The Daily Dish from WebVet

Is your dog smarter than your toddler?

We all know that dogs are more loving and loyal than most humans.  Now research has proven that they are more intelligent too.  Maybe not than most people, but they are certainly proving themselves to be smarter than the average toddler. 

A recent study conducted by Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and leading researcher on dog behavior, indicates that "dogs are closer to humans than we thought."  Adapting tests that are used with children, psychologists have learned that the average dog can count, reason and recognize words and gestures on par with a two-year-old toddler. 

Coren says most dogs can understand about 165 words, as well as signs, signals and gestures.  They can also count to five.  This said, the "super breeds" -- those he considers to be the smartest -- have comparable skills to a 2-1/2 year old, recognizing up to 250 words.

Among the "top dogs" of the class, he noted Border Collies, Poodles, Retrievers, German Shepherds and Dobermans.  Those dogs bringing up the tail include the Borzoi, Chow Chow, Bulldog, Basenji and the Afghan Hound. 

While this is where Coren and his team netted out, I'm guessing many owners of other breeds --  not to mention those Marvelous Mutts -- would contend that their pups can hold their own with the best of them.  Take my very special Max (a.k.a. a Terridoodle - Terrier/Poodle mix) . . . they don't come much smarter than him.  He not only knows 250 words, he can spell them too. 

Just kidding, of course, but the point being that dogs are indeed very smart creatures.  More importantly, they are loving, forgiving and loyal -- much like someone else we all know.  Maybe there's a reason why DOG spelled backwards is GOD. 

Little Dog. Big Surprise is Spreading Like Wildfire

Little Dog.  Big Surprise. is hotter than ever.  When I blogged about this the other day -- only a couple days into its YouTube debut, I made the statement that "this puppy is going global."  While this is indeed the case, it might have been more accurate to say that this puppy is going Japanese!  Naturally pet owners in the U.S. are loving this little flamethrower, but who knew that our counterparts in Japan would also go hog wild for this larger-than-life pooch.  This is a sure sign that people all around the world have at least one thing in common -- a love of animals. What better thing to share? 

For those of you who haven't seen Little Dog.  Big Surprise. yet, check it out.  And stay tuned.  Next week we'll have one for you cat lovers too. Enjoy!

PALLADIA™ and Canine Mast Cell Tumors: Doggone Good News!

Ah, living the good life.  Or should I say living the good and long life.  That's what many more dogs will be doing these days thanks to Pfizer Animal Health (PAH) and their recently FDA-approved canine cancer therapy drug, Palladia™. 

Palladia™ was developed to treat mast cell tumors (MCT) in dogs and is the industry's first and only drug to be specifically approved for the treatment of canine cancer.  So, I'd say this is doggone good news for both dogs and their people!

Mast cell tumors are specialized cells that are normally involved in the process of inflammation, such as allergic responses, tissue growth and wound healing.  Typically, MCT appears in the form of skin swelling or red, itchy lumps of various shapes and sizes.  It's important to note they can mimic other more common skin conditions and can only be diagnosed through a biopsy. 

This is a very, very important topic and something all dog owners should learn more about.  As I'm not the expert here, I would suggest reading the full article at http://webvet.com/main/article?id=2222 and also the press release issued by the FDA.  It's exciting news and it's a treatment that is sure to enhance the lives of both dogs and humans by helping us keep our beloved pets happy and healthy for as long dogly possible.

So kudos to the folks at Pfizer Animal Health and everyone who was involved in the development of this ground-breaking drug!!

The ugliest dog contest: Who you calling ugly?

Some may say this is a face only a mother could love.  But then what do they know?  I'd ask them when the last time was they looked in the mirror!

We all know the perception of beauty is subjective.  Thus why they say . . . "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"  and "love is blind."  And who do we love more than our dogs? Hello -- I'd say no one.  So what's a little underbite, a cock-eyed grin or a disheveled 'do'? 

Pabst (seen above) is the winner of the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Contest recently held in California.  And I gotta tell you, I don't think he's ugly.  I prefer to call him "unique".  And clearly he is or he wouldn't have won the contest.  And while humans who consider themselves "flawed" might be inclined to go the route of cosmetic surgery, this clearly isn't in Pabst's future.  As a matter of fact, when his owner looks at him all he sees is one thing . . .   a one-of-a-kind, sweet, loveable, loyal companion . . . with an underbite. 

Then there's Miss Ellie, the "top dog" in the pedigree group.  I have to say I don't think she's ugly either.  Rather she's got style, she got's sass and she could probably kick your A**!!!  And for those who didn't see the competition, she was damn sure everyone was going to know her place in the standings. (See photo)

So while I happen to believe both Pabst and Miss Ellie are stunning creatures in their own right,  I'll leave you with much greater words of wisdom than my own. 

"Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean,
Needs not the painted flourish of your praise:
Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye,
Not utter'd by base sale of chapmen's tongues"

William Shakespeare, Love's Labours Lost

Famous last words . . . Touché!

Summer safety tips for dogs

Summer is just around the corner and while everyone looks forward to taking their dog to the park, playing fetch and simply enjoying the great outdoors, there are a few things you should keep in mind as we move into the "dog days of summer". 

#1:  Dogs suffer from heat stroke -- Like humans, dogs can quickly come down with a bad case of heat stroke.  However, unlike people, canines have very few sweat glands, most of which are found on their paws and noses.  Many pet owners believe dogs sweat through their tongues, which is not the case, so panting in not an effective method of heat loss. 

#2:  Keep your pet hydrated -- Whether in the park, playing frisbee or in your own back yard, make sure your dog has an ample supply of fresh, cool water. 

#3:  Walk your dog during cooler hours -- In the hot summer months keep your dog cooler by walking it either in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less harsh.  Additionally, make sure to walk your dog on the grass or dirt to avoid burning their paws on the hot pavement.

#4:  Provide flea and tick protection -- Make sure your dog is protected from pesky fleas and ticks by providing proper treatment for prevention.  Timing and dosages vary depending upon the climate you live in so check with your veterinarian for proper care. 

#5:  Avoid crowded summer events -- If you're going to the local festival or parade, leave your pooch at home to be pampered.  The heat, noise, crowds and general excitement can be both physically and emotionally taxing to your pet and cause undue stress.

#6:  Beware of shaving your dog -- While shaving your dog might seem like the logical thing to do during the summer it's important to know that fur actually provides protection for your dog from the sun and biting flies and mosquitoes. 

#7:  Dogs can get sunburned -- Just like people, overexposure to UV rays can result in a nasty sunburn for your pooch.  It can also cause skin to peel, cause painful inflammation and increase the risk of skin cancer.  Make sure your protect your dog with sunscreen that has been approved by your veterinarian. 

#8:  Not all pooches know how to paddle -- While theoretically all dogs know how to swim, some breeds such as Bulldogs, Basset Hounds and Pugs have more difficultly than others.  If teaching your dog to swim remember to never force the dog, take it slow, have reasonable expectations and have fun.

#9:  Water safety is important -- First and foremost, make sure your dog can swim.  Other dangers are less about the dog and more about where the dog is swimming.  Lakes, ponds, pools and oceans all present their own challenges when it comes to swimming safety.  If boating with a dog, make sure they always wear a proper flotation device.

#10:  Never leave a dog in the car -- You should NEVER leave your dog in the car no matter how briefly.  A car can heat up quickly even when it’s relatively mild outside, even with the windows cracked.  On a summer day, temperatures inside the vehicle can climb in minutes and they can spike more than 40 degrees in just an hour. 

Remember these 10 safety tips and you and your pooch are certain to have fun in the sun this summer!

 

A dog's purpose: a six-year-old's perspective

This was a story that was forwarded to me.  It's heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time.  Amazing how insightful small children can be.  Enjoy! 

"Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a 10-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.  The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa and their little boy Shane were all very attached to Belker so they were hoping for a miracle.  I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.  I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. 

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.  They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.  The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.  Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. 

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. 

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.  We sat together for awhile after Belker's death wondering aloud about the sad fact that animals' lives are shorter than human lives.  Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why'.  Startled, we all turned to him.  What came out of his mouth next stunned me.  I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. 

He said, 'people are born so that they can learn how to live a good life.  Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'  The six-year-old continued, 'well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Maybe we should learn a lesson from our best friends -- the most loving creatures on earth. 

Live simply.  Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly. 

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:  when loved ones come home run to greet them; never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride; allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure. 

Know ecstasy.  Take naps.  Stretch before rising.  Run, romp and play daily.  Thrive on attention and let people touch you.  Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.  On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.  On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.  When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body.  Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.  Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.  Stop when you have had enough.  BE LOYAL. Never pretend to be something you're not.  If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.  When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.  Be always grateful for each new day and for the blessing of you." 

A dog's life.  If you can't be one, live like one. 

A powerful connection between babies and dogs

Dog lovers around the world know there's a powerful emotional connection between people and their pets, but none possibly more beautiful than between babies and dogs.  An amazing demonstration of this is seen in a YouTube video a WebVet fan forwarded to me.  If you haven't already done so, you might want to check it out at http://www.rescueminpins.com/2/jjc.htm

I often wonder how dogs know they have to be more gentle and loving towards  babies.  Could it be that they sense the fact there's a yet untainted innocence thatcan't threaten or harm them in any way?  Or is it more an innate understanding that babies need protecting and they take on this role.  I saw this first hand when my best friend had a baby a few years back.  Lauren was actually born nine weeks premature and therefore needed extra care and protection.  My dog Max knew this immediately upon meeting her.  She would lay on the floor in my apartment and Max would snuggle up as close as possible to her.  When she finally began walking he tracked her as closely as a secret service agent.  Today, he still runs to her side if he senses she's upset or hears her cry.  On occasion Max walks to school with Lauren and while a couple years ago she introduced him as her dog, today she introduces him as her big brother.  Why?  Because he has always been there to nurture and protect her.  The bond is undeniable and beautiful.  

Many soon-to-be moms often fear their dogs will potentially threaten or harm their new baby.  While you do need to be cautious, there are many things you can do to prepare your pet for a new baby in the house. The truth is that in most cases your dog will indeed become your babies knight in shining armor and grow to be as protective of your child as any big brother or sister should be. 

Dogs too suffer from the green-eyed monster

Who knew?  Dogs get jealous too.  While most everybody who owns a dog likely [suspects] they get jealous of both other pets and people, until recently it has not been scientifically proven.  The University of Vienna, Austria, conducted a study proving it's not only humans and other primates that suffer from the green-eyed monster, but also our fabulous furry friends. 

In experiments with 43 dogs, author Friederike Range's team had one dog watch another dog receive a reward for doing a a trick.  When the watching dog performed the same trick and was not rewarded (that doesn't sound very fair to me), that dog refused to do the trick again. 

While this study just might be correct (I happen to believe it's true), it might simply prove that dog's are smarter than humans.  They don't make the same mistake twice. 

Wasn't it Albert Einstein who once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”?

Signing off.

Dog fighting continues despite felony charges!

One would've thought that the conviction and subsequent imprisonment of Michael Vick for his role in promoting dog fighting would discourage people -- I'd say humans, but there is nothing human-like about this group -- from participating in this cruel and horrifying practice.  If not, then one would think that those who still engage in these activities must simply be stupid, criminal-like or so lacking in humanity and compassion that they don't see anything wrong with dog fighting.  However, it appears that there are no boundaries for this reprehensible behavior. 

I was reading the New York Time this morning and came across an article, "Dogfighting Subculture, Illegal and Secretive, Is Taking Hold in Texas".  Law enforcement officials broke up a dog fighting ring resulting in the rescue of 187 Pit Bulls and the indictment of 55 people.  While most of them did indeed fall into what I would personally call the stupid category and what law enforcement would call the criminal-like category (and they all clearly fall into the lacking humanity category), I was mortified that the list of those arrested included some very unusual suspects.  For example, among those indicted were a high school English teacher, a land purchaser for a large oil company, and the manager of a Jack in the Box restaurant.  I have to ask myself, "what are these people thinking and why on earth would they be involved in something this horrifying?" 

The article also talked about the distance that many participants traveled to attend these events, coming from as far as the Czech Republic.  Most of the fights were arranged over the phone and the matches were accompanied by pot smoking, pill-popping, side drug deals and offered big rewards to the winners.  Fortunately for these animals, this ring of horror has been broken, but one has to wonder how many other such dog-fighting rings exist in this country.  We're grateful to many governming bodies who have, as a result of Michael Vick's conviction (the only good thing that came from his arrogrant and inhumane actions), made dog-fighting a felony rather than a misdemeanor.  I personally believe those who participate in dog-fighting should suffer a fate even worse than what those poor animals are subjected to. 

What I read on those pages was disturbing and heart-wrenching  (I honestly couldn't read the entire story as it literally made me feel physically ill) and causes me to question why so many people simply lack the humanity gene.  There is nothing more loving and loyal in this universe than a dog, so why can't we all treat them with the same respect with which they treat us? 

If the state you live in has not yet submitted legislation that makes dog-fighting a felonioius act, please contact your local representatives and encourage them to do so!  While it won't make all these horrible people come to their senses, if it saves one dog's life, it's a step in the right direction. 

Signing off.   

Who's Your Daddy?

We've all read stories about the latest and greatest technologies for figuring out the composition of your "Mutt", right?  Well, for years, literally, I've been trying to figure out just what my Mutt (Max) is made of.  Beside being the smartest, cutest and, yes, most stubborn man I know, my curiosity got the better of me a couple months ago.  I had his DNA tested. 

As I didn't just want this to be a clinical experiment, I decided we needed a theme so we had a "Who's Your Daddy" party for Max and all his admirers.  The general idea was that everyone would make a $20 donation and then get to submit their thoughts on what Max was really made of -- the beneficiary being the shelter where I got Max -- PAWS Chicago.  Max's DNA results indicated there were only three very distant traces of breeds detectable in his genetic make-up (more on this later).  We included photos of these three breeds, along with a brief description of their personalities, among a total of 12 to give players a little something to work with.  Each guest then chose the three breeds they believed were part of Max's make up and put them in the ballot box. 

So, fast forward . . . 40 people made 40 guesses and no one got more than one of the three breeds correct.  Sounds kind of crazy but if could see Max (physically, he resembles a combo of a Portuguese Water Dog, Wheaten Terrier and possibly Bouvier -- if I had to venture a guess) but, genetically, there was a whole other story going on.  Apparently, the three detectable breeds in Max's DNA were Chow, Airdale Terrier and Basenji.  Who knew? 

Just goes to show you . . . you can't judge a book by its cover.  Truth be told, I'm not buying it.  I'm still convinced he's one of a kind, which in my heart and mind he is.  The good news is that we raised $800  for a great organization and had great fun in the process. 

Throw your own "Who's Your Daddy" party and let us know just what your Mutt is made of!

Signing off.