PETS Magazine | May/June 2014

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PETS MAGAZINE

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CONTEST SEE PAGE 29

MAY/JUNE 2014 | $4.95 | www.petsmagazine.ca

o t e d i u G PREVENTIVE HEALTH A head-to-tail look at everything you can do to promote a healthy life: • Vaccines • Spay/neuter • Food and diet …and more!

BACKYARD HAZARDS:

AVOID VECTORBORNE DISEASES PLUS: PILLOW FOOT IN CATS • TOP 10 TIPS FOR CAT OWNERS • MORE JOYFUL TAILS

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C O N T E N T S

PETS

FEATURE

DEPARTMENTS

M A G A Z I N E

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Backyard Hazard Series:

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Making Tracks

Vector-Borne Disease

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PETS Marketplace

Avoiding parasites,

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The Healthy Bond

bacteria and viruses

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Joyful Tails

that lurk all around us.

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Paws for Reflection

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SIMMONS PUBLISHING LTD. Publisher

John Simmons john.simmons@petsmagazine.ca

Managing Editor

Brad Hussey brad.hussey@petsmagazine.ca

Art Director

Billing/Administration Circulation

Mark Tzerelshtein markintoshdesign.com Linda Simmons linda.simmons@petsmagazine.ca

EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kristina Cooper, RVT, Cooper Kennels, Ancaster, ON Dr. Dieter Kohlmaier, Westoak Animal Hospital, Oakville, ON Dr. Darren Low, Kennedy Animal Hospital, Sydney, NS Kerry Vinson, Animal Behaviour Professional, Roseneath, ON Dr. Christina McRae, King Street Cat Hospital, Whitby, ON

Guide to

PREVENTIVE HEALTH 9

A Recipe for Health

Feeding a new pet? Make your first stop your local veterinary clinic, not the pet food aisle.

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The Natural Path

Supplements can be beneficial for pet health — but they are not all created equal. Here’s a list of four of the most commonly used products in veterinary care.

Dr. Cliff Redford, Wellington Vet Clinic, Markham, ON PETS Magazine is published six times a year by Simmons Publishing Ltd. ISSN: 0831-2621 To subscribe to PETS, contact Linda Simmons Toll Free: 877-738-7624 or visit us on the Web at:

www.petsmagazine.ca

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Publications Mail Agreement #41305514

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Simmons Publishing Ltd. 32 Foster Crescent Whitby, Ontario L1R 1W1 (905) 665-9669: Fax (905) 665-9249 E-mail: circulation@petsmagazine.ca

Contents of PETS Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Simmons Publishing Ltd. The publisher shall not be liable for any of the views expressed by the authors of articles or letters published in PETS Magazine, nor shall these opinions necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Printed in Canada.

Asking the Right Questions about By-Products

They are often described as cheap, harmful or even toxic, but is there a basis for these claims?

Subscription Rates: Canadian 1 year: $23.00 (plus applicable taxes) 1 year U.S.: $30.00 (U.S.); Single Copy: $4.95 GST#857545362

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

Car Trips Easier to Stomach

Traditionally, veterinarians have treated vomiting in animals with human medicines — but a recently introduced veterinary medication may make car sickness a thing of the past.

May is Emergency Preparedness Month.

Are You Ready?

Making arrangements before the chaos of an emergency can increase your pet’s chances of survival and greatly reduce the fear and anxiety they will experience.

A Head-to-Tail Guide to Preventive Health

A yearly checkup is the best way to keep your pet as healthy as possible — because it’s much easier to prevent disease than to treat it.

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Insurance: A Necessity to Keep our Pets Healthy

With the right policy, pet owners are free to plan and pay for routine wellness and preventive care that is essential for all pets.

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The Health Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Pets

It helps control the pet overpopulation crisis, but it also has preventive health benefits for the animal.

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How Vaccines Work in Your Pet’s Body

They are an incredibly important aspect of preventive healthcare for pets. Ever wondered just how they work?

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Preventing Dental Disease in Your Pet

Doggie breath actually signifies that there’s more going on with your pet’s dental health than you may realize.

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M A K I N G

T R A C K S

NEWS | PRODUCTS | REVIEWS

THE RIGHT KIND OF SHADY DEAL >>

ASPCA REVEALS TOP ANIMAL POISON CONCERNS >>

Summer is right around the corner, and keeping your pet cool has never been easier — or cuter — than with the Pet Shade. Featuring an elevated bed with a built-in canopy, it’s great for everyday use at home or while travelling, sets up in seconds and requires no assembly. www.quikshadepets.com

In a recent report released by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) reveals that human medications once again tops the list of toxins most commonly ingested by pets. In 2013, the APCC, headquartered in Urbana, Ill., handled nearly 180,000 cases involving pets exposed to possibly poisonous substances. Nearly 20% of those calls (24,673 cases) were from owners whose pets got into medicines intended for human use.

The top 10 calls into the APCC in 2013 involved the following toxins, ranked in order of call volume: 1. Human medications topped the list again with 19.8% of all calls. The types of medications pets are exposed to seem to correlate with the most popular medications humans are prescribed.

2. Insecticides made up about 15.7% of the calls to the APCC. These products can be very dangerous if the label directions are not followed.

3. Over-the-counter medications made up 14.7% of the call volume. This category includes deadly items like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, but also items like fish oil and joint supplements.

4. Household items moved up to number four in 2013 with 9.3% of the calls. These items range from cleaning products to expandable glues to paints.

5. Human foods are especially appealing to pets, especially dogs. Dogs can get themselves into serious trouble by ingesting onions/garlic, grapes/raisins and xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be life-threatening for animals.

6. Veterinary medications slid down two spots this year. People need to be aware that chewable medications are very tasty and pets will ingest an entire bottle if it is not kept out of their reach.

7. Chocolate ingestion is very common (this is the only category with one item in it). At the APCC, chocolate calls make up 7.7% of their call volume — over 26 calls a day! The darker the chocolate, the more potential it has to do harm.

8. Rodenticides are made to kill mice and rats, but they can also kill pets if ingested. About 5.5% of the APCC call volume was about these types of products.

9. Plants were approximately 5.4% of the calls to the APCC. Most of these calls involve cats and houseplants.

10. Lawn and garden products round out the top 10, accounting for about 2.8% of all calls. Many of these exposures occurred because people did not store these products out of the reach of pets.

For more information visit www.aspca.org/apcc. If your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s 24-hour APCC hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

NEW BOOK HELPS OWNERS GRIEVE >> Ross Robbins’ Dogs and Other Pets Go to Heaven was written to help pet owners through their grief when they lose a pet. This easy-to-read book is filled with truelife vignettes that will encourage and uplift the lives of grieving pet owners, cheer their hearts and change sorrow to hope. www.blessingsbooks.com

BRUCELLA CANIS INFECTIONS DIAGNOSED IN CALGARY DOGS >> Brucella canis, an infectious disease rarely diagnosed in Alberta, has been identified in dogs imported from the Southern U.S ./Mexico region to the Calgary area. Brucella canis bacteria can infect a variety of different tissues in the body, but are most commonly associated with infections of the reproductive organs in dogs. The disease can spread between dogs and also to humans, although the risk of transmission to people is believed to be quite low.

It can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs depending on the site of infection, so consultation with a veterinarian for animal illness is important in clinical management. Disease in humans can also cause a variety of symptoms, so consultation with a physician is also important. If you have questions about the health of your dog, contact your family veterinarian. If you are concerned you have possibly been exposed to Brucella canis and have symptoms, contact your family physician.

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DIET CAN PLAY A ROLE IN PREVENTING, TREATING URINARY DISEASE >> Whether feeding a pet with a history of urinary disease or to help prevent urinary problems before they start, diet can be a great tool for managing urinary health.

Rayne Clinical Nutrition Urinary-RSS is a life-stage diet that has been tested for the prevention and treatment of the most common types of crystals and stones present in the urinary tract of dogs and cats. It’s named after the relative super saturation (RSS) test, which is used for predicting crystal and stone development in the urinary tract. Talk to your veterinary team about choosing the right diet and other things you can do to help your pet’s urinary tract health. www.raynecanada.ca

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YOU COULD WIN! SO CAN YOUR VET! ROYAL CANIN AND PETS MAGAZINE WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING VETERINARY CARE ACROSS CANADA Entry deadline is December 1, 2014

EVERY PET OWNER KNOWS that behind every healthy pet, there is a team of dedicated professionals — veterinarians, animal health technicians, registered veterinary technicians, animal care attendants, as well as front office and reception staff. A team who goes above and beyond to provide you and your pet compassion and care.

LOVE YOUR PET? THEN NOMINATE YOUR VET! TELL US, in 100 words or less, why your veterinary team deserves to be selected.

ONE VETERINARY TEAM from each region (West, Ontario, QC/East) will be selected to receive a commemorative plaque recognizing and congratulating them on being named the Regional Veterinary Team of the Year.

YOU COULD WIN: A Bissell vacuum, a free health assessment at your veterinarian sponsored by Royal Canin, one year of free Royal Canin premium pet food and one of five free one-year subscriptions to PETS Magazine.

co-sponsored by

Enter contest online at: WWW.PETSMAGAZINE.CA or write us: PETS Magazine, VTAA Awards 32 Foster Cres, Whitby, ON L1R 1W1 E-mail: VTAA@petsmagazine.ca RoyalCaninCanada

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BACKYARD HAZARD SERIES:

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE WHAT MAY BE LURKING IN YOUR YARD WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING IT

By Kristina Cooper, RVT repellants safe for pets and people can decrease your chance of getting both of these bacterial diseases.

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TRANSMITTED BY MAMMALS Rabies Rabies is a viral disease (Rhabdoviridae family) that can be transmitted through a bite or scratch, or by coming in contact with an infected animal’s saliva. Rabies is a potentially fatal neurological disease that can be transmitted to both humans and animals. Prevention involves limiting contact with wildlife and vaccinating your pet against rabies on a regular basis.

Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease (Leptospira species) that is transmitted through the urine of infected animals. Most transmission occurs through contaminated water and soil to people and animals, as well as the consumption of rodents by pets.

Leptospirosis can cause kidney and liver dysfunction, and may lead to death. Chances of getting leptospirosis can be decreased by not swimming in or drinking potentially

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TRANSMITTED BY MOSQUITO

contaminated water, vaccinating your dog against it and controlling rodent issues on your property.

TRANSMITTED BY TICKS Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a bacterial disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) that is known to be transmitted to both pets and people through the bite of an infected black legged tick. Lyme disease can cause a characteristic bull’s-eye-shaped rash in people, as well as a fever and body aches and joint swelling and pain in both dogs and humans. To avoid contracting Lyme disease, avoid walks with your dog in long grass and forested areas where ticks live. You can also consult your veterinarian for advice on tick-deterrent medications.

Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis Both of these bacterial diseases can also be transmitted to both pets and people through the bite of infected ticks. Signs of anaplasmosis (Anaplasma species) and ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia species) in dogs and people include lameness, joint pain, loss of appetite and lethargy.

Preventing exposure to tickinfested areas (wooded areas and long grass), as well as by using

West Nile Virus This viral disease known to affect crows and blue jays is transmitted by mosquitoes. The West Nile virus is also known to infect horses, dogs, cats, birds and people. Signs of West Nile virus include muscle spasm, fever, weakness and change of personality in animals; it will also cause similar neurological signs in humans. Vaccines are available for horses to build immunity to West Nile virus, but not for other pets.

Using mosquito repellents are a good idea to prevent potential infection.

Heartworm Disease Heartworm disease can be transmitted when a larva-infected mosquito bites a person or animal.

Larva matures into adult worms (Dirofilaria species), eventually congregating in the heart and lungs and causing both breathing and cardiac issues. Heartworm disease treatment can be expensive and the disease can be fatal, but it can easily be avoided by using preventive medications as well as approved mosquito repellant for both you and your pet.

Kristina Cooper is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and a member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT). She works in a Municipal Animal Shelter and in her family’s dog and cat boarding facility, Cooper Kennels, in Ancaster, ON (www.cooperkennels.ca).

She can be reached by e-mail at krizzteena@hotmail.com.

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global movement called the One Health Initiative (www.onehealthinitiative.com) focuses on the importance of the relationship between human health, animal health and environmental health. Its goal is to increase the public’s awareness of transmissible disease. The Backyard Hazards series of articles will focus on the more common diseases that you or your pet may be at risk of contracting.

Vector-borne disease occurs when parasites, bacteria and viruses are passed by certain “vectors” that carry them (such as mammals, ticks and mosquitoes) to other animals and humans. These vectors are present in your own backyard.

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Guide to

PREVENTIVE HEALTH

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

A RECIPE FOR HEALTH

By Michelle Evason DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (SAIM) >>

Feeding a new pet? Make your first stop your local veterinary clinic, not the pet food aisle.

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• Discussion of feeding management and environment. Do you have multiple pets and food competition concerns?

Who is the person(s) feeding the pet, and how often?

these above resources also help educate veterinary team members and the public to ensure that nutrition is part of the discussion and planning for preventive care and specific therapy needs.

A few examples of what might occur and be discussed during a visit to your veterinarian as parts of the nutritional evaluation are: • Nutritional assessment: that involves discussion with you on your pet’s diet history, current diet (including treats) and activity level, along with any concerns you may have and/or that may be common to your pet’s specific breed or lifestyle.

• Body condition score exam (assessment of your pet’s appearance and overall fat and muscle layers), muscle mass score exam (in-depth exam of your pet’s muscle layers) and also feces evaluation discussion (poop frequency and appearance — a grading scale may be used to help with this).

PET NUTRITION RESOURCES WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit: www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines: www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/NutritionalAssessmentGuidelines.pdf

Next, you and your veterinarian will discuss the physical appearance and medical needs of your pet, and whether their current diet is meeting their needs or if a change may be indicated. Another important point to remember is that, as with people, ongoing monitoring, reevaluation and change in nutritional needs may occur over time as changes in lifestyle, growth, medical needs and activity level occur.

Remember, you are your pet’s advocate.

This is especially true where it relates to diet, since you are the one with the most and best information about his day-to-day life, eating habits, activity and personality (remember their likes and dislikes)! You may also have specific household concerns that relate to your pet’s diet, such as shellfish allergies or a member of the household with a food sensitivity or food handling concern.

It is my hope that, by providing you with this information, it will help you to speak to your veterinary clinician about what nutrition choices are right for you and your special pet. Every pet is a unique and special individual, and your veterinarian wants to work with you to help keep your pet as healthy and happy as possible. It really is a team approach, and you are part of that team, so enjoy being the voice for your dog or cat!

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etting a new pet is an exciting time, and you will no doubt want to start his life off on the right paw. To ensure you have all the information you need, it’s a great idea to talk to the experts: your veterinarian team. They are the best people to advise you on preventive health strategies that can keep your special dog or cat healthy and happy for a lifetime.

Of course, nutrition is a very powerful and important part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the American Animal Health Association (AAHA) now includes nutrition as the fifth vital assessment during a veterinary visit — after pulse, respiration (breathing), temperature and pain level assessment. Also, it’s just plain fun to watch your pet enjoying a meal that you know will help keep them with you longer. This article will focus on some of the reasons why it is important to involve your veterinarian in making decisions about what to feed your beloved pet.

There is a lot of information available on the Internet regarding what diet is best for your pet, and while this information can be helpful for decision-making, it can also be misleading. After the launch of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutrition guidelines for cats and dogs in 2011, a set of nutrition tools were developed for both veterinarians and pet owners. This toolkit is an excellent and unbiased resource that can guide diet choices for an individual pet. One of the reasons this toolkit was developed was also to respond to questions generated by the updated AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for dogs and cats (2010). Veterinarians now recognize the key importance of nutrition in dog and cat health. Both of

Michelle Evason, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (SAIM) is head of Rayne Clinical Nutrition's nutritional consult team, providing case consults and support to veterinary practices in Canada. info@raynecanada.ca

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

THE NATURAL PATH Supplements can be beneficial for pet health — but they are not created equal.

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PROBIOTICS

he health and wellbeing of companion animals has increasingly become the focus of pet owners over the past few decades. Maintaining an active lifestyle and seeking regular preventive healthcare from a veterinarian have always been the cornerstones to ensuring a long and healthy life for our pets, but interest in natural products or supplements that promote health has also grown in recent years. There are a plethora of products currently available on the veterinary market. This article will focus on four of the most common products that can help maintain the health and wellbeing of our beloved companions.

OMEGA-3/ FISH OIL Fish oils are one of the most widely used natural health products by veterinarians and pet owners alike. They contain a molecule called Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essentially “good fats.” The most crucial Omega-3s are DHA and EPA, which are primarily found in oily fishes, such as salmon, mackerel and trout. These fats are not naturally made by the body, and must be included in the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids have a variety of health benefits, including decreasing inflammation associated with arthritis and skin allergies, improving hair coat and skin, regulating the immune system and even improving cognitive function in older dogs. Omega3s come in a variety of forms including capsules and liquids, which can easily be added to your pet’s food.

MULTIVITAMINS As with people, dogs and cats can benefit from adding a multivitamin to their diet.

All diets approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials meet established standards to ensure that the diet is nutritionally balanced and complete. However, some animals may require

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specialized diets (such as home-cooked meals) that may make it difficult to achieve all nutritional needs. Multivitamins can be used to ensure that your dog or cat is meeting its full and balanced nutritional requirements. A good multivitamin should be formulated specifically for dogs or for cats, and can generally be purchased at your veterinarian’s office.

GLUCOSAMINE & CHONDROITIN These two products are by far the most commonly used health supplements in veterinary medicine. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are found naturally in healthy joint cartilage, and not surprisingly are used to help support joint health.

Glucosamine is commonly combined with chondroitin sulfate in many commercially available veterinary products. The combination has been clinically proven to be effective in reducing pain, improving joint function and halting or reversing joint degeneration in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. These products can be given as a single supplement or can be found in several veterinary prescription joint diets.

Probiotics are one of the most exciting products in veterinary medicine. Probiotics are live, naturally occurring, non-disease-causing bacteria that can be found in the digestive system of both dogs and cats. The term probiotic was derived from the Greek, meaning “for life.” Probiotics provide a variety of health benefits, including the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Recent research has also found that probiotics can play a role in reducing inflammation in chronic conditions, such as arthritis and cancer, aiding in the treatment of a variety of infections, including urinary tract infections, and enhancing general immune function. There are many different strains of bacteria used in probiotics, and it is important to ensure that the right strains are selected for the specific ailment that they are being used to treat. It is always best to consult with your veterinarian before using probiotics to ensure that the right product is being used to help your pet.

There are countless products available that are marketed to promote overall health in dogs and cats. Recent studies have revealed that many commercially available natural health products may contain impurities and may actually not even contain the necessary active ingredients. It is important to always consult with your veterinarian prior to starting your pet on any health product. Your veterinarian is trained to help assess products for their quality, safety and effectiveness, and will help guide you in selecting the best product for your beloved companion.

Andrea Smith BSc, DVM, CCRP (candidate) is associate veterinarian at Don Mills Veterinary Practice in Toronto, ON. drsmith@donmillsvet.com

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By Andrea Smith BSc, DVM, CCRP (candidate) >>

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

CAR SICKNESS

By Andrea Smith BSc, DVM, CCRP (candidate) >>

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omiting is one of the most common reasons why dogs are brought to their veterinarian. Traditionally, veterinarians have treated vomiting in animals by using human medications known as anti-emetics, such as famotidine (marketed for humans under many brand names, but perhaps most widely known as Pepcid AC) or ranitidine (e.g., Zantac). In 2009, a revolutionary anti-emetic called maropitant citrate was released to the veterinary market. Maropitant is a veterinary specific medication developed to stop acute vomiting and motion sickness in dogs; it is available in both an oral and injectable form, with one dose lasting for up to 24 hours.

Vomiting occurs when the vomiting centre in the brain stem is stimulated, which can happen in a variety of ways.

Most commonly it is stimulated directly by the brain itself, which will occur due to motion sickness or by certain emotional

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triggers. Nauseating toxins that enter the bloodstream — after eating rotten food, for example — are the second most common trigger. Once the vomiting centre is stimulated, the brain will essentially signal the stomach to vomit, or expel its contents.

Maropitant works by blocking the effects of a biochemical molecule called Substance P in the central nervous system.

Substance P is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger that sends signals from neurons to other cells) that has a key role in stimulating and inducing emesis (or vomiting). By blocking this molecule, maropitant essentially deactivates the vomiting centre in the brain, or, in other words, stops the brain from telling the body to vomit.

Veterinarians most commonly use maropitant to stop and prevent the vomiting and nausea associated with a variety

of systemic illnesses in dogs, including gastroenteritis (stomach upset), pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease and the nausea experienced while receiving chemotherapeutic drugs during cancer treatment.

This potent medication can also be used in dogs that experience motion sickness associated with car travel. Motion sickness may show a variety of signs, including drooling, dry heaving, excessive lip licking, pacing, restlessness, rapid panting and vomiting. Maropitant can be given once daily for up to two days and can provide profound relieve for those pets that experience motion sickness during car trips. Unlike other drugs that can be used to treat motion sickness, maropitant does not cause sedation.

Even though maropitant was initially developed to stop vomiting and nausea, there has been some very interesting research with regards to other potential uses of the drug. Substance P is a common neurotransmitter that is also involved in the neurological pathways for pain and inflammation. Future uses of maropitant may even include treatment of arthritic pain, lower airway disease (asthma) and even urinary tract infections. Further scientific studies will be required to obtain more information on these exciting potential uses.

If you pet experiences any form of nausea or vomiting, always make sure you consult with your veterinarian to ensure that a proper diagnosis is made and that appropriate treatment is initiated. Maropitant is not indicated for all causes of vomiting, and your veterinarian will be able to assess if it is the best treatment choice for your beloved companion.

Andrea Smith BSc, DVM, CCRP (candidate) is associate veterinarian at Don Mills Veterinary Practice in Toronto, ON. drsmith@donmillsvet.com

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TAKES A BACK SEAT TO MEDICATION

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

By Greg Aldrich, PhD >>

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e’ve all heard the rumours surrounding common ingredients used in pet food, such as corn, by-products, wheat, soy and others. They are often described as cheap, harmful or even toxic, but is there a basis for these claims or are they the result of bias?

MYTH: All by-products are bad.

By-products have been associated with images of waste, leftovers or poor quality materials. The truth is the word by-products is a regulatory term that doesn’t accurately describe the ingredient. Today, pet food manufacturers have the buying power to select the ingredients they wish to use, and they do so alongside the human food industry. These by-products are processed in government-inspected facilities, and were intended for human consumption. As pet nutrition expert Angele Thompson put it in a recent article, “There is a lot more to a cow than a hamburger and to a chicken than chicken breast.” Using every edible piece of an animal is an environmentally friendly decision that allows pet food manufacturers to supply the needs of today while ensuring resources for the future.

Not convinced yet? Consider this: following a successful hunt, ancestors and wild cousins of our pets went for the organ meats of their prey first. These organs represent a rapid, dense source of nutrition providing essential nutrients, including 14

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protein, fat and vitamins and minerals. For smaller relatives who depend on a diet of rodents, they will eat their prey whole, including the skin and bones to obtain all the nutrients they require. In this day of popular “wild,” “primordial” and “ancestral” diets, it is all the more surprising that organ meats have the connotation of being an inferior product.

In terms of nutrition, by-products — including organ meats — are packed with essential nutrients, contribute to a balanced diet and provide flavours your pets relish. The discrimination against byproducts is a Western bias, and not a nutritional or safety matter.

MYTH: Grains are the leading cause of allergies in pets. Grains are just cheap fillers.

Grains are not just empty calories. They provide beneficial functions that support your pet’s wellbeing, including fibre, which supports proper digestion and improves stool quality. The starch portion is necessary to form and maintain the shape of kibble.

If we consider corn and wheat specifically, what do we know?

From a nutritional perspective, corn adds value to your pet’s diet through beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Claims that corn causes allergies or food intolerance are false. In truth, there are very few case

reports of food hypersensitivity or food intolerance to corn.

The story for wheat is not about starch, but rather the about the protein it contains. Wheat, compared to other grains, has a high protein content, most of which is gluten. Wheat gluten is digestible in the body and provides the essential building blocks of proteins: amino acids. You may have heard that wheat has been linked to food allergies in dogs, but the truth is reactions to wheat are no more common than those to beef or dairy. Food allergies are generally restricted to certain individual animals. The general population of cats and dogs can benefit greatly from the nutrition provided by grains.

The myths surrounding ingredients has led us to an increase in ingredient offerings but that does not mean any one ingredient is superior or inferior to another. It is the role of the pet nutritionists to determine how to best use these ingredients for the benefit of the end user, your pet. So before you say “no” to an ingredient, why not reach out to the manufacturing company and find out why they are using it and how it benefits your pet? Better yet, ask your veterinarian for their thoughts.

Greg Aldrich, PhD, is research associate professor and Pet Food Program coordinator at Kansas State University’s Department of Grain Science and Industry.

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PET FOOD:

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS ABOUT BY-PRODUCTS

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

ARE YOU READY? MAY IS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH I

s your family prepared for a major emergency, evacuation or natural disaster? How about your pets? Making arrangements before the chaos of an emergency can increase your pet’s chances of survival and greatly reduce the fear and anxiety your pet will experience.

Responsibility for the safety and survival of pets ultimately rests with pet owners throughout the entire duration of an emergency. Police officers, fire fighters and paramedics are generally not trained to assist pets in a crisis. This is not to say that they will not help animals in distress, but they may simply not have the time or resources to assist pets due to other priorities.

Here are some practical tips about how to best prepare for the safety of your pets during emergency situations.

alternate meeting point away from the home in case of evacuation, listing emergency telephone numbers where all family members can easily find them (including the name and number of your pet’s veterinarian) and putting together a family emergency survival kit.

Test the plan regularly (two to three times per year ideally) with all family members — including pets: Prepare your cat or dog for a potential evacuation by putting him in a carrying cage in a quick and calm manner. Simulate a real emergency environment and conduct your drill at night to allow pets to become accustomed to the chaos, uncertainty and disruption that will accompany an emergency situation.

survival kit for quick and easy access (preferably on the top shelf of a closet near your front door, away from the reach of small children). You should have enough provisions to last at least 72 hours.

By thinking ahead, we can all help keep our precious pets safe.

Develop a family emergency response plan: This includes setting a primary and

Create a pet emergency survival kit: Keep your pet’s kit with your family’s emergency

From the OSPCA. Visit www.ontariospca.ca for more information.

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

ATO PREVENTIVE HEAD-TO-TAIL GUIDE HEALTH CHECKUPS A

nnual veterinary checkups are as important as food and love to a pet’s health and wellbeing. Many pet owners are either too busy or just skip annual checkups and veterinarians are seeing increases in pet obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis and heart disease among pets — conditions that can shorten our pets’ lives. A yearly checkup is the best

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way to keep your pet as healthy as possible — because it’s much easier to prevent disease than to treat it.

Only veterinarians have the training to identify and treat preventable diseases and conditions that can lead to better, less costly outcomes for pets. With regular checkups, your veterinarian can spot problems at their earliest stages, when issues

can often be addressed simply and cost effectively. Remember: pets age faster than we do, so missing even one yearly checkup can be like us not visiting a doctor for over five years!

A veterinary checkup is about way more than shots. From nose to tail, here are some things your veterinarian looks for during an annual checkup:

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH MOUTH: Bad breath can lead to more than

• What’s the best way to brush my pet’s teeth?

• What’s the best way to deal with fleas, ticks and other parasites?

• How can I keep my pet active?

a no kisses policy. Your veterinarian will check for tartar, inflammation and infections that can make your pet sick or cause tooth loss.

EYES: Who can resist those eyes? Your veterinarian looks for signs of cataracts, glaucoma, infection, jaundice, allergies and more.

ADULT (3 TO 6 YEARS) • • • •

Is my pet at the right weight?

Is it time for a dental cleaning?

What vaccinations does my pet need?

Are there things I can do to keep my pet even healthier?

• What’s the best way to deal with fleas, ticks and other parasites?

EARS: Your dog hears the treat cupboard open from a kilometre away. Your cat hears the can opener and comes running. Your veterinarian can help keep it that way with checks for infection and other ear problems.

MATURE (7 TO 10 YEARS)

BODY: When your veterinarian gives Fido or Kitty a rub down, she’s checking body muscle tone, weight and for enlarged lymph nodes that can be a sign of infection or disease.

ABDOMEN: It’s more than a belly rub! Your veterinarian is trained to feel for tumours, signs of pain and enlarged organs.

about what you can do to keep your best friend happy and healthy. Here are some questions to ask at your next checkup. And remember, if you ever have a specific question or concern about your pet’s health, call your veterinarian right away!

SKIN AND COAT: Your veterinarian will

PUPPY/KITTEN (0 TO 12 MONTHS)

check your furry friend for fleas, ticks, mites, skin infections and lumps and bumps.

• If my kitten will be an indoor cat, do I need to spay/neuter?

• When is the best time to spay/neuter?

• Should my puppy/kitten be microchipped?

• What and how often should I feed him? How much?

• Is there an optimal vaccination schedule?

• Are there behaviours I should encourage…or discourage?

• Is there anything special I should know about my puppy’s breed?

• How can I get my puppy/kitten comfortable with the car? With his carrier?

With tooth brushing?

• What should I know about setting up a proper litter box for my kitten?

• Should I get a scratching post or toys for my kitten?

UNDER THE TAIL: It’s not pretty, but your veterinarian checks under the tail for anal gland issues, tapeworms and tumours.

JOINTS AND SPINE: Just like us, pets feel their age. Your veterinarian will check the joints and spine for signs of pain and tenderness — so you can take a proactive approach to pain management.

HEART AND LUNGS: When your veterinarian gets out the stethoscope, she’s listening for heart murmurs and irregular beats. She’s also making sure Fido or Kitty’s lungs are clear.

THE SAMPLES: Why does your veterinarian ask for a stool sample? To check for intestinal parasites. Blood work and urinalysis may also be ordered to confirm your pet is healthy and free of heartworms.

WHAT TO ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN: It’s important to talk to your veterinarian

JUNIOR (13 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS) • Do I need to change my pet’s diet?

• What should my pet weigh?

• My cat is an indoor cat. What vaccinations do I need?

• Does my pet need a fecal exam?

• • • • • • •

What signs of aging should I look for?

Should I change my pet’s diet?

Does my pet need a dental cleaning?

What vaccinations does my pet need?

Is my pet the right weight?

How much activity does my pet need?

What physical and behavioural changes should I watch for?

• What’s the best way to deal with fleas, ticks and other parasites?

• Does my pet need any special blood tests or urinalysis?

SENIOR (11 YEARS +) • Should I change or supplement my pet’s diet?

• Does my dog need a dental cleaning?

• Are there things I can do to keep my pet in better physical shape?

• Does my pet need any special blood tests or urinalysis?

• What physical and behavioural changes should I be looking for?

• Do I need to modify my cat’s litter box?

• What’s the best way to deal with fleas, ticks and other parasites?

So, whether your dog frolics at the park with all the neighbourhood pups, or the closest your cat gets to the great outdoors is a sunny windowsill, every pet needs to see their veterinarian — at least once a year! For more information on pet health, visit HealthyPetCheckUp.org.

From the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, an Associate Member of Partners for Healthy Pets. www.canadianveterinarians.net

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

PET MEDICAL COVERAGE: A NECESSITY TO KEEP OUR PETS HEALTHY W

ith Canada’s economy so lackluster and unemployment still high, veterinary professionals continue to see a sad trend — economic euthanasia. Some pet owners have no money to pay for veterinary costs and do not have a plan in place like pet medical insurance. Given this, they are forced to euthanize their pet when it is not medically necessary.

The financial barrier of not planning for necessary veterinary care causes three concerns. First, pet owners who are struggling financially are foregoing preventive medicine that can help prolong a pet’s life.

Second, they ask the veterinarian to compromise care to reduce costs, so the pet receives “Plan B” rather than “Plan A” — and the outcome is usually not as beneficial for the pet. Third, when a serious health condition develops in their pet, a lack of funds forces pet owners to decline lifesaving medical care, and either ask the veterinarian to euthanize their pet or take their pet home to pass on its own.

It is estimated that almost four million animals are euthanized annually in North America. Canada has seen a decrease in euthanasia rates according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, with a 14% decrease among dogs and 5% decrease among cats from 2007 to 2012.

This is great news, but much more work still needs to be done.

Something that tackles economic euthanasia head on is pet medical insurance. Pet medical insurance can give pet owners the peace of mind that when their pet becomes unexpectedly sick or injured

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and requires potentially costly veterinary care, they can approve the treatment without worrying about those costs. With pet medical insurance, we’ve seen a significant increase in veterinary visits. In hospitals we’ve studied, such as Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic in Victoria, BC, clients covered by Trupanion visit their

hospital 65% more often than uninsured pets, which indicates that there is a financial barrier to even coming in to the veterinarian in the first place.

Knowing that potentially high veterinary costs will be covered, pet owners are free to plan and pay for routine wellness and preventive care that is essential for all pets. Things like vaccinations, flea medication, heartworm treatment and dental

cleanings are all routine expenses that are easy to plan for, as they come at designated times of the year and are predictable.

Pets are no longer “just pets” — they are family members. And, like they would for any family member, pet owners will always try to protect their beloved pets from anything that may cause them harm. Pet medical insurance is a necessity and is lifesaving to many. As a veterinarian, I was always saddened when a devoted pet owner could not afford the very best for their pet, or worse, felt they had no choice but to euthanize their pet for an otherwise treatable condition.

Even when I offered to adopt the pet, do the treatment on my own dollar, then rehome the pet to someone else, I felt so sorry that the pet lost its beloved family.

With the newer pet insurance products, you no longer have to make these tough decisions.

Pet owners shower their pets with love — according to the American Pet Products Association, we are spending almost $60 billion a year on pets for things like doggy daycare, food and treats, pet sitters, beds, leashes and collars. Yet of that $60 billion, only $14 billion is spent on veterinary care. Veterinary care is such an important part of keeping pets with families longer, thus strengthening that wonderful bond we share with our beloved pets. We make a promise to protect our pets, who give us unconditional love and are devoted to us as much as we are devoted to them — and pet insurance is just part of us fulfilling that promise.

Kerri Marshall, DVM, is Chief Veterinary Officer for Trupanion, a pet insurance provider. www.trupanion.com.

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PHOTOS: DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

By Kerri Marshall, DVM >>

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF HAVING YOUR PETS SPAYED AND NEUTERED H

aving your pets spayed and neutered helps control the pet overpopulation crisis, but it also has preventative health benefits for the animal. We all want our animals to live long, healthy and happy lives and fixing your pet can help them achieve this. To understand the full picture of spaying and neutering, it’s important to discuss the procedure with your veterinarian.

In females, having them spayed will reduce their risk of developing certain cancers, including uterine, mammary and ovarian cancer. To be even more effective, it’s recommended that pets be spayed before entering their first heat cycle.

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Speaking of heat cycles, having your female pet spayed will stop them from going into heat each month. If you have a cat, this will spare you from having one that yowls and urinates frequently for four or five days every three weeks.

In males, having them neutered prevents testicular cancer — if the procedure is performed before six months of age. Your male pet will also show an improvement in behaviour, including less territorial marking, destructiveness and aggression.

Fixed males and females also have less of a chance of developing certain infections and illnesses and experience a

reduction in physical stress. Fixed pets are also less likely to roam, reducing the risk of injury, accident and loss.

If you are concerned that having your pet fixed will make them fat, there is no need to worry — that’s just a myth! Fixing your pet should not result in weight gain if your pet receives a healthy diet and sufficient exercise.

If you have questions or concerns regarding spaying and neutering, please contact your veterinarian.

From the OSPCA. For more pet care tips, visit the Ontario SPCA’s website at www.ontariospca.ca.

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

HOW VACCINES WORK

By Kristina Cooper, RVT >>

V

accinations are an incredibly important aspect of preventive healthcare for many pets. Have you ever wondered just how vaccines work in your pet’s body to help prevent disease?

WHAT IS A VACCINE? According the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a vaccine is “a substance that is usually injected into a person or animal to protect against a particular disease.”

Vaccines come in modified live, killed adjuvented, killed non-adjuvented and recombinant forms, each offering different modes of protection; which one is used is dependent on the individual animal.

The purpose of vaccines is to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that provide a defense against antigens, which are toxins or other substances (such as bacteria) that are introduced to the body from the environment. By producing antibodies against specific antigens, the vaccine essentially creates a memory for how the immune system should fight the antigen if they are encountered in the future.

WHAT IS A MODIFIED LIVE VACCINE?

PHOTOS: DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

A modified live vaccine is a vaccine that is a weakened or modified version of the particular infectious agent (virus, bacteria, etc.) that it is working to protect against.

This is often given with an immune-stimulating adjuvant, which enhances the body’s immune response. Modified live vaccines can cause a mild form of the disease, but this is typically self-limiting and therefore only a short-term side effect.

These vaccines provide a fast immune response.

WHAT IS A KILLED VACCINE? A killed vaccine is a vaccine that contains a dead infectious agent; these, too, can be accompanied by an adjuvant. These vaccines are seen as safer compared with modified live agents, although they require more time to reach peak immunity.

Because the agent has been killed, there is no risk of disease from the vaccine itself.

WHY DO I NEED TO REVACCINATE MY PET?

WHAT IS A RECOMBINANT VACCINE?

The immune response that is provided through vaccination will wane over time, and therefore boosters are required to maintain optimal levels of protection. Your veterinarian will be able to plan a schedule of vaccination for your pet’s individual needs.

Vaccines help to prevent potentially fatal diseases, and so keeping them current can ensure a lifetime of health and wellbeing.

Instead of having a modified live or killed version of the pathogen, a recombinant vaccine contains a protein of the infectious agent that acts to stimulate the immune system’s response. A recombinant vaccine does not contain an adjuvant, so they are commonly used in cats as a safer alternative to decrease the chance of related cancers. They do not pose a risk for causing any form of the disease.

Kristina Cooper is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and a member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT). She works in a Municipal Animal Shelter and in her family’s dog and cat boarding facility, Cooper Kennels, in Ancaster, ON (www.cooperkennels.ca).

She can be reached by e-mail at krizzteena@hotmail.com.

WHAT IS A NON-ADJUVANT VACCINE? These vaccines do not contain immune-stimulating/irritating adjuvants. In recent years, there has been a general acceptance of the idea that cats should receive non-adjuvant vaccines to prevent vaccine-related cancer.

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

Daily brushing of your dog’s teeth can reduce the chances of dental disease by about 70%, says Dr. Jordan Woodsworth, wellness veterinarian at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre.

PHOTOS: CHRISTINA WEESE

PREVENTING

DENTAL DISEASE IN YOUR PET

By Melissa Cavanagh >>

M

any pet owners think that their dogs’ bad breath is normal — but “doggie breath” actually signifies that there’s more going on with your pet’s dental health than you may realize.

“Animals can have bad breath without having significant dental disease, but most often, the bad breath that’s associated with bad periodontal disease is pretty noticeable,” says Dr. Jordan Woodsworth, wellness veterinarian at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

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Other common signs of dental disease include decreased appetite, resistance to hard foods, chewing only on one side of their mouth, drooling, pawing at the face and decreased willingness to spend time with family members.

“An animal that has loose teeth, abscessed teeth, infected gums — they’re going to have pain in their mouth and that’s going to significantly affect their quality of life,” says Woodsworth. “On average, animals that have healthy mouths

live one to two years longer than animals with diseased mouths.”

An animal with serious dental disease is at an increased risk for disease in other organs of the body, including the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. This spread of disease happens when small breaks in the gum tissue occur during chewing or playing — allowing oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to other areas.

So how can you prevent your pet from becoming a victim of dental disease?

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GUIDE TO PREVENTIVE HEALTH

PHOTO : DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

Simply brushing a dog’s, cat’s or ferret’s teeth can significantly reduce the risk of severe periodontal disease.

“Brushing every day provides about a 70% reduction in dental disease,” says Woodsworth. “Brushing targets plaque — a bacterial biofilm that sticks to the teeth every time we eat — causing inflammation around the gum line.”

This inflammation can lead to a myriad of problems including periodontal disease (the breakdown of the attachment between the tooth and the bone in the jaw) and recession of the gum line. Plaque also functions as glue to which tartar, a buildup of calcified minerals, is able to stick.

Brushing your pet’s teeth is a fairly simple procedure: you just need to do a couple of good strokes along the gum line on the outer surface of each tooth. Brushing the inner surface isn’t common practice as animals don’t like it very much. The tongue also provides fair protection from plaque buildup on the inner tooth surface.

“We know that plaque builds up within six to eight hours of brushing, so brushing twice a day would be most effective. However, because owners’ lives are busy, the general recommendation is to brush once daily,” says Woodsworth.

You can either purchase a pet toothbrush with soft bristles or use one designed for babies or toddlers if your pet’s mouth is large enough. Woodsworth also recommends orthodontic brushes given to

kids with braces as a handy tool for cleaning your pet’s teeth.

“But we always want to use pet-specific toothpaste, one that doesn’t have any foaming agents or fluoride in it, which can be harmful to the pet. You want to find something that’s veterinary specific and that’s going to be appealing to your pet in terms of flavour.”

To prevent your cat or dog from running and hiding every time your hold a toothbrush, all pets should be slowly introduced to tooth brushing — a process that can take several weeks. The first step is to leave the toothbrush and toothpaste out so that your animal will perceive them as normal household items. Next, encourage them to lick some toothpaste off your finger. Eventually you can get them used to you rubbing your finger against their teeth, and the final step is actual brushing.

Woodsworth says it’s beneficial to introduce teeth brushing to pets when they’re young so they get used to the process. However, when pets are four to six months old and their baby teeth are falling out, they may not be agreeable because their teeth are falling out and their gums are tender.

“You don’t want your animal to associate teeth brushing with pain, because that’ll make them not want to do it anymore.”

As well, take a short break from brushing if your pet has a cut or injury in its mouth or has just undergone a dental procedure.

“This also applies to animals that have

pre-existing bad dental disease. You don’t want to start brushing an animal’s teeth when they’ve already got nasty periodontal disease and lots of pain in their mouth.”

If your pet refuses to have its teeth brushed, there are a variety of foods, treats and oral rinses you can use to help clean teeth. The Veterinary Oral Health Council has put together a list of approved products based on scientific evidence that the product actually works.

“Not all products are created equal,” warns Woodsworth, adding that pet owners should ask their veterinarians for advice before buying these products. But if your pet already has severe dental disease, don’t delay — see a veterinarian and have a teeth cleaning performed immediately.

The veterinarian will place your pet under general anesthetic so that full-mouth X-rays can be taken and a teeth cleaning can be performed. Your veterinarian will also take care of any extractions or other surgical procedures.

“That’s the only thing that’s going to provide the best care possible for existing dental disease.”

Melissa Cavanagh of Winnipeg, MB, is a second-year veterinary student and was the WCVM’s research communications intern for the summer of 2013. Republished with permission from Vet Topics, news publication for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Companion Animal Health Fund (www.cahf.usask.ca).

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T H E

H E A LT H Y

B O N D

with Dieter Kohlmaier, DVM

MY TOP 10 LIST

Dieter Kohlmaier, DVM, owns and operates Westoak Animal Hospital in Oakville, ON. He can be reached at westoakanimalhospital @gmail.com

FOR A HEALTHY CAT ere are my words of advice for prospective and current cat owners, based on what I have learned in my years as a veterinarian. Keep in mind that this is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does highlight the most pertinent issues.

there are dental diets available and, more recently, a water additive that can significantly lower the plaque in your cat’s mouth. If your cat has advanced dental disease, your veterinarian will recommend a dental scaling and polishing under a general anesthetic.

Consider adopting your next cat. Most shelters are overrun with cats and many are euthanized each year due to overcrowding or disease in shelters. By adopting a pet, you are donating to the local animal shelters that do such good work in caring for the unfortunate strays in your community. And by adopting an older cat, you won’t have to go through the wild and crazy kitten phase.

Do not allow your pet to become obese. It is difficult to get weight off of cats, especially in multi-cat households. Prevention is certainly the key here. In my experience, over half of the cats I see are overweight; many are obese. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, degenerative joint disease and even cancer, and significantly reduces the lifespan of your pet.

Spay or neuter your cat. The biggest reason why animal shelters are overcrowded is that people don’t spay or neuter their cats. There are other individuals that mistakenly think that by allowing a female cat to have kittens she will become a more affectionate cat. Others wish for their children to witness the miracle of birth. To them, I say there are plenty of videos they could watch, learning just as much, without having to contribute to the overpopulation problem. There are others that say they cannot afford the surgery, to which I say that they should factor these costs in before acquiring any pet. They need more than food and water.

Feed an appropriate diet. A large reason why so many cats are obese is that people feed excessive amounts of food, or leave food available for their cat all the time. Many people also choose foods that are more palatable for their pets, which increase the amount of food they will eat.

Cats should never be fed dry food exclusively. These diets are calorically dense, and to become satiated, a cat will ingest more calories worth of a dry kibble than an equivalent volume of canned food. The kibble you do feed should not be fed in a solitary feeding dish. Instead, make your cat work for it — put it in a treat ball, sprinkle some in an empty egg carton or have multiple bowls around your house and spread the meal amongst the bowls so your cat has to search for its food.

H

Purchase pet insurance. For those that are on a budget, this is a great way to avoid financial hardship if your pet becomes ill or injured and requires extensive medical care.

Take care of their teeth. Dental disease is common in most adult cats. Many cats are unwilling to have their teeth brushed, and so their owners are reluctant to try. With perseverance, and if started at a young enough age, cats can be conditioned to having their teeth brushed. Failing this,

Ensure they drink plenty of water. This is easy to do and will benefit your pet immensely. Our domesticated cats are believed to have originated from the Middle East, where they were well adapted to life in hot, arid conditions. They are capable of surviving with limited amounts of water, which can create problems for our domesticated cats because decreased

water intake leads to more concentrated urine and to lower urinary tract disease. Over longer time periods cats can develop kidney disease, and ultimately go into kidney failure. There are many ways to encourage increased water consumption — feed some canned food daily, ensure they have wide (wider than their whiskers) bowls, place water dishes on every floor of your dwelling and, if your water is chlorinated, first run it through a charcoal filter.

Exercise your kitty. For at least 15 minutes every day — start when they are young and find out what they enjoy best. Cats are hunters by nature and respond to a variety of prey. Some prefer mice, some prefer birds and others prefer insects. More interactive toys are becoming available to stimulate and exercise your cat, but sometimes a rolled up piece of paper or foil make excellent toys.

Keep your cat indoors, and enrich its environment. Due to many potential dangers outdoors, I recommend all cats be kept indoors. Give them a variety of toys, a scratching post and a play area. Rotate the toys on a regular basis so they regularly feel like they have something new to play with. Indoor cats are more susceptible to behavioural problems, such as excess grooming and urinary tract issues. It is believed that cats that are not engaged suffer from anxiety, and this in turn causes many other health issues. Also, if they are not physically active they will be prone to weight gain and related health issues.

Take them for regular visits to your veterinarian. This is essential to a long, healthy and pain-free life. Kittens need to be seen every three to four weeks while they are receiving their immunizations and deworming treatment. Adult cats should be seen at least once a year, and seniors should be seen a minimum of twice a year.

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J O Y F U L

T A I L S

with Jennifer Skiff

INSPIRING STORIES OF THE PROFOUND IMPACT DOGS CAN HAVE ON OUR LIVES

THE SHELTER RESCUE

Jennifer Skiff is an award-winning television producer, journalist and author of The Divinity of Dogs. She lives in Australia and the U.S. Jennifer is an animal advocate and a trustee of the Dogs’ Refuge Home in Australia. www.jenniferskiff.com

WHO SAVES OTHERS believe that when it’s time to get a pet, it’s often divine intervention that puts the right soul in our path. This was certainly the case when Gary Corneer first saw Gunny. The man and his dog instantly knew they were meant to be together. Here’s their story:

I

“Two months after losing my 13 year-old chocolate Labrador to cancer, I began the search for another Lab. I was searching rescue sites on the Internet when I came across a picture that stopped me in my tracks.

It was a chocolate Lab with piercing golden eyes and a big, blocky, beautiful head. The dog was at the Rimrock Humane Society in Roundup, Montana, 160 miles from my home. I called the Society and learned he was three years old and had been surrendered by his owners. They had kept him alone in a kennel for years after he failed to perform well in field trials and showed an aversion to hunting. His name was Gunner.

I had to meet this dog. I arranged to meet with the director at a neutral site, a baseball diamond, in Roundup. After driving three hours, I pulled into the parking lot of the ballpark, grabbed a treat, opened the door to my pick-up and looked across the field. On the other side was the most beautiful Lab I’d ever seen. He took one look at me, sprinted across the field, took the treat and immediately jumped into my truck. I guess you could say we found each other.

We never looked back. On the long trip home “Gunner” became Gunny, and a fast-food ritual began. After stopping at McDonald’s, I decided to share my fries with my new best friend, who was sitting in the back seat of the cab. As I handed each french fry backwards, he gently took them from me. When we arrived home I noticed he hadn’t eaten them. Instead, he had chosen to place them neatly into a pile. I would soon find out that he didn’t eat French fries unless they had catsup on them.

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Gunny. Photo: Gary Corneer

At the time of Gunny’s adoption, I was teaching woodworking and construction at Bozeman High School in Bozeman, Montana.

The next morning, I brought Gunny to school.

He walked up to each student, leaning into them as if to say, “It’s good to finally be here with you.” It was like he knew them.

The next day, I left him at home, thinking a nice fenced-in yard, toys and my two Basset Hounds would be enough to keep him occupied until I got out of school. Wrong. Gunny was bored. He removed everything he could carry from the garage and dragged it into the backyard, including his blanket, bowl, toys, boots and shoes.

Being the good parent I am, I decided to reward the bad behaviour. Gunny started coming to school with me every day. I am now the dean of students to the sophomore and senior high school kids, in a school with 1,700 students. My job is to get kids through high

school without dropping out. It includes being a liaison between parents, teachers and students and disciplining students when needed.

Handing out punishment isn’t a pleasant part of the job. It’s difficult because a kid’s baggage often has to do with their home life and is beyond the school’s ability to control. It’s hard to discipline someone when you know the reasons they’re acting the way they are and you can’t do anything about it. Gunny is always there for them. He’s a natural diffuser. He absolutely loves everybody. Considering his own background, the dog never should have trusted again; but he does.

I had always been aware of Gunny’s ability to comfort others, but one day his gift was enlightening. There was a young lady in my office experiencing what I would guess was her worst day in high school. A police officer was also in the room with us. The girl had been caught punching another girl. She was failing classes and had troubles at home. She was pleading with us, “You don’t understand, I have a hard life.” As she argued, she had a total meltdown, crying so hard she had trouble catching her breath. As she struggled to breathe, Gunny quietly got up, walked over to her, put his head in her lap and looked up at her. The moment was magic — absolutely magic. She reached down and began stroking his head. Her crying stopped, and within minutes she was smiling.

I will never forget how Gunny changed the way that meeting was going. It was a simple act of kindness that changed everything. I have learned from Gunny that kindness and caring are not traits that are exclusively human. Dogs have the same qualities.

After disciplining my kids, I tell them that they’ve made a mistake — but everyone does. I let them know that when they come back to school after serving their detention or suspension that Gunny and I will not judge them; we’re good. Gunny helps me live that promise.”

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PETS MAGAZINE

PHOTO

CONTEST

2014

NEW ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2014.

CONTEST WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE.

ALL ENTRIES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING PRIZES: 1

FIRST PRIZE

Bissell Spotbot® Pet vacuum

2

SECOND PRIZE

1 year pet food from Rayne,

3

THIRD PRIZE

1 year free Intersand cat litter

provided through your veterinarian

+

BONUS PRIZES

Canon PIXMA MG7120 Colour Photo Printer from PETS Magazine

5 one-year free subscriptions to PETS Magazine www.canada.bissell.com

www.raynecanada.ca

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www.petsmagazine.ca

The print process requires that all photos be of high quality and resolution.

Please make sure to send only high resolution files and the biggest size possible.

The best quality photos will be published and credited to the sender. Cover quality photos will appear on the cover with full credit on the contents page. To be eligible to win you must provide your name and contact information along with your pet’s name. Submitting a photo to this contest constitutes your consent and agreement to the image your pet’s name and your name being published in PETS Magazine, on the PETS Magazine website and in any promotional and/or editorial materials related to the contest.

Send pictures of your pet to photocontest@petsmagazine.ca Please include the name of your pet and your contact information in the e-mail.

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PAWS

FOR

R E F LEC TION

with Darren Low, DVM

STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES OF VETERINARY CARE

Darren Low, DVM, practices companion animal medicine and surgery in Sydney, NS, where he lives with his wife, son and 10 four-footed family members.

He writes a weekly column for the Cape Breton Post.

NOTHING COMICAL

ABOUT ARCHIE’S PILLOW FOOT I

30

PETS

MAY/JUNE 2014

dogs infected with the hair follicle mite demodex led to Red Mange. The puffy appearance of the pads of cats’ feet gave us Pillow Foot for the condition more accurately called Plasma Cell Pododermatitis.

Although Pillow Foot might sound soft and cozy, there’s really nothing pleasant about this condition. It’s an inflammatory disease of the pads of the feet where

PHOTO: DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

first met little Archie three years ago. An orange tabby cat, barely six months old, John found the kitten scared and hungry under his back deck. At the time, Archie was malnourished and harboured a few fleas, but it was nothing we couldn’t take care of and Archie’s health subsequently flourished under John’s care. So when Archie, now a strictly indoor cat, recently started limping, John didn’t hesitate to bring him to see me.

At 14 pounds of muscle, Archie had developed into an impressive, strong boy.

He appeared in perfect health on his examination, until I had a closer look at his feet.

Each of the four main foot pads appeared spongy and squishy, and ballooned outwards. His right front pad was more severely affected, with an opening, or ulcer, right in the middle of the diseased pad. John confirmed it was that paw that Archie was favouring, and wanted to know how Archie could have obtained such injuries indoors. I explained Archie suffered from a disease known as Pillow Foot.

I know the name of the disease sounds odd, but just as human medicine has used Yellow Fever and Black Death to describe infection with the Flavivirus or Yersinia bacterium, respectively, veterinary medicine has Bluetongue in sheep, Red Mange in dogs and Pillow Foot in cats, among many others. Long ago, when doctors had no idea what caused diseases, descriptive names worked to identify them. As a result, the cyanotic blue colour of the tongue in sheep infected with the Orbivirus led to the name Bluetongue. The early red skin lesions that developed on

plasma cells, or activated lymphocytes, infiltrate the tissue. It’s poorly understood, but I told John it stems from some form of immune system stimulation, and that focusing treatment on cats’ immune systems usually controls the disease. My bigger concern, however, was the link between Pillow Foot and the deadly disease Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV, which Archie could have contracted before John rescued him.

John consented to allow me to draw a small sample of blood from Archie to first run some tests before we decided on treatment. I wanted to make sure Archie was negative for FIV, and to confirm his health with a CBC (complete blood count) and blood chemistry panel.

The wait for the results proved the longest hour in John’s life. I heard his sigh of relief when I told him the FIV result came back negative, and I watched the stress melt from his face. I like sharing good news, and went on to show him the rest of the full blood report was excellent, but supported the diagnosis of Plasma Cell Pododermatitis in that Archie had a slight increase in his lymphocyte count and globulins, or antibodies.

At Archie’s first follow-up visit, two weeks after starting his treatment, the ulcerated pad was healing nicely, and all the pads were starting to show improvement. John smiled, very pleased to tell me Archie was no longer limping and was back to his usual self. Archie was having no problems taking the oral doxycycline, an antibiotic that has unique immunomodulating properties that work in the treatment of this disease. We still had a long way to go, but I was optimistic that Archie’s Pillow Foot would soon be a thing of the past.

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