Dog vitamins recalled, infected with salmonella

The manufacturer of vitamin supplement for dogs that is sold nationwide has issued a voluntary recall for the product, because some of the products have been tainted with salmonella.

The Food and Drug Administration announced this week that United Pet Group is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin tablets for dogs due to possible salmonella contamination.

The product comes in 100-count white plastic bottles with a light blue label; its UPC code is 26851-01800. The vitamins are being removed from stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets.

The affected products are those with expiration dates on or before June 2013. The expiration date can be found on the right side of the product label.

Although testing has shown that only one lot of the product was contaminated with salmonella, the company is recalling all unexpired lots of the product to be safe.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product, you need to contact your veterinarian.

People who handle salmonella-contaminated food can become infected, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching the products. Consumers experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping or fever after handling the product should contact a doctor.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to contact the manufacturer or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers can call United Pet Group at (800) 645-5154, ext. 3.

[Source: OregonLive.com]

Blind Dogs Vision Restored!

It wasn't the cameras and reporters hovering around Lis Feeney that made her nervous today as she waited to be reunited with her 12-year-old dog, Bobo.

Instead, she joked, she feared the cataract surgery performed at Angell Animal Medical Center that returned Bobo's eyesight would make her unrecognizable to the dog she first got as a puppy.

"I was a brunette the last time he saw me,'' said the now-blonde Feeney.

The Chinese Crested dog was escorted to Feeney by Dr. Martin Coster, the ophthalmic veterinary surgeon who performed the cataract surgery this week. Feeney hugged and nuzzled the dog who went blind about 2½ years ago as a result of developing diabetes.

You are beautiful, you are beautiful,'' Feeney told Bobo. "Let me see those big brown eyes!''

Feeney planned to return to their home in Foxborough today and after a period of convalescence, let Bobo do what he loves best: chase squirrels in their backyard.

Coster said cost for the surgery ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 at Angell and that he does not expect that the successful cataract operation will extend Bobo's life. He was certain, however, that the dog will benefit.

"I think it will add to his quality of life,'' Coster said.

[Source: BOSTON.COM]

Doggie Surfing! Filming for Dog Movie "Marmaduke"

She is as happy in this frothing ocean as a Thoroughbred at the racetrack. She adheres to the surfboard as if her feet are made of Velcro.

How does an Australian Kelpie, bred to be a hardworking ranch hand, do an about-face and become an aimless surfer dude?

Easily, says her owner, Michael Uy. She has many talents, only one of which is herding sheep. The girl also enjoys mountain biking and rock climbing.

"But surfing is her No. 1 love," says Uy, 39, a software program manager in San Diego. "We surf together almost every day after I get off work."

Abbie girl is front and center in a dog-surfing craze spreading along California's beaches. These coastal canines fuel the real-life action scenes in the film Marmaduke, due in theaters June 4 from 20th Century Fox.

One of the story lines about the popular comic-strip character centers on the Great Dane being pressured to enter a surfing contest after his family moves to Southern California. Lee Pace, William H. Macy and Judy Greer are human stars in this live-action comedy in which the dogs speak. Owen Wilson is the voice of Marmaduke, an awkward teen Dane who is a very reluctant surfer up against champions such as Abbie.

Abbie got the nod to be a film extra (and earn $400) when the professional animal trainers who work with the Great Dane that plays Marmaduke saw Abbie surf in a contest, Uy says. Several of the other surfing dogs cavorting in the rough water with Abbie and Uy this particular day also will be extras in the film, which Uy says will show dogs surfing some spectacular waves.

Dog surfing is mostly recreational, but Uy and the dedicated followers bouncing up and down in these San Diego-area waves are taking it to new heights. Five competitions, up from two the year before, were held in California last year, drawing hundreds of dogs and thousands of spectators. The number of surf classes for dogs also is growing.

[Source: USATODAY]

Some Dogs Can Run, Others Prefer to Herd You

A MAN’S friend is not always his best choice of a running partner. The same can be said of man’s best friend.

It’s a lesson that Michelle Powe, an English teacher in Midlothian, Tex., learned last summer when trying to run with Mookie, her 90-pound Catahoula.

“He kept trying to herd me,” she recalled. For the entire three-mile run, Mookie displayed the kind of herding behavior that is typical for the breed, throwing his weight against Ms. Powe and nipping at her legs.

“By the end of it, my knees were sore from having 90 pounds constantly bumping into me,” she said. “It was fun for other people to watch, but not so much for me.”

Like many dog owners, Ms. Powe assumed that her young, healthy dog would make a natural running companion. After all, dogs love to run, they love spending time with their masters, and they rarely tire of chasing a stick before their owners tire of throwing it.

But not all dogs are born to run, particularly the way humans go about it: in a straight line, with little regard for scent. And there is nothing fun about running with an untrained dog. Indeed, it can be dangerous for both you and your pet.

“Invariably active dog owners wake up one day and say, ‘Today is a beautiful day, I’m going to go run with Fluffy,’ and they’ve never run with Fluffy before, and they set off and realize it really stinks running with Fluffy,” said Alexandra Powe Allred, a Dallas-based trainer and author of a book on dog obedience (and Michelle Powe’s sister).

The first step for anyone thinking about running with a dog is researching the breed, Ms. Allred said. Some of it is common sense: small dogs — teacup poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers — will have trouble running at high speeds or for long distances.

But other problems may not be so obvious. For example, dogs with flat noses — pugs, bulldogs, some boxers — may have trouble breathing during strenuous exercise. And while some hunting or herding dogs are physically built for running — like border collies and Rhodesian Ridgebacks — they may be more interested in chasing prey than staying on the sidewalk.

Once you have determined whether your dog is built for running, it is important to teach it some commands. “Stay,” for example, is useful should you want to put down the leash long enough to tie your sneakers. But trainers say that if you teach your dog only one command before running, it should be “heel.”

[Source: NY TIMES]

Dogs are Good for the Heart

While working as a cardiologist in south Dallas, Dr. Gary Barkocy had to make numerous late-night calls to hospitals in response to ST segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI), or in layman's terms, really serious heart attacks.

"I remember at 3 o'clock in the morning, I'd be like 'here we go,'" Barkocy said recently from his office at Nacogdoches Medical Center. But, now, when the interventional cardiologist hears the word STEMI, he smiles. That's because rather than referring only to a condition that brings his patients pain, these days the name is used more often in reference to a four-legged assistant that makes them smile.

"Some of our patients have had a really big change of life; they're grieving, and you wouldn't believe how a puppy dog can change that," he said.

Stemi, Barkocy's friendly black Labrador retriever, started training as a therapy dog when she was a puppy and now spends her days keeping her owner's cardiac patients calm.

"A lot of our patients will have a procedure where they have to lay flat for two to three hours; they can't move, and it gets very disturbing and distressing," he said. "But, with a puppy dog sitting there to give you kisses, or by petting a dog, they seem to do much better. We figured this would help with patient care."

Barkocy said that while Stemi does not have her certification as a therapy dog, patients still seem to love her.

"They ask for her more than they ask for me," he joked, adding that she went through therapy dog training in Dallas multiple times, and he is in the midst of working with a Lufkin trainer to get her certified.

He said when he has a patient undergoing a procedure in his office, he'll ask the patient if they would like some company. Barkocy said many times, they'll respond with "What do you mean?" And, he'll explain that the procedure will require them to lie flat for a period of time, and if they would like, he could get Stemi to sit at the end of the bed, or near them, so they can pet her while they're there.

"It's just that calming influence," he said.

[Source: Daily Sentinel]

FDA Approves First-Ever Cancer Drug For Dogs

The first cancer drug created specifically for dogs has been approved by the FDA. The drug, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's animal health wing, is called Palladia and was developed to treat canine cutaneous mast cell tumors.

Cutaneous mast cell tumors account for about 20% of skin cancer in dogs. Although some mast cell tumors can be surgically removed with relative ease, other cases have historically proven more difficult to treat, and the cancer has been known to spread to other parts of the body.

"This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine," Bernadette Dunham, director of FDA's center for veterinary medicine, said in a statement Wednesday.

"Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs," Dunham said. "Today's approval offers dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, an option for treatment of their dog's cancer."

"At the completion of a Palladia clinical study, approximately 60% of dogs had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop growing," Dr. Cheryl London of Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, who worked with Pfizer in the development of the drug, said in a statement. "Also, we determined that dogs whose tumors responded to Palladia experienced an improved quality of life."

The drug will be available initially only through a small number of veterinary oncologists; it's expected to be more widely available beginning in early 2010, according to Reuters. It comes in pill form and is given every other day, generally for a period of several months or longer.

[Source: LATimes.com]

Happy Trails: Tips For Hiking With Your Dog

As the weather heats up, Arizona's Valley residents will be heading up north to enjoy the cooler climate and the great outdoors. Many dog owners will take their four-legged friends with them for a day of hiking and exercise.

But before you hit the trails, Melissa Gable, Friends of Animal Care and Control, there are some important safety tips to remember.

1. Determine which hike is best for your dog. Toy breeds with short legs cannot go as far or as fast as larger dogs. It is unfair to force a small or young dog to walk many miles; especially on rough terrain. Even if you have a large dog, don’t attempt a long hike immediately. Just like us, some dogs need to work up to longer distances.

2. Before you head out on a hike, make sure your dog’s nails are trimmed. Long nails can be extremely painful for a dog.

3. Make sure your dog is properly licensed and educate yourself on the rules and regulations of the area where you will be hiking.

4. Make sure you keep your dog away from holes and rocks – poisonous snakes, spiders and scorpions can all be harmful to your pet. And don’t forget to keep Fido away from cactus! Having your dog on leash will help prevent any accidents.

5. Bring LOTS of water (for you and your dog). There are many different types of collapsible water bowls for your pooch. Don’t expect your dog to drink from a water bottle – always have a bowl handy.

[Source: abc15.com]

Post Profiles NY's Crappiest Neighborhoods

Step lightly in New York's crappiest neighborhood - the Upper West Side.

The tony area is ground zero for doggy doo, packed with inconsiderate people who don't pick up after their pups, according to a list compiled for The Post by the Department of Sanitation.

Manhattan saw an 88 percent spike in fines for unattended droppings last year, with Morningside Drive, Amsterdam Avenue, West End Avenue, Riverside Drive and Central Park West leading the complaints, Sanitation enforcement officers said.

"It's a minefield over here," said Max Moyet, 34, a dog walker who lives on Central Park West. "It upsets the hell out of me."

Moyet says he takes pains to "stare down" people who do not clean up after their pooches, a practice that's become a daily activity.

"It's their self-absorbed, all-about-me attitude," Moyet complained. "They're like, 'I'm too busy going to my Pilates class. I don't have the time to keep the neighborhood clean.' "

Suparna Chakrabortti, who lives in Queens but visits her family on West End Avenue almost every day, says the Upper West Side has gone to the dogs.

"It's on every block every day," she said. "In the past couple months, it's gotten much worse. I don't remember it being this bad."

While those Upper West Side streets have the highest concentration of complaints in Manhattan, the prize for the crappiest borough goes to The Bronx, which with 354 violations accounts for over a third of the summonses issued citywide, the Sanitation Department said. The two worst locations are on Mosholu Parkway and Hunts Point Avenue.

To read more crap-tastic stats, head over to NYPost.com

PetSmart Recalls Dog Biscuits Amid Salmonella Outbreak

The salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 450 people in the U.S. and Canada is now affecting pets as well.

PetSmart has announced a voluntary recall of seven Grreat Choice-brand dog biscuits that contain peanut paste from the Georgia plant deemed the source of the outbreak by the FDA.

"While some of these products have been tested and no traces of salmonella were found, we have recalled these products as a precautionary measure," according to a release posted on PetSmart's website yesterday.

PetSmart spokesman Bruce Richardson, reached for comment today, said that no salmonella had been detected since the original statement was posted and that no additional products are affected by the recall. The seven items affected:


[Source: Los Angeles Times]

'Marley & Me' Author's Puppy Treated for Hip Dysplasia

“Marley & Me” author John Grogan’s new Labrador Retriever Woodson – one of several puppies to portray a young Marley in the film adaptation – is being treated for severe hip dysplasia, Grogan writes in USA Today.

“We noticed that our pup seemed unable to do the things Lab puppies do so effortlessly – leap onto furniture or hop into the back seat of the car,” Grogan says.

A veterinarian delivered the bad news. “Both rear hips were so malformed, the balls and sockets did not connect,” Grogan says. “With each puppy step, bone was scraping bone.”

Grogan called the now 1-year-old dog’s breeder – “not to complain, just to inform,” Grogan says – who offered to exchange the dog for a new puppy. “My wife and I thought about it overnight before realizing there was really nothing to consider,” Grogan says. “Woodson was part of our family now.”

Woodson is now on a special diet and a “regimen of cartilage builders and medicines” and sees an orthopedic specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, Grogan says. “Surgery might be in his future, but for now he’s comfortable and enjoys his life as a pampered house pooch. Woodson will never go hunting or hiking or even on long walks, and that’s OK,” Grogan says. “Some dogs are put on this Earth just to love you.”

[Source: DogChannel.com]

Holiday Dog Tips from 'The Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan!

During the busy holiday season, it is important to keep your dogs in mind. Here are Cesar's Top Tips for a balanced dog all Winter long!

1. Exercise your dog before taking him to visit, or receiving, holiday guests. Holiday visits may involve more excited energy than usual. Your dog is more likely to behave if it has just had a nice long walk.

2. Don't forget rules, boundaries, and limitations just because it's the holidays! Holidays bring many new temptations in the form of smells (freshly baked cookies and a tree in the house), sights (bright lights and visiting relatives), and sounds (Christmas carols and sleigh bells). Use this opportunity to reinforce the household rules.

3. Protect your dog from the cold. Many breeds are not built for cold weather. Check out your local pet store for suggestions, such as doggy boots or paw waxes, to help your dog handle the elements.

4. Stick to your dog's normal diet! It can be tempting to share those tasty table scraps with your dog, but too many rich foods (like turkey and sauces) can lead to serious inflammation of the pancreas, which can be life-threatening.

5. Beware of hazardous holiday items. Ingested poinsettia plants cause dogs to vomit; chocolate is poisonous to dogs; and tinsel has sent many a dog to the emergency room. Keep fragile ornaments toward the top of the Christmas tree; only place sturdy ones near the bottom.

6. Do your holiday boarding research in advance! You want to feel confident that your pet will be safe and comfortable while you are away. Start by getting recommendations. Find two or three facilities that meet your requirements, and investigate further.

7. I don't recommend giving a puppy as a holiday gift. I strongly believe that the whole family needs to have basic knowledge about the commitment and responsibility of pet ownership before receiving an animal.

8. Include your dog in your New Year's Resolutions! Make a commitment to be a pack leader 365 days a year, practice calm-assertive energy in all aspects of your life, and work toward achieving calm submission from your dog.

[Source: MarketWatch.com]

Dog's Artificial Elbow Surgery Has Potential for Humans

Jake the dog is somewhat of a celebrity in the veterinary world. The 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever of Grand Rapids was the first dog in the Midwest and only the 11th in the world to get a new type of elbow prosthesis that reduces infection and wear and tear - and that eventually could be used in humans. The $5,000 surgery was performed at the Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital last spring.

Now, after six months of rehabilitation that includes running on an underwater treadmill, Jake is giving high fives, jumping off the bed and going without his leash. "He's actually acting like he's a younger dog again, which is so cool," owner Sue Falk said. "He's just more playful and not as concerned about each step." Jake's turnaround is a dramatic difference from several years ago, when he had a bad limp and refused to go on daily walks in the woods behind Falk's home.

"We are very happy with Jake because, with other dogs, the recovery has not been as fast," said MSU Dr. Loic Dejardin, who performed the four-hour surgery in April. In the six months since getting his new elbow, Jake has undergone extensive physical rehabilitation. In addition to running on an underwater treadmill, Jake has been navigating obstacle courses and doing home exercises with Falk.

Since Jake received the elbow, Dejardin has performed similar surgeries on four other dogs at MSU and will fly to Canada soon to perform another. Dejardin said the elbow - which became available in March - has worked so well in dogs that it is being considered for use in ankle replacements in people. "If it happens, that would be the first time that we know of an implant designed with a dog in mind having an application in humans," Dejardin said.

[Source: Mlive.com]

Cold Weather Tips for Pets

Due to the onset of cold weather, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society would like to remind pet owners that the most comfortable place for your pet is inside. If your pet cannot live inside, here are some tips to keep them safe:

- If you use a dog house be sure to face the doorway out of the wind or cover it to reduce draft. The temperature may not be freezing, but the wind-chill can still kill.

- If you have a garage, use it for the colder months to protect your dog from extreme temperatures.

- Dogs eat more in the winter, be sure to supply plenty of food. Keeping warm requires a lot of energy. Check water bowls every morning to crack the ice.

- Allow plenty of bedding. Dogs will ‘nest’ in whatever material is available to keep warm.

- If you have more than one dog, buy a dog house big enough for them to sleep together to keep warm.

- Certain breeds with short hair or naturally low body fat reserves are not suitable to live in cold temperatures. For example greyhounds do not retain enough weight to keep warm outside.

- Heating pads and raised dog beds can be purchased to make your dog more comfortable.

- It’s never too late to train your dog to live inside. Remember, dogs are social creatures and prefer to live within a family group.

- Cats, much like the smaller dogs, often do not have the body fat or thick fur coats to keep warm during cold weather. If you permit your cat to go outdoors or live outdoors completely, it is especially important to provide adequate shelter during cold weather.

- If your cat is kept outdoors throughout the year, make sure you provide increased amounts of food during the winter months and check the water bowl daily.

- Your cat may also appreciate a warm place to get out of the weather – i.e. a small dog house with appropriate bedding or access to your garage.

- If your cat is typically kept indoors, please remember that the shock of the temperature change can be very detrimental to your cat’s health.

[Source: NBC13.com]

Dogs Help Children Maintain A Healthy Weight

Overweight children could lose the pounds simply by owning a dog, Australian researchers have found.

A team of scientists believes the battle of the bulge can be won not only with fresh fruit or strenuous exercise but with simple, playful activity with a four-legged friend. Young children who play with a family dog have been found to be up to 50 per cent less likely to be overweight or obese than those who do not have one.

The researchers, from Melbourne's Deakin University, interviewed families of 1,100 children aged between 5 and 12 and discovered that those who owned a dog were in the best shape, even if they did not take it for regular walks. "Even playing incidentally with the dog helps children keep the weight off," said head researcher Associate Professor Jo Salmon. "We've always known that physical activity is the key to maintaining a healthy weight - but the results are likely to be the same if children own pets," she said.

"For parents who are trying to get their kids off the computer and switching off the TV and getting out and playing, having a pet might be a really good strategy for doing that."

[Source: Daily Mail UK]

It's a Dog's Life at Work

It may sound a bit barking, but there’s no need to leave your dog behind when you set off for the office, writes Belinda Smith. Every morning, Dougie Irvine goes for an hour's run before he prepares for work and sets off on a half-hour walk to his Edinburgh city centre office. Once there, tired from his exertions, the trill as Windows is launched on the PC is his cue to take to his bed, lie on his back, stick his feet in the air and doze off for the rest of the day.

Fortunately, Dougie, a nine-year-old terrier cross, has no important matters to attend to. It is his owner, Jane Irvine, the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman and chairman of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, who has to deal with the business of the day.

Dougie is one of those fortunate dogs across Britain who are not left behind when their owners go to work, but go with them. It is something that The Blue Cross animal welfare charity is keen to promote when it holds its 13th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day next Wednesday. Its aim is to encourage dog owners to spend more time with their pets by taking them to work every day and to experience the benefits of the practice - to themselves and those around them.

For Dougie it means company all day long. He has his own bed and a water bowl in Jane's office. "I have a dog gate, too, so he can't wander around all over the place," she says. And as far as the reactions of her colleagues and those people who visit the office are concerned, it works well. She is always careful to check that no one is allergic to dogs, though - if someone does have an allergy or a dislike of dogs, she uses another meeting room.

Also, as with the presence of dogs in other workplaces, it's a great stress-buster. "I'm dealing with complaints all the time, which is stressful, so it just eases that," says Jane. A survey carried out by The Blue Cross showed more than 90 per cent of employers who allowed dogs in the workplace noticed a positive change in the working environment. One in two found that there was a decrease in absenteeism, 67 per cent said it improved staff morale and 56 per cent discovered that work relations improved.

Yet, in spite of all the obvious benefits of having animals in the workplace, Britain lags behind the US in making it a common practice. Some large companies, such as Google, embrace the idea, but in the main it is only small firms and animal-related businesses that permit it. In the US, one in five employers allows dogs at work and there is even a website for job-seekers (simplyhired.com) that lists employers who encourage it. In Taiwan nearly half of all employers are pet-friendly.

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk]

Do Dogs Have Cleaner Mouths?

Pet lovers can't get enough affection from their pooches. And if licking is loving, they get a lot of loving. But is it really safe to kiss a dog, considering where they often put their mouths?

"Their saliva is much cleaner and if you have a cut or anything, if they lick it -- it's healing," one woman told "20/20" while being interviewed in New York City.

To find out just who has a cleaner mouth, we asked veterinarian and fellow dog lover Marty Becker, author of "Chicken Soup for the Dog Owner's Soul," to offer his opinion. "They raid the garbage can. You know, we give each other a peck on the cheek when we say hello, they give each other a peck on the rear end," said Becker. "All you got to do is look, watch, smell and you'll realize that that is not true."

He thinks the myth that a dog's mouth is clean stems from their practice of licking their wounds. "And they'll be licking that wound and you'll notice that the wound heals very fast - what that tongue does is it gets rid of the dead tissue," said Becker. He compares that tongue lashing to the work of a surgeon who cleans out a wound, and said the licking also stimulates circulation.

If you want to give your pooch a kiss, it may be safer than kissing another human. Becker says many of the bacteria in the mouth of a dog are species specific, so it won't harm its owner. "So a staph or a strep for a human is not transmissible to a dog, if you were to kiss it, and vice versa," said Becker.

Bottom line - you're more likely to get a serious illness from kissing a person than kissing a dog. But since dogs do transmit some germs, Becker has some advice: "Keep the vaccines current. Good external parasite control, good internal parasite control. You're going to be good to go." And then, he says you can kiss them all you want.

"They love us unconditionally, they make us laugh," said Becker. "If we're going to give them a little kiss to thank them for that, then that's good by me."

[Source: ABC News]

Kennel Club International Dog Agility Show

Dog lovers are set to be dazzled by displays of deftness and determination from 2,500 of man's best friends – while shedding the pounds at the same time. The biggest show of its kind in the world, the three-day Kennel Club international dog agility show will provide a stage for pooches of all shapes and sizes to wow crowds at the East of England Showground in Alwalton, Peterborough, with their skills.

This year, the festival will have an extra half-day of competition on Friday, attracting 40 per cent more entries than 2007. The show will see a total of 18,000 runs, involving more than 2,500 dogs, competing in 18 rings. Competitors from 20 countries, as well as throughout the UK, will be working dogs of every size, breed and level of experience – from the world's champion agility dogs to those at their very first agility show. There is even a "have a go" ring for spectators to try out their own dogs on specially designed practise equipment under expert supervision.

This year, the Kennel Club is also launching its Fight the Flab with Fido campaign at the festival. Dog agility – a sport that involves see-saws, tunnels and jumps – is being signed up to in record numbers as more and more people come to see it as a way to combat obesity in both dogs and their owners. People who have lost up to half their body weight with the help of the sport will be at the event to demonstrate how they achieved their weight loss.

Kennel Club spokesperson Caroline Kisko said: "Dog agility is really growing in popularity, and no wonder when it's such a fantastic way to get fit – helping people to change their inactive lifestyles and giving the dogs the exercise they are often lacking as well.

"So many people have seen their lifestyle change completely as a result of taking up the sport and are reaping the benefits in terms of weight loss and improved health. There is no excuse not to get fit when you are being egged on by the eager eyes and wagging tail of your dog."

Research by the pet charity PDSA has found that one in three dogs in Britain is overweight and that peoples' lifestyles are affecting the health of our pets – with the areas with the most overweight people also seeing the highest levels of pet obesity.

Ms Kisko added: "However, dog agility – which is estimated to have 24,000 doggie followers in the UK – is a real answer to the problem. It is open and accessible to all dogs – from Chihuahuas to Great Danes – and to people, whatever their age, gender, or level of fitness.

Agility started in 1978 at Crufts, and the first demonstration was by a few enthusiasts who used a combination of working trials and show jumping equipment, and a little obedience. It was so popular that it returned to Crufts in 1979 as a formal competition.

[Source: The Evening Telegraph]

5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health

A pet is certainly a great friend. After a difficult day, pet owners quite literally feel the love. In fact, for nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates.

Allergy Fighters
"The old thinking was that if your family had a pet, the children were more likely to become allergic to the pet. And if you came from an allergy-prone family, pets should be avoided," says researcher James E. Gern, M.D., a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" — whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals — will have less risk of allergies and asthma, he tells WebMD.

In his recent study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunity changes, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment. If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies — 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals — a sign of stronger immune system activation. "Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greater exposure to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system," Gern says.

Date Magnets
Dogs are great for making love connections. Forget Internet matchmaking — a dog is a natural conversation starter. This especially helps ease people out of social isolation or shyness, Nadine Kaslow, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, tells WebMD. "People ask about breed, they watch the dog's tricks," Kaslow says. "Sometimes the conversation stays at the 'dog level,' sometimes it becomes a real social interchange."

Dogs for the Aged
"Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "Their caregivers also feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly if it is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog," says Hart.

Walking a dog or just caring for a pet — for elderly people who are able — can provide exercise and companionship. One insurance company, Midland Life Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, asks clients over age 75 if they have a pet as part of their medical screening — which often helps tip the scales in their favor.

Good for Mind and Soul
Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. "The benefit is especially pronounced when people are strongly attached to their pets," says researcher Judith Siegel, Ph.D. In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets.

People in stress mode get into a "state of disease," in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system, says Blair Justice, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health. Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries, the red flag for heart disease, says Justice.

Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine — nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells WebMD. "People take drugs like heroin and cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watch sunsets, or get around something beautiful in nature," says Justice, who recently hiked the Colorado Rockies with his wife and two dogs.

Good for the Heart
Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease — lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels — than nonowners, researchers say.

[Source: MSN.com]

Don't Allow Fireworks to Make Your Pet Anxious

Independence Day is a day for family get-togethers and fireworks. But Bob Schultheis, a natural resource engineering specialist with University of Missouri Extension, advises families to leave their pets at home when going to crowded summer events. Schultheis suggests the following safety tips for managing pets around crowds and fireworks:

* Many pets are not used to large crowds and a lot of noise. The noise and commotion can be extremely frightening. "If you are hosting a party or will have fireworks, have a safe quiet place to keep pets so they will not become frightened and hurt themselves. Fireworks, particularly, make pets very uncomfortable and agitated, and can hurt their very sensitive hearing,' said Schultheis.

* If you know your pet usually becomes scared by loud noises, like thunderstorms, Schultheis recommends putting the pet in the quietest room of the house, with soothing music playing, to help them alleviate any anxiety caused by exploding fireworks. "If you are home with your dog during a fireworks display or thunderstorm, do not try to comfort them. That tells them that they have reason to be frightened. Turn up the radio to help drown out the noise and put lots of lights on so that the flashes are less noticeable. Act normally, keeping your voice light and unconcerned," said Schultheis.

* Never tie dogs outside because it increases their anxiety, Schultheis said. "Don't leave your outdoor pets unattended, even in a fenced yard. The chaos may cause them to panic and hurt themselves trying to escape. A scared animal is not careful, and many are hit by cars when running wildly away from something they think is dangerous," said Schultheis.

* It is also a good idea to be sure your pets are wearing proper identification in case they do become lost during an event. Identification tags will help your pet find its way home. Microchips are the most reliable form of identification.

* "Don't take your pet to a fireworks event and then leave it alone in a parked car. They may develop hyperthermia (increased body temperature) which is usually fatal," said Schultheis. Dogs and cats cannot perspire and can only release heat by panting, drooling and through the pads in their feet. Cars reach unsafe temperature levels (120 degrees Fahrenheit) quickly. Young, elderly or obese pets, and those with a dark-colored coat, are particularly at risk of overheating.

* "Keep your dog or cat hydrated and cool. Make sure they have access to water for drinking. Use a wet towel under the animal, air conditioning, a kiddie pool, or a fan in front of a pan of ice to keep the animal cool," said Schultheis.

[Source: News-Leader.com]

Bionic Pets? Scientists Says It's Possible

A handful of cutting edge veterinary medical teams are pushing the prosthetics envelope and creating artificial legs and paws that are a hi-tech step above the makeshift limbs or carts given to most animals. And more important, the progress improving the lives of lucky cats and dogs holds big promises for people.

One-year-old Nubbin seems unaware that he's a bit different from his four-legged pal. "I honestly don't know that he knows that he's only three-legged," says Nubbin's owner, Erika Edwards. The cute canine happens to be a patient at North Carolina State University, where engineers and veterinary surgeons are fine tuning a state-of-the-art approach to prosthetics - custom-designed metal implants that attach directly to an animal's own bones.

"We're getting much better and we can develop new types of implants much, much faster than we did in the past," says Ola Harryson, a biomedical engineer at North Carolina State University.

Here's how it works: a machine transforms CAT scan images into replicas of an animal's bones that are used to help design and customize the implant. During surgery, the implant is inserted into the end of remaining bone. Over time, new bone grows around the metal and creates a strong anchor and a prosthetic foot is attached.

"I think it could work very well in a number of species," says Dr. Denis Macellin-Little, a veterinary surgeon at North Carolina State University. And that includes people, but that's in the future.

Nubbin will be one of the first dogs to get the hi-tech implants in the next few months. The North Carolina team has had requests from pet owners around the world, including China, where a panda is missing a paw.

The group is also in contact with a number of military hospitals that are keeping close tabs on the progress in hopes returning soldiers will one day get the implants. It is estimated that nearly two million amputees are living in the United States, a number that is expected to jump dramatically in the next ten years in part because of the war in Iraq.

[Source: KARE11 Minneapolis]