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JANUARY 17, 2016

2 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016

Bitter Root Humane Association honors Paul

By PERRY BACKUS Ravalli Republic

park where people could bring their families and pets to meet the dogs and cats they were considering to adopt.

“The staff now insists that as much as possible that people bring all of the members of their family, including their other dogs, to the shelter before they adopt a new pet,” McCormack said.

“If the dogs don’t get along, then adoptions don’t usually last.”

Paul “scraped, pleaded and begged” to come up with the materials and volunteer labor needed to

When people come to meet prospective new pets at the Bitter Root Humane Association shelter, they will be reminded of a kindhearted woman who helped match more than 700 humans and dogs in her lifetime.

The association board recently unveiled the signs that officially named the Judy Paul Memorial Meet and PERRY BACKUS – Ravalli Republic Greet Park.

Bitter Root Humane Association co-chairs Sue McCormack and Kathy Good are joined by one of the Montana Paul died in a car Companion Animal Network founders, Carrie Storrow, to announce the naming of The Judy Paul Memorial Meet and Park. Paul was killed in a car accident in September while transporting two puppies back to her home. Good holds wreck in September Greet the dog that survived the crash. It was named Skywalker, after Paul’s love the original Star Wars movie. MTCAN decided while transporting last year to disband after Paul’s death. two homeless puppies to her Corvallis home that she called “Dawn Gone Acres.” build the meet-and-greet park.

Paul served on the humane association’s board before starting “That’s why it’s here,” McCormack said. the nonprofit, Montana Companion Animal Network, with two Following the tragic accident that took Paul’s life, McCormack other women in 2008. said people thought it was important to find a way to honor her For years, the organization worked with rescue operations to memory. Mary Gel suggested naming the park in her honor. find new homes for unwanted pets. Its volunteers were a com“The board approved the idea, and we used the same signs mon sight outside local businesses with dogs wearing “adopt that Judy designed years ago for the park,” McCormack said. me” bibs. The organization also raised money to provide no“We just added her name.” interest loans for people facing unexpected expenses to help “She was a very dynamic force in our valley,” McCormack said. them keep their pets.

“She will be missed for a very long, long time by both the animal The humane association’s current co-chair, Sue McCormack, and music community here. She did so much, while remaining said Paul recruited her to join the board back in 2003. very calm and quiet. She was quite a lady.”

“Even after she left the board and founded MTCAN, she remained a very, very, very active volunteer at the shelter,” McCormack said.

McCormack said it was Paul and fellow board member John Williams who came up with the idea to create a meet-and-greet

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 3

Montana dog with disorder is living well in Vermont

By Keila Szpaller

around the house.

In February, Hayden collapsed and MISSOULA — The holidays died of cancer, and she figures he’s the were a special time for Tom reason she’s brought Tom Turkey and Turkey, and you could say the other rolling dogs into her life. same for Tracey Fowler.

“People ask me why. I don’t really have Tom Turkey, a special black a reason why. But I missed the rolling of Labrador cross that captured the cart. I just missed it when Hayden the hearts of Missoulians, passed,” she said. gained notoriety after the Online, Fowler kept watching a calHumane Society of Western endar contest with Tom Turkey, and she Montana tried to find him and wondered who would adopt him. When his two siblings homes last her paralyzed pit bull from Utah died, she year. Tom Turkey has a neurofigured the person to adopt Tom would logical disorder; his legs don’t be her. work well, and he uses a rolling She reached out to the Humane cart to get around.

Society, and with help from Tom Turkey’s TOM BAUER – Ravalli Republic “He’s such a good boy. He’s many fans, a plane brought Fowler her Tom Turkey, the black Labrador cross who uses special carts to get around, was born such a sweetheart. He’s just new pup. with a neurological disorder that affects his legs. winning everybody’s heart,” “I’m so in love,” Fowler said.

Fowler said.

She and Tom Turkey, or “Tommy,” do a With a new wagon that Tom Turkey received for Christmas, he and couple of runs a day so he can keep up his strength, and he plays with his “mom,” Fowler, can roll along the wooded trail behind their home her other dogs, a couple of German shepherds, George and Nordic, in Vermont, where Tom arrived in September. and a cattle dog named Little Heath, also in a cart.

“I don’t know what I’d do without him. I’m so glad everybody came “Tom loves George. George is like a big brother to everybody,” together and raised the money and took the chance,” Fowler said Fowler said.

Wednesday. “I love this dog. I can’t even tell you. He’s the first thing I When Fowler gets home from work, she takes Tommy out of his cart see in the morning and the last thing I see at night, and he sleeps with outside so he can feel the grass on his body. me, and he’s just got this lovable, carefree personality.”

“He’s not always in his cart, because he likes to stretch his legs,” she If you can’t tell by now, Fowler really, really loves having Tom Turkey said. in her life.

He can’t roll his cart on the trail, but now that he’s got his shiny red You could say Hayden started it. wagon from uncle Jeff and L.L. Bean, he’s cruising through the woods Fowler has always liked big dogs. When Hayden, her German shep- with Fowler. herd, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, she didn’t know “That goes quite a ways into the woods, and we’re the only ones out much about paralyzed dogs, and she wasn’t sure what kind of quality there walking,” Fowler said. of life he would have.

The wagon has skis, and once it snows, she’s looking forward to “I’m a hysterical mom. He was my heart and soul. What am I going snowshoeing while pulling Tommy. to do?” Fowler said.

Fowler knows not everyone can adopt a dog with special needs, but At first, she almost put him down, but now, she tells people they people can help by sponsoring, donating and volunteering, she said. shouldn’t ever give up on their pets.

She sees how the dogs give so much back.

After her boss found the website handicappedpets.com, Fowler When Hayden died, Fowler’s heart was broken. learned about “Walkin’ Wheels,” or carts for dogs, and the one she “The others helped a lot, but something about Tommy, I can’t ordered for Hayden arrived the following day. explain it. I know that my Hayden is in there, too. This is your next little “He looked like he’d been in it his whole life,” Fowler said. heart dog,” Fowler said.

To make room for the cart, she tore out her carpet and renovated And in the background at home, she hears the sound of the cart rollher home, and she could hear the wheels turning as Hayden rolled ing again.

Ravalli Republic

4 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016

Case of highly contagious dog flu confirmed in Helena

By MARGA LINCOLN for the

Ravalli Republic

HELENA - Helena Veterinary Service reported Tuesday that they have confirmed a case of a very rare strain of canine influenza, H3N2, in Helena.

The symptoms are often confused with kennel cough, or bordetella, said Lindsay Hash, practice manager with HVS. “It is the first case we have ever heard of here,” Hash said.

It was treated at their office in early January, she said, and was confirmed with a lab test sent to IDEXX diagnostic lab.

Hash recommends that dogs can be vaccinated to prevent the disease if the dog will be at a boarding facility or traveling.

“Keep animals out of the Dog Park,” she advised, where it can easily spread.

“The germs for this live quite a bit longer in the environment,” she said, and can travel on clothing and shoes.

H3N2 hit Chicago and other areas of the Midwest in 2015, causing an estimated 1,000 dogs in Chicago to become ill, according to a May USA Today article. It was also reported at that time in Ohio, Alabama, California, Georgia, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Jersey, Iowa and Indiana.

It has been identified in 40 states and Washington, D.C., according to an American Veterinary Medical Association fact sheet, which states that since March 2015 more than 2,000 cases had been confirmed positive.

“It’s a virus and it has to run its course,” said Hash.

Veterinarians can only treat the symptoms, which include coughing --very similar to whooping cough in humans, gagging, sneezing, runny nose, phlegm, lethargy and low grade fever.

Cases can be mild with few symptoms or very serious and can result in pneumonia and fatality.

Although the symptoms can be treated, there is no guarantee the disease won’t be fatal, depending on the dog’s medical his-

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tory, said Hash.

However, most dogs recover within two to three weeks, according to the AVMA fact sheet.

If your dog has symptoms, Hash recommends calling your vet.

However, she cautions to not just take your dog to the vet office without calling ahead of time because the virus is highly contagious.

She also urges pet owners to self-quarantine their pets if they are ill.

Pet owners can get their dogs vaccinated, she said. It requires an initial shot and a booster three weeks later, and the cost is “relatively affordable.”

The illness spreads by coughing and sneezing, dogs rubbing noses or by contaminated materials, according to AVMA. It’s easily transmitted in community settings such as animal shelters, boarding facilities and dog parks, according to a Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine fact sheet.

The fact sheet also states it can spread to cats, but there have been no cases of it spreading to humans.

The virus is almost identical to a strain of avian influenza virus reported in Asia and may have spread to dogs in live bird markets, said AVMA. Assistant State Veterinarian Tahnee Szymanski said she had not heard of any other cases of H3N2 in Montana, at this time.

However, it is not a “reportable disease” that veterinarians are required to report to the state.

However, she said, “we have a fairly good line of communication with vets.”

The only illness the Lewis and Clark Humane Society has dealt with recently was distemper, said executive director Gina Wiest.

“We’re completely distemper free,” she said.

“This is not good,” she added in regards to the confirmed case of H3N2.

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 5

Wintertime is a good time to enjoy tropical fish

By PERRY BACKUS

but still want something colorful to watch, Pelkey suggests the Betta, better known as the Siamese fighting fish.

When the temperature dives and “We sell a stunning amount of Bettas,” the skies turn gray, people look for she said. “They come in a rainbow of colsome way to add a little color to their ors. I even had one that was bright orange lives. and navy blue. I sold it to the first Denver Tropical fish are just the ticket for Broncos fan who walked through the many, said Wild about Pets owner door.”

Karen Pelkey.

The store gets between 50 and 100 “Winter time is when people seem Bettas in at a time. Pelkey puts them in to pay more attention to their fish,” eight-ounce clear Dixie cups so people she said. “People are craving the light, can get a good look at them. the bright and the life.”

“I’ve seen them come in yellows, pearls, And it’s all right there in an aquarium blacks, blues and greens,” she said. “They filled with brightly colored fish that MICHELLE MCCONNAHA – Ravalli Republic come in different shapes, too, that range spend all day swimming from one side Wild About Pets owner Karen Pelkey, in her Steelers fan outfit, has a room from half-moons to dragonscale to crownto the other. full of exotic fish ready to chase away the winter doldrums. tails. The colors are just stunning.”

“It’s a great winter time hobby,” “Betta junkies will just come in a stare at Pelkey said. “We encourage people to them,” Pelkey said.

“The males need to be housed separately. They shop the local garage sales and used merchandise stores. You can find have big fins that flare out and they puff up when they see each other. screaming deals on used tanks.”

They are supposed to look big and scary, but actually they just look There are a few things to know before setting up that first aquarium. more beautiful.”

“Beginners need to listen and take people’s advice,” Pelkey said.

Wild about Pets is located at 612 N. First St. in Hamilton.

“You don’t just go out and get a tank, fill it with water and then put some fish in there. If you rush, you flush.”

A new tank needs to cycle for about six weeks before people get real serious about adding lots of fish. Cycling allows beneficial bacteria to become established, which keeps the bad bacteria at bay.

“Most people don’t want to wait that long before they add some fish,” she said. “We tell them to start with one or two fish until their tank is ready.”

Pelkey said her employees will test people’s water at no charge.

“We can tell if you’re overfeeding and make sure that fish waste is accumulating in the water,” she said. “Fish waste is called ammonia. If ammonia spikes in the water, it burns the fish’s gills and they die.” on all dental services Wild about Pets sells a store brand of fish food that uses a reusable for large & small animals container that can be refilled at half price for life.

Most people like to create a community tank that houses a school of friendly fish, like tetras and guppies, as opposed to unfriendly types that like “to eat all the happy little fish.”

“Most people like a tank where there’s not a whole lot of aggression going on,” Pelkey said. “Those who are more serious fish people have multiple tanks. I’ve seen the bug bite them. Even after they sell their dental exams tanks, the fish bug can come back and bite you again.” in January and February!

Her husband keeps his fish tank out in his shop and away from her prying eyes.

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“I haven’t seen it for months,” she said. “I believe if you have a fish (across from the Country Store) We sell: Triple Crown, Royal Canin, & Purina products • tank, it needs to be maintained properly. He gets a little lax sometimes.”

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6 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016

Tammany Veterinary Hospital begins expansion

By MICHELLE MCCONNAHA

Right now, all services are available at their house, less than a mile away, but are eager for the Tammany Veterinary Hospital in expansion, with a completion Corvallis has been treating large date of April. animals in the Bitterroot Valley “It will give us more visibility in since 2002. Owners Shawn and a better location,” Betsy Gleason Betsy Gleason are building a new said. “This is built as a vet hoshospital on Eastside Highway for pital – not a room made into a in-patient and outpatient medical clinic. We have been working care for horses and cattle. on the design for quite a while.

Dr. Shawn Gleason, originally We bought the land, had to get from Ennis, graduated from it zoned and put in the well. We the Oregon State College of hope we get everything where Veterinary Medicine in 1996. His we want it, and we think it will be wife, Betsy, is office manager for good.” the family-run facility.

The new location will be Betsy Gleason said the expanMICHELLE MCCONNAHA – Ravalli Republic fenced with electronic gates, sion of the business has been the Betsy Gleason, owner of Tammany Veterinary Hospital, stands in front of the new barn space for trailers to pull around plan since they moved here in and office at 1014 Eastside Highway that should be ready in April. behind, and outside work areas.

2002 and purchased the land in The southern building is 5,000 2010.

“We will be able to provide better service to our clients and better square feet with a reception area, lab, small surgery suite and two exam rooms. The building to the north is the barn with an isolation care for our patients,” Betsy Gleason said. stall and seven regular stalls.

Tammany Veterinary Hospital has four additional employees, adds extra staff in the summer, and will add a second veterinarian in June.

“Large animals get sick year-round, but often clientele are trail riders so they don’t use our services so much in the winter,” Betsy Gleason said.

Tammany Veterinary Hospital provides all routine services for horses and cattle like deworming, vaccinations and health certificates. Additional services are dental services, digital radiograph and ultrasound.

Services that are more extensive include pre-purchase exams with Veterinary Care for Dogs, Cats, the capability of digital radiography, endoscopy and in-house lab work for health screens.

Small Ruminants & some Exotic Pets The new facility will have an in-floor table to make surgery easier.

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Tammany Veterinary Hospital offers many surgical procedures, Preventative Care, Diagnostics, Surgery, Dental vaccines, in-house lab work, reproduction management, herd work, lameness exams, nutrition consultations, digital radiology and ther1039 Main St. Corvallis apy for horses and cattle.

Tammany Veterinary Hospital in Corvallis is located at 303 Selway Hrs: 8:00am - 5:30 pm M-F View Road, but look for them at 1014 Eastside Highway in April.

961-3077 Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 406-961-1321.

For medical emergencies after hours, call 406-961-4306. Visit the Most major credit cards, cash, personal checks website for more detailed information and forms at tammanyveterinaryhospital.com. and Care Credit accepted

Ravalli Republic

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 7

Reinvent your New Year’s resolution: Include your pet Ravalli Republic

It’s the season for New Year’s resolutions, and general health and wellness is top-of-mind, consistently ranking as a top goal for both men and women this time of year. This resolution season, try incorporating lifestyle changes that benefit both you and your pet.

PetSmart veterinarian and pet care expert Dr. Kemba Marshall provides some helpful tips for achieving a healthier lifestyle for you and your animal companions.

Exercise is key Pets, like humans, need physical activity in order to be healthy. The good news is giving your pet adequate daily exercise is easy. For some dog breeds, 30-minute walks are enough. For others, a game of fetch does the trick. Interested in trying something new? Mix up the activity. Try sprinting alongside your pet in quick intervals.

Balls are great for fetch, but have you ever tried a Frisbee? Even a quick trip to the mailbox each day is a great option. No matter what, both you and your pet will have fun spending time together and getting a workout.

Stimulate the brain Maintaining a healthy pet lifestyle goes beyond physical exercise.

Activities to stimulate a pet’s mental skills are fun and important too.

Try a treat-dispensing or puzzle toy with your dog or cat to keep their mind active. Introduce the new toy before a meal, this way your pet will be hungry to learn.

Optimize the diet Have you been feeding your pet the same food for years? It may be time for you and your veterinarian to assess his food and make sure you’re providing one that is healthy and satisfying. The best way to switch your pet’s food is by providing a gradual transition, mixing the old food with the new for up to 10 days.

Monitor activity and behavior This may come as a surprise to many, but discovering an unhealthy habit in your pet’s day-to-day life is as simple as paying closer attention to his or her behavior. While many humans monitor their daily behavior with technical gadgets and apps, monitoring a pet’s daily activity may also lead to a healthier lifestyle. Is your pup demonstrating pent-up energy? More exercise might be necessary. Are they devouring their food too quickly? Maybe an active feeding approach

is the right solution. Most often, correcting the behavior is as easy as discovering it in the first place.

Stick with your resolutions Change can be tough on pets, especially when it disrupts diet or routines. The important thing to remember is that positive results rarely come without work. As cliché as it may sound, both you and your pet will be thankful for the change in the long run.

These tips are a wonderful way to kick-start a healthier lifestyle for both you and your pet in the new year. Increasing your physical activity and improving your diet are just the first two steps. By monitoring yourself and your pet, increasing mental stimulation and sticking with your resolutions, a newer, healthier life for both you and your furry friend is well within reach.

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8 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, January 17, 2016

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“There is no limit to how long our guests can stay at the shelter”

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The Bitter Root Humane Association reunited, adopted or fostered over 96% of the animals they served in 2015.

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1308 Eastside Hwy, Corvallis MT 59828

(406) 363-5311 • 262 Fairgrounds Road • Hamilton MT 59840 SHELTER HOURS

Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri: 1:00pm - 6:00pm • Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Sunday: 2:00pm - 5:00pm (Closed Wednesdays)

406.961.4917

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