The Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association, Inc.

Transcription

1 The Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association, Inc. December 2017 G.G.D.F.A. P.O. Box Gainesville, Florida General Meeting Dates: 2nd Tuesday each month PINE GROVE Baptist Church 4200 NW 39th Ave 7:30 pm Gainesville, FL Newsletter for Dog Lovers DECEMBER MEETING 12/12/2017 HOLIDAY POT LUCK Gift exchange Bring a favorite item to share. The meeting location same as norml general meeting. Pine Grovwe Baptist Church. Also bring a gift if you want to participate in a gift exchange. This is not required ONLY if you want to join in. Gift should be around $15. Contact Claire Hedrick or Denise Gaboury if questions. Board Meeting Dates: 4th Tuesday each month Club Officers President Denise Gaboury 1st VP Pam Rice 2nd VP John McKamey Secretary Sarah Wingfield Treasurer Doris Horton Club Directors Kathy Davis Carol Lamb Claire Hedrick Marge Saucier Linda Graham alternate Newsletter Editor Claire Hedrick Membership Chair Kathy Davis AND Holiday Fund Raiser Each year we donate to St Francis House Pet Care Bring to our holiday meeting bags of dry dog food or canned dog food. This is taken to St. Francis and helps them support those needing extra assistance with their dogs.

2 News From AKC AKC - Canine Health Foundation Top Health Concerns Published Bloat Gastric dilatation, commonly known as bloat, is a rapidly progressing and devastating condition that can develop in several different breeds of dogs. Bloat requires immediate emergency medical intervention. Our research initiative aims to better understand the causes of bloat and improve treatment options. Canine Cancer Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis for both humans and our beloved canine companions. There are over 77 million owned dogs in the United States and a fourth will develop cancer - including those in the bone, breast, pancreas, liver, prostate, lung, and skin. Veterinarians report that owners increasingly want to treat their pets rather than just managing their discomfort, but treatment options are limited and cost of radiation and chemotherapy can be prohibitive. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is committed to funding studies that will prevent, treat and hopefully one day cure canine cancers. Epilepsy Epilepsy is the most common medical neurological disorder in dogs. The term epilepsy refers to recurrent seizures resulting from an abnormality in brain function. The condition can be inherited (genetic epilepsy), caused by structural problems in the brain (symptomatic epilepsy), or may be of unknown cause (idiopathic epilepsy). Determination of the appropriate treatment for canine epilepsy, as well as prognosis for the condition, depends on accurate diagnosis of the type and cause of seizures. The goal of the Initiative is to provide funds to support innovative research that will advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying epilepsy, leading to more effective treatments, as well as provide educational resources for dog owners and veterinarians. Hypothyroidism Despite a sufficient understanding of the mechanisms underlying acquired canine hypothyroidism, diagnosis of the disease is not straightforward and remains one of the greatest challenges in veterinary medicine. Age, breed and systemic illness all affect thyroid hormone concentrations, and clinical signs of hypothyroidism are often indistinguishable from other diseases. As such, veterinarians and breeders know that hypothyroidism is commonly over-diagnosed in the dog. Tick-Borne Disease Tick-borne disease is a growing threat to canine and human health. Disease occurs when ticks infected with a pathogen bite a dog or human and transmit the pathogen into the body. Our research initiative aims to find better diagnostics, preventives, and treatments for tick-borne disease. AKC Canine Health Founation Mission and Goals American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, Inc. Mission Statement The Foundation is dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners by funding scientific research and supporting the dissemination of health information to prevent, treat and cure canine disease. Vision Statement Our vision is to address the health needs of all dogs across their entire lifetime by focusing on all aspects of their physical, mental, and social well-being. We embrace the One Health model as a critical tool to achieving our vision. Foundation s Goals Within this mission and vision, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation has three primary goals: To fund canine health research projects to the Foundation s capacity which address the diversity of canine health concerns and may have comparative medicine benefits for humans To select and monitor, through a rigorous process, research projects that meet high scientific standards and have the greatest potential for advancing the health of dogs To communicate to the pet-owners, veterinarians and researchers, funded discoveries that help prevent, treat, and cure canine diseases

3 Visual Communication Different Breeds Seek Eye Contact Differently By Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT Published Staring into your dog s eyes is a joyous experience. As a matter of fact, it releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone, in you and your dog. That s the same hormone, and therefore the same feeling, we get when we look at our children. But do all dogs look into our eyes in the same way? Because dogs use eye contact and follow the human gaze better than wolves, it s possible that a breed s ability to communicate visually is associated with how genetically similar that breed is to a wolf. Recent research suggests that the more closely related to wolves a breed is, the less often it will make spontaneous eye contact with humans. Akitsugu Konno and his colleagues studied 120 pet dogs in two experimental tasks to determine if certain breeds of dog gazed at humans more or less than other breeds. They theorized that if relatedness to wolves determines the use of eye contact, then those breeds classified as ancient (most closely related to wolves) would show less eye contact than all other breeds. Alternatively, if our history of breeding for working dogs has led to greater eye contact, then certain working breeds would show an increased use of eye contact compared to all other breeds. Twenty-six different breeds of dog were used in the study, and they were classified into five groups based on genetic relatedness. These groups were ancient (e.g. Siberian Husky), herding (e.g. Border Collie), hound (e.g. Beagle), retriever-mastiff (e.g. Labrador Retriever), and working (e.g. German Shepherd Dog). experimenter who stood behind the dog after he was presented with the immovable container. Again, the dog s gazing behavior was measured. Almost all of the dogs spontaneously looked at humans during the tasks, indicating their attempt to communicate visually when trying to obtain a food reward. In fact, there were no differences in gazing behavior between breed groups during the visual contact task. However, during the unsolvable task, ancient breeds took longer to make eye contact with people, and they looked at people for shorter periods of time than any other breed group. This was in spite of the fact that they were equally motivated to solve the problem and get the treat. This indicates that ancient breeds are less likely to use eye contact with humans to communicate. This is similar to previous studies conducted with wolves and in keeping with research on wild dogs. The researchers concluded that genetic similarity to wolves is responsible for differences in eye contact behavior, rather than human selection for certain working breeds, although they couldn t rule out the influence of breeding for specific behavioral traits. Whether your dog is a natural gazer, or one of Konno s ancient breeds, you can always encourage eye contact by training a cue like Watch me. And if you re looking to get your oxytocin fix for the day, besides gazing into your dog s eyes, the same hit of the love hormone can be had from petting, cuddling, or any other positive interaction with your dog. The first task the dogs were required to complete was called the visual contact task. During this experiment, the dogs were free to make eye contact with the experimenter who was looking at the dog while standing beside an unreachable food container. The dog s gazing behavior was observed. In the second task, called the unsolvable task, the dogs were given a hidden treat. The treat was placed under a container on a wooden board. For six trials, the dog could overturn the container and get the treat, but on the seventh trial, the unsolvable trial, the container was attached to the board, and the dog could not get at the treat. The dog was free to make eye contact with both the owner and the

4 Hearing Loss in Senior Dogs Symptoms and Management By Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT Published Many senior dogs suffer from hearing impairment as they age and become less responsive to you and the world around them. Your ability to communicate with your dog becomes hampered when he can t hear what you have to say, which can be frustrating for you and stressful for your dog. But there are steps you can take to help your senior dog cope with hearing loss. Hearing Loss: Causes and Symptoms There are many causes of hearing loss in dogs, but for elderly dogs, the cause is often degenerative changes in the nerves found inside the ear. This is similar to the hearing loss seen in older people. The changes will likely be gradual, so symptoms will creep up slowly, and you may not notice right away As your dog loses his hearing, you might find him ignoring your cues, such as not sitting when asked or failing to come when you call him. Or he may seem confused by his surroundings or by your requests. He might become unresponsive to sounds that used to excite him, like the squeak of his toy or the rattle of your car keys, and fail to turn to you when you call his name. You might also find that he sleeps more deeply and is not disturbed by loud noises that he would have responded to in the past. If you see these symptoms, it's imperative to take your dog to your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and to rule out other causes. Managing Hearing Loss Now that verbal communication with your dog is more challenging, teaching hand signals will allow you to communicate visually instead. If your dog can still partially hear, add hand signals to verbal cues he already knows by giving the hand gesture before saying the cue. After enough repetitions, your dog will learn to respond to the hand signal alone. To teach new cues, simply teach the hand signal from the beginning. If you currently use a marker to train new behaviors, like a clicker or word like yes, you will need to substitute a non-auditory marker such as a hand gesture, for example a thumbs-up. Emergency whistles are very loud, and a dog with some hearing loss may still respond. Train your dog to come when he hears the whistle by offering him a super delicious treat every time you blow the whistle. You might want to practice this outside, where the loud sound will be less of an assault on your own ears. Sometimes the trick with a hearing-impaired dog is simply getting his attention. After all, he can only respond to your hand signals if he can see you. To get your dog to turn toward you, you can make a strong vibration by stamping your foot on the ground. You can also wave your hand in front of his face or train him that a light touch on the back or neck is a cue to turn toward you. Another option is a vibration collar. These are not shock collars, but are designed to gently vibrate when you press a remote control. With proper training, your dog will learn to look at you or come to you when he feels the vibration. Although deaf dogs can feel vibrations and smell/ see their surroundings, they may become frightened by sudden approaches or unexpected petting, particularly when they are disturbed from sleep. Approach your dog with heavy footsteps, so the vibrations will alert him to your presence. And be sure to help him feel comfortable with unexpected touching by desensitizing him. For example, touch your dog gently on the back and immediately offer him a food reward. It s also important to take precautions outside your home. Don t let your hearing-challenged dog off leash because he may not be able to hear traffic or other dangers. Cyclists and people on the sidewalk may also take him by surprise if he can t see them coming, so be on the lookout to move him out of the way, if need be. Consider keeping dog-dog interactions limited to familiar dogs and in places where you can supervise. If your senior dog has suffered some hearing loss, he may be losing his eyesight, as well. Practice patience if he seems to be ignoring your requests. It s not that he s being stubborn, he likely can t hear or see what you re asking. Maintain a positive attitude and communicate with him in ways he can understand. With these simple and practical alterations, you can be sure your hearing -impaired dog enjoys his senior years in a safe and fulfilled way.

5 Christmas Quotes about Dogs Published // Christmas is truly enhanced by the presence of a furry friend. Christmas is so much better with man s (or woman s!) best friend at your side. Watching your dog open presents on Christmas morning is a gift that cannot be measured. When you re feeling down during the holiday season, let your dog bring you those special touches of Christmas. No matter what, Christmas will always be better with a dog by your side. These furry friends have the power to motivate and inspire us to be better people during the Christmas season and all throughout the year. Dogs are an integral part of the family. At Christmas, the family is not complete unless the dog is present. If your furry friend is not there on Christmas morning, it just isn t going to feel like a holiday. Sometimes, it is better to spend Christmas home with the dog than out with the merrymakers. Dogs truly are able to see into our souls and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. Dogs help to bridge that gap between God and humanity and make Christmas more meaningful. Even though they cannot speak in our language-or perhaps it is that we cannot speak in theirs-we know that dogs realize the true meaning of Christmas. Every year, when you gather around the tree, you always want to have a dog by your side. Remember, a dog is a treasure, not a Christmas gift to be ignored by the time Easter rolls around. Do not give dogs as gifts unless the recipient has full intentions of showing this animal love and devotion for always. Dogs are treasures, and these treasures enhance the Christmas season. Without a dog, Christmas is going to feel a little bit empty. Dogs will love you no matter what; therefore, they channel that eternal and undying love of Christ. Dogs help us to better understand what Christmas is truly about. A Dog s Prayer Now I lay me down to sleep, The king-size bed is soft and deep.. I sleep right in the center groove My human being can hardly move! I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight And here is where I pass the night No one disturbs me or dares intrude Till morning comes and "I want food!" I sneak up slowly to begin my nibbles on my human's chin. She wakes up quickly, I have sharp teeth- I'm a puppy, don't you see? For the morning's here and it's time to play I always seem to get my way. So thank you Lord for giving me This human person that I see. The one who hugs and holds me tight And shares her bed with me at night!

6 Does Your Pet Have a Weight Problem? Published pets/webmd.com THURSDAY, Nov. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Cats with diabetes, dogs with cancer, birds with high cholesterol or even rabbits who cannot turn around to clean themselves -- what do these animals all have in common? They are either overweight or obese, and it's serious. "We have a problem -- almost all of American pets are overweight or obese," explained veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "The latest statistics show that approximately 54 percent of dogs and 59 percent of cats are overweight or obese as determined by their veterinarian," Ward said. How can you tell if your pet is overweight? For more common pets, such as dogs and cats, Ward recommends looking at their belly fat. If their belly is hanging down or dragging on the floor, it's a problem. You should also be able to feel your pet's ribs -- they should feel like the knuckles on your hand when you make a fist. But for more exotic pets -- such as birds, rabbits, ferrets or guinea pigs -- it may be harder to tell, and you must visit your vet, said veterinarian Dr. Laurie Hess. She's a bird and exotic animal specialist. To determine if a pet is overweight or obese, veterinarians use something called the Body Condition Score, or BCS, according to Ward and Hess. This looks at lean muscle mass, the size of the animal, where they carry their weight and excess abdominal fat. In her practice, Hess often sees obese birds, rabbits and even ferrets. "The saddest obese animal I've ever seen was a pet possum that was so grossly obese it couldn't stand up," Hess recalled. Overweight or obese animals aren't cute, according to Ward. It's a hazard to their health, shortening their life span, and your wallet as you pay for expensive treatments, Ward and Hess warned. "Sadly, most of the medical conditions we see in humans who suffer from excess weight, we see in dogs and cats," Ward said. "Overweight pets can suffer from osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and many forms of cancer. There is clear evidence that they are associated with excess fat issues, and it affects pets' quality of life," he explained. "If you want your pet to live a happier life, you have to keep it at a lean weight," Ward said. There's also a financial burden associated with poor pet health. Diabetes treatments for cats are a minimum of $1,000- $2,000 per year, and osteoarthritis costs at least $500- $1,000 to treat, according to Ward. For more exotic pets, such as a bird with a heart condition, Hess explained that you cannot perform heart surgery, so regular blood work and visits to the vet are necessary to monitor their health. As in humans, proper diet and exercise are the answer to reducing excess pounds and maintaining a healthy weight. Both Ward and Hess advise that pet owners follow instructions from their veterinarian as to how much food to feed their pet, and replace processed treats with fresh snacks such as baby carrots, green beans, lettuce or other vegetables, depending on the breed. For pet owners who spend their day away from home, it is important to make sure the pet has enough exercise and stimulation during the day, Ward added. For some, that could include hiring a pet sitter or walker. "I have a friend who is a dog walker, and every day she goes to a house where there is an older Amazon parrot between 30 to 40 years old," Hess said. "She is paid to exercise the bird, and he is always excited to see her. He runs around the floor to her while she's there." Both Ward and Hess suggest speaking to your veterinarian about your pet's weight at every visit. "If your vet doesn't want to talk about it, find a new vet," Ward said.

7 Basic Rules for Dogs Published show-magazine.com/poems Newspapers: If you have to go to the bathroom while playing in the front yard, always use the newspaper that's placed in the driveway every morning for that purpose. Visitors: Quickly determine which guest is afraid of dogs. Charge across the room, barking loudly and leap playfully on this person. If the human falls down on the floor and starts crying, lick its face and growl gently to show your concern. Couches: It is perfectly permissible to lie on the new couch after all your humans have gone to bed. Playing: If you lose your footing while chasing a ball or stick, use the flower bed to absorb your fall so you don't injure yourself. Chasing Cats: When chasing cats, make sure you never --quite--catch them. It spoils all the fun. Chewing: Make a contribution to the fashion industry....eat a shoe. Barking: Because you are a dog, you are expected to bark. So bark--a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night and hearing your protective bark, bark, bark Licking: Always take a big drink from your water dish immediately before licking your human. Humans prefer clean tongues. Be ready to fetch your human a towel. Holes: Rather than digging a big hole in the middle of the yard and upsetting your human, dig a lot of smaller holes all over the yard so they won't notice. If you arrange a little pile of dirt on one side of each hole, maybe they'll think it's gophers. There are never enough holes in the ground. Strive daily to do your part to help correct this problem. Doors: The area directly in front of a door is always reserved for the family dog to sleep. The Art of Sniffing: Humans like to be sniffed. Everywhere. It is your duty, as the family dog, to accommodate them. Dining Etiquette: Always sit under the table at dinner, especially when there are guests, so you can clean up any food that falls on the floor. It's also a good time to practice your sniffing. Housebreaking: Housebreaking is very important to humans, so break as much of the house as possible. Going for Walks: Rules of the road: When out for a walk with your master or mistress, never go to the bathroom on your own lawn.

8 GGDFA Newsletter c/o Claire Hedrick 514 NW 127th Street Newberry, Fl ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Secretary s Notice of GGDFA Meetings The next General Meeting of the GGDFA will be Tuesday, Dec 12th, promptly at 7:30 pm PINE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH, 4200 NW 39TH AVE, Gainesville, FL The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, Dec 26th Training Classes LOCATION: OAK HALL SCHOOL - Covered and lighted Tower Road, Gainesville Obedience/Rally classes Thursdays 6:00 pm With Denise Gaboury Conformation classes see Susie Keel Facebook Newsletter The views and opinions in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Newsletter Editor or those of the GGDFA Officers and Board of Directors. The editor reserves the right to edit or withhold copy that which may be detrimental to the standards of this publication. The deadline for submission of articles, announcements, and brags to the newsletter is the 15 th of each month. Materials received after that date will appear in the following month s publication, depending upon space availability. You can the editor at claire@ggdfa.org.