June | 2011 | Labradoodle Dreams

I registered with the ALAA today.  I should hear back in 2-4 weeks.  Hopefully I get my seals!!!

This will also have all of our litter’s Registered with the ALAA!!  So, finger’s crossed that I didn’t miss anything to slow the process down!

I’ve worked hard to get here, now I can’t believe I’ve finally done it!!!

Parvo is very serious, its one of the main reason’s we limit visitors to our puppies.  It can live in the ground for years, be carried on tires, shoes and clothing if you go from one pet store or breeder’s that is infected to another’s whose not and literally wipe out an entire liter.  Take extra care when puppy shopping, change shoes when going from one place to another & in the summer months, when Parvo’s at its highest, make sure you only let your puppy out in area’s you know are safe.

——————————————————————————————————————–

Parvovirus can be a threat for puppies at any age. It can be especially dangerous for pets that are out and about with other dogs, as it is transferred by contact with canine stools. Luckily, it almost never occurs after your dog is 14-months-old.

Even with preventative actions such as vaccinating, Parvovirus can attack. Parvo is a viral canine disease, and the virus grows in rapidly dividing cells such as the intestinal lining. It attacks and kills these cells and can lead to death. Parvo also causes a suppression of white blood cells and can infect the heart muscle. The key is to know what signs to look for and to get treatment immediately if Parvo is suspected.

Symptoms to Look For

• Diarrhea, bloody


• Lethargy


• Vomiting


• Depression


• Pain when defecating


• Loss of appetite


• Fever

Treatment

1. Testing – There are tests for Parvo in the stool but results can be a false positive for those puppies recently vaccinated.

2. Going By Symptoms – If the results of the test are positive and there are symptoms present, your vet will likely treat it as Parvovirus even if your puppy was recently vaccinated.

3. Fluids – Intravenous fluid is the main treatment for Parvo. Serum and colloidal fluids are used, along with traditional fluids. The colloidal fluids appear to be mainly to credit for recovery.

4. Antibiotics – These prevent secondary bacterial infections. Antibiotics such as Amoxicillin are usually used.

5. Immunity – Strengthening your puppy’s immune system, ideally before catching Parvo but also after infection, can help him fight it. Check with your vet for ideas that correlate with his medical treatment.

The good news is that about 80% of treated puppies with Parvovirus will live. But treatment is essential. Without it, about 80% will die. If your puppy shows one or more of these symptoms for more than a week, contact your vet immediately. Better to find out his stool is loose because he ate a sock than to take a chance on Parvovirus.

http://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/parvovirus-in-dogs

It’s Official!  Labradoodle Dreams Web-site is back up & running!! 

 Check us out!!  It’s a whole new look & theme!  And check back often for updates in Up & Coming Litters, you never know who will surprise us by coming into season early or late.  All of our dates are only estimates at this point!

 www.labradoodledreams.com

 We look forward to hearing from you!

I’m really hoping to have my new web-site up this week.  Its been down for too long!!!

I can’t wait for everyone to see It And give me your feedback! !

Lets all hope its up by Monday. I was thinking it was going to already be up, but there’s always something it seems.

You know, I often tell people I am full of useless information & really, its not ALL useless, some of it’s important, just not now, or to them.  This is one of those times.  Again, I like to read an subscribe to many Blogs, newsletters & what not to get the latest & most up to date info not only for my own knowledge, but so I can pass it onto you.  Who knows, one day you may think, ‘Oh yeah, I read that somewhere . . . . .’  because now, you need it too & it’s not so useless!  So without further a-dooo………………………….from the dogtrainingsecret.com  an article on SHAPING BEHAVIOR!  (which I’ve used & like A LOT!)

————————————————————————–

Shaping Your Dog’s Behavior

Shaping your dog’s behavior is essential in dog training.  The good thing about working with and training dogs is that they are pliable and constantly willing to learn and change their behavior if you learn to employ the right principles!

Shaping as defined in psychology is a process in which a long term goal is broken down into a series of gradual steps or intermediate goals, starting with simple easily performed tasks and gradually progressing to more complex and difficult behaviors.  For instance we don’t normally start off running a marathon after a period of inactivity; and likewise people don’t start playing the piano by playing Chopin, Beethoven or Mozart.  Complex behaviors must be chained.

This is what I love about positive reinforcement training, and why it is so easy for us to shape our dogs into exactly what we want (within reason you can’t change personality just behavior!)

Recently there was quite a debate on our message boards!  I love a good debate, it institutes thought on everyone’s part about how dog training works in general, how it applies to them as an individual how it applies to the “masses” in general.  As a matter of fact it can all be different!  Different takes on different theories make a person a good dog trainer, or at least a good dog trainer for their dog.  Dogs are equally as different as their owners!

Almost 20 years ago when I began dog training I was under the impression that all dogs should respond the same and behave the same for their owners.  Phrases like “All dogs should be kept off of furniture”, and “All dogs should undergo obedience training classes” were common.  But I soon realized that different people wanted different traits in their dogs.  Some people (usually with smaller dogs) accept jumping up on them and encourage sitting in their laps, and some people with bigger dogs don’t want their dogs to jump on them or get into their laps.  Each side is welcome to their interpretation and what they desire in their pets.  Not every person wants to compete for obedience titles either!

Thank you to (PHOTO BY GLENN ASAKAWA/DENVER POST STAFF)

Some dogs herd, some wrangle rodents, some hunt, some are police dogs, some are just pets and others serve their people as working Assistance Dogs.  There are about as many uses for dogs as there are dogs and just as many ways to train them.

The thing about dog training is that it is dynamic and usually always changing.  When they are pups we usually teach them the basics like sit and down but as we progress through training we shape the ultimate behavior we want.  At first sit just meant to put his butt on the ground, later it may mean to sit and stay for two minutes or more.  It may come under the distraction of running sheep or fleeing fugitive.  Ultimately we “shape” what we need in our dogs by “uping the ante” or changing our expectations.

What is nice about dogs (as in difference to some of us who are older and stuck in our ways) is that they are usually always happy to learn and modify their behavior, provided we are asking in a fun and exciting way.  Their behavior is easily shaped by either using positive reinforcement to shape the new behavior or ignoring behaviors and never rewarding them again.

Shaping new behavior is quite simple, you basically teach your dog what your expectations are for the new behavior.  For example; I eventually drop “stay” from my obedience routine i.e. when I tell you “Down” stay is implied unless I tell you otherwise (I do realize some of you will disagree).  So after learning “Down” and “Stay” I begin to shape my new “Down with an implied Stay”.  This just helps me give one less command when I am competing and teaches my dog to pay attention.

Like new behaviors associated with the same command are simple to teach, so is the extinguishing of previous behavior that you never want to see again, although it sometimes takes a little longer and isn’t quite as fun it is usually quite effective.  The key is to NEVER reward the behavior again, typically (as long as the behavior is not self rewarding; i.e. stealing food or essential to life; laying down) behavior that is not rewarded goes away.

My dogs retrieve, because I like it and I intermittently reward and reinforce it.  This intermittent reinforcement keeps the behavior strong.  However if I NEVER wanted my dogs to pick up anything that I drop again, I would never reward the behavior again.  Simply ignoring a behavior is often enough to stop it from occurring.  If there is no praise and no reward there is no reason to continue the behavior itself!

Both of these tactics shape your dog’s behavior.  Knowing that ask yourself how often you stop reinforcing good behavior all together?  This is often when we see dogs that simply stop listening to commands they once knew…there is no longer a reason to behave in a certain way.

Use these procedures to shape your dog into the dog of your dreams!  And, when you notice your dog is no longer listening ask yourself what might be going on in your relationship, what behavior are you rewarding or what behavior have you stopped rewarding?

Good luck and have fun training with your dog!

***http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/shaping-dogs-behavior/  

June 16th, 2011 by Minette

Hello!  I am a follower of Annablog & I also have a great interest in Dr.Jean Dodd’s research on vaccines.  I have taken this post from another BLOG, but you can go to Dr Jean Dodds & find a lot of information.  You should ALWAYS make sure you are making an informed decsion when it comes to vaccines, flea & tick, heartworm & more.

________________________________________________

Dr. Jean Dodd’s NEW vaccine protocol – PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

---

          Dr. W. Jean Dodd’s vaccination protocol is now being adopted by ALL  27 North American veterinary schools. I highly recommend that you read  this. Copy and save it to your files. Print it and pass it out at dog  fairs, cat shows, kennel club meetings, dog parks, give a copy to your veterinarian and groomer, etc., etc. Get the word out.

Hi everyone…. THIS is wonderful news, that the veterinary schools are  now going to be teaching that over-vaccination of pets (once a year  “boosters”) is only not necessary, but in some cases can be harmful or  deadly! It has information for both dogs and cats. There still is an  ongoing study regarding the Rabies vaccine. Most states now allow  (reluctantly) 3 year Rabies, but the study is collecting data on whether  or not even that may be too much. They are looking at 8 or 10 year  Rabies!

I hope you all stop having yearly boosters for your pets. If you’re  concerned with immune levels, have the vet run a Titer test. THEN and  only then, if the levels are below acceptable, should you have a  booster. After all, when is the last time you had a “booster” for  smallpox, or whooping cough, or anything else you had shots for as a  child? Immune systems work the same in all mammals, and the concept that  pets have to have yearly shots doesn’t make any more sense than if you  had have shots every year. If mammal¢s immune systems were that weak in  fending off these things, all of them, us included, would have been  extinct years ago!

VACCINATION NEWS FLASH
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North  America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating  dogs and cats. Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics.  Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting  vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs  those concerned about potential side effects.

Politics, traditions 20 or the doctor’s economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
“Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified  live virus (MLV) vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an  immunity which is good for the life of the pet (i.e: canine distemper,  parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later,  the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the  second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not  “boosted” nor are more memory cells induced.”

Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they  subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and  immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. “There is no scientific documentation  to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines.”  Puppies receive antibodies through their mother’s milk. This natural  protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be  vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the  vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6  weeks will, however, delay the timing of the -first highly effective  vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of  vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up  to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of  age (usually at 1 year 4 months) will provide lifetime immunity.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS
Distemper & Parvo *”According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a  vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year  with MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive for life,  providing lifelong immunity.” Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr. Schultz  has studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine  distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer duration are  pending. “There are no new strains of parvovirus as one manufacturer  would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity  for all types.” Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the agents known to be a  cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used as CAV-1  vaccines carry the risk of “hepatitis blue-eye” reactions & kidney  damage.

*Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called “Kennel cough”. Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or  for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal  vaccine provides more complete and more rapid onset of immunity with  less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect  from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (4 to 6  months).*

*RABIES – There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in  Harris, Montgomery or Ft. Bend Counties [ Texas ] but there have been  rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. It is a killed vaccine  and must be given every year.

*Lyme disease-Lyme disease is a tick born disease which can cause  lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also  transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria  has proven to be the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention  should emphasize early removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more  effective than Top Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick’s mouthparts  preventing transmission of disease.

**VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED* *
Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the immune  system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well  as increasing the risk of a reaction. Canine Corona Virus is only a  disease of puppies. It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days  without treatment). Cornell & Texas A&M have only diagnosed one  case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does not cause disease in  adult dogs.*
*Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in dogs.  Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are  caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia. The  vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica.  Cross protection is not provided and protection is short lived . Lepto  vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies less than 16 weeks.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North  America , 30% or more of all dogs & cats are infected with giardia.  It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit giardia to dogs  & cats and vice versa.*

Heartworm preventative must be given year-round in Houston .

*VACCINES BADLY NEEDED
New vaccines in development include: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and  cat scratch fever vaccine for cats and Ehrlichia [one of the other tick  diseases, much worse than Lyme] for dogs.

THE VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES; BUSINESS ASPECTS
Most vets recommend annual boosters and most kennel operators require  them. For years, the pricing structure of vets has misled clients into  thinking that the inherent value of an annual o ffice visit was in the  “shots”. They failed to emphasize the importance of a physical exam for  early detection of treatable diseases. It is my hope that you will  continue to require Rabies & Kennel cough and emphasize the  importance of a recent vet exam. I also hope you will accept the new  protocols and honor these pets as currently vaccinated. Those in the  boarding business, who will honor the new vaccine facilities, are  reluctant to change.

CONCLUSION
Dogs & cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper,  parvo, & feline leukemia every year. Once the initial series of  puppy or kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are  completed, immunity from MLV vaccines persists for life. It has been  shown that cats over 1 year of age are immune to Feline Leukemia whether  they have been vaccinated or not.

Imagine the money you will save, not to mention fewer risks from side  risk of mediated hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions are r educed by  less frequent use of vaccines as well as by avoiding unnecessary  vaccines such as K-9 Corona virus and chlamydia for cats, as well as  ineffective vaccines such as Leptospirosis and FIP. Intranasal vaccine  for Rhiotracheitis and Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of  cats provide more complete protection than injectable vaccines with less  risk of serious reactions.

The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest endorsement for these new protocols.*

*Dr. Bob Rogers*

Please consider as current on all vaccinations for boarding purposes.
DOGS Initial series of puppy vaccines
1. Distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parinfluenze – 3 sets one month apart
concluding at 16 weeks of age.*
2. Rabies at 16 weeks of age (later is better)
3. Bordetella within last 4-6 months

First annual (usually at 1 year and 4 months of age)*
1. DHP, Parvo, Rabies
2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months 2 years or older

1. Rabies within last year
2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months
3. DHP & Parvo given anytime over 6 months of age, but not
necessarily within the last year.

Recommended: Physical exam for transmissible diseases and health risks.

CATS Initial kitten series
1. Distemper [PLP], Rhino Calicivirus, Feline Leukemia Vaccine – 3 sets
given one month apart concluding at 16 weeks.
2. Rabies at 16 weeks

First Annual [usually at 1 year and 4 months of age]
1. Distemper (PLP), Rhino Calicivirus, Rabies 2 years or older

1. Rabies within the last year
2. Rhino Calicivirus within last year
3. Distemper and FelV given any time after 6 months of age, but not
necessarily with the last year.
Recommended: Physical exam, FeLV/FIV testing, fecal exam for giardia.

• 
  Bravo! is recalling its Bravo! Pig Ears Chews in the 50-count bulk box of oven-roasted pig ears because they could be contaminated with salmonella, the FDA said. So far the company hasn’t received any reports of either pets or people being sickened from the chews. Included in the recall are the boxes of chews with the product code 75-121, Lot 12-06-10. The dog chews were sold on the East and West Coasts between January 1, 2011, and February 28, 2011. Consumers should return the chews to the store for a refund. Call the company at (866) 922-9222 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

In my humble opinion, the “Leave It” command is one of the most important things you can teach your dog! There are just some commands that may someday be invaluable in saving your dog’s life. Coming when called and leaving things on command could potentially be lifesaving.

Imagine you are standing in the kitchen getting your morning prescription medications together for the day, when you drop a couple of pills. What happens if your dog is typically a “Hoover” (floor vacuum-er)? Most human medications can be fatal for your pet. Even Tylenol is lethal for dogs and cats. That moment of panic when pills spill on the floor can be lessened if you teach your dog the “Leave It” command.

When I was training Service Dogs with an organization in Denver, CO I was told “Leave It” meant; do not touch, eat, or even look at the object and that definition has stuck with me. I think some people think it’s okay to at least look at a “Leave It” object but I think that can add difficulty to an already difficult proposal.

A “Leave It” means to completely ignore whatever the item or distraction is from a pill or a hot dog dropped on the floor, to a skateboarder flying past; Leave It means LEAVE IT!

So How Do You Teach “Leave It”?

This is a “Leave It” at its best!

What You Will Need

•Great Treats•Mediocre Treats or Dog Food •A Cheap Canvas 2 Pocket Tool Belt •A Leash •A Clicker •Lots of Patience!

Getting Started

Go and get your dog and put him on a leash and take him to a secluded private place that you can train together. This command needs your full attention at first while he is learning!

I like to use a 2 pocket tool belt (just the cheap canvas kind) for this training. I put my GREAT treats in one side and my mediocre treats or dog food in the other. Utilizing this tool makes it easier for me to access the right treat for the right response.

Keep the leash tight as you take a couple of mediocre treats out and place them on the floor out of your dog’s reach. Make sure he sees you put the treats down and restrict his access to the treats. Do not pop on the leash or correct him, let him strain for the treats but tell him “Leave It”.

Ready your clicker! At first he should look at and strain himself toward the treat, but soon he will get frustrated that he cannot reach them and he will turn and look away from the treats and toward you because he is discouraged. At that moment when he turns and looks away from the treats click and reward him with the GREAT treat!

If he continues to look at you, you can again praise and give a mediocre reward.

Now touch the mediocre treats that are on the floor again or pick them up and put them down again, to get him interested in them once again. As he looks at them, tell him “Leave It” and wait until he ignores them and looks toward you; click and jackpot him for a correct response.

Continue playing this game until he is hardly focused or not focused at all on the mediocre treats.

Once he has grasped the concept, you can move the mediocre treats closer to your dog. Click and jackpot for a good response and continue to try to deny him access to the treats. This may take several sessions and mastery of this command could take much longer, be patient!

Move them closer and closer until he pays no attention at all. He should now realize the GREAT treats come from you, not the floor and that “Leave It” means he will get a better reward if he listens.

Now, you may begin to use better and better treats as your “Leave It” distraction. Until he has completely given up trying to get the “Leave It” treat make the reward that comes from you better than the one you are using as a distraction.

Now that he is completely ignoring the treats you put down, you can use the same treat. He should realize the best in life comes from you not from the floor, or anywhere else.

Next tell him “Leave It” as you hold a treat in one hand. Click and reward with the opposite hand for a good response. He should be able to leave items you are eating or carrying as well as things on the floor.

Thanks to the Fun Times Guide.com for the photo Now that this game is fun, you can employ the help of family members and friends by having them try to give him a treat but then telling him to “Leave It”. If he is really good, have them toss treats at him in an attempt to get him to make a mistake. This can help for those of you who are afraid your dog may be at risk from poisoning.

Also proof this behavior by putting food on his feet or up his arms. He should be able to ignore any distraction at this point and he should be having a good time knowing that the reward from you will be greater than anything tossed to him or stacked on him!

This should be fun! You are not scaring him from the distraction, you are simply teaching him that YOU are better than anything else. If you employ scare tactics you will likely end up with a dog that only listens while you are right next to him. If however he thinks this is a game and you might be right around the corner with a game or a wonderful treat, he is much more likely to be successful!

Now go have some fun with your dog! This is a great party trick, and essential for safety!

**taken from thedogtrainingsecret.com***

I love Dogster.com & this is my most recent update from them:

If your puppy has stopped chewing shoes and diving for that piece of cheese, you may have let your guard down. If so, it’s likely that shoes are suddenly getting strewn across the floor, the trash is piling up more than it was, and your puppy is once again pushing against your leg at dinner for some tidbits. This occurs not because your puppy has forgotten his behavior training but because he’s seen that he can start to get away with things, inch by inch.

A dog does not have the ability to be manipulative but he is driven by instinct and he probably thinks, “Hey, the rules have changed! And in my favor!” Your puppy isn’t really rebelling – he’s seizing the opportunity to do what comes naturally. You may not realize just how far he’s gotten on this quest until there are many bad childhood habits back in place. The most common way we let our guard down is to start feeding puppy while cooking or at the table. From here it’s a downward spiral toward your puppy gaining that Alpha crown. Luckily, it’s easy to reinforce good behavior and stop these habits before they become, well, habits.

Common Bad Habits and What to Do

Begging – The first thing to do is to stop feeding your puppy people food, even as treats or as an addition to his food. Once he realizes that is not part of his diet, it makes stopping the begging easier. Then, when he begs, simply ignore him. He’ll give up and realize the action is fruitless. Make sure no one breaks the no-people-food rule. Eventually, you can add pieces of cooked chicken back into his diet if he does not start the begging again.

Chasing the Cat – A puppy’s prey drive is very strong, especially in herding and sight hound breeds, and the cat is often on the wrong end of the stick. Constant correction is necessary to break this habit again. Whenever your puppy starts chasing the cat, or another dog or your toddler, make a loud noise such as shaking a can full of coins. Say “No Chase!” firmly and shake again if he continues.

Chewing – The simplest way to avoid this is to keep everything put away but we want to break the habit as well. Again, a loud noise followed by “No Chew!” is effective. If your puppy won’t stop, gently grab him by the scruff and say “Give,” pulling the object from his mouth.

Trash Divers – It is also simple to prevent this from happening by having covered trash cans and emptying them often. Even when you break your puppy from this habit, do keep the trash out of reach as there can be dangerous items in it. To break the habit, leave the house with your puppy in the kitchen and a trash can nearby. Watch through a window and when he touches the can, rush back in shouting “No Trash!” Leave again and watch again and reenter if he’s persistent.

Jumping on People – This can be a tough one to break even if your puppy knew not to do it previously. The best correction for a medium to large dog is to lift your knee into his chest as he jumps and firmly say “No Jump!” This should be a gentle movement. For smaller dogs, you can gently move them back with your foot and say “No Jump!” If you don’t correct your puppy’s bad habits as soon as you see them reemerge, it will get increasingly difficult to change them. To prevent these habits from coming back again, keep up your training and be on the lookout for any bad behavior.

Don’t let it go because you’re tired or don’t have time. It will take much more time later on if you do.

Remmy & Molly

I think he is absolutely STUNNING!  and you can really see how he has held his RED coloring!

Remington is a Standard Australian Labradoodle with excellent lines and has passed all of his breeding testing, thus far.  Still waiting for him to get old enough or a few more, but we don’t expect any suprises, the main tests & then some are already completed.

Remmy has a fantasic coat, a luxuriously soft wavy fleece coat and a fantastic temperment.  He’s also sharp as a whip!  His Guardian Families fantasic & has taught him so much!  most of the training was done by their oldest daughter, a pre-teen I might add!  She definately is his girl.

I think every dog picks a person, one they love the best and are most loyal too, She is Remmy’s.  And you can see the love in this picture.

Thank you to Remmy’s Guardian Family for going the extra mile!  I can’t wait to see the babies this guy produces!!!

02 | December | 2011

Well, it’s been an exciting three weeks with little miss Juliet. Not all of it smooth, but we’re coping.

First, Juliet came to us with Giardia–an intestinal parasite. That in itself isn’t that rough–the bug is treatable with some de-worming medication and antibiotics. But, she had a scathing bout of diarrhea as a result both of the Giardia and potentially from the stress of being kenneled (we had to go away for the weekend right after we got her). Of course, she had to go in the middle of the night, and like a smart dog, she “aimed” outside of her crate and nailed the bedroom carpet. Let me tell you, steam cleaning that stain…beyond nasty. And she gave the Giardia to Jasmine.

We put both dogs on the meds, and Jasmine got worse. She was getting very sluggish and was running a temp, so we took her to the vet. While on the table at the vet’s office, an abscess (which we missed) popped and she gushed all over the table. Ew. But it was the source of her temp and issues (she had a particularly nasty infection–far worse than we’d seen before), and we were able to get it treated. She was also placed on a bland diet to help calm her tummy. Rice is NOT her favorite food, but being the trooper that she is… she tolerates it as long as it’s accompanied by boiled chicken!

Now the third issue in the new dog tri-fecta is house-training Juliet. Up to yesterday, the only place she would poop was…in the house. We’d take her outside, spend hours going in and out, but as soon as she was off-leash in the house–BOOM. She started by stealth-pooping as she was running down the hall, but became brazen about it and began just squatting right in front of us! We’d try to take her out and get her to go outside when we caught her in the act, but we weren’t able to get her to go any more to mark the behavior. So yesterday, I spent five hours going outside with her, taking her back in and crating, back out, etc. I finally took her on a long walk, and she finally pooped. Of course, we still haven’t been able to get her to go in the yard. We’re following some advice and getting an outdoor wire pen to put her in to give her some off-leash experience “going” in the yard. We’ve been successfully getting her to pee outside in the yard, but not poop.

So I’ve stocked up on Nature’s Miracle and we’re trying positive reinforcement (praise and treats, marking actions with her go words) just like we did with Jasmine. But I have a feeling this stubborn little gal is going to be a challenge!

Alaska reports Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning; California reports 38 Rodents with Hantavirus in San Diego County so far this year; West Nile Virus reports from California, Missouri, and Ohio; and Rabies reports from North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. CDC zoonotic disease summary for week ending June 11, 2011. Travel Warnings for India, and St. Lucia.

Illustration courtesy National Institutes of Health.

Alaska 06/23/11 state.ak.us: Epidemiology Bulletin –  On June 6, 2011, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology (SOE) received a report that a person had been medevaced from Metlakatla to Ketchikan due to possible paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).  SOE personnel conducted interviews and collected shellfish from ill persons and at implicated beaches. As a result, eight probable and five confirmed PSP cases were identified in Metlakatla. Additionally, while the epidemiologists were in Metlakatla, two persons were hospitalized in Ketchikan with suspected PSP. Subsequent active case finding in Ketchikan identified five more probable cases. One other confirmed case of PSP in Ketchikan had been reported to SOE in May. In total, 21 cases of PSP were identified in Southeast Alaska during May and June, 2011. Of these 21 cases, 15 (71%) were associated with cockles, four (19%) with blue mussels, one (5%) with butter clams and cockles, and one (5%) with unspecified clams. Four of the 21 (19%) ill persons were hospitalized; none died. Eight of the 21 (38%) ill persons had laboratory-confirmed PSP.

Metlakatla, Alaska

Implicated shellfish collected from both Metlakatla and Ketchikan tested positive for high levels of saxitoxin. PSP is a potentially fatal neuroparalytic condition that results from ingestion of saxitoxin, a marine toxin produced by dinoflagellate algae, that accumulates in bivalve mollusks. PSP can result in mild symptoms, such as short-lived parasthesia of the mouth or lips, or can cause severe illness with respiratory or cardiac involvement that can be fatal. Symptoms occur within minutes to hours of consumption.

Deer mouse

California 06/22/11 sdcounty.ca.gov: Press Release – Six rodents trapped during routine monitoring in the last week in North County and East County have tested positive for the potentially-deadly hantavirus. Infected rodents rarely pose a danger to people if they are in the wild and there has been just one non-fatal human case in the county, in 2004. But people can inhale hantavirus by stirring up rodent droppings, then get sick and even die. There is no treatment, vaccine or cure for hantavirus infections, which are deadly in 38 percent of cases. “People should never sweep up or vacuum rodent droppings or nesting material when they find it,” said Jack Miller, director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “Instead, they should ventilate closed areas for at least 30 minutes, and then carefully use bleach or a full-strength disinfectant before removing them.”

California vole

The best way people can prevent the disease is to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds by sealing holes larger than the size of a dime, County officials said. Hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which begins with flu-like symptoms but can grow into severe breathing difficulties and even death. The rodents that tested positive during the last week included: two deer mice from Campo; one deer mouse each from Carlsbad and Escondido; one harvest mouse from Oceanside and a vole from Carlsbad. Thirty-eight rodents have tested positive for hantavirus in the county this year, compared to 21 in 2010. For more information, contact the County Department of Environmental Health at (858) 694-2888 or visit DEH’s Hantavirus page.

California 06/23/11 sacbee.com: by Bill Lindelof – Another dead crow suspected of carrying the West Nile Virus has been found in the Sacramento area. The bird was found in the Arden-Arcade neighborhood. Earlier, it was confirmed that a dead crow in Elk Grove had tested positive for the West Nile virus. In 2010, six deaths and 111 human West Nile Virus cases were reported in the state. To report dead birds, call the California Department of Public Health hotline at (877) 968-2473.

Missouri 06/23/11 st-louis.mo.us: Department of Health Press Release – Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus have been discovered in communities ranging from Lemay to Florissant, although no human cases have been reported, according to the Saint Louis County Department of Health. Positive results have also been reported in mosquitoes in Mehlville, Richmond Heights, Clayton, Hanley Hills and Manchester.

North Carolina 06/22/11gastongazette.com: by Wade Allen – A Gastonia man killed a raccoon Monday that has tested positive for rabies, marking the third documented rabies case in Gaston this year. The raccoon attacked a dog belonging to Darren Wells, who lives on Acapulco Drive. The neighborhood is off Monterey Park Drive. He killed the raccoon Monday and contacted the Gaston County Animal Control officials, who investigated and sent the carcass to the State Diagnostics Lab in Raleigh. Wells declined to comment on the incident or the dog he turned over to Animal Control for euthanasia; it had not been vaccinated for rabies. In February, a rabid puppy was found off Hickory Grove Road near McAdenville, marking the first documented rabies case in 2011. The second involved a rabid raccoon that attacked farm animals at the Stanley home of Linda Burchfield. This marks the 23^rd documented case of rabies in Gaston County since 2006.

Ohio 06/23/11 dispatch.com: by Molly Gray – Two pools of mosquitoes collected by Columbus Public Health have tested positive for West Nile Virus. These are the first reported cases found in the city and state this season. The positive tests were collected from areas south of Downtown that were recently sprayed. For more information on West Nile Virus and weekly fogging schedules, go to www.publichealth.columbus.gov .

Pennsylvania 06/22/11 necn.com:  A fox is being tested for rabies after it bit a central Pennsylvania woman and attacked a wildlife officer who killed the animal after he was called in by local police. Blair County Wildlife Conservation Officer Stephen Hanczar tells the Altoona-Mirror that the animal “came directly at me” Tuesday. He had to knock the animal far enough away with the butt of his shotgun so he could kill it without destroying the animal’s head. The head was needed to complete tests for rabies, canine distemper and other diseases. Police in Logan Township, near Altoona, are not identifying the 23-year-old woman who was bitten on the heel by the fox while taking her dog outside Tuesday morning. She’s being treated for rabies as a precaution.

CDC-MMWR Week ending June 11, 2011 /60(23); 789-802:

Zoonotic disease cases in the U. S. by state reported to the CDC for the week ending June 11, 2011:

Babesiosis . . . 2 cases . . . New York (2);

Brucellosis . . . 1 . . . North Dakota;

Q Fever . . . 1 . . . Florida;

Tularemia . . . 1 . . . Indiana;

Ehrlichosis . . . 12 . . . Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Missouri (4), New York, Tennessee (3), Virginia;

Anaplasmosis . . . 4 . . . Maine (2), New York (2);

Giardia . . . 147 . . . Alabama (2), Arizona (2), California (15), Colorado (17), Florida (23), Georgia (12), Iowa, Idaho (2), Maine, Maryland (10), Michigan (3), Missouri (5), Nebraska (2), Nevada (2), New York (27), Ohio (6), Pennsylvania (3), Vermont (2), Virginia (3), Washington (7), Wisconsin (2);

 Lyme Disease . . . 233 . . . California, Connecticut (2), Delaware (7), Florida (4), Maine (2), Maryland (12), Michigan, New Hampshire (2), New Jersey, New York (56), Pennsylvania (118), Tennessee, Texas, Vermont (5), Virginia (16), Wisconsin (4);

Rabies, Animal . . . 62 . . . Alabama, Arizona, Kansas (2), Maine (2), Michigan, New York (9), North Dakota (3), Utah, Virginia (12), West Virginia (30).

Travel Warnings:

India 06/24/11 gulfnews.com: by Lata Rani –  Health experts have finally identified the “killer disease” which has killed close to 40 children, aged between two and eight years, in the past week, creating panic among the families in Bihar. The experts came to this conclusion after two days of extensive examination of victims in city hospitals and a study of symptoms noticed in them. All the victims had displayed high fever and bouts of unconsciousness as well as convulsions. “Right now we can say the reason for the deaths of children is encephalitis but at this stage it’s difficult to say what kind of encephalitis it is — whether Japanese or viral one. This can only be ascertained after a detailed clinical test,” Dr I.P. Chaudhary, a member of three-member central team from Federal Health Ministry, told the media Thursday.

St. Lucia 06/23/11 jamaicaobserver.com: Public health officials have warned of “disturbing” levels of dengue fever and leptospirosis cases on the island. The warning came as the health department launched a public education and clean-up campaign to rid the island of disease-carrying mosquitos and rats. Public health officials attributed the exceptionally high number of infections to the rainy weather in the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas in 2010, they told journalists yesterday.  Last month, there were over 40 recorded cases of dengue fever, which is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. So so far this year there were 169 reported cases of dengue fever as compared to 95 cases in 2010 and only 18 in 2009, she said.

Beaver. Courtesy U.S. Geodetic Survey.

Alaska 03/27/11 newsminer.com: by Dan Joling – (Excerpt) Inupiat Eskimo villagers in the Chukchi Sea village of Kivalina rely on wild animals to survive, but a recent arrival associated with climate warming is causing health concerns. Beavers have colonized the Wulik River, Kivalina’s main source for water. Beaver feces carry a microscopic protozoa that can cause giardia, known to campers elsewhere in Alaska as “beaver fever.” Diarrhea and vomiting are symptoms. Kivalina hunters using the Wulik as a corridor to inland caribou herds have been warned to boil water before drinking it. Beavers are among the unwelcome changes associated with climate change, said Michael Brubaker, lead author of reports documenting how two northwest villages have been affected. The appearance of North America’s largest rodent was a signal that a traditional water source had changed. “It’s a new health issue,” Brubaker said. “It affects people’s behavior. It can affect people’s health and it also affect s the cost of running water facilities.” Brubaker is director of community environment and safety for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, a health organization managed by tribal governments and their regional health organizations. (For complete article go to http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/12520450/article-Warming-brings-unwelcome-change-to-Alaska-villages?instance=home_lead_story )

Florida 03/26/11 naplesnews.com: A bat found in Isles of Capri in Collier County recently tested positive for rabies, a potentially fatal disease of the nervous system. Although no humans were exposed in this case, county health officials want residents to know that rabies, which is transmitted through bites or scratches, is present in the wild animal population.

Maryland 03/26/11 times-news.com: Oakland – A raccoon that was involved in an incident with a dog in the Shady Dell Road area tested positive for rabies and is the first confirmed case in the county this year, according to Environmental Health Services of the Garrett County Health Department. The incident occurred Tuesday and the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Rabies laboratory in Baltimore confirmed the positive result for rabies Wednesday.  The health department will hold its first round of low-cost rabies clinics throughout the county in May. Questions regarding rabies can be directed to 301-334-7760 or 301-895-3111.

Tennessee 03/28/11 wkrn.com: A legislative bill that would allow commercial deer farming in Tennessee is scheduled for discussion by a House subcommittee on Tuesday. A state wildlife conservation group opposes it, saying it could spread chronic wasting disease. The bill would require state agriculture officials to license breeding operations to raise white-tail deer, primarily for hunting on private ranches, reports The Commercial Appeal. CEO Mike Butler of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation says the spread of disease isn’t the only problem with the proposal, contending that shooting farm-raised deer isn’t sporting. Knoxville Republican Frank Nicely sponsored the bill and the newspaper says he didn’t return its call. A call offering Nicely an opportunity for comment was left at his office on Monday by The Associated Press.   

Texas 03/26/11 boernestar.com: This year’s first case of rabies was confirmed this week when remains of a cat killed by a property owner in the Marquardt Road area near Comfort tested positive for the viral infection. Kendall County Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Matt King said the homeowner was working in his goat pens March 23 when the cat attacked him and his dog. The homeowner is being treated by his family physician and the dog was given a booster for its current rabies vaccination. The cat’s remains were tested at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.  Report any suspicions or concerns about an animal to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office at 830-249-9721 or the Kendall County Animal Shelter at 830-537-3430.

Canada:

Ontario 03/27/11torontosun.com: by Ian Robertson – Coyotes — like the one seen Sunday in the Beach area — are pleasing animal lovers and spreading fear among pet-owners. One living in the Neville Park Ave. ravine recently brought howls of protest from an owner who scared it into dropping her dog, residents said. The poodle-mix is back roaming its yard with a stitched-up neck, but is watched more carefully by his owner, who does not want to be named.

Residents have called the coyote Neville for years, but others roam Toronto parks and wooded ravines. “I like the coyote because it kills squirrels, which are vermin,” Neville Park resident Richard Milne said. “I saw a coyote in my back yard … it’s a pretty animal.” This is mating season and the grey-and-sandy-hued cousin of the Gray Wolf become bolder, hunting food for pregnant mates.

A coyote in 2009 ate a chihuahua in the Beach area, a Maltese pup was snatched in Pickering last February, and police killed a coyote in Whitby one month later. Some residents demand the city trap coyotes, but wily Neville evaded capture last year. Others like having the animals in their neighbourhood. If removed, others would take their place in “naturalized areas,” Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said. “I certainly sympathize with anyone who has lost a pet, but it would be impossible to trap and get rid of all the coyotes in the city,” he said. “If we want natural areas, it’s going to attract wildlife.” While walking her dogs along Queen St., Sonia Funk said “I’d be more worried about cars than coyotes.”

Watching one sunning in her ravine rock garden Sunday, Elizabeth Berry said: “They’re so beautiful, you want to reach out and pet them, but …” Berry said she appreciated receiving a city pamphlet last month, with tips to avoid coyotes, but does not want to scare Neville away. “Some people are concerned about them attacking their children and small pets,” she said. But Berry, an artist who has painted Neville several times, said she knows neighbours “who put left-overs out.” Experts say coyotes rarely approach people but are attracted to readily-available food.

Travel Warnings:

Brazil 03/28/11 brazzilmag.com: by Carolina Pimentel – At the moment, a new type of dengue has returned to Brazil – type 4. Health officials are concerned as type 4 dengue has not been seen in Brazil for almost three decades. Celso Granato of the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) explains that type 4 is not more dangerous, infectious or fatal than other types, but as it has not circulated for so long, people are not immune to it. As a result, people who have had other types that have been in circulation recently face the possibility of more serious consequences if they get type 4. “Some people can get dengue for a second or even a third time, after having type 1 or 3 (which are more common in Brazil). Unfortunately, they will be more susceptible to type 4,” says Granato.

An infectious disease expert, Edmilson Migowski, at the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ), says that because the type 4 has been absent from Brazil for so long it could easily become an epidemic. “If nothing is done to increase mosquito control, we could have a drastic situation in the summer of 2012. A dengue type 4 epidemic will not spare anyone,” declared Migowski. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that around 80% of all dengue cases in Brazil are type 1. So far, according to a ministry survey, dengue type 4 has been found in a little over 5% of cases in three states: Roraima, Amazonas and Pará (all three states are in the northern part of the country, in the Amazon region). Cases have also been reported in Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and Piauí. Brazil’s Ministry of Health has recognized that dengue type 4 poses a threat and has requested that state authorities increase mosquito control and expand urban clean up operations. The ministry has also made notification of dengue type 4 cases mandatory.

Brazil 03/28/11 vietnamnet.vn: According to the city’s Health Secretariat, in less than three months, the number of confirmed dengue fever cases in Rio reached 10,158, exceeding the figures registered in the entire years of 2009 (2,723) and 2010 (3,120). In Rio de Janeiro state, the number of confirmed dengue fever cases reached 20,150, and the death toll rose to 18. This week, the first two cases of type-4 dengue fever in Rio de Janeiro state were confirmed in the city of Niteroi. The type-4 dengue fever is not more dangerous than the other types, but as the disease had not been registered in the region before, the local population has no immunity to it. As there are four different types of dengue fever, a person can develop the disease several times. The last epidemic of dengue fever in Rio de Janeiro state occurred in 2008 when 174 people died of the disease and some 250,000 cases of dengue were registered

Paraguay 03/26/11 mercopress.com: “We have 18 dengue deaths confirmed in Paraguay and 2.500 infected of which 1.300 are hospitalized” said Ivan Allende head of the Sanitary Vigilance Department in Asuncion. He also called on the population to immediately report to a clinic or hospital on suspicion of having contracted the disease, which again reappeared with extreme force in late December with the rainy season. “In previous years we never had so many people hospitalized” added Allende who indicated that only zero temperatures can help eliminate the mosquito larvae. “Until then we must insist people must collaborate watching out for stagnant water in bottles, old tyres, and flower pots and obviously in toilets and sewage”.

In Bolivia the death toll has climbed to 20 and the number of infected totals 1.670. Furthermore areas in the east of the country, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, bordering with Brazil and Paraguay have been declared under “sanitary emergency”. “We’ve registered a peak in the epidemics this year compared to 2010, which was quite mild compared to the record year of 2009 with 22 dengue deaths and 50.000 infections with the disease”, said Bolivian Health minister Nilda Heredia. However she also pointed out that local health officials have been successful in containing the spread of the disease in the province of Beni bordering with Brazilian Amazon. The operation took place last December. Nevertheless there is concern “since we believe a new strain of the disease has entered Bolivia from Brazil. This strain is different to the one from the two previous years and is more aggressive”, said Ms Heredia. Dengue transmitted by the aedes aegypti mosquito causes high fever, head aches, faintings, vomiting, skin eruptions and the haemorrhagic version is deadly.

Meantime from Venezuela the latest Epidemiologic report from the Ministry of Health shows that 124.931 cases of dengue were reported last year which is almost double the 65.869 from 2009. In 2010 haemorrhagic dengue was detected in 10.279 cases. The report also admits that the disease has spread to the country’s 24 provinces, although in 22 the tendency is to decrease. The areas with the greatest numbers are the most populated including metropolitan Caracas, Merida and the states of Miranda and Zulia, concludes the report.

The nymphal stage of the deer tick appears to be responsible for most cases of Lyme disease in the northeastern U.S. The adult, about the size of a sesame seed, prefers to feed on white-tailed deer. Photo by Forest Wander Nature Photography. Wikipedia Commons.

National 03/15/11 infectioncontroltoday.com:  Researchers recently developed novel diagnostic tools able to distinguish between the various strains of bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease. For more than a decade, only one strain of B. burgdorferi (Lyme bacteria) had been sequenced (mapped), and although that helped research efforts, it was not sufficient to understand the relationship between geographic variations in strains and disease characteristics. Scientists have suspected different strains may infect different parts of the body, causing different symptoms.  The recent completion of the genome sequencing of 13 additional isolates will greatly contribute to the improved understanding of the origins and effects of Lyme disease. Described as a “superb discovery tool,” Journal of Bacteriology 2-2011, sequencing will also provide a more solid foundation for detection, diagnostic, and prevention strategies. The study was led by Dr. Steven Schutzer, Dr. Claire Fraser-Liggett, and Dr. Sherwood Casjens.  The Lyme Disease Association (LDA) says it is encouraged that this latest accomplishment will provide a more in-depth understanding of Lyme disease, which in turn will lead to improved patient care. LDA funding often helps to start a project or complements federal funding such as that from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which was the case here. LDA continues on its mission, having raised over $ 5 million to date for Lyme-related research and education, with 100 percent of incoming funds slated for research going directly to projects such as this latest genome sequencing effort.

Alabama 03/16/11 al.com: by Ben Flanagan – Federal agricultural and state health officials are increasing surveillance after finding two raccoons positive for rabies in Autauga and Elmore counties.  The raccoons were in a typically rabies-free area, which is leading the USDA Wildlife Service and the Alabama Department of Public Health to conduct active surveillance for rabid creatures in the area.  The surveillance will concentrate on areas including Prattville, Marbury, Pine Level, Autaugaville, Posey Crossroads, Booth and Wadsworth, according to The Prattville Progress.  According to Dr. Dee W. Jones, Alabama State Public Health veterinarian, people should avoid any wild animal that is acting strangely. This includes a normally nocturnal animal such as a raccoon or fox seen during the day, which is unusually docile, or which approaches humans.  “This active surveillance should not be alarming to anyone,” Jones said in an Alabama Department of Public Health press release. “Rather it is just a reminder of the importance of vaccinating animals and pets.”  Every year the state health lab tests around 2,300 animal specimens resulting in approximately 80 positive cases, almost always in wildlife.

Arizona 03/15/11 kpho.com: by Cara Liu – Wildlife officers are investigating a possible coyote problem in North Phoenix.   A spokesperson for Arizona Game and Fish said officers are looking into several reports of coyotes “exhibiting bold behavior” in recent weeks. One of the reports is of a coyote charging at a boy.  Kim Smith said her 10-year-old Maltese mix, Muffin, was killed by a coyote Sunday afternoon. She had been hosting a housewarming party at new home near 12th Street and Greenway when she realized Muffin was missing.   “I was looking around there calling her name and that’s when I saw a coyote (just beyond my backyard),” said Smith. “He didn’t even run away from me and at that point, I knew. Something in my heart told me he’d gotten my dog.”   Muffin’s body was eventually found in a neighbor’s yard.

South Carolina 03/15/11 thetandd.com: by Dionne Gleaton – Citing confirmed cases of the rabies virus, Sidney Goff Jr., an environmental health manager at the Orangeburg County Health Department, said getting rabies vaccinations is very critical.  “Locally so far this year, the rabies virus has been confirmed in two different raccoon species. These cases have resulted in extended quarantines of pets. Having pets inoculated as required by law is protection for pets, pet owners and everyone else,” Goff said.  Current South Carolina law requires every cat, dog and ferret to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The owner of a domestic pet that has not been vaccinated may be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $ 500, or imprisoned up to 30 days.  The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reports that annually, approximately 400 South Carolinians undergo preventative treatment after being bitten by a rabid or suspected rabid animal.

Vermont 03/16/11 seattlepi.com: Bennington – A Vermont neighborhood is being stalked by a renegade gray squirrel.  Several people in Bennington say they’ve been attacked by a squirrel over the last few weeks.  Kevin McDonald tells the Bennington Banner he was shoveling snow when the squirrel jumped onto him. He says he threw the animal off, but it twice jumped back onto him. A game warden says there have been other reports, too.  One woman is being treated for exposure to rabies, but Vermont Public Health Veterinarian Robert Johnson says there’s never been a case of a squirrel passing rabies to a human.  Johnson says it’s possible the squirrel was raised as a pet and lost its fear of humans. He says the squirrel might “go ballistic” when it encounters people it doesn’t recognize.

Canada:

British Columbia 03/14/11 canada.com: by Judith Lavoie – Victoria –

Canadian Grey Wolf.

Diseases, some of which can be lethal, are being passed between dogs, wolves and people in remote B.C communities where there is a dearth of veterinary care, a new study has found.  The report by researchers from Raincoast Conservation Foundation and the University of Calgary, which was published in the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, tested dogs in five remote communities in British Columbia — Hartley Bay, Klemtu, Ocean Falls, Bella Bella and Oweekeno.  The diseases could threaten wolf populations and pose a human health hazard, the study found.

Researchers found that dogs that are often allowed to run free and come into contact with wolves and bears have been sharing more than scent messages with their wild relatives, and diseases are being transmitted between populations.  “Uncontrolled disease in domestic animals is an issue of animal welfare,” said one of the study’s authors, Paul Paquet, Raincoast senior scientist.  “Some of the diseases we detected, notably parvovirus and distemper, can be lethal and have been linked with population declines in wildlife.”  Humans, and especially children, who come into close contact with dogs are also at risk, said lead author Heather Bryan,

Black bear.

Raincoast biologist and doctoral candidate at the University of Calgary.

Diseases identified that could infect people include leptospiral bacteria that can cause kidney or liver diseases, water-borne parasites giardia and cryptosporidium that cause diarrhea, toxocara canis, a roundworm that can cause tissue damage in the eyes, and the tapeworm echinococcus — found in dogs and wolves — that forms cysts in organs.  A canine respiratory virus that was only recently identified in North America was also found in some of the communities, Bryan said.

“It’s amazing how quickly diseases can be transmitted . . . A big part of it is making people aware of these risks and they really need regular veterinary services,” Bryan said. “Dogs need to be dewormed and vaccinated regularly to prevent these diseases.”  Scientists were helped in their research by the Big Heart Rescue Society, a group that goes to some of the remote communities every year and provides vaccinations and medical care.  “But they really need more support for that kind of program and for services like sterilization, which, at the moment, is fairly intermittent,” Bryan said.

In Oweekeno, several organizations got together to organize a sterilization clinic and, in some communities, Big Heart flies dogs to Vancouver for sterilization and then flies them back, but more is needed, Bryan said.  “Perhaps more awareness and recognition of the importance of the issue might help,” she said.  Judith Smits, University of Calgary scientist and an author of the report, said data from the study can be used to monitor future disease threats.  “Monitoring disease is important because rapid expansion of human activity in coastal B.C. could introduce new pathogens or change the dynamics of existing pathogens in ways that would affect dogs, people or vulnerable wildlife,” she said.

Ontario 03/16/11 wingham.com: by Pat Bolen – At the March 9 Huron County council meeting, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek told the council the county coyote problem is continuing to grow and noted a full-grown cow had been killed by coyotes in Dungannon recently.   “They’re not going away,” said Van Diepenbeek.  Warden Neil Vincent said in response to a recently provincial environmental bill of rights, which is in a 45 day comment period until April 11, he met with animal control officer Bob Trick, who suggested one solution to the coyotes might be a dual bounty system for different times of the year. But Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson replied he didn’t favour such a system as it would be tough to pick a date and wouldn’t be fair to farmers or hunters.  Dowson added that at the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference, he hadn’t been impressed with Ministry of Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey, who he said didn’t try to answer any questions and appeared not to have any strong feelings on any of the issues.

Zoonoses:

Cryptosporidiosis:  A diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites, Cryptosporidium, that can live in the intestine of humans and animals and is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as “Crypto.” The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants. During the past 2 decades, Crypto has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne disease (recreational water and drinking water) in humans in the United States. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world. 

Cryptosporidium lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals. An infected person or animal sheds Crypto parasites in the stool. Millions of Crypto germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Shedding of Crypto in the stool begins when the symptoms begin and can last for weeks after the symptoms (e.g., diarrhea) stop. You can become infected after accidentally swallowing the parasite. Cryptosporidium may be found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with the feces from infected humans or animals. Crypto is not spread by contact with blood.

(For more information about crypto go to http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/gen_info/index.html )

Beaver Den

American Beaver

Giardiasis(GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis), also known as Beaver Fever, is caused by a microscopic parasite, Giardia intestinalis, and can result in a diarrheal illness in humans. It is the most commonly reported pathogenic protozoan disease in the U.S. and is particularly prevalent among hikers and campers. After infecting a person or animal, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in feces. It has a protective outer shell and can survive in the environment for periods up to months or longer.  During the past 20 years, Giardia infection has become a common cause of waterborne disease in humans in the United States.  The parasite is found worldwide and within every region of the U.S.

 Giardia is commonly found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected hosts, which can include humans, domestic animals, and most wild animals.  It can be be spread by

• Accidentally swallowing the parasite after picking it up from contaminated surfaces such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, toys, or from people or animals that are ill with the disease, etc.


• Drinking contaminated water or using contaminated ice.


• Accidentally swallowing contaminated recreational water in swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs or spas,  fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, pond, or streams.


• Eating uncook contaminated food.

 Symptoms of Giardia normally begin 7 to 14 days following infection and can include diarrhea, flatulence, greasy stools that tend to float, stomach or abdominal cramps, and upset stomach or nausea. Symptoms may last 2 to 6 weeks and sometimes longer.  The illness may lead to weight loss and dehydration.  About half of those who become infected have no symptoms.

Prescription drugs such as tinidazole and nitazoxanide are available to treat Giardia infection.  Cure rates with single-dose tinidazole range from 80% to 100%.  Consult a  physician for diagnosis and treatment.

In 2008, there were 18,908 cases of Giardiasis nationally that were reported to the CDC.  As of August 15, 2009, there have been 9,727 cases reported nationally.  States with the highest number of reported cases thus far in 2009 include New York 1,185 (of these 463 were reported in New York City); Florida 1,184; California 1,018; Georgia 595; Ohio 477; Pennsylvania 457; Michigan 347; and Massachusetts 318.  (Note: The disease is not reportable in Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Carolina.)

(Sources: CDC and Giardiasis.org)