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Animal Hospitals Fined For X-ray Violations

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:03:03 +0000

The Department of Environmental Protection has fined two companies, Avian Feline Hospital of Camp Hill, Cumberland County, and Bowser Dentistry LLC of York, York County, for violations of the Radiation Protection Act.

“The Radiation Protection Act authorizes DEP to monitor X-ray equipment operation and ensure that correct procedures are followed,” DEP South-central Regional Director Rachel Diamond said. “These regulations exist to protect the safety of Pennsylvania’s residents. Fortunately, there is no indication that these particular violations caused any harm to human or animal health.”

DEP fined Avian Feline Hospital $10,000 after two inspections revealed a multitude of violations. During a March 2011 inspection, DEP discovered the hospital was using tape to fix the controls that restrict the width of the X-ray beam on a portable unit, using the same settings on the X-ray machine for all small animals and had failed to register an X-ray machine. DEP issued a notice of violation that month. A second inspection last June showed the hospital had still not registered an X-ray machine, and the alignment and settings of the portable X-ray machine were still improperly set.

DEP also fined Bowser Dentistry $12,840 for failure to register X-ray machines that were used to evaluate dental patients from 1992 through 2010. DEP issued a notice of violation to the dentist in September 2011. By not registering the X-ray machines with DEP, the facility remained un-inspected during those eight years.

The hospital and dentist took action to correct the violations and both facilities are now in compliance with DEP regulations.

X-ray machines must be registered with DEP within 30 days of being acquired and the X-ray registration becomes valid upon the payment of a fee, which must be paid to the agency annually.

Article source: http://www.dognews.co/animal-hospitals-fined-for-x-ray-violations/

Alarming Figures Show Pet Obesity Reaches Record Levels

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:42:25 +0000

The “fat pet gap” continues to widen according to the latest nationwide survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The fifth annual veterinary survey found 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats to be classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian. That equals 88.4 million pets that are too heavy according to veterinarians.

“The most distressing finding in this year’s study was the fact that more pet owners are unaware their pet is overweight,” comments APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward. “Twenty-two percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners characterized their pet as normal weight when it was actually overweight or obese. This is what I refer to as the ‘fat pet gap’ or the normalization of obesity by pet parents. In simplest terms, we’ve made fat pets the new normal.”

Perhaps even worse was the finding that the number of obese pets, those at least 30 percent above normal weight or a body condition score (BCS) of 5, continues to grow despite 93.4 percent of surveyed pet owners identifying pet obesity as a problem. The study found 24.9 percent of all cats were classified as obese and 21.4 percent of all dogs were obese in 2011. That’s up from 2010 when 21.6 percent of cats and 20.6 percent of dogs were found to be obese. “What this tells us is that more and more of our pets are entering into the highest danger zone for weight-related disorders,” says Ward.

Some of the common weight-related conditions in dogs and cats include osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and shortened life expectancy. Orthopedic surgeon, APOP Board member and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Steve Budsberg states, “The prevention of obesity needs to be at the forefront of all discussions people have about the health of their pet with their veterinarian. The body of evidence that shows the negative impact of obesity on all the body’s systems is overwhelming. As an orthopedic surgeon I see, on a daily basis, the effects of obesity on dogs and cats with osteoarthritis. It is very frustrating to see how much pain and discomfort excess weight has on my patients. Veterinarians and owners have the ability to stop obesity in our pets. No animal goes to the refrigerator or the pantry and helps themselves. We enable our pets to get fat!”

Ward agrees. “Pet obesity is plainly a people problem, not a pet problem. The most important decision pet owners make each day regarding their pet’s health is what they choose to feed it.”

Endocrinologist and fellow APOP Board member Dr. Mark Peterson agrees. “Obesity in dogs and cats is not just the accumulation of large amounts of adipose tissue, but it is associated with important metabolic and hormonal changes in the body. For example, heavy or obese cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes as a complication of their obesity. Losing weight can lead to reversal of the diabetic state in some of these obese cats.”

Treats continue to be a major contributor to weight gain in pets. An online poll conducted in October 2011 by APOP of 210 pet owners found 93 percent of all dog and cat owners gave treats. Ninety-five percent gave a commercial treat with 26 percent reporting they gave their pet treats three or more times a day. “Treats are the silent saboteur of slimming down,” remarks Ward. “Those tiny treats often are hiding a significant amount of calories.” Ward suggests offering single-ingredient rewards or fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, string beans, broccoli or other crunchy vegetables.

Veterinary nutritionist and internal medicine specialist Dr. Joe Bartges from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and APOP Board member notes that weight gain in pets can be prevented. “Prevention of obesity is much easier than treating it. The major obstacle is to convince pet owners what ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ mean and what it looks like. Veterinary health teams must educate the owner and work with them to prevent and treat obesity in their four-legged family members.”

Article source: http://www.dognews.co/alarming-figures-show-pet-obesity-reaches-record-levels/

US Vet Colleges Feel The Financial Pinch

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:30:56 +0000

The 28 US schools and colleges of veterinary medicine (CVMs) are feeling the painful effects of $104 million worth of state appropriation cuts over the past two years. At the same time, CVMs have managed to stay on course through a combination of belt tightening and tuition increases that only partially make up for the cuts. These findings are the result of a recent economic study by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), which — along with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — is examining the economic issues that affect veterinary medical education and veterinary medicine as a whole.

In his recent State of the Union speech and subsequently, President Obama warned colleges that schools can't just "jack up tuition every single year" and simply expect people to pay it, adding that, "If you can't stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers every year will go down." Obama is targeting Perkins loans, work-study jobs, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.

In response, CVM deans say that they agree with the need to do something about escalating tuition in higher education, which burdens graduates across all professions with often-hefty payments at a time when they are trying to get their careers off the ground. Deans often have only limited, shared decision-making power over tuition rates. For example, in the public sphere, states approve the tuition increases that universities propose and governing boards implement. In simplest terms, students are paying more because the state is paying far less.

The AAVMC is working to publicize and increase loan forgiveness or loan restructuring payment options. Deans point out that they are working hard to reduce the overall cost to educate students through improved campus efficiencies and that, despite state cuts, their tuition increases are less than the national average. For example, according to the College Board, average undergraduate tuition at state colleges rose 8.3 percent this year, and, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, resident medical school tuition rose 7.7 percent, while the average tuition at state CVMs rose 6.6 percent.

According to a recent AAVMC survey, the belt tightening comes at a cost. Of the 28 deans, 71.4 percent reported that state cuts are reducing their schools' ability to hire and maintain faculty; 53.5 percent reported that the cuts are affecting their ability to maintain some academic course offerings for students; and 50 percent reported that cuts are interfering with efforts to provide extension and outreach services.

In 2011, the AAVMC released Roadmap for Veterinary Medical Education in the 21st Century: Responsive, Collaborative, Flexible, a report found at www.aavmc.org/roadmap that was compiled by the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium (NAVMEC). As reported in that publication, many CVMs have laid off staff members, reduced the number of faculty members, and eliminated programs.

"What is most worrisome is that CVMs report that they have been unable to fill a significant number of faculty positions," said Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, AAVMC president and dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. "Some hopefully temporary cost-cutting measures that can help are to hire part-time or adjunct faculty or slightly increase the student-to-faculty ratio, but we don't want to do that to such a degree that we dilute the quality of the veterinary medical education experience, and we particularly need to manage the size of clinical medical rotations in order to provide a hands-on, individualized educational experience."

Many CVMs are part of schools established through passage of the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act, which stressed "agriculture and mechanic arts," with most financial support coming from state departments of agriculture. "With time, and the shift of the North American population to urban settings, direct financial support to land-grant universities has declined sharply, in stark contrast to what has been provided to schools of human medicine, dentistry, and nursing," says the NAVMEC report. The last major influx of federal funds to veterinary schools came in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Today, agriculture and farm animal care is just one of the multiple roles veterinarians play, and a shift toward companion animal practice, the human-animal bond, and a "one health" approach has occurred. "One health" focuses on the intersection of human, animal, and eco-system health. "Veterinarians are the only professionals educated in a comparative, cross-species approach to diagnostics, epidemiology, and preventive medicine, which is important for a comprehensive, global, 'one health' direction. As this new direction grows, the demand for veterinarians will grow. It will only take a major outbreak of a disease common to humans and animals, bioterrorism attack, or a compromise of the food system infrastructure to dramatically spike an immediate need for additional veterinarians," Schurig said.

From a financial perspective, "The focus of CVMs shifted and many traditional federal revenue streams dried up without any major new funding to support the important work that CVMs do," Schurig said. "Now, on top of that, we're coping with a drastic reduction in state financial support."

"In light of recent trends, CVMs, the AAVMC, and the AVMA need to pursue the NAVMEC report's recommended approaches now more than ever," said Dr. Bennie Osburn, interim executive director of the AAVMC. The report recommends that colleges of veterinary medicine provide a cost-effective, quality education with a "one health" approach where CVMs share educational resources and partner with the AVMA and other stakeholders nationally, internationally, and locally, to develop economically viable approaches to veterinary medical education.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people, and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Its members include all 33 veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada, nine departments of veterinary science, eight departments of comparative medicine, three veterinary medical education institutions, nine international colleges of veterinary medicine, and five affiliate international colleges of veterinary medicine.

Worming Your Dog – How Often Should Dogs Be Wormed?

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:15:32 +0000

How often should I worm my dog?

You probably wouldn't be all too surprised to find out that many dog owners are often left stumped when it comes to the frequency of worming.

In their straight to the point guide (How often should I worm my dog?) K9 Magazine has this to say:

A dog with worms is an unhappy, unfulfilled and potentially very poorly dog. You might be surprised to learn that one of the more common queries we receive is from dog owners who want to know “how often should I worm my dog?”.

The frequency of worming is something that requires some further analysis on the topic of worms in dogs on a more general level. You’ll see why when you read on.

The truth is, a dog with worms really is unhappy and at a potentially very high risk of some seriously unpleasant health problems.

Take a look: http://www.k9magazine.com/how-often-should-i-worm-my-dog/#ixzz1lbhZEb5z

What’s The Best Dog For Kids?

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:24:51 +0000

Want to know what are the best dogs for children?

K9 Magazine can help.

The magazine has this to say in their recent article on selecting an ideal dog to live with a child inclusive family:

Picture if you will a young family. 2.4 young kids, a young, lush lawn and a newly furnished semi on the outskirts of town. For the lucky ones reading, this might be reality. Nothing is more rewarding than starting a family, but for those who got down to prolonging the existence of human kind a few years ago, you may notice that your children’s heads are disproportionately large in comparison with their meek, yet flexible bodies. If their heads do look a bit large it could mean that you have toddlers.
Great, everyone loves toddlers. Especially this writer, but what he likes to see more than a happy, healthy young family is a happy, healthy young family talking the dog for a walk.

Bad Breath in Dogs – What Causes It?

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:18:40 +0000

Most people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer of us remember to do the same for our pets. This February, during Pet Dental Health Month, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that bad breath can be a sign of serious health problems.

Read all about the causes and cures for bad breath in dogs -

"Periodontal disease is the most common health problem that veterinarians find in pets," explains Dr. Rene Carlson, president of the AVMA. "It's estimated that by the age of two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease."

The AVMA recommends that pet owners brush their pets' teeth every day, or at least several times a week. The cost of a toothbrush and pet toothpaste is far less than treatments for dental disease, which can include x-rays, teeth cleaning and tooth extraction.

To help pet owners prevent periodontal disease, the AVMA, a sponsor of Pet Dental Health Month, offers an informative video providing step-by-step instructions on how to brush your pet's teeth. The Pet Dental Health Month website, www.petdental.com, includes tips from veterinary experts on pet dental health.

"Untreated periodontal infections often lead to more serious health problems because of chronic pain and infection, and subsequent stress on the immune system," says Dr. Carlson. "These untreated conditions can then lead to heart valve disease, kidney disease, and even diabetes and cancer, not to mention the significant discomfort associated with dental infections. The AVMA is encouraging all dog and cat owners to take steps to control plaque on their pets' teeth and bring their pets into their veterinarian for regular dental checkups."

While regular dental checkups are essential to help maintain your pet's dental health, there are a number of signs that dental disease has already started in your pet's mouth. If you find any of the symptoms below, take your pet into your veterinarian as soon as you can:

    Bad breath—Most pets have breath that is less than fresh, but if it becomes truly repugnant, that's a sign that periodontal disease has already started.
    Frequent pawing or rubbing at the face and mouth.
    Reluctance to eat hard foods.
    Red swollen gums and brownish teeth.

Finally, while any dog can develop periodontal disease, some pets do seem more prone to it. For example, studies have shown that smaller dog breeds—like toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers and dachshunds—can be more vulnerable to dental disease.

For more information, please visit www.avma.org.

Proof About Dogs & Passive Smoking

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:25:25 +0000

Dog owner Dot Dagless from Leeds had been a smoker for over forty years when she decided to kick the habit last May. Since quitting, her health has improved, but more remarkably, the health of her fourteen-and-a-half-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Winston, has also dramatically improved!

Winston was under the care of vets at Leeds PDSA PetAid hospital, and was on medication for a chesty cough.

Since giving up smoking, Dot has noticed that Winston is much sprightlier and his cough has cleared up considerably. “His appetite has
really increased plus he has a lot more energy,” comments Dot, “and he doesn’t need an afternoon nap like he used too!”

PDSA Veterinary Surgeon Carolyn Oldridge, says “Pets can be affected by breathing in second-hand cigarette smoke. Although Winston’s cough hasn’t gone completely, it has improved significantly thanks to Dot giving up.”

Learn about dogs and passive smoking.

Another advantage is that Winston no longer needs his medication. Dot
continues, “I don’t miss smoking one little bit, and it feels even
better to have quit knowing that I’m helping Winston’s health too, as
well as my own. The spare cash I’ve got has gone towards buying a new
coat to keep Winston warm during the winter on our walks together!”

Carolyn continues: “Remember that a pet can’t tell us if cigarette smoke
is affecting them, but over time their health will suffer. Why not take
the dog out for a walk instead to forget about those nicotine cravings!”

Could Valentine’s Day Kill Your Dog?

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:24:23 +0000

Many holidays cause a spike in poison-related cases for animals, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. A holiday that’s known for chocolate, flowers and cocktails can cause a myriad of poisoning possibilities. The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association is providing tips on how to prevent unwanted consequences with your favorite Valentine’s Day treats.

Every rose has its thorn, so says the song – but thorns on roses or other flowers can be dangerous for dogs or other pets. Biting, stepping on or swallowing stems with thorns increases risk for a puncture, which can result in serious infections internally or externally.

Many people receive chocolate on Valentine’s Day, but chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic, but dark, milk, semi-sweet and baker’s chocolates all can cause adverse reactions. Darker chocolates contain caffeine-like stimulants that cause gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiac functions that can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and elevated heart rate. High fat in lighter chocolates can cause life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas, so make sure to keep the chocolate where pets can’t reach it.

Cocktails also pose a threat to pets. Because of their smaller size, even a small amount of alcohol stolen from a low-sitting glass or lapped off the floor after a spill can cause dramatic problems like vomiting/diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, and even coma.

In addition, be sure to blow out any unattended candles when you leave the room and put away wrapping paper and bows from gifts after opening. Valentine’s Day can be fun for everyone with just a little forethought. If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 800.213.6680.

Article source: http://www.dognews.co/could-valentines-day-kill-your-dog/

Could Valentine’s Day Kill Your Dog?

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:24:21 +0000

Article source: http://www.dognews.co/could-valentines-day-kill-your-dog/

How To Get Your Dog To Reach Their Potential

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:04:47 +0000

Dog training is a great way to spend time with your dog, bond with him, and get a well behaved dog out of the deal as well. Your dog needs to know who the boss is in the house, and dog training produces great results. This article can help you choose the dog training that is right for your dog.

To help with training your dog you need to be flexible in your training methods. Being flexible with your training will help you when your dog is struggling to learn. This will help you tweak the methods needed to suit your dog until you figure out what works best for him.

You may need to try different treats until you find what works for your pup. There are a lot of different dog treats on the market, but your dog has his own tastes and preferences just like everyone else. If a particular treat doesn't seem to get your dog motivated, try something else.

A dog with hobbies is a happy dog. Make your dog work on walks. Many large breed dogs enjoy carrying items during walks such as tennis balls, sticks, or even dog-sized backpacks. This gives a dog a sense of purpose and gives him something to concentrate on. This way his attention span will be less likely to stray from your walk. Always teach your dog the basics (such as train your dog to stay).

Health

When you are training your dog, you should make sure that your dog is not sick when it is not following your commands that it normally will follow. They also need regular visits to the vet so that he or she can inform you of your dog's health. If your dog is sick, you shouldn't punish your dog for not following commands. A quick tip – food intolerance in dogs will leave your pet uncomfortable and he'll never be able to reach his full potential.

Insight: An overweight dog will not perform to their best and will suffer a range of health problems. Dog obesity is a huge issue and you should ensure your dog is the right weight for their age, breed and lifestyle.

Keep your dog up-to-date on his check-ups. If you are finding your dog is having difficulty with some aspects of training, or has regressed in his training, make sure he is in good health. Dogs are very adept at hiding pain and discomfort. So many times behavioral changes are the only clue that there is a health issue. For example, aggression can be a sign of pain, and sudden regression in-house training can signal a urinary tract infection.

If you are training a high-energy dog, it may be beneficial to exercise your dog just before the training session. A dog that is overly energetic will have difficulty focusing on what you are trying to teach. The exercise session can be beneficial for the human owner's health as well!

Food and Proper Nutrition For Dogs

Avoid using food and treats to train your dog beyond the puppy stage. Once you teach your dog to expect food for performing any task, they will refuse to do even the most basic commands without a food reward. Praising your dog warmly with words, cuddles and special playtime will get you a dog that listens without you worrying whether or not you have a treat in your pocket.

When potty training your new puppy, keep him on a strict feeding schedule. Offer food twice a day, at the same time each day, and take your puppy out to eliminate shortly after finishing the meal. Young puppies often need to use the bathroom quickly after a meal. Giving your dog the opportunity to go outside will get him on a schedule and help to prevent accidents.

Diet

Is your dog eating a nutritionally-sound diet? Like children, dogs can become hyperactive, inattentive and even a little bit bratty when their diet isn't up to par. Consider changing your dog's diet to something more species-appropriate, and he'll have long-lasting, consistent energy all day. Check with your vet about any specific nutritional needs he might need attending to!

Before you begin training your dog, make sure that his diet is the best it can be. Just as humans can feel lazy after eating junk food, a poor diet for your dog will affect his behavior. A healthy moderate diet will give him energy and concentration to learn what you are teaching him in training.

An often overlooked component of good dog training is to evaluate and improve the dog's diet. The old adage that you are what you eat definitely applies to dogs. A lot of medical and behavioral problems can be traced back to a dog's diet. Make sure you are doing all you can to give your dog the very best food it can get.

It has already been established that dog training is a positive choice for your dog and your family. Everyone loves a dog who is well behaved and doesn't jump all over you and destroy the house. By using the information in this article, you can choose a dog training method that is perfect for your pooch.

Keep your health. Dog worms are potential killers. Find out how often you should worm your dog.