Official Newsletter of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Northern California

January-February-March 2015 Volume 1- Issue 1

Newsletter Editor: Diane Marsh fdmarsh@comcast.net

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Informational Web Sites

AKC American Kennel Club www.akc.org

GWPA German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America www.gwpca.com

GWPCNC German Wirehaired Pointer Club of N. California www.gwpcnc.9f.com

NAVHDA N. American Versatile Hunting Dog Association www.navhda.org

OFA Orthopedic Foundation For Animals www.offa.org

VHDF Versatile Hunting Dog Federation www.vhdf.org

2015 Club Officers

President Francis Marsh

Vice President Cindy Heiller, DVM

Secretary Terri Simon

Treasurer Diane Marsh

2015 Directors

Silke Alberts

Randy Berry

Frank Ely

Patti Ely

Joan Payton

Club Web Site: www.gwpcnc.com Web Master: Kathy Kimberlin user6021@aol.com

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January: I. General Meeting- January 18th at 1:00 at Hastings Island Club

House – Lunch will be provided

II. Golden Gate Kennel Club Benched Blue Ribbon Show Satur-

day and Sunday-January 24-25 at the Cow Palace

March

I. Annual Hunt Test – March 28-29 at the Hastings Island Club CANCELLED

April I. General Meeting April 19th at 1:00 at Hastings Island

Club House – lunch will be provided

May I. Annual Walking Field Trial – May 16-17 at Hastings Is-

land Club

June I. Annual Specialty Show June 7, 2015 in Vallejo in conjunc-

tion with the Woofstock Cluster

July I. General Meeting July19th at 1:00 at the Hastings Island

Club House – lunch will be provided

October I. General Meeting October 18th at 1:00 at the Hastings Is-

land Club House – lunch will be provided-

November I. Annual Field Trial –November 13-15 at Kistler Ranch

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NOTE: Thanks to Kathy Kimberlin’s

diligence, we have a new club website

www.gwpcnc.com. This is a better

website format. Check it out!!! Kathy

does a great job of keeping our website

current and full of valuable information.

If you have questions about the goings

on of the club, check out our website.

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Welcome New Members:

Astrid Anderson and Joy

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All right Folks:

If any of you do not believe that this is how a GWP Puppy should behave and be loved, then

you need to have your heart examined.

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Gracie Marsh loving life

Sure Fire’s Rhiannon’s Secret

(Rhi) Joan Payton and her 5 month old puppies, Rhi and Thorn.

Looking good at this puppy match.

Sure Fire’s Secret Rose

(Thorn)

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Congratulations to Cindy Heiller for breeding such a talented dog! DC AFC Weidenhugel v Gus MH NA P1. It

won't get any easier to finish 5 titles in less than 8 months - all this by 3 years old! She was a dream dog for

training and handling in the field - she set the bar very high! (Unfortunately, the plague goes back to the

engraver to add the MH that was accidently left off). Keep up with breeding those terrific dogs Cindy and thank

you for letting me be a part of this great ride!

Meg Eden

DC AFC Weidenhugel Kate V Gus, MH finished 2014 as Number 1 Amateur Field Trial GWP dog. Her first

year running as a broke dog. Thanks to trainer, handler, and Co owner Meg Eden.

Cindy Heiller

Kate started 2015 with 8

puppies. Stud dog DC

Cascade Double Barrel

(Parker).

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Scott Azevedo happy with run

Gary Bonini – Are you ready to run??????

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Argos wins Open Gun Dog Stake

Handler- Scott Azevedo - Owners – Gary and Theresa Bonini

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The following pictures are from Bob Rittenhouse. As you can see, his beautiful black

wirehair, Onxy is a girl that loves life.

Dove hunt in Arizona Lake Topaz

Picking up goose decoys

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Chasing quail at home in Minden Holding my new bone

My bone, toilet paper, lawn, tree, and sunshine, what more do I need.

Onyx Rittenhouse

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Sure Fire Kennels

Five Generations (Top l-r Brew great-grandma and Shine grandma)

(Bottom l-r Thorn, Rhi, Briar-sister, sister and Mom)

Joan and Andy Payton

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Watson and Bella

Cooper and close friend

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GOLDEN GATE KENNEL CLUB

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Diane Marsh with her new puppy (just kidding) – But I do love the Bracco Italiano

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DC Jonnee Blue MH

Won ALGD at GSPCNSV in April

Rob Lewis – Owner Handler

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Homework Critical In Puppy Selection

BY PIERRE URRUTIA

We're coming into the time of year when a lot of bird-dog breeders have litters on the ground, and a new crop of

puppies will soon be available. If you're thinking about getting a new dog, one that you'll raise at your home

from the time it leaves the litter, spring is the best time to take the plunge. Remember, pups whelped early in the

year will be able to get some actual field experience this fall.

If you're unsure about where to go to find your next hunting partner, it's time to do some serious research – par-

ticularly if you're considering a different breed than what you've owned in the past. Start by gathering as much

information as possible about the breeds you're interested in (the Internet is a good place to begin). When you've

settled on a breed, then you can seek out information on reputable breeders in your area.

LAB OR POINTER—If you've always had flushing dogs but are considering making the switch to a pointing

breed, a lot of research before buying a puppy can make your transition go smoother.

A dog's pedigree doesn't mean a whole lot in the field, but it can certainly help give you an idea of what kind of

raw talent you're looking at. I look for proven breeding lines – field champions, hunt-test titles, etc. – in both the

sire and the dam. If nothing else, those show that the pup has the propensity to be trainable and to be taken to a

higher-than-average level.

If you've always been a flushing-dog guy but you're thinking about giving a pointing breed a try, you should

base your breed choice on hunting style. Some breeds – English pointers and English setters, to name a couple –

have general reputations as "big runners" and you'll probably want to avoid them if you prefer a dog that stays

within a hundred yards or so. A pup from one of the closer-working "continental breeds" (Viszlsa, Weimaraner,

etc.) might better suit your needs.

If you're really happy with an older dog you currently own and want your next one to be similar, consider going

back to where you got it. In most cases you'll have a better chance of adequately replacing it by going that route

instead of taking on all the responsibilities of producing a litter from your present dog.

If your buddy is breeding a dog that you think is the greatest hunting canine in the world, keep in mind that you

also need to consider the other half of the equation. A new puppy is basically a 10- or 12-year commitment, and

you'll want to do everything possible to ensure that your relationship is compatible. What you put into it is what

you'll get out.

PIERRE URRUTIA—is a full-time trainer who specializes in training pointing dogs for hunting, hunt tests and

field trials. He can be reached by calling (530) 680-0312 or visit his website at www.diamondpgundogs.com.

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Could Your Pet Be Suffering from This Debilitating Inflammatory Disease?

December 21, 2014

By Dr. Becker haOsteoarthritis is the disease most pet owners are familiar with. Symptoms include reduced activity level, occasional

lameness, and a stiff gait. Treatment is aimed at controlling or alleviating the symptoms rather than curing the disease Septic arthritis involves an infection in the fluid around a joint. It is most common in male dogs of certain breeds between the

ages of 4 and 7. Antibiotics are used to treat most cases of septic arthritis Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) involves joint inflammation caused by the immune system attacking the body. IMPA can

be either erosive or non-erosive, and treatment depends on which form of the disease is present In all cases of dog and cat arthritis, it?s important to feed an anti-inflammatory diet

rinToday I want to talk about different types of arthritis in pets. Many pet parents don?t realize there?s

more than one type of arthritis that can affect a dog or cat. There?s the type of arthritis everyone is familiar with, which is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. This type of arthritis is commonly seen in older animals. There?s septic arthritis, which is inflammation and degeneration of a joint or joints caused by infection. And there?s also another type of arthritis called immune-mediated polyarthritis, which can take many forms and occurs when a pet?s immune system attacks the joints of the body.

Osteoarthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

The type of arthritis most pet guardians are familiar with is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative

joint disease (DJD) or degenerative arthritis. This form of the disease is characterized by progressive,

long-term, permanent deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. ?Arthritis? is the term used

for inflammation of the joints; ?osteoarthritis? describes chronic joint inflammation caused by

deterioration of the joint cartilage.

Primary degenerative joint disease is generally considered to be of unknown cause. However, there

are many causes for secondary DJD, including trauma, abnormal wear and tear on the joints and

cartilage, or an inherited defect present at birth such as hip dysplasia.

Other causes of secondary DJD include abnormal development of the hip or elbow; dislocation of the

kneecap or subluxation of the knee cap or shoulder;osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), a condition in

which a flap of cartilage develops abnormally within the joint; and also obesity, which increases stress

on the joints. Animals with diabetes, those on prolonged steroid therapy, and dogs with excessive

looseness (laxity) of the joints are also at greater risk for DJD.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis vary and include reduced activity level, occasional lameness, and a stiff

gait that gets worse after exercise, long periods of activity, or in cold weather.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis

In diagnosing osteoarthritis, your veterinarian will take a history of symptoms and perform a physical

exam to evaluate your pet?s range of motion and gait, and to check for a joint deformity, or swelling

or pain in the joints.

Treatment for DJD is aimed at controlling or alleviating the symptoms rather than curing the disease.

Sometimes surgery can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of joint deterioration. This

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can include a reconstructive procedure, joint removal or replacement, or surgical removal of

aggravators of bone or cartilage fragments in a joint, sometimes known as ?joint mice.?

Physical therapy is an absolute must for pets with DJD and should be designed to maintain and

increase joint strength, muscle tone, and range of motion. This can be accomplished with therapeutic

exercises, swimming, and massage.

Pain can sometimes be managed with cold and heat therapy, and acupuncture. But especially as a

pet ages, anti-inflammatory and pain medications are often prescribed to manage day-to-day pain.

However, I?ve had very good success using natural anti-inflammatory agents like esterified fatty acid

complex, fish oil, turmeric, and proteolytic enzyme therapy to reduce or eliminate the need for daily

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for many of my patients.

Chondroprotective Agents for Pets with Osteoarthritis

Chondroprotective agents (CPAs) or joint-protecting agents are also a must. Although CPAs don?t

manage joint pain, they do slow the rate of degeneration, which is critical. It?s always shocking to me

to hear how many animals are on drug-based pain medication. These drugs can certainly play an

important role in maintaining a pet?s quality of life, but they do nothing to address the root cause of

the problem, which is cartilage degeneration. That?s why it is vitally important that all animals with

osteoarthritis be on CPAs.

The form, dose, and type of CPA your veterinarian prescribes will be based on your pet?s medical

circumstances. For example, many of my patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) also have

arthritis. They can?t take oral supplements without significant gastrointestinal side effects. For these

patients, I use an injectable joint-support product to bypass the gut, such as acetyl-d-glucosamine or

polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, otherwise known as Adequan.

Some of my patients are allergic to fish, beef, or pork. Using chondroitin or glucosamine from these

sources can be aggravating to their systems. So for these pets, I choose a supplement like

methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) or eggshell membrane. Eggshell membrane is not eggshell calcium ?

it?s a different product. I might also consider using cetyl myristoleate (CMO).

I have found that each animal responds differently to CPAs. Sometimes, rotating through a variety of

products is necessary before we find the one that is most beneficial for a pet?s specific symptoms. I

recently treated a cat that didn?t respond to the first three products we tried. But then we put her on a

combination of Perna mussel (also called green-lipped clam) as her CPA, plus bromelain (a

proteolytic enzyme) as her anti-inflammatory, and it did the trick.

It?s important to monitor your pet?s symptoms on an ongoing basis, because osteoarthritis

progresses over time. Your pet?s body is dynamically changing, and her arthritis protocol will need to

change as well to meet her body?s evolving requirements. You should bring your pet for a wellness

check with your veterinarian at least twice a year to review the status of her health, but also to check

the range of motion in her joints, the muscle mass she is either gaining or losing, and to make

adjustments to her protocol as necessary to ensure her quality of life is optimal.

I have always found that a multimodal approach to managing osteoarthritis is critical for slowing down

its progression. Incorporating maintenance chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, daily stretching and

mild exercise ? like swimming, which is perfect ? along with an oral protocol to manage pain and

inflammation will yield the very best results for an arthritic pet.

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Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis is a type of joint inflammation caused by a bacterial or, less often, fungal infection. This

type of arthritis typically affects a single joint, but there can be more than one joint involved in some

cases.

Septic arthritis differs from typical arthritis in that the usual form of the disease doesn?t involve

infection of the joint fluid. Regular arthritis is characterized by inflammation of one or more bone

joints, whereas septic arthritis is inflammation plus the presence of a disease-causing organism within

the fluid surrounding the joint.

Septic arthritis is most commonly seen in male dogs between 4 and 7 years of age, and predisposed

breeds include Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Labradors. The condition is relatively rare in

cats.

Pets with compromised immune systems or diabetes are at higher risk for infections of all types,

including septic arthritis. The disease can occur after a traumatic joint injury, where the joint is

exposed to the environment or contaminated by potential pathogens.

An opportunistic infection can develop after a surgical procedure or when pathogens travel to the

joints through the bloodstream from systemic infection. Infection elsewhere in the body in a dog or cat

can sometimes end up inside joint fluid, which can also cause septic arthritis.

Symptoms of septic arthritis include pain, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, joint swelling, lameness of

the affected limb or limbs if there are several joints involved, and the joint can also be warm to the

touch. Sometimes pets are not able to move or walk well and are noticeably uncomfortable.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Septic Arthritis

Your veterinarian will want to know if your pet has sustained a recent injury or has had a recent

surgery. A physical exam will help determine whether one or multiple joints are involved. Lab tests will

include a complete blood count, a biochemistry profile, and a urinalysis. X-rays of the affected joint

will be taken to see what changes may have occurred due to the inflammation. If the infection is

chronic, changes in the joint structures will be observed, including destruction of bone, irregular joint

space, and abnormal bone formation.

The most important diagnostic test will be an analysis of the fluid taken from the joint. A sample

collection will almost always involve sedation or anesthesia. This test can indicate the presence of

increased joint fluid in the joint space, as well as changes in the color of the fluid, presence of

inflammatory cells within the fluid, and it will also identify the bacteria causing the infection. The joint

fluid should also be cultured to confirm the diagnosis of septic arthritis and help identify the best way

to treat the infection.

If there is infection elsewhere in your pet?s body and your vet believes there is systemic infection,

blood and urine samples should also be cultured to identify the pathogen involved and the best way

to treat it.

Once a diagnosis of bacterial infection is confirmed, the appropriate antibiotic will be administered

based on the results of culture and sensitivity testing. You?ll want to start your pet on a probiotic at

this time as well. If the joint infection is chronic, occasionally surgery is required to remove debris and

flush the joint. In this instance, a catheter is usually inserted during surgery to allow drainage from the

contaminated joint to occur afterwards for several days.

Arthroscopy, which is an endoscope inserted into the joint through a small incision, is also sometimes

used to allow visualization of the interior surface of the joint. In certain cases, it can also be used to

treat joint infection. Obviously, identifying and treating the source of the infection is crucial for

successful treatment of septic arthritis.

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Joan Payton

Westminster Show

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DC AFC CH Weidenhugel Kate V Gus MH

Kate

Kate on point during her run at our Field Trial at Kistler Ranch on November 17, 2014.

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Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2015 04:31:00 -0600

From: info@capcvet.org

To: carlibhs@hotmail.com

Subject: CAPC Parasite Prevalence Maps

Here are the pet parasite updates you requested:

This month there have been 5 new positive cases for Ehrlichiosis in Sacramento, CA.

There has now been a total of 5 positive cases for Ehrlichiosis in Sacramento, CA for the year.

Unsubscribe from this notification

The data in this update and in our maps was provided by IDEXX Laboratories, and ANTECH

Diagnostics. It is statistically significant and it serves as a strong representation of the parasite activity

for each area. However, it does not represent the total number of positive tests. Instead, we estimate

it represents less than 30% of the activity in the geographic regions. Stay tuned as we send you

updates for your area!

The Companion Animal Parasite Council is a non-profit, independent group of experts that includes

veterinarians and veterinary parasitolgists. We recommend testing and year round administration of

preventatives to keep your pet protected. Please visit your local veterinarian and make sure that your

pet has been properly tested and protected today!

- The board of CAPC

You have been sent this email because you subscribed to receive notifications about new positive cases

of parasites.

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This happened to a groomer at a Petco in San Diego yesterday. They might want to reconsider

their ban on using muzzles. Horrible!!!!!

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FYI

Email response received by our sister club in

Southern California

From: Rescue <rescue@chewy.com>

Date: January 19, 2015 at 12:12:00 PM PST

To: "lindaerc@rocketmail.com" <lindaerc@rocketmail.com>

Subject: Re: club event request

Hello Linda! My name is Michelle and I'm a Charity Coordinator for www.Chewy.com. Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately at this time we are unable to make any contributions to events. All of our donations are done directly through our referral program. I have included some information on the program below. In 2012, we launched our Shelter & Rescue Network and have raised over $25,000 for rescues and animal advocate organizations just like yours. I would love to include German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America and help you get some valuable support, donations, and exposure opportunities. Our first program is the Shelter & Rescue Referral Donation Program. For every new customer you refer to Chewy.com from your website, blog, or email, we will donate $20 to your organization. There are no limits on quantity! You can view more details about the network and programs at: http://www.chewy.com/c/shelter-rescue-network Please let me know if you are interested in learning more and I'll send you a follow up email with more details. Or if you prefer, I can call you to discuss it in detail. We’re very excited about working with you, and look forward to helping support animals in need. Warm Regards, ~ Michelle ps. There is absolutely no cost and no commitment to join our network. All we require is that you are a U.S. registered non-profit organization. pps. Please feel free to share this email with other non-profit rescues you feel could benefit from our network!

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Emergency Information

I spoke with my Vacaville friends last night and got the names and phone numbers for mobile vets for the emergency list. Best to call them regarding the weekend of the event to see if they will be in the

area. Mobile vets: Dr. Nancy Martin 530.521.8933 (cell)

707.446.5545 (ofc) - equine Dr. Karen Krstich 530.902.7178 (cell) – large and

small

Information provided by Sharon Jahn

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AKC BULLETIN March 19, 2015

http://www.akc.org/government-

relations/legislative-alerts/house-representatives-

approves-amtrak-pilot-program

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a

comprehensive passenger train bill that in requires

Amtrak to develop a pilot program that would,

when feasible, designate at least one car where pas-

sengers may transport a dog or cat if the pet is in a

kennel that can be stowed according to Amtrak’s

requirements for carry-on baggage.

Read AKC’s previous legislative alert for more in-

formation on this bill.

HR 749 has now been assigned to the Senate Com-

mittee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

AKC urges dog owners to support this measure

and to contact your US Senators and ask them to

support the Amtrak Pilot Program in HR 749

that would allow pet owners to travel on certain

trains with their pets.

Visit www.senate.gov and select your state under

the “Find Your Senators” box at the top of the page

to find the contact information for your senators.

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Please check back frequently for GWP's in need of re-homing. You may also wish to check www.petfinder.com and the National site, www.gwpca.com for available (and appreciative) GWP's

GWPCNC Rescue places Wirehairs who find themselves in need of a new forever home. Prior to being released for adoption, these GWP's will have been examined by a Veterinarian, had any necessary medical treatment, spayed or neutered, and, if over 6 months old, tested for Heartworm. All vaccinations will have been updated and all Res-cues, puppies included, are micro-chipped prior to adoption.

Each will be assessed to determine the best possible opportunities for a successful placement.

Many of our dogs have had basic obedience training and have been family members. Their age ranges from puppy to senior. They come with all manner of life experiences and levels of training, from lonely isolated back yard dogs to finished show champions and personal hunting companions, and everything in between.

Dr. Cindy Heiller, DVM, is the GWPCNC Rescue Chairman. She may be reached via email: gwpdoc@sbcglobal.net or by phone at The Haven Kennel: (707) 528-2627.

GWP's in need of re-homing may also be viewed at:

GWPCNC RESCUE

They may not always need to be rescued from a burning build-

ing, but they do need to be rescued.

These are not throwaway dogs. Most are turned into shelters

because their humans love them but can no longer care for

them. There are many remarkable, loving GWP's just waiting

for someone like you to give them a chance.

Please look into your heart and checkbook to help us give them

that chance.

Thank You

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www.gwpcnc.com (German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Northern CA Club)

www.thehavenkennel.com (Dr. Heiller's Kennel in Santa Rosa, CA)

www.gwpca.com (National GWP Organization; the GWP Parent Club)

www.petfinder.com (A national animal rescue group)

PILOTS and PAWS

PILOTS and PAWS is an organization with a mission of mercy--to save animals in shelters from death

row. Pilots donate their time, planes, and fuel to transport animals from overcrowded shelters to rescue

g PILOTS and PAWS works entirely on volunteerism and donations via its website:

http://pilotsnpaws.org/ More rescue tales, videos, maps, and news articles may be viewed on the site.

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The Haven Kennel

Premier Dog & Cat Boarding Facility

3953 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Phone: (707) 528-2627

Owner & Proprietor

Dr. Cynthia Heiller, DVM

The Haven provides quality care and comfortable living quarters for all residents. Please feel free to call and

setup an appointment to inspect our facilities, before deciding to board with us.

The Haven is also the headquarters for the Northern California German Wire-

haired Pointer Rescue Program

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Talk About A Bad Hair Day!!!