Pet Gazette

VOL 1 ISSUE 1 | SPR I NG 2017 | FR E E

Pet

+

chubby puppy, curvy kitty

Pet obesity is no laughing matter.

Here’s how to help your four-legged friend get back in shape!

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY TO OPEN INFANT NURSERY pet gazette | spring 2017

1

2

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

H e f ne

o rt es

r

d Pe t a o r r

“The ultimate vacation destination for your pet!”

Central Oklahoma Humane Society to open infant nursery.

By Melinda Prible

Spring is the season for an abundance of new life, and the same holds true for puppies and kittens.

This year the Central Oklahoma Humane Society will open an infant nursery with staff and volunteers working shifts around the clock to save lives.

“Kittens and puppies less than six-weeks old, neonates, require the most delicate and loving care.

Last year we were able to save 728 infants through our foster homes, and this year with the nursery opening our goal is to save 2,000 tiny lives,” said Dana McCrory, President and CEO of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society.

Local city shelters are already seeing an influx of hundreds of baby puppies and kittens coming through the doors. As tempting as it may be to scoop them up and bring them in, staying with their mother is always best.

If a litter appears abandoned, the mother may be away seeking food or water. Make sure the babies aren’t in immediate danger and then observe the area without

handling them. When certain the mother isn’t coming back, contact city Animal Control for guidance.

Because the Central Oklahoma Humane Society transfers kittens and puppies from Oklahoma City Animal Welfare and other city shelters, they are unable to accept animals from the public.

Until the nursery opens in late spring, there is an immediate need for foster homes to provide a warm and loving environment, including an increasing demand for “bottle baby” fosters to care for the littlest lives by bottle feeding for their first three weeks of life.

Janel Griffieth, Neonate Volunteer Coordinator for the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said “Fostering infant puppies and kittens has been the most rewarding experience I have ever had. But be careful – this is addicting and will change your life forever.”

To donate or learn more about becoming a foster visit www. okhumane.org/tinylives.

7124 A West Hefner Road Oklahoma City, OK 73162 Call us today to make your reservation (405) 722-7257

www.hefnerroadpetresort.com

pet gazette | spring 2017

3

Pet allergies are a bigger issue than you may think.

By Jeff Schnaufer

“Skin allergies in dogs: can be a real head scratcher! Probably the most common sick appointment that we, as veterinarians, see today.

They can really cause dogs problems and can become a very frustrating headache to the dog owner. The diagnostic challenges facing veterinarians with skin disease can be very difficult, but can be simplified greatly by a very through history (type of food, is your dog on flea/tick preventative, what kind of plants is your dog exposed to, any smokers in the house and other environmental factors) weigh in to our diagnostic workups,” says Dr. David Biles of Westwood Veterinary Hospital of Norman, OK. “Scratching is the most common manifestation of allergy in dogs, but they also tend commonly to lick their paws, chew at their claws, rub their faces on furniture, etc,” says Dr. Daniel O. Morris, professor of dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. “Cats may do all of these things as well, but the most common symptom of allergic disease in cats is excessive grooming of the hair coat. Since cats normally spend a great deal of time grooming themselves, the distinction can be difficult.”

Flea allergy, usually caused by the saliva in

4

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

the fleabite, is the most common allergy in dogs and cats, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Inhalant, or atopic, allergy is the second most common allergy in dogs and the third most common in cats. Breathing in or directly contacting airborne particles such as mold spores, dust, tobacco smoke and seasonal pollens will activate inhalant allergies, which are more likely to affect a pet’s skin than cause respiratory problems.

Food allergies are the second most common type of allergy in cats and the third most common in dogs, the FDA reports.

Food ingredients most likely to trigger allergies in cats are fish, milk, beef and eggs.

Ingredients most likely to cause a reaction in dogs are beef, soy, chicken, milk, corn, wheat and eggs. Many of these ingredients are found in pet food. The wide range of allergies – and a pet’s similar reaction to each by scratching – may make it difficult to determine the specific allergy.

“There are many different types of therapies available” Biles says,

“Depending on the type of allergy the veterinarian suspects. Common therapies include medicated shampoos, topical creams and lotions, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines and newer medicines that attack the itchiness of the allergies. Food, Fleas and plant allergies are some of the most common types of allergies we see in canines, and we can test and treat all of those types very successfully. Many people who move from one geographical area to another can experience their pet go from normal skin, no itchiness, to extremely inflamed, itchy skin and also the vice versa is true. One very important and specific point needs to be made: no two allergies present the same way or react the same way with therapy for different pets. Sometimes it takes a multitherapeutic regimen to garner the same results!” A thorough physical and a complete dermatological exam is a must in helping determine skin type, primary vs secondary lesions, presents of external parasites, presence of selfinflicted wounds, and where on the body the lesions are located. “When it comes to flea-bite allergy the name of the game is to get rid of the fleas and keep them away,” says Dr. Wendy Brooks, educational director for VeterinaryPartner.com (www.veterinarypartner.com). “This really should be easy as there are so many excellent products available (including Program, Frontline, Revolution and

Advantage). For very allergic pets, though, the newer super-fast products like spinosad are especially helpful.”

Restricting your pet’s diet isn’t as simple as just switching brands.

“No one gets allergic to a brand (of pet food),” says Brooks, who also runs the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, Los Angeles.

“Changing brands is likely to just get a different configuration of most of the same ingredients.”

McConnell says a truly restrictive food diet includes unique protein (lamb, venison or duck) and carbohydrate (rice or potato) sources. Such a diet can be trying for owners.

“It’s really hard for pet owners because they express their love to their pets through food and treats,” McConnell says. “The pet is on nothing else for eight to 10 weeks. It’s a food trial. If it is indeed a food allergy, the scratching will slow down.”

The observant pet owner can help spot a pet that is suffering from allergies.

“For the overwhelming majority of cases, it will be very obvious to the owner that the pet has a problem that must be addressed,” Morris says. “They scratch, lick, chew and rub excessively, keeping the owners up at night, and have skin rashes with hair loss. Many dogs will develop a greasy coat with excessive

dandruff and an unpleasant odor. Allergic cats that over-groom because of an itching sensation end up pulling out their hair – often in a symmetrical pattern – resulting in large bald spots.”

Failure to spot a pet’s allergic reaction can lead to big vet bills and, most important, pet suffering.

In fact, Morris says, recurrent infections of the skin and ear canals – caused by Staph, bacteria or yeast – are some of the most common and frustrating problems associated with canine allergies.

“Infections usually magnify the pet’s discomfort by several fold and must be treated with antibiotics for bacterial infections and antifungal drugs for yeast infections,” Morris says. “Severe ear canal infections can be extremely costly to treat, and may result in hearing loss.”

If your pet is showing any signs of any allergic reaction, experts say you shouldn’t try to treat it yourself, but get the animal to the vet.

Many vets are dermatology specialists. To find one, contact the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (www.acvd.org) “The scratching is usually the tip of the iceberg,” McConnell says. “Usually it’s going to be something deeper.”

Fire safety for the whole family Big, bright “save our pets” decals will inform fire fighters precisely how many and what kinds of animals to search for if there’s a fire. You can check the number of dogs, cats and birds, and also fill in a blank area if you have other types of pets. Stick them in windows by your front and back doors. Two Pet Alert four-by-five-inch decals are $4.99. Get your free Pet Safety pack from the ASPCA at https://secure. aspca.org/takeaction/order-yourpet-safety-pack © CTW Features

Finest Veterinary Care

Complete, affordable, compassionate healthcare for your beloved pet.

•Complete surgical services •Digital Radiography •Endoscopy •Boarding •Complete dental suite •In-house Laboratory •Ultrasound •Stem cell therapy •Therapeutic Laser

Wellness: •Puppy •Adult •Senior

Call today 405.364.1100 Online appointments available www.westwoodvet.com 111 N. Mercedes Norman, OK pet gazette | spring 2017

5

By Sharon L. Peters

For years, veterinarians wrongly believed animals and humans feel pain differently.

Now, vets and pet owners are on the lookout for the early warning signs.

The dog that licks obsessively at a front leg or the cat that has grown chunky from inactivity may be hiding a horrible secret: Pain.

Veterinary science has recently translated several subtle indicators that an animal is hurting. And reading and learning from a set of guidelines that has recently been compiled and posted online can clue in pet owners. “Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats,” a joint venture of The American Animal Hospital Association and the Association of American Feline Practitioners, Hillsborough, N.J., is accessible at http://bit.ly/petjointpain.

“Pain pathways in pets is very similar to human beings, but the problem is pets can’t tell you 1) they hurt and 2) where they hurt. It

6

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

is up to the astute pet owner to recognize pain in pets. With dogs, panting, pacing, inappetence, limping or walking with a hunched back is a good sign. They also can become quite immobile if the pain is acute and strong. Sometimes they will vocalize or even vomit. Associating these signs during events (urination, defecation, jumping off of furniture, etc., can help us better understand pain and localize it,” says Dr. David Biles of Westwood Veterinary Hospital a family owned practice in Norman, OK. Felines tend to like to hide and become withdraw and nonsocial. This is certainly a much subtler sign and can be harder to recognize. Watching litter box habits, eating habits can help. Cat sometimes will vocalize but, alone, that is not a very good indicator.,” he says. The difference is that most animals do everything in their power to hide or camouflage their pain. It’s one of

those self-preservation things stamped on their genes.

And some pets silently suffer significant pain for many years until it becomes so intense they do something obvious, like refusing food or being unwilling to go for walks, and the owner finally realizes, usually with some guilt, that the animal needs help.

But the fact is, whether it’s some sort of chronic pain, like arthritis; post-surgical pain; disc or joint problems that have not yet been identified; and even blood clots, tooth abscesses or congenital heart failure, there’s no reason for pets to silently endure the suffering.

Not so long ago, there wasn’t much of a storehouse of data or drugs relating to animal pain. Now there’s much more knowledge and a wide smorgasbord of medications and approaches to reduce or eliminate it. So AAHA and AAFP want to make sure that pet owners are aware of the signals, since the daily caretakers would be more cognizant of the early day-to-day shifts in behavior than a veterinarian who sees the animal once a year in surroundings and under circumstances that are far from normal.

Popeye the Kitty Cat? Some owners give their cats fresh spinach for a little greenery. The ASPCA poison experts say a tiny bit should be OK for most, but since it contains calcium oxalates, which can cause urinary tract crystals, don’t feed it regularly.

Also, any cat with a history of urinary problems should never eat spinach. © CTW Features

Among pain signals are: • Abnormal chewing habits • Dramatic weight loss or gain • Avoidance of affection or handling or grooming • Decreased movement and exercise • Excessively licking or biting itself • Uncharacteristic elimination accidents But the information that pet owners need to assimilate is easy to follow and understand.

It may be especially important for owners of aging animals to inform themselves of the early warning signs of pain. In some cases, they may be able to identify pain signals of early disease that can and should be treated before it escalates, and in all cases they can provide relief to their pets. Moreover, the old assumption that all dogs and cats just have to endure some level of pain as part of the aging process simply isn’t true.

“All pain can be controlled. It’s up to the pet owner to recognize it, and get their pet to a vent and have a thorough physical and perhaps other diagnostics performed. Many new types of pain medicines for both short and long term management in both dog and cats. It is up the pet owner and Veterinarian to discuss all options to come up with a therapeutic plan,” Biles says.

Welcome to

Pet

A new quarterly glossy magazine published by Oklahoma Gazette.

Publishing:

APril 26, 2017 | July 26, 2017 OctOber 25, 2017 | JAnuAry 31, 2018

For more information call 405-528-6000 or email specialsections@okgazette.com

www.beerpaws.com

And it’s important to address pain not only for humane reasons, but also to prevent additional health issues from arising. The fallout from living with pain is much the same in animals as with people: Experts says there is increased risk of gastrointestinal distress, sleep deprivation, tachycardia and a host of other problems.

-A-BUL E V L LO

Dog treats made in collaboration with your favorite local breweries!

Book Online Now

CRAFT BEER TREATS FOR DOGS

in collaboration with

available at breweries, bottle shops, pet boutiques & BEERPAWS.COM

Ever Faithful A Pet Funeral Home & Crematory by Smith and Kernke

PETSMARTCHARITIES.ORG

Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week

14642 N. May � Oklahoma City, OK 73034 � 405-607-0066 everfaithfulpets.com

2901 SE 29th Street OKHUMANE.ORG/SPAY-NEUTER (405)947-7729

*

*

pet gazette | spring 2017

7

Keeping an eye out for recalls Check in at humanesociety. org/petfoodsafety every so often to keep up with the very latest on pet foods and treats that have been recalled. And if you discover you’ve given your pet something that is on the recall list, call your vet immediately, even if the animal is displaying no obvious symptoms. © CTW Features

With pet obesity on the rise, overweight cats and dogs are no laughing matter.

By Jeff Schnaufer

Did you hear the one about the dog that ate so much she passed out under the table? Or the terrier so fat he hurt himself jumping off the bed?

It happened. And it’s no joke.

Pet obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in this country, prompting alarms among veterinary experts who say pet owners must modify their animals’ behavior -- and their own.

Pet obesity continues to surge upward, says Dr. Ernie Ward Jr., founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), which estimates that in 2016, 54 percent of U.S. dogs and 59 percent of cats were overweight or obese.

Across America, many vets like Ward, founder of Seaside Animal Care in Calabash, N.C., are seeing more fat pets.

According to Ward, he was worked with a dog that is 70 pounds overweight, which he says would be the equivalent of a 600-pound person.

Dogs that are 20 percent overweight are not uncommon, adds Dr. Dominic Marino, chief of staff at Long Island Veterinary

8

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

Specialists in Plainview, N.Y. Part of the problem, Ward says, is that people have been justifying fat pets and ignoring health consequences for some time.

Fat dogs and cats have become very normalized, he says. “Whenever my clients come in with a 14- or 16-pound cat, they say, ‘My cat is just big.’ Part of this process is making people aware that a couple pounds on a dog or cat is like 10 or 15 pounds on a person.”

Changes in urban lifestyle and pet diets are two leading causes of overweight pets, experts say. Living indoors, lack of time for walks or play with the owner/guardian, or lack of another pet for a playmate contribute to decreased activity, says Dr. Kelly S. Swanson, professor of animal and nutritional sciences, University of Illinois in Urbana. One of the main problems is that owners feed too much food and/or provide excess calories through treats without

adjusting food intake.

Ward sums it up this way: “We’ve become a nation of couch potatoes. Our pets have become lap potatoes.”

And many of them have prodigious appetites.

Overweight or obese pets can suffer extreme health consequences, including osteoarthritis, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which is the fastest growing endocrine disease in cats.

The combination of exercise and a proper, vet-approved diet are key to helping obese dogs lose weight, experts say.

Cats benefit mostly from portion control.

“Cat obesity is not a matter of exercise, it’s a matter of the cat foods,” says Marino. “People tend to leave cat food out all the time and cats will eat all day. You need to understand the nutritional needs of your pet.”

Feeding a dog or cat proper portions can help them live two to three more years, Ward says. APOP’s website, HYPERLINK “http:// www.petobesityprevention.com” www. petobesityprevention.com, features ideal weight ranges for cats and dogs, plus a test to determine if your pet is overweight, caloric intake recommendations and other tools.

Americans also should re-think giving pet treats as a reward or sign of affection.

“Just because a dog or cat comes up and rubs us, we don’t have to give a treat,” Ward says. “Take it for a walk or toss a ball instead.”

People And Animals.

The Oklahoma Link Coalition promotes collaboration, cooperation, public awareness, and education to END VIOLENCE against PEOPLE and ANIMALS.

VEDROS & ASSOCIATES/ GETTY IMAGES

[ RECOGNIZE THE LINK BETWEEN THE TWO ]

N AT I O N A L L I N KC O A L I T I O N .O R G W W W. FA C E B O O K .C O M /O K L A H O M A L I N KC O A L I T I O N

pet gazette | spring 2017

9

Here are some things to consider

By Dr. David Biles, Westwood Veterinary Hospital

You are bringing your pet in for surgery tomorrow morning. Tensions are high. You love your pet, you want to do what’s right for your pet, but you have a lot of questions that haven’t been answered. So, what do you do?

So, what do you say? First off, relax – most of the time, with anesthesia, there is no problems. No big deal, right?

Let me ask you this – what if it were you that were going into surgery tomorrow?

What questions would you ask the doctor or the staff about things to do preoperatively?

That’s a huge and very important question to ask. There’s nothing worse than not knowing, the unknown factor. So, what can we do as a profession to ease your mind?

Several things come to mind in this situation. First off, do is much as you can proactively to eliminate the unknown. This means a complete physical exam prior to surgery, pre-anesthetic blood work, and during the procedure to monitor your pet for all of their vital signs. Eliminate the unknown! Pre-

anesthetic bloodwork will tell the doctor and staff about your pet’s organ system functions, and also how their cells are working in their body. This is very important. To fight infection, to tolerate the drugs that we used to make the procedure goes smoothly, and recovery from the anesthesia.

Monitoring your pet during the surgery is also very important. Making sure that you have easy access to their bloodstream for administering drugs, fluid therapy, and monitoring all of your pet’s vital signs including body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels in the blood, and gases that are expelled by your pet during the procedure.

These are all very important parameters and can tell us before anything critical happens, to adjust certain things about your pets anesthesia to make it safer. Eliminate the unknown! Not knowing these things and doing the surgery, puts your pet at unneces-

sary risks of something going wrong and the staff not knowing about. Is that unknown worth the risk, because you think the cost of these things is too expensive? Your answer should be no. Please ask, because if you don’t, you may regret it. It’s the worst phone call ever to make to call a client after the surgery and tell them that their pet had a problem and possibly died. You never want to have to tell anybody that, especially in an elective procedure like a dental, spay, or neuter. We always give our clients estimates for surgeries, no matter what. We do not cut corners on surgeries! There are good reasons why we do this and I’ve explained those in this post. But still ask questions, that is a good thing. Costs have to be figured in on everything that we do, because we know it’s important to you. So always ask before we do surgery, that way everybody will be on the same page. You should always ask your veterinarian the same questions because they are very important. If he or she cannot answer those questions, then you may want to reconsider them doing the surgery. Eliminate the unknown!

love your fur babies and your furniture?

Whether it’s Worn from keeping fido happy or it’s just time to redecorate, let our experts at interior fabrics help you recover or replace your furniture for a brand neW look!

interior consignment

interior consignment

3704 N WesterN • 405.521.0012

2229 NW 138th • 405.749.3500

interior fabrics

9470 N May ave • 405.749.1081

urban on may

9460 N May ave • 405.748.8595

kninteriorfabrics.com | kninteriorconsignment interior design | neW furniture & accessoriesconsignment | one-of-a-kind pieces

10

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

Getting items removed from an animal’s gastrointestinal tract can be a trying – and expensive – ordeal.

By Sharon L. Peters

Quick, what do the following have in common: Wadded-up jockey shorts; balls (rubber, plastic, tennis, and all other sorts); pantyhose (of all hues); rocks.

They’re among the items most frequently chewed, swallowed and then surgically removed from dogs’ gastrointestinal tracts. That’s according to claim adjusters for Nationwide Pet Insurance, based on years of insurance claims for what they term “foreign-body ingestions”.

As delectable as all those objects apparently are to canines,

12

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

not one of them can compare with the most frequently consumed-then-removed item: Dirty, stinky, but oh-soreminiscent-of-thewearer socks.

Dogs can and do swallow things you’d think they’d avoid or ignore, like corn cobs and hair ties or ribbons and things as big as tennis balls (which have, in fact, been surgically removed, especially among Labs and Lab mixes who, experts say, are the dogs most apt to chew and swallow something they shouldn’t.)

“On the subject of foreign body ingestions, Dogs seem to have a bigger problem with it because of smell/taste,” says Dr. David Biles of Westwood Veterinary Hospital, Norman, OK. Dirty socks, underwear, towels, dish rags are all “favorites”. Used tampons also are commonly ingested. Most people have unprotected garbage pails in their bathrooms making it

easier for dogs to get into. It’s very important to keep trash covered and that goes for your laundry hampers,” Biles says.

The subsequent blockage is uncomfortable, dangerous, and can be fatal.

Some percentage of foreign bodies may pass or be regurgitated without intervention, but Eldridge says it shouldn’t be assumed that will happen and advises owners to take the dog to a vet for advice the moment there’s a concern a dog has ingested something he shouldn’t have. Most objects will have to be surgically removed, a process that runs about $1000 or more in most parts of the country, subjects the animal to anesthesia and requires the owner to take post-op precautions so stitches hold.

Sometimes you see the ingestion or evidence of it (such as pantyhose that were draped over the chair when you left that have gone missing). Sometimes you are

What’s in a name?

Here are the top 10 pet names for cats and dogs, according to Nationwide Pet Insurance.

DOGS

CATS

Bella Max Lucy Bailey Charlie Daisy Molly Cooper Buddy Lola

Bella Max Oliver Luna Lucy Chloe Charlie Lily Tiger Shadow

oblivious. In that case, you may see symptoms 24 to 48 hours or so after the item was swallowed. Vomiting more than once, loss of appetite, diarrhea or painful belly are all indicators that something may have been

swallowed and is stuck.

Many of the things that dogs swallow are random personal and household goods like pins, coins, popsicle sticks and kids’ playthings, but some are actually items intended for dogs, like chew toys or objects that people give their dogs to chew, like bones and sticks.

Vets all over the country have reported surgically removing parts of pet toys that have been gnawed off and swallowed as well as chunks of bones or huge wads of rawhide.

And many vets report that safely munching a particular object for years is not necessarily a guarantee that the dog will never wind up swallowing it at some point.

Nor is the fact that a dog has already had one surgery enough to dissuade him from swallowing in the future and requiring another operation to remove it. “There are lots of repeat offenders,” Eldridge says.

Most vets and other experts say hard rubber Kongs -- sufficiently large for the particular dog (which means he can’t get it into his mouth) -- are a safe chew object for dogs, as are Nylabones.

“With felines, it’s not so much about smell/taste, but curiosity. They like to play with these items prior to ingesting them.

String, yarn, dental floss, rubber bands are all targets. The problem with string ingestion, it can act as a saw and cut the inside of the intestinal tract, causing leakage of abdominal contents into the abdomen.

This is called peritonitis and has a very high mortality rate” says Biles. Pet owners should also be careful about their dogs ingesting toxic or poisonous substances, including certain plants, cocoa bean mulch and human medications, Eldridge says. You can find the list of potentially harmful items by going to the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center’s Web site.

DiD your Dog not pay attention in training class?

k9 university is the answer! all things Dog!

k9 university, llc

• puppy to aDvanceD oBeDience • PRIvAtE LESSONS • bOARdING SChOOL • SPECIALIZING IN Difficult Dogs

• MANNERS • Biting • SOCIALIZING • POtty tRAINING

9217 nw expressway•okc • 405.231.4335•www.myk9u.com pet gazette | spring 2017

13

Adopt A Pet

Dougie is the life of the party!

This male pug is 5 years old and weighs 27lbs

Janelle is looking for a cozy couch with a window view.

She is 7 years old and weighs 12 lbs – visit her at OK Humane at 7500 N. Western

Boo is looking for her retirement home to grow old in. She is 9 years old and weighs 7 lbs

Central Oklahoma Human Society www.okhumane.org

By Angel Soriano K9 University Oklahoma City

Recently, two metro residents that were attacked by local dogs, one of them losing her life in a horrific way.

Did you know that 50% of Americans will be bitten?

Approximately 52 people will lose their life to dog assaults in 2017; most victims are male children under the age of 12.

These are scary statistics. Do I have your attention yet?

Let’s get to some practical ideas on keeping safe while on a walk. Prepare as you do for everything else. First, carry one or more of the following defense items: a pocket Air Horn, Whistle, Pepper Spray, Stun Gun or a walking stick. These can keep a dog away when used properly. Loud noises will disrupt a dog’s state of behav-

14

Spring 2017 | pet gazette

ior. A Stun Gun is my personal favorite, as the sound and smell of the arc alone sends shivers down the back of not only the dog, but anyone who hears it. If you make contact with an attacking dog, it will paralyze them, and then scared them away understanding you are the alpha in this confrontation. A good air horn or whistle can be effective as well when soundedoff in the direction of the dogs.

A walking stick may be used to keep the animal at a distance, not to swing at them. Pepper Spray can also be effective, but you could also be peppered in our windy state.

Owners of dogs with severe behavior issues have potential liability, however, this does not stop a dog from assaulting you while on a walk. It’s important to be prepared, and to alert authorities of loose dogs that display dangerous behaviors.

Call animal control if you see a loose dangerous dog, and have your neighbors call as well.

Multiple calls will create urgency. Stay safe.

Krista’s is already spayed, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and not good with cats. She is turns 1 year old in may 2017 and weigh 13 pounds

Rufus is 2 years old and about 35 pounds Rufus is a fun loving dog that has a heartbreaking past.. All shots are up to date.

Cali was rescued as a kitten by a sweet grandmother who raised her and loved her until she passed away last year.

She loves to play, cuddle, hide, and have my beautiful coat brushed.

Pet Angels Rescue, Inc www.petangelsrescue.org

Pet

Pet Gazette is published quarterly by Oklahoma Gazette and is free to readers.

Advertising advertising@okgazette.com 405-528-6000 Editorial specialsections@okgazette.com 3701 N. Shartel Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7102 Phone (405) 528-6000 Copyright © 2017 Tierra Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

The OKLAHOMA A N I M A L Study A Comprehensive Report on Oklahoma Animals, Where They Live, the Problems They Face, and How We Can Help

Available now in print and online. For a free copy, send your request to office@kirkpatrickfoundation.com.

To view online, visit kirkpatrickfoundation.com. pet gazette | spring 2017

15