Resolving to take better care
By Denise Flaim
Animal House
January 1, 2007
Forget the gym, and the diet. Forget about learning a new foreign language, or how to mambo.
Instead, this year devote your resolutions to bettering the care and comfort of your animal friends. Here are some areas to reconsider in making the new year a happier and healthier one for the furred and feathered in your life.
Vaccination schedules. "More is more" has long been the mantra in veterinary - and, come to think of it, human - medicine, as combination vaccines became the order of the day. But today, the pendulum is swinging on such "wombo combos," as veterinary immunologist Jean Dodds of Santa Monica, Calif., calls them, tongue ensconsed firmly in cheek.
Indeed, last year the highly respected American Animal Hospital Association released its updated Canine Vaccine Guidelines (available at aahanet.org), and outlined only four vaccines it considers "core," or required, for dogs. Other than this quartet of parvo, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies, all other vaccines are "noncore," or optional, depending on an individual dog's lifestyle or risk factors (such as lepto or Lyme) or not to be used at all (such as coronavirus or giardia).
In addition, the association stresses that, after a dog has been boostered at one year, revaccination should occur no more than every three years, if not longer.
In November, the American Association of Feline Practitioners released its updated Feline Vaccination Guidelines, available at aafponline.org.
And in New York State, cats and dogs are required to be vaccinated every three years, not annually or every other year.
If your vet is still insisting on "annual shots," find out exactly what they are, compare them to either of the associations' guidelines, and, if necessary, ask your vet exactly why he or she is vaccinating in excess of what is recommended.
Your vet relationship. If the kind of exchange described in the last paragraph sounds inconceivable to you, then you likely have a bigger problem than overvaccination.
It's crucial that you have an open, respectful relationship with your veterinarian. This doesn't mean you always have to agree, but it does mean that you should be able to discuss your animal's health rationally, calmly and unemotionally. If that's not the case, then perhaps that vet is not the right match for you. Because communication is crucial in any medical emergency, consider shopping around for another vet before you find yourself - and your animal - in a crisis situation.
Diet. Feeding out of a bag or a can is second nature to most of us, but growing numbers of owners and breeders are deciding to feed a more natural, biologically appropriate diet. Books about how to make balanced, nutritionally complete meals for cats and dogs abound. (A good source is dogwise.com.)
If you don't have the time, money or inclination to switch from a commercial diet to a homemade one (which requires a level of commitment and research), then by all means augment your animal's diet with healthful foods. A study at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., showed that Scottish terriers that ate fresh vegetables three times a week halved their risk of bladder cancer, to which the breed is prone; green leafy and orange-yellow veggies were particularly beneficial.
And while we're on the subject: Get an honest assessment of whether your animal is overweight. Excess pounds can shorten his lifespan, not to mention leave him vulnerable to disease, particularly diabetes in cats. Rule out a medical cause, such as hypothyroidism, then follow that tried-and-true regimen: Less food, more exercise.
Pesticides. A weedless green lawn might be a sign of success in suburbia, but consider the toll those chemicals can take on your companion animals. That same Purdue study showed that the risk of bladder cancer was higher among dogs exposed to certain herbicides, compared with dogs that had not been exposed.
What are a couple of dandelions compared to your dog's health, not to mention your peace of mind? There's nothing more satisfying than letting your dog "graze" on a lawn that's green in more respects than one.
Water. Are you drinking the water out of your faucet? If not, are you giving it to your animals? If you have concerns about the water quality in your household, then up your inventory of Poland Spring for the four-leggers in residence, too.
Training. Good animal companions aren't just born, they're nurtured, with lots of consistent training and positive reinforcement. If your critter has a persistent problem - a dog that jumps on visitors, a bird that feather-plucks, a cat that has litterbox issues - make 2007 the year you deal with it head-on. There are plenty of books, Web sites and private trainers and consultants that can point you - and your companion - in the right direction.
Write to Denise Flaim, c/o Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250; or e-mail denise.flaim@ newsday.com.
Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.
Comments (9)
Thanks for the great article Denise!
Just got back from Mass and breakfast, and lit a new real time 7 day vigil candle for Vivi. Hope we have her before it burns out! God has certainly sent us many blessings, and among the best of those is meeting one another! He has seemed to work overtime at keeping the weather at bay, and I feel our prayers have played no small part in that. I pray that all of you have a wonderful New 2007, filled with health for you and your animals,.... and one rescued whippet (along with her other buddies who are on the lamb--Ticket, Bailey, Bowdee,
Saffie, etc.) Let 2007 see justice on behalf of animals and their caretakers. Have a super holiday!
Yes, thank you Denise for this good insight for our loved animals. I will always believe I lost my precious Siamese cat, Kahn, as a result of too many vaccinations. I no longer give anything but the required vaccinations to my animals because of this.
May I also say while protecting your animals, please watch over and protect your children, grandchildren and other children as well.
I have been helping with watching for predators on the internet, and the amount of these sick people after children is much, much worse than anyone could imagine.
I have already had nightmares at night from worry that one of these sick people would somehow get to my two grandchildren, but that is why I started doing this - to hopefully help stop some of these terrible things. I must say my eyes have been opened to exactly how dangerous the internet is for young people.
Kathleen--
It is true how dangerous those internets are for the young children under the age of 18.
Whenever the parents are at works, they will not know what their kids are up to on the computers.
Pedophiliacs are known to prey on the young kids both boys and girls.
The internets are way too easy to access to any ages.
Paula - You are so right. Thanks for reminding me of some things.
Parents, PLEASE put parental controls on your computers to help safeguard them.
Keep the computers in areas and routinely check the history on the computers (e-mail me if you do not know how, I will be glad to help you).
Know what site they are visiting.
But the main thing, BLOCK chat rooms from your children. I also limited e-mails my sons could receive. You can do this with e-mails only from friends in their address books.
Do not ignore these dangers. I have found out very quickly just how "real" they are.
AMEN!!! I never did like the chat rooms at all!!
They are trash in my mind, at least!
Yes, PARENTS, please block those areas on the computers that aren't good for the precious kids!
I HAVE SOME GREAT NEWS THOUGH (excuse the caps). Bailey who escaped from Northwest Airlines in Memphis, was captured this morning. After being spotted in an area of fields need the airport area, a trap was set with KFC chicken in it.
Pam checked the trap this morning, and there she was. Pam will be fostering her for a little while since the gentleman had surgery. All of you would love Pam, she is quite the animal lover and rescuer! Bailey will be in great hands.
Happy New Year's Day - one fur baby is home safe thank goodness.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/local/article/0,2845,MCA_25340_5250242,00.html
Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.
A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
(- Edgar A. Guest )
Father Creator, Let us do whatever we can to make this world, or our part of it, a better place for all of Your creation. Do not allow us to become discouraged or make little of the work we can do with Your help. We thank You, and praise You for the return of Bailey !!!! Please bring Vivi, Ticket, Saffie, Axel Hopey and all Your lost and homeless ones to their own homes.Let the homeless and abused know our love, and know justice. Thank You for the good weather, keep our little girl safe, and let a rescuer take her home to Jil soon.
Thank You for Bonnie and Denise and all of Vivi's angels. As the New Year begins in hope let us raise our prayers in confidence to You!...
Father,continue Your watch over Vivi,Hopey,Axel,Bowdee,Ticket,Saffie,Zoey,Vern, PA bullie girl, the show babies, Butttons,Biggie,Sniffles,Holly, African Grey, Faithful (the little girl's seizure dog),Shimi, Yorkie, Black Afghan, Buddy, Rags, Precious, Whippet Annie, so that not even “one paw slips”. Show them to the volunteer of Your choice so that they may return to their earthly families. Surprise us by sending Vivi home to a volunteer (Kathy from Bayside,Rosa,Tina,Gail T,Bonnie,Diane T.,Diane K-M,Darlene,Debbie,Monica,Lois T.,Nancy M,Barbara Jean,Linda S. and her husband Mike, or Renee? Margot or Irene?)
Many of us also have animals which need Your healing touch. Great Physician we lift to you for your healing Dante, Terrie's dog Cubby, G's kitty,Debbie's Fluffy, Ruby’s Mr. Peabody, Briar and Sabrina Skittles, Barney, Tara, Joey,Meeko,Skeeter,Andi,Sparky,Scout,Dodge, Auggie,Billy,Ezme,Clarus,Star,Doogie, CJ,Felice, Max, Little McGee, Murphy, Mylie, Barbaro, Gunner, Linus, Kiva, Ellie,(restore all that had to be taken), Morgan, Little Andi, Nicki, Dude, Tucker, Brandy, Lexie, Isabella, Twin Kittens, Bowen, and Heather.Enfold all of us in Your healing embrace.
We thank you for healing Maureen, and Zipper!! Thank Your for the improvement in Gail's Dude.Thank You for Isabella's improving health!Thank You for McGee's weight gain.
We are frail Father and many of us need Your healing so that we can serve the purpose for which You have created us.
We lift up the following people in need of Your healing:Madison,Joe V.,Terrie,Amanda, Rosa C. Kathleen's Mom Mary, Renee, Pam,Millicent, Jacque, JL, Lance, Chris,and Abby.
God of Power, stand behind Tammie and Doogie, Duke and Denise, and Otis' followers, as they have stood behind these animals, until justice is done.Thank you for Ruby, and all the bloggers who bring these animals to our attention.Thank you so much for helping us find a good home for Homer (with Nancy) Kristy,Tashia,and Pablo,7 doxies, and the Halloween bunch, and help us to find a good home for Barney,and 4 more doxies.Thank You, Ginger the Persian found a home!!!Thanks for Duke's and Bobbie's new homes. Take gentle care with Anne who has Alzheimers, and was the doxie's former mom.
Be with all who mourn tonight. Give blessings to all who have done Your work.Comfort Mary in the loss of Pie Bird.Let Liberty greet Gerald Ford. (John, you did AR throughout your life, let's ask God to let you help Vivi. You should have a pretty good view from up there--show us where she is!!) Greet all, human and animal alike, who will make the journey to Paradise this night. Let Pie Bird the little Pionus ride on Your shoulder until heaven becomes home. Reward our faithful animal companions who have gone ahead. Let all who are homeless know Your love, and ours, too.
Send your angels and saints to work with Vivi's angels. These NYC volunteers, and their leaders;Tina,Rosa,and Bonnie, serve as Your compassionate presence on earth. Don't let them become discouraged. Let them know that prayer wise "we've got their back"!Bless Jil and Rick's marriage.
Let our faith grow as a result of this experience! Restore as we sleep, Heavenly Father, as we turn over the night watch to you! YOU ARE IN CHARGE! AMEN!
Candles? http://www.gratefulness.org
GREAT news Kathleen!!! Am so glad to hear Bailey was found. Good way to launch the new year.
Been avoiding the canned dog food for a while now. My wife has been preparing homemade dog food, and it's been a treat for our pet.