Category Archives: Dogs

Warning – chicken jerky treats from China

Posted on September 3, 2011 | 3 comments

The AVMA and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have issued a warning about a possible link between consumption of chicken jerky treats made in China and the incidence of kidney problems in dogs. A pattern started to develop in July when dogs in Canada presented with kidney problems resembling Fanconi syndome.

This syndrome is hereditary in some breeds of dogs such as Basenjis resulting in abnormal levels of sodium, glucose, calcium, phosphate and amino acids.  It can be fatal.  The symptoms of the disorder also present when toxins have been ingested.

This is yet another example of needing good supply chain management and ensuring you are buying foods with quality ingredients.  China is a country with a checkered reputation of managing supply chains and quality of ingredients.

In 2007, melamine was found to contaminate a wide range of pet foods resulting in major recalls and many deaths.  In 2008, the melamine contamination problem escalated to humans when the poison was found in milk powder fed to infants.  Many Chinese babies were affected and some died.

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Posted in dog nutrition and labelling

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Doggy quote of the month for September

Posted on August 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

I guess you don’t really own a dog, you rent them.  And you have to be thankful that you had a long lease.

– Joe Garagiola

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The Hero Dogs of 9/11

Posted on August 26, 2011 | 1 comment

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.   The date of 9/11 is one that most of us will remember, recalling exactly where we were and what we were doing when the news of the attacks came through.

In my case, it was first thing in the morning New Zealand time and I had turned on the radio for news (something I do every morning) – as it was September 12th in New Zealand.  It was also the morning to get dressed up, as I was being sworn in as a New Zealand citizen.  The ceremony was very memorable, with the Mayor of Christchurch making special reference to the day’s events and what the US citizens in the room must be feeling.

I hope you are as moved by this video as much as I am.  It is about the 300 urban search and rescue dogs who worked at the World Trade Center site.  And it also tells you about Sirius, the bomb detection dog who died in the collapse.

Never forget.

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Posted in Dogs, special dogs and awards

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New puppy for Charles and Camilla

Posted on August 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, adopted a Jack Russell from the Battersea Dogs and Cats  Home earlier this week.

According to the media statement released by Battersea, the puppy is named Beth and she is a tri-colour Jack Russell Terrier who is 3 months old.  She was one of more than 100 stray dogs that the Home took in during the month of July.

Beth, the latest edition to The Royal Family (photo courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home)

The Duchess is familiar with the breed; she owned a much-loved Jack Russell named Freddy.

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Posted in dog adoption

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Minding the lumps and bumps

Posted on August 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

This week, I had the pleasure of working with a dog whose owner is very attentive and diligent.  She was the first owner in a long time to provide me with her dog’s ‘lump and bump’ chart.

Many dogs, particularly as they get older, develop lumps and bumps under the skin.  Noticing when a new lump appears, and getting your vet’s opinion about it, are very important.  Many lumps are not sinister and require no attention because they are benign.    Others aren’t.

Whenever I take on a new dog/client for massage and rehab therapy, I start keeping records of the dog’s muscle condition, problems areas, and lumps/bumps.   Since I see dogs on regular basis (the length between visits varies according to the dog’s condition), I can sometimes pick up changes that their owner misses.  This is yet another benefit of massage therapy!

But, for the most part, an owner should be familiar with their dog’s condition.  Through regular grooming, you will notice where your dog has lumps and bumps and know which ones have already been tested by your vet for ‘nasty’ cells.  So start with an outline of your dog’s body and record where they are.

Refer back to your chart periodically when you are bathing and grooming your dog.  If you find something that wasn’t there before, record its size and location on your chart and take your chart with you to the vet.

If you are local to the Canterbury area, we also discuss lump and bump charts and how to compile them in my dog massage workshops for owners.

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog care

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CSI – dog style?

Posted on August 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

Pooprints, based in Tennessee (USA), is offering DNA testing of a different kind.  It is not about testing your mixed breed dog to find out their lineage, it’s about DNA testing of dog poo!

The number of subdivisions, condominium-style accommodation developments, and apartment complexes is on the rise in the US.  This is a result of a ‘downsizing’ of accommodation because of the economic recession as well as growth in population centres where work is available, but cost of living and commuting times are also an issue.  In these types of developments, there are dog owners living alongside non-dog owners.  And poop is  a problem.

(For my New Zealand readers, read my Last Word column in the March 2011 issue of NZ Dog World magazine.  In that column, I discussed the looming liability of infill housing, population growth,  and the growing problem of dog owners who do not clean up after their dog.)

The company’s service is rather straightforward.  First, a residential community decides to start a dog DNA testing programme.  Usually, this test is mandatory as part of signing up to live there. A mouth swab is taken of your dog and sent for  DNA testing and the results are entered into that site’s database.

Then, a site manager is probably responsible for poop patrol in your community.  They take samples of poop that has not been cleaned up and send the samples for DNA testing (because epithelial cells in the wall of the intestine are excreted every time a dog defecates).   The site manager will be given a report about the dog/owner match in order for followup to occur.

Communities will have rules about the number of infringements required for that person to be fined, or worse, kicked out of their residence.

It may sound ‘over the top’ but it is a symptom of how strongly some people feel about poop that is not cleaned up.

CNN covered the story of one residential development in New Hampshire that has signed up to use the Pooprints system.  Read about it here.

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Posted in dog care, dog ownership

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Maremma sheepdogs protect penguins in Australia

Posted on August 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Middle Island Maremma Project is a flagship project by the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group.

Middle Island in Victoria is home to a Little Blue Penguin colony.  The penguins were suffering dearly because of predation by foxes and wild dogs.  Between 2000 and 2005, the population of penguins went from more than 600 to only 10.

In 2006, after a suggestion from a student who was familiar with the work of the dogs on a chicken farm, trained Maremma sheepdogs were introduced to guard the penguins.    In 2010, the project won the National Landcare Award sponsored by the Australian Government.  87 other competitors were vying for the award.

Maremmas on Middle Island, photo courtesy of Middle Island Maremma Project website

According to The Blue Penguin Trust, blue penguins are the smallest breed of penguin, reaching only 35-43 cm in height and weighing up to a maximum of 1.5 kg.  They are found throughout locations in Australia and New Zealand, but are vulnerable to development (often getting run over by cars)  as well as predators.

As for the Maremma Sheepdog, they were originally bred in Italy to guard flocks of livestock from the threats of attack by bears or wolves and have strong protective instincts.  The dogs have a double coat that is water repellant, so they are able to work outdoors for long periods of time.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in special dogs and awards

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The dog days of August and other sayings

Posted on August 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

We’re in the Dog Days of August (northern hemisphere), or so my mother always said.  So where did this saying come from?  Well, it always referred to the hot days of summer when the heat tends to be greatest and with little breeze or wind.  And the dog connection came from the belief that Sirius, the Dog Star,  was responsible for the weather because of its close proximity to the sun.

What are some other common dog sayings?

Dog and Pony Show  used when you are putting on a display to convince people of a product or service; it comes from the traveling circus days when dogs and ponies often shared the show ring

Like a Dog with a Bone when someone won’t let go of a subject, and referring to the possessiveness of dogs when chewing on a bone

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie which means not to talk about things that have caused problems in the past – clearly referring to the surprise you may get when disturbing a deeply sleeping dog!

And of course The Top Dog referring to pack order and the person who is the highest in rank or importance

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Posted in Humor/humour

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The Dog Bark Park Inn – home to world’s largest beagles

Posted on August 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

In Cottonwood, Idaho, lies the Dog Bark Park Inn.  Built by chainsaw artists Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin, this bed & breakfast is housed within a large beagle!

The structure is named Sweet Willy and he is accompanied by a 12-foot structure named Toby.

In 1995, the Dennis’ and Frances’ work was featured on shopping channel QVC.  They received so many orders, that it took them 18 months to fill them all.  And, with the proceeds, they created the Dog Bark Park Inn.

This accommodation is truly unique and a must for beagle lovers and dog lovers of all kinds.  There is an on-site gift shop, too, where you can buy the folk style wooden art of the proprietors.

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Posted in dog-friendly accommodation

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Is your dog right-pawed or left-pawed?

Posted on August 14, 2011 | 1 comment

Research shows that dogs can have a paw preference and it is fairly easy for you to test your own dog.

In 2006, a researcher, Dr Nick  Branson, found that the way a dog uses its paws was an indicator of how it reacted to noise.  Dogs without a clear paw preference were more likely to be reactive to noises such as thunderstorms and fireworks.  He presented his findings at the annual conference of the Australian Veterinary Association in 2007.

Dr Branson was quoted as saying,:

“It seems possible that dogs that do not favour one side or the other may be prone to experience intense emotional responses to a broad range of stimuli. Animals with lateralised functions may be able to transfer attention from disturbing stimulus more successfully.”  (Source:  News Nine)

Now, if you want to know how to test your dog for their dominant paw,  here’s how – just follow these tests as demonstrated by Ellie Mae on YouTube:

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Posted in Dogs, research

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