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- Golden Retrievers are our highlighted breed this month
- MRSA – an emerging problem
- Welcome to Brix, Hilliard Police Department’s new “officer”
- Warm weather notes
- This month’s weight management program graduate
Golden Retrievers
Hunting was popular both as a sport and as a practical way of getting food in Scotland in the 1800’s. Setters, Pointers, and Spaniels were all being used for hunting but there was a need for a dog who could hunt in woods, fields, and marshes. They wanted a dog whose coat would withstand brambles and thorns and yet be thick enough to offer protection against the icy waters of Scotland. They needed a dog who could hunt by both sight and scent and have a soft mouth so the game they retrieved would be fit to eat. In the second half of the 19th century Sir Dudley Majoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, purchased a yellow-colored puppy from a litter of otherwise black Wavy-Coated Retrievers (now known as a Flat-Coat Retriever). He named him Nous. Nous was bred to a Tweed Water Spaniel (a breed that is now extinct) and from this litter of four, a female named Cowslip, and her offspring, were used to fine-tune the new breed. It is said that he would occasionally crossbreed this new line with Bloodhounds, Setters, and Water Spaniels to get specific characteristics he was looking for. In the end his dogs were strong, intelligent, loyal, energetic, and loved to retrieve, just like today’s Golden Retriever.
Once developed, Goldens were shown in England as Flat-Coated Retrievers under the variety Golden. In the early 1900’s, The Kennel Club (England) recognized the Golden Retriever, although the breed name was not yet decided. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1925. Always a favorite with hunters, the Golden Retriever soon branched out into new fields. Their intelligence, strength, and willingness to please made them very popular dogs. Today they are used in conformation, obedience, agility trials, field trials, search and rescue, law enforcement (in narcotics and arson detection), and as assistance, guide, and hearing dogs, as well as therapy dogs. And they make a great family pet.
Goldens have a high energy level that must be given an outlet on a daily basis. Their dense water-repellant coat needs regular brushing to control shedding. Many Golden Retrievers have a problem with obesity (average weight range is 55-75 pounds). Sometimes it is due to hypothyroidism; sometimes it is just from inactivity. As is true with most large breed dogs, Goldens have a history of orthopedic problems, including hip and elbow dysplasia. Hereditary cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy is a problem in some lines of the breed. Hereditary heart disease, most commonly aortic stenosis, is also known to occur in Golden Retrievers.
The Golden Retriever is second only to the Labrador Retriever in number of dogs registered with the American Kennel Club. Their endless amount of affection toward their family and their easy-going, cheerful personality has made them a very popular family pet.
Quiz: Which US President had a Golden Retriever in the White House? Bonus points if you remember the dog’s name. (Answer is at the end of this newsletter.)
MRSA
Antibiotic resistance is an emerging story you’ve most likely been hearing about. It has been called one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), sometimes called “Super-Bug”, is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics including methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. It is being seen now in humans, dogs, cats, horses, and cows, and can be transmitted from human to animal and vice versa. In household pets, MRSA infections are uncommon but are on the rise. The suspected reason for this is the increased prevalence of human MRSA in the community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections with MRSA occur most frequently in hospitals and health-care facilities in people with weakened immune systems. MRSA infections that are acquired by people who have not been
hospitalized recently (within the past year) or had a medical procedure (such
as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA or community-associated
MRSA infections. CA-MRSA infections usually are skin infections, pimples, or
boils and occur in otherwise healthy people. Doctors are most concerned about
transmission to infants, elderly, or immuno-suppressed individuals. They can
develop potentially fatal secondary infections such as pneumonia or bloodstream
infections. The MRSA component of these infections can make treatment difficult
if not impossible.
At a national veterinary conference in Baltimore this year
over 400 veterinary professionals were tested for the Super-Bug. The
head of the research, Dr. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, said, “We isolated MRSA from
a greater percentage of people than we were anticipating. This is a big deal.”
How can you protect yourself and your pets? Practice good hygiene. Keep your hands clean, washing with soap and water and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages. At the health club, avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors. Use a barrier between your skin and shared equipment (such as clothing or a towel). Wipe surfaces of equipment before and after use.
Warm Weather Hazards
- Animals can get sunburn, especially those with light colored noses. Sunscreen (SPF 15) can be used on pets, but be careful to read the label. Avoid sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or para-amino benzoic acid (PABA). These should not be used on pets. Apply a light coat of sunscreen and repeat as needed. Try to keep your pet from licking the sunscreen off. It is not made to be ingested.
- Heat stroke is serious and potentially fatal. Short-nosed pets such as Pugs, Boxers, and Persian cats, and senior or overweight pets are especially vulnerable to heat stroke. Signs of heatstroke include: excessive panting, staggering, seizures, diarrhea (often bloody), and coma. Treatment needs to begin immediately. Reduction of body temperature isn’t the only therapy necessary. The patient must also be treated for potential damage to the liver, kidneys, and brain.
- Fresh water must be available at all times in the hot weather. Be sure to use a non-tippable bowl and freshen it several times a day. A common rule of thumb for daily water intake is an ounce per pound of body weight. This formula can be drastically increased in hot weather. Dehydration is a serious and potentially fatal medical condition.
- Avoid hot asphalt and other surfaces that can burn your dog’s feet. Because dogs and cats perspire through their footpads, exposure to hot asphalt can also reduce their ability to cool themselves.
- Never, ever leave your pet in the car while you run errands – even with the windows cracked. If you do need to leave your pet in the car, leave it running with the air conditioner on. Be sure to take your extra set of keys with you in case the dog accidentally locks the car.
- Summertime is the time of year when we get the most calls about lost pets. This year in Columbus, television and radio news programs reported on the large number of lost pets occupying the local humane agencies. Most of these pets were believed to have gotten lost when they were frightened by neighborhood fireworks. Few of these pets had any form of identification so getting them back to their families was only possible if the family came looking for them. Make sure your pet wears ID at all times and consider having your pet microchipped. These are never lost, whereas collars with ID tags sometimes are. All across the nation, veterinary clinics, humane organizations, and many police departments are equipped with microchip scanners. Microchipped pets are much more likely to be returned to their owners than those without.
- If you are going to the beach or boating with your pet, consider a life vest. They are available at most pet stores and through pet supply catalogs. Yes, most dogs are natural swimmers, but they can fatigue quickly. Life vests have saved many pet’s lives.
- Remember that radiator coolant is highly toxic to animals. Its sweet flavor makes it attractive to pets. Be sure to contain any coolant that might be spilled or dripping from you cars and monitor your pet’s activities to keep them safe.
New Addition to the Hilliard Police Force
The Hilliard Police Department is adding a new “officer” to their force. Brix is a two and one-half year old Belgian Malinois and will be hitting the road soon with his handler Officer Jim Large. Brix came from Germany after attaining his Schutzhund A title. In Schutzhund the dog works in three different categories.
- Tracking – finding a person’s track by scent and finding articles that have been dropped along the way.
- Obedience – includes heeling on and off leash, a gunfire test, walking through a group of people without distraction, a 10-20 minute down-stay, recall, retrieving, and jumping.
- Protection – showing courage without viciousness, the dog must bite the “bad guy’s” bite sleeve in the correct manner. On command the dog must release the bite. If the dog does not release the bite on command it will fail the entire competition.
Since joining the Hilliard Police Department Brix and Officer Large have been training in narcotics and searches. They are expected to be on the streets by August.
Weight Management Program Graduate
Cory Spicer had some ups and downs on his weight management program but he succeeded. In May of 2004 he was at his highest weight of 59.6 with a BCS of 6.5. In July 2005 he graduated the program at 56.5 pounds with a BCS of 5.5. Cory is a social guy that loves everybody. I’ll bet it was difficult to look into those happy eyes without slipping him a little treat. Great job Cory and family!!
Answer to the Quiz: President Gerald Ford had a Golden Retriever named Liberty.
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