C & P Swissy Licks Providing fun activities, information, and support to Swissy enthusiasts

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1 December 2012 Volume 5 Issue 11 C & P Swissy Licks Providing fun activities, information, and support to Swissy enthusiasts What s Inside Holiday Greeting! 1 The Ribbon Tree 2 Upcoming Events 3 Not Just a Cough 4 Weight Pull Fliers 6 Pack Hike Information 8 National Specialty Trophies 9 Brags & Mailbarks 10 Ways and Means 11 Membership Form 12 Swissy Licks is the 2011 recipient of the Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers (APDW) Hot Digital Dog Award

2 The Ribbon Tree Katie Markley Editor s note: This charming story appeared in the December 2011 issue of the Swissy Licks. Reading it again makes me smile thanks, Katie! I always cringe when I m at a dog show and see people thoughtlessly toss the ribbon they just won onto the ground. What! Are they crazy? Or maybe I m the crazy one! I ve saved every little ribbon ever won since I first started showing Barney more than 8 years ago. I collect them in a box throughout the year, then, as the Christmas season approaches and it s time to decorate the tree, I attach a gold strand to each ribbon, add the new ribbons to the previous years collection, and decorate our Christmas tree with them. When I started Barney s ribbon tree, I wrote a children s story, Little Barney of Bethlehem that ends with Barney and his ribbon tree. Barney and I perform the story for elementary school children at Christmastime. I read to the children and Barney performs tricks to go with the story line. Barney s tricks are all cued with very subtle hand signals that the children (and teachers!) don t notice. They re always amazed and ask how the dog can understand the story. At the end of the story, each child is given a picture of Barney and his Ribbon Tree from It s been so much fun over the years. I have a very special memory of Barney s first school performance. After I had finished the story, I let Barney wonder through the classroom so the children could pet him. Two classes had gathered in one room so the room was really crowded with children sitting all around us on the floor. Barney left my side and made his way through the crowd, literally stepping over the children, and headed straightaway to the back of the classroom, where he sat like a statue alongside a child in a wheelchair. And there he stayed until I put a leash on him to drag him away. I cannot say what made him do that or how he seemed to know that he needed to go to this child because the child couldn t come to him. But it was an amazing and heartwarming moment that I ll never forget. Randy was there to capture a picture of 2 C & P Swissy Licks December 2012

3 Upcoming Events January 26 & 27 Supported Entry Richmond, VA Contact: Premium List February 2 Pack Hike Pending approval McLean, VA Contact: Kris Featheringham February 9 & 10 Weight Pull Knoxville, MD Contact: Jenna Starr-Farling April 27 & 28 Draft Trial Pending approval Winchester, VA Contact: Nancy Kechner September 9-13 National Specialty Purina Farms, MO Contact: Janelle Kaiser September C & P Specialty Millwood, VA Contact: Cathy Cooper November 9-11 Draft Trial Pending approval Mt. Airy, MD Contact: Karen Pyle September 14-19, 2014 National Specialty Bethlehem, PA Contact: Mary Jo Rasmussen Barney with his favorite child. These wonderful dogs who we love so much never cease to amaze me! The ribbon tree used to have ribbons mixed with other traditional holiday decorations, but now, the ribbons have overtaken the entire tree and there s no room for anything else except a few small treasured family heirlooms. Barney, the Beaver, Oliver, and Kubota all made their contributions to the tree. There was a time when I fought back tears as I hung Kubota s ribbons on the tree; we lost him to lymphoma at 15 months of age. But time is the great healer of broken hearts and now I can smile as I hang his ribbons, remembering everything about him that made him so special My family and others who come to visit at Christmastime think I m a little crazy and they laugh at my ribbon tree. But I love it! It s filled with so many memories. As I decorate it each year, I m reminded of all the places we ve traveled to over the years, all the wonderful people we ve met because of our dogs, and all the joy they bring to our lives. December 2012 C & P Swissy Licks 3

4 Not Just a Cough Kevin Fitzgerald, DVM Although usually responsive to treatment, kennel cough is highly contagious and needs to be taken seriously. Kennel cough (the common name for canine infectious tracheobronchitis) is an acute, highly contagious respiratory infection in both adult dogs and puppies. Dogs infected with this condition display a violent cough accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The cough, described as harsh and honking, is usually nonproductive and can be easily triggered by exercise, excitement, or the pressure of a leash pulling on a collar. Gently touching the trachea readily induces the cough. A low-grade fever may or may not be present. Although affected dogs do not vomit, they may cough so hard that they bring up white foam. Causes for kennel cough go beyond the kennel. Typically, the coughing dog has been exposed to a high concentrations of dogs in recent weeks, whether from boarding (within the last two weeks), hospitalization, being impounded in a shelter, taking part in group obedience classes, participation in agility trials, or dog shows. Also, dogs that have been intubated for a dental or surgical procedures are more at risk for kennel cough as the endotracheal tube may irritate the trachea and make it more vulnerable to infection with tracheobronchitis. Recently acquired puppies have often been exposed to a number of dogs and are much more at risk. It would be easier if there were one agent responsible for causing kennel cough. But the syndrome can be caused by a number of organisms, including the bacteria bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus 2, canine parainfluenza virus, canine respiratory coronavirus, and mycoplasmas. The two most common causes are bordetella and the parainfluenza virus. Bordetella organisms are well-suited for respiratory invasion and particularly troublesome. These microbes infect the lining of the trachea and decrease the ability to eliminate bacteria and particulates that is one of the respiratory tracts main defenses. Mycoplasmas are a recent identified microbe that can be distinguished from bacteria since they lack a distinct cell wall. In addition to the listed agents responsible for causing kennel cough, reovirus and canine herpes virus are occasionally implicated and isolated in infected dogs. The main thing that should be understood with kennel cough is that a host of agents can result in very similar clinical signs. A cough is a very nonspecific symptom. It can be due to an irritant, an infection, an allergy, an anatomical malformation, an autoimmune disease, heart disease, or even cancer. So when an animal coughs, we should never just assume it is only a little kennel cough. Most cases of kennel cough, although demonstrating a dramatically harsh cough, can be managed by medications, rest and time, and resolve within a few weeks. The danger of kennelcough organisms is that what starts as a mild upper-respiratory infection can descend into a severe lower-respiratory infection or pneumonia. These can be lifethreatening and even cause death. A cough may not be caused by kennel cough at all, but a more insidious microbe or underlying condition. The canine distemper virus and canine influenza virus both start off with symptoms nearly identical to kennel cough. However, they can progress to a potentially fatal pneumonia. Not all coughs signal contagious disorders, either. A coughing dog can herald an underlying tracheal problem, like the collapsing trachea syndrome found in many toy breeds. A cough may signal aller- 4 C & P Swissy Licks December 2012

5 gic bronchitis, asthma, or autoimmune hypersensitivity. A cough can be a symptom of heart disease in the respiratory tract. Coughs can also indicate the presence of fungal infections. Uncomplicated cases of kennel cough can often be diagnosed by history and clinical signs alone. That is why any cough should be taken seriously. The dog s age must be taken into account, any recent exposures to high concentrations of potentially infected dogs should be considered, the animal s breed, and the first appearance of the cough should be determined. Uncomplicated cases of kennel cough can often be diagnosed by history and clinical signs alone, and are generally selflimiting and resolve within a few weeks. Many dogs with kennel cough, despite the dramatic hack with increased activity, still eat and drink. However, some dogs appear very ill and may need more involved diagnosis and support. Diagnostic testing may be needed to rule out more serious underlying diseases. These tests may include chest films or specific blood tests for canine influenza. Further tests, such as a tracheal wash to retrieve organisms, are indicated when the dog is not getting better. Strict rest avoiding long walks, exercise, and excitement must be adhered to for 7-10 days. Dogs should not wear a collar or be walked on a leash that pulls on the collar and aggravates the cough. Instead, a harness should be used, leaving the neck and trachea open. The cough may not abate for days, and some signs of it may remain for as long as a month to six weeks. In theory, a cough is nature s way of clearing the respiratory tract, but if it becomes so violent that the animal cannot rest, your veterinarian may prescribe a cough suppressant. Antibiotics might be prescribed to prevent a secondary bacterial infection that can contribute to the infection becoming Source: AKC familydog November/December p 18. pneumonia or going systemic. Nebulizers and vaporizers utilizing inhaled antibiotics or bronchodilators have been reported to be beneficial, but are usually not prescribed. Kennel cough is very contagious. Healthy dogs exposed to an infected animal shedding infectious organisms usually display clinical signs and coughing within three to seven days of exposure. Dogs at high risk for exposure to kennel cough may benefit from vaccination for bordetella, the most common cause of the syndrome. Intranasal and injectable vaccines are available and have been shown to offer protection 72 hours after vaccination. Initially, two vaccines are given two to four weeks apart. A booster is required for bordetella every six months. Kennel cough is a commonly encountered phenomenon that usually responds nicely to treatment. But it can lead to more serious conditions, and more insidious disorders can mimic kennel couth signs. Infected dogs should be taken seriously, and it should be remembered that a cough is not always just a cough. For video of Swissies showing in conformation at AKC/Eukanuba Invitational, click HERE. December 2012 C & P Swissy Licks 5

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8 Northern Virginia (NOVA) 10-Mile Pack Hike February 2, 2013 Another Pack Hike! We are delighted to sponsor another pack hike for the 2013 calendar year. Kris Featheringham and Nancy Kechner will be your fellow hike coordinators. This will be a beautiful hike as you ll get a great view of Great Falls on the Potomac River. Basic Information C&P GSMDC is hosting another pack hike in February of This hike will be a single 10-mile leg. This hike is in the suburbs of Washington, DC more specifically, Northern VA or as we call it here, NOVA. For more information, please click HERE. Great Falls Hike The first hike will be an 10 mile loop within Great Falls National Park in McLean, VA. The park opens at 7AM, but we won t get going that early. Weigh in will begin at 8AM and the hike will commence at 8:30AM. Please note that there is a $5 parking fee for the park. Sorry L The hike will take us in a huge loop of the area and we ll get amazing views of the falls, the Potomac River, Difficult Run, and much more. Bring you cameras. The hike is considered Moderate in difficulty. There are some areas of elevation and some areas may be a bit muddy, rooted, and or rocky. Sturdy hiking boots or sneakers are needed. Great Falls Hike Hotels within Herndon, Reston, Sterling, Vienna, and McLean are all appropriate, but I would recommend Sterling as your more economical and convenient and in particular, the Hampton Inn Dulles/Cascades. They currently have rates as low as $79.00 per night and are pet friendly with no pet fees. You sign a form saying that your Swissy won t eat the room. Their direct info is: Hampton Inn Dulles/Cascades McClellan Way Sterling, Virginia, Tel: Fax: C & P Swissy Licks December 2012

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10 C & P Member Brags!! Ollie earns her CD with back-to-back scores of 182 & 189!! Way to go, Tracy!!! Jan and Annie placed second at the Eukanuba Agility Invitational and Megan and Kenzie placed third we re so proud of you two!! The Mailbarks Liam, Wrigley and Gabby Featheringham Paul and Cathy Cooper Once again, thank you for a wonderful edition of Swissy Licks. My kids already think I am a freak when it comes to the dogs, but it was confirmed tonight on our way back from their piano recital as I read the latest edition and balled my eyes out the whole way home after reading Brian's piece about Nova and bloat. We almost lost a Samoyed to bloat years ago and I know how very serious it can be, and how suddenly it can escalate. I have to say, we were one of the lucky ones and were able to save our boy, which made this article so personal for me. Thank you for the wonderful article about Supraspinatus Tendinopathy. Mater was diagnosed with this (kind of, they said it was the most convincing case they have seen) a year ago. After reading this article and the associated symptoms, it has confirmed my belief that this is what is what has afflicted him for the past year. This article has given me the resolve to find the right vet to treat and fix this without invasive techniques unless required. Just a word of caution about PRP before you decide this route for your dog; while it is effective in many cases, it is also VERY painful. I have personally had this done to treat major tendon damage to my elbow after having two surgeries that could not cure the additional "soft tissue" problems that plagued me after both surgeries and two years of physical therapy. It is very, very painful. Another form of treatment that some vets are using and I am trying to persuade my orthopedist to use on humans is K-laser therapy. It has similar results; is less invasive and less painful. Congrats to all of you and all of the titles/recognition you have received in the past month. This is one of the best breed clubs I have ever been associated with, and am so proud to say we are a member of. Thank you, to each and every one of you for your kind words of encouragement, advice and support as we navigate our way through these first few years with our first Swissy. Danielle Manson 10 C & P Swissy Licks December 2012

11 Order Form Please print and mail this form, along with a check, made payable to C & P GSMDC to: Name Address Michelle Charters 844 Washington Dr. Chesapeake, VA Tel.: (757) mbcharters@cox.net Phone Item Price Size/Color Quantity Total **Fleece Jacket *Long sleeve Tee -shirt $37 $40 (2XL) $25.00 Hat $16.00 Red Navy Nylon Collar $15.00 NA Blue Food Bag $ H x 13.5 D Subtotal Shipping & Handling Shipping/Handling = $5 orders under $100; $10 orders over $100 TOTAL *Long Sleeve Shirts available in S, M, L, XL, XXL in Heather, Indigo, Independence Red, Dill Green **Fleece Jackets available in Women s sizes M-XL in Merlot & Black, Lt. Blue in L only **Fleece Jackets available in Men s sizes L-2XL in Merlot & Black December 2012 C & P Swissy Licks 11

12 Chesapeake & Potomac (C & P GSMDC) GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG CLUB Application for Membership NAME(S) ADDRESS TELEPHONE CELL PHONE Allow contact information to be posted in club directory? Yes No Registered Name of GSMD Call Name Registration# Breeder Name Date of Birth Please check all that apply: Breeder (registered a litter within past 3 years) Exhibitor (handled dog at AKC event within past 2 years) Dog Owner (of AKC registered dog) Judge (AKClicensed judge) I (We) agree to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of this Club and the rules of the American Kennel Club. Signature and Date Signature and Date Yearly Membership Fees are $35 for Family Membership, $25 per Individual Member. While membership is unrestricted as to residence, the C & P GSMDC strongly encourages members outside of the Club s geographical area (DC, DE, MD, Eastern PA, VA) to apply for Associate Membership. Those who wish to learn more about the GSMD but do not own a GSMD may join as an Associate Member. Associate Membership Fees are $35 for Family Membership, $25 per Individual Member. Associate members are not able to vote or hold office in the C & P GSMD Club. Please let us know what events you would like C & P to provide and how you would like to support the club. Also, add any additional information you d like to share about yourself and/or your dogs. This is YOUR club--let us know what you d like to do! BBQ s, parties, etc. Conformation Agility Obedience/Rally Dog show help Weight pull Breed information Health issues Packing Write Newsletter articles Drafting Rescue Serve on board Herding Therapy Please send a check payable to the C & P GSMD Club along with this application to Phyllis Walker 5933 Sixth St. Falls Church, VA or Phyllis at pgwalkerphd@gmail.com and send membership fee to at cptreas@gmail.com 12 C & P Swissy Licks December 2012