Petconnections july2013 2 by Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine

Pittsburgh

July 2013

Vol. 1, Issue 11

Free!

PetConnections Magazine

Oddball Pets & Aquariums

SALTWATER COLOR FROM FRESHWATER FISH

In This Issue:

page 23

The HumanAnimal Bond A Bird’s Eye View Page 4

Dining With Your Dog at Double Wide Grill Page 5

WearWoof – Shop with a Purpose! Page 21 Find us on

Serving the Greater Pittsburgh Area

July 2013

Vol. 1, Issue 11

Psuedotropheus sp. “Acei”

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I n T h i s Issu e: The Human-Animal Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Featured Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

A Bird’s Eye View

Companions First Veterinary Clinic

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Featured Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Upcoming Pet Events

WearWoof - Rehoming Fashion, Saving Pets

Animal Health & Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Health & Wellness for Guardians . . . . . . . . .22

Heart murmurs and our pets, should you worry?

Natural Stress Relief for You and Your Pet

Press Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Tanks and Terrariums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Introducing BelaCoop Animal Hospital

“Are Those Saltwater Fish?”

Tidbits & Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Equine Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-27

Selecting a Good Daycare or Boarding Facility; How Old is “Senior”: Life Stages of Cats and Human Equivalents

What is Lameness?; “Off The Wall Riding”

Holistic Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-18

In loving remembrance of Cecil

In Remembrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Dogs and Cats, Living Together, Mass Hysteria!; Probiotics for Pets; Trauma, Triggers, Turning Points

Advertiser Locator Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

FROM THE PUBLISHER WELCOME TO OUR JULY VOLUME 1 ISSUE 11! PPC Magazine July News: PPC Magazine connected with many people and pups at the 4th Annual Panera Pup Walk event on June ! The event had a great turnout and benefitted the Western PA Humane Society. We are always pleased to have suggestions for content from our readers. PPC Magazine welcomes Savannah Fleming, Sales Manager to our Team! We are completing our June events and hope to see you at the Steel City Expo on June 29 and Southside Dog Festival on June 30! Also, July events including the Pittsburgh Pup Crawl on July 26! We also continue to build our directories on pghpetconnections.com, as we Savannah Fleming, Sales for PPC with Charlie Batch at the continually receive inquiries for services in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Please create a free account to add your free Panera Pup Walk. business listing. Featured business listings are available for a small yearly fee. This Issue: Our July issue features local pet events, feature articles on organizations and local businesses WearWoof, the new BelaCoop Animal Hospital in the North Hills, the dog-friendly Double Wide Grill in the Southside. Please see the event calendar page in this issue on page 5. Our website www.pghpetconnection.com/calendar also has an event calendar and additional event listings. We welcome you to upload an event for your organization at no cost. PPC Magazine does not advertise or post sales for dog, cats, horses or any other animal. We support the missions and events of our area shelters and rescue groups, and therefore, recommend contacting one of those to find an addition to your family that is a good fit! We are very committed to raising awareness on adopting and fostering rescued animals and you can visit our online directories on the home page of our website for an organization near you. My background of over 25 years as a veterinary technician, veterinary hospital administrator and non-profit founder has led me to create Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. My goal is to lead, share and heal through the Human-Animal Bond (HAB). I would like to personally thank all of thank you for picking up PPC Magazine. Take care of yourself, as well as your animals and be well! Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com Warmly, Carla Mader CEO & Publisher Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC.

Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.pghpetconnections.com Follow PghPetMag on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Disclaimer: “The views expressed in PPC Magazine are those of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position or policies of Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. All view points are welcome.”

Pittsburgh PetConnections Monthly Published By: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. was formed in 2012. Our mission is to publish a high quality, informative and Human-Animal Bond focused publication. We support local businesses and also assist local non-profit businesses for pets and people, to give back to our great Pittsburgh communities.

MAGAZINE PUBLICATION STAFF Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carla Mader, Savannah Fleming Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Martin Mader Graphic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patricia Sutkowski Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kara Jones Photography Contributing Writers: Our contributing writers have many years of combined experience and expertise in the fields of veterinary medicine and the Human-Animal Bond. Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carla Mader Chief Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bernadette E. Kazmarski

July 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com Subscribe, Submit, Upload! Submit your business or rescue organization’s info for a FREE listing on our directory. No website for your small home-based pet or wellness business? Add a Featured Listing on the PPC online Directory for a small yearly fee and upload photos and detailed info about your business!

Become a Media Partner with PPC Magazine! A Media Partnership with PPC includes: • Ad in print or online (free design) • A Free Featured directory page on our website with your business info, photos and link to your website • Your logo in our monthly newsletter • PPC promotes your business at our events • A subscription to PPCMagazine and copies for your business • Community Calendar link to your website or MeetUp site • We accept content contributions (print or web articles promoting your business)

00! months for $20. 12 L: IA EC P S N scribe/ SUBSCRIPTIO ctions.com/Sub ne on tc pe gh .p to www sue! To subscribe go Don’t miss an is

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THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND L

iving a free life comes down to understanding one concept – power and control. All of humanity is currently facing this challenge. We believe ourselves to be free, but we have no idea that most of us are not in charge. We are controlled by powers we don’t understand, and in that instinctive need to free ourselves, we can actually become part of the problem.

A Bird’s Eye View

True power over our lives means giving up control as we know it. It means living instinctively, guided and supported by the part of us that is pure wisdom. Think about what it means to be a hawk. I love watching them with their enormous outstretched wings, floating gracefully on the air. They are exerting no effort as they catch the wind, yet they have a true bird’s eye view of their surroundings. Hawks don’t control the breeze, or flap their wings and try to create wind of their own. They know that in surrendering to a higher power, they strengthen themselves. Trying to force the air currents only weakens them. Most of us spend our days trying to manipulate those around us, and our situations. It’s human nature. We believe that if things go the way we want them to, and people act the way we feel they should, life will be better. But this type of control is an illusion, and is based on the fear that if we don’t call the shots, we’ll be powerless. In reality, coming from fear and the need to influence another person’s behavior is a negative manifestation of control, and therefore creates a life where we are controlled as well. We actually lose power, and in doing so, we lose relationships, money and the joy in life. This is a universe of free will. In judging how others act, we restrict ourselves. “Judge not, lest ye be judged” are some of the most important words ever spoken. Yet this simple piece of wisdom from a divine master is the most misunderstood and ignored phrase in humanity. We continue to judge those who do not meet our expectations or agree with our ideals for life.

by Dr. Susan Wagner

something and be nonjudgmental. Both situations can occur simultaneously. I can take a powerful stand against dog fighting and work toward the time when the violence that creates it no longer exists, and have a compassionate heart toward those harming the dogs. I believe violence toward all creatures – human and animal – is something our species must overcome if we are to survive, and I sincerely hope that the perpetrators are able to find peace for themselves. If we judge and wish ill toward those whose actions are not in alignment with what we hold dear, we create an energy that strengthens suffering, which then begets more violence. It’s truly the most vicious of cycles. That doesn’t mean that we can’t intervene. We must break the flow of this dangerous progression. This can be done with calm, compassionate energy – the most powerful kind. We must understand that dominance, assertiveness and control come from a state of weakness. Standing up against the abuse of those who are vulnerable without anger and judgment is power beyond comprehension. Is it easy? No, but imperative to our survival. And as with the hawks, we have strong winds of change to align with. It is only through yielding to wisdom and compassion that we gain true power, and soar to our highest potential.

Dr. Susan Wagner is a board certified veterinary neurologist whose pioneering work acknowledges the bioenergetic interaction between people and animals. She is an advocate for change in the area of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty, and works toward a greater understanding surrounding the health implications of the humananimal bond. Dr. Wagner is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Veterinary College, a Level IV Healing Touch for Animals practitioner and co-author of Through A Dog’s Ear.

What if we could come to a place where we are able to stand up for what we believe in, work toward what is important to us, protect those we love, yet do it without judging others who think differently? Life is a duality. We can stand for

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

July 2013 Pittsburgh Pet Event Calendar Sunday June 30

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday 3 4

Friday

Saturday 6

South Side Dog Festival – see below

PetCo 6th Annual Adoption Event – see PPC website

Pup Night at PNC Park – see PPC website

27 Pittsburgh Pup Crawl – see page 7

Visit www.pghpetconnections.com for more information. LUCKY’S SOUTH SIDE DOG FESTIVAL TO FEATURE ACTIVITIES, FUNDRAISING & ADOPTIONS AT 24th STREET BLOCK PARTY Sunday, June 30th is the South Side Dog Festival which is free and open to the public PITTSBURGH, PA (June 6, 2013) – Calling all dog lovers! The first annual Lucky’s South Side Dog Festival will be on Sunday, June 30, 11am-3pm. The festival will be a block party on 24th Street in South Side and is free and open to the public and their pups. Double Wide Grill owners, Steve Zumoff & Scott Kramer recently re-opened their dog patio at the South Side location and elaborated on the new development to create Lucky’s South Side Dog Festival, which has turned into a collaboration with many other like-minded local businesses such as Big Dog Coffee, Urban Dog, Grandma’s Dog Daycare and more. Lucky’s South Side Dog Festival will feature a variety of activities including carnival games, bouncing house, contests and even dog adoption opportunities. The Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center will be on location with several dogs in need of loving homes. Other generous sponsors include: Howard Hanna Stage AE, Camp Bow Wow, Hello Bully, Morning Glory Inn, Iron City Beer and Sweet Tea Firefly Vodka.

For more information facebook.com/Southsidedogfestival July 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

ANIMAL HEALTH WELLNESS Y

ou take your pet in for a routine visit thinking everything is fine when all of a sudden your veterinarian tells you that your pet has a heart murmur! A what? What does that mean? Should you be worried?

Heart murmurs and our pets, should you worry? By Eva Sikorska, DVM, DACVIM So what is a heart murmur and what, exactly, does it mean for your pet? A heart murmur is a whooshing sound that your veterinarian can hear when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. The normal heart beat is made up of 2 sounds: lub-dub that is created by heart valves opening and closing to allow blood to flow from the top to the bottom chambers and then out the great vessels to either the body or the lungs. The whoosh is created by fast or turbulent blood flow in the heart. A murmur doesn’t necessarily mean there is something seriously wrong but it could be a sign of a problem with the

murmurs should be soft (grade 1 or 2 on a scale of 6) and should be gone by about 16 weeks of age. Other times we can hear murmurs in healthy animals is after vigorous exercise. Sometimes other illnesses such as fevers or anemia (decrease in red blood cells) can create murmurs. Sometimes murmurs are present in animals because there is a problem with the heart. The heart may have a hole in it, a heart valve may leak or may not be opening all the way. In older animals murmurs can develop as a result of a degenerative process that affects the heart valves causing them to leak or a decrease in how well the heart muscle pumps. Cats, on the other hand, can have murmurs as a result of a birth defect of the heart or acquired heart muscle disease resulting in a thicker than normal heart. If your veterinarian feels that the heart murmur could be due to a problem with the heart itself, he or she may recommend that you see a veterinary cardiologist. This is a veterinarian with specialized training and certification in animal hearts and treatment of heart disease. They will give you a cause for the murmur and discuss if any treatment is required. In some cases of congenital heart defects, minimally invasive surgical procedures can help or fix the underlying problem. So what will a veterinary cardiologist do? First they will talk to you regarding your pet to determine if he or she is having any signs or symptoms of heart disease. They will also listen to your pet’s heart and lungs, and check their pulse. The cardiologist may recommend checking your pet’s blood pressure and may want your pet to have a chest x-ray to see if the heart looks bigger than normal. If they hear an irregular rhythm they may want to do an EKG. In addition, the cardiologist will discuss with you doing an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart. This is not painful and non-invasive and uses sound waves to create a picture of the moving heart so the doctor can look at the blood flow through the heart and determine the source of the murmur. This takes about 15-20 minutes. The cardiologist will then take all of the information from the tests and exam and determine if the murmur is likely to cause a problem for your pet. Some animals will require medications to help the heart pump better, remove fluid build-up, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk for blood clots. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to fix the problem.

heart and may warrant further investigation. Murmurs are graded on a scale of 1 to 6 where 1 is the softest-sounding murmur and 6 is the loudest. Very loud murmurs can be felt like a rumbling or vibration on the side of the chest.

Remember, a heart murmur is just a sound, not a diagnosis. Talk with your family veterinarian to determine if your pet should have further testing including seeing a veterinary cardiologist regarding their murmur.

It is common for young or athletic animals to have murmurs which don’t mean anything and we refer to these as innocent or functional flow murmurs. It can be easier to hear heart murmurs in young animals because they tend to have less fat, muscle, and bone between the stethoscope and the murmur. As a general rule, however, innocent

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

PRESS RELEASE INTRODUCING BELACOOP ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH PARK

elaCoop Animal Hospital (BCAH) is owned and operated by Dr. Katti Strahsmeier-Stoller and her husband Sam Stoller. Dr. Katti Stoller grew up in the North Hills (Ingomar) and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at the age of seven years. Since achieving her lifelong dream she has practiced at Sandwich Animal Hospital on Cape Cod located in Sandwich, MA, Metropolitan Veterinary Center West in Pittsburgh, PA and the Western PA Humane Society North Shore Division. During four of those years she trained in general medicine, emergency medicine and chemotherapy. Together Dr. Stoller and her husband decided they wanted to open an animal hospital of their own to honor their two best friends, Bela and Cooper. Thus, Dr. and Mr. Stoller have dedicated this hospital to their loving dogs. Bela was a golden retriever, 5-1/2 years old when she passed away in December 2006 from lymphoma. Cooper was an English Foxhound, 8-1/2 when he passed away in November 2009 from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) after being diagnosed with a very rare brain disease when he was 1-1/2 years old. Because of Bela and Cooper the mission statement is, “Your Pet, Our Priority,” and the vision for BCAH is for it to be a comfortable, warm atmosphere where clients can relate to the staff and feel at home.

BCAH promotes preventive care using top of the line equipment and services including surgery, radiology, in-house bloodwork and lab, dentals, ultrasounds, a large in-house pharmacy with prescription diets on site, some emergency care, some chemotherapy, health certificates, and much more. There are cameras in the kennels so that the staff can keep an eye on all pets at all times, a separate feline exam room, a large open waiting area and a great retail shop. BCAH also has a separate comfort room with its own entry/exit and patio. Join BCAH for their first annual Open House on Saturday, July 13, 2013 from 11:00AM until 3:00PM for refreshments, games, give-a-ways, gift baskets and big-ticket items for raffle, veterinary representatives supplying valuable information and free samples, and more! This family event is free and open to the public, so children and friendly dogs are welcome (dogs must be leashed and current on vaccines). The hospital will be open for patients on Monday, July 15, 2013. Currently the website is under construction, but please check back: www.belacoopanimalhospital.com. BCAH is available on Facebook as BelaCoop Animal Hospital. BelaCoop Animal Hospital of North Park is located at 2232 West Hardies Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 and our phone number is 724-939-7062. Please be patient while the building is still under construction and we are not yet taking calls.

FULL SERVICE ANIMAL HOSPITAL • Preventive Care Focused • Offering Surgery, Radiology, Laboratory, Pharmacy and much more • Monthly Educational Events

r Join us for ou

Open House Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11:00AM until 3:00PM Come and Experience our Warm Staff!

“Your Pet, Our Priority”

*Open for business on July 15th

724-939-7062 |

www.belacoopanimalhospital.com

2232 We st Hardies Road | Gibsonia, PA 15044 July 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

www

TIDBITS & TIPS Selecting a Good Daycare or Boarding Facility: 8 Tips on Where to Start

2. 3.

You should feel welcome to ask questions and look around. You should not feel like anything is being hidden from you.

For group play there needs to be enforced staff monitoring ratios.

Always tour the entire facility, and do so at a random time rather than during specific time that they can prepare for.

4. 5.

Make sure the dogs have access to outdoor space.

Review state kennel inspection reports. Many serious findings don’t require a kennel to shut down, but all findings are at: https://www.padogs.state.pa.us/PublicKennels/ SearchKennelInspections.aspx

You may also find reliable reviews from the Better Business Bureau here: http://pittsburgh.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews/.

Ask about the safety protocols.

Ensure they are strict at enforcing vaccination policies. If they don’t ask you about your dog’s vaccination history, they aren’t asking the dogs your dog is playing with.

We understand that not every dog can attend Camp Bow Wow, but EVERY dog should be well taken care of! Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh North 2327 Babcock Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh SW 710 Trumbull Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Camp Bow Wow Highland Park 1325 Washington Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15206

HOW OLD IS “SENIOR”: Life Stages of Cats and Human Equivalents

o just how old is a senior cat, and when do cats go from being kittens to being adults? And are there stages in between, and beyond? And do we count five years for every year to equal the human equivalent, or seven? While we can generalize over the course of a cat’s life using 7 to multiply to reach a human equivalent, the result is way off the mark at the beginning and end of life. Consider that they can have babies as young as four months old in some circumstances, yet if we multiplied 7 by, say 0.5, we’d get 3.5. To reach a real human equivalent for the ability to reproduce we’d have to figure it out another way. The Feline Advisory Bureau developed the life stages as a poster as part of its WellCat Programme, and it’s a great reference for where your cat is in her life. Hmmm, right now I have four “prime” cats and one “mature” cat, after years of “senior” and “geriatric” cats. I’m sure the Fantastic Four adore being termed “prime”, but I’m not so sure Mimi likes being called “mature” (humans aren’t fond of that term in reference to life stages either), and Kelly and Cookie, and Peaches before them, were totally over the “geriatric” tag! But even without their attitude about the titles of the stages, it’s a good indicator of where they are and what they need. And if you’re wondering about adopting an older kitty, this may help you understand where they are in their lifespan. by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

Kitten, birth to 6 months 0 – 1 month = 0 – 1 year 2 – 3 months = 2 – 4 years 4 months = 6 – 8 years 6 months = 10 years

Junior, 7 months to 2 years 7 months = 12 years 12 months = 15 years 18 months = 21 years 2 years = 24 years

Prime, 3 years to 6 years 3 = 28 4 = 32 5 = 36 6 = 40

Mature, 7 years to 10 years 7 = 44 8 = 48 9 = 52

10 = 56

Senior, 11 years to 14 years 11 = 60 12 = 64 13 = 68 14 = 72

Geriatric, 15 years+ 15 = 76 16 = 80 17 = 84 18 = 88 19 = 92 20 = 96 21 = 100 22 = 104 23 = 108 24 = 112 25 = 116

This information was contained in the Feline Advisory Bureau 2008 Annual Review, www.fabcats.org.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

Toni and Meg

Weathering the Storm!!! I think it goes without saying we are all living in very stressful and anxious times. This can have a dramatic impact on our pets’ overall health and well being. There are many different causes for our dogs and cats suffering from anxiety. • Separation from you or another pack member • Thunder and noise phobia • New or death of family member • Moving to new residence Since we are in the height of storm season and the July 4th fireworks will be here before you know it, I’m choosing to focus on July 4th noise and thunder fireworks will phobias. We really don't know why some be here before pets fear loud noises you know it! and some can even develop them with age and can even lose them again. A perfect example was my beloved and first dog Princess. She developed a fear to loud noises about halfway through her 18 years of life, and because she lived so long, the last 3 years of her life she was nearly totally deaf and was no longer afraid. An effective approach to phobias is known as counter conditioning training, where you try associating the loud noises with something good like food or your dog’s favorite toy. You can also create a safe “go to” place during storms or fireworks, like a closet. My second dog Sadie would totally go on her own to the basement and lay under a table during a storm; talk about natural instincts! If you choose the safe place, I would begin by taking a bag of treats and crawling into the “safe place” with your dog during a couple of storms. Then try to get

your dog to go to the safe place and reward him for going and sit outside the closet. The goal here is to get them to go to the safe place without you especially if a storm occurs and you’re not home. There are also many natural products to improve the noise phobia : Petzlife makes a product called @-EAZE – 100% Natural, uniquely formulated with L-Theanine, a natural occurring amino acid in green tea, that helps promote a restful relaxed state.

pressure to relieve anxiety has been a common practice for years. For example: • TTouch dog trainers use pressure to address a wide variety of anxieties. • Veterinarians use pressure to relax cattle when they are administering vaccinations. • People with autism use pressure to relieve their persistent anxiety. • Children with certain behavioral problems use pressure shirts and weighted vests to relax and focus. • Parents use swaddling to calm an inconsolable newborn infant.

Aromadog makes a product called CHILL OUT – A powerful blend of chamomile, lavender and sweet marjoram act to calm and quiet pet nervousness. Mist the air thoroughly around the pet or on the pet bedding. Bach makes RESCUE REMEDY – A blend of 5 flower essences given orally. The THUNDERSHIRT is literally a jacket of sorts that applies gentle, constant pressure and has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited. Based on surveys

As you could all guess by now, I first and foremost recommend trying every known natural treatment before resorting to medications. However, severe cases may need to resort to tranquilizers in order to “weather the storm.” Pun intended!

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412.831.3700 completed by over two thousand customers, over 80% of dogs show significant improvement in symptoms when using Thundershirt. As for WHY Thundershirt’s gentle pressure works to calm a dog, experts such as Dr. Temple Grandin believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system. Using

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

AVCF provides veterinarians with a unique opportunity to join together under one charitable entity designed to assist them raise funds to support their generous giving. Appreciative clients and caring individuals can now help veterinarians in their charitable endeavors by supporting an individual veterinary practice or the AVCF General Fund. Donors can rest assured that 100% of their charitable giving to the AVCF goes directly to improving the quality of life of pets and their people.

email: info@avcfund.org For more information: www.avcfund.org

HAAWC is a 501(c)(3) organization that honors the Human Animal Bond as a source of wellness for individuals, families and communities. Guided by the belief that animals are a gateway to human healing, HAAWC intends to develop both urban programs and rural sanctuaries designed to impact community health, safety and wellness.

Schedule an underground dog fence installation with us before December 31, 2013 and we will give you $100 off!

HAAWC is raising funds for upcoming animal-related programming. www.haawc.com

July 2013

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Professional Dog Trainer Evaluates, Trains & Installs for Success “The True Dog Professionals”

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ADVERTISER LOCATOR 1 Healthy Pet Products (see ad pg 11) 2 Woody’s Do-It-Yourself Dogwash (see ad this page) 3 Urban Dog Daycare & Day Spa (see ad pg 12) 4 Animal Rescue League (see ad pg 6) 5 Oddball Pets & Aquariums (see ad pg 2) 6 Companions First Veterinary Clinic (see ad pg 20) 7 Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation (see ad pg 28) 8 Beaver Animal Clinic (see ad inside back cover) 9 5th Avenue Fido (see ad pg 12) 10 The English Horn Ltd (see ad pg 26) 11 Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (see ad back cover)

12 Fur Ever Green Dog Spa (see ad this page) 13 Citiwide Chem-Dry (see ad pg 1) 14 Ringer’s Pet Dog Training (see ad pg 15) 15 Vibrant Images (see ad pg 4) 16 Rockin’ Horse Stables (see ad pg 26) 17 BelaCoop Animal Hospital (see ad page 9) 18 Bruster’s Ingomar (see ad this page) 19 Grooming With Care (see ad this page) 20 Double Wide Grill (see ad pg 5) 21 Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming (see ad pg 13) 22 Back To Basics (see ad pg 22)

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

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All About Dogs (see ad this page) All Natural Hoof Care (see ad pg 25) American Veterinary Charitable Fund (see ad pg 13) Angel Ridge Animal Rescue (see ad on inside front cover) Answers Pet Food (see ad pg 18) Chris’s Canine Club (see ad this page) Contain-A-Pet (see ad pg 14) Coventry Equestrian Center (see ad pg 27) DogWatch (see ad pg 13) HAAWC (see ad pg 13) Holistic Care for Animals (see ad pg 19) Jeffrey’s Drug Store (see ad pg 23) Judith Levy (see ad pg 16) J & D Home Improvements (see ad on inside front cover) KS Jones Photography (see ad pg 26) Nicole Begley Photography (see ad this page ) Paws Here Awhile (see ad pg 12) Pittsburgh Pup Crawl (see ad pg 7) Portraits of Animals (see ad pg 13) Renee Takacs, M.A., Intuitive Healer (see ad pg 16) The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank (see ad pg 19) Success just Clicks (see ad this page)

“Taking steps to improve your pet’s well-being” gs “Walking the do on gt hin as of W County” Dog walking, with extended services of pet transport to vet and groomer, and occasional pet-sitting for established clients. Insured and bonded, and trained in pet CPR and first aid. Call to reserve your spot!

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HOLISTIC CARE On a Wing and a Paw…

However, joyfully, the whole dynamic changed after this conversation with Beau along with some helpful actions that Terri took. Terri feels that somehow Libby “heard” Beau’s comment. Ever since that conversation, Libby now walks right past Beau without a reaction from Beau. Libby is even sleeping with Beau, Terri’s other dog, Lika, and Terri, in the same cozy bed.

Dogs and Cats, Living Together, Mass Hysteria! Bill Murray nailed this one in the movie Ghostbusters. I laugh every time I hear it. In some households, though, they aren’t laughing. When I lovingly communicate with pets who are stressed in their home due to other pet members, a resolution often unfolds. This tickles me when the pet’s person contacts me to report the transformation. Does this magically happen after every communication? In all honesty, no. Sometimes an intercession with a behaviorist is required. Sometimes there is a health imbalance that invites a different approach. Yet, when a simple conversation does it, I’m in my glory, and so are the pets and the people. For instance, Terri called about her dog and cat needing an intercession! Terri has two dogs and one cat. Her newly-adopted dog, Beau, was attacking her cat, Libby. Some households manage beautifully with a variety of multiple pets. However, one change in the status quo can rock the boat. When we spoke with Beau I asked him about his “attitude” toward Libby. Surprisingly, he responded by saying he felt Libby to be a “friend.” Terri remained concerned because Beau had been frequently lunging at Libby.

In Terri’s words, “It was a rocky ride for only a few weeks after I added Libby, but as when anything is not going our way, it seemed like forever. During a previous intuitive reading with you Renee, I asked about Beau coming into our household. The response was that he would be a great addition, but that there would be some problems with Libby and him, yet they would sort themselves out sooner rather than later, perhaps in about six weeks. It would take some active participation from me to de-sensitize Beau, so don’t leave them alone together. Well, we figured it out, and it did take some active participation and ingenuity on my part with some tips from the Internet. I constantly picked up Libby in his presence, petted her, cooed over her, and let Beau know she was a treasured member of our family. Thankfully, it didn’t take 6 weeks for him to get it. However, Libby was still not trusting him, with a couple of swats at him when he went to sniff her. I heard the fsssssst, turned and saw him sitting there looking dumfounded. However, immediately after the last communication, Libby is as trusting and comfortable with Beau as I could ever hope. She walks right by Beau, no longer running when he shows up, sleeping on the bed with us all. I don’t know what you did, Renee, but thank you so much.” Listening lightly, Renée

Judith Levy

Offering illumination, comfort and clarity for both you and

WELLNESS FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

your animal friends.

Holistic approach to behavior Specializing in treating fear and trauma in cats and dogs

Judith Levy M,Ed., CEHP, RMT Educator Feline and Canine Behavioral Consultant Certified Energy Health Practitioner www.judithlevywellness.com info@judithlevywellness.com

412.521.5133

Renee Takacs, M.A. Intuitive for People and Pets

724-625-6693

www.intuitguide.com renee@intuitguide.com

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

HOLISTIC CARE Probiotics for Pets P

robiotics are live, intestinal microorganisms that are taken orally and trigger improved health of the recipient. In fact, these “good” bacteria have wide ranging effects on the body.

Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH effects. Each of the studies regarding the health benefits of probiotics referred to above involved different bacteria. It would be false to think that all probiotics have all of those health benefits.

Unfortunately there is very poor quality control for probiotic There are ten times more bacteria in our gastrointestinal (GI) tracts supplements. Multiple studies have shown that most products for than there are cells in our bodies – some of them are good and some animals do not meet label claims. Many of the pet supplements do are harmful. Even more astonishing, there is 100 times more bacterial not contain the number of bacteria needed to be effective, some DNA than human DNA in each of us. It is scary to think that from a contain bacteria that are not listed on the label and one supplement cellular perspective, we are more bacterial than we are human. tested was contaminated with Maintaining the balance of these In one recent study of pet organisms is important. This same …there is 100 times more bacterial DNA mold. probiotic supplements, 25% of principle holds true for our dogs than human DNA in each of us…we are them misspelled the names of the and cats as well. bacteria they were supposed to more bacterial than we are human. contain. (Would you take a Seventy percent of a pet’s immune medication if the name of the drug was misspelled on the label?) system is in its gut. That makes the GI tract the largest organ of the immune system. There is an amazing interplay between the microbes I think the best source of probiotics for pets is fermented milk in the intestine and the systemic immune system. For example, one products. Fermented milk contains bacteriacins which are substances study showed that puppies taking probiotics responded better to their produced by the probiotics in the milk that can inhibit disease-causing vaccinations than puppies that did not get the supplements. Another bacteria, such as Salmonella, without harming the good bacteria or the study demonstrated that when cats took probiotics the function of animal’s GI tract. Bacteriacins help balance the population of intestinal their white blood cells improved. Probiotics have been shown to aid microbes in favor of the good bacteria. Probiotic supplements do not with urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, respiratory infections, contain bacteriacins. A recent study found that fermented milk gingivitis and allergic dermatitis as well as decrease inflammation. products can kill Helicobacter pylori, the ulcer-causing bacteria often associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics improve the function of the intestine. That’s why probiotic supplements are often used to help pets with diarrhea. One way these Milk is the perfect carrier for probiotic bacteria. Since these microbes microbes help the gut is by crowding out and inhibiting the growth of live off the nutrients found in milk, they survive in the GI tract better harmful bacteria. They also interact with the gut lining to help it ward because they have a readily available food supply. Also, research shows off disease-causing germs. Studies show that probiotics can not only that milk protein protects the probiotic bacteria while passing through reduce diarrhea caused by bacteria, they can also improve the symptoms the acid environment of the stomach. This gives probiotics from of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. fermented milk an additional advantage over pills and powders. Probiotic bacteria also help the digestive process itself. Some of these There is currently a raw goat’s milk product microbes convert intestinal contents into B vitamins and vitamin K. for pets made by the Answers Raw Pet They can digest food components that animals cannot and liberate Food Company. Raw goat’s milk naturally otherwise unavailable nutrients. Some also release their own enzymes contains about 200 strains of lactic acid into the gut to help the body further digest and absorb food. bacteria, many of which are known to be great probiotics. To these naturally occurring Besides improving the function of the intestine and probiotics, Answers adds cultures of immune system, probiotics have other systemic effects. Lactococcus lactis and Leuconostoc mesenteroids. Research on mice found that skinny mice had different bacteria in their intestines than did their overweight In my experience, all pets can benefit from relatives. When the scientists introduced the “skinny the addition of probiotics in their diets. mouse bacteria” into the GI tracts of the fat mice, the This is especially true for animals that have taken antibiotics since chubby rodents lost weight. (Perhaps this concept will these drugs kill the good bacteria along with the bad. Many other someday end the need for gastric bypass surgery). Probiotics medications like corticosteroids can throw off the intestinal have been shown to improve glucose tolerance, decrease balance too, as can stress, diet change, vaccinations and the high cholesterol, and benefit patients with liver disease, drinking of contaminated water. kidney disease and pancreatitis. It is very important to note that there are sometimes hundreds of strains of any particular bacterial species and while certain strains are beneficial bugs, other strains of the same species can be disease-causing. Also, each strain of “good” bacteria can have vastly different beneficial July 2013

Even apparently healthy animals benefit from probiotics being provided in their diet on a regular basis. Most strains of probiotic bacteria do not survive for long in the GI tract necessitating frequent dosing. Whether your pet is sick or well, don’t forget the raw goat’s milk.

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HOLISTIC CARE W

hen our pets have experiences that negatively impact them at a deep level, these experiences can become embedded in the body as well as the brain. We can think of this as a stuck place or a place that will remain problematic until we address it for the pet, with the intention

Trauma, Triggers, Turning Points By Judith Levy M.Ed.,CEHP, RMT of healing it. Some examples include physical abuse at an early age, severe neglect such as when an animal is caged all day every day and has no exposure to people, places or things or being tied outside all day and night with little or no interaction with people. The following is one definition of a traumatic event given by Dr. David Grand, developer of Brainspotting, a treatment for Sefina the day she was rescued by Dr Osbourne trauma… “Any life event that causes significant physical and/or emotional injury and distress, in which the person (animal) powerfully experiences being overwhelmed, helpless or trapped, can become a traumatic experience.” I began my training in Energy Health modalities when I found that dogs and cats that had experienced these horrific conditions were not responding to behavioral interventions alone. It became apparent that these animals had been deeply impacted and addressing these issues required a mind/body approach – that is using behavioral interventions

with the animal and its guardian as well as energy related modalities such as Reiki, Meridian Tapping and Bach Remedies. These methods can also blend nicely with traditional veterinary care. I received a call one day from a veterinarian who had that day been part of a massive rescue effort at a puppy mill having deplorable conditions. Some of the dogs had maggots in their ears and many were starving. Most were terrified and unable to tolerate humans approaching them. This veterinarian got to Sefina and she would have been the seventy-ninth dog that this vet would have had to euthanize that day. It was debatable as Sefina was so extremely traumatized. The generous Dr. Osbourne took Sefina home and was in tears when she called me. We had never met but I could hear her devastation from the day she had just experienced. Sefina was not able to eat food given by a human; she could not come within 2 rooms of Dr. Osbourne’s husband. If Sefina was outside and Mr. Osbourne, the husband, was in the house, there was no chance at all of her coming in the house. In this case, any man would have “triggered” this response from Sefina. A triggering event will activate a memory of the original event that was traumatizing. We all worked hard to help Sefina. Using behavioral methods, using Meridian Tapping, Reiki and Bach Remedies, changing diet and with lots of opportunity for exercise, Sefina was able to overcome a Sefina greatly recovered and able to socialize with her great percentage of her fear and trauma male guardian responses. It took a while but with Mr. Osbourne’s patience and love, he and Sefina have been able to heal the horrors of her past. Above is a picture of the two of them! Judith Levy, Feline and Canine Behavior Consultant www.judithlevywellness.com

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

July 2013

Greta – diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia

Mom says Greta is “best she has been in a long, long while”. And back to competing after only a few months! Mom Terri thought Greta might never show again. Lookout world Greta is back! (Note: Hip dysplasia is unfortunately common in animals, some breeds more than others and is normally treated with drugs and/or surgery – we did none of that in this case!) Comments from mom: “I so appreciate Dr. Mike for helping me with my sweet girl. Greta is able to play and work now without suffering the muscle spasms that were affecting her gait. As you can see from the picture after her treatment today, she is all smiles”! :-) Anjou woke up one day and was unable to hop or sit up straight. He could still move both legs, but something was causing his balance to be off, and his legs, especially the right, to be significantly weak. This photo was taken after our first treatment. Anjou was sitting up straight and hopping less than 24 hours after our first visit. We were not at 100%, but we are “hopping” in the right direction for sure! Only one week later, after visit two Anjou was able to strongly move his back legs! He was leaning over instead of falling over to the right and he had much more attitude, mobility and strength.

DC, CCSP, CVCP Dr. Savko works with the following veterinary clinics: Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital, Washington, Pa Suburban Animal Clinic, Butler, Pa, Delmont Veterinary Hospital, Delmont, Pa, Fox Run Equine Center, Apollo, Pa

Over 13 years experience

The Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank

“Pets Giving Pets the Gift of Life” Please volunteer your dog to be a “Blood Donor Hero” DOG DONOR ELIGIBILITY • Between 1 and 7 years of age • Weight: 50 lbs. or more • Healthy with a gentle temperament • Current with vaccinations • Never had a blood transfusion

• Tested negative for blood-borne diseases (free testing by blood bank) • Must be on heartworm, flea and tick preventative • Not pregnant or currently nursing

Read more about The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank at:

www.animalcarefund.org For questions, or to make an appointment call: 412-348-2588 or e-mail: AnimalBloodBank@pvs-ec.com July 2013

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FEATURED BUSINESS veterinarian, and before college worked in a few animal hospitals as well as volunteering on an ostrich farm, in humane societies, on a dairy farm, a pig farm and a wolf ranch.

hen Dr. Leia Goodell envisioned her own veterinary clinic she W focused as much on her human clients as the animals she would care for. “I wanted to establish a hospital that would focus on client education and spend the time with the clients that they need,” she said of her idea. “I wanted a small community clinic with a friendly atmosphere.” And the clinic website confirms this saying the clinic provides a “comfortable, kid-friendly, and a very calm environment so your pet can relax in the waiting room and look forward to meeting his or her own South Park veterinarian.” Companions First Veterinary Clinic is a full service animal hospital serving pets’ everyday needs as well as emergency cases when possible. Dr. Leia, as she prefers to be called, performs annual exams and vaccinations as well as spay/neuter and other surgical needs and dental care to dogs and cats, and clients can also call about services for rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles and birds. As a “state of the art” clinic Companions First offers in-house bloodwork and digital x-rays and considers themselves paperless with a secure website login to view your pet’s records. Their appointment book is also computerized which allows them to efficiently make appointments, accommodating special requests whenever possible.

PET AND HUMAN WELLNESS THROUGH COMPLIMENTARY WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP As part of providing complete care for her animal clients and achieving her goal of educating her human clients, Dr. Leia feels that a well-informed owner will make the best decisions for their pet’s health and well-being and offers an online library of articles and information about all the types of pets she serves. Each client can sign up for a complimentary website membership and learn how their pet’s body works inside and out, what is an appropriate diet for a particular pet, how much exercise they need, what type of care they need as young, middle-aged and senior animals, and the short and long-term consequences of not meeting these basic needs. Members also receive a free subscription to Companions First’s Pet Living & Wellness Newsletter.

URGENT AND EMERGENCY CARE During regular office hours the staff is also available for urgent care when a pet’s condition is not life-threatening but needs to be seen before an appointment is available by “squeezing” you in between scheduled appointments.

She attended Hiram College for her undergraduate degree in biology; her first year of vet school was at the University College Dublin in Ireland, then she transferred to the Ohio State University Veterinary College and graduated in 2006. She completed several externships with exotics at the Animal Medical Center in New York, Barberton Animal Hospital with Dr. Riggs in Ohio and the University of Georgia Veterinary Hospital. Her first veterinary position was at Bridgeville Animal Hospital in 2006.

SUPPORTING RESCUES AND MORE Companions First offers reduced rates to local area rescue groups with a pre-approval process to support the efforts of people who want to or who regularly help animals in need. “I like to encourage people to go out of their comfort zone and help animals in need,” Dr. Leia said of this offer, “I think it’s wonderful.” Dr. Leia also volunteers with low-cost spay/neuter clinics because she finds it to be an important way to try to control the animal population. “Right now, so many animals are euthanized because there are too many of them and not enough homes. Animals are starving and suffering. I view spaying/ neutering as a way to prevent some animals from suffering,” she said. Of pets of her own, Dr. Leia lives with a giant schnauzer and a mutt, but adds, “My iguana Jayden just moved into the clinic for more stimulation and the entertainment of my patients.” In addition to caring for animals, Dr. Leia enjoys reading, hiking, travel and music.

Cats • Dogs • Small Mammals & Exotics Wellness Exams • Vaccinations • Dentistry • Digital X-Ray In-House Lab • Routine Surgeries

6360 Library Road / Peters Creek Building

South Park • 412-831-9500 Find us on

www.companionsfirst.com *across the street from Library Tasty Creme

NOW OPEN Hours MON: 8am-8pm • TUES: 8am-4pm • WED: 8am-8pm

Come In & Meet Dr. Goodell & Her Friendly Staff

Accidents and emergencies happen with pets, and Companions First accepts emergency appointments any time the clinic is open. A veterinarian and a technician who are trained and equipped to handle most urgent cases are on duty 6 days a week and will work as a team to help save your pet.

THURS: 8am-4pm • FRI: 8am-12pm • SAT: 8am-12pm

Free Toenail Trim with new patient exam. standard nail trims only.

Companions First Veterinary Clinic South Park 412-831-9500 With this coupon.

ABOUT DR. LEIA Dr. Leia says that, though she might have wanted to be a pilot when she was really young, for the most part she always wanted to be a

Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer expires 7/30/13.

July 2013

FEATURED RESCUE A

WEARWOOF – MAKING PITTSBURGH “THE CITY OF CHAMPIONS FOR PETS”

thrift shop to raise funds to support animal welfare is very familiar, but Nancy Lee of WearWoof takes the concept to a new level to not only raise funds but to also build community among individuals, shelters and rescues and Pittsburgh’s corporate community, and it’s all based on the natural friendliness of the Pittsburgh area.

“I’ve traveled a lot, and the ‘Black and Gold’ model really did inspire me, that you can go to any city in the US and there will be people from Pittsburgh there and they are instantly your friends,” said Nancy Lee, founder and owner of WearWoof. “Pittsburgh is such a friendly city, getting people to work together to make Pittsburgh more pet-friendly and work toward being a no-kill city – we could be the City of Champions for pets!” While living in Florida, she visited then volunteered in a thrift shop that supported animal rescue and saw firsthand how small rescues were so consumed with everyday care they hardly had time to thank volunteers and often didn’t know of or couldn’t take advantage of opportunities. Returning to Pittsburgh, she said, “I knew I wanted to do something in animal welfare, I just didn’t know what. I wanted to help more than one rescue or shelter, and I wanted to use all my skills to do it.” With a background in education, non-profit human resources management, and fashion design, Nancy began with the idea of a thrift shop and built a much more supportive and sustainable model around it. WearWoof accepts gently used and never used upscale women’s clothing and accessories and pet accessories and collects 30% of every sale for donation to a shelter or rescue partner. Those who donate goods can also designate the shelter or rescue they’d like to benefit through a “Pretty Plus” program. Events and special sales also raise funds for the WearWoof grant program and to provide emergency funds to pet owners. All goods are donated and the shop is entirely volunteer. Supporting those efforts is a framework of corporate partners from the Pittsburgh business community who sponsor public events, volunteer or offer in-kind professional services. Benefitting from those efforts is a list of currently two dozen shelter and rescue partners who receive support for their efforts.

by Bernadette E. Kazmarski And for people in the general public who want to do their part in helping the effort but who can’t currently adopt or foster, or even volunteer in a shelter, donating to or shopping at WearWoof provides a means for them to help animals by doing something they do every day. While shopping till you drop may seem trivial, visiting WearWoof connects interested people with the animal welfare system so that through volunteering, learning about events and programs that benefit animals around the city, or offering their own expertise, they can choose do more in a manner that’s comfortable to them. “Many people want to help shelters but are overwhelmed by the volume of animals and their needs when they enter a shelter,” says Nancy. “A shop like WearWoof is neutral ground, where you don’t have to meet the day-to-day sadness of a shelter but you are still helping, and you can step up your involvement at any point.” Nancy mentions the success of the pet industry in marketing to pet owners as a way to approach people who want to help or adopt animals. “In animal welfare, we need to do what the pet industry is doing: think of the pet as a member of the family, always be positive about pets in our message, and show we really care about animals – we’re not just interested in selling something,” she said. Shelters and rescues become partners through an application process, and “we really want to bring all the smaller organizations and give them some tools to achieve their goals, like advice on incorporation or applying for a 501(c)3 designation,” Nancy said. She’ll often do things for them that they don’t have time to do, like designing brochures, and flyers for events so they can establish their identity. “We want to elevate the entire animal rescue community, and helping the smaller rescues catch up is a big part of that,” she said. The grant program is a direct fundraising effort, and recipients apply and are reviewed for the grant. This year the Kitten Season Grant was to be for $500 for one organization, yet more cash came in as donations and the grant applications mounted, so instead of one grant recipient, Nancy is hoping to award $500 grants to four of the applicants. She’s accomplished quite a number of her goals since her grand opening on April 25, 2013, and Nancy hopes to open a second location in about 18 months.

You can shop at WearWoof at 1105 Rochester Rd, Suite 103, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 phone 412-291-1850 | e-mail info@wearwoof.org. Visit the website at www.wearwoof.org to find out more about their programs, see their corporate and shelter partners and make a donation, and you can also find WearWoof on Facebook where you can connect day-to-day sales to benefit shelter partners.

July 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

HEALTH WELLNESS for GUARDIANS E

veryone has stress on some level, even our pets experience stress. We can all experience anxiety or depression, maybe both. So what do we do for ourselves or our pets? Depending on the severity supplements can vary from person to person or pet to pet. A good basic one for pets, cats or dogs mainly, Rescue Remedy is great. This

Natural Stress Relief for You and Your Pet

By Sharon Satterfield, ND

is a Bach Flower remedy using flower essences which help to balance out emotions of all kinds. Especially loss and trauma, even thunder storms, riding in a car, going to the vet. I have found this to work time and time again for pets. It is great for humans too, again in cases of grief and loss. Another product I like for humans is Nutri-Calm, best supplement for anxiety I have ever found in 28 years. I actually used it myself when I suffered panic attacks years ago after the death of my husband. I never had to use an RX. Supporting the adrenals is very important in this day and age of stress and we have many formulas here at Back to Basics to help. I want to discuss auto-immune issues this month since it is something I deal with so often in this day and age of high stress. An auto-immune disorder is when the immune system attacks itself and the entire body. Many illnesses fall under this category such as: thyroid issues, allergies (seasonal), type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance or Syndrome X, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, all arthritis except osteoarthritis, lupus and various skin conditions to name the most common. When dealing with these problems, keeping the pH balanced, bowels moving, detoxing the liver and supporting the adrenals are the most important things you can do. The biggest cause of auto-immune problem is stress, because the stress creates toxins and then toxins cause inflammation. It is a vicious cycle. Diet can also contribute to both cause and cure. I have also found in my 28 years that menopause can be a big cause of auto-immune issues. Parasites, a viral attack or bacterial invasion can also be a cause due to the fact they have not been

Back to Basics

addressed, properly, or long enough. Another cause is a trauma or an accident, especially in cases of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue when therapy is necessary as there are many deep-seated issues involved. Cleaning up one’s diet is imperative. Avoiding all inflammatory foods such as nightshades, which are tomatoes, most species of sweet and hot peppers, potatoes (not sweet potatoes) and eggplant. White sugar, corn syrup, white flour, black tea, caffeine including chocolate, dairy, fried foods, beef, pork, lunch meats, boxed foods, artificial colorings and additives. Get your diet cleaned up! Eat whole foods, organic if at all possible, 80% alkaline foods which is all fruits and veggies and 20% acid foods. Drink plenty of filtered water, half your weight in ounces of water. Some basics for these issues include vitamin D3 in high amounts, at least 5,000 units. First, using an adrenal formula is a must, sometimes one to help balance the hormone cortisol if you can’t sleep at night and are exhausted during the day, and an imbalance can even cause weight gain especially around the mid-section. Blast those hormones, huh? Anyway hormones are such an important part of our health and our adrenals take the biggest hit when stress is involved. Second comes the thyroid. A good test to do at home for the thyroid is to take a regular thermometer (not digital) and place it under your left arm pit for 15 minutes before you get out of bed in the morning. Record your temperature for 2 weeks. A temperature with a normal thyroid will be between 97.6 to 98.2, but if it falls below 97.6 then your thyroid is LOW. However, further testing will make sure it is not just the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) out of balance and that the T3 and T4 are normal. Many times it is just the TSH and herbal or glandular products can be used to balance it out just fine. However sometimes a medication is necessary. Third, the liver is involved with our entire endocrine system and digestive tract. It seems like a lot of work though it is actually very simple, but does take dedication with diet and supplements to overcome this problem by adding in good old dandelion root tea and milk thistle is all that is needed. Fibromyalgia is wide spread these days – I know, I battle with it myself but had it in remission for over 15 years until just recently. Stress will get you every time…go figure! Malic acid and magnesium are number one, turmeric for inflammation and support both adrenals and thyroid. You will have success! I am feeling better already. Good sound sleep is a must!! I cannot stress that enough. Without adequate sleep the body cannot repair itself, especially the adrenals. No two people or animals are alike so we make sure the product we choose is right for you or your furry loved one. Should you have any questions, please give me a call at 412-343-8156. God Bless!!

We’re not just any vitamin store...

We carry all natural, food based, excipient-free vitamins, herbs and supplements & personal products. We also have a variety of herbal teas and local honey from Bedillion Farms. Our other services include: • Ion Detoxification Cleanse • Consultations with Sharon Satterfield, ND • Featuring the Zyto Select Biocommunication Scan • Consultations for the whole family and your pets!

412-343-8156 www.back2basicsinc.com Lebanon Shops | 300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd.

Did you know that your business (including non-pet related) can sponsor an ad for a non-profit Rescue group? Call us at 724-503-8695 to find out how you can support your favorite local ANIMAL charity! July 2013

TANKS AND TERRARIUMS “Are Those Saltwater Fish?” By Stephanie Enedy of Oddball Pets & Aquariums

“Are those saltwater fish?” is one of the most common questions that we are asked when someone is looking at our cichlid aquariums. African Cichlids are vibrant and active freshwater fish that require only a small bit of specialized care. African Cichlids come from the Rift Lakes in Africa (Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria). Hundreds of species have evolved over thousands of years, resulting in some of the most interesting and colorful fish that you will ever see. They vary in size from just over an inch to over 3 feet! Selecting the right mix of cichlids can require research or the help of an experienced local fish store. Here are a few tips to help you set up the perfect tank:

1. DON’T BUY CICHLIDS FROM A “MIXED TANK” – These fish are often hybrids which have unpredictable levels of aggression and tend to kill one another over time. If the store cannot tell you what the fish is – don’t buy it! 2. WATER PARAMETERS – Cichlids do have some special water requirements. They need water with a high mineral content and a higher pH, 7.8 to 9.0 depending on species. This can be easily accomplished using buffers and Cichlid Salts. I recommend Seachem Malawi Buffer and Cichlid Lake Salt to all of our cichlid customers. It is easy and inexpensive. 3. PROPER DIET – The right nutrition will keep your fish healthy and bring out spectacular colors. Cichlids do best on a high quality pellet diet, such as New Life Spectrum. Flake food is not a good choice for cichlids and will often lead to nutritional deficiencies and even disease. 4. UPKEEP/MAINTENANCE – Overfiltering your tank is great choice because cichlids prefer to be stocked in higher numbers than other fish species. Doing a 50% water change on a regular basis is a great way to keep the tank full of crystal clear water and active fish.

OPTIONS FOR PETS THAT WILL NOT TAKE THEIR MEDICINE Many pet owners are able to dose their animals’ medicine in the forms that are already available, and some are not so lucky. Finding the untouched tablet or capsule around the house or in the food dish is a common theme among many. One solution we are able to provide is making the oral dose a suspension and concentrating the liquid so that the smallest amount possible would need to be given at any one time. This works well for many drugs used to treat a variety of conditions, for example; methimazole for thyroid, prednisone/prednisolone, a steroid often used in dogs and cats, or enalapril for heart issues. We are able to flavor the liquids chicken, beef, tuna, or liver to make the medicines palatable for your animal. Another option we offer is the ability to make the medication a transdermal gel, meaning that the We now stock generic Rimadyl. prescription would be filled by putting the active ingredients in a topical cream/gel that would be rubbed Carprofen is available in 25mg, 75mg, into the front inner side of the ear and would be absorbed through the skin. We recommend wearing gloves and 100mg tablets. By choosing the or covering your hand with a plastic bag because the medicine could easily be absorbed into the owner’s skin as well. The amount applied is very small and alternating ears is best for absorption. This is generic you can save up to 25-30% per month based on a twice a day dosage. a great option for the cats that can easily get away. Some examples of medications that can be formulated this way are: methimazole, amitriptyline, Buspar, and tramadol. July 2013

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EQUINE AFFAIRS WHAT IS LAMENESS? By Nancy Frishkorn CHCP, BA

t’s riding season again, and for many this means good times and an opportunity to show everyone just how much your beloved equine has learned during winter training. For others, however, many a show will be missed because of lameness due to abscessing, bruising, or the dreaded laminitic attack. It’s important to understand the cause, treatment and prevention (if possible) of such conditions, but often times horse owners are “left in the dark” with a veterinarian’s report that cannot be understood by merely searching the internet. Additionally, veterinary protocol may vary depending upon your own professionals’ personal preferences, educational experiences, and available local resources; this article will provide a quick overview of the basics and a preferred natural approach to treatment.

HOOF COLOR There is still a popular belief that hoof color determines hoof health – NOT TRUE! Hoof color is determined by the amount of melanin found within; melanin is any of a class of insoluble pigments that give skin, hair, and eyes their color. I’ve dissected hundreds of hooves over the years, and microscopically the black hooves, striped hooves and white hooves are all identical aside from the color. I’ve also heard new clients say, “My farrier said his hooves are weak because they are white.” If this is the case, have your farrier read the American Farriers Association report by Doug Leach in 1981 (A.F.A.(5)(1)p.179) “Hoof color has been traditionally implicated as an important factor in the durability and strength of horse’s hooves. However, it has been shown that black and white hooves do not differ in water content, chemical composition, hardness, or compressive strength.”

ABSCESS Keratomas or abscesses are the most common cause of lameness. There are three ways to test for an abscess without a radiograph (which is, of course the best.) First, palpate the coronet with your fingertips and record any sensitivity of specific locations; write these down so you can share your findings with your veterinarian or hoof care professional. Secondly, a digital thermometer will detect any temperature elevation within the first inch of depth in the capsule. These can be purchased at any auto or hardware store for under $20 and are often used to test tire temperature during racing. Third, check the digital pulse! Any elevation of the pulse indicates pain, possible inflammation, and an immediate need to contact your professionals. Heat in the foot is subjective (or non-determinant) so always trust the pulse! The vein and arterial nerve run side by side and are bundled together just to the outside of the deep flexor tendon.

Place two fingers on the inside of the pastern, feel the “rod” or tendon and just behind that in the indent or groove you will be able to feel the distal pulse. The normal resting heart rate is 30-40 and this is true for draft breeds as well. Treating with Phenylbutazone (Bute) will not help an abscess – if your vet gave permission to administer Bute and your horse shows no improvement, chances are very good that what you are dealing with is in fact an abscess. Soaking is not recommended! Many times people will soak the hoof in warm water or with Epsom salts; although this may alleviate some immediate discomfort, it can also cause further spread of infection should there be an opening (seen or unseen) for the water will carry the infection into new areas rather that permitting the pus to drain out (which is preferred). I recommend movement for as much as it is painful to watch, it facilitates the natural process of expulsion via the path of least resistance and the hoof will expel the pus naturally as designed. If it is very bad and easily located, it can be opened with a shoeing nail by inserting the tip into the laminae and puncturing the pus pocket, this will allow for immediate relief of pressure; in addition it will prevent a coronet or wall “blow out” that will take several months to grow out. DO NOT carve the sole with a hoof knife! This invades live tissue and most times the pus is not accessed nor the pain relieved (even by the vet!) leaving a hole in the sensitive tissues that can take MANY months to heal…if ever! A couple weeks of pain can be reduced to just a few days with turnout and “sweating the coronet” by applying drawing salve liberally to the coronet and sole/frog areas.

EDEMA This is soft tissue swelling that is not painful and can include inflammation inside the hoof capsule which is a pathogenesis caused by bacterial invasions. These bacterial invasions can travel, often up the pastern and sometimes entering the lower limb; it is important not to disregard these as simple wind puffs or stocking due to stall rest. Turn the horse out and check often to see if the edema remains, worsens or reduces with movement and report these findings to your professionals immediately.

July 2013

EQUINE AFFAIRS SUB-CLINICAL LAMINITIS

DEGREE OF LAMENESS

This is the second most common cause of lameness! This is a failure of the suspensory apparatus of the distal phalanx often associated with mild inflammation and capsule rotation where the bones themselves (phalanges) remain in alignment but the hoof wall flares away at the toe causing noticeable angular rotation when radiographed. This is not founder in the sense that phalangeal rotation has occurred and potential sole penetration is a threat, but rather the “toe flare” that your farrier may refer to and recommend increasing the angle with a heel wedge, squaring off the toe, or simply lowering the heels in an attempt to align the bone with the dorsal wall. In my opinion as well as any competent natural certified practitioner, all of these ideas are moot as they only address the symptom of a far greater problem – the diet and overall management of the equine. Sub-clinical laminitis can be caused by OVERGRAZED pastures and may present as intermittent lameness without “rocking back” or any of the more obvious signs of a true laminitic attack. It can also be caused by stress (with resulting hypertension), increased protein catabolism (break down of proteins for use as glucose in the liver), or even hyper-secretion of cortisol due to PPID (Cushing’s) to name a few.

All Natural Hoof Care Nancy Frishkorn CHCP-Field Instructor

Liberated Horsemanship Barefoot Trimming Services for the Tri-State Area: PA, WV, OH

724-255-6465

The head goes down on the sound hoof in front leg lameness The hip drops at the tuber cocae (point of hip) on hind leg – the sound leg will “hitch up”

1st degree lameness: Lame at the canter intermittently 2nd degree lameness: Lame consistently at the trot & canter – exhibits “odd” not straight movements

3rd degree lameness: Consistently lame at the trot all the time 4th degree lameness: Consistently lame at the walk 5th degree lameness: Laying down, non-weight bearing Terms: Abduction: moving limb away from body Acute: just happened Adduction: moving limb towards the body Axial: toward center of limb Abaxial: toward edge of limb Arthritis: inflammation of the joint Biaxial: both sides of limb Bilateral: both limbs Caudal: toward the back of the horse Chronic: occurring for a long period of time Contralateral: on the other side of the body Cranial: toward the front of the horse Desmitis: inflammation of the ligament Distal: toward the ground Epiphysitis: inflammation of the cartilage that joins epiphysis to bone shaft Hypometric: not lifting leg up as high as normal Hypermetric: lifting the leg higher than normal Ipsilateral: on the same side of the body Itis: inflammation Lateral: toward the outside of the limb Medial: toward inside of limb Myopathy: Muscle problem Myositis: inflammation of the muscle Pelvic limb: hind leg Proximal: toward upper body Synovitis: inflammation of the joint membrane Thoracic limb: front leg Uniaxial: one side of limb Unilateral: one limb (either left or right)

nancy@hooflady.org July 2013

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The

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Hours Sun, Mon........Closed Tues, Thurs .....10am-8pm Wed, Fri, Sat...10am-5pm

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SENIOR PICTURES, ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS, FAMILY PORTRAITS, PET PHOTOGRAPHY AND MORE. kjonesphotography88@gmail.com www.kjones.smugmug.com

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211 East McMurray Rd, McMurray, PA 15317

Rockin’ Horse Stables Located just minutes from the heart of Cranberry Twp. Rockin’ Horse Stables is a hunter/jumper facility offering full care boarding, professional riding lessons, summer camps and quality horse sales.

SUMMER DAY CAMPS Horse Riding, unique games, fun learning activities, crafts, and much more make our camps an experience to remember. Beginners and intermediate riders welcome. Registration is open. Sign up now!

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Whether you are introducing a child to riding, fulfilling a lifelong dream, renewing an old hobby or just looking for someplace new, we can help. Contact us and see how easy it is to get started!

July 2013

EQUINE AFFAIRS “Off the Wall Riding” or The Benefit of Riding Your Horse on Straight Lines

earning to ride straight lines is a wonderful way to train your horse to be balanced. Very few horses are born to move in a balanced way, it has to be developed with training. Training a horse to go straight will help to develop its balance from side to side so it can move equally in both directions. Riders often say that their horse prefers a certain direction, but a rider that learns to put the horse straight in both directions can train the horse to carry its weight equally on all four limbs. This will improve the horse’s overall gymnastic training, and create a better way of moving for any activities the rider pursues.

Left: In this photo you can see how the rider has the horse's long body straight between her vertical aids! The horse’s neck and head are in the center of its shoulders and, the shoulders are in alignment with the haunches. All horses will travel crookedly unless the rider consciously rides the horse straight. Training the horse to go straight develops the horse’s ability to work evenly from both hind legs resulting in better wear and tear on its body, and soundness. Learn how to ride your horse “off the wall” to train your horse to go straight! Below: Here is a side view of a horse being ridden forward and straight. Horses do not just go straight. You can see how the rider has the horse's long body straight between her vertical aids! The horse’s neck and head are in the center of its shoulders and, the shoulders are in alignment with the haunches.

Riding straight lines develops side to side balance in any horse. For instance, many horses have a more difficult time picking up the right canter lead. Usually, this is because the horse is bent too far right and can’t get its inside shoulder forward to get the correct lead. Training the horse to go straight tracking to the right and to the left will develop its strength and ability to carry and push from each hind leg. This will also help to lift and free the shoulders and is just one example of how gymnastic training will develop the horse athletically. Purposefully riding straight lines off of the railing will also develop the rider. At Coventry, we call this “Off the Wall Riding.” For example, instead of continually riding along the railing of the arena, bring your horse about ten feet away from the wall and ride a straight line keeping the horse from either ‘falling out’ back to the wall or ‘falling in’ toward the center of the arena. It is amazing when you first start riding straight lines off the wall how wobbly the horse feels as it either falls in and/or out. In order to keep a horse straight, the rider's aids have to be quickly timed. Riding on circles is so much easier. The value, however, of ‘off the wall riding’ trains the horse to develop equal balance in each direction and it enhances the rider’s aid coordination. As a result, both horse and rider benefit. The horse develops the ability to step under equally with both hind legs and the rider starts to develop a better coordination to signal the horse more effortlessly. Balancing the horse’s horizontal body below the rider’s vertical position is only one aspect of ‘off the wall riding.’ The rider needs to sit with a balanced seat (not leaning in any direction) and be able to utilize their aids equally both to the left and to the right. So here we have one of the ironies of training horses: the rider wants the horse to be balanced, yet they may not be symmetrical themselves. Don’t despair. Riding the horse off of the arena railing (staying about ten feet away from the wall) and practicing this consistently will not only gymnastically train the horse to go straight but improve the rider’s straightness. It may sound easy, but it is actually very challenging to balance the horse’s barrel between the aids, maintain the horse’s neck and head in alignment with its body and maintain a straight horse! July 2013

Riding a horse on a straight line is challenging because no horse wants to travel straight. With consistent training utilizing “off the wall riding” the horse develops the muscles to carry itself and the rider in a more balanced way. At Coventry, we often joke about the horse’s horizontal spine from tail to poll being about fourteen feet long. It balances on four legs and the rider with a vertical spine is supposed to keep this wiggling horse between the aids and put the horse straight. The joke is, “Thank God we are just riding a quadruped and not a centipede that has one hundred legs!” “Ride your horse forward and put it straight” is a famous quote among classical trainers. Certainly training a horse is an art. Training one to stay in alignment with its shoulders in front of its hind end and, its neck and head straight in front of the shoulders is one of the challenges of training. Practicing some “off the wall riding” in both directions at all three gaits will get the rider in a balanced partnership with the horse on the fast track of gymnastic training.

• Freelance Riding Instructor - for lessons and clinics • Learn to train the horse gymnastically using simplified riding techniques to create a more athletic horse & rider communication • Improve your riding dialog for all disciplines Call 724-206-9902, or visit www.CoventryEquestrianCenter.com

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IN REMEMBRANCE IN MEMORY OF: Cecil, May 1993 – September 2007 I adopted Cecil in 1993. He was a tiny, scrawny buff colored kitten who amazingly grew into a beautiful seventeen pound tom cat. I adopted him along with his sister, Lucy. Even though I loved them both, Cecil and I had a special bond from the very beginning. He followed me everywhere and was my constant companion. He always knew when I was sick or upset and would comfort me by never leaving my side. He always seemed to know how I was feeling. He died when he was fourteen. It was a huge loss, but as a psychic, I can still communicate with him in spirit. He even helps me with my animal communications. When I am doing a reading for an animal that has crossed over, Cecil gets involved in the reading by providing me with information about that animal. He has a special gift even in his spirit form. While it will never be the same without him here physically, it is a comfort to know he is still with me — our bond still remains strong.

Cecil

Karen Loschiavo insightfulspirit@comcast.net

CHARTIERS CUSTOM PET CREMATION Caring for families who love their pets.”

“

• Cremations Performed on Premises • Urns • Memorials • Transport

Lucy and Cecil

Serving the Greater Pittsburgh Area

442 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Phone answers 24/7 for your convenience. Hours are by appointment.

Do you have a special pet that you would like to honor? Send submissions to info@pghpetconnections.com.

www.ccpc.ws (412) 220-7800 28

July 2013

Dr. Doug The Holistic Vet

Holistic and Conventional Care: • Full Service Animal Clinic • Preventive Health Care • General Surgery • Radiology • Dentistry • Holistic Care • Acupuncture

• Vaccine & Vaccine Counseling • Nutrition Counseling & Natural Raw Diets • Chiropractic • Chinese Herbal Medicine • Therapeutic Laser • Healing Touch & Massage Therapy

Dr. Doug Knueven practices an integrative approach to pet care. He is well versed in conventional veterinary medicine and has been licensed since 1987. He is also certified in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and chiropractic. He is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and has advanced training in natural nutrition, massage therapy, homeopathy and a host of other alternative therapies. At Beaver Animal Clinic, Dr. Doug offers a full range of options for the treatment of disease and the maintenance of health. Western medicine tends to focus on fighting disease while holistic medicine strives to strengthen the body. These two goals are not necessarily mutually exclusive. An integrative practitioner works with the best of what these two philosophies have to offer picking and choosing from the full menu of options to put together a treatment plan that is ideal for the individual pet and her caregiver.

BEAVER ANIMAL CLINIC We at Beaver Animal Clinic believe in the power of caring. Caring for our patients as our own pets. Caring for our clients as our friends. Caring for each other as our family.

Hours: Mon.–Thurs. 9-8; Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-3; Sun. Closed

357 State Avenue | Beaver, PA 15009

724-774-8047 www.facebook.com/BeaverAnimalClinic

Dr. Ingrid Rhinehart earned her veterinary degree in 2011 from Cornell University. During her time in veterinary school, she focused on such things as bringing veterinary medicine to low-income families, helping people cope with the loss of a pet by volunteering on the Pet Loss Hotline, organizing community education events and helping to bring holistic and complementary medicine to the college and the veterinary students. She is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and looks forward to expanding her training in integrative modalities. She shares her life with her husband and their three fabulous Great Danes (Aurora, Lucky and Harry), one smart and sassy Doberman (Ace), and a very entertaining Hermann’s tortoise (Scooter).