Fur Baby Inc

Labradoodles Creator Regrets...

I didn't know that NOT ALL Labradoodle are non-allergenic (based on this article - link below).  I simply didn't think of this: Labrador cross poodle could result in more lab or more poodle genes.  We don't have control of it.    

It's a very intereing read (only takes about 2 minutes).  The person who originally created "Labradoodles" spoke up: http://www.globalanimal.org/2010/12/02/man-who-created-labradoodles-regrets-the-cross-breed/25768/

When I shared the article on facebook, a friend who's involved in rescue said:

"Another big issue is what those unethical breeders do with the pups who inherit the lab coat. Most people looking to acquire a labradoodle are doing so because they need (or want) a hypoallergenic dog. Therefore, the pups born with the lab coat will not fetch the pretty penny the breeder was hoping for. I've heard of many puppy mills and backyard breeders who have drowned, beaten, and otherwise disposed of the unwanted allergenic puppies. So sad!"

I think most of us never thought about it.  Please share it.

 

Pets and Hot Weather

On the Road - Car:

Everyone knows that we should not leave pets or children alone in a parked car. But with summer blazing, this year, like every year, there were a few tragic stories in the news.  So maybe everyone doesn't know?

The people involved always stated that they never thought it would happen and why had no one educated them about the danger? Well, what most people don't realize is how fast the heat can build up.  A few years ago, the National Weather Service conducted an experiment with a closed car on a sunny, 93F/34c day. They shut the car off and monitored the heat build up. The temperature inside the car rose to a deadly 119 degrees in only 10 minutes!   Even on an 85 degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle with the windows slightly open can reach 102 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes.  Overheating can result in irreversible organ damage or even death!

Leaving the windows "cracked" makes very little difference. If you absolutely must take a pet with you on the road, do not leave them in the car, even for a "a couple minutes."  Because on a hot day, that's all it takes to be that next tragic story in the news.

At Home - Windows:

Did you know that during hot weather more pets fall out of windows? It makes sense with more windows being left open.  But pets don't often fall out of open windows. It seems the problem is loose fitting window screens. Check the screens in your windows to make sure they are solid and secure. Your pet may wrongly assume that it's sturdy enough to lean against. For more hot weather pet tips and warning signs that your pet might be suffering from overheating, check this list from the ASPCA website.

Other Tips for Hot Summer Days:

• Provide shade. Ensure that your pet has protection from the heat and sun – a dog house does not provide relief from heat. Bring your pet inside during the hottest part for the day.

• Provide fresh water. Animals do not sweat like humans. They need fresh, clean water to keep their temperatures low. Refill with cool water often during the heat of the day if the animal must be kept outside.

• Limit exercise during the hottest hours of the day. Exercise your pet in the early morning or in the evening. When possible, walk your dog on the grass. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws.

Speed Skater's Dog is his Mood Coach

Olympic short track speed skater Jordan Malone relies on his dog, Oly, to manage his mood!  Our furbabies do the same for us.

Link to the video

Acupuncture Treatment for Dogs

Acupuncture can be an effective pain relief treatment for dogs. Our furbaby Sunny was a patient and we could tell by his behaviour that these treatments were effective.

Sundog the Troublemaker Maltese was the faithful sidekick of CoCo the Handsome Maltese. He suffered from loose knee joints. As he grew older, this became very painful to him. To reduce the pain, he would try to walk without bending his hind legs and he stopped jumping on the furniture.  He'd just wait for us to put him on and off the couch to nap.  His back muscles were so tense they were as hard as a rock.

We were referred to a veterinarian trained in acupuncture. The vet instituted a course of 20-minute acupuncture sessions. Sundog did not mind the treatments, other than his usual extreme discomfort at anyone touching his back legs when the needles were inserted. He would sit at the beginning of the session and eventually lay down. Our biggest concern was making sure he didn’t get too comfortable and roll over on his side to sleep while the needles were in!

Sundog started with weekly treatments and gradually extended the interval to six weeks. We noticed that he started to stiffen up again after about five weeks, so we settled on once every four weeks.

First Canine Flu Vaccine Now Available

The first vaccine for canine influenza H3N8 has been given conditional approval by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  H3N8 was first identified in the U.S. in 2004 and has spread to 30 states.  Dogs have no natural immunity to H3N8.  It can sometimes lead to fatal pneumonia.

The vaccine is administered by injection in two doses two to four weeks apart.  It can be given annually for greater protection.

Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8 was developed by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health press release (with link to USDA press release)

First Cancer Drug For Dogs

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration granted Pfizer approval for the cancer drug Palladia.  This is the first time the FDA has approved a cancer drug made specifically for animals.  Palladia is used to treat canine cutaneous mast cell tumors, a type of skin cancer.

Read the Associated Press article here

BC SPCA Opposes Dog Clothing

In what is either a groundbreaking or ridiculous article by the BC SPCA, they advise that dogs should not wear clothing because it inhibits their ability to communicate with other dogs and humans.  Personally, I'm going with ridiculous.  I had to look at my calendar to make sure it was June 1st and not April 1st.

Here's a quote from the BC SPCA's general manager of humane education, Craig Naherniak:

"Unless you have a working service dog required to wear a uniform, or a hairless or short-haired breed needing protection from the cold, it's unnecessary and unfair to put clothing on your dog," says Naherniak. "You are instantly putting your dog at a disadvantage for communicating to other dogs and potentially putting yours and other dogs at risk - why would anyone want to do that?"

Why?  Could it be perhaps because you have exactly zero evidence to support your far-fetched claim?  (Yes, the pun was intended.  You might also say I'm barking mad.)

"...it's easy to see how an apparently harmless argyle dog sweater with matching hat could be the catalyst for a fight," Naherniak says. No, it sure as heck isn't easy to see that!  Now I realize that I've only been involved with dogs for 15 years, and have had a Web site about them since then, and have e-mailed and met people in many countries to talk about dogs, but I have never, ever heard of anyone claiming a dog fight started because one of the combatants objected to the garments worn by the other.  Not even argyle.

In closing, I have to say that this will NOT affect our support for the BC SPCA.  I recognize that every organization is going to have a few boneheads (yep, that pun was intended, too), but their hearts are in the right place and they are helping animals that have few other hopes.  Please don't let it reduce your support, either.

Read the BC SPCA's idiotic article if you like hearing from crackpots

Allergic to Dogs? What do the experts say?

Apparently the Obama's chose a Portuguese water dog partly because Malia has allergies.  According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.  The good news is that dogs that shed less and are bathed more often should be better for those with allergies.  I imagine the president won't have any trouble arranging for frequent grooming and bathing.

The AAAAI says allergic reactions are caused by a protein found in pet skin (or dead skin, known as dander), saliva, and urine.  One usually comes into contact with this through shed hair.  Some breeds have a double coat of hair for winter warmth.  They shed in the spring and this means more hair for allergic people to come into contact with.  Also, the cleaner the dog, the less chance of encountering the protein.

On the practical side, small dogs with single coats (less hair and don't shed) that spend more time inside (cleaner) and are easier to bathe (less protein on the hair) are likely to be easier on those with allergies.  I suppose these are also more likely to be lap dogs that sleep on your bed, increasing contact with the protein, so some discipline is required!

Meditate With Your Dog

Have you ever tried meditating with your dog? James Jacobson has been practicing it for a long time with his Maltese dogs.  I am going to give it a try too.  Let me know your experience if you have tried it.

Pet DNA Test

I just found out on Tuesday night that pet DNA test is not expensive at all!  It's about $50 or so and it is available to pet owners, breeders and veterinarians.  Pet DNA test is simple, safe and secure.

Many mixed-breed dog owner are curious about the lineage of their dogs.  Veterinarians and shelters are frequently asked, “Which breed is my dog?” Though all can make calculated and educated guesses, only pet DNA testing helps ascertain the dog’s true lineage.

Many new dog owners get confused between DNA testing and pet cloning. Pet cloning is a different thing altogether and you can gather information about it from Google search engine.

If you have a pet whose ancestry is unknown, pet DNA test is fun and informative.  With DNA testing, you can gather vital details of your pet's breeds and that result could explain some of the pet behaviors - it's helpful when you do the dog training!  Once you know the breeds, you can also find out the information on the common health issues or concerns of the breeds.

Currently, there are only two ways to conduct a pet DNA sample testing – blood sample and cheek swab - as seen on TV shows like CSI.  :-) The cheek swab method is easier of the two and offers quick results. The findings from the Animal DNA Services Veterinary Diagnostics Center confirms that the most preferred method to collect DNA from skin cells is buccal (cheek) swab.

Let me know if you have tried it and what you think about it.