August - Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern New Jersey

SHELTIE WISE
The monthly newsletter of the Shetland Sheepdog Club of No. NJ
August 2006
Club website: www.sscnj.org
Meeting Notice – Sept 8th
Please note: Due to Labor Day, the meeting date has been
moved to Friday, Sept 8, 7:30 pm at the Westfield
Community Center. The evening will start with Kurt
Blaicher, DVM, Animal Medical Group of Plainfield
speaking on reproduction. The business meeting will
follow our speaker.
Pat Marchello, editor --jetsong@comcast.net
is required to place the order, requests without payment
cannot be processed by the Club.
It’s that time again!
Watch for your dues notice in the mail. If you
don’t receive it, please contact Ursula –
wildoakshelties@cableone.net
(Directions to the meeting site can be find at our Website –
www.sscnj.org ) Guests are welcomed. If you have a
friend interested in shelties, why not invite them to a
meeting!
October Specialty Update!
2nd Annual October Specialty following
Palisades Kennel Club Show!
“Judges Hospitality”
We need someone who isn't showing to be Judges
Hospitality. This is the only position not filled at this point.
If you are interested or have any questions,
please contact Ursula – wildoakshelties@cableone.net
Information on our show and the sheltie
judges for the cluster can be found on our
website.
Our members’ brags
From Sylvette…Sundae got his Novice Jumpers and
Weaves title at Poodle
Club of Lehigh Valley
earning second place
with a perfect score of
100. He was 7 seconds
under time. At the same
show I bumped him up
to the next level for
standard where he
earned his first leg with a perfect 100 and first place. He
was 12 seconds under course time.
Summer Litters…Over the course of the summer a
few of our members whelped litters…Irene has a tri male
puppy, Buddy and Ursula have a couple of litters (including
their first blue male), and Aneita has a young AOAC litter
out her tri female.
Some wise words…..
ASSA Handbooks
We have received notice from the ASSA that the 2005
Handbooks are being prepared for publication. If you are
interested in purchasing a 2005 Handbook at the prepublication rate of $24, please mail your payment payable
to SSCNNJ to Ursula Dudek, Treasurer, SSCNNJ,
73 Wildoak Mountain Road, Alexandria, AL 36250 for
receipt no later than August 21, 2006. Orders placed after
the pre-publication deadline will need to be placed at the
post-publication rate of $30.00 per book. Because payment
Sheltie Wise
There is no
psychiatrist in the
world like a puppy
licking your face.
-- Ben Williams
Page 1 of 8
Upcoming events,
seminars, clinics etc.
Contact Information:
Pat Klinger - Email: ricklinger@worldnet.att.net
Phone: (908) 637-8124
Oct 8, 2006
Inter-State Shetland Sheepdog Club Specialty
Sweeps:
Jr. Show: Mrs. Bobbi Compton
Regular: Mrs. Denise Cornelssen
Obedience: John D. Landis (view bio)
Nov 11, 2006 -- AKC Obedience Seminar
Presenter: AKC Field Rep
Sponsoring Club: Somerset County Dog Obedience Club
Contact Information:
Kay Ruskin - 17 Lafayette Lane Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Email: pagodashihtzu@aol.com
Phone: (908) 647-1357
This seminar will meet AKC obedience and rally judges'
educational requirements. This seminar will be for one day
only.
Oct 21, 2006 -- Flanders, NJ – 2 Day Seminar
George Alston Handling Seminar for Beginners,
Advanced and Observers
Presenter: George Alston
Sponsoring Club: Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club
January 27- 28, 2007 -- Harrisburg SSC Seminar
Myra Savant Harris --Canine Reproduction Whelping
and Puppy Intensive Care Seminar
Spring Garden Conference Ctr. Middletown, PA.
Please check the Harrisburg Shetland Sheepdog site at
www.harrisburgssc.org for the latest Seminar news.
What to Do if Your Pet is
Sprayed by a Skunk
by Dr. Tim Dockter, Doc's Veterinary Clinic, Bismarck, ND
no longer stable. Storing it in a bottle could cause an
explosion from all the free oxygen this reaction is releasing.
Question: What do I do if my pet is sprayed by a skunk?
How can I get rid of the odor?
I have used this solution a number of times on my cats and
dogs and found it to be the best on the market. All the
other remedies, in my opinion, just don't work.
At Doc's it's a question we hear all the time. How do you
get rid of the smell that comes from the two small glands at
the business end of a skunk?
- Reprinted from the April-June 1999 issue of "Focus On All Fours," the
CDHS newsletter.
The chemical in the skunk spray is the same thing that
causes the odor in decomposing fish, dead flesh and fecal
matter. Unfortunately, most dogs, and some cats, love to
roll around in these offensive items also. We've all heard
and tried old remedies that just don't make it, like washing
your pet in mouth wash, soap or tomato juice. The tomato
juice old wive's tale has actually left many people with a
pet that not only stinks, but has turned pink. So the best
way to let your dog or cat back into the house after their
run-in with the skunk or other smelly substance is to use
this almost magical formula developed by a chemist...
1 Quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Liquid Soap
Mix together and rub onto your pet. Rinse off with normal
tap water.
This easy solution should do the trick and it will only cost
you about $2.00 to prepare. Do not bottle or save the
solution. Once you mix the peroxide with baking soda, it is
Sheltie Wise
AKC’s newest sport is fun for pets
By Denise A. Gordon
“What in the world is that?!” someone
asked me at a recent show and pointed
to the ring where stewards were setting
up ground-level signs. I answered
simply, “rally obedience,” and
explained the strange goings-on in the
ring.
Rally obedience, or “Rally-O” as it has been termed by
enthusiasts, is the latest American Kennel Club event to hit
the show circuit. Rally-O combines characteristics of sports
car racing, dog agility, and traditional obedience into a new
fun sport.
Rally is timed, includes 12-20 performance stations
depending on the level of participation, and is scored by
judges who watch for a smooth performance as well as skill
in following the directions at each station.
As it does with obedience and agility, AKC offers titles in
three Rally levels:
Page 2 of 8
•
•
•
Novice, with on-leash exercises that demonstrate the
dog’s understanding of basic commands such as sit,
stay, down, and come and knows where heel position
is;
Advanced, a set of exercises performed off-leash that
includes at least one jump; and
Excellent, a more difficult off-leash course that
includes at least one jump and demonstrates more
precise skill coordination between the dog and handler.
As in agility, each course is different every time and a
layout is posted at ringside. Handlers also receive a printed
copy of the course and can walk it without their dogs prior
to the start of the class. Judges have more than three dozen
stations to choose from when designing their courses.
A sign at each station gives instructions to the dog-handler
team, and each team must execute the station’s particular
task within two-to-four feet of the sign. Once the judge
gives the command “forward,” the dog and handler
complete the course on their own without further
commands from the judge. Handlers may not use treats or
toys in the ring, but may do anything else to encourage
their dogs except physically touch them or make
corrections with the leash.
Signs instruct teams to go fast or slow, to halt (dog must sit
at heel), to make turns and circles, to reverse direction, to
do a sit-stay-recall, or other basic obedience exercises.
Each team has a starting score of 100 points from which
points are deducted for such faults as missed or
incompletely performed stations, touching the dog, leash
corrections, etc. The team with the highest score (i.e.,
fewest number of faults) wins first place, followed by the
next highest score for second place, and so forth.
If two teams achieve the same score, the judge determines
the placements according to the time recorded for each
team’s course completion.
Rally-O is a wonderful introduction to the sport of
obedience for dogs and owners, an end it itself, an
opportunity for veteran dogs to remain active, and a chance
for shy or anti-social dogs to get ring experience without
worrying about being examined by a judge.
A complete description of
Rally Obedience is on the
AKC website at
www.akc.org/pdfs/ruleboo
ks/RO2999.pdf.
Station signs for all
three levels can be
found
www.akc.org/pdfs/ruleboo
ks/ROR999.pdf.
Information is also
available at dog clubs that
Rally obedience, or “Rally-o” are sponsoring
demonstrations and classes
as it’s quickly being termed
for an increasing number
by enthusiasts, is the latest
American Kennel Club event of dog owners who are
happily exclaiming “Rallyto hit the show circuit.
O!”
[Dog Owner's Guide: Rally Obedience
(www.canismajor.com/dog/rallyo.html)] is a part of the Dog Owner's
Guide internet website
Photos from our members…
From Elaine…
B’Lana and her puppies
Many dogs enjoy this change from the usual silent heeling
of traditional obedience as their owners can clap hands,
talk, whistle (even sing!) to them throughout the entire
course without penalty. Those who participate in agility
trials will recognize the pre-class “walk-throughs” and the
challenge of working with their dog partners in an almost
dance-like flow from one station to another.
Sheltie Wise
Page 3 of 8
By Brenda Thoma
Clean and healthy dogs are first class real-estate for fleas. Even the most meticulously groomed dog can pick up fleas from
dog shows, dog parks (even if no other dogs are around), training school and even your own backyard. An adult flea can
lay eggs within hours of finding herself on a host and can literally populate a dog with an entire colony of fleas in just a few
weeks. Fleas have powerful jumping legs and as adults they easily travel from their surroundings onto a host or from host to
host. Although fleas are tiny and fast moving, they can often be seen on your dog, frequenting areas such as the throat and
chest and between the front legs. Even if you don’t see the insects themselves, they leave tell-tale signs of their presence,
most commonly small red marks from their bites and flea dirt which resembles black pepper sprinkled into your dog’s coat.
Flea infestations can plague pet owners for years causing discomfort, allergies and weight loss in dogs; fleas can even
carry diseases and other parasites. Familiarize yourself with the available treatments and products; consult your
veterinarian’s advice and formulate a plan that will effectively rid your dog of these dirty little pests.
Fipronil is the effective ingredient in Frontline®, developed by Rhone Merieux. This commonly used product effectively kills
adult fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs. Applied as a spray or more often as topical drops, Fipronil pools and
dries in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles and continues to effectively kill fleas for several weeks and ticks for a month
or more following application. This product can be used on puppies as young as 10 weeks old and is generally safe to use
on dogs receiving other medications. Fipronil is resistant to water and has an excellent safety and efficacy (effectiveness)
record.
Imidacloprid is the insecticide used in a product called Advantage®, manufactured by Bayer. Similar to Fipronil this product
also pools and dries in the oil glands of the skin and kills adult fleas on contact, before they are able to lay eggs.
Advantage® is applied to the skin over the back where it diffuses through the skin over the rest of the body. The treatment
works quickly; 98-100% of adult fleas are killed within 24 hours after application. Advantage® is not effective against ticks.
Imidacloprid continues to be effective after bathing or swimming and has an excellent safety and efficacy record as well.
Selamectin is a multi-purpose insecticide produced by Pfizer and is typically sold under the name Revolution®. A topical
treatment that is applied to the skin, Selamectin not only effectively kills adult fleas but destroys flea eggs and larvae. Other
active ingredients prevent heartworm disease and control ear mites and mange. Available only by prescription, Revolution®
is considered to be safe and relatively free of side effects.
Lufenuron is the effective ingredient in a systemic treatment called Program®, offered by Novartis Animal Health. It is
administered orally every 30 days in a palatable chew or pill. Program® controls fleas by use of a hormone that renders
fleas sterile. Data by Novartis Animal Health states that “virtually 100% of the eggs laid by female fleas failed to hatch”.
Lufenuron doesn’t actually kill adult fleas but rather can eradicate flea colonies by destroying their ability to reproduce. This
product is safe and effective in controlling flea infestations but it is not appropriate for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis
because the flea must bite the animal to be rendered sterile.
Novartis also produces a product called Sentinel® that consists of Lufenuron combined with other drugs to control
heartworms and internal parasites. Sentinel® is available by prescription only.
Sheltie Wise
Page 4 of 8
Treating your environment for Fleas (Reference A)
Nitenpyram, a flea treatment manufactured under the
name Capstar by Novartis Animal Health is an oral
medication as well, which begins to kill adult fleas on
dogs within 30 minutes of administration. It must be
used in conjunction with environmental controls
(Reference A) in order to break the flea cycle. In
research first published by The Veterinary Record,
Vol. 147, Issue 25; “Fleas started to fall from the
(trial) animals 30 minutes after treatment with
Nitenpyram and after six hours the efficacy of the
drug reached 96.7 percent”. No adverse drug
reactions were recorded during the trial. Capstar can
be used on puppies as young as 4 weeks of age and
is very effective in providing immediate relief from
biting fleas.
ProSpot is a somewhat outdated flea control product
that is generally considered to be unsafe due to the
toxic effects of the insecticide it contains. Don’t
confuse ProSpot with TopSpot which is a safe and
effective product.
Proban, another old school product that disables
fleas by affecting their nervous system function is not
commonly recommended due to the fact that the
drugs involved can wreak havoc on the nervous
system of the host animal as well. Whippets and
Greyhounds are particularly vulnerable to the toxic
effects of ProSpot and Proban.
Dips are made of highly concentrated insecticide
preparations and may be effective at controlling
fleas, but are not generally recommended because of
their highly toxic nature. Many contain
organophosphates, which can cause adverse
reactions such as excessive tearing of the eyes,
vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle tremors, seizures,
coma, and death. If dips are used, they should not be
used more than once a week, and pet owners should
follow the instructions carefully.
Removing fleas from your dog is just the first step in eradicating
them from your life. If you chose an insecticidal product offering
continued protection, the flea population in and around your
home will slowly but surely subside. Adult fleas must have a host
to feed on before laying eggs; if all the animals in your home or
kennel have been treated with a long lasting insecticide the life
cycle is interrupted. If you chose a short acting insecticide that
kills only the fleas that are on your pet at the time of the
treatment (dips, shampoos and Nitenpyram) you will also need to
remove as many fleas, eggs and larvae from the environment.
• Insecticide spray treatments can be used in carpets to reduce
numbers of fleas. Products on the market target the adult flea.
Methoprene (Precor) and Pyriproxyfen (Nylor, Archer) are growth
regulators that prevent eggs from hatching and the larval fleas
from pupating into adults that reproduce. Methoprene will reduce
flea populations up to 95% in 14 days while pyriproxyfen, due to
its ability to remain stable in sunlight, lasts in carpets for many
months. Because these products do not kill adult fleas, products
that contain both an insecticide and growth regulator are more
effective.
• Wash pet bedding in hot water. If animals sleep with a family
member, all bedding must be washed. Vacuum carpets
thoroughly everywhere the infested pet is allowed to inhabit and
especially near where the animal sleeps. In addition, cleaning
carpets with a steam cleaner should kill some of the larval fleas,
and also remove the bits of organic matter that accumulate in
carpets that the larvae feed on.
• Foggers were once the standard cure for flea infestations but
have fallen from favor due to their toxic nature, poor
effectiveness and unpleasant effects such as smell and a sticky
residue that are often left behind. The insecticide is released into
a mist which dissipates in the room. While foggers do cover
every surface in the room in which it is used; fleas, eggs and
larvae generally inhabit covered areas and burrow into carpet
and bedding rendering foggers ineffective against them.
• Remember to treat the outdoor environment as well. Treat the
yard around your home or kennel with an insecticide containing
an insect growth regulator, such as pyriproxifen. This growth
regulator does not breakdown as quickly in daylight and remains
effective for a longer period of time.
Inert (non-chemical) products such as boric acid, diatomaceous
earth and silica are often effective in deterring fleas as well.
Although evidence is anecdotal, many kennels use these
products with great success. Inert products are not dangerous to
animals and remain stable in their environment for 6 to 8 months.
Pyrethrin-based flea sprays contain a natural
chemical derived from chrysanthemums. Sprays can
be effective but they only work for about one day per
treatment. Longer-lasting synthetic pyrethrin flea
sprays are also available but aren’t as risk-free as
the natural products. For complete control of fleas, the pet itself as well as its environment (Ref.A) need to receive regular
treatments. Pyrethrin can cause adverse reactions in some pets, such as depression, increased salivation, muscle tremors,
vomiting, ataxia (muscle incoordination), dyspnea (labored breathing), and loss of appetite.
Pyrethrin-based powder contains many of the same ingredients as the sprays but in a powder form that stays active on the
pet’s skin and in the environment for longer periods of time. Application can be a problem for some people as inhalation of
the powder should be avoided and it can discolor household items that it comes in contact with them. Both sprays and
powders are ineffective after contact with water.
Flea shampoos contain insecticides that vary in their effectiveness. The goal is to remove the fleas that are present on the
animal at the time of shampooing. To be effective, the shampoo must stay on the animal for at least 10 minutes before
rinsing. Many flea shampoos contain a natural insecticide called D-limonene that is fairly effective but is a volatile oil from
citrus fruits and can cause irritation to the skin and excessive dryness. Environmental control (Ref. A) must also be used in
conjunction with flea shampoos.
Flea Collars as described by Consumer Reports Magazine in August of 1991 “are not effective in repelling or controlling
fleas and we consider them to be a waste of money”. The insecticide in the flea collar is designed to contact the flea as it
travels from the body to the animal’s facial mucus membranes to drink. Of course, fleas randomly jump on and off of
animals and as many as 85% of the fleas on a dog will never come in contact with the collar. Newer collars containing a
Sheltie Wise
Page 5 of 8
Gene can be fatal for herding dogs
Denise Flaim
Animal House
July 10, 2006
It's not just ivermectin anymore.
Most dog-savvy people - not to mention their vets - know
about the connection between collies and invermectin.
These herding dogs have a heritable sensitivity to the antiparasitic drug, which can overwhelm the blood-brain
barrier, causing neurotoxicity, coma and, sometimes, death.
In 2001, veterinarian Katrina Mealey of Washington State
University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman,
Wash., and her team found that ivermectin sensitivity is
caused by a mutation in the multi-drug resistance gene
(MDR1), which controls a protein that helps pump drugs
and toxins out of the brain.
But as the research continued, the scientists discovered that
the gene may react to more than 50 drugs, such as
Loperamide (the over-the-counter antidiarrheal Imodium);
the popular tranquilizer Acepromazine, often called "Ace"
for short; the heart drug Digoxin; pain-control medication
Butorphanol; Cyclosporin, an immunosuppressant used in
allergy treaments; and several chemotherapy drugs,
including Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Vinblastine.
(For a list of other drugs that have the potential to cause
problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation, visit
Sheltie Wise
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/ )
While collies have the biggest issue with this multi-drug
sensitivity - about 75 percent of them worldwide carry the
defective gene - other herding breeds also are potential
victims. Approximately 10 percent of Shetland sheepdogs
and Australian shepherds carry the mutant gene. At the
opposite end of the spectrum are border collies, with only 1
percent believed to be carriers. Mealey says Old English
sheepdogs and German shepherds have a "very low" risk
factor, with single-digit carrier rates, although white-factor
shepherds - those that are albinos or produce it in offspring
- are at higher risk.
There is a noninvasive test to determine whether a dog is a
MDR1 carrier. The $60 test involves swiping the inside of
the dog's cheek with a small bristle brush and mailing the
DNA in for analysis.
While Mealey's research has been published in several
veterinary journals, she says she still fields calls every
week from owners whose vets know nothing about this
herding-dog-specific sensitivity.
Ironically, the most well-known source of canine exposure
to ivermectin - heartworm medications such as Heartgard poses the least risk for MDR1 dogs. Mealey notes that the
ivermectin dose in heartworm preventives is so low usually 6 micrograms per kilogram - "that they are safe
once a month, even for dogs with the mutation."
By contrast, when ivermectin is used as a treatment for
mange, the typical dose is 300 micrograms per kilogram a
Page 6 of 8
day - more than 50 times the heartworm dose. "That dog
will go into a coma" if it has the MDR1 gene, Mealey
warns.
Another area for concern is avermectins used as pesticide
sprays. Mealey recalls a case where a couple took their
Labrador retriever and collie to their vacation home, where
the grounds had been treated with the ivermectin-like
compound.
"A day later, the collie was in a coma and the Lab was
fine," she explains. "The veterinarians almost euthanized
the dog, thinking it was some bizarre neurological thing. If
you're a sensitive dog, the coma can last for weeks until the
drug gets out of your system," Mealey says - a likely death
sentence for dogs that have not been properly diagnosed.
Visit Newsday online at http://www.newsday.com.
Do you have anything
for the newsletter?
Please send them to me. In the subject line, please indicate
its “For Sheltie Wise”. I don’t want to miss it. I am always
looking for articles, ideas and photos for the newsletter.
Your help with this is always appreciated. Thank you.
Thankfully, the owners' Web surfing turned up the
chemical culprit, and after several weeks, the collie
emerged from the coma no worse for wear.
Mealey notes that many specialist vets, such as
dermatologists treating mange, will recommend that owners
of herding breeds conduct the DNA test to see if the dog
has the mutation. "Now a lot of oncologists are starting to
as well," she adds, because some cancer-fighting agents
will cause a similar reaction in high doses. "When you
lower the dose of chemo, it decreases the chances of putting
a dog into remission" - a precaution that defeats the purpose
of the cancer treatment in the first place.
While some sighthounds such as the silken windhound and
long-haired whippet also carry the renegade MDR1 gene,
researchers have concluded that the mutation likely found
its way into those gene pools through sheepdog crosses
made to produce their flowing coats.
As for the gene itself, DNA sequencing of neighboring
genes has shown it was a spontaneous mutation that arose
in one dog who likely lived in Great Britain in the mid1800s, before the first herding breeds were even
recognized.
This nameless prototypical sheepdog "was a working dog,
and probably a good one," Healey explains, " so its genes
were passed on" - for better and worse.
Write to Denise Flaim, c/o Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd.,
Melville, NY 11747-4250; or e-mail
denise.flaim@newsday.com. For previous columns,
www.newsday.com/animalhouse.
Copyright (c) 2006, Newsday, Inc.
-------------------This article originally appeared at:
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/nylspets4812529jul10,0,4059851.column
Sheltie Wise
Artwork by Clan Duncan
From the AKC site: www.akc.org
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2960
American Kennel Club News Article
AKC Launches Veterinary Network Certificate
Program
Date of Article: August 01, 2006
-- No Cost Vet Visit Offered to All Newly Registered AKC
Puppies -New York, NY - The American Kennel Club® is pleased
to announce the launch of the Veterinary Network
Certificate Program which offers all puppies newly
registered with the AKC® a complimentary first veterinary
office visit with one of the 2,000 practices enrolled in the
program. The AKC encourages owners to register their
puppy as soon as possible in order to receive the certificate
in time for the dog’s first vet trip.
The AKC Registration Application will feature information
about the offer both online and in hard copy versions.
Certificates for the complimentary office visit will be sent
to new puppy owners when they submit the application and
provide an email address. The certificate, as well as a list of
participating veterinarians in the registrant’s area, will be
emailed to the dog owner shortly afterwards.
Veterinarians participating in AKC’s Veterinary Network
program receive the latest information on purebred dogs
and canine health research from the AKC. They are also a
helpful source for AKC materials on many other topics
including training, breeding, competitive events, permanent
identification and pet health insurance.
Page 7 of 8
“The AKC realizes that it takes a lot of time and research to
select the right purebred puppy for your family, and the
decisions do not stop once your puppy comes home,” said
Debra Bonnefond, Director of the AKC Veterinary
Outreach Program. “This program enables us to make new
dog owners’ lives a bit easier from the start and to
emphasize the importance of routine veterinary care
throughout a dog’s lifetime.”
emergency care for poisoning and bloat/torsion. How to
deal with burns and other common emergencies and
illnesses are also covered in this course on Pet First Aid.
Newly registered puppies are also eligible for a
complimentary 60-Day Trial AKC Pet Healthcare Plan
through PetPartners, Inc.
Photo Credit: Michael Dilley
For more information on the Certificate Program as well as
a complete listing of veterinarians registered in AKC’s
Veterinary Network, please visit www.akc.org/vetnet/.
From the AKC site:
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2950
American Kennel Club News Article
The Red Cross: Not Just for People
If no local chapters offer this course, you can order a First
Aid Kit (https://www.redcrossstore.org/dp.aspx?pgid=-1 )
and Pet First Aid Manual
(http://www.pcxhost.com/store/st7/tp8/home.jsp?unique=1
154869856724&sid=6938CACE1080E58753A3C9CAD1D
5B1A88A1EB3F2&SessionID=5673104&source=launch)
online from the Red Cross.
The Red Cross site also has a disaster preparedness page to
help you plan ahead should you be in an area that could be
struck by life threatening disasters. It contains excellent
advice on how to plan ahead; how to transport your animals
and what to take for your pets.
Date of Article: July 20, 2006
How many of us would be prepared if our dog suffered heat
stroke on the way to a show? Or collapsed while out
working in the field? Or was injured while working stock?
Could you perform CPR on your Yorkie? How about CPR
on your St. Bernard? If you are unprepared for such pet
emergencies, then maybe it is time to contact your local
Red Cross chapter
(http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/pfachapter.ht
ml )and take the special Pet First Aid course
(http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/pets.html )
they offer at select chapters.
The Red Cross has developed a program that will teach you
how to handle emergencies with your pet. You will learn
how to recognize an emergency and how to handle
common problems. Besides learning how to administer
medicines, you can learn how to perform CPR on large and
small dogs.
While the Red Cross is known for their aid to people in
distress, it is also a fact that with this Pet First Aid course,
they are thinking of our four-legged ‘family’ as well.
Proposed Slate of Officers 2006-07
The nominating committee has proposed the following slate
of officers. If you wish to nominate someone you can do so
at the September meeting.
•
•
•
•
•
•
President: Herb O'Brien
Vice President: Donna Colletti
Treasurer: Ursula Dudek
Corresponding Secretary: Tina Sobers
Recording Secretary: TBD
Board Members:
- Elaine Wishnow
- Joyce Oscar
In this four hour class what you learn could save your pet’s
life. There is no ‘animal 911’ to call. So it is up to you to be
prepared if disaster strikes.
The Red Cross four hour Pet First Aid Training course
utilizes mannequins to learn the correct skills for smallmedium and large dog CPR as well as how to perform CPR
on cats. The instructor will demonstrate CPR, rescue
breathing and how to care for choking emergencies. You
will learn how to splint broken bones; control bleeding and
Sheltie Wise
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