BEEN WAITING FOR SPRING?

Helpful Buckeye suspects that all of us have been waiting for Spring...for one reason or another...except for those of you who love to snow ski.  Well, the first day of Spring was this past Monday and we got 6" of snow on our roof and flower pots here in Flagstaff!  Fortunately, the roads and ground had warmed enough that the accumulation didn't affect travel.  Helpful Buckeye did see some actual proof that Spring is making its move here in northern Arizona.  On Friday, I saw the first Great Blue Heron arriving and what was probably the last Bald Eagle to be leaving as the seasons change from Winter to Spring...and they were flying within about 200 ft. of each other.  Sort of like in a relay race, where they were passing the baton from the Eagle to the Heron.  I was reminded of the 1974 Roberta Flack hit song, Feel Like Makin' Love, in which she sings, "Strollin' in the park, Watching winter turn to spring...."  Take yourself back 37 years and reminisce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWzaEy_LGjQ

There are two special days this coming week.  Opening Day for baseball, when all teams are equal in the standings, is Thursday and, of course, Friday is April Fools' Day, when jokes or tricks are traditionally played on the unsuspecting.  In this particular case, the jokes are being played on the fans of the teams that know, even on Opening Day, that they don't stand a chance of doing much this year!  More on Opening Day later....

Only 10% of our readers reported having a pet require surgery or endoscopic intervention to remove something it had swallowed.  About 25% of cat owners said they had offered human food food to their cat but nothing that was considered to cause a problem.  Lastly, many of you (75%) said that you do give your dog organized exercise but you weren't sure if it was enough.  Remember to answer this week's poll questions in the column to the left.

Each season of the year seems to present its own challenges for your pets, and Helpful Buckeye has addressed many of those in previous issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats...click on "Spring," "Summer," or "Winter" under the Labels column to the left.  Since springtime is now upon us, this will be a good time to review some of the things you should be aware of in regards to your pets' health.

Springtime is just around the corner, but the gentle season could prove to be not so kind to curious pets and unknowing pet owners.  A host of risks present themselves to dogs, cats and other companion animals, and pet parents should be able to identify these potential harms in order to keep the spring days bright, sunny, and fun for all.


The list of toxic, common household items might surprise even the most veteran, conscientious owners.  Lilies, sago palm, azalea, rhododendron, tulips, daffodils and chrysanthemums are all toxic for pets. If a cat, in particular, ingests just bit of a lily, it could lead to kidney failure. Keeping indoor plants and flowers at hard-to-reach distances could be one solution, but just to be safe, owners may want to abstain from planting these and a few other flora all together.


“My family knows not to send me flowers, since I have cats that tend to be pretty inquisitive,” said Elisa Mazzaferro, a veterinarian based in Wheatridge, Colo., and associated with the American Veterinary Medical Association. “But it’s really the Lilies that are the main culprits in the springtime. Most people don’t know that.”


The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) received approximately 7,858 calls in 2009 reporting ingestion of one of the aforementioned plants and flowers. That number was out of the 195,000 calls the APCC received in total that year.


This information is particularly pertinent in light of National Poison Prevention Week, which runs from March 20 to 26, 2011. Perhaps it’s not coincidental that the week coincides with the seasonal shift, as well as with the lead-up preparations for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.


“With St. Patty’s Day, we have the risk of shamrocks, which contain soluble oxalates, and those are very poisonous to animals,” explained Camille DeClementi, DVM, Senior Director of the APSCA Animal Health Services. “And with Easter, people should be wary of Easter lilies, in particular, but also things like chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins, which could also put a pet into the hospital.”


Mazzaferro said she routinely treats pets that consume the fake grass people place at the bottom of Easter baskets.  “They can cause an obstruction [in their intestines],” the veterinarian explained.


As owners venture outside more to beautify their gardens and treat their hard, dried land, they should also remain aware of the harm that certain types of fertilizer and garden products can inflict on their outdoor pets. In 2009, the ASPCA responded to 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, which can cause gastrointestinal obstruction and “severe gastric upset.”


Consuming flower bulbs, in particular, could result in a painful, unpleasant experience for both pets and their concerned owners, DeClementi noted.


Aside from the consumption of seemingly innocent, but truly dangerous, typical household and garden items, pets might also fall victim to one of spring’s more common, yet ultimately benign ailments: allergies.  Yes, pets can feel the effects of allergies but will exhibit symptoms slightly differently from how humans do.  “When animals inhale certain pollen they tend to get itchy skin, lick at their feet, chew at the base of their tail and get a rash,” Mazzaferro said. “We don’t know exactly what the culprit is, but we recommend certain types of testing and treatment for animals with severe allergies.”


Flea and tick treatments like Frontline and Revolution could help prevent skin discomfort, as well as protect pets from unwanted bug bites and infestations, Mazzaferro says.  Yet DeClementi cautioned that pet owners use only dog products for dogs, and cat products for cats – this tip might sound obvious, but as owners sometimes “throw the tubes into a drawer without the box, and then don’t read the instructions carefully,” she explained, it’s important to keep in mind.

This very timely advice comes from: http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/springtimepetsafety-1783

As pointed out above, when pets experience the discomfort of allergies, they are more likely to exhibit irritations somewhere on their skin than to show the watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing that are likely to be seen in humans.  Here is a really good overview of pet allergies from CNN and several veterinary dermatologists and immunologists:

Spring is just around the corner -- a time when many of us simply load up on Benadryl in preparation for allergy season.  It's a little harder for dogs and cats with environmental allergies to avoid the elements. Fortunately, our experts offer cool tips to help keep hot spots and other problems at bay during allergy season.


Watch for allergy symptoms


Itchy pets are hard to ignore. "We'll hear owners say 'they kept me up all night because every five minutes they were chewing, chewing, chewing,'" said Dr. Andrea Dunnings, owner of East Atlanta Animal Clinic, who notes an increase in pets with skin allergies this time of the year.


Allergy symptoms in dogs can include excessive licking, redness ("hot spots") or hair loss.


Dr. Drew Weigner, a board-certified feline veterinary specialist and owner of The Cat Doctor in Atlanta, says that few cats actually suffer from seasonal allergies; they simply sneeze more due to physical irritation from pollen.


But cats with true allergies will typically show signs of hair loss and have scabs or open sores. Discharge in a cat's ears or excessive scratching also are common symptoms.


Monitor the pollen count


Allergy season for dogs and cats can mirror that of humans, so bookmark the pollen forecast in your area and monitor your pets for symptoms.


After tiptoeing through the tulips, Dr. Robert O. Schick, a dermatologist with Georgia Veterinary Specialists, suggests wiping your dogs' paws with a cool towel to remove pollen residue or scheduling a weekly cool water bath. Also, help all the animals (and humans) in your house and avoid tracking pollen into the house by removing your shoes at the door.


Don't ignore household allergens


"The most common environmental allergen is not a pollen but house dust mites and house dust," said Schick.


Do what you can to reduce the amount of dust in your home by vacuuming carpets well. Focus on your pet's favorite spots in the house such as under beds and near windows. Don't forget to clean window treatments regularly. Dunnings also suggests removing bedding and washing it on a regular basis using a gentle detergent that is free of dyes or perfumes.


Schick offered another cool tip: When your cat isn't looking, ice the mouse every now and then. Freezing plush toys kills dust mites. Also, "Google 'mite control' and you will find several powders that you can add to the carpet to remove mites," he said.


Call the vet before raiding the medicine cabinet


"Not all over-the-counter medications are safe for use of pets," Dunnings said, noting that many dog owners use Benadryl to help relieve some of the itching and scratching. The antihistamine "typically makes the pet kind of drowsy, reducing itching because they are sleepier," she said.


But it's easy to miscalculate the appropriate dosage for Chihuahua versus a Great Dane.


"At least call the clinic prior to dispensing," Dunnings warned.


Topical solutions provide limited relief


Victoria Park, owner of Park Pet Supply, sees her share of frazzled dog owners in search of help this time of the year. She has found success with all-natural products that are free of parabens and phthalates.


Creams that contain hydrocortisone and oatmeal-based shampoos also can help relieve itching, Dunnings said.


For cat owners, it's not that simple. Dr. William Carlson of InTown Animal Hospital in Atlanta said soap-free allergy shampoo and cool water can relieve symptoms by reducing pollen and mold spore counts on the cat's skin. But that means getting a cat into a tub, which may be the hardest task of all.


There is no quick fix


Identifying and treating the source of an allergy can be tricky, said Dunnings. That's why skin allergies and infections ranked second and third, respectively, last year among dog insurance claims submitted to VPI, the largest pet insurance company in the country.


"Allergies aren't going to be cured, they will be treated long-term," she warned. "Think of friends who are always on some type of antihistamine or inhaler."


An intradermal skin test (allergy test) will help your vet determine the cause of your pet's symptoms. The test is usually conducted by a veterinary dermatologist, and involves shaving a patch on the skin and injecting various allergens such as grass, pollen or dust. Through process of elimination, the vet can isolate the allergen and plan a course of action such as allergy shots or a vaccine. Keep in mind, treatment can be costly -- the test alone may cost more than $200.


"Their immune systems can change and they can grow out of the allergy," Dunnings said. "But a lot of dogs have yearly lifetime issues."


In cats, regular steroid injections can safely and effectively relieve symptoms, said Weigner. But he noted that potentially serious side effects make this option the least desirable form of treatment. Another option is prescribing an oral medication called Atopica.


"It works by suppressing helper T-cells, thus reducing inflammation," Carlson said. "It has clinically been shown to be safe and very effective."


Maintain monthly flea and tick treatment


One flea can wreak plenty of havoc, so maintain your pet's monthly flea and tick treatment, especially if there is a chance your animal is allergic. Topical solutions such as Advantage and Frontline are popular because you simply apply a liquid solution once a month.


Reports of adverse reactions from topical flea solutions caused the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pursue more stringent testing and evaluation requirements as well as stronger warning labels. If you are squeamish about topical solutions, consider greener options.


Park suggests Natural Chemistry's DeFlea products, which contain a surfactant ("detergent") that dissolve fleas' waxy protective coating. She also recommends essential oils or diatomaceous earth -- a mineral-based pesticide that comes from fossilized water plants.


Pick another protein


If your pet appears itchy long after the last flower has bloomed, it may be time to focus on the food. Pets can be allergic to grains, proteins or even preservatives, and the symptoms resemble symptoms for environmental allergies.


To address the problem in your dog, your vet may suggest a food trial, limiting the dog to a novel protein such as duck, venison or even fish, along with a vegetable. Treats and table food will be off limits until the vet can determine the allergy source. Over time, you can reintroduce your pet to other proteins, using the process of elimination to determine the source.  Take an active approach to food issues by investing in a quality dog food that lists its protein among the first few ingredients.


Cat owners have one more option: Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can keep the normal immune barrier of the skin healthy and reduce secondary infections, Carlson said. Of course, cats won't mind getting their omega-3 in the form of coldwater fish such as salmon, trout and sardines either.

This review was adapted from: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/03/19/pet.allergies.mnn/

Another skin problem associated with spending more time outdoors now that warm, sunny weather has returned is that of sunburn.  Yes, sunburn can happen to your pets.

Although they do not sunburn as easily as people, dogs can suffer from sunburn. Most often, dogs sustain a superficial partial thickness burn. At worst, sunburns may result in deep partial thickness burns. Full thickness burns are rare. Light-colored or hairless dogs are more at risk than other types of canines.


Types of Burns



Superficial partial thickness burns are similar to first-degree burns. Only the top layer of skin is involved. The hair (if present) may still be attached to the skin. The skin appears red and no blisters are seen.



Deep partial thickness burns are similar to second-degree burns. The surface layer and some deeper layers of skin are involved. Unlike in humans, these burns usually do not have blisters. The skin is red and some layers of the skin may be exposed.



Full thickness burns are similar to third-degree burns. The burn extends through all layers of skin and may even include tissue beneath the skin.


Immediately after the burn, the skin may look like leather or the surface of the burn may appear white.



Sunburn usually occurs in the summer months when at-risk animals (such as white dogs and hairless breeds) spend too much time in the sun.



Veterinary Care



Diagnosis



The diagnosis of sunburn is based on the time of year and possible prolonged exposure to the sun. The skin will have characteristic signs of a thermal burn.



Blood tests are not initially necessary to make a diagnosis. Depending on the severity of the burns, blood tests may be done later to determine the overall health of the animal.



Treatment



Treatment of sunburn is based on the severity of the burn.



Superficial Partial Thickness


• For these burns, the hair is carefully shaved from the burned area in order to ease treatment and better monitor healing.

• The wound is gently cleaned with povidone iodine or chlorhexidine.
• Topical creams such as silver sulfadiazine are quite effective in burns.
• Most superficial partial thickness burns can be treated on an outpatient basis with the remainder of treatment and care done by the owner.



Deep Partial Thickness


• For these burns, hospitalization is necessary.

• Intravenous fluids are necessary to provide hydration and needed electrolytes.

• Daily wound cleaning with povidone iodine or chlorhexidine.

• Daily bandage changes.

• Topical cream such as silver sulfadiazine.

• If over 15 percent of the body is burned, skin grafts may eventually be required.



Home Care



If you suspect your pet has a sunburn, veterinary care is recommended. Dogs do not burn as easily as people, so more damage has occurred to the skin than you may be able to initially see. After diagnosis and initial treatment, daily treatment with wound cleaning and topical medication may be necessary.



Preventative Care



For dogs at risk, apply sunscreen before spending time outdoors. As in humans, it is suspected that repeated sunburns may result in permanent skin damage and even possible skin cancer.

This article on sunburn is from: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/sunburn-in-dogs/page1.aspx?utm_source=dogcrazynews001et&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter

Allowing your pets to get outdoors on these early spring days will give them more exposure to the skin parasites (fleas and ticks) they've been able to mostly avoid during the winter.  With some of the newer flea and tick control products currently available, your chances of keeping these parasites out of the house are much improved.

Have you heard the expression, "If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas"? It might be a useful idiom when taken as advice to be careful about who you spend time with, but given the advances in veterinary medicine, it just shouldn't be true anymore when you're talking about actual dogs.



The prescription flea-killing products that are available to pet owners today are so effective that there really is no longer a good excuse to have a pet with fleas.  If these "spot-on" compounds are used as directed on each dog and cat in your home for even just a few months, they have the ability to eliminate fleas from your home for good — as long as you practice a few other good house-keeping tasks regularly.


Pet beds should be washed frequently; the water kills flea eggs and flea larvae. Hard floors should be washed regularly for the same reason; all carpets in the house should receive frequent and thorough vacuuming.


If the house is currently infested with fleas, treat the pets, vacuum the whole house super well, and then change the vacuum bag. Seal the old one in a plastic garbage bag and throw it away, so the eggs and larvae can't hatch in your vacuum and escape back into your home.


If you have cats who come and go from your home, make sure you treat them with one of the spot-on flea treatments, too. They may be picking up fleas in their travels and bringing the bloodsucking creatures home. If the cats are dosed regularly, you'll close this revolving door of flea-induced misery.


Make sure you use only preparations intended for cats on cats; some of the treatments that are prescribed for dogs are lethal to cats. If your dog and cat sleep together or on the same bed, mention this to your veterinarian so she can prescribe a flea-treatment for your dog that won't hurt the cat.


Also, occasionally change the product that you buy to prevent fleas from biting your pets. Over a number of generations, a local flea population can grow resistant to a single chemical, so switch up what you use, at least once or twice a year.


Flea bites are the No. 1 cause of allergies in dogs and cats, and in these hypersensitive individuals, even just a few flea bites can cause intense itching and scratching, to the point that the pet develops wounds and secondary infections from the self-mutilation. Even pets who are not allergic to flea bites suffer a certain amount from the local irritation of a bite.


Fleas can also transmit other diseases and infections. Were you aware that dogs and cats can get tapeworms from ingesting a tapeworm-infested flea in the course of licking themselves? Then you'll need medications for treating tapeworms and fleas from your veterinarian!


What about flea collars, shampoos, dips, and powders? All of these products are old technology — not as effective as the modern once-a-month "spot on" products. While they may be far less expensive to purchase — not least in part because they don't require a visit to the veterinarian and a prescription — ultimately, they will cost you more, because they don't work nearly as well.


When your pet is keeping you up all night and driving you crazy with his incessant scratching and chewing due to a full-blown allergy to flea bites, you'll realize the highly effective prescription preparations are worth the price.

This information on fleas and ticks is available at: http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_17678433

and here is more information on specific tick-related problems:

Yesterday my youngest dog, Bibi, came in with the first sign of spring: a tick crawling across the top of her forehead. True, she noses in the absolutely worst places, but the ticks are out, the spring molt has started, and it's time to think about all the blood-borne, tick-carried diseases that dogs, cats and humans can catch.



Lyme is the big player. Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative organism; its symptoms include fever, joint pain and lameness. In years of a bumper crop of acorns, where mice and deer are well-fed, Lyme disease tends to have a heavier incidence. This spring will have an abundant 25-year acorn crop; you can imagine what this portends.


Tick prevention is key locally; Revolution, Frontline and PrevenTic collars are excellent products for this purpose. Remember, if your dog sleeps in your bed, she must be adequately protected for you to be adequately protected.


Lyme vaccines are recommended as well; ask your veterinarian about this effective immunization. But vaccines are not a substitute for preventive products.


Other diseases that we see commonly carried by ticks are ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and babesiosis. The first is similar in effect to Lyme, although other signs can include clotting disorders and a tendency to bleed abnormally. This disease can have fatal consequences; see your vet if your dog comes down with lameness, fever or any signs of blood in urine or stool.


Ticks tend to be very active in late winter and early spring, with numbers decreasing as the year progresses.

Prevention is your pet's best friend, and starting today.

Taken from: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110323/HEALTH/103230317/-1/SITEMAP


OK, all this preparation for getting your pets ready for springtime concerns has reached a saturation point for this week.  Next week's issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats will finish the rest of this discussion on getting ready for spring.  Be there....

SPORTS NEWS

Well, it just wasn't meant to be for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA tournament.  The Buckeyes stayed strong all season by having an offense that kept the ball well distributed.  However, Kentucky was able to disrupt the Buckeyes' offense throughout the whole game.  Then, when it really counted, one of Kentucky's freshmen sank the 15 footer that provided the victory margin.  My compliments to Kentucky for doing what no other team was able to accomplish this year against the Buckeyes.

Even though I'll be watching the rest of the games in the tournament, it will be mostly for just seeing good college basketball rather than having a personal rooting interest in a certain team.  For that reason, it is with great pleasure to know that Opening Day is this week.  The LA Dodgers have a new manager but still pretty much the same players as last year.  All of our young stars are a year older and, hopefully, they will be playing even better this season.  Helpful Buckeye plans to see several Dodger games in Phoenix versus the AZ Diamondbacks this year as they try to get back the NL West division title from the SF Giants.

PERSONAL STUFF  

Desperado and Helpful Buckeye saw the movie, The Lincoln Lawyer, this week and really enjoyed it.  Helpful Buckeye has read all 22 of Michael Connelly's books and it's great to see one of them on the big screen.  Interesting storyline, great acting, and a cool soundtrack all made for a wonderful afternoon.

Another chapter in our "See Arizona" goal will unfold later this week....

~~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.~~

END OF THE YEAR POTPOURRI....

In addition to the beginning of the Holiday Season this past week, we also experienced the shortest day of the year.  Desperado and Helpful Buckeye have always looked forward to the Winter Solstice, not so much because we are interested in celestial phenomena, but because we love knowing the days will be getting longer.

The first holiday weekend of celebration and feasting is now behind us, with the second weekend of similar festivities and eating staring us in the face.  As many of us start to realize that we will pay for all the eating, we need to remember that all this is nothing new.  Most of the time, holidays and feasting go together. This is especially true during the end of the year holidays that most cultures seem to have adopted. For example, in 1213, King John of England was said to have ordered about three thousand capons, one thousand salted eels, four hundred hogs, one hundred pounds of almonds, and twenty-four casks of wine (and a partridge in a pear tree?) for his court's Christmas dinner. Even though King John's descendants, Henry V of England and Charles VII of France, were at war at Christmas in 1415, Henry ordered food distributed to the people of Rouen, whose city his army had under siege.  So, even though this historic combination of celebration and feasting has been around for a long time, there's no reason why we can't all practice a little moderation...right?

Interestingly, most of our respondents (75%) last week felt that Michael Vick should be able to get a dog for his daughters...when the time is right.  Only 1/3 of you have had a ''senior" pet show signs of Cognitive Disorder Syndrome.  Most of you (80%) feel that you are now better prepared to handle an attacking dog situation.  Hopefully, you won't have to find out about your preparation.  About 3/4 of you reported being "fooled" by a dog wagging its tail.  Be sure to answer this week's poll questions in the column to the left.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) There haven't been any pet food recalls for a while but, this past week, Kroger Co. has announced a large recall of their Old Yeller, Pet Pride, and Kroger Value brands of dog and cat food.  The possible culprit in this recall was a possible contamination of the food by aflatoxin, a mold sometimes found on corn.  For a complete list of the exact products and their lot numbers, go to: http://www.walletpop.com/2010/12/20/kroger-recalls-dog-and-cat-food-over-contamination-fears/

2) You probably thought cat scratch fever was just a song or no big deal. But it turns out that a simple claw mark from the family feline can send you to the hospital, or worse.  The neighbor's dog, your kid's cat, and the fleas in the front yard could all have bartonella. And veterinarian Ed Breitschwerdt says that's bad news.  Read this informative update on a potentially nasty infection: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=7821998

3) Results from a recent American Kennel Club holiday survey reveal that one of the most popular reasons (15%) that Fido is most likely to end up on Santa’s naughty list is for chewing up anything and everything. One person admitted that the family dog had chewed up "six cell phones, one camera, about 15 remote controls, and five pairs of sunglasses."

Interestingly enough, though, the family dog was the least likely to get coal in his stocking (6%). Respondents stated that the most likely would be themselves (46%), followed by their spouse (31%), then their kids (16%).

When it comes to who you spend the most money on during the holidays, 38% of respondents said their dog, beating out kids (36%) and spouse (26%), and if holiday expenses had to be cut back on this year, 55% of people would spend less on their spouse than their pooch. In fact, 78% plan on buying for other family members’ dogs, 66% plan on buying for friends’ dogs, and 15% plan on buying for their dog’s friends at the dog park.

In years past, some of the more extravagant gifts owners purchased for their dog have included memory foam beds, as well as fancy collars. One person bought "a red alligator skin collar with his [the dog’s] name in crystals, and a matching red skin leash."

Additional survey findings include:

• 91% of people include their dog in the family holiday card.
• 60% have taken Fido to see Santa and get his picture taken.
• 61% percent of respondents take the time to make their pup a special holiday meal.
• 42% of people said actually getting a seat at the dinner table would be on their dog’s wish list to Santa.

Considering that most of you have been really busy with holiday preparations, celebrations, visitors, and feasting, Helpful Buckeye has decided to keep this week's issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats a little more on the light side.  Still educational and informative, but not requiring so much of your undivided attention....

Enjoy this potpourri of dog and cat matters of interest:

1) From Confessions of a Pet Groomer, comes this report: Ah, I love the smell of wet dog in the morning! Twenty-two years ago, at the age of 34, I decided to switch careers and become Renee, the dog and cat groomer. I founded Pet-i-Care, my own dog and cat grooming salon in Buffalo, N.Y.  It was the best decision of my life!

I look forward to meeting my doggie customers every morning. It is a fun job, a rewarding job and -- sometimes -- even a dangerous job. If my "customers" aren't happy, they don't just complain, they can bite or scratch! But I've mostly been able to successfully read my animal clients' state of mind, cater to their moods and complete their beautifying grooming to their satisfaction and mine. And, oh yes, to their owners satisfaction, too.

I attended the now defunct M & M grooming school in Tonawanda, N.Y., in 1988. I didn't approve of the way the owner/instructor treated the animals, however, so I left before my graduation and finished my training in another groomer's shop.  I think most of the public assumes groomers are somehow certified, but they are not. Actually, there is no license or any kind of certification required to be a groomer anywhere in the United States, nor anywhere else -- which is a big bone of contention in the industry. There are several grooming schools in the United States where you can receive a certificate of graduation, but it doesn't really mean anything.  For the rest of this story, go to: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/12/10/confessions-of-a-pet-groomer/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl4%7Csec4_lnk2%7C189356

2) The myth: Cats purr because they are happy

The origin: This myth, like many others, doesn’t have a precise origin. It probably comes from the fact that most cats do purr in the presence of their owners when they are being petted, which we interpret as a sign of happiness.

The truth: Most cats do purr when they are happy. However, that is not the only time they purr. Cats will sometimes purr when they are sick, stressed, injured, frightened or in pain. They also can purr when they are giving birth, and even as they are dying. Purring seems to be more an expression of some strong emotion - whether positive or negative - than it is an expression of any particular emotion, including happiness. Purring by a cat might be similar to humming or whistling by a human: it commonly is done out of happiness, but it may also be done as a result of stress, fright or discomfort.

3) From a recent presentation on National Public Radio, The Evolvability Of Dogs: A Journey From Mongrels To Poodles, enjoy this discussion of the evolution of dogs:

Domestic dogs are the most morphologically variable of the modern mammals, differing along many axes (size, color, hair quality, tail length, etc.). They also display diverse inborn behavioral traits (retrieving, shepherding, etc.). Fossil evidence of dog-human cohabitation goes back 30,000 years, and genetic evidence indicates that most modern dogs descend from a wolf/dog domestication event that took place in central Asia.


Until recent times, these domesticated dogs were interbreeding “mutts,” moving across the planet with their journeying humans and probably on occasion back-crossing with wild wolves. And then, some 200 years ago, dog breeding was initiated in England, generating the highly inbred and distinctive lines we encounter today. The mongrels that the breeders started out with 200 years ago already harbored a great deal of genetic variety such that it was possible to generate stunningly different outcomes using the 300 different selection regimes that produced the 300 different breeds. Breeding programs can only yield as much variation as is harbored in the gene pool, and the dog gene pool proved to be a gold mine.


Since mutations yield novel genes or regulatory elements that can be subject to either natural or artificial selection, organisms with higher mutation rates are said to be more evolvable than organisms with lower mutation rates. Hence dogs are regarded as being highly evolvable.


So, wolves themselves, and probably canids in general, represent a long-standing evolvable lineage. Rodents prove to be a second evolvable lineage (think mouse vs. porcupine) whereas, except for size, a cat is pretty much a cat across the board.


The just-so story of the dog therefore goes something this: 30,000 years ago, an evolvable wolf group came to harbor key mutations that facilitated, however slightly at first, the capacity to be comfortable living around humans, perhaps retrieving game or manifesting some other valued trait in exchange for a reliable food supply, at which juncture the domestication game was on. When, much later, breeders started selecting for more exotic traits like long vs. short snouts, they tapped into the copious variability that was already present in the gene pool, and the breeding game was on.


And what about dog behavior? Dog behavioral traits are starting to be analyzed with modern genetic tools, but progress will be slower than for coat color given that many genes are involved in specifying behaviors. Here’s how a recent review concludes:


In the end, what will be the most difficult to understand is our own relationship with the dog. Unwavering loyalty, compassion, and blind adoration are not traits we can map with our genomic tools, and for now we must be content with that. In the words of American author, Margery Facklam, “We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare, and love we can spare. In return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.

The whole text is available at: http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2010/09/30/130237694/the-evolvability-of-dogs?ps=rs

4) Dr. Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Director and Animal Behaviorist, answers this question about a dog having nightmares:

My dog, Duke, sometimes seems to have terrible nightmares. He moans and jerks around violently in his sleep and it is really distressing. I've read that owners should just let their dogs rest, but I don't want Duke to be scared or upset. Should I wake him up?

When your dog is thrashing around in his sleep, twitching, moving his back legs and yelping, you can't help but wonder what he's dreaming about. Is he chasing a bunny, fighting another dog, or giving a speech to an audience full of naked poodles?

Scientists tell us that dogs dream in a similar fashion to humans. And like us, they have critical periods of deep sleep. Dreams occur during the deep sleep phase, and even though Duke may not appear to be resting peacefully, he needs uninterrupted sleep. I would suggest not waking him unless the nightmares go on for long periods of time and he seems more tired than usual.

If you wake a dog who is in deep sleep, he could startle and bite you, or he may just look at you as though he's completely confused about why you're waking him. It's not clear that dogs remember dreams when they wake up.

If there is any question in your mind about Duke having a seizure, or nightmares of an intensity that can affect his well-being, videotape one of his dream sequences and show it to your veterinarian. But assuming that you've just got an active and vocal dreamer on your hands, make sure Duke is getting a healthy diet and exercise every day. And then let your sleeping dog catch some Z's.

5) Do your cats live outside? Or come in and out of the house? If your cat does spend a lot of time exploring the great outdoors, there are some concerns and dangers you should be aware of. A sad statistic is that the average lifespan of an outdoor cat is half as long as an indoor cat's.  According to Dr. Gregory Hammer, former American Veterinary Medical Association president, the dangers posed to outdoor cats fall under three categories: infection, trauma and parasites. The threat level of each of these risks can vary depending on your location (rural, urban, suburban, etc.), but unfortunately the risks are always significantly higher for outdoor cats.

Danger: Infection

The more contact your cat has with the outside world, the more likely it is to be exposed to some sort of infectious disease. "The most common diseases to watch out for are distemper, leukemia and upper respiratory infection from contact with other cats."  Contact with other neighborhood cats is a primary source for respiratory illnesses and feline leukemia, which is contagious between cats. More like HIV than the leukemia that affects humans, feline leukemia (FeLV) is an immuno-suppressive virus that infects the white blood cells. Yet another dangerous infection outdoor cats may be exposed to is, of course, rabies.

What you can do: The mantra here from Dr. Hammer is vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. Many of the common infections that can threaten a cat's health -- like distemper, rabies and leukemia -- are preventable with simple vaccines. If you own an outdoor cat, it's imperative to keep these vaccinations current.

Danger: Trauma

Outdoor cats have a greater risk for traumatic injuries. These include, but aren't limited to cat bites, abscesses, dog attacks, and getting hit by cars. When you take these into account (especially car accidents), it's easy to see why the average lifespan of outdoor cats is so much lower.

What you can do: Perhaps the best way to combat these injuries is to focus on treatment. Abscesses are a fairly common result of a territory dispute between two rival cats. If your cat does sustain a wound due to a fight with another animal (even another cat), it's a good idea to have the wound checked out by a vet before it has a chance to get infected.

Danger: Parasites

Obviously, a cat that lives outdoors is more likely to come in contact with fleas, ticks, lice, and other pesky insects. However, a number of common parasitic threats are less easily detected, e.g. hookworms and roundworms. To make matters worse, many of these internal parasites are transferable to humans.

What you can do: The best chance you have to avoid parasites is by using preventative measures, such as flea-and-tick medications, as well as routine inspections. Dr. Hammer recommends monthly spot checks for external and internal parasites. External parasite checks are fairly straightforward. When it comes to internal parasites, it's probably best consult with your vet to come up with a workable strategy.

"There are a number of good products available," says Dr. Hammer, "The over-the-counter products can sometimes get the job done, but the prescription products are quite a bit stronger."

Are There Benefits to Letting Your Cat Go Outdoors?

Unfortunately, there aren't many clear advantages for letting your cats roam. "The bad things far outweigh the benefits, I'm afraid," says Hammer . "I've seen too many bad things happen to outdoor cats."

If your cat loves being outside, one option is to treat your cat more like a dog and train it to walk on a leash. "I have a number of clients that take their cat out in the backyard on a leash like a dog. That's perfectly safe," says Hammer.

6) You won't believe what the dog and cat did in 2010.  While owners' heads were turned, pets ingested (among many other things) Christmas ornaments, a tent door, a frisbee, a tampon, and a bikini, according to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Company.  The list of ingested items are as varied as they are astonishing.  VPI policyholders spent almost $3 million treating cats and dogs that ingested foreign objects in 2010.

Pet owners should never underestimate their pets' ability or desire to eat anything they can find.  Dirty diapers, money, eye glasses – or anything else on the ground, is fair game to a hungry or curious pet.

What other appalling objects did pets eat in 2010? A partial list follows:

• jellyfish, glue, estrogen patch, make-up brush
• tube of denture adhesive, dead poisoned vole
• magnetic purse clasps, baseball, hearing aid
• bed sheet, fishhook, watch, 16 steel wool pads
• barbecue brush, jumper cables, razor blades
• uncooked rice (1 pound), wallpaper paste
• squirrel, balloon ribbons, bird (whole)
• deer antler (partial), extension cord, pin cushion
• TV remote control, foot-long submarine sandwich





• fire log, wooden toy train, rosary crucifix

7) According to a recent survey by Career Builders, dog owners are more likely to hold senior management jobs, while snake and reptile owners are most likely to make six-figure salaries.  The Career Builder survey finds dog owners are more likely to be chief executive officers, chief financial officers or senior vice presidents. Also, dog owners tend to be professors, nurses, information technology professionals, military professionals and entertainers

Cat owners are more likely to be physicians, real estate agents, science/medical lab technicians, machine operators and personal caretakers.

Those who have birds as pets are more satisfied with their jobs. The survey finds bird owners are more likely to be advertising professionals, sales representatives, construction workers and administrative professionals.

Fish owners gravitate to positions in human resources, finance, hotels and leisure, farming and fishing and transportation.

Where do you fit in with this analysis?

8) New research has demonstrated that dogs can tell the size of another dog by listening to its growls. They are able to do this so accurately they can match the growl to a photograph of a dog of the same size.

Lead researcher Péter Pongrácz of the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary had previously demonstrated that dogs have different growls for different purposes, and have a specific "this is my bone" growl. The new study tried to determine if dogs could identify the size of another dog from its growl.

To read about the rest of the study, go to: http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-12-dogs-canine-size-growls.html

9) Alfredo Niño has spent months looking for the right dog for his family.  He found one: a yellow Labrador from Wisconsin.  After paying more than $3,000 for the dog, which is fully trained, has documented lineage and is neutered and vaccinated, his next challenge was getting it to Phoenix.  He didn't have time to fly and collect the dog, and the breeder wouldn't bring it.

But on a recent Friday at Mesa's Falcon Field Municipal Airport, Will, an 8-month-old, 100-pound Labrador, was among five furry passengers arriving in the climate-controlled cabin of a small airplane used only to carry pets.  About 18 months ago, Pet Airways, the first pet airline launched in the U.S., took its first flight. Since then, the airline has caught the attention of pet owners across the country, a constituency willing to spend to fly their animals in style.  Falcon Field is the airline's sixth hub, with flights on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Florida-based company is seeking to fill a niche created by pet owners who dread having their animals travel in the cargo hold of a plane.  More than 2 million pets are estimated to travel by cargo and other carriers annually. But owners are not always comfortable with the accommodations.

For more information on Pet Airways, go to: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/12/20/20101220mesa-pet-airways.html

10) Helpful Buckeye has saved the best for last.  What would a dog do if it wanted something special for Christmas and decided to take matters into its own...mouth?  Check out this video and see if you think any further action should be taken: http://www.petplace.com/dog-videos.aspx?p=362&utm_source=dogcrazynews001et&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter

BREED OF THE WEEK

A dog in Germany has given birth to 17 puppies, leaving their owner thrilled but fatigued after having to feed them with a bottle for several weeks because their mother couldn't cope with the demand.  Owner Ramona Wegemann said Monday she barely slept for more than a couple of minutes without interruption during about four weeks in an "exhausting" struggle to make sure all of the purebred Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies would survive.  She said when she was "finished feeding the last puppy, the first was hungry again."  Wegemann's dog Etana gave birth to eight female and nine male puppies on Sept. 28 in Ebereschenhof, which is near Berlin.

For the rest of the story and the names of all the new puppies, read: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/20/dog-in-germany-gives-birth-to-17-puppies/

How many of you have heard of a Rhodesian Ridgeback?  Have you ever seen one?  What is their most striking feature?  From the AKC, here is the breed description:

A large and muscular dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was not only developed as hunter but also as a family protector. The breed can be light wheaten to red wheaten and is sleek and glossy in appearance. Originally bred to hunt lions the breed is also known as the African Lion Hound.

A Look Back

A native of South Africa, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred by the Boer farmers to fill their specific need for a serviceable hunting dog in the wilds. In 1877 Reverend Helm introduced two Ridgebacks into Rhodesia where big game hunters found them outstanding in the sport of hunting lions on horseback. They raised and bred these dogs with an appreciation for their exceptional hunting qualities, the ridge on their back becoming a unique trademark. In 1950 outstanding specimens were imported to the United States and the breed was admitted to registration by the AKC in 1955.

Right Breed for You?

Due to their short coats Ridgebacks shed very little and require only weekly brushing and occasional baths. The breed is also athletic, requiring regular exercise. Trustworthy with children, they are "people" dogs and like to be where you are, possibly curled up on the couch if permitted.

• Hound Group; AKC recognized in 1955.
• Ranging in size from 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and 70 to 85 pounds.
• Lion hunter; guard dog.

SPORTS NEWS

The Pittsburgh Steelers easily won their Thursday night game against the Carolina Panthers...no big deal since the Panthers really stink this year; however, this win keeps us just ahead of the Ravens for the division lead.  If we can beat the Browns next Sunday, we'll win the division and secure the 2nd seed in the AFC playoffs.  Helpful Buckeye expects that the only way the Steelers can win the AFC championship is for the Ravens, Jets, or "???" to eliminate the Patriots before we get that far in the playoffs.

The Ohio State football team was dealt a serious blow this past week when several players were found to have violated NCAA rules over the past 2 years.  These violations were deemed to be of a very serious nature and the players involved have received suspensions of varying numbers of games next season.  The response of the athletic director was embarrassing and insulting to anyone with any common sense.  In addition, the players had to know that what they had done was wrong.  The overall result is that Ohio State now has lowered itself to the level of other chronic NCAA offenders and deserves no respect for what was once a great football program.

PERSONAL STUFF

Desperado and Helpful Buckeye finished our Christmas movie marathon this week with viewings of The Family Stone and our favorite of all Christmas movies, Love Actually.  Not only does Love Actually have a great cast and a mixture of several interwoven stories, but the sound track is really special.

Helpful Buckeye received several gifts that scratched my itches for hiking, biking, baseball, coffee, cooking, and reading...many thanks for those!  They will stoke the fires that get me through the winter.

The quote from last week, "It is not necessary to change.  Survival is not mandatory," brought some interesting comments from several readers.  They all pretty much thought it was a bunch of rubbish, in that for all of us survival IS necessary or we disappear.  With January 1st rapidly approaching, most of the resolutions we all will be making are founded on the principle that it is necessary to change if we expect any measure of survival.

The AAA has expected overall travel to rise about 3 percent this holiday season, with more than 92 million people planning to go more than 50 miles sometime between now and Jan. 2. More than 90 percent said they would be driving.  If you're a part of that 92 million, Helpful Buckeye asks that you are careful and return home safely.  We don't want to lose any of our loyal readers!

As we approach the end of 2010, Helpful Buckeye offers these two sentiments that express ideas we all can use as we move into 2011 with an attitude that "Survival is most certainly mandatory":

• From John Greenleaf Whittier, in Maud Muller, "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!' "...and
• From John F. Kennedy, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Whittier cautions us not to waste opportunities, while JFK has given us the formal version of, "Instead of talking the talk, we need to concentrate on walking the walk."

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!

   

~~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.~~