Blog Posts by Vet Patrick Mahaney and His Dog Cardiff

Introducing Cardiff’s Crunchies

Cardiff — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:50:54 +0000

Do you give your dog any treats? If so, do you look at the label and closely scrutinize the ingredients? If not, you may be doing your beloved canine companion a disservice by providing pet-grade ingredients that have been deemed unfit for human consumption. Yes, those tasty, moist, meaty treats your dog loves may actually be full of toxins (propylene glycol, mycotoxins, etc) and carcinogens (BHA, etc) capable of quickly poisoning your pooch or slowing inducing the growth of cancerous cells (see Are You Poisoning Your Companion Animal By Feeding Pet Grade Foods?).

My dad’s advocacy of healthy pet foods has led to his collaboration with Lucky Dog Cuisine (LDC) to create Cardiff’s Crunchies. Fortunately for me, my dad only feeds me foods he will actually eat himself, therefore I exclusively eat LDC (besides sharing some of of my dad’s healthy human food). As part of my dad’s ongoing dedication to promote the best health of his patients through nutrition, he and Dr. Janice Elenbaas (LDC founder) created Cardiff’s Crunchies.

Cardiff models the banner emblazoned with his likeness

Currently Cardiff’s Crunchies are currently available to LDC customers (included in the shipments of frozen food delivered right to your home) and to my dad’s veterinary clients. If you are interested in purchasing Cardiff’s Crunchies, contact my dad (Dr. Patrick Mahaney) or Lucky Dog Cuisine.

Yes, we have a Facebook page. Please ‘Like’ Cardiff’s Crunchies.

Thank you and happy crunching.
Cardiff

Planning for Summertime Pet Safety Starting with Memorial Day

Patrick Mahaney — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:47:51 +0000

Happy dogs ready for a fun Memorial Day weekend

As part of my work with Flexcin, I’ve created a series of tips to keep your pet safe during the many potential hazards associated with summer. See my Memorial Day specific You Tube video at the end of this article.

In the first part of FlexPet’s Summertime Pet Safety Series (see The Dog Days of Summer), we explored the environmental and climate related concerns associated with warmer weather. In this next part of the series we will cover the health concerns surrounding food focused celebrations that are synonymous with summertime fun.

Who doesn’t love a barbecue to celebrate Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or any given Sunday afternoon? Although cookouts are quite enjoyable for people, they can be dangerous for pets.

Grills top my list for potential backyard dangers due to the high likelihood that thermal burns will occur upon contact with your pet’s skin or fur. Only grill from a height elevated above that which your pet can easily reach. Hibachi style grills placed on the ground or in other areas of easy access put your pet in the direct line of fire.

Depending on the type and duration of exposure, a pet may suffer first, second, or third degree burns.

First-degree burns

Affect the fur and top layer of skin
Cause pain at the affected site
Appear red (erythema) with warmth to the touch

Second-degree burns

Affect the fur and the top to deeper layers of skin
Cause pain at the affected site
Appear pale to tan and warm or cool to the touch (due to changes in blood flow)

Third-degree burns

Affect and involve loss of fur and multiple layers of skin
Cause decreased pain at the affected site (due to severe tissue and nerve damage)
Appear extremely red, charred (black) or tan to white (due to lack of blood flow)
Compromise the health of other organs besides the skin, including the heart/lungs, digestive tract, and immune system (infection, inflammation)

The delectable aroma of barbecued foods creates serious instinctual attraction for curious canine noses and mouths seeking a taste. Besides the heat and fire from the grill, the freshly cooked, hot-off-the-grill foods can also cause skin or oral (tongue, gums) burns if consumed.

With suspected or known confirmations of burns, immediately pursue treatment through a veterinarian.

Foods left out for preparation or serving are also an easy target for pets. Keep food elevated to a height beyond your pet’s reach. Using seal-able containers can help to keep your dog from ‘counter surfing’ and gorging on your buffet.

Consumption of food and beverages typically found at barbecues can cause serious digestive issues as well as other associated problems. Meats, bones, fat (cheese, animal skin, desserts, nuts, etc), fruit (grapes, raisins, etc), vegetables (onion, chives, etc), salt, sugar, spices, preservatives, alcohol, and other ingredients all harbor potential health and toxicity risks.

Digestive tract clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, deceased appetite, lethargy, and more. Metabolic diseases like pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), liver or kidney damage, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, and other problems can also occur.

Your pet’s seemingly harmless taste or large portion consumption can create serious health issues requiring veterinary care. Diagnostics (blood, urine, and fecal tests, X-rays, ultrasound, etc), in-hospital or outpatient treatment (fluid therapy, antacid or anti-nausea medications, etc) are often required to ensure the recovery of a pet guilty of dietary indiscretion (inappropriate consumption of food or environmental objects).

Are you financially prepared to pursue veterinary care if your pet suffers barbecue-associated digestion issues? Especially in times of financial hardship, it’s best to avoid the need for costly treatment by focusing on prevention. As barbecues often involve the presence of guests, make sure everyone is well informed of your pet safety rules.

Additionally, potentially toxic gifts (flowers, plants, foods, etc) can enter your home upon guests’ arrival. Purses, backpacks, and other bags can harbor toxins like candy (mints and gum, especially the sugar-free kind containing Xylitol), prescription or over the counter drugs, and other miscellaneous substances. Gifts and guests’ belongings should also be kept out of reach of household pets.

With any concerns for toxic exposure, contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) andPet Poison Helpline (PPH) for the best guidance in managing your pet’s individual case.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thank you for joining us for the second part of FlexPet’s Summertime Pet Safety Series. I hope you and your pets have many safe and festive occasions this summer.

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Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by liking Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook.

Copyright of this article (2012) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.

Dr Mahaney Lends His Veterinary Expertise on Senior Pets to AOL’s PawNation

Patrick Mahaney — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:22:15 +0000

Dr Patrick Mahaney Treats a Senior Canine Patient with Laser Acupuncture

As my veterinary practices integrates western and Chinese medicine to improve a pet’s overall wellness and reduce reliance on medications potentially having side effects, I have many patients that are well into their senior years.

When is a pet considered senior? That question has multiple answers and perspectives. I consider most pets senior at seven years of age. Smaller dogs tend to show fewer traditional geriatric signs (arthritis, mobility problems, etc) at seven years of age as compared to larger dogs. Larger dogs having reached age seven are less prone to periodontal disease and other metabolic illnesses (Cushing’s disease, diabetes mellitus, etc) in comparison to smaller dogs. Regardless of age, it’s important to prevent and manage illnesses before potentially life altering chronic diseases (obesity, arthritis, etc) emerge.

Recently, AOL’s PawNation asked me to contribute my veterinary perspective to their column on senior pet health titled Ask the Expert: Your Senior Pet.

Question 1: Is it common for aging dogs to get arthritis in their later years? How can I tell if my dog is suffering from it?

Answer 1: Read the answer to question 1-5 by following this link.

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Physiologic Urge or Taste Preference: Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Patrick Mahaney — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:53:11 +0000

Cardiff Seeks Comfort in the Mondo Grass at Home in West Hollywood

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

Why does my dog eat grass? I commonly get this question in my clinical practice, for which there are multiple answers. First, it is normal for a dog to eat grass. Second, dogs do so for a variety of reasons, with each possibility needing consideration when intellectually exploring the reasons one’s canine companion has a fondness for forage.

Induction of Emesis

Plant material is highly composed of insoluble fiber that is not readily digestible and irritates/inflames the stomach wall. Blades of grass (both large and small) often accumulate in the stomach instead of appropriately moving into the small intestine.

When a particular degree of inflammation is achieved post-grass consumption, vomit ensues. Underlying illness, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), gastrointestinal parasite infestation, metabolic disease (affecting the kidneys, liver, pancreas, etc.), or pica (see below) can stimulate the physiologic urge to vomit. Therefore, dogs can eat grass as a means of facilitating their own vomiting and for reducing nausea.

Biological/Ancestral Influence

Grass eating is a behavior exhibited by wolves and the domesticated dog (Canis familiaris). An article in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests that the grass eating traits of a nursing mother can influence similar behavior in her puppies. Your dog’s mother, grandmother, and so on may be partly responsible for imparting modern-day grass eating tendencies.

Behavioral Correlation

Lack of stimulation during confinement in a particular environment, such as the back yard, can motivate a dog to eat grass or other various environmental substances. This condition, termed pica, is symptomized by the consumption of non-nutritive material. Pica leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal obstruction or perforation. This undesirable behavior can be reduced by providing a pet with behaviorally stimulating and appropriate chew toys, companionship, or (as a last resort) a cage-style muzzle.

Pica can be caused by underlying medical abnormalities, therefore veterinary examination, laboratory testing (blood/urine/fecal tests, radiographs, etc.) and dietary evaluation should be explored.

Dietary Deficiency

Veterinary behaviorists and nutritionists speculate that dogs eat grass to compensate for nutritional deficiencies. Many of my clients achieve success in reducing their dogs’ grazing by adding fresh greens and/or fibrous vegetables or fruits to the dogs’ diets. Spinach, kale, broccoli, parsley and pineapple have all yielded favorable results. Vegetables are most palatable and digestible when steamed and pureed or finely chopped before being incorporated into a dog’s meal. Additionally, dogs that eat a diet based in whole foods instead of commercially available, processed, non whole-food based dry (kibble) or canned foods tend to exhibit less foraging behavior.

As a dog owner, I discourage my dog’s regular consumption of grass. Fortunately, the occasions when Cardiff eats grass are rare. I theorize that it is because his human grade, whole food diet contains fresh vegetables and fruit (along with muscle meats, grains, etc). Additionally, Cardiff gets plenty of stimulating activity and is not permitted access to nor is confined to areas where boredom may lead to foraging.

As a veterinarian, I see grass eating dogs inadvertently ingesting toxins such as fertilizer, pesticide and other unhealthy environmental debris. Therefore, I recommend dog owners take appropriate measures to deter grass consumption during all stages of life and explore the underlying causes if their canine companions’ motivations supersede human preventative attempts.

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Twitterview with Dr Patrick Mahaney on Going Green

Patrick Mahaney — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:38:10 +0000

What do you use to clean your carpets and upholstery? How about a pet and people safe product?

This article originally appeared on the Clean + Green Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover Blog.

Who better to host our Earth Month Twitterview than Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a holistic veterinarian who started California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness (CPAW) and is part of the Veterinary Cancer Group, an integrative veterinary medicine practice for dogs and cats in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Patrick also writes a veterinary column and connects to animal aficionados worldwide through Q & A, videos, radio interviews, and Twitterviews this one.

.@PatrickMahaney Lets get started. Thanks so much for joining us today for an #EarthMonth chat, Dr. Patrick! #greenpetchat

.@PatrickMahaney Q1 For pet owners that may not be aware of what “greenwashing” is – can you explain? How do YOU define “green”? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A1 #greenpetchat I define “green” as a lifestyle approach with maximal emphasis placed on minimizing daily exposure to toxins

.@PatrickMahaney Q2 What do you hear from clients are their biggest issues with looking for #green #pet products? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A2 #greenpetchat Understanding what products and ingredients are safe or potentially toxic for pets and why

.@PatrickMahaney Q3 You’re big on healthy #pet food. What should people be looking for where food is concerned? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A3 #greenpetchat Pet owners should focus on providing human grade based whole foods lacking pet-grade ingredients

.@PatrickMahaney Q4 If you have to shop the #pet food aisle at the grocery store, what’s your best bet? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A4 #greenpetchat If “stuck” w/pet foods, pick canned options lacking protein & carbohydrate meals, by-products, preservatives

.@PatrickMahaney Q5 How important is it to start your #dog or #cat on an organic food product at an early age? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A5 #greenpetchat I feel human grade & whole food is more important than organic & start during puppy- or kittenhood

.@PatrickMahaney Q6 What advice would you give to pet owners that are thinking of making their own pet food? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A6 #greenpetchat Work w/their vet to do a Univ CA Davis Veterinary Nutritional Support Services consultation. Worth the $$

.@PatrickMahaney Q7 Let’s talk shampoo. What should #pet owners be looking for where coat-care products are concerned? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A7 #greenpetchat Buy shampoo lacking fragrances, colors, sodium laurel sulfate (foaming agents), insecticides, steroids, etc

.@PatrickMahaney Q8 What issues have you observed as the result of NOT using an natural #pet shampoo product? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A8 #greenpetchat Salivation, vomit, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy result from shampoo ingestion/absorption via skin

.@PatrickMahaney Q9 How important is an eco-friendly #pet bed? What should people look for? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A9 #greenpetchat Beds made w/fabrics lacking toxic chemicals, including fire retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates, PVC, BPA

.@PatrickMahaney Q10 How can pet owners go green with their #pet bed without spending lots of money? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A10 #greenpetchat Comparison shop on-line or ask for referral for best prices from eco-minded pet stores

.@PatrickMahaney Q11 For pet owners making a change 2 green products, should they be worried about how their pets will adjust? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A11 #greenpetchat Watch for signs of illness (vomit, salivation, decr appetite, etc) in pets w/any product use or change

.@PatrickMahaney Q12 Should #pet owners also be considering green pet toys? Are mass-produced toys dangerous? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A12 #greenpetchat Choose non-toxic, natural material pet toys made in USA. Mass produced toys possibly contain toxins.

.@PatrickMahaney Q13 Why is it so important to use green #pet products? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A13 #greenpetchat As diseases are multifactorial in their origins, reduce amounts of toxins entering or being applied to pets

.@PatrickMahaney Q14 What is the most important type of green product every #pet owner should have? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A14 #greenpetchat Always provide pet foods made from human grade, whole foods & fresh water lacking toxic chemicals

.@PatrickMahaney Q15 What is your best advice for #pet owners who want to go green, but don’t know where to start? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A15 #greenpetchat Start by looking at your pet’s food & treat labels to eliminate pet-grade ingredients & non-USA made products

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Annie Sage Cancer Update

Patrick Mahaney — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:37:55 +0000

Annie poses with her people parents David Sage and Judith Helton

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

As my own dog has a chronic and usually fatal immune system illness (Cardiff has Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, which has been in remission since early 2011), I enjoy having the opportunity to share inspiring stories of pets and their owners dealing with similar circumstances of disease management.

petMD News readers first met Annie and her parents David Sage and Judy Helton in With a Little Help from Her Friends, Annie Sage Found Love and Health. We now have the opportunity to share an update on Annie’s condition, as written by her veterinary oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner.

Annie is still battling Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC), an aggressive bladder cancer that was diagnosed in November 2010. Unfortunately, Annie’s disease recurred and caused an obstruction in her urethra, making it difficult for her to urinate.

Considering it has been a year and a half since Annie’s initial diagnosis, recurrence and/or progression of this cancer at this time point is not unusual. On average, the prognosis (life expectancy) for dogs treated for TCC, with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, is one year.

Annie’s recurrent tumor was small and there was no evidence of disease spreading outside of her bladder (metastasis). Since her TCC remained confined to the bladder, an interventional radiological procedure (bilateral ureteral and urethral stent placement) was recommended to address the tumor that was obstructing her urethra and partially obstructing her ureters (the small tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder). This minimally invasive procedure uses a combination of surgery and fluoroscopy to place a rigid stent in the urethra and ureters, which opens the segment blocked by the tumor.

After her urethral/ureteral stent was placed, Annie underwent a short course of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She made a full recovery and showed no overt symptoms of her disease.

In April 2012, Annie’s routine blood profile showed some abnormalities and she was exhibiting clinical signs of general discomfort. An ultrasound of her abdomen revealed kidneys changes consistent with an obstruction of the ureter. This potential complication of stent placement is typically resolved by stent replacement. Annie had an uneventful procedure and quickly recovered. She is currently asymptomatic for TCC, urinating comfortably, and back to her sassy self.

Annie’s battle with transitional cell carcinoma is quite unique (i.e., she has outlived expectations), and she is truly an example of the positive outcome of aggressive cancer treatment combining multiple modalities (chemotherapy, surgery, etc.). David Sage and Judy Helton (Annie’s caretakers) feel that their decision to pursue treatment despite the risks and the potential that additional procedures may not be successful was made in the interest of Annie’s best possible quality of life.

Advances in veterinary medicine permit the continued development of treatment options for cancer and other illnesses our canine and feline companions may face. Often, the same advanced procedures performed on humans can be applied to our pets. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in medicine and the treatment approach used for Annie may not have been as successful in a different animal.

What Annie’s story teaches us is that there are many means available to treat cancer in our pets and that the results may be even better than those predicted by medical data. “I could have a new car with the amount of money spent on Annie’s medical bills,” said Judy, “but I have no regrets and seeing Annie do well is more than worth it.”

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Binky LaRue Overcomes Adversity and Shows Skills on Her High Tech Wheels

Patrick Mahaney — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:47:43 +0000

Binky LaRue Takes Flight on Her High Tech Wheels

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

“Pawdicapped,” disabled, mobility challenged; whatever term you apply to a person or pet lacking the normal ability to physically ambulate doesn’t really matter. More important is the practice of respect applied to these special individuals and the recognition of the lessons they teach in leading by example.

I am always struck by the amazing perseverance and ingenuity that pet owners display in caring for their dogs or cats, and in encouraging their pets’ unique methods of navigating our mutual environment. As my veterinary clinical practice focuses on hospice care and pain management, I frequently treat patients who need assistance with a sling, harness or wheel based apparatus.

Despite my familiarity with mobility compromised pets, I was stunned by the sight of a very good natured dog making her way down a Los Angeles sidewalk on a unique pair of front limb supporting wheels. Upon seeing Binky roll up to meet my pooch (Cardiff) and interact with him just as “normal” dog would (as though she had all four of her limbs), I felt compelled to meet her and share her remarkable story with pet lovers worldwide.

Binky is a six-year-old, mixed breed, spayed female Chihuahua who was rescued from a south central Los Angeles animal shelter. Born with incompletely formed right and left front limbs, Binky has dysmelia. Although Binky lacks normal anatomy, her shoulder blades help her to scoot around when she’s not in wheel-enhanced mode. Additionally, her shoulders move as though her entire front limbs are intact and touching the ground when she walks. In her wheels, Binky gracefully propels herself forward using her hind limbs.

Binky got her first set of wheels at three and a half years of age and took just a few weeks to adjust. Like a bicycle, Binky’s wheels are used for urban trekking on sidewalks, streets, and hiking trails. At home, she goes au naturale or wears her “tube top” (a shirt sleeve with holes cut out for her shoulders).

Bathroom habits occur exclusively wheel-free, as Binky gets herself out of her wheels and then postures to urinate and defecate. Binky’s owner then helps her to re-situate herself back in the wheels to move onto their next destination.

Binky LaRue Scoots Runyon Canyon on Her Wheels

Binky is currently on her fourth generation of wheels, which her owner’s husband developed. The latest model is a high tech carbon fiber frame with a swivel function that permits ease of maneuverability. Sheep skin and yoga mats provide cushioning to reduce skin abrasions and pressure sores on her undercarriage.

Binky is quite the YouTube sensation, as her adventures in life are well documented. Additionally, Cesar Milan featured Binky on The Dog Whisperer and facilitated her adjustment to an earlier model of wheels.

Binky’s owner, Sylvie Forrest, doesn’t feel that Binky is handicapped or disabled, but instead is just “very special.” Despite Binky’s physical limitations, she’s quite the world traveler. Italy is one of her preferred places for relaxation, but for the cobblestone streets, which cause an additional challenge for her wheels to roll smoothly.

Italy provides a healing environment far from the stresses of Los Angeles for both Forrest and Binky. Their recent trip was part of Forrest’s recovery process from breast and brain cancer. Forrest’s insightful blog, WTFCancer, is an inspiring literary and visual smorgasbord providing inspiration for those seeking health advice or for those who wish to take a peek at Binky’s duties as Forrest’s emotional support pooch.

I see Binky as an excellent role model for people and pets all over the world. Despite her anatomic challenges, Binky navigates life with a positive attitude and keeps on moving with enthusiasm. Additionally, Binky teaches pet owners of the mobility enhancing options available to assist dogs having lost limbs or their use. Both Binky and Forrest’s stories of overcoming adversity provide valuable perspective capable of motivating others to make the most of one’s circumstances in life.

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Reduce the Potential for Zoonotic Disease Transmission

Patrick Mahaney — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:21:02 +0000

Were you aware that you could give your pet 2009 H1N1 (AKA Swine Flu)?

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

What makes a kid-friendly pet? From my standpoint as a clinical practice veterinarian, kid-friendly pets are those that won’t directly traumatize a child or spread illness.

Pets always have the potential to traumatize a child by scratching, biting, or pushing one over. Additionally, a pet’s aggressive behavior, or an obvious size disparity, could intimidate a child.

An equally important issue affecting the relationship between pets and kids is the potential for zoonotic disease. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or other agents (prions) all have zoonotic potential, meaning they can spread between animals and humans, or vice versa.

These diseases transfer among species through direct contact or with the help of a vector. An insect (arthropod) such as a flea, fly, tick or mosquito can serve as the vector for transmission of an infectious agent between animals within the same species (e.g., from dog to dog) or from an animal to a person (e.g., dog to person), as happens with zoonotic diseases.

The potential for zoonosis depends on a variety of factors, including climate, geography, population density, sanitary conditions (or lack thereof), grooming habits, and other factors.

Zoonotic diseases that are relatively common and have realistic potential to transmit between pets and people include (but are not exclusive to):

Bartonella

Bartonella henselae is a bacterium transmitted into animals through an arthropod vector, often fleas. Bartonella can then enter a person through a bite wound or scratch from a dog or cat (hence the name “Cat Scratch Fever“). Bartonella most commonly infects people with compromised or developing immune systems, including pregnant women, those suffering from HIV/AIDS or cancer, very young children, etc.).

E. Coli and Salmonella

Both bacteria can transmit directly between species or contaminate food and water sources. Pets can infect people with E. Coli and salmonella when fecal material contacts a person’s skin or clothes and enters through a body opening (mouth, nose, etc.).

Leptospirosis

This spirochete (spiral shaped) bacteria typically infects animals or humans after they have consumed or had direct exposure to water sources contaminated with urine from wildlife. Stagnant bodies of water or puddles from rainfall are common reservoirs for leptospirosis (commonly referred to as lepto). Humans can contract lepto from pets through contact with any body fluid, especially urine.

Giardiasis

This protozoa (microorganism) commonly affects pets or people who drink water contaminated with feces from domesticated or wild animals. Dog parks, animal shelters and breeding facilities are hot zones for giardia.

“Worms”

Hookworms, roundworms and whipworms are parasites capable of infecting cats, dogs, and humans. Worms are most commonly found in kittens and puppies, and in adults living in cramped or unsanitary conditions.

Rabies

Rabies virus transmission from an animal to a human (or from a bat or other wild animal bite) is uncommon in the United States, yet is often fatal when it does occur.

Influenza

Yes, the “flu” can transmit between people and pets, as was well documented during the 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu, now termed North American Influenza) pandemic. Humans infected dogs, cats, ferrets, and even pigs (yes, humans gave swine flu to some pigs).

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

Multiple fungal organisms (Microsporum sp., Trichophyton sp., etc.) cause this skin infection with the deceiving name (it’s not a worm). Patchy, circular, red, hairless lesions are the benchmark of this zoonosis. Dermatophytosis is a great imitator of other skin conditions (bacterial and yeast infections).

I’m merely going to lend mention to zoonotic diseases that are less common or non-existent (but for in laboratories) in the United States, including:

Ebola

A hemorrhagic fever virus, popularized by the book and movie, The Hot Zone.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)

A degenerative brain and spinal cord disease caused by a prion (self-replicating protein). An outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), AKA Mad Cow Disease, in the mid-1990s resulted in a wave of anti-beef activism after Oprah Winfrey cast a spotlight on the beef industry.

Anthrax

The Bacillus anthracis bacterium produces toxins that often kill an infected animal or person within a few days. My experience of being cultured for Anthrax (my test was negative) and ingesting a course of Ciprofloxacin was one of the motivating factors that led to my move from post 9-11 Washington, D.C.

What’s the key to keeping both your pets and children safe from zoonotic diseases? My top recommendation is to apply multiple precautionary tactics to your home, pets, kids, and self:

1. Vacuum your carpets and upholstery (empty the canister outside and away from the home or seal the vacuum bag in plastic) and wash human and pet bedding on at least a weekly basis.

2. Prevent your pet from entering environments that harbor populations of fleas, ticks, and other arthropods. If you must go into areas endemic with these organisms, do so only after your pet has been treated with veterinary prescribed anti-parasite medications.

3. Follow your veterinarian’s guidelines on vaccinations for rabies and leptospirosis.

4. Feed your pet cooked (over 160°F) meats, grains, and legumes (beans, etc.) instead of raw foods. Fruits and vegetables should be appropriately washed before they are consumed by people or pets.

5. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water, especially after touching your pet.

6. Avoid close contact with other people and pets when you are sick.

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Photo Credit of 2009 H1N1 Virus via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

How to Increase the Likelihood of a Lost Pet’s Safe Return

Patrick Mahaney — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:51:13 +0000

Our awesome dog caretaker Peter gave Cardiff a collar embroidered with his name and my phone number. Thanks Peter!

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

If you are ever separated from your pet, how will you be reunited? No, I’m not referring to the grandiose vision of you and your pet running across an open field and falling into each other’s grasp. Although this idyllic image sounds great, a more likely scenario is a trip to a veterinary hospital or shelter facility to pick up your pet after tags, collar, or microchip has facilitated his identification.

My perspective comes from having helped lost pets reunite with their owners on innumerable occasions in my clinical practice. Good Samaritans bring in misplaced cats or dogs, sometimes having the outward appearance of being healthy and sometimes obviously injured.

In nearly every circumstance, these stray pets lacked tags and a collar. Fortunately, absent external identification doesn’t mean the pet will be permanently lost. An implanted microchip can provide an additional layer of probability that your pet will be safely returned. Additionally, new technology exists that connects pets to owners via text, e-mail, or smart-phone mapping.

Here are my top recommendations for responsible owners to appropriately identify their pets.

Collar with Tags

Foremost, I recommend that pets always wear a cervical (neck) collar. Some pet owners remove an indoor dog or cat’s collar and neglect to recognize their potential to escape. Outside the confines of your home, your pet will lack an immediate means for identification by a good Samaritan.

A collar should be tight enough to prevent slipping over your pet’s head, yet loose enough to permit two of your fingers to easily slip between the neck and the collar. If you have a brachycephalic (short faced) dog or any other type of breed (mixed or purebred) that is prone to hypoplastic (collapsing) trachea, then using a thoracic (chest) harness is a safer practice than a cervical collar for restraint and walking.

Regardless of your choice of cervical or thoracic gear, attaching an identifying tag is essential. At a minimum, the tag should feature your dog’s name, your phone number, and your city of residence. Whether to include your name, address, e-mail, or other contact information is a matter of personal preference. Tags provided by the veterinary hospital that have your pet’s rabies vaccination along with a tag from the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip create an additional layer of visual identification.

As tags can fall off and some pets are simply resistant to a stranger’s advance, I recommend having your pet’s collar or harness embroidered with his name and your phone number.

Microchip

As tags can detach and collars can be removed, the most permanent identification practice (besides tattoo) comes from having a veterinarian implant a microchip into your pet’s subcutaneous space between the shoulder blades (i.e., the “scruff”). When scanned, the manufacturer and corresponding number of the microchip are revealed. The shelter or veterinary hospital representative performing the scan can then communicate with the microchip manufacturer.

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (JAVMA) article,
Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters (July 15, 2009, Vol. 235, No. 2, Pages 160-167):

… the high rate for return of microchipped dogs and cats to their owners supported microchipping as a valuable permanent pet identification modality; however, issues related to registration undermined its overall potential. Bundling of microchip implantation and registration, point-of-implantation data registration, use of annual compliance and update reminders, and providing access to all registries are potential solutions.

Provided your information has been kept up-to-date, you can be contacted and reunited with your lost pet. Yes, there are occasions where an owner cannot be readily located as a result of not having kept their information current with the microchip’s manufacturer. Having been faced with this situation, I feel badly for the pet who is merely an innocent bystander in a circumstance stemming primarily from owner irresponsibility.

Which microchip to use is a topic of varying opinion and depends (in part) on your intent to stay within the U.S. or to travel internationally (International Standards institute the ISO chip). Two of the major manufacturers of microchips include AVID and Home Again, but other microchip providers exist.

Novel Pet Identifying Technology

At BlogPaws 2011, I became familiar with the novel means of tracking your dog’s location via the Tagg tracking system. Reportedly, “Tagg uses advanced GPS tracking technology to allow you to see where your dog is and receive a notification if he or she wanders off. The lightweight tracker attaches to your dog’s existing collar and is designed to be worn at all times, even while swimming.”

If your Tagg’d pet moves beyond a set distance, you receive notification via text message or e-mail. You can then find your pet on the Tagg Map and receive directions to the pet’s location via a computer or smart-phone. It’s great that Tagg embraces technology to create a new form of pet identification to be used in addition to a collar (or harness), tags, and microchip. (It is not yet available for cats or small dogs.)

I recommend owners use more than one means for identifying their pets, as there always exists the potential for human or mechanical error. Increasing your pet’s likelihood of being safely returned is worth any inconvenience or expense.

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Featured Artist Lisa Hildebrant Paints an Angelic Portrait of Cardiff

Patrick Mahaney — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:08:01 +0000

Do you think Cardiff is more angelic or devilish?

I love connecting to creative people, especially those who see something special in my canine companion. Cardiff was recently immortalized by Portland, OR based artist Lisa Hildebrantin this hand crafted, lacquered painting displaying his true angelic personality. For those of you that know Cardiff, he also has a devilish side as a terrier (Welsh Terrier, to be specific).

Thank you Lisa for your amazing work and vision in creating such an incredibly life like portrait of Cardiff.

Cardiff is quite the poser, especially when art is created in his likeness

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