State Farm names Top 10 states for dog bite claims

I just going to hit the nuts and bolts of this article I read in DVM Magazine about dog bites.  I want to throw my 2 cents worth in first.  I do feel that there are good and bad dogs, but I often find they are strongly influenced by good and bad dog owners.  In my experience its usually the humans fault they get bite, most dogs warn people several times before they bite (I have had an occasional dog that gives no warning, but its very rare).  It is just that most people don't understand those warnings.  I think everyone can be a good dog owner, they just need some guidance from their veterinarian and a recommended dog trainer.  Dog training classes are more about 'people' training than they are dog training. 

-State Farm paid more than $109 Million as a result of 3,800 dog bite claims filed in 2011.

-Insurers across the country paid nearly $479 million in total dog bite claims in 2011.

-Almost 5 million people are bitten or attacked each year.  Children and senior are the most frequent victims, with children accounting for half of those victims.

-Children between the ages of 5 to 9 are the most often bitten, and usually by a dog in their own household

-State Farm reports that a dog's tendency to bite depends on several factors, hereditary, training, socialization, and the victims behavior.  There are aggressive and non-aggressive dogs within every breed.

-Your veterinarian can help you choose a dog that is a good match for your family.

-'When Pet Meets Baby', a free down loadable book from the American Humane Association that helps with introducing your pet to the new baby.  When Pet Meets Baby

-Safety Tips:
  1.  Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog
  2.  Always be on the lookout for unleashed animals and potentially dangerous situations
  3.  Educate all children, including toddlers, to be calm and careful around all pets.
  4.  Tell children they should never approach strange dogs.
  5.  Make sure children ask an owner's permission before petting any dog.

Top 10 States for Dog Bite Claims:

More information:
State Farm Learning Center:  www.statefarm.com/dogbites
American Humane Association:  www.americanhumane.org

Suggestions on Giving Your Dog Pills

This is the age old problem, trying to get your dog to take its pills everyday.  Some dogs like mine will eat their pills in just about anything and happily ask for more.  But I often hear about dogs that have a more delicate palate or maybe that are just smarter than my dogs! They refuse their pills hid in just about everything!  So I have compiled a short list of suggestions for giving pills.

1.  Pill Pockets:  These are just about the coolest new treat out there.  I soooo wish I had thought of them first!  I would be sipping an umbrella drink on the beach right now! They are a soft-stinky treat that is shaped into a bucket that the pill fit down in.  Most dogs I know just love them!  They come in several different flavors.

2.  Peanut butter:  I have many clients swear by this.  They just put the pill in some and the dog eats it right down. My one word of caution here is to not let your dog eat it off a spoon.  If you remember on my 'They Ate What?" post there were several spoons that were swallowed. 

3.  3- Treat Trick:  I think of this like the ball under the cup trick.  Confuse the dog with several treats so they can't figure out which one has the pill.  You can use cheese (sliced or velvetta) or hot dogs (if your dog's stomach can handle them).  Have 3 pieces of treat, hiding the pill in the second piece, don't let the dog see which treat.  Give your dog the first (unloaded) treat.  Then give the second (loaded) treat and hold the third (unloaded) treat in front of the dogs face, the dog is usually so excited about the third treat the second treat goes down un-harmed by chewing. 

4.  Canned dog food:  The key here is to use the pate kind of food, not the gravy kind.  Canned food is trial and error.  You must find a food that the dog likes FIRST!  Make sure the dog will eat it and then put the pill in it.  Most pills are ruined if they remain in canned food for more than a few seconds.

5.  Open dog mouth and put pill down throat method:  This is a tried and true method, that will work if all else falls.  2 keys pieces to remember:  Don't do this if your dog will bite you AND you got to get the pill past the rise/bump in the tongue. 

***The last bit of advice I can give you is to make medication time exciting!  Act like your dog is doing the greatest thing by taking those pills.  Get excited about giving the treats and get your dog excited, you are going to have to use your high-pitched cheerleader voice here!***

HAPPY PILL-ING!!

Navy-trained Dolphins and Sea Lions

 

An NMMP sea lion attaches a recovery line
 to a piece of test equipment during training

The Navy has a Marine Mammal Program that trains and treats about 75 dolphins and 25 sea lions.  The program was started in the 1960's in California.  They have nearly 60 animal trainers and 8 veterinarians on staff to care for all these animals.



Animal Trainer Elaine Aleen and Sam Ridgway, DVM
perform a health check on Navy dolphin



These animals were first studied because of their speed in the water.  It was thought these animals could serve as a blue print for faster submarines, torpedoes and ships.  The researchers soon found that the dolphins cooperative and intelligent nature made them easily trainable for a variety of underwater tasks.  They could carry equipment or rescue lines to divers.  They helped in Vietnam by hunting for enemy swimmers who were blowing up barges and ammo ships.  Then in Operation Iraqi Freedom they were deployed to clear underwater mines.  Amazing!!!

The animals are currently trained to hunt mines in San Diego Harbor.  After just a few exercises the animals know exactly where the fake mines are.  The dolphins like to be challenged and exercise new skills, so this is just another game to them.  It takes about three years before the dolphins are ready for real-life mine hunting.   I was very surprised to learn that no dolphin has ever been lost in the line of duty!  This is due to the extenisive training and careful, particular protocols the animals follow. 



A mammal handler brushing the teeth of a Bottlenose
dolphin in the well deck aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)



Researchers are currently building underwater drones to replace the dolphins duties at sea.  No fear though, the Marine Mammal Foundation was created in 2007 to care for this animals after their military career has come to and end.  These animals are seen as veterans, some have served for over 40 years!

NMMP dolphins, such as the one pictured here
wearing a locating pinger, performed mine clearance
work in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War

 

Personnel attending four dolphins
during a flight aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.



!!!!WEST NILE!!!!

* Just a quick side note for everyone.  I have a search engine in my blog, this will allow you to easily search my archived blogs.  I didn't realize there were sooooo many till I went looking for an old post!!! Can't believe I've been blogging since 2010!!  Thank You to everyone who reads my crazy if not entertaining postings!!!!*

-I have been getting alot of people asking me about West Nile in their pets, due to the number of human deaths related to West Nile Virus.  Here is a great FAQ put out by the CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention).  Check out their website if you have any more questions about West Nile.  http://www.cdc.gov/

-Many people have also been worried about the aerial spray they are using for the mosquito's. The CDC and EPA report the level of insecticide in the sprays is way below what is considered toxic to mammals and fish. They do advise people to keep their pets indoors during aerial spraying. They should also wash any food bowls, water bowls, or toys that are exposed to any insecticide, before using them again.

Q. Can West Nile virus (WNV) cause illness in dogs or cats?

A. A relatively small number of WNV infected dogs and WNV infected cats have been reported to CDC . Experimentally infected dogs* showed no symptoms after infection with WNV. Some infected cats exhibited mild, nonspecific symptoms during the first week after infection--for the most part only showing a slight fever and slight lethargy. It is unlikely that most pet owners would notice any unusual symptoms or behavior in cats or dogs that become infected with WNV.

(The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories reports, that although dogs and cats have tested positive, these animals are almost always asymptomatic. There is no evidence that West Nile virus is a significant cause of meningitis in dogs and cats.)

Q. How can my veterinarian treat my cat or dog if they are/may be infected with WNV?

A. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Full recovery from the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive (managing symptoms, if present) and consistent with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.

Q. Is there a vaccine for cats or dogs?

A. No.

FYI: There is a vaccine for horses.

Q. Can I use insect repellent on my pets?

A. DEET-based repellents, which are recommended for humans, are not approved for veterinary use (largely because animals tend to ingest them by licking.) Talk with your veterinarian for advice about the appropriate product for use on your pet.

DEET can be toxic to dogs and cats, it can cause neurologic problems, like tremors and ataxia.  The only approved dog mosquito repellents are Advantix and Vetra 3D, these both contain permethrin.  Cats are very sensitive to any pyrethrin based product, their use can result in toxicity and death (There are many over the counter flea prevention products for cats that contain pyrethrin, I strongly avoid using them all!!  I have no idea how they can still be allowed on the shelf but thats a story for another day!)

 

Stuffed Animal Clinic

We had an absolute blast at the Stuffed Animal Clinic, kids, dogs and adults!!!  We did 17 Health Certificates and even more emergency wound repairs!!  We have already been asked to do this again, so I think we will mark our calendars and attempt to make this an annual event!

A little over $300 was donated for Meals on Wheels and their animal outreach program, we also had pet food donated by our generous Iams' Representative, Thank Your Stu!!  Thank you everyone who came and made this a fun and enjoyable event!! 

Here is the Meals on Wheels facebook page address, their photographer was so wonderful to come out and take some pictures of the day! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Meals-On-Wheels-Inc-of-Tarrant-County/127714468424

Making Birthday Cards for Meals On Wheels clients

Listening to Heart Bear's heart.

Very Serious Surgery

Brad and a BIG bear for adoption

A completed Health Certificate

Stuffed Animal Clinic

Is your teddy bear feeling under the weather? Does your stuffed animal have a cut that needs fixing? Does it need some extra care and attention? Arlington South Veterinary Hospital is here to help! Our veterinarians and staff are holding a Stuffed Animal Clinic on Saturday, August 11th from 2 pm to 5 pm. All proceeds go to Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, to help with their animal outreach program.

It’s a day to fix the ailments affecting your teddy bear or beloved stuffed animal. Veterinarians, staff members and volunteers will assess the overall health of your stuffed animal, as well as make a diagnosis based on your description of its symptoms. Medications or bandages will be available if needed.

You will begin your visit with a stop at the reception desk, where your animal will be checked in and given a health certificate. The receptionist will then direct you to the next available stuffed animal doctor, who will care for your animal’s well-being and sign your certificate, indicating a clean bill of health. If your animal has a tear that requires stitches, you will be asked to leave the animal with trained staff and return later to retrieve the mended patient. The entire visit only costs $3, and you will leave with a healthy stuffed animal and a certificate to prove it! Stuffed animals will be available for adoption for $1!

Please call for information or directions:

Arlington South Vet Hospital
5505 Matlock Road
Arlington, Texas 76018
817-465-1401

Most Common Canine Poisonings of 2011

The Pet Poison Hotline released their list of the top 10 most common dog emergencies in 2011.  I always find what dogs will eat so entertaining!!  Some of them aren't even tasty!?!?

1.  Foods (chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins)
2.  Insecticides (sprays, bait stations, and spot-on flea and tick treatment)
3.  Mouse and rat poison
4.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory human drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen)
5.  Household cleaners (sprays, detergents and polishes)  -Really?  This can't be good tasting or even fun to chew!!! 
6.  Human antidepressant drugs (Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and Effexor)
7.  Fertilizers (bone-meal, blood meal and iron based products)
8.  Acetaminophen, a human drug (Tylenol and cough and cold medicine)
9.  Amphetamine human drugs (Adderall and Concerta)
10.  Veterinary pain relievers (Rimadyl, Deramaxx and Previcox)    My own dog ate about 10x's her prescribed dose!!!  The cat fed them to her!!

All the things listed above can be very deadly if eaten in adequate amounts.  Always call your veterinarian if your pet has eaten something.  They can tell you if it is toxic and what you should do.  This may include just watching your pet or bringing it in to induce vomiting and intravenous fluids.  It is different for every case.
The other bit of advice I have is that never assume your pet can't get to a certain medication or food.  I have seen little dogs use chairs and drawers to get up onto counters.  Or in my case the cat got up on the window sill and knocked the meds down for the dog to eat....

(888) 426-4435