Karen Gadke, Ph.D. (Health Science) is a retired clinical study specialist, medical writer, and lecturer. She has been training and racing sled dogs, many of them rescued huskies, for 30 years. She owns both Siberians and Alaskans. Karen is an internationally published author on animal issues, awareness and education and a welcome addition to AFSBC.

 Have a question for Karen? Contact her at:

October/ November 2012

Information you can use to keep your pets healthy, and other interesting facts you’ll enjoy reading.  Prevention of troubles is always better – and cheaper – than the cure. 

Karen’s Corner is not meant to replace your veterinarian when needed.

Numbers of Emergency Veterinary clinics are listed in “Karen’s Corner” of October 2011 and April 2012, archived.  Please copy them for quick access if needed in an emergency.

Please make sure your natural disaster and fire evacuation plan includes your four legged family members.

I feel the need to repeat the following poem by an unknown author, as a tribute to my two most recent losses, Elvis, 16, and Kylik, 14, both former strays who gave so much for so many years, and to all my other furry friends who have gone to Rainbow Bridge before them.

            “It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with

            them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a peace of

            their heart.

            If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog,

            and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

Giardia, the elusive parasite -- Although there are still many unknowns about giardia, we do know that dogs can be carriers without exhibiting any symptoms, or they may have vague symptoms, such as “not acting right,” or unexplained weight loss. 

            Various giardia species have been identified, but it is not known how many exist.  Giardia is not a worm but a protozoan, a small single-celled organism that can live in the small intestine of dogs, cats and many other species, and some giardia species are said to have the propensity to infect humans.  According to some surveys, the infection rates for pets have been shown to range between 14 % and 30 %, but considering how many pets are never seen by a veterinarian, the numbers may be considerably higher. 

            If a pet exhibits a loss of appetite, lethargy, passes light colored greasy stools several times per day, giardia should be one of the possibilities to consider.  The diarrhea may be intermittent or chronic.  Other symptoms may include mucus or blood in the stools, or straining while defecating.  The parasite damages the delicate intestinal lining, interfering with digestion and nutrient absorption, which explains the weight loss.

            Giardia has a direct life cycle.  No intermediate host, such as the flea for tapeworm and the mosquito for heartworm, is needed.  Cysts are passed in the feces, leading to contamination of the environment, including the water.  They can live in a wet environment, such as lawns or dog runs, for a long time.  Some experts believe cysts can survive freezing, others do not.  The parasite hates hot dry conditions, thus, when moisture is gone from the stool or the soil, the cysts will die. 

            Transmission occurs via ingestion of the cysts through contaminated water from streams, ponds, contaminated food, and stools.  Even the cat’s litter box or a diaper from an infected baby can be a source of contamination.  Frequent hand washing and/or using a hand sanitizer is recommended.

            Cysts are not present in every stool, making the diagnosis difficult.  Thus it may be necessary to pool several stools to save yourself the time and expense of frequent trips to the clinic for stool checks.  There may also be false negatives or false positives.   Several drugs are available, i.e., Flagyl (metronidazole), Valbazen (albendazole), quinacrine hydrochloride, or Drontal.  More than one course of therapy may be necessary.   Once a pet has been diagnosed and treated for giardia, he/she should be observed closely for reinfection in the future.

            Bottom line.  Don’t let your dog or cat have access to standing water, change and clean water bowls daily, and always practice strict sanitation in every way. 

The pain of “Happy Tail.”  A happy personality and a long tail sometimes make for an unhappy situation – an injured tail.  This often happens when the dog repeatedly whips his tail against a hard surface such as a door or wall while greeting someone.  But other injuries to the tail can also cause pain, especially when a door slams before the dog’s tail is out of the way, or if a child pulls on the tail. 

            Considering that the tail is an extension of the spine, this can be excruciatingly painful.  For people who have trouble with their spine, i.e., a herniated disc, a pet’s tail injury should be easy to relate to. 

            Minor tail injuries can be treated by cleaning the wound and applying antibiotic ointment.  The tail may need to be wrapped in gauze held in place with surgical tape.  You may need to use an Elizabethan collar if the dog tries to get at the bandaged area.  .  An ulcer sometimes forms on the end of the tail, and it can turn chronic.  At this point a trip to the clinic is indicated.  If there is no improvement, amputation of the tip of the tail may be necessary.

Bits and Pieces.    

           Since it has become known that petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure, doctors sometimes recommend getting a pet.  But it’s not that easy.  People may say “OK, I’ll try that.”  But stop right there.  The first question to answer to yourself is:  “Do I love animals?”  Because, this “treatment” can only work if you gladly accept that pets have needs too.  They can get sick, and the stress of a sick pet and vet bills may raise your blood pressure instead of lowering it.  Then there are family stress situations when pets can get in the way.  Bottom line:  Pet ownership is also a laborof love.  It's not a one-way street.

             Kids. allergies, and pets.   A more favorable picture emerges when it comes to kids and allergies.  Studies have shown that growing up with a dog or cat can protect children from developing asthma.  I will tell you more in the next “Corner.”

             Don’t run over your dog’s foot with the door.  Dogs are known to “rush the back door” when they need to follow “nature’s call.”  If a foot gets caught, an interdigital (between the toes) abscess will likely develop.  If it happens, you need to soak the foot in a solution of water and epsom salt, fairly hot but not too hot, for 15-20 minutes several times per day for several days.  Better to make the dog stay back and slowly open the door.

             Did you know that cats can save lives too?   Stories of dogs saving peoples lives abound.  But this story, which appeared on page 140 of the November 2012 Readers Digest is about a cat.   A woman visited a shelter without intention of adopting a pet, but an old orange Maine coon mix “adopted” her.  The following night, the woman, a diabetic, had a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) seizure. The cat sensed it, pawed at her face in an attempt to wake her up, then alerted her son in the next room, who took the appropriate action to save his mother’s life.  I call that a little angel in cat’s fur. 

             Halloween is almost here. – Please see safety tips in the archived October 2011 “Corner.”  Here are a few:  If you put a costume on your dog, watch closely.  Some dogs, especially puppies, will consider the costume “edible,” and may need emergency surgery to have an intestinal obstruction removed.  Keep the candy and chewing gum out of your pet’s reach.  Some artificial sweeteners are deadly to your pet, and so is chocolate.

            Reminder, especially for fall -  Mushrooms are everywhere, in your yard, on tree stumps, on old wood.  Some are poisonous and will likely kill your pet before you reach the clinic, others merely cause stomach and intestinal upsets.  You won’t know which ones are the deadly ones.  So inspect areas your pet has access to at least twice daily!  Carefully pick mushrooms, put them in a bag and place them in a closed garbage can.

           Going through some old Readers Digests, I came upon an ad placed in 1974, yes you read correctly, 1974, that’s 38 years ago, by the Animal Protection Institute of America.  There was a picture of a puppy behind a fence, and the headline read:  Death at 4 O’Clock.  It explained  that this was the time of scheduled euthanasia for this puppy if not adopted by that time, and the fact that millions more are doomed to that fate every year. 

         It made me very sad.  I thought, nothing has changed.  But that’s not entirely true.  Thanks to the many groups and shelters and their dedicated volunteers, more pets are adopted and less euthanized than in those days. But the progress is slow, especially in the present depressed economy where many people have to give up their pets because they no longer have the money to buy food for them.  My personal THANK YOU to all volunteers everywhere and all those who have adopted instead of supporting the breeding industry.

      Have a wonderful Golden Fall, and e-mail me with comments and questions.