Healthy Pets

Llama and Alpaca Web Site created at Kansas State University

In the newest Veterinary Practice news (www.veterinarypracticenews.com), pg 11, they announce that Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine got $20,000 to create a web based continuing education program focusing on llamas and alpacas. Now 6,000 alpaca farms in US shows the neeed for veterinarians to broaden their expertise iin working with these animals, said program co-creator, David Anderson, DVM.  For more information or to encourage your veterinarian to learn more about the camelids, go to www.vet.ksu.edu/ce.

Homes for Animals

There is a wonderful, heartwarming, funny blog that helps animals find homes and gives you stories from lots of people about their animals - pictures too.

Go to http://www.cutewithchris.com/

Rabies Vaccine Update

Wyoming update:     The e-mail below, shared with permission from the recipient, from the President of the Cheyenne City Council, Don Pierson, was received 4/29/08 by the lead activist in Wyoming, Karon Volk:

"Hello Mrs. Volk     Just a followup to let you know that the Mayor and I are working together and have instructed the city attorney to prepare  an ordinance or a resolution to take care of the 1 year vs 3 year problem.   All the research I have found says that to require our city residents to get the vaccination for their pets every year is unnecessary.   I will let you know when it will be ready for introduction and would hope that you would like to attend our meetings and testify about the situation.   Let me know if there is anything else I can do at this time about this situation.  Thanks for all your info you provided and your concern."

ISDRA-International Sled Dog Racing Association: After Steve Goldman, a concerned ISDRA member, contacted the International Sled Dog Racing Association about ISDRA sanctioned races requiring annual rabies vaccinations for sled dogs and asked for assistance, I wrote the letter to the Executive Director Below.  Mr. Steele responded immediately and will be publishing announcements in 2 issues of Dog and Driver before the proposal comes before the full ISDRA Board.

What You Can Do: if you are concerned about racing events that require sled dogs to receive redundant annual rabies boosters, please e-mail Dave Steele at dsteele@brainerd.net

PERMISSION GRANTED TO POST AND CROSS-POST THIS MESSAGE

March 18, 2008
Mr. Dave Steele, Executive Director; International Sled Dog Racing Association;
22702 Rebel Road; Merrifield, MN 56465, USA E-mail: dsteele@brainerd.net

Greetings Mr. Steele:
One of the objectives listed in the International Sled Dog Racing Association’s (ISDRA) Constitution and By-Laws under Article II C is to:  “Promote the welfare of sled dogs in all activities and endeavors.”  Further on, under Article IX Section 2 A 4, it declares one of the duties of the Animal Welfare Committee shall be to:  “Inform the membership of new advances in canine nutrition and all areas related to the physical and mental well-being of sled dogs.”

With those objectives and the physical and mental well-being of sled dogs in mind, I am writing to request that ISDRA’s Board of Directors seriously consider alerting its membership to the potential health hazards associated with redundant annual rabies vaccinations, which some U.S. and Canadian races require for team entrants.

Annual rabies vaccinations after the initial puppy series are medically unnecessary and contrary to the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Association of State Public Health Veterinarian's (NASPHV) Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control which declare that:  "Vaccines used in state and local rabies control programs should have at least a 3-year duration of immunity,”[1] and should be administered no more often than specified by the product label or package insert.  The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) endorses a 3 year protocol as does the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).[2]

Many, if not most or all, annual rabies vaccines are the 3 year vaccine relabeled for annual use.  According to Dr. Ronald Schultz of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, whose canine vaccine studies form a large part of the scientific base for the 2003 and 2007 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines as well as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Vaccine Guidelines, “There is no benefit from annual rabies vaccination and most one year rabies products are similar or identical to the 3-year products with regard to duration of immunity and effectiveness.”[3]

Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity.  Adverse reactions such as autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is a “killed” vaccine, for which internationally accepted scientific data have demonstrated a minimum duration of immunity of 3 years by challenge and 7 years serologically.  The rabies vaccine, and other killed vaccines such as Leptospira and Lyme, contains adjuvants such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, and aluminum potassium sulfate to enhance the immunological response.  In 1999, the World Health Organization " classified veterinary vaccine adjuvants as Class III/IV carcinogens with Class IV being the highest risk,"[4] and the results of a study published in the August 2003 Journal of Veterinary Medicine documenting fibrosarcomas at the presumed injection sites of rabies vaccines stated, “In both dogs and cats, the development of necrotizing panniculitis at sites of rabies vaccine administration was first observed by Hendrick & Dunagan (1992).”[5]  According to the 2003 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines, "...killed vaccines are much more likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., immune-mediated disease)."[6]

With the physical challenges of the trail to meet, sled dogs should not be exposed to the health hazards associated with medically unwarranted annual rabies boosters in order to enter racing events.  I strongly urge you to inform your membership of the potential risks associated with unnecessary annual rabies vaccinations and request that ISDRA only sanction races that conform to the 3 year standard recommended by the Center for Disease Control’s National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.

If you have any questions or would like copies of the material referenced above, please contact me at xxxxxx.

Sincerely, Kris L. Christine; Founder, Co-Trustee; The Rabies Challenge Fund

www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Center for Disease Control’s National Association of State Public Health Veterinarian's Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control http://www.nasphv.org/Documents/RabiesCompendium.pdf

[2]The American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2007 RABIES VACCINATION PROCEDURES www.avma.org/products/scientific/biologics.pdf

The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocumen...s06Revised.pdf

[3] What Everyone Needs to Know about Canine Vaccines, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.puliclub.org/CHF/AKC2007Conf/What%20Everyone%20Needs%20to%20Know%20About%20Canine%20Vaccines.htm

Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.cedarbayvet.com/duration_of_immunity.htm

World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF)

[4] IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans: Volume 74, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Feb. 23-Mar. 2, 1999, p. 24, 305, 310

[5] Fibrosarcomas at Presumed Sites of Injection in Dogs: Characteristics and Comparison with Non-vaccination Site Fibrosarcomas and Feline Post-vaccinal Fibrosarcomas; Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series A August 2003, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 286-291(6)

[6] The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm

Pet Hospital has Green Rood

Good News for the Animals and the Planet.

Shelly Epstein, a great homeopathic veterinarian, has just installed a "green roof" on her clinic in Wilmington, Delaware. This will use less electricity, lower pollution and make the animals and people inside feel better.

302-762-2694 to start using her as your veterinarian.

Animal Communication Workshop

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP

Terri Diener, one of my favorite animal communicators, has a workshop scheduled for

Saturday, March 3, 2007

, from

10 am - 5 pm

, at the home of Nora Wells in

Westminster

.

1918 Tyrone Rd.

 

Westminster

,

MD

 

21158

   rnrpetsitters@hughes.net   443-540-1297

cost: $150 (includes lunch); $50 non-refundable deposit will hold your space.

Please register with Nora.  She will confirm within 2 days.

Pet Expo Timonium MD

I WILL BE LECTURING FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN TIMONIUM AT PET EXPO

Come to my booth, next to Terri Diener, communicator extraordinaire!. Get the Healthy Animal Journal at a discount at the booth. Bring your wonderful dogs and cats (if they like hubub) for me to see.

Celebrate the 6^th Annual World of Pets Expo, January 26, 27 & 28, 2007 

Thousands of items from parrot perches, live animals, pet psychics, pet first aid and more!

(

Timonium

,

MD

) – In today’s world, pets aren’t just animal companions, they’re often the favorite family members with their own personalized dinner ware, special sleeping places, custom diet, fitness plans and more. Some pets are simply pampered, others perform for their own and their companions’ amusement, still others are working animals with a serious job to do.

You can see all of these animals – along with a host of toys, treats and tricks – at the World of Pets Expo, Friday,  Saturday and Sunday, January 26 thru 28, 2007 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.  The Expo features nearly 200 exhibitors with everything imaginable for your pet and for pet lovers.  From pet essentials, to pet training products, to pet-themed home décor, the World of Pets Expo is the place to be if you like animals.

“We’ve got something for everyone from the serious pet enthusiast to the casual pet admirer, including a chance to show off your pet at the Just Cattin’ Around  Fun Show ” explains Jeanne Emge, President of Premier Events, the producer of the Expo. “Exhibitors will fill the

Cow

 

Palace

with thousands of products and services for pets. Some of the country’s foremost authorities in the pet industry will present seminars and demonstrations covering practically every aspect of pet care and training. It’s fun and educational – just a great day out for all ages!”

Pets covered in the seminars include dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, ferrets and other animals. In addition to the shopping extravaganza and the seminar series, there will be continuous entertainment and demonstrations by nationally known pet organizations, an AKC Dog Agility Trial, interactive/educational presentations with live animals, a Parade of Breeds and more! Highlights include:

• “Just Cattin’ Around” Fun show – enter YOUR fantastic feline in this fun show to win great prizes
• AKC Dog Agility Trial
• Special Guest Jon Provost – “Timmy” from the original Lassie series    
• Holistic Expert - Dr. Christina Chambreau
• The Bird Whisperer – Ken Globus – Nationally recognized Parrot Behavior Expert
• Classic K-9s – Performing World Record High Jump, Grand Prix Racing and High Speed Relays
• Johnny Peers Muttville Comix
• Reptiles Alive! – Educational and Fun Reptile Presentation.
• Reptile World – An Interactive Reptile Exhibit.
• New Clinician Demo Arena
• The Rat Lady
• Auditions for

  Americas

  Most Talented Pets – New reality show
• Pet Communicator Terri Deiner talks to the animals…literally

• And many more – see www.worldofpets.org for details!

Expo hours are Friday, January 26 from 2 pm to 7 pm, Saturday, January 27 from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday, January 28 from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 ages 8-12 and FREE for children under age 8. Acres of FREE parking are available. Heated facility and Great Food!

Entry forms for the Cat Fun Show, Bird Whisperer Workshops and seminar/demonstration schedules are available on-line at www.worldofpets.org or by calling 800-882-9894.

Puppy Funnies, dog rescue, cat and dog health

A friend just sent me to a great site.

• Do you know someone who thinks they can’t keep their dog? She gives links to solutions to many of the common reasons for giving up a pet.
• Do you need a laugh? Find dozens of links to funny animal humor.
• Are you or a friend looking for a new dog? Links to many groups.

Francoise dedicates this site (http://www.wonderpuppy.net) to her husband, Nick, who died suddenly at age 35. The site is CHOCK FULL of links to other great sites (ask her to include mine, if you like them).

Humor is the leavening that has ours days stay joyful. When your dog chews up your check book, or your cat has a BM on your chest when you are cleaning a wound, when your horse breaks down a fence are just the times to quickly find humor and these will be daily reminders of how funny life is. Most importantly in our busy days is to bookmark this site, or the ones it links to that are full of humor. Here is one she wrote that is goes with my commitment that you feed a variety of fresh foods to your doggies.

“THE 5 CRUCIAL FOOD GROUPS ACCORDING TO DOGS:
1. In the bowl. (A good foundation, but important to supplement with other 
    groups.)
2. Off the table. (Most varied group, but best eaten when no one is looking.)
3. On the floor. (A nutritious way to snack between meals.)
4. Grass - taken at least once a day to enable vomit activity. (Vomit activity best
    engaged in while resting head on caretaker's lap.)
5. Poop. (At least once a day for overall digestive happiness. May be taken 
    topically via rolling in it.) Best if eaten immediately after production. Be sure
    to lick owner in face after ingestion.”

There is a serious side to the site as well which is committed to dogs finding and having wonderful homes, being healthy and happy. She has links and articles on many health concerns and the few I perused are very good.

In the section on solving the problems so you can keep your pet, she includes:
Moving and Travel; Housetraining – Dogs; Crate Training for Dogs;
Housetraining – Cats; Noise – Barking; Behavioral Problems – Dogs;
Behavioral Problems – Cats; No Time for Pet; Getting Along with Other Animals;
Kids and Other People; Shedding and Grooming Problems; Pet's Health Problems;
Allergies to the pet; Puppy Stuff.
And, if you can find NO alternative: Finding a new home for your pet.

Again, the web site is www.Wonderpuppy.net.

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Coming soon – the Healthy Animal’s Journal in E-Book format.

Whale saved

Gary Sanchez sent this information and I know he wants you all to hear some good news.

If you read the front page story of the SF Chronicle on Thursday, Dec
14, 2005, you would have read about a female humpback whale that had
become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was
weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to
struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope
wrapped around her body-her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her
mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the
Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she
was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle
her - a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a
rescuer. 

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous
circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time,
and nudged them, pushed them gently around---she thanked them.

Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their
lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was
following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
 
May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be
surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things
that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and
receiving gratitude. I pass this on to you, in the same spirit.
 
Gary Sanchez
http://www.atmosphoto.com