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Vol. 8 Issue 6 - Holiday 2016

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“Deuce”

Rabies Revisited Holiday’s Hidden Dangers The Golden Paw The Way a Puppy Grows 1

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contents

Delmarva Unleashed

Vol. 8 Issue 6 Holiday 2016

5 8 10 14 18 22 26 30

Canine Gifting Bark of the Town Doggie Loot The Golden Paw Awards Rabies Revisited The Way a Puppy Grows Holiday’s Hidden Dangers Sharing the Holidays with Your Pet 32 Doggie Socials

Publisher/Sandy Phillips Edited by Grammerly Creative / Farin Lewis creative@grandlivingmag.com Contributing Writers Amanda Abresch, B.S., ABCDT, APDT, CPDT-KA Polly Elliott John Maniatty, V.M.D. Jaclyn Wolinski, D.M.V.

Advertising Info: (410)726-7334

On the Cover:

“Deuce” proudly owned by Tonya Brady of Dover, DE Delmarva Unleashed is published six times a year; Winter, Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, and Holiday. It is circulated throughout Maryland and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The magazine can also be found throughout Delaware and is published by Grand Living Magazine, LLC. Delmarva Unleashed is protected under trademark registration. No portion in whole or part may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Copyright 2016©, Grand Living Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved.

Content in Delmarva Unleashed is intended to provide information only and is in no way meant to treat or diagnose. Always consult with a specialty professional to address your own personal needs. The company makes every effort to ensure that all information presented is correct, however, we do not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the information, and reliance on information provided, is solely at your own risk.

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Holiday 2016

Canine Gifting L

by Farin Lewis

ooking for the perfect present for someone special in your life this Holiday season? Maybe a gift that keeps on giving?

Monthly pet subscription boxes are the newest trend in doggie "gifting," but how do you know which one offers the best bang for your buck"?

Some are a little pricey, but like most things you do get what you pay for.

We decided to do most of the legwork for you and let you know our thoughts on these services. I wanted to start by saying that we reached out to over 20 different companies that we found on the internet that sold monthly subscription boxes, and we were very surprised that there were only three responses. Tells you something about their level of customer service, right?

We have proper credentials and were willing to pay for the boxes, so we were not impressed by the companies that thumbed us.

The three standout companies that did respond were Bark Box, Paw Pack, and PoochPerks. Not only did we review these three boxes from the

human perspective, but the Delmarva Unleashed Canine Staff also put in their paws worth, or teeth as it may be.

The first box that arrived was PoochPerks. We received six items in our box, three of them were soft toys, and three of them treats. Canine Staff member Jax is always in charge of testing toys. He does a very thorough job pressing the limits of toys! The "Frenchie Roast" was his favorite toy from this box, and all three toys have held up well to his "testing." We were very pleased to see that the treats were healthy and had a small number of ingredients, no junk food. Overall, we were very happy with our PoochPerks box.

The second box we reviewed was the BarkBox. We received five items in our box, two plush toys, and three treat products, in a "themed" box.

They obviously put a great deal of thought into matching their product selection here. Again, Jax went right for the toys, which were both specially made for the Halloween BarkBox. He is currently very attached to the zombie squirrel that was included and it has provided many hours of entertainment already and continues to be in good shape physically.

Anytime that there is jerky in a box, it gets rave reviews from Canine Staff member Mr. Darcy. In the BarkBox package, all of the treats were healthy and had a limited number of ingredients. I will tell you that I have a monthly subscription to Bark Box and only once were my dogs disappointed with what they received. Mr. Darcy likes some chew or jerky, and he will claim that as his right away when a new box is opened. This particular box had neither. They don't always ask you

to review your boxes every month, but it so happens that I received an email that same month about my box. So I thought, why not fill it out and see if there is a response. I told them that we loved the product and were very happy overall, but that this particular box was not my dogs favorite since there were no jerky or chews for him. I explained that I have both a large and a small dog that share a "large dog box" and that the toys were always a hit with Jax and the chewys with Darcy.

I never really thought much more about that review until I opened my BarkBox the next month. It would seem that someone actually read my review and took it seriously. The next box had the normal soft toys that Jax loves, but it also had two bags of jerky and two chews for Mr. Darcy.

I was very impressed that someone

took the time to pack a box based on the review that I had given. Round of applause for BarkBox customer service! There have always been both toys and chews in each subsequent box too.

The third box we took a look at was the PawPack. I had very high hopes for this box since they are constantly appearing on my Facebook feed with advertisements touting high-quality, healthy treats and products in their boxes. This box contained two soft toys and three treats. The soft toys were not really the best quality soft toys as in the other boxes. Jax pretty much had them destroyed before he went to bed that night. There was a bag of jerky, that was made in the USA with limited ingredients, so Mr. Darcy was very happy. The other two treats were also what we would consider "healthy" treats as well.

continued pg 9

“Having a dog will bless you with the happiest days of your life.�

-unknown

Gabby 2002-2016

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Bark

of the Town

Grass Eats

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Holiday 2016

In Chinese astrology, humans born under the sign of the dog are considered to be loyal and discreet, though slightly temperamental.

Alexander the Great is said to have founded and named the city ofPeritas, in memory of his dog.

Curioso

In a recent study at UC Davis, 1571 dog owners who brought their pets in for routine care, were questioned about their dog's grass eating habits.

Seventy-nine percent of that group of dog's had been observed eating grass.

The question was, why?

For years, veterinarians have responded to the question indicating that the dogs may eat grass to calm an upset stomach. There have also been hypotheses that suggest that dogs may eat grass to fill a nutrient deficiency in their diets. However, dogs that are regularly fed greens still will eat grass.

So is either conclusion correct?

Of the participants eating grass, only 8% of their humans observed signs of stomach upset or illness before consumption. Only 22% observed vomiting after the grass ingestion.

Researchers concluded that dogs that were already ill were among those most likely to vomit and so those dogs were removed from conclusive statements.

A new school of thought suggests that dog's many be exhibiting an inherited trait from their wild ancestors; that grass eating "is a common behavior that typically occurs in normal dogs and is generally not associated with illness or dietary needs."

When wolf droppings were evaluated, almost one-half of the samples contained evidence of grass. It is suggested that grass can help purge intestinal parasites as the material passes through the gut. Although today's domesticated dogs often have regular protection from intestinal parasites, the behavior may still linger from their wild days.

Canine Chocolate Toxicity Meter Chocolate still tends to be the number one toxic threat to your dogs during the holidays. Closely followed by alcohol.

Methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine, which dogs are very sensitive too, are found in varying amounts of chocolate by type.

According to PetMD, eight ounces of Milk Chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, while the same dog can be poisoned by just one ounce of Baker’s Chocolate.

If you find yourself questioning if your dog consumed potentially life-threatening holiday goodies, visit PetMD.com and navigate to their “Chocolate Toxicity Meter.” There you can enter your dog's weight and the type of chocolate they ingested. It will offer you direction regarding the potential severity of the situation, including what symptoms to look for and if an emergency veterinary visit is recommended.

Charts for specific brands of candy bars are also available on the same page and signs to watch for.

When in doubt, pick up the phone and call your local Pet ER.

What’s in a Box? from pg 6 However, in fairness, I would not cross them off my list because of a toy. These companies rotate products and perhaps next month we would get something of "Jax" standard. I think it would be best to order a second box here, and we would have done so, if we had not been on a time constraint.

They did respond to our request, so we already like the customer service.

In conclusion, each of the boxes we reviewed did offer quality treats and in most cases quality toys as well.

In my experience, the dogs know what their monthly box looks like, or smells like, and are very enthusiastic when it arrives. They love opening the box and snacking and playing. We would suggest a short subscription to a brand that fits your budget and see what you get. I would caution again that you will get what you pay for.

Quality treats do cost more, but you know your dog is worth it! I can honestly tell you that the monthly box that arrives here is always an exceptional value for the cost.

Check these brands out and tell them we sent you!

Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

9

Doggie Loot

Our annual Holiday Doggie Loot is designed to offer you quality products for both you and your pup. Seems we get more selective with each passing year. The holiday bone indicates a product we have had in house, this year, and have put to the test, with favorable results. We have scoured the latest products and some old favorites, we have tested in the past, that have released new product and never disappoint. Look for these at your local pet store or if you need a little help finding some of them, just message us on Facebook!

Cod Skins- Polkadog Bakery The Cod used to make these crunchy sticks are wild caught, in season, by local fishermen on small boats in Alaska. They are hand-roll and slowly dehydrated in a South Boston kitchen to create this savory, healthy treat. The DU dogs have them everyday to supplement tooth brushing!

Fall 2013

Unleashed

Vol. 5 Issue 5-

Delmarva

Complimentary

Bark

Delmarva Unleashed

Get a full year of your favorite dog magazine for only $16.95, delivered right to your snail mailbox. Sign up online at DelmarvaUnleashed.com

of the Tow

n

Medication Happen to Errors Pets, Too !

Wigzi Dual Doggie Walks two dogs, untangles automatically and includes a 360 degree gel handle technology. This is the most fought over leash in the office! We have never tested a dual leash that doesn’t tangle to some degree, until now, even with both a large and small dog walking together. A must have!

Jax & Bones: Lounge Bed Designed like a sofa, this lounge bed is guaranteed to provide snooze-worthy comfort. Both the bolstered sides and center pillow unzip for easy maintenance. This bed is overstuffed with hypo-allergenic green fiber; Sustainafill, and is offered in a variety of durable fabric options.

DU Canine Staff member Jax personally has tested this dog bed. We were very impressed with the quality of the fabric and the way that it washed. The zippercover was easy to remove and put back together. Jax also tends to be harder on his beds and toys, and so far it still looks new. We would highly recommend this bed for anyone that is currently in the market.

Dog Obsessed- The Honest Kitchen Packed with humorous, helpful advice that goes beyond the average dog-care book, including do’s and don’ts in the dog park, how to ensure your pup’s holidays are safe and truly special, even advice on how to manage your dog’s unique personality quirks. There is also a section on make-at-home dog games, (perfect for the winter ahead), and recipe’s from the Honest Kitchen.

Dog Obsessed is a great read, filled with real world tips you can use!

Friendship Collars “For the pooch that is spoiled rotten and never forgotten,” a collar for your pet and a matching bracelet just for you; because best friends should match! Available in many different styles and colors. Tell them we sent you! www.friendshipcollars.com

Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

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Annual Fundraising Calendar The annual Delmarva Unleashed calendars are here and you can help us support local canine charities with your purchase. This 13-month calendar is full of stunning photos of Delmarva dogs, get yours at DelmarvaUnleashed.com $14.95, while supply’s last.

Nice Mussels & Joyful Jerky Always a big hit, check out the latest treats from The Honest Kitchen. The 100-percent human-grade treats are minimally processed and free of fillers, by-products, and sugars.

Soggy Doggy Crate Mate The Soggy Doggy Crate Mate’s velvety-soft chenille noodles massage, snuggle and support. The super-absorbent, durable fabric dries five times faster than a typical doormat or cotton towel. It remains odor and bacteria free, and is machine washer/drier friendly, making it a perfect addition to any crate. Psst...the beds are great too!

Chilly Dog Hand knit wool dog sweaters made in eight sizes to fit every dog. That’s right, they even make a XXXL! These are some of the warmest and best quality sweaters you will find out there. Don’t let your dog be left out in the cold! (“Winter is coming!”)

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Holiday 2016

The Golden Paw

Delmarva Unleashed

Canine Favorite

Delmarva Unleashed announces the first Golden Paw Awards. We receive so many phone calls and emails asking for recommendations on pet services across the Shore that we felt it best to get a little more information from our readers.

We don’t know who to suggest in all areas of the Peninsula, so now we will simply refer to this list and hope you will as well.

The following are actual results. You will find categories missing in different areas, those categories were not voted in, within those areas.

Congratulations to these fine businesses voted in the top of their respective categories by the readers of Delmarva Unleashed!

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Holiday 2016

Maryland’s Upper Shore

Groomer

Winner -Bev’s Grooming

Pet Supply

Winner -Bev’s Grooming

Rescue

Winner -Caroline County Humane

Pet Friendly Restaurant

Maryland’s Lower Shore

Veterinary Clinic

Winner -Layfield Veterinary / Pocomoke Runner Up - Ocean City Animal Hospital

Veterinary Rehab Center

Winner -Animal Wellness Center of the Eastern Shore

Alternative Therapy

Winner -Mark Stoehr Acupuncture

Winner -Acorn Market

Groomer

Maryland’s Mid Shore

Pet Supply

Veterinary Clinic

Winner -Michelle’s Pretty Paws Runner Up - Smooches Fur Pooches Winner -Concord Pet Foods & Supplies Runner Up - Johnson Seed & Feed

Winner -Banfield, Easton Runner Up - North Branch Animal Hospital

Trainer

Groomer

Kennel/ Resort

Winner -PetsMart

Pet Supply

Winner -PetsMart

Kennel/ Resort

Winner -Maryland Shore Pet Resort Runner Up - Keverton Kennel

Rescue

Winner -Talbot Humane Runner Up - Baywater Animal Rescue

Pet Friendly Restaurant

Winner -Ava’s Pizzeria, St. Michaels Runner Up - Foxy’s Harbor Grille, St. Michaels

Winner -Smart Pups Runner Up - K-9 Healing Winner -South Paw Pet Resort Runner Up - The Dog House

Doggie Daycare

Winner -All Paws Large & Small

Rescue

Winner -Worcester County Animal Control Runner Up - Wicomico Humane Society

Pet Friendly Restaurant Winner -Fish Tales Runner Up - Macky’s

Pet Friendly Living

Winner -Schumaker Landing Runner Up - Runaway Bay

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Delaware - Sussex

Delaware - Kent

Veterinary Clinic

Veterinary Clinic

Veterinary Rehab Center

Veterinary Rehab Center

Alternative Therapy

Alternative Therapy

Groomer

Groomer

Pet Supply

Pet Supply

Winner -Governor’s Ave. Animal Hospital Winner -Ocean View Animal Hospital Runner Up - Haven Lake Animal Hospital Runner Up - Brenfield South Animal Clinic Winner -The Rehab Center at Haven Lake Winner -The Rehab Center at Haven Lake Animal Hospital Animal Hospital The Rehab Center at Haven Lake Animal The Rehab Center at Haven Lake Animal Hospital Hospital Winner -Wages to Riches Runner Up - My Doggy’s Winner -Concord Pet Foods & Supplies Rehoboth Runner Up - Bryan & Brittingham

Trainer

Winner -Get Your Wag On Runner Up - Dogs & Their Companions

Kennel/ Resort

Winner -Heavenly Hound Runner Up - Otter Tail

Dog Walker

Winner -Hair of the Dog Runner Up - Kozy Klippers Grooming Winner -Yarn & Bone Runner Up - Concord Pet Food & Supplies

Trainer

Winner -Peterson’s Positive Pups Runner Up - Reidel K-9

Rescue

Winner - One More Dog Runner Up - First State Animal Rescue

Pet Friendly Restaurant Winner -The Green Turtle

Winner -For Your Spot

Pet Professional Services

Rescue

Winner - Paws of Tomorrow Runner Up - DESPCA - Georgetown

Winner -Parsell Pet Crematorium

Pet Friendly Restaurant Winner -Summer Salts Runner Up - Arenas

Pet Professional Services Winner -Parsell Pet Crematorium

Virginia’s Eastern Shore

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Holiday 2016

Sorry, but there were no participants in this area.

Delaware - New Castle

Veterinary Clinic

Winner -Veterinary Specialty Center

Groomer

Winner -Barks & Bubbles

Pet Supply

Winner -Petco Christiana Runner Up - Concord Pet Food & Supplies, New Castle

Kennel/ Resort

Winner -Blue Rock Kennel Runner Up- Square Dog Ranch

Rescue

Winner -Delaware Puppy Rescue Runner Up - Brandywine Valley SPCA

Pet Professional Services

Winner -Delaware Pet Crematorium

Dogs & Their Companions Living in Harmony

Come Learn Play

Obedience Agility/Rally Puppy Pre-School AKC Canine Good Citizen Therapy Training Day Camp & Boarding

FREE Consultations

302-228-2107

DogsAndTheirCompanions.com

Room for the whole family, but cuddle up if you prefer!

itsjustabetterhouse.com Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

17

Rabies Revisited Y

ou never really know what the day will bring. There is a great deal of merit in being prepared for adverse situations. Ten years ago I opened the feed room to my barn, and a rabid raccoon rolled out onto my feet. Of course, my dogs were with me, and Chance & Max immediately pounced on the animal. It was quite the overwhelming scene as my dogs grabbed the raccoon. They clearly knew something was wrong with it, and I knew; as it made no effort to fight back. It was just kind of “dumb.”

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Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

by Sandy Phillips

If you aren’t aware, Rabies is endemic on the Shore and in Worcester County in particular. The series of events that followed the raccoon encounter educated me on the subject of rabies, and what happens to your dogs and family when you are exposed. I can’t tell you how thankful I was the dogs were protected with a rabies shot!

I have written articles before, in fact, I did a series about rabies prevention and why it’s so very important to protect your dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and other pets. Maryland requires continuous rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets over four months old and it is highly recommended for horses and other select livestock. Knowing that it’s fatal should offer caution enough, but with the growing number of confirmed cases on the Shore, this bears some repetition.

One recent morning, after the DU pack went for a walk in the park, we returned home, mid-day, to another rabies adventure. Jax alerted us to the intruder’s presence and his partner in crime, Zoe, was by his side. Both ready to fight, when we humans arrived to investigate the commotion.

We saw a perfectly normal looking raccoon chillin’ along the edge of the woods. By now the rest of the pack was on the scene, and as we tried to curb our dogs, Marla just leaped for the raccoon and grabbed it.

Now, consider the fact that not only was this a raccoon out and about during mid-day, but I used the word “chillin.” What healthy raccoon would have an

attitude like “whatcha dogs doing?” A healthy raccoon would have run for its life when faced with a pack of dogs!

It appeared rather intoxicated and unstable, that classic “dumb” look, I had seen before.

Not all rabid animals appear with the frothy mouth and aggression, in fact, according to local statistics, few do. The animal may appear intoxicated or uncoordinated. Maybe like it is unaware of it’s surroundings or what’s happening.

Worcester County Health Department tells us, “animals with rabies tend to make poor choices, if the animal is acting out of character, there is likely cause for concern.” Remember rabies is a neurological sickness; you may notice cognition or motor problems too. There may be drooling, but rarely is the theatrical presentation of aggressive teeth bearing, foaming mouth seen. This “dumb” presentation is just as dangerous. An immediate call to your local law enforcement is in order. They will remove the animal for testing.

For us, it was on Labor Day weekend and of course, it can be difficult to reach county offices on a holiday, however, Animal Control is on call 24/7 and a call to our Sheriff’s office put the wheels in motion.

My next call was to my veterinarian, as the next step was to be sure the dogs were protected. Marla, having had direct contact, needed to have an evaluation. Because we didn’t see the entire interaction, we remained unaware if any of the other dogs had physical contact with the raccoon, so all of the dogs received a booster shot and check-up. This is standard protocol for rabies exposure, even if

your dog is current on his vaccine.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends a booster for maximum protection, and you want to get the shot as soon as possible.

If your dog or cat is current on their shots, it’s simply an exercise. This would have been a whole different story if they were not current on their vaccines. I can’t tell you enough how important it is when this type of situation strikes to have the peace of mind that your dogs have current vaccines. Rabies is not pretty and is fatal, period.

There would also be an investigation

by Animal Control and the Health Department. Keep in mind that their jobs are to protect the humans, and they simply do not play games where rabies is concerned, the risk is too great. These people are acting on your behalf, so welcome them with open arms. If your dogs or cats are current on rabies vaccines, it’s not a big deal at all.

IF, IF you failed to get your pets shots, it will be an ordeal, and honestly, you should not complain to the authorities if YOU failed to protect your dog. Their job is to protect the public. Rabies shots are $5 at a rabies clinic, DO NOT TAKE CHANCES, you won’t like the outcome, and it could cost your dog’s life.

I would have said that even seeing a rabid animal in my lifetime was a long shot, let alone seeing 2. It’s a growing problem on the Shore; we do need to take it seriously and educate ourselves on how to protect our families from the disease.

To date, local authorities report a growing number of cats testing Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

19

positive for rabies. This means you should make sure your outdoor cats are vaccinated against rabies and be conscious of stray cats, just as much as other outsiders that might come in contact with your family as well.

Others include skunks, groundhogs, fox, and opossums. If an animal does not seem to act right, report it. None of those animals should confront a dog, particularly if the dog is the larger of the two.

On the last rabies adventure, I was amazed at the number of stray cats that were trafficking my barn. I discovered that any leftover food was being eaten by the strays. It was just something I had never given any thought to. When Animal Control insisted that I must have midnight visitors, I thought they must be wrong because, I had rarely seen any other cats. However, as traps were set, several were caught. It was a real eye-opener for me.

The barn kitties were changed to a new feeding routine where they only had food on the ground while barn chores were being completed and it was picked up when we left the barn.

If you feed any outside cats, you are putting your entire family, humans and dogs at risk. There are surely other cats or animals that visit and raccoons love cat food too! An unattended, empty food pan will draw visitors, even if it’s just to investigate the smell held by the pan. The Health Department recommends that you feed your outside cats in a bowl or pan that can be picked up and brought into the house after meal time. Also tidy the area in case there is spillage.

Cats are smart and will know at what time the food is put out each day. They will adjust, and you will lessen the 20

Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

chances of a stray exposing your pets.

While this is a healthy practice for the entire family, it’s no substitute for the vaccine. Be sure your outside pets are vaccinated too!

Keep in mind that the Animal Control and the staff at the Health Department are professionals, and they have seen rabies incidents before.

Unfortunately, they have a great deal of experience, as the endemic continues. Again, welcome them, they are there to help. I don’t know of any Animal Control or Health Department staff in our area that doesn’t have a pet at home, and they totally understand what you’re going through. Whatever they ask you to do is for everyone’s protection. Remember, if your pets are current on their vaccines it’s just an exercise.

Carl

Mark Stoehr MAc LAc Certified Animal Acupuncturist mastoehr@hotmail.com marksacu.com

410-707-1540

Ocean City & Ocean View Animal Hospitals

Full Service Veterinary Hospitals Exceptional Care available Mon-Sat.

John Maniatty, V.M.D. Anne Flood, D.V.M. MaryHelen Staruch, V.M.D. Debra J. Offenbacker D.V.M.

410.213.1170 11843 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City. MD

oceancityvet.com

302.539.2273

118 Atlantic Ave., Suite 101, Ocean View, DE

oceanviewanimalhospital.com

Delmarva Unleashed

Holiday 2016

21

The Way A Puppy Grows

by Amanda Abresch, B.S., ABCDT, APDT, CPDT-KA

M

ost people know that if choosing to purchase from a breeder, it is important to pick a good one. We know that a good breeder will take care of their pups and will be there to support you for the lifetime of your dog, and probably beyond that.

Let me stop here and just mention that I don’t believe that buying from a breeder is the only way to know what you are getting or the best or only way to obtain a new fuzzy family member.

I think that if those who want a very specific dog go for a breeder. No matter where you get your dog, as long as you provide a good home, I think you are a good person.

Back to the point- one of the reasons it is important to pick a reputable breeder is that you can rest assured 22

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Holiday 2016

that the initial environment is the best possible one for your new family member. After all, that is where they will spend their first 8-10 weeks of life.

As an example of the impact of early environment, I have a client who has two dogs from of the same breeder, same bloodline, bought a few years apart. I’ll call them Fuzzy and Fido, since those aren’t their real names.

Fido is the older one that they got a few years ago. He is friendly, social, accepting of people and has been from the beginning. Fuzzy is reactive, nips people, barks at almost every noise, and has since they brought them home. When they got Fido from the breeder, the pups were brought into the house where the puppies and their

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momma were living with the human family. They were exposed to the family including children, older family members, and cats. When Fuzzy was born, the dogs were staying in a nice house of their own without people constantly around. In both cases, they were well cared for, clean and physically healthy. Fuzzy's litter was not exposed to various people and other animals. Fuzzy is reactive and fearful; Fido is friendly and confident.

Weird, right? Well, not really if you understand canine development: Neonatal Period: Days 1-12 The puppy is pretty helpless at this stage, eyes and ears are not open, motor skills are limited, they cannot regulate their body temperature and need stimulation (licking by momma) to pee or poop. Puppies in this stage will whine or cry to attract their mother's attention, and already have a sense of balance, taste, smell, touch and can detect changes in temperature (meaning they will move toward warmth).

Even at this stage, the environment will shape the puppy. Gentle handling such as picking up and holding and moving to a slightly different surface for a short period of time (less than a minute) will help the puppy later on: Transitional Period: Days 11-21 Motor and sensory skills start to develop, eyes and ears open, and they start to walk instead of crawl with trepidation. Their teeth are coming in, so they can start on soft meals (sometimes regurgitated by their momma), even though they will still be nursing for a few more weeks. Louder vocalization occurs when they are left in a new environment, and since they can hear, 24

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they will initially startle at noises. At this age, they also start to navigate away from their nest or den to go potty, because they can go potty without mom's help and realize that they don't want to sleep near that. Up until this point, their sweet momma has probably been eating their poop. The puppy is able to adapt to new stimuli and develops the senses through experiencing new stimuli like handling, playing with toys, experiencing new types of floor, bedding and climbing on stuff (not unlike human babies).

Play fighting will begin during this time, and positive reinforcement training can be used to teach them (by their mom or their humans). An interesting side note, potty training is already starting at this point and what happens here will have a lasting impact. Pups who are not allowed to leave the den to potty will have a much harder time with house training.

Socialization Period: Weeks 4-14 Social play is the primary endeavor at this time, as puppies are learning social cues and subsequently, the rules of normal play. This is also the time when they learn all about people, i.e., what they are and what they do. Puppies can be taught cues and behaviors using positive reinforcement, and they are learning about bite inhibition from their litter-mates. Spending time with people and their litter will ensure a well-rounded dog who is comfortable in different social settings. Through play fighting, they experiment with biting, grabbing, shaking and holding.

Puppies start to learn about bite inhibition when litter mates yelp at too hard a nip or grab. The yelp will (typically) stop play for a moment because of the

alarming sound. If a puppy does not have the opportunity to interact with people and other dogs, they may have long-term fears of them.

Hold on, Now here's a really important part of the Socialization Period: Fear Imprint Period: Weeks 8-10 (or later) At this point in development, puppies will retain fearful experiences/stimuli which they encounter.

"If five week old Beagle puppies were punished (e.g., with an electric shock for approaching a person), they showed fear but approached that person again when retested later. If the puppies were between 8 and nine weeks of age, they would retain the fear of that person...Any aversive experience during this time is to be avoided, since it may have lifelong

effects on emotionality, anxiety, fear, hyperactivity and reactivity and aggressiveness." *1 That's it, just the first few months of a puppy's life and look at all that has happened in such short time! All of that stuff a puppy experiences before you even meet them for the first time does impact who they will be.

There are more stages of development that your dog goes through, but we will look at that another time. If you want to know more, you should check out the two books that I cited here; they are both great reading.

Citations: *Small Animal Pediatrics, by Michael Peterson and Michelle A. Kutzler. Page 190-191 Resources: -Raising Puppies and Kids Together, by Pia Silvani and Lynn Eckhardt . -Small Animal Pediatrics, by Michael Peterson and Michelle A. Kutzler.

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Holiday’s Hidden Dangers

by John Maniatty V.M.D.

T

he holiday season is upon us, and we need to find that perfect accent for the home. It could be seasonal candy placed in a dish, Decorations or lights to highlight an area or a floral arrangement or plant to brighten up a room. These can look great but also be tempting to eat or play with for our pets. Knowing what is safe or needs to be placed high up or away will hopefully prevent an unwanted trip to the veterinarian.

Candies, cookies, and cakes are wonderful holiday traditions that I love to indulge in. Unfortunately, the nicely wrapped chocolates in sufficient quantity can be toxic to a dog.

A 10 lb. dog only need to eat 18 milk chocolate Hershey kisses or 10 milk chocolate Hershey miniature bars to have seizures and tremors. If your dog has ingested chocolate find out what type, how much in ounces, and your dogs weight. Then go to veterinaryclinic.com/chocolate/calc.html and 26

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put in the information. This will help let you know if you need veterinary help immediately. Besides chocolates some sugar-free candies, gums, peanut butter, and cookies can contain xylitol which if ingested in sufficient quantity can cause the dogs liver to shut down and triggers the pancreas to release insulin causing low blood sugar.

This can lead to weakness, vomiting, seizures and even death. One of the season's most used fruits, raisins, can cause kidney failure in dogs. They believe the toxin is in the skin of the raisin/grape. That is why you may see some supplements with grape seed extract and those supplements are believed to be safe. Candies or cookies made with Macadamia nuts are also toxic to dogs causing symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, fever, vomiting, and tremors. Seek immediate veterinary medical care if you suspect ingestion of any of these foods.

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or dried. To varying degree, all of the toxic plants can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Poinsettia has gotten a lot of attention for being toxic, but the sap in the leaves is only irritating to the mouth and stomach. If the leaves are eaten in sufficient quantity, it may cause vomiting but usually nothing more. While Holly and Ivy, also very common plant decorations, are more toxic but still only cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. For both of these, the leaves are more toxic than the berries.

To find a more extensive list of plants to determine if they are safe or toxic visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/ animal-poison-control/toxic-and-nontoxic-plants.

Knowing the possible dangers and how to pet proof your home from them should hopefully allow you to have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season. I hope you can relax, enjoy, and spend time with family, friends and your pets.

God Bless.

1) Linear Foreign body- A string, rope, fishing line or any thin linear material that can get caught in a twist in the intestine leading it to bunch up leading to obstruction. It can perforate the bowel.

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Decorations look nice, but we must remember cats enjoy batting them around and chewing on them and dogs enjoy eating them. Christmas tree ornaments and lights have occasionally been an interesting treat. If ingested we need to radiograph to see how much or little is in them. If they have not ingested too much or if it is small enough to pass without danger then we can give them a high fiber easy on the stomach diet such as w/d or Royal Canin fiber response diet. If it obstructs them, then we need to do surgery to remove. Tinsel seems innocuous but can create a linear foreign body (1) in the right quantity at the right place in the gastrointestinal tract. The fake berries on garland can attract a dog or cat and be the perfect obstructive foreign body.

Be sure to place them high and away from where your pet could get them.

The plastics themselves can be toxic so read the labels on the package carefully before purchase.

The Holiday season is a perfect time to send and receive plants and floral arrangements. Be sure to know what is toxic and what is safe. Common plants that are toxic are Poinsettias, Amaryllis, Freckles (Clematis Cirrhosa), Iris unguicularis (Mary Barnard), Christmas Rose, Lily (toxic to cats, not dogs), Gardenias, Paper White, and Peace Lily. Non-Toxic plants are Christmas Cactus and Winter Jasmine.

Of those that are toxic the Amaryllis, Paper White and Mistletoe are the most toxic. The Paper White and Mistletoe can both affect the heart and gastrointestinal tract. All three can cause tremors and seizures. With Amaryllis and Paper White the bulbs are the most dangerous part of the plant. With Mistletoe it is the berries, either fresh

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by Jaclyn Wolinski, D.V.M.

Sharing the Holidays With Your Pet. P

ets are steadily gaining their rightful place as a valued member of the family. Holidays are when we take the time to focus on our loved ones and share special moments with them.

How can you safely include your four-legged family members in the festivities?

Thanksgiving is a day for food, family, and football. This sounds like most dogs' idea of heaven and they can participate in all three, in their own way.

First of all, be sure your dog is ready to properly greet family members by teaching them some basic obedience.

Most two-legged family members appreciate a dog who doesn't jump up during a greeting and one who doesn't beg at the table. Consider giving your dog a special toy or treat in a separate room or on their own plate away from the table. Be sure to adjust the portion size according to your dogs ideal body weight. Small portions of lean turkey, carrots and green beans are ideal. Be sure to avoid turkey skin, onions, nuts, and any other high – fat foods. Let 30

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everyone's food settle and digest for at least an hour before engaging in two and four-legged ball games.

Next up is Christmas and I think we all agree that our pets deserve a special treat under the tree. Some dogs maybe coy enough to pick through wrapping paper to find their treat, but don't be disappointed if your pet needs a little help finding which package is his or hers. Choose a toy appropriate for your dogs appetite and chew level.

Last, but not least, everyone looks forward to New Year's. Many of us make resolutions and that can extend to our pets. The number one New Year's resolution for 2016 was to lose weight. Be honest and consult your veterinarian if you think you your pet needs to lose weight. Portion control and appropriate food is paramount, but consistent exercise is also important. If cold weather inhibits outdoor activities, consider finding a doggy day care or rehab center with an underwater treadmill or indoor pool deck provide indoor exercise all season long.

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