The Virginia Maryland Dog Winter 2013

Volume 4 •Issue 4

Winter/Holiday 2013

Dogs Finding Dogs: A Dog’s Nose Knows Walking Walkingin inaaWinter Winter Wonderland Canine Wonderland Demystifying DemystifyingSpinal Spinal Injuries Injuriesin inDogs Dogs Holiday GiftGift Guide InsideInside Holiday Guide

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“Rosa”is available for adoption through the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. (details on page 44)

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oliday 20

Volume 4

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Issue 4

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Volume 4 •Issue 4

contents

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Winter/Holiday 2013 Dogs Fi n A Dog’s ding Dogs: Nose K nows W Waalklkin ingg

in inaaW Win W inte Con ter ani dne erla Wnd onderla r nd DDem emys ystif tifyiying ngSp Sp In Inju in in jurie aal l riessin inDDog ogss HHoloid lid ayaG yiftGGiftuiG deuIn idsiedeInsi d

departments 22

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Weekend Getaway:

On the Cover…

Haute Holiday for Hounds

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“Rosa”

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is availab le for ado through ptio the Virgin Shepherd ia Germa n Rescue. n (details on page 44)

“Rosa” is available for adoption through the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. (See Page 44 for details)

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Safety:

32

Health:

33

Ask Dr. Katy:

34

Stories Within The Bond:

36

Legal:

41

United for Change:

42

Just Doodling

44

Seeking A Forever Home

Photo by Angela Moore, Little Pink Toes Photography

Walking in a Winter Canine Wonderland

Saving Lives With A New EEG Program

features

with Dr. Katy Nelson

8

Veterinary Acupuncture:

13

Sometimes It’s Not as Bad as it Looks

24

Holiday Gift Guide

38

Demystifying Spinal Injuries in Dogs: From Injury to Recovery

Out of Alternatives

Dispute Thy Neighbor: Hire A Mediator

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Hearts

An Old Trick for a New Generation of Pets

special feature 16

Dogs Finding Dogs: A Dog’s Nose Knows

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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contributors Cathy C. Bennett, Online Publicist Cathy C. Bennett enjoys writing about life with her two Goldendoodles and the world they continue to introduce her to. Author and Editor for The Chronicles of Life with Harley & Leo, The Doodle Daily and Doodle*Licious, Cathy writes because so many people ask her “what’s it like with two?” www.groovygoldendoodles.com

William Bush, VMD, DACVIM (Neurology) Dr. Bush is the Chief of Staff, Neurology/Neurosurgery at Veterinary Neurology Service with three locations throughout Virginia.

Dr. Bush was an English major at College of the Holy Cross and a naval officer prior to graduating near the top of his class at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School. He then completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at NC State University. Dr. Bush then returned to University of Pennsylvania for a residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery where he earned research and teaching awards. After finishing his residency, he settled into the DC Metro area and practiced locally until launching Bush Veterinary Neurology Service in 2005. He lives with his wife and two children in Montgomery County, MD.

Bruce Coston, DVM

Doctor Coston owns and operates Seven Bends Veterinary Hospital in Woodstock, Virginia. He is the author of two books: The Gift of Pets and Ask The Animals. He is owned by a mixed breed dog named Starr. www.brucecoston.com

Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT Dr. Erwin, a life-long Loudoun County native, owns a house call practice called Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services that focuses on offering in-home acupuncture, rehabilitation, pet hospice, and euthanasia for her clients. Dr. Erwin is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.

Ryan Gallagher, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) Dr. Gallagher currently practices at The Spine Center at VOSM in Annapolis Junction, MD. The Spine Center is a sub-specialty practice that diagnoses and treats neurologic injuries and diseases. Dr. Gallagher’s special interests include the treatment of intervertebral disc disease, and neuroimaging.

Hannah Michalski Hannah Michalski, a New Zealander living in Atlanta, is an unabashed lover of all creatures and a loyal member of HeARTs Speak. She dedicates the majority of her time to animal welfare work, but saves a little for How About Pictures, her boutique photography business specializing in lifestyle portraiture of pets and children

Gary Norman, Esquire Mr. Norman is a visible attorney with a disability, gifted in brokering relationships and in designing engagement strategies.

Notably, two influences have informed Gary’s goal of bringing people together: the example of his mother and her hospitality as well as the Cleveland institution called the City Club. As such, he has co-founded the MidAtlantic Lyceum, and its publication arm the Mid-Atlantic Journal, to heighten public discourse and public policy.

Laura Semonche Jones Laura Semonche Jones is an attorney and freelance writer and editor. She lives with her husband, two adored pit bull mixes and two tolerant cats in Charlottesville. Fallout Shelter, one of the stories in Breaking and Entering, her debut collection of short stories, was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Jones is also working on her first novel, and yes, there is a dog in it. More information and samples of her work are at www.LauraSJones.com.

Anne Stoneham, DVM, DACVECC Dr. Stoneham is an emergency and critical care specialist at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD where she is Director of the Emergency Department. Dr. Stoneham completed her veterinary training at three different institutions: veterinary school at Cornell University in NY, internship at the Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Oregon, and residency at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Dr. Stoneham’s interests include emergency surgery, acute kidney failure, sepsis and hypoadrenocorticism among others.

Ginger Warder Ginger Warder, the author of Fido’s Virginia and Fido’s Florida, is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, specializing in luxury travel and travel with pets. Her current canine research assistants are her German Shepherd, Tipsy, and her Daschund, Max.

Julie Wentzel, DVM, CVA Dr. Julie Wentzel is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist with Veterinary Surgical Centers and practices out of Leesburg, VA. Dr. Wentzel grew up in Annapolis, MD and received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.

After graduation, she completed a small animal emergency medicine internship at Anne Arundel Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Annapolis, MD where she remained on staff for another 7 years before moving to Leesburg, VA with her family. She is passionate about treating acute and chronic pain to improve her patients’ quality of life and assist in their return to a more active lifestyle

Katy Nelson, DVM Dr. Katy Nelson is a veterinarian and the host of “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy” on Washington DC’s News Channel 8 - the show airs at 11am on Saturday mornings. An ardent advocate for pet rescue, Dr. Nelson works with numerous local and national rescue organizations to promote pet adoption. Dr. Nelson is known as “Dr. Pawz” on Washington DC’s All News Radio Station WTOP live on air every two weeks.

You can also catch her on her online radio show called “Pawsitive Talk with Dr. Katy” on the all positive radio network HealthyLife.Net. Dr. Nelson is a Certified Veterinary Journalist (CVJ), accredited by the American Society of Veterinary Journalists (ASVJ). Catch her every Friday morning on News Channel 8’s “Let’s Talk Live,” and you can even find her reporting on animal health topics every week on WJLA ABC7 News. A prolific writer, you can follow her on The Pet Show’s blog (www.wjla.com/blogs/the-pet-show/) and find back episodes of The Pet Show there, as well.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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{ department }

Publisher/Editor in Chief Pamela Wahl

{ publishers note }

a note

from our publisher

Director of Operations Gene Wahl

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated… I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of human kind.”

–Gandhi

Art Director Kalico Design, Kim Dow Graphic Designer Jennifer Tyler Social Media Director Laurel Weetall Senior Editor Kimberly Holmes Photographer Angela Moore, Little Pink Toes Photography Copy Editor Matt Neufeld Advertising Director Pamela Wahl Production Coordinator Diane Weller Web Site Manager Kalico Design, Kim Dow Business Manager Cathy Wahl Contributing Writers: Cathy Bennett William Bush, VMD, DACVIM Bruce Coston, DVM Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT Ryan Gallagher, DVM, DACVIM Laura Jones Hannah Michalski Katy Nelson, DVM Gary, Norman, Esquire Anne Stoneham, DVM, DACVECC Ginger Warder Julie Wentzel, DVM, CVA The Virginia-Maryland Dog Magazine 1 College Avenue Frederick, MD 21701 Tel: (301) 514-2804 Fax: (301) 576-5079 www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com bark@vamddog.com Copyright 2013 No part of this publication may be reproduced without expressed written permission of the publisher.

No part may be transmitted in any form by any means, including electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Publisher accepts no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials that are damaged or lost. Views expressed by editorial contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

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The Holidays are officially upon us! What a great time of year to reach out to the many homeless and helpless animals who enter the countless shelter and rescue organizations each year—and their only hope is to find a loving and forever home.

We ask that you please consider donating to these fine organizations who so graciously and generously save these beautiful creatures from death and despair. Many of these organizations have websites that include lists of items needed (as inexpensive as paper towels), online stores, thrift shops and other means to help. If you are unable to provide to them monetarily, a donation of your time would be greatly appreciated, and that would go a long way to assist these organizations.

Speaking of rescue and shelter organizations, we would like to remind our readers that each and every one of our covers is devoted to a dog in need of a forever home. Many of these dogs have been passed over for several reasons. Some have minor health issues, while others are senior dogs, and some just simply get passed up without a reason. We are proud to say that we have had an extremely high success rate in securing homes for these wonderful dogs through our cover features!

We would like to welcome three new contributors to our publication. Dr. William Bush, renowned veterinary neurologist, founder, and the chief of staff, neurology and neurosurgery, at the Bush Veterinary Neurology Service (BVNS), which has three locations throughout Virginia. You may remember the article published in our spring, 2013, edition entitled “Susie’s Story.” Dr. Bush was extremely instrumental in saving the life of Susie, who had, as Dr. Bush described it, one of the worst cases of spinal cord compression he had ever encountered.

We are honored to include Dr. Bush within our publication.

We would also like to welcome Dr. Julie Wentzel, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist with Veterinary Surgical Centers (VSC), with four locations throughout Virginia Dr. Wentzel’s reputation and passion for treating acute and chronic pain in order to improve the quality of life of her four-legged patients is unsurpassed.

And, finally we would like to welcome Dr. Ryan Gallagher, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) of The Spine Center at VOSM in Annapolis Junction, Maryland. Dr. Gallagher’s special interests include the treatment of intervertebral disc disease, and neuroimaging.

Within this Winter/Holiday edition, we have once again included a Holiday Gift Guide, which is full of exciting and fabulous items for your canine companion and dog enthusiast. Please be sure to take some time to review this section for some great gift ideas for the Holidays.

Here’s to a safe and happy Holiday season!

Pamela Wahl Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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Veterinary Acupuncture:

An Old Trick for a New Generation of Pets

By Julie Wentzel, DVM, CVA

Veterinary medicine has grown during the past several decades. Â Pets are living longer through early detection of diseases, improved nutrition, more advanced treatments, and surgical intervention. Veterinarians are striving to produce longer lives for their patients and to improve the quality of those years.Â

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

While its application in modern veterinary medicine is relatively recent, the practice of acupuncture is thousands of years old and has been practiced in many cultures around the world. Acupuncture is now more commonly being incorporated into an approach to pain management in humans and animals. Acupuncture is one of a wide variety of treatments that comprise the field of pain management. These treatments include medications, surgery, physical rehabilitation, laser, and ultrasound therapies.

{ feature } What is Acupuncture and How Can it Help Pets?

Acupuncture stimulates specific points in the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine is focused on energy, or Qi, and working toward balancing Yin and Yang. Qi is vitality and energy in people and pets. It nourishes the organs and is the backbone of immune systems and life forces. Yang is warmth, light, and activity as opposed to Yin, which is cool, dark, moist, and quiet.

Too much of one or the other shifts the balance and can lead to illness and disease. The use of acupuncture can help to restore balance to the body. In Western medicine, acupuncture can stimulate the nerves to release endorphins, reduce pain and stimulate blood flow; and improve healing. It can also stimulate the immune system, reduce nausea, increase gastrointestinal motility, and improve an overall sense of well-being.

There are many methods used to stimulate acupuncture points: acupressure, dry needling, aquapuncture, electroacupuncture, and laser. Different disease processes and the tolerance of patients for a specific modality help dictate the method an acupuncturist uses.

Dry needling is the most familiar acupuncture technique. With this technique, very thin, flexible, sterile needles are inserted into specific points of the body.

They may be turned or manipulated, and are typically left in place for 10 to 20 minutes.

Electroacupuncture uses these same needles, but leads are attached to stimulate the points with electricity. Electroacupuncture is most commonly used for patients with neurologic dysfunction and to relieve pain.

Aquapuncture involves the injection of a substance into the point. Most commonly, saline or vitamin B-12 is used.

How Will Pets React to Acupuncture?

Most pets will tolerate dry needles. Other methods, such as a cold laser, can be used if a patient is not tolerant of the dry needle technique. Generally, pets will relax during the session and remain a little quiet for about 24 hours after the treatment. Not every pet will show improvement with acupuncture, just like not every pet improves with a specific medication. When considering acupuncture for pets, be prepared to try at least three to four treatments before deciding whether it is an effective addition to a veterinarian’s treatment plan. More chronic problems will typically take longer to show improvement.

When Should Pet Owners Consider Acupuncture or Other Pain Management Strategies?

Pain tends to be easier to notice when it is related to an obvious source or traumatic event like a pet being hit by a car, fracturing a leg, or recovering from surgery. However, many pets suffer in silence with chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis, urinary discomfort, gastrointestinal pain, and other paincausing disease processes. Indications of silent pain may be found in dogs slow to rise or who slow down over time, stop playing ball, stop using the stairs, or just start showing muscle loss in the limbs. Cats can be trickier, and many will sometimes become more reclusive, stop jumping on or climbing furniture, lose appetite, or over-groom, especially their bellies. Knowing what to look for can help vets intervene early, maintain muscle mass, and allow pets to be comfortable and mobile longer.

What Should Pet Owners Expect from a Veterinary Acupuncturist?

Veterinary acupuncturists are licensed veterinarians who have received training through accredited institutions, and are certified by their respective school to practice acupuncture. Each acupuncturist has a slightly different technique or approach to acupuncture. Some veterinarians may primarily practice holistic medicine and be well versed in herbology and homeopathy in addition to acupuncture. Others will use these therapies in conjunction with Western medicine and others will solely approach acupuncture from a conventional Western medicine aspect that does not involve the theories of traditional Chinese medicine. Pet owners should choose a practitioner whose approach to medicine is most aligned with their own beliefs. If a veterinarian does not have an acupuncturist in their practice, there are veterinarians specializing in acupuncture to whom they may refer.

At your initial consultation, a pet’s acupuncturist will discuss their approach to acupuncture and walk pet owners through the process of using needles and the goals of therapy. There are some conditions that are unlikely to be improved with acupuncture such as degenerative myelopathy or complete nerve transec-

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When considering acupuncture for pets, be prepared to try at least three to four treatments before deciding whether it is an effective addition to a veterinarian’s treatment plan.

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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“Fletcher.” Photos courtesy of VSC.

tion. Although acupuncture may not fix these problems, there are still benefits, which the veterinarian can discuss. If the acupuncturist practices an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine, they may ask questions that seem a bit odd but these questions can help identify a pattern of disease and focus on a more specific treatment. Ideally, the acupuncturist will work with your primary care veterinarian as an adjunct.

Therefore, it is helpful to have your pet’s records, labwork, and X-rays, or radiographs, available from your primary care veterinarian. The veterinary acupuncturist should, in turn, send reports and updates to your primary care veterinarian for their own records.

Not everyone believes in the principals of Chinese medicine and, for some, the concepts and potential benefits can, understandably, be hard to grasp.

While acupuncture is most commonly thought of as Chinese medicine, there have been studies that show there are effects in the nervous system that are beneficial to patients. Most acupuncturists will wel-

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At your initial consultation, a pet’s acupuncturist will discuss their approach to acupuncture and walk pet owners through the process of using needles and the goals of therapy.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

come a conversation with primary care veterinarians if there is some uncertainty as to its uses or benefits for a particular pet.

Fletcher’s Story Fletcher, a 13-year-old Black Lab, has been receiving acupuncture for several months. He has many medical problems. He came to his vet when he started showing signs of slowing down and having increased trouble getting up. He is on numerous medications for his liver and has a very sensitive stomach, limiting his ability to take certain pain medications. Treatment was started with dry needling and occasional Vitamin B-12 injections. Fletcher responded well.

Sadly, several months after starting acupuncture, he was diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy made him nauseous, and he ended up hospitalized more than one time. He was treated with conventional fluids and medications, but also with acupuncture during his hospital stays. Acupuncture was used to make him comfortable and to help reduce his nausea and abdominal pain. Over time, vets have adjusted the frequency of treatments and the acupuncture type.

He is now receiving electroacupuncture every two to three weeks, which is making him more comfortable.

He is even playing again! Fletcher is a good example of how well acupuncture may be integrated with conventional Western medicine to optimize treatment results and improve the quality of life.

While acupuncture is not for every condition or every patient, it can be a very beneficial adjunct to pain management and certainly other medical treatments.

Speaking to your veterinarian, or scheduling an appointment with a veterinary acupuncturist, may help to determine if there may be benefit in adding in this centuries-old treatment.

WANTED: Puppy Raisers

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“Benevolent, instructive stories of the bonds between animals and humans.”

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The Gift of Pets is a featured title on the 2012 LA TIMES Summer Reading List and in the 2013 Virginia Festival of the Book. Available from all major book retailers, Amazon. com and in ebook format for both Kindle and Nook. Get a signed copy from Dr. Coston’s website.

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Sometimes It’s Not as Bad as it Looks Mrs. Fry brought Hudson into the exam room. Well, no, that isn’t exactly accurate: Hudson came into the exam room on the gurney my nurses were pushing, with Mrs. Fry and her son walking alongside. They were very worried.

When he was 13 years old, Hudson had had a tumor removed from his brain. Back then, he had been having seizures but ever since the tumor was removed, he had been completely normal. Now, three years later, he had suddenly started having trouble standing. Granted, the signs were not the same as they had been before the surgery, but tumors can cause different signs depending on the extent and location of the tumor. So their concern was understandable and I was worried too.

The nurses gently lifted Hudson down onto the floor.

He immediately stretched his front legs out and tried to stand. He extended his nails, trying to get some footing so he could lift himself up. But it didn’t work.

His head tilted to one side, his feet scrabbled on the

floor, and he dropped back down. That was how he had woken up that morning, the Fry’s told me. Last night, he had been puttering around the house and yard as usual but this morning, every time he tried to get up, he fell right back down.

By Anne Stoneham, DVM, DACVECC

I started my physical exam. Hudson had fluffy, silken Golden Retriever fur and his deep brown eyes were bright and active. Most dogs panic when they can’t stand up; trying to stand over and over again while their anxiety levels rise through the roof. But not Hudson. After his first try, he lay down calmly and gently licked my hand. He was a gentleman and clearly had the completely sweet personality common to his breed. Overall, for a 16-year-old, he was really quite healthy. He had arthritis in his hips and knees so his joints were stiff and, because the arthritis limited his activity, his rear leg muscles were not as robust as normal. This is such a commonplace finding in older large dogs, I’m surprised when I don’t find it.

Neurologically, he was aware of everything going on around him, and his reflexes were fine; he just couldn’t make his legs hold him up. When I looked

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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closely, I could see that his eyes continuously and rapidly moved back and forth and his head tilted ever so slightly to one side. And most importantly, he had an ear infection in both ears. This was good news!

I told Mrs. Fry that, given his history, there was a possibility that his brain tumor had returned but, with all of the signs I was seeing, I was more concerned that the ear infection was interfering with Hudson’s equilibrium. In essence, Hudson was a drunken sailor: he couldn’t tell if the earth was above or beneath him.

Why was this good news? The Fry’s had decided they would euthanize if his brain tumor was back but we could treat an ear infection. We decided to try to treat his ears and see how he responded.

Hudson was close to 90 pounds so home care for a big down dog from an owner who weighed just about the same was out of the question. I am lucky enough to work in a hospital with 24-hour care and truly caring, compassionate technicians and assistants.

Caring for him in the hospital would be no problem for us. Hudson was admitted to the hospital for treatment and care. We started daily ear washes, topical ear medication and a non-drowsy anti-nausea medication that people often take for motion sickness (meclizine). These patients feel seasick and meclizine controls it nicely.

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Four days later, Hudson was better. His deep brown eyes were normal and no longer wobbled back and forth. He held his head straight. His ear infection was much better. But, he still couldn’t stand up. Was his brain tumor back? If it was, why didn’t he have other neurologic signs (seizures, mental dullness, etc)? I watched the nurses lift him and try to get him to stand. He stretched his front legs as far forward as they could go and held his hind legs tucked up underneath him so as they set him down, his chest touched the ground before his feet did. He didn’t frantically try to get his footing as he had before. So now it was different, and that just didn’t make sense to me. Figuring out the cases I see is like putting together the pieces of the puzzle. And the pieces of Hudson’s puzzle just wouldn’t go together right. I called Mrs. Fry and we had a sad heart-to-heart talk about Hudson. If he couldn’t walk, she was going to have to say goodbye to him.

In something very much like desperation, I reached for one of my old stand-by tests. It’s really simple and I didn’t really have a lot of faith that it would reveal any useful information. The test: watch how the dog acts when he’s outside. Any of you who have been in a hospital for more than a day know that it’s a demoralizing, depressing place to be. Maybe its pride, but I think our hospital is better than that. Still, dogs can start feeling down when they are inside continuously. Sometimes when they are outside, you see a much happier, livelier dog than they are in the kennel. After I requested it, the nurses mentioned that since he hadn’t been standing up, they hadn’t been taking Hudson outside. So we carried him outside, set him down on the ground and stood back. Hudson immediately stood up and walked!!

Poor Hudson had been afraid to walk on the hard floor in the hospital. The phone call I made to Mrs. Fry a few minutes later was one of the happiest ones I had made in a long time.

Still, dogs can start feeling down when they are inside

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continuously. Sometimes when they are outside, you see a much happier, livelier dog than they are in the kennel.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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{ special feature }

Anne Wills, DFD Co-Founder with K9 “Heidi” & K9-in-training “Gretl”

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Nose knows { special feature }

A Dog’s

Story By Laura S. Jones | Photography by Thomas Pfarr

Hollywood lied. Dogs are vastly more talented than the film studios have led us to believe.

Remember the scenes from the old movies where the panic-stricken jailhouse fugitive runs towards the river so the water will throw the bloodhounds off his scent trail? Wrong, wrong, wrong. As Anne Wills, the founder of Dogs Finding Dogs, explains, a good tracking dog can follow a scent across a body of water because the oil based molecules that make up a scent float. And, well, because dogs are generally awesome. The dogs who make up the canine half of the tracking teams used by Dogs Finding Dogs, though, are more awesome than most thanks to highly specialized training and a strong desire to succeed. Their human companions just have to steer them in the right direction, a task to which Wills has dedicated the second half of her life.

How She Got Started

Speaking of direction, Anne Wills found herself managing a dog-focused non-profit totally by accident, which is of course how all the best things happen in life. All Wills wanted when her kids left the nest was a little companionship, a reason to get out of the house. Thanks to the arrival of a German Shepherd/ Labrador puppy with a mission, she got that and a lot more. “I got Heidi at 8 weeks old in 2005,” Wills explains, noting she had “zero dog experience be-

fore then.” Heidi was happy to take on the role of teacher. “She was extremely high drive. I couldn’t sit and watch television for fifteen minutes,” Wills remembers.

Wills’ boyfriend at the time was a police officer and, noting Heidi’s potential, suggested serious training, and fast. Heidi and Wills hustled over to Arrowwood Shepherds, a dog training organization that offers a special type of training needed for tracking and police work called Schutzhund. Shutzhund training includes obedience and protection training as well as tracking training. “Heidi wound up being a fantastic tracking dog,” Wills says. (Heidi also has her AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate and has been awarded a Governor’s Citation and an Executive Citation for her services to the public with tracking.)

Because of Arrowwood Shepherd’s connection to the law enforcement community, the organization would get calls from people who had lost dogs. “But they can’t use police dogs to track dogs,” Wills explains.

One day, Wills was at the facility when a lost dog call came in, and a trainer suggested she take Heidi out and try to help. “’Good luck, figure it out,’ they said to me,” Wills remembers. “I had to learn the hard way, but I guess sometimes that is the best way.”

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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That first case was Rosie, a 13-year-old lab who was “so arthritic she could barely walk without her meds, but she still managed to wander off.” The fear was that when she missed her next dose of medication, she wouldn’t be able to make it home. When Wills and Heidi got to Rosie’s home, Heidi sniffed some of Rosie’s items and headed for the backyard stream. Wills was nervous. “Heidi was tracking straight up the middle of the stream. I was getting soaked and I thought she was crazy. I thought she wanted to swim instead of work. We did this for four or five minutes, and then, there was Rosie. Water doesn’t erase the scent and Heidi was able to follow it.” Take that, Hollywood.

Dogs Finding Dogs

Encouraged by her success and touched by the need, Wills gathered a couple of friends together whom she had met at Arrowwood. One thing led to another, and Wills went from being a proud dog mom to the leading resource for lost pets in her community.

Christine with K9 “Keelah”

Based in Baltimore and formed in 2008, Dogs Finding Dogs is a 501(c)(3), and is the “only official non-profit organization like this in the United States,” says Wills. With a suggested donation of $175 for a search and a policy to do hardship cases for free, Wills and her team of nine dogs and handlers have reunited more than 2,000 families. If you call on

Wills, get your walking shoes and be prepared to be an active part of the search. “We always take the owners with us when we search,” Wills says. With Rosie, everyone was traipsing down the middle of the stream following Heidi. “If we do come upon the dog, it won’t come to me. And often it runs from the owner too.”

Wills’ teams can travel within a couple of hundred miles of Baltimore. Fees are designed to cover expenses of the handlers only, many of whom leave work when contacted to help. Wills says they never turn down a plea for help even though they often get multiple calls a day. The goal of Dogs Finding Dogs is simple: to reunite you with your pet as soon as possible. To that end, Dogs Finding Dogs offers more than just tracking teams. Sometimes a panicked pet owner needs to be walked through the steps to take right away, like posting flyers and putting out food.

Wills’ particular blend of compassion and skill seems straight out of an episode of “Cagney and Lacey.” You get no hysteria from Wills, because hysteria won’t find your dog. Before making canine search and rescue a full-time profession and passion, Wills managed a manufacturing company.

She says the skills she gained in customer service and scheduling translated very well to her new line of work. “People are understandably often very distraught when they call Dogs Finding Dogs,” she says. And to help find their animals, they need to regain their wits. Wills helps them do that and helps them develop an action plan they can implement before a rescue team can get to them. Sometimes, helping the owners understand what to do and how their missing dog will behave is enough to reunite owner and animal.

But all who wander are not lost. “Sixty-five to seventy percent of our cases are stolen dogs,” Wills says with a matter-of-fact tone that masks a blend of sadness and disgust with the world. She only allows herself and one other tracker to handle those cases. “You need to be experienced and confident as a person to go into some unsafe neighborhoods and the dog has to be very precise and clear with its signals. If the police are going to be able to make a case, they need to have a dog whose behavior can stand up to cross-examination,” Wills says.

The Actual Sniffing

So, as a culture, we often imagine tracking dogs as bloodhounds or German Shepherds. But any dog who wants to work can be a good tracking dog, Wills says. The dogs of Dogs Finding Dogs are a

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

{ special feature } Wendy with K9 “Trusty” on a Search Track Crossing a Hard Surface

varied lot. There are many German Shepherds and Shepherd mixes, a few hounds and labs, and one gorgeous Doberman. When I think about sniffing and a dog’s particular talents, I think about the beagle with his nose to the ground. “Hounds come hard-wired for tracking,” Wills agrees. “The problem with a hound is that it may not tell you when the end is--it may jump track to a deer or something else. You have to teach him or her the end game.”

The hounds, in other words, don’t want the game to end and can give confusing signals. If a dog got into a car, and the scent trail ends, the tracking dog should sit or lie down or give some other “game over” signal, Wills says. And dogs need to be taught that skill.

So finding anything--or anyone--is all about a welltrained dog. For a dog to have the potential to be a part of the Dogs Finding Dogs team, it needs: A high ball drive, because the ball is the reward, Wills explains. “You can’t use food-motivated dogs for tracking work because there is food everywhere.”

usually by lying down with the article between his front paws. The dog is scored on how intently and carefully it follows the track and indicates the articles. The length, complexity, number of articles, and age of the track varies for each title. Good tracking dogs like Wills’ can track over a variety of surfaces and in all kinds of weather.

Additionally, the Dogs Finding Dogs dog teams have obtained certifications in tracking and trailing through the National Tactical Police Dog Association, and one of their trainers works with the dogs to keep them sharp, Wills says. “The president of that association is also on our board,” Wills adds with pride. The dogs of Dogs Finding Dogs are clearly the stars in her eyes. And.they look for cats, too!

But the dogs don’t “track” cats. That sounds kind of stressful for the cat, doesn’t it? Instead, they follow the scent trail to where a cat has been, which allows the handler to place treats and a trap in an appropriate location.

A good temperament, meaning dog and cat and people friendly.

Wills is looking to expand by reaching out to Shutzhund groups because all dogs have to track to be able to compete, and “training dogs from scratch takes a year and a half.”

Basic tracking ability and a good hunt drive, which means the dog enjoys the work.

When Your Dog Goes Missing

All of the dogs who make up Dogs Finding Dogs have been certified as “Canine Good Citizens” with the AKC CGC program. To stay “in shape,” the dog teams also compete in tracking for Schutzhund and AKC. The tracking phase of Shutzhund competition tests not only the dog’s scenting ability, but also its mental soundness and physical endurance.

When the dog finds each article, he indicates it,

When I spoke with Wills, she was managing a rash of new cases, including a missing 25-year-old tortoise. (The tortoise, it turns out, was stolen and her team is still on the case.) She told me that the

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

19

{ special feature }

DFD Group Photo

most common times for pets to go missing are holidays, parties, thunderstorms, snowstorms, and fireworks. Wills also says the most important thing to remember when searching for your lost dog is that very quickly the dog will “flip” to a natural, instinctive state of mind. “You are essentially looking for a fox.

When our pets are with us, we humanize them, we get lax with them. We forget we are dealing with an animal with free will.” It’s not that your pet doesn’t want to come home with you. It’s more that it has adapted to its environment. In other words, Fido doesn’t know you are looking for him. Wills says calling your dog often doesn’t help, he or she needs to smell you. “You have to forget all your experiences with your dog because they all do the same things once they are out.”

Wills says it is very important to get flyers posted and to people within a five mile radius. Posting on Craigslist’s Lost and Found section (under the Community heading) is also important. Set up feeding stations and note footprints. Then, if a tracking team needs to come out, it knows where to start.

As I write this I am sitting in an overstuffed chair with an overstuffed dog on my lap. His 54 pounds

are exactly where my computer laptop should be.

Instead my “lap” top is balanced on my knees, my left arm is under Blue’s front paws and my right is resting on his rear end. He smells faintly of whatever he rolled in this morning. His giant bat ears are blocking part of the screen, and I am getting a crick in my neck from bobbing my head from side to side. But I don’t care. I haven’t spent much time with my boy this week. If Blue ever went missing, my world would end. And then I would remember Anne Wills and Dog Finding Dogs, and I would pick up my phone and call for help.

Part educator, part superhero, part long distance hiker, and all heart, Wills will help you and me find our dogs. Well, actually, it’s Heidi who will find our dogs.

A dog’s nose knows. So when you lose your pet, don’t wait. “Dogs run like Forrest Gump,” Wills says.

For more detail on what Dogs Finding Dogs does, and how they do it, visit the website, www.dogsfindingdogs.com. There you can also read the individual case files of many successful searches for dogs and cats. Now that makes a perfect Hollywood ending.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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{ weekend getaway }

Haute Holiday for Hounds Santa Paws is coming to town and your pooch deserves a holiday getaway as much as you do!

By Ginger Warder Photos Courtesy of Keswick Hall at Monticello

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

{ weekend getaway}

While lords-a-leaping, golden rings and ladies dancing are fine to sing about, you know your best friend would prefer his geese-a-laying on a platter. Start talking about canine room service, long walks in the country, and gourmet treats and tails will be a-wagging! Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Keswick Hall is a 1912 Tuscan-style villa situated on 600 lush acres in the heart of Virginia wine country. Named the number one Top Small Resort in Mainland, USA, by Condé Nast Traveler, Keswick Hall offers refined elegance and award-winning cuisine that Thomas Jefferson would surely have approved of, as well as a vast array of activities from golf, tennis, fly fishing and spa treatments to unique private wine tours or morning walks with the Keswick Club hunting hounds.

The boutique hotel, decked out for the holidays, has 48 opulent rooms and suites furnished with English and American antiques, as well luxurious amenities and world-class dining at Fosset’s Restaurant, a destination eatery. There’s no formal check-in desk here: you’ll be welcomed as if you were a private guest at this mansion--and so will your furry family members.

Pampered pooch amenities include a welcome treat along with a comfy canine bed and food bowls in your room. The Chef will also prepare special canine meals upon request. Pet-sitting services are available if you want to explore the more than 25 wineries in the region.

Once a private home known as Villa Crawford, which is now the historic north wing of Keswick Hall, the original woodwork, fireplaces and staircase have been fully restored. Spend a cozy afternoon in front of a roaring fire in the lobby or library, or enjoy a game of billiards in the game room. Miles of hiking

and nature trails offer you and your pooch plenty of outdoor time, and Charlottesville’s downtown pedestrian mall is pet-friendly as well, in case you need to do any last-minute holiday shopping. Several locallyowned boutiques and restaurants line the mall and there’s also an annual outdoor Christmas Market.

Holiday activities at the hotel include an annual tree-lighting ceremony and many special wine and culinary events. Be sure to make reservations early, as these are also open to the public.

For More Information: Keswick Hall at Monticello 701 Club Drive Keswick, VA 22947 (434) 979-3440 www.keswick.com From $235 per night

Well-mannered dogs under 75 pounds are welcome with a one-time $75 non-refundable cleaning fee.

The resort is owned by the same group that owns the five-star Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, so if you’re planning to visit both regions, packages are available that include the resort and the hotel.

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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2013

Holiday

Gift Guide Unique gifts sure to please any pet, owner or animal lover.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

{ holiday gift guide }

holiday gift guide Healthy GOO™ Glow

Glowdoggie™ LED collars This giving season, give your canine friend a Healthy GOO Glow™ with a tasty peanut butter treat! GOO-liscious sublingual Doggy GOO to fight itchy enviro-allergies.

And GOO-licious GOO Gut Rescue for a healthy GUT MicroFlora during/after anitibiotic/NSAID or heavy medication protocols.

www.HealthyGOO.com | 855.246.2426

www.glowdoggie.com

Dog Italia

My Buddy Pal Online Store! Dog Italia offers Gourmet Goods for the Gourmet Pet. Shop a variety of organic and eco-friendly products which include created from nature dog soap & paw cream, everyday grain-free treats, alternative toys & chews and unique gift options for animal lovers & their pets.

For those that want to keep their furry loved ones seen & safe on dark winter mornings and nights, the German-engineered Glowdoggie™ LED collar provides the ultimate, high-quality solution. It’s 100% waterproof, extremely durable and guaranteed for two years.

From $49.99, with Free Shipping, exclusively at www.glowdoggie.com.

Did you ever wonder what a dog thinks about? I did.

See our humorous greeting cards and note cards by visiting our website. And enjoy free shipping with your orders. For wholesale information, contact Mike Murphy.

www.mybuddypal.com | 828.696.0944

Tail Bangers

Regal Pet Foods

www.HappyDogShop.com | 877.725.2469

f at

protein

u.s. g r a i n’s

RegaL

30 14 protein

fat

adu lt do g fo o d

u.s. g r a i n’s

everything else is just dog food

A balanced blend of chicken and duck protein, fats, and 14 enriched vitamins and 21 minerals. Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, lecithin, flax and fish oil.

RegaL

Tail Bangers Christmas Bangers! Half Pound of Peanut Butter dog treats topped with Yogurt and sprinkles. The perfect way to share your love for your dog at Christmas! Fresh Baked Locally. U.S.A. The perfect Gift for friends with pets. Only $7.50 each!

30 14

www.dogitalia.com | 410.948.0927

all natural ingredients

wheat free • corn free • soy free • gluten free

net weight 13.63 kg. / 30 lbs.

Regal Is an all natural product using a unique balance of real meat protein sources for the best amino acid profile using turkey, chicken, lamb, salmon, venison, buffalo, duck, fish and egg. Regal offers outstanding palatability. Been in business for 39 years and sold worldwide.

www.regalpetfoods.com | 800.638.7006

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

25

{ holiday gift guide }

holiday gift guide Paw Plunger

Best Pet Supplies Inc. Paw Plunger is your patented award-winning paw cleaning solution. Simply add warm water and the gentle bristles remove dirt, mud, snow and that irritating salt from your best friend’s paws. Dishwasher safe, 5 year warranty. Paw Plunger makes a great gift!

Our poop bags are made with d2w prodegradant allowing these plastic bags to degrade much faster than the normal plastic.

(For more info visit www. symphonyenvironmental. com). Package in recycled cardboard boxes. Each pack includes 8 rolls of bags with 15 bags per roll.

Choose from 10 wonderful designs that are scented to mask the odor of the content.

www.pawplunger.com | 800.604.8983

www.bestpethouse.com | 888.777.7858

Furry Travelers

Groovy Goldendoodles

To Go Bowl by Furry Travelers is perfect for dogs on the go. It fits into your car’s cup holder so your dog can drink whenever he wants on car rides. The splashguard and lid prevent spilling and the removable cup stores your pet’s treats!

Great for dogs of all sizes, BPA-Free, dishwasher safe and Made in USA.

Doodle-tize Your Holiday Greetings this year with an assorted box of twelve holiday cards. Whimsical and appealing on the front, yet blank on the inside for you to personally scribe your own holiday message to friends and family.

Envelopes included.

www.FurryTravelers.com | 866.553.8779

www.groovygoldendoodles.com | 703.400.3498

SmartLeash™

Wiki Wags™

SmartLeash is unlike any other retractable leash -SmartLeash has a patented automatic brake which immediately locks when your pet tries to suddenly run or lunge. SmartLeash has a bright yellow reflective tape (no cords!) and a comfortable rubberized grip.

Bungee end on larger models. One year warranty, veterinarian recommended!

www.TheSmartleash.com | 800.481.2176

26

Dazzle this holiday season with Wiki Wags brand Disposable Male Dog Wraps.

You and your guests will enjoy not having those undesirable male potty habits in the house. Forget the embarrassment and cleaning up after your male dog soils on the carpeting, furniture or worse yet...the presents.

www.wikiwags.com | 888.945.4924

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

{ holiday gift guide }

The Good Dog Company

Woodrow Wear

Our products are made from 55% hemp & 45% Certified Organic cotton. There are verified health reasons for placing only natural fibers against your dog or cat’s skin. The characteristics are; Breathability,Temperature Regulation, Durability, Water Absorption, Anti-Microbial & Hypoallergenic Properties.

20% Off w/code VAMDDOG (Exp. 03/31/14)

Woodrow Wear is proud to offer Power Paws socks for dogs - a unique solution for medical, traction, and mobility issues. They are made of cotton and elastic for comfort, fit and adaptability.

Eight regular sizes and 4 hare-footed sizes ensure a good fit; 11 colors assure they go in style!

www.TheGoodDogCompany.com | 866.433.6426

www.woodrowwear.com | 877.737.3545

Aikiou

Nature’s Variety

Aikiou (pronounced “IQ”) is the patented line of interactive feeders designed in Canada. Aikiou - available for both dogs and cats provides your pet with a more natural method of eating and slows down the feeding process, leading to better digestion. Durable, dishwasher-safe and colorful. Highly rated.

Nature’s Variety is passionate about providing pure, authentic nutrition for your dog and cat. You and your pet can experience real results with pure nutrition from Nature’s Variety. We invite you to learn more about our grain-free Instinct line, Instinct Raw, or holistic Prairie line of foods.

www.Aikiou.com | 800.604.8983

www.naturesvariety.com | 888.519.7387

Animal Reiki Alliance

Paws N Claws All Breed Dog Grooming

Best Friends Day Out What better way to escape from the stress of the holidays, than an afternoon of relaxation with your best friend. This package includes two 50 minute Reiki Sessions, one for you and one for your animal companion for only $135 in the comfort of your home Or give this as a gift to the animal lover in your life.

www.animalreikialliance.com | 443.986.1516

Bring in this ad & receive 10% off your holiday groom at Paws N Claws All Breed Dog Grooming. See our full color ad on page 5 of this issue. I will make your furry friend picture perfect for the holiday season!

Expires 12/31/13

www.paws-n-claws.org | 301.829.7632

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

27

{ holiday gift guide }

holiday gift guide Off-Leash K9 Training, LLC

PoopPac

Give your K9 the gift of being off-leash for the holidays! Check out our over 400 videos on YouTube and our over (100) 5 star reviews on Google to see the results we guarantee!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/ OffLeashK9Training

Every person who walks their dog needs a PoopPac. A tough lightweight case designed to carry used dog waste bags and dispense fresh bags, ensuring you will never be without a bag when you need one, or stuck carrying a bag of waste after you clean up after your pet. Enjoy your

walk! Save $5 with code VAMDDOG

www.offleashk9training.com | 888.413.0896

www.pooppac.com | 805.364.0260

Stella & Chewy’s

Snuggle Pet Products Company Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch nuggets are perfect bite sized pieces and less than 3 calories per nugget. All of our recipes are made from grass-fed beef, cage-free poultry or wild-caught fish.

SnugglePuppies, with their real feel “pulsing” heart beat and renewable warmer, mean you never have to leave your pet alone again!

Loneliness and thunder anxiety are just two of the concerns virtually eliminated. They’re not only for new puppies, but older pets that are depressed or afraid.

SnugglePets eliminate people guilt too! Enter VMDOG at check out for a $5 discount now through 1-31-14.

www.StellaandChewys.com | 414.747.9710

SnugglePetProducts.com | 734.697.3757

EZ Living Home

Kevy K Designs This holiday season, give your pet the gift of comfort as you give your loved one a new look for the home.

Gifts for the entire pet family. Super-stuffed Giraffe Couch Beds give your pets the comfort they deserve; Matching window panels and decorative pillows complement your existing décor.

www.ezlivinghome.com | 914.862.0317

28

www.kevyk.com The Virginia–Maryland Dog

The Ultra collection is cool and sleek that will enhance any room. The 4”, 7.5” and 13” height feeders will provide healthier digestion and proper eating posture for small, medium and large breeds. Removable stainless steel water/food bowls are extra heavy; 0.7mm thick, dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

{ holiday gift guide }

Sirius Republic

Tail Bangers Sirius Republic offers custom dog collars. Each collar is handmade specifically for its future owner, with a focus on comfort, style, and function. Proud supporters of animal rescue, Sirius Republic donates a portion of their proceeds to rescue organizations across the United States.

Tail Bangers Seasonal Cookies! One Pound of adorable Christmas Dog Treat Cookies. Santa, Christmas Tree, Gingerbread man and more! The perfect Gift for your beloved dog and friends dogs at Christmas! Fresh Baked Locally. U.S.A. Only $13.50 each!

www.siriusrepublic.com | info@siriusrepublic.com

www.HappyDogShop.com | 877.725.2469

Ask the Animals & The Gift of Pets

Safari Pets

The pet lovers on your List will love to unwrap these two books. ASK THE ANIMALS & THE GIFT OF PETS are collections of stories from the practice of a small-town veterinarian on the tradition of James Herriot. THE GIFT OF PETS was on the 2012 LA Times Summer Reading List. The stories are in turn funny, sad, touching, inspiring, & uplifting. But they will all celebrate the amazing & wonderful gift of loving animals & being loved by them.

SAFARI

PETS

Natural Care

They look cute, but a nice outfit is not enough to protect your dog´s skin & coat.

Our All-Natural products with Omegas, Vitamins, Minerals, amino acids, collagen & natural extracts, will give the right protection to your pet during the season. Supplements & Shampoos for dogs & cats.

www.brucecoston.com

www.SafaripetCare.com | 855.SAFARI.9

The Paw Wash

Barkley Square

The award winning Paw Wash is the 1st patented gentle, brushless dog paw washer of its kind. Paw Wash’s unique design and powerful fluid dynamic flushes dirt from the paw quickly and effectively, with very little effort! In just four simple steps your dogs’ paw is clean and ready to go back into your house or car. The Paw Wash comes in two sizes to fit all canine breeds. A clean paw equals a clean house!

www.thepawwash.com | 1.888.WET.PAWS

Don’t forget your pup this holiday! Pre-order your Barkley Square Pet Bakery gourmet dog treats now and we will ensure they arrive in your pet’s stocking just in time for the holidays!

www.barkleysquare.com | 703.329.1043 x1

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

29

{ safety }

Walking in a Winter Canine How to Keep your Pup Wonderland Safe and Active this Winter

By Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT

It won’t be long until winter—and snow—arrives in Maryland and Virginia, and that means walking your dog outdoors in the snow. Here are five ideas that will help you take care of your dog in the winter, and the snow.

Winter months can be a tough on our pets in regards to maintaining their physiques. Bad weather, hectic schedules, and a habit of overindulgence for all can certainly lead to Fido packing on a few pounds. Obesity is a contributor to pain and inflammation in the body and even a few pounds of weight gain can make cause more pain for an already arthritic pet. If a dog is obesity-prone, consider decreasing his or her diet by about 10 percent during this time of year. Or try switching to lower calorie treat options such as baby carrots, plain rice cakes broken up into bite sized pieces, ice cubes, or homemade doggie ice cream. The doggie ice cream is easy to make by mixing equal portions plain, canned pumpkin and plain, non-fat yogurt and freezing it in ice cube trays.

Some older pets have a harder time maintaining their weight during the cold months of winter. Try warming up the food or feeding smaller, more frequent meals to help make the meals easier to digest and to help your friend maintain his or her body condition.

30

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Many people feel overwhelmed and over-scheduled during the holiday season. Frenzied changes in schedule are not healthy for people or their pets.

Older dogs are dependent upon having a normal schedule. Pet owners may even see increased confusion or signs of cognitive dysfunction in some dogs when their household routine is disrupted.

Consider scheduling 15 to 20 minutes each day to spend quiet time with your pooch. Pet owners can spend this time applying moist heat to arthritic or sore joints. Focus on the muscles of the lower back, upper thighs, hips and shoulders. An easy way to do this is by filling an old sock with uncooked rice, tie it shut, and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes.

Be careful that you don’t accidentally burn your pet!

After applying heat for five minutes, follow up with a nice gentle massage. Videos such as Bodywork for Dogs, by Lynn Vaughan and Deborah Jones (www. amazon.com) or Stretching the Performance Dog,

by Debbie Gross Saunders (www.wizofpaws.net) are great learning tools and are good for the senior citizen and the off-season athlete. By the time the massage is over and you have had a chance to just be still with your dog, the pet owner and the pet will feel better.

{

Winter months can be tough on older pets and also those recovering from orthopedic surgery. Vets often see patients that have re-injured themselves or have damaged their surgical repair because they slipped on the ice. When you have an orthopedically fragile friend, it is imperative that you keep outdoor walkways as slip-free as possible. Try investing in No-Slip Ice Carpets (www.improvementscatalog. com) or a pet-friendly deicer (www.safepaw.com) as traditional de-icing salt can be dangerous for dog feet. An eco-friendly option would be to use darkly-colored bird seed to help provide traction and encourage the ice to melt. If you have a large yard, you may also consider cordoning off a smaller area with temporary fencing to help prevent falls and slips further away from your house. Also, beware the weekend warrior. Many dogs love snow, and they love to run and play. Even a physically-fit dog is at risk of tearing a cruciate ligament if he slips while playing in the snow and ice.

Wet paws inside the house can also make hardwood floors more treacherous. Continue to use non-slip flooring ideas in the house, by providing rubber-backed runner carpets on hardwood or tile floors. You can also use other products such as Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips (www.toegrips.com), Paw Pads (www.puppylovepawpads.com), or Cushy Paw Slippers (www.therapaw.com) to help give your dog better traction. Dogs that are more debilitated likely would benefit from slings such as the Ginger Lead (www.gingerlead.com) or full body harnesses such as the Help ‘em Up Harness (www.helpemup.com) to better help prevent slips and falls.

Many people tend to hibernate through the winter.

Cold weather, wintery outdoor conditions, and shorter daylight discourage people from exercising.

During this time, though, pet owners should keep their dogs moving. Remember that motion is lotion!

By maintaining a physical fitness plan for your pup through the winter, you can help to prevent muscle loss, keep joints well lubricated, and help to prevent future injury or decline.

If the weather is bad, you can help to maintain your dog’s fitness by encouraging him or her to get up and move about the house once an hour when you are home and awake. Be creative, and build obstacle courses in the house--broom handles make great cavaletti poles to improve your pet’s balance. If your dog is able, do puppy Stairmaster exercises by having him or her walk up and down the stairs in a controlled fashion three or four times in a row. Make stations where you ask your dog to do some strength training exercises such as sitting

{

{ safety }

During this season of gift-giving, it’s a great idea to seek out some products that help to keep your dog mentally stimulated and can help to get him or her up and moving.

to standing or walking backward. Facilities that offer underwater treadmill or swimming can also be great for helping your dog to burn off some energy when the weather prohibits outdoor activity.

If the conditions are safe, continue your walking program throughout the winter by incorporating two or three 15-20 minute purposeful leash walks into your day. During these walks, make sure to move at a consistent pace without much stopping to sniff around. If your pet is able to, consider adding in speed intervals from a walk to a brisk walk or slow trot back to a walk again. Hills and uneven terrain make the walk more interesting and challenging.

If you do not have an established walking program for your dog, vets recommend that you consult with your family veterinarian or rehabilitation practitioner for ideas to make this safe and useful for you and your dog. Maintaining purposeful activity throughout the winter will help to ensure that Fido is ready to frolic when Spring arrives!

During this season of gift-giving, it’s a great idea to seek out some products that help to keep your dog mentally stimulated and can help to get him or her up and moving. Puzzle toys such as Busy Buddies (www.petsafe.net) and the Dog Twister Interactive Game (www.amazon.com) will help to stave off the winter doldrums. By having to figure out the puzzles, these toys stimulate mental activity which is great for creatures of all ages. Oftentimes, pets with decreased mobility become bored and detached from their families and surroundings. Encouraging them to play can help to bring the spark back into their life, and exercising their mental muscles will help to improve the quality of life. Other pets that have suffered from front leg injuries can actually use treat balls and puzzle toys to help with strength training.

Finally, these toys can play a role in weight management as you can hide your pet’s food in them. This will slow down their eating and also encourage them to burn calories while having a fun meal!

Remember to be creative this winter to help get your pup up and moving this holiday season. Taking some time to be still and to play with your beloved friend will be a real treat for you both and will guarantee a safe and happy holiday season to all pet owners and their pets.

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

31

{ health }

Saving Lives With A New EEG Program

By William Bush, In 1924, Hans Berger was nearly killed in a military training exercise. At this time, his sister, VMD, DACVIM, who was hundreds miles away, was filled with a sense of dread and insisted her father teleNeurology gram to check on Hans. Hans Berger then dedicated his life to discovering the psychic energy Photos Courtesy of Gray Dog Photography Pictured Above: Patient undergoing an EEG

that allowed his sister to know he was in grave danger. In this effort, Hans recorded the first electroencephalogram by placing needled electrodes under the scalp and connecting them to an oscilloscope display. This important discovery led to the use of electrical recordings from the brain or encephalography (EEG) to investigate seizure disorders in people.

A common use of EEG in people is to define states of delirium as seizure or non-seizure. A seizure occurs when a group of brain cells develops uncontrolled electrical impulses that then spread to capture the brain in an electrical storm. The outward manifestation of the electrical storm is often a nonresponsive or severely confused state of awareness, along with muscle movements and the loss of bowel and bladder control. Seizure disorders are common and it is estimated that about 5 percent of all people and all dogs will experience a recurrent seizure in their lifetime.

The use of EEG to define dog or cat seizure disorders has been limited because interpreting the recording requires years of practice and advanced training. At Bush Veterinary Neurology Service (BVNS), the doctors there are pioneering the use of EEG by recording during periods of abnormal behavior or movement that could be a seizure and having the records reviewed remotely via the internet by Mark Stecker, MD, PHD. Stecker is expert in small animal and human EEG and has collaborated with the practice’s William Bush—the author of this article--on many veterinary publications.

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BVNS has recorded information from dogs and cats that have active movement disorders or episodes of confusion, and doctors have determined that many patients that were not thought to have a seizure are actually having a seizure on the EEG. This finding allows BVNS neurologists to use seizure medication in the correct doses. Identifying and treating the subtle seizures has likely saved the lives of many animals that would otherwise have died from continuous seizure. A recent example is scheduled to be published by Dan Cuff, a doctor, in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

This example tells the story of a cat that was having episodes of fever, dilated pupils and mild twitching, and was diagnosed with the non-movement form of continuous seizure, which is called non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). NCSE is an increasingly recognized, serious condition in people and Cuff’s report is the first to report this in veterinary medicine. Doctors have identified this condition in many other patients since this time.

Technological advances and the willingness of physicians to generously donate their time have fostered an active EEG program at BVNS that is saving lives of patients exhibiting abnormal behavior or movements.

a?kDr. Katy I’ll be perfectly honest with you: I’m not a fan of supplementing an already overweight pet population with table food. Over 60% of pets in the US are overweight or obese, so we’re already feeding them far too much and exercising them far too little, and then we feel bad about leaving them all day while we’re at work, so we come home and give them ‘just a little bit’ of this and that, and end up making them unhealthy in order to assuage our own guilt. If you’re feeding them a proper portion of a high quality, balanced commercial diet, they should not need any further supplementation. Besides, the foods that we eat often are high in fat, calories and sugars which are not only unhealthy for us, but also for them. Finally, when you consider the fact that many ingredients that we use in our foods, like onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, some nuts, etc, can be toxic to our pets, it’s really sort of a ‘no-brainer’ that it’s best to stick with what is healthy for our pets and keep the human food for the humans.

Dear Dr. Katy: Canine Influenza has been all over the news. I am not one to board my pets or to have them groomed outside of my home. Therefore, is it necessary for me to have my dogs vaccinated as a precaution. One of my dogs is very old – 16, and I obviously do not want to place any unnecessary stress upon him.

– Sam S., Boonsboro, MD

Dear Sam:

This is something that I feel each person should work with their veterinarian on individually, so without knowing your dogs’ specific histories, especially the 16-year old, I can’t make a specific recommendation for your pets.

I can, however, offer you my opinion on the matter and you can use that for fodder for discussion with your veterinarian. In people, the influenza virus hits the young, the old, and the immune-compromised harder than it

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Dear Cami:

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–Cami B., Portsmouth, VA

does the rest of the population. The cases we see in dogs act similarly. Puppies, senior dogs and dogs with pre-existing conditions tend to get much more severe cases than healthy adult dogs exposed to the virus.

The biggest problem with the canine influenza virus is that it is relatively new, so most dogs are completely ‘naïve’ to the disease, meaning they have no inherited antibodies against this, therefore they are extremely susceptible to getting active disease when exposed to the live virus. This is why vaccinating against it is so important in “social dogs,” or dogs that are prone to coming into contact with other dogs. Typically, these are dogs (as you described) that are boarded or groomed outside the home, but this could also be dogs that have a fence that borders a sidewalk where numerous dogs pass by, dogs that go for long leashed walks with their owners down busy streets, or dogs that go to “get their zoomies out” at the local dog park. Just because they’re not staying for a long period somewhere doesn’t mean they can’t come into contact with it, so talk with your veterinarian about all of your activities to decide whether or not your dogs need this vaccination.

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With the holidays fast approaching I would like to solicit your opinion about table food such as turkey, ham, etc., and the benefit and/or detriment that they may have on my dogs.

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Dear Dr. Katy:

{ ask dr. katy }

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By Katy Nelson, DVM Do you have questions for Dr. Katy?

You can follow her on Twitter @drkatynelson, on Facebook or send her an e-mail at bark@vamddog.com.

Dear Dr. Katy: I recently adopted a mix breed puppy (a potential German Shepherd/Husky mix). She is currently six months of age. As an avid runner I would like to take her along with me not only as a companion, but to provide her with some exercise. I read an article that it is not a good idea to take a puppy running since they are still developing. What is your take on this?

–Jeff T., Floyd, VA

Dear Jeff:

What you read is correct, it is not recommended to run with a puppy that is still growing. In growing animals, the growth plates of the bones do not close until they reach maturity. A large breed puppy, like your little guy, will continue to grow up to 12-18 months old, so it is highly recommended to avoid high impact exercises, like running, until those growth plates are fully closed to avoid damage to the bones that could last lifelong. You can certainly take your puppy out on low-impact adventures – walking, hiking, and swimming are great cardio exercises to strengthen muscles and build endurance without pounding on the bones.

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ stories within the bond }

Out of Alternatives

By Bruce Coston, DVM

The Roberts greeted me warmly as I entered the examination room. Mrs. Roberts face was round and bright and framed by short brown hair, glasses and a pleasant smile. Hers was an open face, inviting and honest. Mr. Roberts’ face was long in both dimension and expression with eyes that were hooded by heavy eyebrows and interrogated me with what seemed like suspicion. Both remained seated as I greeted them.

Susie did not. Susie was an 85 pound Labrador cross with as pleasant a personality as I had ever met. She immediately rose and came to me, tail pounding the air and mouth pulled back into a big canine grin. I squatted and welcomed her sloppy greeting, one that reminded me how fortunate we veterinarians are.

What other doctors can kiss their patients and not get sued! When I finally rose and turned to the Roberts, they were both smiling approvingly.

“So what’s going on with Miss Susie today?” I asked.

“She seems to be asking to go out more often than normal,” Mr. Roberts replied. “And there’s some gooey stuff around her privates that she licks at a lot. We were concerned about maybe a urinary tract infection.”

“Sounds like a reasonable concern,” I said. My examination of Susie found things just as the Roberts’ had described. Susie had some crusty discharge coating the hair around her vulva and seemed a bit sensitive on palpation of her bladder. Her mammary glands were also more prominent than I expected and I could squeeze a small amount of fluid from the teats.

“Susie’s not spayed, then?” I asked.

“No. We always thought we’d breed her once or twice, but have just never gotten around to it. Now that she’s a bit older, we’re hesitant to have her anesthetized.”

“I certainly understand your concerns, but lots of studies have documented that the risks are worth taking for the benefits we gain from spaying. Among them are safeguards against uterine infections and prevention of breast cancer, though we may have missed the window of opportunity for that one. I would encourage you to spay her as soon as possible.”

A urinalysis confirmed the presence of a urinary tract infection in Susie and I prescribed antibiotics and recommended we recheck the urine to make sure the infection had cleared. Two weeks later I was pleased to see that Susie’s infection was gone and that she was on my schedule to be spayed. She came through the surgery like a champ, so I was surprised to see her on my appointment schedule again only three months later. This time the looks on the Roberts’ faces were strained with worry.

“There’s a lump on Susie’s breast that we just noticed,” Mrs. Roberts said. “It’s probably nothing, but after our discussion before you spayed her, we just wanted you to take a look.”

Susie was her usual jovial self as I examined her carefully, rolling over and presenting her belly to me for a good scratch. I could see the growth immediately and tried to conceal my concern. My fingers outlined the lumpy, firm growth about half an inch in size arising from the mammary gland on the left side. I poked it with a needle and examined the cells under a microscope. Even though they didn’t look particularly threatening, I recommended the growth be removed and biopsied. The Roberts’ agreed and left Susie with me for another surgical procedure.

A week later I was disheartened when the biopsy report crossed my desk. It showed a moderate grade malignancy with evidence of invasion into the lymphatic ducts. Within a day or two Susie was back in my office for grading of the tumor. The good news was that x-rays, blood work and ultrasound failed to find spread to other organs. To be as comprehensive as possible, I performed a radical mastectomy of all the mammary tissue on that side in hopes of removing any residual

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tumor cells and reducing chances for recurrence.

Two months later, Susie was back for me to check another lump in the same area. It was flat, lumpy, firmly attached to the underlying tissue and already about two inches long – all bad signs. I involuntarily let out a long sigh and looked up at the Roberts. They had been searching my face as I examined the area and had seen the reaction I had tried to mask.

“We were worried about that,” Mrs. Roberts said with a shaky voice. “It’s back, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so,” I said, shaking my head. “Pretty fast, too. We better go after it quick.” So that very afternoon Susie’s ultrasound and x-rays were repeated.

This time, there was a subtle shadow hiding like a criminal by the heart that worried me. Yet again, my scalpel sliced out the persistent menace. This time the biopsy was even more ominous, upgrading the tumor to high grade anaplastic, doctor speak for awful. So even though no tumor cells were found at the margins, I was not overly optimistic about the future.

It was with a heavy heart indeed that I picked up Susie’s record from the pocket on the door three months later and looked at the words the receptionists had penned at the top of the page. “Mammary tumors are back.” With a quick feel of the region I knew that we had failed.

Despite all of my fancy diagnostics, all of the surgeries Susie had endured, all of the x-rays and meds and care, I had failed. I had failed this lovely dog who still turned grateful eyes to me with wagging tail. I had failed the Roberts, who continued to follow my every suggestion. The foe I was up against was simply stronger than every insult I’d hurled at it. I was beaten; and by the look on their faces as I sat up and faced them, the Roberts knew it.

“I’ve got no more tricks up my sleeve,” I said with slumped shoulders. “We’ve taken her to surgery three times for this tumor and it’s come back every time.

To do the same thing and expect different results just doesn’t make any sense.” Seldom have I ever felt more defeated.

“So there’s nothing more for us to do?

“Well, I’d be glad to refer Susie to an oncologist if you’d like. There’s a good one just up the road a bit.

But I know he would recommend doing exactly what has already been done. And breast cancer is not as responsive to chemotherapy as other tumors.” I shrugged my shoulders with resignation. “I guess you could try holistic approaches. Though I don’t have much confidence in them, we’ve certainly got

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{ stories within the bond }

“I’ve got no more tricks up my sleeve,” I said with slumped shoulders… “So there’s nothing more for us to do?

nothing to lose. Heaven knows, I’m in no position to poo-poo other modalities; what I’ve done so far certainly hasn’t worked.”

I bid the Roberts’ good-bye with some feeble advice about end-of-life decisions and when they should consider euthanasia, confident that Susie’s next visit would be her last. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts thanked me sincerely for my help and left.

Six months later I was surprised to see Susie on my schedule for her routine vaccines. With disbelief, I carefully examined her and was amazed to find no hint of breast cancer and a perfectly normal and happy dog wagging circles around me. I was flabbergasted to learn that the Roberts, heartbroken and grabbing at any straw that offered hope, had located a holistic veterinarian on the internet who had spent an hour with them on the phone before mailing four supplements with ridiculous names to them. A few weeks later the tumor had simply vanished.

No moral high ground existed from which to rail against the unscientific methods of such an unwashed snake oil practitioner. Honestly though, I had no stomach for standing on a soap box. Truth was, I was thrilled for Susie and for the Roberts. What did I care if the treatment that had worked against her cancer was not one that I had fully endorsed? My patient was well! And that had always been my goal.

Since then, I have removed two additional malignancies from Susie without consequence or recurrence.

She is now a noble and distinguished thirteen year old Labrador; an accomplishment for any large dog, but a victory of monumental proportion for Susie. She may no longer think back to those months of her rapidly snowballing cancer scare. That was three years ago, after all. But I do.

Whenever I get too uppity about my prodigious skills as an animal healer, I remember Susie; and I am reminded that there are lots of arrows in the quiver to fight my patients’ diseases. My arrows are good and often hit their mark. But when they clatter to the floor without effect, I remember that sometimes the fight can best be won when my weapons are joined by those of other practitioners – even those whose methods I don’t understand.

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ legal }

Dispute Thy Neighbor: Hire A Mediator As Emily Franklin wrote in the “Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal,” “Animal issues are becoming increasingly prominent in our courts and legislatures and, as a result, the way the law views animals is gradually changing.”

By Gary C. Norman, Esq. L.L.M.

The Humane Society of the United States, which tracks statistics on pet ownership, reported that, at least 46 percent of households in the U.S. have at least one dog. Thus, with so many houses with dogs, conflicts are bound to occur, vying neighbor against neighbor. But instead of litigation, lawyers and dog owners should explore an alternative method of resolution: mediation.

Alternative Dispute Resolution refers to a range of processes in which a neutral third party works with parties in resolution of a conflict. Mediation is described as a forum in which a third party, called a mediator, guides the parties involved in a case to have open dialogue, and to achieve party-driven solutions, according to the November, 2012, issue of “Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Employment Context.”

There are several aspects that must be included as part of mediation: fair and unbiased behavior of the neutral third party; open dialogue; a design and acceptance of solutions among the parties disputing the particular case; and confidentiality, according to an article by Kathy Hesslter in the defunct “Journal of Animal Law and Ethics.” Cecelia Paizs, a lawyer and mediator in Howard County, Md., instructs her law students that mediation has three models: facilitative, transformative and problem-solving. Mediation has several benefits as opposed to traditional court-oriented processes, including time and cost; the retention

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of relationships; and ultimate satisfaction, according to New York lawyer Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton.

By using Alternative Dispute Resolution, including mediation, the parties involved “actually make a difference in a way that may meet a significant amount of their desired results,” says Voda-Hamilton.

According to Voda-Hamilton, the following types of conflicts are amenable to mediation: • Conflicts about companion animals that arise as part of family law matters, e.g. custody • Conflicts involving service animal-related concerns • Conflicts involving landlords and tenants regarding several specific concerns • Conflicts among pet owners and veterinarians Relying on the results achieved by the tool known as restorative justice, a type of group mediation whereby all the parties involved in a criminal action, victim and offender alike are brought together; there may arguably be instances where civil society may employ Alternative Dispute Resolution to address animal abuse. People should now easily accept the benefits of mediating such conflicts as service animal access denials. As with all matters, the nuanced response is always the best--there may be instances when mediation might be appropriate.

Feed their Spirit, Protect their Body...

If a mediator works in an animal abuse case, VodaHamilton believes they “need to be able to hold space in the room for everyone, no matter how horrific the abuse or the victimization.” In animal abuse cases she has mediated, providing an opportunity for the offender and the victim to be heard has resulted in a better healing process for the community, including an ultimate change in behavior. While mediation fosters unique solutions on a case-by-case basis, there are other Alternative Dispute Resolution tools well suited to comprehensive or community-based solutions.

Public policy facilitation, or a type of resolution-oriented litigation known as collaborative law approaches, constitutes a couple of these global resolution-oriented tools. The Maryland State Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section and the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office are particularly encouraging collaborative law approaches.

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When lawyers participate in collaborative law, “the parties and their attorneys give up the right to go to court and roll up their sleeves to find solutions,” VodaHamilton says. “On larger or smaller scales, people tend to see commonality as well as disparity when brought together and if guided by neutral coordinators; focusing on the commonality first, they often can find ways to shift their differences.”

She believes that collaborative law and other forms of stakeholder facilitation may be applied to animal law conflicts.

Animals are more than just the subject of conflicts; they may help parties achieve solutions. Companion animals may constitute a positive force in moving parties to that goal of every mediator, a resolution. And if parties are dog friendly, the presence of a dog in the room during mediation may help the parties to avoid conflict and could encourage the parties to move toward progress.

Parties involved in mediation “want to rise to a higher level of respect in the eyes of my [their] pets,” VodaHamilton says. Thus, lawyers should use mediators— and companion animals—to resolve conflicts.

The presence of animals may encourage parties to call on the better sides of their personalities. President Lincoln showed his predisposition to dispute resolution in his second inaugural, where he encouraged that there should be malice to none and charity to all. These words ring true today: neighbors must find ways to resolve their conflicts out of court, even when animals are involved.

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ feature }

Demystifying Spinal Injuries in Dogs: From Injury to Recovery

By Ryan Gallagher, Acute spinal cord injuries are a common DVM, DACVIM emergency complaint at veterinary clinics (Neurology) across the country. The possible causes of spinal injury, how they are diagnosed and Photos Courtesy of VOSM

treated, and steps to take to maximize your

Pictured Above: Dr. Gallagher conducting a General Spinal Surgery

pet’s chance of having a successful outcome are discussed in this article.

The dogs are running through the house playing with the kids, you are working on dinner, and suddenly you hear a cry from the other room. You come running. “What happened?” you ask. Meanwhile, your little four-legged family member has been stricken with severe pain, sometimes weakness, or even paralysis. This is one of the most difficult and distressing scenarios, and one which occurs often.

How To Recognize When Spinal Injuries Have Occurred The first (and often most important) step in treating dogs with spinal injuries is recognition. The owner is the caregiver’s eyes and ears on the ground, and no one knows a pet’s personality for potential cues of discomfort better than the pet’s family.

The most obvious and apparent signs of neurologic injuries are weakness of the limbs and incoordina-

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tion. The weakness may affect all limbs, just the hind, or even a single limb, depending on where the injury occurs. Incoordination often manifests itself as sloppy or inappropriate foot placement during walking, scuffing of the toes, or slipping and collapsing on smooth floors or during turns.

Less obvious signs seen with spinal injury include non-specific pain, low head carriage, unwillingness to jump, or non-weight-bearing lameness. Occasionally, the injury can have a more insidious onset and merely be perceived as slowing down as the pet ages. Any pet with mobility issues or difficulty rising should be considered for screening for spinal injury.

Initial Care For A Pet With Spinal Cord Injury The most important thing to realize in pets with a potential spinal cord injury is that they may be at risk for further injury. Some of the disease processes discussed on the following page can be ongoing during the initial time when a problem is identified, and the owner’s initial response can significantly improve his or her pet’s prognosis. Even though it is tempting to encourage pets to walk and display normal behavior, strict activity restriction is necessary to prevent further injury. Confine pets to a crate or small gated-off area of the house, and do not allow them access to jump on or off of furniture. Trips out-

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side should be on-leash and as short as possible.

Contact your primary care provider for guidance on whether your pet needs to be seen emergently or if a conservative approach is appropriate.

Common Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries Intervertebral Disc Disease One of the most common causes of spinal cord injury in dogs is intervertebral disc disease. Disc herniation and spinal cord compression can cause pain, weakness, or paralysis depending on the degree of compression and speed at which the herniation occurred. Progression can occur slowly, from months to years, or, for certain types of disc diseases, progress very quickly, from minutes to hours.

Vertebral Canal Stenosis, Narrowing These are several degenerative compressive conditions in which the vertebral canal progressively narrows and causes spinal cord or nerve root compression. While the process itself is a chronic one, dogs can have acute onset of pain because certain movements exacerbate the compression.

Vertebral Trauma and Fracture Commonly seen with vehicular trauma, but also occasionally seen with spills in and around the house, vertebral fracture is an emergency. Loss of the integrity of the vertebral column puts the spinal cord a risk for severe trauma. Spinal cord trauma may happen at the time of the injury or subsequently due to instability. Animals suspected of vertebral trauma (owner witnessed traumatic event; pain or weakness following a period of being unsupervised) should be rushed to a veterinarian.

Strict activity restriction (crating until you can get to a veterinarian) is imperative.

Vascular Event Vascular events or stroke-like events can affect the spinal cord and cause sudden onset of weakness.

In these stroke events, an interruption of the blood supply to the spinal cord causes sudden, often severe weakness in the limbs.

Inflammatory Diseases Infectious and non-infectious inflammatory conditions can cause sudden onset of pain, and less commonly, weakness.

While this list covers the most common conditions seen, it is no way exhaustive. Check with your veterinarian to see if any of these conditions, or others, may be affecting your dog.

How Do Pet Owners Identify What Condition Is Affecting Their Dog? There are several diagnostic tests which aid your caregiver in making an appropriate diagnosis. The most important first step is to have your pet evaluated by a qualified medical practitioner to determine the exact site of injury and rule out certain conditions that can mimic a neurologic injury.

General Screening Blood Work While blood work is normal in patients with structural spinal cord disease, it is valuable in identifying systemic illnesses which can cause signs that mimic neurologic disease. Conditions such as anemia, a low red cell count, organ failure, inflammation of the pancreas, infection, and others can manifest as weakness or non-specific pain.

Radiographs (x-rays) Radiographs are one of the most important initial screening tools. Radiographs are useful in identifying problems of the vertebral column, the series of bones which support and protect the spinal cord.

Conditions identified with radiographs include fractures, bone tumors, or infections involving the bone.

Important limitations of this test include poor soft tissue detail, which compromises a practitioner’s ability to identify any problems affecting the spinal cord itself.

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT scan) Based on the same technology used to acquire radiographs, CT scanning provides three-dimensional imaging providing superior detail compared to X-rays. The CT scan’s greatest utility lies in the identification of bone pathology, such as a fracture or tumor. Soft tissue detail, while improved compared to radiographs, is still poor when compared to MRI. Furthermore, CT is completely unable to identify certain conditions within the spinal cord, such as stroke-like events or inflammatory diseases.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI is currently the gold standard for imaging of the nervous system; MRI offers unparalleled detail of the spinal cord, nerves, intervertebral discs, and associated soft-tissue structures.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis Collection and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can offer important information about neurologic health. In particular, infections, auto-immune diseases, and certain types of cancer will often show changes in the spinal fluid. In other conditions, such as disc disease, compressions of the spinal cord, and others, the information offered by the CSF analy-

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ feature }

sis is limited and may not contribute to arriving at your pet’s diagnosis. Consult with your neurologist as to whether this test is appropriate for your pet.

What Are The Treatment Options For Spinal Cord Injury?

The best treatment plan is determined by the underlying condition and the severity of the patient’s signs.

Surgical Therapy For conditions causing significant compression of the spinal cord or instability of the vertebral column, surgical intervention can be critical to regaining neurologic function. Procedures are diverse and depend on the nature of the injury. For certain injuries, missing the optimal surgical treatment window can significantly affect prognosis. For this reason, contacting your veterinarian as soon as possible following the injury is recommended. You and your pet’s caregiver can together review and select the most appropriate treatment option.

Rest Limitation of activity following injury is often essential to prevent further injury and to allow your pet to heal. Whether the pet’s injury is managed surgically or conservatively, strict rest with a very controlled return to activity is indicated.

Medications Medications to treat pain, inflammation, and muscle spasm are often necessary to allow our pets to become more comfortable. For certain conditions, such as inflammatory conditions, the primary treatment is medical therapy. It is very important to remember, however, that pain medications do not treat spinal cord compression, if present, and adherence to your caregiver’s activity recommendations is essential.

Ryan Gallagher, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) The Spine Center at VOSM, 10975 Guilford Road, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 (240) 295-4400.

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Alternative Modalities There are several non-medication treatment modalities which can be helpful in improving and maintaining comfort. These modalities can be provided on an outpatient basis and include: low level laser therapy, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, and pulsed ultrasound therapy.

Regenerative Medicine Stem cell therapy is an exciting area of research in human and veterinary medicine. Autologous stem cells, which come from the patient, have been used to treat several soft tissue, musculoskeletal, and neurologic injuries. The research is still in its preliminary stages, and there are some studies showing that stem cell therapy may be helpful in recovery of functions after a spinal cord injury.

Acute spinal cord injury can be one of the most alarming events to occur for a family. With quick thinking, an appropriate initial response, and work with a qualified team of veterinary professionals, positive outcomes are routine, and your four-legged family member can get back up on his or her feet.

Pictured Below: “Hydro” utilizing an underwater treadmill

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The Spine Center at VOSM is a sub-specialty practice devoted to the treatment of spinal injuries of all types. On-site advanced imaging, cutting-edge surgical facilities, and state-of-the-art rehabilitation therapy center allow your pet to realize its maximum recovery potential.

For more information,

Rehabilitation Therapy Both outpatient rehabilitation and home exercises are extremely helpful in increasing strength and improving coordination. Tools like an underwater treadmill allow us to tailor the workload to the patient’s current level of function. A properly instituted rehabilitation plan accelerates our patients’ return to function.

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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ited for change A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Hearts

By Hannah Michalski The decidedly concise adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ is undeniable in its simplicity. It has persisted through the ages, holding steadfast as a beautiful summary of photography’s contribution to our society’s ability to record, remember and revisit everything from the first steps of a child, to the last moments of a national conflict. However, a tiny voice resides in every artist, which quietly and deliberately poses the burning question: could a picture be worth even more than that?

HeARTs Speak’s inaugural Perfect Exposure Project suggests so. In October of 2012, Barkbox, a pet supplies subscription company, announced The Hugo Challenge.

The challenge functioned as a way of finding a fresh, gamechanging idea that would make a noticeable and lasting change in the lives of dogs in need, to which Barkbox would donate $10,000. HeARTs Speak jumped four feet off the floor for the chance to pitch their idea. After all, the very soul of HeARTs Speak is nestled within a deep desire to educate and bring communities together in support of lasting change for homeless pets.

HeARTs Speak is a robust and far-reaching organization of photographers and artists contributing their time, skills and artwork to their local animal welfare groups in an effort to both boost adoption numbers and support fundraising initiatives. However, even with an international membership of almost 400, HeARTs Speak artists can only cover so much ground. Too many animals enter shelters every day, each one desperate for a tiny glimmer of hope. A professional portrait that replaces the blurry mug shot hastily snapped during what is assuredly one of the most confusing and terrifying situations imaginable for a once-loved pet provides that hope.

HeARTs Speak has always hungered for the opportunity to empower shelters and rescues to photograph animals in a more pleasing and marketable light; so, The Perfect Exposure Project was born.

The mission of the project is simple but compelling: utilizing the funding from Barkbox, arm shelters with the photography equipment and education necessary to produce quality photographs of their incoming animals, encourage positive marketing and promotion, and ultimately increase adoption numbers. The folks at Barkbox were equally excited by The Perfect Exposure Project and chose HeARTs Speak as one of the three contestants of the Hugo Challenge. The public voted, and HeARTs Speak was the winner!

Exposure Project presented. Nominations poured in from around the country, and with the help of an advisory board, HeARTs Speak settled on the five final candidates. The public then decided who would receive the photography equipment, two-day photography workshop and two years of follow up.

For more information on HeARTs Speak and The Perfect Exposure Project, visit www.heartsspeak.org

After a nail-biting voting period, a team comprised of HeARTs Speak members made the journey to each winning shelter, NYC Animal Care and Control and Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia, to present the two-day workshop.

Staff and volunteers were trained on the basics of studio and natural-light photography and aided in identifying how a comprehensive photography program could be integrated into their day-to-day operations. Despite their seemingly insurmountable workloads, the staff and volunteers of the winning shelters stepped up to the plate in a big way. They greeted the Perfect Exposure Project with open arms, hearts and an enthusiasm for feeling part of a larger community dedicated to animal welfare.

The HeARTs Speak team has also performed a follow up of additional hands-on training, supplemental support and communication with each facility, which has further enforced the fact that the staff and volunteers of the two shelters are unwaveringly committed to their new photography programs and highly welcoming of the ripple of positive change they’ve witnessed since its introduction.

While both shelters are unique environments with their own strengths and challenges, one constant remained throughout the project: the genuine passion everyone maintained for collaborating, moving forward and appreciating the big picture.

Enduring partnerships were formed and HeARTs Speak will forever be in awe of the teamwork, devotion and strength shown by everyone involved in making the project a success.

So while a picture remains the striking equivalent of one thousand words, it’s proven to be so, so much more. Its creation can serve as a magnet for an entire community, pulling people together in the name of betterment. It can generate staggering reciprocity and collaboration. But above all else, it can mean the very difference between a life saved and a life lost to the wind.

Thanks to Barkbox and The Hugo Challenge, HeARTs Speak was empowered to plant a powerful little seed and plans to bring the project to additional high intake shelters across the country in the future.

Following that important victory, HeARTs Speak got to work on the difficult process of deciding which facilities would be the recipient of the life-altering opportunity that The Perfect

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ just doodling }

By Cathy Bennett Photos courtesy of Cathy Bennett

Can you believe the holiday season is already upon us! The stores are in full swing with decorations, “before-dawn and after-midnight” sales, while holiday music echoes through the mall.

If you’d like another dose of Doodle fun, visit: www.groovygoldendoodles.com

Thanksgiving has always been a “special” holiday to me. Even as a child, I was anxious for its arrival. I’m sure a little had to do with all the delicious food and the Macy’s Day Parade. But mostly because it was the precursor to a full launch of Santa Claus commercials, Christmas movies, and the countdown to December 25th.

As a military spouse, I found myself growing even fonder about Thanksgiving. You see, we would open our home to soldiers unable to travel - creating these surrogate families wherever we lived. We “rescued” them from the barracks and mess halls, even for just a few hours on that one special day. Always more people then turkey, a lot of times they were strangers to me, but it always worked, it was always an exceptional day.

More than twenty years ago, while living in Panama, a young officer sat at our Thanksgiving table and asked us to take a photo of him holding a turkey leg.

He wanted his mother to know he was able to eat his favorite part of “the bird” even if he wasn’t home with her. To this day, he is still a dear friend of our family.

Webster says “thanks-giv-ing” is a noun. Its definition is simple:“the expression of gratitude” When I think of all that I am “grateful” for, I of course think of my health, and mental stability (what’s left that is), my family and dear friends. But this year, especially this year, I must pay homage to The Boys.

As I grew older (before Harley & Leo), a part of me was “lost.” Blissfully unaware at the time, I thought I was happy, and I was, but there was that persistent gnawing feeling - like “something” was missing. As I reminisce about life with two dogs, it makes me wonder that perhaps I was the one who had been “rescued.” Once they arrived, the gnawing subsided, and I was no longer searching, suddenly nothing was missing.

42

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Over time I’ve discovered through observation, we can learn plenty from our pets. Forever the student, I am grateful for the life lessons they have taught me thus far. Such as:

ACKNOWLEDGE A STRANGER (after a simple “hello” they’re no longer strangers) - We were at the National Mall for Kite Day, and The Boys were bombarded with people wanting to meet them.

This went on for hours, but they never tired of all the attention. We met dozens of intriguing people that day.

ENJOY ABSOLUTELY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY With them in my life I approach each day as if it was a gift. I have learned to appreciate what is around me rather than allow myself to become agitated about things I cannot control. To quote a common cliche’ - I now stop to “smell the roses.”

SPEND TIME WITH SOMEONE, JUST BECAUSE Watching them navigate through an Assisted Living Facility sitting for hugs and head rubs makes warm and giggly. They’re patient. They’re gentle. They make everyone feel incredibly special.

They have shown me how to give more of myself.

{ just doodling }

ACTIVELY SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Boys and I participate as often as possible with events that are raising awareness for others. I’ve grown compassionate for animal rescues and shelters.

I don’t think one person can ever really feel as if their life is fulfilled (•(fulfill oneself) gain happiness or satisfaction by fully developing one’s abilities or character), yet I believe I am close. I am living my dream, writing about the adventures of Harley & Leo.

This Thanksgiving, as I sit at our dinner table, I will smile as I survey the scrumptious dishes, hear the chatter of my family, and feel the fur of two pawdorable pups beside my feet. And as we take turns declaring what we are thankful for and what this season means to us, I will be brief. For when it is my turn I’ll be able to sum it up in one word BLESSED (endowed with divine favor).

2 3

Winter/Holiday 2013 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ seeking a forever home }

Seeking A

Forever Home

“Rosa”

“Rosa” was found as a stray in Washington County Maryland. As a result no known information with regard to her background is available. Rosa was withdrawn and almost catatonic at the shelter and had no chance of being adopted while there.

Rosa is currently in foster care and awaiting her forever home.

Breed/Mix: German Shepherd Male/Female: Spayed Female Approximate Weight: 70 lbs Approximate Age: 15 Months Activeness: Very High Energy Good w/Other Dogs: Most, currently living with both a large and small dog,

in addition to a cat Good w/Children: Some, but probably not with young energetic children Housebroken: Yes Medical Issues: None Feeding Issues: None Special Needs: Very shy, skittish and will require a calm, patient owner Vaccinations: Current on all vaccinations, spayed, and micro chipped Fun Facts: Rosa is a super sweet and loving dog once you gain her

trust. She is high octane and needs someone with an active

lifestyle to enable her to burn off that energy. Because of

her shy, skittish personality, she will need someone with lots

of time, patience and experience to help her gain confi-

dence in the outside world. She’s very vocal and loves to

collect items from around the house t o decorate her space

Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of the German Shepherd Dogs and some mixes. VGSR serves all of Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area by providing a valuable service to find good homes for the dogs in their care. Since their inception in 2001, they have found good homes for about 300 dogs per year. VGSR is always seeking new volunteers to help them with their mission to place good dogs in good homes.

Virginia German Shepherd Rescue

VGSR relies solely on private donations and adoption fees to support their efforts to rescue deserving German Shepherd Dogs. The rescue does not have a physical location. All rescued dogs are fostered in the homes of their volunteers. If you have room in your heart and your home to adopt one of these great dogs or, if you are interested in volunteering, fostering, or making a contribution; please contact VGSR.

Good Dogs for Good Homes info@shepherdrescue.org www.shepherdrescue.org 703-435-2840 Photographs Courtesy of Virginia German Shepherd Rescue

44

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