ANIMAL WELLNESS
JUNE/JULY 2010
AnimalWELLNESS For a long, healthy life!
Summer issue!
Living pawsitive!
CANINE LIFESAVERS SimplyDill-icious Find out why dill is the Top Herb of 2010 ANIMAL WELLNESS MAGAZINE
TAKE HIM TO DOG CAMP!
KA-BOOM! Fireworks safety for your dog or cat
THE “DISH” ON PET BOWLS
MEET PANCHO
– OUR COVER CONTEST
WINNER!
See inside for his story
How to choose the right dishes
HOW TO pamper YOUR POOCH ON THE ROAD
Relaxing moves Try this 5-step dog yoga session TRENDY TRAVEL
ACCESSORIES
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 3
JUNE/JULY Display until July 13, 2010
$5.95 USA/Canada
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 3
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AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
4/22/10 2:42:02 PM
Contents June/July 2010
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90 features 18 Canine lifesavers
You know how important human blood donors are. The same applies in veterinary medicine. Here’s a look at donor dogs and how the process works.
22 Pamper your pooch
Luxury hotels and resorts aren’t just for people anymore. Some are also opening their doors to companion animals. Find out which ones will welcome your dog, and what they can offer him.
26 Simply “dillicious”
It’s the Top Herb of 2010. Flavorful and easy to use, dill adds extra pizzazz and nutrition to your companion’s diet.
32 Relaxing moves
Try this five-step yoga session at home with your dog or cat, and notice how much better you feel afterwards!
40 Camping goes to the dogs
Dog camps are a popular vacation trend for those who enjoy having fun and spending quality time outdoors with their canine companions. Here’s what to expect.
46 Groom like a pro
Want to recreate that spiffy salon look at home? Follow these 8 tips for success.
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50 12 tips for paralysis
With the proper care, and lots of love and attention, many paralyzed animals can live long and happy lives.
54 Great American roadtrip
Check out these unique travel accessories for animals, all designed to make the journey as comfortable, safe and enjoyable as possible.
58 Our Cover Canine winner!
Meet Pancho, the winner of our Cover Dog Photo and Story Contest.
60 Healing waters
Is your dog recovering from an injury or surgery, or in need of some extra exercise? A hydrotherapy program could hasten his return to fitness.
68 Ka-boom!
Fireworks are fun for us, but they can terrify dogs and cats. Know how to calm and comfort your companion during this summer’s celebrations.
74 Freedom regained
Canine carts and wheelchairs get disabled dogs moving again.
76 Rescuing Romania’s strays
This Eastern European country has been through a lot of upheaval over the last two
decades, and its homeless animals have suffered more than most. ROLDA brings hope to these needy dogs and cats.
79 Nuts about coconuts
How a family tradition became a successful business sharing the benefits of coconut oil with people and animals around the world.
80 Heartworm… an integrative approach Some diseases require conventional medications to prevent and treat them, and heartworm is one. But natural therapies can reduce your dog’s risk of being infected.
84 No cocoa
Mulch looks great in the garden. It’s attractive, protects your plants and makes life easier for you. But make sure you don’t buy cocoa mulch – it can be toxic to dogs.
89 The whole picture
Looking for a comprehensive resource on healthy diets for dogs? This couple’s focus on education and quality products gives their company a truly holistic edge.
90 The “dish” on bowls
You wouldn’t eat your meals off just anything, so why should your dog or cat? Learn how to choose the right food and water dishes for your companion.
40 Columns
14 Yakkity yak 30 Warm & fuzzy
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64 Dr. Martin Goldstein
Departments
86 Communication 92 Passages
104 Tail end
94 Book reviews
8 Editorial 12 Mail bag 63 Product picks 70
Animal Wellness resource guide
82 The scoop 96 Ad spots
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101 Classifieds animal wellness
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If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a blood transfusion, you know how important blood donors are. The same applies in veterinary medicine. Here’s a look at donor dogs and how the process works. by Sara Jackson
H
opefully, your dog will never need a blood transfusion. But if he does, know that thanks to canine blood donors across the country, he won’t be denied this life-saving procedure.
Before the introduction of animal blood banks, veterinarians had to use their own dogs, or those borrowed from clients. Today, people can volunteer their dogs as donors at established blood banks around the country. As well, rescue dogs are often housed and cared for at blood bank facilities and used as donors. The first non-profit national blood bank for dogs was founded in 1991 by veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds. Hemopet provides blood components and supplies, thereby setting new standards for safe and effective transfusions. The blood is provided by 175 greyhounds rescued from the
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racing industry. The dogs are kept on site in a healthy, loving and stimulating environment and receive 24/7 veterinary care and maintenance. Each year, Hemopet distributes approximately 14,000 half pints of blood throughout North America and Hong Kong. There are now a number of veterinary blood bank programs around the country at universities, private clinics and businesses. The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences maintains an on-call list of privately-owned dog and cat donors for its blood bank.
What are the requirements? Not just any dog can become a blood donor. He needs to be healthy and protected from infectious diseases. Some programs will exclude female dogs if they’ve had puppies.
According to Dr. Dodds, the typical age range for blood donors is between oneand-a-half and eight years. Ideal donors are large breeds that are easy going and have the “universal” blood donor type. “The true ‘universal’ donor dog is negative for all red blood cell surface antigens (proteins) except DEA4,” explains Dr. Dodds. A dog considered the “universal” donor type is the equivalent of a person who is Type O negative. Dogs possess over a dozen blood types, but only between 40% to 45% have the “universal” type. A dog’s first visit to the local donation center or blood drive location involves an interview with his person to examine his or her willingness to comply with the program’s requirements. Blood banks look for people dedicated to bringing their dogs in to donate on a regularly scheduled basis. Depending on the program, this could mean anywhere between every eight weeks and four months. It’s important to keep in mind that not all states allow volunteer donor programs. “In California, commercial animal blood banks by law cannot operate as a volunteer program,” explains Dr. Dodds. “Like Hemopet, anyone wanting to offer animal blood products for sale in California must have a ‘closed’ donor colony, and be licensed by the California Department of Food & Agriculture. We have a biologics license from the State of California, and are inspected annually.” At Texas A&M, donor dogs and cats must be no younger than a year old and
Ideal donors are large breeds that are easy going and have the “universal” blood donor type. animal wellness
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