volume 10, issue 1
magazine
TM
december/january 2014
animal advocate of the year award ready, set, play hip dysplasia
life affirming
RESOLUTIONS
you can steal from your dog.
Publisher Leah England (843) 478-0266 leah@lowcountrydog.com
contents
Advertising Information (843) 284-3094 Communications Gillian Nicol gillian@lowcountrydog.com Staff Photographer Laura Olsen www.lauraolsen.com Accounting Carrie Clark Financial Services (843) 367-9969 carriecl@comcast.net Lowcountry Dog Magazine PO Box 22 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465 Web: lowcountrydog.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog
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december/january 2014 animal advocate of the year award 4 holiday gift guide 6 osteoarthritis in pets 8
This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper.
a true gift 12
Continue the green process by recycling this copy.
resolutions 14 Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices. Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.
calendar of events 21 training 22 Ready, Set, Play! health & wellness 24 Hip Dysplasia bone appétit 26
The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.
Cover photo and last Table of Contents photo by Laura Olsen Imagery.
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440 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville www.alliswellpets.com Lowcountrydog
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INTRODUCING the Lowcountry Dog Magazine Animal Advocate of the Year Award This award will be given to a member of the Greater Charleston community to recognize his/her achievements in advancing the welfare of animals through leadership, public service, lawmaking, education, research, or veterinary service. The magazine’s purpose in bestowing this award is to encourage attention to animal welfare in the lowcountry. LCDM believes in publicly recognizing and thanking those who go out of their way to improve the lives of animals. Four Finalists will be chosen by LCDM and featured on the publication’s website and in the print magazine. Online voting will determine the winner, who will be announced in the Dec/Jan 2015 issue. Recipients must be available and willing to participate in a photo shoot, be interviewed, attend a presentation ceremony, and participate in other recognition activities.
Criteria for Qualification:
Nominee must reside at least 6 months out of the year in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Nominee’s work must contain specific examples of commitment to one or more of the following categories in Animal Advocacy:
Leadership Public Service Education Research Lawmaking Veterinary Service
Your nomination letter should include:
• Your name and contact info • Nominee’s name and contact info •“Animal Advocate of the Year Award” in the subject line •At least 500 words detailing how your nominee has advocated for animals in our community, citing specific examples within at least one of the key categories listed above. •Illustrative images if available
Nominations should be emailed to leah@lowcountrydog.com by March 1st 2014. Submissions must be sent using the subject line: “Animal Advocate of the Year Award.” Online voting will begin in April and continue through November 1st. Jennifer and Salty.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Naughty or Nice? We have everything to make your pup’s holiday Happy & Bright at just the Right Price!
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843.881.0800 Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre hairywinston.com
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Sponsor a waste bag dispenser at your favorite local park featuring a photo of your pet!
Ask about business sponsorships!
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For more information contact Keep Charleston Beautiful www.keepcharlestonbeautiful.org
(843)579-7501
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ARTHRITIS | ACCIDENTS | SPORTS INJURIES | FIBROMYALGIA
Drs. Gina &Michael
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SOUTH CAROLINA’S MOST ADVANCED, EXPERIENCED & TRUSTED! Your veterinarian’s trusted partner since 1999!
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Board Certified Internal Medicine, Oncology, Neurology, Surgery & Cardiology Over 100 years combined, trusted experience in the Lowcountry Online emergency pre-registration on our website Most advanced & safest MRI in South Carolina Take a virtual tour of our new hospital on our web site
When your pet is sick or hurt, we know exactly how you feel. We’ve been there, through the worry, anxiety and concern. We offer the most advanced medical care possible along with the tender, compassionate & attentive care your pet deserves. 985 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant Medicine: 843-216-7554 Surgery: 843-216-7554 Emergency: 843-216-7554
3163 West Montague Ave., North Charleston Medicine: 843-793-2161 Emergency: 843-744-3372
24 HOUR EMERGENCY CARE IN 2 LOCATIONS! VeterinarySpecialtyCare.com Lowcountrydog
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Gifts for the 12 days of Christmas from local purveyors
1. Naughty and Nice treats from Hairy Winston. 2. P.L.A.Y Dog Bed from Bark N Meow. 3. Lumps of Coal treats tin from Lucia's Premium Pet. 4. Various fun holiday sweaters from Hairy Winston. 5. Catit Design Cat Scratching Posts from Petland. 6. Hugglehounds Snowman from Lucia's Premium Pet 7. College Sports themed collars and jerseys from Petland. 8. Oliver Bentley Biscuits made in Savannah, available at Bark N Meow. 9. Curli Luumi LED Saftey Light from Lucia's Premium Pet. 10. Merrick Christmas Day Dinner dog food from Hairy Winston. 11. Nina Ottosson dog puzzle from Bark N Meow. 12. Habitrail Ovo Hamster Habitat from Petland. Hairy Winston 1605 Palmetto Grande Drive Mount Pleasant, SC. 29464 www.hairywinston.com • Bark N Meow 3575 Maybank Highway Suite E Johns Island, SC 29455 www.barknmeow.net • Lucia's Premium Pet 62 Seven Farms Dr. Suite 115 Daniel Island, SC 29492 www. luciaspremiumpet.com • Petland 975 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 www.petland.com 8
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NEW SERVICES! The Wedding Nanny & Dawg Tired Fitness we can help include your dog in your wedding ceremony, or give them the exercise they need!
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Pet Boarding & Doggie Daycare It’s the playtime that makes all the difference Six indoor play areas. Three outdoor runs including NEW, fenced-in field.
111 Acres Drive • Ladson, SC 29456
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Mon-Fri: 7-12 and 2-7 Closed 12-2 Sat: 8-1 and Sun:1-4
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Private Training Day Training Behavior Modification Group Classes Cindy Carter, CPDT-KA 843-906-9997
mindfulmanners.net mindfulmanners@me.com Lowcountrydog
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Osteoarthritis in Pets by Dr. Au
Osteoarthritis is something we hear a lot about in people but did you know your pet may also be suffering from the same problem? Osteoarthritis, also know as OA or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is the development of cartilage loss along with bone and soft tissue changes associated with a joint. In pets, osteoarthritis is typically secondary to another problem. Underlying problems, or causes of osteoarthritis, include developmental diseases, trauma, fractures or degenerative diseases. A developmental disease is one that was not present at birth but occurs or surfaces during the development or growth of the animal. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common developmental diseases that ultimately result in arthritis of the affected joint or joints. The hip or elbow start out normal at birth but do not develop normally as the animal grows and matures. These dogs can have significant OA before they even reach their first birthday. A very common example of a degenerative disease that results in OA in dogs and less commonly in cats, is a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). The CCL is very similar in function to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in people and is one of the primary stabilizers of the knee or stifle. In people, ACL tears typically occur secondary to a sports injury or traumatic event such as stepping in a hole. In dogs, it is more of a chronic degenerative process although the ‘last straw’ to a degenerating CCL can be an athletic event like a great squirrel chase or running to catch a ball. What can you do to reduce the chance your pet will develop osteoarthritis? If you are asking this question and have not yet found your furry companion, one thing to think about before you even get a pet is what diseases are specific breeds prone to and how can I best avoid those diseases. When it comes to the developmental diseases, they tend to affect the large and giant breeds more often than our smaller friends. If you are thinking of a certain breed, do your research. Has the breeder had the parents evaluated for hip and elbow dysplasia through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) (www.offa.org) or the hips evaluated with PennHIP radiographic assessment (www. research.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip). While these assessments help reduce the chance the offspring will have a developmental disease, and therefore secondary OA, they are not full proof. Another big factor in the development or expression of osteoarthritis that you can definitely control is the weight of your pet. We have all heard the news about the increasing weight and waistline of the American public. Well the same problem is 10
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occurring in our pets. Food is not love people! And all the extra weight your pet is carrying around is hurting the joints and shortening their life span. There was a great study, done a few years ago, at the University of Pennsylvania that really drives this point home. The researchers took 2 groups of Labrador puppies and followed them thru their life. The first group of dogs was allowed to eat free-choice until a little over 3 years of life then they were fed a controlled amount of food to prevent obesity. These are the Labs that I like to call ‘pleasantly plump’. Most owners know their dogs are a ‘little overweight’ but ‘can’t resist those dark brown eyes’ or tell me ‘he enjoys his treats and I enjoy giving them to him’. The second group of dogs from the study was fed 25% less food then its partner dog in the other group. These are the dogs that are at the appropriate weight meaning you can feel ribs along the chest without digging through fat, see a ‘waist’ when viewed from the top and the chest ‘tucks up’ to the belly when viewed from the side. The group of dogs fed 25% less had far less development of OA (10% vs 77%), later onset of clinical signs of OA and other diseases, and lived almost 2 years longer than the other group of dogs. What if my pet already has OA? There are definitely causes of OA or OA itself that can be helped with surgery. Surgery to correct of an unstable knee secondary to a CCL tear is one of the most common surgeries we perform at CVRC. But even the best surgeon can’t undo OA that has already developed. Medical or conservative management of OA is always indicated regardless of the surgical intervention provided. The basic components of medical management consist of weight loss or control, joint supplements with glucosamine and chondoitren, omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils to reduce inflammation) and as-needed use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). In addition, physical rehabilitation, similar to physical therapy in people, is beneficial in promoting weight loss, maintaining or building muscle mass to reduce strain on osteoarthritic joints, improving range of motion and joint comfort. Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, is a specialty referral and 24-hour, 7-day-a-week emergency and critical care veterinary hospital. Dr. Au is part of CVRC’s Center for Orthopedic and Minimally Invasive Surgery. More information may be found at www.CharlestonVRC.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC or (843) 614-VETS (8387).
Looking for Downtown Veterinary Care?
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Conveniently located just off East Bay Street. Cynthia P. Smith, DVM Kelli Klein, DVM • Laurie Wallace, DVM
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Private Training and Group Classes in 7 locations across the Tri-County Area. 15% Discount for Rescue and SPCA Alumni.
Our personalized services include Small Animal Medicine • Dentistry Surgery • Geriatric Care • Boarding Ask about our College of Charleston discounts & convenient drop off service OLDE TOWNE VETERINARY CLINIC
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A True Gift
This year, give a gift you know will fit, is the right color, And captures the real spirit of the holiday season! Who among us has not dreaded selecting yet another tie, scarf or sweater to give to a friend or family member during the holidays? Similarly throughout the rest of the year, who among us has not tried to find a meaningful response to the loss of a loved one, whether a friend, family member or companion pet? This year, forego the hassle of the malls and the disappointment of a gift you know they’re going to return. Tribute gifts provide a meaningful way to honor a loved one, human or pet, for the way he or she has enriched our lives, while providing an opportunity for reflection and appreciation. Here are some creative – and very meaningful – gifts ideas that are sure to light up the star on your Christmas tree. Gifts Under $20 • A rabies shot for a homeless dog • Pain medication for a dog under 56 lbs. • Flea treatment for a homeless dog • Single dose of heartworm preventative • Pain medication for a dog over 56 lbs. Gifts Under $100 • A rabies vaccination • A microchip • A heartworm test • Heartworm preventative (under 25 lbs.) • A wellness exam and vaccines for a low-income family’s pet • Heartworm preventative for a large dog • Flea treatment for a homeless dog • Neuter a dog under 60 lbs. 12
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$12 $12 $17 $17 $18
$20 $22 $23 $25 $43 $42 $58 $90
Gifts Under $500 • Feed and shelter a dog for a month • Spay a dog under 60 lbs. • Spay a large dog • Spay a really big dog (over 120 lbs.)
$100 $105 $155 $180
Gifts That Will Have a Major Impact on the Lives of Homeless, Injured and Abused Pets for Years to Come • Name a Dog Recovery Kennel in the Clinic $2,500 • Name a Puppy or Small Dog Adoption Window $7,500 • Name an Adoption Kennel to house new moms and their puppies $10,000 • Name the Pet Food Pantry for low-income families $35,000 Name the clinic’s Dog Recovery Ward $50,000 Name the clinic’s new Advanced Diagnostic Center $100,000 We all hope to leave the world a little better than we found it. “How?” is the question. Imagine being able to protect homeless pets from hunger and suffering both now and into the future. You can! There are so many ways of helping save lives at Pet Helpers that regardless of your income, assets, time or talent, you can make a difference. For ways to volunteer, contact Jessica Blanton at 795-1110, or jblanton@ pethelpers.org or for monetary donations, contact Leigh Handal, Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, at 7951110 or lhandal@pethelpers.org.
Dr. Danielle Cain, DVM
As
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Rd
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OPEN Weekends!
Do
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8389 Dorchester Road • Charleston, SC 29418 843.552.8278 • theanimalhospital.net
• pet supplies • DIY doggie wash • bird supplies
Daniel Island
Animal Hospital Lynne M. Flood, DVM Bridget E. Luke, DVM Allison Chappell, DVM Katherine Rainwater, DVM Matthew J. Hosking, DVM
Wellness Care • Medicine • Surgery • Dentistry Dogs, Cats, and Small Mammals • Dog/Cat Grooming
Daniel Island Animal Hospital 291 Seven Farms Drive Ste 103 Daniel Island, SC 29492
(843) 881-7228 • www.danielislandvet.com
Hours 10am - 6pm Monday thru Saturday
843-559-5001
3575 Maybank Hwy. Ste. E Johns Island
www.barknmeow.net
3484 Shelby Ray Court Charleston, SC 29414 info@charlestonvrc.com www.CharlestonVRC.com Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC
Lowcountrydog
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Whine Less. Beach more. - Buster
photography by Laura Olsen Imagery
life affirming
RESOLUTIONS
you can steal from your dog.
Lowcountrydog
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Be constructive, not destructive. - Cookie
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Smile. - Mia
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Exercise daily, and share your toys. - Loretta Lowcountrydog
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happy hounds
bandit
ashley astro
cesare & jade
bentley frankie sophie
mae lily & little roy
breck sawyer brown
hannah
radar
olive
sidda
poncho
maddie & henry
Upload photos of your happy hound at www.lowcountrydog.com/share/photo All breeds and mixed breeds accepted.
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wilson
lucky
upcoming events recurring events every saturday & sunday pet helpers adoptions at petco, west ashley. www.pethelpers.org every saturday cas adopt-athon at petsmart mt pleasant. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
Your dog will meet the nicest dogs and people in Charleston at this event! FREE parking vouchers! Ask at our info booth. Contact: susan@kingstreetmarketinggroup. com More Info: http:// susanlucas.typepad.com/ secondsundayonkingstreet/
december 7th 11:00am-4:00pm Photos with Santa Ho! Ho! Ho! Come have your favorite pet’s photo taken with Santa at PetSmart in Mount Pleasant to benefit Charleston Animal Society! Promises to be fun for everyone! Email sobrien@ charlestonanimalsociety.org for more info.
december 14th @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm subaru of charleston share the love event Come out and Share the Love with Subaru and Charleston Animal Society. We’ll bring animals ready for adoption to Subaru in North Charleston and when you drive out in your brand new Crosstreck or Outback, you can take a brand new furry family member with you! Hope to see you there! 8261 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 United States
december 7th @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm consign charleston shop and shuck For the second year in a row, Consign Charleston is hosting it’s “Shop n Shuck” benefitting Charleston Animal Society. All of the entrance fees plus a portion of the sales will go to help the animals we are trying to save. The event is $20 for all the food you’d like PLUS the chance to shop. Or, there is a $5.00 entry fee if you would just like to shop. 1119 Wappoo Rd, Charleston, SC 29407 United States.
january 25th-26th 8:00am5:00pm charleston kennel club dog show. The 77-year-old Charleston Kennel Club show draws one thousand registered dogs. The licensed all-breed show will also accept entries in Obedience and Rally for mixed breed dogs enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners Program. Held at Exchange Park in Ladson. Admission is $2 and parking is free. Visit www. charlestonkennelclub.org for more info.
special events
december 8th second sunday on king The 2nd Sunday on King Street has something for everyone. From Calhoun to Queen walk the street! Bring your pooch and stroll down King Street! enjoy the street activities, outdoor cafes, incredible shopping and wonderful people.
Questions? Comments? Call 843-478-0266. Want to submit event information? Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.
Ready, Set, Play! by Cynthia Carter Photo by potamos.photography, Flickr Creative Commons
Play is powerful stuff. It influences so many things, including development, motivation, emotions, physiology, communication and behavior. Wow! That’s an impressive list. Patricia McConnell, PhD It seems safe to say that most dog/animal lovers spend time playing with their companions in some way. Play is fun; it makes us feel good and relieves stress. Play can be great exercise. Play helps build a terrific bond between two different species. Can play be more than just fun? Can play be used for training and maintaining skills? What type of play works best? Why don’t we talk about play more often? Talk to any reward-based trainer and you will learn about food as a reinforcer for teaching or maintaining behavior. We use food because it is fast, so we get a lot of behaviors in a short period of time -- exactly what we want when teaching new behaviors. We don’t talk as much about using play in training, especially with companion dog owners. It takes more time and effort because you actually have to play for it to be rewarding to the dog. Is it worth it? I certainly think so. Using play for training doesn’t mean that we stop using food. Instead we can use a combination of the two. It is very effective to use food during the training session and end with a game of tug, fetch or personal play. That makes training more fun for the dog and sets him up to start another training session. Play gives us the opportunity to keep training fun and interesting for our dogs. At some point using the same reinforcer gets boring. If you love lobster but have to eat it every meal, how long will it be until it isn’t such a treat any longer? Through the use of play, we can keep our dogs excited and engaged with us during the training process. Many agility 22
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and flyball competitors have been using play and toys as reinforcers for years. Some skills are more suited to using toys and play than others. Consider come when called. When your dog comes and you take the time to play with him, he is more engaged and connected for a longer period of time. That connection will work in your favor the next time you call him to come. There are a lot of different types of play: fetch, tug, chase games (your dog chases you) and personal play. It is your job to discover which games are most fun and rewarding for your dog. Not every dog likes to chase a ball or play tug. Some dogs aren’t fond of personal play. But having play as part of your toolbox gives you another option for training and fun. What about tug games? I hear people say they have been told to never tug with their dogs, that tugging creates aggression. There are some dogs that shouldn’t tug but most dogs can learn to play and benefit from the game. Tug is a great way to teach your dog self control. Simply put, tug depends on your dog learning that tug is dependent on his ability to learn to drop the toy, calm down and wait for you to resume the game. In the beginning, it is your job to stop the game before he goes over the moon and loses his ability to think. Gradually, you will begin to play longer periods of time and at a higher intensity. Tug is the game of choice for many performance dogs and certainly the top contender in my house. Fetch, on the surface, seems to be a game for the dog only. After all the game is chasing a ball and the reward doesn’t have much to do with the person doing the
tossing. But for all of you with ball crazy dogs, don’t despair -- fetch can be used in training as well. When your dog brings the ball, wait until he looks at you or offers a down before the next throw. Your dog is learning self control by offering a calm behavior to get the game to continue. Chase games are terrific for teaching your dog to come. How much fun is it for your dog to be able to run after you and play when he gets there? The trick is to have the toy out of sight until he reaches you. Better still, mix it up by playing with him without a toy. Play can be a huge part of teaching a rocket recall; the faster he comes, the quicker he gets to play! Not all dogs understand personal play in the beginning, especially if they have been discouraged from playing with you as puppies. Playing with your dog without toys isn’t comfortable for everyone, at least in the beginning. It is much easier to grab a toy to engage your dog than to develop play skills of your own. It is well worth learning to engage with your dog this way. You may not always have a toy but you will always have your hands or body. Play is a great tool for helping dogs act appropriately when guests come to visit. Using toys can give a shy dog something fun to do when a stranger comes to visit. Teaching an overly excited dog to bring a toy when company comes gives him a job that works in his favor. Of course, play can just be play. When you come home from a long day and see your best pal, grab a ball, a tug or that ratty squeaky toy and have some fun! Learn more about Cynthia Carter's dog training at www.mindfulmanners.com
Bark Avenue pet resort * 8x7 Suites and 6x8 Runs (largest in CHS) * Lowest Daycamp Prices in CHS * All-Breed Groomer Bark Avenue is THE place to be
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“The best doggone place for your pooch to play and stay!” 1032A LeGrand Blvd • Daniel Island off Clements Ferry
843-884-5434 • www.PlayInTheDogHouse.com
DOGS LOVE IT HERE! No Charleston hotel has room to run like The Inn at Middleton Place. We even have packages just for our four-legged guests. Visit our website, or give us a call to learn more. 4290 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29414 (800) 543-4774 TheInnAtMiddletonPlace.com
M-F: 7:30am-7pm Sat: 8am-12pm
Tidewater Veterinary is a full-service integrative practice focused on keeping your pet happy and healthy.
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Senior Wellness Bloodwork with Exam
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Dr. Cara Daniel, DVM, CVA
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Located at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms (843) 856-7300 1964 Riviera Dr Ste G, Mount Pleasant www.tidewaterveterinary.com
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Hip Dysplasia by Michael Schlicksup, DVM, Diplomate ACVS-SA Most dogs live to be active. Whether it is a hunting dog moving through a field, a Labrador Retriever chasing a tennis ball, a Weimaraner jogging with their owner or a Boykin tracking squirrels in the backyard, being on the move is happiness. Hip dysplasia or arthritis is one of the most common diseases that limits a dog’s movement and ultimately can decrease their quality of life. Hip dysplasia is a disease of laxity within the normal ball and socket joint of the hip. In a normal dog the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) fit together perfectly allowing for a healthy joint and pain free movement. In the dysplastic hip, for numerous reasons, the ball and socket don’t fit together well, leading to abnormal cartilage on bone contact causing pain and eventually arthritis that can be debilitating. A dog that starts its life with hip dysplasia ends their life with some degree of arthritis within the joint. Each dog is affected differently and clinical signs range from mild weakness to a severe lameness. Dogs who have hip dysplasia show a variety of changes including stiffness in the back legs after exercise, muscle loss, bunny hopping when running, difficulty rising and/or difficulty jumping. The disease is most severe in young dogs when the laxity develops and older dog once arthritis has set in. The diagnosis is usually made following a physical examination with your primary veterinarian and xrays of the affected limb. In young dogs xrays usually show abnormal shape to the joint and in severe cases the femoral head can be completely luxated from the acetabulum (Image A). Xrays in older dogs usually show severe arthritic changes with new bone growth around the entire joint (Image B). After diagnosis most dogs are started on conservative non-surgical management that includes anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications and
nutraceuticals with the recommendation for controlled, consistent low impact exercise to maintain range of motion and muscle mass in the leg. Unfortunately some dogs fail to improve with non-surgical management, suffer side effects from the anti-inflammatory medications or in a young dog the constant cost of medications and trouble administering them can be devastating. In these cases surgical management is indicated and includes either femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) or total hip replacement (THR). FHO is considered a salvage procedure in which the femoral head is surgically removed from the joint taking away the pain of the arthritic bone. The soft tissues surrounding the joint enlarge and take over the job of motion and stability during walking and running. In these animals the joint is never biomechanically normal, rehabilitation can be intensive and most walk with an abnormal gait but are usually pain free. The procedure is reported to be more effective in smaller dogs. Total hip replacement has been performed in dogs since the mid 1970s and is the only way of repairing or replacing the normal joint. The surgery involves replacing the socket and ball with prosthetic implants to allow normal, pain free motion in dogs of all sizes and most recently to include cats. The procedure is used to treat dogs that suffer from hip dysplasia/arthritis, traumatically luxated hips, certain types of fractures and congenital diseases. Candidates from the procedure are seen through an initial exam with a veterinary surgeon and the benefits versus risk of the procedure are discussed to provide the best long-term outcome. At Veterinary Specialty Care we take a team approach to hip replacement surgeries and have two experienced surgeons who evaluate each patient, perform the surgery together and monitor the cases for long-term follow-up.
An xray immediately following surgery. The white arrowhead shows the prosthetic acetabulum, the white arrow the prosthetic stem and the asterisk the screws used for initial stabilization.
Hip replacement implants are divided into cemented and uncemented implants. Cemented implants are their strongest the day of surgery, but slowly weaken with time. Uncemented implants count on bone growing into the device in order to achieve stability. These implants are weakest the day after surgery and strengthen each day thereafter. At our facility we use a Kyon hip replacement system that is designed and manufactured by a Swiss company. We feel the system has the best of both worlds in that it is uncemented so it strengthens with time but is held in place with screws that make it stable immediately after surgery (Image D). At the initial exam xrays are taken to find the correct size of the implants as multiple sizes are available and the system is tailored to fit each patient. The day of surgery patients are admitted early that morning and the surgery can last between 1.5- 3 hours, depending on each dog. Most dogs will walk on the affected leg that day and are usually discharged from the hospital in 2-3 days. At discharge a list of exercise restrictions and rehabilitation exercises are discussed to speed the recovery process. After 4 weeks of rest, a gradual return to exercise is allowed over the next 6-8 weeks. Following this period continued on page 29
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dogs are allowed to return to full function with no restrictions. Approximately 95% of dogs return to a pain free active lifestyle for the remainder of their life. The majority dogs that have hip dysplasia/arthritis in both legs usually require only having one limb repaired with a hip replacement to return to happy, normal function. While the complication rate with the surgery is not high, the risks cannot be completely removed and include luxation of the new hip, infection, femoral fractures, nerve damage or implant failure. Through an intensive initial exam, precise surgical placement, high caseload and thorough long-term follow-up we strictly limit the number of complications. As a surgeon the last thing I tell owners at discharge is that your dogs ‘new’ hip is my responsibility from here forward. If you have questions or concerns whether it is 5pm on Friday or 10pm on Sunday night you call and a member of our team will be available. Veterinary Specialty Care is located at 985 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843216-7554
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Sponsor a waste bag dispenser at your favorite local park featuring a photo of your pet!
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What’s Your Dog Doing Today? Cageless Doggie Daycare Located within Pet Vet Animal Hospital
For more information contact Keep Charleston Beautiful www.keepcharlestonbeautiful.org
(843)579-7501
(843)884-7387 Dog Wranglers Kari Orga Shelley Kirby www.petvetsc.com
Veterinarians Dr. Brian King Dr. Gordon Luke Dr. Lara Allison facebook.com/zendogdaycare
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Bone Appétit!
By Dr. Shannon Barrett, Island Veterinary Care
With tourist season winding down and the weather becoming cooler, there are more opportunities to take your dog with you. It’s a great way to meet people since most of us can’t resistant petting a cute, furry face! It also provides good socialization skills for your pooch and an opportunity to spend more time with them. Consider visiting one of your favorite dog friendly culinary spots with your faithful canine companion. Most restaurants that offer outdoor dining will allow Fido to come along. However other factors to consider are space for your dog to lie down, grass on the outside of the restaurant so they can go potty and shade to stay cool. Since heat and humidity are obviously a factor in the summer months, take them out in the morning or late afternoon/evening and ask for water as soon as you arrive. Although I don’t advocate feeding your pup from the table as it can lead to begging and counter surfing; bring your dogs treats along so they can be rewarded for their good behavior. If you want to give your doggie a special treat, many restaurants will make a grilled chicken breast (boneless and skinless, of course) with no seasoning so your dog can have a healthy snack! Just cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and give it as you would his favorite treat. Some of our favorite dog-friendly restaurants include Red’s Ice House, Triangle Char N Bar in Mt. Pleasant, Home Team BBQ, Dunleavy’s Pub, Morgan’s Creek and Café Medley. Just remember for all these places, dogs must be on the appropriate patios and NEVER inside. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and ask about specifics
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prior to loading Fluffy in the car. A few words of caution be sure to keep an eye on your pup as sometimes they end up scavenging on the ground eating bits of food. This can lead to stomach upset when you arrive home. Be mindful of where your dog’s tail and paws are located so they are not in the way of servers or other diners. Make sure your dog is well socialized and trained prior to taking them to dinner. A crowded restaurant is not the place to train your dog but rather a reward for a well trained dog. If your dog is well behaved but new to the restaurant scene, take them during the less crowded times so they can have a little more room and learn to use their “inside voice” and patience while waiting for mom and dad to finish their meals. Taking your dog on a walk prior to dinner provides for a calmer canine diner who is less likely to whine and become anxious. Not all restaurant goers enjoy dogs at the adjacent table so ensure he is not sniffing other patron’s plates or being overly friendly. We take our 160 lb Shepherd to many local restaurants and we are so thankful that all the staff and other patrons are comfortable and usually happy to have a four legged dining companion. However to ensure that restaurants remain dog friendly and welcome us, we must respect their rules and bring calm, well-behaved pooches to their establishments. If we make dining out with Fido a happy experience for everyone, perhaps more restaurants will offer dog bowls and chicken breasts on the menu! Dr. Barrett owns Island Veterinary Care, a premier housecall service for the Charleston area. For more information, visit www. islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941. Dr. Barrett owns Island Veterinary Care, a premier housecall service for the Charleston area. For more information, visit www. islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941.
Looking for a new best friend? Pet Helpers Adoption Events Every Weekend at from 12pm - 4pm
975 Savannah Highway, Charleston (843) 852-4563 wwww.petco.com
To ďŹ nd out more about Pet Helpers and the animals available for adoption go to www.pethelpers.org
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Adoption Page
chloe
beeper
I am a sweet girl whose been in a foster home for a while and my foster mother just adores me. She says I am great on a leash and love to go on walks. I have learned how to sit, stay, fetch and I am working on wait. Visit me at www.pethelpers.org
I can be super snuggly at times and love to chew on a good toy. I also have a very playful side! I get low to the ground and hide, waiting to pounce on my next unsuspecting play mate! Sometimes I like to be only around humans and no other animals. See if I am your match at
www.pethlpers.org
storm bear
monique
colby 28
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I am a gentle spirit and have never met a stranger! I get so excited about new people that I even talk to them! I am extremely well-behaved on a leash and would love nothing more than someone who wants to take me out and about on the town! Come see me at www.pethelpers.org
halsey
Check out Bree, she's currently in a foster program called Adoption Ambassadors. Foster families take dogs that are available for adoption into their homes and bring them around the community with an adopt me vest to try to get them adopted. If you are interested please contact cgumienny@charlestonanimalsociety.org or 843-329-1577
bree
Meet Storm, he's wonderful with dogs, cats and other small pets. He is also Great with children! Completely house broken, knows basic commands, no food or toy aggression. If you are interested please contact cgumienny@ charlestonanimalsociety.org
Spots is a one year old retriever mix. He has a lot of energy but he is sweet and submissive and listens well. Can you consider giving this wonderful boy his second chance? If you are interested in adopting him, please visit www.summervillespca.org
Meet Bear, a 6 year old German Spitz Mix. He's currently in the Adoption Ambassador Program. We recommend Bear in an ADULT ONLY household. If you are interested in Bear please contact cgumienny@ charlestonanimalsociety.org or 843329-1577.
Hi I'm Allie Mae. I might be seven years old by the numbers but I certainly don't feel that old inside! I love to play with the young pups and can give them a run for their money. I'd love to be part of your family. Learn more at www. summervillespca.org
Monique is heartworm positive and undergoing heartworm treatment. Once complete she will be available for adoption. For more information on wonderful Monique you can call her foster mother at 843-991-8036 or you can email klongwallace@ gmail.com.
At 5 years young, I’m the perfect age – just old enough to be extremely well behaved in the house, but with plenty of life left to live and love to give! I’m so easy going that I didn’t even flinch when the doc gave me a mani-pedi! Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org
I’m super friendly and I love everyone. I’m also very good in the house, a perfect gentleman. And I’m really good with the little two legged crawler types, too. I sure would like to find my forever family Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org
As you can see, I’m very handsome – and I’m super sweet! I love my foster mom and dad as well as my furry foster brothers. I dance in circles when my leash comes out, love to go for long walks and I like meeting new dogs. Learn more at www. daisysplace.org
spots
allie mae
jessie
tom sawyer
$30 ! shipped
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