Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital Newsletters
Newsletter for September 2004
In this issue:
PARVO VIRUS
VICIOUS DOG REGISTRATION
SPAYING/NEUTERING YOUR PET
FUND RAISER FOR NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION
DOG KILLING MAY LEAD TO FELONY CHARGE
PICK THE PERFECT PET
PARVO..... What is it?
Parvo, or Parvovirus, is probably the most common viral illness of dogs at the
present time across the country and in Davidson County, and it is highly
contagious to unprotected dogs.
Parvo can be contracted via either direct or indirect contact with the bodily
discharges of an infected dog or puppy.
It is much more common in puppies than it is in adult dogs. The virus likes to
grow in rapidly dividing cells. The intestinal lining has the biggest
concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy’s body. The virus attacks and
kills these cells, causing diarrhea (often bloody), depression and suppression
of white blood cells — which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells.
In very young puppies it can infect the heart muscle and lead to “sudden” death.
Generally, it takes anywhere from 10 to 14 days from the time of exposure for
dogs and puppies to start showing symptoms and to test positive for Parvo.
Additionally, adult dogs may be infected carriers without showing any clinical
signs. These facts often cause problems with animal shelters or dog pounds,
especially when persons unknown leave a litter of puppies, or a mother dog and
her litter, on the doorstep.
Ideally, these dogs should be isolated from other animals in a shelter on a
precautionary basis, but lack of available cage space often makes that
impossible.
It’s also possible a dog or puppy may be adopted prior to any symptoms being
apparent.
Dogs afflicted with the typical diarrhea, vomiting or other discharges that
Parvovirus causes, shed the virus as well in those discharges. The virus can
remain infectious in the contaminated location for five months or more, if
conditions are favorable.
Since the virus is extremely hardy, most disinfectants cannot kill it. Chlorine
bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works, and it is
commonly used by veterinarians.
“We see puppies with Parvo from all areas of the county,” “It can hit any puppy
anywhere. The most important thing for all dog and puppy owners to remember is
that all puppies should be checked and vaccinated early on in their lives.”
Isolation of puppies until they can receive a full series of vaccine appears to
be the best way to insure their future. For the best guidance, however, it’s
generally recommended that a pet owner consult a veterinarian.
Reactions mixed to vicious-dog registration
Some in Smyrna say plan should apply to all breeds
Heather Koch of Smyrna has first hand knowledge of what pit bulls can do to
other animals.
In June, Koch's Australian shepherd, Max, was mauled by a pair of pit bulls and
later died from the injuries.
''It was like a crime scene. I'm an ER nurse, and it looked like a forensic
crime scene,'' Koch said. ''There was blood everywhere, and these dogs were on
top of my dog, eating him.''
After watching her dog die, Koch says that something should be done about
vicious animals running loose. However, she doesn't think mandatory registration
of certain breeds, as proposed, is the solution.
Earlier this month, Mayor Bob Spivey told the Smyrna Town Council that he wants
to require dogs deemed vicious, including breeds such as pit bulls, to be
registered with the town as a safety precaution.
''Who's to say it's just a pit bull. It could be someone's German shepherd,''
Koch said.
Others agree that registration isn't the answer.
A better solution would be to hold owners of vicious dogs more accountable,
instead of going after individual breeds, said Laurie Green, who works with the
Southern Alliance for Animal Welfare.
''It doesn't address the fact that any dog can become aggressive if they're kept
in the wrong positions,'' Green said.
Green works throughout the Middle Tennessee area to encourage pet owners to be
more responsible through education and by recommending that dogs be neutered or
spayed and kept current on all vaccinations.
Banning dogs from being chained outside, giving financial incentives to have
dogs sterilized, better enforcement of dogs running free and citing
irresponsible pet owners are the best ways to control vicious animals in the
community, she said.
''You're almost blaming the dog for its behavior when, honestly, we need to turn
the spotlight on the owners,'' Green said.
County resident Susan Allen, who works with the local Beasley Animal Humane
group, believes that not all owners should be punished, only the irresponsible
ones.
Allen doesn't mind dog registration as long as it's for all breeds, she added.
She used to live in Los Angeles, where owners had to register all of their dogs
and pay a fee based on whether the pets were spayed or neutered.
County Commissioner Mike Sparks, who represents parts of Smyrna, said Spivey's
proposal is a step in the right direction, but he doesn't know if it would be
legal.
''I won't have a problem making them register pit bulls,'' Sparks said. ''But if
you're going to do pit bulls, are you going to do German shepherds or
Rottweilers? How do you deem which ones are vicious?''
Smyrna Town Attorney Chad White is researching what other cities in Tennessee do
to address vicious dogs. There are cities in other states that require dog
registration, but it's hard to compare Smyrna to those cities because state laws
differ, he said.
White plans to present his findings to the Smyrna Town Council in September so
members can decide what is appropriate, he said.
Dog registration can be mandated in the state, Green said, but if Smyrna does
it, officials should expect a fight.
James Evans covers Rutherford County for The Tennessean. He can be reached at
615-225-4046 or at jevans@tennessean.com.
Love your pet? Fix your pet
Tex is a 5-month-old neutered, mixed-breed puppy available for adoption at
the Nashville Humane Association.
The pet overpopulation problem can be fixed one animal at a time. Have you
spayed or neutered your pet? What is stopping you from taking that step?
The most common reason is that owners "don't think there is a need for it,"
according to Nashville Humane Association executive director Mary Pat Boatfield.
Intact pets can leave a yard and roam the neighborhood breeding litters in a few
seconds.
Some pet owners worry about putting their pet "under." Sophisticated monitoring
equipment - similar to equipment used on humans - during spay/neuter surgeries
now greatly reduces risk. And gentle new anesthesia such as "iso" reduces
recovery time, according to Dr. Kim Brasher of Belle Forest Animal Hospital.
"They're very safe," she said. And neutering is "a minimally invasive procedure
they heal well from."
Cost is another reason that people put off the surgery. If money is a problem,
some local organizations provide reduced-fee or free fixing. ROVER is a mobile
vet clinic run by Nashville Humane Association that provides a low-cost
spay/neuter service, vaccinations and heartworm treatments. The service is
available by appointment to clients with certain documents including a food
stamp card, disability letter, V.A. disability card or Section 8 letter. To make
an appointment, call 352-4030 or visit nashvillehumane.org.
The Southern Alliance for Animal Welfare (SAAW) offers low-cost spay/neuter
certificates to any pet owner for use at area vet clinics including Belle Forest
Animal Hospital. They also provide "subsidy assistance for our 'income
challenged' pet-owning neighbors," said SAAW founder and president Laurie Green.
To purchase a certificate, call 226-6576 or visit fixyourpet.org.
Here are other myths about spaying and neutering, from the SAAW site (fixyourpet.org):
My pet will become fat and lazy: Pets become overweight because they're fed too
much and not given exercise, not because they're fixed.
My pet should have a litter first: "Dogs naturally tend to calm down when they
mature," Dr. Brasher said. And the lack of sex hormones and reproduction organs
can reduce some cancer risks. "The latest research has shown if females are
spayed before their first heat, the risk for breast cancer later in life
decreases by 97 percent," she said.
I want another dog/cat just like this one: You will never get another pet just
like the one you have, no matter how many litters it has. And it would be your
responsibility to find every one of those unwanted puppies or kittens a good
home, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
I want my dog to be protective: Genetics and environment, rather than sex
hormones, determine a dog's protective instinct. "A lot of military and service
dogs are sterilized," Boatfield said.
Aug. 28: Bellevue Center event to raise funds for Nashville Humane
Association
NASHVILLE — An Evening Under the Stars, a benefit for the Nashville Humane
Association, will be held Aug. 28 at Bellevue Center mall.
The event will feature valet parking from Parking Management Services, cuisine
from Moe’s Southwest Grill, photographs from Gannis Photography and a silent and
live auction. Tickets are just $50 and can be purchased by calling 352-1010.
“Our goal for this year’s event is to raise $10,000,” said David Allison,
general manager.
WSMV’s Holly Thompson and Bill Robertson are again the emcees and in addition
this year, Star 97’s Rob Michaels will join the festivities.
Guests will enter through the back entrance of the mall where they will
experience a red-carpet entrance, festive food and magnificent auction items
including a hot-air balloon ride, an appearance on WSMV’s “Midday” show with an
animal from the Nashville Humane Association, gift certificates, an Oriental rug
and sports memorabilia. It will be an evening to remember.
All proceeds from the night will go to NHA’s ROVER Mobile. The bright yellow,
32-foot-long vet clinic provides animal care services to the furry residents of
Davidson County. ROVER is staffed by local veterinarians, veterinary technicians
and a project coordinator. ROVER provides veterinary surgical procedures as well
as other services to the pets of qualifying individuals at a minimal charge.
ROVER is very proud to provide low-cost spay/neuter services to alleviate the
pet overpopulation problem.
Dog killing may get felony charge
Lincoln County officials consider new Tennessee law
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Used to be, if someone's dog wandered into a neighbor's
yard and got shot, all the owner could do was weep and bury the animal.
Since July 1 in Tennessee, people who kill animals without reason could be
charged with a felony. The law exempts hunters or anyone protecting livestock or
people from an animal attack.
In Alabama, willfully killing an animal is already a felony.
Both Lincoln County Sheriff Jimmy Mullins and District Attorney General Mike
McCown said Monday they will enforce the law.
Donnie Lee Honaker, 48, who lives south of Park City, was arrested Thursday on
misdemeanor charges of intentionally killing an animal. He could be the first in
Lincoln County and one of the first in the state to face the felony charge. If
found guilty of a felony, he would face a prison sentence of one to six years
and a fine of up to $3,000. And he would have a felony conviction on his record.
Honaker is accused of shooting Boone, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador, who wandered
over from his neighbor's yard July 24. Boone was shot in the stomach and died in
surgery at a veterinarian's clinic that day.
"It just makes me sick," Jennifer Allen, the dog's owner, said last week as she
looked at pictures of the dog in surgery. "It's broken my heart. My dog died for
no reason. Boone was very well trained. If he'd told him to go home, he would
have."
Honaker's phone number is unlisted.
The shooting appears to fall under the provisions of the law signed by Gov. Phil
Bredesen in June.
"This could definitely qualify under the new law, and I certainly take any
situation involving animals seriously," McCown said Monday.
Honaker was arrested Thursday on the misdemeanor charge, according to police
records, but McCown said felony charges could be added at his court appearance
next Monday. McCown said he plans to review the case with that consideration.
The new provision in Tennessee's law has been nicknamed "Gizmo's Law." Gizmo, a
2-pound Yorkshire terrier, died after a couple of men in Nashville in April
punted him like a football. The men were charged with a misdemeanor, which
provoked an angry outcry.
But the effort to change Tennessee's law was in the works long before Gizmo's
death.
Lincoln County Humane Society's Betty Arnold, 71, started the effort for the law
in the winter of 2003 while she was homebound by a series of illnesses.
"So I just thought, 'What can I do from home to help the animals?' " Arnold said
Monday.
She's worked some animal cruelty investigations with the county's animal control
officer. She said she was tired of seeing cases brought to court only to result
in relatively mild punishments.
She found an ally in state Sen. Bill Ketron, who represents the district that
includes Lincoln County. Ketron sponsored the bill.
However her own case is settled, Boone's owner Allen wants the new law to be
publicized.
"If a dog is just walking across your property, now you don't have a right to
kill it," she said. "A lot of people don't know this law."
Pick the perfect pet
Great Dane or guinea pig, adding an animal to your family is a big decision.
Wichita veterinarian Christen Skaer and experts with the Kansas Humane Society
offer things to consider.
BIRDS
People who enjoy and appreciate birds outdoors often consider buying one as a
pet -- and they can make great companions.
Time: Some large domestic birds, such as parrots and macaws, can live up to 70
years, which makes ownership a lifelong commitment. Smaller birds such as
parakeets have an average life span of 10 to 12 years.
Feeding: A well-balanced diet is crucial -- and a lot of work. In addition to
commercial seed mixtures, birds should get fresh fruit and vegetables daily, and
leftovers should be discarded before they spoil.
Hygiene: Birds can be messy if not cared for properly. Cage linings should be
changed daily, and food and water bowls cleaned. At least once a week, the cage
and other items -- perches, mirrors, toys, etc. --should be cleaned with soap
and hot water.
Noise: Tweets and flutter sounds are part of owning a bird. Some may be taught
to talk, sing and do tricks. Large breeds' voices can be piercing, though,
especially if left alone too long.
Cost: A bird can cost $8 to $1,000 or more, depending on the type. Maintenance
costs vary greatly as well, but all require food, cage supplies and veterinary
care.
DOGS
There's nothing like a dog for companionship, but not all dogs are alike.
Temperament, energy level, grooming requirements and life span vary greatly by
breed. A puppy requires more supervision than an older dog. And don't assume
that small dogs are easier.
Time: Pack animals by nature, dogs do best when they spend as much time as
possible with their human family. If most of your family is gone most of the
time, a dog is probably not right for you.
Hygiene: Expect accidents during house-training -- and poop to scoop long after.
Hair also is a factor, though some breeds shed less than others. Dogs need to be
bathed regularly and have their nails trimmed.
Noise: Terriers and toy breeds tend to be the most vocal, but any dog can annoy
the neighbors.
Cost: Dogs are among the most costly pets. Expect to spend about $500 a year on
food, veterinary care, vaccinations, flea control and supplies -- and more if
the breed requires professional grooming, or if you travel and would need a
kennel or pet-sitter.
Children: Experts suggest waiting until your youngest child is at least 3 before
introducing a new dog. Small children should never be left alone with any dog.
Before you buy: Research breeds carefully, and consider adopting from a shelter
or rescue group.
POCKET PET
So-called "pocket pets" include hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and rats. Rabbits
and ferrets also are popular companions.
Time: Even small, caged pets benefit from daily handling and interaction. It's
the best way to establish trust and get to know the animal's personality.
Hygiene: Most animals self-clean, but their cages require frequent maintenance.
Biting: Rodents nibble both to explore their environment and to maintain their
incisor teeth, which grow continuously. If not socialized properly -- or if
startled or awakened from a nap -- some will nip or bite.
Cost: An average hamster costs about $6. But supplies -- cage, food, bedding,
vitamins, chew sticks and exercise toys -- can exceed $200 a year.
Children: Pocket pets are best with children who are gentle and won't be scared
off by an errant nibble. They can disappear easily if kids aren't careful. Many
live only a few years, so tiny funerals and discussions about death are part of
the equation.
CATS
Cats recently surpassed dogs as the most popular pet in America. The following
refers to cats kept indoors most or all of the time.
Time: Cats are more independent than dogs but still require consistent
interaction to feel secure. Because they can jump and into tight areas,
cat-proof your home -- tie up drapery pulls, hide electrical cords, secure
window screens, shut appliance doors and get rid of poisonous plants.
Hygiene: Cats groom themselves, but long-haired cats need frequent brushing and
hairball preventative. Have a separate litter box for each cat. Scoop it daily
and change litter at least weekly to avoid foul odors and prevent your cat from
using other areas of the house.
Claws: Cats can damage furniture, draperies and more with their natural need to
scratch. Declawing or regular clipping can help here.
Cost: "Free" kittens abound, but there's no such thing as a free pet. Expect to
spend about $400 a year on food, veterinary care, vaccinations, litter, flea
control and supplies.
Children: Experts suggest that children be old enough to understand that the cat
is not a toy in order to avoid injuries to the cat or the child.
FISH
You can't cuddle with them, but fish can be soothing and make great pets. These
guidelines refer to goldfish and beta fish, not fancy varieties that require
elaborate tanks.
Time: Not a lot of special care or attention is required, but you can't set a
bowl on the mantel and forget about it, either. Fish need to be fed and their
bowls cleaned regularly. Get a book on fish care or find a good Web site to
learn how to care for your pet.
Life span: Experts swear that a goldfish can live 20 years or more with proper
care, but most parents will tell you they seldom last more than a few months.
Beta fish live two to three years.
Cost: Once again, there's no such thing as a free pet -- even though you might
have won it at the State Fair. Goldfish cost pennies at most pet stores, but the
bowl, food, gravel and accessories add up.
Children: A fish can teach children about pet ownership and responsibility, but
be warned: Once the novelty wears off, Mom's usually stuck cleaning the bowl.
Dr. Pennington
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
http://www.priestlakevet.com
priestlake@mindspring.com
615-361-4646 phone
615-360-1055 fax