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Physical Therapy in Pets
Long recognized as beneficial in humans, physical therapy in pets is now making a huge difference in the lives of animals suffering from injury, arthritis, or neurologic pain. Some physical therapy can be done at home by the pet owners while other therapies are best performed by trained personnel. Generally speaking, physical therapy works better in dogs than cats, but many cats and other species have enjoyed the benefits of physical therapy. Some of the conditions that can benefit from physical therapy include:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Spinal conditions
Anterior or Cranial Cruciate Ligament injuries (knee)
Post-orthopedic surgery
Arthritis
Traumatic injury including fractures
Muscle strains/sore joints
Neurological problems
Physical therapy improves outcome and speeds recovery from injury and from orthopedic or neurologic surgery. Other benefits include:
Improved endurance, strength, and function
Decreased loss of muscle mass (common with any injury)
Increased range of motion and flexibility
Decreased pain and muscle soreness or spasms
Improved balance
Minimizes possible complications during recovery
If physical therapy is recommended for your pet by our doctors, we will direct you to a facility in the Columbus area where that can be done.
Power Paws
Many older pets have difficulties walking on slick surfaces. We read about a new product that will help your pet’s grip. They are also useful for hardwood floor protection (no toenail scratches) and general paw protection. They’re called Power Paws and they come in eight sizes and a variety of colors.
AKC Most Popular Dog Breed
You’ve probably already heard that the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in the United States. This is the 19th straight year the Labrador has taken the top spot. In second place is the German Shepherd, third is the Yorkshire Terrier, fourth is the Golden Retriever, fifth is the Beagle, sixth is the Boxer, seventh is the Bulldog, eighth is the Dachshund, the Poodle is ninth, and the  ShihTzu rounds out the top ten.
More in depth records show that the Yorkshire Terrier is the most popular breed in Oakland, Tampa, New York City, and Philadelphia. Bulldogs top the list in Los Angeles. In Newark NJ, Bull Terriers are the favorite breed, and the Mastiff is most popular in Des Moines. How about Columbus, Ohio? It is the German Shepherd which is also the most popular breed in Detroit, Honolulu, Memphis, Miami, and Providence.
H1N1 Update
In December 2009, a diagnosis of H1N1 virus in a dog in New York state was confirmed by laboratory tests. In November last year, two dogs in China were diagnosed with H1N1 but it was not confirmed by lab tests. The New York case was a 13-year-old dog who has since recovered. The dog's owner had a confirmed case of H1N1 prior to the dog contracting it. 
Cat owners and ferret owners have already been made aware of the possibility of their pet contracting H1N1 from their human family. Now we know that it is also possible for dogs to get the H1N1 virus from a human. Please be aware of this potential as we go into another flu season. Keep your pet away from any ill family members, cover your cough, practice good hygiene, and call your veterinarian if you feel your pet may be showing signs of H1N1, especially if someone in the family has had a confirmed case of the virus.
Melamine Poisoning Update
In 2006 and 2007, melamine-tainted wheat gluten was shipped here from China. The wheat gluten was added to hundreds of brands of pet foods. Many thousands of the dogs and cats that ate the melamine-tainted food became ill with kidney damage. The Federal Food and Drug Administration estimates that approximately 4,000 dogs and cats died as a result of eating the melamine-tainted food. In a trial in federal court in February 2010 the American importer of this product, ChemNutra, received a $25,000 fine. The owners of ChemNutra, Sally and Stephen Miller, were fined $5,000 and they received three years probation. The Millers deny any knowledge of the existence of melamine in the wheat gluten. Stephen and Sally Miller are currently back in business importing pet food ingredients. The new company is called EOS Direct. (Their website is currently “under construction”.)
I understand that if I make a copy of a DVD, the FBI could fine me $250,000 and send me to jail for up to five years. Where is the justice here??
World’s Tallest Dog
The Guiness Book of World Records has listed a new largest dog in the world. It is Giant George, a four-year-old Great Dane. George weighs 245#, eats 110# of dog food each month, and sleeps in his own queen-size bed in Tuscon, Arizona. He is three feet, seven inches at the shoulder and seven feet, three inches from his nose to the tip of his tail. Giant George can be seen on YouTube, has his own website, and can be found on Twitter and Facebook.
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