Active Canines

New Threats Emerge

MRSI, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus intermedius, is rare but very dangerous. If your dog has a mysterious "spider bite," you should definitely get it cultured. Veterinarians are currently stumped as the to sources and conditions under which this disease is spread, and early detection is the best we can do.

SF Gate: Superbug bites dog / Drug resistant staph infections aren't just for humans anymore, 2008-May-28, by Christie Keith: I asked [veterinary dermatologist, Laura] Stokking if it's just a coincidence that I heard of two cases at the same time, or if MRSI in pets is really on the rise. She said that MRSI infections were the hottest topic at the recent North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum, and while there is some increased awareness leading to more frequent diagnosis, there's no question the infections themselves are becoming more widespread. "Definitely in dogs it's an emerging problem," she told me. "Up until recently, the bacteria that most commonly affected dogs didn't tend to trade resistance information with other bacteria the same way that the staph in humans did." Those days are gone, however, and she says both the incidence and prevalence of drug resistant bacteria are spreading in companion animals.

 

Tips for Frequent Flyers

Fetchdog: Tips for Travel with Fido, From an Airline Industry Insider, by Susan Kerwin-Hagen: I keep a backpack that is designated for my dogs, which always includes: Paper towels for clean up; a spare kennel blanket or an old T-shirt with my scent; shredded newspaper if I’m traveling with a young dog and/or anticipate a long flight (accidents happen, and the newspaper will absorb them and help keep your pet cleaner); a travel bowl for food and water; a small bottle of antibacterial cleaner; dog biscuits; a large bottle of water not from the tap (pets become dehydrated during flights just as you and I do); dog food; my dogs’ health certificates; a collar, leash, and travel dog tag (put the word "Reward" with your phone number on the dog tag instead of his name); and first-aid items like an antiseptic stick, first-aid tape, benadryl, and vitamins.

New Job for a Vick Dog

National Public Radio: Trainer Turns Pit Bull into Therapy Dog, 2008-Jun-21, interviewed by Scott Simon: Dog trainer Mathina McClay talks with Scott Simon about her work with one of the rescued pit bulls from Michael Vick's dog fighting ring. She has trained the dog, Leo, to be a cancer therapy dog. ... "Leo is not really unique. He is the temperament-correct American Pit Bull Terrier. ... It's not the reputation the Pit Bull should have but the irresponsible owners." See a video of Leo at work at OurPack.org.

That Lab Deserves a Medal

Houston Chronicle: Once at a local pound, Gabe now sniffs out bombs in Iraq, 2008-Jun-20, by Rosanna Ruiz: Sgt. 1st Class Gabe, a bomb-sniffing Labrador retriever, is now a top military dog serving on the front lines in Iraq. To those who rescued Gabe from a Harris County pound three years ago, it's only fitting that he went on to save the lives of others. ... His impressive military record led the American Kennel Club recently to honor Gabe with its Heroic Military Working Dog Award medal. His partner, Sgt. Charles Shuck, of the 178th Military Police Detachment, also shared in the honor.The pair has conducted more than 170 combat patrols, including search operations, raids and sweeps that provided safe environments for task forces, Iraqi police and other coalition forces, according to the AKC.

Taking your Dog to Work

June 20, 2008 is Take your Dog to Work Day, and the ASCPA sent out a news alert to remind people about unexpected problems which can crop up.

ASPCA: News Alert: June 13, 2008: Most dogs can’t resist the delectable smell of that wilting sandwich lingering in your coworker’s trash can. Aside from making a mess and spoiling his appetite, your dog’s naughty behavior could lead to a more serious problem if he eats something potentially toxic. According to the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen, your neighbor’s trash could be the site of harmful foods, or it could harbor bacteria that result in painful bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. Distract your roaming Rover from others’ garbage, and keep your own trash can clean for a healthy day.

Our Dogs are Dancers not Fighters

Humane Society: Hip Hop for Hounds Has A Winner! 2008-May-6 (via BarkBlog): The Humane Society of the United States announced the winners of its "Hip Hop for Hounds" contest designed to find the best rap song that stands up for dogs—and against dogfighting. Rap legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels chose the first and second place winners, while the people's choice award winner was selected through a voting contest on the Hip Hop for Hounds MySpace page. ... The first-place winning entry is "Dog Fight" by Dwayne "Dagha" Simmons.

Watch that Whisker!

The Dog Daily: Your Dog's Secret Surveillance, by Phyllis DeGioia: Did you know that your dog likely has a tiny beard of whiskers below its jaws? If you examine this area on your pet, you should notice some dark skin sprouting a hair or two. That colored skin resembles what we call a beauty mark in humans. On your dog, it’s actually a collection of nerves, and the thick hairs that sprout from it are not just fur. These whiskers are called “vibrissae"... Because these hairs are so incredibly sensitive, take special care not to touch or brush one against its natural direction because that could be painful for your dog.

Reporting Cruelty You've Seen

Have you ever seen a dog treated cruelly and wondered if and how you could help? The ASPCA has a resource that not only explains what you ought to report, but how and where you can report it.

ASPCA: Reporting Cruelty FAQ: To find out if there is an agency other than the police authorized to conduct cruelty investigations in your area, visit our state-by-state list of anti-cruelty investigatory-arrest powers.

 

Don't Get into a Fight

Here's helpful advice from an animal control officers who was recently caught off-guard and found himself in a fight. Macon.tv: How to Avoid Dog Attacks, 2008-May-16, by Claire Simms: Animal Control Officer Van VanDeWalker says there are ways you can avoid being bitten. "The number one rule is, don't scream and run because the dog's natural instinct is just going to kick in to chase you and overtake you. "Number two, don't look the dog in the eyes. To them, that's a sign you're ready for a fight." Experts advise you walk away slowly and deliberately and try to get something to shield yourself.

 

Surgery for Rescue Dog

When the neighbors heard that Molly needed an expensive surgery, money was raised to cover the costs, and any excess will be kept to cover needs of other dogs that serve their community.

The Joplin Globe: Rescue dog to return home with pacemaker, 2008-May-22, by Melissa Dunson:

The Unsinkable Molly Brown earned her name once again. The 5-year-old chocolate Labrador who serves as a Newton County search-and-rescue dog came out of surgery Thursday morning with a pacemaker in her formerly failing heart. Her owners, trainers and handlers, Allen and Alicia Brown, of Saginaw, will pick her up today at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia.

Molly has been part of some of the highest profile search-and-rescue operations in the Four-Sate Area in recent years. She needed the pacemaker because she recently was diagnosed with a complete electrical heart block.