Animal Radio® Show #424 January 19, 2008
Separation Anxiety/Crate Training
Vladae, The Dog Wizard
Listen in as Vladae helps a caller,
Alicia, with the problem of crating her Jack Russell Terrier.
When Alicia leaves her dog alone, he will pee and poop in the
house. Since then, she has tried to put him in a crate when she
leaves for work, but the dog will bite (and she has had stitches
several times) as she picks her dog up and puts him in the crate.
Vladae advises her to use a muzzle to begin with, and feed him cheese every time she picks him up so that he can associate the act of being picked up as a good thing. In fact, she should do this exercise over and over in a matter of minutes. Vladae also advises her to use a larger crate and try feeding him in there every morning. It's also a good idea to exercise him in the morning by either playing or taking him for a walk, as a tired dog is a happy dog. Also leave him with something to chew on, like a "Bully Stick" that will take him 30-40 minutes to finish.
She should also practice leaving the house over and over again, being gone just a few minutes each time, so that her dog won't think that she is never coming back when she leaves. And, she should never make a fuss when leaving or entering the house. It is also a good idea to have someone come over during the day to let the dog out for exercise and a potty break,
Vladae is the man behind the system. A phenomenon in the dog world, he is widely known as an international star in the dog-training field. By turning the most notorious canines from around the world into loving companions. He gained renowned recognition and became a celebrity himself.
Do you need help with your dog? Call us
at 866-405-8405 and we will schedule you to personally speak with
Vladae.
http://Russiandogwizard.com
http://www.911DogWizard.com
Veterinary (CSI) Unit
Melinda Merck, DVM
Dr. Merck, who is
a forensic veterinarian with the ASPCA, has written a new textbook
designed to better help veterinarians and animal welfare professionals
in the understanding and practice of veterinary forensics. The
book, "Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations"
is a reference manual designed to give veterinarians, pathologists
and investigators the knowledge they need to understand the process
of animal cruelty investigations and to correctly perform the
necessary forensic examinations of animals.
The ASPCA has also recently unveiled a "forensics first"-the nation's first-ever "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit." The mobile forensic vehicle will operate under the leadership of Dr. Merck, who is the nation's only "animal CSI," and who most recently assisted Federal authorities in the Michael Vick investigation. The mobile unit, which will be available to assist at crime scenes nationally, will allow Dr. Merck to examine and care for animals found at suspected crime scenes and includes a surgical suite for animals in need of urgent care.
Dr. Merck
joined the ASPCA in January 2007 as a forensic veterinarian and
frequently provides training for veterinary and law enforcement
professionals nationwide on the use of veterinary medical knowledge
in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases.
She often testifies as a forensic veterinary expert for animal
cruelty cases around the country, including cases involving animal
hoarding, dog fighting and animal torture, such as 2006's high
profile "puppy torture" case in Atlanta. Besides using
her expertise in the Michael Vick dog fighting case, Dr. Merck
has also provided expertise to the television show CSI.
http://www.ASPCA.org
http://www.FightCruelty.org
http://www.veterinaryforensics.com
The Doctor's In the House
Reverend Dr. James Capers
Reverend Dr. James Capers has been
a psychotherapist for over 15 years, and in 1990, he started counseling
people with pets. The Reverend has been a pet clairvoyant for
close to 20 years, first learning how to communicate with animals
with his cat, "Felicia," who lived to be 21 years and
6 months old. To help people with their animals, the Reverend
has created a DVD on telepathy that will help you to communicate
effectively with your pets.
The Reverend communicates often with his Shih Tzu, Hope Angel, and tells the story of how his dog communicated back. When the Reverend's mother visited him in California, they went on a trip to Las Vegas (Hope Angel was included). During their time in Las Vegas, Mother Capers lost one of her expensive earrings. Upon returning to California, she was visibly upset and was considering cutting her trip short.
The Reverend and his mother were going back and forth and trying to figure out where the earring could have been lost. All of a sudden, Hope Angel, overhearing them, stated that he knew where the earring was. The Reverend then asked him where it was, and Hope Angel stated that it had fallen off Mother Caper's ear in Las Vegas and he managed to pick it up. He then placed it in his carrier, under his rug, for safekeeping. The Reverend and his mother were very excited, but then they could not remember where they placed the carrier upon their return home. Well, Hope Angel came to their rescue one again, directing them to the carrier, where they found the missing earring!
The Reverend also talks about his recent teaching trip to Florida. He was in the water when three dolphins approached him and talked about the shifting of currents and pollution and how it could harm their life cycle. The Reverend also mentioned that animals, just like humans, talk with an accent, and it seems these dolphins had a southern accent!
Besides pet counseling, the Reverend also
offers counseling on grief, bereavement, family and marriage.
http://www.drjamescapers.com
"Salamander Man" Finally
Captured
Britt Savage
Police in Amsterdam say they have
finally caught the "Salamander Man," a thief they have
been hunting for months. The "Salamander Man" got his
name because of his unique strategy for gaining entrance into
people's homes by talking his way into the homes saying he was
looking for his lost salamander, hamster or iguana.
Once inside a house, the man stole wallets and loose cash. Police arrested him after a tip off and found nine empty wallets in his car, which had been stolen the day before.
Apparently, around 60 people or so let
Salamander Man into their homes.
NEWS UPDATE: "Three Dog Night"
- Sleeping With Your Pet
The
term "three dog night" originates with the Inuit tribes
of Alaska, who measured nocturnal temperatures based on how many
of their sled dogs they needed to bring indoors to serve as bed
warmers. And, especially at this time of the year, not only do
we want to keep warm, but our pets want to keep warm as well.
It seems that everyone we speak with has stated that at one time or another their pet has slept in the bed with them. But if they have a spouse, how did that spouse feel about the sleeping arrangement?
A recent Adweek study revealed, of the 63% of households that own a pet, the majority (88%) viewed that pet as part of the family, and 69% allowed their pet to sleep in bed with them.
Animal Radio® discussed this problem with world-renown psychiatrist, Dr. Joyce Brothers, who feels that pets can easily come between partners when they don't agree on sleeping arrangements. In fact, she mentions that divorce frequently is the result.
Animal Radio® listeners speak-out on how they cope with this problem. One couple has actually worked out a compromise. The husband's dog is "technically" not allowed in bed, but when he sneaks in at 4:00 am, the wife turns the other cheek. She states, "Sometimes you just have to pick your battles!"
If you would like to tell Animal Radio® how you keep the peace in bed, call toll-free 866-405-8405 or email yourvoice@animalradio.com
NEWS
UPDATE Brought To You By Simple Solution Natural Line Of Products
Braces For Your Pooch - Pet Smiles
Go High Tech!
Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary
News Network
Although many of us dread the visit,
we go to our dentist routinely to insure our mouth stays healthy
and our smile bright. Our pets can also benefit from a visit to
their dentist. But beyond routine dental cleanings, many pet owners
are now opting for advanced dental work. Will we soon be seeing
Boxers with braces?
For us, going to the dentist will often include services ranging from dental x-rays and whitening to repairing fractured teeth. As the human-animal bond continues to deepen, more pet owners want the same sort of service for their pets. And fixing their pet's smile is a job for the Veterinary Dentist!
More than 85% of our pets will have dental disease by the time they are three years old. But many of our pets will also suffer from broken, diseased, or crooked teeth. For many years, extraction of the offending teeth was the typical solution to provide relief. Now, with the advent of digital dental x-ray machines, veterinarians and even special veterinary dentists can more accurately determine the health of the pet's mouth and tailor a solution to save the pet's teeth.
Dental x-rays are a common service for us when we visit the dentist. But our pets have not always been so lucky. The importance of dental x-rays cannot be overstated. Even if your pet's mouth looks healthy, chances are that some sort of problem lies deeper.
According to Dr. Brett Beckman, President
of the American Veterinary Dental Society, 42% of cats and 28%
of dogs have hidden dental problems. Dr. Jan Bellows, a Diplomate
in the American Veterinary Dental College agrees. "Sixty
percent of the tooth lies under the gum line. Since companion
animals don't talk (to tell us where the pain is), x-rays help
the veterinarian see what's below."
Normally, our canine friends should have 42 teeth. But, for many
toy breed dogs and short-faced breeds, like Pugs, this number
can cause crowding and mal-alignment. It is not uncommon to see
a Shih Tzu or Yorkie with teeth that have rotated. Additionally,
dogs with under-bites and over-bites also occur. All of these
conditions can make it difficult, or even painful, for the pet
to properly chew food. Dr. Bellows says, "Teeth that are
mal-aligned are very common and can lead to a painful mouth if
not treated by selective extractions, orthodontic tooth movement
or crown reduction and restoration." Yes, you read that right
- braces for your pet!
Cats have their own special dental problem.
Due to reasons that have not fully been determined, cats will
often develop a painful erosion of tooth enamel called a cervical
line lesion or neck lesion. As the normal enamel is lost, the
pulp cavity of the tooth is exposed to the environment, causing
painful stimulation of nerves. Extraction of the tooth is often
the only solution.
Trauma to pet's teeth is an everyday problem at the veterinary
office and happens from a variety of means. Some pets will chew
rocks or sticks and fracture their teeth, exposing the sensitive
pulp cavity. Police dogs are at high risk for breaking the large
canine teeth up front during their rigorous duties. Dr. Beckman
reports that he has been able to save several of these broken
teeth using restorative techniques and chrome/nickel crowns, allowing
the canine officer to return to his duties and, of course, brag
to his buddies. Most dental experts agree that if the fractured
tooth is healthy, pet owners should allow their veterinary dentist
to perform a root canal and restore the tooth rather than simply
extract it.
Even teeth suffering from advanced periodontal
disease may be saved with the combination of right owner, cooperative
pet and the veterinary dental team. Veterinary oral surgery is
now on the rise as pet owners do whatever they can for their four-legged
friends. After oral surgery, the at-home care of the patient is
vital to the recovery and the success of the procedure. Without
a compliant pet and a committed owner, the chances for saving
the teeth are greatly diminished and extraction of those teeth
may be the better option. Dr. Bellows' website, www.dentalvet.com, describes many of these
oral surgeries.
The use of a newly developed barrier sealant is another high-tech,
but low cost method to help keep your pet's mouth healthy. Oravet®
is a specially designed gel that actually adheres to the tooth
surface and repels plaque forming bacteria. In just one minute
per week, you can now minimize the accumulation of plaque and
tartar build-up.
It takes a whole team to help keep your
pet's smile healthy. Talk with your family veterinarian and ask
if dental radiographs are available in your area. Find out what
at-home dental products are recommended by your veterinarian and
be sure to use them routinely. Visit www.MyVNN.com to watch a video about how advanced
veterinary dentistry is helping pets worldwide.
http://www.VetNewsNet.com
Refuge
Rae Ann Kumelos, Voice of the
Animal
Meet the animals of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including
the ones that visit your backyard every winter. And, renew your
acquaintance with the sixty-five million year-old animal whose
presence is feeling the desire that may threaten the lives and
livelihood of all who inhabit this most fragile and sensitive
eco-system in the world.
http://www.VoiceOfTheAnimal.org
Living With a Multi-Cat Household
Dr. Debbie White, Lone Mountain
Animal Hospital
Outside of the usual squabbles
and disagreements that you might run into, whether it be over
food, territory or someone's affection, we can run into some problems
particularly with house soiling in multi-cat households. Because,
that's one of the ways cats talk to each other and us - by marking.
One of the first things you should do is see your veterinarian and make sure that there are no health problems, whether it is an infection, bladder stones, or something else that might be going on in the urinary tract. If they check out fine, the next step is to see if there might be a behavioral component to the problem as well. If there is a behavior problem, anti-anxiety medications are commonly prescribed, and for many cats, that might be a great benefit for them. One of the main reasons that a cat might be relinquished to the shelter is inappropriate urination, so if you're up for the challenge of giving medication, this can be an important step for a lot of families.
Some other behaviors you might see in a multi-cat household are anxiety driven, such as excessive grooming behaviors, where cats might self traumatize themselves by grooming to the point of actually having sores or hairless areas on their body. This is actually treated in a similar way, where we address the anxiety component, and try to correct what we can behaviorally. But if not, some of those pets are actually good candidates for anxiety medicines.
And don't
forget some of the non-medical routes, things like the plug-in
diffusers with pheromones. Those have a great place for both cats
and dogs when dealing with multi-pet households.
If nothing seems to work, you might think about altering household environments and separating enclosures from one cat to another. In some cases you might find that helpful, but in other cases it might actually take separating a cat out to another home.
There is no reason if you have a couple of cats that you can't add another one. It just gets more challenging when you get more personalities into the mix of things. When adding a new cat, try going for a younger cat if you already have an adult cat in the home. They may come in a little lower on the totem pole and may be more willing to fit into the scenarios already and the hierarchy that's going on in your cat household.
Just think, if one cat is a lot of fun,
just think how much two or three cats will be!
http://www.lmah.net
NEWS UPDATE: Cloned Animals in the
Grocery Store
Julie Janovsky, Farm Sanctuary
Dir. of Campaigns
The FDA made an appallingly irresponsible
decision to allow cloned animals into the nation's food supply,
despite the fact that the public is overwhelmingly opposed, the
research on consumer safety is dubious at best, and it is of huge
animal welfare concern-only five percent of cloning attempts actually
result in animals surviving, and of those, major welfare implications
exist. To make matters worse, the labeling of these products is
NOT required. The FDA has chosen to favor industry interests while
wholly disregarding public opposition, consumer safety and animal
welfare.
Julie Janovsky, Farm Sanctuary's director of campaigns, states, "It is an outrage that the FDA has misrepresented animal health and welfare implications. Cloning is a scientifically unsound and ethically challenged technology that has extremely disturbing welfare implications for animals."
Scientific studies included in the FDA's assessment reveal, for example, that 28 percent of cow clone pregnancies suffer from hydrops, an often fatal condition in which the mother and/or fetus swells with fluid. Over 50 percent of all calf clones suffer from Large Offspring Syndrome, in which the animal is grossly oversized and often displays other abnormalities that create "respiratory, cardiac, hepatic, renal, umbilical, and immunologic problems." Even older clones that appear healthy have been known to develop "adult clone sudden death syndrome," which casts doubt that cloned animals can ever be considered healthy. In contrast, these problems occur in less than five percent of conventional, non-cloned animals, if ever.
The FDA attempts to brush aside all these concerns by stating that problems are decreasing as the technology improves. However, data included in the FDA's own assessment contradicts this finding, and despite years of research, less than five percent of cloning attempts result in an animal that reaches maturity. A leading cloning scientist has even stated that, even in the most optimistic scenario, no more than 20-30 percent of cloning attempts will succeed.
Farm Sanctuary is calling for a mandatory
moratorium on cloned animals and their offspring to be established
immediately. They are also urging that a mandatory moratorium
should be maintained until Health and Human Services sets up an
advisory committee to openly and thoroughly deliberate the issues
related to cloning that go beyond food safety, and beyond the
FDA's analysis, including concerns about animal welfare and ethical
implications. Food producers, processors, and marketers must also
take responsibility and pledge not to use cloned animals or offspring
in their products.
http://www.farmsanctuary.org
NEWS
UPDATE Brought To You By Simple Solution Natural Line Of Products
Talk
With Your Animals
Joy Turner
Joy speaks with Margaret, whose cat Emma hisses at her when she
doesn't want to be touched.
http://www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com
http://www.JoyTurner.com
Rubbing Them the Right Way
Bruce Bregenzer, Animal Massage/Touch
Therapist
To anyone who has ever petted a
dog or stroked a cat, the fact that massage is a pleasurable experience
for animals comes as no surprise. On the other hand, many people
are surprised to learn that massage is beneficial to animals,
not just physically but on mental, emotional, social, and behavioral
levels as well. The benefits of massage also extend to the caretaker/companion
relationship, and even to the practitioner: GIVING a massage produces
a lowering of blood pressure and stress levels.
Even though massage is not a substitute for veterinary care but rather a complement to it. A properly designed and applied massage can make medications more effective by improving their circulation through the body while helping to minimize undesirable side-effects by speeding removal of toxins and waste products. For those animals recovering from injury, illness, or surgery pain relief is one of the principal benefits of massage.
Massage can also produce remarkable, sometimes dramatic effects when used alone. There are several reasons for this, perhaps the most important of which is that massage encourages endorphin production and release: endorphins are the body's natural pain relievers.
However, there are times when massage
is inappropriate, Massage is not appropriate at times when one
cannot give full attention to the animal; for example, when angry
or distracted. It is also not appropriate if the veterinarian
OR THE ANIMAL SAYS NO!
http://www.companionanimaltouchandtherapies.com
A Soap Opera in the Barn!
Britt Savage
Cathy Crosson, who runs a family
farm that breeds alpacas, has filed a lawsuit against Likada Farms
of Wayne, Ill., whom she hired in 2002 to provide breeding of
her prized female, Peruvian Lily of the Incas, with its sire,
Snowmass Casanova.
Cathy states that Likada Farms improperly breed Peruvian Lily and now refuses to identify the offspring's father. A blood test on the young alpaca born in April 2005 ruled out Snowmass Casanova as the father, and without the disclosure of the male's name, Cathy said she couldn't register or sell the young alpaca.
Where is Maury Povich when you need him?
Animal Care Teacher Promotes Loving
Pets
Chic Miller, Bella Vista Farms
Chic Miller, who with
husband Bob owns Bella Vista Farms animal sanctuary in Cottonwood,
has been visiting area schools to teach animal care to children
in kindergarten through eighth grades.
According to Chic, animal care classes to her mean animal kindness, and after doing petting zoos, she's learned that many children don't know how to pet an animal the safe way. At this point she's teaching after-school programs - Project SHARE (through the Shasta County Office of Education) and the ACE program (through Enterprise Elementary School District.)
Chic takes along a barnyard animal - a goat, llama, miniature horse or a donkey. She hasn't gotten to the point where she's doing a chicken or a bunny yet, but she will. However, her main focus is on their own family pets. The barnyard animal is an attention-getter. She teaches them how to pet, love, hug and kiss all animals.
The children learn general care of the animals they have as family pets. She believes if the child becomes proud of giving good care that the pet is more likely to remain in a permanent home.
If you are interested in having Chic visit your child's school or you would like to start up your own animal care teaching classes, please contact Chic:
Chic Miller
Bella Vista Farms
4301 Lower Gas Point Road
Cottonwood, CA 96022
530-347-0544
Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#424).
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