Animal Young and Parents

Demonstrating my sensitive, schmaltzy, and creative side. A collection of wonderful photos I received in an email (thanks, Chuck) that I put to a slide show with a very appropriate song. I hope you enjoy this show.

Temporarily avoiding the dog park could save your puppy's life

Temporarily avoiding the dog park could save your puppy's life

6/16/2015

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

If you're planning a trip to the dog park or a walk around a crowded park with your new puppy, you might want to wait a few weeks. A Kansas State University veterinarian says taking your puppy out before it has been fully vaccinated for parvovirus could be deadly, especially at this time of year.

"Parvovirus—parvo—is a highly contagious virus that is something we do see year-round because it is always in the environment, but the Veterinary Health Center has been seeing more cases recently," said Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor of clinical sciences.

The increased number of cases is because the weather is nicer, which is a better environment for the virus to survive, and owners are taking advantage of the warmer temperatures to take their pets outside and interact with other dogs. But owners may not realize their puppy is at risk of getting parvo until they are fully vaccinated, according to Nelson.

"We usually see cases in young dogs, primarily puppies, that have had one vaccine as a puppy but didn't complete the series or had no vaccines at all," Nelson said. "This is definitely a preventable disease, so it's important when you have puppies to get them into your veterinarian starting around 6 to 8 weeks of age for their first vaccine of what is commonly known as their 'puppy series.' Then they will need to get that vaccine every three to four weeks and receive their last booster around 14 to 16 weeks of age for the best chance of avoiding parvo and other diseases included in this vaccine series. They aren't considered fully protected until a few weeks after that final dose at 14 to 16 weeks of age."

Nelson says the number of shots may concern pet owners, but the protection is vital. A mother gives immunity to her pups through her milk. As long as this immunity is around, it will keep the puppy from responding to a vaccine. While the mother's protection is good for the puppy, at some point it goes away. If it has already rendered a vaccine ineffective, it leaves the puppy at risk for infection until the next round of boosters. For some pups, mom's immunity disappears as early as 6 weeks of age, while for others, around 14 to 16 weeks of age. To protect as many puppies as possible, vaccines are started around 6 to 8 weeks of age and ended around 14 to 16 weeks.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-06-veterinarian-parvo-puppies.html#jCp

Tips for Adopting a Cat

Meow! Tips for adopting a cat

BY CATHY M. ROSENTHAL : JUNE 1, 2015

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June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, and for good reason. Cats and kittens fill up animal shelters this time of year because of rampant springtime breeding. If you’re looking for a feline friend, it’s a great time to make that love connection; there’s a huge selection of felines, and your adoption will free up shelter space for even more cats and kittens still in need of good homes.

Technology makes finding a feline friend super easy these days. Visit any animal shelter online and view photos and information on their available pets. Most groups also upload their animals intowww.petfinder.com, giving you the chance to look at the available cats and kitties from area shelters and rescue groups at the same time.

When you visit an animal shelter this time of year, you’re going to be tempted by lots of wide-eyed kittens. But remember, there are always adult cats in need of good homes, too. Cats can live 14 years and up (several of my cats have made it to 20), so this is a considerable commitment, especially when you adopt a cat as a kitten.

No two feline personalities are alike, so spend at least 30 minutes on the floor in a meet-and-greet room before deciding if a cat is the right fit for your family. Watch how they interact with you and the family.

I remember a young adult cat named Misty Gris that I always wished I had adopted from the San Antonio Humane Society. She could be brought into a room full of kids and had no problem with them approaching her. She was adopted into a home with two children and I am sure they lived happily ever after. She was an amazingly friendly cat.

What this means is, cats and kids do mix, but it depends on the cats and the kids. Social, outgoing cats will approach and give you head butts and purrs. Shy cats might retreat to a corner of the meet-and-greet room and simply watch you for 30 minutes.

It may not be fair to adopt a shy cat in a home with children younger than 7, and definitely questionable in a home with high-energy kids. Oftentimes, cats are so stressed in these households, they become biters and forever-hiders. So know your kids and find a cat who will fit into your family’s unique mix. Trust me, older cats bond with their new families, and just for fun, you can make up a story about their early life that will become a part of your family’s feline folklore.

If you’re not adopting, you can still help a shelter cat by fostering, volunteering or donating to your favorite animal charity.

Ticks are Predicted to Be a Menace in 2015!

CAPC predicts ticks to be a menace in 2015

Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases continue to spread; year-round parasite control urged for pets.

Apr 30, 2015

By dvm360.com staff

DVM360 MAGAZINE

Many tick species like to hang out in areas with long grass and quest for their next blood meal.The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), a group that focuses on parasite research and education for veterinarians and pet owners, has released its annual parasite forecasts. These forecasts measure multiple data points to calculate the probability of four important parasite-transmitted diseases: Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and heartworm. The forecasts show the threat of vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks continues to be a year-round menace to both pets and pet owners.

The annual CAPC parasite forecasts are based on a model similar to the one meteorologists use to predict U.S. hurricanes. This model predicts activity based on factors such as temperature, precipitation and population density.

Dr. Susan Little“One common pet owner misperception is that parasites are only active during warm weather,” says CAPC President Susan Little, DVM, PhD, a parasitologist at Oklahoma State University, in a CAPC release. “But different tick species are active at different times of the year, including in the cooler months. For example, adult black-legged or deer ticks, which transmit the agent of Lyme disease and other infections, are actually most active during the fall and winter months. When this longer activity is considered together with the increased geographic distribution, parasites, particularly ticks, are a year-round concern.”

Because spring is traditionally thought of as the start of flea and tick season by pet owners, CAPC is encouraging veterinary practitioners to reach out to their clients now to discuss the importance of parasite control for their pets.

For 2015, CAPC predicts the following risk areas for parasite-related diseases:

> Lyme disease is a high threat again this year in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states and continues to spread westward with a higher-than-average risk forecast for the Upper Ohio Valley area and the Pacific Northwest.

> Ehrlichiosis, another potentially fatal disease of dogs most common in the South, also appears to be a threat as far north as New England, as well as in far-reaching areas such as California and the Southern Plains states.

> Anaplasmosis is poised to be highly active in the Great Lakes states, and New England could have an especially challenging year.

> Heartworm disease, a potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes, remains a consistent threat to the health of dogs and cats in the warmer Sunbelt states. The forecast also predicts a higher-than-normal threat of heartworm infection in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In addition to these forecasts, CAPC offers parasite prevalence data that localizes reported parasitic disease activity to the county level. In recently conducted research, CAPC found that pet owners want to know about parasite risks immediately. A 2014 study by CAPC and Bayer polled 2,000 pet owners and found that 90 percent want to be notified of a high incidence of parasites in their area; two-thirds want to know this information immediately from their veterinarian. In addition, 89 percent of pet owners said they were likely to make an appointment to get their pets tested based on the risk.

There are more than 175 million pet dogs and cats in the United States. However, only 60 percent of dogs are protected for parasite-transmitted diseases like Lyme borreliosis and heartworm disease, CAPC says. For cats, it’s fewer than four in 10. In many cases, pets serve as sentinels for tick-borne disease in humans.

“It is imperative that practitioners and pet owners work together and take the necessary preventive measures that not only safeguard the health of dogs and cats, but also can protect the whole family,” Little says.

CAPC offers educational tools and information for both veterinarians and pet owners on its two websites: www.capcvet.org, a veterinary-focused site, andwww.petsandparasites.org for consumers. The CAPC App can be found in the iTunes App Store.

Tips for When You Bring Your Pet to Work

June 26th is Bring Your Pet to Work Day. Here are some tips that will help you if you decide to bring your pet to work.

Petiquette: Is your pet ready for the workplace?

By Maureen Blaney Flietner

Sure, your pet scratches your furniture or chews up paper at home. But when you bring him to work, he must be on his best behavior.
With more employers allowing pets in the workplace and others permitting Take Your Dog to Work Day^®(this year it’s Friday, June 26), it’s a good time to learn about petiquette, or pet etiquette—the proper way for your pet to go public.
Here, a few tips to keep in mind.
Does your pet have the right demeanor?
If your pet is aggressive or overly shy, it’s best to leave her home, says Beth Stultz, marketing and communications manager for Pet Sitters International and Take Your Dog to Work Day spokesperson.
Consider how your pet has behaved in the past around strangers before making the decision to bring her, she says. If your pet has shown fear, irritability, or aggression, or if she’s never met strangers, the workplace is not the best place to test her.
Do you have insurance coverage?
Ultimately, you are responsible for your pet and any damage he causes, says Rachelle Hill, an employment law attorney with the Arlington, Va., law firm of Bean, Kinney, and Korman. Hill has written about pets at work from the employer’s perspective for the firm’s employment law newsletter.
“If you decide your pet would do well at the office, then you need to make sure that you have insurance to cover any damage the pet may cause to personal property or a person. Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance will cover this, but it is important to verify,” says Hill.
Is your pet vaccinated?
Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date, and keep a record of it for your employer.
Ensuring that participating pets’ vaccinations are up to date is vital and requires constant monitoring, says Becky Neibarger, associate manager of public relations and social media at Bissell Inc., a vacuum cleaner and floor care product manufacturing corporation. The company has had considerable experience with pets at its Grand Rapids location, where 420 associates work. Its Pet Spot features associate work areas, a kitchenette, conference table, room for pet play, and a doggie door that accesses an enclosed outdoor area.
Is your pet clean and groomed?
Even pets don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. Make plans to have your pet bathed and/or groomed and her nails clipped before accompanying you to work.
Have you prepared your workspace?
Make sure your office environment is safe. Remove poisonous plants and pesticides. Hide electrical cords and wires. Secure toxic items such as permanent markers. Any office items in question should be placed out of your pet’s reach, says Stultz.
Have you packed the essentials?
Include food, treats, bowls, toys, leash, paper towels, clean-up bags, and pet-safe disinfectant. Stultz suggests that if you are routinely in and out of your workspace, bring a baby gate for your doorway or a portable kennel for your pet’s comfort and your peace of mind. Plan your pet’s feeding times so potty breaks will come during your slow or break times.
Do you have an exit strategy?
It may turn out that your pet doesn’t like going to work. Should he become agitated or withdrawn, consider taking him home or plan in advance for your spouse, friend, or professional pet sitter to take him home, says Stultz. Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle while you work.
Would pets work at your workplace?
Consider broaching the subject with your employer, and point out the success at other businesses.
At Bissell, for example, anyone can use the Pet Spot provided their job allows them to work remotely. With 32 pets currently registered to use the area, the Pet Spot’s fully booked schedule attests to its popularity, says Neibarger. She says the company has noticed that associates who use this benefit are productive, happy, and appreciate the opportunity.

First Case of Dog Flu Shows Up in Massachusetts

First case of dog flu shows up in Massachusetts

Posted: May 22, 2015 8:18 PM CDTUpdated: May 22, 2015 8:23 PM CDT

By Cherise Leclerc

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -

The first case of canine flu has shown up in Massachusetts this year.

The dog, from eastern Massachusetts, was on a family trip to Chicago when she contracted the virus. The region has been dealing with a dog-flu outbreak since last month that's affected more than 1,700 dogs.

Now local veterinarians are saying it's only a matter of time before New England starts seeing more cases.

"Nasal discharge, cough, fever and loss of appetite," said Dr. Amy Alwood, medical director at the Boston Road Animal Hospital. 

Those are the symptoms the infected dog was ailing from when she was brought to MSPCA's Angell Medical Center in Boston.

Vets there confirmed the female terrier mix had a virus we most often associate with humans.

"This new strain of viral infection may also infect cats but it's not the same as the flu strain that affects people. So dog-to-person infection and person to dog infection is not thought to be possible," Alwood said. 

According to the CDC, dog flu actually originated from horses some four decades ago before dogs started contracting the virus.

Alwood says there are ways to protect your pet.

"The same dogs that are getting vaccinated for traditional kennel cough or bordetella vaccines should be considered candidates for viral vaccination," she said. 

That would include dogs who visit dog parks often, show dogs, or dogs that have regular stays in a kennel..

A particular strain of the flu is said to be responsible for the outbreak in the midwest - an h3n2 virus. As of right now there's a vaccine for strain H3N8. Vets are still researching whether vaccines are effective for both.

"Some would say it's just not protective but the truth is we just don't know. So our recommendation is to consider vaccinating dogs that are at risk for viral influenza," Alwood said. 

While the infected dog is recovering at her owners' home in Watertown, Alwood says to remain vigilant and keep an eye on your pet's behavior.

"The good news is, the majority of dogs will have mild to moderate signs. But there is that percentage, less than one percent that can have severe respiratory compromise and systemic illness and can be fatal in a minority of cases," Alwood said.

Copyright 2015 Western Mass News (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

Read more: http://www.westernmassnews.com/story/29139225/first-case-of-dog-flu-shows-up-in-massachusetts#ixzz3bHCkj5nb

Bird Flu May Take a Bite Out of Thanksgiving Turkey Supply

Bird flu may take bite out of Thanksgiving's turkey supply

CHICAGO | BY P.J. HUFFSTUTTER

Tina Corpus and her daughter Christina shop for turkey at a Walmart store in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles November 26, 2013.

REUTERS/KEVORK DJANSEZIAN

(Reuters) - The largest-ever U.S. outbreak of avian influenza, which has devastated Midwestern poultry and egg producers in recent weeks, could be felt at Thanksgiving tables across the nation come November, farmers and some trade groups say.

The virulent H5N2 strain has already spread to 14 states and led to the deaths or scheduled euthanizations of more than 21 million birds, including 3.3 million turkeys in Minnesota, the nation's top turkey producer.

And now, with Thanksgiving just seven months away, farmers say they may be running out of time to raise enough turkeys -the traditional centerpiece of holiday feasts - to meet the demand.

Once a farm has been infected, flocks must be culled, composted in barns, then disposed of. Buildings must then be thoroughly disinfected. The whole process can take up to three months before a new flock of turkey poults can be brought in, said Steve Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.

After chicks are re-introduced to the barns, farmers say, it typically takes about four months to produce a full-sized hen – the type of turkey most Americans prefer for their holiday feasts.

If breeder farms that supply the young birds have also been infected -- as some in Minnesota have -- simply acquiring the chicks could prove challenging.

And in Minnesota, there's still no sign of an end to the outbreak, despite tight biosecurity measures and quarantines. Already, at least one turkey processing plant has cut back on workers' shifts because of a lack of birds to slaughter.

"We're going to have fewer turkeys coming out because of this," Olson said.

"The question we can't answer is how much this is going to impact our total system, because this isn't over yet," he added.

Of the nearly 240 million turkeys raised last year in the United States, nearly one in five came from Minnesota farms. About 30 percent of the Minnesota birds are sold as whole turkeys at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The remaining 70 percent are sold year-round for deli meat, frozen meals, ground turkey and other products, according to industry data.

"There's a sense of pride in farmers, in what they do," Olson said, in a state where farms have often been in the same family for generations. "This is challenging their belief in their ability to raise turkeys, because they have not been able to stop the disease, despite them doing everything they can do from a biosecurity standpoint."

RIPPLE EFFECTS

As the reach of the virus continues to expand, companies up and down the turkey supply chain are watching closely.

Tyson Foods Inc said on Monday that the avian influenza has affected some of its turkeycontract farms in neighboring Iowa, where farmers have had to euthanize birds.

While that loss could affect production levels at its turkey plant sometime this summer, Tyson does not produce the whole turkeys typically used at Thanksgiving dinners. Its turkey division is a small part of the company's overall business, and Tyson does not expect the loss to have a material financial impact.

Food retailers are also monitoring the spread of the virus.

Boston Market Corp. said it has been assured by Butterball LLC, one of its main turkeysuppliers, that the company's birds are being raised in areas not affected by the flu outbreak.

But Boston Market Chief Financial Officer Greg Uhing said the company is watching the situation. Butterball declined to discuss specific supply-chain arrangements it has in place with its customers.

Meanwhile, some help for holiday feasts could come from cold storage, where stocks of wholeturkey hens were at 98.7 million pounds as of the end of March, a 24 percent jump over February and up 16 percent over the same period a year earlier, according to federal Agriculture Department data.

Raising birds for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals begins early in the year, with turkeys slaughtered and stored in cold storage to meet the demand at year's end, say industry officials.

Some producers are confident that supplies will largely keep pace with demand.

"There is some wiggle room" for the holidays, said Darrell Glaser, who raises 600,000 turkeys a year for Cargill Inc at his family's Bar G Ranch in Rogers, Texas.

"You may see a small impact," said Glaser, who raises the variety of turkeys sold for Thanksgiving. "Unless this outbreak gets a lot worse, I don't see it having a huge impact on our overall supply."

Still, Glaser's not taking any chances. He has increased biosecurity measures on his farm and told staff not to get close to any wild birds. Visits to nearby farms have stopped, and any trips to the Midwest have been put on hold.