Pet Pointers

WORLD’S OLDEST DOG LIVES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The world’s oldest dog lives right here in South Carolina. Pebbles, a four-pound Toy Fox Terrier was born March 28, 2000, and was named the oldest dog in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records in May. Pebbles lives in Taylors, SC with her parents Bobby and Julie Gregory. Pebbles’ family originally hoped to adopt a large breed dog when they first set their eyes on the pocket-sized pup. What Pebbles lacked in stature, she made up for with her larger-than-life personality. As Bobby looked around, he noticed the puppy following him and running alongside her enclosure every time he would walk by. According to Bobby and Julie, Pebbles can be a bit cranky when waking up, but at her age, why not?!

THE DOG’S NOSE KNOWS COVID

Hate getting that swab up your nose to test for COVID-19? A new peer-reviewed study out of France says trained dogs are just as good at detecting COVID, as a PCR test. Dogs use the sweat off a person to detect COVID, and in some cases found it 48 hours before a lab test could. The dogs had an accuracy rate between 97% and 100%, and were able to find 31 COVID-19 cases in 192 people who didn’t show any symptoms. How will dogs amaze us next? You can read the complete study at journals.plos.org. Congratulations to Suzanne and Robert Cure from Barboursville, WV — the 2022 Lifesaving Lexus Raffle winners! The Cures became supporters of Charleston Animal Society when Caitlyn the dog was rescued in 2015. “We have a picture of her on our mantle,” said Suzanne. So, when Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore presented the couple with the keys to their new car, imagine their surprise when Caitlyn herself showed up to give them puppy kisses! “Seeing Caitlyn was just as exciting as winning the car,” Robert said. “The work Charleston Animal Society does to save lives is amazing.” The Lifesaving Lexus Raffle was made possible thanks to the generosity of Hank and Laurel Greer, who purchased the vehicle. The raffle raised $300,000 for the animals at Charleston Animal Society. “We want to thank everyone who purchased a ticket, you truly made a difference in the lives of animals,” Hank Greer said.

NEW DRUG HELPS CATS AFTER SURGERY

Good news for cat owners worried about post-operative pain control. A new pain medication’s been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that involves one topical application after surgery that can last up to four days. In the past, an owner might have to take their cat in several times after a surgery for additional pain medication. The new opioid drug is called Zorbium (buprenorphine transdermal solution). Zorbium is a solution that is applied to the skin at the base of the neck of the cat and is rapidly absorbed into the layers of the skin. It provides pain relief within one to two hours following administration and continually releases buprenorphine into the body over a period of days.