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Winter Wonderland 2016 Southern NH & VT
What Is Your Pet IQ? Taking Dog Off The Menu Senior Pet Care A Lucky Duck
4 LEGS & A TAIL FUN! What 5 Things Are Different?
Pom Pom on kids hat, Dog's Foot, Kid's Boot, Yellow stripe on dog's collar, Trees in upper right corner
So What Brand Are You Feeding Your Pet?
GAZTUNIER IIOAACLNRF TUNALRAS NSSEELLW ELAGE NANETUR LIOPUN ORTUN
A guy is driving around the back woods of New Hampshire and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: ‘Talking Dog For Sale' He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there. ‘You talk?’ he asks. ‘Yep,’ the Lab replies. After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says ‘So, what’s your story?’ The Lab looks up and says, ‘Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so... I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.’ ‘I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running...But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.’ ‘I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I’m just retired.’ The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. ‘Ten dollars,’ the guy says. ‘Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?’ Because he’s a liar. He’s never been out of the yard! Submitted by Wendell Nadeau
Zignature, California Naturals, Wellness, Eagle, Nutrena, Poulin, Nutro
Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail
®
2. What is Your Pet IQ? 4. Don’t Eat Me, John Peaveler
How one local resident traveled to South Korea to rescue dogs from the Country's dog meat farms
Keene State College goes to the dogs!
A local veteran shares his story thanks to his mobility dog
Why it’s vital you read the label!
From abandonment to foster to a loving “forever home”
6. Paws 2 Play, Cathy White
8. Lean On Me, Ron McPherson
10. Dog Toxicant Xylitol Appearing in Peanut Butter, M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM Pg. 4
11. Dawson & the Dane, Amee Abel
12. Keeping Your Bird Healthy for the Holidays,
Dr. Michael Dutton, DVM, MS, DABVP and Heidi Emond, CVT
14. A Lucky Duck - Paralysis is not an obstical for one duck 15. Roll Out the Red Carpet for Tom Turkey
2016 calendar winner finds a new home in Vermont
A green-eyed love meets his true love
Fun tips to keep it interesting for you and your horse
Is there such thing as the wrong blanket for your horse?
Keep your dog healthy and fit with this homemade recipe
16. Love at the Hairdresser’s, Sonya Sousa 17. Beating the Winter Doldrums,
Colleen Campbell
19. What's A (Horse) To Wear?, Dorothy Crosby
Pg. 17
20. DIY Dog Food
20. Picking Out the Right Pup, and Then What? Bethany King
What you should know before you bring home a puppy
Sandra Waugh, VDM/MS
Addressing the needs of older cats and dogs
Proper grooming advice to improve your pets appearance and health
Windham Country Humane Society at work in your community
22. When Missing Teeth Really are Not Missing, Just Hiding, Early discovery of impacted teeth can eliminate problems for you and your dog
24. Enjoying the Golden Years, Tammy McNamara, DVM 26. Matting and Good Grooming, Shelly Hescock 27. Saving Sable, Annie Guiron
27. The Secret Lives of Dogs, Michael Walsh
Pg. 24
Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn
4 Legs & a Tail Volume K.415
Senior Editor: Scott Palzer
P.O. Box 841
Office Manager: Beth Hoehn
Lebanon, NH 03766 603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com
Accounting: Elisa Speckert Graphic Design: Monica Reinfeld, Lacey Dardis, Kate Haas Sales: Karyn Swett
Winter 2015
If you have a tale about a tail or a photo that will make us smile, we’d like to hear from you. 4 Legs & a Tail is published quarterly and distributed free of charge throughout Southern NH & VT. 4 Legs & a Tail, Inc. is locally owned and operated and acts as a moderator without approving, disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data or claim. Any reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
www.4LegsAndATail.com 1
What is Your Pet IQ
1. What is the most popular pedigreed cat breed? Persian Russian blue
Siamese Maine coon
2. Which of these pets communicate by chirping? Hermit crab Corn snake
Goldfish Rabbit
3. If an animal’s coat is “Piebald” or “Pied” what does that mean? Spotted Tabby
All white Solid color
4. Which of these birds are a popular parrot? Canary Finch
Parakeet All of the above
5. What percentage of U.S. households has a pet? 16 34
62 87
6. What are Sea Monkeys? Brine shrimp Fish lice Tongue worms Spider crabs Continued NEXT PAGE
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Winter 2015
7. Which of these dog breeds is considered “hypoallergenic?” Havanese Portuguese Water Dog
Poodle All of the above
8. Which of these pets has become an invasive species in the Unites States? European rabbit Burmese python
Cockatiel Sugar glider
9. Where do golden hamsters live in the wild? Central America Wilder, VT
African savanna Middle East
10. What is another name for a Siamese fighting fish? Goldfish Tetra
Betta Molly
11. Which of these senses is the most acute for a dog? Sight Hearing
Smell Taste
12. What historical figure was the first to introduce Japanese Akitas to the U.S.? Ben Franklin Marilyn Monroe
13. When does a cat purr? When it’s scared Content
Helen Keller Bernie Sanders In pain All of the above
14. What is unique about the many cats that live at writer Ernest Hemingway’s Key West home? They are deaf They have no tail
They go swimming They have extra toes
15. Calico cats are almost always __________. Male Female
16. It’s okay to give your pet acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol)? True False
Answers On Page 9
Winter 2015
www.4LegsAndATail.com 3
A row of Mastiffs wait to be rescued from a dog meat farm in Chungcheongnamdo, South Korea. Humane Society International came to an agreement with the farmer to shut down his business and transported all 103 dogs to the United States. The operation is part of HSI’s efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of “meat dogs,”—no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets. South Korea Dog Meat Farm Rescue-Manchul Kim
Don’t Eat Me John Peaveler - W. Fairlee,VT
I have been working with animals pretty consistently since the end of 2004,
ery. There have been times of great success and of great failings. This is a story of when some dogs stumbled into my previ- triumph, brought about through the hard ous job site in Kuwait. Those dogs taught work and generosity of many. me more about empathy, compassion, In August of 2015, I was asked by Humand kindness than I ever could have imag- ane Society International (HSI) to help ined. In short, they changed my life. The prepare dogs from a South Korean meat experience of rescuing them from a ter- farm for transport to the United States. rible death in the desert helped me find The meat industry in South Korea can a long sought for application of the deep be distilled down to a few key facts: the seated sense of justice and values that my farming of dogs is in decline and out parents had taught me. The ensuing jour- of favor with the younger population, ney has kept me on a path working with many farmers would prefer to be doing thousands of animals on several conti- something else because of this decline, nents. The journey has been an incredi- and the Korean animal welfare system ble one, a veritable mosaic of joy and pain, is not equipped to address the problem. happiness and sorrow, salvation and mis- This creates a situation in which the right effort applied in just the right way could end this trade forever. HSI has a plan to engage farmers with creative and binding incentives to leave the trade permanently, relocate the dogs to high-adoption shelters in the US, and to use success and media to pressure the South Korean government into taking clear, humane, and assertive action to put an end to the trade once and for all. I have seen a lot of cruelty in my career, but nothing compares to the harsh misery and cold efficiency of a dog meat farm. The experience was a true bombardment of the senses. The first thing I noticed was how bare everything was. Not one single thing was designed to make the Continued NEXT PAGE
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Winter 2015
Humane Society of the United States’ Jenn Kulina- Lanese greets dogs rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm upon their arrival in San Francisco. South Korea Dogs Transport-Sammy Dallal
lives of the dogs better. The only function of every object was to keep them contained and alive until slaughter. The noise was endless. Dogs bark out of frustration above all, and these animals were beyond frustrated. Humans spent thousands of years domesticating dogs, and these animals were being forced to exist like that had never happened. There were no signs of food or water, just empty bowls and troughs. Some dogs licked at them, hoping to get some relief from the beating sun by soaking up any minute droplet of moisture. Many of the dogs had scars on their bodies from fighting. Some had been forced to fight, others just forced to live with dogs that wanted to be alone. The smell was pervasive. It clung to the air as effectively as it clung to our clothes. It would be weeks before I would finally catch the last waft of confined suffering. But this story does get better. The dogs were so submissive, timid, and scared that they flinched at any movement. Many wagged their tails but most didn’t move. Some tried to supplicate us by voraciously licking our faces. I had come ready to handle dangerous and vicious dogs, but after the first few, I could only wonder what sad twist of fate had landed these amazing creatures in such awful conditions. I had looked in their eyes expecting to see anger and desperation. Instead I found the same boundless love and affection I have known from every dog I have ever adopted and called my own. These animals weren’t vicious, and they certainly weren’t meat. They were the dirtiest, smelliest, most deserving group of dogs I had ever met. Though
Humane Society International’s Dr. Rey del Napoles removes a small dog from a dog meat farm in Chungcheongnamdo, South Korea. South Korea Dog Meat Farm Rescue-Manchul Kim
I had checked my emotions at the gate for my own protection, I began to see how the medical treatments we were giving these dogs would enable incredibly deserving animals to begin a journey that would lead them to the United States. There their unending love would finally be matched with that of forever human homes, and so I began to feel a glimmer of happiness in the midst of so much suffering. In all, 103 former meat dogs were transported to the United States in September of 2015. Their survival is nothing short of a miracle - the combined result of generous donors and hardworking, passionate staff and volunteers. I was privileged to be part of this mission. Find out more by visiting www.hsi.org John Peaveler is an Animal Welfare Consultant with over ten years experience working with all types of animals on three continents. He lives with his wife and two children in West Fairlee,Vermont and continues to work and write at home and abroad.
Humane Society International’s Adam Parascandola comforts a dog being removed from a dog meat farm in Chungcheongnamdo, South Korea. South Korea Dog Meat Farm Rescue-Manchul Kim
Winter 2015
www.4LegsAndATail.com 5
Paws 2 Play Cathy White - Walpole, NH
T
he lobby at Keene State College’s Holloway dorm is dim and crowded with students awaiting our arrival. As we file down the corridor we’re greeted by a chorus of “OMG’s” and, “They’re here, they’re here!” Rock stars on campus? Hardly. Despite the exuberant welcome, we are simply five therapy dog teams here for “Paws 2 Play”; a nine week program sponsored by the school’s counseling center, and hosted at rotating freshman dormitories. We come here with the idea of helping these new students adjust to college. An hour of doggy face time and petting does wonders for those who are missing their own pets, and coping with being away from home and family for the first time. We are Monadnock Therapy Pets (MTP), and we operate through the Monadnock Humane Society (MHS). We and our canine teammates are all registered with national parent organizations. Like the students we are interacting with, we too must go through a lot of learning and testing - though our dogs obviously get a pass on the written exams! We don’t. This night, our dogs run the gamut from a tiny spaniel to a massive gentle giant of a Newfie. We set up blankets and quilts to keep shedding to a minimum, and are ready to welcome the first wave of students. My own team partner is my yellow Lab, Harry, whose undeniable favorite demographic is in fact, these very freshmen. They cluster in groups around each dog; soaking up the love and giving it back in return. The students eagerly show off cell phone photos of their own dogs, and share stories about them. We talk with them about what college is like so far, their majors, how they’re enjoying dorm life, or anything else they feel like opening up about. Additionally, and importantly, KSC counseling staff and faculty are well represented to ensure that these students feel like part of the community from the beginning. According to the Counseling Center, freshmen are, “at risk for struggles in the first 6-8 weeks around homesickness,” which is “….a complex experience... resulting from the stress that comes from adjusting to highly unfamiliar environments.” Paws 2 Play helps students relax and form new connections during this critical period. Canine therapy programs at campuses have even been shown to help in student retention. Dr. Joe Yazvac, KSC’s Counseling Center interim director, estimates that 800-900 students will take part in the program this semester. This is the third year that KSC has offered Paws 2 Play. The hour passes by in a blur of fun and fur for dogs and people alike. Many of the Continued NEXT PAGE
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Winter 2015
Phyllis with her handler, Tim Coronis
students who participate in Paws 2 Play eventually come to know the dogs, and greet them by name. Some have their favorites; though the dogs seem to love everyone unilaterally. The students’ faces become familiar to us as well. While this night’s event is a full-house, we notice with time that the last weeks of the program don’t seem to be as crowded. It is our hope that this is because we are all doing our job, and doing it well; and that another happy, well-adjusted freshman class is becoming part of the KSC family. Cathy White lives in Walpole with her husband, Jeff. They have been owned by Labradors of every color for almost 30 years. Cathy is a Boston University alum, with a degree in print communications. She also participates in the Paws to Read program.
Winter 2015
www.4LegsAndATail.com 7
Lean On Me
M
y name is Ron McPherson and I’m a disabled veteran who has a mobility service dog. In January 2013 I started falling for no apparent reason. I was falling 9 to 10 times a day. After numerous trips to the hospital and numerous test and x-rays, I was able to get around at first with a cane, then with a walker. Finally in 2014, I was referred to a neuromuscular specialist in Augusta, Georgia. It was determined at that point that mine was a neurological problem, caused by poly neuropathy and it would be best for me to use a wheelchair. One day while I was at the VA hospital I met another veteran with a service dog that wasn’t a Seeing Eye dog. The veteran shared that he had low blood sugar, and a number of times his service dog had saved his life. His dog had alerted him to his blood sugar levels dropping. I learned that Service animals are individually trained dogs, trained work for, or perform a task for a person with disabilities. Service animals can be trained to pull wheelchairs, guide the visually impaired, detect seizures, alert the deaf and in my case help me with my balance, keeping me vertical. It all started to come together for me when I researched service dogs and found an organization called 1Boy4Change, a part of Assistance Dogs International, a national organization. 1Boy4Change trains and places dogs with people who need them, especially veterans and children who have applied for them. The application was extensive yet doable, the wait time to find out the results was short, getting to the point of receiving the dog was much longer, …and I am not a patient man. Continued NEXT PAGE
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Understand that the wait times are dependent on the type of service dog you need, and the matching of the animal to the new handler. In May of 2013 I received THE CALL! I had been approved to receive a Mobility Service Dog. They had started the search for just the right dog. In the next few weeks two dogs floated to the top as possibilities. Talk about excited! I was looking at my walker by the door and saying to my wife, “I can’t wait to take this to the dump!” Neither dog passed the grade, now I understand why. The next call I got told me they had a partner who might work, “Would I like to meet him?” He was a “Plush Coat” German Shepherd from West Germany. He came to the US at 8 weeks old and had been in training for 2 years. I have to tell you, it was Love at first sight! We went to Brunswick, Georgia for two weeks to train with the dog. It was mostly to learn how not to treat him as a pet. The trainers came to my town to work with me in my everyday places and with the things I do eight hours a day. They stayed in a hotel for a week. We fed them when they let us, and they have become good friends. For the next three weeks my dog and I were tethered together 24/7. No matter where I went he had to go, even to the bathroom. This was all done to create a strong bond. It was tough but it was worth it, now whatever I’m feeling travels down the leash and he feels it too. My dog is always tuned into me, prepared to brace me when he senses I am going to fall. That is why a service dog should never be distracted in any way. It is for the safety of the handler and the training of the service dog that you can’t pet, speak to or call his name. These are all distractions. You can however, address the handler. In my case I will gladly talk about my hero dog. A service dog can’t interact with other dogs either. Ron McPherson & his first That’s a distraction, and he has to be focused on his meeting with handler. Krieger In November of 2013 we were presented with our service dog “Krieger”. After graduation, the trainers, my wife and I then decommissioned the walker and removed it to the dump. Since that time Krieger has stopped me from falling countless times. Ron lives in Swanzey, NH with his wife Ame and Krieger. “Krieger” is German for Warrior, and he is 3 ½ years old. He understands German and English commands, as well as whistle and hand commands. If you would like to contact Ron with any questions about service dogs, he can be reached at: rfriends1946@gmail.com
PET IQ Answers
1. Persian. 2. Hermit crab 3. Spotted 4. Parakeet 5. 62 6. Brine shrimp 7. All of the above 8. Burmese python
9. Middle East 10. Betta 11. Smell 12. Helen Keller 13. All of the above 14. They have extra toes 15. Female 16. False (It can cause
severe illness or death)
HOW DID YOU DO?
More than 10 correct - Congratulations! On your next Facebook post, include the fact that you are a 4 Legs & a Tail expert. 4-9 correct-Not bad, but you may want to consider reading 4 Legs & a Tail cover to cover. 1-3 correct- Call the 1970's and consider adopting a pet rock. Winter 2015
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Dog Toxicant Xylitol Appearing in Peanut Butters By M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM - Vermont Veterinary Medical Association
E
very dog owner knows the challenge of medicating a dog with pills that taste bad. Most people hide the pill in cheese, deli meat, or peanut butter. What you need to know is that many peanut butter manufacturers have started using xylitol to sweeten their product. Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Xylitol is a sweetener that until now has been used primarily in sugar free gums and candies, baked goods, desserts, toothpaste, and other oral care products in the United States. It is increasingly found in some over the counter items that are prescribed by veterinarians including certain antihistamines, fish oil, melatonin, and Vitamin B12. Beyond its use as a sweetener, xylitol also can be used to preserve moisture and is used in non-food products such as shampoos and lotions. Humans can consume xylitol with no problem but because of differences in metabolism, it can be toxic to dogs. (Xylitol is toxic to cats too; we just don’t see as many toxicities because cats tend to be choosier about what they eat.) The number of xylitol poisonings in dogs is on the rise. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control center reports that since they started tracking calls in 2007, the number of cases has more than doubled to over 3,727. The actual number is likely much higher since some veterinarians have treated enough cases that they no longer need to call the center for guidance. When dogs ingest xylitol, it causes a rapid increase in insulin which can cause a serious drop in blood sugar. This can lead to vomiting, weakness, staggering, and seizures within 30-60 minutes of consuming even small quantities of xylitol. It can also lead to liver failure. If you suspect your pet has ingest-Antifreeze: Antifreeze leaks are more common during the colder ed a xylitol containing product, call months. This substance is extremely lethal when ingested, just a your veterinarian immediately. Do small amount can cause irreversible kidney damage and death. not attempt to remedy the situation -Rodenticides: Rat or mouse poisons are more common during at home. Prevention includes keeping colder weather when rodents tend to seek shelter indoors. Rodent pets away from xylitol containing prodpoisons such as d-CON and Talon can prevent blood from clotting ucts. Known companies that add xyliand usually cause death from blood loss. tol to peanut butters include Go Nuts, -Ice Melting Products: Ice melt, especially products containing Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter, Sodium Chloride can cause drooling, excessive licking, vomiting, Krusch Nutrition, Nuts ‘n More, and diarrhea, disorientation or seizures if ingested in large amounts. It P28. Because xylitol can appear in other can also cause skin irritation on the paws or in/around the mouth. products and under other names, be on the lookout for any ingredient that -Cold Medications: Over the counter cold and flu medications can be extremely toxic to dogs. Many of these medications contain includes the letters “ xyl” and keep those acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) both of which products away from your pets. can cause kidney failure. The Vermont Veterinary Medical -Liquid Potpourri: Ingestion of liquid potpourri by cats or dogs Association (VVMA), founded in 1898, is can cause skin redness, sensitivity and ulceration of the tongue, a professional organization of 340 veterimouth, and esophagus. Drooling, vomiting, weakness, difficulty narians dedicated to compassionate breathing and anorexia can also develop. animal care and quality medicine. 10 4 Legs & a Tail
Winter 2015
Adoption day for Sadie. In the photo from left are Liam Murphy, Jennifer Murphy, Emily Dawson & Sadie, and Avery Murphy.
Dawson and the Dane S
Amee Abel
ee the family cuddling up to that giant dog? This moment is the happy ending to seven months of foster care. But, “happy” is too simple a word for this moment. This picture contains joy and regret, relief and tears; it’s a tangle of hearts, minds, and a leash. This story began when a Good Samaritan in Richmond had an unexpected visitor at his barn… The skinny, dark-furred, limping Great Dane was undoubtedly lost. Surely, someone was searching for her. Our Good Samaritan gave her a meal, locked her in a stall for the evening, and went to check the Internet and local newspapers, eager to reassure searchers that their dog was safe. One night turned into two, three, four…many calls and Craig’s List postings later, still no one was looking for an adult female Great Dane. By day seven, he was calling the dog “Grady.” That day the injury on her leg went from moderate concern to OMG. Grady was lethargic and lame; the injury was oozing pus; the whole leg was swollen. It was time to reach out to Monadnock Humane Society, this dog needed more than a few good meals and a phone call home.
and skill made her a standout. The staff suggested she apply for the open shelter tech job. She did, and was hired. Since there was already another Emily on staff, would she mind being called “Dawson?” And so, Dawson joined the MHS staff. An open admission, non-profit, private shelter, MHS does not discriminate about what animals it takes in. Its mission--to foster a compassionate community by promoting and providing for the well-being of animals--translates daily into routine animal upkeep with frequent helpings of urgent medical care. The day the Good Samaritan showed up with Grady the Great Dane was “just another day” at MHS. As the staff went through the daily routine of feeding, cleaning kennels and litter pans, Grady’s Good Samaritan was loading her into his car. She needed help urgently. A healthy adult female Great Dane weighs around 125 pounds; Grady weighed only 85. She was around 5 years old and had been a mother at least once. One glance had the MHS staff dialing Cheshire Animal Hospital to arrange for x-rays to determine if it was just a wound gone septic. It was infected with no structural damage, but, the skin around her entire lower leg was sloughing off, a hideous and painful injury.
Months earlier, Emily Dawson and Kent Cabro, tired of the Connecticut rat race, purchased a house on 12 acres in Hinsdale, NH. To put down roots in the community, the couple volunteered at Monadnock Humane Society. As a Veterinary Technician, Emily brought skills beyond those of the typical volunteer. With her warm smile and calm demeanor, the tall, lanky brunette was immediately likeable. Her competency
Foster: “to care for or cherish.” The emaciated dog now at MHS needed round the clock medical care to prevent her from doing more damage. With her background, Dawson had the skills to care for the dog—so she agreed to foster in her home. “Grady” never seemed suitably ‘girly’ to Dawson; “I wanted a name that hit the ear in the same way, so I called
A New Start
Winter 2015
Dawson, Dane Fosterer
Continued NEXT PAGE
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her ‘Sadie.’” She and Kent agreed that Sadie was not staying. The goal was to rebuild her health and find her a great place to spend her life. “I knew [letting her go] would be hard,” said Dawson, “but it was much harder than I expected.” Over the next six months, Sadie returned to health. She was easy going, adaptable, and obviously aware that her life had taken a turn for the better. As she put on weight, and her leg healed, her coat took on a beautiful sheen. She took a greater interest in the world, and demonstrated a liking for children, other dogs and cats. Sadie was so sweet that Dawson said, “I became very protective of her, I needed to find her exactly the right home.” One of the pleasures of fostering is the process of finding a forever home for your ward. “I appreciated that MHS allowed me to be so choosey for Sadie. They were really patient, because I was really picky.”
dog who would fit their household. “Good with children,” “likes to play with other dogs but not too wildly,” “can be a couch potato sometimes,” and “Great Dane preferred.” List completed, the family called their distant cousin who worked at a NH shelter. It might take some time to find a dog to live up to their list, they could wait. Magic happened, Sadie was ready for them when they were ready for Sadie. “They are a better home for her than I am,” says Dawson. “They are home during the day, so she has company. They have other dogs that she gets along with. The kids love her.” Her voice holds no regret, her smile is bittersweet. “It was very hard to give her up, but I know it’s a great setup for her.” And, the family keeps in touch, sending Dawson photos of Sadie. “I would foster again,” says Dawson. “It was hard, but I am very happy to have been a part of Sadie’s story.”
As Dawson was defining the qualities of Sadie’s perfect home, another family was making a list—the qualities of a
Amee Abel is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Monadnock Humane Society.AmeeA@humanecommunity.org
Family Ties
Keeping Your Bird Healthy for the Holidays F
Dr. Michael Dutton, DVM, MS, DABVP and Heidi Emond, CVT - Weare, NH
or most of us, getting ready for the Holidays means cooking, cleaning, decorating, and getting together with friends and family. Changes in our households during the Holidays can affect our birds. There are several things to keep in mind during the holiday season to ensure your pet bird stays healthy and happy. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems. Most bird owners know that using of Teflon pans produces a gas that is toxic to birds. Simmering that pot of fragrances on the stove makes your home smell wonderful, but it can overwhelm your
12 4 Legs & a Tail
bird. Candles, fire places, tobacco smoke, cleaners and paint fumes can also be harmful. It is recommended never to use Teflon pans, keep your bird in a well ventilated room - out of the kitchen, and minimize use of products with strong odors. Decorating is one of the fun parts of the Holidays. It is nice to display all the lights, baubles, and special items that bring back memories of years past. Curious birds like to explore all these fun new things they have to play with. Any bird may think it’s the best thing in the world to have an indoor tree Continued Next Page
Winter 2015
especially one with cords of lights and dangly “toys.” Chewing on electrical cords can cause electrocution and/or burns to your bird. Decorative items hold the potential for foreign body obstruction. Some older family heirlooms may have been produced using paints, glazes, and metal finishes which could contain lead or zinc that is harmful to your bird, if chewed and ingested. Be sure to check the toys and cages you purchase for your bird to make sure they do not contain these metals. One thing you might not think of as potentially dangerous, is a mirror. Your bird may have a small mirror in its cage, larger ones that humans use are not perceived as solid surfaces, and they may fly into them. Birds can also take advantage of open windows and doors to escape. So, when the delivery person comes with your package or the window’s cracked open to cool down the kitchen from marathon cooking, or friends come over with goodies, or carolers stop by; remember, it only takes a second for your bird to escape. Make sure your bird stays safe and sound. Speaking of carolers and cooking, noise can also disrupt your happy bird. Does your bird “sing” along when you vacuum or use the blender? Loud noises, such as, music, TV, people, Using these tips can help keep your bird healthy and happy appliances, and general commotion can be stressful to your throughout the year. Wishing you a joyous Holiday season and bird. If you are planning on having a gathering, put your bird a Happy New Year! in a quiet room away from the festivities, your bird will thank Mike Dutton, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine & Feline), DABVP you for it. (Avian), DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal), CVPP. Are you and your bird night owls? Does the change of light Mike is one of the few veterinarians in the world that is affect you this time of year? It affects your bird too. One of the Board Certified in three specialties.Additionally he is also a lesser known stressors to birds is the amount of light (or the Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner with the photoperiod) to which they are exposed. Just like most aniInternational Veterinary Association of Pain Management. mals, a bird’s natural body rhythm is affected by the changing Heidi Emond began her career at the Weare Animal Hospital of seasons. If you stay up late watching TV or working at your started in the spring of 2011 as an intern while in the midst of computer, and your bird is in the same room, that extra light earning an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology. can affect your bird’s hormones. Exposure to light all day and She was hired later that summer as the hospital Kennel a good portion of the night, may seem like summer time to Manager. You can check out their services at your bird. Summer means mating, stocking up on food for the www.WeareAnimalHospital.com upcoming winter, and possible migration. It can be difficult to mimic the change of seasons in your house, but if your bird has a room or closet of its own, that can help. Help keep your bird’s hormones on a regular schedule, cover your bird at night, and allow it to have a dark quiet space. With all of these potential hazards, you may be thinking, “Is there anything safe I can do with/give my bird during the Holidays?” Here are some great gift ideas for your feathered friend to keep you both happy: - Puzzle toys – Keep your bird busy trying to figure out how to move pieces around to get to the reward. Have a few on hand and change them out every couple of weeks to keep things interesting. It’s no fun solving a puzzle you’ve already mastered. - Foraging board–Make a foraging board with a variety of cups and obstacles. Make your bird work for its food and keep it entertained. Have extra wrapping paper tubes lying around? Use those too, get creative! - Chewing toys – Help keep their beak trim and healthy with toys appropriate for their size and strength. - Redecorate- Moving perches, rotating toys and changing their view will help keep your bird interested and engaged. Winter 2015
www.4LegsAndATail.com 13
A Lucky Duck W
ith their youngest daughter ready to venture off to college, Robert and Nancy Burch contemplated life as empty nesters. Little did they know that the thought would be brief and the nest filled by the most unlikely of all- a duck! But Phoenix was not your typical duck. Last spring during a stop at the local Agway, their daughter Anna noticed the duckling and the obvious paralysis he suffered and immediately brought him to her Putney, VT home. It was there that Robert, the owner of Brandywine Glassworks and a longtime artisan and craftsman devised a better life for Phoenix the Duck. Thanks to some good old fashioned Yankee ingenuity,
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On land or by water, Phoenix the duck gets around.
he built a wheelchair for Phoenix. But it didn’t stop there, for what American made duck doesn’t love the water? Thus, the wheelchair is also a floatation device! According to Burch, “For a duck in a wheelchair, he sure gets around.” In fact, the six month old fowl tries to fly every morning and loves to paddle in the water, although one recent water mishap ended with the duck receiving mouth-to-bill resuscitation which unconfirmed sources has as a first in Vermont. As many have flown south for the winter, this duck is content to hang with the chickens and share frozen peas and corn. While the cause of the paralysis is not certain (local veterinarian suspect either a neurological defect or a broken bone in the neck), one thing is for sure and that Phoenix is one lucky duck.
Winter 2015
Roll Out the Red Carpet for Tom Turkey T
here’s no hobble and no gobble, but this Tom Turkey is settling into his new home in Vermont just fine. After traveling nearly 2,000 miles, this disabled Labrador-mix was welcomed with open arms after his year-long stay at the Humane Society of Western Montana. Tom Turkey, named for his birthday close to Thanksgiving, suffers from a neurological disorder that affects his ability to walk. When he and his two siblings, Green Bean and Pumpkin Pie, were brought to this ‘big sky’ shelter, the Humane Society of Western Montana, they were just five weeks old. With his chances of adoption slim, Tom’s big break came after he was named a winner in the 2016 HandicappedPets.com calendar contest.
Hayden, enjoying winter last year in VT.
With his worldwide notoriety, Tom caught the eye of Tracey Fowler of Mendon, VT. Though she had never met Tom, she fell in love with his warm, brown eyes and was excited to adopt. Ironically, her German Shepherd, Hayden, was also a disabled dog and finalist for the calendar. For the friends Tom left behind in Montana, the farewell was bittersweet. “I can’t imagine a better home for him. I’ve learned so much from him; determination, positive attitude and limitations; and the things that can help those limitations, like a cart.” explained Lora O’Conner, the shelter’s Executive Director. The generosity of those who only knew Tom from a website was instrumental for his trip the Green Mountain state. “All I can say is, Thank You, from the bottom of my heart,” said a grateful Tracey Fowler. “There are no words for what people have done to make this happen.” According to the shelter’s Director of Development, Emily Adamson, “At the beginning, a lot of people questioned why we keep these dogs alive. But if you look at Tom and you meet Tom - he’s happy. The cart is what helps him get around, he doesn’t know any different and he’s not in pain.” While we are so excited that Tom Turkey will be a 2016 HandicappedPets. com calendar dog, one thing is for sure... he couldn’t have found a better home. Welcome to Vermont! Winter 2015
Tom Turkey, eager to make new friends in Mendon, VT
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Love at the Hairdresser’s A
Tayna Sousa - Orleans, VT
ll the stations were filled at the hairdresser’s that day. The door was left open to let in whatever breeze would come, although it was sweltering air. Along with one fresh breath of breeze, a slate gray, teenage cat with a white bib and double paws sauntered in. He padded in confidently to the first chair and circled a bit while the woman perched there cooed compliments. He stayed a few moments then moved on in an unhurried manner to the next woman. “Whose cat?” I asked Leni as he prepared my long red curls for a color touch-up that would take about an hour and a half. “Stray. He’s been here all day coming in and out. He doesn’t stay long,” Leni told me. I watched the cat visit the woman just before me. He concluded with a respectful rise and curl of his tail before making his way to me. I was careful not to give him more than a passing glance. Was it my imagination that he was staying at my chair longer? “I think you’ve got a friend,” Leni mused. “I think you’ll end up taking him home.” “I have a cat. I don’t need another one,” I set my mouth firmly. A half hour into my appointment, the grey teen was still sitting by my chair. I couldn’t help but sneak a peek and saw the green eyes looking at me with a nearly indescribable look of contentment and adoration. I met his eyes and was rewarded with a flurry of squints, blinks, and chin lifts. “That cat writes love sonnets with his eyes,” I laughed. “You’re weakening,” Leni said nonchalantly. “No. I have a cat already. I don’t want another cat.” The woman in the last chair clucked and wiggled her fingers to my suitor, but he remained at my side. She finally gave up. I tried not to look, but a few times in the next hour I did let my eyes wander. Each time, the young male regaled me with those love sonnets written only with eyes and a little body language. “He is cute,” I conceded as Leni finished blow-drying my hair and pulled away the protective apron. When I stood, the cat stood too, rubbing against my legs and pushing himself off his front paws in a feline wheelie. “Oh! You are a Romeo,” I told him, and reached to pick him up – only for a moment. The instant he was at my shoulder, he plunged his face and front paws into my long newly coiffed curls and began kneading furiously and – yes – drooling a bit. Without a word, I managed to pay Leni, cat still buried blissfully in my hair, and left with a cat in my arms who seemed to have waited all his life just for me. The last sound I heard was Leni’s boisterous laughter and the purring of one who chose me, then graced me with sonnets for the next sixteen years – written only with love-filled green eyes.
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Tanya Sousa is a published author of many magazine articles and several children’s picture books. Most recently, her environmental novel,The Starling God, made the short-list for the national “Green Earth Book Awards,” in the Young Adult Fiction category. www.RadiantHen.com www.forestrypress.com Winter 2015
Beating the Winter Doldrums Colleen Campbell
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or those of us who are not lucky enough to escape the cold with our Equine companions and migrate south for the winter, riding can be a challenge when temperatures dip below freezing. It is hard to keep our rides interesting when stuck in an arena for 3-5 months out of the year. Here are some great ways to keep things fun, interesting and productive this winter!
Benefits of bareback
Most of us stopped riding bareback before we turned 20, but it is one of the best ways to improve our seat and get connected to our horse. When riding bareback we can get direct feedback from our horse by paying attention to how their muscles are responding to our movements. For a simple exercise, while your horse is standing still, close your eyes and practice breathing. Feel your horse’s back muscles, are they tense or lose? Those muscles are a mirror to how your body is. Exhale longer than you inhale, feel your body sink down into the horse’s back, becoming more secure and connected. Now hold your breath and feel the tightening in your body and the way it lifts you off the back, feel your thighs tighten and how unstable and wiggly this position is. When you hold your breath your horse may start to shift and move around because your thighs are squeezing, asking them to move forward. Don’t try to stop them, if you exhale and relax your body you will feel your horse relax and stand still again. If they walked off you can ask them to stop after breathing out. For the next exercise continue to breath and keep your eyes closed. Start moving your head from side to side, forward and back. Take note of how this affects your seat, your back and your thighs and how the horse’s muscles shift underneath you. Now straighten up and focus your attention on your seat bones. Are they even? Do they feel like they have the same amount of contact on each side? If not, find a position where they are. Now focus on one seat bone, feel that side of your body get heavier without physically pushing it down. Feel the horse’s back Winter 2015
Twister & Colleen Campbell at AQHA Super 6
move away from the pressure? Your horse may even shift away and move to the side. This is the beginning of your turn. Now try all of these exercises while walking. Feel what happens and how your horse responds to your body. This is the beginning of riding off your seat or riding with no reins.
Transitions, Cavletties and Games
If you only have a short amount of time to ride, transitions are a great aerobic workout for your horse. If you focus on speeding up and slowing down with your seat, it is a great exercise in timing and feel for you. To start, try going from standing still to a walk. Use the body info you learned from riding bareback. Breath in, picture what the walk feels like in your mind, shift forward slightly and put your hands forward slightly. If nothing happens then add light leg. Do this a few times and you will be surprised how light your horse can get! Then repeat the same exercise for walk to trot. For canter you would want to sit down rather than shift forward but everything else will be the same. For the downward transitions breath out, picture a slower gait in your mind and start feeling very heavy in the saddle, sink straight down. If nothing happens pull back lightly with the reins coming from your elbows. Do this a few times, if you are soft and not braced in your legs as you slow down, your horse will start to transition off of your breathing! Be as creative as you can. Put out lots of cones, poles and cavaletties. Make lots of changes in direction and different pat-
terns. Always have your horse waiting on what you are going to do next. Mixing poles and cavaletties into the workout will make your horse lift and extend more, building their muscles and keeping them in shape! Invent games for yourself, design a musical ride or play old favorites like red light green light, follow the leader and drill team exercises. Your rides will become much more interesting and your horse won’t get sour! If you need help being creative, look for books and videos at your local tack stores. When it is too cold to ride or the conditions are too dangerous watch videos. Mark Rashid has great videos on how to move with your horse when riding and there are many more out there that cover gaits, biomechanics, riding exercises and more. The more you can picture the perfect ride the easier it becomes to achieve it! Colleen CampbellI has been riding since she was very young, trying disciplines from Hunt seat to Saddle seat before finding western. Interning at UVM Morgan Horse farm she also received an Associates in Equine Studies from Umass Amherst. She learned the natural Horsemanship method from Joe Delano, with whom she still works. For 7 years she has been running her training and lesson business, Campbell Equine, in Leverett, MA. Her newest project is Heroes, Horses and Hounds, a non-profit education center focusing on rescue, rehab and animal assisted therapy certifications and programs, for next Summer! www.4LegsAndATail.com 17
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Winter 2015
What’s a (Horse) to Wear? T
’is the season to reevaluate your horse’s wardrobe. Many horse owners simply put on a blanket in the fall, and leave it there for the duration, taking it off when the spring sun melts the snow and nights are again tolerable. Some folks never cover their horses, knowing they grow winter coats and are “outdoor” animals. Others bring them inside for nights and inclement weather. There is no right or wrong to these methods; an understanding of how the horse’s coat works and what variables affect that decision can help you choose. When daylight and temperatures begin to decrease around mid to late August, a winter coat begins to grow under the summer coat; people begin to notice some fuzz before the summer coat sheds to make room for longer, thicker hair. Later, next year’s summer coat grows under the winter coat, adding some insulation for the cold months and ensuring the horse does not have to be naked when spring shedding begins! When warm, the hair lies flat, close to the horse’s body; when it’s cold, the hair stands up and traps air, which is warmed by the horse’s body heat and serves as an insulating layer. The horse is equipped for all types of weather, well-protected by heavy coats that even repel moisture. Sometimes winter is an easier season for horses because there’s no heat, sun or bugs to escape from. Individual horses - like individual people - can be less tolerant of the cold; coat thickness, wind chill, sun, open or protected exposure, precipitation, temperature and diet all play a role. Some horses will actually shiver, which is an indication that they need help -and fast! Some never appear cold, but get cranky, stiff, sore, or lethargic. Others move around a lot,even driving others to walk with them in an effort to keep warm. Their overall health and well-being depends on your ability to observe and change the situation. If needed, we want to choose the correct “weight” of the sheet or blanket: light, medium, or heavy weight refers to the amount of insulation and should be chosen according to conditions; we want to avoid overheating and sweating, which causes them to become cold as they cool down. Just because you are cold does not mean they are; use the factors listed to help determine how much extra insuWinter 2015
lation is needed. Diet also plays a role. Some owners increase grain, adding calories for warmth and to avoid weight loss. A preferred choice would be to add hay, especially at the coldest parts of the day, because the process of digesting hay actually helps keep the horse warm. Occasional grooming keeps the coat healthy and allows us to observe issues
with skin, rubs, and potential problems. Peel the blanket off a little at a time, allowing the horse to acclimate to the cold slowly so the hair can adjust. Whatever your horse’s winter living arrangement, a warm and healthy situation is attainable with a little bit of observation and planning. Stay warm and see you in the spring!
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Picking Out the Right Pup, and Then What? S
Bethany King - Keene, NH
o, you’ve decided to expand your family and find your new four legged companion. A wriggling, barking, bundle of... joy? Wait a second, no one told you about the chewing, nipping/biting, potty accidents, sleepless nights, or the training/ socialization this little “land shark” would take! Bringing home a new puppy is exciting. They have puppy breath and are generally a ton of fun to play with and snuggle. Let’s face it, puppy kisses are the best and that wiggling bum is adorable! However, the amount of work that goes into raising a polite canine member of society often gets underestimated. Some things to consider before bringing home a puppy: First, pick the breed that suits your lifestyle. While all puppies have their own personalities, it is important to consider breed traits. Do you enjoy hiking, swimming, and running? Perhaps an active dog such as a Labrador Retriever, Vizla, or an energetic mixed breed would be the right choice. Prefer lounging on the couch in front of the T.V. watching a movie or reading a good book? A Greyhound, Pug or another lower energy mixed breed might possibly better suit your family. With over 400 breeds and breed mixes, there is bound to be a great match Continued NEXT PAGE
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out there! Be honest with what characteristics you’d like. Some are natural diggers, barkers (beagles love to beagle), or herders. Also, consider that some dogs have working lines. Take the German Shepherd, individuals bred from working lines tend to have higher energy levels and more natural drive. While dogs from working lines can make wonderful companions, they require plenty of exercise and training. Without outlets, these dogs can develop behavioral problems like excessive digging, chewing, barking and other destructive behaviors. Breed traits aren’t always prominent, but should be considered when you search. Picking the wrong breed can result in an aggravated owner and a frustrated dog. Prepare your home and family for your puppy’s arrival. Soon-to-be puppy owners should get down to their pup’s level. That’s right, on your hands and knees in the living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Seeing things from your puppy’s perspective can help you spot possible trouble spots. Wires can and will be chewed. A small hole in the wall a puppy could get stuck in? Delightfully smelly things? Sneakers? They look like chew toys to me! Practice placing items such as shoes, books, and children’s toys out of your puppy’s reach. Use closets and storage bins. Remember that puppies like to explore with their mouths like human babies. Cell phones, remote controls and laundry can be expected to end up in their mouths at some point! Puppy gates for doorways/stairways, playpens or crates will help keep your puppy safe when you cannot be in the room. Toys will be important to your puppy’s physical and mental health. Puzzle or brain toys (treat dispensing toys) will keep your puppy busy. The Kong company makes some great, relatively durable, treat dispensing toys. Hollow rubber toys can be stuffed with food mixtures and frozen before being given to your puppy. Great if you need time on the phone or have guests visiting, keep puppy occupied! Nylabones are a safe alternative to rawhide for puppies that are teething. A good variety of toys is the safest bet. Soft squeaky toys, tug ropes and rubber chews can be rotated out to prevent boredom. Be sure to pick up a brush and nail clippers to begin early desensitization to grooming procedures. A good enzymatic cleaner will be useful for those potty accidents that will happen a couple times! A well fitted collar/harness and leash will be essential to keep your puppy safe when outside, especially in the beginning. Lastly, sign your puppy up for a good group puppy class! Early positive socialization with other dogs, people, sight and sounds is critical during the first couple of months of bringing a puppy home! Encounters they have before four months can have a huge impact on future behavior, and feelings Winter 2015
towards new dogs and people. Once your pup has received their starter core vaccines, they are ready to enroll in school, or at the very least a good play group. Check out the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior for their stance on early puppy socialization. http://avsabonline.org/uploads/position_statements/puppy_socialization. pdf By following some of these simple tips you can start your new friend-
s h i p o f f o n t h e r i g h t fo o t / p aw ! Have a wonderful winter and happy training! Bethany King lives in Keene, NH with two parrots, a cat, two hedgehogs and Kalvin her poodle/chihuahua mix, who’s earned his Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog certifications. She is a Senior Dog Trainer at the Keene Petco, and a CGC evaluator for the AKC.
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When Missing Teeth Really Are NOT Missing, Just Hiding T
Sandra L Waugh VMD. MS
eeth that are not visible in the mouth are often presumed to be missing, that is, not present at all. And it is true that not all dogs have 42 teeth from the beginning. It is not true that just because a tooth is not visible in the mouth that the tooth is not there and therefore of no concern. Teeth that have been created but fail to erupt are called impacted teeth and they can cause havoc. Let’s go back to the beginning, when a puppy is born but has no teeth. Special cells are present within the jaw bone that will, at the proper time, create a tooth. The tooth is grown within a sphere of cells which surround that tooth as it is created. Within the sphere of cells is also fluid, which is created by the cells. When the tooth erupts, the crown becomes visible and the sphere of cells that created the tooth is broken, the fluid leaks away, and all traces of this very special tissue is gone forever. If the tooth fails to erupt then this sphere of cells is not broken and can continue to fill with fluid. This sack full of fluid is called a dentigerous cyst. Because it is contained within the jaw bone it can put pressure on the bone and teeth and be locally very destructive to the jaw bone and to teeth. Two cases follow. This first is a 6 year old Boxer. The owner noticed a swelling in the front of the left side of the lower jaw. The dog also suffered from excessive gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) which covered the teeth making counting the teeth very difficult.
The teeth are hard to see because the gum is overgrown. The missing tooth should be visible at the yellow arrow. The Xrays will tell the tale. Impacted tooth (red arrow). This is the first premolar in the lower left jaw. The lower first premolar is the most commonly impacted tooth. The cyst had destroyed the bone around four incisors, the canine tooth and the first two premolars, all of which were extracted. All of these teeth were also by the pressure, with loss of the size of the root. To prevent more bone destruction, the sphere of cells that created the cyst were also removed. The cyst had been present for a considerable amount of time before the swelling in the jaw was noticed. Continued NEXT PAGE
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The second case is a 4 year old Pug with a swelling in the front of the right side of the lower jaw. The canine teeth are under the green arrows, the incisors are under the red arrows, and the swelling is outlined by yellow arrows. There should be 6 incisors. One seems to be missing but can be seen on the Xray. Again there has been destruction of bone around the three right incisors and down the root of the right canine tooth. But wait, there are two more impacted teeth, the first premolars on both sides of the lower jaw. And the one on the left also has a cyst around it (double red arrow). In this dog the three lower right incisors and the first right and left lower premolars were extracted, as well as the sphere of cells that created each cyst.
Intra-operative photograph. The impacted tooth (yellow arrow) is visible because the bone over the tooth had been completely destroyed.
It is even possible to have extra copies of teeth that are impacted, although this is much less common. Dogs are supposed to have 42 adult teeth. Even though in some breeds missing teeth are common, any dog with less than 42 teeth with no history of tooth extractions should have Xrays taken of the teeth. Early discovery of impacted teeth can save neighboring teeth and prevent bone destrution. Dr. Waugh is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She also holds a Masters Degree from Washington State University of Veterinary Medicine and is owner of Windsor Veterinary & Dental Services.
Winter 2015
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Enjoying the Golden Years Tammy McNamara, DVM East Dummerston, VT
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enior pets are some of our favorite patients. They are usually past their youthful exuberance and have settled in to be a beloved member of the family. We enjoy helping seniors stay comfortable and healthy so that the pet and owners can really enjoy those treasured senior years. We consider cats over the age of 10 and dogs over the age of 8 (giant breeds over the age of 6) to be seniors. Although, it is not uncommon to see pets living well into their senior years these days. Degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, is a common problem in senior dogs. Early detection and maintenance through weight loss, exercise, and supplements can help your dog to be more comfortable through his or her senior years. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight and adjusting their exercise routine for low grade, consistent exercise can help maintain muscle mass and keep joints mobile as they age. Adding area rugs or ramps to the home can also help with mobility issues and decrease slipping as your pet Continued NEXT PAGE
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ages. There are pain medications that can be prescribed, if needed, to improve your arthritic senior dog’s quality of life, ask your veterinarian for details. Cats can also suffer from arthritis, though weight loss can be more challenging for our feline patients. In general, increasing the amount of good quality pate style canned food and cutting back on high calorie carbohydrate rich dry food is helpful. Ensuring your cat can get to his or her food dish and litter box comfortably is also important in the senior years. Sometimes using a larger, shallow or low sided litter box will be helpful. Senior pets may have changes in vision and hearing as well, this can indicate medical problems (like cataracts or ear infection), but can also be part of the aging process. A full examination by your veterinarian can help determine if there is a condition needing treatment. For pets with reduced vision, adding a nightlight and accompanying them outdoors at night can be reassuring. Training your senior pet to visual cues, in addition to verbal cues, can be helpful if they are adjusting to hearing loss. Metabolic problems, liver, or kidney issues are also more prevalent in senior patients. If your pet is experiencing increased drinking, increased urination, weight loss or a change in appetite, your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork
Winter 2015
to help screen for some of these problems. Shortness of breath, coughing, or changes in breathing can indicate heart or lung disease and should be checked out by your veterinarian. Early detection and management of health problems can help prolong your pet’s life and improve their well-being so you can enjoy those golden years!
Dr.Tammy McNamara is a 2004 graduate of Oregon & Washington State Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. She lives in southern Vermont and has worked at VT-NH Veterinary Clinic in both equine and small animal medicine for the past 11 years and also does volunteer work for local shelters and rescue organizations.
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Matting and Good Grooming S
Shelly Hescock - Brattleboro, VT
ophie, a beautiful, long-haired cat, would scratch and lash out every time her owner tried to brush her. Her coat became so matted, it became a hard shell. It became difficult for her owner to continue trying, as the situation caused so much stress for them both. Jack, a Cocker Spaniel, did not like to be brushed. He would hide and shake furiously every time his owner brought out his comb. Eventually his fine coat matted, causing dreadlocks to form all over his body. Sweet Pea, a Maltese, loved when her owner brushed her. It was the highlight of their day! Unfortunately, her owner was using the wrong kind of brush and was only brushing through the top coat of fur. She looked beautiful, but her undercoat was matting and causing unseen health problems close to her skin. Fur matting is a major health concern. A good groomer can take a close look at your pet and determine the best course of action. Often, when significant mats are present, the most humane thing to do is shave down their coat. Shaving the coat takes a considerable amount of time. Your groomer must be very careful while they remove the tightly woven hair; matted fur begins pulling the individual hairs out of the skin and is very painful to your pet. Matts also lead to a lack of air circulation between the fur and skin, causing infection. During the shaving process as the mats are removed, your groomer may find unhealthy skin conditions, including parasites, hot spots, and infected areas, which need to be addressed by your veterinarian. After all of the matting is removed, your pet will feel very different. There is a possibility your pets’ skin could become itchy or sore. Scratching and rubbing the tender skin can cause more irritation. There are many products on the market to help soothe irritation; your veterinarian can help determine the correct product for you. When all of the matting is removed and you have a pet with fur, hair, and skin in good condition, it’s time for a fresh start. Talk to your groomer about putting your pet on a regular grooming schedule, as well as grooming at home between appointments. They can also recommend the brushes and combs that work best for your pet’s coat, and how to use these tools most effectively. There are special shampoos, conditioners, and detangling sprays that can also help make the grooming process at home easier for you both. Don’t let a situation like Sophie’s fear and aggression or Jack’s anxiety, turn into a bigger health problem. Getting on the right track can prevent such bad conditions in the future, and be a wonderful way to spend time together.Now that your pet has a fresh, healthy coat of hair, start with short brushing sessions and gradually increase the length of time involved in a session. Using treats and lots of encouragement will help acclimate your pet to a grooming routine at home, keeping them happy, and their fur beautiful and healthy. With just a small amount of time, your pet’s health and appearance can improve dramatically.
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Shelly Hescock has been grooming since 1993. She currently works at VCA Windham Animal Hospital. Winter 2015
Saving Sable Annie Guion, Executive Director Windham County Humane Society
S
able was surrendered to us when her owner died. From what we know, she did not have an easy life, spending much of it on the end of a chain. You might think that a 12 year old dog does not need to undergo the pain and stress of surgery. I myself questioned the need. Luckily, I have staff that knows more than I do. They assured me that Sable needed to be spayed, and boy, were they right! It wasn’t until Sable was on the operating table that we discovered a massive infection in her uterus… an infection that had to be incredibly painful and would have killed Sable in the next few days. It was a miracle we got to her in time, and that our skilled vet could save her life. This kind of infection is difficult to detect, and most of us know how stoic our pets can be. Sable gave us no indication that she was in pain. Add to that her age and her background, and there was no way to know the danger she was in until we spayed her. Despite her age, Sable was quickly adopted by a great family - her new mom is a veterinarian!! Of course, spay neuter also saves lives by preventing overpopulation. The Windham County Humane Society spayed/neutered 267 animals prior to adoption this year and we have spayed and neutered 426 cats, 100 dogs and 22 rabbits for Windham County pet owners who cannot afford vet clinic fees. (And we all know that rabbits make cats look like slackers when it comes to reproduction!) Included in the 426 cats are 89 freeroaming cats we altered for free. Given that one female cat can produce three litters of kittens every year, with an average of four surviving kittens from each litter, and that all those kittens can begin to reproduce at six months of age, the numbers add up quickly. If you would like to support our work, consider attending our annual Wags to Riches Auction and Party, April 2 at the VFW in Brattleboro. Visit our website for details:www.wchs4pets.org Winter 2015
www.4LegsAndATail.com 27
The Secret Lives Of Dogs:
Emotional Sensor Helps Owners Understand Their Pups’ Feelings
A dog’s tail wagging could be worth a thousand words, and with the
help of a new gadget, we’re a little closer to translating its message. Believing a dog’s tail is a window to the canine soul, founders of New Yorkbased tech company DogStar Life, created a smart device to help owners decode the messages transmitted when pups wag their tails to better understand the emotional lives of their furry friends. TailTalk is a lightweight sensor that sits on a dog’s tail and documents the peaks and valleys of the pup’s feelings throughout the day, according to the creators. “It basically combines an accelerometer and a gyroscope, much like the Fitbit, but it’s picking up on the way the tail is moving,” DogStar Life COO and co-founder Mike Karp said, in an interview with Yahoo News. “The idea is to capitalize on all the research that’s been done in the last two to three years on what tail movement means, and translate that into emotion.” DogStar Life launched an Indiegogo campaign recently to raise $100,000 to further develop the technology and prepare the hardware for production.
TailTalk will connect to the company’s DogStar app to update owners on their pets feelings
28 4 Legs & a Tail
Michael Walsh-Yahoo News
TailTalk transmits the emotional data to a companion app for iOS and Android via Bluetooth. Ideally, the information will enable owners to emphasize the environments, people, toys and so forth that bring their pets the most happiness, while avoiding stress inducers. Left wagging, Karp said, usually indicates negative feelings like anger or aggression, while right wagging typically indicates positive feelings like happiness or excitement. But their tails convey even more subtle cues to other dogs. Yannis Tsampalis, CEO and co-founder of DogStar Life, told Yahoo News that the product should not make anyone feel guilty; rather, it should empower an owner to improve his or her pet’s quality of life. “If you know that your dog is really unhappy during the day, it’s probably in the best interest of both of you to have a dog walker or dog sitter come over,” he suggested. “We feel that pet parents are wonderful, but if they had more data, they can probably make better decisions and create a stronger bond between them and their dog.”
Tsampalis, who previously worked in smart accessories for Verizon Wireless, and Karp, who worked in data for several organizations, decided to join forces shortly after meeting in September 2014 while pursuing MBAs at Cornell Tech in New York. They started DogStar Life by combining Tsampalis’ passion for the rapidly growing field of wearable technology and Karp’s love of dogs. “It was extremely exciting for both of us,” Tsampalis said. “Mike had grown up with dogs in his life. ... I consider wearables to be the new wave of computing — there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity and a lot of untapped territory.” Early on in the project, Tsampalis and Karp spent a lot of time talking to dog owners and veterinarians to understand what was most important to them, because they did not want to be swayed by their own biases.
TailTalk is a small smart device that is placed on a dog’s tail.
“And one of the things that always came up was the health and happiness of their dogs,” Tsampalis said. The key to understanding a dog’s happiness, they said, is its tail. Pamela Perry, a veterinary behavior resident at Cornell University, said tail wagging does not automatically indicate happiness. It signals behavioral nuances that dogs understand but humans do not always recognize. “Fortunately, there are ways to monitor and record dogs’ body language, and ongoing research offers a more detailed understanding of how our pets express themselves,” she said in a press release. Karp explained that most of the research done so far involves still photography, but he hopes the release of the product will enable further research, which will be reinvested in the hardware. The team at DogStar plans to prepare TailTalk for delivery in mid-2016 for Indiegogo backers. Winter 2015
4 LEGS & A TAIL FUN! What 5 Things Are Different?
Pom Pom on kids hat, Dog's Foot, Kid's Boot, Yellow stripe on dog's collar, Trees in upper right corner
So What Brand Are You Feeding Your Pet?
GAZTUNIER IIOAACLNRF TUNALRAS NSSEELLW ELAGE NANETUR LIOPUN ORTUN
A guy is driving around the back woods of New Hampshire and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: ‘Talking Dog For Sale' He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there. ‘You talk?’ he asks. ‘Yep,’ the Lab replies. After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says ‘So, what’s your story?’ The Lab looks up and says, ‘Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so... I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.’ ‘I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running...But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.’ ‘I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I’m just retired.’ The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. ‘Ten dollars,’ the guy says. ‘Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?’ Because he’s a liar. He’s never been out of the yard! Submitted by Wendell Nadeau
Zignature, California Naturals, Wellness, Eagle, Nutrena, Poulin, Nutro
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Winter Wonderland 2016 Southern NH & VT
What Is Your Pet IQ? Taking Dog Off The Menu Senior Pet Care A Lucky Duck