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This feed contains articles about Petsen-usCopyright 2009 Webvet, LLC2009-11-20T16:20-05:00advertise@webvet.comadvertise@webvet.comPetshourlyPet mediators put animal interests first during divorces
http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2133
<a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2133">Pet mediators put animal interests first during divorces</a><br /><p>As a pet owner himself, Charles Regal knows that animals are much more than the property they are treated as in <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1919" target="_blank">divorce</a> court. That is why – armed with a master’s degree in social work and mediation training certification – he began a specialized practice in pet custody mediation, where separating couples can pursue mutually satisfactory custody agreements for their dog, cat, bird or small animal. </p><h4>Choosing a mediator over a lawyer</h4><p>In addition to potentially astronomical legal fees and long waiting period a former couple could face by going to court to determine custody of a shared pet, the U.S. legal system treats animals no differently than a piece of furniture. According to StraightDivorce.com, such a determination is made after examining receipts indicating which partner had been the functional owner of the pet, by way of expenses for medical treatments, training, nutrition and grooming. Regal, on the other hand, does not produce a legally binding arrangement, but facilitates an agreement between the people in question, who are unable to arrive at one on their own. </p><h4>The results</h4><p>“One that sticks out in my memory is a parting couple who was so resentful toward each other, I didn't think they'd stay in the same room together for very long,” recalls Regal. “Their whole demeanor changed when one of them mentioned their dog [was] acting lethargic and not having a good appetite lately. When asked if it was possible that the tension from their separation was affecting the dog, they both said they believed it was and wanted to do whatever was possible to help their dog through this transition. They were considerate to each other and listened respectfully to each others’ suggestions. Their love for their dog enabled them to rise above their negative feelings and create a plan that both were satisfied with.”</p><h4>Who they are</h4><p>There’s no clear-cut path to becoming a mediator. While some private organizations provide mediation training and offer what they designate as certification, no state has enacted laws regulating the private practice of mediation or established state-wide requirements for mediators as they do for other professions. Arguably, the best mediators are compassionate yet fair, with a history of thoughtful conflict resolution. </p><h4>How it works</h4><p>Getting the facts: In Regal’s case, he begins by talking to each person privately and confidentially, usually by phone. “Aside from getting all the pertinent information, I give each person a chance to vent their feelings about the situation they are going through.” </p><ul><li>Establishing ground rules: “I let people know what kind of process I have, and what kind of process it is not,” Regal said. “I want them to know they are not visiting me to prove a case or have me referee a fight. My focus is not on who is right or wrong, but on deeper understanding on how each person is experiencing the situation – without any judgment.” The goal is to get separating pet owners to work as a team to do what is best for their pets, and themselves.”</li><li>Leave the pet at home: “I don't like the pet to be present at the mediation because it would be too stressful for them. But I do ask for a photograph of the pet to be present to help us re-focus our attention if we get distracted.”</li><li>Put the choice in their hands: “I make sure that any solution that comes from the meeting totally belongs to them,” concludes Regal. “Mutually acceptable resolutions resulting from the peoples' own ideas and desires are far more viable and solid than ones that are imposed or coerced.” </li></ul><br />By Barbara Sharnak for WebVetBy Barbara Sharnak for WebVetPetsCruciate 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 WebVetBy Peter Lopatin for WebVetPetsDog and cat obesity is on the rise
http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1436
<a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1436">Dog and cat obesity is on the rise</a><br /><p>Some small studies have hinted that about 40 percent of America’s dogs and cats were <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=76&med=1" target="_blank">overweight and obese</a>. But a large-scale study conducted in October 2008 shows that things are even worse than had been suspected, according to Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.</p><p>The second annual study found that <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1467/med/0" target="_blank" title="Fighting obesity in dogs">44 percent of dogs were overweight,</a> including 10 percent that were obese. Things were worse for cats. “That is what we were fearful of,” Ward said. He said <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1396/med/0" target="_blank" title="Obesity in cats, the ">57 percent of cats were overweight</a>, including 17 percent falling into the obese category. The results come from a study using data collected by 95 U.S. vet clinics in which weight data was collected on 870 animals. </p><p>Ward, who practices in Calabash, N.C., said the population was representative of the veterinary patient population: two-thirds dogs and one-third cats. The pets’ weight was ranked based on ideal ranges. “We now have the most accurate and up-to-date snapshot of the <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1445" target="_blank" title="Help your dog lose weight">pet obesity problem</a> in this country,” said Ward. </p><p>Ward said many vets have been hesitant to bring up obesity. “They thought their clients would be offended – that they didn’t perceive there was a problem,” he said. He said his research shows that clients correctly perceive that their dogs and cats are obese. “The reality is that the clients get it,” he said. “And they’re looking for help. Unfortunately sometimes, their veterinarian is not giving them that assistance.”</p><p>For more on obesity in pets, visit the <a href="http://www.petobesityprevention.com" target="_blank" title="Association for Pet Obesity Prevention">Web site</a> for the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.</p><p> </p><br />By Howard Wolinsky for WebVetBy Howard Wolinsky for WebVetPets