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Webvet Dogs Feed http://www.webvet.com/main/index2/id/dog This feed contains articles about Dogs en-us Copyright 2009 Webvet, LLC 2009-11-20T16:20-05:00 advertise@webvet.com advertise@webvet.com Dogs hourly Cruciate ligament injury in dogs: treatment options http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2132 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2132">Cruciate ligament injury in dogs: treatment options</a><br /><p>In dogs, as in people, the knee joint is a frequent site of injury. In fact, <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=116&med=1" target="_blank">tearing</a> (or "rupture,'' as it's technically called) of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs. The good news is that there are a number of surgical procedures that -- together with good post-operative care and rehabilitation -- can restore function to the ruptured ligament and return your dog to "active duty.''</p><h4>Understanding the CCL</h4><p>A dog's rear knee joint (or "stifle joint,'' as it's called in veterinary lingo) is a complex piece of bioengineering, no less so than its human counterpart. You can think of it as nature's solution to the problem of connecting the femur, or thighbone, to the tibia, the large bone of the lower leg. A system of ligaments links the two bones so that they can function as a unit. A cushion of cartilage called the meniscus prevents the bottom of the femur from rubbing directly against the top -- or plateau -- of the tibia.</p><p>The CCL prevents the tibia from sliding forward, away from the femur, when a force is applied to the leg. If the CCL is torn, the stability of the joint is compromised and l<a href="http://webvet.com/main/article/id/105/med/1" target="_blank" title="Limping and lameness in dogs">ameness</a> results, accompanied by pain. Left untreated, CCL can cause irreversible <a href="http://webvet.com/main/article?id=73&med=1" target="_blank" title="arthritis in dogs">arthritis</a>, which will eventually result in permanent damage to the joint, worsening pain, and lameness. </p><h4>What's the cause of CCL rupture?</h4><p>CCL rupture can be chronic or acute in its origin. <a href="http://www.amcny.org/doctor/cv/Schwartz.aspx?tid=797" target="_blank">Pamela Schwartz, FACVS</a>, staff surgeon at the <a href="http://www.amcny.org" target="_blank">Animal Medical Center in New York</a>, explains: "A chronic rupture of the CCL is typically the end result of a number of degenerative changes to the stifle joint. Over time, these changes cause the CCL to fray or loosen, which will eventually lead to a partial or complete tearing of the ligament.'' </p><p><a href="http://webvet.com/main/article?id=76&med=1" target="_blank" title="Obesity in dogs">Obesity</a> and certain anatomical abnormalities of the leg or knee joint may predispose some dogs to CCL rupture. Chronic CCL rupture is more common than the acute variety.</p><p>An acute rupture usually results from a sudden, severe twisting of the joint as may happen, for example, if the dog steps in a hole while running or turns while its paw is fixed in position. This results in a sudden hyperextension and internal rotation of the leg. An acute CCL rupture can also occur when a dog jumps and the force exerted on the CCL is just too much for the ligament to bear.</p><p>Certain factors place a dog at increased risk of CCL rupture:</p><ul><li>Being of a large or giant breed, such as <a href="http://webvet.com/breeds/show/id/306" target="_blank" title="Rottweiler breed information">Rottweilers</a>, <a href="http://webvet.com/breeds/show/id/263" target="_blank" title="Labrador Retriever breed information">Labrador Retrievers</a>, and <a href="http://webvet.com/breeds/show/id/241" target="_blank" title="Golden Retriever breed information">Golden Retrievers</a></li><li>Obesity</li><li>"Weekend warriors'', i.e. dogs who -- like their owners -- are sedentary most of the time, with intermittent periods of intense athletic activity, may be at increased risk, according to some studies. </li></ul><h4>Signs of CCL rupture: what to look for</h4><p>The signs and symptoms of CCL rupture in dogs vary depending on whether the rupture is acute or chronic, partial or complete. In the case of an acute CCL rupture, circumstances and your dog's behavior will usually tell you that there's a problem. Lameness may be subtle and only evident when the dog is engaged in vigorous activity; in the case of a complete rupture of the ligament, the dog may be unable to bear any weight on the affected limb.</p><p>Your vet can make a definitive diagnosis of CCL rupture by palpation (physical manipulation) of the affected limb, x-ray, and range-of-motion examination. She or he will also make sure to rule out other possible causes of lameness, such as fractures, tendon rupture, as well as a number of other orthopedic conditions. </p><h4>Treatment: Surgical and non-surgical options</h4><p>In the case of small dogs (under 20 lbs.), Schwartz explains that a non-surgical approach is sometimes sufficient. She recommends conservative management for these dogs for a roughly one-month period, with surgery reserved for those who have not improved. If the dog is kept completely inactive during that time, enough scar tissue may be produced within the joint to provide adequate stabilization. However, surgery is recommended for all dogs weighing more than 20 lbs. </p><p>The two most common surgical procedures are the TPLO and the TTA:</p><ul><li>TPLO, or Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, is a procedure in which the top of the tibia -- which ordinarily is sloped sharply downward -- is leveled. This prevents the femur, which is normally held in place by the now-torn CCL, from sliding downward and forward. Without that sliding, the knee joint is stabilized even though the CCL is still torn. A metal bone plate is attached with screws to allow healing.</li><li>TTA, or Tibial Tuberosity Advancement, is a procedure in which a portion of the tibia is cut, thrust forward, and fixed in place with a metal plate and screws. The result is that the downward-forward force of the femur is now opposed by the repositioned upper portion of the tibia.</li></ul><h4>Other surgical procedures</h4><p>Both TPLO and TTA are extracapsular surgical techniques. This means that the surgeon does not have to go inside the knee joint -- or capsule -- itself. With intracapsular techniques, the surgeon stabilizes the knee by going inside the capsule and replacing the ruptured CCL with a graft of either synthetic material or with tissue taken from elsewhere in the dog's body. There are a number of intracapsular procedures referred to as "Over-the-top," "Under-and-over," as well as arthroscopic procedures. </p><p>In the case of smaller dogs, another surgical option, called lateral imbrication, which involves the use of sutures to stabilize a ruptured CCL, may provide good results. </p><h4>Which surgical procedure is right for my dog? </h4><p>The number and variety of procedures for the surgical treatment of CCL rupture can present the dog owner with a difficult choice. How do you know what the correct procedure is for your dog?</p><p>Which procedure is best is a matter that even experienced veterinary surgeons disagree about. However, some generalizations are possible: </p><ul><li>TPLO is a more surgically challenging procedure than TTA and has a longer "learning curve" for the surgeon;</li><li>In medium to large or very active dogs, both TPLO and TTA are preferable to intracapsular procedures;</li><li>If the slope of the tibial plateau is excessive, TPLO is preferable;</li><li>TTA is a more recently developed procedure than TPLO, and so has less of a long-term `track record;'</li><li>TPLO and TTA are more expensive than lateral imbrication;</li><li>Which procedure a surgeon recommends is usually a matter of the surgeon's professional experience, training, and personal preference.</li></ul><p>Most importantly of all: when properly performed by a qualified veterinary surgeon, all of the various techniques generally have excellent outcomes. Schwartz advises dog owners to seek out a surgeon certified as a "Diplomate" by the <a href="http://acvs.org" target="_blank">American College of Veterinary Surgeons</a> (ACVS). The ACVS maintains a <a href="http://www.acvs.org/AboutTheACVS/DiplomateDirectory/" target="_blank">'Diplomate Search</a> feature on its Web site, making the task of finding a qualified specialist much easier. Ask the surgeon about his or her experience with this type of injury. </p><p>The bottom line: choose the surgeon, not the surgery!</p><br />By Peter Lopatin for WebVet By Peter Lopatin for WebVet Dogs A Thanksgiving meal for dogs http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2117 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2117">A Thanksgiving meal for dogs</a><br /><p>The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to celebrate the blessings of the season with family and friends. With a bounty of home-cooked food in your home, you may be tempted to share a few tasty treats with your canine companion, too. After all, who can resist a dog’s soulful eyes begging for just one little gobble-full of turkey? Wafting aromas of hot baked sweet potatoes, herb-filled stuffing, or spicy pumpkin pie are much too alluring for even the best-behaved pet to pass up. <br /><br />But hold off feeding your dog from the Thanksgiving table. Veterinary experts warn that many of the traditional holiday recipes for people are dangerous to your dog’s health.  According to the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, feeding dogs large quantities of a new food, as well as fatty foods, such as turkey gravy, mashed potatoes with butter, and dressing, can cause <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=147&med=1" target="_blank">pancreatitis</a>. This potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas produces severe symptoms of <a href="http://webvet.com/main/article?id=195&med=1" target="_blank" title="Vomiting and diarrhea in dogs">diarrhea or vomiting</a>. </p><p>Forget giving your dog a holiday bone, too. Cooked turkey, duck, geese, and other bird bones are extremely dangerous to dogs. Cooked bones splinter and break easily, possibly causing sharp pieces to tear the intestines. A bone could pass by itself, but more often it becomes lodged in the dog’s throat, which could cause choking, or it could possibly cause an intestinal obstruction. Both situations require emergency veterinary attention and likely surgery. Eliminate turkey skin as well. It’s hard to digest and high in fat, and the seasoning used to baste the poultry skin could give your dog an upset stomach. </p><p>Desserts are also off-limits. <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=19&med=1" target="_blank">Chocolate</a> can be fatal to dogs because it contains theobromine, which can increase your dog’s heart rate and cause hyperactivity, increased panting, twitching, diarrhea, and vomiting. Even sugar-free items that contain <a href="http://webvet.com/main/article?id=1870" target="_blank" title="Xylitol dangerous to dogs">xylitol</a> can be dangerous, causing stomach or intestinal irritation.   </p><p>Beware of <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1870" target="_blank">onions</a>, too! These popular Thanksgiving ingredients used in stuffing, vegetable dishes, and some salads can cause life-threatening <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=153&med=1" target="_blank">anemia</a> when a dog ingests large amounts.   </p><h4>Healthy Thanksgiving treats for your dog</h4><p>If you must share your Thanksgiving meal with your dog, do it safely with the following healthy foods, rather than feeding it directly from the table. Resist giving in to those pleading canine faces by adding a few things in your dog’s bowl before you sit down to dine. When your dog is full, it’s less likely to bother you. </p><p>For a dog who’s accustomed to eating commercial dry dog food, feeding a bowlful of fresh treats all at once is almost certain to cause intestinal upset. Instead, feed small amounts at different meals. </p><p>Here are a few healthy Thanksgiving choices for dogs:</p><ul><li>White meat turkey without the skin</li><li>Plain baked or sweet potatoes without the skin</li><li>Steamed carrots, broccoli, or string beans without any butter, sauce or seasoning</li><li>Salt-free canned chicken broth</li><li>Plain canned pumpkin, but not the pumpkin pie filling</li><li>Sliced raw apples</li></ul><h4>Safe cleanup</h4><p>Thanksgiving leftovers can also be dangerous to your canine companion and should be stored or discarded out of paw’s reach. Turkey bones, the string used to tie the poultry legs together, and the carcass itself can be lethal to your dog if eaten. </p><h4>Cook a canine feast</h4><p>Want to bake a healthy Thanksgiving treat for your dog? Try some sweet potato cookies from "The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook," by Liz Palika. </p><p>Mix together:</p><ul><li>2 cups diced sweet potato, cooked until very tender</li><li>1-l/4 cups whole wheat flour</li><li>1 cup warm water</li><li>2 large eggs</li><li>1 2.5-ounce jar turkey baby food</li></ul><p>Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool thoroughly before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.</p><p> There’s no reason why your dog can’t join in the festivities – just make sure that you feed it safe treats, and everyone will be happy.</p><br />By Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz for WebVet By Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz for WebVet Dogs Preparing your pet for winter http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2112 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2112">Preparing your pet for winter</a><br /><p>Getting your cat or dog ready for winter is crucial as colder weather approaches. Is a leopard-print parka the right choice for your dog this winter? Maybe not the most important decision you will have to make concerning your dog, but as the temperature drops, we do need to prepare our pets for the season. Keep these tips in mind when getting your pet ready to brave the elements. </p><p>Dogs and cats rely on us for safety, health, and companionship. Providing these basic needs is always paramount for our pets, but even more so in winter. And although some dogs are better suited for the elements because of breed characteristics, extra precaution should be taken with all pets during the cold weather season. </p><p>“It’s essential to think about temperature when it comes to our pets,” said Adam Goldfarb, an issues specialist for the Humane Society of the United States. “Most pet owners use common sense, but some ignore important details when it comes to caring for their pets in winter.” </p><h4>The basics</h4><p>Keeping your pets indoors whenever possible is the easiest measure to take to ensure their safety in winter. Not only is an indoor environment safer for dogs and cats, but it can also enhance their mental state, as well.</p><p>“Dogs in particular are social animals,” Goldfarb said. “Having them indoors as part of the family is going to be better for their overall health.”</p><p>However, if your pet has to remain outside for any period of time, there are some simple measures that you can take to make their habitat more comfortable. </p><p>Keeping your dog’s outdoor shelter elevated and dry, as well as adding insulation such as hay or straw, will provide extra protection from the cold. Avoid blankets and towels, because they absorb moisture and can create a damp environment.</p><p>If you really want to spoil your pet this winter, a heated pet bed can help a dog or cat stay toasty. Throw in a high-tech heated water bowl, and transform your pet’s winter shelter into a luxury hotel. </p><h4>Precautions</h4><p>Take caution when using space heaters, because curious pets can get too close and risk getting burned. Toxic fluids in the garage, such as antifreeze, can be enticing to dogs because of their sweet scent, and are hazardous if ingested. Make sure they are kept out of reach.</p><p>Cats are resourceful and good at finding warm places to snuggle. However, they have been known to crawl into warm car engines, so make sure to bang on your hood a few times before leaving for work on those chilly days.</p><h4>Importance of exercise</h4><p>Just like people, animals need regular exercise and good nutrition, even during winter months. “Lack of exercise can be a problem when it gets cold,” Goldfarb said. “It’s not necessarily the dog’s lack of motivation, but some people find it hard to get up and take their dog outside when it’s cold.”</p><p>Walking or running with your dog can be fun, but as always, be careful for signs of exhaustion, such as heavy breathing and increased salivation. Although some dogs love to play in the snow, they can become disoriented, so keep your eye on them at all times. If your dog is not blessed with a lot of protective fur, or is elderly, a dog coat or sweater is the answer for those chilly strolls. </p><p>Whether you are running or walking with your dog, especially in urban areas, keep in mind that salt and chemical agents that are used for melting ice can <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2108" target="_blank">irritate paws</a>. A layer of petroleum jelly applied before a walk will provide protection, but make sure to check periodically for rock salt, gravel, or anything else that can get lodged between the toes or paws. You can purchase booties made especially for dogs at most pet retailers.  They’ll keep your dog’s paws warm and safe from the gravel and salt.</p><p>The Humane Society also recommends varying your pet’s routine by learning some indoor games that can not only fulfill their exercise requirement, but also provide some mental stimulation.</p><p>Lastly, keep in mind that your own mood can affect your pets. Dogs and cats pick up cues from us, and if you are blue during the winter months, your pet may reflect your behavior. So do your best to stay warm, healthy, and happy as you maintain your pets’ health this winter. </p><br />By Tom Kent for WebVet By Tom Kent for WebVet Dogs How to enjoy the public park with your dog http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2128 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2128">How to enjoy the public park with your dog</a><br /><p>A few weeks ago, I was walking my two dogs in the public park close to our house, when from out a nowhere, a Yorkshire terrier came running at us like a speeding fur-covered bullet. I stood there, a leash with a barking and lunging dog in each hand, feeling as if a meteor was about to crash into the earth and I was helpless to stop it. </p><p>It was a horrible experience, and fortunately, it didn’t lead to any casualties. It did leave me shaking, cursing the Yorkie’s owner, and wondering how some people can be so careless in a public park with their animals. </p><p>That’s because it’s not the first time I’ve seen a dog owner behave irresponsibly (i.e., walking a dog off leash, leaving dog poop in the grass, letting tenuous dogs get close to small children, etc.) in a public park. </p><p>And yet, unlike parks designated for dogs only, public parks designed for mass consumption require owners and their dogs to meet a different set of criteria -- one that allows for a peaceful co-existence between humans and animals. Following are six suggestions for meeting it.</p><h4>#1: Leash your dog</h4><p>Always leash your dog when walking in a public park. Because leash laws aside:</p><ul><li>Not everybody is a dog lover or relishes an errant dog -- especially if they’re with small children. </li><li>Even dog lovers don’t always want to encounter a dog they know nothing about.</li><li>It’s bad for a dog that’s on leash to engage with a dog that’s off since it can breed aggression, even in well-trained animals.</li><li>All dogs can be unpredictable due to a natural prey drive that can inspire them to attack.  When dogs are in that mode, it’s often difficult to get them out of it. </li><li>Finally, while well-intentioned owners may believe it’s nice to let their dogs run free, they may be putting their dogs and others at risk. Fortunately, risks can be easily avoided.</li></ul><h4>#2: Pick up your dog’s business</h4><p>Every morning, my husband and I walk our dogs when it’s still dark out and we can’t always see where we’re stepping. Sadly, this often results in doggy doo on our sneakers, leaving us to wonder why more people don’t pick up after their pets.</p><p>The fact is, it’s our responsibility as dog owners, and an easy one to manage as most public parks offer free doggie bags. In our park, there are several bag dispensers along the trails. Take advantage. </p><h4>#3: Share the road</h4><p>One morning, as I prepared to walk my dogs across a small bridge, I noticed a woman and her off-leash Cocker spaniel approaching from the other side. So, I headed for the opposite direction and politely asked her to leash her pet. Her response? “Oh, he’s friendly. No worries!”</p><p>And yet, not all dogs are friendly, which is why it’s important to share the road, especially if somebody asks. After all, in a public park, it’s not just your trees, trails, and bridges to enjoy.  </p><h4>#4: Be mindful of others</h4><p>If you know your dog is unfriendly, pull it out of the way so other people and animals may pass. Conversely, if you come upon somebody with an excitable dog, read the signs instead of bonding with a fellow dog lover. And move on quickly if necessary.</p><p>Case in point: The other day, I was walking our dogs when an older gentleman approached with his very hyper pup. Before he got too close, I led my dogs off the trail and made them sit until he and his dog walked ahead.</p><p>Unfortunately, he missed my signals and stopped right in front of us to chat. While my dogs barked and shrieked like they were being skinned alive (and I tried to yell over them), I wondered if he noticed my intention -- and why he didn’t keep walking?</p><h4>#5: Educate people on how to approach</h4><p>If you have an especially cute dog, you’ll no doubt deal with an excited child wanting to pet it. Or somebody who wants to pat its head while walking past.</p><p>This, of course, can be a recipe for disaster (think <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1972/med/0" target="_blank">dog bite</a>) -- especially if your dog is skittish or unsure around strangers. </p><p>Instead, be proactive. Educate people on how to safely approach an unfamiliar dog before they get too close. For example, I keep my dogs out of passerby’s reach. I also invite kids to pet each one separately by having my dogs sniff the child’s hand first with them presenting a closed fist, under or at the level of the dog’s nose.</p><h4>#6: Know your dogs are dogs</h4><p>Finally, know your dog can’t reason or understand the gray space between good and bad like humans can. They may not listen when their animal instincts tell them to act naturally. They’re wired differently than we are and we can never forget that. Because no matter how much time we spend on training and acclimating them to be family, dogs will be dogs. And with that as our guide, we must navigate public parks accordingly.</p><br />By Jill Sherer Murray for WebVet By Jill Sherer Murray for WebVet Dogs Pet insurance for puppies and kittens http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2120 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2120">Pet insurance for puppies and kittens</a><br /><p>The time to start thinking about <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2109" target="_blank">pet insurance</a> for your dog or cat is before it needs medical care, mostly likely when it's a puppy or kitten. </p><p>Insuring animals while they are young and healthy can eliminate substantial veterinary costs that can be incurred throughout the life of a pet. However, it is a decision that should be made early in your pet is a puppy or a kitten to avoid some of the exclusions common in the pet insurance industry. </p><p>“If you plan to insure your pet at all, it is best to do it when the pet is as young as possible and before it’s had any medical conditions,” said Darren Defeo, senior vice president of <a href="http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/" target="_blank">Trupanion</a>, a Seattle-based pet insurance company. “No pet plans insure pre-existing conditions, that is, those that occur or show signs or symptoms before you get the plan.” </p><h4>Unique plan</h4><p>Trupanion is unique in that it insures only puppies and kittens between the ages of eight weeks and one year, and then provides lifetime coverage up to $20,000. Because pre-existing conditions are not a factor, the insurer is able to pass on savings to the consumer in the form of lower premiums. </p><p>Depending on the company, policies typically range from $24.00 to $37.00 per month for puppies and $14.00 to $24.00 per month for kittens. However, since the cost of veterinary care differs from state to state, premiums vary depending on zip code. The degree of coverage also fluctuates with the carrier.</p><p>Not only can insurance pay dividends in the long run for some pet owners, but covering puppies and kittens can reap financial benefits early on as well. Like small children, young animals are prone to unsafe behavior such as swallowing objects, which can require expensive emergency medical care.</p><h4>Allergy costs</h4><p>Also, dogs and cats sometime develop allergies that require a lifetime’s worth of costly medication. That medication could cost as much as $200 per month, and over the life of a pet can add up to more than $20,000. With pet insurance, that same medication would cost roughly $20 per month less any deductibles.</p><p>Although the savings can be substantial when insurance is purchased for a young animal, some pet owners wait until their pet is in need of medical care before they consider insurance. That can lead to a difficult financial decision that can compromise the health of a pet.</p><p>“The majority of people wait until it’s too late to get insurance,” Defeo said. “They wait until they have a $5,000 surgery or until their pet has those allergies that cost $200 a month to treat. Unfortunately, those things that occur before they get the insurance will not be covered.”</p><h4>Changing trends</h4><p>Unlike human health or car insurance, which are standard expenditures in most U.S. budgets, pet insurance is still not a staple for most pet owners. However, as the industry continues to grow, more pet owners are realizing the benefits of insuring their new additions.</p><p>“Most people in the United States and Canada have yet to hear about pet insurance or accept it as a customary practice,” Defeo added. “So many of them don’t look into it until they realize just how expensive veterinary treatment can be.” </p><br />By Tom Kent for WebVet By Tom Kent for WebVet Dogs Service dogs help heal military veterans http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2121 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2121">Service dogs help heal military veterans</a><br /><p>The wounds of war are not always physical. Battle anxiety leaves many soldiers emotionally scarred with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to lifelong disability if inadequately treated. </p><p>Coming to the rescue is the Paws for Purple Hearts program, with dogs trained to assist veterans with emotional and physical disabilities. </p><p>The concept of <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1469/med/0" target="_blank">service dogs</a>, trained to assist people with mobility or other impairments, originated in 1975 at the Bergin University of Canine Studies, Santa Rosa, Calif. The concept has now been expanded for an innovative program designed for wounded veterans. </p><p>In January the first group of dogs selected from the pilot program of Paws for Purple Hearts will report for duty at the Walter Reed Warrior Transition Unit in Washington, D.C. Veterans suffering from PTSD will train these dogs to become companions for other soldiers returning home with physical disabilities.</p><p>"The experience of losing a close friend and feeling helpless leaves a scar,'' said Rick Yount, director of Paws for Purple Hearts. "It's very important to address it and come to some type of understanding of what they could and couldn't do in the situation.'' </p><h4>Unconditional love</h4><p>In the first part of the program, the unconditional love of the golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers in the program is part of a trauma-recovery team for incoming veterans suffering from PTSD. </p><p>Emotional affection is needed to praise the service dog, an empathic quality needed for veterans to recover. "Dogs won't let you isolate,'' Yount said, adding that they serve as grounding and help the veterans develop patience. </p><p>During a three-month training period, the service dog is taught vital skills to aid physically disabled soldiers, including the ability to retrieve items, turn on lights, open and close doors, and push wheelchairs. Once trained, the service dogs can accomplish many tasks typically performed by family members and attendants. </p><h4>Second phase</h4><p>In the second part of the program, the service dog moves to the next level, leaving the PTSD-afflicted trainer for a new human companion. The difficulty of saying goodbye to a new friend often brings up feelings of lost comrades, but with a significant difference: A sacrifice is being made for the good of another comrade returning from combat. </p><p>"Maybe they couldn't help their friend hit by an IED (improvised explosive device), but helping another veteran helps them to deal with the loss,'' Yount said.</p><p>Combat veterans usually have a difficult time expressing feelings about severe wartime trauma, and initial results are positive. "The vet can be more relaxed and less hypervigilant,'' he said. </p><h4>Call to action</h4><p>The call for the Veterans Administration to provide service dogs to disabled vets was signed into law in 2002 but has yet to be fully implemented. Paws for Purple Hearts started in July of 2008 and already, Yount is flooded with calls and e-mails. There is already a great need to expand the program.</p><p>Yount entered the field of animal assistance 13 years ago after spending 7 years in the social work field. "This is some of the most important social work I have ever done,'' he said.</p><br />By Marilyn Soltis for WebVet By Marilyn Soltis for WebVet Dogs Treating fractures in cats and dogs http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2122 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2122">Treating fractures in cats and dogs</a><br /><p><a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=211&med=1" target="_blank">Fractures</a> in dogs and cats are most often caused by trauma, such as being hit by a car or jumping or falling from a height.  Fractures can also be caused by aggressive <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=15&med=1" target="_blank">cancer</a> that destroys the bone or by certain metabolic conditions that leach calcium from bone.</p><h4>Bones</h4><p>Bones provide a rigid structure to the body and act as the levers that turn muscle movement into motion [link to dog and cat skeletons].  The term “bone” makes most people think of the bones in the limbs, such as the femur (thigh), tibia (shin), radius (forearm), and humerus (upper arm).  However, the ribs, spinal vertebrae, hips, shoulder, and skull are also made of bone.  In dogs and cats, the spinal vertebrae extend all the way down into the tip of the tail.  Male dogs also have a bone in the penis.</p><p>Bones consist of an outer, hard portion known as the cortex and an inner, spongy portion known as the marrow.  The outside surface of the cortex is surrounded by a fibrous capsule called the periosteum, which contains blood vessels and nerves [link to cross-sectional diagram of bone].  The periosteum also contains immature cells that grow into the osteoblasts, which are the cells involved in growth of bone and fracture repair.</p><p>In young animals, plates or layers of osteoblasts are found near the ends of bones, from which new bone grows as the animal matures.  Damage to these developing plates can stunt bone growth and lead to deformed limbs.</p><h4>Fractures</h4><p>Bones contain large amounts of calcium, which makes them hard and resilient, but unfortunately also breakable.  The complexity and severity of a fracture depends on the force of the impact, the location of the injury, and the general age and health of the individual dog or cat [link to sketches of the different types of fractures].</p><p>Hairline fractures: The simplest types of fractures produce fine cracks near the middle of long bones, such as those in the legs.  These hairline fractures cause little or no displacement of the bone, much like cracks in a windshield.</p><p>Multiple-piece fractures and fractures that involve a joint: Stronger impacts can cause the edges of the fractured pieces of the bone to separate, or the bone may shatter into multiple pieces, making repair more difficult.  Fractures that involve a joint are even more serious.  These types of fractures can interfere with movement and lead to arthritis long after the bone has healed.</p><p>Open or compound fractures: Fractures in which the bone is exposed are called “open” or “compound” factures.  In these serious fractures, jagged edges of the bone can pierce surrounding tissues and damage muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.  In addition, because the bone is exposed to the outside environment, these types of fractures are often contaminated and serious infections that are difficult to resolve can develop.</p><h4>Transporting your pet to the veterinarian</h4><p>If you suspect your pet has a fracture, try to minimize movement of the affected leg while you transport your pet to your veterinarian.  If any of the bone is exposed, cover it with a damp, clean towel to protect the area.  Damage to the periosteum caused by the fracture is very painful, so take care while moving your pet—any animal may bite when in pain or frightened.</p><h4>Diagnosis</h4><p>Your vet will begin evaluating the fracture and perform a complete physical examination to check for any additional injuries.  X-rays will be needed to assess the fracture more thoroughly and to consider how best to stabilize and repair it.</p><h4>Treatment</h4><p>Depending on the specific nature of the fracture, your vet may recommend external stabilization or internal fixation.  The objective of all procedures is to bring the pieces of bone into the correct alignment and to hold them firmly in place (ie, no movement) so that healing can occur.</p><p>External stabilization consists of traditional splints, casts, and padded bandages that can be used to immobilize minor or simple fractures (eg, hairline fractures).  Internal fixation involves surgical procedures to piece the fracture together while your pet is under anesthesia.  The simplest type of internal fixation consists of inserting a metal pin lengthwise into the center of the bone, so that the pin can act as an internal splint.  This type of internal fixation can work well for a small pet that has a simple fracture in the middle of a long bone, such as the femur, or thigh bone.  In fractures that have multiple bone pieces or involve a joint, internal fixation is more complicated; the pieces need to be replaced manually and held in place with metal plates, pins, screws, and/or wire.  Because this type of surgery requires specialized skills, your vet may refer you to an orthopedic specialist.</p><h4>Healing and recovery</h4><p>Fractures heal from the outside in.  Blood vessels in the periosteum produce a fibrous capsule called a callus. The callus surrounds the outside of the fracture to hold the damaged bone in place while it heals.  Specialized cells called osteoblasts then enter the fracture site to produce new bone that toughens the mend.</p><p>Healing occurs at varying rates depending on the age of the pet, the type of fracture and severity of the damage, and the type of fixation.  For example, young puppies generally heal within a few weeks, while healing can take several months in older dogs.  It is important to limit your pet’s activity during the healing process, so that the bones stay aligned and heal together properly.  Too much activity can refracture the bone, delay healing, or lead to a deformed limb from stress on the weakened bone.  While your pet is convalescing, your vet may recommend x-rays at various time intervals to gauge how healing is progressing and when your pet can return to full function.</p><br />By Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD By Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD Dogs Animal sex: The scent of a woman http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2262 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2262">Animal sex: The scent of a woman</a><br />  <h4>"I am calling you-ou-ou-ou-ou-ooo!" </h4><p>Whether bringing individuals together from miles away or from right next door, sending and receiving chemical signals is the oldest form of communication on the planet. Whether secreted from skin, tongues, or glands, sexual "pheromones"  -- wafted through the air, suffused in water, or deposited on the ground -- send their distinctive "come hither" message to the opposite sex:"I am ready. Now!" </p> <p>The word ‘pheromone' comes from the Greek<em>, pherin</em>, to transfer, and <em>hormon</em>, to excite or stimulate. While pheromones perform a variety of functions -- like identifying male territory, and warning away rivals -- <em>sexual</em> pheromones are designed to attract and arouse the opposite sex. </p> <h4>How it works</h4> <p>Animals produce hormones. When secreted externally they become pheromones. The "scent" is received by the opposite sex through the ‘vomeronasal organ,' a part of the olfactory system -- the system by which animals smell things and get their brains stimulated. </p> <p>The effects of all this olfactory ‘Morse Code' are as diverse as the animals that employ it, as these examples show: </p> <ul><li>Female pigs become sexually aroused by the sex pheromones in the saliva of male pigs. </li><li>Golden male hamsters are stimulated to mount females after getting a whiff of vaginal pheromones. </li><li>Female goldfish release their pheromones into the water at night, and the males, picking up the scent, find themselves producing sperm for fertilization. The next morning, when the females are ready to spawn, the males enthusiastically make the journey in search of the goldfish beauties with that alluring scent. However, it's a little disconcerting to discover that all the guys in the neighborhood are making the same commute. </li></ul> <h4>That signature scent</h4> <p>Part of the work of sex pheromones is to help members of the same species identify each other, so it won't be a waste of time to have sex. </p> <p>For instance, there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of <em>moths,</em> but there is only one particular, chemically correct, sexual pheromone per species. A male silk moth will receive a female's sexual invitation from as far away as seven miles, but he won't bother to waste his time and energy flying over -- making himself vulnerable to predators and competing with all the other males she is beckoning to -- unless the pheromone is from a female of his own kind. When the right call gets the attention of the male's antennae, it's then pretty much irresistible. </p> <h4>How about them red garter snakes?</h4> <p>Nature is never satisfied until a species evolves the best strategy for mating and surviving. So it should come as no surprise that some animal groups will break or bend the pheromone attraction rules.</p> <p>Take the case of the Manitoba red-sided garter snake. Some males mimic the pheromones of the females, thereby tricking other males into trying to have sex with them. Yes, that's right; they become "she-males."</p> <p>Manitoba garter snakes spend the entire winter in the frigid Canadian region between Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, arriving by the thousands, after slithering their way over miles of rocky terrain. Males and females hibernate together in crevasses as small as six feet wide and sixteen feet deep to keep from freezing to death. When spring arrives, each den disgorges as many as 10,000 snakes. The males are the first to emerge from their winter retreat. When the females finally appear, seething balls of hundreds of male snakes form around one female. These snake balls remain intact, rolling around the rocky terrain until one male has successfully mated with the female.</p> <h4>Trick or treat?</h4> <p>Here's the interesting part. Some mating balls have no female. In that writhing horde of snakes, the only way a male can identify a female is by her pheromones, secreted through her skin. Snakes flick their tongues in and out, picking up chemical cues from the air, and transfer them to a sensory organ in the roof of their mouth.</p> <p>So, why would any self-respecting male garter snake become a she-male? One theory is that this subterfuge keeps the other males from "getting the girl" and passing on their genes. They're all busy mistakenly trying to mate the imposter. </p> <h4>Are we at the mercy of our body chemistry?</h4> <p>Do humans also emit and receive pheromes? Do we "smell" as good as the rest of the animal world? To find out you'll have to read my next Animal Sex blog-"The Scent of a Woman." [LINK to the blog] </p> <h4>Coming Attractions</h4><p> Next up on <em>Birds Do It, Bees Do It</em>, you'll read about a sea creature with a penis that can grip like a hand. "What is tugging on my leg? Oh noooo..." </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%; vertical-align: baseline"><span class="apple-style-span"></span></p> <br />By Sally Schloss for WebVet By Sally Schloss for WebVet Dogs Puppies Behind Bars: Prison pups help prisoners help others http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2261 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2261">Puppies Behind Bars: Prison pups help prisoners help others</a><br />  <p>Set in the lush New York City suburb of Westchester County, the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility -- New York State's largest women's prison and its only maximum-security prison for women -- has housed many infamous prisoners. But there is a more positive and inspiring aspect to the Bedford Hills prison that most people are unaware of: <a href="http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/">Puppies Behind Bars</a> (PBB), an extraordinary program that allows inmates -- many of them serving long prison sentences for violent crimes -- a chance to turn selected <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1903" target="_blank" title="Training puppies">puppies</a> into highly trained <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1469" target="_blank" title="Service dogs">service dogs</a> for the disabled, or explosive-detection canines for law enforcement. The program -- which started at Bedford in 1997 with five puppies -- now operates at six correctional facilities in the tri-state (NY, NJ, CT) area and boasts 377 canine graduates. </p> <h4>Puppies and inmates: in it together</h4> <p>Puppies chosen for the program live in the cells with their primary caregivers -- ‘puppy raisers' -- and attend classes administered by PBB. They also spend two or three weekends a month in the homes of 'puppy sitters,' so they can be exposed to things they won't experience in prison, such as the sound of a doorbell or a coffee grinder, or learning how to <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2003" target="_blank" title="Car safety for dogs">safely ride in a car </a>or walk down a crowded sidewalk.</p> <p>Inmates who wish to become puppy raisers must sign a contract with PBB outlining their responsibilities and providing that any inmate may be asked to leave for any reason deemed appropriate by PBB. Requirements for participation in the program are strict, and include mandatory attendance at weekly puppy class as well as successful completion of reading assignments, homework, and exams. The puppy raiser must always put the needs of the puppy before his or her own, must be able to work effectively as a member of a team, and must be able to give and receive criticism in a constructive manner.         </p> <p>The puppies live in the prison for 16 months, after which they are tested to determine their suitability for training as service dogs for the disabled or explosive-detection dogs for law enforcement. The dogs judged to be suitable are returned to the schools where they continue their formal training. Those who don't continue on the working-dog track are donated by PBB to families with blind children. In either case, these dogs spend their lives as companions to people who need them.</p> <h4>How it all began</h4> <p>The PBB story began in 1990, after founder and now-president Gloria Gilbert Stoga and her husband adopted Arrow, a <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/263" target="_blank" title="Labrador Retriever breed information">Labrador Retriever</a>, from one of North America's most prestigious guide dog schools, <a href="http://donate.guidingeyes.org/site/PageServer">Guiding Eyes for the Blind</a>. (Arrow had been on his way to becoming a guide dog, but medical reasons required his release from the program.)  Stoga started doing some research and learned about the extraordinary effort and expense that goes into the training of service dogs -- in particular, the critical work of <em>puppy</em> <em>raisers </em>-- individuals or families who take specially bred, eight-week-old pups into their homes for a 16-month period and teach them basic obedience and socialization skills. Subsequently -- inspired by the work of Dr. Thomas Lane, a Florida veterinarian who started the first guide-dog/prison program -- Stoga left her job at New York City's <em>Youth Empowerment Services Commission</em> to found PBB.</p> <h4>Changing Lives</h4> <p>Both people and dogs are transformed by the PBB experience. The pups become highly trained, well-behaved animals with a mission. The inmate trainers who have raised them also change: the responsibility of raising a dog for a disabled person and the opportunity to give something back to society provide inmates with an avenue for personal growth that would not otherwise be open to them. As a result, they form deep and lasting attachments to the dogs, learning patience, responsibility, and how to work as part of a team; for many, the relationship with the animal they train is the most positive and satisfying one they have ever had. </p> <p>As Stoga explained, the puppies have affected the lives not only of their puppy raisers, but also of virtually all the inmates and staff at the prison: "One of our particularly sensitive pups goes to several different areas of the prison: the 16- and 17-year-old inmates play with her; domestic violence classes use her to get the women to open up and talk; and she even visits inmates who are about to go before the parole board, for it has been found that her presence has a calming effect on the women." </p> <h4>Serving those who have served us</h4> <p>Recognizing the special contribution and sacrifice of those who have served in the U.S. military, PBB established a special program to provide service dogs to veterans returning home from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who have suffered a physical injury, traumatic brain injury, or who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). </p> <p>Designated <em>"Dog Tags: Service Dogs for Those Who've Served Us," </em>the program provided its first specially trained dog to Sergeant Bill Campbell, an Iraq veteran who suffers from serious PTSD, a life-altering condition that is characterized by panic attacks, severe depression, memory loss, nightmares and fear of public places. Campbell's <em>Dog Tags-</em>trained companion, Pax, reminds him to take his daily medications, alerts him to approaching strangers, and responds to the command "Block" by placing his body between Campbell and an approaching individual. </p> <h4>From behind bars . . . freedom</h4> <p>Though PBB's puppies start out behind bars, they make their way into the wider world, where they bring love, security, and -- ironically -- freedom to those they serve. </p> <br />By Yona Zeldis McDonough for WebVet By Yona Zeldis McDonough for WebVet Dogs