Karen Gadke, Ph.D. (HealthScience) is a retired clinical study specialist, medical writer, lecturer and author.  She trained and raced sled dogs for more than 30 years, and now dedicates her life to fighting animal abuse and reducing the pet overpopulation by supporting spaying or neutering of dogs and cats.

 Have a question for Karen? Contact her at:

info@animalfriendsbc.org

Spring/

Summer

2016

I have used the following Gandhi quote before, but decided to repeat it because it fits in so well with the text that follows: 

             “There is little that separates humans from other

             Sentient beings – we all feel pain, we all feel joy,

             We all deeply crave to be alive and live freely,

              And we all share this planet together.”

The words “live freely” bring me right to the subject of those breeding factories called puppy mills.  (Kitten mills will be discussed in a future blog).  Pet overpopulation was the subject of an essay contest held this spring at Poplar Grove and Manchester Elementary Schools.   The contest, designed for fourth grade students, was developed and funded by Stateline Spay/Neuter & Education Fund.

The students researched a number of websites and learned that the reason for the biggest portion of this national disgrace is created by puppy mills and backyard breeders, as well as pet shops that sell these mass produced pets. They were shocked and appalled by the cruel, filthy conditions in these greed-driven operations.  The students stated that if there will ever be a change, people will have to stop buying pets from pet shops and instead, save the lives of shelter pets by adopting. 

Here are a few quotes I couldn’t resist.  One girl wrote:  “I hope you will change this world with me and help make it a better place.  Buy from shelters instead of puppy mills and pet shops and if you can, donate some money to a close shelter.  You should definitely get your pets spayed or neutered so they do not have unplanned litters.”  Another student wrote:  “I think that puppy mill breeders need to stop.  I feel horrible about puppy mills.  I would’ve never thought this would happen to a man and woman’s best friend which is a dog or a puppy.”  These students are envisioning a better world for our kindred spirits the animals.  I am awed by the insight these nine-year-olds had into a problem my generation has failed to clean up in more than five decades.  I hope the public will listen to the young people and their proposals to empty the overcrowded shelters and cut off the evil business of puppy mills, and make this quote by a Russian environmentalist a reality:  “We are at the beginning of that path that can lead humankind to humanity”.

If you really want to get a good grasp on what’s going on in these hell holes and the cruel business of the Amish, I urge you to read the book “Bark Until Heard” by Becky Monroe.  And please don’t tell me you don’t want to read sad things.  Yes reading about the cruelty committed in these kennels may cause you some tears, but your pain is nothing compared to the emotional and physical pain inflicted on these poor unlucky creatures.  And this pain should galvanize you into action to find a way to help in any way you can, especially by telling everyone you know what you learned.  I believe we were all put here to accomplish certain things.  If you have not yet found your mission, I hope you will consider doing something to help those who are lowest on the totem pole, the animals.

Here is a message to all the nice people who think they are doing a good deed by purchasing a pet from a pet shop or via Internet anyway.  By rescuing the one, you will condemn hundreds or thousands to future misery and death, because puppy mills will just “keep making more.”  You are perpetuating the cruelty. Better to follow the students’ advice as described above:  Cut off the dirty business, and puppy mill operators will have to find a different “line of work.”

When your pet is hurting 

            You hear your cat cry in pain or watch your old dog limping.  Do you feel helpless?  Does your heart bleed?  Our pets are stoics when it comes to pain, which goes back to pre-domestication times when they could not afford to show weakness.  This means that their pain is probably more severe than meets the eye.  Only in recent decades has medical science begun to rethink the old belief that animals don’t feel pain.  (Picture the vivisectionist tying dogs and cats on their backs to a board and slicing their bellies open without sedation).  We know we have to do whatever we can to relieve the pain of our loyal companions.

            Owners need to be vigilant to recognize the signs, which are often subtle.  Keep a log of behavioral changes that might indicate the presence of pain. A sudden tenseness or flinch when you touch a spot is a sign of discomfort and your pet may have been hiding the pain for some time.  Here are more signs that should prompt you to call your veterinarian:

            Behavioral changes such as withdrawal or constant attention seeking;          

            Cries out when you touch a limb;

            Rises very slowly when getting up from a supine position;

            Does not want to play;

            Constant licking of a body part;

            Seems unresponsive or restless;

            Difficulty swallowing, urinating or defecating;

            Restless sleep;

            Less self-grooming, especially in cats.

            If you know that your pet’s discomfort is due to overexercising or age-related, you can try a gentle massage or warm moist towels (i.e., from the dryer) applied to sore muscles or joints once or twice/day.  Food portions could be adjusted downward to help your pet lose weight if necessary, because extra weight causes more joint, leg and foot pain.  Make sure your pet has a soft warm bed away from drafts and excessive noise, especially during recovery from surgery.

            If there is no improvement, call your vet and describe the symptoms and behavioral changes you are observing, to help him or her determine the best course to take.  Never try over-the-counter treatment, not even baby aspirin before consulting your vet (uncoated aspirin can cause stomach bleeding).  And don’t scold your pet if he or she has accidents in the house.  He/she is suffering and can’t help it.  Make sure to tell the vet about special characteristics of your pet, such as a sensitive stomach or a previous reaction to a medicine. 

A basic understanding of the three different categories of pain medications (for humans and pets alike) will help you to discuss the best treatment with your veterinarian. 

1.  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs),  

2.  Corticosteroids, and

3.  Opioids.  

Ask  questions, and get an idea of how soon you should notice improvement, what signs to look for, possible side effects of the medication, etc.  If nothing seems to work, look for a second opinion, preferably from a veterinarian trained in pain management.

Here are the basics as well as pros and cons of the standard groups of pain medication:

             CLASS                                   USES                                 CHARACTERISTICS

            NSAIDs, i.e., aspirin,              Relieve swelling, aches      NSAIDs can cause stomach

            carprofen (Rimadyl)                (often prescribed for           upset/vomiting or ulcers

                                                           arthritis or postsurgical       in some animals

                                                           pain)

            Opioids                                   Provide strong pain relief    These narcotics are

                                                           and sedation, often given     expensive and can cause

                                                           right after surgery               grogginess for days

                                                                                                     afterward

          Corticosteroids,                       Reduce inflammation,           Long-term use can lead to

          i.e., prednisone                        often used to treat arthritis    weakening of the immune

                                                                                                    system, as well as high

                                                                                                    blood pressure, diabetes and

                                                                                                    kidney disease.

            You may also want to check out natural treatments such as herbs or homeopathic treatments.  Homeopathic meds are said to be harmless, but if they have a chance of working, they should be prescribed by a veterinarian trained in their use.  Do not use herbs on your own, because they can be dangerous.  Acupuncture or chiropractic have been used successfully in pets as well.  I have a personal chiropractic story to report.  Years ago Drummer, one of my sled dogs, a 6-year-old healthy athlete, suddenly started screaming in pain if the side of his head was touched even lightly.  X-rays of the neck showed nothing.  An animal chiropractor determined that the dog had a pinched nerve in his neck.  After three chiropractic adjustments the dog was pain free, good as new.  He lived to age 13 and never had another pain episode. 

            I read about an herbal medication called DGP (Dog Gone Pain) used for arthritis pain in pets.  It combines several herbs known to have anti-inflammatory properties, i.e., Turmeric, Feverfew, Bromelain.  DGP is sold by Harmony Company (www.theharmonycompany.com) Ph 800-714-9698.  My previous warning stands:  Do not use without checking with your veterinarian.

One thing I can not stress enough.  If you consult with a non-traditional veterinarian in addition to your regular veterinarian, you need to tell him or her about it.  Transparency is a must, because treatments can interfere with each other.  Drugs used concomitantly with herbal treatments can cause dangerous interactions. For instance, herbs and other supplements could affect the absorption rates of other medications your pet may be receiving

Mushrooms mushrooms mushrooms - revisited

            I said it three times to stress the importance of this warning.  Mushrooms can grow anywhere anytime.  But spring and fall are their high seasons.  Their growing climate and location are warm damp weather and shady corners of your yard or other places, i.e., in the woods, in areas with lots of shade and lots of trees. They also grow on tree stumps and soft (rotting) wood. 

Why do I repeat this warning every year?  Because there are always people new to pets or new to this area with our warm damp summers. There are many kinds of mushrooms and unless you are an expert you (and I) do not know which ones are poisonous and which are not.  Some mushrooms may cause only stomach and intestinal upset. The really dangerous ones carry a nerve poison that will kill your pet before you reach the clinic, unless the clinic is next door. This is why I’m so pushy about this.  So please check your yard twice every day, definitely in the morning before your pets go outside.  This goes for your cats as well.  We tend to think our cats and dogs are smart enough to stay away from things that can hurt them, but this is simply not true. 

When you go to check for mushrooms, take a plastic bag and rubber gloves along. If you see a mushroom, carefully pull it up and place it in the bag to be put in the garbage.  If you damage the mushroom, it will send out spores to create more of its kind.  So be careful.  And keep your pets away so they don’t think it’s a treat you are carrying and jump up.  Under no circumstances let the pet touch it.  If you do this procedure without gloves, scrub hands thoroughly.                                                               

Some neuroscience research

Studies show that the environment under which animals grow up (stimulating vs. non-stimulating) tends to affect the regions of the brain involved in learning and remembering.  In rat studies, enriching the environment of a pregnant female can result in offspring with a thicker cerebral cortex than pups born to impoverished females.  The brain of a nursing rat pup is able to grow as much as 16 percent thicker in an enriched environment.  Later, in “teenage rats” an enriched environment had a “thickening” effect while a monotonous environment had a marked thinning effect.  This research could be applied to pets coming from mills where they are raised under crowded conditions without human contact and usually sold at too young an age.  (Personal note:  I’m still waiting for the general public to listen and learn and not be “gluttons for the punishment of big vet bills and possibly a dead pet”).  My plea for the victims of overbreeding, the millions of furry little souls that have to be killed every year to make room for more products of overbreeding.  Please do the right thing, save a life instead of supporting greed and deception.  Another (impossible?) dream of mine is for politicians to promote more humane laws.  There has been some progress, but not enough. 

Since I have been doing TNR (trap-neuter-return) as well as rescuing abandoned cats, my personal observations corroborate this research. In kittens separated from their mothers and siblings at too young an age, I have noticed behavioral issues, i.e., not getting along with other cats and dogs in the household. And I have heard and read about similar puppy-related stories, and some of these behavioral problems got the poor pet “dumped.” Both kittens and puppies need the early part of their lives to “wrestle” with their littermates, which prepares them for real life conditions.  Many cats and dogs fall into this category, and sadly, many are abandoned because of it.  Unethical breeders want their money as soon as they can get it, even to the detriment of the furbabies they sell.  People who raise accidental litters because they failed to get the mother spayed, often give the kittens away too early because they “want to get rid of them quickly.”  Most of these kittens are doomed.  Many are accepted because they are free, then abandoned after the children become bored with their little furry friend.  Others are abandoned because of the behavioral problems caused by the premature separation from their siblings. 

Since we are already on the subject of kittens, I am sad to say that the usual spring and early summer “kitten invasion” has not let up.  Despite efforts by some groups  and individuals, there were still too many born, only to suffer a sad and often painful end. There are just not enough good homes available for the number born (every human birth is matched by 7 pets).  So I repeat my plea.  Call Stateline Spay/Neuter & Education Fund, 815-569-2642, for information about low-cost or free spaying/neutering.  If you need help trapping, we will help you with that too.  The only way we will ever stop or at least minimize this senseless breeding/birth/death cycle is by sterilization of all cats and dogs. 

Summer safety reminders 

Tick season is here again.  Not that it is ever completely gone, but there are times when they are more plentiful.  My blog of August-September 2013 (archived) has an article on tick-borne diseases, such as Ehrlichiosis (transmitted by the brown tick), and Lyme disease, transmitted by the deer tick.  Both diseases can be contracted by humans, dogs, cats, and other mammals.  Both are serious, and Ehrlichiosis can be fatal.  Please take the time and read the article.  

If you are not already using preventives, ask your vet what he or she recommends among several available. Frontline is my preference. 

To repeat tick removal procedures, the standard one is to grasp the tick’s body with a pair of tweezers as close to the pet’s skin as possible and pulling it straight out.  Place the tick in a bottle with alcohol.  Do not crush because you could become infected yourself.  Clean your hands thoroughly, and clean the place of the tick’s attachment with alcohol or peroxide.  A less known approach is to cover the tick with a cotton ball soaked with a glob of liquid soap and swab for 15-20 seconds.  The tick will come out stuck to the cotton ball. 

Not all dogs can swim.  Many, or perhaps most will paddle with their front legs only while their body is vertically in the water.  Many dogs drown every year.  You can teach your dog by holding up his rear and encouraging him to paddle with all four legs.  To be safe if you take your dog swimming, purchase a good life jacket and always have him wear it when near water. 

As much as you love to take your dog along when you run errands, this can only be safely done in moderate weather.  A sunny 70-degree day will quickly turn the inside of a car with closed windows into an inferno and kill your pet.  Even if you roll the windows down a little, that won’t help much, and besides, he might get stolen.  So leave your friend home in warm weather.  If you see a pet locked in a car in hot weather, find the owner, and if you can not find the owner in minimum time, call 911.  Minutes count. 

Always make sure your dogs and cats have plenty of cool water.  Dehydration sets in quickly and will kill your pets in a short time.  And please don’t forget the birds and other wild critters.  They don’t always find water.

Most of this blog describes both dogs and cats, but here are a few more kitty facts

            Cats are considered champion sleepers.  However, bats and opossums log even more sleep.  Those two critters average 20 hours of sleep per day.

            Every evening when I sit down in my recliner to read, two of our cats compete for my lap to do their “biscuit making routine.”  They just have to knead to be happy.  For those who are not aware of this, it starts right after birth.  Kittens push down on their mother around the nipples to stimulate milk flow, and as they grow, they don’t want to give up the “happy feeling” they got when their bellies were filling.  In fact, biscuit making brings so much comfort that many (or most) cats continue as adults.  I put a folded up section of a blanket on my lap because sometimes they dig in too much.  It also helps to clip claws regularly.

            If you have a dilemma which cat litter to choose for your new kitty, it’s best to try out and see what the cat likes.  Some don’t care and some are more choosey.  Here are some considerations.  Clay ranks as the most popular choice because it forms “scoopable” clumps.  However, clay dust can cause respiratory issues in cats and humans.  Environmentally minded companies have created litters made of pine or grain.  These absorb well and are biodegradable.  Grain tones down the powerful ammonia odor of cat urine.  Other choices are recycled paper, flushable green tea leaves, silica and silica gel.  Some come with deodorizing components such as baking soda and citrus.  But beware of citrus.  Most cats abhor the scent, and any kind of deodorant may turn them away from the litter box.  An air purifying machine close to the litter box seems to be a better idea.

Here’s one way to test prospective litters.  Set up two boxes, put different litters in them.  You will see which one is preferred.  A sure sign that your cat doesn’t like either of them is if she eliminates next to the box.  In that case, discard both and try two new ones.  And, I should not need to repeat this.  The surest way to keep your cat from ever going outside the litter box unless she is sick is to scoop twice/day.  Don’t make a big thing of it.  It’s a small chore compared to the pleasure your kitty gives you.

            Here is a long-hair grooming tip.  Arm yourself with a mat splitter, wide toothed or shedding comb and a slicker brush.   This can spare your cat many vomiting episodes, and spare you the cleanup.  And don’t forget, the serious damage hair balls can do.

            Back to the dog.  It’s a lovely day, you and your dog are walking down a trail and you are thinking it doesn’t get any better.  Then you see it, black and white with a bushy tail ……  too late ……  OMG ……. What now?  Not a medical emergency, but your poor dog is closer to the smell than you are, plus, it will cause very painful irritation to the eyes. 

             If possible, keep the dog outside while cleaning him/her up, or you’ll have to deodorize the entire house.  Wear gloves and old clothes for your own protection.  Check your pet’s eyes first and if they are red and watery, wash them thoroughly with sterile saline solution.  If you do not have it, run lukewarm water over the eyes for 10 minutes.  If the dog’s fur has mats, they must be combed out before getting him wet.  Since you will need both your hands for this job, if you don’t have a helper, tie the dog up to a stationary object.  If your cat got acquainted with a skunk, hopefully you have a harness so she won’t slip away from you.  I don’t know if I could do this job by myself on any of our cats.  But they are indoor cats, so I won’t worry.

            If you happen to be prepared for this kind of emergency, you will have Skunk Clean or Skunk Odor Eliminator in your cabinet.  Since I’m not prepared, if it ever happens, I will use the following home made “recipe:”  Mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide with ¼ cup of sodium bicarb (baking soda) and 1 teaspoon liquid soap or pet shampoo.  Whet the coat and apply the solution while the mixture bubbles; leave it on for 3-4 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.  You can not store leftovers of the mixture because it will blow the lid off a container.  Don’t let your pet ingest it, and protect the eyes before you start by putting a thick coat of eye ointment, i.e., Neosporin Ophthalmic Ointment, in them. 

A few things to do for your older dog and cat

            Vigilance is the key word here.  For instance, excessive drinking can mean chronic kidney failure.  This can go on for years and you may not notice it at first.  As a general rule, marked symptoms don’t appear until a big portion of the kidney function is gone.  Toward the end, your pet will stop drinking and emit the typical urine breath, a sign that uremia has set in.  This is the end stage.  I trust you have taken your faithful companion to your veterinarian regularly and all this has been discussed, including euthanasia when the time comes.  Please don’t let him suffer.  Do the merciful thing.  My thought on this is that animals usually have to wait until all human needs are satisfied.  But one advantage they have over us.  Their suffering can be ended painlessly while we have to endure until the end.

            But there are ways you can prolong old pets’ lives.  One of them is to keep the teeth clean, as diseased gums and tartar-coated teeth can be the source of illness elsewhere in the body.  Relieve arthritis pain by providing a warm bed away from drafts.  Like older humans, old dogs can have dry skin and a lusterless haircoat.  In addition to regular grooming, discuss proper nutrition for this stage in his/her life and consider using a fatty acid supplement in addition to the food. 

On the subject of nutrition, the magazine “Whole Dog Journal” (you can find it online) publishes a yearly list of the top quality dog foods.  Their list is established on solid research and the magazine does not accept payment from anyone.  And guess what?  The foods you find at the grocery store are not listed. Draw your own conclusions. 

Your older pets may need a little extra attention to assure them that you still love them, even though they are not the way they used to be. They have earned that.  And please, if they have accidents, don’t scold them. It’s not their fault.  If you feel you can not handle the situation, it is better to have the pet euthanized than to make him/her feel unloved. 

Last but not least, our pets are not pieces of furniture.  They have all the same needs we have, i.e., food, comfort, love, companionship, and PLAY. Please play with your pets.  Assuming you have already supplied them with safe toys (there are many unsafe ones on the market that end up in the pet’s stomach and in a trip to Emergency), now go online and search games you can play with your dogs and cats.  You will have as much fun as they have.  In a future blog I will have more to say about games you can play with your pets..

I have so much more to say, but I will close with one more important point:  Dog bites.  I have talked to school children and written many letters to editors and talked up this subject wherever I could.  Still, bites keep happening, especially in the summer.  Most are totally preventable, and in many cases the biter is the family dog.  Consider this.  Are you in the best mood when the thermometer reaches 95 and the humidity is unbearable?  Well, your pets are just as miserable! So explain this to your children and forbid them to bother the dog at such times.  Also, make sure they know this:  NEVER EVER TOUCH A SLEEPING DOG! You need to have that much control over your children in order to protect them.  And secondly, keep repeating to your children that they must never pet a strange dog without the owner’s permission, and then do it properly, always by talking to the dog and slowly approaching, then gently touching the side of the head, not the top!   No child should ever be bitten!

Now I wish everyone a wonderful and safe summer.  And don’t forget, if you have questions, call me at 815-569-2642, and call the same number if you need a pet spay voucher or if there are stray cats in your neighborhood  I will do my best to help you with both.