CAT ABSCESSES...THE PAIN, THE PUS, AND THE PROGNOSIS

Helpful Buckeye has discussed the topic of pet poisonings in several issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats, as well as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Our readers can review these discussions at:
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/05/national-dog-bite-prevention-week.html
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/01/welcoming-new-year.html
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/03/transforming-winters-dreams.html and http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/09/working-class-dogs-and-labor-day.html.

The reason I'm bringing up this subject again is because of a submitted comment after last week's issue. Ahna Brutlag, DVM, Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, of Pet Poison Helpline wrote:

"Thanks for spreading the word on pet toxicities on your blog. It's so important for pet owners to be aware of the lurking household poisons in (and outside of) their house! As a veterinarian at an animal poison center, I speak to so many dog and cat owners who realize the perils of poisoning when it's too late. When in doubt, call an animal poison control center early on! I wanted to make you aware of another important resource out there--Pet Poison Helpline. Pet Poison Helpline is an animal poison control center and is the most cost-effective animal poison ($35/case vs. ASPCA's new $60/case) control out there. Unfortunately, because animal poison controls are not federally or state funded, there is a fee to allow the service to be run 24-7. We provide a similar service to that of the ASPCA's center, but have the added benefit of veterinary specialists (in internal medicine and emergency and critical care) as part of our staff. Please visit our website for more info and helpful tips! Our 24/7 phone number is 800-213-6680. Thanks for spreading the word!"

As Dr. Brutlag pointed out, the Pet Poison Helpline is a competitor with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and their web site is http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ ...take a few minutes to browse the web site, look at their available options, and decide which one might be best for you. Helpful Buckeye would suggest keeping the phone numbers and web sites handy for both of these poison hotlines. When it comes to your pet being poisoned, more options for quick help will be much better than less.

Last week's poll question on which breeds of dog did NOT belong on the list of the AKC's "Working Group" produced a lot of wrong answers and some interesting discussion in e-mails. The AKC includes the following breeds in their Working Group: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, and the Tibetan Mastiff. Therefore, the Labrador Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, and Border Collie did not belong on the list. They represent the Sporting, Hound, and Herding Groups respectively. From your e-mails, many of you felt these 3 breeds performed the work of a "working dog" and that may well be true. However, the AKC has strict guidelines as to which group a breed belongs, and they make the rules! Helpful Buckeye will cover the defining characteristics of these other breed groups in future issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats. Do any of you remember which one of these working group breeds played a part in the OJ Simpson double murder trial back in the 1990s? Either send an e-mail to: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com or post a comment at the end of this issue. Be sure to answer this week's poll question in the column to your left.

A note to "Anonymous," who submitted the comment, "So, there YOU are," this week: I know where I am, where are YOU?


CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) The American Kennel Club is sponsoring Responsible Dog Ownership Days during the month of September. There will be many events and programs around the country to help educate dog owners about their responsibilities. To find out what's going on in your state, go to this web site and enter your state in the appropriate box: http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/events/
2) The Humane Society of the United States has sponsored this pretty cool music video to help call attention to the need for adoption of shelter pets: http://video.hsus.org/index.jsp?fr_story=d4df627e42a64c870440fd639f0e34c24c00b4ed

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

One of Helpful Buckeye's lunch buddies has a cat which developed an abscess this past week. An abscess is a localized accumulation of pus in a body tissue. Cat abscesses are fairly common, especially among cats that spend at least part of their time outdoors. Abscesses often appear as a lump or a mass which can show up quite rapidly. They are usually painful to the cat due to the swelling of the affected area. They may feel full of fluid or they can feel fairly hard to the touch. The cat may show signs of being in pain, especially if the abscess is on a leg or if in a location likely to be petted by the owner. Even the most friendly cat may react aggressively to having an abscessed area touched, bumped, or rubbed.

Most cat abscesses will be located around the face, neck, front legs, tail, and rump. The reason for this is that tooth or claw punctures almost always are sustained when cats face off with each other or when they are trying to run away. Most owners may not even notice the injury until it has reached the stage of an abscess since many cats will appear to be normal and hide their pain until the infection begins to advance. Signs you might then notice would be:

• Sluggishness and lethargy


• Loss of appetite


• Fever


• Swelling and/or redness at the injury site


• Fur missing around the injured area


• Unwillingness to be picked up

If the early stages of the abscess formation are not noticed or are neglected, it will continue to swell as more pus and dead tissue builds up. This just serves to make it even more painful to your cat. At some point, most abscesses will burst, followed by an outpouring or drainage of foul-smelling pus. For some cat owners, this might be the first indication that something is wrong with their cat. This all can happen within a couple of days, depending on whether or not the puncture closes over.

As mentioned before, an abscess typically forms around a bite or claw gash, as bacteria are deposited below the skin into the underlying soft tissues. The most common bacteria to be involved are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, and E. coli, all of which are common contaminants of cat teeth and claws. Foreign bodies, such as cat teeth and cat claws, can also be found within an abscess.

When presented with a cat showing signs of an abscess, your veterinarian might deem it necessary to do some tests. These tests may include aspirating (withdrawing by way of needle and syringe) some of the liquid from the lump for further analysis, X-rays to find out if there are any teeth inside the swelling, and taking blood samples for evaluation of white blood cells. Sometimes, however, the physical exam provides all the clues necessary to determine that this is an abscess and the treatment can commence right away.

Once the diagnosis is made, treatment usually consists of ensuring adequate drainage for the build up of pus inside the abscess, along with providing an appropriate antibiotic for the actual bacterial infection. If the abscess has already opened by the time your veterinarian sees the cat, the cat should be feeling somewhat better. As the pus drains away, the swelling decreases and the fever generally starts to go down. If the abscess has not already burst, then your veterinarian will need to make a small incision into the lump to facilitate drainage. This may often have to be done under anesthesia so that all the dead tissues can be properly removed. Sometimes a drainage tube will have to be inserted into the abscess to allow for further evacuation of the pus. The worst thing that can happen to a healing abscess is that it closes over before all the drainage is finished...and the tube is to assure that not happening. Occasionally, the draining abscess will be left as a gaping wound, being allowed to heal as an open wound, depending on the location and size of the damaged area. There are several broad-spectrum antibiotics available for treating the bacterial component of the abscess. If an abscess breaks open for you at home, you should try to encourage further drainage by gently applying warm-water soaked compresses. As mentioned earlier, when an abscess opens up, the pain level diminishes and your cat will most likely tolerate the compresses. Try to keep the draining area as clean as possible, then get the cat to your veterinarian for further treatment.

Usually the outcome (prognosis) for cat abscesses is favorable for the majority of cats, as they respond well to appropriate treatment within 7-10 days. Almost always, when the skin heals over and the hair grows back, you'd hardly know there had been a problem. There will occasionally be some scarring and even patches of skin on which the hair won't grow any more. The few exceptions to this fairly rapid healing pattern would be cats that already have a compromised health status, such as Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Diabetes Mellitus, or being on steroids for an immune problem.

The big question now is how to keep these abscesses from happening in the first place. Almost ALL cat abscesses happen to cats that are outdoors, so the first step is obvious--KEEP THE CAT INDOORS! Furthermore, if your cat just has to get outdoors a little:

• Neutering your cat will help since intact cats are much more likely to be bitten in a fight.


• Most cat fights occur at night, so keep your cat indoors at night.


• Abscesses are much more common during spring and fall since these are the usual breeding seasons for cats. Even neutered/spayed cats outdoors during those times can be victimized. Keep your cat indoors as much as possible in the spring and fall.


• If your cat does spend time outdoors, you should get in the habit of giving the cat a head to tail rub once a day so that you can spot or feel a wound or abrasion promptly. Timely and appropriate treatment after your cat sustains a puncture wound just might help avoid the formation of an abscess.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

Last week, when talking about Chanel, the 21-year old dog that had just recently died, there were some questions generated about the concept of 1 dog year equaling 7 human years. One of those questions, sent in by Butter Bean, in Arizona, went, "How has that 1 dog year=7 human years developed? What's the science, if any, behind it?"

OK, Butter Bean, be careful what you ask for because you might get it! As you said, it has been commonly accepted that 1 dog year is equal to 7 human years. However, due to the way the aging process of dogs differs from that of humans, this is not very accurate.

In general, dogs age in a manner somewhat similar to humans. Their bodies begin to develop problems which are less common at younger ages, they are more prone to serious or fatal conditions, they become less mobile and may develop joint problems, and in old age often become less physically active. Aging begins at birth, but its manifestations are not noticeable for several years. The first sign of aging is a general decrease in activity level, including a tendency to sleep longer and more soundly, a waning of enthusiasm for long walks and games of catch, and a loss of interest in the goings on in the home...is this for dogs or humans?

The main factor causing a difference in the aging process for dogs is the breed of the dog. It has been well established that the smaller breeds have a longer life expectancy than a larger breed. It's not uncommon for smaller breeds to live beyond 15 years, while the giant breeds may only live 7-8 years. From this, you can see that 1 year of a small dog's life definitely does not equal 1 year of a giant dog's life. And, to make the leap to what that equals in human years has no basis in fact. However, as some people have suggested, it might be possible to compare the stages of maturation between dogs and humans. In all but the large breeds, socio-sexual interest arises around 6-9 months, they become an "emotional" adult around 15-18 months, and reach full maturity around 3-4 years, although as with humans, learning and refinement continues thereafter. In comparative terms, the human equivalent of a 1-year old dog would then be about 10-15 years. The second year for a dog would be equivalent to another 8-10 years for the human.

Helpful Buckeye suggests that somebody many years ago decided that the average dog lives 10 years and the average human lives 70 years. From that, the math is simple: 1 dog year equals 7 human years. However, by that same math, a pet fish that lives 2 years would then have 1 fish year equaling 35 human years. You can see the foolishness of this game...it proves nothing. Since there is no scientific basis for this comparison, dog owners would be better off to compare the juvenile, adolescent, adult, and geriatric years of their dog to the same time periods of themselves.

GENERAL INTEREST

1) For those of you who are known to hit a cue ball around the green felt from time to time, here's a great video of Halo, the Doggy Pool Shark, sinking some pretty decent shots: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/09/09/doggy-pool-shark/ He can be on my team any time!

2) This past week, we saw a Tibetan Mastiff (yes, one of those "working group" dogs) sell for almost $600,000 to a Chinese woman. No matter how you look at it, that makes him a very expensive dog...actually the priciest on Earth: http://news.aol.com/article/earths-priciest-dog-purchased-by-chinese/666000?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl1link5http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fearths-priciest-dog-purchased-by-chinese%2F666000

3) Well, the myth of the hypoallergenic dog may be just that...a myth. Schering-Plough, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies and maker of many human allergy medicines, has published their disclaimer about such a dog. Read their explanation at: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/09/11/the-myth-surrounding-hypoallergenic-dogs/

4) The ASPCA has been running a "Dog Days of Summer Video Contest" and now is featuring the top 5 entries for you to vote on. Go to their web site, take a few minutes to watch all 5 videos (they're all pretty short), and vote for your favorite: http://www.aspca.org/news/video-contests/summer-video-contest.html

5) Sable, a German Shepherd mix, has been stirring up attention in Michigan for his talent and aptitude for sniffing out raw sewage and other illegal toxic discharge. His owner has been staying busy with Sable after a 6-month training period: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/09/03/german-shepherd-has-a-nose-for-sewage/

6) Dr. Mary Burch, of the AKC, provides some tips on how to keep your dog comfortable on long car rides: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/09/03/q-how-can-i-keep-my-dog-comfortable-during-long-car-rides/

7) Perhaps the dogs on the long car rides would benefit from practicing some Yoga positions, huh? Check these dogs out: http://www.urlesque.com/2009/09/10/yoga-dogs-say-ohm-we-say-omg/ Helpful Buckeye's favorite is Sammy.

8) Helpful Buckeye didn't want all of our cat lovers to feel cheated this week, so we'll finish this section with a peek at some cats which like to curl up in sinks. That's right, sinks! Cat owners will tell you that this is fairly common among our feline friends: http://www.pawnation.com/2009/08/14/catsinsinks-com-discovers-cats-like-sinks/

SPORTS NEWS

The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season with a big win over a tough Titan team.

The LA Dodgers took 4 of 6 games on the road against the D'Backs and the Giants, but our lead over the Rockies still got smaller. This next 2 weeks will be interesting!

The Ohio State Buckeyes disappeared in the last 7 minutes of their game against Southern Cal. Our players played their hearts out for the first 53 minutes of the game, pretty much controlling the momentum. Helpful Buckeye suggests that it's time for a total change of the coaching staff in Columbus. This coaching staff seems to be content with being competitive within the Big-10 conference while the premier programs around the country have their focus on the national championship every year. Buckeye fans all over the USA have to feel cheated by our leadership! On a brighter note, Helpful Buckeye and good friend Casey, a Southern Cal grad, exchanged 21 e-mails during that last 7 minutes of the game. Needless to say, Casey's went from despair to near-giddiness at the end. I'm happy for him, but....

PERSONAL STUFF

Desperado and Helpful Buckeye had a very rewarding hike along the West Rim trail at the Grand Canyon on Labor Day. The views were even more thrilling and impressive than those from the South Rim. The weather was beautiful, sunny, temperature of 72 degrees, 15% humidity, and a 5 MPH breeze out of the southwest. We feel fortunate to be able to experience so many of Nature's wonders so close to home! We started out early that morning with this thought from Joseph Priestley, English scientist and discoverer of oxygen, "I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning...."

~~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.~~

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS....

...begin today! That's right, and according to PNC Wealth Management, of Pittsburgh, this year’s cost, according to their annual “Christmas Price Index”, which tallies the single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests, will be $86,609!!! The price is up $8,508 or 10.9 percent, from $78,101 last year. Seems inflationary to me! Anyway, Helpful Buckeye has been adding up the cost of my holiday presents for all our readers, and you know what? Not only does Questions On Dogs and Cats come to you free of charge, but now, the Google Gadgets we've been able to include alongside the blog also come to you free! It's a deal you can't refuse....







Speaking of those Google Gadgets, what do you think about them? The "Labels" Gadget serves pretty nicely as a subject index...just click on a topic of interest and you will be transported to the blog issue with that item! Are there any of the Gadgets you don't like?

Considering the fair exchange of Christmas presents, all of our readers are encouraged to share this blog site for Questions On Dogs and Cats with 5 of your friends. Give them the blog site address, tell them there just might be something of interest to them, and ask them to give it a look. That way, you'll be able to give a present that doesn't cost you anything, they'll love you for it, and...we'll get more readers! It's a WIN, WIN, WIN situation!

We have had a few readers send e-mails saying that they have had some trouble clicking into the Google ads that are spaced down along the left column and at the end of each issue. Helpful Buckeye suggests that all of you try clicking into those ads to see if you are successful in getting to the advertising company. It won't cost you anything for looking. Send an e-mail if you also have any difficulty: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President, made this statement about Christmas: "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." As a fitting closing for this introduction, Helpful Buckeye offers this slide show of "the real spirit of Christmas" around the world (my favorite is the one in Denver): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28160166/displaymode/1107/s/2/framenumber/1/

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) No matter what the season may be, there will still be some pet owners who don't have a clue about properly caring for a pet. Read this news story from Wisconsin and decide on your own what you'd like to say to this woman: http://news.aol.com/article/dog-survives-after-freezing-to-sidewalk/269287?icid=200100397x1214247272x1200896655

2) Going all the way to the other end of the spectrum of compassion for a dog, check out this video of a dog trying to rescue another dog that had been hit by a car in Chile: http://news.aol.com/article/dog-tries-to-save-other-dog-hit-by-car/271359?icid=200100397x1215114094x1200927768 ( click on the icon on the video screen)

3) Some high school students in the Phoenix, AZ area are starting a "new, 18-month program, during which 12 students will have a puppy to raise and train every day, resulting in affordable service dogs for military, police, fire and emergency personnel who were injured on duty." Read the article in the Arizona Republic: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/12/08/20081208peodogs1208.html

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

1) In a press release that came out after Questions On Dogs and Cats was published last week, The American Veterinary Medical Association proclaimed the week of DEC 7-13 as National Handwashing Awareness Week. Helpful Buckeye has discussed the benefits of appropriate handwashing in a previous issue. This proclamation calls attention to the advantages for all of us "in minimizing our exposure to infectious agents through proper handwashing often being the best way to avoid getting sick or spreading diseases to other people." The rest of the awareness alert is available at: http://www.avma.org/press/releases/081208_handwashing_week.asp

2) As our economic situation continues to worsen, there have been stories of how pet owners are skipping their veterinary visits due to their own financial difficulties. Although this is very understandable, pet owners need to be aware that sometimes a delayed visit to the veterinarian can lead to more severe considerations than their pet is already experiencing. So, the bottom line (no pun intended) is that you should always at least discuss your concerns about a pet problem with your veterinarian and then try to make the appropriate decision about how to handle it. A recent story on The Today Show presents some approaches for how you can work through this situation: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27665004/

3) The American Kennel Club has conducted a survey that offers the conclusion that: "...despite a tough economy, pet owners are willing to sacrifice many daily luxuries to provide for the needs of their canine companions." Check out the results from this survey; you might be surprised by some of them! http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3666

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

1) After our discussion on fleas and flea control last week, and judging from all the questions readers sent in, these topics are a big deal to most of you! It seems that everyone wants that "magic bullet," something that you don't have to use very often, but it works 100% of the time, right? Well, if someone could figure out how to extract ALL the sulfur in the human body, it has been estimated that "the average human body holds enough sulfur to kill all the fleas on an average dog." Unfortunately, that's not going to happen, so...you'll still need to follow all the suggested solutions in last week's discussion.

2) Helpful Buckeye thought we had covered the hypoallergenic dog subject sufficiently in past issues. However, this article does present a slightly modified approach to the question: According to allergists, there is no such thing as a dog free of allergens. Even if the Obamas decided on an American hairless, it's not the hair that's the problem. It's the skin. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) reports: "Contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to an animal's hair, but rather, to a protein found in the saliva, dander (dead skin flakes) or urine of an animal with fur. These proteins are carried in the air on very small, invisible particles, which can land on the lining of the eyes or nose, or be inhaled directly into the lungs. … A cat or dog produces a certain amount of allergen per week, and this amount can vary from animal to animal. All breeds are capable of triggering symptoms -- there are no 'hypoallergenic' breeds of cats or dogs." Chair of the Indoor Allergen Committee for AAAAI Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul reiterated that point in an interview with USA Today: "If you've got 50 dogs in the home, the dog allergens are going to be higher than if you've got one, and if you have a huge dog, there will be more allergens than with a small dog, but all dogs produce allergens." The Obamas can find hope in such a statement -- and they are not alone. A 1994 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology estimated that 10 million Americans are at least somewhat allergic to dogs. While the only way to completely avoid allergens from a pet is not to have one, there are things that can be done to minimize exposure:

• -- limit the household to one small dog


• -- bathe and groom the dog at least once a week to remove dander


• -- utilize HEPA air filters 24/7, especially in the bedrooms of the allergic


• -- keep the dog out of the bedrooms and off of the beds of the allergic


• -- switch to hardwood floors in lieu of carpeting


• -- vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner


• -- launder human and dog bedding (separately) weekly in 130-degree water to remove dander


• -- visit an allergist for a proper diagnosis and treatment options


• -- stick with shorthaired breeds that typically shed less

While myriad veterinarians, allergists and immunologists have hammered the point that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, it is accepted that the allergic may fare better in the company of certain canines. If you're allergic to dogs, the only real way to avoid a reaction is to avoid dogs. For some, that's easy enough. For many, a little sneezing, wheezing and itching is worth it. For Obama, it looks like he needs more time to make this particular pick. From dog trainer Matthew Margolis, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!"

3) The results for last week's poll question about pet health insurance were:

• 14% own a policy right now
• 14% are seriously considering getting one
• 28% may purchase one in the future
• 42% weren't interested, for one reason or another

Thanks for your responses!

GENERAL INTEREST

1) Since you had to put up with the cats and their rendition of "White Christmas" last week, it's only fair that you now have to deal with the Jingle Bell Dogs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKhJ9IQdWQ8

2) In case you were looking for something to light up your New Year's Eve party, you might want to consider signing up for the FREE Glowstick offer at: http://www.lifegear.com/freeglowstick/

3)

Are you a dog or cat person? You may already be pretty sure of the answer
to that question, but you might also
be surprised. Take this simple quiz from the
Today Show and see what you find out:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26890077/

4) Then, taking this train of thought one step further, what does your choice of dog say about you? Check out this web site and click through the photos to find out: http://www.aolhealth.com/healthy-living/dog-owner-personality

5) Among the practically unlimited choices of presents to buy
for your pet or for the pet of a friend are these "Healthy Holiday" options...Food Dispenser Toys, Digital Litter Boxes, Designer Surgical Collars, Pet First Aid Kits, Dog Puzzle Board Games, Pet Strollers, Dog Treadmills, and a Warming Bed. These items can be found at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28018991/?pg=2#Health_HealthyPetGifts

One of Helpful Buckeye's all-time favorite dogs is Regal, the Beagle, and here she is with one of her Food Dispenser Toys:

6) Desperado has contributed an idea that might be not only appealing, but also quite appropriate for our readers who have friends with pets: Desperado, who raved about the book, Marley & Me, by John Grogan, is thrilled that the movie version is opening at theatres on Christmas Day. In a recent interview, in The USA Today about the movie, with Jennifer Aniston (who co-stars with Owen Wilson), Aniston mentioned a great gift her two dogs received when Jennifer and dogs Norman and Dolly moved into a new neighborhood in L. A.: "I got a basket that said, 'Welcome to the neighborhood,' and it was for Norman and Dolly, and there was a picture of the neighbor's dog. There were all these treats in it. I thought that was really nice." What a great idea for a Christmas basket for your neighbor's dog!

7) The Arizona Republic carries a daily column by Clay Thompson, in which Clay answers questions from readers. He's a pretty witty and sharp guy...sometimes his answers are cynical, humorous, or sympathetic, but he always tries to give a good answer. In today's column, he answers a very timely question that has to do with a cat, a Christmas tree skirt and aluminum foil. Enjoy his answer at: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/12/13/20081213clay1214.html

8) Most of you probably have a favorite Christmas movie or two that you enjoy watching over and over again. Desperado and Helpful Buckeye have several favorites and we watch every one of them each December, some more than once! They are Holiday Inn, White Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Elf, Scrooged, The Family Stone, Love Actually, and The Holiday.

SPORTS NEWS

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been selected to play in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas and find themselves big underdogs. Considering their performances in the last 2 BCS bowl games, that is not a big surprise. Perhaps we can do something to correct that this year?

The OSU men's basketball team has moved back into the Top 25 this week and is still undefeated.

The Pittsburgh Steelers played in Baltimore today and pulled out another win in the last 2 minutes, defeating the despised Ravens!

PERSONAL STUFF


There were a couple of really windy days this past week and Helpful Buckeye felt like my bicycle tires were square, trying to ride into the wind.

Now, to complicate things even further, we are expecting several days of winter weather as a mountain product of some Pacific storms, with accumulation predictions in "feet" rather than "inches." This will undoubtedly result in snow, ice, and cinders building up in the bike lanes, so...Helpful Buckeye will probably have to move the road show indoors to the stationary bike for awhile. It's not my favorite activity, but it'll do.

Let's end this issue with this anonymous quote: "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."

~~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.~~

THANK A VETERAN....

This Tuesday, November 11th, our country marks our annual observance of Veterans Day (that's correct...no apostrophe, for all you punctuation junkies). What had originally been known as Armistice Day, was changed by the U.S. Congress, on 8 November 1954, to become known as Veterans Day, in honor of all American military veterans. President "Teddy" Roosevelt aptly described this need to honor our veterans: "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards"....(Helpful Buckeye knows that "TR" would have used the word, person, if women had been in the military at the time). Sift through these photos as we remember all the veterans who have represented the USA....

The Spanish-American War Memorial, at Arlington National Cemetery

The World War I Memorial, also at Arlington National Cemetery

The World War II Memorial (photo by Richard Latoff)

The Korean War Memorial

The Vietnam War Memorial (The Wall, 3 Soldiers, and the Vietnam Women's Memorial))

As we honor our veterans, it's hard to not think of Lee Greenwood's stirring "Proud To Be An American" anthem....Enjoy it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-9_fDEsv-Q&feature=related

From one of the pictures in the song slideshow, the Grand Canyon is a great place to witness the wonders of America. Once known as "Big" Canyon and "Great" Canyon, it was named "Grand" Canyon by John Wesley Powell (after his 1869 expedition through the Canyon) and this is the name that we still use. Originally, a US Army Lieutenant made this comment: The year 1857 brought a U.S. Army survey party led by Lieutenant Joseph Ives to explore the Grand Canyon region. In his 1858 report, Ives was pessimistic, "The region is of course altogether valueless. Ours has been the first, and will doubtless be the last, party of whites to visit this profitless locality." But Ives was soon to be proved wrong. John Wesley Powell felt a little different about the Canyon after his expedition: "The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself. The resources of the graphic art are taxed beyond their powers in attempting to portray its features. Language and illustration combined must fail."

Desperado and Helpful Buckeye ventured into the Canyon this past Friday and found the re-affirmation that life in the USA is pretty special, thanks, in large part, to all the veterans who have defended our country. We hiked from the South Rim down to Plateau Point and back (about 13 miles) and it was a rewarding experience! These 2 pictures show the Grand Canyon in all its beauty and the trail out to Plateau Point:

When we finally reached the summit back at the South Rim, we were able to feel the meaning of Guillaume Apollinaire, French writer (1880-1918), when he said: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."

As all of us take the time to pause and "just be happy" the next few days, take the time to also thank a veteran. Say so in person, make a phone call, or send an e-mail...let them know you appreciate what they've done for our country.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) November has been named as Pet Cancer Awareness Month by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Helpful Buckeye has discussed cancer in dogs and cats in the 14 Sept 2008 issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats...check it out for a review.

2) Rabies still makes an occasional appearance in the news, as evidenced in this report from the Arizona Republic: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/11/08/20081108rabies1108.html

Of particular interest is the detailed account of the jogger from near Prescott who ran a mile with a rabid fox firmly attached to her arm. For the unbelievable details, read: http://news.aol.com/article/jogger-runs-mile-with-rabid-fox-locked/239303

3) Helpful Buckeye has made numerous references to dogs and cats being overweight. England has taken a hard line approach to this problem: http://www.propeller.com/story/2008/11/05/owners-of-obese-dogs-and-fat-cats-could-face-jail-under-controversial-new-rules/?icid=200100397x1212550308x1200791020
Of course, not much has been said about who would decide what constitutes a "seriously fat pet," or how serious the government is about the $40,000 fine. Their intentions are laudable but, as with the story from last week about the Italian environment minister, perhaps misguided. Maybe the fines from England can be sent to Italy to help defray the cost of the dog fecal DNA tests???

4) The political pundits at all the networks may want to seriously consider sending a reporter to Cold Spring Harbor, NY for the next Presidential election. It seems the folks in this Long Island community have a way of predicting the outcome:

Barking Dogs predicted U.S. election outcome -------COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. - Organizers of a Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., costume party for dogs and their owners said canines predicted the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. The organizers of "Howl-ween," also known as Corky's Canine Costume Party, said hundreds of dogs participated in the "Bark the Vote" election and cast ballots in the form of barking for Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Corky Nightingale, who oversaw the barking election, said the dogs made the same choice that their human counterparts would make a few days later -- the vote went to President-elect Barack Obama. "We feel it was a fair contest between the two candidates. Voter turnout was unprecedented," Nightingale said. "We patiently awaited results this evening to see if our votes had any influence on the final outcome of the election. We are proud to know our barks were heard throughout the nation," she continued. "Howl-ween" is held annually to raise funds for rescue dogs and other canine causes. This year's party also included a costume parade through the town of Cold Spring Harbor.

5) Speaking of the election, Helpful Buckeye is here to report that, after all the votes were tallied, both Snoopy and Garfield finished in a tie for the office of President. In the interest of good will between the species (and because they don't have any money to pay for a run-off election,) they have agreed to be co-holders of the office...with Snoopy being in charge of bringing in the newspaper and Garfield laying around and not doing much of anything (except for working on the 50-pound pepperoni pizza)!

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

1) For those of you who had difficulty with the "copy-and-paste" suggestion in last week's article about second-hand cigarette smoke, here is the web site in clickable form: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070831123420.htm

2) Amidst all of the discussion about President-elect Obama and the first family thinking about getting a dog, there has been mention of one of his daughters being allergic to dogs. Needless to say, there has been an outpouring of suggestions as to what kind of dog the Obamas should consider. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: "Allergies to pets with fur or feathers are common, especially among people who have other allergies or asthma. From 15 percent to 30 percent of people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs. People with dog allergies may be allergic to all dogs or to only some breeds. Cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies."

More from the AAFA: "Dogs and cats secrete fluids and shed dander that contain the allergens (proteins). They collect on fur and other surfaces. The allergens will not lose their strength for a long time, sometimes for several months. They appear to be sticky and adhere to walls, clothing and other surfaces. Pet hair is not an allergen. It can collect dander, though. It also harbors other allergens like dust and pollen. Cat and dog allergens are everywhere. Pet dander is even in homes never occupied by these animals because it is carried on people's clothing. The allergens get in the air with petting, grooming or stirring the air where the allergens have settled. Once airborne, the particles can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time."

One of the ways to try to minimize allergic reactions is to get a "hypo-allergenic" dog. This does not mean that the dog will not produce allergens, just that it will produce less than other breeds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) maintains a list of breeds that are considered to be hypo-allergenic:

While no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, there are many breeds which the American Kennel Club (AKC®) suggests people with allergies consider. Most of these breeds have non-shedding coats, which produce less dander. It's the dander not the hair which causes most pet allergies. For those who can't do without the joy of a canine companion but want to keep their allergies at bay, the AKC suggests they consider the following breeds:

• Bedlington Terrier


• Bichon Frise


• Chinese Crested


• Irish Water Spaniel


• Kerry Blue Terrier


• Maltese


• Poodles (Toy, Miniature or Standard)


• Portuguese Water Dog


• Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard or Giant)


• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier


• Xoloitzcuintli

"These breeds may be just what the doctor ordered for people with allergies," says Lisa Peterson, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club. "There are a variety of sizes, energy levels and temperaments, yet all are well-established in their coat type. Dogs that are AKC registered have pedigrees reaching back often hundreds of years and so the characteristics that make them better companions for allergy suffers are fixed through decades of breeding for consistent type."

We'll have to wait for the Obamas to make their choice to see if it's one of these breeds...but don't ask Helpful Buckeye how to pronounce that last one....

WORD OF THE WEEK

Hypoallergenic--adjective; designed to minimize the likelihood of an allergic response, as by containing few or no potentially irritating substances.

PETS OF THE WEEK

Great Dane--The Great Dane is a breed of dog known for its large size and gentle personality commonly referred to as the "Gentle Giant." While the breed is thought to be about 400 years old, some sources state that similar dogs to were known in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome with various sources reporting that the breed was developed from the medieval boarhound, the Mastiff, and Irish wolfhound lines. The minimum weight falls between 100 to 120 lb. and the minimum height must be between 28 and 32 inches at the withers (top of the shoulders). In August 2004, a Great Dane named "Gibson" from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dog, measuring an astounding 42.2 inches at the withers. The Great Dane's large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature and they're generally well-disposed toward other dogs, non-canine pets, wild animals, and humans.

Enjoy this video of 2 Great Dane pups showing their playfulness: http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=13572

Our second pet of the week will be in the form of a quiz. If you've been paying attention, you should be able to guess this breed:

They are both the same breed, with different haircuts. Send your answer to dogcatvethelp@gmail.com

GENERAL INTEREST

1) This past week, the Humane Society of the United States observed its annual "Shelters Rock," a fund raiser that is supported by numerous singing artists to benefit local animal shelters. Look over this list of artists and perhaps you will find an inspiration to donate in the future: http://www.hsus.org/about_us/celebrity_support/shelters_rock_artists_sing_3.html

2) This news item appeared on several TV stations recently about a very special cat in Japan. Enjoy the story of Tama, the stray cat which became a Station Master: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7421259.stm

3) Most of you have heard of the problems that accumulations of birds cause around busy airports. A new approach to this problem is to use specially trained dogs to scare these birds away. One of the smartest breeds of dogs is the Border Collie and it plays an important role in this story from the USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-11-06-birddogs_N.htm After reading the story, be sure to click on the video on the left side of the page for a demonstration of the efficiency of "Sky"....

4) Every once in a while, we hear of a dog that is perhaps a little smarter than its owner. This story from Oklahoma serves as further proof that this might be true:

PRYOR, Okla. (AP) - A dog waiting in a car while at a Pryor car wash slipped the vehicle into gear and drove in a loop before the car came to a stop. Pryor police officer Brent Crittenden says the dog's owner was washing the vehicle when the 70-pound pit bull jumped on the dash and somehow shifted the car into reverse. The car backed out of the car wash bay, continued onto a highway and then looped around before coming to a stop at an automated car wash lane. Crittenden says the vehicle was impounded because its owner was unable to provide proof of insurance. Because the dog was registered with the city, Crittenden says the owner was allowed to walk the pooch home. Information from: Pryor Daily Times, http://www.pryordailytimes.com/

Helpful Buckeye can't help but wonder how the dog was able to get the car into gear without putting its foot on the brake...unless this was a pretty old car. Probably the dog wanted to get there "SOONER" rather than later, huh? A little Okie humor for the uninitiated....

5) A recent poll taken by America Online of a politician's "likeability" if he/she has a dog showed that 61% of responders said yes and 39% said no, from a total of 104,820 votes cast.

6) For an example of the efforts to influence President-elect Obama in his family's choice of a new dog, check out this web site (it's from "shelter dogs" at http://www.dogsrule.com/) : http://www.dogsrule.com/obama_popup.html

7) The pressure mounts for the Obama family to choose a dog from a rescue shelter or dog pound, as reported in the Arizona Republic: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2008/11/06/20081106obama-puppy1106.html

8) Looking at the other side of this dog ownership coin, the AKC has a pin for sale that touts dog owners as voters:http://www.akc.org/store/products/index.cfm?category_cde=AKCCOL&product_view=thumb9) Helpful Buckeye has found numerous popular magazines on animal care and pets available for reduced rates at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/magazines/602360/ref=pd_ts_zbw_mag_602360_more?&pf_rd_p=389528001&pf_rd_s=right-3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=602360&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1RX4QZERVNHFKXXQWHV1

10) On the 3rd of November (1957), the Soviet Union launched the first living animal into space, a dog named Laika, aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. Laika died a few hours after launch from stress and overheating probably due to a malfunction in the thermal control system. The true cause of her death was not made public until decades after the flight. Although Laika did not survive the trip, the experiment proved that a living passenger could survive being launched into orbit and endure weightlessness. It paved the way for human spaceflight and provided scientists with some of the first data on how living organisms react to spaceflight environments.
On April 11, 2008, Russian officials unveiled a monument to Laika. The small monument is near a military research facility in Moscow that prepared Laika's flight to space. It features a dog standing on top of a rocket. The American press dubbed her "Muttnik."

11) On the 4th of November (1879), Will Rogers was born. Helpful Buckeye has used his quotes frequently and there are 2 more that apply to the economic conditions in which we find ourselves today: "Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even," and "An economist's guess is liable to be as good as anybody else's." Now, does that make you feel a little better???

SPORTS NEWS

The Ohio State Buckeyes easily beat Northwestern yesterday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave one away to the Colts today, by horrible play calling and 3 interceptions by our $26 million QB!!!

PERSONAL STUFF

Helpful Buckeye has devoted a fair amount of commentary in this issue to the notion of selecting the proper dog for the Obama family. That being said, bear in mind the words of Roger Caras, writer, wildlife photographer, TV personality, and former host of the Westminster Dog Show: "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

~~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.~~