How Well Do You Speak Dog?

These awesome videos are originally the find of Mel from No Dog About It. I am happy to include them here also, because I feel there is still a shortage of good visual references of dog body language.





Do you see anything familiar? Have you learned something new?

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Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART THREE

by Dino Dogan

The Issue of Indoctrination

In this article I will lay out the 3 primary (most popular) schools of thought, explain the pros and cons of each, and talk about that old and very human tendency to follow.

There are three main schools of thought when it comes to dog training.

1. The (William R.) Koehler method, or as it’s commonly referred to “yank and crank” training method.
2. The Positive Training method popularized by Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson and many others.
3. The Pack Structure method popularized by The Monks of New Skete and Cesar Milan.

There are of course other (smaller) factions but these are the 3 big ones.

So what’s the problem?

What I’m about to say is beyond the most dog owner’s radar since most dog owners simply don’t care, but these three factions have been involved in a war of words for decades.

The battle lines are drawn, the positions have been taken, and fox holes are filled with dog professionals preaching only their method as the ultimate, the best, and the only way to train the dog.

I think the method that receives the most criticism is the “yank and crank” method.

Since it’s brutal in many ways and offends today’s sensibilities, it is demonized and punished especially by the Positive Reinforcement crowd.

Isn't that the definition of irony?

If we examine methods Mr. William R. Koehler used on Lassie and Rin Tin Tin (yes, William Koehler was the trainer for Disney Productions) we do learn that some methods were very aversive.

Example:
If a dog is digging up a yard, you are to fill the hole with water and shove the dog’s snout in it. He’ll learn.

Do we now know better, more humane ways of dealing with issues such as digging up a yard? Of course.

So is the Koehler method all bad?

I don’t think so.

One of the principles of  Koehler method training is to apply well timed corrections with conviction.

Example:
For people having problems on a walk, they often are pulled by their dog. The person may pull-back on the leash, but the pull-back is only strong enough to slow down the dog. What Mr. Koehler suggest is that we apply one (if you do it right the second correction may not be necessary) correction that the dog will remember.

This is then much more humane than thousands of small, weak, nagging corrections that are ineffective in fixing the “problem”.

This is one small example of Mr. Koehler’s philosophy on training that I believe is very useful and practical.

Another thing that most dog trainers (myself included) can learn from Mr. Koehler is timing. His, they say, was impeccable.

The next faction is the Positive Reinforcement crowd, led by such greats as Dr. Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor and Jean Donaldson.

They maintain that only Positive methods are sufficient in dealing with every situation. You will recognize them by their use of clickers, the use of treats to shape behaviors, and generally sunny and pleasant disposition.

While I am very much in favor of positive training methods, we must recognize its shortcomings as well.

Positive training methods (clickers and all) were first implemented on dolphins and orca whales. Only then did those methods make their way over to the dog world.

The argument that this camp will make as to the effectiveness and superiority of their training method is that corrections can’t be applied to whales and dolphins; you can’t put them on a leash, so all you have to rely on is positive shaping alone. And so, the argument goes, “if you can train a dolphin in this way, you can train a dog in this way as well”.

While this is true most of the time, there are two flaws in this logic.

1. The behaviors expected from dogs are infinitely more complex then that of a dolphin. Dogs must be obedient, track, protect, fetch, etc, etc. Dolphins on the other hand must jump out of water on cue.
2. And second -and I think the most important reason- is that at the end of the day, dolphins stay at the Water World, while dogs actually live with us.

So if I want a dog to jump over an obstacle, I’d be well advised to use a treat to shape that behavior. However, if a dog has a bad habit of chewing on electric cables in the house (something a dolphin is unlikely to do) then the use of a shock collar may be advisable.

 Moving onto the third camp.

There is a lot of jealousy (imho) directed at Cesar Milan and The Monks of New Skete.

The Positive method crowd was on a fast track of ubiquitous acceptance when The Dog Whispered swooped in and stole their thunder, audience, and (to some extent) credibility.

This school emphasizes the similarity between dogs and wolves and wolves are used as a model to fulfill domestic dog’s needs for pack structure and alpha dog leader.

If you were to give wolf and dog strand of DNA to a Genetic Engineer, he would be unable to differentiate the two. Food for thought.

The effectiveness of this method is showcased every week on Cesar Milan’s Dog Whisperer as well as Divine Canine (now canceled) by the Monks of New Skete.

So what’s the problem?

I guess it’s still too rough for the Positive crowd (especially the use of the alpha roll, physical correction, etc.). So much so that The Monks have capitulated and in their later works (books, DVDs) recommended against the alpha roll.

What are the shortcoming of this method?

I think the biggest shortcomings of this method is that most people are unable to apply it effectively.

Cesar Milan is great at it, but most dog owners he works with on his show are wholly unaware WHY it works. This is despite his best attempts to explain the “energy”, posture, attitude, etc.

Another issue I see with this method is its emphasis on Alpha-Dog concept. Not because it’s wrong but because of the way it’s perceived by most people.

When I say “Alpha-Dog” most people think of the “big man on campus”, the boss, the CEO, the quarterback football jock, the aggressive “take no prisoners” type, and all manner of other nonsense.

In dog (or wolf) world, alpha dog is something entirely different. Alpha dog is NOT aggressive, he is not overbearing, he is not angry, mean and nasty.

In dog (or wolf) world, alpha dog’s first job is to keep order and tranquility inside the pack.

He is caring, playful and kind to the young, patient, even loving, and so many other things people usually DO NOT associate with alpha-dog behavior.

What does all this mean to the dog owner receiving instructions from a dog trainer?

Well, this brings us back to the issue of indoctrination.

If I, as a dog trainer, belong to one camp, then I am unlikely to consider other camp’s methods as valid.

Perhaps one of the other camps has a very effective method of dealing with a particular issue, however, if I’m closed off to the possibility that my camp is “wrong” then I’m unlikely to know or consider other camp’s methods.

This in the end harms the dog and it harms the dog owner.

So, stop the nonsense, stop looking for ways to separate from one another, stop thinking you’re always right, and start allowing for a possibility that other camps have something valid to teach.

Yeah yeah yeah...whatever Dino. Thats all find and dandy but where do you stand?

OK, thats a fair question.

As a trainer, I am committed to doing whatever works for this dog and this owner in this environment at this time. And I promise not to stop looking for a solution (to whichever methodology the solution might "belong") until a solution if found.

That's where I stand.

I should add that marketing is a factor as well.

“Positive training methods only” looks really good on a business card. No?

In PART FOUR, we talk about detachment.

Dog professionals are detached from the process of dog training.  

You’ll find out WHY this is a good thing.

***

Dino Dogan is a blogger, writer, biker, dog trainer, singer/songwriter, Martial Artist. Dino is now busy with his DIY Blogger Net blog. He is also behind the great social media tool, Triberr. Hopefully one day he'll return to dog blogging. Meanwhile, you can connect with Dino on Twitter or Facebook.

Related articles:
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART ONE
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART TWO 

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Veterinary Highlights: DNA Vaccines?

Where do you think the future of vaccines might be going? Using vaccines based on actual infectious agents is logical and has been working for our dogs for a long time, though there are risks associated with it, like with everything foreign introduced into a body.

Could a vaccine be created without the use of the actual viruses or bacteria?

The future might belong to DNA vaccines.

DNA vaccines are not a new idea, but remain a controversial one. So why consider it at all?

Playing with live, thought weakened, viruses is in a way like playing with fire. All is good, until things get out of control.

DNA vaccines, as you'd imagine, contain only DNA and not any actual infectious agents. Instead of sending the actual criminal, it's like sending a mugshot only. "Watch out for any guys who look like this." Just like the police, the immune system would receive the mugshot and be ready in case the real criminal showed up. Though, clearly, it's not exactly like that, because there is still the physical presence of the DNA that gets introduced into the body.

Sounds good on paper, doesn't it?

Resulting vaccines should be more stable at a wide range of temperatures and new vaccines could be created faster in response to rapidly emerging new threats.

However, only one DNA vaccine has been licensed for the use in dogs so far, the melanoma vaccine. Why is that?

Perhaps because playing with fire is easy enough, even kids can do it. Starting a fire isn't really the trick, controlling it is.

There is a good reason we don't want our kids play with matches.

The further we move away from the natural—in this case simply meaning "as found in nature"—the further we move into the realm of unpredictability.

The precise metabolic machinery that leads to a favorable immune response is not fully understood.

So far, with some modifications, we were really just copying what happens naturally.

There are many variables to be dealt with. So should we really play with things we don't fully understand? Or should we try to get better understanding first?

I think we ought to play, that's how we learn. But let's play responsibly.

Because I don't think that they all do [play responsibly]. Monsanto for one. Let's play and learn but let's not forget Jurassic Park.

Would I consider the melanoma vaccine for my dog?

Yes, I would consider it. Would I consider DNA vaccine against, say, Parvo? No, I don't think I would at this time.

Source article:
DNA Vaccines: The Future Of Disease Control

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Primer On Bites, Puncture Wounds, And Abscesses

Written and reviewed by John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD
and Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS 

Bites and puncture wounds can both lead to abscesses.

Puncture wounds can be caused by fights with another animal, stepping on a nail or other sharp object, or even running into a broken branch or stick. These problems are most common in dogs that roam free outside.

Unlike simple lacerations or abrasions, bites and punctures tend to carry material into the wound, which can seal over and trap bacteria inside.  

When this happens, the wound often becomes infected and can develop into a large, pus-filled abscess.  Punctures that penetrate completely through the wall of the chest or abdomen are rare, but they are especially serious problems that require emergency treatment and surgery.

Abscesses are especially common in fight wounds.  

Numerous bacteria are found in the mouth, and they are carried deep into the skin and underlying tissues by the teeth. The small wounds left by the bite on the skin surface seal over quickly, trapping the bacteria deep inside. Within a day or two, a large pus pocket develops, which may be warm and fluctuating to the touch.  Yellow, gray, or greenish pus may ooze from the wound, and the pus pocket may rupture spontaneously after several days.

The signs of illness depend on the area affected and the nature of the bite or puncture.  

Punctures on the foot or leg can cause lameness and swelling of the limb. Nearby lymph nodes, such as those in the neck, the front of the chest, or behind the knee, can become swollen in response to infection.

Your veterinarian will examine your dog closely, looking for any signs of a puncture or bite wound, including a deeper abscess.  In some cases, x-rays may be recommended to look for foreign material and to gauge the depth and severity of the puncture or wound.

Antibiotics are needed to fight infection. Anesthesia and surgery are often necessary to open, drain, and flush out the abscess.

In some cases, your vet will place a drain in the wound to prevent the skin opening from sealing over and to allow continued drainage during healing.  Warm compresses can be used to stimulate drainage and blood flow. Puncture wounds on the feet often respond well to foot soaks in warm, antiseptic solution.

***

Visit WebVet for a wealth of information about the health and well-being of pets. All content is rev

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Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Prefixes (spondylo-)

Remember the Spelling Bee? Big words are easier to tackle when you understand how they're put together. Veterinary terms are composed in the same way. Just like with other words, the main parts of a veterinary term are a prefix, a root, and a suffix. The difference is that they typically come more directly from Greek or Latin.

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning by providing additional information. It usually indicates number, location, time, or status.

spondylo- [spän′də lə] - from Greek - vertebra(e)

Since I mentioned cervical spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler syndrome) last time, why don't we examine what the prefix spondylo- stands for.

When you find the spondylo- prefix at the beginning of your veterinary term, it means that the problem involves vertebra(e).

(Vertebra being the bones or segments forming the spinal column)

Cervical spondylomyelopathy, then, means that it's a disease which involves both the vertebrae and spinal cord of the neck. In this case, malformation of the vertebrae, or disc protrusion(s), push on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, causing neck pain and/or neurological signs. The typical symptom being the characteristic wobbly gait, thus Wobbler syndrome.

Spondylopathy is any disease affecting the vertebra(e). We discussed this under suffixes.

Other term which you might encounter is spondylitis, inflammation of the vertebrae. This one is usually caused by infection, typically bacterial. For example, diskospondylitis, inflammation of the intervertebral disk and adjacent vertebrae.

Spondylosis, on the other hand, is a degenerative condition, caused by aging or injury. Resulting abnormal bony growths/bone spurs, the result of the body trying to fix itself, can actually lead to fusion of the adjacent vertebrae.

Spondylosis. Image Puppyer

To best remember the difference between spondylitis and spondylosis, one is inflammation, usually due to infection, and the other is presence of abnormal bony growths.

Note the difference: arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It could be caused by infection but usually is of degenerative/wear and tear origin. Spondylitis is inflammation of the vertebra(e), just about always caused by an infection

***

Related articles:
Veterinary Suffixes (-itis)
Veterinary Suffixes (-oma) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-pathy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-osis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-iasis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-tomy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-ectomy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-scopy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-emia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-penia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-rrhea) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-cyte) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-blast) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-opsy)
Veterinary Suffixes (-ac/-al)

Veterinary Prefixes (hyper-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (hypo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (pyo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myelo-)

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I Always Thought That A UTI Would Scream It's Presence

I always thought that a UTI (urinary tract infection) would scream it's presence loud and clear.

Frequent urination, but usually small amounts at the time, difficulty urinating, urine dribbling, urinary accidents, smelly urine, maybe some blood in it ... you know, what you picture when you're thinking about a UTI.

As it turns out, a UTI doesn't have to come screaming with any of those.

Firstly, there are things that can cloud the issue, such as if your dog is on steroids.

Being on steroids on its own causes increased drinking and urination. 

How would that be different from a urinary tract infection? On steroids, Jasmine would pee somewhat more frequently, quite large volumes each time. With an infection, you'd expect smaller amounts more frequently. But with Jasmine, this was not the case.

Being on steroids increases the chances of your dog getting an infection, a UTI being one of them.

So now you have a situation which makes it more likely for your dog to get an infection and makes it harder to tell what is going on at the same time.

Here is how it played out with Jasmine.

While on the steroids, her drinking was somewhat increased but nowhere near to what I expected. Her urination also increased but more in volume rather than in frequency. She'd typically ask to go out once or twice more often that normally.

Once she was weaned off them, we assumed this to go away but didn't expect it to go away over night.

Couple days after she was off the steroids Jasmine started drinking more than usually; even more than when she was on the steroids. That was strange and alarming, so I talked to the vet about it right away.

He said we should start with urinalysis to see what might be going on.

He did mention UTI but it was not adding up with the symptoms to me at all. She was not showing any of the typical symptoms ...?

After a day and a half of increased drinking, it suddenly stopped and went back to normal. False alarm? Body adjusting to getting off the meds?

After another talk with the vet we all figured it was a false alarm.

"We don't need to do the urinalysis if she's not sick," he said.

Was she sick or wasn't she?

Jasmine was still urinating somewhat larger volume and the urine looked somewhat more dilute than normally, but not more than when on the steroids. So the question was, how long should it take for things go back to normal? Blood work would show a dog on steroids for between two weeks to a month. For the sake of the stem cell therapy it is recommended to wait 45 days, so clearly, the body might not be back to normal before that...

Jasmine also had some stomach upsets and stool trouble before, which was believed to be an effect of the meds, perhaps this was part of that also?

The symptoms were as vague as you can come up with.

Jasmine seemed kind of under the weather.

There was nothing one could put their finger on. Her appetite was lower that I'd expect, and no, it wasn't because she was so hungry while on the steroids. I wasn't comparing her appetite to that on steroids, but to that before. It was still lower than that.

Mostly it was just a feeling I had, that something wasn't right.

Could it all be just her coming of the steroids? Perhaps. But a worried mom that I am, based on the funny feeling, I decided to do the urinalysis after all.

And what do you know, the urinalysis results did point to a UTI quite clearly.

Seriously? With such a lack of the signs you always read about? Frankly, though, I was glad it was something simple; I was worried about her kidneys.

Jasmine was put on antibiotics, the signs had resolved and the follow up urinalysis says the infection is gone.

So it seems there is one we can cross of the board. Her blood work also didn't show anything alarming. I am still keeping a watchful eye on Jasmine.

Did you dog ever had a UTI with vague symptoms? How did you figure it out?

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Adoption Monday: Amelia, Australian Shepherd: Deerfield, NH

Check out this lovely girl at Mary's Dogs Rescue & Adoption!

Amelia is ready for an active family. 

She's a sweet young Aussie with a bright personality. Social and smart...she's up for most anything!

Amelia.is house trained, spayed and up-to-date with routine shots.

Want more info on Amelia? Call Mary's Dogs: 603.370.7750 or send along an email: marysdogsrescue@gmail.com

Ready to bring Amelia home? Tell us about yourself and your interest in Amelia in the adoption questionnaire. Check out all the wonderful dogs on Mary's Dogs Facebook Fan Page.

***

Mary’s Dogs rescues and re-homes dogs and puppies from Aiken County Animal Shelter, a high-kill shelter in South Carolina, USA. They also serve as a resource to communities in Southern New Hampshire and pet owners nationwide by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition.

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Haunted By A Stinky Vacuum?

I remember a discussion we had on twitter, about stinky vacuum cleaners. It seems, that no matter what brand you have, it will get stinky sooner or later.

I am not completely sure whether this is just a problem of households with dogs.

But we get haunted by the stinky vacuum.

I've gone through a several, different kinds. Some designed specifically for homes with pets, some designed with fancy filters. The only kind I haven't tried yet is those with water filtration. Those, I suppose, should theoretically remain odor-free.

I also admit that I haven't met a vacuum which I wouldn't hate emptying.

What's up with that? We live in the age of technology and we can't invent a vacuum the emptying of which would not be a total messy nightmare? I guess not. (again, I cannot speak for water filtration vacuums)

Vacuuming with a stinky vacuum cleaner, besides the stink itself, just doesn't feel right. You can't help to think about what kind of nasty mess you are dispersing in the air along with the stink.

Then our vacuum died and hubby brought in a replacement, refurbished Filter Queen.

Ok, I didn't really like the looks of it and emptying it isn't any more pleasant than with any other vacuum.

But three years going and no stink!

The filtration system looks very simple, almost crude. No fancy this and fancy that. But it works!

I don't know how much a new one would cost, but we got ours for couple hundred bucks, because it wasn't new.

If you too are haunted by stinky vacuum, get Filter Queen. Truly.


Oh, and if you're worried about suction, Filter Queen sucks. In a good way. After all, if a vacuum doesn't suck, it blows.

***


This post is not sponsored in any way, I just wanted to share my joy of vacuum cleaner that doesn't stink, no matter how much mess you put through it.

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Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART TWO

by Dino Dogan

Dog professionals are unable to relate certain type of information to their clients

Not because they (dog professionals) don’t want to but because they can’t. And not because they don’t know it but because they don’t see it.

In PART ONE I have likened it to asking fish how it breathes under water.

The fish don’t know, it just does

Image Political Forum/Canadian Eye

Dog professionals are unaware of the very important skillset that they possess

When transferring their knowledge, the focus is often on rote  execution of techniques without paying special attention as to why those techniques work when they do.

I will list 4 attributes dog professionals have that makes them successful at what they do. I call these attributes the Fantastic 4

I maintain that the extent of your success will depend directly on the extent to which you are able to replicate these attributes.

Without further ado, lets do the first attribute; the other 3 are to follow in the upcoming posts.

Companionship

I know this doesn’t sound like much, but lets take a critical look at the implications.

Here is a typical profile of a successful dog professional.

• He spends most of his time with dogs.
  Spending time with dogs will inevitably make you a better dog person. You can learn from dogs, try different things, find out what works, work on improving your craft (after all, it’s your livelihood), take on dog’s disposition toward the world, learn from them, and countless other benefits native to this type of lifestyle.


• His dogs spend most of his time with him.
  Regardless of what “school of thought” you come from (more on this later) we can all agree that dogs are social animals. They thrive in packs and they can definitely use a human to help guide them through this distinctly anti-canine world.


• He is doing what he loves (no real money in dog training unless you are Cesar Milan or similar) Dog trainers usually get into the profession because they truly have natural rapport with dogs, are interested in understanding them better, and are doing what they love. People who truly enjoy what they do have a different energy about them. Have you ever noticed?


• Speaking of Cesar Milan, spending time with your dog is the prerequisite for exercise, discipline, affection.
  How are you to exercise your dog if you’re at work most of the day? How are you to discipline (I prefer the word guidance) if you’re not there. The only thing that you are interested in doing at the end of the day is to share affection with your dog, however -as Cesar Milan puts it- that’s the last thing the dog needs from you in this situation.


• He probably has innate ability to relate to dogs and animals in general. Some people have a naturally sunny disposition, some have a cloud hanging over them, and some are bat shit crazy. The others seem to thrive in the presence of animals. This last kind usually starts up a dog training business.

Now let’s examine a typical profile of a dog owner

• He spends most of his time at work while his dog is alone in the house or in the back yard. At the end of the day, all you have energy for is to crash in the bed and rub your dog’s belly for 5 minutes. Your dog sees you as basically the shell of a (wo)man, your energy sucked-out by the corporate grind, and your spirit defeated and in a desperate need of a nap.


• His dog spends most of it’s time alone without human guidance. Locked up and alone for better part of the day, your dog has no choice but to engage in all manner on nonsense.
  
  No purpose in life (which most dogs –and people- desperately need), no outlet for his creativity, energy and passion. Furthermore, since you are not there, how are you supposed to guide him through this distinctly human world?
  
  How are you supposed to provide an outlet for his creativity, energy and passion when yours has been stolen from you by your corporate overlords (sorry, couldn’t resist :-)


• He (our imaginery dog owner) is doing what he hates. Most of us engage in jobs we do because we have to, not because we love to. This is OK (maybe not?), but we must realize that this creates a void in us; it drains our good energy and fills us with sterile, dark and cold energy provided to us by the burdens of a work-a-day. You then share this energy with not only your dog but everyone else you interact with.


• For all these factors and more, our “imaginary” dog owner doesn’t spend enough time meeting dog’s needs (exercise being one of them).
  
  This might be emblematic of a larger issue. Perhaps our dog owner is not engaging in any form of exercise himself.
  
  I will create a separate series focusing on human and dog’s fitness and nutrition, but for now let me say this.
  
  Not engaging in vigorous forms of exercise removes us from our core; removes us from what humans are designed to do.
  
  More on this in our exercise series, but I think for now everyone can accept that exercise is important, I hope.


• Our dog owner probably has difficulty relating to animals.
  Animals represent a very interesting puzzle for some humans. Animals can’t speak, they can’t tell you what they want, what they need or how they feel.
  
  Perhaps you are the kind of person that relies on this type of information from humans in order to coexist with them. If that is the case, you might have noticed that your human relationships aren’t coated with shiny-sparkle either. Why?
  
  As any psychologists –and common sense- will tell you, what we say is not always (or ever?) what we mean, what we say we need is almost never what we truly need, and the way we say we feel is seldom accurate.
  If you want to be good at relating to animals (and people) you have to see thought the superficial.

There will be a longer discussion on this to follow, but for now I hope you can see how our inability to “read” dogs (or people) can be detrimental to the human-dog equation.

***

Dino Dogan is a blogger, writer, biker, dog trainer, singer/songwriter, Martial Artist. Dino is now busy with his DIY Blogger Net blog. He is also behind the great social media tool, Triberr. Hopefully one day he'll return to dog blogging. Meanwhile, you can connect with Dino on Twitter or Facebook.

Related articles:
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART ONE

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Veterinary Highlights: Better Dog Cancer Detection?

One of the troubles with cancer in dogs is that when you see the signs, it's typically already quite advanced. Like any other disease, the sooner you identify and address the problem, the better for the outcome.

Many serious diseases can be detected early during regular wellness exams and routine testing. When you suspect a problem, urinalysis or blood testing will often tell you what you're looking at. With cancer, not so much.

We are not at the point when we can run some blood work and see whether there is cancer brewing.

Current cancer screening test technologies still have a long way to go.

Every once in a while, though, it seems we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

One of the latest and greatest is the VDI-TKcanine+ cancer test for dogs.

This test can be helpful when cancer is suspected, ant to monitor the treatment once cancer is confirmed. The two available tests, VDI-TKcanine+ and INCase, are looking for specific biomarkers that are elevated in dogs with cancer.

It seems to be one of the better tests out there.

At this time, these tests have been validated for dogs with lymphoma or hemangiosarcoma. It is important to remember, that such tests can produce false positives and false negatives, which can further cloud the issue. The more sensitive the test, the more false positives you can get.

What is important, though, is that the researchers are paying attention to it and we might be closer than ever to detecting dog cancer in early stages.

Source article:
The Facts About Dog Cancer Screening Tests

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Angry Vet On Leptospirosis

by Dr. Robert Foley, DVM

As a sad reminder of the dangers and reality of leptospirosis, we had two cases of acute renal failure in otherwise healthy young dogs. 

One of these dog’s kidneys completely shut down and would not respond to treatment. She was euthanized humanely. The other dog, I am pleased to report has responded, and is now home and expected to make a full recovery.

This post is dedicated to Sandy, our unfortunate patient who died far too young:

A differential that is high on the list when an acute renal patient presents is leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that affects primarily dogs that drink water contaminated with the urine from rodents and mammals like raccoons.

Once infected, your dog can become sick, sometimes gravely sick, with kidney and/or liver failure.

Symptoms can include drinking and urinating excessively progressing to scant or no urine production, vomitting, anorexia, and lethargy. Response to antibiotic therapy is possible if instituted early.  If there is resistance to antibiotics or if antibiotics are instituted  too late, progressive organ failure can lead to death. It must also be noted that leptospirosis can be transmitted from pets to humans.

Our recent exposure to this bacteria re-raises some of the questions with which we at Angryvet frequently wrestle. 

While we do carry the leptospirosis vaccination, we don’t recommend it as one of our core vaccines. We offer it to people whose pets have exposure to wildlife and who feel that the benefits of the vaccination outweigh the risks.

The leptospirosa vaccination typically contains four (at least) serovars/strains. 

Scanning electron micrograph of Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni.
Image: Medical Books Online

The problem is that there are hundreds of serovars, and immunity against one serovar does not necessarily predict immunity against another.

In theory, the strains chosen are strains that are known to occur in a local area. This is typical of the flu shot given to people where scientists try and predict which flu strain will be out during a particular season and subsequently which strain(s) will be put into the vaccination. These predictions often fall short in providing protective immunity.

Canine leptospirosis vaccinations are not changed with such frequency, so we can expect vaccination immunity to frequently fall short.

Also, predictably , the immunity that is obtained to any strain is fleeting (sometimes 9 months or less). This is because the immunity from bacterial vaccinations is different from the immunity from viral vaccinations. It necessitates the activation of various cell-mediated immunity pathways (natural killer cells, etc.) and not the humoral immunity (antibody production) activated by viral vaccines.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, the leptospirosis vaccination is most frequently associated (anecdotally) with vaccine reactions in the patient.  

These reactions are sometimes severe and can necessitate emergency treatment.  Reports of death, while rare, can occur.

One of our patients, the one who died, tested NEGATIVE for leptospirosis.  

Negative test does not guarantee that he did not have it. The tests can provide false negatives. Interestingly, this dog was vaccinated against leptospirosis recently. This means that either the vaccination failed or that her renal failure was caused by something else. Contaminated dog food from China remains a distinct possibility.

The other dog, who tested POSITIVE for the disease, was not vaccinated.  

A positive test does not guarantee that she had an active leptospirosis infection that triggered her renal failure. The test can also show false positives. The likely scenario is that leptospirosis was indeed responsible for her renal and hepatic failure. She is, fortunately, making a nice recovery.

With all of that said , vaccinations can be very effective biological weapons against disease.  When one determines whether to use a particular vaccine they should ask …

1. How effective is the vaccine?
2. How safe is the vaccine?
3. How long lasting is the immunity that is conferred from the vaccine?
4. How likely is it that the animal will be exposed to the disease with which we are concerned within her environment?.

Leptospirosis is a very difficult vaccination to weigh in on. 

In some heavily endemic areas, where outbreaks are frequent, recommending the vaccine may be much more clear cut. Conversely, if an animal is paper trained or is indoors (or mostly indoors), the decision to not vaccinate may be easier.  It has been suggested that certain breeds like Dachshunds are more susceptible to reactions.

In my particular area of Long Island and Queens we do see some outbreaks. 

We offer the vaccine to new patients and provide the information to the owners as to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine to allow people to make their own decision for their own pet.

I do not personally vaccinate my dogs against leptospirosis.

As data changes so too may our recommendations…

***

Angry Vet's blog offers objective opinions on many controversial topics often not readily available from your local veterinarian. This includes health concerns with over-vaccination, spaying and neutering controversy, and nutritional issues.

Dr. Robert Foley and Dr. Michael Ferber, founders of Angry Vet blog, are raising questions about the general recommendations that veterinarians are taught to give to their patients. Why do veterinarians vaccinate so much? Why they recommend spaying and neutering as a dogma, and as the only option? Is an intact animal actually healthier? Why are certain diseases so prevalent in our pets? Why is "people food" unhealthy for our pets but processed dog or cat foods superior?

Are you asking the same questions? And if you're not, should you? Check out  Angry Vet blog or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.

Articles by Angry Vet: 
Really Angry Vet: Winston's First Seizure  
Ruptured Cruciate Ligaments And Early Spay And Neuter  
Itching For A Diagnosis
Angry Vet On Ear Infections (Part I) 
Angry Vet On Ear Infections (Part II)

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Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Prefixes (myelo-)

Remember the Spelling Bee? Big words are easier to tackle when you understand how they're put together. Veterinary terms are composed in the same way. Just like with other words, the main parts of a veterinary term are a prefix, a root, and a suffix. The difference is that they typically come more directly from Greek or Latin.

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning by providing additional information. It usually indicates number, location, time, or status.

myelo- [mī′ĕ-lō] - New Latin from Greek - having to do with a spinal cord or bone marrow

This suffix is dangerously similar to myo-, and I imagine they can be easily confused. I know I had a hard time before I figured out what's going on with these two.

No, it's not like tomato, tomahto, all the same. These prefixes might look and sound similar but mean different things. Myo- refers to muscles, while myelo- refers to spinal cord or bone marrow. 

Once you get over that bit, the rest is straightforward again.

Though I was curious how did bone marrow and spinal cord ended up in one bag.

Turns out, that the original Greek word meant marrow. As medical terminology was developing, spinal cord got thrown in the same bag in the days when there was still little understanding of the function of both the spinal cord and the marrow. They had to call it something and it made sense at the time.

After all, both of them are kinda the stuff inside the bones, right? So there is no deep secret to it.

As for some  examples, you might encounter following medical terms. 

Myelitis, inflammation of the bone marrow or spinal cord. Myelogram, imaging of the spinal cord. Myeloma, a tumor of the bone marrow. Myelopathy, any disease of the bone marrow or of the spine, such as degenerative myelopathy, or cervical spondylomyelopathy, aka Wobbler syndrome. (Btw, are you noticing the parade of suffixes we've already discussed?)

***

Related articles:
Veterinary Suffixes (-itis)
Veterinary Suffixes (-oma) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-pathy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-osis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-iasis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-tomy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-ectomy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-scopy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-emia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-penia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-rrhea) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-cyte) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-blast) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-opsy)
Veterinary Suffixes (-ac/-al)

Veterinary Prefixes (hyper-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (hypo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (pyo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myo-)

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Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) Survivor: Pete's Story

by Jenny MacKay

It was the evening of Monday, October 24 2011, when my husband, Mike, and I first heard the term IMHA. 

We searched the internet for everything we could find and what we learned filled our hearts with fear... but we hoped for the best.

This is the story of Pete's illness and recovery

Mike and I adopted Pete, a Basenji Corgi mix, from the BC SPCA Sechelt branch in April 2010. Pete was 10 years old, had serious allergies and eczema caused from the stress of being in a shelter environment; he had such a sweet temperament and obviously needed a loving home - it only took 5 minutes for Pete to steal our hearts.

Over the next year and a half Pete became, and still is, an integral part of our lives. He spends his weekdays in the office with Mike and the rest of the time snuggled next to us on the sofa, going for walks on the beach, or hogging as much of the bed as he can while we sleep.

Forward to Sunday, October 23, 2011, we left Pete at home happily snuggled in his bed, then returned 2 hours later to find a very different dog. 

He stood in the corner, his head lowered; we called his name several times and, when he finally turned toward us, he had trouble walking. His back legs buckled under him.

Something was dramatically wrong. 

We stayed up all night and watched Pete closely. In the morning we took him to the Urban Animal Hospital, they examined him, took a blood test, and advised that given the symptoms it might be something called IMHA but results of the blood test would confirm.

They sent us home and advised us to call if anything changed. 

We diligently monitored his behaviour and for a while he seemed to stabilize. However, within hours everything changed - Pete once again lost mobility and in the space of an hour he could no longer walk. We rushed him to the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic.

Following another blood test they diagnosed with IMHA - Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. 

Pete was immediately admitted and put on several IV drips; the vet provided an overview of immediate treatment- the various costs and options (we are so thankful we had pet insurance with Trupanion). Then came the worst news, the vet explained in depth what IMHA is and cautioned us that even with early detection and appropriate treatment 80% of dogs diagnosed with IMHA do not survive beyond hospitalization. If they do fight the good fight and are able to go home the survival rate beyond 6 months is only 20%.

Pete stayed in the Animal Emergency Hospital and we walked back to the car with an IMHA pamphlet in one hand and Pete's leash in the other, not knowing if he would get the chance to wear it again.

IMHA is a life threatening hematologic disease. It is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks and kills its own red blood cells; without an adequate number of red blood cells the body becomes starved of oxygen and cannot survive.

The causes of IMHA remain largely unknown, with 75% having no found causation at all. 

While some cases may be triggered by an event such as cancer, vaccination, or infection, these do not explain why or how the immune system misdirects and harms the body it is meant to protect.

IMHA occurs more often in middle aged dogs 3 - 8 years old, and in females rather than males. It is a rapidly life threatening disease that even with appropriate treatment is often fatal.

Because IMHA is not well understood there are no known cures or preventive measures.


IMHA comes without any early warning signs. Once the typical symptoms present themselves your animal is already very ill and must get medical attention immediately.

Typical symptoms of IMHA include:

• Pale or yellow tinged gums
• Yellowed eyes
• Dark or pinkish/red urine
• Tiring easily or weakness
• Lack of appetite, lethargy, or rapid breathing

**NOTE: IMHA is a very aggressive disease. It is possible for your pet to show no signs, then for the disease to take full hold within as little as 4 hours!

IMHA Resources: University of Prince Edward Island and Pet Place Canada

Following a very long night at the Animal Emergency Hospital we arrived home mentally and physically exhausted, went to bed but couldn't sleep. 

Early the next morning, groggy and tired, we readied ourselves to make the trip back to the hospital for an update on Pete's condition.

When we arrived the vet warned us that Pete had become very ill during the night and we should prepare for the worst. The vet took us to the back room where Pete was. Walking past all the other hospitalized animals, we readied ourselves.

Pete had an IV in each leg and the symptoms we read about had revealed themselves in Pete. 

His skin and eyes were bright yellow with jaundice; he didn't even have enough energy to raise his head.

When he saw us, he could only move just the very end of his tail... all his efforts to wag his tail were barely perceptible.

I have never before felt so helpless and hopeless in all my life.

Pete's case was very serious; they performed a full blood panel testing and his red blood cell count (RBC) was 12, a normal range is between 40-55. The vet recommended immediate blood transfusion, and reminded us that the procedure was not guaranteed to save his life, that he may require multiple transfusions, and that it would be very expensive. Even without knowing what his response would be or the survival rate, so long as it wouldn't cause Pete any additional pain, we would do anything and everything we could to save his life.

We visited Pete in the Animal Emergency Hospital 3 times a day for the next 7 days. Mike visited in the morning, I visited at lunchtime, and we both went together in the evening after work - staying as long as we could, begging for just a few more minutes after visiting hours closed.

Over the course of those 7 days Pete's condition fluctuated - improving, worsening, stabilizing, and around and around. 

The whole time he kept getting yellower and yellower - the jaundice was getting worse as his RBC was improving at glacial speed. He received all his nutrients, food, and medicine from an IV.

Each time we visited we tried to persuade him to eat; we took purred salmon, white rice, eggs, chicken stock, liver... all his favourites, but to no avail. Pete was just too sick to eat. He was losing weight rapidly. If he couldn't eat then we would do everything else we could think of to make him comfortable. We took his blanket, toys, even our own sweaters - in the hopes that he would recognize our smell and make his feel a little less lonely in the times when we couldn't be there with him.

One evening, when we were visiting the vet told us that she'd never seen it before but was convinced that each time we left Pete cried himself to sleep. It broke my heart. To be honest, it still does...


Mike and I grieved and hoped, hoped and grieved - with the exception of visiting hours when we saw Pete there was no joy in the world and time seemed to stand still.

Following the blood transfusions Pete showed very slow signs of recovery until finally he was stable enough to come home. 

He'd lost 30% of his body weight and much of his muscle mass, he couldn't walk for more than a few minutes at a time. It was still another week before he would eat on his own, and until he could we fed him from a syringe, ounces at a time, every hour. Pete's appetite slowly came back and within 3 weeks his appetite had returned.

Pete's release included a heavy regime of medications required every 4 hours; the vet warned us that because the medication was so strong and hard on the system that the medication might be as dangerous to Pete as the IMHA.

We kept him with us at all times so we could monitor his health. IMHA is a very tricky disease that has no cure, and only sometimes can it be managed. Relapses are always possible, and quite common, and happen without warning.

For the next 4 months Pete received weekly blood tests to monitor his RBC. 

The first few weeks nothing changed much, then slowly the RBC crept up. He was, and continues, to be on a daily regime of medications. Some suppress his immune system, while others promote the healthy growth of new red blood cells.

For the first two months the medications are not effective as they need to build up in the system before they can affect any change.

Yet, while they are ineffective in fighting the disease, they bring powerful and scary side effects. 

Pete suffered severe thirst. He couldn't drink enough water, always panting, and with that came round the clock visits to the little doggie room for bathroom breaks. Pete developed ulcers on his tongue and had multiple stomach troubles.

One of the medications suppressed Pete's immune system, as this was the crux of the disease, and as a result he was very prone to illness and infection from any cuts or sores. Each blood test the vet needed to work around the previous injection as each took weeks to heal.

More troubling, given his lack of immunity, he developed a serious skin infection and lost most of his fur. 

Given it was winter and he was still underweight, poor Pete was always trembling from cold. Pete accumulated quite the collection of sweaters, booties, and blankets.

While we waited for the medications to take effect, we tried everything we could to speed up and assist his recovery. 

We took him for holistic therapy, gave him vitamins and supplements, herbs, changed his diets, and many other things.

We lived our lives in weekly installments, always holding our breath for the results of the next weekly blood test. 

Slowly, Pete's personality came back. On Christmas day Pete was inundated with gifts from friends and neighbours, and for the first time since October he played (if only very timidly) with his toys.


During the first few months of recovery Mike had to carry Pete to the office, a walk he would normally look forward to twice a day every day. Pete spent his days relaxing under Mike's chair and receiving visits and best wishes from everyone in the office. It took 2.5 months before Pete could walk the whole 30 minutes to the office. 

In late February 2012 the vet gave Pete a 4 month clean bill of health. 

His RBC had gone up to 50. It would not be for another 3 months that Pete would have to endure another blood test. Even though the vet reminded us that the possibility of relapse was always there, and that Pete would be on medication for the rest of his life, we all slept soundly for the first time in 4 months. Mike and I were forced to the far edges of the bed while Pete slept in the middle; that night I even appreciated his snoring. 

On October 24 2012 it was a year since Pete's struggle with IMHA. 

He beat the odds, and is a healthy, energetic and happy dog.

In February 2013 Pete returned to daycare 1 day a week. He was so happy to see all his dog and human friends at Sit Doggie Daycare!

Pete survived the most dangerous first year with IMHA - I strongly believe his will to survive was no match for the disease.

IMHA cost 7 days in the Animal Emergency Hospital, 2 blood transfusions from a Boxer named Beau, 7 days of non-stop IV's, and 4 months physical rehabilitation. It still carries daily medications - this will never go away. And despite all this, it wasn't enough to dampen his spirits.

When we tell this story to others we often hear that they wouldn't spend such a large amount of money or expel that amount of emotional upheaval to control an incurable disease, or they wouldn't be able to watch their pet so ill. Yes, emotionally and financially it was very difficult.

We owe our ability to give Pete all the medical attention he needed to our Insurance provider, Trupanion.

They reimbursed us quickly so we could fund the next course of treatment.

As for the emotional side, it still makes me sad to think of it and even writing this story is hard, reliving those worst moments, but it's an important one to share so others who might be fighting this disease can take a little comfort from this happy ending. And for those who have not heard of it, maybe reading this story will help them recognize the warning signs in their pet.

Most importantly I tell everyone that when we adopted Pete from the BC SPCA, we made a commitment to him - to look out for him, protect him, and love him like a member of the family. It just so happens Pete is the only family member with fur. 

I would like to thank all the staff at the Urban Animal Hospital and the Animal Emergency Hospital - both located in Vancouver, Canada, and the blood donor dog Beau - without which Pete would not be with us. I would also like to thank all our friends for their support and kindness.

I don't know what the future holds for Pete but I do know that every day with him is something to be thankful for!

**This article has been written from my own experience and research. I am not a vet; please consult your vet as soon as possible if you believe your pet is ill. 
Jenny Mackay – - Owner, House of Pete www.house-of-pete.com

***

Related articles:
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Reader Stories (Part I) 
IMHA Is Not To Be Taken Lightly: Know The Symptoms
Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde: Razzle's Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)
Battling IMHA With Integrative Veterinary Medicine (part 1)
Battling IMHA With Integrative Veterinary Medicine (part 2)
I Am An IMHA Survivor! Dylan's Story
Liver Tumor? IMHA? Daphne's Story (Part I)
IMHA Complications: Daphne Didn't Make It 
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Reader Stories (Part I) 
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Reader Stories (Part II) 

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Adoption Monday: Rosie, Labrador Retriever Mix: Deerfield, NH

Check out this irresistible girl at Mary's Dogs Rescue & Adoption!

Rosie is a sweet lab mix. Her brother has his home and now she is waiting for hers. 

She is a typical puppy...full of energy and love. 

She says, "Throw me a bone, teach me to be a good girl and give me lots of treats when I am! Then I will be your best friend forever!!!"

Want more info on Rosie? Call Mary's Dogs: 603.370.7750 or send along an email: marysdogsrescue@gmail.com

Ready to bring Rosie home? Tell us about yourself and your interest in Rosie in the adoption questionnaire. Check out all the wonderful dogs on Mary's Dogs Facebook Fan Page.

***
Mary’s Dogs rescues and re-homes dogs and puppies from Aiken County Animal Shelter, a high-kill shelter in South Carolina, USA. They also serve as a resource to communities in Southern New Hampshire and pet owners nationwide by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition.

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