Central Ohio PetConnections Jan-Feb 2016 Digital Edition

January/February, 2016 Volume 2 • Issue 1

CENTRAL OHIO

PetConnections wellness through the human-animal bond

FREE February is Pet Dental Health Month!

Colic in the Horse Central Ohio’s #1 Resource for Everything Pets

“THE GREATEST PET SHOW ON EARTH” BUCKEYE BUILDING

3 BIG DAYS!

MARCH 11-12-13 FRI 1 pm-8 pm SAT 10 am-7pm SUN 11am-5 pm

New Pet Product Showcase Non-Stop Pet Entertainment, Seminars, Shopping, plus ... the

ColumbusPetExpo.com www.ColumbusPetExpo.com Giant Kids World • Classic K-9 Arena DockDogs Diving Competition Sponsored by Johnny Peers Muttville Comix Show Reptile Exhibit • Lhamas • Horses

1 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

The 22nd Annual All American Columbus Pet Expo 2016 with

Go Cat and Central Ohio with PetConnections Magazine The 22nd Annual All American Columbus Pet Expo, co-produced by PetConnections Magazine this year, returns to the Ohio Expo Center on March 11-13, 2016! DockDogs are back with Blue Buffalo sponsoring again this year! Exhibitor booths, including shelter and rescue organizations, will be onsite at this premier pet event March 11-13.

The 22nd Annual All American Columbus Pet Expo is the largest consumer pet tradeshow on the United States! It is an unbeatable, locally produced, one-stop venue for pet products and services! There are more than 200 exhibits and a Pet Product Showcase and also pet entertainment and hands-on attractions for the whole family, covering almost 2 acres of indoor space and much more…

Over the past 21 years, up to 25,000 annually have attended The All American Columbus Pet Expo event. The combination of Pet Entertainment, Pet Training, Demos, Educational Exhibits and Seminars teach the public in a fun way about responsible pet ownership. Our theme for the All American Columbus Pet Expo has

always been “Think Adoption First.” We promote adoption of hundreds of homeless animals in the 6th Annual Mega Pet Adoption Event, held within our Expo. Over 40 non-profit animal rescue groups, Sanctuaries, Humane Societies and Animal Shelters participate in the Mega Pet Adoption Event.

Our rescues and breed rescue groups are participating and presenting their organizations and adoptable dogs in the Meet the Rescue Presentations, as show is breeder vendor-free. The 6th Annual Mega Adoption Event is responsible for hundreds of pet adoptions from the show over the past 5 years. This year we are donating proceeds from rescue group ticket sales and also the Pet Pass registration fee to all rescue groups attending the show.

SPECIAL OFFER if you wish to attend the show Visit www.ColumbusPetExpo. com to purchase discount tickets, read our pet policy and register for pet passes. Also, to enter and vote in our Dress Up Your Pet, Pet Look Alike and Pet Expo Music Video Band contests!

HIGHLIGHTS: Three-day extravaganza and featured entertainment will have show times announced on www.columbuspetexpo.com: • M att Bilderback & His High Performing Canines - See the champion canine disc dogs in action!

• D ockDogs Dog Diving Competitions • C lassic K-9 with Ken Scarnegie Agility Show in DOG WORLD ARENA • J ohnny Peers and the Muttville Comix Show – JOHNNY PEERS AND THE MUTTVILLE COMIX STAGE • I JA SANCTIONED RESCUE ME, RODEO GROOMING COMPETITION—from the beginner groomer to the most advanced this competition is perfect for you • E XHIBITORS—check out more than 200 pet-friendly exhibit booths • M EGA PET ADOPTION—Find Your Best Friend waiting for you!

• M eet the Rescue Breeds Presentations • D ress up Your Pet and Pet Look Alike Contests!

www.ColumbusPetExpo.com

www.pghpetconnections.com

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Blue Buffalo Presents Dock Dogs​​ Bring your dog to compete or just to try dock diving for the first time. This is an amateur competition. Does your dog have what it takes to be a champion?

Classic K-9 and Ken ​ Scarnegie Dog agility to music, High jump performances, and even take a shot at a Guinness World Record! Also a dress up your pet and stupid pet tricks contest! The Dog World Arena - 3 Shows Daily

​Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix

Matt Bilderback & His High Performance Canines

This is a slapstick comedy act like no other. Johnny leads over a dozen dogs through challenging and hilarious tricks as Johnny plays the straight man role in this wonderful show.

Over 10 years in canine disc they with 3 World Championships, 2 world records, multiple time long distance championships, and numerous national, international, and world championship appearances to their name.

Come see these amazing athletes in action and learn how to train your next disc dog!

Meet the Rescue Breeds Presentations Rescue groups will feature numerous dog breeds and introduce you to their history and habits. Visit them at the Animal Rescue booths and on the Main Stage Make sure to visit the

Mega Pet Adoption

area of the show.

There will be so many animals that need a forever home!

REPTILE WORLD featuring 50 species

Llama World Visit the llamas and check out the llama fiber product booth! ​Ongoing Every Day

In addition to producing The All American Columbus Pet Expo, Show Founder, Steve Cantin has promoted other highly successful consumer trade shows around the country. He is the national sales manager of Go Cat feather toys. With over 35 years in the trade show management business, his knowledge and attention to detail, make for a profitable experience for vendors and a fun time for attendees!

The Expo Exhibitor, sponsorship and Show Program ad opportunities, offer your organization an excellent way to be recognized as a supporter of this effort, and receive maximum exposure from people attending – plus receive thousands of impressions from our extensive advertising campaigns. The Expo has numerous packages available that will give your company the opportunity to be involved with these great community events.

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IJA Sanctioned Rescue Me, Rodeo Grooming Competition

International Judges Association for Dog Grooming Competition is hosting their famous Rescue Me Dog Grooming Competitions, Educational Seminars and Training Courses at expos throughout the USA. —dedicated to man’s best friend and tailored to competitors of all levels.

If you can snip, clip, bathe, brush, and dry, saddle up and pack your grooming gear for the Columbus Pet Expo. From the beginner groomer to the most advanced, this competition is perfect for you. Help find homes for rescue dogs in the Columbus area, as you compete for great prizes and work towards attaining your IJA Certification.

Fun-filled activities for the kids and face painting, Henna tattoos and animal balloons

by Maddy

NEW PET PRODUCT SHOWCASE This year our new Pet Products Showcase will exhibit vendor and non-vendor pet products and also a literature rack for products and services. The showcase will is also a great opportunity for national and local vendors and attendees to see what you offer, and also new industry products.

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NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

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SHOW OFFICE

SPIN THE WHEEL CONTEST Win a year of free pet food!

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SHOW INFO

Expertly designed so you won’t miss all the nonstop shopping and entertainment!

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REPTILE WORLD

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JOHNNY PEERS MUTTVILLE COMIX SHOW

Floor Plan For The All American Columbus Pet Expo

Steve Cantin

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ENTRANCE

Table of Contents

06

| January/February, 2016 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1

12

HUMANANIMAL BOND

PET HEALTH & WELLNESS

Animal Assisted Therapy

Pet Dental Health Month!

16 1-3 22nd Annual All American Columbus Pet Expo

14 Behavior & Training

7 PetConnections Resource Directories

16 Holistic Pet Care

8 Rescue & Shelter Help is a Four-Legged Word.™

9 Wildlife Tips For Stopping Springtime Window Attacks

10 Kitty Korner Read Your Feline’s Body Language!

Trained Dogs Can Do More!

5 Feeding Tips for a Remarkably Healthier Pet in 2016

18 Equine Affairs Colic in the Horse (Part 1 of 3)

20 Wellness For Guardians The Beauty of Technical Difficulties Inside Back Cover R emembrance Bishop

11 Advertiser Locator

Paws in the Plaza

Upcoming Events

WHEN: the first Thursday of every

month. (April - Oct.) Starts at 4:30. End time varies according to sunset.

WHAT: a special evening to spend with your favorite four-legged friend WHERE: all around the Olde Gahanna downtown area / Mill Street / Creekside Plaza. (117 Mill St.) (Gahanna Exit/Rt 62) www.oldegahanna.com/paws_in_the_plaza

4 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

MARCH 11, 12 & 13

The 22nd All American Columbus Pet Expo www.columbuspetexpo.com

“THINK ADOPTION FIRST”

Mega Adoption Event at the Expo

From the Publisher Welcome to our Central Ohio PetConnections Magazine!

January/February, 2016 Volume 2 • Issue 1 News & Events We are excited and very pleased to announce our recent partnership to coproduce with The All American Columbus Pet Expo being held at the Ohio Expo Center, March 11-13!

Please see the inside front cover Expo spread and our event page for upcoming events here in Central OH!

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES PLEASE SUBMIT ANY CORRESPONDENCE TO: info@pghpetconnections.com 412-238-4233 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS BI-MONTHLY Published by: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. Pittsburgh PetConnections LLC. was formed in 2012. Our mission is to publish a high quality, informative publication focused on the Human-Animal Bond. We support local businesses and also assist local non-profit businesses for pets and people, to give back to our great Central Ohio communities.

MAGAZINE PUBLICATION STAFF Carla Mader, Managing Editor Susan Wagner, DVM, Content Editor Jaimee D. Greenawalt, Graphic Design Carla Mader, Sales & Distribution Manager CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Our contributing writers have many years of combined experience and expertise in the fields of veterinary medicine and the Human-Animal Bond.

All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2016

Cover photo: Matt Bilderback & his High Performance Canines have competed in canine disc for over 10 years and have a total of 3 World Championships, 2 world records, multiple time long distance championships, and numerous national, international and world championship appearances to their name. Come see these amazing athletes in action and learn how to train your next disc dog.

This Issue Our cover for this issue features Matt Bilderback and his High Performance canine in action. See him live at the All American Columbus Pet Expo!

Read about our featured organization, Canine Companions of North Central Ohio.

Read about Animal Assisted Therapy by Susan Wagner, February is National Pet Dental Month by Vonda Fichera, Colic in the Horse part 1, by Dr. Burks, Wellness for Guardians

by Carisa Holmes from the All Life Community, Wildlife Section, by the Ohio Wildlife Center and much more!

We thank our advertisers & sponsors, the All Life Community for sponsoring our Wellness for Guardian section, ASPCA Pet Insurance, Crystal Remembrance, Beaver Animal Clinic, and Canine Health.

Steve Cantin

PetConnections supports local organizations and small business and we have established a community network of readers, writers, advertising sponsors and distribution points. Please support our advertising sponsors! See their locations on the map page. Check out our PetConnections Resource Directories for categorized listings.

The award-winning Pittsburgh PetConnections edition started publishing monthly in September of 2012-14 and is now bi-monthly and multi-regional. PetConnections has grown to be the #1 free resource for news, expert information on everything pets, as well as wellness for people with the PetConnections directories, event calendars both online and in print, in both Central Ohio and Pittsburgh. Our award-winning content was recognized by the Dog Writers Association of America.

We also have a partnership with BENN Advertising Solutions to offer more targeted and effective marketing and advertising campaigns to our sponsors for Central Ohio.

Creating awareness and raising preference for our sponsors, our print and digital editions of PetConnections magazine has become a trusted resource. Our media partnership packages now offer a unique and powerful combination of print and digital issues with a demand side platform for digital advertising with BENN, which can lead to more targeted, measurable and responsive campaigns. BENN is very competitive with DSP, offering 4 platforms and in-house campaign managers to optimize, track and report campaign progress!

For PetConnections Advertising inquiries contact: 412-738-4233 info@pghpetconnections.com PetConnections is also looking to grow our team with additional sales account manager professionals.

We encourage you to subscribe to PetConnections Magazine, as our readership is growing! Even though PetConnections is free at select locations, reserve your personal copy to be mailed every issue! Visit www.pghpetconnections.com to subscribe today!

Submit your photos and stories, as well as remembrances to be featured online and in future issues to: info@pghpetconnections.com.

Warmly,

Carla Mader Publisher Pittsburgh & Central Ohio PetConnections Magazine Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.pghpetconnections.com Follow PghPetMag on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine www.pghpetconnections.com

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Human-Animal Bond The Human-Animal Bond & Animal Assisted Therapy

By Dr. Susan Wagner

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nimals teach us about compassion, trust, boundaries and unconditional caring. Assistance animals have a long tradition of service in the United States, with guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and disability dogs being well respected members of our communities. Police and military dogs have given their lives for their handlers, perhaps the ultimate test of the human animal bond.

Animal assisted therapy programs have been utilized for physical disorders since the late 1800’s, and are currently gaining recognition within the medical and behavioral health arenas. Several species of animals have been used to treat a variety of physical and emotional disorders. These include dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, llamas, reptiles and even insects.

a humbling experience.

The toughest troubled child can’t make a horse do something it doesn’t want to do! Horses can also be invaluable in teaching about boundaries and empowerment. While they can’t be forced to move, they can be trained to. A person’s sense of accomplishment when a huge animal does what they want is a wonderful gift.

Evidence also exists that nurturing animals can be as beneficial to the person as it is to the patient. As people assist animals in healing, they themselves can be healed. Although this at first glance doesn’t appear to be animal assisted therapy, it most certainly is!

As these programs increase in popularity, so does research as to their effectiveness.

Valuable work has been published in the area of physical rehabilitation. For example, electromyography was used to measure muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy undergoing equine assisted therapy (hippotherapy) and children experiencing passive stretching.

Studies have also been done to investigate the role of pets as “therapy” animals. Veterinarians have long understood the importance of pets in their guardian’s lives. Some clients have no family other than the pet, and the loss of that animal can be devastating. Nursing home residents can form a deep connection to a visiting or residence animal, which can help heal the sense of loss they feel in leaving their homes and family. Nursing home pets have even attended funerals at the request of the deceased.

Results showed that the hippotherapy group exhibited improved muscle symmetry whereas the passive stretching group did not. Interesting work has also been done using animals as adjuncts to psychotherapy. Therapists report that animals help people express themselves more freely. Children with emotional disturbances will often trust an animal long before another human being. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy adds another dimension to behavioral services. Working with a thousand pound horse builds confidence, while at the same time being

Science is now catching up with this anecdotal evidence on animals’ effect on our health and well being. Pets have been shown to reduce heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety. One study revealed that patients with heart disease and arrhythmias were more likely to be alive one year later if they owned a dog. Beck and Glickman wrote in 1987 “all future studies of human health should consider the presence or absence of a pet in the home…as a significant variable. No future study of human health should be considered comprehensive if the ani-

6 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

mals with which they share their lives are not included.

Pets have been shown to reduce heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety.

New applications for animal assisted therapy are much needed. With the US population growing more and more unhealthy, medical costs are increasing at an alarming rate. Obesity is now an epidemic. Public health officials project that this generation will be the first to have a life expectancy less than their parents because of obesity related diseases. Stress related complaints account for 60 – 90% of physician visits, with health care costs being 147% higher in stressed or depressed workers.

Violence has become a common occurrence on the news, and younger and younger children are becoming victims and perpetrators. Nearly 2 million children are seriously abused every year, 2 million women are battered and almost 1 million parents are beaten or abused by their children. The tolls of our current wars in our military personnel physically and emotionally can only be imagined. At this time, the Army estimates that one in six soldiers is suffering from depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder, and the number could increase to one in three. Animal assisted therapy can be utilized in all of these settings, and more. As animals are used for different indications, further outcome studies are imperative in gauging their validity.

Dr. Susan Wagner is a board certified veterinary neurologist whose pioneering work acknowledges the bioenergetic interaction between people and animals. She is an advocate for change in the area of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty, and works toward a greater understanding surrounding the health implications of the human-animal bond. Dr. Wagner is a Level IV Healing Touch for Animals practitioner and co-author of Through A Dog’s Ear. PC

Directories Adoption, Rescues & Shelters

Avian & Exotics MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets (Hilliard) 614-870-0480 medvetforpets.com

Dog Parks Alum Creek Dog Park www.alumcreekdogpark.com Companion Club Dog Park 740-881-2000 www.columbusdogpark.com Godown Road Dog Park www. worthingtondogpark.com Heritage Trail Dog Park www.hilliardohio.gov/play/heritage-trail-dog-park Pizzurro Park and “Dog Park� www.gahanna.gov/departments/parks/ communityParks.aspx

Equestrian Central Ohio Riding Club 614-873-6644 centralohioridingclub.com Equus Now! 740-549-4959 Equusnow.com OSU Veterinary Medical Center 614-292-6661 vet.osu.edu/vmc/

Landscaping & Lawncare Finlandscape 740-927-1994 www.finlandscape.com Good Nature Organic Lawn Care 888-529-6723 www.whygoodnature.com

PetButler of Central Ohio 1-800-PET-BUTLER www.petbutler.com Synthetic Turf Innovations 614-260-4404 www.syntheticturfinnovations.com

Pet Burial, Cremation & Memorial Services Crystal Remembrance for Pets 888-930-7363 Crystalremembranceforpets.com Day Manofsky Funeral Service 614-532-5012 Daymanofskyfuneralservice.com Rutherford Funeral Homes 614-885-4006 Rutherfordfuneralhomes.com Schoedinger Pet Services 614-224-2691 schoedingerpetservices.com

Pet Fencing Invisible Fence 614-888-3647 www.columbuseast.invisiblefence.com

Pet Insurance ASPCA Pet Health Insurance 1-888-716-1203 aspcapetinsurance.com

Pet Resorts- Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, Agility & Training ARF! Agility and Rally for Fun! www.arfagility.com Advanced Boarding & Grooming 740-549-9999 advancedboardingandgrooming.com Camp Bow Wow 614-527-2267 campbowwow.com K9 Connection 614-778-0431 www.k9connectiononline.com Lucky Bones Pet Resort 614-367-7297 www.luckybonesdaycare.com Park Your Paws Doggie Daycare 614-262-PAWS www.parkyourpaws.org Pet Palace Pet Boarding Resort petpalaceresort.com The Dog Spaw Pet Grooming 614-245-4169 thedogspawsalon.com/

List your business today! info@pghpetconnections.com

Willow Wood Pet Resort & Training Center 614-304-1921 petresortwillowwood.com

Pet Retail, Supply and Accessories Canine Health Supplements www.mylifevantage.com/peggymills Collar Doos collardoos.com Moochie & Co. moochieandco.com Pet People petpeoplestores.com Titan Bones www.titanbones.com

Pharmacies Central Ohio Compounding Pharmacy 614-847-0109 www.compoundingpharmacycolumbus.com SBH Medical- Compounding Pharmacy 614-847-6007 www.sbhmed.com

Veterinary Medicine Elemental Veterinary Center & Pet Spa 614-824-4036 elementalvetcenter.com Lifetime Pet Wellness Center 614-888-2100 lifetimepetwellness.com Health & Harmony Animal Hospital 614-360-3941 healthandharmonyanimalhospital.com The Animal Care Center at Granville 740-587-2229 www.animalcarecentergranville.com

Veterinary Specialty and Emergency MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets 614-846-5800 medvetforpets.com OSU Veterinary Medical Center 614-292-3551 vet.osu.edu/vmc/

Wellness for Guardians:

The All Life Community for Integrative Well Being 740-201-8242 www.alllifecenter.org

Visit our online directory at pghpetconnections.com/Dog-Cat-Directory

Almost Home Dog Rescue of OH 614-766-1001 www.almosthomeohio.org Canine Companions 1-800-572-BARK (2275) www.cci.org/northcentral Capital Area Humane Society 614-777-7387 cahs-pets.org CHA Animal Shelter 614-891-5280 chaanimalshelter.org Colony Cats Adoption Center 614-593-0055 Colonycats.org Columbus Dog Connection 614-471-9000 Columbusdogconnection.com Cozy Cat Cottage Adoption Center 614-336-8510 cozycatcottage.org Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center 614-525-3647 franklincountydogs.com Pets without Parents 614-267-7297 petswithoutparents.net/

Wildlife Columbus Zoo and Aquarium www.columbuszoo.org Ohio Wildlife Center 614-793-WILD ohiowildlifecenter.org SCRAM! Wildlife Control ohiowildlifecenter.org The Wilds www.thewilds.columbuszoo.org

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Rescue & Shelter

Help is a Four-Legged Word.™

By Ashley Koehler

I

they return them to Canine Companions for professional training with a Canine Companions instructor.

magine having a dog that could help open doors, pick up dropped items or even turn off the lights after you’ve gotten into bed. While all of this sounds very convenient, for some people with disabilities it is in fact life changing.

Which begs the question, how does someone invest that much time and care into raising a puppy knowing they are going to have to say good-bye?

“The benefits are more than you could possibly dream of,” shares a local Canine Companions recipient.

Canine Companions for Independence® provides highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities. Their dogs are able to pull a person in a manual wheelchair, push buttons for elevators or automatic doors, and even assist with business transactions by transferring money, receipts or packages from their handler to another person and back again.

“Having a service dog from Canine Companions is so helpful and a real life changer. You can’t imagine how a dog could change your life this much for the better!”

Canine Companions is the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs for children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities. A national organization, Canine Companions has six regional training centers across the country. The North Central Regional training center is located right here in Central Ohio.

Four different types of assistance dogs are trained by Canine Companions: Service Dogs: Assist adults with physical disabilities by completing daily tasks Hearing Dogs: Alert their deaf or hard of hearing handler to important sounds in their environment Skilled Companion Dogs: Enhance independence for children and adults with cognitive disabilities

“I cry of course!” shares one puppy raiser.

“But it’s a combination of tears of joy and pride when you know the dog is going to go and open some of these doors for other people.

They will help someone live a more independent life and you know that is what they are meant to do.”

Facility Dogs: Work with a professional in a visitation, education or healthcare setting Canine Companions dogs are specially bred for their calm temperament and desire to work.

At eight-weeks of age they travel to the home of a volunteer puppy raiser, where they will spend the next 16-18 months learning basic obedience and socialization.

Have you seen a dog around town sporting a yellow vest with a blue Canine Companions logo? That is a volunteer puppy raiser acclimating a Canine Companions puppy to the sights and sounds of being out in the public.

Assistance dogs must be able to concentrate on their handler in crowds and not be distracted by the sounds of traffic or church bells.

Puppy raisers take the puppies they are raising into restaurants, stores and even with them to work. All of these experiences help prepare the puppies for a future as an assistance dog.

The volunteers do everything they can to set the puppies up for future success and then

8 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

It is during the dogs’ six months in professional training where they learn advanced commands, such as opening doors and retrieving dropped items. The dogs that have what it takes to successfully complete their professional training will then move on to Team Training – where they will be matched with a person who has a disability.

Team Training is a two-week course where people with disabilities come to Canine Companions to be matched with an assistance dog and learn how to work together effectively. The completion of Team Training is celebrated with a graduation ceremony where the volunteer puppy raiser of each dog passes the leash onto the new recipients, marking the official start of a long and valuable partnership and symbolizing the dog’s transition from dog-in-training to assistance dog.

Visit www.cci.org/northcentral to see how you can become involved with Canine Companions - whether you are interested in raising a puppy, helping with a community event or simply learning more about assistance dogs! PC

Wildlife

That Crazy Bird is Making Me Crazy!

Tips For Stopping Springtime Window Attacks

By Linda Forte-Spearing, Volunteer, Ohio Wildlife Center Birds of a feather do flock together.

T

ake the American robin, for example. A fiercely territorial species, robins will work together to find food in the winter. In fact, they’ll even join forces with other fruit eating birds like Cedar waxwings. Why? The bigger the flock, the more sets of eyes, the greater the chances of locating an abundant food source.

The onset of spring however, triggers a change in behavior. As the days get longer, robins squabble more frequently within their feeding groups. They also begin to sing. And once the singing starts, it’s every robin for itself.

“It’s a progression,” says Stormy Gibson, Director of Conservation Education at Ohio Wildlife Center. “Male robins, in particular, become more aggressive as mating season approaches. They find a suitable nesting site, lay claim to a defined territory, and spend their energy defending that spot from interlopers.”

Funny enough, these interlopers are often the bird’s own reflection. Though the raucous they create when attacking that “rival” in the window is anything but entertaining.

As Stormy explains, a resident robin will use sound and posturing to scare off a competitor. If these tactics fail, he will aggressively chase an invading bird away. The issue with a reflective surface (a window, a windshield, a gazing ball in the garden, etc.) is that the perceived enemy never leaves. So the robin attacks and can continue to do so for weeks.

That’s the bad news.

The good news? While it looks like the attacking bird is bashing himself silly, a life threatening injury is a rare occurrence.

Other than beak damage, a smattering of blood on the window is typically the result

of broken feathers that are still growing in.

Having said this, it IS possible for the pecking perpetrator to exhibit extreme behavior and hurt itself. If this is the case, and you can approach the wounded bird, place it in a towel-lined shoebox and immediately transport it to your local wildlife rehabilitator.

You can also call Ohio Wildlife Center’s monitored information hotline for assistance.

The other good news? There are a number of things you can do to try and discourage these reflective confrontations. “Try” being the operative word.

• Windows. Suburban songbirds (robins, cardinals, house finches, etc.) are the most prone to beating up on windows, as they often nest in trees and shrubs that are close to a building—whether a residence or commercial space. To deter them, you must completely cover the window from the outside so the reflection is no longer visible.

Soaping is one alternative, though a messy one with mixed results. A medium-weight plastic painter’s cloth hanging from the top of the window works well. It eliminates the reflection while still allowing light into the home or office space. And as it hangs freely, any movement in the wind also helps to scare the bird away.

Towels and sheets will also get the job done—if you’re not concerned about the curb appeal. Though wax paper will hold up the best in the rain.

• Cars. An automobile has a multitude of reflective surfaces including but not limited to bumpers, chrome grills, side mirrors, and windows. Where possible, you can use the same materials previously listed, draping

them over the vehicle until the guilty party abandons its cause.

Opaque plastic grocery bags are the perfect covering for side mirrors. Or you can simply move/park your vehicle outside of the bird’s territory.

If the culprit attacking your car is an unyielding Canada goose, you may need to call in the experts. Like many birds, this species is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You can be prosecuted if you harm it. SCRAM! (Suburban Commercial and Residential Animal Management) Wildlife Control is a 100% non-lethal service of Ohio Wildlife Center. They will work with you to provide a natural, humane and permanent solution to any human-wildlife conflict.

Always keep in mind that a territorial bird can be persistent. In fact, if you cover one surface, some will continue to look for that imaginary foe until they find it again on a window nearby. If you can bear it, it might just be best to do nothing. The whole crazy process will come to an end—when the eggs finally hatch. Turns out a nest full of hungry babies is the perfect distraction.

For additional information about Ohio Wildlife Center, including a listing of the licensed wildlife rehabilitators in your area, visit. www.ohiowildlifecenter.org. Please call the Center’s monitored information hotline at 614-793-WILD for assistance with common wildlife situations.

You can reach SCRAM! Wildlife Control at 614-763-0696. All proceeds from SCRAM! services support Ohio Wildlife Center’s nonprofit rehabilitation and conservation education efforts. PC

www.pghpetconnections.com

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Kitty Korner

Get To Know Your Cat READ YOUR FELINE’S BODY LANGUAGE!

By Judith Levy M.Ed.,CEHP, ACC MOUTH HELD OPEN:

C

ats, unlike dogs but like humans, are individuals and not pack animals. Their strongest form of communication is using body language, although they do communicate by using vocal language as well. In some ways the cat’s physical communication is like that of humans. For example, wide eyes indicate some sort of excitement and an upright confident body posture indicates both a feeling of security and emotional balance.

The first three interesting cat behaviors are a combination of body language and possible inherent behaviors that may be present from early kitten development. These first three are often asked about by pet guardians and so I thought I would share them with you…

KNEADING: Haven’t you wondered why your cat stands on you or on the couch and pushes her paws in with a kneading motion? The cat has a body memory of doing this activity as a kitten to get the mother’s milk. It was such a pleasant experience for them that it “comes out” when they are feeling really content or affectionate in adulthood! A cat may also use kneading when it is in pain or dying as a way to comfort self.

When cats stand or sit and their mouth is oddly hanging open it almost looks like they are laughing! They are actually taking in scents from the environment. Cats have an organ in the roof of their mouth behind their front teeth that they use to discriminate along with their sensitive sense of smell. This will sometimes happen during play when they are trying to take in what is happening around them.

DROOLING: Does your cat drool when being petted or when she is sitting with an open mouth?

It is believed by some that drooling when being petted involves, again, a body memory from early developmental days. Often a mother cat will give affection or attention to her kittens while they are eating. So the belief is that it is a stimulus response learned behavior from this early period: When you pet your cat, the cat is reminded (body memory) of food and will begin to salivate. Cats may also salivate when they are nervous.

Here are four major feline body parts and how your cat uses them to “talk” to you!

EARS: When your cat’s ears are high and relaxed, your feline is happy. If the ears are turning at angles, she is listening to something in the environment. When the ears are half way back, your cat is becoming concerned and may become aggressive. When the ears are plastered against the head, this indicates extreme fear or irritation.

EYES: A relaxed cat will blink at you to show friendship or contentment-- the eyes are soft and perhaps halfway closed. When

10 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

the eyes are large, dark with dilated pupils, your cat may be fearful or excited.

Check the rest of the body parts to see which state your cat is in. When on the other hand your cat’s eyes are like slits and the pupils are pinpoints, your cat is likely upset and stressed.

WHISKERS: As you probably know, the cat uses its whiskers to determine if she can fit her body into a space or opening. The whiskers on a relaxed cat will be out to the side and hanging a bit in a soft position.

The stressed cat will pull her whiskers back against the face.

TAIL: Cat tails are very telling with regard to the cat’s mood. When the tail is held high and has a little hook on the end, your cat is happy!

If your cat is worried she may hold her tail tucked under or close to her body when lying down. When your cat’s tail is swishing slowly and in a repetitive way, she is likely stimulated in a positive way and feeling good! But when her tail is flickering aggressively, be careful as she may be getting ready to attack!

Please join us in the next issue of Central Ohio PetConnections and find out how to help your cat if her body language indicates some discomfort or disturbance. Please note: If you have a severe anxiety or aggression issue with your feline, it is advisable to schedule a behavioral consultation.

Judith Levy M.Ed.,CEHP, ACC – Feline Behavior Consultant www.judithlevywellness.com info@judithlevywellness.com

PC

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11

Pet Health & Wellness

February is Pet Dental Health Month By Vonda Fichera, RVT

D

pets love to have their teeth brushed, it feels good, and they will sit patiently while you do this. Many others are distracted easily, and you may find it to be a challenging task, SQUIRREL!

id you know that February is Pet Dental Health Month? Well it is right around the corner, and many veterinary clinics extend this focus through January and February each year. As much as I appreciate this short term focus on the number one health concern afflicting our pets, it is really a yearlong need.

Water Additives

Let’s take a quick look at the why’s and what to do’s for this important animal health sector.

Signs and symptoms to watch out can vary from the extremely obvious to very subtle.

Pay attention to your dog’s breath. Doggy breath is not necessarily a good thing ...

All of us can see the beautiful smile our pets give us, and while those front teeth may look nice, the root of the problem is much deeper, and more apparent if you lift the lip and look at their premolars.

It has been recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association that 80% of pets under the age of four have periodontal disease, and 100% of pets over the age of four have it!

Why is that? There are four different grades of periodontal disease. These range from a mild combination of gingivitis and tartar build up, to an excessive amount of calculus (a hard, thick crust), on the tooth enamel, and potentially ulcers or abscesses affecting the gums and roots.

Small breed dogs and Brachycephalic (flatter faced) pets, such as pugs, are at a greater risk. These pets have a crowded mouth if you will. All of their teeth are trying to fit into a small space. This crowding gives bacteria a really nice place to hide and grow.

Signs and symptoms to watch out can vary from the extremely obvious to very subtle.

Pay attention to your dog’s breath. Doggy breath is not necessarily a good thing, and if it smells like “dragon” breath, there may

be a real problem in there. Are your pet’s teeth a pearly white with a light pink gum tissue? That would be a healthy mouth. If not, what do you see? Do you see a brown or black buildup on the enamel? Do you see red, inflamed tissue surrounding the gums? Is there an oozing spot? What about a loose or seemingly missing tooth? If you see or smell anything that concerns you, call your local veterinarian and ask if they can see you’re pet for a dental exam and estimate for home care options or dental cleaning.

Brushing is best!

Okay, okay, now we’re talking home care, does that mean I have to brush my dog’s teeth?! While brushing is the best option, it’s not always the most practical. Some

12 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

If you’re not able to brush your dog’s teeth, take a look at some of the other options for home care. There are water additives that you can mix into your pet’s bowl.

Products like Aquadent and Breathalyser are available in these formats. Make sure you are changing the water frequently though, and be sure that your pet is happily drinking as much water as he/she was before. We don’t want to be worried about dehydration because we added something new. One other word of caution, some water additives contain an ingredient called Xylitol. This artificial sweetener encourages them to drink, but can be risky for some pets. Check with your veterinarian before you use anything with xylitol in it.

Food Additives Another home care option is a food additive. These are one of my favorites for the pets who have daily feedings in measured amounts. Plaque Off comes in a small container with a scoop, Perio-Support is available in two sizes, a smaller container with shaker top, and larger, more cost effective container with a scoop. All of these are top dressed on the food. In other words, store these in your food container, scoop out your pet’s meal, shake on the powder, done! A food additive is typically very palatable, and a lot of dogs will wait for you to add it after using it for a few meals. I also like that companies such as Vetri-science (Perio-support), offer a 100% guarantee on their product. If your pet won’t eat it, or you don’t think its working, you can take it back to your veterinarian. A word of caution, this guarantee does not apply if you don’t purchase from your veterinarian.

Chews and Treats There are a lot of chews and treats on the market that claim to support dental health, I’m sure that some do, but be careful in this area. When it comes to rawhide type chews, you need to monitor your pet carefully, ask any technician, we have removed quite a few rawhide pieces from the throats of our patients. Also, your pet needs to chew on this for an extended amount of time if they are to receive the full benefit.

Dental Sticks are another options for our furry family members. Again, monitor your pet when they are chewing on any of these, you want to make sure they don’t chew off a big piece and either choke or have it lodge in the intestines. Greenies and Nutrident are available in pet stores, however, there is another great option coming this year through our veterinary clinics. Perio-Plus Stix are a combination of a chew stick, and the wonderful ingredients in perio-support powder to help neutralize those particles that cause bad breath. The ingredients found

in these sticks will also help to support the gum tissue, and as we already know, most pets have gingivitis of some classification. A feline version is called Perio-Plus Bites.

Synthetic chews I caution against. Some of these, like the Kong toys, are great for chewing and massaging the gums, but there are others on the market that may actually cause your pet to break a tooth. As with all of these options, check with your veterinarian; ask them what they recommend for your pet.

Dental procedures The last part of my discussion asks, “Does my pet need a dental cleaning and what is involved?” Again, check with your veterinary clinic and ask them a few questions. Each clinic does their procedures a little differently so you want to know exactly what is included. If you call around to get prices, you may find out later that a procedure at one cost at clinic A only included a cleaning, while the cost at Clinic B included the clean-

ing, radiographs, pain management, and a home care item to go home.

Dental cleanings are essential to the health of your pet. If left unattended, periodontal disease will affect the health of your pet’s heart, kidneys, liver, etc... Think about it this way, if we go twice a year for dental cleanings, how often should our pets be seen? They are aging 7 times faster than we are, that would be 14 dental visits a year!!

Instead, take them in twice a year for their wellness exams, have the teeth checked then. If you do just one wellness exam, go again 6 months down the road and have a technician take a look at your pet’s mouth.

They can let you know how things look in there, create an estimate for a cleaning if needed, and consult with the veterinarian if they notice a problem.

I hope you and will now pay attention to your pet’s beautiful smile. After all, it’s not just the health of his mouth at risk here, its whole body support! PC

www.pghpetconnections.com

13

Behavior & Training

Trained Dogs Can Do More!

By Tena Parker, CPDT-KA Success Just Clicks Dog Training

H

aving a well-trained dog opens up a world of possibilities for fun experiences and sets dog owners up for success with their pet. The definition of a “well trained dog” will vary from dog to dog and from situation to situation—not all well trained dogs can do the same things (or would want to do the same things) but there are plenty of things well-trained dogs can do that others can’t. Well trained dogs can walk nicely on leash in public, be invited into dog friendly stores (that aren’t pet stores), be invited into the work place, explore the environment off-leash (where legally permitted), help others through therapy dog visits, be trusted when visitors come over, behave appropriately in public situations, wait patiently, pose for photos nicely, and even help around the house (cleaning up their toys or even fetching you a drink!).

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) has deemed January “National Train Your Dog Month”, so there is no better time than now to improve your dog’s training! Whether you have a new dog in your home that needs to learn the basics or you have an adult dog who has been annoyingly pulling on the leash for years, getting into training will ultimately make your life with your dog more enjoyable.

Now, you may be thinking, “It’s been like this for years, Fido’s behaviors can’t change” or “We’ve tried everything and nothing ever works!” Well, I’m here to tell you that things can change and change for the better! Getting into a training class with skilled and experienced positive trainer or hiring a private trainer can make all of the difference in the world to the efficiency of your training. You wouldn’t give up on fixing your car without taking it to a mechanic or two,

right? There is no need to just live with the behaviors your dog has without training with a trainer or two and certainly no reason to relinquish a dog to a shelter without hiring a professional.

Got a Training Problem?

Here’s where to find help…

Housetraining Problems— If Fido is lovely except for the housetraining challenges, your best bet is to hire a private trainer who can come to your home, help you get a routine created and get a training plan in place.

Pulling On the Leash— If your dog has a long history of pulling like a tank on leash, you may be best served by hiring a positive trainer to help coach you on that one specific problem area and teach Fido to walk nicely in your neighborhood. If your pup is a moderate puller or has some other manner issues, a group class may be appropriate for your situation.

Jumping on guests or going crazy at the doorbell— Hiring an experienced trainer to come to your home and help you create a training plan that will work for your specific situ-

Weatherby can do more! He’s training to be able to accompany his mom in the office!

14 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

ation can be helpful for multi-dog homes but a good basic level group class will also help you learn techniques to quell the jumping.

Growling at, barking at, snapping at, or biting dogs/people— With potentially dangerous behaviors, hiring a private trainer to address the concerning behaviors is the most prudent approach. When working with behavioral problems, it’s extremely important to hire a skilled and experienced trainer to work with. Not all trainers have catered their education or experience to working with behavioral cases, so making sure you get the right trainer is important to your success. You may be able to find a growlydog class in your area as another option for some dogs/handlers, but these classes are not right for all dogs.

Generally just wild and hyper— Group classes that focus on manners may be a solution for many of these dogs.

Group classes help teach a dog focus in distracting environments and trainers can help handlers learn some new exercise ideas. There are even some group classes that focus on relaxation that may be of help. Some dogs, however, may need private training to work on a relaxation protocol with individual coaching.

Doesn’t listen well— basic group classes are designed for just this problem. You have a dog who doesn’t generally listen or respond to you (maybe they are great inside your home, but outside, they don’t even know you exist). Group manners classes will teach you all the basics and teach you how to get your dog to respond to these cues in the real world. Since not all dogs are right for group classes, private trainers can also be great resources for this problem as well.

Trained dogs can do more! What do you want your dogs to do?

Perhaps your dog is already a mannerly pup and you are just not sure that training is worthwhile. Well, getting involved in a fun training class can deepen your bond with your dog and teach you so much about him/her—plus classes are simply fun experiences your pup can have with you! There are countless canine sport classes and fun casual classes available to you—even if you have no desire to become a dog-nerd dogsport competitor, training in a sport can be fun.

Rally-Obedience—fun sport based on obedience skills but with more variations

C.L.A.S.S./C.G.C.—earn titles or degrees showing off your dog’s basic manners

Treibball—a fun new sport mixing herding and soccer for dogs

Want to learn more about National Train Your Dog Month and the contests and events involved, check out www.trainyourdogmonth.com.

Here are just some of the classes or types of classes that can be found in the Pittsburgh area…

Flyball—high intensity relay race with dogs retrieving tennis balls over jumps

Agility—high speed sport with jumps, tunnels and obstacles

K9 Nosework/Nosegames—a sport that teaches dogs to be scent detectives to find specific odors Canine Enrichment Games—try fun braingames and toys for Fido

Not sure where to start or how to do more with your dog? Here are two online resources where you can search for local trainers to contact: www.petprofessionalguild.com and www.apdt.com PC

Tricks class—teach your dog fun party tricks

www.pghpetconnections.com

15

Holistic Pet Care

NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION:

5 Feeding Tips for a Remarkably Healthier Pet in 2016

By Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH

T

he start of a new year is a good time to stop and reflect on what we have done in the past and how we can improve.

It’s a great time to kick off a new good habit. I hate to call any such effort a “resolution” because those almost always fail.

There are many possible reasons for resolution failure. Maybe in our exuberance for change, we simply bite off more than we can chew. Perhaps we don’t fully convince ourselves that the change will lead to a better life. And then there is the tendency to give up the whole thing if we blow it one time.

I am going to propose five simple changes any pet caregiver can make that can revolutionize their pet’s health from the inside out. I do not mean to suggest that anyone should make all five changes all at once (although that would be great). Just making one of these changes will make a big difference in your pet’s health. Remember, every choice you make for your pet is either moving him toward greater health, or shifting him away from that goal.

Having said that, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

1. P ortion Control – Speaking of biting off more than you can chew, one of the most beneficial things you can do for your pet is feed him the appropriate amount of food. Most pets are overweight and this predisposes them to disease and premature death.

Yes, that pudgy pooch or fat cat may look adorable but according to research

they will start with symptoms of arthritis and other chronic diseases 3 years earlier than their slim counterparts.

The heavy animals will also die almost 2 years earlier. Ask your veterinarian for an honest assessment of your pet’s weight and for guidance on how much to feed.

2. S top Dry Pet Food – Yes, you read right, no dry pet food. Dry pet food is full of starch (they can’t make dry pet food without lots of starch to form the kibble) which packs on the pounds.

Cats and dogs invented the Atkins diet since their ancestors did it for millions of years which shaped the metabolism of our current pets.

Also, dry food is more concentrated in calories than canned or raw diets. This

16 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

fact becomes obvious when you realize that dry food contains about 10% moisture while canned food is usually around 70% moisture. Since water does not have any calories, canned foods fill up the belly without maxing out calories. By the way, chewing on dry pet food does not clean a pet’s teeth any more than crunching on pretzels cleans a person’s teeth.

3. A dd Some Veggies – Adding some vegetables to a pet’s diet can increase the belly-filling bulk in a low calorie way.

Veggies also contain health-benefitting nutrients and can lower the risk of cancer. Green leafy vegetables, like spinach, are especially healthy but carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans are good too. Avoid grains and starchy veggies like potatoes. Steam the veggies for maximum nutrient

absorption (raw veggies tend to go right through the GI tracts of carnivores).

Start by mixing in just a small amount of finely chopped veggies. Experiment and find your pet’s favorite.

4. Skip the Snacks – Believe it or not, your dog will not die if he does not get a treat every time he goes outside (although he might carry on as if he will). Pet snack food is as unhealthy as our snack food. If you don’t believe me, look at the ingredient list on the package. Most of it is garbage wrapped in artificial flavor enhancers. I know, I know, your pet just won’t stop pestering you unless you slip him a treat every time you pass the special cupboard.

Well guess what, when you give in to the terrorists demands, you’ve just reinforced the unwanted behavior. The pet has become the master. Keep in mind that food does not equal love.

Yes, that pudgy pooch or fat cat may look adorable but according to research they will start with symptoms of arthritis and other chronic diseases 3 years earlier than their slim counterparts. The heavy animals will also die almost 2 years earlier.

5. D iet Rotation – The tendency of most pet caregivers is to find a food that “works” for their pet and stick with it for life. This is a very unhealthy practice.

For one thing, any individual pet food may have slight nutrient imbalances that escape the regulatory process but may cause problems when fed long term. Also, studies show that the best way to cause a food allergy is to feed the same thing day after day. The idea that changing a pet’s food causes diarrhea is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Eating the same thing long term and then suddenly changing to something else will almost always cause GI upset. However, pets can get used to eating a variety of foods just like we do. Yes, at first changes will need to be made gradually by tapering on the novel diet, but often over time, the changes can be made more quickly.

You are likely to run into diets that just do not agree with your pet – avoid those in the future. Try foods with different main ingredients and from various manufacturers. Find a half dozen or so foods that work for your pet and rotate through them, changing foods every week or so. Variety is the spice of life for our pets too.

There you have it – five easy, health-improving changes you can make in your pet’s eating habits. Choose one to start with and as the ad says, “Just Do It.” You just may start a revolution in your pet’s health. PC Call: 614-937-8309 www.lifevantage.com/peggymills#canine www.pghpetconnections.com

17

Equine Affairs

Colic in the Horse (Part 1)

V

eterinarians are often asked about treating colic. This is a little like asking how to treat a limp. There are many causes of colic, enough to fill volumes. Most simply, colic means abdominal pain, from whatever the cause in the immediate case. There are many misconceptions about colic.

• Rolling causes the colon to twist • Passing manure means that the horse is getting better.

Trailer rides will fix the colic • Horses colic with changes in weather

These misconceptions can lead to delays in treatment and possibly even death. The question, then, should be as follows: What is the diagnosis that is causing the colic? To answer this question, one must understand the anatomy and physiology of the equine digestive tract.

THE EQUINE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT The equine digestive tract is unique in its ability to digest cellulose and other structural carbohydrates. This process is known as fermentation, which requires a special and complicated digestive tract. Fermentation yields copious amounts of gas due to the microfauna (bacteria and yeasts) required for digestion and works well for what horses were meant to do-- range over many acres,

but it does not translate well into being kept in stalls and fed meals twice daily.

The digestive tract begins in the mouth.

Prehension and mastication are important aspects here. Very sharp teeth may affect mastication and cause injury to the inside of the mouth. Food must be taken in using small bites and chewed well to stimulate saliva production, beginning digestion. Saliva contains many digestive enzymes and buffers to break down food and buffer acids in the stomach. From the nose to the stomach is about one and a half meters; a three- meter endoscope is required to examine the stomach in its entirety. The stomach normally holds around three gallons and it exits, via the pylorus, into the small intestine which is around 80 feet. The small intestinal mesentery (ligamentous attachment of the intestine to the body wall) is connected to the top of the abdomen (toward the spine) near the first and second lumbar vertebrae at the site known as the “root of the mesentery.”

Within the root of the mesentery exists the large cranial mesenteric artery. The mesentery is wide and fan-shaped and carries numerous vessels and nerves to the intestines. It is attached to the small intestine along its entire length, but because of its fan shape and singular attachment, it is highly mobile and permits the small intestine to move freely in the abdomen.

18 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

By Brian S. Burks, D.V.M., Dipl. ABVP, Board-Certified Equine Expert The small intestine exits into the cecum, a 3.5 foot appendix which holds around 5-7 gallons of ingesta. This is essentially a blind pouch, with an entrance and an exit lying in close proximity. The cecum mixes the ingesta, ferments feed material via microbial digestion, and absorbs water. Next comes the large colon which has several turns, including an upward hairpin curve. It is designed as a double stacked horseshoe. The large colon is about 15 feet long and varies greatly in diameter, from 8cm to as large as 50cm in the right dorsal colon.

The sequence of the limbs and flexures of the ascending colon is as follows: Right Ventral Colon passes out of the cecocolic orifice on the right side of the abdomen and continues cranially to the xiphoid region; Sternal Flexure, passes across the midline from right to left, Left Ventral Colon, which has a diameter of about 20cm, runs caudally on the left ventral abdominal floor; Pelvic Flexure, which has a diameter of about 8cm, turns dorsally just cranial to the pelvic inlet and then runs cranially to the diaphragm, Left Dorsal Colon, runs cranially, parallel and dorsal to the left ventral colon; Diaphragmatic Flexure, turns caudally at the diaphragm; Right Dorsal Colon, with a diameter of 50cm, continues caudally on the right. It is the shortest limb of the ascending colon.

The transverse colon continues on from the right dorsal colon as the right dorsal colon turns medially. The right dorsal colon is attached by a mesentery to the dorsal abdominal wall, the base of the cecum, the root of the mesentery, and the pancreas. This anatomical arrangement of mesentery allows the left ascending colon to twist and is a common cause of colic (colonic torsion).

The large colon in turn empties into the 10 foot long small colon, where fecal balls form before exiting the rectum and anus.

All told, the equine digestive tract secretes and absorbs about 100 liters of fluid every day. All of the twists and turns of the equine

GIT are to slow movement, cause mixing of the contents, and allow microbial digestion, making Volatile Fatty Acids the major source of energy in the horse.

SIGNS OF COLIC Horses are very sensitive to abdominal pain and may present differently from those of other species. Signs in horses range from mild to severe and include anorexia, lethargy, ‘ain’t doin’ right’, lip curling, teeth grinding (bruxism), flank watching, stretching as if to urinate, pawing, kicking at the abdomen, rolling, thrashing, and others.

CONDITIONS CAUSING COLIC Colic signs may emanate from any point of disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract. It may be confused with pain from other areas of the body, for example chest pain.

There are many causes of colic, depending upon the site affected. Examples include the stomach with gastric ulceration or feed impaction; the small intestine can twist at the root of the mesentery (volvulus); the large colon may have gas, impaction of feed material, or may have a torsion. Any part of the intestinal tract may be affected by inflammatory diseases or bacterial infections. There are many other potential causes.

What is causing the pain experienced during colic episodes?

• Tension on attachments to the body wall (mesentery) • Distention or muscular spasm of colic • Irritation to the intestinal lininggastric/colonic ulcers • Loss of blood supply (ischemia) from mesenteric volvulus or colon torsion

BREAKING THE PAIN CYCLE Many times, horses may recover quickly and on their own. They may colic in the night or

Never give any medication without consulting a veterinarian first. Some drugs may do irreversible harm if given in the wrong situation. when you are gone and you may never know that your horse had a mild belly ache. Where colic is identified, many resolve with time and an injection of flunixin meglumine, a potent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever; however, it is critical to understand what this medication may accomplish. For minor causes of colic it may be fine. For more severe forms of colic, it may take away the pain while the internal process continues, delaying diagnosis and treatment. It could even cost the horse its life. Never give any medication without consulting a veterinarian first. Some drugs may do irreversible harm if given in the wrong situation.

Anything that blocks normal movement of ingesta from the stomach to the rectum may result in gas and/or fluid build-up, stretching the intestine, causing increasing amounts of pain as the condition worsens. Pain relief may stop this cycle in milder forms of colic.

More severe forms of colic such as a twist, displacement, or impaction will require more aggressive forms of treatment, including surgery, especially in the former two causes listed here.

Simple observation is not enough to distinguish mild and severe cases, although more severe signs of pain that continues is more likely to be critical, but this is not always the case. An experienced veterinarian can identify the cause of colic based on signalment, history, physical examination findings, rectal palpation, and other diagnostic modalities such as abdominal ultrasound.

COLIC OCCURRENCE Roughly 5-10% of horses will experience colic in a given year.

This happens in all groups, herds, breeds, and geographic locations. There are specific conditions that are more common in certain age groups, i.e. Ascarid impactions and intussusceptions are more common in younger horses. Colon torsion is common in broodmares post foaling. Horses that are kept in stalls experience more colic than those with regular exercise and also those that are fed more concentrates than forage (hay or grass).

Dr. Brian Burks, Dipl. ABVP is the owner/veterinarian at Fox Run Equine Center, a 24-hour medical-surgical center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Equine Practice). This certifies him as an expert in all categories of equine practice. He enjoys the diagnostic and treatment challenges of internal medicine and intestinal disorders. Find out more and contact us at: www.foxrunrequine.com, brianburksdvm@comcast.net 724-727-3481 PC

www.pghpetconnections.com

19

Wellness for Guardians

THE BEAUTY OF

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

By Carisa Holmes, HHA, All Life Community Content Manager, Creative Power Coach, Author & Artist

I

t is abundantly clear that technology has changed our world. We enjoy an unprecedented level of convenience and connectivity due to the computers and other devices on which we’ve come to rely. Instant messaging, clever apps and an international web of information make it seem the entire world is literally at our fingertips.

However, technical difficulties can make all of this progress seem more of a pain than a panacea.

Alternatively, constantly forgetting passwords could indicate that we are sabotaging our own success by allowing small and easily fixable issues to prevent our forward movement.

Perhaps most importantly, our overall view of technology can send a broader message about our outlook in life. Some view all technology in a negative light; that it’s going to be difficult to use, they won’t be able to get it to work right, and that it’s easier to just avoid it. Could this be mirroring a broader life view that you expect life to be difficult, and that you are creating more struggle and frustration than is necessary on your journey?

Most of us forget a password from time to time.

However, if you find you are always struggling to get past this ubiquitous first step, you may be stuck in a pattern.

While devices do sometimes simply malfunction, in most cases of technical difficulty there is a certain amount of ‘user error’ at play. If we are aware, we can receive a gift each time we experience a technical problem by looking deeper.

Beneath the surface-level problem of needing computer repair or a new mobile phone, what themes do our recurring technological difficulties invite us to discover?

For example, are slow computers a sign that it’s time to upgrade, or could it be a sign that you need to cultivate patience?

If you find that the batteries are always dying on your devices, could it be a sign that you are chronically drained and have a tendency to forget to recharge yourself?

If you find that you have problems with using technology across the board, is it because all of those newfangled devices are more trouble than they are worth, or is your own inflexibility – a refusal to learn new life skills and to adapt to change – the real stumbling block?

Most of us forget a password from time to time. However, if you find you are always struggling to get past this ubiquitous first step, you may be stuck in a pattern.

Forgotten passwords many times prevent us from getting access to information or messages, and chronically forgetting them may indicate we are not listening to the guidance we are receiving, or are not getting the message that we’re stuck in a pattern.

20 CENTRAL OHIO PETCONNECTIONS | January/February 2016

With a little willingness to learn, a bit of patience and perhaps help from a techie friend, we can receive the messages our difficulties are sending us and begin to enjoy what technology – and life itself – brings.

Carisa Holmes is a published author, singer/songwriter, artist and content creator at the All Life Community for Integrative Well Being in Delaware, Ohio. www.CarisaHolmes.com PC

In Remembrance

B

ishop was a very good boy that came to us much later in his life.

We only had him for a few years but he still touched our hearts deeply.

Bishop

He had physical and neurological issues but he never let it hold him back. He could teach a thing or two about perseverance. We would always tell him how tough he was. He agreed.

Bishop was always kind to everyone he met and to our kitties too. He quickly learned how to howl at the fire whistles so we could pretend to be “wolves” letting the neighborhood know that all was ok on our hill. He taught our Beagle Murfee to join in too.

He had a funny way of answering questions or agreeing with you using two deep, short barks...”woof woof”. This worked really well for him to be able to have a part in a song we sang to him by The Who...you may have heard it a few thousand times.... ”Whoooooo are you?”, his part was “woof woof” (for “Who, who, who, who?)... most times he got it spot on.

We could always find Bish sleeping on his back in a yoga-like “dead bug” pose. It must have alleviated some back pain for him. Even dogs know the health benefits of yoga.

He will always have his own special place in our hearts and his own special nicknames such as “Bishy”, “Bip”, “Bippity Bop” or just “Ip”, some are so silly I wouldn’t know how to spell them but he liked them all. He was loved and is missed.

Three days after Bishop passed, we took in a kitten that had been dumped off on our road. He has Bishop’s exact coloring : ) We will see you again, Bip. XOXOXOXOXXOXOXOX David, Jaimee, Murfee, Lilly, Skritch and even Kinten...who insisted on always plopping down next to you to make you uncomfortable...loves and misses you.

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Dr. Doug

The Holistic Vet Dr. Doug Knueven

practices an integrative approach to pet care. He is well versed in conventional veterinary medicine and has been licensed since 1987. He is also certified in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and chiropractic. He is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and has advanced training in natural nutrition, massage therapy, homeopathy and a host of other alternative therapies.

Beaver Animal Clinic We at Beaver Animal Clinic believe in the power of caring.

Caring for our patients as our own pets.

Caring for our clients as our friends.

Caring for each other as our family.

Holistic and Conventional Care:

• Full Service Animal Clinic • Preventive Health Care • General Surgery • Radiology • Dentistry • Holistic Care • Acupuncture • Vaccine & Vaccine Counseling • Nutrition Counseling & Natural Raw Diets • Chinese Herbal Medicine • Therapeutic Laser • Healing Touch & Massage Therapy

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Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-8; Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-3; Sun. Closed 357 State Avenue | Beaver, PA 15009

724-774-8047

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