PetcConnections May Vol. 2 Issue 7 2014

Pittsburgh

PetConnections Magazine Free!

May 2014 • Vol. 2, Issue 7

Page 26.

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May 2014 • Vol. 2, Issue 7

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Pet First Aid & CPR

C

Frankencat and Old Grand Dad

Toni ShelaskeHow I am making a Difference.

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The Many Manifestations of Lyme Disease Page 14.

To better serve our North Hills customers

! d e v o We’ve M

We are excited to offer new and expanded product lines, a small animal and bird section plus a lot more things to meow and bark about!

Visit us at our new location just down the road at 9805 McKnight Road, between Target and Giant Eagle.

Visit our South Hills store in Crossgates Plaza, 1742 Washington Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 (Next to Model Cleaners)

www.healthypetproducts.net

North Hills 412.366.0700 South Hills 412.831.3700

Find us on

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Jack

ng i r p S e From decks, m o Rider ot Sfencing to G e v ’ e W , e bathroom u c s al Re remodeling,

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nim A J&D has e g d i done it all! lR e g n d Our Fureve n At A i F o T r y

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Stella

Many wonderful dogs, cats and horses happy, healthy and waiting to be adopted. You may make an appointment (recommended) or visit during our opening hours, 12-5 Tuesday through Sunday.

Crystal For more information, visit our website at www.angelridgeanimalrescue.org, email us at aranres@yahoo.com, or phone at 724-229-7053.

Your new best bud is waiting for you at Angel Ridge Animal Rescue!

Angel Ridge ad generously sponsored by J&D Home Improvements From decks and fencing to bathroom remodeling, J&D has done it all!

Offer expires 5/31/14

J & D Home Improvements www.jdwaterproofing.com

TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING…

FOR YOUR PETS! •

FLUFF OUT MATTED FUR • BRIGHTEN UP DREARY COATS • TRIM CLICKING NAILS • WASH AWAY THE SMELLS OF CABIN FEVER

• FREE DAY CARE WITH ALL GROOMS • FREE CHOICE OF UPGRADES WITH “N.E.A.T.” BATH • FREE BASIC BATH WITH DAYCARE

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Boarding • Grooming Day care • “Healing Touch” Therapy

good thru 5/30/14

1191 Pittsburgh Road Valencia, PA 16059 www.PawPrintsPetRetreat.com 724-903-0063 PAWPRINTSPETRETREAT@GMAIL.COM REGULARLY $10-25/DAY CHOICES RANGE FROM $5-25 $25 VALUE …Exception: heavy/thick/matted coats will pay the appropriate surcharge listed on price sheet.

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In This Issue: The Human-Animal Bond............................ 8

Holistic Care...........................................22-25

Event Calendar..............................................9

Featured Article.......................................26-27

A Horse a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Upcoming Pet Events

An Unexpected Anniversary; Pica in Dogs Friendship and Assistance

Featured Business.........................................10 Kitty Korner.................................................28 Cat Rescue Resource Guide

Healthy Pet Products

Animal Health & Wellness......................12-15 Equine Affairs..........................................30-33 Pet First Aid & CPR; The Many Manifestations of Lyme Disease

Animal Behavior......................................16-17 Leave it 101

Natural Riding; The Benefits of Riding Bareback to Find Your Independent Seat

In Remembrance..........................................36 Healing Hearts for Pet Lovers, In Memory of Callie

Canine Companion......................................20 Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank

Advertiser Locator Map...........................18-19

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Welcome to our May Volume 2 Issue 7! This Issue:

I am very thankful and pleased to have been chosen as one of the Pittsburgh Magazine’s April Women in Business Spotlights, in their April 2014 issue! The article highlights the convergence of my career, work, passion and desire to create PetConnections, a literary and community platform, to further the mission of animal and people-related organizations. I have our staff, readers, writers, advertisers as well as many other people to thank who helped me make PetConnections a success in all ways.

The article can also viewed on Pittsburgh Magazine’s April digital issue: http://www.pittsburghmagazine-digital.com/ pittsburghmagazine/april_2014#pg92

Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Disclaimer: ”The views expressed in PPC Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. All viewpoints 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.

We welcome new advertisers this issue: Larry’s Laundromutt, The Canine Club, and Jenny Karlsson Photography!

Please support all our advertisers who make this publication possible and let them know you saw them in PetConnections! Visit the Map Spread and Advertiser Locator map on pages 18-19 to see all.

For National Pet First Aid Month read “The Importance of Knowing Pet First Aid and CPR” by Karen Sable. Also, more great topics such as the Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank by Dr. Rutter, Lyme disease by Dr. Klosterman, and Pica by Judith Levy and Sweet Adeline – the healing horse by Susan Wagner and more! Our featured business is Healthy Pet Products.

Thank you for picking up PPC Magazine. Take care of yourself, as well as your animals, and be well!

Warmly, Carla Mader CEO & Publisher Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com 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

Portraits of animals pets and wildlife

2014 CaLendars A yEAr Of CATs in fOur diffErEnT ThEmEs: 12 Sketches of Cats fine Art Wall Calendar Compositions in Black and Green features black cats In the Kitchen With Cookie photos and recipes Great Rescues Day Book features portraits and stories

Magazine Publication Staff Managing Editor.........................................................Carla Mader Chief Editor...........................................Bernadette E. Kazmarski Sales.................................................................................Carla Mader Distribution...............................................................Martin Mader Graphic Designer.......................................Flatboy Productions 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.

ADVERTISING: info@pghpetconnections.com 724-503-8695 Contact: info@pghpetconnections.com All Rights Reserved Copyright 2014 May 2014

Also feline-inspired artwork, photography, apparel, table linens, greeting cards and gift items.

Bernadette e. KazmarsKi, artist Etsy/PortraitsOfAnimals • www.TheCreativeCat.net www.bernadette-k.com

www.pghpetconnections.com

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PETCONNECTIONS DIRECTORIES Animal Educational Exhibits

Western Pa Humane Society 412-321-4265 | wpahumane.org

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium pittsburghzoo.org The National Aviary nationalaviary.org

South:

North:

Animal Behavior

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Judith Levy, M,Ed., CEHP, RMT 412-521-5133 | judithlevywellness.com

Animal Communication Greater Pittsburgh Area: Renee Takacs, M.A. intuitguide.com

Animal Reiki East:

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue 724-229-7053 | angelridgeanimalrescue.org Animal Care & Welfare 412-244-1372 | animalcareandwelfare.org Washington Area Humane Society 724-222-7387 | washingtonpashelter.org

East:

Animal Rescue League 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org ARL Wildlife Center 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org SW PA Pugs with Special Needs 724-763-2790 | swpapug.org

West:

CARMAA 412-780-4983 | carmaa-petadoption.com

Janet Jackson animalangellady.com

Dog Training

East End:

Molly’s Canine Academy 724-914-3214 | mollyscanineacademy.com Success Just Clicks successjustclicks.com

Judith Levy, M,Ed., CEHP, RMT 412-521-5133 | judithlevywellness.com

Animal-Related Art, Photography & Retail North:

Nicole Begley Photography nicolebegleyphotography.com Vibrant Images vibrant-images.com WearWoof Shop 412-956-1788 | wearwoof.org

South:

Kara Jones Photography kjones.smugmug.com Paws ‘n Claws Eyewear PawsnClawsEyewear.com

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Portraits of Animals portraitsofanimals.net Pet and Home Portraits petandhomeportraits.blogspot.com Jenny Karlsson Photography jennykarlssonphotography.com

Animal Rescue Organizations North:

Animal Friends 412-847-7000 | thinkingoutsidethecage.org Beaver County Humane Society 724-775-5801 Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue 724-869-9185 Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary 412-366-1187 | hopehavenfarm.org

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Greater Pittsburgh Area:

North Shore:

Western PA Humane Society 412-321-4265 | wpahumane.org

Dog Training Clubs South:

Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club 412-653-6880 | gtotc.com Keystone Canine Training 412-833-2211 | keystonecanine.com Xcel Canine Training Center 412-833-2504 | xcelcaninetraining.com

Equine Boarding, Lessons & Training Facilities North:

Rockin’ Horse Stables 724-601-4706 | rockinhorsestables.com

South:

Angel Ridge Farm (Lessons only) Elizabeth Goldberg - 412-860-1136 Coventry Equestrian Center 724-206-9902

Equine Holistic Care

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

See our on d www irector line fea tu y .pgh petc listings red onne a ction t s.com !

Equine Hoof Care

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

All Natural Hoof Care Nancy Frishkorn, CHCP – Field Instructor 724-255-6465 | hooflady.org

Equine Tack Stores South:

The English Horn 724-941-8088 | theenglishhorn.com Lowry’s Western Store 724-228-1225 | lowryswesternshop.com

Equine Veterinarians East:

Dr. Brian Burks, DVM Fox Run Equine Center 724-727-3481 | foxrunequine.com

Holistic Practitioners Pet Chiropractor North:

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com

East:

Dr. Dina Livolsi, Doctor of Chiropractic 412-824-6276 | drdinalivolsi.com

Greater Pittsburgh:

Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com

Holistic Veterinarians

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com

Pet Burial, Memorial & Cremation Services South:

Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation 412-220-7800 | ccpc.ws Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home 412-655-4500 | jeffersonmemorial.biz

Pet Fencing

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Contain-A-Pet of Pittsburgh 724-914-3214 DogWatch 724-586-6555 | DogWatchPGH.com J & D Home Improvements, Inc. 800-837-9379 | jdwaterproofing.com

May 2014

Pet Stop Pet Fencing System of Western PA petstop.com

Pet Friendly Restaurants North:

Double Wide Grille - Mars 724-553-5212

South:

Double Wide Grille - Southside 412-390-1111

Pet Grooming North:

5th Avenue Fido 724-772-5511 | 5thavenuefido.com All About Dogs 724-925-1577 | allaboutdogsgrooming.info K-9 Kingdom 724-935-3647 | k9kingdom.com Larry’s Laundromutt 412-534-4052 | larryslaundromutt.com Paw Prints Pet Retreat 724-903-0063 | pawprintspetretreat.com

South:

Brush Run Styling 724-942-6352 | brushrunpetstyling.com Canine Club 412-220-8100 | thecanineclub.com Grand Slam Grooming 412-221-5081 | grandslamgrooming.com Grooming With Care 412-977-5961 Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming 412-885-4027 Pets At Home 412-655-7297 The Pet Salon 412-279-5331 | petsalonusa.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com Creative Canine Cuts 724-223-9020

West:

Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com

Pet Grooming Schools

Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy 412-297-9383 | goldenpawspittsburghpa.com

Pet Massage

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Your Critter Sitters – Raylene Hoover 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com

Pet Resorts - Boarding, Daycare, Grooming & Training North:

5th Avenue Fido 724-772-5511 | 5thavenuefido.com

May 2014

PETCONNECTIONS DIRECTORIES

Camp Bow Wow - Ross Township campbowwowpgh.com K-9 Kingdom 724-935-3647 | k9kingdom.com Paw Prints Pet Retreat 724-903-0063 | pawprintspetretreat.com

South:

Camp Bow Wow - Castle Shannon campbowwowpgh.com Grandma’s Dog Daycare 412-586-7094 | grandmasdogdaycare.com Canine Club 412-220-8100 | thecanineclub.com

East:

Camp Bow Wow - Highland Park campbowwowpgh.com

West:

Camp Bow Wow - Greentree campbowwowpgh.com Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com

Pet Retail/Supply North:

Healthy Pet Products 412-366-0700 | healthypetproducts.net

South:

Healthy Pet Products 412-831-3700 | healthypetproducts.net Oddball Pets & Aquariums 412-884-2333 | oddballpets.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com

Pet Sitters North:

Little Piggies Pet Sitting littlepiggiespetsitting.com

South:

Chris’s Canine Club 724-746-3864 | chrisscanineclub.com Your Critter Sitters– Raylene Hoover 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com

Seven Fields Veterinary Clinic 724-742-4433 | sevenfieldsvet.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com

South:

Allegheny South Veterinary Services 412-257-0909 | alleghenysouthvetsvcs.com Companions First Veterinary Clinic 412-831-9500 | companionsfirst.com Hickory Veterinary Service 724-356-1000 | hickoryvetsvcs.com VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500

East:

Pittsburgh East Animal Hospital Monroeville - 724-325-2500 Greensburg - 724-205-6960 peah.vetsuite.com The Big Easy 412-908-9301 | tbeah.com

West:

Avalon Veterinary Hospital 412-761-9149 | avalonvh.com VCA MetVet West Animal Hospital 412-788-6400 | vcahospitals.com/met-vet-west

Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Services Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Inc. 412-366-3400 | pvs-ec.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com

East

Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty 412-373-4200 | avets.us

West:

Seraphina Pet Sitters 412-389-9735 | seraphinasitters.vpweb.com

Veterinary Hospice

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Nancy A. Ruffing, DVM 412-801-1071 | gentlejourneyvet.com

Veterinary Hospitals North:

Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com BelaCoop Animal Hospital 724-939-7062 | belacoopanimalhospital.com

www.pghpetconnections.com

Want to see your pet business listed here?

Contact us at info@pghpetconnections.com for more information!

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Oddball Pets and Aquariums The Best Aquarium Store in Pittsburgh

˚Freshwater ˚Saltwater ˚Reefs

˚Planted www.oddballpets.com

, ance n e t n ai ing M D esign r e f f Now O ation and ll Insta es! c Servi

412-884-2333

262 Joseph Street Pittsburgh PA 15227

A Day of Fun for People & Pets Benefitting the Western PA Humane Society

Saturday, May 17th 8:30am to 3:00pm An Explore Sewickley event, brought to you by Village Green Partners.

Join us for some tail-wagging fun at the 5th Annual Sewickley Unleashed!

8:30am 9:30am–3:00pm 10:30am

People-Only 5K Walk/Run Vendor Booths Open Pet Parade

Visit www.SewickleyUnleashed.org for more information and registration.

Thank you to our sponsors!

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND A Horse A Day Keeps The Doctor Away T

he weather’s finally broken after a long harsh winter, and I’m itching to do a few farm visits. There’s something special about springtime on a farm. It must be the new life all around – lambs, foals, calves and lots of daffodils and forsythia.

There’s one special horse I can’t visit this year. She’s passed on, but her healing energy survives. Her name was Sweet Adeline, and she was one of the healing horses at Serendipity Stables in York, Ohio. I don’t think the owner had any idea of how appropriate the name was at the time she chose it. Sweet Adeline is one of the most amazing creatures to ever to walk this planet. I don’t make statements like that lightly. I was blessed to do energy medicine on Sweet Adeline a few times, and I have never felt anything so powerful before or since. I think she was helping me more than I was treating her.

Her miraculous story began as a healing horse — mostly for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

She and her companions have helped hundreds of children from all over the world. One Sunday afternoon in 2002, Serendipity Stables was hosting its monthly open house. The barn was small and modest, no match for the F3 tornado that hit suddenly with 150 mph winds. All structures on the farm were destroyed, two horses were killed and three were severely wounded.

During this fateful day, Serendipity put 12 people next to this amazing creature. As the storm hit, Sweet Adeline kicked three people to the ground to prevent them from running out of the barn, then pinned all of them between her body and the wall. She endured flying metal that turned into shrapnel, severely injuring

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by Susan Wagner

her. Sweet Adeline never moved, saving the lives of everyone. The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association honored her with the Outstanding Animal Hero Award.

But her story doesn’t end there! Two years later, Sweet Adeline had an accident that crushed a joint in her left rear leg. Orthopedic specialists suggested euthanasia.

The odds of a successful surgery were slim, and even if they tried, it was very likely that one of her other legs would founder during the healing process. Horses need all four legs — they just can’t survive on three.

The veterinary recommendation was reasonable and compassionate, but they didn’t understand that this was Sweet Adeline they were examining.

Donations came from everywhere for the surgery. She made it through, but the leg never completely healed.

Unlike any normal horse, Sweet Adeline didn’t let that stop her. She had more healing work to do. She toetouched on that back leg for years, and all three of her other legs remained healthy. I always enjoyed the looks on my veterinary students’ faces when they would see her wobbling out of her stall. She was nothing short of a miracle in action.

Sweet Adeline lived for 4 years until the leg finally became too painful for her. I’ve heard stories of people photographing her empty stall, then seeing a horse standing there once the pictures were developed.

Others have said they would catch a horse out of the corner of their eye. When they turned, it was gone.

Imagination? Perhaps. One thing I know for sure is that nothing can keep energy like that down. Wherever Sweet Adeline is right now, you can be sure someone next to her is healing.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

Have a Pet Emergency?

open SUNDAYS

Community Choice Awar d

We’re here for you!

7 DAYS A WEEK

For voting us

BEST Veterinarian Dr. Stacie Grohmann Dr. Ann Cirillo Dr. Jamie Griffin

Extended hours for emergencies at regular prices. www.sevenfieldsvet.com

Mon, Tue, Thurs 9-9 Wed 12-9 • Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 1-6

203 Highpointe Drive • Seven Fields

724.742.4433

May 2014 Pittsburgh Pet Event Calendar

Sunday

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Pittsburgh Marathon

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Monday

5

Tuesday

6

Wednesday Thursday

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3

7

9

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Friday

Saturday

Healthy Pet Day

healthypetproducts.net

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Hope in One Golf Outing Animal Friends

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Fluffyjean Fund for Felines Clinic fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com

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ACW Adoption Events at PetCo see page 23 Sewickley Unleashed see page 7

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ACW Adoption Events at PetCo see page 23 WPA HS Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic see page 35

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HCMT Fast Track Spay/Neuter Clinic homelesscat.org

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WISH 99.7 4th Annual Purse Party wshh.com

Beaver County Humane Society Rabies Clinic

Paws for Life see page 13

Relay for Life

www.joesacsrelay.com

May 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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FEATURED BUSINESS

How I am making a

Difference By: Toni Shelaske

place at the right time. I walked into a grooming shop to inquire about their services. Literally, as I walked in I witnessed the owner giving her dog a raw chicken leg.

I flipped out and said, “Are you crazy? You are going to kill that dog. Dogs can’t have RAW chicken bones!” The owner proceeded to tell me about raw feeding and it was as if someone flicked a switch on in my head. It made total sense to me that this is their evolutionary diet and what they should be eating for optimum health. I immediately went and bought the recommended books and began feeding Meg raw. One day Meg was eating Purina One and the next day raw!

And, are you ready for this, NO DIARRHEA! I am so thankful I did. I don’t have a tear jerking life saving story to tell. What I can say is Meg is different.

She has boundless energy spending her days chasing moles, squirrels and chipmunks and often catching one!

Her coat is soft as angora, which is the first thing people mention when meeting her. Meg has the clearest eyes, cleanest teeth and ears, is lean and muscular. Most people think she’s about 5 years old when meeting her and she’s around 12!

I

am sure many of you have wondered who I am and what my background is that I think I can sit here and write about pet health and wellness. I don’t have any letters trailing after my name after all, “What could I possibly know?” I hope the following will help explain who I am and why I write these articles.

While operating my own pet sitting business over an eight-year period, I became increasingly concerned about the various health afflictions that I was seeing in my customers’ dogs and cats. The list of ailments appearing over and over again included allergies, itchy skin, ear infections, auto-immune disorders and a multitude of other problems. I began researching these health concerns and discovered that every symptom seemed to point to food and environment. This made perfect sense because I am a firm believer that we are what we eat. It is apparent that our beloved pets are what they eat as well. I had to do something!

Coincidentally there was a local store up for sale that only sold natural pet food and treats. I bought the store in 2008 to spread the word about how important it is to feed quality pet food to our pets.

I adopted Meg on February 12, 2002. The Animal Rescue League thought she was around 6 months to a year old. I didn’t know about raw feeding or “what’s really in grocery store kibble” till about 6 months after adopting her. There we were heading down the conventional road of low quality kibble, treats and conventional medicine. Fortunately, I was in the right

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Since then I have been doing research on basic pet nutrition and the pet food industry. I have found that many of the ailments our pets are suffering from these days can be greatly improved or completely eliminated with premium pet foods, raw feeding and supplementation (and do I dare mention less vaccinations). My true passion in life is to reach as many people as I possibly can to help them to understand what better nutrition can do for their pet and in turn do for them. I hope you stop in sometime soon to meet Meg, myself and my staff and see what we can offer your pets.

Healthy Pet Products Locations:

NORTH HILLS: 9805 McKnight Road Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237 SOUTH HILLS: 1742 Washington Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA. 15241 Photo courtesy of Toni Shelaske

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

The ARL needs foster homes for dogs in tough situations!

Every home helps, but we especially need homes that: are currently dog-free can host a dog for at least 45 days

ANIMAL HEALTH&WELLNESS Pet First Aid & CPR

By Karen Sable, Owner of Pet Emergency Training, LLC

A

pril was Pet First Aid Awareness Month, and what better time to talk about the importance of knowing what to do if an emergency occurred with your pet? Owning a pet can add much joy and fun to your family, but along with it comes the responsibility for your pet’s safety and well-being. Your furry friend is not just an animal, they are a much loved member of the family and you are their guardian. Certainly it is important to provide your pet with good quality food, fresh water, a comfy place to sleep, regular vet exams, up to date vaccinations, and lots of love. But one other very important thing you can do to help them lead a long and healthy life is to take a Pet First Aid and CPR class.

When you have a furry family member, chances are you don’t think much about something going wrong, such as a sudden illness or injury. But as with any family member, accidents can and do happen. It has been estimated that 92% of all pets will experience some type of emergency situation during their lifetime, and up to 60% of animal hospital visits are emergency in nature.

Moreover, preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among pre-senior dogs and (Photo credit Pet Tech, Inc) cats. There is probably no worse feeling for a pet owner than seeing their furry family member injured and hurting, and not knowing what to do to help them. If your pet suddenly began to choke on a toy, ate something toxic, was hit by a car, had a seizure, chewed through an electrical cord and was shocked, had an allergic reaction to a bee sting , was bleeding from a laceration, or suffered frostbite or heatstroke, would you know what to do in those first critical moments following the accident? Unfortunately you can‘t call 911 when your pet is ill or injured. You have to be their first responder!!

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According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 1-outof-4 or 25% more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care. Knowing the skills and techniques of pet first aid and CPR can mean the difference between a temporary and permanent disability for your pet, between a quick recovery (Photo credit Bernadette Kazmarski) and a long recuperation, between expensive veterinary bills and reasonable home care, and possibly even between life and death!

A good Pet First Aid class will teach you not just CPR and first aid skills, but also how to recognize potentially dangerous situations so that you can take steps to help prevent your pet from becoming ill or injured. You will also gain a better awareness of your pet’s well-being by learning how to perform routine examinations and assessments of every part of your pet’s body, including how to check their vital signs such as heart rate, breathing, temperature, and capillary refill time.

Unfortunately your pet cannot tell you when something is wrong or they are not feeling well.

Becoming familiar with what is “normal” for your pet will better enable you to detect warning signs indicating that something is not right and warrants a trip to the veterinarian. As with any member of the family, detecting a medical condition early makes it more likely that it can be treated promptly and before it becomes serious.

Having the knowledge and skills a Pet First Aid and CPR (Photo credit Pet Tech, Inc) class provides will help you to prepare for and remain calm during an emergency. Think of it as an insurance policy: you hope you will never need to use it, but it will give you the confidence and peace of mind that comes with

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

knowing you will be able to help your pet in an emergency.

Karen is a Pet TechÂŽ Instructor, and a trained responder with several national and local animal emergency response teams. Karen provides Pet First Aid and CPR classes in the Greater Pittsburgh and Western PA Area.

If you would like to attend one of her Pet CPR and First Aid classes, the following are currently scheduled in the Pittsburgh area: April 27 (11am-3pm) at Lucky Paws Pet Resort May 3 (11:30am-4pm) at the Bridgeville Public Library May 18 (11am-3:30pm) at Animal Friends For more information about the classes and how to register, as well as updates to the class schedule, please visit Karen’s website at: pghpetemergencytraining.com

(Photo credit Karen Sable)

May 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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ANIMAL HEALTH&WELLNESS The Many Manifestations of Lyme Disease By: Emily Klosterman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

P

ennsylvania and other states along the eastern seaboard are common places where dogs might contract Lyme disease. Recognizing the signs of Lyme disease can lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment.

However, the disease can manifest in many different ways, thus making it difficult for even the most vigilant of dog owners to know that their pet has Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites. The bacteria (Borrelia burgorferi) lives in the digestive system of the tick and infects the dog through the tick’s saliva. The bacteria can move around the body and evades detection by the immune system much better than other bacterial infections which makes it a disease that can cause many types of clinical signs. Because the bacteria are so good at hiding in the body, even with antibiotic treatment many dogs are never cured of this infection.

reduced immune system function or in an attempt to prevent some of the more serious manifestations of Lyme disease discussed below. Finally, if your pet has tested positive for Lyme disease your vet will likely recommend testing for excessive protein in the urine.

Protein in the urine is a manifestation of Lyme disease that can damage the kidneys but can go unnoticed unless tested for regularly.

Lyme arthritis One form of active Lyme disease is characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle soreness and arthritis. Once the bacteria are transmitted to the dog, they move around the body triggering swelling and inflammation as they travel. The joints appear to be very sensitive to this inflammation and chronic arthritis can become a problem in these pets. In addition, as discussed previously, sometimes the bacterial infection is never completely cleared from the body and chronic infection in the joint is possible. Cases of disease with chronic joint inflammation are complex and so your family veterinarian may recommend that your dog visit a veterinary specialist.

Lyme nephritis

The most devastating way a pet can be affected by Lyme disease is severe kidney inflammation (Lyme Incidentally discovered infection nephritis). Dogs are often diagnosed with this type of Lyme disease when they have signs like poor appetite, Many dogs are found to be Lyme disease positive vomiting or lethargy and then blood tests performed when tested, but fortunately few have signs of disease at the veterinarian’s office reveal kidney failure. and the positive test is found with routine screening.

Immediate antibiotic treatment is recommended in A Lyme disease test is these patients, but unfortunately the incorporated into many inflammation in the kidney triggered general health labwork by the bacteria is often so severe that panels and is also the kidneys continue to fail and never included in many recover. Sadly, many dogs affected by in-clinic tests for heartworm disease. Lyme Disease Snap Test Lyme nephritis will suffer the effects of kidney In areas where Lyme disease is failure for the rest of their life and ultimately may common, screening can identify dogs that might need die from severe kidney failure in a few weeks or more attention. Screening can also identify dogs that months. Outcome in these dogs mostly depends on have had previous exposure to the infection but no the severity of the kidney failure, but evaluation by a longer have an active infection (which doesn’t require veterinary internal medicine specialist may help treatment). maximize quality of life for as long as possible.

When a dog tests positive, further testing to measure the significance of the body’s immune response is recommended with a test called the quantitative C6 antibody titer test. This test allows your veterinarian to better understand whether your pet has a newer or older infection. Dogs with a low titer probably had their infection in the past or their immune system fought off the infection and do not require treatment.

If your pet has a high C6 antibody titer but no clinical signs then their body may be taking care of the infection on its own and treatment with antibiotic may be unnecessary. Sometimes, a veterinarian may recommend antibiotic treatment for dogs with no clinical signs and significant C6 antibody titers.

Antibiotics might be recommended in pets with

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Secondary autoimmune disease Lyme disease can affect many different organs in the body and this can lead to autoimmune diseases (where the body inappropriately attacks its own tissues).

Autoimmune disease is not directly caused by the bacteria and so even after antibiotic treatment pets can remain sick. Autoimmune blood or joint disorders are most commonly seen and require a specialized treatment course completely separate from the antibiotics for Lyme disease.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

Prevention

ANIMAL HEALTH&WELLNESS

The longer a tick is attached to its host (esp. > 48 hours) the more likely it is that Lyme disease will be contracted so limiting the time a tick spends on your dog’s body is an important preventative measure.

Looking for ticks on your pet’s body can be helpful, but ticks that are not yet fully grown can transmit Lyme disease and they can be too small for you to see or feel.

Use of tick preventative medication is an important way to limit the time a tick might spend on your dog’s body.

The Lyme disease vaccination is a unique vaccine in that it is not Tick size at all ages. meant to fight the infection once it is in the body, but is designed to prevent transmission from the tick. The vaccine attempts to fill a vaccinated dog’s blood with antibodies that will kill the bacteria in the tick’s stomach before it even enters your dog’s body.

Lyme disease vaccination is recommended in dogs that live in or travel to high risk areas.

Keep a close eye on your dogs during tick season this year and cat lovers take heart, cats are generally considered resistant to Lyme disease. People cannot get Lyme disease from their dog; however, you can

contract the disease from a tick too. Be aware that if your dog is being bitten by ticks carrying Lyme disease then your family could be bitten too.

Predicted Lyme Prevalence Emily Klosterman, DVM, MS, DACVIM 807 Camp Horne Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.366.3400 www.pvs-ec.com

The Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank

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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 May 2014

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15

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

that it pays out to ignore “leave it” and will continue to do so.

Leave 101 It

*Do not use “leave it” and “drop it” synonymously, they are different behaviors and have different criteria.

To me, “leave it” means “don’t investigate/touch/get into that item” and “drop it” means “spit it out of your mouth!” (the words you use don’t matter).

By: Tena Parker Success Just Clicks Dog Training

“Cooked chicken bones, deer scat, dead squirrel, and dropped dark chocolate”— What are things dogs love to put in their mouth but really shouldn’t?

D

ogs do not have hands and fingers with which to explore the world, but they do have a mouth and they know how to use it—they nibble things, bite things, chew things, pick things up, lick things, and sometimes eat things. All of this is incredibly normal behavior—within reason—but that doesn’t mean we want our dogs to put everything they encounter in their mouths. Obsessive eating of non-food items is not typical and may require the help of a veterinarian and trainer team or a veterinary behaviorist. Teaching dogs a reliable “leave it” cue is incredibly important because it can be both a life saving skill (“leave it” to the cooked bones in the park) and also a disgust reducing skill (“leave it” to the bear scat in the woods).

So, how do you go about training your dog to “leave it” reliably? Well here is my recipe for teaching a reliable “leave it” cue.

Terms of Use *If you cannot prevent your dog from getting the item, do not say the “leave it” cue during the training process. The biggest mistake handlers make is that they will say “leave it” when the dog Rio was way too close to the hotdog can make the choice to and was able to stretch out and get the item. This could have seriously ignore them and then sabotaged our training! pick up the forbidden item.

Every time a handler says “leave it” and Fido gets the desired item, he has learned

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*During the training process, if you are asking your dog to leave a hot dog on the floor, you should be rewarding with something of equal or better value. If you reward a dog for leaving a hot dog with a piece of kibble enough times, the dog will eventually figure out that it pays out more to ignore you and steal the hot dog. *Use lower value items initially as the “leave it” item.

Practice with Fido’s dry dog food before trying to have him leave steak.

How To Teach Leave it Get the behavior Step 1:

• Sit in a chair and place 5-10 small lower value treats/kibble in the palm of your hand • Close your fingers around the treats (so your hand should be a fist) • Put your fist full of treats at your dog’s nose height and allow him to investigate (sniff, nibble, lick, etc.)

• When your dog disengages from your hand (stops licking, nibbling, biting or backs away, looks away, sniffs the ground, sits), open your hand slightly... o IF Fido moves toward the now visible treats, immediately close your hand and try again (you may have to repeat this quite a few times in rapid sequence of opening and closing your hand). *Notice that you are not saying anything, just opening/closing your fist o IF Fido, for even just half a second, leaves the food in your hand alone, you will mark that behavior with a “Yes!” and then reward him with one treat from your open hand (using your other hand to offer the treat/kibble). Repeat until your hand is empty.

• When your dog has been successful leaving food in your open hand untouched for at least 5 different sessions (minimum of 15 different trials), you can move on to step 2.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

Troubleshooting: If your dog is being really rough

on your closed fist, you can put a treat under your foot (wearing a shoe) and when your dog stops being pushy, mark it with a “yes”, move your foot to reveal the treat and tell your dog to take it.

Step 2:

• Put your dog on leash (I highly suggest using a harness for this exercise).

• Place a small pile of treats on the floor out of your dog’s reach (if your leash is 4 ft. long, put the pile of treats 5 ft.+ away) and have some treats of equal or better value in a pocket/pouch.

• Fido will pull, stretch, and lean towards the pile of treats, do not allow him to get the treats (but do not yank on the leash, you should be far enough away that Fido can’t get the food).

• As soon as Fido stops trying to steal the pile of food (turns away, looks away, or disengages from the food), you will mark that with a “Yes!” (or a click) and then reward your dog with a treat from your pocket/pouch. *Tip: to encourage your dog to turn toward you, present the treat so they have to turn to get it.

• Repeat the process. You can also start walking past or around the pile of food or moving to a new location as another challenge, continuing to reward for choosing to leave the pile alone.

Shayne reliably leaves hotdogs, whipped cream, marshmallows, bully sticks, string cheese, and a peep!

• Mark the culmination of their head turn “yes!” or click and reward from your pouch.

• Repeat the naming process 10 times, on the 11th give your verbal cue, “leave it!” before your dog has started to turn away. IF they turn away from the item, mark it “yes!” or click and reward. If they don’t turn, go back to saying it as they turn.

Once your dog responds to the cue “leave it” reliably with low value items while on leash, you can transition to working off-leash or with higher value items (toys, food, paper towels, etc)!

As always, if you are struggling to get a reliable “leave it,” contact an experienced and professional trainer for help!

Troubleshooting: If your dog barks, whines, or spends minutes staring at the pile of food, back up. Give your dog more distance from the pile.

Name That Behavior Now that your dog is reliably choosing to turn away from the food, you can start naming that behavior.

• Create the same set up as in step two.

• Wait for your dog to turn away from the pile of treats on the floor.

• AS your dog is in the process of turning away, say a verbal cue like, “Leave it!” in a clear voice.

May 2014

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Advertisers All Natural Hoof Care (see ad pg 31) Angel Ridge Animal Rescue (see ad pg 1, 34) Animal Care & Welfare (see ad pg 23) The Canine Club (see pg 21) Chris’s Canine Club (see pg 19) Coventry Equestrian Center (see ad pg 31) Dog Watch (see ad pg 21) 1 Gentle Journey (see ad pg 36) Holistic Care for Animals (see ad pg 21) Jenny Karlsson Photography (see ad pg 19) Judith Levy (see ad pg 25) J & D Home Improvements (see ad pg 1)

KS Jones Photography (see ad pg 34) Larry’s Laundromutt (see ad pg 25) Paws Here Awhile (see ad pg 23) 24pg 13) 14 Paws 4 Life (see ad Pets at Home (see ad pg 19) Portraits of Animals (see ad pg 3) 26 The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank (see ad pg 15) Seraphina Sitters (see pg 19) Sewickly Unleashed (see pg 7) Success just Clicks (see pg 17) Vibrant Images (see pg 31) Westminter Presbyterian Church (see pg 29)

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

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19

CANINE COMPANION R

ecent events in the Pittsburgh area have increased awareness of canine blood banking and blood donation. While we are all reasonably familiar with the critical need for blood resources for humans, many people don’t realize that our furry friends have many of the same needs. Blood and plasma transfusions for pets are often emergencies, and community support is vital to maintain access to these life-saving products. Without community blood donors and the hard work of dedicated doctors and staff, exceptional emergency and critical care would not be possible. The most common conditions that require blood transfusion in dogs and cats are trauma, cancer-related illnesses, clotting disorders (including toxins), and immune mediated (autoimmune) diseases. At Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, we perform at least one blood product transfusion every day.

Our selfless community donors make this possible.

There are many similarities between human and animal blood. For example, feline blood types sound fairly familiar to our ears (A, B, and AB), with type A cats making up approximately 95% of the population. Dogs have a more complex system. They are “typed” based on the presence or absence of red cell proteins (dog erythrocyte antigens or DEA). This system is similar to the human Rh factor, which is the “positive” or “negative” that is noted after a person’s letter type. There are many different DEAs, but only a few of them are common. The most common and likely most important is DEA 1.1. Dogs are often referred to as being “positive” or “negative” based on the presence or absence of this single protein.

Luckily, there are nearly the same numbers of “positive” and “negative” dogs in the companion dog population, so all blood types are equally needed. There are types that are considered universal donors, but the demand for universal donors is not as critical as they are in human medicine. Every donor is equally valued.

Many veterinarians and veterinary specialists receive specific training in blood donation and banking (storage and handling) to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients. Here in Pittsburgh, The Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank (RRABB) is sponsored and managed by the non-profit Animal Care and Assistance Fund (ACAF) and the critical care team at PVSEC. We provided 697 blood product transfusions to dogs and cats in 2013, which fills a need that has been increasing annually. The RRABB veterinarians and staff have the equipment and expertise to screen donors, perform donations, separate blood products for storage, and safely administer blood transfusions to canine and feline patients. We are able to process whole blood into red blood cells, plasma, and specialized plasma products. All of these components allow doctors to treat specific conditions, and allow each donation to help up to 4 different pets.

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Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank Needs Your Support visit: www.animalcarefund.org contact: Jessica at jbalogh@pvs-ec.com follow: www.facebook.com/animalbloodbank For the present, the RRABB has enough feline donors to meet the needs of our feline patients; however, we are always in need of canine blood donors to meet our increasing demand. All potential donors should be healthy, at least 50 pounds, between 1 and 7 years of age, fully vaccinated, and on heartworm prevention. They should not have previously received a blood transfusion, and they should not be actively pregnant or nursing. It is also important that potential donors have a gentle temperament and be comfortable with handling. After all, it is a “volunteer” donation! The RRABB provides blood typing and annual blood testing, which includes a complete blood count, chemistry, and screening for heartworm and tick-borne diseases. Each donor is examined before screening and before each donation. The donation itself takes about 10-15 minutes, and dogs may get a mild sedative if they need a little help being still for that long. Afterwards, they are fed, walked, and spoiled a little. Donors are asked to donate 3-4 times every year, which is very safe. Dogs feel very much like humans do after they donate blood. They may be a little tired for 1-2 days, but their red cell levels return to normal within 1-2 weeks. It is important to remember that examination and testing provided by the blood bank does not replace or diminish the importance of preventative and healthcare checkups as recommended by your family veterinarian!

The Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank and so many of our patients who receive blood are a success because of community support and our volunteer donors. Using community donors helps the RRABB keep the cost of blood products down. Any proceeds generated by the RRABB are used by ACAF to support the health and welfare of animals. If you have a dog that could potentially donate blood, please contact us to schedule a screening. If you aren’t able to help provide a blood donor, please help us spread the word about the RRABB. Our community has provided funding, donors, and the support we need to provide outstanding care for our patients. Every Animal Care and Assistance Fund supporter and every blood donor is appreciated. Every donor saves lives.

Christine R. Rutter, DVM, DACVECC Medical Director, Emergency Department Medical Director, Rogan Rexford ACAF Blood Bank Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

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21

HOLISTIC CARE

An Unexpected Anniversary

By: Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH

M

itsu is a wonderful 12-year-old Akita with a friendly disposition. She first came to me in May of 2012 because her caregiver wanted a holistic medical approach for her loved one. It turns out that Mitsu had been limping on her right front leg on and off for six months and her owner was concerned that she might have arthritis. I carefully examined the dog and found that she was painful in her shoulder area. I took X-rays and unfortunately found that she had osteosarcoma in her humerus (upper front leg bone).

Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive malignant cancer of the bones. By the time this cancer is noticed it has usually sent micro-tumors to other parts of the body. Standard treatment involved amputating the affected limb and chemotherapy. Dogs who undergo amputation without chemotherapy live on average about four to six months.

Even with chemo, the average survival is about a year.

When confronted with such an aggressive cancer, it makes sense to employ every tool available that may help the pet’s longevity and quality of life. This is a circumstance that calls for integrative oncology.

Integrative oncology involves the use of all appropriate, conventional treatments as well as alternative therapies known to benefit cancer patients. It is unfortunate that conventional oncologists typically do not embrace this approach. From my conversations with these professionals I have learned that in general they think that the chemotherapy and radiation they use is so powerful that not much else really matters. My thought is, every helpful tool counts.

Mitsu’s caregivers decided against having her leg amputated. Removing the limb affected by osteosarcoma does not get rid of the cancer and does not prolong life. It may decrease the pain associated with the disease in the long run but it is a traumatic and disfiguring surgery.

In this case, an integrative approach to the disease was sought. Mitsu went to the conventional oncologist for

22

chemotherapy, pain medications and eventually radiation therapy. Mitsu also saw me for holistic options.

Diet is the foundation of health and is especially important in such cases. We are just recently becoming aware of the many anticancer nutrients provided by whole, unprocessed foods. Furthermore, studies show that processed pet foods contain cancer causing chemicals. Getting a cancer patient off of processed pet food is a no-brainer.

We also added fish oil to Mitsu’s diet. Fish oil contains DHA which has many health benefits, one of which is an anti-cancer effect.

We also used herbs to help Mitsu. Many herbs have been shown to fight cancer. There are also herbs and supplements that can relieve pain. Also, some herbs can combat the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and diarrhea.

Very soon we instituted acupuncture treatments for Mitsu. Acupuncture aids with pain management and can also help alleviate the nausea associated with chemo.

Mitsu took her diet, supplements and chemotherapy like a champ. She had her ups and downs but the acupuncture has really helped her through the rough times. She has since also received radiation therapy on her leg and we have changed cancer supplements periodically.

In my experience, cancer is a disease of the entire animal even if there is only a localized tumor visible. The goal is to create an environment in the body that is inhospitable to cancer and thereby keep it at bay. True cure is only occasionally achieved but control is very possible.

It has been almost 2 years since Mitsu’s bone cancer was first diagnosed. She has outlived her caregivers’ and her oncologist’s expectations, but no pet’s life is ever long enough. Mitsu is still strong but the cancer and the cancer treatment have taken their toll and the disease is definitely progressing.

Every moment we share with our beloved pets is precious and this is especially the case for Mitsu and her family. We don’t know how much time we have left with her but we will make every minute count.

By the way, she totally LOVES her acupuncture treatments!

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

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ARIES could not get up. He was in pain and cried all night. He looked uncomfortable; his eyes, stressed, anxious. We did a few visits with no results; he was getting worse. I recommended a return visit to the vet for further testing. Something else was going on here that needed to be found ASAP. Lymphoma. Mom, Carol called me in tears. We talked and decided he wasn’t ready to leave us yet. I suggested we start seeing Aries more often to see if we could give him some FIGHT. Two visits in, mom reported more stability and strength, and “not crying at night.” Each visit seems to give him more and more strength. Now his eyes are more peaceful and friendly. He has “good days” and is “walking pretty good.”

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May 2014

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23

HOLISTIC CARE

Pica in Dogs

By: Judith Levy, M. Ed., CEHP, RMT Canine & Feline Behavior Consultant

Pica in people as well as in dogs and cats refers to eating things that are nonfood items. For dogs with pica, common non nutritive objects eaten are stones.

They may also consume plastic items, cigarettes, wooden objects, paper, toilet tissue, clay and soap.

Dogs may also eat soil excessively.

If you find yourself stressing about what your dog is putting in his mouth or eating, it is time to consult your veterinarian and schedule a consultation for a behavioral evaluation and interventions. If your dog is lethargic or is vomiting and/or has diarrhea, get medical help immediately. Pica can be extremely damaging to the animal’s intestinal tract and stomach and be potentially life-threatening.

When is it Not Pica?

Puppies often try to eat small objects such as mulch, plastic, most anything they find during the first six months while exploring their environment. It is vitally important to monitor puppies constantly and to “puppy proof” your home. They generally grow out of this phase. I believe however that if a puppy learns that it is permissible and enjoyable to chew on dangerous items such a plastic during the early sensitive periods, this could set them up to develop a bad habit that may get worse and cause problems later.

Other isolated incidences occur when dogs eat nonfood items and it is not considered Pica. For example, a highly food motivated/excitable dog may eat a part of a plastic fork with food on it. The dog that eats a candy bar, wrapper and all, is not necessarily a dog with Pica.

And then there are those attention seeking canines who will do anything to get us to chase, play with or pet them. They will continually grab a nonfood item

24

and begin chewing on it knowing that it will bring you in. I recommend scheduling a behavior consultation for the latter as this manipulative behavior can also lead to serious injury to the dog’s gastrointestinal system.

Causes of Pica In my practice I have found that regardless of the cause for Pica, it is important to first address any organic/ medical causes and then address the problem holistically. There is almost always more than one aspect to this type of problem and if we don’t address all of those aspects, the problem will remain.

Possible Medical Issues: The following are some medical issues associated with Pica as reported by various veterinarians: (www.petmed.com) • • • • • • • • •

Inflammatory bowel disease Diabetes Intestinal parasites Anemia Increased hunger Neurological disease Vitamin deficiency Malnutrition Thyroid disease

Of course each pet is different and your veterinarian will diagnose any possible issues. Once that is accomplished, it is time to put behavioral interventions in place for out of balance behavior that has likely developed along with the medical problem. These necessary behavior changes generally involve the dog and guardian.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Dogs with OCD may exhibit behaviors such as tail chasing, extreme excitability when shown aluminum foil, excessive barking at anything at anytime, and chasing flies. They may also have Pica that shows up as an obsession with eating objects. It has been reported, and in my practice, the majority of dogs having OCD have a history of abuse or extreme neglect or have lived in an environment where there is a great deal of stress. OCD in dogs can also have a genetic component such as having a mother that was extremely anxious.

OCD also needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian as

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

there can be medical issues associated with OCD such as parasites, major organ dysfunction, metabolic diseases and more.

Treating OCD also requires a holistic approach. After consulting with your veterinarian, I then suggest addressing diet, changing necessary behaviors in the dog and the dog’s guardians.

An exercise program is extremely important and I have found energy work such as reiki and meridian work to be extremely calming and balancing as well.

When Soil and or Grass is only nonfood item eaten All the causes for dogs eating soil are not yet known but from a behavioral perspective, it often indicates boredom, anxiety and other behavioral issues. It can also stem from a mineral deficiency as well as other absorption and diet issues. Soil eating may look

HOLISTIC CARE

harmless but remember that there may be stones or other debris in that soil that will accumulate in your dog’s stomach.

And of course this can lead to disruption in the digestive tract and can be fatal.

What to take from this article: If your dog or cat seems to be eating or even chewing objects or is eating soil in a way that seems excessive, unsafe or unusual to you, consult first with your veterinarian to rule out medical causes. Once your pet is medically cleared or you have medical treatment under way, schedule a behavior consultation to begin behavior intervention and/or the use of some complementary treatments such as reiki and meridian tapping to help your pet get back to a healthy state.

Visit Judith Levy’s website: judithlevywellness.com Photo courtesy Judith Levy.

Offering: • in store & mobile grooming • full & self service washing • healthy pet foods and supplies

Larry’s Laundromutt 201 Ohio River Blvd.

Sewickley, PA 15143 412-534-4052 www.larryslaundromutt.com

May 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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Friendship and Assistance,

Old Grand Dad and Frankencat Rescued Each Other By: Bernadette Kazmarski

A

ll the levels of their challenges and their differences from each other would make a deep friendship between two unwanted animals, a blind and deaf geriatric pit bull and a rescued one-eyed FeLV-positive black cat, highly unlikely but they are following a basic rule of rescued animals—love can live anywhere. Old Grand Dad and Frankencat aren’t concerned about rules, besides being great friends they found they need each other too.

About Frankencat A small black cat was found on the street in November 2013 with an atrophied eye, a badly-healed broken jaw that held his mouth open and a necrotic wound between his eyes. Volunteers for the Pittsburgh Feral Cat Movement (PFCM) trapped him and took him to the Homeless Cat Management Team (HCMT) clinic in Tarentum and because of his truly frightening appearance the group named him Frankencat. Though the condition of his face made him appear wizened he turned out to be somewhere younger than three years old. His recovery from all this was progressing well after he responded immediately to an antibiotic for the necrotic wound, his eye was removed and he was neutered but then took an uncertain turn when his FeLV test came back with a faint positive. He was well enough to go to a foster home for long-term recovery but with that diagnosis he needed to wait six weeks to retest, and he needed a cat-free place to live to help reduce the chances of spreading the virus to other cats.

About Old Grand Dad, or OGD Old Grand Dad (aka OGD) is 15 years old, deaf and blind and somewhat senile, and as an unneutered pit bull in a Carrollton, OH pound he stood little chance of adoption and in fact had an appointment with the gas chamber in August 2013. Heather Long spoke for him, intending to foster him until a spot was available with a rescue in Pennsylvania that specializes in hospice care, set up a room that met his needs and ensured his safety and got him to a veterinarian. The hospice spot was quickly available, “However, since I was aware of the

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challenge it can be for a deaf and blind dog to settle in to a new environment, and the safety setup I had created for OGD was working, I decided that OGD could stay here, and that open spot could better be used by another dog who didn’t have any other options,” Heather said.

How Frankencat came to live there Heather actually lives with six rescued dogs but she also enjoys cats, and in fact owns a pet care company called Au Purr, LLC where she provides home visits and hands-on in-home care for all pets and other animals.

Because of her known “soft spot for special needs and physically handicapped animals” she was called out to foster and care for Franken. Two of her dogs are not cat-friendly but she decided Frankencat could safely be roomies with OGD.

Getting to know you “I was careful, being unsure as to whether Frankencat would like dogs; and while I figured OGD would be fine in his elderly, senile state, I needed to see that before trusting them alone,” she said. OGD tends to aimlessly wander around the room and he could easily seem threatening to Frankencat, even unassumingly corner him causing a confrontation where either could hurt the other. Frankencat stayed in an extra-large dog cage for the first few days, then Heather began to let him out while she was in the room and immediately “began to see their bond blossom.”

Frankencat initially had a rather frightening personality but by the time he arrived at Heather’s home he was wary, though after a few days of interacting with OGD Heather noticed Frankencat wasn’t as frightened of her. “I don’t know whether seeing me care for OGD made him realize I was okay, or if it was something else.

But one day, Frankencat switched gears and began vocalizing while weaving around my ankles.

“It was around this same time that Frankencat showed his devotion to OGD. When I would come to their bedroom to put Frankencat in his crate before I left the house, I’d find Frankencat cuddling contentedly with OGD, or laying on [OGD’s] back while milktreading his skin, or grooming OGD gently,” she explained. “And OGD was visibly content with this relationship too. I took that as a sign that these two were surely friends,

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May 2014

and began leaving Frankencat out of the crate at all times, eventually removing the crate altogether.

From friend to caretaker

She’d like to begin now with a new owner who will visit Frankencat so he’ll be accustomed to the visitor before OGD’s passing and actually be able to provide comfort and familiarity in Frankencat’s grief for his friend.

“Frankencat has become OGD’s one-eyed Seeing Eye Cat,” Heather said. “OGD often gets ‘lost’ with his senility, and will begin barking while in a corner.

Frankencat seems to recognize this, and assists OGD to their bed,” she remarked. “OGD is deaf and blind, but Frankencat incrementally guides OGD first by using touch, either rubbing up against him and/or wrapping his tail on him, and then scent. After Frankencat touches OGD, he will move a few steps ahead and wait.

OGD appears to smell him, and walks in that direction.

Frankencat will then follow up with another touch, and then move a few steps ahead to let OGD guide himself by smell again. Ultimately, Frankencat will wait on the bed, and OGD finally gets there too with him,” Heather finished.

“It makes me very sad to think about Frankencat not being in my life,” Heather said, a little teary-eyed, “but it wouldn’t be fair to have him live alone in a bedroom, and he can’t safely and responsibly be out because not all of my dogs are cat friendly.” As an FeLV-positive cat, Frankencat would have to go to a home with no other cats or with only other FeLV-positive cats, or cats vaccinated against FeLV, though there is risk associated with this since the vaccine is not 100% effective and FeLV is easily transmitted with shared food and water bowls and even toys.

OGD also has petit mal seizures, a minute or so of confusion and trembling. Heather isn’t certain of the cause, though they suspect OGD may have some form of cancer or it may simply be due to his age.

“Frankencat is keenly aware and concerned when OGD goes into an episode, and uses his touch to gently guide OGD down to lay on the ground. In the video I have of this, Frankencat clearly uses his tail to envelope OGD as he physically guides him downwards to safety. It is the most awe inspiring thing,” Heather said, and provided videos of both activities.

Frankencat has met three of Heather’s other dogs since befriending OGD, and when she enters their room those dogs will often follow her in. “Frankencat greets them with his cheerful meow, and gives them affectionate headbutts too,” she said. “I don’t actually know if Frankencat even likes other cats since I’ve never seen him around one, but I can say with certainty that he loves dogs, and would love a home with any dogs who are cat friendly and enjoy cuddling.

In the future Frankencat is now clearly healed and feeling well, well enough to find another home that could accept a cat with FeLV, but for now Heather would like the two to stay together. “Given the special bond that Frankencat and OGD have formed, my plan is for them to stay together ‘til death do them part’. It seems unnatural to split them; OGD needs Frankencat, and Frankencat clearly enjoys being OGD’s friend and having a purpose in OGD’s life.”

“Frankencat is extremely loyal, gentle, friendly and affectionate once he gets to know you. He can be shy at first; but once he’s yours, he will never turn his back,” she described. He doesn’t play with too many toys but prefers cuddling and affection, and is very wellmannered, especially considering his beginnings, with no inappropriate scratching and excellent litterbox habits. “He also enjoys going out on walks with OGD to sniff around, but acts afraid of being outside on his cat harness when OGD isn’t there with him,” Heather said.

Imagine how many people along the way who would have given up on Frankencat because of how he looked and how he acted, and how many people likely did give up on Old Grand Dad for him to end up in a pound at his age. Through the efforts of so many people these two soulmates were brought together at a time when they needed each other, in a place that was safe and loving, and possibly rescued a little bit of each of us who see what can happen when you literally and figuratively can’t see each others’ differences.

Eventually, Old Grand Dad’s journey here will end and Heather can see Frankencat “all alone in his room”.

May 2014

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KITTY KORNER

Cat Rescue Resource Guide Low-cost Spay and Neuter Organizations and Programs

This is an ever-changing list of resources for cat owners in Pittsburgh and beyond though many of the listings, like the shelters, apply to dogs and other pets as well. It includes low-cost spay and neuter programs as well as TNR for community cats, pet-friendly rentals in Pittsburgh and across the US and links to shelters for adoption and other services. In the future we will also list clinic dates with the organizations below when they are available.

TNR And Low-Cost Spay/Neuter For The Pittsburgh Area Homeless Cat Management Team: www.homelesscat.org City of Pittsburgh Free Spay and Neuter for City Residents City of Pittsburgh free spay/neuter: www.pittsburghpa.gov/animalcontrol/spay_neuter.htm City of Pittsburgh residents can apply for free spay or neuter vouchers for up to five pets, including stray/feral cats.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter and TNR Programs at Allegheny and Surrounding County Shelters Animal Friends: www.thingkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Rescue League: www.animalrescue.org Beaver County Humane Society: www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Washington Area Humane Society: www.washingtonpashelter.org Western Pennsylvania Humane Society: www.wpahumane.org Low-cost Spay/Neuter Organizations in Allegheny and surrounding counties Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue, Allegheny & Westmoreland Counties: www.sites.google.com/site/frankiesfriendsnatronaheights Fluffyjean Fund for Felines, Allegheny and Washington Counties: www.fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com Fix Ur Cat, Washington County: www.fixurcat.org Catnip Acres, Greene County: www.catnip-acres.org Snip-it.org, Westmoreland/Indiana Counties, Alle-Kiski Valley (Leechburg): www.snip-it.org Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Clinic Spay Neuter Clinic, Penn Hills, 412-244-1202: www.spayaz.com/pittsburgh-pa Find Local Low-cost Spay, Neuter and Veterinary Care on the Internet Low-cost Neuter and Spay (search by zip): http://neuterspay.org Love That Cat (online search): http://neuterspay.org Spay USA: http://neuterspay.org Pet-friendly Rentals In the Pittsburgh area, visit this list on the FosterCat website: www.fostercat.org/friendly.html Nationwide (United States only): www.rent.com/pet-friendly-apartments Shelters and Shelter Services ALLEGHENY COUNTY Animal Friends (AFI): www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Rescue League (ARL): www.animalrescue.org Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS): www.wpahumane.org SURROUNDING COUNTIES Beaver County Humane Society: www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Butler County Humane Society: www.butlercountyhs.org Humane Society of Westmoreland County: http://members.petfinder.com/~PA83/about.html Washington Area Humane Society: www.washingtonpashelter.org Non-shelter Feline Adoption FosterCat: www.fostercat.org Kopy Kat Sanctuary, Westmoreland County (Delmont): www.kopykatsanctuary.org

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ŠPittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

Hearts and Paws Pet Ministry of Christ United Methodist Church and the Pet Ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church

11th Annual

Pet Adoption and Care Fair

Saturday, June 21, 2014 9:30 am to 2:30 pm Christ United Methodist Church 44 Highland Road • Bethel Park, PA 15102 Visit with local animal rescue groups and service providers.

Enjoy dog agility demonstrations, pony rides, and great food.

See what’s new in pet-related products.

No admission fee.

For more information call 412-277-1096.

EQUINE AFFAIRS O

ne of the first things I tell my clients when I am training or breaking their horse is that I do all of it without the use of a bit. Just like making the choice to go barefoot, this is often met with disbelief or skepticism because bit and shoes are considered just a “normal” part of the horse world. Think about it, when you were little and someone said they rode a horse, was the first picture in your mind a horse with a bridle, bit, saddle and horseshoes? This is most likely because that’s what we see in all the book and all the stories we hear growing up—it’s just “the way things are done.”

Well, there is another way—a pain free way to enjoy your horse and have it truly trust and respect you as its master. Would you trust someone who hurt you any time you were scared? The answer is undoubtedly “no” but that is exactly what we do to the horses we claim to love. When control with a bit is not enough, we get a stronger bit, and when behavior problems escalate beyond our control we send them for training that sometimes results in more fear and even punishment. It doesn’t have to be this way.

When I work with a horse, any horse, I use body positions to help them understand exactly what I want.

There are only two reasons a horse isn’t doing what you asked of it: it either tried to do as you asked but guessed wrong, or you asked it the wrong way.

Training on the ground before you ride is very important, and if done correctly provides a bond between you and the horse that builds into a trusting relationship. Once you have that trust, you mount the horse, maybe for the first time, and by using those same signals steer it with gentle direction and visual aid. The horse can see either side of its head quite well since it has near 340-degree vision (only the wither area is a blind spot) so if you simply hold your arm and hand out gently to one side the horse will naturally bend to the direction of your weight shift and visual aid. Like to use a rope halter or bosel for the training process? Both of these are very light and make no contact with the mouth yet enable you to attach reins for bending and direction requests. “But what if they buck?” I’m often asked. My answer is simply,

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“Did you ever see a horse unable to buck because it had a bit in its mouth?” Of course not! The bit is nothing more than an “illusion” of control, and should your horse buck simply pull one rein in to the side so that the horse’s head turns in towards your leg. It simply cannot buck comfortably in this position and will cease the effort quite easily. Still think a bit is a good idea?

Well, let’s look at what’s going on inside the horses’ mouth when you use a bit for riding and control.

Natural Riding it’s the training, not the gear By: Nancy Frishkorn BA, CHCP

When you use a broken or snaffle bit of any kind, the pressure is first put on the bars of the mouth just in front of the molar teeth; then as you pull, the center of the bit spikes upward and pushes directly into the center of the inner roof of the mouth. Some bits are copper to encourage salivating, but despite the fact that some do love the taste of copper, the salivating is actually a digestive distress reaction accompanied by respiratory distress. This occurs when the horse puts its tongue over the bit (to alleviate the pain) or pulls it back farther into the mouth causing blockage. Some headstalls even come with a flash noseband, which is an extra leather strap designed to keep the mouth closed and stop the tongue from restricting the bit or being pushed out past the teeth.

Think about this, if you had to run for several miles, and instead of being able to open your mouth to catch your breath when needed, you had someone tie your mouth shut under the chin. Do you think you would panic? I know I sure would if I felt I needed air and couldn’t get it—it’s just a natural reaction. Restricting the breathing can lead to sheer panic, and what do people do when a horse panics? They pull on the bit even more! It’s completely the opposite of what should be done to regain control and comfort the horse by reassuring them that they are safe and you are in control. A straight bit isn’t much better, it places all the pressure on the lower jaws of the mouth and if it has a “port” or humped area this part is then pushed forward

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

EQUINE AFFAIRS

into the roof of the mouth with every pull of the reins.

There is a lot of information available on this subject in detail and I’d highly suggest you do a little research before deciding what type of bridle to use on your beloved equine.

reservation set right into the branches. You can see it pictured in this article, and I’m happy to say that anyone interested can order one from the maker. Her name is Tammi Baker; she is linked on my Facebook webpage All Natural Hoof Care.

There are many different kinds of bitless headstalls on the market today, and I can’t say that one is better than the other. What I can tell you is that if you ride “English” or what some call split or plow reining, you may want to look at Dr. Cook’s bitless bridles. The reins cross under the head so you can use the same cues that you used with a split or snaffle. If, however, you ride “Western” style and your horse neck reins, meaning yield away from neck pressure on a bend, then you would be better suited purchasing a hackamore or perhaps having one made that is suited just for you and your horse. I had a blacksmith hand make a silver hackamore for me using a rope bosel for the noseband. It is a one of a kind, hand crafted work of art, and I even had the option to add turquoise stones from a Mexican Indian

I hope this short article answers some of your questions. Happy trails!

T

ake my picture and show me off. Let me express myself and make you smile. I am your forever friend, I am your pet. When you look at my picture, will you always remember that I love you. I am who I am because of you.

Photography by Tabatha Knox, a devoted animal and nature photographer Studio 2nd floor of Vibrant Images downtown Beaver, Pennsylvania Travel to your location can be arranged. Please call to discuss available distance. www.vibrant-images.com 724-774-1731

May 2014

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EQUINE AFFAIRS

The Benefits of Riding Bareback to Find Your Independent Seat By: Kristin Hermann

T

he seat is the focal point of every rider. Elementary requirements of the rider’s seat are to balance from side to side, follow the horse’s motion, and stay in balance with the torso while the limbs are used to signal the horse. Acquiring a good seat can take years; however, one way to accelerate your seat’s development is to ride bareback.

Riding bareback can teach the rider to comfortably stay in balance with an independent seat without support from the reins or gripping with the legs. Before you proceed, it is important to be cautious because no one should ride bareback who is not ready. Riding bareback could develop bad habits such as learning to hang onto the reins to maintain balance and/or gripping with the thighs thinking this is a secure seat. A rider that is ready to ride bareback is one that can maintain a balance in the saddle and have independent use of the reins.

Riding bareback on a broad backed small horse or large pony is best. The designated bareback mount should be comfortable to ride, easily accept being on the bit and not get upset if a rider begins to bounce, grip, or slide off to one side. The stride should also be comfortable, not too bouncy or choppy. A horse that will keep the rhythm at a trot and not need prodding to keep trotting is also a plus so the bareback rider can concentrate on acquiring a balanced seat and not keeping the horse going.

The value of riding bareback to improve the seat is done at a slow trot. We want the rider to be able to sit the trot comfortably bareback and then be able to ride transitions, straight lines away from the wall, serpentines and large plus small circles.

This bareback rider has a beautiful position at a These exercises done standstill. Put all of this in motion at a trot and lets see if she can maintain her seat’s balance, riding bareback make the rider use the soft contact and relaxation! aids thus, during the process, it enables them to maintain a balanced seat while using the aids. Riding along the railing and letting the wall direct the horse is too simple as the rider has to be less interactive with the horse when the wall directs the horse.

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For example, the rider who can maintain balance on the seat bareback and then use the aids to signal the horse doing all kinds of school figures without losing balance is a rider with a good seat. It sounds easy but being able to ride a simple circle with the rider’s inside leg at the girth, the outside leg slightly back, inside rein suppling to bend the horse on the direction of the circle plus the outside rein supporting requires quite a coordination with the aids. A rider has to learn how to coordinate all four limbs simultaneously while the seat and/or torso stays aligned and balanced yet moves with the rhythmic pulsation of the horse’s gait.

When riding bareback and trying to ride a simple circle the rider’s position weaknesses may surface. Three major riding weaknesses that appear are leaning, gripping with the legs and hanging onto the reins for balance. If a rider leans while riding bareback she will slip off to the side. If she grips with a leg, that leg will rise because the Rider’s seat losing balance as she turns to the right. The seat needs muscles shorten and cause the to stay in the middle of the horse seat to slip to the side. If the rider at all times for all aids to work grips with both legs, her seat will in unison. not envelop the horse’s back, like an upside down letter U, but will be pushed forward off the horse’s back and lose its balance. If the rider clutches the reins for support, the shoulders will tighten resulting in the rider leaning forward, coming off the seat and losing balance because of tension. All of these position weaknesses will result in the horse being uncomfortable and its performance burdened, not to mention the rider’s position compromised and loss of the ability to use the aids fluently.

Many riders lean in or fall out with the seat when turning with an inside rein on a circle. Riding bareback you cannot lean for too long, so it teaches the rider how to stay perpendicular on the horse when turning. Making a lot of turns while riding bareback reprograms the rider’s torso and seat to stay balanced all the time and not lean when turning. Gripping with the legs when riding bareback (with the calf, knee, or thigh) destabilizes the rider’s seat by causing it to move off to one side of the horse’s back.

Gripping also locks the rider’s leg joints that are supposed to work like hinges or shock absorbers to go with the

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

horse’s motion. Riding bareback will reveal any gripping or tightening in any joint area that the rider may mask in a saddle. Gripping with the legs while riding bareback can sometimes be interpreted to the horse as a driving aid.

Not good for the bareback rider trying to develop a seat!

To correct yourself from gripping when you ride bareback you must continually remind yourself to relax the legs, and reach them as long as possible by pushing the knee down and back to lengthen the leg. For the rider that grips, attempting to allow the legs to hang down will feel totally unstable at first, since gripping usually causes the rider to shorten the leg by drawing it up.

The rider must learn to balance on the seat, and then allow the legs to fall and drape out of the hips. Only when a rider can relax on a balanced seat can she be receptive to the horse so that the signals from the rider to the horse are more easily interpreted. A rider that breaks the habit of holding and gripping with the legs and develops the ability to balance on the seat will greatly improve the ability to communicate with the aids.

EQUINE AFFAIRS

teaches the seat to stay in balance as each of the rider’s aids performs their basic functions to perform lateral work. Basic lateral movements consist of leg yielding to the wall, shoulder-in and haunches-in.

Two main benefits are derived from riding bareback and performing lateral movements. First, it teaches the rider how to balance on the seat and use the limbs without tightening or gripping, because you cannot be tight and gripping and accomplish any decent lateral work. And, second, it teaches the rider how to use the aids without leaning, because you cannot do lateral work leaning. As a result, the rider learns to maintain a balanced seat while harmoniously coordinating the aids to become more effective as a rider.

Coordinating the aids in timing with the horse’s rhythm with a following balanced seat is the secret to riding: it’s called “equestrian tact.”

For these exercises to improve the seat, the bareback horse does not have to perform ‘classical’ lateral work, but just the movements. The Similar riding faults apply for the rider purpose at this point is in the Rider turning onto a circle, but this time who clutches on the reins for support. If a keeping her balanced seat and non-gripping training of the rider, not the quality rider is dependent on the reins, she should of the horse’s training. The whole legs. temporarily be put on the lunge line where idea of riding bareback and doing security in the leg position (and not the rein) can be lateral work and not just circles is for the rider to learn to found. A rider who clutches at the reins for balance improve balance and confidence on the seat while obviously lacks an independent seat and balance. coordinating the aids from a balanced seat and eliminating legs or hands that grip, a torso that collapses When the bareback rider is comfortable at the walk and or leans, and a pelvis that perches, slides or tilts. trot, start riding simple arena patterns that include walk and trot transitions. By riding multiple transitions and Riding bareback to develop an independent seat while patterns, the bareback rider becomes challenged. learning how to be “quadridextrous” as opposed to just Suggested patterns are twenty meter circles, spiraling in ambidextrous with the use of the aids (or limbs) is the and out on the circle, three and four loop serpentines, mission. The relaxed, following and balanced seat must half circles, figure eights, straight lines away from the remain the focal point of stability that secures the rider’s railing and across the diagonal. Riding along the railing torso so that the other aids can work in efficient is easiest for horse and rider, so to improve the use of a coordination and harmony in a rhythm with the horse. balanced seat with legs that do not grip and torsos that So whether you are a rider learning how to coordinate do not lean, the rider must ride more challenging school the aids from an independent seat, or an ‘accomplished figures and transitions: putting themselves in situations rider’ showing First Level dressage, go ahead and try to that would normally result in gripping or leaning, and do some bareback riding. There is no doubt you will learn how to do these movements in balance instead. To discover how good or not good your desired find the value of bareback riding to improve the seat, ride independent seat really is! the horse off the railing or away from the arena’s fence!

When the bareback rider can stay with the horse comfortably at the sitting trot, during transitions and for basic schooling patterns, then it is time to progress to lateral work. Performing lateral movements bareback intensifies the rider’s interaction with the horse and May 2014

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Summer Day Camps Minutes From Rt. 19 Cranberry Twp.

Angel Ridge Farms Welcomes Trainer Elizabeth Goldberg.

Our horse themed day camps offer much more than just horseback riding.

Whether you want to compete or improve your horsemanship skills, beginner or advanced, we have the program for you!

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and much, much more add up to a ton of fun packed into 4 days!

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Sun, Mon - Closed • Tues through Sat - 10am-5pm

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

Generously sponsored by:

IN REMEMBRANCE

Wickett and Simon were found orphaned at one day old and had an interesting travel to get to the person who finally gave them their best chance at life— a cleaning lady brought them into work and gave them to a rescuer, n she in turn asked another rescuer o m i t&S t e k for a ride home with the kittens, c Wi stopped to return an ear-tipped cat to its colony then visited the drive-thru at a Wendy’s to drop them off with their foster. She bottle fed them every few hours and snuggled them and took them to work every day, but they never truly developed normally. After six weeks they quickly began to fail and died within days of each other, simply of a “failure to thrive”. They have their stone to mark their grave, lit by crystal butterflies and watched by a person who loved and will always remember them.

In rescue the successes are celebrated and the losses mourned even if the animal shared your life for only a day, and always by more than one. Wickett and Simon are remembered by the volunteer rescuers of the Pittsburgh Feral Cat Movement.

Do you have a special pet that you would like to honor?

Send submissions to info@pghpetconnections.com.

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

May 2014

Dr. Doug

The Holistic Vet 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 certifed 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.

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.

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 • Chinese Herbal Medicine • Therapeutic Laser • Healing Touch & Massage Therapy

Sign up for Dr. Doug’s blog and get free weekly holistic pet health insights Check it out today at http://drdougknueven.com and see what you’ve been missing!

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-8; Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-3; Sun. Closed 357 State Avenue | Beaver, PA 15009

724-774-8047

beaveranimalclinic.com

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center

The Most Comprehensive Multispecialty Referral & Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Western Pennsylvania

EMERGENCY PET CARE

Open 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year. Veterinarians On-Site At All Times. Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles, Small Mammals

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Dianna Ovbey, DVM, MS, Practice Ltd. To Anesthesiology

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Eva Sikorska, DVM, DACVIM Erin Anderson, VMD, MSc, DACVIM

DENTISTRY

Krista Mendoza, DVM, DAVDC

DERMATOLOGY

Sandra Sargent, DVM, DACVD

EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE

Kenton D, Rexford, VMD Christine Guenther, DVM, DACVECC Christine Rutter, DVM, DACVECC Sarah J. Deitschel, DVM, DACVECC Amy Dickinson, DVM, DACVECC Kara Osterbur, DVM, DACVECC Rebecca A Miller, DVM Joey Kallem, DVM Jennifer Wooderson, DVM Elissa Allen, VMD Robin M. Dutra, DVM Lindsey Rademacher, DVM Kristen Krisulevicz, DVM Richard Skalos, DVM Tricia Tovar, DVM, Resident in EM & Critical Care

MRI & CT IMAGING

PetsDx Veterinary Imaging www.petsdx.com Gerald Frye, VMD

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Sherwood Johnson, DVM, DACVIM Tracey Peterson, DVM, DACVIM Todd Carter, DVM, DACVIM Emily Klosterman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

NEUROLOGY

Edward MacKillop, DVM, DACVIM Kendra Mikoloski, DVM, DACVIM

ONCOLOGY

Rebecca Newman, DVM, MS, DACVIM Todd M. Erfourth, DVM, DACVIM Bridget Urie, DVM, MS, DACVIM

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Lawrence Bagley, DVM, DACVO Rachel Keller, DVM, DACVO Michael Finn, DVM, MS, DACVO

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Christine Anderson, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVR

RADIOLOGY

Christopher Warrington, DVM, DACVR

SURGERY

Anthony D. Pardo, MS, DVM, DACVS John T. Payne, DVM, MS, DACVS Julie L. Compton, DVM, MS, DACVS Jonathon Anderson, DVM, DACVS Michael Doornink, DVM, DACVS Jennifer Covey, DVM, DACVS Hope Chisnell, DVM, Resident in Surgery Kathryn Campbell, DVM, Resident in Surgery

807 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.366.3400 www.pvs-ec.com