NEWS
Animal Massage
By Vivien Leigh
(KSDK) Pet hotels, gourmet treats and now there's
another way to pamper your pet; massage.
Therapists will actually come to your home to give Fido some gentle strokes. But
some veterinarians say massage therapy has healing benefits as well.
Brandi Sax is a licensed massage therapist. Over the past several years she's
been giving comfort not only to people but also to man's best friend. She uses a
technique called Myofascial release. It helps relieve tension in the animal's
muscles.
Sax began massaging animals after working on a kitten with an injured leg. The
feline eventually was able to walk on it's own. Besides working at her family's
spa in Swansea she also makes home visits to treat animals. Johnston says her
dog responds to massage just like people do.
Sax has also used the healing technique on her horse. Several years ago 'Caballo'
lost his full range of motion in his right leg because of a bone chip and tendon
problems. Following numerous deep tissue treatments.
Caballo can now stretch out his leg. Sax also pulls Caballo's tail and holds it
for several minutes to stretch out his spine. Some folks may think animal
massage is hokey.
But some vets actually recommend massage for animals especially pets recovering
from surgery or animals suffering from arthritis. Massage may not be for every
four-legged friend.
But Johnston encourages owners to treat their dog as they treat themselves. If
you would like more information on animal massage, you can call Hoof, Paw and
Claw Bodywork's at 618-233-9886.
Burns to Animals Can Be Life Threatening
Most dog burns occur in the summer - but cars, not the sun, are to blame, says veterinary dermatologist Dr. Robert Kennis. During hot days, dogs will often seek shade under a car. If the animal comes in contact with a hot muffler of catalytic converter even for a split second, a serious burn can occur. Other common causes of burns to pets include: - Hair dryers used to dry animals after bathing - Kitchen spills - Space heaters - Out-door grills - Chewed electrical cords The best advice, he adds, is for pet owners to leave the treatment to a trained veterinarian. In some cases home treatments can do more harm than good, and infected burns could become life threatening. Dr. Kennis can be reached at (979) 845-2351 or [email protected] or through the Office of University Relations, (979) 845-4644.
Pets Face Aging Problems, Same as People
The conditions you see associated with older people are almost identical to those you see in pets, says Dr. Deb Zoran, a veterinarian in the Small Animal Clinic at Texas A&M. These problems include arthritis, cataracts, loss of hearing, diabetes, heart murmurs, kidney trouble, cancer and maybe even Alzheimer`s disease. For older pets (six or seven years in dogs and cats) she suggests talking to your veterinarian about blood work to screen potential problems, blood pressure, performing chest X-rays and possibly an EKG to check the heart. She also suggests exercise, good oral hygiene and in some cases, a special diet may be necessary. Dr. Zoran can be reached at (979) 845- 2351 or { HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" }[email protected] or through the Office of University Relations, (979) 845-4644.
Diabetes, Dogs: A Treatable Disease
Diabetes - "the silent killer" - can often strike man`s best friend. But this disease doesn`t necessarily mean a death sentence, and dogs that do contract it can often live normal lives. Just like the human form of the disease, diabetes in animals is caused by the body`s inability to control blood sugar, and treatment is often identical as well. Insulin shots remain the quickest and safest treatment, says Dr. Alice Wolf, a small-animal specialist at Texas A&M, though there are some alternatives. In most cases, two injections given by the owner each day are required. Signs to look for include excessive thirst, frequent urination and weight loss even with normal appetite. She adds that certain small breeds like poodles, terriers and dachshunds are more likely to get the disease. Dr. Wolf can be reached at (979) 845-2351 or { HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" }a- [email protected] or through the Office of University Relations, (979) 845-4644.
Polly May Really Want That Cracker, More
Proper nutrition for birds is often overlooked or misunderstood by many bird owners, who tend to believe that birds will only eat birdseed. Pet birds - especially parrots - often can eat the same food you might prepare for yourself, and in fact, prefer such food, and it can be healthy for them, says Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a veterinarian who specializes in birds at Texas A&M.
Feeding tips include: - Table food that is not too high in sugar or fat is usually okay - Birds like different kinds of fruits and vegetables, but also others - A few things to avoid feeding: avocados, chocolate and onions - Birds that are kept outdoors should be given a little more food and fed at least twice a day Dr. Blue-McLendon can be reached at (979) 845-6881 or { HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" }[email protected] or through the Office of University Relations, (979) 845-4644.
Cancer Affects Not Only Human, But Man`s Best Friend
If a dog lives long enough, it may be at a significant risk for canine lymphoma - or cancer, says Robert Dunstan, a veterinarian at Texas A&M. Along with colleagues at the Animal Health Trust in Britain, he is analyzing tumor samples from dogs diagnosed with lymphoma to identify chromosome abnormalities that will help define the molecular basis of lymphoma in dogs. The researchers hope their results will help identify dogs at risk for lymphoma, predict its behavior if it develops and design treatments optimized for the type of lymphoma. "For years," he observed, "animals have played an important role in finding cures for human diseases. Now discoveries from human genome research may help us fight cancer in dogs."
Story Filed: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 7:02 AM EST
WESTBROOK, Maine, Apr 17, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Ah, spring! For many Americans, the season brings warm weather, green grass, blooming flowers -- and ticks carrying bacteria that cause disease, including Lyme disease. As the fastest growing tick-transmitted disease in the United States, Lyme disease may threaten the health of twice as many dogs as it does humans.
"According to experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 16,000 cases of Lyme disease in people were reported during both 1998 and 1999 -- and CDC experts believe the disease is underreported," says Jan K. Strother, DVM, a companion animal veterinarian in Harselle, Ala.
"Studies conducted in Connecticut and Maryland found an estimated seven to 12 unreported cases for each reported case.(1,2) Unfortunately, dogs are at much greater risk for Lyme disease than are people living in the same geographic area and the ratio of unreported cases could be even higher."
Tick season typically starts the last week of March and is at its highest level for the next six to eight weeks, putting millions of dogs and people at risk for Lyme disease and several other tick-transmitted diseases. Human Lyme disease has been reported in all 50 states except Alaska.
"The vast majority of Lyme disease cases in people -- more than 90 percent -- have occurred in eight Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states and two upper Midwestern states," Strother explains. "But Lyme disease cases also are common in some areas on the Pacific Coast, specifically in California and Oregon. And since ticks may move with people and dogs, this disease could appear anywhere."
According to CDC reports, human Lyme disease is most prevalent in these 10 states (ranked in descending order based on the number of reported cases in 1999): New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Delaware. California and Virginia are not far behind Delaware in number of cases reported each year.
Lyme disease is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, that is found in certain species of ticks, including the black-legged (deer) tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus). The disease is transmitted when an infected tick bites a dog, person or other mammal. If not removed, the tick may feed for as long as four days. Ticks must be attached for at least 24 hours before the bacterium is transmitted through saliva to the bite wound.
"In many areas of the country, people and their pets are at moderate to high risk of exposure from April to November," Strother states. "Ticks are most active at this time when people and their pets are spending more time enjoying outdoor activities.
"A number of factors have contributed to increased risk of Lyme disease," she continues. "These include a large black-legged tick population, resulting from an exponential increase in the U.S. deer population; increased recreation; extended forest cover, especially in the Northeast; reduced hunting in some areas; and continued suburban sprawl. Suburban living has brought more dogs into areas frequented by ticks and the animals that serve as hosts or reservoirs of disease."
The most common signs of Lyme disease in dogs are recurrent arthritis and lameness that lasts for only three to four days, sometimes with a loss of appetite and depression. Dog owners should be aware of these warning signs: Sudden occurrence of lameness, reluctance to move or a stiff, painful gait; warm, swollen joints; pain in the legs or throughout the body; fever; fatigue; loss of appetite; and swollen lymph nodes. The signs may come and go, vary in intensity from mild to severe, and can mimic many other conditions. If Lyme disease is suspected, a dog owner should contact his or her veterinarian as soon as possible to have the dog tested.
Fortunately, there's a new blood test available that screens dogs simultaneously for Lyme disease, heartworm disease and ehrlichiosis, another rapidly emerging tick-transmitted disease. The new in-clinic diagnostic test -- SNAP(R) 3Dx(TM), available from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. -- takes only eight minutes and provides an accurate result, even if a dog has been vaccinated against Lyme disease. With this quick, inexpensive test, the dog owners has the benefit of knowing if the dog has been exposed even before leaving the clinic.
"The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends testing for Lyme disease in the spring and fall, whether or not a tick has been found on your dog," Strother says. "Knowing if your best friend has been exposed to the bacterium that causes Lyme disease provides peace of mind. A dog with a positive test result may not develop the disease, but at least you and your veterinarian will know to watch for possible signs. That bit of knowledge is really the greatest benefit of the new in-clinic test."
Strother encourages dog owners to ask their veterinarians about having their dogs tested for Lyme disease during their next visit.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. ( http://www.idexx.com ) is a world leader in providing diagnostic, detection and information systems for veterinary, dairy and water testing applications. The company's largest business unit is focused on animal health, combining biotechnology and information technology to create new opportunities and solutions for today's veterinary industry. Its veterinary business includes in-clinic diagnostic products, diagnostic reference laboratories and professional services, computer software and related information systems, and pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX employs more than 2,000 people and offers products to customers in more than 50 countries.
References
1. Meek JI, Roberts CL, Smith EV Jr, Cartter ML. Underreporting of Lyme disease by Connecticut physicians, 1992. J Public Health Manage Pract
1996;2:61-6.
2. Coyle BS, Strickland GT, Liang YY, Pena C, McCarter R, Israel E. Public impact of Lyme disease in Maryland. J Infect Dis
1996;173:1260-2. SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. CONTACT: Seth Pederson, 952-852-6206, [email protected] , or Jackie Freeberg, 952-852-7620, [email protected] , both of Colle+McVoy for IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. URL: http://www.idexx.com
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Regular vaccination for pets may endanger their health, study claims
Pet owners who have their animals regularly vaccinated may be killing them
with kindness, according to a British survey.
Research by Canine Health Concern shows higher than normal levels of
distemper, allergic reactions, epilepsy and even brain damage in dogs which
have annual injections.
The survey involving 4,000 dog owners found that of those dogs which became
ill, two-thirds did so within three months of having a vaccination.
Ms Catherine O'Driscoll, the group's founding member, began her research
after losing her three healthy dogs after their regular booster injections.
These contain a number of vaccines to combat different diseases, some of
which are no longer a major threat to pets in the UK, she said. An earlier
survey by Ms O'Driscoll, involving more than 2,000 dogs, convinced her that
vaccines could cause long-term damage.
She tells tonight's World in Action on ITV: "We have phone calls every day
from people crying and sobbing or asking how they can get help for their dog
which has epilepsy or cancer. Sometimes it takes me an hour to open the post
from people concerned about their dogs, cats or horses who are ill and
suspect the vaccines."
However, Mr Ted Chandler, president of the British Veterinary Association,
tells the programme he believes the risk is minimal. "The level of reactions
we get to vaccines is incredibly small," he says. "We are talking about
something in the region of 00.01 per cent, one in many thousands."
People should not be scared or worried about side-effects of vaccines on the
pets, he adds.
On the same programme, a leading British veterinary scientist says that
feeding pets processed foods can also lead to health problems.
Many vets recommend a diet of tinned and dried processed foods, a business
worth (pounds) 1.5 billion sterling in the UK each year.
Ms Sue Penman, founding president of the British Veterinary Dental
Association, says it can cause huge problems.
She tells the programme: "What we're tending to find now in the developed
world where people and their pets are eating a processed food diet is that
there's a disgusting increase in cancer, heart disease, diabetes and
arthritis - all those things that we describe as degenerative diseases."
World in Action also reveals the ingredients which, it is claimed, have been
used in some pet foods made in Britain. Ground-up teeth, straw, feathers,
animal heads complete with ear tags, feet and bones have found their way
into British pet foods, according to their evidence.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susan Edmonds
Hutchinson Center
(206) 667-2896
Jeri Wall
Cornell University
(607) 253-3746
Researchers Report Construction of Genetic Map for Dogs
SEATTLE, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center and the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health at
Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, are reporting
the development of a framework reference map of the canine genome. The
article appears in today's issue of Genomics, published by the Academic Press.
The ultimate goal of canine genome research is to find all the genes in
the chromosomes of domestic dogs and make this information available to others
to develop tools to better diagnose disease well before the appearance of
symptoms. It is believed that dog genetics offers the hope of discovering the
genetic basis of both mammalian development and disease in a variety of
species including humans.
"The notion of a canine genetic map had been proposed by the genetics
community years ago; over the last three years we developed the markers to
serve as the cornerstone of the map, and were able to develop efficient
approaches for ordering the markers on the individual chromosomes," said
Elaine Ostrander, Ph.D., lead investigator and molecular biologist, who is an
associate member in the clinical division at the Hutchinson Center.
"We were able to provide a number of highly informative pedigrees of dogs
that, for several years, had been bred specifically for genetic studies such
as these," said collaborator Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, Ph.D., director of the
Center for Canine Genetics and Reproduction at the Baker Institute.
The canine map generated by this collaboration covers most of the canine
genome and represents a major step toward the completion of a more
comprehensive canine genetic map. It was constructed from 150 highly
informative markers, known as microsatellite markers, developed and typed by
the Ostrander group and on informative pedigrees developed by the Cornell
team. The Linkage panel used included information from 17 three-generation
pedigrees with genetically distinct backgrounds, a total of 212 individuals.
According to Ostrander, the development of a canine genetic map is of
particular importance, not only in solving questions of inheritance in dogs,
but in humans as well. Purebred dogs, though all of one species, in practice
represent a multitude of closed breeding populations. Many of the genetic
diseases that proliferate in inbred dogs also occur in the human population,
but are difficult to trace genetically because the high degree of genetic
diversity and low number of offspring in human families make informative
pedigrees a rarity. These diseases include cancer, epilepsy, retinal
degeneration, bleeding disorders, skeletal malformations, and a host of
others. Dogs represent a unique genetic resource with each of several hundred
breeds exhibiting distinct physical and behavioral traits, and with remarkable
consistency among its members. Mapping disease genes in dogs lead to an
increased recognition of the role inheritance plays in human disease.
In a second paper published in the journal, the two groups describe the
construction of a dog-rodent hybrid cell panel to aid in determining the order
and spacing of genes and traits of interest on the chromosomes of the canine
genome. Both papers, which are featured on the cover of the this month's
journal, are the result of an unusual and highly productive collaboration
between the two major canine genetics groups in Seattle and Ithaca, each of
which brought a unique set of resources and talents to the venture.
The Hutchinson Center is one of 28 comprehensive cancer research centers,
as designated by the National Cancer Institute. Using basic and applied
research, the Center's mission is to eliminate cancer, and other potentially
fatal diseases, as a cause of human suffering and death. Advances at the
Hutchinson Center in the areas of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
are coupled with the progress made toward understanding the mechanisms of
neoplastic development as well as basic aspects of cellular and molecular
biology common to all organisms.
In 1951 the James A. Balker Institute for Animal Health established the
first laboratory in the world dedicated solely to addressing the health needs
of dogs through bask and applied research. The Institute is renowned for its
contributions to the control of canine infectious diseases through the
development of vaccines against canine distemper, infectious hepatitis,
parvovirus, and other diseases. The Institute is part of the College of
Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, established in 1894; the mission of
the College is to advance animal and human health through education, research,
and public service.
The project was conducted by Ostrander and her associates at the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, as a continuation of work that she had
initiated at the University of California several years ago. Ostrander's team
included Cathryn Mellersh, Ph.D. a postdoctoral fellow, Amelia Langston, M.D.,
a clinical associate, and research associate Neil Wiegand. Aguirre's team at
Cornell included Gregory Acland, BVSc, a veterinary ophthalmologist and senior
research associate in genetics; and Kunal Ray, MS, Ph.D., senior research
associate in molecular genetics.
This research was supported by The Canine Health Foundation of the
American Kennel Club, the Wellcome Trust The Muscular Dystrophy Association,
the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Morris Animal Foundation, the American
Cancer Society, and the National Institutes of Health.
SOURCE Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
CONTACT: Susan Edmonds of the Hutchinson Center,
206-667-2896; or
From the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm
Q. Can
West Nile virus cause illness in dogs or cats?
A. There is a published report of West Nile virus isolated from
a dog in southern Africa (Botswana) in 1982. There are no published reports
regarding cats, but West Nile virus was isolated from a dead cat in the New York
area epidemic. A serosurvey of dogs and cats in the epidemic area showed a low
infection rate.
Q. Can infected dogs or cats be
carriers (i.e., reservoirs) for, and transmit West Nile virus to humans?
A. West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes.
There is no documented evidence of person-to-person, animal-to-animal, or
animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. Veterinarians should take
normal infection control precautions when caring for an animal suspected to have
this or any viral infection.
Q. How do dogs or cats become
infected with West Nile virus?
A. The same way humans become infected, by the bite of
infectious mosquitoes. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands.
During blood feeding, the virus is injected into the animal. The virus then
multiplies and may cause illness. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on
infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. It
is possible that dogs and cats could become infected by eating dead infected
animals such as birds, but this is unproven.
Q. Can a dog or cat infected with
West Nile virus infect other dogs or cats?
A. No. There is no documented evidence that West Nile virus is
transmitted from animal-to-animal.
Q. How long can a dog or cat be
infected with West Nile virus ?
A. The answer is not known at this time.
Q. Should a dog or cat infected
with West Nile virus be destroyed? What is the treatment for an animal infected
with West Nile virus?
A. No. There is no reason to destroy an animal just because it
has been infected with West Nile virus. Full recovery from the infection is
likely. Treatment would be supportive and consistent with standard veterinary
practices for animals infected with a viral agent.
Morning Call,
Aug. 26, 2000
Rare parasitic disease linked
to 21 dogs’ deaths
• A strain of Ieishmaniasis, not
indigenous to the U.S., has
baffled health officials.
MLLLBROOK, N.Y. tAP) — A parasitic disease rarely found in this country
has killed 21 foxhounds and has sickened at
least 20 others, prompting the
national fox-hunting organization to cancel
events. The disease can also
affect humans.
One after another, the hounds at Millbrook
Hunt in Dutchess County
became lethargic. Losing weight and patches
of hair, the dogs developed
enlarged joints, crusty skin lesions and rope-like
knots underneath their skin.
The culprit was identified this spring by
researchers at North Carolina State
University as a strain of leishmaniasis, typically
found in warm, coastal areas
like Brazil, the Mediterranean, India and
the Sudan.
Normally transmitted by sand flies, the
disease is considered curable in
humans, but it has killed people in other
countries, It has rarely been diag-
nosed in the United States.
Among foxhounds, the disease has been
found in kennels in 20 states and
Canada, but only the Millbrook hounds have
died.
“This should not be in the U.S.,” Edward
B. Breitschwerdt, professor of
medicine and infectious diseases at North
Carolina State, told The New
York Times. “We’re truly dealing with a
foreign animal disease that remains
very unclear to all of us still.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
is testing people who have
come into contact with the foxhounds in
Millbrook and collecting samples
from 10,000 dogs around the country. The
Times said the disease probably
came to this country when an American
soldier returned from overseas with
an infected dog. The disease was diagnosed
in several soldiers during the
Persian Gulf War, the newspaper said.
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