T H E C A N I N E T I M E S N E W S L E T T E R
Issue No.33, Vol.2, Aug 8, 1998
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Contents
>Health:
-- A Well-behaved Dog? Or is there a Back
Problem?
-- Pain Relief Patches for Dogs?
>News Brief
-- Information Now Available on DNA Test for
Cystinuria (internal stones), as a result of gene
discovery at University of Pennsylvania
-- First DNA test available for blood clotting disease
in poodles and Manchester terriers
>People and Pets
-- Taking A Furry Friend to the Beach?
-- Further Studies on Human-Animal Bond Benefits
Encouraged
>Web News
-- Pet Loss Grief Support Website and Candle Ceremony
>Book Corner
-- Pet Pages -- New City Guides
>Editor's Cubby
-- Going, going, gone -- but not forever!
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H E A L T H
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GETTING YOUR DOG'S BACK BACK INTO ACTION
If your dog decides to stop jumping up on the
furniture, it may be the result of your outstanding training,
or, more likely, it's a sign that your dog has developed a
back problem.
"An animal who is in pain, has trouble going up or
down stairs and/or can't jump up on furniture may have a
back problem," said Kansas State University veterinarian
Dr. William Fortney.
Fortney said most dog back problems are disk problems.
The disk is a shock absorber between the vertebrae bones.
However, when these disks degenerate, they put pressure on
the nerves, creating a "pinched nerve." Or, they can
interfere with the nerve impulses being sent down the
spinal cord. Without complete nervous system support,
advanced cases may leave a dog wobbly at first, and later
paralyzed in its hind limbs.
Dogs with short legs and long bodies are most
affected by disk problems. Commonly affected breeds
include dachshunds and basset hounds, among others.
Fortney explains early detection is the key to treating back
problems. The best, least risky treatment is strict rest.
"Unlike humans, we can't lie dogs on their backs
and put them in traction. But strict rest, with no jumping
allowed, is best for the animal."
In advanced cases, the veterinarians may decide
to do surgery to remove the affected disk. Fortney explains
that back surgery is generally costly in terms of financial
bills and the associated risks that go with it.
The earlier the procedure is done, the higher
its success rate. "It's like spinal cord injuries in people.
Once paralysis sets in, the success rate declines rapidly,
and some veterinarians elect not to take their patients to
surgery," Fortney explained.
Early detection and treatment gives most dogs a
good prognosis to recover from back problems without a hitch.
Rest, TLC, and even a "dog wheelchair" can help. These
contraptions are used to keep animals recovering from
surgery rolling with a two-wheeled cart beneath their hind
legs. The carts also may be used as a support for animals
with permanent spinal cord damage, who are not good candidates
for surgery.
MORE INFO: Dr. William Fortney, (785) 532-5690
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PAIN RELIEF PATCHES POSSIBLE FOR DOGS?
A team of scientists is studying the efficacy of
administering pain medication to dogs through a skin patch, a
practice already commonplace for people.
Kris Kruse-Elliott, DVM, PhD, is heading the
team conducting the study at the University of Wisconsin-
Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.
The patch releases medication in a constant dosage
which is absorbed through the skin.
Pet dogs that have been brought to the school for
orthopedic surgery treatment for hip dysplasia are candidates
for participating in the study. Owners are asked if they
want the dog to partake in the study, which requires the owner's
consent for use of the skin patch for pain medication.
The Morris Animal Foundation, which has provided
funding for the study, reports that there is evidence that
a dog experiences less postoperative pain when the analgesis is
administered before surgery.
The Foundation says it is believed that the patch is as
effective in relieving pain as epidural morphine and thought to
have a longer lasting impact on reducing pain in the treated
limb.
"The fentanyl patch system should eliminate the peaks
and valleys associated with traditional pain relievers," said Dr.
Kruse-Elliott.
"We hypothesize that the duration of analgesia will be
longer with the patch in comparison to epidural morphine,
positively impacting postoperative weight bearing on the
impacted limb."
As a result, such dogs are encouraged to begin walking
and bearing weight on the limb soon after surgery -- a procedure
past studies have shown to encourage more rapid recovery.
VISIT THE MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATIONS WEBSITE AT:
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
Support from the private sector enables them to fund such studies.
N E W S B R I E F
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**GENE DISCOVERED-- DNA Test Available
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine have discovered the
genetic defect that causes cystinuria in Newfoundland dogs.
As a result, the first accurate test for cystinuria is
now available. Ohter breeds at risk for this
inherited disorder are the mastiff, English bulldog,
Chihuahua, dachshund and Basset Hound. The disorder
is characterized by stones in the kidney, urethra and
bladder.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE DNA TEST, contact
Penngen@VetUPenn.edu
** FIRST DNA TEST AVAILABLE FOR DISEASE IN POODLES AND
MANCHESTER TERRIERS
The first accurate DNA test for von Willebrands'
disease in poodles and Manchester terriers is now available.
This has been made possible through a recent discovery
by University of Michigan scientists of the genetic defect
which causes the disease. Canine von Willebrands' disease
is a form of blood clotting disorder causing excessive and
sometimes fatal bleeding and hemorrhaging in dogs. The
DNA test is immediately available to breeders and veterinarians.
INFO ON THE RESEARCH: contact DR. George Brewer, University of
Michigan, 734-647-3149.
INFO ON DNA TESTING: contact VetGen
Customer Service at 313-669-8440
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P E O P L E and P E T S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TAKING A FURRY FRIEND TO THE BEACH?
You'll of course want to keep your pet's needs in
mind, as well as the children, if you are all venturing out
for a day at the beach.
Wendy Ballard, publisher of the newsletter DogGone,
provides beach tips:
1. Choose a balmy day that's not exceptionally hot.
Windy days should be avoided too. Blowing sand can irritate
a dog's eyes.
2. The best time for a beach adventure during summer
is before 10 am and after 2 pm.
3. Pack these essntials in addition to your usual
fare: plenty of water, bowl, leash, dog towel or beach mat
(sand can get hot), umbrella for shade, a Frisbee or favorite
ball, and poop-scooping materials.
4. Do pick up your pet's waste. Even dog owners only
want to feel sand squishing through their toes!
5. If you dog swims, be on guard for strong currents.
Be sure to wash sand and salt from your pet's fur after your
day at the beach.
DogGone is a newsletter about fun places to go and,
Ballard says, "cool stuff to do with your dog." For more
information, email: doggonenl@aol.com, phone 888-DOG-TRAVEL,
or surf to www.doggonefun.com
FURTHER STUDIES ON HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND BENEFITS ENCOURAGED
Schaumburg, Il.-- The relationship between humans and
animals is visible throughout history.
Now there is physical evidence that animals can be
beneficial to human health.
Dr. John Freeman, president, American Veterinary
Medical Association, has called for further examination of the
implications of pet ownership for human health.
"There are epidemiological studies that document the
positive effects animals have on the wellness and overall
health of people. What we need not is to pull them all together,"
he said.
"We also need economic analysis of the benefits of
using animals in healthcare -- not just from a standpoint of
prevention, but in therapy," he said, noting that a number of
studies have already been conducted on the therapeutic benefit
in treating human patients.
Physicians have suggested therapy involving pets for
people in extended-care facilities, children undergoing
psychiatric treatment and to increase the survival rate of
patients following discharge from coronary care units.
Some doctors are actually prescribing aquariums or
walking the dog daily.
"The medical world is cost-conscious," he said. "These
professionals are beginning to consider pet therapy as an
option."
Freeman believes the human-animal bond has enormous
potential to benefit the health of senior citizens and
expressed concern that pet therapy in some instances is being
overlooked as a healthcare option for seniors.
"We know that as a general statement, pet ownership
can have a very positive effect on quality of life.
Veterinarianns and people in the medical community have an
obligation to share this information," he said.
Animals are also becoming an integral part of
rehabilitation for children considered to be "at rish" for
trouble with the police or in school. Therapeutic farms
for such children have proven beneficial. Animals have
brought joy and comfort to youth in these settings.
Freeman said pet ownership can help children learn
to accept responsibility, as well as how to nuture.
"When a child is old enough, pet ownership is a
great way for a child to learn responsibility.
"You are teaching the child with something that is
alive and warm, which in itself is a reward. The child
learns that it is critical to feed and care for the animal
within a time-frame," said Freeman.
In addition to the traditional role of animals as
helpers and guardians of disabled individuals, pets have
helped millions of people who suffer from a variety of
afflictions, from high blook pressure to AIDS.
As a result, Freeman is calling for a thorough
examination of the myriad benefits of pet ownership.
"There is data that shows a tremendous drop in
the use of prescription drugs and a number of other things
that affect the overall cost of caring for patients in
nursing home facilities when companion animals are a part
of therapy. These are the kinds of things that need to
be looked at and the hard data analyzed.
"This approach can affect the overall cost of
healthcare in this country," he said.
Even people who enjoy overall good health can
benefit from the companionship of an animal.
There are studies, he said, that document improvements
in learning for those children who own or have acceess to
animals. In a poll, nearly 85 percent of Fortune 500
chief executive officers said they have benefited
emotionally from having owned a dog.
B O O K C O R N E R
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***Pet Pages Dallas: For Local Tail-Waggin' Fun and Adventure
by: Lauren Scott, Robert Uherka
Publisher: Rjla Inc
This is only one of the many new Pet Pages Pet Guides that
have just been published. They provide plenty of details on
things to do with your tail-wagger in your city. Check out
Amazon.com to see if your city has been covered. If not,
it's probably coming soon!
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W E B N E W S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE PET LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT WEBSITE & CANDLE CEREMONY
--->http://www.petloss.com/
A site with lots of heart. Despite the seemingly
perpetual scroll down, down on the homepage, this
site appeals to those who truely love their animal
companion. The candle ceremony is a touch of
uniqueness in a world of pet sites that are beginning
to look alike, sans the graphics. The ceremony joins
pet owners around the globe in commemorating the passing
of a pet through a candle-lighting moment. At a
set time on Mondays, people throughout the U.S., Europe
and UK privately light a candle. What a touching ritual,
one that certainly creates a sense of global community.
There is a list online of the pets commemorated during
the Monday event. Among the other offerings at the
site is the story Where Do Pets Go When They Die?
Presented in several languages, it introduces the
reader to a special place just this side of heaven,
Rainbow Bridge. An enjoyable, comforting read.
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E D I T O R' S C U B B Y
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Hi There!
This issue is shorter than normal because our office
is to be closed the next two weeks so we can, well,
try and do nothing. If there is a computer close at
hand, though, that will be difficult to do. But
an earnest attempt is going to be made. Meanwhile, for
those of you who really do want to reach us, go ahead
and email: owner-caninetimes@po.databack.com or
cfna@pullman.com We may roll over on the beach and
check email, if the sun isn't too bright!
Meanwhile, 48-hours before this adventure is to
start, our web hosting service crashed
our site at www.cfnaonline.com They said it was human
error; someone accidentally deleted our site. Yeah,
right. Bet they got wind of the vacation. Anyway,
they have promised tape restoration of the site, which
has already started. It won't be complete until Monday.
So meanwhile, a visit to our site is not advisable. It's
half there. Fun, hmm?
Oh well. Doesn't bother me. These things always
pass. We always get through them. And, it builds character,
I hear. Guess I have one heck of a lot of character!
Hope you are having some fun, too! Remember, winter's
coming!
Cynthia (Sunni) Freyer
Managing Editor
Canine Times
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