 Animal Radio® Show #607 July 23, 2011
The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani
Beauty Isn't Only Skin Deep!
Joey recently had a client come into his salon with a 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who looked unbelievable. The dog had a full coat along with great teeth. Obviously this dog had very good nutrition.
What people don't understand is that good grooming starts with good nutrition. You can't make a dog look good unless he has a healthy coat.
Starting with the age of 4 for large dogs and the age of 7 on small dogs, you need to make sure that these dogs who are turning into seniors are getting good nutrition. This means you need to have your dog on a good quality dog food.
 Good food starts with items like chicken or lamb as the first ingredient on the label. You need to read the labels and know your food. It doesn't have to be expensive as there are a lot of inexpensive foods out there that are good for your pet.
Next, take good care of your pet's teeth. Start with a professional cleaning and then follow up regularly with a tooth gel that you can use at home.
Make sure your dog's ears are always clean. Make sure their nails are cut short. When an older dog walks on long nails, this can make him lame and make him walk funny. It can actually change the bone structure in their feet and actually cripple a dog.
By taking care of your dog's nutritional needs, they will be left with a vibrant coat even in their old age. Now, your groomer can give your dog a great haircut and your dog will feel better and act younger.
Also, don't forget to take your older dog for a vet visit at least every 6 months.
 DOGFATHER'S GROOMING TIP Brought To You By SeniorPetProducts.com. Use the code "SAVE25" to receive 25% off!
Animal Radio® News with Stacey Cohen
 Popular Sweetener Can Harm Dogs
Veterinarians have issued a warning about a popular sweetener that may pose a danger to dogs. It's a sweetener called Xylitol. The sweetener is used in many products, even toothpaste. In humans, Xylitol is considered safe and a good sugar substitute. The sweetener also prevents oral bacteria from producing acids that damage tooth surfaces, which makes it a good choice for oral care products. But in dogs, Xylitol can be toxic. The symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, possible collapse and seizures. For example, just one piece of Ice Breakers gum can be fatal for your dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten Xylitol, call your vet immediately. Vets also ask pet owners to keep products with the sweetener out of their reach.
 Parasitic Worms With Teeth Infect Humans
An Australian doctor said a couple in Victoria are believed to be the first in the country to become infected with a species of parasitic worms with teeth. Dr. Andrew Fuller of the Alfred Hospital in Prahran said the couple are believed to have ingested the larvae when they caught and ate a fish, likely a black bream, during a Western Australia camping trip. Fuller said the tiny worms have teeth allowing them to "go anywhere they like in the body." "They move under the skin and cause itchy lumps that can make you feel sick -- and it can be very hard to diagnose," the doctor said. He said symptoms of infection include fever, muscle pain, vomiting and skin irritations resembling an orange peel. Fuller said the couple recovered after receiving a course of antibiotics. He said he has treated the condition before, but the couple is believed to have been the first to contract the worms in Australia.
Grizzly Bear Not Blamed For Mauling Hiker
A grizzly bear that mauled a 57-year-old hiker to death in Yellowstone National Park was only defending its cubs and had not threatened humans before, so park officials decided to leave it alone to wander the backcountry. The mauling - the park's first in 25 years - temporarily closed one of Yellowstone's top attractions on one of the busiest days of the year, leaving some tourists to wonder what was going on. "It was not predatory and so we see no reason to take action against the bear," said Kerry Gunther, bear management biologist for Yellowstone. The attack also highlighted the potential dangers, however rare, that face tourists who come in record numbers each year to a park known for its bear population and the Old Faithful geyser. Whenever there is a run-in or attack involving the region's bruin population, park officials must decide whether the attack was defensive or an act of aggression. In this most recent mauling, they based their conclusion on the account of the hiker's wife, who survived, as well as their knowledge of bear behavior. The couple, from Torrance, Calif., were hiking in a backcountry meadow along a trail a mile and a half from the trailhead when they spotted the bear foraging about 100 yards away.
Drinking and buying Dogs Don't Mix!
How much is that doggie in the window? Well, it's not for sale if you're a little tipsy. Pet stores in the West Village section of Manhattan are cracking down on prospective puppy owners who come to their stores drunk. Workers at Le Petit Puppy on Christopher Street tell the "New York Daily News" that since their shop is surrounded by bars, too often people come in completely intoxicated, fawn over the puppies and try to buy one. On several occasions, those people wake up the next day sober and with buyer's remorse, and come back to return the dog. Several pet stores in the area are now refusing to sell dogs to customers who appear drunk or intoxicated, saying acquiring a pet is a major lifestyle decision that should be made with sound judgment.
 Animal Wine
Kangaroos, cows, penguins, lizards and loons – notice all the cute critters that adorn wine bottles these days? It's no accident. Research shows that Americans are 40 percent more likely to buy a bottle with an animal-branded label compared with a straightforward one.
Less Invasive Way Of Tracking Dolphins
Researchers at the University of Kiel in Kiel, Germany recently published a groundbreaking study that shares the first attempt of developing a less invasive way of tracking dolphins for long-term behavioral research. Contrary to current research methods, which require the use of harmful pins or less-reliable suction cups, the results of this new study relied heavily on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) visualization software from Tecplot, Inc. and support the theory that a properly designed hydrodynamic tag would remain securely attached to the dorsal fin for long periods of time, while minimizing drag on the dolphin's body and allowing the animal to propel itself naturally through the water. The development of effective hydrodynamic tags could eliminate or minimize the need to pierce the fin of dolphins. With solid CFD visualization tools, such as Tecplot 360, researchers are able to expand the limits of marine mammal science, and help fully realize a future of humane and safe animal research that will hopefully lead to many more discoveries down the road.
Score Another Victory For The Pit Bull!
Just a day after the "vicious dog" ordinance heated up the Toledo Ohio City Council, Ohio House Assistant Minority Rep. Matthew A. Szollosi and the Ohio House are attempting to alter similar state legislation. If passed, House Bill 14 will remove Pit Bulls from the definition of "vicious dog" from a 1987 law. Citing the American Kennel Club, Rep. Szollosi stated that breed specific legislation isn't a viable solution to dog attacks and irresponsible ownership. Instead, he wants the law to maintain strong guidelines for dangerous dogs and educate the public about pet ownership.
 NEWS UPDATE Brought To You By PetzLife.com
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