as well, he said, including www.identifyus.com, a site run by colleagues of his.


In addition to Lyme disease, consideration must also be taken for Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis (also called anaplasmosis), Telford said, similar bacterial infections that ticks in this area are known to carry, though to a much smaller extent.  The vast majority of people with Babesiosis exhibit no symptoms and may go their entire lives without knowing they are infected, provided they remain in good health, Telford said. Only in cases of those with suppressed immune systems or those who lose their spleens due to accidents can the infection become fatal, he said.  The problem that is beginning to arise, however, is that Babesiosis-infected people may donate blood and pass the infection along to those who may not be able to fight it, Telford said, as it is not among screened-for diseases.


While a Lyme disease vaccine exists for canines, there is not one available for humans, Telford said.  Though SmithKline (now GlaxoSmith-Kline) developed one previously, he said, the company stopped offering it because it was losing money on the product in a time when Lyme disease wasn't as big a problem as it has become.


As there is no way to ensure zero risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, Telford said exercising caution, for both humans and animals, is the best way to reduce risk.


Though people tend to think of the winter months as a safe time from ticks, local veterinarians say it is best to keep pets protected year-round.  "We see ticks on dogs and cats every month of the year," Dr. Carl Flinkstrom of the Lunenburg Veterinary Hospital said. "One out of seven dogs that walk in this door test positive for Lyme disease."  At Twin City Animal Hospital in Fitchburg, Dr. Terra Baldarelli said about one in four dogs tests positive.  "We live in an endemic area," she said. "It's extremely common here. But it doesn't mean that they all get sick."  Only about 5 percent or less of the dogs actually come down with symptoms, she said, but those that test positive do get treated to ensure they do not become sick later.

Adapted from:

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/topstory/ci_20170458/tick-talk-experts-recommend-precautions-against-lyme-disease

As Temps Rise, Veterinarians Advise Early Flea & Tick Prevention

DENISON, TX--They're not just in your pet's fur--they're everywhere. With the warming temperatures, they might be jumping earlier than usual. Fleas may be ready to dive into your animal, but there's a way to stop the scratch before it starts.


"It's always skin irritation. Being sensitive to the flea bite," Billy Martindale, DVM,  Animal Hospital of Denison, said.  Man's best friend may have something to sweat about this summer.  "When you have animals, you're going to have fleas unless you control them," Martindale said.


As the mercury rises earlier than usual this year, veterinarians advise pet owners to use flea prevention early.  "Fleas feed on animals. That's the only place they feed. That's the dinner plate. They can be off the animal for a long period of time, actually for years," Martindale said.  Fleas thrive when it's 80 degrees with 80 percent humidity. However, cold weather doesn't stop dormant bugs from looking for a bite to eat.  "Doesn't mean the fleas aren't going to be inside the house, doesn't mean they're not going to be on the animal, because they will be," Martindale said.  Fleas aren't just outside. They could be in the carpet. Martindalae recommends spraying your home for pests regularly, not just once a year.  "You got to be able to control the pet and do something inside the house, or even outside the house," Martindale said.


During summer hikes in the woods, ticks are another pest to be wary of because of the diseases they may carry.  "Fleas do not pose as much of a human health problem. Ticks pose a humongous human health problem," Martindale said.


Flea prevention can come from a pill or topical treatment.


"Some animals are predisposed to being sensitive to fleas," Martindale said.


It might keep Fido from scratching later.


The Environmental Protection Agency advises pet owners to vacuuming frequently to remove eggs, larvae and fleas. It's also important to clean carpets and cushioned furniture.

Adapted from: http://www.kten.com/story/17243143/as-temperatures-rise-veterinarians-advise-early-flea-tick-prevention


 

Protecting your pets from parvovirus

Mild winter blamed for parvo outbreak

• Heidi Voight


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Unseasonably warm temperatures are being blamed for a recent outbreak of parvovirus in Connecticut.


Several animal shelters there have been forced into emergency quarantine mode. But a veterinarian for the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society explained parvo is a hardy virus that survives even the coldest winters.


Dr. Katie Spaulding says the uptick is probably due to simply more dogs being taken outside in the warm weather. Unlike a rabies vaccine, a parvo vaccine isn't required by law, which is why some pet owners skip it. "That definitely is a factor for why we're seeing more parvo now, because the economy being what it is and people not having the money to spend on vaccines, we have seen an increase in incidents of parvo," said Spaulding.

If your pet shows any symptoms of parvo, including vomiting, bloody diarrhea and abnormal drowsiness, you should act quickly. Parvovirus is fatal in roughly half of all cases.

Adapted from: http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/protecting-your-pets-from-parvovirus
 

Allergies: How Pollen is Affecting Your Pet

Springtime brings flowers and warmth. But along with all the benefits of the season come the dreaded symptoms of allergies. Eyes water, noses run and a layer of yellow pollen seems to coat everything in sight.

And it turns out even pets are affected.  Vets and pet owners have noticed their furry friends scratching and sneezing earlier than usual this year, corresponding to the unusually warm weather.  “I’ve noticed a lot of changes,” said Martha Grossman, the owner of Lily, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. “She’s had her flea medication and everything but she’s just scratching a lot more lately.”


“Dodger rolls around in the grass a lot,” said Diana Battaglia of her Boston terrier. “A lot more than usual.”


According to veterinary dermatologist Dr. Heather Peikes, pets fall victim to the same allergies as people.  “They even have the same symptoms,” Peikes said. “Runny eyes, running noses, itchy skin, ear infections.”


And while allergies affect both people and animals every year, Andy Mussoline, a spokesman for Accuweather, says it’s happening much earlier this year.  “The Eastern two-thirds of the country is experiencing an especially high pollen count,” Mussoline said. “This is due to a combination of factors. Typically during normal springs, we have cold fronts moving through and changes in the wind. The fresh air pushes the allergens out. But now there aren’t many cold fronts moving through, which creates stagnant air. At the same time, the very warm weather has created a high pollen count earlier than usual.”


For some pets, as for many people, allergies are more than just a nuisance.


“He itches his legs and behind his ears all the time,” said Chris Kobus of his three-year-old Boston terrier, Wilbur. “Many nights he can't sleep because he’s up all night itching. I’m taking him to the vet tomorrow. I feel so bad.”


Dr. Peikes says the treatment for pet allergies is also similar to the treatment for humans.  “There’s allergy testing, allergy shots, air purifiers and even antihistamines that can help pets with allergies,” she said.  But Peikes says always consult with a vet before taking any action. Some treatments may be safe for humans, but not for your pet.

Adapted from: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/03/23/allergies-how-pollen-is-affecting-your-pet/
 

Warm weather brings the threat of heartworm to our pets

This warm March weather is unbelievable. Yesterday, on the radio, a weatherman was asked if there were going to be more bugs this year due to the lack of freezing temperatures. The reply was: “I can’t say there are going to be more bugs, they may just come out earlier.” That’s a pleasant thought: a longer season for mosquitoes.

With that thought in mind, I called our veterinarian and made an appointment for my dog, Kasey, for his heartworm test and heartworm preventive. Both the American Heartworm Society (www.heartwormsociety.org), the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association (www.healthypet.com) provide information about the parasite and heartworm disease.


According to the organizations, heartworm is a preventable but serious and potentially fatal parasite that primarily infects dogs, cats and ferrets. Heartworm has recently been diagnosed in about 30 species of animals in all 50 states and affects millions of indoor and outdoor pets. All dogs, regardless of age, sex or living environment, are susceptible to heartworm infections, notes the AVMA.


Heartworm can only be transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes that are infected with heartworms. One bite and your dog (or other animals) can be infected. The cycle goes like this: When a mosquito bites an infected animal, young heartworms enter that mosquito’s system. In the next two weeks, they develop into infective larvae inside the mosquito. Then the mosquito bites another dog or cat and the infected larvae enter through the bite wound.


Once inside the body, the heartworms develop invisibly within the animal, nesting and reproducing, lodging in the lungs and/or right side of his/her heart. The infective larvae mature into adult heartworms in approximately six months. The larvae migrate through the animal’s blood circulation, eventually reaching the blood vessels of the lungs. The immature worms continue to develop and grow into adults, with females growing to a length of 14 inches. The heartworms damage blood vessels and reduce the heart’s pumping ability. When the animal shows signs of illness due to adult heartworm infection, it’s called heartworm disease.


If a dog is recently or mildly infected with heartworms, he may not show any signs of illness until the adult worms have developed in his lungs and signs of heartworm disease are observed. These signs include a mild and persistent cough, reluctance to move or exercise, lethargy, fatigue after only moderate exercise, reduced appetite, weight loss and difficulty breathing. Heartworms in the vital blood vessels of the lungs can cause death.


The AVMA reports there are numerous diagnostic tests available with which your veterinarian can detect the presence of adult heartworm infection in your dog.  Antigen tests detect the presence of adult female heartworms and antibody tests determine if your pet has been exposed to heartworms. The antigen test is most commonly performed and is very accurate in dogs.


There is an FDA-approved treatment available if your dog becomes infected with heartworms. There is substantial risk involved in treating a dog for heartworms. However, serious complications are much less likely in dogs that are in good health and when the veterinarian’s instructions are followed carefully.


The goal of heartworm treatment is to kill the heartworms present in your dog as safely as possible. When a dog is treated, it’s important to consider that heartworms are dying inside the dog’s lungs. Therefore, while your dog is treated, he will require complete rest throughout hospitalization and for some time following the first treatment. Also, other medications may be necessary to help control the body’s inflammatory reaction as the worms die and are broken down in the dog’s lungs.


Both the AVMA and the AHS report heartworm infection is almost 100 percent preventable. There are several FDA-approved heartworm preventives available including daily and monthly tablets and chewables and other formulations. Your veterinarian can recommend the best method of prevention based upon your dog’s risk factors and lifestyle.


The AHS sums it up: “Heartworms — agonizing to treat. easy to prevent.” If you haven’t already done it, get your dog tested and get the heartworm preventive. If you share your life with a dog, heartworm testing and giving him the preventive year round will help keep him safe. He trusts you to do it for him.

Adapted from: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120325/news/703259982/

All of these topics (Ticks, Fleas, Parvovirus, Heartworms, and Skin Allergies) have been covered before in previous issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats.  For more information on them, click on the topic in the column marked "Labels" to the left.

For any questions, send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com  and Helpful Buckeye will answer you.
 
SPORTS NEWS

The Ohio State Buckeyes played a good first half against Kansas in the Final Four...however, they seemed to forget that basketball is a 40-minute game and Kansas was able to come back from a big deficit to win the game at the end.  Helpful Buckeye wasn't too upset by the loss since we weren't expected to go this far back early in the season.  Plus, only 4 teams make it this far and we were good enough to do that.  The really good news is that the sun did come up this morning...and baseball starts this coming weekend.

And, speaking of baseball, the LA Dodgers were officially sold this past week to a group that promises to make them competitive again.  Helpful Buckeye is already planning a couple of trips to Phoenix to see the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks.

PERSONAL STUFF

Desperado and Helpful Buckeye had another really good hike in Sedona this past week, with beautiful scenery and wildflowers.  Desperado is back to her old self as far as enjoying a decent hike...after working through a lot of pain and discomfort last year...and, it's great having her back with me on the trail!

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” Emily Kimbrough, author

We got to test my new bike rack this week in preparation for a much longer drive later this month.

~~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.~~

BEEN WAITING FOR SPRING? (PT. 2)....

Last week's introduction to getting your pets ready for spring must have struck the right chord with many of you.  Helpful Buckeye received a lot of e-mails with further questions on our topics from last week...Pet Safety, Pet Allergies, Dogs Getting Sunburned, and Skin Parasites (fleas and ticks).  Many of our readers also indicated that they were ready for spring as far as their pets are concerned.  Desperado and Helpful Buckeye sort of bypassed spring and went right on into summer this week as our "See Arizona" tour took us into record-setting temperature areas of Phoenix.  However, we were ready for that as well.  More on that later in this issue.

Most of our readers (75%) said their pets do NOT show signs of allergies in the spring.  Only 2 respondents (5 %) said a dog of theirs had ever been sunburned.  A lot (90%) of you reported that you either have a plan for flea and tick control or you will be implementing one.  That's great to hear and your pets will appreciate it  also.  Be sure to answer this week's poll questions in the column to the left.

We left off last week with a discussion of flea and tick problems and some ideas for handling that situation.  Even though Helpful Buckeye has been a little skeptical about the benefits of natural products being used in the control of fleas and ticks, this is still an area that might actually provide an additional weapon against these parasites.  The folks at ZooToo are suggesting you consider these products:

As spring arrives, balmy weather and blooming nature will lure pets and their owners into the great outdoors. But the season also brings unwanted guests: fleas, ticks and other pests.


While there are differing points of view on the best and safest choices for protecting your pets, if you want to go the all-natural route, there are many options to consider. To welcome in the warmer months, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite all-natural flea and tick products to help your pets stay pest free all season.


A potent spray with a mild, pleasing scent, the Herbal Protection Spray from Dr. Harvey's helps prevent pests from making a home in your dog's fur, bedding or apparel. The mild formula features an all-natural ingredient list that includes neem and citronella oils -- common components of nonchemical flea and tick products -- as well as witch hazel and cedarwood oil, both natural astringents.


Featuring a sporty design and a comfortable fit, the Natural Fly Repellant Dog Collar from Fly Free Zone is a powerful, convenient weapon in the war against fleas and ticks -- as well as flies and mosquitoes. The collar's primary component is citronella, which seems to work as effectively in dog collars as it does in outdoor candles. And our tester dog showed no signs of discomfort from the collar's adjustable, sturdy construction.


For an all-natural flea and tick product that doubles as a regular grooming shampoo, try the Neem "Protect" Shampoo from Ark Naturals. This gentle cleanser has a refreshingly short ingredient list that includes citronella oil, eucalyptus and neem oil, and the shampoo can be paired with Ark Naturals' spray for tougher jobs, such as infestations. The product is appropriate to use on dogs, cats and other pets, making it ideal for multipet households.


Whether your pet needs a quick spritz before hitting the outdoors or a deeper preventive treatment, Protect Flea & Tick Repellent Spray for Dogs & Cats from Pet Naturals can help keep unwelcome visitors out of your pet's fur. The mild formula combines lemongrass oil, a naturally occurring pesticide, with other all-natural ingredients to produce an effective, nontoxic pest control option with a fresh, clean scent.
An all-natural flea and tick product that packs a lot of power in a small amount, the Neem Oil Flea & Tick Remedy from Richard's Organics offers 100 percent neem oil, which fans claim can repel many different kinds of pests. Because the remedy is undiluted, adding just 2 tablespoons to a 17-ounce bottle of regular pet shampoo or conditioner creates an instant flea and tick grooming product. And in its undiluted form, the remedy has the potency to tackle more serious infestations.

Pictures of these products as well as clickable web sites for their availability can be found at: http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/24/zootoo-review-5-all-natural-flea-and-tick-products/

Another parasite, heartworms, used to be considered as a potentially deadly infection that showed up during the spring and summer months.  Even though we now know that heartworms can infect a dog during any month of the year, many dog owners still cling to the thought that springtime is when they should be more aware of this deadly disease.  For that reason, a thorough review of heartworm infection would be a good idea at this point.

Heartworms in dogs are easy to prevent but difficult and costly to cure. Our friends at WebMD Healthy Pets asked Sheldon Rubin, 2007-2010 president of the American Heartworm Society, to separate facts from the myths about heartworm infestations in dogs.

Q: How do dogs get heartworms?


A: Only by the bite of an infected mosquito. There's no other way dogs get heartworms. And there's no way to tell if a mosquito is infected. That's why prevention is so important.  Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. And the bite of just one mosquito infected with the heartworm larvae will give your dog heartworm disease.

Heartworm disease has not only spread throughout the United States, but it's also now found in areas where veterinarians used to say, "Oh, we don't have heartworm disease." Areas like Oregon, California, Arizona and desert areas -- where irrigation and building are allowing mosquitoes to survive. And if you have mosquitoes and you have animals, you're going to have heartworms. It's just that simple.


It takes about seven months, once a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. They then lodge in the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels and begin reproducing. Adult worms can grow up to 12 inches in length, can live five to seven years, and a dog can have as many as 250 worms in its system.



Q: Can people get heartworms from their dogs?


A: It can be passed on only by mosquitoes. It's a specific parasite that affects only dogs and cats and ferrets and other mammals. In rare cases, heartworms have infected people, but it does not complete its life cycle. The heartworm will migrate to the lung and cause a round lesion that looks like a tumor. But these are very rare cases.



Q: If one of my dogs has heartworms, can he give it to my other dogs?


A: No. Again, the only way heartworms are transmitted is through the bite of an infected mosquito. And even if an uninfected mosquito bit your infected dog, and then bit your uninfected dog the same night, he wouldn't transmit the parasite from one dog to the other. That's because when a mosquito bites an infected animal, the heartworm needs to undergo an incubation period in the mosquito before the mosquito can infect other animals.



Q: Is it OK to adopt a dog with heartworms?


A: It's a very common problem in animal shelters today, and public shelters rarely have the money to treat heartworm disease. It's perfectly acceptable to adopt a dog with heartworms, but you have to be dedicated to having the disease treated appropriately, because it's a horrible disease that can lead to a dog's death if left untreated.



Q: How can I prevent my dogs from getting heartworms?


A: For less than the cost of going to Starbucks for a weekly coffee, you can prevent heartworm disease in your dog. There are monthly pills, monthly topicals that you put on the skin, and there's also a six-month injectable product. The damage that's done to the dog and the cost of the treatment is way more than the cost to prevent heartworm disease. A year's supply of heartworm preventive will cost about $35 to $80, depending on a dog's weight.



Q: What are the symptoms of heartworm infestations in dogs?


A: Initially, there are no symptoms. But as more and more worms crowd the heart and lungs, most dogs will develop a cough. As it progresses, they won't be able to exercise as much as before; they'll become winded easier. With severe heartworm disease, we can hear abnormal lung sounds, dogs can pass out from the loss of blood to the brain, and they can retain fluids. Eventually, most dogs will die if the worms are not treated.



Q: Once my dog has heartworms, what's the treatment? How much will it cost?


A: The drug that you treat with is called Immiticide. It's an injectable, arsenic-based product. The dog is given two or three injections that will kill the adult heartworms in the blood vessels of the heart.  The safest way to treat heartworms includes an extensive pretreatment workup, including X-rays, blood work and all the tests needed to establish how serious the infection is. Then the dog is given the injections. With all the prep work, it can run up to $1,000. But just the treatment can be done for about $300 in some areas.



Q: Why do I have to keep my dog quiet during the several months he's being treated for heartworms?


A: After treatment, the worms begin to die. And as they die, they break up into pieces, which can cause a blockage of the pulmonary vessels and cause death. That's why dogs have to be kept quiet during the treatment and then for several months afterward. Studies have shown that most of the dogs that die after heartworm treatment do so because the owners let them exercise. It's not due to the drug itself.



Q: If my dog is diagnosed with heartworms, can I just give him his monthly preventive instead of having him go through treatment? Won't that kill his heartworms?


A: Studies have shown that if you use ivermectin, the common preventive, on a monthly basis in a dog with heartworm disease, after about two years you'll kill off most of the dog's young heartworms. The problem is, in the meantime, all of those heartworms are doing permanent damage to the heart and blood vessels.  But if there's no way someone can afford the actual treatment, at least using the preventive on a monthly basis could be a lesser alternative.



Q: Can I skip giving my dog his preventive during colder months, when there aren't any mosquitoes?


A: The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round heartworm prevention. One reason is, there's already a serious problem with people forgetting to give their dogs the heartworm preventives. It's a universal problem. Now if you use it year-round, and you miss a month, your dog will probably still be protected. But if you miss more than one or two months your dog could become infected.



The other reason not to stop is that many of the preventives today also include an intestinal parasite control for roundworms, whipworms or tapeworms. You want your dog to be protected against those at all times.



Q: If I don't treat my dog with heartworms, will he "outgrow" his heartworms?


A: No. He stands a good chance of dying from the disease.



Q: I've heard the treatment for heartworms can be dangerous. Are there any newer, safer alternatives?


A: We used to use plain arsenic to treat it, which had many side effects. What we use now is a safer product with fewer side effects. It's a safe product if used correctly.



Q: If my dog gets heartworms, and is treated for them, can he get them again?


A: Yes, he can get them again. That's why prevention is so important.

You can follow the text of Dr. Rubin's interview at: http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/11/heartworms-in-dogs-what-you-dont-know-that-can-hurt-your-pooc/

Since heartworm infection is such a common and devastating disease for your dog, another portion of information cannot hurt. 

Now, you might well think that there is nothing new to know about a parasite that has been recognized for well over 100 years. Not so. Like most living things, Dirofilaria immitis undergoes constant change



For example, we have known for about five years that dogs on heartworm preventive have been getting heartworms at an increasing rate. Study after study shows that the leading cause is failure to administer heartworm preventive on schedule.


Here is a list of common mistakes:

• Failing to give the medicine on the same day every month
• Thinking that being a few days late is not a problem
• Missing entire month(s)
• Forgetting to refill the medicine when refills fall between doctor visits

These same studies show that pet owners (dogs and cats) who purchase their heartworm preventive 12 doses at a time are less likely to miss doses.

I must emphasize again: Heartworm preventive is a monthly medication. It is not an every-33-days medicine. It is not an every-other-month medicine. It is not a whenever-you-think-of-it medicine.


Having said that, we also know that while owner compliance is a major factor in this trend, it is not the only factor. Researchers are looking at a number of parameters about the heartworms themselves that are contributing to this trend.


Some of the things they are examining have to do with the adult worms. Some pertain to the microfilaria, the offspring of the adult worms. Some even have to do with changes in the intermediate host, the mosquito. Case in point: The introduction of the Asian tiger mosquito changed the picture of heartworm transmission significantly. An Oriental invader, it is a much more aggressive feeder than the native mosquito. Natives may feed primarily at dawn and dusk. This striped menace feeds all day long. Every bite has the potential to transmit heartworms to your pet.


That’s right. It takes only one bite from only one mosquito.


Researchers have no firm conclusions on the biological factors involved in heartworm preventive failure. Your pet’s veterinarian will keep you informed as more information comes to light.

This review, by veterinarian Jim Randolph in Mississippi, is from: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/03/24/2971141/dog-owners-cant-slack-on-heartworm.html

Helpful Buckeye has also addressed the problem of heartworms in previous issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats at: http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2008/06/whats-new-pussycat.html and http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2010/07/heat-waves-heartworms-pet-air-travel.html

Many of our readers have cats that stay in the house for the most part.  However, a lot of those cats will be allowed to begin spending time outdoors when spring arrives.  This presents some problems, not only for the cats, but also for songbirds.  Read this interesting article from Peter Marra, in the Washington Post:

I love cats. And perhaps I’m being overly generous to myself, but they have a strange affection for me, too. They’ve been among the many pets I’ve had over the years, and they’re a key part of my work as a conservation scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.



I love wild birds, too, but unfortunately so do cats, so much so that, according to some estimates, they kill upward of 500 million songbirds a year in the United States alone.


Gray catbirds offer one example of this devastation. Long-distance migratory birds native to the East Coast, catbirds breed in large numbers in the D.C. suburbs, arriving toward the end of April each year from their wintering grounds in Cuba, the Bahamas and southern Florida. Catbirds nests in shrubs, so our suburbs are especially attractive to them. What these catbirds and many other local songbirds don’t realize, however, is that a new (in evolutionary terms) danger lurks in those attractive bushes — the free-ranging cat.


In a recently published study, my Smithsonian colleagues and I demonstrated that cats are the primary predators of young catbirds soon after they leave the nest. In fact, in some areas, less than 15 percent of these fledglings survived, largely because of cat predation. Free-ranging cats have turned the D.C. suburbs into ecological traps for birds — sites that attract them for nesting but ultimately cause high levels of reproductive failure.


The free-ranging domestic cat, both pet and feral, has become by far the most abundant mammalian predator on Earth, numbering 80 million to 120 million in the United States alone. You need only look into a neighbor’s yard or down an alley to find one. Unlike our native bobcat and lynx, free-ranging cats are as invasive and disruptive to native ecosystems as gypsy moths or West Nile virus.


Whether they are pets allowed to roam, fully feral animals or feral members of a trap-neuter-release (TNR) colony, domestic cats are by nature predators of small animals such as reptiles, birds and mammals — even when they are well fed. It’s not surprising, then, that they have been responsible for numerous animal extinctions on islands. The millions of free-ranging cats in the United States are inflicting similar devastation on wildlife populations here.


I don’t enter lightly into the long-standing debate about free-ranging cats. On one side are people who think cats have a right to roam freely; on the other are those who believe a cat’s only proper place is inside a home. I come down with the latter because, apart from their impact on wildlife, outdoor lifestyles ironically also have negative consequences for cats. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that free-ranging cats have half the life expectancy of indoor cats. Causes of cat death can be gruesome — getting hit by cars, being mauled by dogs or becoming a meal for foxes and coyotes. Life outdoors also means greater exposure to diseases such as toxoplasmosis and feline leukemia. Cats are now the most common domesticated animal to carry and transmit rabies to humans and other wildlife.


The most egregious example occurs with feral cats living in or near TNR colonies. Maintenance of such colonies remains common in many urban and suburban parks and even some national wildlife refuges. The cats in these colonies, although fed, not only suffer the same fates as those described above for free-ranging ferals but the places in which they live can become devoid of most wildlife. Worse, these colonies encourage the dumping of unwanted cats. While neutering can slow a colony’s growth, it is rarely fully effective because more than 70 percent of the cats must be sterilized. New cats arrive, and many go unneutered and unvaccinated. The result is reproductively active colonies that continue to devastate wildlife.


What’s the solution? It is unreasonable to expect to see the elimination of all free-ranging cats, but better education about responsible pet ownership, combined with effective regulations, could reduce their numbers. Such efforts will require more involvement by government at all levels and the implementation of mandatory licensing, more-engaged animal control programs, neutering and indoor-cat campaigns.


For starters, the effects of TNR colonies need to be made clearer to the well-meaning people who support them.


Although people on both sides of this debate feel passionately, there is an urgent need to come together to find common ground. Allowing cats to roam outdoors is no good for people, cats or native wildlife.

The text of this article is available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/no-good-for-the-birds-but-also-no-good-for-the-cats/2011/03/17/ABLGkvr_story.html

With dogs and cats being allowed to spend more time outdoors as spring arrives, it stands to reason that there will be more people experiencing animal bites.  A physician from the Baltimore area provides an informative overview of this problem:

Animal bites can be serious. They can injure the skin and bones and joints, and the damage could have lasting impacts. Dr. Tanveer Giaibi, chief of emergency medicine at Northwest Hospitals, answers questions about the dangers of and treatments for all kinds of bites.


Question: How common are animal bites and scratches, and who is most likely to get them?


Answer: Animal bites are common, with 2 [million] to 5 million occurring each year. Children are bitten more often than adults. Children are typically bitten on the face and neck since they are closer in height to animals. Older children and adults are typically bitten on their arms. The majority of animal bites are caused by dogs (85 to 90 percent), followed by cats (5 to 10 percent) and rodents (2 to 3 percent).



Q: What are the dangers associated with animal bites?



A: Some of the dangers associated are rabies, although skin infection is the most common complication. Some bites can cause serious injury and permanent disability, such as bites to the hand. These are at higher risk for serious complications because the skin's surface is so close to the underlying bones and joints.



Q: Is it ever safe to treat yourself after being bitten, and if so, what should you do?



A: People should watch for signs of infection. These include worsening pain, redness, fever or puslike discharge. If the bite is near a joint, the person should monitor for pain, swelling and joint movement. Anyone whose wound appears to be worsening rather than improving should seek medical care.



Q: How do you know if you need to go to a doctor, and how will he treat bites?



A: You should seek medical attention if an animal bite has broken through the skin. Other reasons for visiting the doctor should include if a bone may be broken, or if there is other serious injury. Finally, victims who have a weak immune system due to underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, cancer, HIV, or takes medications that could weaken the immune system.



The most common complication of an animal bite is infection. Antibiotics may be indicated to prevent infection in people with high-risk wounds, or for people with weakened immune system. Generally there is a higher risk of infection with cat bites, and many of these patients will need antibiotics.



Other treatments which may be necessary include a tetanus immunization, as these bites can be very dirty. Typically if it has been greater than five years since receiving your tetanus immunization, a booster will be necessary.



Finally, if the animal is at risk for carrying rabies, a series of rabies vaccine may be necessary.



Q: Are some places on the body worse to be bitten than others?



A: Bites to the hand can be especially problematic as they are at higher risk for serious complications because the skin's surface is so close to the underlying bones and joints.



Q: Do you risk infection more if you are bitten by a dog or a cat?



A: Generally cat bites and scratches are at more risk for causing infection.



Q: What is cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease?



A: It is usually a self-limiting infectious disease classically characterized by painful regional swelling of lymph nodes following the scratch of a cat. However, 10 percent of victims can go on to develop more serious complications such as altered mental status, vision loss, prolonged fever, joint pain and abdominal pain.



Q: When should someone get vaccinated for rabies?



A: It is dependent on the type of animal involved, and whether the animal exposure was provoked or unprovoked. Infected animals are more likely to attack even when unprovoked. Other useful information includes the vaccination history of the animal for rabies and the availability of the animal for testing or observation.



Q: What pre-existing conditions can make animal bites more dangerous and necessary to call a doctor immediately?



A: People who have a weak immune system due to underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, cancer, HIV, or takes medications that could weaken the immune system.

This advice comes from: http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-ask-the-expert-0324-20110324,0,7057048.story 

Don't allow your pet to be the incriminated animal biter this spring...keep it under your direct supervision at all times when it is outdoors.

If your pet does get out of the house this spring and runs off, has the dog or cat had a micro-chip implanted?  Information-bearing micro-chips are being used much more as pet owners become aware of their value in returning lost pets to their owners. 

Perhaps some of you have had this very question arise, which has been addressed in the Baltimore Sun:

Q: How do I update or change the information on the microchip implanted in my dog, Ben? Do I need a new microchip? -- S.H., Nashville, TN


A: I'm so glad you microchipped Ben. Each microchip has a number that will never change. The microchip company recognizes you and Ben as a team because, hopefully, you've registered (online or by phone) with the company so your contact info is one file. If you change your address, cell phone number, email address, or other key data, simply update your information with your chip provider.

If Ben should get lost, a veterinary clinic or shelter would scan him for a microchip. But the chip number alone isn't helpful without your name and up-to-date contact information.

So, if you've moved or changed your phone numbers since the micro-chip was implanted, you need to update that information.  From: http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/sns-pets-mircochip,0,6214639.story

The folks at PawNation.com have put together a list of 6 items that might give you a hand with spring cleaning...as it relates to your pets:

Between muddy paws, messy treats and digestive difficulties, our dogs and cats really do a number on our homes. We find fur gathered in the farthest corners of our rooms, and the sliding glass door is always covered with nose prints. It's absolutely worth it, of course, but it's a lot to clean.


That's why we're sharing some of the pet products that have really worked for us for dealing with the day-in, day-out mess of pets. And then we need you to share some of your go-to pet-specific cleaning products or tools. Please tell us about them in the comments. (Seriously, please!)



For Cleaning Up Carpeting Mishaps: When we say that the Bissell Spotbot Pet Deep Cleaner saved Christmas for us this past year, it is no exaggeration. Our 60-lb. dog got into something that didn't agree with him and had horrible diarrhea for several days, meaning our carpets took a beating. (Gross, yes, but we know you've been there.) This tool saved us from spending hours (and hours) scrubbing -- you simply put it over the stain, select a setting, turn it on and wait. For small spots or spread-out stains, there's a little hand-held portion, but to be honest, we stick with the main machine. The fact that we can set this down on even set-in stains and walk away, only to come back to a clean section of carpet is still blowing our minds.



For a Fresher Pet With No Mess: Some cleaning problems can be helped with a preemptive strike. The folks who make the FURminator grooming tool know the importance of tackling pet hair and smell before it takes over the house, so, in addition to brushes, they offer waterless shampoos and sprays. We dig the deShedding Waterless Spray for keeping our pets a bit more pleasant to be around.



For Getting the Mud Off: Got a mutt who just loves roaming outdoors? Clean off his sweet little feet with an absorbent, quick-drying cloth like the Martha Stewart Microfiber Pocket Towel. The pockets give you better control -- always a plus when dealing with a dirty dog -- and the color makes it pretty enough to hang in the open where it is most convenient.


For Kinder Cleaning: The concern many pet owners share when it comes to cleaning is whether the products could be harmful to their pets. And to those owners we introduce PawSafe Household Cleaners, a line of pet-safe cleaning products. The toy cleaner is great for washing nasty Kongs as well as water dishes, and we love that we can feel good about our pups pressing their little noses to the glass after we've cleaned it with the window cleaner. Plus, it all smells really, really good.


For Finer Dining: Eating and drinking is messy business for some dogs, but you can't really blame them. You'd chow down the same way if you couldn't use your hands! The Neater Feeder takes care of the mess, trapping loose food in the top reservoir and catching spilled water in the lower, leaving your floors nice and clean.



For Spritzing the Ick Away: The Pawsitively Clean line of pet stain and odor removers from Bissel is a great addition to the pet cleanup arsenal. The cute names (Ewww, Dang, Ick) are just the beginning. Each is specially formulated for different types of stains and surfaces, and there's a handy guide to help you get exactly what you need. (We're partial to the Ick -- it's like magic on cat vomit. You know you wanted to know.) Bonus: The company actively supports pet adoption and pet charities!

Read more about the availability of these products at: http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/18/spring-cleaning-6-pet-products-to-help-you-keep-your-house-cle/

To finish off this section on springtime interests of dog and cat owners, take a look at what this guy has trained his dogs to do:

If you think your pooch is pretty impressive being able to sit, stay and roll over, take a look at these dogs doing the conga. Now that is a real trick! The coolest part of this video is the dog in front leading the whole thing on a tricycle.  That guy must have spent a fortune in doggie treats training these pups to do this. They are all ready for the circus. I am feeling inspired by this video. Starting tomorrow, I am going to teach my dog how to Dougie.

The video is at: http://www.urlesque.com/2011/03/22/tricycle-puppy-conga-line/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl9%7Csec3_lnk2%7C207093

The lead dog that is pedaling the tricycle is really impressive.  Helpful Buckeye might have to take some riding lessons from this pooch!

SPORTS NEWS

Baseball season began this past week and the LA Dodgers opened with a 4-game series with our hated long-time rivals, the SF Giants.  To make it even more interesting, the Giants are now the defending World Series champs.  The Dodgers took 3 of the 4 games to get the season off to a great start.  Helpful Buckeye is really looking forward to seeing the Dodgers play this year, most likely down in Phoenix against the AZ Diamondbacks.

PERSONAL STUFF

Helpful Buckeye has been able to ride his bike outdoors a few times so far this early spring.  Even though the bike lanes are pretty clear of cinders, the springtime winds in Flagstaff have been a big factor in the decision of whether to ride indoors or outdoors.  This past week, during one of my outdoor rides, I came upon 2 large mule deer bucks, an 8-pointer and a 6-pointer, standing right in the bike lane.  They didn't show any fear and decided to stand right where they were...requiring me to steer out of the bike lane and around them.  A fascinating encounter!

Desperado and Helpful Buckeye took the next installment of our "See Arizona" journey this past week.  Using Scottsdale as our staging point, we covered a lot of ground on the eastern end of the Valley of the Sun.  Our stops included some Arizona history, some Arizona plant and animal diversity, some Arizona ethnic culinary sampling, the multi-faceted architectural styles of the historic WILLO district of downtown Phoenix, a wonderful music concert, and the wide array of animals at the Phoenix Zoo.  The record-setting temperature of 103 degrees, mentioned earlier, happened as we were leaving the Phoenix area on Friday.  Even though we had a really entertaining trip, we were glad to get back to Flagstaff where the temperatures will be a lot more comfortable...and we know that we won't see even close to 103 degrees during our summer.  Even as Helpful Buckeye is beginning to plan our next chapter on our "See Arizona" journey, here's a short selection of some photos from our trip:

The Superstition Saloon, in Tortilla Flat on the Apache Trail, has its walls covered with $1 bills.  

How many $1 bills would you guess are plastered all over those walls?  Send an e-mail with your guess.

The Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix

Hedgehog Cactus

Beavertail Cactus, in the Prickly Pear family

Agave

Phainopepla, my first sighting of this species

Darwin Hybrid Tulips

White Pelican...what is that on its bill?

Galapagos Tortoise, weighs approx. 350 lb.

Can you spot the Softshell Turtle?

The concert we went to featured The Manhattan Transfer, a singing group we've always wanted to see but never were able to make the connection.  They were simply fantastic!  Here are 3 of their songs that we really like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7YsE-wQn9c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARfARi-gpWc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQwb4SpNuKo&feature=related

You'd think we would have done some of these short trips sooner during the 11 years we've lived in Arizona, but our current philosophy is that it's better late than never.  As T. S. Eliot, poet and playwright, wrote: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."   And, there are still a few sections of Arizona that are calling to us....

~~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.~~