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Paws in Print

October 2003

Adopting Emma

Last November, after 30 years of dog ownership, my husband and I found ourselves alone when we lost our 8-year-old Doberman, Rusty. He was my heart and my husband’s buddy. We vowed never to get another dog to which we would get attached. But our house got way too quiet and lonely!

After several weeks of indecision whether to get a new dog or not, we asked our neighbor Jan Gove if the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League had a small dog completely opposite of a Doberman that would suit us. She told us about a small, black, curly-haired female dog that had been found by the roadside. Would we want to look at her? The very next day we had a picture of the dog and an appointment to see her.

When I first saw Emma, her new name, I saw a black energetic piece of fur with purple bows by her floppy ears. She went right to me giving me sugar, and then ran to the door ready to go home. She had adopted me.

Emma is a joy. Her personality is bubbly. She never meets a stranger, and is always ready with kisses. She is smart, too. She was housebroken when we got her, and within a short time she had learned to shake hands and to recognize the sounds of our vehicles. She greets us at the door when we come home and is then ready to run outside to get the evening newspaper that she happily delivers. She also knows at which kitchen counter her treats are kept. When she thinks it is time for a "goody," she goes over to this counter and sits looking up at the counter top. Our lives and home have really changed since Emma came to us. There may be a few new holes in the backyard and in some of our socks, but there are also more toys, rawhide bones, laughter, and love.

The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League does a wonderful service in our community by saving and placing animals that have gotten lost or been abandoned. These animals know they are special. It is the public who need to know what joy adopting one of these little ones can bring and what a gift they are.

Emma’s adoption papers list her as a "cockapoo/terrier?" We now know what the "?" stands for. It is love and sweetness.

Gene and Monica Webb

Heartworm Prevention and Care

by Dr. Dianne Watson, D.V.M.

Heartworm disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions of dogs in the United States. Those of us living in the Southeastern United States should especially be aware of heartworm disease, because of its prevalence here. If your pet is not currently on heartworm prevention, there is a good chance they may already have heartworms.

Heartworm disease is a life threatening condition that is easily prevented by any of a number of once-a-month medications. Talk to your veterinarian about which preventative is best for you and your pet.

Adult heartworms are long thin worms that live in a tangled mass in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs and in the right ventricle of the heart. These worms damage the lungs, obstruct blood flow, prevent heart valves from closing properly, cause the heart to work harder, and ultimately lead to life threatening heart and lung disease.

Adult heartworms produce live offspring called microfilaria (tiny worms), which circulate through the animal’s bloodstream. It is by these microfilaria that heartworms spread from one animal to another via mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected animal for a blood meal, these tiny worms are picked up by the mouth parts of the mosquito. The worms undergo two molts (or life stages) inside the mosquito. Now the microfilaria are referred to as larvae. Then, the mosquito carries these larval worms along with it to its next blood meal. In doing so, the larvae are transmitted to another animal. If this animal is on heartworm prevention, these larvae will be killed before they can grow into adults. If the animal is not on heartworm prevention, the larvae mature into reproducing adults that live in the heart.

Clinical signs associated with heartworms can vary widely. Many dogs have no clinical signs whatsoever. The most common clinical signs are coughing, exercise intolerance and weight loss. The best time to treat an animal for heartworms is BEFORE they start showing signs of infection. Don’t wait until your pet is sick to decide to have them tested for heartworms.

Heartworms can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test, and treatment is available. An injection that prevents heartworm infection for six months is available from your veterinarian. If your pet is not on heartworm prevention, talk to your veterinarian about getting them on a prevention.

(The dogs at the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League receive monthly heartworm prevention. Volunteers are needed to help with give this heartworm prevention each month. See the schedule of Medication Days on the last page of this newsletter..)

Dr. Watson, BARL Medical Director, is in practice at the Brookhaven Animal Hospital.

Creating a Happy Home for Your New Pet

Adding a pet to the family can be a joyful and fun-filled experience for children and adults. But before bringing home a new pet, each family should make an informed decision about the addition. First, it is unrealistic to expect children to assume all the care for a pet. Therefore, at least one adult family member must be committed to caring for the pet—in more than a supervisory role. This includes feeding and watering and attending to the pet’s medical and behavioral needs.

Next, decide what type of pet is appropriate for your family. Take into consideration the time available for daily exercising and interacting with the pet. Puppies will need to be house trained and should not be left inside alone for more than a few hours. They also need plenty of human interaction for proper socialization. Kittens can be left longer but also need plenty of interaction. In some cases older animals may be more appropriate since they are often calmer and already house trained. Finances should also be a consideration since pets require not only food, but also medical care. Cost can vary from $800 annually for a cat to $1,200 annually for a dog. Emergency costs can easily run over $1,000 more. The first year will likely be more costly since all pets should be neutered or spayed by six months of age to prevent unwanted litters.

Once you have made the decision to bring a pet into your family, planning is essential. Be sure to get the supplies you need (ask your veterinarian or animal shelter staff for advice on what is necessary.) Pick a time when people will be home to help our new family member acclimate to the environment. Create a safe and secure location for your pet to rest and stay when unsupervised. Discuss in advance which areas of the home will be accessible to your pet. Always supervise child-pet interactions and separate them if things get too rambunctious. Plan to spend time with your pet daily on training and exercise to meet his social, emotional, and physical needs.

What about introducing a resident pet to a new child in the home? In cases where the pet has had adequate positive exposure to children, things might go quite well. However, in an unfamiliar situation a dog or cat may be fearful and perhaps even aggressive. This can be avoided by calm introductions and monitoring the interaction between children and pets. For very young children (babies, toddlers, and children less than six years old), this means never leaving the child and the pet—canine or feline—alone. Watch the pet for signs of increased agitation like pacing or avoidance behavior. Some dogs may put their ears back, tense their bodies, growl, or snarl. Cats may put their ears back, hiss, growl, swat with their paws, or hide. If aggression occurs, separate the children and the pets and seek help from a veterinary behaviorist.

Introductions are facilitated by increasing attention to the pet when the child is present. This sends the message to the pet that good things happen when the child is around. Naturally, children need to be taught how to interact with pets in a calm, nonthreatening manner. Teach them to reach for the pet slowly, using voice contact to signal attention. Children can also help with caring for the pet, such as feeding and rewarding good behavior with food treats, but always under adult supervision. Teasing or extremely physical play (keep away, rolling on the floor, chase, and tug-o-war) should be avoided, substituting gentler games like fetch. Pet training is important so that play doesn’t escalate into rough behavior.

Good planning and supervision can make adding a pet to your household a life-changing decision you will thoroughly enjoy.

(Source: The Humane Society of the United States)

Rescue League Good Samaritan

When Daniel Legg, a Positive Pest employee, arrived to spray a vacant house, he found more than he expected—a dog and her puppies abandoned in the house. They had been trapped there for at least a week without food and water. Mr. Legg contacted the League and waited at the location until Stacy Walker, a League representative, arrived to remove the animals. Many people would have simply left, doing nothing. Rescue League officers sometimes see the uncaring side of human nature. Once in a while we are witness to something very fine and special.

Danielle before...

Danielle after...

(Danielle spent a few months with a League foster family and was healthy and happy when adopted to a great home.)

Pet Care Tips

Our pets love us forever and deserve the very best care we can give them. To keep your dog or cat safe and healthy, please be sure to:

• Protect your dog from traffic by always walking him or her on a leash.
• Keep your cat in the house where he or she will be safe from cars, illness, and pet theft.
• Put the Poison Control hotline phone number (1-888-426-4435) near your telephone. If you suspect that your pet may have been exposed to something toxic, this number connects you to ASPCA veterinarians, not telephone operators. Unfortunately, it is not a free service, but if you haven’t any other recourse, and your pet’s life is in danger, it may be a life saver.
• Take your pet to the veterinarian each year for a checkup.
• Keep an identification tag on your dog or cat that includes your phone number. Cat collars should always have a quick release latch to prevent choking.
• Make sure your pet has clean, fresh water.