lcdm june/july 2013
DESCRIPTION
Reasons to Spay and Neuter, Canine Surgery, Non-Profit Assists Seniors with PetsTRANSCRIPT
magazinejune/july 2013
volume 9, issue 4
TM
reasons to spay & neuter
canine surgery
non-profit assists seniorswith pets
´Summer Lovin'
contentsPublisher
Leah England
(843) 478-0266
Advertising Information
(843) 284-3094
Communications
Gillian Nicol
Contributing Writers
Kelly Rae Smith
Staff Photographers
Laura Olsen
www.lauraolsen.com
Dana Cubbage
www.danacubbagephotography.com
Accounting
Carrie Clark Financial Services
(843) 367-9969
Lowcountry Dog Magazine
PO Box 22
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Web: lowcountrydog.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland
Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog
june/july 2013
fido’s friends 4David Bouffard and Bill Bowick
reasons to spay and neuter 6
mental agility 8
diah goes mobile for seniors in need 10
canine surgery 12
summer lovin 14
calendar of events 21
training 22
Food for Thought
health & wellness 24
Heartworm Prevention
shady dogs and frosty paws 26
144
Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.
Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.
The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher.
Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.
6
This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper.
Continue the green process by recycling this copy.
Our cover dog, Bugsy, is photographed by Laura Olsen Imagery.
All Table of Contents photos by Laura Olsen as well.
Lowcountrydog 3
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1. What’s the best thing about owning a dog? Because a dog needs daily
exercise they help us get
out into the world. We've met so
many interesting people because of our dog.
2. What do you f ind the most frustrating about your dog, or struggle with as a dog owner? Balancing the needs of our small business with the attention
our dog requires. Fortunately living next to our shop makes it
easy to visit with her during the day.
3. All time favorite memory of your dog? The
night we got her. We had been talking about getting another
dog, since our much beloved basset hound Hawthorne passed
away. We went to a Spoleto fund-raiser auction and "rescued"
her from the auction.
4. Favorite place to hang out with your dog in Charleston? Sullivan's island. She is in her element there,
and it is therapeutic for us too.
5. With what aspect of your dog’s personality do you most identify? She is a happy dog who always smiles.
We try to live a happy life.
6. In your opinion, what’s the one item all dog owners must have? A chuck-it and a bag of tennis balls
F ido’s Friends: David Bouffard & Bill BowickOccupation: former architects - now owners of Sugar Bakeshop
Dogs in Household: One
Named: Ginger
Lives: Elliotborough/Cannonborough
7. If your dog were some other sort of animal, what would he be? A kangaroo. Sometimes we call her
hoppy.
8. How does your dog inspire you? Or what has your dog taught you about life and work? Every day must include some play. good
for people and for dogs.
9. How do you KNOW you and your dog are best friends? Sometimes at night she will see her own
reflection in a window and growl.
Then she'll come sit next to our feet with
her back pressed protectively against us.
10. What’s your favorite thing about Lowcountry Dog Magazine? It's sophisticated and
sleek, while being neighborly and
informative.
Lowcountrydog 5
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HAIRY WINSTONPet Boutique & Grocery
I don’t know about you, but I like numbers. I like information expressed numerically. I like descriptive
statistics and I like inferential statistics. I like trend analyses; I like percentages and I like graphs. I am, proudly so, a nerd.
Data gets me up in the morning. I know this may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I understand that I when I begin ranting about numbers, many in the crowd’s eyes roll back in their heads and they begin recalling old episodes of Seinfeld just to pass the time.
In animal welfare, we collect a lot of data. We analyze it, we break it down, we look for successes to celebrate and areas in which to seek improvement. At Pet Helpers, we do this continually, searching for ways to not only augment and expand the impact of our mission but also for ways to tell our story.
Many organizations operate like this, from large national organizations to local non profits like Pet Helpers. Sometimes data can lead us toward the idea that a local problem requires a specialized solution. Sometimes data can lead us in the direction of a universal fix for a widespread issue. I use the word “fix” somewhat tongue-in-check as it leads me to my point.
During my time in animal welfare, I have often been surprised by people’s reactions. Most often I have been awed by the humanity and compassion I have witnessed, especially here in the Lowcountry. Other times, I have been taken aback by their attitudes toward animal welfare, especially when talking about spay/neutering.
I’ve seen the evidence and I know spaying and neutering works. I know it is the most profound and substantiated way to end the overpopulation of companion animals, and, in turn, end the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable animals. Most importantly for me, I have seen the data (see, I had a point!)
For me, the most simple and poignant numerical reality is this: As noted on the ASPCA’s website “every year, 3 to 4 million rejected cats and dogs - of all ages - are euthanized in the U.S. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.” It’s that simple. We could prevent the killing of 3 to 4 million animals every year by being responsible stewards of companion animals.
About five to seven million animals enter shelters in the United States every year; sixty to 70 percent are euthanized. (The euthanasia rate is exponentially lower in Charleston.) These come, in almost equal measure, from owners’ surrendering their pets (sometimes as a result of unwanted litters) and from animal control agencies picking up stray animals. Only 10% of animals received by shelters are spayed or neutered.
There are any number of other really powerful reasons to spay or neuter your pet. It reduces the risk of your pet developing uterine or ovarian cancers, pyometras, and testicular or mammary
cancers. It can reduce marking behaviors, the likelihood of contracting communicable diseases, and decreasing the urge to roam or runaway. Yet, for me, the best reason is simple: it saves lives.
Even if your pet lives in the house and you have no
plan to breed it, please still pursue spay/neuter surgery. You might be gobsmacked to hear the number of calls we receive at Pet Helpers to take in a litter of puppies and hear from the bewildered owner “I have no idea how this happened, she’s never around other dogs.” The reality is the biological urge may overwhelm the obstructions we think we put in place. The truth is the only way to halt overpopulation is through the responsible act of altering your pet.
Hopefully the reasons to spay or neuter your pets are apparent and overwhelming (hopefully your pet is already altered - if so, help spread the word to your friends and neighbors). Again, the data is decisive. Yet, we of course hear the objections. There is no clinical or on-the-ground evidence to support this claima decrease in hunting drive, or a change in personality. The truth is, the surgery is now minimally invasive and most animals recover more quickly than you can imagine. Data suggest that spay/neuter surgery is in fact a procedure that reduces any number of health issues and can help your pet live a longer, healthier life.
Let’s once more talk about numbers. I’ll be brief, I promise. As I’ve noted, in Charleston our euthanasia numbers are
dramatically lower than the national average. In fact, last year the Charleston community saved more than 76 percent of the animals that entered the sheltering system - and thus far in 2013 the rate is even significantly higher.
There are a host of reasons why we are able to save so many in our community, and many people worked diligently to make that way, though unquestionably one of the most powerful interventions has been our focus on and our success in the area of spay and neuter. In fact, in the past two years, we have spay and neutered more animals in Charleston than we have taken into the sheltering system. This is both a symptom of, and a reason why, we are achieving such altitudinal outcomes. Spay and neuter programs work.
The data is clear: Both nationally and here at home, spay/neuter programs are a key element is reducing -- and one day ending -- the plague of pet overpopulation. We cannot (cannot!) adopt our way out of this problem.
So get your pets spay or neutered, volunteer at your local animal organization, urge friends and family to spay or neuter their pets, engage in feral trap/neuter/return programs in your community. In short, be part of a simple solution to a heartbreaking problem. Call your veterinarian or your local low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter clinic (Pet Helpers and Charleston Animal Society are two examples) today for more information or to make an appointment. A lot of lives depend upon it.
Learn more about Pet Helpers live saving mission at www.pethelpers.org
6 Lowcountrydog
"Hap" on a happy day.
Reasons to Spay& Neuter
by Kevin Ryan
Lowcountrydog 7
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Coming across people like Daniel Island Animal Hospital’s Dr.
Lynne Flood sure is refreshing. During a time when our attention
quickly sweeps from one
ugly crisis to another,
it is nice to see some
humanity happening.
Even better that it’s so
close to home.
Dr. Flood recently
began the charitable
organization DIAH on
Wheels, an initiative
to help homebound
seniors living in poverty
to receive low to no-cost
food and medical care
for their pets. DIAH has
the mobility to do so due
to a retired ambulance
truck that they have
repurposed into a vet
clinic on wheels.
The idea was born
from a combination of interests. Dr. Flood not only has a passion
for animals, but also for the elderly. She recently earned a
graduate gerontology certificate and was especially concerned
with the social science aspect and the concept of aging in place.
“Aging in place is a term that is used in gerontology circles,”
she says, “and it’s just an initiative to help seniors live in their
home for as long as possible. And it’s better for them because
they can stay in their home and keep their pets. I want them to
keep their pets because I think that’s a huge factor when it comes
to their quality of life.”
After some thorough research, she and the DIAH practice
manager, Abby Suiter, realized that the real need for assistance
of this type is great within Berkeley County, specifically the
Cainhoy/Huger area. And now DIAH on Wheels has joined up
with Berkeley Seniors, an organization that does what they can
to support the physical, emotional, and mental well being of
their older residents. Inside 85 to 90 percent of the homes they
visit are seniors living below the poverty line. Most of them have
pets, and it is a concern that the residents are sharing their meals
with the animals that they cannot afford to feed.
DIAH on Wheel’s first mission is to collect enough pet food for
Berkeley Seniors to deliver along with their meals for seniors, so
even all four-legged residents are properly nourished. Then, they
8 Lowcountrydog
daniel island animal hospital
Goes Mobile for Seniors in Need
by Kelly Rae Smith
photos by Laura Olsen Imagery
Lowcountrydog 9
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10 Lowcountrydog
photos by Laura Olsen Imagery
will begin immunizations for these pets for those who can’t get
out of the house to get petcare and can’t afford a mobile groomer.
All the while, Dr. Flood and volunteers will gradually realize
the scope of the need and let their mission evolve from there,
eventually taking the truck out to the communities in need to
give these animals and their best friends even more attention.
“After the food and immunization processes,” she says, “I want
to do some public health stuff. I want to deworm, treat these pets
for fleas or intestinal parasites or skin problems, or whatever
they have. I think it’ll be fun. It’ll be fun for me to get out there,
and it’ll be something that will help my county.”
Look out for ways to help the initiative by tuning into the
DIAH on Wheels Facebook page, where updates will be posted
regarding their GoFundMe plans as well as a DIAH loyalty card
that will donate a percentage of profits to DIAH on Wheels.
Additionally, volunteers are needed to come along and keep the
residents company while their pets receive care.
www.facebook.com/DIAHonWheels
Lowcountrydog 11
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12 Lowcountrydog
It’s a very stressful time.
Your dog has jumped off
a sofa or caught a ball and landed wrong
and now your family veterinarian informs you your best friend
has one of the most common canine orthopedic injuries. It could
be a cranial cruciate ligament injury (torn ligament in the knee),
patellar luxation (kneecap out of place), a dislocated joint or a
fracture in the forelimb above the wrist or perhaps the outer part
of the elbow. Whatever it is, it’s bad news and your dog probably
needs surgery and your family veterinarian will refer you to a
veterinary orthopedic surgeon.
It’s important for you to know that not all orthopedic surgical
facilities or surgeons are created equal and in order for your dog
to have the best chance for a full recovery and return to normal
activity, you should know it does make a difference where you
take them. Here are the things you should consider when making
a decision about where your dog will have surgery and who will
perform the operation.
• Find out your surgeon’s background. The decision about
which surgeon to use should be made with as much care and
consideration as you would take for a human family member.
Veterinary surgeons require years of extensive training and
practice, and you should not be shy about asking about their
background. It’s preferable if they are board certified. Ask where
they served as an intern and as a resident, and what that training
entailed. What type of patient volumes did they see? What kinds
of surgeries were they doing and training on? In my case, my
surgical internship was at a veterinary practice in Connecticut
before I spent three years in a small animal surgery residency
at Texas A&M University. Then I became an assistant professor
at Michigan State and The Ohio State University before coming
to Charleston Veterinary Referral Center. I’ve also had extensive
experience performing surgeries on racing greyhounds and find
that treating their very unique injuries has greatly enhanced my
training.
• Ask if your surgeon is fully trained in minimally invasive
surgeries, including extensive experience in arthroscopic
surgeries. Minimally invasive surgeries, versus traditional
cutting and opening up of the entire injury area, allow us to
accomplish the same repair without damaging as many blood
vessels, muscles, tissue and nerve endings. Because of that, the
surgeon doesn’t interrupt the healing the body is already doing
on its own and in many cases, recovery time can be shortened
significantly for many patients. We evaluate every patient as a
candidate for minimally invasive surgeries and perform them
when appropriate.
• Always ask about the facility and the team! Are there
doctors and technicians there 24 hours a day? This is crucial when
discussing post-op or patient care in general, and can greatly
affect outcomes. I will often have my patients monitored as
Canine Surgery:What Every Pet Owner Should Know
by Jennifer Au, DVM, DACVS, CCRT
Lowcountrydog 13
3484 Shelby Ray CourtCharleston, SC 29414
Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC
Jill Lundgrin, trainer843-607-7193 www.CoastalCanineAcademy.com
Helpful Tips at www.facebook.com/coastalcanineacademy
Does Your Dog Need Help With• Basic manners? • Biting or Nipping?
• Crate training? • Housetraining?• Jumping on people? • Loose leash walking?
• Therapy dog training?
Then contact Jill Lundgrin!In-home or class instruction
Positive reinforcement • Clicker training specialist
photo by EuroMagic
frequently as every fifteen minutes for several hours, depending
on the case. Excellent pain management requires a cohesive,
well-trained team, so the veterinary technician can accurately
assess and report findings to the doctor, the same way nurses
assess patients at bedsides in human hospitals. Medications and
protocols are often changed in the middle of the night depending
on how the patient is doing. This requires great communication
between doctors and technicians. We have some of the best
trained and most dedicated technicians I have ever worked with
at CVRC.
• Find out if your surgeon or the facility has a Certified Canine
Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) or Certified Canine Rehabilitation
Practitioner (CCRP), and an in-house rehab department. I have a
CCRT and it has made me a better surgeon.
Why? Because I consider the rehabilitation
and rehabilitation that will be done after
I perform the surgery and can adjust what
I do in the operating room, depending on
the injury. I can affect a better outcome
for your pet. Here, I work alongside
Dr. Artise Stewart (CCRP) at our full,
on site rehabilitation department. It’s
critical after surgery that you follow the
prescribed rehab instructions for your pet.
It will help them regain use of the injured
limb and get them up and around faster.
Our goal for CVRC’s Center for Orthopedic and Minimally
Invasive Surgery is to offer unparalleled care with the team and
equipment to handle any and all injuries that may come through
the door. Our emergency room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week or you can simply request your family veterinarian refer
you to us for elective appointments.
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center is a specialty referral and 24-
hour, 7-day-a-week emergency and critical care veterinary hospital. More
information may be found atwww.CharlestonVRC.com or on Facebook at
Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC or (843) 614-VETS (8387).
Summer Lovin'
text by Kelly Rae Smith photography by Laura Olsen Imagery
Lowcountrydog 15
The Siegel story is beautiful. It’s full of heartbreak and loss, but hearts are also mended and filled, joy is restored, and souls are rescued all around. As we listen to a violin’s song emanate from a neighboring garden party, Karen and I settle ourselves on the back porch of the Siegels’ downtown home to discuss their furry family—past and present, hurts and all.
At the moment, Karen and Bob Siegel are experiencing a conflict of emotions. You see, Lowcountry Dog had originally planned to speak to them about, and personally meet, Mukai—the Siegels’ beloved black and white Great Dane who joined the family three years ago. The magazine auctioned off this cover story at the annual Furball Gala to benefit Pet Helpers. Karen, not only a long-time supporter of Pet Helpers, but also a now 15-year volunteer for the Charleston animal charity, won last November’s auction. She wanted it to promote rescue and to honor her beautiful Mukai, who had rescued her family upon his arrival several years ago. Unfortunately, Mukai passed away in January of this year.
Mukai had been a saving grace to help them recover from the loss of Stella, their Great Dane for 12 years. But Mukai would eventually get prostate cancer and only live to be seven-years young. Although I had the misfortune of never meeting him, I was certainly introduced to Mukai through story. And I did get to meet Bugsy Siegel. He’s their new 65-pound, four-month-old Great Dane puppy, who is turning out
to be another savior. “Mukai taught me a lot of stuff,” Karen says, “But the first thing
he taught me was the only way you’re going to heal a broken heart when you lose an animal, is with another animal.”
Speaking about Mukai isn’t easy. There may be a puppy nearby to distract her by playfully eating every flower in the garden, but it’s still so soon. Karen reflects slowly and in pauses as she longs to perfectly recall their time with him from the very beginning. With emotion in her voice, she starts again.
“We actually found Mukai because he was in Lowcountry Dog,” she says, “and that was the month that they ran the Great Dane rescue page. I didn’t even know we had a Great Dane rescue in South Carolina. But I saw Mukai on there, and I thought he was beautiful.
“I watched him on the Pet Helpers website for a year. And then we lost Stella. A week later I saw he was still on the website, and I thought, we’ve got to go meet him. So I did, and I was absolutely terrified of him. He was the biggest Dane I had ever seen. I thought, that is so not my puppy,” she laughs. “But I went to pet him, and I realized he was terrified. He barked and growled because he was petrified of everyone. And it just broke my heart.”
And that is when the mutual rescue began. Although he was lovingly cared for at Pet Helpers, Mukai needed his own home, where he could be better nurtured, and where he could sooner forget his
16 Lowcountrydog
life before the rescue.Mukai spent the first year of his life tied up and beaten in his
backyard, by a “vet tech” no less. He was bumped out of three different homes before Karen found him. Although she wasn’t sure if they were quite ready so soon after losing Stella, she did know this: Mukai couldn’t wait anymore. And he didn’t have to. Their bond had already begun.
“There was something about us,” she recalls. “We just clicked. When we decided to take him, [the Pet Helpers employee] said, ‘I’m so happy. After watching him with you for about 15 minutes, I thought please, God, let this woman want this dog, because this dog really wants that woman.’”
And from that point forward, he became a special fixture in the Siegel house, although those first few hours were slightly shaky.
“It was frightening taking in a 200-pound dog that had a history of abuse and neglect,” she admits. “When they brought him here, he was pacing from the front to the back door. I was kind of scared to get up, but I just looked at him and said, OK, buddy, we have to make this work.”
Her nervousness would soon subside, as did his. And so she remains a champion for rescues, and this is why. It brought them joy to watch this confident, loving, sweet-spirited dog evolve from that once-timid creature.
“It was like a miracle,” she remembers. “After about six months, he was just a completely different dog. He would drag all his toys
out of the foyer, and there would be 15 toys and bones. I think it was because, being a rescue, you don’t have your own. You drop it, somebody’s gonna take it. He was over 200 pounds playing with toys.”
As he healed before their eyes, the Siegels soon realized Mukai was healing them, too.
“He made us remember the Stella that we had for ten years,” she says, “and not the Stella we had for the last year when she was sick and she couldn’t get around. Once he got comfortable, he would start goofing around, and we thought, doesn’t he remind you of Stella? So he brought back the happy memories of Stella. That’s the first thing he taught me.”
Remembering this lesson, she sought out another Dane when Mukai passed earlier this year. Although she wasn’t keen on a puppy, another gut feeling told her she and Bugsy would need each other, too.
They expect Bugsy to grow to Mukai-like proportions, so reminders are sure to stay with them for the duration of Bugsy’s life. And that’s a great thing. So is the garden destruction, the necessary supervision, the constant mischief. They laugh it all off because, after all, what else would you expect of a Great Dane puppy? “There’s puppies,” Karen says, “and then there’s puppies on steroids.”
Today, she gets satisfaction from watching this swiftly growing Bugsy enjoy a puppyhood, the kind that Mukai was denied.
“I think it was the fact that Mukai was a rescue,” she says, “that
you could see in his eyes the gratitude, the love, more so I think than any other dog we’ve had. The most rewarding thing was to see this giant dog who just went from a terrified, and terrifying, 200 pounds of dog to romping around like a 20-pound puppy, which is just the most rewarding thing. We gave him a puppyhood, and he brought Stella’s puppyhood back to us. It was a good deal.”
Fancy a mutual rescue yourself? Contact Pet Helpers to see who needs a nurturing home today:
Pet Helpers1447 Folly RoadJames Island(843) 795-1110www.pethelpers.org.
18 Lowcountrydog
Lowcountrydog 19
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hot weather tips from the aspca
On an 85 day, it only takes ten minutes
for the inside of your car to reach 102 even
when the windows have been left open an
inch or two.
Within 30 minutes, a car’s interior can
reach 120. When the temperature outside
is a pleasant 70 the inside of your car may
be as much as 20 degrees hotter. Shade
offers little protection on hot day and
moves with the sun.
Pets most at risk for hyperthermia
(overheating): young animals, elderly
animals, overweight animals, those with
short muzzles and those with thick or
dark-colored coats.
Many states and local governments
have laws that prohibit leaving an animal
unattended in a motor vehicle under
dangerous conditions, which include hot
days. Under these laws, police, animal
control agents, peace officers and others
may be authorized to enter by whatever
means necessary to remove the animal.
You could have your car damaged, be
charged with a crime, and fined or
imprisoned. It’s not worth it—don’t leave
your pet in the car!
Please leave your pet at home in hot
weather! If your dog is overcome by the
heat bring down body temperature by
soaking the animal in cool (not ice) water,
but make sure water does not get into the
mouth or nose of an unconscious animal.
Seek immediate veterinary care.
Get a veterinary checkup before
traveling and make sure you have the
necessary vaccination certificates for the
area you will be visiting, as well as flea
and tick treatments.
Carry a gallon thermos of cold water
or bring along a two-liter plastic bottle of
water you froze the night before.
Exercise your pet during the coolest
parts of the day (dawn and dusk), and
never immediately following a meal.
Hot asphalt and tar can burn sensitive
paw pads. Walk your pet on grass or dirt
when possible.
Provide shade when your pet is outside
on a hot day.
20 Lowcountrydog
hap
py
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un
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Upload photos of your happy hound at www.lowcountrydog.com/share/photo All breeds and mixed breeds accepted.
paxton pearl
roxy
raddy
daisy boggs
chloe
lampchop
ivy
zoe
adeline
jill
meg
ariel & princess
copper
oliver
lulla
shaq
ellieruby
upcoming eventsevery saturday & sunday pet helpers adoptions at petco, west ashley. www.pethelpers.org
every saturday cas adopt-a-thon at petsmart mt pleasant. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
june and august yappy hours Dog lovers, after a long day at work, pick
up your pooch and join the fun at James
Island County Parks. Yappy Hour returns
June 6th and August 22nd. Mingle with
friends old and new while your dog visits
with his favorite pals. Come out starting at
4 p.m. to enjoy beverages and live music
in the park with your dog! The event is
free with general park admission ($1 per
person or free with Charleston County
Parks’ Gold Pass)! Beverages and food are
available for an additional fee. Outside
alcohol and coolers are prohibited. www.
ccprc.com
cas volunteer orientations June
7th & 22nd, July 16th and 20th. Learn
to become a volunteer by attending
one of our two-hour volunteer training
sessions. It’s easy and we will give you
all the tools and training you need to
become a successful volunteer! Visit www.
charlestonanimalsociety.org for more
information and times.
second sunday on king June 9th
and July 14th 1:00-5:00pm. The 2nd
Sunday on King Street has something for
everyone. From Calhoun to Queen walk the
street! Bring your pooch and stroll down
King Street! enjoy the street activities,
outdoor cafes, incredible shopping and
wonderful people. Your dog will meet
the nicest dogs and people in Charleston
at this event! FREE parking vouchers!
Ask at our info booth. Contact: susan@
kingstreetmarketinggroup.com More
Info: http://susanlucas.typepad.com/
secondsundayonkingstreet/
saturday, june 22nd, 9:00am fetch doggy day care yard sale & bazaar Collars, leashes, crates and
many other dog items. Yardsale items and
office items, raffle. Food by Bad to the
Bone Catering. Lucky Puppy - Gourmet dog
cookies/treats and ice cream. Ask the vet"
- Dr. Jan Crowe - Creekside Vet Clinic. Ask
the trainer" - Purely Positive Dog Training.
Proceeds to benefit ARR and Daisy's Place
Rescue
Questions? Comments?Call 843-478-0266. Want to submit event information?Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.
roxy
meg
As we head into Hurricane Season, it's important to have an emergency plan for your pets. Here's some handy tips and things to consider as you prepare your entire family for this dangerous season.
IN PREPARATION
Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet friendly shelters require proof of vaccines.
Have a current photograph.
Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal. Pet friendly shelters require them. Practice putting it together quickly.
Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet!
Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies would be waived in an emergency.
Make a list of animal-friendly places and keep it handy.
Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.
Check with friends, relatives, or others outside your immediate area to see if they would shelter you and your animals or just your animals, if necessary.
Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies; include 24-hour telephone numbers.
Ask your local animal shelter if it provides foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. This should be your last resort, as shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched to their limits during an emergency.
DURING THE DISASTER
If you are able, leave early. Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.
Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, a muzzle for dog aggressive dogs, an ample supply of food, water (1 gallon for every 10lbs.), food bowls, any medications, specific care instructions and newspapers or trash bags for clean-up.
Bring pets indoors well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.
Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis. If phone lines are still up, call ahead and determine availability.
AFTER THE DISASTER
Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.
Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be
recovered.
After a disaster animals can become
aggressive or defensive - monitor their
behavior.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard
someone say in frustration, “She’s only
sitting because she expects a treat,” I
would be a millionaire. Why is it that we
have such a hard time with using food
as a reward to train our dogs? Positive
Reinforcement Training uses rewards
to teach desired behavior so the dog will
repeat the desired behavior. Dogs learn
by association and repetition. It’s not
always about food because I know many
dogs who prefer other rewards; however,
if the dog considers food a high value
reward, what’s the problem with using
it? Not to mention, they need food to
survive, which is usually why it’s a great
motivator. It’s not about using extra food
either; we should encourage our dogs to
work for food they would have been given
anyway.
It’s imperative to use a reward your
dog deems to be high value, otherwise it’s
not a reward. The key is to know your dog
and find out what he deems rewarding,
not what you think he should deem
rewarding. Rewards differ between dogs
– some dogs will do anything for liver,
some turkey, some a ball, some a game of
tug, some a belly rub. I actually worked on
this with 2 dogs in group class recently.
Once the dog’s person saw how rewarding
it was to the dog to be allowed to “sniff”
after giving a Sit/Stay, they (the humans)
got really into it and were so pleased. In
this particular scenario and environment,
sniffing where other dogs had been was
more rewarding to the dog, that’s why we
used it as the reward. Had turkey dogs or
liver or a ball been deemed more valuable
to the dog, we would have used that as the
reward. You can usually tell by your dog’s
response to a particular reward, what they
deem to be more rewarding.
Jean Donaldson, a world class dog trainer
explains, "What always goes unspoken
is that if dogs have an inherent desire to
please us, avoidance training - i.e. special
collars - should also be unnecessary." ...
"The attitude of a non-conforming dog can
be adjusted with some corrections, can't
it? But this is simply using aversives to
motivate. Liver would have also worked.
So, why does liver cheapen the human-
animal bond where pain does not?"
Now don’t get me wrong, using Positive
Reinforcement still requires skill because
rewarding is much different than bribing.
If you are bribing your dog every time,
then you will find yourself with a dog
who needs to ‘see’ the reward before he
gives behavior, but not because he is being
stubborn, or dominate, but because that
is what you taught him to do. A bribe is
a bribe….not just with food; it can be
with any reward. If you
show your dog the leash
and then ask him to sit,
then leash him up and
go for a walk, you have
actually just bribed him.
I make it a point to teach
my students to use real
life rewards such as going
for a walk as a reward for
sitting or even coming
when called, however I
don’t teach them to bribe
their dogs with the leash
by showing it to them
first. If they sit or come
when called, or whatever
we are working on, I teach
them to then pull out the
leash and go for a walk as
a reward. Please keep in
mind, your dog has to see
the walk as a reward for
it to actually be a reward.
Most dogs do, but some
fearful or under-socialized dogs might see
a walk in a different light.
I also want to dispel the myth that using
“human food” in training will teach a dog
to beg for your food while you are eating.
It does not. Feeding a dog from your plate
or where you are eating will teach a dog
to beg for food while you are eating. You
could feed your dog his kibble from the
table he will continue to come back to get
fed. So it’s not what you are feeding him,
it’s when and where.
One more note about Positive
Reinforcement training – it doesn’t mean
the dog is allowed to do whatever he wants
to do. There are still rules and boundaries,
but don’t forget they need be taught those
rules and boundaries. Also don’t forget
that you don’t need to use harsh punitive
methods to teach them either. In a
nutshell, Positive Reinforcement training
means that we use rewards instead of
punishment to teach the dog. We teach
the dog to work for things he likes instead
of working to avoid punishment.
Kristie Allen is a certified pet dog trainer and
the owner of The Learning Canine. Learn more at
www.thelearningcanine.com
22 Lowcountrydog
Food for Thought
by Kristie Allen
Phot
o by
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Flic
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reat
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Com
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Lowcountrydog 23
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Spring in the lowcountry means warm
days, lush foliage, and the unmistakable
scent of jasmine, magnolia, and honey
suckle in the air. Unfortunately, this
wonderful time of year also sees highlights
the presence of that most unwelcome
of guests, the mosquito. For most, this
ubiquitous parasite is a nuisance, but
for our dogs and cats, a mosquito bite
can potentially lead to severe illness and
death.
The mosquito is a vector, or carrier,
of heartworms. A mosquito becomes
dangerous once it feeds on an animal
that has microfilariae, baby heartworms,
present in that animal’s blood. Although
typically it is dogs that provide the
mosquitoes with this infection, cats may
also be a reservoir for this parasite. The
microfilariae continue to develop inside
the mosquito and is then deposited into
a dog or cat, once the mosquito feeds.
While the microfilariae continue to
mature inside our companion animals,
they migrate through different tissues to
make their way to the heart and lungs.
Once microfilariae reach sexual maturity
they begin to reproduce, creating higher
burdens of the worms in our four legged
friends. In dogs, dysfunction of the
heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys may be
noted. With cats, the respiratory system
seems to be most heavily affected by this
disease process.
So, what can someone do to protect their
furry family members? First, if your little
one has not been on prevention, or has
not been on it consistently, your pet will
need a physical exam and a heartworm
test. With dogs under 6 months of age, or
with cats who appear to have no signs of
the disease, you veterinarian will discuss
the value of heartworm testing your
friend. If your animal yields a negative
result, there are a number of relatively
inexpensive products your veterinarian
can recommend. These products may
be oral or topical, and some do not just
prevent heartworm disease, they may also
prevent fleas, and/or intestinal parasites.
If your pet has been on heartworm
prevention consistently, it is still highly
recommended to have him or her tested
once a year. None of us are perfect, and
mistakes can happen. A heartworm
positive animal may be the result of
the preventative given incorrectly, the
preventative may not have been given on
time, perhaps the preventative was stored
improperly, maybe the animal vomited up
the oral preventative or the topical was
removed too quickly via bathing, etc…To
take for granted that an animal is negative
is to potentially put that animal into
harm’s way. If an animal is heartworm
positive, it should be started on treatment
immediately. Quicker diagnosis and
treatment can lead to a decrease in
side effects from and a more favorable
prognosis.
If you pet has never been tested, or
has never been placed on prevention, it
is not recommended to start heartworm
prevention without consulting a
veterinarian. If an animal is heartworm
positive, serious side effects, including
death, can result from being placed on
certain types of heartworm prevention.
Is there value in placing an inside kitty,
or a mostly inside dog on heartworm
prevention? Absolutely. Mosquitoes,
being the disrespectful creatures they are,
do not respect the borders of your house.
Whether a door is only open for a second,
or there is a tear in your screen, that is
enough for a mosquito to sneak in. It only
takes one mosquito’s bite to potentially
have serious ramifications for our pets,
and by extension, us.
What if your pet is diagnosed with
heartworm disease? Your veterinarian
will formulate a plan for further work
up and treatment. This
plan will be tailor made
for your pet. Possible
options for further work
up in dogs includes
checking the blood for
microfilariae, performing
chest x-rays to evaluate
the heart and lungs,
performing blood work
to evaluate your pet’s overall health,
and sometimes an echocardiogram can
be performed to visualize the worms in
the heart itself. Treatment for dogs will
always include strict restricted activity
(for months on end) and a heartworm
preventative safe for their disease
state. You veterinarian will also likely
recommend oral medications (antibiotics
and steroids) and injections given to kill
the adult heartworms. After the final
injection to kill the adult heartworms is
administered, a recheck for microfilariae
should be performed in 30 days. 6 months
after the end of treatment, a heartworm
test will need to be rechecked to make sure
there is no lingering infection. With cats,
due to the nature of their disease process,
we do not have as many clear-cut options
for further work up and treatment. This
is something your veterinarian can help to
answer for you in detail.
It is never recommended to forego
prevention with the plan of treating
the animal once the animal becomes
heartworm positive. The further
diagnostic testing and treatments are not
inexpensive. Over a 6 month period of time
you may spend anywhere between $800
and $1500. Also, the amount of veterinary
visits you will need to make can be taxing
to anyone’s schedule. Restricting a dog’s
activity level even for short periods of
time can be very close to impossible,
so ask yourself if restricting your dog’s
activity level for months while treatment
is taking place is possible? If you cannot
restrict their activity level appropriately,
they may die as a result. It is important
to note that heartworm treatment itself is
not wholly benign and can lead to serious
consequences. Let us also not forget how
the disease is transmitted in the first
place. As long as your animal is positive,
it is acting as a reservoir for the disease;
24 Lowcountrydog
Heartworm Prevention
by Melissa A. Roth, DVM
continued on page 29
Lowcountrydog 25
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continued on page 29
Boating, swimming and ice cream, oh my! That sounds like a great summer for you, but what about your dog? Luckily, these are all activities that you can both enjoy as long as appropriate precautions are taken.
Taking your dog to the beach is one of the best parts about living on the islands. Since both Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island allow dogs on the beach, letting your pooch go for a swim is a great way to keep cool and get exercise. Swimming is one of the greatest forms of exercise for dogs prone to hip issues. It allows for low impact exercise while building muscle strength around their hips. Although swimming provides great exercise and a good way to cool off, it can lead to skin problems such as ear infections and “hot spots” on their skin. To help prevent ear infections, ensure you clean your dogs ears with a good ear cleaner after swimming. It helps keep them dry since wet ears serve as a great breeding ground for infections. I find that many owners are cleaning ears as directed but often using ear medications from a previous prescription. This does not clean the ears and can lead to resistant infections so if your doggie plans to swim, make sure you have a good ear cleaner at the ready!
Since wet skin can also lead to increased skin infections such as hot spots, make sure you dry your dog well after swimming. One way to keep your dog’s skin clean is to dilute your favorite dog shampoo and keep the bottle handy so you can give Fido a quick bath after swimming.
An additional swimming related hazard is known as “limber” or “swimmers” tail. Dogs tails are like rudders above the water – swishing back and forth. This can lead to a painful swelling at the base of the tail. Dogs will tuck their tail down and yelp when the base of their tail is touched. It is often mistaken for a broken tail; fortunately, it can be treated by your veterinarian with pain medication and rest.
Whether boating or swimming, ensure your dog has plenty of fresh
water available. Dogs see the ocean and the intercoastal waterway as one big water bowl so if you don’t provide fresh water, they will start sipping the Atlantic! This can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, which, if left untreated, can cause severe dehydration and possible hospitalization.
Another way to avoid dehydration is to provide shade for your canine companion. Dogs only sweat through their paw pads and this provides little relief from the heat. Therefore panting provides their main mechanism for cooling off. To help them stay cool, provide a shaded area for your pooch – either a beach umbrella or bimini top – depending on your water sport preference. This can also save your dog from burning his paw pads on hot surfaces.
Since most of us would not head to the beach or boat without refreshments, your dog deserves the same consideration. Freeze bottled water (skip the vodka and soda) to keep him from drinking out of the ocean. You can also bring his favorite treat dispenser such as a Kong and place a small amount of peanut butter inside. Freeze this and then bring it along for a cooling, yummy treat. Frosty Paws is a dog-specific ice cream and another good treat to bring along on summer outings.
Just as much as we like playing in the sand, so do most dogs. Although cute to watch, it can be dangerous. I have seen dogs ingest too much sand and need hospitalization to help them pass it. Monitor your dog if he insists on helping with the sandcastle. If you notice vomiting or reluctance to eat after a day on the beach, contact your veterinarian.
With a little planning, your summer adventures can be safe and fun. So grab your dog and head to the water. Just remember to keep their paws cool and their ears dry!
For more information on Island Veterinary Care, a housecall service, visit www.islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941.
26 Lowcountrydog
Shady Dogs and Frosty Paws By Dr. Shannon Barrett, Island Veterinary Care
Looking for a new best friend?
Pet Helpers Adoption Events Every Weekend at
from 12pm - 4pm975 Savannah Highway, Charleston (843) 852-4563 wwww.petco.com
To fi nd out more about Pet Helpers and the animals available for adoption go to www.pethelpers.org
Lowcountrydog 27
“ Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”― Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red
28 Lowcountrydog
Meet Phoenix. This is a 2 year old, happy and energetic boy who loves to run and play, but knows how to chill out when playtime is done. Contact www.lowcountrylabrescue.org or [email protected] for more info about adopting this handsome boy.
Hi I’m Gentry, a two-year-old golden retriever mix. Won’t you let me be the gold in your life? I’d love to meet you at Charleston Animal Society. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
Dan is a great dog who is just waiting for his forever family. He is around 2 years old and is super sweet. He does fine with kids and other dogs but probably would do best in a cat free home. Learn more at www.carolinacoonhoundrescue.com
Hi up there! I may be a little guy, but I definitely have a big personality! I was a part of a Jack Russell rescue gone bad; however, you would never know I came from such rough beginnings! Please visit me at Pet Helpers www.pethelpers.org
Mickey came into rescue as a 7 years young boy who loves to play with the younger dog in his foster home as well as other dogs in the neighborhood. It’s hard to imagine that he’s actually 7 – he acts much younger! Contact [email protected] or visit www.ggrlc.org to learn more about adopting a Golden in need of a home!
Hi I’m Callie, an adorable one-year-old terrier mix. I get so excited around other people that I snort and shake my entire bottom half back and forth so quickly, you can barely see it! Come meet me at Pet Helpers. www.pethelpers.org
Jelly Bean is a sweet girl who gets along well with other dogs but has not been tested with kids or cats. She is housebroken and ready to find her family! Learn more at www.carolinacoonhoundrescue.com
Bailey is a sweet 9 year old boy whose owner died. The family decided to keep him, but put him in a shed where he barely had room to lay down. Contact [email protected] or visit www.ggrlc.org to learn more about adopting a Golden in need of a home!
Hi I’m Buddy. I might be small but I’m mighty! I just came through heartworm treatment like a champ, and I’m now ready to go to a forever home. Won’t you consider finding a place in your family for me? www.summervillespca.org
Meet Gypsy. This petite (45-50 pound) 6 year old is laid back and well behaved. She is great with dogs, cats and kids. Gypsy is house and crate trained, good on leash and knows basic commands. Contact www.lowcountrylabrescue.org or [email protected] for more info about adopting this sweet girl.
Why hello there, I’m Gracie, a good hound dog mix available through the Francis R Willis SPCA. I’m approximately one year old and in hunt of a good home. Will I find it in you? www.summervillespca.org
Hi I’m Addison, and I’m as delicious as an Oreo cookie! I’m a five-year-old retriever mix. It would be a treat to meet you at the Charleston Animal Society. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
addison gracie
gypsy
buddy
bailey
jelly bean
callie
mickey
ethan dan
gentry phoenix
Adop
tion
Pag
e
continued from page 24
you are putting other animals lives at
risk. Lastly, due to the tough nature
of diagnosing heartworm disease in
cats, you may never know your favorite
feline is ill. This may mean your kitty’s
quality of life, and/or life span, may be
compromised without anyone being the
wiser.
With all the wonderful things are
animals do for us, they deserve to have
their guardians protect them against
this ghastly, and very common disease.
Check back through your records and
if your pet has not had consistent
prevention and an annual heartworm
test, then it is time to get reacquainted
with your veterinarian. Let us all
get out and enjoy the lowcountry this
spring. For you, pack your sunscreen
and your bug spray, and for your pet,
make sure to keep them on heartworm
preventative year round.
Melissa A. Roth, is a veterinarian at The
Animal Hospital of North Charleston.
$30 shipped!
Daniel Island Animal Hospital
Lynne M. Flood, DVM Bridget E. Luke, DVM Allison Chappell, DVM
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Daniel Island, SC 29492
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30 Lowcountrydog
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As the Lowcountry’s only “forever” shelter Pet Helpers saves lives every day, thanks to the generosity and compassion of local individuals and businesses that make that possible through their support. Pet Helpers keeps all animals until adoption and provides a lifetime safety net for all pets adopted from our unique organization. Pet Helpers’ Greer Spay and Neuter Clinic provides low-cost access to the highest quality spay/neuter procedures for often little or no cost regardless of where or how you got your pet.
For 35 years, Pet Helpers has been the voice for unwanted, abused, neglected and forgotten animals in our community. We were founded on the idea that every life is precious. Our staff and volunteers are doing more than ever before, saving more lives than ever before, but we need your help. Please call or visit www.pethelpers.org today and learn how you can join the fight to end animal suffering in our community. Together, we can change Charleston forever.
His first Swim
Hersecond Chance
