Page 1 Fall 2018 Issue Pet Club s Email address is: scgpets@gmail.com Pet Club s Upcoming Meeting Dates: October 5th 2018 December 7th 2018 All Meetings at 10 AM in the Sonoran Plaza Mesquite / Palms Room Check the Pet Club s Web Site on Grandinfo for information on 2019 meetings Inside this issue: Topic Page President Message 1 Cancer in Pets 2 Meet Murphy 3 Pet Club Tidbits 4 Halloween Party 2018 5 Popular Pet Names 6 Presidential Dogs 7-8 The Lighter Side 9 Emergency Information 10 From the Desk of the President, Saunders McDonald Dear Pet club members, We hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer! Our pet club year starts off with our October 5 th meeting which will include an introduction to pet sitters available in Sun City Grand. We are also meeting with the SCG space allocation committee to discuss our needs. Suggestions (we welcome more from all of you) include more seating in the small dog park and a pet friendly dining area on our outdoor patios. Wouldn t it be nice to take your dog to dinner or lunch with you? We will also be hosting the annual Pet Halloween Party again this year! Dress up your furry children for another morning of fun on October 31 st at 10:00 am in the small dog pet park. We have requested that our 2019 meetings be changed from the first Friday to the second Friday of the month hopefully, that will allow greater attendance due to fewer conflicts with other activities in the area. Our challenge continues to be finding officers to take over in January. I am stepping down as president, but will be happy to assist the new board in any way I can. My personal situation does not allow me to continue. If we can not find a new president, we will be forced to disband the Pet club as a chartered club that would be catastrophic as we have been in existence since 2000! Please consider volunteering to serve! Join the Pet Club 11 Current Officers for 2018 President: Saunders McDonald V. P. Tom Moses Secretary: Joyce Holoubek Treasurer: Rose Kugler 5th Board Dean Cornille Member As announced in the Spring, we are changing our meeting schedule to ensure we have informative speakers. Therefore, there will only be 4 meetings planned for this season. In December we will have dog training experts as speakers, including a demonstration in the pet park. Should be a very interesting meeting! Thanks go to Dean Cornille for once again putting together an informative and interesting newsletter! Saunders McDonald
Page 2 Cancer in Pets Similar to humans, our pets are living longer due to advances in medicine and an emphasis on preventive care and nutrition. Living longer lives exposes our animals to diseases of aging, especially cancer. An estimated 6 million dogs and nearly 6 million cats will be diagnosed with cancer this year. In many of these animals, the malignancy will look and behave much as it would in humans, i.e, spreading to the same organs. Cancer occurs when the body s immune system cannot stop cells from replicating at an abnormally fast, disorderly pace and forming a mass known as a tumor. Just as in humans, companion animal cancer is not caused by any single factor. While genetics and environmental factors can play a role in the disease s development, other variables such as toxins, radiation and tumor viruses, as well as hormones can also be responsible for causing several types of cancer. And finally, suppressed or deficient immune systems can increase an animal s risk of developing cancer. Dogs are affected by more forms of cancer compared to other companion animals. According to The Veterinary Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs, especially dogs over age ten, and 32% of cats. Dogs get cancer at about the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Some breeds or families of dogs have a higher incidence for developing cancer at an earlier age, but in most cases it s a disease found in aging animals. There are nearly 100 types of animal cancer. Cancer in pets can be found in the skin, bones, breast, head & neck, lymph system, abdomen and testicles. Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in cats and lymphoma and mammary gland cancer are the most common type of dog cancers. Types of Cancer Approximately one-third of all tumors in dogs are skin tumors, and up to twenty percent of those are mast cell tumors. The most common location to find mast cell tumors is the skin, followed by the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Approximately half of all skin tumors are found on the body, another forty percent on the limbs (most frequently the hind limbs), and the remainder on the head or neck. Approximately eleven percent occur in more than one location. The list below highlights the most common types of cancer. Skin Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are often benign. Your veterinarian should examine all skin tumors in a dog or cat to determine if any are malignant. Mammary Gland (Breast) 50% of all breast tumors in dogs and greater than 85% of all breast tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your female pet before 12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of mammary gland cancer. Head & Neck Neoplasia of the mouth is common in dogs and less common in cats. Signs to watch for are a mass or tumor on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficulty eating. Since many swellings are malignant, early, aggressive treatment is essential. Neoplasia may also develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose, breathing difficulty, or facial swelling are signs that may indicate neoplasia and should be checked by your veterinarian. Lymphoma Lymphoma is a common form of neoplasia in dogs and cats. It is characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in the body. A contagious feline leukemia virus can be the cause of lymphoma in some cats. Testicles Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs, especially those with retained testicles (testicles that did not move to their normal positions during growth, and may be located in the abdomen or between the abdomen and scrotum). Abdominal Tumors Tumors inside the abdomen are common but it is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss or abdominal swelling are signs of these tumors. Bone Bone tumors are most often seen in large breed dogs and dogs older than seven years, and rarely in cats. The leg bones, near joints, are the most common sites. Persistent pain, lameness, and swelling in the affected area are common signs of the disease. Want more information on cancer in pets go to the link below: http://www.labbies.com/cancerintro.htm
Page 3 Meet Murphy! We would like to introduce you to Murphy. He was adopted by Barb Swenson from Dachshunds Only Rescue when he was about nine years old in February of 2015. Because of his mellow personality, Barb knew that he might be a great therapy dog. He became a Registered Therapy Dog in May, 2016. Murphy and Barb went to a nursing home nearly every Wednesday until he retired in May, 2018. Murphy was showing signs of becoming very weak in his back legs. He was not a good candidate for surgery because of his heart issue. During a presentation at one of the pet club s meeting by Grand Paws Animal Clinic I was made aware of a new procedure called Plate Rich Plasma (PRP) that could help Murphy with the back pain. After examining Murphy Grand Paws felt that he would probably benefit with the PRP therapy. PRP has many of the same properties as Stem Cell therapy, but is not a permanent re-growth like Stem Cells are. Stem Cells travel throughout the body and recreate and rebuild tissues, cells and cartilage. PRP is the portion in Stem Cells that helps to heal, relieve pain and will produce results in a few days. PRP assists in the release of growth factors that are responsible for tissue regeneration. It stimulates healing and new blood vessel growth. PRP can be used to treat Degenerative joint disease, Hip Dysplasia, IVDD, Arthritic joint changes and pain associated with inflammation, Accelerates healing of bone, muscle, tendon and ligaments. For the initial visit, I dropped him off in the morning and was able to pick him up in the afternoon after the x-ray, blood drawing and the first injection. Murphy s problem was discovered to be in his spine not in his hips as expected. All future visits for injections take only about one hour. After only two injections, he seems much more stable in his hind legs and much more lively. The entire PRP therapy process is probably affordable for most pet parents. I chose to pursue PRP therapy as a way to keep him more comfortable and more mobile in his senior years. Murphy had his fourth PRP injection and Doctor Johnson will re-evaluate Murphy s progress in two weeks. In my opinion, Murphy is doing much better, he definitely seems much more free of pain and much more stable in his back legs. Murphy now frequently scampers around with his sister Rosie when she is running about. I also have seen that Murphy no longer shivers in pain in the mornings, so I no longer need to give him the Meloxicam every day. I only wish that I had known about Grand Paws and the option of PRP therapy when I first saw that Murphy was losing strength in his back legs in March of 2017. I would recommend that everyone consider this therapy as an option. It is reasonably affordable for most pet parents, in my opinion. I have found the entire staff at Grand Paws to be extremely professional and accommodating. Below is the information provided by Grand Paws at the Pet Club s meeting on cost of the procedure. PRP Treatment Initial $250 Hospitalization Estimate $42- $56 Post Pain Injection $27.50 Meds to go Home Up To $25 In house Storage $65 Estimate Total Procedure cost $410- $423 Note above costs are from the presentation at the pet club s meeting and may change over time. Grand Paws address is 11310 W. Bell RD, Ste 103 Surprise, AZ 85378. Phone # 623-322-3919
Page 4 Pet Club Tidbits! QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR A VETERINARIAN How many veterinarians are at the practice? Large practices may offer the convenience of longer hours but some people prefer a closer relationship with just one or two practitioners. What types of animal do they see? Most practices provide services for dogs and cats, while some will also see exotic pets, such as ferrets, chinchillas and rats, as well as reptiles and birds. Do the veterinarians have experience with particular conditions or breeds? Some breeds are prone to specific conditions that may be difficult to spot or treat. Finding a veterinarian who is familiar with a certain breed s medical quirks may save some headaches down the road. What happens if my pet has an emergency after hours? Some practices have a veterinarian available after regular hours, while others will recommend the closest emergency practice. While you may never need this service, it is best to know the options beforehand rather than try to figure it out during an emergency situation. Help an overheated dog cool down fast If your dog is panting and drooling more than usual and you notice that his tongue and gums are bright pink, he may be overheating. To cool him down quickly, soak a towel in cold water and wrap it around his neck and head (being careful not to cover his eyes, nose or mouth). Next, place a few more cold, wet towels on his front legs and groin region. If your dog doesn t improve, if he worsens within five minutes or if he vomits or has diarrhea within the next 24 hours, a visit to the vet is in order. Star-spangled pet names When it comes to naming our pets, many of us are inspired by our love of the USA. Here, the top 5 patriotic pet names: 1. MADISON 2. FRANKLIN 3. HAMILTON 4. JEFFERSON and 5. WASHINGTON THIS YEAR S MOST POPULAR BREEDS What your favorite type of dog? The AKC recently released its 2018 list of the most popular dog breeds in the US. While the Labrador retriever is still at the top of the list, making it the longest-ranking breed at number one in the organization s history, the Frenchie is quickly closing in in just four years, this breed has risen from 76th to fourth place. Here are the top ten breeds for this year: Visit akc.org for the full list. 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German shepherd dogs 3. Retrievers (golden) 4. French bulldogs 5. Bulldogs 6. Beagles 7. Poodles 8. Rottweilers 9. Yorkshire terriers 10. Pointers (German shorthaired) The French bulldog s rising popularity may result from the breed s increasing presence in Hollywood. If you re thinking of adopting a Frenchie or Frenchie mix, do your homework first. Though cute, good-hearted and obedient, this flat-faced breed is at high risk for respiratory issues. Icy kitty treat for boiling hot days in the Desert To ensure your furry pal gets enough water on steamy days, make a batch of homemade frozen treats. To do: Place 1/4 pound of raw chicken and 2 cups of water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 2 hours. Once the liquid cools, pour it into ice cube trays, then cut the meat into bite-size pieces and place a morsel of meat in each compartment; freeze. On hot days, pop out a cube and place it on a dish for your cutie. She ll love lapping up the broth trying to get to the meat, and she ll get more water in the process.
Page 5 2018 Halloween Party at the Pet Park The Pet Club s annual Halloween party will be held in the small dog park on the 31 st of October (Halloween of course) at 10 AM. There were approximately 60 dogs and 75-80 residents attending last year and we are hoping to make a new record this year. It will be a fun filled day and each dog will be given a treat bag of American made and sourced dog treats. Feel free to bring a lawn chair if you want, sometimes the seating at the park is limited. Below are some pictures of last years event. Kasey is ready for turkey day President, Saunders McDonald welcomes the party guest! Spider Woman and Super hero on the green carpet Carolina and Zack the frog on the green carpet Super Hero in attendance! Gale with Queen Maeve and Sophie Sun City Grand residents enjoying the Halloween Party The Pet Club hopes all the residents of Sun City Grand will accept our invitation to the Halloween party, October 31, 10 AM in the small dog park
Page 6 Pet Names In the last newsletter we looked at the different pet breeds across the country and how they compared to the breeds here in Sun City Grand. For this newsletter we will look at the most popular names for pets across the country and how they match up with the names here in Sun City Grand. First up let s look at the most popular dog names in the United States. In Sun City Grand we do not track the gender of the pet so we will list the top 20 names for dogs and top 18 for cats. Dog Names in Grand The top ten names for male dogs are: Max Charlie Buddy Cooper Jack Rocky Bear Duke Toby The top ten names for female dogs are: Bella Lucy Daisy Lola Luna Molly Sadie Sophie Bailey 1 through 10 Bella Lexit or Lexi Max Chloe Sophie Lucy Bailey Daisy Cooper Maggie Charlie Gracie Molly Annie Sadie Buddy Gus Lilly Bentley Pepper 11 through 20 Now for the most popular cats names in the United States. Cat names in Grand The top ten names for male Cats are: Max Oliver Tiger Simba Charlie Milo Smokey Jack Leo Kitty The top ten names for female Cats are: Bella Kitty Lucy Chloe Luna Sophie Lily or Lilly Daisy Callie Princess Ace Angel Annie Baby Girl Gracie Jack Josie Kitty Minkee First 9 Nanitloku Packer Riley Rob Samantha Smoke Snow Stormy Last 8
Page 7 Famous Presidential Dogs Some of the most famous residents of the White House have been the president's dogs. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, there have consistently been dogs in the White House Here's an overview of some interesting presidential pups that lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President Barack Obama Bo, a Portuguese Water dog, helped President Obama keep a promise to his daughters Malia and Sasha. While still a candidate for the presidency, he promised that they could get a dog after the election regardless of the results. Bo was a gift from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in 2009, and the breed was selected specifically to help accommodate Malia's allergies. Next came another Portuguese Water dog named Sunny that was adopted in 2013 President George W. Bush President George W. Bush had two Scottish Terriers (Miss Beazley and Barney) and Spot, an English springer spaniel. Spot was the offspring of the elder President Bush's famous dog Millie. Barney was ever-so-popular, as he had an official website that featured "Barneycam" videos that were filmed from a camera hung around his neck. President George H.W. Bush Millie, one of the most famous presidential dogs, was an English springer spaniel. She reached the top of the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list in 1992 for her memoir, Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. It also spent 23 weeks on Publishers Weekly's hardcover bestseller list. The book gave a first-pup's view into White House life, covering President Bush's terms in office. Millie's only male puppy from her White House litter became a beloved family pet as well. President Lyndon B. Johnson Yuki, a mixed-breed dog well-known for her singing, was loved deeply by President Johnson. In fact, it's tough to find another presidential pup that was so well-loved. They'd swim together, sleep together, and they even danced together at his daughter Lynda's wedding. The First Lady needed to convince President Johnson that the dog did not need to be in the wedding pictures. There were five other dogs that served their time in the White House while President Johnson was in office: four beagles (Him, Her, Edgar, and Freckles) and Blanco, a collie that often scuffled with two of the beagles.
Page 8 Famous Presidential Dogs (Continued) President John F. Kennedy Gaullie, a French poodle, was originally the First Lady's dog that accompanied her to the White House. The president's dogs included Charlie, a Welsh terrier; Wolf, an Irish wolfhound; and Clipper, a German shepherd. Pushinka and Shannon the cocker spaniel were other pets added to Kennedy's herd. The two were bestowed as gifts from the leaders of the Soviet Union and Ireland, respectively. A canine romance budded between Pushinka and Charlie that ended with a litter of puppies. The furry bundles of joy named Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie, and Streaker lived at the White House for two months. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt President Roosevelt loved dogs, and had seven of them, which included some of his children's pets, but none more than his famous Scottish Terrier puppy, Fala. Originally named after a Scottish ancestor, Murray the Outlaw of Falahill, Fala traveled extensively with the president, who personally fed his best furry friend dinner every night. When FDR died, Fala walked beside his remains in the funeral. He is also the only dog immortalized in a presidential memorial. Here is some more trivia on pets in the White House Which president had a bear as a pet? Answer: Theodore Roosevelt (26th President, 1901-1913) and his family also loved animals and had plenty of them at the White House, including a zebra, a parrot, bears, a lion, a hyena, a coyote, rats, and a one-legged rooster. Which president had a pet alligator? Answer: President John Quincy Adams had an unusual pet an alligator! He kept it in the East Room of the White House. Which president had a pet cow? cow named Sukey Answer: William Harrison had a billy goat at the White House and a Which president had a pet Rooster? Answer: William Mckinley and Theodore Roosevelt each had a rooster, but Roosevelt s only had one leg. Which president had pet Coonhounds? Answer: Owning Coonhounds isn t that rare, but naming them Drunkard, Taster, Tipler, and Tipsy is. Those were the names of George Washington s hounds.
Page 9 The Lighter Side A sign posted in a campground in South Dakota All work and no play!!!!
Page 10 If you have an emergency situation involving your pet, always try your regular veterinarian first, then call one of these clinics noted for supplying 24x7 emergencies and offhour clinical services. Also listed is the Pet Poison center and Pet Health Pharmacy for your information BluePearl Veterinary Partners (Closest to Sun City) 9875 W Peoria Ave, Peoria, AZ (Grand) (623) 974-1520 BluePearl Veterinary Partners W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd Suite #101 Avondale, AZ (623) 385-4555 Regional Animal Hospital 520 W Union Hills Dr. Suite #105, Phoenix, AZ (623) 849-0700 Pet Poison Center 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center (800) 213-6680 www.petpoisonhelpline.com BluePearl Veterinary Partners - Phoenix 2260 W Glendale Ave Phoenix, AZ 85021 (602) 995-3757 Note: Not a 24 hours clinic, but is open on weekends Sun Valley Hope Animal Hospital 7150 N. 110th Ave Glendale, AZ 85307 623-512-4673 VetMed 20610 North Cave Creek Rd Phoenix, AZ 85024 (602) 697-4694 Pet Health Pharmacy 12012 N. 111th Ave Youngtown, AZ 85363 (800) 742-0516 This is a selection of Websites that are health related and are a valuable resource for pet owners. Just type the web address into your browser. American Veterinary Medical Assoc. Arizona Humane Society (info) www.avma.org www.azhumane.org Dog Food Advisor Dog Food Reviews American Kennel Club www.dogfoodadvisor.com AKC.org If you know of other emergency facilities not listed above or other Websites that may be useful to pet owners please email the news letter editor at DeanCornille@cox.net
Page 11 Sun City Grand Pet Club Membership Application (Please complete the information below show all members names) 1. 2. Address: Zip Code: Telephone: Name Email Association # Name of Pet(s) Breed Color Gender Maricopa License ID# (Optional) Dog Cat Other Pet ownership is not required for membership; however you must be a resident of Sun City Grand and have an association number to join the pet club. The Pet Club distributes a membership list to the current members annually; if you do not want your information provided in the annual membership document please check this box The annual membership is $10.00 per person Number of residents listed above: Amount of check: Date: Please send this application along with a check made payable to Sun City Grand Pet Club Mail To: Sun City Grand Pet Club Attn: Treasurer 19753 N. Remington Dr. Surprise, AZ 85374 Please Read the text below. Note Pet Club s Policies: The Pet Club supports many local animal shelters by donating food and other items that may be needed. The club also provides monetary donations to the shelters. Some of the monetary donations may come from membership dues. This amount may not exceed 50% of the dues and must be approved by the Pet Club s officers and membership at a meeting with a quorum present. If you DO NOT want any of your pet club dues to be used for charitable donations please check the box below I do NOT want any of my dues to be used for charitable donations. Please use them only for Pet Club activities and events. Check the Pet Club s web site on www.grandinfo.com for meeting time, places, agendas and speakers.