Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital Newsletters
Newsletter for October 2004
In
this issue:
Proheart
Bird Flu
New Pet Health Insurance
Canine good citizen program
Woman killed by exotic viper
Dogs can smell cancer in people
Pet saves family from deadly fire
Proheart temporarily off the market
There have been very few negative reactions to Proheart (only 8 serious
reactions out of 18 million doses given); even so, the manufacturer has
temporarily suspended production of the product by request from the FDA. In
the mean time, the Drs. and staff here at Priest Lake (who also were giving our
pets Proheart) have switched to Heartgard or Revolution. When your pet is due
for a Proheart injection, come by the hospital and pick up one of the alternate
products. We may be soon getting generic heartgard which will be the same drug
(Ivermectin) but will be cheaper in price.
Bird flu spread by cats
investigated
Cats not only can catch the deadly bird flu but can spread it to other felines,
Dutch researchers said in a report that raises questions about the pets' role in
outbreaks.
So far, cats have not been implicated in the spread of avian flu to people, said
Dr. Klaus Stohr, the World Health Organization's influenza chief.
There are two potential reasons, he said. "One is nobody looked. The other is
they don't play a role" because infected cats do not shed nearly as much virus
as do infected poultry, Stohr said.
Bird flu has caused recurring outbreaks in recent years and has killed 27 people
in Asia this year. Until now, human infections have been traced to direct
contact with infected poultry or poultry waste, and millions of chickens and
other fowl have been slaughtered in attempts to stem the disease.
Hearing of the Dutch discovery, the WHO urged scientists to examine household
cats and other mammals whenever researchers investigate human bird-flu
infections. The first such check, in Vietnam last week, found cats in patients'
households were healthy, Stohr said.
The cat research "is of considerable concern" because it illustrates the virus'
continuing adaptation in mammals, said Dr. Nancy Cox of the federal Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
"It increases opportunities for human infection, this time from a mammalian
species," said Cox, who wonders if dogs, too, are infected. "We need to do a lot
more in the veterinary arena in order to understand what other animals can be
infected and can transmit the virus."
Because bird flu is quite different from human influenza strains that typically
infect people, scientists fear it eventually could lead to a human flu pandemic.
So they are closely watching for the virus among other mammals.
Last winter, Thai veterinarians reported that bird flu had killed three house
cats. That was a big surprise, because domesticated cats have long been thought
resistant to infection from influenza A viruses, the family that harbors bird
flu, called H5N1.
The new research, reported in the journal Science, goes further to show cats
fairly easily spread the disease to each other.
The scientists obtained H5N1 from a fatal human case in Vietnam and sprayed it
into the throats of three cats. All became very ill; one died within the week.
Next, they housed two healthy cats with the sick cats. And, they fed three other
healthy cats an infected chick apiece. All the cats got sick.
In contrast, cats exposed to a common human influenza A strain weren't infected.
"The role of cats in the spread of H5N1 virus between poultry farms, and from
poultry to humans, needs to be reassessed," concluded lead researcher Thijs
Kuiken, a virologist at Rotterdam's Erasmus Medical Center.
The discovery isn't as alarming to flu specialists as was China's recent
acknowledgment that a few pigs harbored bird flu. Because pigs catch human
influenza, too, they are considered the mammal in which genetic mixing to create
a super-flu is mostly likely.
But Asian farmers battling bird flu should "keep an eye on your other animals in
the house," WHO's Stohr said. "If there's any disease, there is reason for
concern."
American Kennel Club
introduces new pet health insurance plans
How does the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan work?
Your Plan indemnifies you against the cost of veterinary care for your dog if it
becomes ill, or has an injury or accident. You can use any veterinarian you
choose and pay for their services as normal. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan
reimburses you directly for the cost of covered treatment, less the deductible
and co-payment.
What is covered?
The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan helps pay the costs of veterinary treatment due to
illness or injury, including surgery, prescriptions, diagnostic and laboratory
tests, X-Rays and hospitalization.
The Wellness Option additionally covers preventive treatments such as
vaccinations and boosters, an annual check-up, spaying or neutering your pet and
other preventive measures.
What is not covered?
Your policy will contain certain restrictions on coverage no insurance policy
will be able to cover you for everything, so you should make sure you are aware
of what you cannot claim for. Generally, the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan does not
cover the following veterinary treatment. Please check your Policy Terms &
Conditions for full details.
*Any pre-existing condition or illness.
*Any illness or condition arising prior to or within 30 days of the
inception date of the insurance.
*Conditions associated with pregnancy or breeding.
*Teeth except as directed by the vet to alleviate immediate pain and
suffering (unless you have increased your coverage with the Wellness option).
*Preventive or elective treatment, and routine examinations (unless you
have increased your coverage with the Wellness option).
What are the maximum annual benefits?
The Plan pays up to $11,000 in any policy year and up to $3,500 for any one
incident. Plus, you can also increase your coverage with the Wellness Option up
to $13,000 in any one year and up to $5,000 for any one incident.
How much does it cost?
The monthly premium is $35 per month, or you can save $80 by paying the premium
annually and protect your pet for just $340 a year. For an additional $30 per
month you can add the Wellness option and be covered for preventive treatment,
vaccinations and boosters, an annual check up, and spaying or neutering your
pet.
Does my premium increase as my dog gets older?
No - unlike some insurance companies, the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan does not
increase the premium according to your dog’s age.
Are there surcharges for different breeds?
No - the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan is the same low amount whatever breed your dog
is, and whichever state you live in.
How do I claim?
The claims process is easy and straightforward you simply request a claim form
from the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan, have your vet complete the form and then you
submit your completed claim form to us along with copies of relevant bills.
Approved claims are paid within 30 days of receipt. Click here to go to the
Claims FAQ page.
Where do I get claim forms?
Call (919) 859-8222 between 8:30am and 5:00pm E.S.T. to request a claim form.
What is meant by "waiting period?"
There may be a waiting period after the start date of your coverage during which
we will not cover any illness to your pet. This waiting period, however, does
not apply to unforeseen injury or accidents occurring during this period. If
continuous coverage is maintained, the waiting period will not apply to
subsequent renewals.
Is there a Deductible or Co-Payment?
The deductible is $100 total for the Plan period regardless of the number of
times your pet needs to be treated. Once you have paid the deductible, the Plan
pays 80% of each covered claim up to the Plan limit.
Can I take my dog to any vet?
Yes we do not insist that you take your pet to a particular vet you can take
your pet to any vet you choose.
Does my coverage stop when my dog reaches 9 years old?
No providing you have taken out your coverage before your dog reaches 9 years
of age, the coverage can be continued for life providing you continue to renew
your policy.
Do you cover microchipping?
No the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan does not cover the costs of microchipping.
However, we do recommend as part of responsible dog ownership that you consider
microchipping your dog, and registering your pet with the Companion Animal
Recovery lost and found database click here to see how to register your pet.
Do you cover pregnancy or breeding?
No the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan does not cover pregnancy, breeding, whelping or
complications arising from these conditions.
Do you cover vaccinations?
Preventive care such as check-ups, vaccinations and boosters, dental cleaning
etc. is regarded as routine treatment and is only covered under the AKC Pet
Healthcare Plan if you have increased your coverage with the Wellness option.
Do you cover spaying or neutering?
Spaying and neutering are covered under the terms of the Plan only in cases of
medical necessity unless you have increased your coverage with the Wellness
option.
Does my dog have to be registered with the AKC?
No the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan is available for all dogs, whether purebred or
a cross breed.
If you have any other questions about the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan’s coverage,
please contact our Customer Services team at (919) 859-8222.
CGC Program - The American Kennel
Club Canine Good Citizen Progam
What is it?
CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good
manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a
two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic
good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a
certificate from the American Kennel Club.
Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in
training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for
other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance
events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the
many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond
between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to
live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the
presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner
who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high
quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and
your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in
obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.
Canine Good Citizen® is one of the most rapidly growing programs in the American
Kennel Club. There are many exciting applications of this wonderful, entry level
that go beyond the testing and certifying of dogs.
Many other countries (including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark,
Sweden, Canada, and Finland) have developed CGC programs based on the AKC's CGC
Program. A CGC Neighborhood Model has been established, police and animal
control agencies use CGC for dealing with dog problems in communities, some
therapy dog groups use the CGC as a partial screening tool, and some 4-H groups
around the country have been using the CGC as a beginning dog training program
for children.
A number of specialty (one breed only) clubs give the CGC at their annual
national dog show. Dog clubs have discovered that the CGC is an event that
allows everyone to go home a winner. Veterinarians have recognized the benefits
of well-trained dogs and there are some CGC programs in place in veterinary
hospitals. State legislatures began recognizing the CGC program as a means of
advocating responsible dog ownership and 17 states now have Canine Good Citizen
resolutions.
In a little over one decade, the Canine Good Citizen Program has begun to have
an extremely positive impact in many of our communities. This is a program that
can help us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcomed and
well-respected members of our communities.
Canine Good Citizen test
Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible
Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of
the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their
dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also
agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their
dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready
to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to
approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The
evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly
manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange
pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not
break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch
it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side,
to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The
handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in
place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and
examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of
the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of
responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and
groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight,
clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly
used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a
natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot.
It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the
examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give
encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog
may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt
that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's
movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with
the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a
pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or
commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about
turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may
talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone
of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian
traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around
and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some
interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without
evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the
dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump
on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the
handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the
handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do
sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog
in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet
long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one
command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the
dog has responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog
into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by
the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of
the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in
the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator
instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front
or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler.
The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the
dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may
choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away, giving no
instructions to the dog.
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.
Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20
feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10
feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither
dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced
with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two
distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate
dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a
crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may
appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show
aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise
it throughout the exercise.
Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if
necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are
encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and
then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three
minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually
bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild
agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage
in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's
alright").
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or
slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such as
pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We
recognize that special training collars may be very useful tools for beginning
dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the
point at which they are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should
bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test. The owner
may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats are not permitted during
testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the dog to do
something. We recognize that food and toys may provide valuable reinforcement or
encouragement during the training process but these items should not be used
during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only exception
to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only when
test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or
another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test.
Woman killed by viper among her exotic
pets... a good example of why we don't treat venomous reptiles
Zookeepers helped police search for venomous and exotic pets in a house where a
woman was fatally bitten by a viper.
Alexandria Hall, 44, was bitten in her home Monday and died at a hospital
Saturday, police said.
Neighbors knew she had pets, including rabbits and birds, but were unaware of
her collection of at least nine poisonous snakes and more than one dozen other
snakes, lizards and alligators until police went to the suburban North College
Hill house.
Police believe an urutu pit viper bit the woman Monday, and neighbors said she
drove herself to a hospital. She was transferred to University Hospital, where
she remained in critical condition until her death Saturday evening.
"We have no idea how she made it to the hospital in the first place," said North
College Hill police Sgt. Robert Kidd.
Reptile specialists from Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens searched the house
with an ambulance waiting outside in case a venomous snake attacked.
They found more than a half-dozen large lizards running around an upstairs
bedroom. The venomous snakes were in secure plastic cases throughout the house,
police and zoo officials said. Non-venomous animals were found under boxes and
piles of clothes.
Study finds dogs can smell
cancer
A dog's sense of smell is up to 100,000 times better than a human's.
We have always suspected that man's best friend has a special ability to sense
when something is wrong with us, but the first experiment to verify that
scientifically has demonstrated that dogs are able to smell cancer.
Experts say it is unlikely that pooches will become practical partners in cancer
detection any time soon, but that the results of the study by English scientists
are promising.
They showed that when urine from bladder cancer patients was set out among
samples from healthy people or those with other diseases, the dogs -- ordinary
pets -- were able to identify the cancer urine almost three times more often
than would be expected by chance alone.
"The issue is not whether or not they can detect cancer, because clearly they
can. The issue is whether you can set up a system whereby they can communicate
with you. That requires further ingenuity," said Tim Cole, a professor of
medical statistics at Imperial College in London, who was not connected with the
research but is the owner of a labrador retriever.
David Neal, a bladder and prostate cancer surgeon at Cambridge University in
England, said it was plausible that dogs might be able to pick up the scent of
cancer because people with the disease shed unique abnormal proteins in their
urine.
"I'm skeptical about whether it will be implementable, but scientifically it
should be followed up," said Neal, a spokesman for Cancer Research UK, Britain's
cancer society, who was not involved in the research.
"It might be that the dogs are better than our current machines at picking up
abnormal proteins in the urine. What are the dogs picking up? Can we get a
machine that does the same?"
It is thought that a dog's sense of smell is generally 10,000 to 100,000 times
better than a human's.
The idea that they may be able to smell cancer was first put forward in 1989 by
two London dermatologists, who described the case of a woman asking for a mole
to be cut out of her leg because her dog would constantly sniff at it, even
through her trousers, but ignore all her other moles.
One day, the dog had tried to bite the mole off when the woman was wearing
shorts.
It turned out she had malignant melanoma -- a deadly form of skin cancer. But it
was caught early enough to save her life.
Then in 2001, another pair of English doctors reported a similar case of a man
with a patch of eczema on his leg for 18 years, until one day his pet labrador
started to persistently sniff the patch, again through his trousers.
It turned out the man had developed skin cancer and, once the tumor was cut out,
the dog showed no further interest in the eczema patch.
Anecdotal evidence
A handful of similar anecdotes have since been reported, but the latest study is
the first rigorous test of the theory to be published.
The experiment, conducted by researchers at Amersham Hospital in England and the
nearby organization Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and published in this week's
British Medical Journal, set out to prove whether dogs could be trained to pick
out cancer.
Six dogs -- all the pets of the trainers -- were used in the study. They
included three working-strain cocker spaniels, one papillon, a labrador and a
mongrel.
The trainers used urine from bladder cancer patients, from people sick with
unrelated diseases and some from healthy people to train the dogs over seven
months to zone in on the cancer-unique elements by process of elimination.
They learned to ignore differences in the urine samples that were due to age,
sex, infection, diet and other factors.
Urine from 36 bladder cancer patients and 108 comparison volunteers was used.
Some samples were kept back for the test, whereby each dog had to sniff seven
urine samples in one room and lie down next to the one from a bladder cancer
patient.
The test was repeated eight times for each dog with new urine samples every
time.
Signal varies
Taken as a group, they correctly selected the right urine on 22 out of 54
occasions, giving an average success rate of 41 percent. By chance alone, you'd
expect them to be accurate one-seventh, or 14 percent, of the time.
The two best dogs, Tangle and Biddy -- both cocker spaniels -- were right 56
percent of the time, according to trainer Andrew Cook. They all did well, except
for one: Toddy the mongrel.
"Toddy, bless him, was working at a rate no better than chance, really, but we
still love him," Cook said.
One of the cancer patients was identified correctly by all six dogs, whereas two
other cancer patients were consistently missed, indicating that perhaps the
strength of the urine signal varies from person to person, or according to
severity of the disease.
Perhaps the most intriguing finding, though, was in a comparison patient whose
urine was used during the training phase.
All the dogs unequivocally identified that urine as a cancer case, even though
screening tests before the experiment had shown no cancer.
Doctors conducted more detailed tests on the patient and found a
life-threatening tumor in the right kidney.
Dog's barks save family from
fire
A Knox County family escaped a fire that destroyed their home thanks to
their toy poodle, Teddy.
A member of the family less than a year, Teddy started barking early Sunday.
''He does that occasionally, so I just hushed him,'' Michelle Singleton told
WBIR-TV.
But Teddy wouldn't stop, and soon she smelled smoke. She thought it was
outdoors coming in through the air conditioner until her husband, Randy, noticed
their closet was glowing.
''That's when he realized it was a fire,'' Michelle Singleton said. They
grabbed their three children and Teddy, and fled. ''We came outside and flames
were going through the roof,'' Randy Singleton said. Watching their home of
eight years burn was numbing.
''You don't know what to do. You want to do something. You can't. I don't think
you even realize what you're losing,'' Randy Singleton said. They were able to
salvage a few family pictures.
''It was pretty sobering. It was very sad. Just a lot of memories in there, and
just all burnt up. But I know God's faithful, and there's going to be good
coming out of this,'' Michelle Singleton said. Like their little dog, Teddy.
''Yeah, he's going to get a big steak,'' Randy Singleton said.
Best Regards,
Dr. Pennington
http://www.priestlakevet.com
priestlake@mindspring.com
615-361-4646