Hiking With Your Dog

Spring is finally here, and we're all itching to get outside and enjoy the beautiful area we live in.  Taking your dog on a hike is great way to explore the outdoors and keep your dog in shape.  But before you lace up the boots and grab the leash, check out our tips for hiking with your pup.

1. Know the conditions.
Is the trail hard-packed soil? Crushed stones? Jagged rocks?  Is it really steep in places? Is it going to get significantly warmer or colder throughout the day? Are there water sources available? And most importantly, is the trail explicitly not dog-friendly? All of these should factor in to your plans to bring your dog hiking. You want to be sure that the terrain and weather are both something your dog can handle, and that you're not going to place your furry friend in to a dangerous situation. Check weather forecasts, trail maps, elevation maps, and recommendations. Most marked trails are now present online, on either official sites, hiking search engines, or personal blogs. Do a search and see what you find out.

2. Know your dog.

Nobody knows your dog better than you do.  Before heading out on a hike, make sure your pup is up to par.   If they aren't acting themselves, or appear to be tired or lazy, you may choose to not bring them, or choose a more fitting trail/hike.  If your dog is recuperating from a procedure, a sprain, or another ailment, you may choose to leave them at home, as well.  Being their owner, you know your dogs limitations and energy levels.  So if your dog is tired after a walk around the block, you don't want to bring them on a hike up a mountain.  You also want to be sure their paws are in good condition.  If they have a sore or a split pad, hiking could only make it worse.  Examine your pup and use your judgement.

3. Be prepared. For anything!

Any hiker knows that you need to be prepared for anything.  In addition to the basics, such as a compass, map, and extra pair of socks, you want to be prepared for anything regarding your dog.  You need to bring water if you hike by yourself, so you need to bring some (and maybe a collapsible water bowl) when you hike with your dog too.  Don't rely on the availability of natural streams, rivers, or brooks.  Even if the water is running, it may still contain nasty parasites that can be ingested through the water.  You may want to bring a snack or treats for them as well.  Hiking can drain their energy, which you need to replenish, and you may need to reward them if you have to issue commands at all.  And just as you'd bring a first aid get for yourself when hiking, bring some supplies for your dog too, just in case.  Be sure to include gauze and bandage tape, as well as a tick removal tool.  Also, knowing where the nearest emergency vet is helpful to know, if your dog get's injured or has an injury.  Bring the contact info, as well as a cellphone.  It's better to be safe than sorry.

4. Be responsible.

Your dog's safety and well-being is your responsibility.  Make sure they are current on their rabies vaccinations, especially if it's a popular trail for other dogs.  Even when controlled by a leash, trails are narrow in areas, and a passing dog could have just enough time to get in a scuffle with your dog.  Speaking of leashes, be sure to always have one when hiking with your dog.  Aside from being required on most hiking trails, all it takes is a running squirrel to make you wish you brought it.  Your dog may stay by your side or respond instantly to your commands, but always have a leash readily available. You also want to be sure they are current with their flea and tick prevention.  Some treatments repel fleas and ticks, but still be sure to check your dog after each hike, before getting back in your vehicle.

Hiking's a peaceful time to reconnect with nature, get some fresh air, and relax.  For humans and dogs alike.  Be safe, be prepared, be mindful, and you and your pup can enjoy hikes for years to come.

Vermont's Raw Milk Bill - Final Vote on Friday

Legislation (S.70) to allow the sale of raw milk at farmer's markets has passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and is currently pending before the House Agriculture Committee. The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association, The American Academy of Pediatric, and other groups, oppose the sale of raw milk because of the possibility it may contain dangerous bacteria, that then could turn in to a major public health risk.

If you oppose this bill as well, we urge you to contact your state representatives from the list below.  Action is needed today, as this bill goes to vote tomorrow.  We've included a sample letter that you're more than welcome to copy and paste, and send to your representative.

List of State Representatives and Their Contact Info

"Dear Representative _____________,
I am writing to urge you to vote against S. 70, a bill to allow the delivery of raw milk at farmers’ markets.   I believe that the evidence clearly shows that raw milk and associated raw dairy products have the significant potential to cause serious illness.  This probability is considerably greater than for pasteurized dairy products, and, when such sickness strikes, it disproportionately affects young people who are not only most vulnerable but who are also unable to give informed consent.  

As the movement to relax regulation of raw milk sales is becoming more widespread, the rate of disease caused by raw dairy products is likewise rising.  A recent article in the Washington Post citing CDC data reported that, in the last five years, outbreaks of disease due to raw milk have nearly doubled, with eight of such ten cases occurring in states that permit the sale of raw dairy products.  Diseases that can be caused by raw milk include kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by E. coli) as well as paralysis (Guillain Barre Syndrome caused by Campylobacter).

Sale of raw milk at farmers’ markets has intrinsic dangers.  Raw milk will always contain some bacteria, and these bacteria will grow rapidly if the milk spends any time above 40° F.  Should the milk contain disease-causing pathogens, levels of bacteria sufficient to cause disease could be reached rather rapidly. In addition to harm caused to affected individuals, an outbreak of raw milkborne disease could cause irreparable harm to Vermont’s dairy industry as a whole. I urge you to vote against the passage of S. 70.  Thank you.  

Sincerely,

Your name

Your town"

You can also find more information about the risks of raw milk at the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association website.

Five Animals Who've Done the Impossible

1. Salty & Roselle, two guide dogs who saved their owners' lives on 9/11

Later awarded the Dickin Medal, from the Peoples’ Dispensary for Sick Animals, these two labrador retrievers safely guided their owners from the burning towers, never leaving their sides. Roselle also helped guide 30 other individuals from the towers, saving their lives as well. Her owner, Michael Hingson, eventually wrote a book in her honor, Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero.

More info at Wikipedia - Salty and Roselle

2. Artificial Legs with Crocs Give New Life to Paralyzed Dog

Spencer the Bulldog was found without use of his two hind legs.  Watch the video and learn how some human compassion and great doctors gave him the chance to change his life forever.

3. Cat Heaven Island, Where Cats Have Officially Taken Over

An island in Japan, officially named Tashirojima, has become home to hundreds, if not thousands of cats, outnumbering the 100 or so humans long ago. Mostly fed by local fishermen as a means to gain luck, these cats have made quite a life for themselves, and even have multiple shrines dedicated to them. No dogs are present on the island, and are prohibited from visiting. Japanese photographer Fubirai has documented the island, and more photos can be seen on his website http://d.hatena.ne.jp/fubirai/ .

4. Injured Raven Asks for First Aid After Porcupine Attack

After a losing battle with a porcupine, a raven calls for help from outside a woman’s home.  It stayed still as the woman approached it, and allowed her to pull the porcupine quills out. Amazing that it knew it needed help, and let her tend to its wound.  Watch the video and see for yourself on Buzzfeed.com.

5. Pet Parrot Saves Choking Baby's Life

When babysitter Megan Howard went to the bathroom, Willie, a Quaker parrot, started squawking louder than usual when he saw the two year old girl choking and turning blue. Willie squawked "Mama baby!" over and over again, until Howard saw that the little girl was in danger. Willie was awarded the Animal Lifesaver Award from the local Red Cross chapter. Read the full story on Petfinder.com.

Often Overlooked, These 5 Things Can Harm Your Pet - Spring Edition

1. Algae

Do you have an outdoor pond?  Dirty fishtank inside?  Is your dog eager for the first swim?  If a cat or dog decides to take a sip, or even a dip, from these convenient sources, the algae may infect their system.  Clean and treat your ponds and tanks, and be sure to inspect any area you let your dog swim or bathe.

2. Tulips

Spring and tulips are iconically tied together, but make sure your dog or cat, and horses, avoid these poisonous flowers.  Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, and depression.  Especially make sure bulbs are safely buried or out of reach, as this is where the toxins are at their highest concentrations.

3. Mothballs

Spring cleaning could mean a few trips to and from the attic.  Make sure the cats stay out, and never use mothballs in an area where your pets, or children, could get to them.  Store them, when not being used, in an airtight container, as even inhalation of the mothballs can cause reactions in some animals.  Symptoms include: vomiting, weakness, and even tremors or seizures.  Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has come in contact or eaten mothballs.

4. Compost Piles

If you’re a gardener using compost, make sure your animals can’t access the pile.  Compost is made of decomposing and decaying organic matter, and may grow mold and other toxins.  Make sure your pile is fenced off or out of reach, and be careful to watch your animals around the gardens where you use it.  Horses and dogs, especially, love to smell and eat items they shouldn’t.

5. Fencing/Latticework

Now that the snow has melted, examine your fenced in areas to be sure they’re secure, as well as free of broken wiring, sharp splinters, or any other obstacle that might catch or snag on an animal trying to escape it.  Your dog getting loose is one thing, your dog getting scratched or gouged trying to get loose is another.  Be sure to check at points where fencing meet, as well as where it meets the ground.

Source: ASPCA, http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/support_docs/101guide.pdf

CLEAN BIRD FEEDERS TO HELP PREVENT ILLNESS IN YOUR PETS AND WILD BIRDS By the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM

It's been a long cold winter for all of us, especially for wildlife. Food is scarce, and birds, including cardinals, goldfinches, sparrows, pine siskins, and song birds are especially vulnerable to disease at this time of year.  Our feeders have been outside, freezing and thawing and the moisture and the inevitable debris and feces from wild birds feeding provide a harbor for a troublesome bacteria: Salmonella.  As the snow melts, dogs especially are likely to contact or eat seed or waste that is infected. Salmonella is a bacteria that is common throughout the world, and all animals can become infected with it. We often think of the warnings associated with cooking poultry when it comes to Salmonella, but wild birds can be infected with the bacteria and shed it in their feces, even if they appear healthy.  Dogs and cats can be infected from eating birds, seeds, or droppings contaminated with Salmonella.  In fact, infection from this bacteria is often called the "song bird's revenge” resulting when cats become sick from Salmonella after killing and eating a wild bird. Signs of infection in dogs and cats include vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. While it is unusual for dogs and cats to become sick from Salmonella, they can harbor the bacteria while appearing healthy. The reason we should be concerned about this is because Salmonella is a zoonotic disease. That is, we can be infected from our pets and become seriously ill. Black bears will soon be emerging from their winter dens in Vermont, looking for food sources.  Removing your bird feeders now will avoid tempting the bears and also help prevent disease in your pets and your backyard birds.  Scrub out your bird feeders every couple weeks with non-toxic soap and water, and allow them to dry well. Mold can grow in the bottom of the feeder, too, which is quite toxic to birds. Clean up the seed and droppings from under the feeders and prevent dogs from contacting it. Wash your hands well after the clean-up. These simple acts can help protect your pets, back yard wildlife, and you from being infected with Salmonella. Black bears will soon be emerging from their winter dens in Vermont, looking for food sources.  Removing your bird feeders now will prevent attracting a bear to your home with the temptation of birdseed. ### The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA), founded in 1898, is a professional organization of 340 veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine.

Limping Dogs, Cruciate Injuries

Jennifer Lesser, DVM  Norwich Regional Animal Hospital

What are cruciate ligaments?

In the knees of our dogs and cats are two strong ligament bands, arranged like an X, crisscrossing front to back.  Our dogs tend to injure the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL).  Cats generally are spared from this type of injury.  The effect of a torn CCL is an unstable joint in which the tibia (shin) pushes forward, causing pain and progressive arthritis.

What are some risk factors of a torn CCL?

Obesity, advancing age, body conformation, long term steroid use and some medical conditions may increase risk of injury.  Also, certain breeds such as Staffordshire Terriers, Retrievers, Mastiffs and Newfoundlands are prone to cruciate tears.  Early neutering (less than 6 months old) may be a risk factor as well.  

How does a CCL rupture?

A partial tear is the most common cruciate injury.  The typical patient is a dog of middle to advanced age whose ligament degenerated, allowing for susceptibility to tearing fibers.  Very minor “tweaks” of the joint may cause the partial tear to become complete.  Often a partial tear will progress to a full tear.

A full tear, at the onset of disease, is much less common and is often the result of a trauma.  Example: your dog Summit is racing up Cardigan Mountain and attempts to run through the boulder rather than around it.  His forward momentum coupled with a sudden halt of his leg results in a torn CCL.  

Good thing our pals have two knees!  However, about half of affected dogs will at some point experience a ruptured ligament in the opposite knee.

What are common symptoms of a partial CCL tear?

Most families notice a mild, intermittent lameness.  Other symptoms: the dog begins to put one leg to the side when she sits down and no longer sits ‘square’.  With a long term injury, the leg’s muscle may become decreased due to disuse.  At this point, you may notice decreased activity, less desire to play and possibly irritable behavior due to pain.

What are common symptoms of a complete CCL tear?  

Symptoms may include sudden disuse of the hind leg, reluctance to stand from a sitting position, hesitancy to jump into the car or onto their favorite resting spot such as your couch.

How is a CCL tear typically diagnosed?

Diagnosis may be made with a physical exam by your veterinarian.  Symptoms we often find include pain with ‘range of motion’ of the knee, ability to move the tibia (shin) forward in relation to the femur (thigh), excess joint fluid around the patellar ligament and scar production on the tibia.  

How are radiographs (x-rays) helpful?

The purpose of radiographs is to look for classic changes associated with the rupture, evaluate for arthritis present in either the knees and the hips and to search for any concurrent bone disease.  Radiographs generally do not involve sedation and the images are immediately available for viewing.  For certain surgical procedures such as TPLO or TTA that are generally performed by a board-certified surgeon, specific radiographs are required for proper therapeutic planning.

How is a CCL injury treated?

Surgical repair is generally the preferred therapeutic approach.  Several highly effective surgical techniques exist.  Illustrative and descriptive reviews are available online.  Many factors affect the recommended surgical technique for the patient.  These include age, weight, body condition, desired activity, surgical cost and concurrent disease.  Each case is unique and deserves careful consideration by the pet’s medical provider and family.  

Medical care may include joint protectants such as high quality fish oil, glucosamine/ chondroitin sulfate supplement, antioxidants, restricted activity and appropriate canine pain analgesics.  Medical therapy is often a supplement to surgical care.  In select cases, it may be the only therapy provided.  

Who performs the orthopedic surgery?

Board-certified veterinary surgeons (Diplomate ACVS) are the most qualified veterinarians to provide surgical care of torn cruciate ligaments.  They have undergone an additional  1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency that focuses only on surgical technique, equipment and procedures.  Board certification is granted with achievement of training and caseload requirements, published research and a final exam.  Advanced surgical techniques, often indicated in the repair of damaged cruciate ligaments, are generally best performed by a surgical specialist.  A list of ACVS board-certified surgeons is available online.

Several general practitioner veterinarians have been trained in appropriate surgical repair of torn cruciate ligaments, particularly in a technique known as extracapsular repair.  Be confident in inquiring of the number of repairs done by your veterinarian, modality of pain relief offered during and after surgery, anesthetic complication rate, expectations of post-op function and requirements of rehabilitation.  Our office recommends that any advanced surgical repair such as TPLO and TTA only be performed by a veterinarian who is specifically board certified in surgery.  

Early intervention is critical in preventing arthritis and permanent joint changes. Approximately 50% of dogs that tear one CCL, will tear their other CCL within a year. If you are concerned that your dog may have injured its CCL, please contact your veterinarian.

Dr. Lesser is happily settled in Norwich with her three children who attend the wonderful Marion Cross Elementary.  Following her work with the Human Genome Project, she earned her veterinary doctoral degree in May 2000.  Norwich Regional Animal Hospital is owned by Dr. Lesser and further supported by Dr. David Sobel, DVM, MRCVS and surgical specialist Dr. Paul Howard, DVM, DACVS whose work is made possible by a highly valued staff.     

This quote was shared with me by a good and honorable friend.  I have the pleasure of interacting with strong individuals every day and am often reminded of Mr. Roosevelt's words. 

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, "Man in the Arena" Speech given April 23, 1910