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Behavior Modification Aids Veterinary Products Laboratories® (VPL) has produced a wide range of veterinary medical supplies for over 20 years. They have a line of products called D.A.P. which stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromones. This line includes a spray to be used on bedding, inside crates and kennels, or even in a room where the dog will be staying. They also have a plug-in which covers a 650 sq. ft. area with the pheromones. This product lasts for 30 days and refills are available. VPL has recently introduced the D.A.P. collar. It provides a constant release of the pheromone for up to one month. The advantage of the collar is that it is with the dog everywhere and all the time. These pheromones provide comfort and reassurance to the dog. These products are safe, non-toxic, and undetectable by humans. VPL also has a line of cat pheromone products called Feliway available in a spray and a plug-in only. This product has helped many cats adjust to new homes, new pets, trips to the vet or boarding kennel, etc. Homeo-Pet® was established in Ireland in 1994 and produces homeopathic veterinary pharmaceuticals. They have a variety of products including three anti-anxiety medications safe for use in both dogs and cats. TFLN is formulated for fear of loud noises, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, and sirens. Travel Anxiety is for dogs that pant, tremble, salivate, and/or become hyperactive in the car. Anxiety Drops are used for visits to the groomer, boarding kennel, etc. (This product is also good for use in feather-picking birds.) All of their products are packaged in 15ml bottles. Depending on the size of the pet, this bottle of oral medication will last from ten days to four weeks. VetriScience® has been producing veterinary supplements for over 20 years. They have a new product called Composure. This oral liquid is formulated to normalize anxieties without affecting the animal’s emotional balance and personality as is often seen with tranquilizer use. Composure is also labeled for use in cats. Canine Periodontitis Vaccine Plaque, a combination of food particles, saliva, bacteria, and bacteria by-products, would still accumulate but the bone loss that is caused by the bacteria would be significantly reduced. Veterinarians are planning to use the vaccine as an adjunct in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease. It is expected that Pfizer will release this vaccine sometime in 2006. “Orphaned” Wild Animals and Birds For baby birds, again determine if the bird is sick or injured. If yes, call a wildlife rehabilitator. If no, then the next question would be is the bird feathered. If it is, then determine if it is safe from cats, dogs, and other predators. If so, leave the area. The baby is OK. If it is not safe, put the bird in the bushes or on a tree limb. Watch from a distance to see if the parents are nearby. If so, leave the area. If the bird is not feathered, see if you can find the nest. If it is intact and reachable, put the baby back in the nest. If that is not possible, make a substitute nest out of a berry basket or margarine tub (poke drainage holes in the bottom) lined with dry grass or pine needles, or if possible, put the remnants of the old nest in your container. Securely place the new nest in the original tree or a nearby tree if the original tree is not available. Observe from a distance to determine if the parents are visiting the nest. If yes, baby is OK. If not, call a wildlife rehabilitator. If you need to rescue an adult animal or bird, consult with a wildlife rehabilitator before proceeding. These animals can be very dangerous. If you have taken in a baby animal or bird, it is important that you contact a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Do not handle the animal any more than absolutely necessary, keep them in a warm, dark, and quiet area. Be sure to wash your hands and any items such as towels or blankets that came in contact with the animal or bird. This is necessary to prevent the spread of disease and/or parasites to you or your pets. Contact information in the central Ohio area: For wild animal control:
© 2006 East Hilliard Veterinary Services. All rights reserved.
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There
are some new products available that will help many pets cope
with situations that might normally create behavioral problems. Things
like thunderstorms,
travel, separation anxieties, moving to a new home, or adjusting
to a new
pet(s) in the household can lead to destructive behavior. This
behavior is based simply on stress. It is not vindictive or spiteful
behavior, it is simply stress. This stress is a true phobia, a fear of
certain situations.
While the fear may seem illogical to you or me, it is quite real
to the
dog. Their response to this stress is often exhibited in very
undesirable behaviors. (We’ve written a series of articles about separation
anxieties. Please refer to our December 2005, January 2006, and March
2006 newsletters
for more information.) 
Researchers at Pfizer Animal Health have developed another tool in the fight against periodontal disease, the most common disease seen in dogs and cats. The vaccine received conditional licensing from the USDA in July 2005 and has been trialed by several veterinary dental specialists in private practice. The vaccine is designed to inhibit the accumulation of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. The targeted bacteria are Porphyromonas denticanis, Porphyromonas gulae, and Porphyromonas salivosa. In a study done in 2003, at least one of these three strains of bacteria was found in 76% of the dogs studied. The mode of action of this vaccine involves the production of antibodies which inhibit the accumulation of these bacteria. Untreated, bacteria in the mouth lead to tooth loss and can also lead to damage of major organs. (In humans, oral bacteria have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries of coronary bypass patients.)