August 2017 Renaissance Poodles The Newsletter of Poodle Rescue of New England Welcome Note by Mahala Beams Those of us who have lived with a dog or dogs for part or most of our lives know instinctively that dogs enrich our lives in many ways. But we also sense that our furry companions make us healthier. Indeed that is the case as reported recently in the September 2017 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter, volume 28, #1. Because we have a dog or dogs that need exercise and outings, we move more, which makes us fitter, strengthening our muscles and cardiovascular systems. When we venture out with our companions, we often go with, or meet others, who are walking their dogs too. These interactions also keep us healthy, stimulating our minds and producing a sense of well being through social connections. At home when we cuddle and stroke our dogs or look into their faces, our blood pressure goes down (and so does theirs!), probably because of the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone. Living with a dog who lives in the moment also helps to put us in the moment, reducing the stress of our complicated lives in a complicated world. Continued on page 2 Dyson and Frannie Frannie has found her way Home by Kelly Wynne...and her BFF, Dyson, came along for the ride! You will recall Frannie's story from the May issue of Renaissance Poodles. She was found as a stray, horribly matted with a torqued jaw and a tooth that was pressing on the top of her mouth causing extreme pain. After surgery to correct her jaw Continued on page 2 In this issue: Welcome Note... page 1 Dr. Kay on Ear Infections...page 7 Frannie Has Found Her Way Home.. page 1 Gallery: Summer Outings...page 10 Meet Bob....page 3 Poodle Cartons from Canine Horizons..page 11 When Cometh.... page 4 Who We Are.....page 11 PRNE s 17 th annual Barbecue...page 5
Welcome Note continued from page 1 Frannie continued from page 1 So if you should find yourself at some point without a dog in your life, consider adopting a rescue from an organization like PRNE. Providing a good home for a rescued dog who may have had a difficult start in life is especially gratifying and may bring health benefits as well. Loving and being loved by a furry companion is a great prescription for good health! To learn more, visit the Harvard Medical School s Special Health Report Get Healthy, Get a Dog at: www.health.harvard.edu/dog as much as possible and remove the painful tooth, Frannie went into foster care. That's where she met Dyson and his wonderful tail, which she just loves to pull on. The two of them bonded quickly and spent lots of time chasing each other around and wrestling. Their foster mom knew they would be happiest if they could be adopted together. After losing my two senior Poodles within days of each other, I reached out to PRNE to inquire about possibly fostering again, as I had done in the past. That's when I was told about Frannie and Dyson. I read their stories and saw their photos on the PRNE website and that was it; I was in love! Now the two of them chase each other around my backyard, with Frannie pulling Dyson's tail every chance she gets. Funny thing is, he really seems to enjoy it! We love taking long walks through the neighborhood and spending time cuddling on the couch together. I'm very thankful to PRNE for bring Frannie, Dyson and me together. We're a very happy family, forever. Figaro joins his friend Jasper and other PRNE poodle ambassadors at PETCO, which generously contributes to PRNE s rescue work. Many thanks to PETCO for its ongoing support! 2
Meet Bob Under the A.K.C. s radar a backyard breeder thought mottled piebald black and white markings on a plush curly coat and cool-blue eyes would rock and rule, and such machinations produced Bob but oh no! He was diagnosed a double merle stigmatized a genetic defect labeled a lethal white doomed to disability: blind and deaf. The vet advised euthanize but no! Looking more like panda than poodle the innocent must be saved resolved the breeder. Off Bob went from home to home landing in the arms of Poodle Rescue New England for fostering and feasting unlimited love and attention surrounded by toys and minis, Amanda and Ave nurturing this sweet eager-to-please teen needing a job. So when my email arrived in Amanda s inbox announcing Therapy Dog Micah s death, Bob was matched at last with me for training, plenty of treats and hope as an anti-stigma dog working in rehabilitation, cuddled and caressed, unconditionally accepting no matter what the diagnosis. marjorie jacobs, 12/18/16 3
When Cometh When the new arrival jiggles the family, countless worries, rolling over most people, keep us awake. We re fidgeting under night covers reviewing the day: what went well what didn t, fretting about the precious one s peeing, pooping (like a whirling dervish), sleeping, drinking, eating, playing teaching fetch and find it, watching his every move, every stop. Our heart dithers as our mind forgets what it knows. With our nurturing our cherub, curled up between us, chin warm upon my leg, will be just fine. marjorie Jacobs, 1/4/16 4
PRNE s 17 th Annual Barbecue On Saturday afternoon, August 12, poodle devotees and other dog lovers from all over joined together for the 17 th Annual Poodle Rescue of New England Barbecue at the Maspenock Club in Milford. Participants, both human and canine, enjoyed lots of socializing, a delicious spread, live music, games, the opportunity to bid on some fabulous items in the Silent Auction as well as the chance to win the raffle. All proceeds benefited PRNE s mission to rescue and rehome poodles in need. Bidding on Silent Auction Items Enjoying A Delicious Spread 5
Poodles and People Socializing 6
Were You Smarter Than a Vet Student About Ear Infections? Nancy Kay, DVM (Sept. 4, 2017), reproduced with permission Dr. Kay, author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life and of Your Dog s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect of Your Vet has graciously granted permission for PRNE to reprint one of her informative articles in each issue of Renaissance Poodles. Dr. Kay s extensive credentials follow: Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine; Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award; Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award; Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog; Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award; Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award. For more information, visit her website: http://www.speakingforspot.com On August 28, 2017, Dr. Kay posted a quiz: Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student About Ear Infections? On September 4, 2017, she posted the quiz with the correct answers in bold print, prefacing it as follows: Below are the correct responses to the quiz questions along with explanations. I hope you learn something new! 1. Ear infections can be caused by: a. Allergies b. Water in the ear canals c. Hormonal imbalances d. All of the above Most ear infections have an underlying predisposing cause that alters the health of the ear canal thereby setting the stage for yeast or bacteria to set up housekeeping. A moist environment within the ear canal is one such predisposing cause. Hormonal imbalances and allergies can cause inflammation within the lining of the ear canals which can result in secondary infection. 2. Which of the following is not a cause of ear infections? a. Yeast b. Foreign bodies c. Viruses d. Tumors Anything that disrupts the normal architecture of the ear canal, such as a tumor or foreign body, can result in secondary infections. Those of you who live west of the Mississippi are likely familiar with foxtails, far and away the most common foreign body to land in a dog s ear canal. Yeast organisms thrive in warm moist environments, and are a common cause of canine ear infections. Viruses are not a cause of ear infections. 3. Ear mites are common in: a. Adult dogs b. Adult cats c. Kittens and puppies d. Feral cats Continued on page 8 7
Were You Smarter Than a Vet Student continued from page 7 Ear mites are readily contagious with close contact, so it makes sense that they are common within feral cat colonies. While ear mites do occur in dogs and cats of all ages, these creepy crawlies are a relatively uncommon cause of ear infections. 4. The cause of an ear infection can be reliably determined by: a. The appearance of the discharge b. The odor of the discharge c. An otoscopic exam (looking in the ear canal with an otoscope) d. None of the above Microscopic examination of discharge from the ear canal is the very best way to diagnose whether an infection is caused by yeast, bacteria, or mites. This determination cannot be made simply by smell or visual inspection. 5. Infection-associated tears in the eardrum (tympanic membrane): a. Are very uncommon b. Dictate a change in treatment strategy c. Cause deafness d. Are typically very slow to heal Infection-associated tears in the eardrum are relatively common. When this is the case, it s presumed that there is also infection within the middle and inner compartments of the ear, a condition referred to as otitis media interna. These tears tend to heal rather quickly. The tear itself does not typically cause deafness, but chronic inner ear infections certainly can. Finding a tear within the tympanic membrane definitely changes treatment strategy compared to finding infection only within the external ear canal. For example, systemic rather than just topical antibiotics might be used and ear cleaning is avoided for fear of flushing debris deeper into the middle and inner ear compartments. 6. Patients with recurrent or chronic ear infections are sometimes referred to: a. A veterinarian who specializes in dermatology b. A veterinarian who specializes in neurology c. A veterinarian who specializes in surgery d. Any of the above Referral to a veterinary specialist makes really good sense when ear infections recur frequently, cannot be resolved, and/or lead to other abnormalities. Given that the lining of the ear canal is an extension of the skin, referral to a dermatologist (skin doc) is a logical choice. If the ear infection affects the inner ear and neurological symptoms such as a head tilt or dizziness develop, help from a neurologist may be recruited. A veterinarian who specializes in surgery may be called upon to either open up or entirely remove the external ear canal. These are last resort treatments, used when the ear canal has become profoundly scarred and narrowed as a result of chronic inflammation. 7. Which of the following is not a potential strategy for preventing ear infections? a. Regular ear cleaning b. Regular swimming to help flush out the ear canals c. Ear canal surgery d. Feeding a special diet Food allergies can create ear canal inflammation that sets the stage for infection, hence the need for a special diet. Regular ear cleaning works well to manage some dogs and cats with recurrent ear infections. As mentioned in question 6, surgery is used to treat some animals with severe ear canal changes caused by chronic inflammation. Water deposited in the ear canals as a result of swimming can be a cause of recurrent ear infections for some dogs. It is never considered a preventive strategy. Continued on page 9 8
Were You Smarter Than a Vet Student continued from page 8 8. Which one of the following statements is true? a. The treatment for ear infections is typically the same regardless of cause. b. Most ear infections are contagious from one ear to the other. c. Most ear infections arise because of some other underlying issue. d. Ear infections invariably cause scratching at the ears and/or head shaking. The treatment strategy for ear infections varies from patient to patient depending on the type of infection present as well as its underlying cause. Other than ear mites that trundle over the top of the head from one ear to the other, ear infections are not considered to be contagious from ear to ear. Because both ear canals are typically impacted by the same underlying issue (water in ear canals, allergies, hormonal imbalances, etc.) that sets the stage for infection, it makes sense that both ears are often affected. Lastly, while head shaking and ear scratching are common indicators of an ear infection, not all dogs and cats demonstrate these symptoms. Have these answers surprised you? Have you learned anything new? If you would like to respond publicly, please visit: http://www.speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=5528. A Happy Tail! Hudson in his wonderful new home with his adopted dad, Mark, and sister, Bella 9
Summer Outings Banner strolls on a windy day G A L L E R Y Banner goes for a walk Banner goes for a boat ride Trinket paddle-boards in NH Winnie enjoys the outdoors Trinket surveys the scenery in Banff, Canada Figaro poses in the flowers Trinket and Baci relax Banner socializes with friends 10
"But, I don't want that one. I want what he has." "Ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." From Poodle Cartoons (page 2 and 3) - by Charlene Dunlap Reproduced with permission from www.caninehorizons.com Chispo in his new home WHO WE ARE Newsletter: Mahala Beams, editing and layout; and Amanda Lion Board of Directors: Merrilea Agostino, Anne Aronson, Amanda Lion, Amy Moore, and Gayle Morelli For more information on Poodle Rescue of New England, please visit our website: www.poodlerescuenewengland.org 11