4 Legs & a Tail NR Summer 2021

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Dog Days of Summer 2021

Vermont’s 1st Exotic Rescue Celebrate National Mutt Day! Tracking Your Dog’s Vital Signs Keep Your Cat Safe This Summer The Law vs The Animals

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

2. National Mutt Day, on July 31

Pg. 7

A focus on the mixed breed dogs who sometimes get overlooked

3. Fur, Feathers, Tails, and Scales!

Eva Erdogan

The Story Behind Vermont's First Exotics Rescue

4. Green Mountain Dog Club 6. How Trap, Neuter, Return has Transformed Animal Welfare 7. Summer Tips for Keeping Your Cats Safe 8. Nova––Grown and Ready to Serve Karen Sturtevant Meet the soon-to-be newest member of the Essex, VT police department

12. In the Presence of Horses

Sue Miller

Pg. 16

What you may not know about the majestic horse

16. Snout to Tail Assessment…Or, the vital tracking of your pet’s health and wellness Ingrid Braulini 18. Duke on a Mission: Bringing Comfort, Helping People Karen Sturtevant 20. Emotional Support Dogs: The Good, The Bad, and how to avoid the Ugly Paula Bergeron 21. Heat Stroke

Pat Rauch

Know the signs when too much summer is too much

22. Oh No! Your Pet has Halitosis

Emily Sullivan, DV

23. OTC Functional Diets: A Great Tool, but Don’t Forget Your Vet! Holly Kenseth and Peter Kenseth

Pg. 24

24. Alternatively Speaking: Happy Cats are Healthy Cats Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA 26. Veterinary Medicine Is Not Fast Food Service Angie Young, CVT Why patience and communication may be the key to your pets health

27. Medieval Law

Gus McLeavy

Odd but true stories of ancient prosecution of pets and animals

4 Legs & a Tail Volume N.221 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH 03766

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Office Manager: Beth Hoehn

603-727-9214

Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff

TimH.4LT@gmail.com

Sales: Scott Palzer

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If you have a tale about a tail or a photo that will make us smile, we’d like to hear from you. 4 Legs & a Tail is published quarterly and distributed free of charge throughout Northern and Western VT and Northern NH. 4 Legs & a Tail, Inc. is locally owned and operated and acts as a moderator without approving, disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data or claim.

Any reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

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NATIONAL MUTT DAY July 31, 2021 D

ogs are special and there are oodles of national (and international) holidays to prove it. But unlike most of our doggy days, National Mutt Day, on July 31, focuses on the mixed breed dogs who sometimes get overlooked. This holiday inspires people to learn more about adopting one.

National Mutt Day also brings attention to the many great mixed breed dogs in need of homes. In fact, they benefit from the spotlight so much that we celebrate mixed breed dogs not just once, but twice a year! On both July 31 and December 2, join us in celebrating all the mutts and mixed breed dogs that make our lives so great.

NATIONAL MUTT DAY TIMELINE

1800s

DEROGATORY TERM

‘Mutt’ is considered a derogatory term, meaning ‘stupid person.’

September 17, 1884

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB OPENS

The world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit all-breed registry is founded.

September 13, 1969

“DASTARDLY AND MUTTLEY” Cartoon dog Muttley debuts in the show “Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines.”

September 5, 1994

COMIC MUTT

“Mutts” is a daily comic strip created by Patrick McDonnell.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MUTT DAY Adopt a mixed breed dog There are lots of great dogs out there who lack a home just because they don’t have the right pedigree. But you can do your part to change all that. Getting any dog is a big responsibility, but a mixed breed will likely be healthier, happier, better behaved — and live longer than a purebred of the same age.

Donate to your local shelter Not in the position to adopt a mutt? You can still help out your local shelter with a donation. Your money goes to things like food, toys, and medicine. Every dollar counts, so you can really make a difference in the lives of all the dogs at the shelter.

Volunteer to help out If donations aren’t your style, you can always volunteer. Shelters need volunteers to befriend the dogs, play with them and take them for walks. A few hours of your time can make a big difference in their happiness and happy dogs stand a better chance of getting adopted.

WHY NATIONAL MUTT DAY IS IMPORTANT

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All dogs love us for who we are Whether your dog is from a famous breeder or your local shelter, he or she loves you in a way that can’t be expressed in words. Though mixed breed dogs aren’t usually as highly regarded as their purebred cousins, they’ve got lots of love in their hearts. And some people even argue that since most mutts weren’t born on Easy Street, they love us even more.

Mixed breeds have better health These dogs have hit the genetic lottery. The blending of genes helps fight deficiencies by providing healthier gene sequences from other breeds. Think of it this way: the smaller the gene pool, the less healthy the genes. Your mutt, on the other hand, has a sampling from all over, adding to the dog’s overall lifespan and well-being.

Mutts need people, too Often passed over for their pedigreed cousins, mixed breed dogs end up at a pet shelter more frequently and they tend to wait longer before getting adopted. But mutts have all the doggedness we love about dogs and National Mutt Day is about getting them the love and attention they deserve.

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Fur, Feathers, Tails, and Scales!

The Story Behind Vermont’s First Exotics Rescue

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Eva Erdogan

f you take a look around New England, and you’ll find no shortage of rescues geared toward cats and dogs. You may even be able to adopt a rabbit from a humane society near you. But when you have a bearded dragon, hamster, or betta fish you are no longer able to care for, the options used to be essentially non-existent.

Safe Haven Critter Rescue, formed in November 2020, hopes to open up a dialogue about the increasing popularity of keeping exotic animals as companions.

They are readily available in every chain store, but what happens to them when they cannot be cared for anymore?

My passion for animal care started when I began work in a retail pet store back in 2016. I was shocked that the only option for most people when they could no longer care for their animals, was to bring them back to the store. The store simply resold the surrendered animals and the cycle continued. I took in a couple of particularly bad critters in and from there and got my first experiences with animal rehabilitation. Since that job, I also have gotten the opportunity to work at my local shelter, as well as volunteering with wildlife rehabilitators. It was time to go out and start my journey (with the continued support of everyone I had met thus far)!

So far, we have done 18 adoptions, which feels phenomenal for only being 6 months in!

One of the first animals we took in was two rabbits who were being given away for free on Craigslist. They had been living outdoors and both had bacterial respiratory infections when we took them in. With the help of the folks at our vet, we were able to get them treated to a manageable level, but they have a lifelong condition that needs a little extra monitoring from their human caretaker. Echo and Ember have been with us since November and are still looking for their new home!

We most frequently take in red ear sliders, rats, and small birds as well. Reptiles especially are incredibly resilient creatures and we had a couple of rehab cases where we’ve seen them make amazing, Summer 2021

Echo (white) and Ember (tortoiseshell), available for adoption

support with cases we are unable to take on, as well as being able to direct to wildlife rehabilitators and farm sanctuaries.

We hope that we are only the beginning unexpected recoveries and be able to of many resources to come for people go on to a new loving home. There is a with exotics who need information or a much bigger need for exotics rescue than place to rehome safely. we have the capacity for, and we tend to have a running waitlist for animals in If you’d like to learn more, visit our need. We’ve been very lucky to be able to website safehavencritterrescue.squarelean on the other two New England rep- space.com, or check out our Facebook tile rescues, HerpHaven in Maine, and and Instagram pages, @safehavencritRainforest Reptiles in Massachusetts, for terrescue. We’d love to hear from you!

Plato, a gecko with Metabolic Bone Disease who was rehabilitated and adopted.

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GREEN MOUNTAIN DOG CLUB T

he four-day Vermont Scenic Circuit dog shows will be closed to the public in 2021 due to Covid.

The shows will take place at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds from July 15 through 18 under the American Kennel Club’s “Show and Go” protocol. Under these rules, only exhibitors will be allowed on the grounds.

Masks and social distancing will be required, and there will be no grooming or crating

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areas in the buildings or under the tent.

The four shows were canceled last year due to the pandemic.

The Woodstock Dog Club shows will take place on Thursday and Friday, July 15 and 16. The Green Mountain Dog Club hosts its two shows on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18. There will be conformation competition in each breed leading up to Best in Show every day, along with junior showmanship, obedience and rally, Beginner Puppy classes, and National Owner Handler Series. However, the PeeWee handling competition for children 5 to 9 years old will not be offered.

Entries close for most classes on June 2O. (Exhibitors may download a premium list at Infodog.com).

The four days of shows attract about 1000 entries and over 100 breeds. With exhibitors coming from over 35 states and Canada, a long weekend of dog shows can bring in over $450,000 to the area.

The Green Mountain Dog Club is a nonprofit organization serving the Central Vermont area. In addition to putting on its annual dog shows, GMDC holds activi-

ties to promote responsible dog ownership and dog sports, including match shows, obedience and handling classes, and educational programs. Many members and their canine partners show in conformation, but others are primarily interested in agility, rally, and other events. Membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of every month via Zoom, and guests are always welcome.

Caulder Ripley of Duxbury is the president of GMDC. Caulder bred and showed Siberian Huskies for many years. Darin Gillies of Barre is this year’s show chairman.

For more information on the Green Mountain Dog Club, the show in July, or other events, call Mary at 479-9843 or visit www.facebook.com/greenmountaindogclub or www.greenmountaindogclub.org UNDER AKC’S COVID RULES, THIS EVENT IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

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How Trap, Neuter, Return Has Transformed Animal Welfare A

Annie Guion - Brattleboro, VT

nimal welfare organizations (AWO) have made huge advances in how we work with cats. It used to be that stray cats who weren’t friendly or healthy were euthanized in shelters. Euthanasia is not cheap and it’s hard on staff. Legal requirements to hold a stray for 5 or more days led to overworked staff and a shelter full of terrorized cats whose fate was euthanasia after days of torturous imprisonment.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs spay/ neuter and vaccinate healthy cats, friendly or not, and returns them to where they were found.

Most cats found outside are within a few doors of their home. Because people are less likely to put a collar on a cat, and microchips require a scanner, it is easy for Joe Public to assume a cat is a stray, but more often than not, the cat has a home…or multiple homes. Many cats work the system, having breakfast at one house, afternoon nap at another, dinner at a third and bedtime at yet another unsuspecting “cat owner’s” home. Who

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owns who? Towns don’t have leash laws for cats. It is not illegal for a cat to roam the neighborhood, looking for cat friends, food and sunny places.

Bringing a cat to a shelter is a good way to ensure it does not get back to its home.

Nationwide, an estimated 2% of cats are claimed in shelters. At the Windham County Humane Society, that figure is 21%. Better, but by no means good. Research shows that when a dog goes missing, owners start looking that day. Cat owners wait 3 or more days, often assuming their cat has been hit by a car or been eaten by a predator.

The cultural bias against collars on cats is a problem. Owned cats end up in shelters or roaming free in local colonies and predating on wildlife, including songbirds.

If the cats have not been sterilized, a small population can grow at an alarming rate.

Just removing cats from a colony doesn’t actually work. Trapping and euthanizing cats leads to the “vacuum effect”. Remove 30 cats and 30 more will move in! It's also very stressful for the cats to be moved to a new location. Keeping free-roaming cats in cages is inhumane. The best approach for managing community cats is TrapNeuter-Return.

Researchers have found that you need to spay/neuter 75 % of a colony to stop population growth. Less than that and the reproduction rate will outstrip your efforts and the colony will get bigger instead of smaller. Once the majority of the cats are spayed and neutered, the colony will continue to shrink and the cats will roam and fight less, leading to happier, healthier cats. There are ample studies on the effectiveness of this approach with titles like “Florida County Achieves 51% Decrease in Shelter Intake of Cats With Nonlethal Solu-

Keri Roberts, Director of Operations, and Phoebe Wolfman, Manager of Owned Animals, check cats prior to surgery. WCHS fixed and vaccinated 29 cats from a colony on the Putney Road in Brattleboro.

Tiffany Palmer, Kennel Technician, vaccinates cats and cleans their ears before they wake up from surgery.

tions” and “Bay Area Colony of 175 Reduced to One Through Trap-Neuter-Return”. Visit Alleycat.org for detailed information on TNR. The approach is more humane, saves non-profit and government funds and doesn’t wear down staff with endless euthanasia. Managing colonies and keeping them small protects wildlife, including our beloved song birds.

Like many animal issues, cats are not really the problem. Humans are. We domesticated cats and we need to take more responsibility for our feline friends. Get your cat fixed and microchipped. Your local AWO probably offers a low-cost option.

Brightly colored break-away collars with bells lets your neighbors know your cat is owned and keeps them out of your local shelter. Take a sharpie and write your phone number on the collar. You can purchase a pack of 14 collars for $14 and be ready when Fluffy comes home without her collar. Check out Bird-Be-Safe which goes over a break-away collar and reduces predation by 87%. Better yet, keep your cat inside or build a “catio” so they can enjoy watching wildlife safely. Working together we can make the world a safer place for all animals.

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Summer Tips for Keeping Your Cats Safe

hile you prepare for summer by planning vacations, holidays, and activities, take a second to prepare your colony cats for the season. The warmer days can bring cats some serious problems if they aren’t properly taken care of. Here are some tips and things to be aware of so that your companion can enjoy the summer.

IN GENERAL: • Cats with paler fur are more vulnerable to sunburn, particularly on the ears, nose, and sparsely haired areas.

• Older cats are particularly vulnerable to dehydration. Kittens, pregnant mothers, older cats, obese cats, and cats with heart or respiratory issues have an increased risk of heatstroke.

• Signs of overheating include heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognize these signs, encourage the cat to drink water.

• Signs of heatstroke include stumbling, collapse, excessive panting, bright red tongue, and dribbling. If you recognize these signs, move the cat to a cool place, wet their coat with cool (not freezing!) water, and contact a vet immediately.

COMPANION CATS: • Keep your cats indoors when the sun is strongest, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

• Cover vulnerable areas, or regularly apply a non-toxic waterproof human sunscreen. There is also sunscreen specifically for pets.

• Make sure clean water is available to your cat at all times.

• Grooming is important, especially for cats with longer coats. Some cats may need their coats trimmed. A tangle-free coat helps to protect the cat’s skin and keep them cool.

• Check your cat’s paw pads for signs of burns from walking on hot asphalt.

• Speak to your veterinarian about flea preventative and which product would be best for your cat.

• Sometimes cats seeking a cool breeze fall out of open windows and get injured or killed. Install tip and tilt windows that allow air into the room without offering access outside to cats, or use a screen across windows when they are open.

• The risk of cats getting shut in sheds, greenhouses, and garages increases during the summer because more cats are left to wander outside. Make sure that your cat is microchipped, with the details up to date. If your cat goes missing, make inquiries and contact local vets and animal shelters in case your companion has been taken to one.

COMMUNITY CATS • Make sure the feeding station and shelter are in a shaded and cool place. If it’s too hot for you to stay there, it’s too hot for the cats!

• Provide lots of fresh, clean water at all times. You can put ice cubes in the water to keep it cooler for longer.

• Use light-colored bowls if possible. Dark colors absorb heat.

• If you see fleas on the cats, ask your veterinarian about flea preventative for the cats you can handle safely.

• Keep insects off of cat food: if you place the food bowl in the center of a tray that’s filled with an inch of water, the cats can lean over the water to eat, but ants won’t be able to cross it. Don’t leave wet food unattended.

• Trapping community cats: schedule spay/neuter appointments before you trap, and trap during the cooler hours of the day to avoid keeping the cats in small quarters when it’s hot. Don’t place traps in sunny spots or on asphalt, which gets extremely hot!

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Nova

Grown and Ready to Serve

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Nova and Officer Wehman

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Karen Sturtevant

s I walk toward the police cruiser, I’m met with some serious barking and a display of sharp, white teeth. I’m glad the windows have guards. Typically, dogs barring their teeth don’t scare me. This one gives me pause. She’s doing her job, just as she’s been trained. As the world emerges out of covid hibernation, I’m taking advantage of a warm spring afternoon to catch up with the Essex Police Department’s top K9, Nova, and her handler, Corporal Bryon Wehman.

The last time I was with Nova she was more silly than substance. She was playfully biting her human dad’s arms, chasing insects, and chewing on rocks. Her attention span was limited, but her brain was always on alert. Now, at almost a year old, Nova’s development is progressing nicely. She’s acting less like a clueless puppy and more liked a honed professional. As Officer Wehman opened the door to allow Nova out, I was amazed to see this stunning girl, no longer a little puppy, but all

grown up. As we chatted, she looked on with interest and lunged at her leash at blowing leaves.

Nova’s heritage of Dutch Shepherd and high-energy Belgian Malinois creates major challenges for Officer Wehman. Her innate need is to be mentally and physically engaged. She’s a work-oriented breed.

Nova doesn’t stay still for long. She’s a dog that needs action and exercise to be at her best. “Just you wait,” his coworkers warned him when he expressed interest in Nova.

Officer Wehman compared the wellmeaning advice to having a child. “You think you know what you’re in for, think you’re prepared. She was a nightmare as a puppy. If it wasn’t glued down, it was in her mouth. If it was in her mouth it was gone.” A colleague sent him a meme reading Belgian Malinois are good at doing everything. Not good at doing nothing.

Those words would prove to be true. With the confidence and approval of his department and the commitment of Officer Wehman, Nova was chosen.

Allowing Nova to learn family and work dynamics were the most important goals for her first year. She was allowed to simply be a puppy. Formal schooling would begin soon enough.

Knowing how to correctly train this mentally stimulated dog is key to her long-term success. “We don’t want to set her up for failure,” said Corporal Wehman.

Socializing, one of the key components to early healthy development, proved difficult in a time of shut down due to the pandemic. Trips to locations where the public congregated were not an option.

Corporal Wehman relied on colleagues and close family to fill the void. Even Corporal Wehman’s two-year-old daughter was recruited. She and Nova are the best of buddies, going on walks together while she holds the leash.

When the restrictions were loosened, socialization resumed. Some days they found themselves at Lowe’s walking the aisles and eventually becoming the unofficial greeters at the entrance. Shoppers’ reactions to Nova were either walking past her giving a wide berth or hardcore softies, like me, who asked to pet her. She’s an intimidating sight to behold.

Being a K9 in training is not easy.

Besides Corporal Wehman her canine support network includes German Shepherd brothers, Nike and Rumble, human handlers, and professionals from the Vermont Summer 2021

Police Academy and the Vermont Police Canine Association. When Nova was mentally and physically ready, basic training began. As she matured, advanced techniques were added. Training sessions are done most days broken up into long and shorter bursts. Always keeping in mind that Nova needs enrichment, situations vary.

Officer Wehman may set up a scenario where drugs are hidden in a car while the next location may be a warehouse keeping Nova’s interest piqued. Tracking on a dirt surface may be done during one session with tracking on payment the next.

Basic foundation commands are reinforced regularly while bigger issues are saved for the time when mandated training hours are logged with a certified trainer.

Vermont K9 handlers are required to have at least 16 hours each month of training in the presence of a certified instructor.

Although Nova’s exterior may look tough, her emotional reaction to both humans and other canines can be quite tender––a well-known attribute of Malinois. Officer Wehman explained: “They can shut down pretty easily. She can be super annoying to Nike and Rumble when she can’t turn her switch off.” They will let her know when enough is enough. Nova will become submissive, retreat, and attempt to lay underneath them on her back as if to say, “I’m so sorry.” The pack hierarchy is being established; Nova is learning the rules of engagement.

Nova’s training regiment is specialized for her temperament and needs as an eager, intelligent young dog. It’s not unusual for Corporal Wehman to arrive well before his shift to run Nova through scheduled paces after additional training at home. Fun activities like hiding bits of food around the department sharpen her skills and keep the day interesting.

When they are on the road, Nova enjoys her space in the back of the custom police cruiser. At the time of our visit, a few additions still needed to be installed including a door opener plus a heat and alarm system. With the press of a button on his belt, Officer Wehman will be able to roll down the windows and open the door allowing Nova to exit the vehicle.

Officer Wehman is cognizant in trying to keep Nova’s working time fun. With frequent stops for ball fetching or rope tugging, Nova is associating work with reward. As keen as she is to please her handler, dogs also yearn for outside rewards. In Nova’s case, some days she prefers playing with a toy, other days it’s food. After putting Nova back in the vehicle, Officer Wehman opened the back to show me his latest and greatest currency for Nova: a Lotus ball.

This treat-dispensing, pull-apart toy is recommended for food-motivated dogs during training. With this specific gift, Nova gets both her favorites: toy and food. This gold Summer 2021

standard only comes out on occasion. A favorite today, tomorrow it will most likely be something else.

When training sessions don’t go as expected, Nova will often feel this uneasiness from her handler. “She knows when I’m frustrated with her, or in general. Malinois are hard to work with in the beginning.

They’re super-sensitive, super touchy, way over the top in emotions. She can shut down pretty easily.” Knowing where that line is between encouraging her further or deciding to attempt again at another time is critical.

Over the winter, the Vermont Police Academy hosted Nova along with other K9 teams for a demanding four-week class in narcotics detection. She excelled in earning her certification, which needs to be renewed yearly. This summer they will be actively participating in patrol school, a sixteen-week program designed to teach tracking, building searches, and protection work. Nova’s gaining confidence with every training session while her hardworking tendencies are apparent.

She’ll need these traits and the direction of Officer Wehman to perform in this next round of learning.

Police dogs need to be steadfast. “Environmentally, she is the most sound dog I’ve ever seen.” Nova is not rattled by loud Continued Next Page

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noises or cars speeding by when she’s on the side of the road. She doesn’t try and hide or retreat but looks to her handler for direction. During a recent training exercise, the team was asked to ascend and then descend an open metal spiral staircase. While Officer Wehman was a bit apprehensive, Nova proved to be a fearless warrior. This dog doesn’t shy away. She does what’s asked of her with great enthusiasm and agility.

Remembering the fact that Nova is still technically a puppy had me laughing at her latest conquest. When Officer Wehman was on a call, Nova was left in the vehicle with an installed window fan. Upon return, the officer noticed some type of debris on the ground. On further examination, he determined it was chewed wires from the fan. “She ruined it,” he says with a good-hearted chuckle. Fortunately, she only chewed, not swallowed any of the components.

We talked about goals for the team. “Her potential is off the charts. When she is committed to working and most days she wants to work, she absolutely nails it. If we haven’t touched it [training practice] for a long time and I want to see where we are with it, she will blow my mind. I couldn’t ask for a better training session than what we just experienced.”

“It’s on me to make sure I’m reading her. She’s super subtle with her cues.” In searching for narcotics when trained dogs are following the scent, they are said to be ‘in oder.’ That body language can be overt or obscure. In Nova’s case, the tip of her tail will waive ever so slightly while her body posture changes. That detailed behavior changed took Officer Wehman some time to discover. Nova was communicating in her language, her handler is now interpreting it correctly––another tool for success.

From basic to complicated, the amount of resources Corporal Wehman has, are in his words, “1,000 percent.” Making a phone call at 1:00 a.m. to a senior handler is commonplace. Texting with a group of other handlers is a daily occurrence. Working as a collective team, situations are shared, possible solutions offered.

Toward the end of our chat, Nova did allow me to rub her belly, but not without first chasing and catching a blowing leaf––she’s still partial to her puppy mentality. An impressive figure with her elegant natural beauty, this pup with a purpose is on her way to do important tasks. With patrol school quickly approaching, not only will her body be worked, but that beautiful, inquisitive mind as well. Corporal Wehman has his hands full with Nova and her budding potential. He’s ready for the next challenge and the next.

Nova has made great strides in her short time as a police K9. Her support team is proud of her accomplishments and looking forward to helping her take her next professional steps. She’s loved, understood, and living in the best of both worlds of home and work. The future holds great possibilities for this talented canine.

Aren’t we fortunate that we can share in her achievements and cheer her on?

Contact Officer Wehman: bwehman@essex.org Follow: www.instagram.com/k9_nova_vt Visit: www.facebook.com/ essexvtpolice/ www.essexvt.org 10 4 Legs & a Tail

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In the Presence of Horses Susan Miller - Sharon, VT

“When we listen to our horses, we get an education.

When we don’t, we get experience.” ~ Mark Rashid

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ach time you enter the pasture, barn or stall you’re engaged in the vital act of reading. Not words on paper. You’re taking in clues about the current situation and figuring out whether you’re safe or not, and so is the horse. Horses are magnificent animals full of grace and beauty, strength and gentleness.

Your first greeting should show respect and reverence. A nose touch with an extended gentle fist and a look away will encourage the horse that you are wanting to make friends and get to know them. Horses talk mostly with body language and facial gestures. Sometimes horses do whinny or neigh. Each horse has a different sounding voice and if you listen well, you will learn to distinguish one neigh from another and know which horse is calling out. It's usually the sound they make for greeting, pleasure excitement or fear. The neigh or whinny can sound a bit different for each emotion, if you pay close attention, you will learn the sound of the horse's voice and what those calls mean. Sometimes the breathes they take can have meaning as well.

You can learn a lot about what a horse is feeling from the way they are standing, how their ears are pointed and the way they hold their tails. Horses are happiest when they are at an inner calm or zero state of emotion. Try your best to understand and remember how horses behave under certain circumstances.

Knowing what to expect can help keep both you and the horse out of trouble, and ensure an agreeable partnership.

Horses are very aware of their personal space. They have a personal comfort zone just as humans do. As much as we humans want to be close to horses, the horses need their comfort zone respected. Humans want to touch; horses value their personal space within their herd above being touched.

Horses behave like horses and not like dogs or cats. In general horses are friendly and gentle and usually like people. They like to be patted and brushed and talked to. People like to pat the horses face, but the best place to make first contact with the horse is the neck or shoulder. This way you are a safe distance from the teeth and heels of the horse and the horse can see where you are.

Horses have what is called monocular vision. That means that they see separate images from each of their eyes. Horses can see almost 360 degrees around their bodies. They have a blind spot in front of their nose and directly behind them. When a horse lifts its head and Summer 2021

looks forward, their vision can change to binocular vison, they see one image from both eyes, like we see. It’s best to talk gently when approaching a horse so they are aware that you are coming, especially if they are not looking at you or have their back turned.

Horses can get scared, called spooking or shying, of things that people take for granted like loud noises, umbrellas, commotion of too many people, plastic bags that get away and f ly in the wind and running children. Horses' reactions might be to pull back if they are tied, spin around and run away if loose or ridden. Changes in the weather can affect the horse's behavior. When the wind blows horses can become quite lively as it is harder for them to rely on their senses like hearing, sense of smell & taste. Cool and brisk days can also bring up the horse's energy.

Humans need to remember that they may go through their day yelling at kids, arguing with coworkers, inadvertently butting in line at the supermarket, or having a bout of road rage on the highway. Then they just assume they can work with horses and suddenly become patient, calm, aware and understanding.

Most people that own horses have a

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limited amount of time to spend with them. Spending an hour, a day with horses is wonderful. The other side of that is the horse is spending 23 hours a day being a horse, on their own or with herd mates not thinking about being ridden or training. It’s not always easy to be in a frame of mind to be understanding when working with horses, but that’s part of the beauty of working with horses as they always draw our attention back to being in the present moment focusing on them and not worrying or thinking and projecting about near future events like what to make for dinner.

Time is a human construct. We often think in terms of the time it takes to do something. Horses have no sense of time as we think of it. Horses know routine, seasons and length of day or sunlight hours. We might think we’ve done a great job putting in an hour of work with riding or training a horse, the horse likely has a totally different perspective.

Sue Miller is a PATH Registered Instructor & ESMHL, PATH Vermont State Chair, and President of the Vermont Horse Council.

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Snout to Tail Assessment…

Or, the vital tracking of your pet’s health and wellness Ingrid Braulini - Grantham, NH

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n other articles I have referred to the Snout to Tail Assessment as the most vital health practice you can do for your pet along with an annual vet checkup. Although I will be concentrating on dogs and cats in this article, I urge you to research the fundamental baseline for your particular pet’s health whether it be a ferret, a pot-bellied pig, parrot, or a bearded dragon. These fundamentals are heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, capillary refill time (not possible in nonmammals), mucous membrane color, and weight. Although not always easy to determine they are an important part of establishing general health.

As soon as you acquire a pet, establish its individual baseline, and track it at least monthly (I do my dogs and cats when they get their flea and tick meds) and compare it to the month before. Please keep track of this so you can refer to it and share it with your vet as needed.

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When you begin an assessment be reminded that most mammals find this a wonderful bonding experience. After starting with full-body caresses and gentle, reassuring words, you start at the head beginning with the snout.

It is not accurate that the snout needs to be cold and wet. What it needs to be is pliable and soft. There should be no discharge, nor should there be a cracked, dry nose. Run your fingers along the muzzle checking for bumps and cuts. Be gentle in lifting her muzzle to investigate the mouth. The gums (mucous membranes) are a sign of the immediate health of your pet and should be bubble-gum pink (unless you have an animal with black gums). If they seem white or very pale this can be a sign of anemia or shock. If they are yellow, or yellow-tinged, it can be jaundice or a liver issue. If they are grey or blue, it can signify a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) or shock. Her teeth should be white and

there should be no unusual bad breath.

Now is the ideal time to check the CRT (capillary refill time) by pressing down on the gums gently but firmly and releasing. It should only take 1.5-2 seconds to have the color fill back in. Any longer time may mean “circulatory shock” as in cases of poisoning, heat exhaustion, and others. Now check her eyes. They should be clear with no discharge, should track movement, not be pinpointed, dilated, or unequal.

As you move to her ears check the skull.

It should be free of lumps, bumps, with no pain response, heat, or fluid. The ears should have no odor, no discharge, debris, or be painful to the touch.

Anchoring the spine at the neck with one hand, slide the other down her neck and spine checking for bumps, tenderness, sores, or abrasions. As you begin checking the chest you may prefer to have your pet on her side for better access.

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MUZZLE Cuts or Bumps?

EARS No Pain or Discharge

SNOUT Pliable & Soft Check CRI

EYES Clear, No Discharge

GUMS Pink TEETH White

HEAD No Bumps or Lumps

LEGS No Pain or Abrasions Good Range of Motion

BACK AND TORSO No lumps, bumps or tenderness

SKIN Quality Texture Color Dandruff TAIL Flexible No Pain

MAMMARY GLANDS No Discharge

RIBS No Pain Count Breaths

GENITALS Clean No Discharge Take Temperature

ABDOMEN No Tenderness DEW CLAWS Not Cracked

And check WEIGHT!

This will also be the time to check her breathing and heart rate.

Examine her ribs under her coat and feel her rhythmic easy breathing by placing your hand on her chest. Count for 30 seconds. Each time her chest rises and falls count that as one, then multiply that by two. That equals total breaths for a minute. The normal breath rate for dogs is 10-30 breaths per minute. For cats, it is 20-30 breaths per minute. The gold standard is to check your pet at rest, play, and in-between (should be fun trying to figure that for birds and lizards because they are SO compliant). Be sure to check her chest for lumps, tenderness, and sores.

You can either check her heart rate now while she is lying down or later when she is standing again. In either situation, you will want to access her femoral artery on the inside of her upper thigh. Slide your middle two-fingers inside the upper thigh feeling for the pulse. Use a watch or timer and count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 giving you the beats per minute.

Here are the average ranges: Large dogs = 60-100 bpm Medium dogs = 80-120 bpm Small/toy = 90-140 bpm Cats = 140-200 bpm (maybe too fast to count with some cats and you may not live long enough for the full 15 seconds. Maybe for a cat, I would do 6 seconds and add a 0).

While sliding from her chest to her abdomen, check the mammary glands for discharge and then palpitate the abdomen which should not be tender, painful, or rigid. Now, give her a good belly rub. The genitals should be clean and not exhibit any signs of discharge or odor. The anus should be free of hair, debris, or feces.

While there, you may want to take her temperature. (cats just love this one!). Insert a lubricated digital (ONLY) thermometer Summer 2021

FEMORAL ARTERY Check Heart Beat

NAILS & PADS No Sores or Cuts

gently into the rectum, twisting as you insert. Pet’s temps vary and you need to find out what is normal for “your” pet since this is one of the first things to indicate a sick or injured pet. These numbers are approximate and may not indicate what is typical for your pet when she is ill or hurt. Newborn puppies 96-97 F, dogs 100,4102-5 F, or for cats at 99.5 F=102.5.

While checking her legs you are examining for cuts, bumps, and range of motion. Dew claws and toenails should not be cracked or split. Check between toes for cuts, foreign objects, or excessive hair and her pads for tears and severe dryness. Finally, we are at the tail which should be checked for deformity, pain, and range of motion.

While doing the assessment, you are also checking her coat and skin for color, texture, quality, and dandruff.

It may be difficult to establish your pet’s weight if she is big, but generally, you can weigh yourself, then pick up your animal and weigh again. Subtract the difference and that is her weight (not yours!). You are done and your pet is grateful for all the love and attention you have given her.

Please record all this information and keep it handy along with previous assessments so that you will be aware of and can show any changes, to your vet.

If you want more information on doing a snout-to-tail assessment or want to see one done, please let me know and I’ll be glad to fill in the blanks or show you how it’s done.

Ingrid Braulini is the owner of Pet First Aid & Wellness. She is a certified Pet Tech and Wellness Instructor, a NAPPS Board Member, and NAPPS Certified.

For more information visit www.PetAidClasses.com www.4LegsAndATail.com 17

DUKE ON A MISSION : Bringing Comfort, Helping People Karen Sturtevant

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here do you find comfort? Is it in a trusted family member or friend, at the bottom of a quart of ice cream, during a sweaty physical workout, or perhaps after a good cry? When I was a toddler my mother gave me ‘red blankie.’ I carried that thing everywhere, giving me comfort. My anxious rescue dog takes her choice of stuffed animals with her when we venture into the world. Whether it’s a pink primate we named Creepy Monkey or a small white cat appropriately called Kitty Kitty, she’s comforted with her little buddy.

For dog lovers, we know the value of having a cherished companion in our lives. With a wagging tail and soulful eyes, they are always happy to be with us.

Never judgmental, always endearing. The bond created is much like that of child and parent. Simply being near a friendly dog brings solace. When the possibility of pioneering a comfort dog program in the Williston Police Department arose, Officer Matthew Cohen, a ten-year department veteran, was intrigued. When Williston Police Chief Patrick Foley gave the green light for the program, the search for the perfect candidate began.

The functions of a comfort dog are to provide interaction during situations involving children and adults impacted by violence, tragedy, or traumatic events and to reduce anxiety and increase communication between the victim/witness and investigators.

The pursuit would conclude in May 2020 when Officer Cohen drove to the highlyregarded Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, New Hampshire to welcome an eight-weekold fluff ball called Green Puppy. Known for their charity and quality of English Labradors, owners Peggi and David Brogan have gifted several puppies to law enforcement agencies. Duke was number eleven.

Upon arrival in his new home and thanks to the students in Williston schools, Green Puppy will now be forever known as Duke.

A year later, I met with the team to find out what this pup’s first year has been like, the triumphs and challenges.

We were greeted at the gazebo in front of Williston Central School, where Duke has been a regular guest. On this sunlit day, Duke was wearing his official neon green and black dog-in-training vest along with a shiny gold badge affixed to his collar.

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Officer Cohen, Karen and Duke

Gone was the furry puppy. In his place, a mature, blocky-headed handsome canine.

Duke busied himself with chewing sticks and tree bark pieces while trotting from person to person. Photographer, Kelly Hinds, made duck sounds to get his attention and snapped photos—lots of photos.

Despite restrictions due to the pandemic, the past year has been productive. The team has been in attendance with regular training sessions at Thin Blue Line K9 under the supervision of the owner, Tom Radford. First came basic puppy obedience, then agility activities to build confidence, and finally, exposure training intended to confront any fears. “We have a very confident, young dog here,” comments Officer Cohen.

Along with his current recognition of AKC Canine Good Citizen, another goal for Duke is to receive certification in therapy dog work. Potential therapy dogs are screened, evaluated, and trained in order to attain certification. Deb Helfrich at Gold Star Dog Training has been preparing the team with lessons in developing new skills needed for his designation.

Duke will be asked to show his skills in

obedience and basic commands, conduct impulse control with other dogs and control his tendency to be overly excited when people approach him. The Golden Rule: four feet on the floor. Boonefield Labradors is an affiliated partner with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. Officer Cohen and Duke may travel to Duke’s birthplace for their testing.

Duke’s primary job is to be himself and in doing so bring smiles and help relieve stress in upsetting situations. The comfort dog is a valuable tool in fostering dialog and communications between the police department and the community. Duke’s first mission was to visit the Vermont National Guard and Vermont Food Bank while the staff was issuing ready-to-eat meals to the public. He’s helped children feel loved after their parent was arrested, soothed the nerves of crash victims, consoled first responders after the loss of one of their own, and help relieve tensions of students and staff as they returned to school in the fall of 2020. “Just for a few minutes of taking someone’s mind off what just happened/what they just witnessed is important. Sometimes he acts like a goofy Lab, other times he’s stoic and calm and just there. It’s very interesting as his handler to watch,” explains Officer Cohen.

Being the first law enforcement agency in Vermont to offer a comfort dog program is uncharted territory. Officer Cohen keeps expert records on Duke’s accomplishments and training. The first year of service was active with 117 total deployments (29 school visits, 68 community engagements, 20 emergency responses).

A noteworthy case involved Duke rendering comfort on the side of a road. After a driving-under-the-inf luence (DUI) stop where a parent was arrested, Duke stayed with the two children who were passengers in the car. Duke remained with the children roadside until the other parent arrived. Upon follow-up by the Vermont Department of Children and Families, the children recall interacting with Duke, not the arrest of the parent.“ You can’t put a number on how much that interaction helped those kids through that process. What could have been a traumatic event with a parent being arrested became a positive interSummer 2021

action with a dog,” said Officer Cohen.

The word predictable doesn’t belong when referring to police work. The same can be said for Duke’s daily schedule. He and Officer Cohen find themselves in a variety of locations. Duke was utilized with staff and students at Williston Central School after the untimely death of a student. The team continued ongoing support for three days. They have visited vaccination clinics, the emergency department at the University of Vermont, numerous classrooms, first responder meetings, and homes to provide support to both adults and children during a time of grief. “This is a one-to-one, we know good things are happening,” said Officer Cohen.

The team sees a lot of positivity and immediate gratification. Victims or witnesses leave the experience feeling better than when they arrived. “Most of policing is negative reinforcement. You do something bad, you get a consequence. This is positive reinforcement. Police show up, Duke and I interact with someone, and they leave feeling happier.”

“From an officers’ perspective, if I write a speeding ticket, maybe you slow down the next time you drive a car. If I pull over someone who is DUI before them crashing, maybe I save someone’s life. As an officer, you don’t see or know if you have helped someone or saved a life because you intervened. You don’t see the life of a child that you saved after they ran into the street and the car was able to stop in time because they were driving slower after receiving a ticket.”

“You do not see the grandparents who were not victims of a DUI crash driving home from dinner because you stopped the DUI driver and got them off the road that night. You go through this career hoping, but never knowing that your actions are helping someone even though that might be by sending a consequence to someone else.”

“With Duke, we show up, I immediately know we’re helping. His program is that positive interaction police need especially within our communities and how much strife has been happening in general––in policing, politics, in our lives.

It’s great to come into a situation that is truly just positive. We’re here, we’re going to help, making people happy and that is a great feeling as an officer. You can see it in peoples’ faces. He does help,” said Officer Cohen.

The program is fully funded through donations with no cost to the town or taxpayers of Williston. Along with complementary training from Thin Blue Line K9, Guy’s Farm & Yard is donating a lifetime of food, Mountain View Animal Hospital provides medical care at a discounted rate and Community Bank has been extremely gracious in their donations. For Duke’s Summer 2021

first birthday, Officer Cohen streamed the party live. With a seemingly endless pile of toys and treats, it was obvious Duke had reached celebrity status. It was at the end of the party that Chief Patrick Foley awarded Duke his badge.

Officer Cohen comments, “This program is what some agencies see as a luxury. Others, like ours, see it as a need. There is a need to get to that crisis response. There is a need to get to first responders after they’ve witnessed a fatal car crash to help them work through it. There’s that need.

There are a lot of unseen benefits.”

Other police departments have reached out to Officer Cohen in collecting information on the comfort dog concept.

Will see more programs like this in law enforcement? I hope so. Duke’s visits to vulnerable individuals provide calm in a time of chaos. From classrooms to kitchens, the benefits are undeniable. At the end of each shift, Duke rides home with Officer Cohen to transition from work to home time. Finding ‘his person,’ Officer Cohen’s four-year-old daughter, his leisure time is spent acting as her shadow and playmate. Big brother Cooper provides canine interaction while Duke decompresses into domestic dog bliss.

Duke and Officer Cohen have gently interwoven themselves into the heart of this community.

Duke may be the top ticket performer, but Officer Cohen is the manager. The first comfort dog program in Vermont has been an astounding success.

Beyond the therapeutic benefits that come with floppy ears and puppy kisses, the positive impacts are far lasting. I still have my red blankie now with more holes and tatters than blanket. As a toddler no more, I sometimes still wrap myself in it on difficult days. For times calling for more than a cotton blanket, Duke will be there. One dog can not save rid the world from tragedy. He can not undo a terrible circumstance. Duke can offer the best of himself with his gentle nature, his sweet disposition––gifts that will stay with the recipient long after Duke has left to begin his next comfort mission.

Contact Officer Matthew Cohen: matthew.cohen@vermont.gov Visit Duke on Facebook: www.facebook.com/k9dukevt Follow Duke on Instagram: www.instagram.com/k9dukevt Visit Duke online: www.willistonpdvt.org Visit Kelly Hinds Photography: facebook.com/photography-by-kelly-hinds and www.photographybykellyhinds.org

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Emotional Support Dogs The Good, The Bad, and How to Avoid the Ugly Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH THE GOOD The term: Emotional Support Dog is relatively new in our vocabulary but the fact that our dogs do much to uplift our mental health has been known for some time. Some studies show people with pets tend to have better physical health, are better able to relax, and suffer less from loneliness. Personally, my dogs make me laugh….a lot… and we all know that's good for whatever ails ya.

E.S.D. or emotional support dog is a term used to identify that a dog is with you for a reason, that reason is to help the human cope, most commonly it is in reference to coping in a public setting. What the dog does specifically for their human companion varies widely, but is it clear by the shear number of them, that for many having their dogs accompany them in the wider world makes a difference in their ability to live their best lives.

THE BAD Emotional Support Dogs differ from Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs in many ways.

Therapy Dogs need to pass a test to make sure they have the temperament and skills to behave well, be gentle and safe in whatever environment they enter. Service Dogs are handpicked for temperament and are expertly trained in specific skills to assist humans who have physical or medical needs. Emotional support dogs are neither hand-picked nor are they required to pass any exam or be trained to perform their tasks. And this sets us up for…..

THE UGLY To have an emotional support dog accompany a human in public environments the only requirement is a physician's agreement that an ESD would be helpful for the human.

The ability of the dog to tolerate these stressful environments is often not taken into consideration. Dogs put into situations they are not equipped to handle can result in stress behaviors such as barking, chewing, destruction of property, lunging at other dogs and people, 20 4 Legs & a Tail

and dangerous biting. These ugly disasters could lead to the ban of emotional support dogs in public places, which would be such a shame, as many provide an incredible service.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? It is important to understand that not all dogs can cope with the stress of busy human environments. Too many dogs are chosen because they are cute, or because they have been through similar trauma, or medial issue believing this will lead to deeper understanding and bond. This line of thinking puts undue stress on the anxious or traumatized dog leading to unwanted behavior.

When looking for an emotional support dog do your homework. Choose a confident dog who has a steady temperament, is physically healthy, and has had a positive puppyhood. If you already have a dog invest your time and efforts into training. Have a goal to attain a Canine Good Citizen certificate and slowly expose your dog to the environments you want them navigate. You may need help to accomplish these tasks, look to family, friends, professional trainers, behaviorists, breeders, and veterinarians, to guide you in your choices and training.

Having an emotional support dog is a powerful strategy that opens the world up for many people. If you are contemplating getting or using your dog for emotional support, please prepare and train your dog so you both feel success and enjoyment as you navigate the world with more confidence together.

Happy Training, Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog's behavioral issues. Exercise, training, relaxation, massage, grooming, play, socialization, and energy healing are incorporated into your dog's routine. www.Goodogma.com Summer 2021

HEAT STROKE Pat Jauch - Caledonia Animal Rescue

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s our hot, humid weather continues, our pets are more susceptible to a condition called heat stroke. Body temperature will rise when the animal is in a very hot place. Without sufficient water and air circulation, particularly in older animals and certain breeds of dogs with short snouts, the onset of heatstroke can Taking a dog’s temperature requires be swift and devastating. the use of a rectal thermometer and, The ASPCA lists the following warn- preferably, a good helper to assist in ing signs of heatstroke: holding the animal still. With the dog’s • Rectal temperature over 106 F (41 C) rear end facing the same direction that you are facing, wrap one arm around • Excessive panting the dog’s body, holding it firmly against • Fast-pounding pulse your side. Lubricate the thermometer • Vomiting (shake it down below 96 F or 35 C) with mineral oil or petroleum jelly and insert • Seizure-like tremors it gently, keeping it in place for several • Weakness minutes. You will need to hold the tail • Collapse to keep the thermometer from slipping If your pet exhibits any of these symp- out or breaking. If the thermometer regtoms you need to take immediate steps isters 104 F (39.6 C) your dog has a fever.

Consult your veterinarian immediately to rectify the situation.

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if you suspect that your dog is suffering from heatstroke since extreme cases may require the administration of intravenous fluids. Measures that you can take to alleviate the symptoms include placing the animal in an air-conditioned room and giving it some cold water or ice chips. A cool bath may also help, but be careful to regulate the water temperature so it is not too cold. Ice may also be applied to the dog’s head and between the rear thighs, but this should be done carefully so as not to develop hypothermia (low temperature). Once your dog’s temperature returns to normal you can stop these procedures.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 21

OH NO! Your Pet Has Halitosis!

Emily Sullivan, DVM

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obody likes bad breath in a dog or cat. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Beyond being unpleasant to smell, halitosis can also signal potential health concerns for your pet. In order to combat halitosis, it is helpful to understand what causes it. There are numerous causes of halitosis, including dental disease, eating bad smelling items (what dog doesn’t enjoy a trip to the trash can or litterbox?), skin infections, respiratory diseases, and systemic diseases such as diabetes or kidney diseases. With some of the causes of halitosis in hand, we can turn to what halitosis can mean for your cat or dog’s health. We will focus on the dental causes of halitosis.

Halitosis is a common indicator of periodontal disease which is disease of the gums and supporting structures. Tooth roots, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligaments all support the teeth and keep

them from moving. These are subject to disease and infection just like teeth. You may not notice periodontal disease, because these structures are not visible. If you are looking closely at your pet’s teeth, you may see a lot of tartar on their teeth or you may only see irritation of the gums (gingivitis). Sometimes halitosis is the only clue of periodontal disease so make sure to consult your veterinarian if your pet has halitosis.

Before we discuss what can be done to address halitosis, let’s discuss the cause of periodontal disease. Food and bacteria cause plaque buildup on teeth. Those same bacteria can spread from the teeth to the gums and then underneath the gum line, causing infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. Such an infection causes irritation of the gums. If left unchecked, the infection can undermine the roots of the teeth and the surrounding

bone. This can lead to loose, painful teeth.

If your pet has halitosis, what can be done? In the early stage, halitosis can be managed by homecare techniques that most people can do. If things have progressed further, your veterinarian will need to take action.

The best way to manage gum disease and halitosis is to prevent it. Prevention begins at home.. Brushing your pet’s teeth effectively reduces tartar build up.

Tartar can start forming after 24 hours so brushing every day is ideal. Introducing your pet to brushing when he or she is young and rewarding your pet during the process helps brushing go smoothly. If you are unable to brush your pet’s teeth, a variety of specially formulated dental diets and chews can be helpful, although less effective than brushing. There are many products out on the market. As a guide, look for products with The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VHOC) seal of approval.

Having a veterinarian regularly evaluate your pet’s mouth, and scale and polish your pet’s teeth when needed, will effectively remove tartar that is not eliminated by home brushing.

If you suspect your pet already has periodontal disease, an oral exam and cleaning under anesthesia is the first step in treatment. During an oral exam, each tooth is evaluated and probed to assess its health. Dental x-rays reveal what is going on under the gum line. Your veterinarian will clean the surface and under the gum line to remove any tartar that is present. If the examination reveals teeth with advanced disease they may need to be removed.

So give your pet’s mouth the sniff test.

Halitosis may be the first clue to periodontal disease. Your veterinarian can help locate and treat the source of bad breath. Starting oral care early in your pet’s life is a key step in preventing dental disease. As a team, you and your veterinarian can keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

Emily Sullivan, DVM works at Riverside Veterinary Care & Dental Service in Rutland and Ludlow. She obtained her Veterinary Medical Degree from the University of Prince Edward Island. She has an Australian Shepherd named Kiah, and two cats named Jamo and Yeti. www.RiversideVetCare.com

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Summer 2021

OTC Functional Diets: A Great Tool, but Don’t Forget Your Vet! Holly Kenseth and Peter Kenseth

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rom March 24th-26th, we had the pleasure of attending the Global Pet Expo, which like so many other things in the past year was impacted by COVID-19. Ordinarily, the event is held at an exhibit hall that is the size of three football fields, but this year’s iteration was hosted entirely online through a digital platform. More than 250 companies presented virtual exhibits, where they featured new product innovations in the pet food, treat, and supplement space.

One of the most notable trends to arise at the show was a proliferation of new food products that claimed to offer functional benefits or targeted nutrition. Of the products that claimed to offer functional benefits, digestive formulations were most common, followed by joint, weight management, and skin & coat claims.

Interestingly, a year after the DCM study, the prevalence of heart-related claims in functional diets dropped precipitously.

Although many of the manufacturers of these functional diets cited the ingredient formulations that allowed them to make their claim of functional benefits, none were supported by clinical data.

For example, WellPet released Wellness CORE Digestive Health, which is “crafted with prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and superfoods to support digestive health.” While no one can deny that these ingredients support good digestive health, the claim is based upon the ingredient formulation and commonsense nutrition wisdom, not clinical science. Similarly, Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters claim to offer skin & coat, joint, digestive, and heart health benefits. Other functional launches included “Zen Life” (calming) and “On the Move” (joint) functional formulations from Natural Balance, and the Nutrisca line from Dogswell (hip & joint, skin & coat, and digestive health.

However, while many of the functional diets released at Global Pet were promoted on their nutritional merits, some releases bore a strong resemblance to a prescription diet that would be administered by a veterinarian. Evanger’s released EVx Restricted Diet Dinners, with formulations such as Bland Diet, Urinary Tract, Weight Management, Low Phosphorus, and Senior & Joint Health. Similarly, SquarePet launched SquarePet VFS, with Skin & Digestive Support, Low-Fat, Active Joints, Ideal Digestion, and Low Phosphorus formulations. Evanger advertises that its EVx Restricted Diet Summer 2021

Dinners are “formulated with nutritionists and experts,” and SquarePet notes that its products are “formulated by veterinarians including [a] board-certified veterinary nutritionist.” Still, the strong similarity to a prescription diet made us wonder: is there a danger in pet parents having overthe-counter access to these diets? Are we entering a stage where pet parents may begin a practice of self-diagnosis and treatment of their dogs or cats?

We reached out to Dr. Ryan Canales at Long Trail Veterinary Center in Williston, VT for his thoughts on the matter, and he noted that many pet owners will opt for an OTC product because of the high cost of prescription diets from manufacturers like Hill’s, Royal Canin, and Purina. While the cost of prescription diets is high, Dr. Canales noted that it is important to remember that prescription diets should be thought of as medications and that their OTC counterparts do not undergo the same level of clinical testing as prescription diets.

Additionally, many prescription diets are manufactured in closed facilities, eliminating any chance of cross-contamination.

“The OTC diets themselves, they probably aren’t going to hurt your pet on their own,” said Dr. Canales. “However, where people get into trouble, is when their pet really needs the prescription diet, and they opt to switch to an OTC diet that claims to address the same health concern. Take urinary diets in cats, for example. I cannot tell you how many times I see clients who bring their cats in with urinary problems, and we prescribe a urinary diet, like Royal Canin Urinary SO. And then a few months later, that client is back, and I ask what diet they have the cat on, and they have switched to an OTC product that claims to address urinary symptoms. The OTC products, just do not have the same levels of efficacy, so the risk you run is that you’re going to end up seeing recurring symptoms if you switch off the prescription diet. Whereas, with the prescription diet, I rarely see cats who stay on SO, and have recurring symptoms.”

“But what about healthy pets?” we asked.

“What are the risks of giving your healthy dog or cat a functional diet that they may not need?”

Again, Dr. Canales noted that the diet itself would not likely cause harm to the pet, although he did note that pet owners should take advantage of their relationship

with their veterinarian to ensure that they were making an informed choice about their pet’s diet.

“I’d say it’s not likely to cause problems, but I’d want to look at each diet individually before telling people that all of these functional diets are safe,” Dr. Canales told us. “Take digestive diets – not all of them are created equal. What ingredients are they using that is allowing them to make that claim? I am always happy to call up pet food manufacturers and ask for more details behind their diets. It is one of those things – people are becoming less and less likely to turn to their veterinarian for advice about their pet, but your veterinarian can work with you to help make sure you are making the best choice about the diet that your pet needs. Nobody really talks about carbs, fats, or minerals, but those are all important components of a pet’s diet. However, most of the marketing I see these days is focused on protein content.”

When it comes to OTC functional diets, Dr. Canales raises an important point. These diets are not likely to hurt your pet, but it is worth consulting your veterinarian to make sure that your pet is receiving the purported benefits of the diet you choose to provide. If your pet is truly in need of a prescription diet, attempting to “band-aid” the situation with an OTC diet may end up causing greater medical issues for your pet.

If your pet is healthy, OTC functional diets can be a great dietary option, but it is still worth discussing with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is truly in need of the functional benefits that the diet provides. Your vet can call the manufacturer and work with you to make an informed decision that truly considers your pet as an individual.

In the new age of pet parenting, it is critical to remember that a good pediatrician has always been one of the most valuable resources at a parent’s disposal when it comes to the wellbeing of their children.

The same adage can be applied to our “fur babies” – a good veterinarian can help to ensure that a pet parent’s desire to provide the best possible care does not result in unintended harm.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 23

Alternatively Speaking: Happy Cats are Healthy Cats Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA

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n veterinary school, we were repeatedly reminded that cats are not little dogs, but you don’t need a medical degree to know that cats tend to have more introverted personalities compared to the dog’s effusive enthusiasm. Instead, they are masters of subtle emotional expression.

A squint of the eyes, a flick of the tail, the angle of their ears – with one look they convey their feelings clearly, leaving no doubt if you are in their good graces or disfavor. While this may be mistaken for a lack of feelings, cats are in fact quite sensitive, and when upset they will internalize stress just as they do other emotions.

Chronic stress contributes to health issues, so cat caretakers have to watch for clues to know if their felines are unhappy or feeling unwell if the goal is to minimize illness. In this article, we will practice

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“thinking like cats” to better enrich their lives for maximal happiness and health.

When we talk about enrichment and animals, the best example is how zoos use interesting activities to mimic physical and mental wild behaviors. Cats are arguably our most ‘wild’ companion, natural hunters and stalkers even if it is from behind the couch and many are not shy about using their claws to teach us how to behave properly around them. Cats have the energy and instinct to practice their skills and need opportunities to do so to stay entertained and active. This is especially true for indoor cats that don’t have the stimulus of the outdoor world to engage with. They are at the most risk for obesity and emotional stress, both of which impact their health.

Simple ways to engage your cat’s inner lion include climbing structures, shelves, or window ledges that give them the elevated perches they love, games that mimic hunting prey and end with a pounce on a hidden special treat or even dividing meals into hidden snacks that your cat has to search to find. Large bags of crumpled newspaper with a treat hidden inside or cardboard boxes they can hide in or use as dens are a big hit. Another engaging activity is to teach your cat tricks, some of which can be very useful like going into their carrier for treats, or letting you put a treat into their mouth like a pill.

You can find many training tips at drsophiayin.com, or her videos on YouTube.

Of course, simply spending some quality time with your cat is a fantastic way to enrich their lives. Watch their body language to tell what they like, and for how long, so the interaction is something both of you enjoy. Have a cat that doesn’t like a lot of hands-on contact? Respect their feelings and share quality time by playing hands-off games with catnip toys or treats they like. Forcing physical interaction will just stress them and may cause them to act out aggressively.

Even if your cat’s life is full of entertainment, love, and comfort, other environmental factors are often overlooked that from a cat’s perspective really impact how they feel. The most common of these easy-to-miss stressors is the litter box. As

one veterinary behaviorist put it, imagine your bathroom is a beautiful spa. You would feel so wonderful using that space, right? Now imagine it is a dirty outhouse that smells from being uncleaned or heavily perfumed, and you kick up enough dust going in it makes you choke. What if it is also near a loud noise, or you have to go somewhere frightening to get to it?

Most cats accept that their bathroom is not their dream spa. But over time that tolerance can wear thin, and any added stress can cause a revolt and suddenly they are soiling your house. Remember that their sense of smell is far more acute than ours, so if you can smell their cat litter it is likely overpowering to them. If dust plumes up into the air when you top off their box, consider one of many natural litters that are perfume and dust-free, and control odors as well as traditional brands.

Other considerations are location, ideally somewhere quiet where the dog can’t go, and size, big enough to fit into and for older arthritic cats, low enough for ease of entry. Lastly, to avoid competition and the distaste of treading in a freshly soiled litter, try to have at least one box per cat that you scoop out daily.

Another important environmental stress for cats is who they live with. Other pets can be wonderful companions, but roommates can be difficult. Our dog Pumpkin loves our cat, and Klinger will happily give her a facial grooming when Pumpkin is calm. But Pumpkin is large and sometimes unpredictable, so Klinger has to avoid being too near the dog’s treats or getting trampled in play. Being watchful all the time is a stress, so Klinger has his own spots like our daughter’s room where he can often be found taking up more than his share of her bed. A halfdoor in the kitchen and a cat door into the bathroom also keep his food and litterbox dog-free. Separating cats from each other to provide private areas is not as easy. Having multiple high perches, window seats, cardboard boxes, or beds can offer alone time and avoid competition for resources.

Also, consider the humans in the house. A cat whose ideal life is sitting on a retired person’s lap may live in constant stress in a busy household where young children Summer 2021

are too loud and just like Pumpkin, may not respect a cat’s personal space. Houseguests, new babies, dinner parties – any of these may be upsetting. Imagine if you got out of bed and your house was full of strangers, wanting to touch you! If your cat is timid, arrange food and litterbox in a quiet area apart from guests so they don’t have to venture outside their comfort zone. Talk to your vet about aromatherapy, supplements, homeopathy, or even prescription medications to ease stress.

A little pre-planning can avoid flare-ups of upper respiratory disease, chin acne, bladder infections, or any of your cat’s pre-existing health issues.

This brings up the important point that not all stresses are external, some come from within. Eating a diet that doesn’t quite agree can cause digestive discomfort and a ‘finicky’ cat that eats grass or needs constant diet variety. Arthritis, dental disease, declining kidneys, or hyperactive thyroids are all predictable aging issues that bother your cat long before they have visible symptoms, especially since they won’t advertise discomforts until they are too ill to hide them. Just as stress can trigger illness, the illness will create stress, often setting a cat up for self-perpetuating problems. Caretakers should be watchful for any changes in their cat’s routines, appetite, thirst, weight, or litterbox activity. A vet visit

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is in order when anything unusual is noticed, even if kitty seems ok overall.

Wellness visits themselves are invaluable for finding stressful issues before they fester into larger problems. In our practice, we use food therapy, homeopathy, and Chinese herbs to treat both the emotional and physical side effects illness causes.

This brings us to the last place to help reduce stress – the trip to the vet. Whether your cat needs a problem addressed, wellness care, or even a discussion on stress-relieving strategies, the car ride is often an obstacle. Call your vet in advance to discuss non-prescription calming pheromones, f lower essenc-

es, or supplements that can make the trip to the vet much easier for kitty and their chauffeur. For timid or motion sick felines, after their initial visit anti-nausea or mild sedatives can be prescribed to alleviate fear and discomfort. Follow up with games and training so your cat associates the carrier with comfy pleasure and yummy treats!

Unfortunately, life is not a utopia for any of us, including cats, and not all stressful circumstances can be eliminated. But measures can be taken to help ease tensions where we can. The first step is to pay attention to each cat’s personality and comfort zones. Be mindful of what your cat is experiencing, identify possible stressors, and then discuss strategies with your veterinarian to address your cat’s environmental, emotional and physical needs. The effort will be rewarded with more purrs and contented looks from your happier and healthier kitty!

Dr. Anne Carroll is the owner of the Chelsea Animal Hospital where she and her associates practice conventional medicine and surgery as well as several alternative modalities including traditional Chinese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. For more information on alternative veterinary medicine visit their website at www.chelseaanimalhospital.com .

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Veterinary Medicine Is Not Fast Food Service Windsor Pet Dental, Windsor VT - Angie Young, CVT

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e have all had mornings where we’re running late, forgot our coffee or tea, and are in an absolute rush. When your pet needs to visit the veterinarian, please take the time and not rush. Medicine is not an exact science and animals can’t talk and tell humans what is bothering them. Veterinarians and their team need to be intuitive and objective to be able to help your pet.

It can be frustrating at times to not know exactly what is the root cause of your pet’s symptoms and you may want answers now. Veterinarians and their team have been through a lot of education, training, and experience to be there for you and your pet. Everything they do is for the well-being of you and your pet.

In an age where you can have instant gratification to use an app to order a latte or lunch and get it moments later, this doesn’t apply to veterinary medicine.

As much as we want to provide speedy service, some things can’t be rushed. If your pet is having a surgical procedure, you wouldn’t want to rush the surgeon as surgery is a very detailed orientated skill that needs focus. You are paying for a professional just like you would pay for a lawyer or physician. When the veterinary team is working with your pet that is their primary focus.

Communication is key. As veterinary professionals, we do our best to keep pet owners informed of what is going on with their pets. It can be helpful

Miley

to write down your concerns ahead of time just as we would write down a grocery list. That way, when you reach the veterinary office you haven’t forgotten the important questions you want to ask. Tell your veterinarian if you don’t understand something so he or she can better explain it. Make your expectations clear and let the veterinary team know if you do have time constraints. We can’t always guarantee we can get procedures done by a certain time; however, we can be mindful of your time concerns.

Veterinary professionals and their staff went into this profession as they have passion, care, and empathy for their patients. Veterinary medicine can be truly rewarding. Veterinarians and their support staff work long hours, but also find joy in helping their patients heal.

Whether climbing in the recovery cage and holding a dog’s paw after surgery or snuggling with a cat so it doesn’t feel frightened, we entered this field to help animals. Providing good quality medicine for your pet will take time and isn’t something that can be rushed.

Lilly

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Medieval Law Gus McLeavy - Fitzwilliam, NH

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uaint as such a legal custom may seem to us today, for hundreds of years in Europe people held both wild and domestic animals responsible for their actions, as if they had the power of reason and knew the difference between good and evil. Granted, we expect this of our pets to some degree. We want the family dog to demonstrate its shame when it “knows” it’s been bad; we sense that way down deep, the family cat knows better, too (not that any self-respecting cat would ever show it). But from the time when court systems were formally organized until the middle of the 18th century, animal transgressors were considered to be subject to all ecclesiastical and local civil laws throughout most of continental Europe, just the same as people.

As in most legal proceedings, there were some very strict rules and regulations associated with bringing beasts before the bar. Domestic animals had to be tried in municipal courts, while wild animals, as God’s creatures, were tried in courts of the Catholic Church.

Both courts could impose the death penalty, but the church could also prescribe banishment, exorcism, and ex-communication. Biblical authority for putting animals on trial was found in Exodus 21:28 (“When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be clear”) and several other places in the Old Testament.

In every trial, all the formalities of justice were observed, from the opening of the proceedings to the passing of the sentence, and each animal had a right to an advocate on its behalf. In France alone there were more than 90 documented proceedings during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance; the last one occurred in 1740 when a cow was tried and executed.

Animal trial procedures were not without some ambiguity. Arguments were raised regarding the propriety of legal action against animals, especially in the ecclesiastic courts. Some theologians felt that because God had blessed the lower animals, and because they had preceded man o Earth, the church should have no dominion over them. The church insisted that, as God’s representative on Earth, it was incumbent upon that body Summer 2021

to exorcise, anathematize, and excommunicate all sinners, living or inanimate.

Still, others challenged the church on the grounds that it could not anathematize that which it did not baptize. The church stuck to its arguments, though, and went right on exorcizing guilty beasts, birds, and insects. (Actually, the church avoided the exorcism ceremony whenever possible. The success rate for the practice was low, and it was an embarrassment when an exorcized creature did not “wither off the face of the earth” as it was supposed to, or, indeed, behaved worse than it had before.)

Enforcing laws against animals was frequently anything but easy. The residents of the French commune of St. Julien brought suit in 1445 against a golden beetle for what was then the legal equivalent of harassment. After years of courtroom hassling, the people proposed that a certain part of their land

be given in perpetuity for the use of the bugs. The insects’ lawyer agreed to this on behalf of their clients, and it looked as if the lengthy litigation was finally over. Then someone who had a right of way through the property in question insisted on his legal use of it. The court decided this would disturb the beetles and declared the original compromise void. The case dragged on for a total of 42 years, but no one knows its resolution: the documents describing the outcome are too deteriorated to be legible.

Several other remarkable cases occurred in France about this time. The residents of Autun had papers served o the rats of that village to appear in court on a certain day to answer to specific charges related to their ratty behavior. So that there would be no mistake who was meant, the rodents in question were carefully Continued Next Page

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described: “dirty animals in the form of rats, of a grayish color, living in holes.”

Court=appointed counsel for the animals was a man named Bartholomew Chassanee, who later became one of France’s legal luminaries.

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When the rats did not appear in court to answer the first summons, Chassanee argued that the summons, although read at a place frequented by rats, was of too local a character. Furthermore, as all the rats in the area were interested parties in the case, each should be addressed individually-the court could not assume the infallibility of the rats’ grapevine. The court acquiesced, and the curate of each parish in the district was instructed to inform every rat under his jurisdiction when and where to appear in court. When no rats came the second time, the lawyer explained that, as all rats had been summoned, young and old, sick and well alike, many preparations were necessary, and there hadn’t been enough time for them to be made. The court again agreed and set a third date.

When no rats appeared on the third appointed day, Chassanee argued that the administration of the paperwork was faulty. Although a summons was supposed to guarantee the safety to and from the court of the parties involved, adequate protection had not been provided to his clients from the plaintiffs’ rat-hungry cats, which lined the rats’ routes to the courthouse. The rats were most desirous of obeying the court’s order, Chassanee insisted, but until the plaintiffs would post a bond to ensure the good conduct of their cats toward the defendants, the rats did not dare attend. The court admitted the legitimacy of this argument, too, but the plaintiffs refused to be bound over for the conduct of their cats, and Chassanee won the case by default.

In 1451, in Lausanne, leeches were brought into an ecclesiastic court to hear a monitoire (admonishment) of their conduct. They were then ordered to leave the district within three days.

When they did not do so, they were formally exorcised by the church. It was reported that after the exorcism the leeches began to die and disappeared entirely in a very short time.

In the town of Levigny, a sow and her six piglets were placed on trial for murder in 1457. It was alleged that they had killed and eaten a baby. Counsel for the defense was able to get the piglets acquitted because of their youth, their mother’s bad example, and lack of hard evidence against them, but the sow was convicted and executed.

France was not alone in the prosecution of its sinning animals; it just kept the best court records. Similarly, bizarre cases were prosecuted in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. In Basel, Switzerland, in 1464, a rooster was charged with laying an egg. The prosecution alleged conspiracy with Satan, while the defense argued that a dumb animal could not enter into a contract with the Evil One. The court found that, even though there was no proof of an affiliation between the cock and Satan, simply because the cock had laid an egg (the egg of a rooster being a commodity much sought after by witches) the fowl was the instrument of his evil, and must be condemned. In other words, guilt by association in a conspiracy to commit sorcery.

In Switzerland, it was not unusual for all animals to be witnesses in court, even in murder cases. Swiss law at the time permitted a householder to kill an intruder in his home between sunset and sunrise. Some individuals took advantage of this to settle scores, inviting a person to their homes and then murdering him after dark, claiming later that they had believed the guest to be a thief. Without witnesses, courts could not prove that such murders were not committed in defense of property. In such cases, animals often were called to the box. The accused would be made to swear his innocence in front of a family pet before the court would give a verdict of not guilty.

The Swiss believed that God would not allow a guilty man to go unpunished for murder, and would therefore intercede by making a cat meow or a dog bark in an obvious fashion if the master were really guilty.

The fates of innocent men unlucky enough to own naturally vociferous pets are not recorded.

Gus McLeavy operates an out of print book business called AardBooks.

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