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THE GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL SEPTEMBER 2004 – NEWSLETTER OF THE GSDC OF GREATER RALEIGH Pat Embrey, Newsletter Editor1390 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504 PH: 919-934-6232, E-Mail: VonRillca@aol.com Website of the GSDC of GR: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events 2. September Meeting Information 3. August 2004 Minutes 4. GSDCA Board-O-Gram 5. Hot Spots 6. Pet Health Alert – Xylitol 7. Chewies 8. Heatstroke Prevention 9. Healthy Molasses 10. Communicating the Pack Order 11. Attendees At our August Meeting
BOARD POLICY ON DOGS AT CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS The GSDC of Greater Raleigh welcomes your German Shepherd at our events, including meetings. However, the following rules must be followed: 1. Anyone with an aggressive dog (one that growls, snaps, or is in any way aggressive towards other dogs or people) must be muzzled. 2. Dogs will be free of loose hair and external parasites (fleas or ticks). Please brush your dog prior to bringing it to the meeting as we must clean up the room after we are finished. For the safety of all members, guests and their dogs, it is strongly recommended that all dogs be kept up to date on their vaccinations. ALL dogs that are old enough, MUST have a current rabies shot.
SEPTEMBER MEETING INFORMATION The next meeting of the GSDC of Greater Raleigh will be held on the first Wednesday of September, which falls on September 1st this month. The meeting will be held as usual at the Exchange Park on Spring Forest Road and socialization will start at 7:00 PM with the program starting at 7:30 PM. We will be starting our Canine Good Citizenship training this month with our members, guests and their dogs. If we have a large turn out, which we are hoping for, we will split the class with beginners & more advanced, as some of our dogs have had basic obedience. There will be handouts for everyone with the entire CGC program explained. Please come!! Refreshments will be furnished by Frank Sanders.
GSDC of GR Meeting MinutesAugust 4, 2004
Program: Guest speaker Liz Watson, DVM of Neuse River Veterinary Hospital in Wendell explained the background and use of acupuncture in veterinary medicine. This ancient Chinese medicine is being used very successfully at her clinic as another tool to treat certain types of pain and lack of mobility. Liz demonstrated her technique on Cocoa, a rescue beagle mix who has benefited from acupuncture treatments (shown below).
Business Meeting: Deeda Duncan called the meeting to order and welcomed so many new guests to the club. The July minutes were read and approved. Pat Embrey is still investigating show sites and in particular in Smithfield because of the dog-friendly hotels and lots of food and shopping available close by. A motion was passed for the club to join Tailwaggers and Deeda wants to appoint someone to act as a delegate for the club at their meetings-she hopes to ask Bill Pfeiffer to do that for us. The new club website is up and running at www.GSDCofgrraleigh.org. It is an excellent site and we thank Michael Zeeveld for his help. Lisa Zeeveld looked into buying brochures from the parent club for us to distribute with our local club information stamped on the back. A motion was passed for her to purchase 100 of the brochures at a cost of $50 and she will decide after she receives them the best way for us to club info to the back, either a stamp or sticker method. New Business: Michael Zeeveld brought a sample of a shirt the club might want to order with its logo at a cost of $6-8 each depending on color choice, etc. He said some clubs sell advertisements on the back of the shirts to defray some or all of the cost. Also we can print bumper stickers for about $100 for 32 and order 4”x12” magnets for the club trailer for about $6 each. In other new business, Deeda discussed the possibility of the club sponsoring dog training classes, perhaps by joining forces with other area clubs, for conformation, puppy training, and/or obedience. A puppy class could be used to introduce new GSD owners to the large variety of sports available to them to do with their dogs. Ideas include doing the class during our7:30pm socialization time each month, perhaps with the idea of a Canine Good Citizenship test at the end of 6 lessons. The annual club picnic is scheduled for September 18 (this date will probably be changed, and we will give you more information at the next meeting) and Deeda asks for someone to volunteer to organize it. There will still be the regular club meeting that month. Lisa Zeeveld will be doing her presentation for the October meeting. The Second Reading of the Application for Membership was made for Michael and Liza Zeeveld. First reading was for Kathy Heckman and Barbara Puccio.
Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Bridges presented the Treasurer’s report for July 2004.
Brags: Sarah’s Belle had 8 puppies, Deeda has 3 new pups from Reno and Zoee and Frank has 2 litters including 6 from Ghostbuster.
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America publishes a Board O Gram every quarter to inform the membership of what is happening at the quarterly Board Meetings.
Board O Gram
Ginny Altman
HOT SPOTS FRUSTRATE DOGS - Norma Bennett Woolf This article is copyrighted and is printed with the kind permission of the Dog Owner's Guide. POOR Dusty! She's been licking and chewing on that spot on her flank for the better part of a day , and it's now a raw , open sore, oozing fluid. Dusty has a superficial pyoderma - a skin infection known to veterinarians as pyotraumatic dermatitis and to dog owners as hot spots. Hot spots are surface skin infections caused when populations of normal skin bacteria grow and overwhelm normal resistance. They are generally circular patches that lose hair, can be swollen, may exude a smelly pus, and can be painfully itchy, causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of self-mutilation. Untreated hot spots can spread and provoke a normally even-tempered dog to growl or nip when touched. These troublesome sores can seem to arise in a matter of hours with no warning, but they do tend to follow a pattern that helps in predicting their occurrence. Dogs most susceptible to hot spots are those with heavy coats and histories of allergies, ear infections, flea infestations, irritated anal sacs, and grooming problems such as hair tangles and mats, but any dog can develop this infection. Dogs in warm, humid climates may develop hot spots when they shed their undercoats if the dead hair is trapped next to the skin, and dogs with behavior problems may mutilate themselves by licking and thus encourage an infection to become established. The most common locations for hot spots are the legs and feet, flanks, and rump - areas that can be reached by licking or biting - but these localized infections can also appear on ears, neck, and chest if the dog is continually scratching. Treatment Two approaches are necessary for dealing with hot spots: treat the sore and remove the underlying cause to prevent recurrences. Veterinary dermatologist Lowell Ackerman recommends the following treatment in his book Skin and Hair - Coat Problems in Dogs: trim the hair around the sore to prevent further spread of the infection and expose the edges of the lesion; wash the area in a mild water-based astringent or antiseptic; be prepaired to use antibiotics or cortisone if the washing does not give results. Ackerman recommends against the use of ointments or creams because they can seal in the infection and hinder recovery. In severe cases, a veterinarian may suggest the use of an Elizabethan collar to prevent mutilation and give the spot a chance to heal. Prevention If the underlying cause is tangled or matted hair or trapped dead hair, put the dog on a regular grooming schedule either at home or at a grooming salon. Collies, Old English Sheepdogs, Shih-Tzus, and other breeds with long hair that tangles easily should be groomed at least twice a week so that snarls and mats do not form. Never bathe a dog with matted or tangled hair - comb the snarls out first. Clip mats if you cannot easily comb them out, and make an appointment for professional grooming every four-to-six weeks if you cannot keep the dog mat-free on your own. If the underlying cause is allergies, begin an aggressive campaign to rid your home and yard of fleas and work with your veterinarian on a plan to reduce allergy triggers for your pet. Household dust, plant pollen, lawn chemicals, and diet can all cause allergies or can build to a crescendo of allergies if the dog's sensitivities cross a threshhold. Frequent vacuuming, supplements to keep the skin and coat healthy, air purifiers and baths in skin-soothing herbal or medicated shampoos with aloe, oatmeal, jojoba, or eucalyptus can help. Next step is over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl or Atarax - with a veterinarian's approval. If these don't work, then steroids to reduce the inflammation and the immune system reaction to the allergen and perhaps antibiotics to cure the infected hot spot are the next course of treatment. If the underlying cause seems to be behavioral - if your pet doesn't have allergies or fleas or a more serious skin condition, but is so bored, stressed, or lonely that he maims himself with constant licking or scratching, he may need more exercise, playtime, and attention. This can be the easiest or the hardest treatment to implement because there's no pill or ointment for long-term success; the requirements are time, consistency, and perhaps an investment in training books, an obedience school, a dog sitter, or an animal behaviourist.
PET HEALTH ALERT: PRODUCTS SWEETENED WITH XYLITOL CAN BE TOXIC TO DOGS
According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), xylitol—a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gum, candies and other products--can potentially cause serious, even life-threatening problems for pets.
Based on data collected from the 40-plus related cases the center has managed since last July, canines who have ingested significant amounts of gum or candy solely or largely containing xylitol may develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures.
"These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion," says Dr. Eric Dunayer, consulting veterinarian for the APCC.
"Therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."
The APCC advises pet owners to be especially diligent about keeping candy, gum or other foods containing xylitol out of their animals' reach. For more information on how to protect your pet from potentially dangerous substances, please visit APCC online at http://www.apcc.aspca.org/ . ASPCA News Alert - 8/6/04 Posted by Tom Beckett, DVM Austin, Texas
The following articles are reprinted with kind permission from the Tail Waggins Bakery
ALERT! CHEWIES HOW SAFE ARE YOUR CHEWIES?
The use of certain chew toys has become the center of recent controversy. Numerous dogs have suffered serious injury resulting from chewies, and several deaths can be directly attributed to these toys. Depending on the size of your dog, and your dog's personality, proper use of chew toys is an absolute necessity. Everyone in the dog community from the chewie manufacturers to local vets strongly recommend supervised use of chew toys. Injury from chewies primarily comes in two forms, 1) fractured teeth, and 2) gastrointestinal obstruction. The likelihood of injury depends on a couple of factors, the first being size. Current data shows that the rate of injury rises dramatically for dogs over 55 pounds. Larger more powerful dogs are more likely to dismantle and ingest chew toys not meant for consumption. The second factor is your dog's personality. A more aggressive chewer will be more likely to break teeth on hard chews, and will be more likely to gulp down large (and potentially fatal) pieces that are torn from the toy. I want to emphasize the use of the word "toy", because most chewies are not considered feed items. This is an important point. Many chews are regularly ingested by dogs even though this is not the intention of the chew's manufacturer. Rawhides are a good example. If the manufacturer states that the item is not to be ingested, or claims that it is a chew toy, then it is not classified as a feed item, and hence falls under no regulatory control. With no control, the manufacturer is free to use any ingredients or materials despite safety or health concerns. Rawhide chews are a prime example of this. These chewies are nothing more than cow wrappers (bluntly put). The cow's skin is processed to remove all excess underlying tissue, fat and hair. The processed hides are then cured to retard or prevent spoilage. Due to a lack of controls over this type of chewie, many inexpensive rawhides are imported from the Asian continent, most notably Thailand. In many of these developing countries, the hides are still processed with mercury vapor, chromium salts, lead solutions, arsenic compounds and formaldehyde. But even with modern, safe processing the dried hides still present safety problems for pets. As the chewed rawhide softens, powerful jaws easily tear off pieces and the dog swallows them. The cured hide is digestible, but it breaks down too slowly in the gut, and swallowing many pieces too quickly can easily lead to gastric irritation from the abundance of undigested material. This is usually accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. Worse yet, some of the swallowed pieces may be only partially softened and still have hard, sharp edges and corners. This can lead to choking, esophageal lacerations, and gastrointestinal obstructions. In the case of the obstruction, surgery will probably be necessary to remove the rawhide. Other dried animal by-products are also popular chewy toys. These include items such as hooves and pigs ears. Physically, pig ears are much less dangerous than hooves, however numerous reports indicate that many swine products, particularly from the Asian continent test positive for Salmonella. A test conducted in the U.K. indicated that one in three samples from Thailand, and one in eight samples from China contained Salmonella. Hooves are extremely hard and vets have reported numerous broken teeth as a result of gnawing these chews. More powerful dogs can split a hoof, and the resulting shards can be as sharp and deadly as broken glass. These fragments do not soften in the gut quick enough to prevent injury, and with these lethal splinters, gastrointestinal obstructions are the least of your worries. A partial obstruction caused by a hoof shard can easily turn into a bowel perforation. As bowel contents are allowed into the abdomen, peritonitis quickly develops. And once the dog becomes septic, the most likely outcome is death. Greenies are another popular chewie. The manufacturer's own tests show that these chews are effective in reducing tartar growth, however the claim to controlling doggie breath is disputed by many customers. The makers of Greenies make the claim "no crumbs", this may be true as these chews have a tendency to break apart in large chunks. They also state that "gulpers" should be strictly monitored. Put those two things together, large chunks and gulping, and there is definitely the possibility of a resulting esophageal or intestinal blockage. In fact, one woman claims that a large piece of Greenie became lodged in her dog's throat. By the time her vet found the obstruction, it had become "glued" to the esophageal wall. According to the report, the doctors had an extremely difficult time removing the green chunk, and the dog died from surgical complications. A trusted name in the chew business, Nylabone has been keeping dogs busy for several generations. But a Virginia attorney says that she has found over a hundred cases where injury or death has occured after swallowing Nylabone products. Again, supervision is key. A well used and worn bone can easily provide the large chunk of plastic that will become your dog's next bowel obstruction. And, as vets are finding out, plastic bone pieces are not indicated on an x-ray. This translates to a delayed diagnosis, and treatment. Soft plastic chews are also found everywhere, in all shapes and colors, some have squeakers. These toys present two distinct dangers. First, the soft plastic easily yields to the persistent chewer, and the irregular-shaped pieces that tear off are prime candidates to halt your dog's digestive production line. The unexpected hazard from these toys is the possibility of cancer causing agents. A significant number of these plastic toys contain PVC which is not a soft and pliable product. Consequently, compounds known as phthalates are added to the raw plastic to soften it. These chemical compounds have been banned from use in rattles and babies teething toys by several European countries, and are currently under investigation in the US as possible carcinogens. During the last decade, scientific research involving phthalates has shown them to be responsible for liver and kidney damage in laboratory animals as well as an increased incidence of cancer. Another group of chews are braided "bones" composed of numerous strands of thread-like string. These toys do provide for good abrasive contact with the teeth, and hence serve to reduce tartar build-up. But not to sound repetitive... supervision is extremely important. An aggressive chewer on a search and destroy mission will relentlessly pull at the strands of these toys until it is completely dismantled. If the strings are swallowed, there is significant danger of obstruction, and in some cases laceration. Dogs chew. It's what they do. Despite the dangers of various chews and toys, it is possible to provide your dog with a safe outlet. Use common sense, and pick toys that are appropriate for your dog's size and agressiveness. Be aware of the common dangers and avoid them by; 1) using only rawhides or pig's ears, processed and manufactured in the US, 2) staying away from hooves, 3) substituting soft plastic toys with natural rubber or latex ones, 4) discarding old, worn toys, and 5) supervising your pets activity carefully. Following these simple rules can help avoid tragic and excrutiating consequences for your beloved pet.
PREVENTION
HEATSTROKE
In many states, laws have been passed which make it illegal for people to leave their pets unattended in parked vehicles. And in the throes of summer, particularly here in the south, it's hard to imagine a more dangerous place for your dog or cat to be. Besides being a handy source of transportation, cars (and trucks) are also very efficient solar collectors. On sunny days when the outside temperature may be only 85°F, the inside of a parked car can exceed 100° in just 10 minutes! If you're caught in line at the bank for a half hour, that temperature can easily climb to 120°. And, if your errand takes you around the block, your pet could be trapped in a 160° slow-cooker. Don't make the mistake of thinking your pet is safe as long as he's not locked in a hot car. A dog in the backyard without adequate shade and drinking water is still susceptible to heatstroke. Be sensitive to your dog's surroundings... a yard with little grass and landscaping rock and concrete is a much hotter place than one filled with lush grass. Make sure your dog has adequate ventilated shade, (A poorly ventilated doghouse can quickly become a solar oven in the summer sun.) and plenty of clean drinking water. Heatstroke is a life-threatening state of extreme hyperthermia. All mammals have the ability to regulate their internal body temperature. For cats and dogs "normal" is around 101° - 103°. But the body's ability to self-regulate can be compromised by high ambient temperatures. In a closed car, a dog or cat's temperature regulating system will quickly be out of control, and their internal or core body temperature will start to rise. Once it climbs to the neighborhood of 104.9° - 109.4°, then heatstroke has occurred. Heatstroke will affect your pet's entire body. His cardiovascular system will experience an increased metabolic rate, and oxygen consumption will likewise increase. The respiratory system will show signs of hyperventilation which will affect the acid balance of his entire body. Your pet will go into acute respiratory failure, muscle tissue will begin to break down, the coagulation system will begin to fail and fluid will accumulate in the brain. Once his core temperature reaches 109°, there are only a few minutes before tissue damage occurs. The early signs of heatstroke are rapid panting accompanied by a fast heartbeat and general confusion. The dogs gums and tongue may be red and dry. As the condition progresses the symptoms worsen, and the dog may experience depression. The gums and tongue may now appear grayish, and the animal may experience vomiting and diarrhea. Beyond this stage, there will be seizures, coma, and eventually death. If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke, get medical attention immediately. Quick response is necessary to prevent possible internal organ damage. If you are unable to get to a vet or clinic quickly, observe the following guidelines;
The key to your dog's safe and happy summer depends on you. Please take every precaution with your precious pet during the hot season. Know the symptoms of heatstroke, and how to provide emergency treatment if necessary. Only you can ensure that your dog or cat does not become one of this summer's tragic statistics.
HEALTHY! MOLASSES A PRODUCT OF SUGAR REFINING, THIS CANE PRODUCT IS A HEALTHY, NATURAL SWEETENER. The British call it treacle, and to the Japanese it's known as kuro mitsu (literally 'black honey') and of course we call it molasses. Many cooks of our generation don't find much use for molasses, but a century ago it was practically a staple. Our forefathers generally bought it by the gallon, and used it in a wide variety of ways now lost to most of us. So, what exactly is molasses? Molasses is made from pure cane juice. Ideally, the cane is sun ripened, harvested and mashed to extract the cane juice. (Molasses from ripened cane is commonly referred to as "unsulfured". Whereas the inferior grade product, or sulfured molasses is produced from green cane which is treated with sulfure fumes.) The cane juice is boiled, and as the raw sugar crystallizes out of the solution, the remaining syrup is known as "first molasses". First molasses is lightly colored, and is sweet as some of the sugar is retained. The syrup may be boiled a second time to remove even more of the sugar. Again the sugar crystallizes, and what's left behind is called "second molasses". Second molasses is darker in color, and has a less sweet but more pronounced flavor. A third boiling produces "blackstrap" molasses, which is very dark, and often has a bitter, unpleasant taste with little sweetness. Blackstrap is used primarily in cattle feed and for industrial purposes. The table to the right is a comparison of the nutritional content of some popular sweeteners. (The values shown are for one tablespoon.) Not one of the sweeteners have any significant vitamin content, however molasses, maple syrup and brown sugar all offer a fair amount of some essential minerals. Nutrient Molasses Maple syrup Brown sugar Honey Corn syrup (light) White sugar (granulated) units Total Sugar 11.1 11.9 8.7 17.25 15.93 12.59 g Calcium 41 13 8 1 1 0 mg Iron .94 .24 .18 .09 .01 0 mg Magnesium 48 3 3 0 0 0 mg Phosphorus 6 0 2 1 0 0 mg Potassium 293 41 33 11 1 0 mg
Perfect for added flavor and a slight amount sweetness to foods, molasses also contains essential nutrients. From the table, it is clear that molasses is by far the more nutritious of the sweeteners. In fact, molasses is renowned for its iron content, and has roughly 1½ times as much iron as an equivalent weight of cooked spinach, and almost 3 times as much iron found in an equivalent weight of sirloin steak. It has caught the attention of nutritionists and veterinarians alike with interests in natural or holistic diets. Dr. R. M. Clemmons of the University of Florida's Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences recommends a basic diet designed to detoxify and bolster the immune system. This diet consists of only nine scant ingredients, of which molasses is one. It is interesting to note that the most common sweetener found in commercial dog treats is corn syrup which has almost no nutritional value. (Coincidentally, corn syrup is also the least expensive of the most common sweeteners.)
COMMUNICATING THE PACK ORDER UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO MAINTAINING PACK LEADERSHIP
Domesticated dogs never lose the programmed information originating from their wolf ancestors. Pack order must be established to maintain harmony in the family. And once pack order among multiple dogs is established, it still needs to be made clear who is the pack leader. The humans of the household become the pack leaders for our domestic canines. Communicating and leading your dog is something most people think they do on a daily basis, but what we perceive as communicating and what your dog perceives as communicating are two entirely different things. Remember that English is a second language to your dog. Body language, changes in voice tone and sharp quick actions are the way a dog gets their signals from their humans companions. Your dog watches you and picks up on your patterns and your nonverbal communications because that is how they communicate with each other. Dogs will often interact with humans as they would with other dogs, licking the face, jumping, and smelling. As their leader, we need to redirect unwanted behavior to live in harmony with our dog. Positive reinforcement techniques are an excellent way to communicate desired behavior to your dog. As an example, say your dog jumps on everyone that comes through the front door. Recognize that the dog is attempting to greet you. Turn your back to the dog, and give no verbal communication. Once the dog stops jumping on you. Turn and tell him, "good dog" and treat the good behavior. Your dog will soon learn that there are rewards for not jumping to greet people. Deborah Beck Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer (N.A.P B.T. #4767)
ATTENDEES AT OUR AUGUST CLUB MEETING
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