“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of the whole human being.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln and his dog, Fido
Researchers at the University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center led by Professor Hannes Lohi have found a gene mutation that causes chondrodysplasia (dwarfism) in the Norwegian Elkhound and the Karelian Bear Dog. They have published their results in the journal PLoS One.
A dwarf Norwegian Elkhound, photo by Saija Nieminen
When affected by the condition, dogs have considerably shorter limbs than normal dogs. Other skeletal abnormalities may follow which include bowed forearms, abnormal digits (toes), and malformed femoral heads.
The mutation affects the collagen receptors during bone growth.
“Both breeds have now benefited from a genetic test that is available for dog owners”, says Professor Lohi. There is hope that the mutation can be eradicated from the breeding population through use of the test.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr Nick Trout. Appropriately subtitled “A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon,” this book tells the story of one very long day in Dr Trout’s professional life. As the day unfolds, a range of human-animal stories are revealed with wit and compassion.
The book opens in the wee hours of the morning with the story of Sage, a German Shepherd who requires emergency surgery on her stomach. We later meet her devoted elderly owner whose daughter isn’t so impressed with Dr Trout’s efforts to save ‘just a dog.’
There’s also the owner of Belle who, as a demonstration of how much the dog means to him, has legally changed his middle name to Belle. (You read that right, a man with the middle name of Belle.)
This book reads a little like the veterinary version of ER, since the Angell Memorial Animal Center where Trout works is a teaching hospital. If you liked the television show ER and you love animals, you’ll like this book.
Appropriately, the cover of the book features a Boston Terrier. The Angell Memorial Animal Center is located in Boston.
Rescue groups often put photos and videos online to showcase key cases and the good work they do. Every now and then, though, there will be a video that is particularly well done and with a success at the end.
As we reach the end of another week (yes, it’s Friday!)…here’s a story of a Pit Bull and her chance at a better life thanks to Hope for Paws:
No postings today. We’re on strike. Please sign the petition and help us to stop the testing of party pills on dogs in New Zealand – once and for all!
Posted in animal welfare
Tagged Animal Strike, animal testing, party pills, Paw Justice, petition
Watch out criminals. You’re on FIDO Cam!
Made in the UK by the Military and Law Enforcement Division of Industrial Television Ltd, FIDO Cam was developed to assist police SWAT units which needed to check inside buildings before their teams entered. The apparatus has also been used in drug busts and in search and rescue operations.
FIDO Cam is mounted on trained police and rescue dogs as seen here:
The company estimates that 70% of the police units in the UK own the gear; when activated, the camera sends a live feed of what ever the dog is seeing back to the handler.
Camera footage can also be used in court as evidence.
I wonder how long even a highly trained dog will wear the device (because it doesn’t look very comfortable).
At over £10,000 per unit, one thing is for sure: it’s unlikely that these cameras will be purchased by dog owners who want to know what their dog gets up to when they are not at home!
In my opinion, part of owning an older dog means ensuring you devote time to them for bonding, love, attention and care.
Daisy and I are just finishing a Spa Weekend.
Daisy’s spa weekend started on Friday with a regular acupuncture session. Daisy gets acupuncture every 5 weeks:
Daisy is happy to lay still while Dr Susanne Anderson places her acupuncture needles
On Saturday, it was then time for Daisy’s hydrotherapy session. Daisy swims every fortnight (2 weeks) to keep her muscles strong and to keep range of motion in her hind legs:
And today (Sunday), it was time for Daisy to enjoy a massage and laser treatment – lovingly delivered by me – her personal massage therapist and DoggyMom:
The only thing that was missing from Daisy’s spa weekend was a bath. But that’s because she had a bath last weekend!
How do you spend quality time with your elderly dog?
Posted in dog care
Tagged acupuncture, animals, bath, Dr Susanne Anderson, health, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, massage
September 21, 2013 in Dogs, Humor/humour
Tagged backpack, Dog, puppies, subwoofers, woofers
DoggyMom.com 