THE GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL
JANUARY 2005 - NEWSLETTER OF THE
GSDC OF GREATER RALEIGH
Pat Embrey, Newsletter Editor
1390 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504
PH: 919-934-6232, E-Mail: VonRillca@aol.com
Website: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events
2. January Meeting Information
3. December Christmas Party
4. Conformation Training Classes
5. Degenerative Myelopathy
6. AKC Summer Intern Program
7. What Is Separation Anxiety?
8. Growing A Nice Coat
9. Illustrated Standard
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.
3. 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.
JANUARY MEETING INFORMATION
The next meeting of the GSDC of Greater Raleigh will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 7:30 PM at the Exchange Park Recreation Center on Spring Forest Road. Be sure and start the year out right by bringing out your dogs for socialization. Our program will be a training class on Obedience Stewarding for our shows which are being held the first weekend in April. We need several members trained in this position so all the work doesn’t fall on Jane Wall, our Obedience Chairman. Next month, we will be having a class on Conformation Stewarding so we are not completely in the dark on just what this entails.
I will be furnishing the refreshments this month, but am bringing a Refreshment List so everyone can sign up to furnish refreshments at least once in the coming year.
Don’t forget to bring your dues to this meeting.
DECEMBER CHRISTMAS PARTY
For those of you who missed the Christmas Party, you missed a lot of fun. We had a good meal and a visit from Santa Claus. So even though we have not finalized a place for it to be held next year, plan to attend and mark your calendar to reserve the 1st Wednesday in December for the party. If any of you can recommend a nice restaurant with a private room for our party, please contact one of the officers or board so we can look into it
CONFORMATION TRAINING CLASSES
Also, we have had two training classes for conformation training within the past few weeks. One class was at Deeda Duncan’s house down in the Garner area and one class up in Wake Forest at Sarah Bridges home. We had a great time at each training class. Anyone who would like to host a class let us know. The only requirement is to have a large enough yard to hold a dozen or so dogs, and to be willing to offer a small lunch to the people attending. We are going to continue these classes as they are great training for the dogs, and they are a lot of fun as well.
The following information was forwarded to me by a friend who received the article from the internet. The article is new research being conducted on Degenerative Myelopathy
Breaking DM News!!!!
December 2004
Dr. Clemmons is now able to accept samples for DNA evaluation, at least in suspect affected GSDM dogs. He can run the test for people, knowing that it may be negative in a number of suspect cases. However, he cannot run it for free since the reagent cost is currently high. Therefore, he is asking people to make a $50.00 donation to the University of Florida Foundation with 'for Dr. Clemmons’ research' in the memo section and to send the check along with the CBC sample on a cold pack to him, overnight delivery. Your local veterinarian may be able to help you with this. Dr Clemmons will provide the results within 2 weeks. He still feels it should not be the sole diagnostic run for the disease, but it may go a long way toward confirming the presence of GSDM.
Dr Clemmons is hoping that he will be able to start stem cell transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells early next year. There are several cases with whom he is talking. He may not be able to do this for free either without additional funding, but it is probably too important to wait for the funding. Sadly, there is not tons of money laying around to subsidize the work. Dr Clemmons believes he can determine safety (certainly should be from all the available human data) and may be able to get some idea about efficacy. Unfortunately, he can’t track the cells or prove he has fixed anything unless the MRI data is superb. He might get some answers down the line, but he does not want to use vector infected cells in patients until he knows for sure the vector won’t cause problems down the line. Of course, that only helps you if you do necropsies on the patients, too. His hope is that the stem cells will fix the dogs and necropsies will be a long time off. So, we are pretty excited.
The stem cells take a couple of appointments and Dr Clemmons will look to use it in more advanced cases (where the current medication aren’t working, yet he have confirmed the GSDM as the sole cause) initially. The first appointment is to make sure of the Dx and to collect the bone marrow. The bone marrow stem cells will be cultured and, if all goes well, then replaced in the patient (but in the CSF space) in about 3 weeks. He will then have to monitor and see how thing go. Some of this will be just observation, but EMG data will help determine if he has changed things. So, it may require a follow-up visit 2 months after transplantation. All in all it will be fairly involved and he will have to be in close touch with the owners. It is also something he wouldnt be able to do without seeing the patients. So, the owners have to be committed and also have to have the financial resources to be able to do it. He will subsidize what he can, but he needs to be offering the best he knows. He can offer his skill and compassion. That he will provide for free. He won’t charge for doing the bone marrow, but may for the tests to be sure it is the right thing and for the implantation and hospitalization. That is not small, but still a lot of savings.
Dr Clemmons can’t help everyone and he will have to be fairly selective on the imaging and stem cell studies for the moment, but the flood gates are open for sampling the DNA. If he can eventually control the costs (by volume) he might be able to use any remainder of money to help defray the costs for the stem cells. If you have a German Shepherd Dog that your vet feels may have Degenerative Myelopathy, and you wish to send a DNA sample, it is best to send a CBC tube on a refrigerator pack (not frozen)Overnight express to:
R.M. Clemmons, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery
SACS, College of Veterinary Medicine
Box 100126, HSC
2015 SW 16th Avenue, V2-107
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32610-0126
352.392.4700
The German Shepherd DM Pedigree Board :
http://pub41.ezboard.com/bthegermanshepherddogdegenerativemyelopathypedigreeboard80626
The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group:
http://mzjf.com/
DM Support Group (mirror site):
http://www.mzjf.info/
____________________________________________________________________________________________ Here is a press release from the AKC re: Seeking Summer Interns for 2005.
Hope this information helps in your efforts to communicate AKC opportunities to your club members.
Best,
AKC Communications.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daisy Okas
Date: December 6, 2004
Phone: 212-696-8342
AKC SEEKS "BEST AND BRIGHTEST" YOUNG FANCIERS FOR SUMMER 2005 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
New York, NY - The American Kennel Club is seeking new interns for the summer of 2005 as part of their popular internship program. Students will be selected for paid eight-week internships at either the New York headquarters or the Raleigh facility. The program will run June 6 - July 29, 2005.
The AKC's intern program was created in the summer of 2002 to nurture the professional development of those with a background and interest in the sport, while also offering a meaningful and challenging work assignment that complements their academic training and career goals.
"Recruiting and retaining employees with experience in the dog fancy is crucial to the AKC's future," said Mari-Beth O'Neill, AKC's AVP of Corporate Training and Development. "AKC has been successful in retaining interns from the program as full and part-time employees, and participants have gained work experience that directly applies to their course of study and their interest in purebred dogs -- it's a win-win situation for all involved."
The requirements for applicants are:
* High School graduate
* Accepted or enrolled in an accredited four or two year college
* 18 years of age or older
* Competitive grade point average
* Involvement or profound interest in the fancy
* Meet citizenship requirements
Our application package requires the following:
* AKC Application for the Summer Internship Program
*Cover letter - please include your interest in the sport of purebred dogs and your thoughts on future employment with the AKC
* Your resume
* Copy of your academic transcript
The application deadline is January 30, 2004. Applicants should mail the completed package to:
The American Kennel Club
The Intern Program (TIP)
P.O. Box 37905
Raleigh, NC 27627-7905
Please visit the Employment Section of the AKC web site for more information on the Intern Program and instructions on how to apply at http://www.akc.org/insideAKC/jobs.cfm?page=6
###
The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of purebred dogs. The AKC maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world, oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States, and along with its 4,500 licensed and member clubs educates the general public about responsible dog ownership. More than 16,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules each year including conformation, agility, obedience, tracking, herding, lure coursing, hunt tests, and field and earthdog trials. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
Causes or Contributors of Separation Anxiety
· Fear of abandonment caused by prior re-homing. Second-hand dogs,
dogs adopted from animal shelters, and rescued strays, are particularly prone to develop separation anxiety problems.· Changing one's daily routine, from where the dog spends most of its day with the owner, to where he spends most of his day alone.
· Change in dog owner's work schedule or daily routine.
· Moving to a new home, and/or other major changes in environment.
Typical Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
When people experience stress or anxiety they often attempt to relieve this stress by chewing their nails, chain smoking, drinking alcohol, etc. Dogs have similar stress-relieving behaviors which typically include one or more of the following:
· Vocalizing (barking, whining, screeching, and/or howling)
· Destructive Chewing (i.e.: Furniture, pillows, owner's underwear, TV remote control)
· This is often exacerbated by insufficient outdoor exercise (see tips below)
· Eliminating (urinating and/or defecating) in the house within a short time (between 5 to 60 minutes) of owner's leaving home without dog. (In some severe cases, diarrhea may occur.) This is often a separation anxiety issue not a housebreaking issue
· Obsessively following owner from room to room
· Acute alertness to owner's every move
· Vigorously attempting to escape enclosure (crate, room, or apartment)
· Excessive drooling or panting when left alone, particularly when enclosed in a crate or small area
· Self-mutilation, caused by excessive chewing or licking of the paws or tail
· Any other obvious signs of distress that occurs whenever owner leaves dog
Separation anxiety is often exacerbated by insufficient outdoor exercise
(see tips below).
After-the-fact discipline is NOT recommended for housesoiling (or anything else)!
Preventing Separation Anxiety
Get your puppy used to being alone for brief -- then gradually longer -- periods of time. Don't reinforce your dog's neediness for constant attention, particularly when your dog attempts to get attention by whining, barking, jumping on you or pawing. Give attention and affection for good behavior.
Remedies for Separation Anxiety
· Give your (fully inoculated) dog plenty of outdoor exercise and stimulation. BACKYARD EXERCISE IS NOT ENOUGH! Constructive outlets for your dog's natural energies, such as leash walks, puppy play dates, agility or obedience training, fetching a ball, romps in the park or local dog run (if your dog is friendly with other dogs) are all good ways to tire your dog out which will help reduce your dog's stress, destructiveness and hyperactivity.
· Keep both farewells and return greetings very low-key, even to the extent that you ignore your dog for 10+ minutes before leaving and 3-5 minutes upon arrival. Offer low-key greeting once your dog settles down. This reduces the emotional roller coaster many dogs experience when their owners come and go. After all, if you kiss, hug and say sad good-byes every time you leave your dog, then celebrate your reunion at the door each time you return, the void of being alone without you will make things that much harder for your dog to be without you.
· Don't reward barking, whining, jumping, and pawing or hysterical behavior with any attention, affection or interaction (not even eye contact). Reward calm, quiet, and non-dependent behavior with low-key praise and attention.
· Temporarily reduce affection for 2-3 weeks, saving the majority of your affection for when your dog complies with a command.
· If you spend all day petting, pampering, fanning, and peeling grapes for your dog, then your dog will have a lot to adjust to every time you leave him.
· If things don't begin to improve relatively soon, please contact qualified animal behaviorist.
· Homeopathic remedies may be helpful (as recommended by your vet or behaviorist).
· In severe cases of separation anxiety, in conjunction with behavior modification, your vet or behaviorists may recommend fluoxetine (Prozac Rx), paroxetine (Paxil Rx)or sertraline (Zoloft Rx) . These are usually used for aggressive behavior, but may also help for anxiety. Other choices for anxiety are amitriptyline (Elavil Rx) and clomipramine (Clomicalm Rx0. Of these medications, only clomipramine is actually approved for dogs, so that is one reason that general practitioners tend to shy away from using the other medications, to some degree. The other reason is that medication alone is often (usually) not sufficient to control behavioral problems in pets. Although they are often very helpful in controlling them.
I ran across an excellent site on Dog Vaccines from the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, (web site: www.marvistavet.com/index.html/) which has some great information on it.
GROWING A NICE COAT
There are a zillion supplements.. and they all make their claims of fast coats, thicker, healthier, last longer....whether they really work like they claim is beyond me.. it actually gets down to what works for your own dog.. Good coat comes from the inside, with proper nutrition etc for sure, so make sure you dog is getting proper nutrition, is free of worms, parasites etc. Using a good enzyme additive (Prozyme, Fast Track) which will enhance the absorption of the nutrients in the food..
Lots of brushing stimulates the hair roots and will promote quicker growth.. I still like to use a home made spray combo on the coat daily - in a spray bottle add 1" of Aloe Vera juice, 1" of Hawaiian Dark Tanning Oil , fill with water and shake well. Spray and massage this into the coat daily.. bath every 5 days or so .
Nothing works better than lots of attention to the coat.. all that said, when you have a bitch coming into season, sometimes they get really really bald, and nothing you do will change that.. it all comes from Mother Nature..
ILLUSTRATED STANDARD OF THE GSD
I hate to keep referring back to the Internet, but there is such a wealth of information on line. Be sure to go to the German Shepherd Parent Club Web Site (that by the way is operated by Club Member, ex-president Bill Pfeiffer) . Its site address is www.gsdca.org. Scroll down to German Shepherd, Illustrated Standard, and it will give you a wonderful explanation and pictures of just how the American German Shepherd should look and move .
THE (REAL) EDITOR AT THE COMPUTER
