Showing 8 posts from May 2009
An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.
He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.
An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard,
walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.
This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious I pinned a note to his collar:
'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is
and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.
Can I come with him tomorrow?'
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.
He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.
An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard,
walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.
This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious I pinned a note to his collar:
'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is
and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.
Can I come with him tomorrow?'
Credit for this story goes to an email I received from a dear dog lover friend. I wish I knew the original author so I could give due credit!
It's almost time to start the dog's on their heartworm preventive for the summer. I've grown more concerned about giving my animals drugs and exposing them to chemicals. After much research I've decided it's best to give my dogs the preventive - but on my terms not just what the vet suggests.
The chemicals used to prevent heartworm are extremely effective and can save dogs from difficult, unpleasant and potentially dangerous treatment. However, many veterinarians recommend treatment schedules year round or for many months longer than nessary or even advised by the American Heartworm Society (AHS).
The Heartworm Season Varies By Climate
The transmissibility season for heartworm is determined by temperature. In order for the larvae of the heartworm, carried by mosquitoes, to be transmitted to a dog, the temperature must be at least 60 degrees for a month. (I don't think we will have a month of above 60 degrees here this year!)
When I lived in Texas, the heartworm season was quite long so I did give my dogs preventive year round.
In Minnesota, the temperature necessary for transmission of heartworm is not usually reached at night until June or later. The beginning of the season is not likely to be earlier than June 1 in most years, and perhaps later, even though mosquitoes may be present. Temperatures begin to drop at night by September. And, the season will certainly be over the next month, although you may still see mosquitoes.
Preventatives Kill Heartworm Larvae
The chemicals used to control heartworm are called preventatives, but when we use them, we are actually treating larvae. Think of it this way: The chemicals kill the larvae your dog may have picked up in the period since the last dosage.
The monthly drugs you can use include Ivermectin (Heartgard or Iverheart), Milbemycin (Interceptor) or and Selamectin (Revolution).
I keep the monthly preventive as simple as possible. I buy products that specifically prevents heartworm, rather than a silver bullet that treats everything. Some manufacturers formulate products that combine heartworm prevention with worming medication, flea, tick and mange medication, just in case your dog may encounter these parasites.
That just-in-case scenario is not good enough to put a multitude of toxic chemicals into your dog's body. Plain Ivermectin (Heartguard) is the simplest choice, and the safest for most dogs, though certain breeds have shown some sensitivity to it. We recommend you discuss the least toxic options for your pet with your holistic veterinarian.
My dogs eat anything and are not picky about their "treats." It's still best to keep an eye on your dog for a while afterward to make sure he doesn't spit the heartworm preventive out.
When to Start and End Medication
To determine the best time to test for heartworm, read the guidelines posted on the AHS Web site. Each geographic area is different.
So, you've had your dog tested this spring, and she's clear of heartworms. How do you know when to start the preventative?
Heartworm is not transmissible from mosquitoes to dogs until the weather is quite settled and warm, and the medications work on larvae acquired after the season starts. The time to start recommended by the AHS is a month after the transmissibility season begins.
The chemicals used for monthly prophylaxis are effective for at least six weeks.
Only give the amount your dog needs by taking a minute to mark the due dates on your calendar to save your dogs unnecessary chemical exposure.
Holistic veterinarians often recommend the first dose be given a month after the season begins (dealing with any larva which may have been acquired and allowing for a little overlap) and every six weeks after that, until the end of the season. The AHS recommends the last dose be given within a month after the season ends.
How many doses will your dog need?
I give at most four doses to my dogs (July 1 Aug. 15, Oct. 1 and Nov. 15). If I started May 15, the last dose would be Oct. 1. Close attention to the weather, particularly night temperatures, will give you excellent information about when to start.
Protecting The Liver
Some dog owners prefer more holistic, natural options, like herbal or homeopathic remedies. If you want to stay away from traditional heartworm preventives, it's imperative your animals be under the care and supervision of a veterinarian with expertise in this area. Don't take chances.
Holistic veterinarians often recommend herbal support for the liver following preventive such as a daily dose of milk thistle for the week following each treatment. Milk thistle supports the liver as it metabolizes the medication and aids in the body's detox processes.
Having the perfect balance with the smallest amount of preventive for the shortest amount of time is key for your dog's health and well being. This balance provides the best solution to a major health threat, with the minimum amount of medication, followed by appropriate detoxification.
Balance with natural diet, exercise and health check-ups make your dog's health and well-being better!
The chemicals used to prevent heartworm are extremely effective and can save dogs from difficult, unpleasant and potentially dangerous treatment. However, many veterinarians recommend treatment schedules year round or for many months longer than nessary or even advised by the American Heartworm Society (AHS).
The Heartworm Season Varies By Climate
The transmissibility season for heartworm is determined by temperature. In order for the larvae of the heartworm, carried by mosquitoes, to be transmitted to a dog, the temperature must be at least 60 degrees for a month. (I don't think we will have a month of above 60 degrees here this year!)
When I lived in Texas, the heartworm season was quite long so I did give my dogs preventive year round.
In Minnesota, the temperature necessary for transmission of heartworm is not usually reached at night until June or later. The beginning of the season is not likely to be earlier than June 1 in most years, and perhaps later, even though mosquitoes may be present. Temperatures begin to drop at night by September. And, the season will certainly be over the next month, although you may still see mosquitoes.
Preventatives Kill Heartworm Larvae
The chemicals used to control heartworm are called preventatives, but when we use them, we are actually treating larvae. Think of it this way: The chemicals kill the larvae your dog may have picked up in the period since the last dosage.
The monthly drugs you can use include Ivermectin (Heartgard or Iverheart), Milbemycin (Interceptor) or and Selamectin (Revolution).
I keep the monthly preventive as simple as possible. I buy products that specifically prevents heartworm, rather than a silver bullet that treats everything. Some manufacturers formulate products that combine heartworm prevention with worming medication, flea, tick and mange medication, just in case your dog may encounter these parasites.
That just-in-case scenario is not good enough to put a multitude of toxic chemicals into your dog's body. Plain Ivermectin (Heartguard) is the simplest choice, and the safest for most dogs, though certain breeds have shown some sensitivity to it. We recommend you discuss the least toxic options for your pet with your holistic veterinarian.
My dogs eat anything and are not picky about their "treats." It's still best to keep an eye on your dog for a while afterward to make sure he doesn't spit the heartworm preventive out.
When to Start and End Medication
To determine the best time to test for heartworm, read the guidelines posted on the AHS Web site. Each geographic area is different.
So, you've had your dog tested this spring, and she's clear of heartworms. How do you know when to start the preventative?
Heartworm is not transmissible from mosquitoes to dogs until the weather is quite settled and warm, and the medications work on larvae acquired after the season starts. The time to start recommended by the AHS is a month after the transmissibility season begins.
The chemicals used for monthly prophylaxis are effective for at least six weeks.
Only give the amount your dog needs by taking a minute to mark the due dates on your calendar to save your dogs unnecessary chemical exposure.
Holistic veterinarians often recommend the first dose be given a month after the season begins (dealing with any larva which may have been acquired and allowing for a little overlap) and every six weeks after that, until the end of the season. The AHS recommends the last dose be given within a month after the season ends.
How many doses will your dog need?
I give at most four doses to my dogs (July 1 Aug. 15, Oct. 1 and Nov. 15). If I started May 15, the last dose would be Oct. 1. Close attention to the weather, particularly night temperatures, will give you excellent information about when to start.
Protecting The Liver
Some dog owners prefer more holistic, natural options, like herbal or homeopathic remedies. If you want to stay away from traditional heartworm preventives, it's imperative your animals be under the care and supervision of a veterinarian with expertise in this area. Don't take chances.
Holistic veterinarians often recommend herbal support for the liver following preventive such as a daily dose of milk thistle for the week following each treatment. Milk thistle supports the liver as it metabolizes the medication and aids in the body's detox processes.
Having the perfect balance with the smallest amount of preventive for the shortest amount of time is key for your dog's health and well being. This balance provides the best solution to a major health threat, with the minimum amount of medication, followed by appropriate detoxification.
Balance with natural diet, exercise and health check-ups make your dog's health and well-being better!
I have a PetFinder widget on my blog and I look at the dogs up for adoption everyday. This will be in the Minnesota region. That is how I came across Santana a lovely Sheltie mix girl. See her and other dogs on PetFinder.
Santana is a 7-8 year old, 36 lb. Sheltie mix, possibly with Border Collie. Her background is a mystery since she came to the rescue group as a stray. You can tell from the pictures that her eyes are clouded over with cataracts - we were hopeful that she would be a surgical candidate to have the cataracts removed to restore some eyesight to this sweet, blind dog, but the news was not good - retinal atrophy caused the cataracts and she won't benefit from surgery.
Most dogs with retinal degeneration can lead a normal, happy life, according to the canine opthalmologist who performed her eye exam. This is a stable condition and Dr. Olivera recommends checking for inflammation during her yearly physical exam. There currently are no signs of inflammation, but she would only require some eye drops should she have any inflammation at some point. O
nce she is in her environment, she can map it out and she gets around amazingly well by memory and using her other senses. There are many blind dog resources available, such as www.blinddogs.com and www.blinddogs.net. It’s important to keep her environment consistent (don't rearrange the furniture, etc.).
Like all dogs, Santana would just like to have a safe home where she will be loved and adored like she deserves to be! Santana is calm and good-natured. She rarely barks (a big plus!) and usually only if she’s around a dog she doesn’t know. It’s almost like she’s trying to tell them she’s not vulnerable. She’ll also bark when the activity level around her is really high, or if she gets really excited, and even then she only lets out 3 or 4 barks.
She does well with the cat and dog in her foster home, although she does not seek interaction with them. She prefers her people! She does great with respectful children ages 6 yr and up. Because she can’t see you, it helps Santana to be able to sense your presence or hear you. She’ll be your little shadow! She’s so affectionate and just craves attention.
She walks well on a leash and enjoys taking walks. A fenced yard is strongly recommended to ensure Santana’s safety - especially if you live on a busy street with a lot of traffic.
We believe Santana may have had some sort of injury to her hind end, as she can’t lift up or wag her tail, but she shows that she is happy to be with you in many other ways!
She’s not familiar with obedience commands at this point, but responds very well to a whistle. Blind dogs are trainable, just like any dog. Please visit the websites mentioned above for more information. Santana is reliably housetrained. She doesn’t signal when she needs to go out, but is kept on a consistent schedule. She is crate-trained and also does well left out with the run of the house.
She tolerates baths and loves to be brushed. She enjoys car rides, especially because she gets to be with you! Santana is spayed, current on vaccination and heartworm negative. Her adoption fee is $50. She’s such a sweet, loving angel, and cute as a button to boot! If you would like to welcome this little darling into your heart and your home, please contact us at 651-771-5662.
Rally This Weekend For Dog Moms - Source HSUS
May 5, 2009
Did you know that there are dog moms all across the country who are trapped in cages for years and years who will never know a happy Mother's Day? These moms live in puppy mills, mass-breeding facilities that raise dogs in shockingly poor conditions with little hope of ever becoming part of a family.
This Mother's Day weekend, we're rallying for these moms, with the goal of creating better futures for all dogs like them. We hope you'll join us at a Petland near you.
Rally For Moms
Animal protection advocates will assemble for the third time this year at Petland retail stores across the country Saturday, May 9 to call for the nation's largest chain of puppy selling pet stores to stop supporting puppy mills.
Join Us at a Rally
Find a Petland near you»Stop Selling Puppies!
Advocates will urge Petland to stop supporting the cruel puppy mill industry through the chain's puppy sales, and instead create an adoption program similar to other large pet supply retailers like PETCO and PetSmart.
In March, demonstraters crowded the sidewalks in front of 30 different Petland stores from coast to coast to tell the comapny to stop selling puppies.The InvestigationIn November, The Humane Society of the United States revealed the results of an eight-month investigation of Petland Inc. The HSUS investigation revealed that Petland is the nation's largest retail chain purchasing dogs from puppy mills.
Our March demonstrations were followed by a nationwide class-action consumer lawsuit filed against Petland and the Hunte Corporation by HSUS members and other consumers.
Can't Make It?
Can't make a rally this weekend? Don't live near a rally site? You can still help by encouraging your local pet store them to become puppy friendly.
How to approach your store»Download the invitation »Download the pledge »
Good News
In late April, life got better for dogs in Indiana when the state
passed new legislation (H.E.A. 1468) that provides upgraded penalties for animal abuse, and basic care standards for dogs at puppy mills.
The new legislation requires that dogs in puppy mills be let out of their cages at least once per day for exercise and increases the minimum cage size and bans painful wire cage flooring. These protections will curb some of the worst abuses at large-scale puppy mills and do not affect responsible home breeders who already raise dogs humanely.
Microchips: Common Questions
George Bernard Shaw once quipped, "Science … never solves a problem without creating ten more." Well, microchipping pets hasn't exactly created ten previously unknown problems, but the important new technology has left some pet owners scratching their heads like dogs. Particularly now that microchip manufacturers have developed competing technologies.The brave new world of microchipping has left pet owners with questions. In this section, the experts at The HSUS answer them.
I have heard there are problems with microchipping pets. What are the issues surrounding microchipping?
Microchipping is a great tool to help you reunite with a lost pet; however, it is not foolproof. When a lost pet is picked up by an animal control officer or is taken to an animal shelter or humane society, the professionals there will scan the animal using a handheld scanner, which will let them know if a microchip has been implanted. The microchip implanted under the skin reflects the signal given by the scanner to provide a unique alpha numeric code, which is picked up when the animal is scanned. Microchips implanted in 2003 or earlier are generally readable by most shelters and veterinarians. Microchips that came into use in late 2003 are generally not readable by most shelters and veterinarians because the chips require different scanning technology. Microchip manufacturers have not yet provided shelters around the country with a scanner that reads all different types of microchips (called a "universal" scanner).
What is the problem for animal shelters and humane societies with different types of microchips available on the market?
Each company that manufactures microchips has its own scanners, and some of these scanners can only "read" their own microchip. In other words, in some instances, the scanner of one company may not be able to detect the microchip of another manufacturer, which would indicate to the shelter staff that the lost animal is not microchipped. Without the ability to use one scanner for all types of microchips, shelter staff would have to scan the animal, who may be fearful and difficult to handle, multiple times with each manufacturer's scanner. Additionally, some companies provide their scanners free to shelters, some do not. Without sufficient numbers of free scanners available to equip all animal control vehicles as well as shelters, microchipped animals may go unscanned by agencies, which can't afford to purchase multiple scanners from multiple manufacturers.
My animal has already been microchipped, how do I know if my local shelter will be able to read the information on it?
The only way to know for sure if your local animal care facilities have the ability to read the microchip implanted in your pet is to call them. Visit www.pets911.com, or check your local listings to find your local shelter.
My animal has not yet been microchipped. If I purchase one, how do I know if my local shelter will be able to read the information on it?
This is the responsibility of the business or group providing the microchip. Ask whether the chip being implanted in your pet is compatible with the readers in place in your community. If there is any question, call your local animal shelter to be sure.
What do I do if my local animal care facility cannot read the chip that is implanted in my pet?
Call the microchip manufacturer and ask that they send at least one scanner to your local facilities free of charge.
Why isn't there a scanner that can read all the different types of microchips?
Prior to late 2003, there was a universal scanner that could read all the chips in use in the United States. However, in late 2003, companies began selling chips with a new technology that could not be read by the previous universal scanner. To date, no microchip manufacturer has provided a truly "universal" scanner to read all currently available microchips. The technology to do this is available; the various companies manufacturing microchips must agree to share their technology to make this a reality.
What is The HSUS doing to help?
The HSUS has appealed to the microchip manufacturers to develop or modify existing scanners to make them capable of detecting all microchips, regardless of brand. The HSUS will continue to monitor the situation and assist in developing a long-term solution.
Given the present issues surrounding microchipping, should I microchip my pet?
Yes, microchipping provides an important safety net for your pet. However, before having a chip implanted, talk to your local shelter and/or animal control agency to make sure the type of microchip your vet is implanting can be read by the scanner being used by your local shelter.
How long do microchips last? Do they ever need to be replaced?
Microchips are designed to last the lifetime of a pet—a chip typically lasts at least 25 years. Chips do not need replacing. Once the microchip is implanted, it will remain there and active for the life of the pet.
What else can I do to ensure that my pet will be returned should he or she become lost?
All pets should wear identification tags at all times. Tags should include a local contact number, as well as a number for a friend or out-of-town relative. Proper identification tags are your pet's first ticket home if he becomes lost. Microchips provide an important extra level of protection in the event your pet becomes separated from his collar and tags. Providing your pet with both tags and a microchip can help ensure a happy reunion if the unthinkable happens: your beloved pet gets lost.
Updated Sept. 14, 2006
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