Category Archive

(Aug. 10, 2012)—In response to reports of a possible increase in thefts of pets nationwide, The Humane Society of the United States reminds pet owners that there are simple steps you can take to keep your pets safe.

“The Humane Society of the United States urges pet owners to be aware of where the animals are at all times,” said Inga Fricke, director of sheltering and pet care issues for The HSUS. “Losing a pet is a devastating experience and we urge people to take these extra precautions to ensure the safety of their pets.”

Never leave your pet outdoors unattended. Your pet should be safely indoors at all times, and should always be within your sight or earshot when outdoors.

When outdoors, your dog should be in a securely fenced yard. Pets who normally stay near home can become frightened, or enticed to leave by an interesting sight or smell, and may not be able to find their way home – they may not be technically stolen, but are gone nevertheless.

Always check to ensure that fence gates are securely closed before allowing your dog outdoors, and regularly check for holes in or under the fencing that a dog could slip through.

Never leave your pet tied outside a store or alone in a car, even if you will be inside for just a minute. A well-meaning individual may actually believe your pet has been abandoned, and take her away in an attempt to ensure her safety.

Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tag with your current contact information included. It is a good idea to microchip your pet, and put the tag that identifies the microchip company and ID number on her collar.

Build a pet-friendly network of neighbors who can monitor suspicious activity in your neighborhood and intervene if they see your pet walking with a stranger.

Report a missing pet immediately to police and animal control authorities, and mobilize your neighborhood to help search for her.

Tis’ the Ssssseason for Snakes

With sunny skies on the horizon, it’s no wonder people and animals alike enjoy relishing in the great outdoors. And when it comes to soaking up the sun, rattlesnakes are no different. Rattlesnakes in particular go through an annual hibernation, usually from November until February. So when temperatures start to rise, you can count on rattlesnakes to begin their outdoor excursions. Southern California provides an ideal habitat for potentially dangerous wildlife such as rattlesnakes, and curious dogs are often bitten by snakes they found bathing in the sun.

Rattlesnakes are commonly found along the many hiking trails in Griffith Park and the foothills surrounding Los Angeles. Many of the bites are suffered by dogs that are running free and off leash. During the summer months, it’s best to supervise dogs closely, always keeping them on a short leash in areas where rattlesnakes may be present.

Typical symptoms of rattlesnake bites involve painful swelling at the site of the bite, which may become progressively swollen over the course of several hours. The swelling itself can be life-threatening, particularly when the wound is near the patient’s airway. Patients may also develop severe clotting abnormalities, lethargy, inappetance, systemic inflammation and shock.

Time is of the essence when treating animals or people that have been bitten by a rattlesnake. In the event that your dog or cat has been bitten, take them to see a veterinarian immediately. It is not recommended to administer any “first aid”, such as applying a tourniquet, or to attempt to kill or capture the snake, as either of these actions may result in serious injury to you and your pet. The prognosis for survival is good when treatment is administered in a timely manner.

Antivenin treatment is available to help neutralize several of the toxins founds in rattlesnake venom. The antivenin, which may need to be administered more than once, greatly decreases pain and helps treat systemic inflammation and disruption of the coagulation system. The sooner the antivenin is administered, the less complications dogs and cats appear to suffer. Antivenin is recommended whether or not the patient has received the rattlesnake vaccine. Patients often also require aggressive fluid therapy to treat shock, and occasionally require supplemental nutrition via a feeding tube.

Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles CA provides 24-Hour ER & Critical Care services for the many dogs and cats that suffer traumatic encounters with these slithering creatures every year. For more information on Animal Specialty Group’s Emergency services, please visit us online at ASGvets.com.

Brian Young, VMD
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Emergency/Critical Care

Picking Healthy Pet foods

By WARREN ECKSTEIN

An animal’s diet can contribute to the behavior he displays. General health, mood, and ability to learn can all be affected by improper diet. Maintaining proper nutrition is one of the most important factors in sustaining optimum pet health. It maximizes the body’s potential to perform at its best, as well as fight off disease. Unfortunately, pet food labels can be difficult to decipher if you don’t know what to look for.

When you are looking for the best food option for your pet, you must consider factors such as their personal nutritional needs, their age, and so forth. Selecting the right pet food can make a significant difference in your pet’s quality of life. When shopping for pet food, remember the ingredient list is just like the ingredient list on foods that we eat. Just like human food labels, ingredients are listed in descending order. The bulk of the food will be made up of the first 3 ingredients. It is advisable to have a named protein source as the first ingredient, such as chicken, beef or lamb, not just “meat.”

Focus on quality

Unfortunately, with many pet foods, you get what you pay for. Cheap pet foods use cheap ingredients, have poor quality control, are not well digested, and may have excesses or deficiencies in vital nutrients causing harm to your pet. When analyzed by independent laboratories, cheap foods frequently do not have the level of nutrition stated on the label. Choosing a quality brand is the best recommendation for insuring proper nutrition for your pet.

What do labels like “organic,” “holistic” or “all-natural” mean?

There is no official definition for “organic” or “holistic” pet food, they are only marketing terms. “‘Natural’ means only that the product contains no synthetic ingredients”, says Teresa Crenshaw, interim chair of AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee.

Some minerals and vitamins may only be available in synthetic form. Because of this, AAFCO allows animal foods with those ingredients to carry a “natural” label, with a disclaimer. As an example, food or treats containing baking powder cannot be labeled as natural because baking powder is a product of chemical synthesis.

It is a challenge to read and understand a pet food label. “Chicken n’ Fish Gourmet Chunks for Cats,” “Yum-Yums Premium Quality Chef’s Special Chicken De-Light Puppy Chow,” “Brand XYZ All-Natural Happy Paws Dog Food.” You’ve all seen the catchy labels, the colorful media advertisements, and the TV ads trying to make pet food look as tasty and appealing as what you serve your family. But just what’s in that stuff? If it comes out of a can, a box, or a foil packet, how do you compare the nutrient values on different pet food labels? What does it all mean?

Product name and product ingredients: 95%, 25%, or 3%?

It should be pretty easy to tell what’s in a serving of pet food; however, it requires a little work on your part. The first step is to figure out if you’re getting what you think you’re getting. If the label says “beef,” how much is actually beef? The Center for Veterinary Medicine of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides a summary of pet food labeling rules.

There are three basic rules:

The 95% rule

If a product bears a name such as “Beef for Dogs” or “Tuna Cat Food,” the rules require that at least 95% of the product consist of the named ingredient – in this case, beef or tuna – not counting the water added for processing. If the name includes some other food, such as “Chicken ‘n Tuna Cat Food,” the two food items together must comprise 95% of the total weight, and the first-named product must be the one that predominates. (In other words, it can’t be called “Chicken ‘n Tuna” if it has more tuna than chicken.)

NOTE: This rule applies only to ingredients of animal origin. So, a can of “Chicken and Rice Dog Food” must contain at least 95% chicken.

The 25% rule

But suppose the label says “Shrimp Dinner.” If there is a qualifying word – such as “Dinner,” Entree,” “Platter,” “Formula,” etc., the named ingredient(s) must comprise at least 25% of the product – again, not counting added water – but less than 95%. This can be important. Suppose your cat doesn’t like fish (not all cats do). You might think that it will go for a food labeled “Chicken Dinner.” Not necessarily. That food may be only 25% chicken. Much of the rest may actually be fish. In fact, it may contain more fish than chicken as long as the two ingredients together comprise at least 25% of the whole.

The 3% rule

A third wrinkle in the labeling rules has to do with a seemingly simple innocent word: “with.” If a pet food label contains that word in its product name, there only has to be 3% of that product – not 95% or 25% – in the package. For example, while a product called “Tuna Cat Food” must contain 95% tuna, a product labeled “Cat Food with Tuna” only has to contain 3% tuna. So, it’s important to read the label carefully.

Checking Labels

• The first ingredient should be Meat, as this is the primary ingredient in the bag or can. Nebulously described ingredients such as meat by products and others should be avoided. When you see these listed as a primary ingredient, it’s your clue to pass on this dog food.

• Vegetables and rice should be the secondary ingredients. Once again, avoid any by product, meal or odd sounding term. It’s probably not something you would want your dog to eat, if you don’t even know what it is.

• Beware of preservatives such as BHA, butylated hydroxyanisole and BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene. They are by used some dog food manufacturers, including one that is recommended by many veterinarians. According to some dog nutrition experts, these chemicals may be carcinogenic.

• Vitamins E & C can be used as natural preservatives and are far healthier for your dog. In addition, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which fights the formation of free radicals and the guards against the onset of cancer in dogs.

• Check the label for the AAFCO guarantee. The Association of American Feed Control Officials works to insure uniform standards for dog food nationwide. A bit of a toothless tiger, it is a starting place.

• Check the expiration date. Some manufacturers make these dates hard to read, When in doubt ask the retailer to point out the date to you.

Dog Intelligence

By Warren Eckstein

Ever wonder why some dogs are so intelligent that they can herd sheep, rescue people from avalanches, or sniff out drugs for police, but some can’t even seem to master “sit” and “stay”?

While there are many ways to define intelligence, your dog’s problem-solving abilities are perhaps one of the best ways to determine how mentally adept they really are. Perhaps your dog may not know how to fetch, but do they automatically know that it’s time to take a walk whenever you pick up the leash? That shows a kind of intelligence, too.

Are “doggie IQ tests” accurate?
As with the intelligence tests developed for humans, the IQ tests for dogs suffer from limitations. As you go through these tests, remember the results are being evaluated by humans not by other dogs.

Intelligence in dogs is also measured differently by different people. If I asked 50 people to describe what an intelligent dog would be, I would probably get 50 different answers. Maybe you think that a dog that can bring you your slippers when you get home is a really smart dog, or perhaps a dog that sneaks socks out of your drawer and chews them up is too smart for their own good. Another thing to keep in mind: Speed is not always a determining factor in intelligence — persistence is just as important in problem solving techniques. So just because they take a while to solve a problem doesn’t mean that those brain cells aren’t working! Another thing to remember is that sometimes more intelligent dogs can be more difficult to train because they tend to question authority and see just how much they can get away with (just like intelligent humans).

Differences in intelligence
Just like in humans, there are different kinds of intelligence. For dogs, there are two basic kinds: Instinctive and adoptive intelligence. Instinctive intelligence comes with the breed and the type of dog, so certain dogs and dog breeds have inherent differences in natural ability. For example, some dogs like Greyhounds and Russian wolfhounds are sight hounds and will fare better at sight-oriented tests. Other breeds, like bloodhounds and beagles, use their noses to solve problems, and will therefore probably be better at scent-oriented problem solving tests.

But there is also a learning ability, and this can include environmental learning, social learning, language comprehension, and task learning. This is similar to humans – some human beings are better at math or logic questions, and others may fare better at creative solutions to problems or interpersonal relationships.

But these strengths aren’t better than the other – they are simply different types of intelligence. The same theory works for different dogs – so while your dog may do well at one kind of test or another, it may not be due to intelligence as much as the dog’s natural ability to achieve those results as well as their own way of looking and thinking through a problem.

Some standard tests
Below are some tests that you can do with your dog, as well as a scoring system to keep track of intelligence. Don’t necessarily try to do these tests all in one day – your dog may become overwhelmed and not understand why you’re sending them through all these strange and bizarre actions. And the most important thing – don’t be negative! Make these tests fun for your dog – treat them like games! And always – no matter how high or low they score – give them lots of love and positive attention afterwards.

Towel test:
Take a large towel or blanket and gently place it over your dog’s head.
If he frees himself from the towel in less than 15 seconds, give him 3 points. If it takes 15-30 seconds, 2 points. Longer than 30 seconds earns 1 point.

Bucket test:
Place a dog treat or a favorite toy under one of three buckets placed next to each other. Let the dog know which bucket the treat is under, than turn the dog away for a few seconds. Then, let her find the treat. If she immediately goes to the correct bucket give her 3 points. If she takes two attempts, score 2 points. If your dog looks under the other two buckets first, score 1 point.

Favorite spot:
With your dog out of the room, rearrange the furniture. When he re-enters the room, if he goes directly to his favorite spot give him 3 points. If it takes him 30 seconds to investigate before he finds his spot, give him 2 points. If he decides on a new area completely, score 1 point.

Chair puzzle:
Place a treat under a table or chair low enough so your dog can only fit her paw and cannot fit her head. If your dog figures how to reach the treat within one minute, score 3 points. If she uses her paws and nose, score 2 points. If your dog gives up, score 1 point.

Go for a walk!
On a day or time you normally don’t walk your dog, quietly pick up your keys, and his leash while he’s watching you. If he gets excited immediately, score 3 points. If you have to walk to the door before he knows it’s time to go out, score 2 points. If he sits and just looks confused give him 1 point.

Barrier test:
Construct a barrier from cardboard that is 5 feet wide and taller than your dog when she’s on two legs, so she can’t see over it. Attach two boxes to either side as support structures. In the center of the cardboard, cut a 3 inch-wide rectangular aperture – it should run from about 4 inches from the top to about 4 inches from the bottom. (This way, the dog can see through the barrier but cannot physically get through.) Toss a toy or treat to the other side of the barrier, or have someone stand on the other side. If your dog walks around the barrier within 30 seconds, give her 3 points. If she goes around the barrier between 30 seconds and one minute, give 2 points. If she gets her head stuck in the aperture trying to get through, give her 1 point for effort!

Scoring and results
16 points or higher – Brilliant!
13 to 16 points – Well above average
9 to twelve points – Average
5 to 8 points – Below average
1 to 4 points – Not the brightest kibble in the bag, but we still love ’em!

This testing can be fun, and can give you a general idea about your dog’s intelligence, but wise pet owners maintain their own criteria. Your dog may not win the Nobel Prize, or even first place at a dog trial – he may even lose his favorite ball once in awhile – but when it comes to making us happy and feel good, most of our pets are just downright brilliant!

The Importance of Touch

By Warren Eckstein

Scientific studies have shown that touch can do amazing things. It can heal and soothe and perform far beyond the normal bounds of traditional medicine; it can lower the blood pressure, and it can retard or even cure certain serious physical problems. More than that, it can bring two spirits together.

When you spend time touching your pet, you are relating to him as another animal does. But because you’re his guardian, you’re also assuring him of his position in your life and of the fact that your truly care about him and his needs. By including massage in your pet’s weekly schedule, you can do more to make him trust you and want to please you than you can possibly imagine. Pet massage and touching is not just a warm, comforting approach to dealing with pet behavior problems — it is also a step toward your own revitalization, because you also reap the benefits of touch and massage when your perform it. You can feel you own tension dissolving and sense a new calm in your personality. By helping your dog or cat to relax, you relax as well.

You may feel self-conscious at first, and that’s perfectly normal. But once you and your pet acquire the massage and touch habit, you’ll probably both let your defenses down a little. Through touch you can help those aches and pains, you can turn a scowl to a smile and, most important, you can show your pet that you truly love him.

• Do you select your friends based on how well your cats like them?

• Does your desire to collect cats intensify during times of stress?

• Do you buy more than 50 pounds of cat litter a month?

• Do you think it’s cute when your cat swings on your drapes or licks your butter?

• Do you admit to non-cat owners how many cats you really have?

• Do you sleep in the same position all night because it annoys your cats when you move?

• Do you kiss your cat on the whiskers?

• Do you feed your cat tidbits from the table with your fork?

• Does your cat sleep on your head? Do you like it?

• Do you have more than four opened but rejected cans of cat food in the refrigerator?

• Do you watch bad TV because the cat is sleeping on the remote?

• Will you stand at the open door indefinitely in the freezing rain while your cat sniffs the door, deciding whether to go out or come in?

• Would you rather spend a night at home with your cat than go out on a bad date?

• Do you put off making the bed until the cat gets up?

• Do you buy more than 50 pounds of cat litter a month?

• Do you scoop out the litter box after each use? Do you wait at the box with the scoop in your hand?

• Does your cat sit at the table (or ON the table) when you eat?

• Did you buy a video tape of fish swimming in an aquarium to entertain your cat?

• Do you give your cat presents and a stocking at Christmas? Do you spend more for your cat than you do for your spouse?

• Do the Christmas cards you send out feature your cat sitting on Santa’s lap? Does your cat sign the card?

• Does your cat eat out of cut crystal stemware because you both watched the same commercial on television?

• Do you microwave your cat’s food? Prepare it from scratch?

• Do you climb out of bed over the headboard or footboard, so you won’t disturb the sleeping cat?

• When you are preparing to leave for the day, do you seek out each cat and inform them of your anticipated return time?

• Do you sleep with no pillow under your head, because the cat wants to sleep on it?

• Do you stand at the computer because the cat is sleeping on the chair?

• Do you you make sure there’s plenty of kitty litter in the house, even though you may run out of toilet paper?

• At the store, do you pick out the catfood before you pick out anything for yourself?

• Do you go to sleep sitting up in bed because you were reading and the cat is curled up on your lap asleep?

• Does it always take you longer than expected to read a magazine, because the cat keeps curling up on it while you’re reading?

• Do you frequently leave your dresser drawer open when you leave for the day, because the cat jumped into one of them and is asleep in one of the drawers?

• Is the only comb you can find in the bathroom a flea comb?

• Do you cook a special turkey for your cat on holidays?

• Does your cat “insist” on a fancy Sunday breakfast consisting of an omelette made from eggs, milk, and salmon, halibut, or trout?

• Do you have pictures of your cat in your wallet? Do you bring them out when your friends share pictures of their children? (Pollsters claim that 40 percent of cat owners carry their pet’s pictures in their wallets, by the way.)

• When people call to talk to you on the phone, do you insist that they say a few words to your cat as well?

• Do you accept dates only with those who have a cat? If so, do you eventually double-date with the cats to see how they get along?

• When someone new comes to your house, do you introduce your cat, by name, to them?

• Do you keep old, empty pizza boxes on the counter instead of throwing them away, because the cat likes to sleep in it?

Tips on how to keep the peace in your household

Even the most mild mannered mongrel can turn feral when a new dog or cat enters the picture. Warren Eckstein says there are some things you can do to help.

ONE OF WARREN’S most frequently asked questions is what to do about fighting between pets who live in the same household. Problems range from mild-mannered mongrels who turn into furious fireballs of nastiness when another dog enters the picture to dogs who tolerate each other but periodically have serious know-down-drag-out fights. There are also the James Dean-type doggies who seem to be okay on the surface, but on a deeper level you can tell there’s something brewing. It’s just a matter of time before there’s a blowup.

Visions of two or more dogs living happily ever after are often shattered when pets take an instant dislike to each other. In the extreme case, owners may even have to make the awful choice as to who stays and who goes.

When properly introduced, dogs living together under one roof can learn to be best friends, and so can dogs and cats, dogs and birds, dogs and fish, even dogs and mice. It’s simply a matter of negotiating their differences and desensitizing the offending pet to its housemate.

THE BIGGEST BOO BOO

Pet owners make their biggest mistake by just plunking down the new pet into Fido’s space. In fact, any instant addition to the family, whether animal or human, may be enough to upset the balance in a dog’s life.

To understand how they’re feeling, think about how you would feel if someone suddenly and unexpectedly moved into your home on a long term basis. Life would become abruptly different: Schedules would change, food tastes would change, and privacy wouldn’t be what it was. Presumably, humans are mature who are capable of rationalizing those differences… but even then, things don’t necessarily go well for the most down-to-earth adult. Why should we assume that things would be smoother for dogs? Think about it this way: Any two or more animals, whether human, canine, feline or whatever, spending any great amount of time together are bound to run into problems and differences in opinion. The final result depends on the way things are approached.

NEUTRAL TURF:

Picture this: A perfectly happy, well-adjusted dog (Fido) living comfortably in his perfectly normal home and WHAM… someone comes home with a new puppy. With no preparation at all, this perfectly happy, well-adjusted dog has the rug pulled out from underneath him. Of course, he’s going to protect “his” territory and “his” owners, starting off his relationship with the new dog on the wrong foot. Surprising Fido with a new dog by suddenly coming home with it is an AMAZINGLY common mistake.

You can substantially reduce the risk of trouble if you introduce your dogs to each other on neutral turf. If possible, arrange to bring Fido to a friend’s home to meet his future housemate. Let them check each other out for a few minutes, and then take Fido back home – alone. Follow up with several more play sessions on neutral territory, always taking Fido home alone. When the dogs seem to be really enjoying each other’s company, bring home the new dog! It’ll be like Fido’s best friend is moving in… and voila! everyone’s there and happy.

Yea, it’s not easy, and it takes a lot of time and effort, but it’s better than dealing with an aggression problem later on.

SEPARATE BUT EQUAL TIME:

It’s only natural that family members and visitors will want to coo over the new dog (especially if it’s a puppy.) But try not to do that in front of your other dog. Save such special attention for private times, setting aside a few five-minute sessions alone with each pet. Prevent jealousy by having someone else play with the other pet, or putting him alone in a large closed-off room with tons of extraordinary special treats and goodies to help occupy him. (Be sure to turn on the TV or radio to help drown out your cooing over the new pet.) Then… switch places and spend 5 minutes the other way around, too!

IT’S PARTY TIME:

Make it seem that wonderful things happen to Fido whenever dog number 2 is on the scene. Exaggerate everything so that his new lifestyle, including his new housemate, seems to be the best thing that’s ever happened to Fido. Every time Fido is around dog #2, make a fuss that he thinks it’s a party just for him! If he loves roast beef, give him some when the other dog is around. This is called ‘party-time association.’ Dogs learn by association, and if Fido associates his new housemate with such fabulous fringe benefits, it will help them remember what fun life is when dog #2 is around.

Be sure there are plenty of toys to go around, too. Have plenty of toys scattered all over the house, and change them frequently. This can distract them from destructive thoughts and can prevent territory fights if there are too few toys to go around. After all, an occupied dog is an undestructive dog.

FOR ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT ONES:

If Fido simply doesn’t seem to want to accept a new housemate, there are several slower, more deliberate steps you can take. First, find a tape recording (or make one) of dog sounds, and play it in the background. This will help desensitize Fido to sounds of another dog in the house. Play it at a soft volume and gradually increase the volume over a few days until he has no reaction to it any more.

Next, bring home a few items that carry the new odor of the new dog. Towels or pet bedding or ideal. Leave them around the house for Fido to find and replace them every few days with new items that have a stronger, fresher scent. During this process, make sure you’re also rewarding him with the “party time” advice above.

Just before you bring the new pet home, install a very tall pet gate (or place one on top of the other) – high enough so that neither dog can jump over it. Let them live on opposite sides of the gate for a while – this will allow them to see and sniff each other without opening up an opportunity to fight outright. Don’t worry if at first they snarl, growl and compete for your attention. Gradually, and it might be very slowly, the game will get old and they’ll start to ignore each other.

When things seem safe, and behavior around the gate has been calm for a few weeks, take it down for a little while each day. Be sure each dog is securely restrained by a collar and leash. The good news – this simulates a more normal home environment. The bad news – they may backslide into the snarling and growling that ended a few weeks ago. But don’t get discouraged. Know that this too, will run it’s course, and as with any serious dog problem, you’re going to experience setbacks. Eventually, they’ll chill out in this scenario, too.

DON’T JUMP IN TOO FAST:

When pets are learning to adjust to each other, it can seem like a nuclear explosion. When this happens, owners need to be careful not to interfere too quickly. The sounds of a confrontation can be horrendous, but often looks and sounds so serious is simply your pets getting to know each other. Also, if you jump in too early, you may actually make the situation worse. But try to understand that dogs are like kids, and sometimes a quick tussle is more show than anything else, and may resolve itself more quickly than you think. (That said, it’s better to jump in too early and break things up than to risk a serious fight, so if you think that the dogs are getting too aggressive, break them up and give them each some private space to cool down.)

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE:

Don’t expect these major adjustments to happen quickly. While some dogs are more flexible than others, and some have more accepting temperaments, some are also more stubborn or fixed in their ways than others. These sorts of changes can take weeks or even months before your pets even tolerate each other without a growl. Aggressive, nasty behavior may take the longest of any problem to rectify. Keep at it and you’ll more than likely be pleased with the results. You’ll have good days, bad days, and days you want to get in the car and drive to Alaska… but remember, as with any training regimen, consistency and patience are the keys to success. And one day, don’t be surprised if you walk in and catch your pets snoozing together, nose-to-nose, like best buddies.

According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology about half of American’s make New Year’s resolutions. However, it seems few keep these resolutions, or we would be in better shape and happier.

Perhaps instead of calling them “resolutions,” which means to change or transform, we could call them “intentions,” which means to have a plan or purpose. For instance, “I intend to look and feel my best”, instead of “I will lose 10 pounds in a month” has a more positive approach.

Why not make an intention to get a pet? I’m sure a lot of you are saying, “The last thing I need in my life right now is a pet.” Are you too busy? Too busy for what – more love in your life? Yes, companion animals are a responsibility, but what’s wrong with a little responsibility?

If you choose a dog, you will get more kisses than you ever imagined. You will never be lonely. You will always have someone to talk to, dogs are great listeners. Some on the best conversations I have are with Koby and K.C. my German shepherds, and they don’t interrupt. Well, most times they don’t, but they are talkers and I’m trying real hard to speak “dogese”.

For the feline fanciers, watching the silly antics of playful kittens can be entertaining and make you laugh. Just listening to your cat’s purring can release all the stress of the day. For tense muscles, a kitty wrapped around your neck can be the purrfect heating pad.

People with debilitating medical issues credit their companion animal with helping them to adopt a healthier life-style and attitude. Physicians agree, the family pet can motivate a patient to give their best effort in dealing with a serious illness.

About 70 percent of American households have pets, but we are just tapping into the power they posses to heal emotionally, physically and mentally. There is evidence that pets can sniff out cancers undetectable to doctors, and that some pets can sense when their guardian is about to have a heart attack, seizure or panic attack.

Hyperactive children were calmer after being paired with big, happy-go-lucky dogs that provided a positive outlet for their high energy. Research shows that companion animals are especially beneficial to seniors. This group is more susceptible to being depressed and lonely. Pets provide comfort as well as protection against loneliness and depression.

Companion animals may benefit their guardian’s body chemicals. In an ongoing study, preliminary results showed participants’ levels of the body’s good chemicals, such as oxytocin, believed to cause feeling of happiness, and prolactin, associated with feelings of attachment were elevated after the subjects interacted with their companion dogs.

Scientifically, there is biological basis for what’s been felt intuitively. People can become healthier by interacting positively and sharing their lives with their pets. Pets are also great social lubricants, they attract people to you. They help you engage in the present and not spend time dwelling on past mistakes or hurts.

Pets provide powerful therapy for good-health and happiness. Physicians are now recommending “pet prescriptions” to some patients who live alone and are need of companionship. The arrival of these dogs, cats or other pets may contribute to fewer physician visits and the lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol level in some people.

So, spend more time looking, listening, touching and talking to your pet each day to help release feel-good, nurturing natural biochemicals in yourself. You may discover that you will let go of stress, breathe more deeply and laugh more.

Tap into the healing power of fur, fins and feathers. We have some wonderful pets waiting at the Animal Care Center that may be just what the doctor ordered. Start the year off right, with some easy ways to stay in shape and be happy.

Jacqui Randall

Volunteer Coordinater

Humane Society of Sedona

During the winter months, dry skin & excessive shedding are major concerns for pet guardians. I’ve put together some of my top tips for keeping your pets coat in tip-top shape during the cold weather.

1. It’s very important to brush your pets frequently during the winter. This will help to remove the dead hair and dander.

2. Many owners think the answer to dry skin is to bathe your dog frequently. But during the cold weather bathe your pets only when necessary; too much bathing will strip the natural oils in your pet’s skin.

3. Only bathe with moisturizing shampoos made for dogs. Their pH is different than ours, so your shampoos are not recommended — it can be too harsh for your pet’s skin.

4. After bathing I strongly suggest using a moisturizer made for your pets – I like American Kennel Club Gold’s All Natural Daily Coat Conditioner, with a spritz of aloe, lemon and rosemary.

5. Remember that healthy skin and hair comes from within your pets. I recommend a good quality dog or cat food supplemented with a high quality supplement like HUGS &KISSES with the #1 ingredient being NATURAL LECITHIN.

Don’t let your pets suffer this winter — follow my advice and your pet won’t be scratching and licking. Instead they’ll be enjoying their time with you.

As a veterinarian, I am always grateful that we have the option of ending our patients’ suffering when there is no more hope, when there are no more treatment possibilities to explore or when there is simply a poor quality of life.

I would like to call attention to an additional option for families with animal companions- euthanasia performed in the home. This choice spares the sick or dying animal from having to make that last stressful trip into a veterinary office. It allows the animal to pass away with peace and dignity in his own bed amidst the familiar sights, sounds and smells of his own home. The animal’s family can create the environment that they believe will be most soothing for the animal as he passes away-some families may read a poem aloud or play music, others may put the animal’s “favorite” TV show on in the background while still others choose to lie next to their animal and whisper how much they love them into their ear. Additionally, by carrying out the euthanasia in the home, all family members that want to be present can be present-often large groups of friends and family are there to support the beloved animal family member.

It is an especially valuable option for large dogs that are no longer mobile, animals that are in pain when they move or when they are handled, cats (since most tend to be nervous whenever they leave their familiar surroundings), anxious, fearful or aggressive animals, and animals suffering from conditions that could be exacerbated by stress (e.g., trouble breathing, heart failure.) Also, it is a helpful alternative for people who might have difficulty bringing a sick animal into the veterinary office-elderly people, those with decreased mobility or those who do not drive.

Furthermore, in-home euthanasia affords the utmost privacy for the family for saying that final good-bye and for grieving. An at-home euthanasia allows the family to avoid making that sad walk out of the exam room carrying only their dog’s leash and collar or an empty cat carrier, while the other clients knowingly look on sympathetically.

A family’s decision to euthanize a beloved animal family member is an extremely tough one, but we should all be grateful that it’s an option that exists. Once that decision is reached, I believe that a euthanasia performed in the home can make those final moments as peaceful and dignified as possible.

Sarah Barnes, DVM

Eleos Veterinary Service

Roseland, NJ