Deformed puppy, rescued from trash, learns to walk

By Laura T. Coffey TODAY.com contributor
updated 9/23/2011 8:21:33 AM ET

Sometimes the only humane thing to do is to put a dog to sleep. Just three weeks ago, Erica Daniel steeled herself to take that difficult step with Harper, a small puppy in her care.

Daniel, 26, fosters dogs that need serious help, and Harper had come to her in the most desperate of circumstances. On Aug. 31, a woman in Sanford, Fla., first encountered the little dog when she spotted a squirming garbage bag.



Three weeks ago, Harper was so afflicted by a rigor-mortis-like condition that
she could barely move. Today, she's walking almost like a normal dog.

 “There was a man outside the Save-A-Lot selling pit-bull puppies for $50 a pop,” Daniel explained. “This woman approached him and noticed a noise coming from a garbage bag he was holding. She asked him, ‘What’s in the bag?’ and he said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ ”

The woman pressed the issue and the man opened — and gave her — the contents of the bag. Inside was a puppy so deformed that it couldn’t walk or hold up its head. Shelter workers and veterinarians grimaced when they saw the dog and came to the same conclusion: It really should be euthanized.

That’s when Daniel, a regular at the local animal shelter, stepped in. She decided to take the puppy home for one full and final day of unabashed affection. “I had to show her what it was like to be loved,” Daniel said. “I’d planned on taking her home that night, letting her sleep in bed with us, and having her humanely euthanized in the morning.”

What a difference a day can make. Today, Harper is not only alive — she’s thriving. The frisky gray puppy is gaining more and more mobility each day, to the astonishment of onlookers and medical professionals.

Harper’s rapid recovery began on that initial day with Daniel. The puppy had been born with a condition commonly dubbed “swimmer puppy disorder,” and most dogs afflicted with it don’t survive. The formal name of Harper’s disorder, pectus excavatum, causes puppies to lie flat on their chests with their legs perpetually splayed out, as if they were humans — or perhaps frogs — swimming through water.

This is how Harper looked when she was rescued.

Born with a condition commonly called

"swimmer puppy syndrome," Harper had a flattened

chest wall and could not walk or hold her head up.

“The longer she was like that, the more she stayed in that position,” Daniel said. “It felt like rigor mortis — like her legs might break.”

Despite that, Daniel kept massaging Harper’s tight muscles, hoping to alleviate at least some of her stiffness and pain. Within just a few hours, Harper started lifting her head and looking around. Her front legs became more limber as well, so much so that she tried using them to walk and pull herself around.

Daniel’s reaction: “WHOA.”

Convinced that this determined little dog needed a second opinion, she canceled the following morning’s appointment and made a new, hopeful one with a veterinarian at the University of Florida. At first, the vet described the reasons Harper probably would need to be put to sleep. The list included the likelihood of degenerative bone disease, brain abnormalities and a severe heart murmur.

They decided to do a few tests just to be sure. And, as it turned out, the rumors of Harper’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Her organs were functioning just fine, and she had no heart murmur or serious brain abnormalities. The medical conditions she did have required treatment — but nothing that warranted putting her to sleep.

Some nice people at Hip Dog Hydrotherapy & Fitness in Winter Park, Fla., heard about Harper and donated free hydrotherapy and massage therapy to the puppy. Harper responded remarkably well, and before long she actually started walking.

“She started out on grass, then carpet, then concrete,” Daniel said. “She still can’t walk on tile or hardwood floors, but she’s getting there.”

Bev McCartt, a Hip Dog therapist, explained that swimming has helped teach Harper what her natural gait should be.

“Her brain kicked in and by the end of her first session, she was like, ‘Oh, I can do this,’ ” McCartt said. “She’s a walking miracle. She’s a real testament to a dog’s determination to get up and just go.”

Bev McCartt of Hip Dog Canine Hydrotherapy &

Fitness offered to provide free therapy sessions to

Harper after hearing the puppy's story.

Today, Harper is about 11 weeks old, and she’s holding her own playing with the seven other dogs at Daniel’s home. Daniel estimates that Harper should be ready to be adopted in about a month — that is, if she can handle parting with her.

“Right now we’re saying that eventually she’ll be available for adoption because we haven’t made any decisions,” Daniel said. “If I give her up, that will make it possible for me to foster another dog. But she’s like a baby to me. I just don’t know!”

This is not the first time Daniel has taken on an impossibly sad case and witnessed an incredible transformation. In April of last year, she began fostering Dolly, a pit bull that had been used as a bait dog in a dog-fighting ring. Dolly’s injuries were severe; her mouth was so swollen that she couldn’t eat. With careful attention and lots of love, Dolly recovered. Today she’s a happy girl and an American Kennel Club-certified “Canine Good Citizen.”

Dolly’s saga prompted Daniel to establish Dolly's Foundation on Jan. 1 of this year. The organization rescues and rehabilitates homeless, neglected and abused American Pit Bull Terriers and other bully breed dogs, and it has plenty of puppies and dogs available for adoption.

“They’re just dogs,” Daniel said of pit bulls, noting the breed’s negative image. “Dogs need love, and they need homes.”

That’s certainly proven true in Harper’s case.

“The whole world was against her, but she’s such a fighter,” Daniel said. “She’s a blessing. She’s awesome.”

How to Ease Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Reprinted from September 15, 2011 post on the ASCPA Blog.

If your dog uses his time alone in the house to bark endlessly, pee on the carpet, or tear up the sofa—and those behaviors are accompanied by depression or stress—your pooch may be suffering from separation anxiety, a very common doggy behavior problem.

Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Just take the following steps, and you’re already on your way.

Make sure the problem is separation anxiety. The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s misbehavior. Next, rule out other behavior problems. For example, consider whether your dog’s inappropriate elimination is due to incomplete housetraining.

Take action. So you’re sure the problem is separation anxiety? Try these strategies to address the issue:

1. Keep all greetings relaxed. When leaving, give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed.

2. Give your dog a workout. Giving your dog lots of mental and physical stimulation goes a long way toward quelling behavior problems—especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. And once she’s all tuckered out, your pal won’t have much energy left to get into trouble.

3. Reward your pooch! Teach your dog to associate your departure with a reward, like a delicious stuffed Kong or other food-dispensing toy. This positive association can help resolve the problem, as well as distract your dog for the first few minutes you’re gone!

Let our experts help! Need a little more info? Visit the ASPCA’s top eight tips for addressing separation anxiety to learn more.

Lily and Madison

A dog's loyalty is legendary.  They also are so well known for their forgiving nature - how many thousands of abused rescues have given "humans" a second chance to treat them with kindness.  Well, here's another wonderful quality you can use to describe a dog's character - COMPASSION.

Lily is a Great Dane who has been blind since a bizarre medical condition required that she have both eyes removed. For the last 5 years, Maddison, another Great Dane, has been her sight. The two are, of course, inseparable.

A true friend will always guide you through hard times!

Pit Bull Plea

You made me what I am today, courage at its best.

You wanted me to know no fear, a cut above the rest.

Not only did I master that, I’ve thrown in loyalty too.

Look past my eyes into my soul, you know I’d die for you.

I’ll watch your kids, I’ll watch your house.

Your praise will be my crown, ask what you will –

I’ll do my best. I’ll even be your clown.

But some of you don’t like me. I’m sure I don’t know why.

The only thing I’m guilty of is courage, love and try.

But still they want to see me go, they want my breed to end.

Will I see you sitting idly by? You, whom I call friend?

You made me what I am today, you never saw me waiver.

I’ve done my best to keep you safe.

Won’t you please return the favor?

We-Care.com

Help Fight Animal Cruelty with Everyday Purchases at We-Care.com

If your next order of contact lenses, pet food, gifts, clothing or the booking of your next vacation could support the ASPCA without being more costly to you, would you participate? Now you can when you shop at We-Care.com—and just in time for the holidays! When you shop at any one of nearly 2,000 participating merchants, the ASPCA automatically receives a donation from We-Care.com. The average donation is 3 percent*. To date, the ASPCA has already received over $250,000 as a result of this exciting relationship.

Use the We-Care Reminder, a secure browser extension for Internet Explorer and Firefox. It takes less than a minute to set up, and it keeps on giving, every time you shop!

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3. Shop as you normally do, knowing a percentage of what you spend will be sent to the ASPCA as a donation from We-Care.com.

It only takes a few clicks, so please get started by visiting: http://aspca.we-care.com/Start.

And don’t forget to tell everyone you know to do their everyday and holiday shopping on We-Care.com!


*Donations range from 0-100 percent of the purchase price, depending on the merchant.

Help stop this deplorable practice

Dear Animal Advocates,

We need your help! A few years ago, the United States was becoming flooded with designer puppies purchased from foreign puppy mills. These dogs were often bred in horrible conditions and arrived here in wretched health, endangering the people and other pets in their new homes.

In 2008, the ASPCA worked hard to help pass a Congressional amendment to the federal Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the importation of young puppies for the purpose of resale. Thanks to this new law, dogs cannot be brought into the U.S. from abroad for resale unless they are at least six months of age, healthy and vaccinated.

Puppy Mill dog

There are two phases to implementing laws like this: passing the legislation, then writing the "rules" that will allow federal agencies—in this case, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—to enforce them. Enforcement of this law has been a problem because the USDA never adopted the necessary rules. But earlier this month, the USDA acted—it proposed detailed enforcement regulations to ensure the puppy importation ban has teeth. Take Action Now »

ASPCA policy experts have reviewed the guidelines, and we support them. Please help us ensure that these proposed regulations are accepted and applied!

What You Can Do

For a short time, the USDA is accepting comments from the public on this issue. Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center online today to quickly and easily submit a comment to the USDA, letting the agency know that you support the proposed regulations to stop the cruel import of puppies from foreign puppy mills.

The shortcut to take action is www.aspca.org/USDA.

Thank you for taking action for animals—in this case, animals around the world!

Take Action Now!

‘Curious George’ a victim of the worst act of cruelty.

Very difficult to understand how anyone could abuse a dog in such a horrific way.  You can help contribute to the care of Curious George.  See the link at the bottom of this sad story that hopefully will have a happy ending. 

The Delaware County SPCA said it is caring for a dog that was a victim of the “worst act of cruelty and deprivation we’ve seen.”

It will be five to seven days before it is known if the pit bull-boxer mix, dubbed Curious George for his curious nature, will survive, said Justina Calgiano, spokesperson for the Media-based shelter.

The dog weighs 35 pounds, half what it should, she said. His nails are overgrown, and he has sores on his backside, probably the result of sitting too long in one spot.

Investigators say someone deliberately did this to the dog.

Curious George, estimated to be between one and three years old, was brought in by a woman who found him wandering Monday afternoon near a major highway in Delaware.

Dayna Villa of the Delaware County SPCA says a stray left on his own would have found more nutrition eating out of garbage cans.

“He would have found things to eat and, yes, he would have been very skinny, but to me this is very apparent that it was probably purposeful that he was denied access to food,” Villa said.

Lower Chichester Township Administrator Joe Possenti said stray dogs were rare in the community. Most are identified and returned to the owners.

“We would liked to find out who did this,” he said. “It is a heinous act.”  Calgiano called it “remarkable this dog is alive. It’s more remarkable that he is standing.”  Curious George does collapse frequently, she said. He is being kept separate from other dogs while he recovers.

The vets are continuing to keep a close eye on Curious George.

“His condition is guarded. Any dog like this you worry about organ failure and things like that,” veterinarian Dr. Kimberly Boudwin said.   The Delaware County SPCA said it is caring for a dog that was a victim of the “worst act of cruelty and deprivation we’ve seen.”

It will be five to seven days before it is known if the pit bull-boxer mix, dubbed Curious George for his curious nature, will survive, said Justina Calgiano, spokesperson for the Media-based shelter.

The dog weighs 35 pounds, half what it should, she said. His nails are overgrown, and he has sores on his backside, probably the result of sitting too long in one spot.

Investigators say someone deliberately did this to the dog.  Curious George, estimated to be between one and three years old, was brought in by a woman who found him wandering Monday afternoon near a major highway in Delaware.

Dayna Villa of the Delaware County SPCA says a stray left on his own would have found more nutrition eating out of garbage cans.

“He would have found things to eat and, yes, he would have been very skinny, but to me this is very apparent that it was probably purposeful that he was denied access to food,” Villa said.

Lower Chichester Township Administrator Joe Possenti said stray dogs were rare in the community. Most are identified and returned to the owners.

“We would liked to find out who did this,” he said. “It is a heinous act.”  Calgiano called it “remarkable this dog is alive. It’s more remarkable that he is standing.”  Curious George does collapse frequently, she said. He is being kept separate from other dogs while he recovers.

The vets are continuing to keep a close eye on Curious George.

“His condition is guarded. Any dog like this you worry about organ failure and things like that,” veterinarian Dr. Kimberly Boudwin said.

The Delaware County SPCA wants to know who starved Curious George. The dog was found by a passerby along the 1600 block of Naamens Creek Road near Boothwyn, Delaware. Anyone with information is asked to call 610-566-1370.

Donations for George’s care can be made at Help Care for Curious George

Winston

While volunteering at my local shelter, 14 year old Winston was brought in by the police, taken from his owner, due to cruelty and neglect. His fur was matted with feces, urine, and mud. Neurological problems, due to being kicked, caused him to lean to the left. He was depressed and had to sit in his cage for three months while they prepared for trial. I visited him everyday and told him no one would ever hurt him again.

At the last minute, the cruel owner defiantly relinguished custody of Winston because, if he lost the case, as his lawyer suspected he would, he would lose his security clearance at work. I thought the shelter would then put Winston to sleep because he suffered from arthritis and neurological damage, but instead, they put him up for adoption. Although I already had three rescue dogs, I adopted Winston for what I thought would be his final days. I had his teeth cleaned, gently brushed his fur everyday, gave him a comfortable, snuggly bed, got pain medicine to help with his arthritis, gave him clean, fresh water and nutritious food, modified the house so he could move around with ease, and gave him lots of love.

Winston spends his days surrounded by love and happiness.  He also contributes very much love and happiness to our home in return.  Adopting is the best thing anyone can do!  You are paid back hundred fold.

Donna Courain
Herndon, VA

Fleeter Finds His Final Home

Our adopted greyhound Chance died suddenly just after I had a total knee replacement surgery. I was there when it happened and it broke my heart that I couldn't help him in any way. My husband called the Colorado Greyhound Adoption agency to let them know he was gone and so they could warn the people who adopted his brother about the anyeurism that might be lurking waiting to strike. I was in no way ready for a new dog but my husband talked me into it with the age old argument of not being selfish since we had a good home to offer.

When my husband talked to the adoption representative it was mentioned that he had a dog named Fleeter that had been previously adopted and had been relinquished with accusations that he was agressive. Naturally he would be harder to place with that black mark on his record. We spoke to his foster Mom and she said he was very thin when he was returned and he was more than a little skittish when he came to visit us.

He met our other dogs and seemed to settle right in though he was and remains a bit clingy. He had never been aggressive, is a sweet sweet boy and he has become a much loved member of our household. He sleeps on his back, legs in the air and snores-couldn't get much more comfortable that that!

Sheri Sazpansky
Denver, CO

Best Buddies

I'm sure you have probably seen these pics since they been making the rounds on the Web for quite some time, but I happen to get such a good feeling and cannot stop smiling when I look at them.  Maybe you will too.

After losing his parents, this 3-year-old orangutan was so depressed he wouldn't eat and didn't respond to any medical treatments. The veterinarians thought he would surely die from sadness.

The zoo keepers found an old sick dog on the grounds in the park at the zoo where the orangutan lived and took the dog to the animal treatment center. The dog arrived at the same time the orangutan was there being treated. The 2 lost souls met and have been inseparable ever since.

The orangutan found a new reason to live and each always tries his best to be a good companion to his new found friend.

They are together 24 hours a day in all their activities. They live in Northern California where swimming is their favorite past time, although Roscoe (the orangutan) is a little afraid of the water and needs his friend's help to swim.  Together they have discovered the joy and laughter in life and the value of friendship.
They have found more than a friendly shoulder to lean on.

Long Live Friendship!!!!!!

Help Paws With a Cause® Train a Shelter Dog

Help give a shelter dog a new and rewarding life as a trained assistance dog!

Approximately 97% of all people with disabilities are not blind; they are physically challenged in some other way. Paws With a Cause® trains dogs to help with many everyday tasks that can pose significant challenges to those with disabilities.

With their constant attentiveness and loyalty, dogs are the ideal service animal. An assistance dog can alert a deaf parent to the crying of a baby in the next room, or to help with daily independence by opening doors using a special pulling device invented by Paws With a Cause®. Dogs can be trained to pull wheelchairs, transfer a wallet to a cashier and back, and even call 911 when needed.

Paws With a Cause® facilitates the fostering of 1- to 3-year-old dogs from shelters with loving families who provide a safe and loving foundation. The dogs undergo careful training and evaluation so they can be matched with the best possible owner.

The Animal Rescue Site is excited to support Paws With a Cause® in its noble work. $20.00 through this Gift That Gives More™ helps transform a shelter dog into a trained Assistant Dog.

In 1979, Paws With A Cause®, first named Ears for the Deaf, was born. Only a few small organizations existed to train dogs for the majority of the disabled population, which includes those individuals with the most severely limiting disabilities. Approximately 97% of all people with disabilities are not blind; they are physically challenged in some other way, and very few dogs were being trained to work with them. Paws With a Cause® trains Assistance Dogs for people with disabilities, provides lifetime team support that encourages independence, and promotes awareness through education..

Your donation is 100% tax-deductible in the U.S.A.

You will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.

Check with your employer: your company may match your donation.  Visit the link below and make a difference...

Help Paws With a Cause® Train a Shelter Dog

Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

The key to adoption for a shelter dog is to make a connection with potential adopters. But forging that connection is not as easy as it sounds. Now you can help shelter dogs across the country in their quest to find forever homes!

Shelters are often big, crowded, noisy places, where dogs are confined yet constantly exposed to the smells, sights, and sounds of many animals in one space. The stress of these conditions can result in abnormal behavior — the kind of behavior that can limit a dog's chances of ever being adopted. Excessive barking, incessant pacing or spinning, rebounding off kennel walls, and manic licking can make a potential adopter retreat instead of reach out.

One way to end this distressing cycle is to train dogs in behavior that will help them attract potential adopters. Simple, positive training methods can gently reinforce calm behavior and teach basic skills such as sitting on command.

During 2011, four trainers from four shelters in the United States will be practicing the Train-To-Adopt method in a new pilot program to help shelter dogs. These four trainers will also train shelter staff and volunteers in this simple method, which uses physical objects, food, and mental stimulation to both calm a dog and teach desirable behavior. Click the link below to make your tax-deductible donation today:

Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

Why a Gift That Gives More™ is a smart, effective donation.

100% of your donation will go to the program described above as a grant through GreaterGood.org. GreaterGood Network stores do not receive any profit from donations through this Gift That Gives More™; we bring it to you in the spirit of the greater good. We even pay the credit card transaction fee, so every cent of your donation goes to charity.

You will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.

Check with your employer: your company may match your donation.

Redemption

In June of 2005, I was on the hunt for the perfect "couple" dog for my, then boyfriend, and I. My search lead me to the Lynchburg Humane Society in VA, where I spent about an hour going up and down the aisles, looking at all the different dogs and cats up for adoption. Unfortunately, none of them really caught my attention, so I decided to call it a day.

While I was walking out, I looked over at the last crate on the left, and there walked up this skinny, 2 year old beagle mix named "Marty." The minute our eyes met, his tail started wagging and I knew right then that this was my dog. After being told that he was a 3rd striker and was to be put down soon, I quickly wrote out a $40 check & walked out with the newly named beagle named Baxter.

We had a few rough weeks getting to know each other but things started sailing along until I was diagnosed with leukemia in Sept of '05. Unfortunately, I had to leave him behind with my, now ex, until I was able to bring him down to FL. Finally, a good friend drove him down around Christmas and I was reuniting with Baxter.

The minute he walked into the house, he jumped into my bed and never left my side. He was there through all my chemo treatments, the bad days and the very bad days. Through it all he has been my constant companion & my best friend. Now I am 5 years in remission & he is a healthy 9 years old. I may have rescued him, but I like to think he rescued me as well.

Liz
Palm Bay, FL

Dog Adoption: 7 Things to Know Before Adopting a Dog

The following is reprinted from an eNewsletter from Sharda Baker’s Do-it-yourself Training Series…
Easy D.I.Y Dog Training Secrets

From the desk of Sharda Baker.
Sunday, September 18, 2011

Seeing a cute dog at the local pet shelter or a lovely puppy at a pet store shop window doesn’t mean you have to take it home. Dog adoption is a serious decision and you need to think it through very well. There are numerous things to consider such as are you ready to have a dog, what dog breed you’d like to have, will you be able to take proper care of that particular breed, how will you handle dog training and so on.

In the following lines we discuss ten of the most important issues any aspiring dog owner must address way before they welcome their new pet home.

Are you ready to have a dog? Your dog will love you unconditionally and will be your true friend for life. But your dog will also rely on you for absolutely everything – shelter, food, care, grooming, training and so on.

If you feel you want to adopt a dog, you need to ask yourself “Am I ready to take care of him or her for the next 10 or 15 years of my life?”

Dog size. Once you are certain you want to adopt a dog, you must decide about his or her size. Puppies are small and cute but think about their size when they are full grown – will you be able to take care of a dog that is over 100 pounds or you prefer a toy dog breed?
Dog size is an important consideration if you have or plan to have children too as you need to think about their safety.

Do you want a pure breed dog? Once you decide if you want a small, medium or large dog, it’s time to think about particular dog breeds. First, you’ll have to figure out if you want a pure breed dog or breed doesn’t really matter.

Regardless of your decision, you need to know that there are many rescue dogs for adoption which are pure breed so if you are looking for a particular breed you may be able to find it.
Understanding the differences between breeds will help you to pick the right pet among many dogs to adopt.

The legal process. You must be familiar with federal and local dog adoption regulations. For instance, if you’re planning to take a dog from a dog shelter, you may be asked to fill in some paperwork such as adoption application, proof of current address, proof of ownership of your current living arrangements, marital status and so on. Once you’ve been approved, you will be asked to sign a dog adoption agreement. With it you state that you’ll take full care and responsibility for the dog.

The easiest way to figure out what are the legal requirements for pet adoption is to visit your local Animal Control office and ask for advice.

Are you ready to take it home? Once you’ve completed the required paperwork and paid the necessary fees and taxes for dog adoption, you’ll be allowed to take your new family member home. But are you ready to do so?

Welcoming a pet home is pretty much the same as welcoming a newborn. You need to have a crate or a dog bed and decide where you are going to put it. Make sure you have all the basic dog accessories too – collars, a leash, water and food bowls, grooming tools and supplies, dog toys and so on.

Furthermore, you need to make sure your home is actually dog proofed. In general, you must make sure that your dog will not be able to reach anything dangerous or ruin important household items. For instance, you may want to remove any rugs and carpets until your puppy is fully housebroken.

Training and exercise. Rescue dogs are rarely trained so you will have to take care of your dog’s education. It is vital to start your pet’s training the same day you take it home, and especially if he or she is not housebroken. Do not make the common mistake of waiting several days before commencing with daily training sessions as this will only confuse your new friend further.

If you have never had a pet before, prepare yourself by reading books and articles about pet training or seek a professional dog trainer.

Plan your dog’s exercise and fun activities too. Some dog breeds don’t really need special exercise but others must be exercised regularly. Check with your vet what is the best exercise routine for your dog.

Plan for proper healthcare. Taking care of your dog’s health is of immense importance. If you neglect his or her health problems you will end up with a sick dog and hefty medical bills.

Find a good veterinarian prior to the dog adoption and visit them right after you take your dog from the dog shelter. Most dogs for adoption are not vaccinated nor treated for internal or external parasites. You will need to take care of these prior to bringing the pet home. Also, your vet will need to make a thorough examination of the pet and see if there are any outstanding health issues you need to address.

I hope that you enjoyed and learned something again from today’s newsletter.

All the best and take care

Warmly,

What You Must Know Before Your Pet Goes "Under"

The following was reprinted from a post to mercola.com blog:
POSTED BY:  Dr. Becker on September 08 2011

Many pet owners are fearful of veterinary procedures that require their dog or cat to be anesthetized. And while this is a very legitimate concern, the risks of anesthesia can be minimized with proper planning before the procedure, careful monitoring while the dog or cat is 'under', and competent aftercare. Every pet is different and anesthesia protocols should be customized to meet the specific needs of the individual. For example, a senior pet or one with a health problem would probably require a different anesthesia protocol than a young, healthy dog or cat.

Dr. Becker's Comments:

The word anesthesia is of Greek origin and means absence of sensation. In the mid-1800's it took on its present day use as a term to describe induced insensibility (unconsciousness) to pain during surgical procedures.

There are two kinds of anesthesia: local and general. Local anesthetics are used to numb a specific area of the body.

General anesthesia is the kind that renders the patient unconscious and is of course the more worrisome and potentially dangerous of the two. However, human and veterinary medicine have seen significant improvements in recent years in anesthetic agents with highly predictable and reversible effects.

General anesthesia is used with pets to help relax the muscles of the body, remove the ability of the animal to fight against the procedure, and to insure your pet feels no pain during surgery or other veterinary procedures.

What Are the Risks of Anesthetizing My Pet?

It is thought about 1 in 100,000 animals have a reaction to anesthesia. To the owner of that 1 in 100,000 dog or cat, it's a completely unacceptable risk. But it's actually less risk than your pet faces riding in the car to and from the vet's office.

Reactions can be as minor as a bit of mild swelling at the injection site, to a life-threatening situation of anaphylactic shock.

If your pet has a medical condition (for example heart, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, anemia, dehydration, or an infection like heartworm disease), there is an elevated risk of complications from anesthesia.

Also if a pet isn't fasted properly prior to anesthesia, she can encounter problems like vomiting either during or shortly after being anesthetized. This can result in aspiration pneumonia, which is a very serious condition.

Other complications from anesthesia, though rare, include blood clotting disorders, problems with eyesight, seizures, and kidney, liver or heart failure.

Evaluating Your Pet's Condition Pre-Anesthesia

Things you should expect your vet to do before performing a procedure requiring anesthesia include the following (some of this will depend on how well the doctor knows your dog or cat already, and when your pet was last examined):

• Take a complete medical history including pre-existing conditions, prior surgeries, vaccine status, spay/neuter status, results of any previous testing, supplements and medications given, known drug reactions, and how your pet has reacted to anesthesia in the past.
• Perform a thorough physical to include gum assessment (which shows how well hydrated your pet is as well as his circulatory status), chest exam and palpation of the abdomen. 
• Pre-anesthesia blood tests and a chest x-ray, ECG or BNP blood test, if appropriate.

If your vet determines your dog or cat can safely undergo anesthesia, you'll typically need to fast him for 12 hours prior to the procedure. Vets have differing opinions on how long before surgery water or other liquids should be withheld, but the minimum time is usually two hours prior to pre-medication.

 In debilitated pets, the goal is to stabilize the animal before anesthesia is attempted.

 Pre-Medication and Anesthesia Options

Prior to anesthesia, an IV catheter and line should be placed in your pet so the doctor and vet staff can easily administer drugs, including anesthetics, as well as fluids.

IV fluids are beneficial for blood pressure maintenance, to replace fluids lost during surgery, to accelerate the recovery process, and to prevent post-anesthesia kidney dysfunction. The IV will also be used in the event emergency drugs are required during the procedure.

All older general anesthesia patients should receive IV catheterization and fluids, and many vets suggest or require a catheter for all patients.

Your pet should also be pre-medicated with a sedative, which will help the induction (start-up) of the anesthesia and can also improve its effectiveness during the procedure.

Your vet has many choices of pre-anesthetic sedation available, depending on your pet's health evaluation. At my clinic, I prefer Butorphanol for healthy pets because it also offers some pre-surgical pain management (which has been proven to reduce post-operative pain levels).

There are also a wide variety of anesthetics available for veterinary use. Most of them are listed here, with an explanation of how they work, side effects, situations in which they are used, and other information.

The anesthesia I prefer is Sevoflurane, which is an inhalation agent. Inhalation anesthesia provides some advantages, including a patent (clear and unobstructed) airway, fast control of the depth of the anesthesia, and a rapid, uneventful recovery.

Your pet will have an endotracheal or breathing tube inserted which will facilitate delivery of the anesthesia gas to the lungs, as well as oxygen as required.

Monitoring Your Pet During and Immediately After the Procedure

Your pet's condition should be continuously monitored while she's 'out' and then in recovery until she's no longer under the influence of the anesthesia. Typical vitals measured include:

• Body temp
• Respiration and pulse rates
• Blood pressure
• Blood oxygen and CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels
• ECG or EKG

I recommend asking your vet how they monitor these parameters, as well as control body temperature during anesthesia.

Your pet should appear normal to you by the time you pick her up after a procedure during which she received anesthesia.

You might notice she's a bit sleepy and less active for 12 to 24 hours after you get her home. But if she seems really sluggish, groggy, or out of it, call your vet or an emergency animal clinic right away.

Post-surgery Pain Management

If your pet has had surgery of any kind, he'll be in pain – perhaps just a little, perhaps quite a bit. And he can't tell anyone if or how much he hurts, so you'll need to speak up for him if necessary.

Your dog or cat should be treated before, during and after any pain-inducing procedure with appropriate pain relief.

Pain medication will not only keep your furry family member comfortable, it will also help speed up the healing process. I strongly believe all patients that have been cut with a scalpel deserve prescribed pain management, at least for the first 72 hours. If your vet does not offer pain management, please ask for it.

Post-anesthesia Chiropractic

I recommend everyone, on two legs or four, see a chiropractor or bodywork therapist after any procedure requiring anesthesia. This is particularly important for pets, since while many hospitals and surgery centers now put human patients on 'anesthesia boards' to transfer them from the gurney to the surgery table and back to the gurney, many pet patients aren't handled as carefully.

A limp body is difficult to lift and move. All that flopping around can throw your pet's body out of alignment during transfer from the surgery table to the recovery area.

Also, many animals jerk their bodies around as they awake from anesthesia, which can also damage their skeletal health.

In my professional opinion, allowing an animal chiropractor to realign your pet after any round of anesthesia is money well spent.

ASPCA Partner Community Spotlight: Shelby County

Shelby County, Alabama, is driven to drastically improve the lives of its animals. That’s one of the reasons it was selected for the ASPCA Partnership. We work with Shelby County and nine other communities to upgrade the state of animal welfare in their areas by providing the resources they need to sustain progress.

Shelby County has made great strides for its companion animals since joining the ASPCA Partnership in 2009. Since then, the community has reduced the number of animals entering its shelters, increased the number of spay/neuter surgeries, and saved more than 4,400 lives through interstate animal transfer!

It’s obvious that Shelby County is motivated to succeed, and the ASPCA is there to lend a hand every step of the way. But right now, this community could use a hand from you—and all you have to do is vote! The executive director of the Shelby Humane Society, Jennifer Miller, is a finalist in Beneful’s $500,000 competition for a dream dog park. If her great idea wins, Jennifer (and Honey Belle, her adorable, furry teammate) will get to build a truly remarkable dog park—which would include an agility course, lots of shade and a doggie pool! That’s bound to make lots of Alabama pooches mighty happy.

Forty percent of Beneful’s decision will be based on total votes earned, so visit the competition's website and vote for Jennifer and Honey Belle’s idea. (Hint: it’s the fourth entry on the second page of finalists.) Help this animal-loving community provide a wonderful space for its canine pals!

To learn more about Shelby County’s ASPCA partnership, visit its page on ASCPA.org.

Dog mourns at casket of fallen Navy SEAL

Labrador retriever Hawkeye lies down with a sigh at funeral of his owner

By Scott Stump
TODAY.com contributor
updated 8/25/2011 9:54:58 AM ET 2011-08-25T13:54:58

Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson lay in a coffin, draped in an American flag, in front of a tearful audience mourning his death in Afghanistan. Soon an old friend appeared, and like a fellow soldier on a battlefield, his loyal dog refused to leave him behind.

Hawkeye lays by the casket during
the funeral of his owner, Navy SEAL
Jon Tumilson, on August 19.

Tumilson’s Labrador retriever, Hawkeye, was photographed lying by Tumilson’s casket in a heart-wrenching image taken at the funeral service in Tumilson’s hometown of Rockford, Iowa, earlier this week. Hawkeye walked up to the casket at the beginning of the service and then dropped down with a heaving sigh as about 1,500 mourners witnessed a dog accompanying his master until the end, reported CBS.

The photo was snapped by Tumilson’s cousin, Lisa Pembleton, and posted on her Facebook page in memory of the San Diego resident. Tumilson, 35, was one of 30 American troops, including 22 Navy SEALs, who were killed when a Taliban insurgent shot down a Chinook helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade on Aug. 6.

“I felt compelled to take one photo to share with family members that couldn't make it or couldn't see what I could from the aisle,” Pembleton wrote on her Facebook page. “To say that he was an amazing man doesn't do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family and friends is immeasurable.’’

Hawkeye was such a huge part of Tumilson’s life that Tumilson’s family followed the dog down the aisle as they entered the service in front of a capacity crowd in the gymnasium at the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School. Hawkeye then followed Tumilson’s good friend, Scott Nichols, as Nichols approached the stage to give a speech. As Nichols prepared to memorialize his friend, Hawkeye dutifully laid down near the casket.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jon T. Tumilson
was killed along with other
SEALs on Aug. 6 in Afghanistan.

The youngest of three children, Tumilson had wanted to be a Navy SEAL since he was a teenager. Friends and his two older sisters remembered a fearless soldier, and a Power Point presentation was shown that illustrated Tumilson’s active life outside of the military, which included scuba diving, martial arts, and triathlons. "If J.T. had known he was going to be shot down when going to the aid of others, he would have went anyway," friend Boe Nankivel said at the service.

“Your dreams were big and seemed impossible to nearly everyone on the outside," his sister, Kristie Pohlman, said at the service. "I always knew you'd somehow do what you wanted."


As for Hawkeye, the loyal Labrador will now be owned by Nichols, Tumilson’s friend.

People Saving Pets: Debunking Myths About Homeless Animals

Myths about homeless pets abound, but the ASPCA is working overtime to counter those misconceptions. You can find the pet of your dreams at an animal shelter. Here are just a few of the many myths that exist about homeless pets:

Name: Amber
Breed: Miniature Poodle
Color: White/Cream
Gender: Female
Age: 11 years

The Myth: I want a purebred animal, but all homeless pets are mixed breeds.

The Truth: In the U.S., an estimated 30 percent of all homeless pets are purebred. Right now, at the ASPCA, we have several purebred pets ready for adoption, including Amber, a purebred Miniature Poodle who adores people and other dogs.

The Myth: Homeless pets must be unwanted for good reasons.

The Truth: Pets end up in shelters for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the pet. Adoptable pets typically come from loving homes that simply cannot care for them anymore. Or they are strays who’ve been on their own without the loving care they deserve. Homeless pets make great family members!

The Myth: You never know what you’re getting with an adopted pet.

The Truth: While the background of some homeless pets is a mystery, many waiting for homes have long and happy histories with families who simply can no longer care for them.

For information about how we can all help solve pet homelessness and keep debunking the myths, please visit people saving pets

People Saving Pets is a national campaign to help save the lives of homeless pets in which the ASPCA is a leading partner. Getting involved is easy—visit www.peoplesavingpets.org  and share the link with your friends. Just a few simple actions can make a big difference for animals!

If Your Pet Store Sells Puppies, Don’t Shop There

On the ground, in state legislatures and even in Congress, the ASPCA is fighting puppy mill cruelty across the nation and working hard to put the worst of these large commercial breeders out of business. But we realize that taking on the mills directly is just one facet of the battle, and not the whole war. If we can raise public awareness about the suffering of puppy mill dogs and get people to stop patronizing the stores that sell them, this appalling industry will die—and that’s where our new campaign and website No Pet Store Puppies comes in.

According to a newly released poll, nearly 80 percent of consumers would not purchase a puppy if they knew he or she came from a puppy mill. But the poll also revealed that 78 percent of consumers are unaware that most puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. “The ASPCA’s research shows that people know puppy mills are bad, but they don’t realize most pet store puppies come from puppy mills,” says Matt Bershadker, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group Senior Vice President.

The goal of No Pet Store Puppies is to highlight the direct connection between puppy mills and the puppies sold in pet stores. And it’s not enough to refuse to buy a dog from a pet store—we’re asking you to not give these stores any of your business at all! By purchasing anything—including food, supplies or toys—from a store that sells puppies, you are supporting a business that, in turn, supports the puppy mill industry.

Please visit No Pet Store Puppies and take the pledge to not shop for anything at pet stores if they sell puppies. The fun new site also hosts a blog, great general information about puppy mills and the first in a series of funny videos starring our mascot, Larry the dog. Check it out today, and use the social media tools on the site to spread the word to friends and family!

Operation Pit Serves Nearly 600 Pups in First Year

Reprinted from ASCPA National News Alert Email

This time last year, News Alert introduced readers to a special Pit Bull spay/neuter initiative called Operation Pit, a program designed to address the fact that Pit Bulls make up a vast majority of dogs in city shelters. We put our best veterinary troops on the mission, looked for a few good pups and, in its first year in action, Operation Pit serviced 583 canine recruits!

"I am very pleased by the success that we’ve had thus far," says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Vice President of Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, who created the program.

Operation Pit, not limited by income or address, offers Pit Bulls and Pit mixes (between three months and six years of age) a free physical exam and free spay, neuter, or vasectomy surgery, along with free Distemper/Parvovirus vaccinations and a microchip. In keeping with the theme, each dog also leaves with a camouflage bandana and “Honorable Discharge” papers for participating.

Before Operation Pit, Dr. Murray noticed that Pit Bulls—whose litters are larger than most other dogs’—represented a very small percentage of pets brought to the ASPCA for routine spay/neuter. That’s why she decided to create a spay/neuter program just for Pit Bulls and their pet parents.

Dr. Murray knew that one of the most effective ways to address the discrepancy was free spay/neuter services, but she also knew it would take more than free services to get some reluctant Pit parents in the door. She needed a creative idea to make spay/neuter more appealing, and she found inspiration with her husband’s co-workers.

“My husband, a captain in the FDNY, works with a lot of guys who aren’t exactly excited to see their dogs ‘emasculated,’” says Murray. “I wanted to present spaying and neutering in a way that wouldn’t be such a turn-off—and the guys gave me two thumbs up on the military-themed approach.”

The approach seems to be working--Operation Pit is on track to serve even more Pits in the year to come. For more information on spay/neuter in your area, visit our handy low-cost spay/neuter database!

Nobody loves us more than Dakota!

Dakota was sitting in a kennel at the shelter - she looked embarrassed to be there. But when I talked to her the tip of her tail wagged, but still she looked confused. We had decided to look for a dog to join our family so I visited the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County. The card on her kennel said that she had "nervous urination" and I wasn't sure that was something I wanted to deal with so I walked away.

The shelter staff called a couple of days later and asked us to come and take a look, they said she'd be a good family dog. My husband and I went to meet her without the kids first, we knew that if they met her and we decided she was not a good fit that they''d be heartbroken. But Dakota was a sweet girl and we decided to go through with the adoption.

She was four years old when she came home with us, the same age as our daughter. And like sisters they were both mischievous! Dakota liked to snatch something like a sock or toy off the floor and play keep away.

Dakota is 12 now. She has matured into a great lady. No one loves our family more than Dakota does. She is a constant companion to whoever is home. She's up until the last person goes to bed and is up as soon as someone else is up. She has never met a person that she didn't like.

And to think I almost passed her up!

Margaret Pray
New Berlin, WI

Happy Tails: Hope Springs Eternal

A follow-up story to the previous post about the rescue efforts in Joplin, Mississippi. Reprinted from the ASPCA Web site.

Xavier Lee, 13, was hoping to find a new best friend for his dog at the Joplin adopt-a-thon on June 26. What he got instead was a new best friend for himself.

Xavier, his mom, Dana, and his brothers J.J. and Alex had been having a difficult month—J.J.’s assisted-living home had been destroyed in the tornado that tore through Joplin on May 22—so everyone was excited to welcome a new dog into the family.


Xavier and Leia

The family looked around at the available dogs, but when Xavier saw a squirmy little puppy perk up at the sight of him, he knew he’d been chosen. The puppy jumped up in her cage and started yipping excitedly, and Xavier was overcome with laughter. It was love at first sight.
The resident Lee Family dog is named Sparky Anakin, so naturally, Xavier named the new puppy Leia.

The excitement of Leia’s arrival hasn’t worn off yet in the Lee household. “Xavier and Alex have been taking her out at 5:00 A.M. to go to the bathroom, and they keep fighting over who gets to hold the leash! I tell them, ‘Boys, you have to share!’" laughs Dana, who adds that the excitement hasn’t worn off for Leia, either. “She’s just wearing herself out trying to do everything!"

Xavier is having lots of fun teaching Leia new tricks and playing her favorite game, tug-of-war, every day, and their bond is already firm. “She means a lot to me," he says. “She’s like a sister that I never had, and I just love her so much. No one is going to take her place in my heart!" As for Sparky, he wasn’t so sure about Leia at first, but he’s starting to warm up to her—even though she insists on playing with his toys. He’s starting to see her as less of a disturbance in the Force, and more of a member of his family.

Giving Thanks

There are so many wonderful stories from Joplin, and none of them would have been possible without the help of countless organizations and volunteers. We'd like to extend a sincere thanks to each organization. And, of course, thank YOU. Because of your unwavering support, we were able to assist more than 1,300 animals in Joplin—but thousands of animals still need our help. Please consider making a gift to make a difference in their lives today.

Joplin Adopt-a-Thon a Massive Success, Thanks to The Support of Many Wonderful People!

The numbers are in, and an unbelievable 739 animals found homes at the Joplin adopt-a-thon! A total of 390 dogs and 343 cats—and one ferret and five rabbits—found loving homes in what’s being called the biggest adoption event in the Midwest. A huge crowd of people from states as diverse as New Mexico and Wisconsin attended the event, and many walked away with bigger families. Each animal went home microchipped and spayed or neutered, with a new leash, collar, personalized ID tag and goodie bag.

Putting on such an enormous event took hundreds of volunteers, weeks of planning, and mind-boggling logistics that included creating a streamlined process to make sure adopters were screened and prepared. But let’s skip to the fun part: the adoptions! Check out two of the many happy tails that came from Joplin (you’ll find more at ASPCA.org in the coming weeks) and a photo slideshow from the event. Enjoy!

The numbers are in, and an unbelievable 739 animals found homes at the Joplin adopt-a-thon! A total of 390 dogs and 343 cats—and one ferret and five rabbits—found loving homes in what’s being called the biggest adoption event in the Midwest. A huge crowd of people from states as diverse as New Mexico and Wisconsin attended the event, and many walked away with bigger families. Each animal went home microchipped and spayed or neutered, with a new leash, collar, personalized ID tag and goodie bag.

Putting on such an enormous event took hundreds of volunteers, weeks of planning, and mind-boggling logistics that included creating a streamlined process to make sure adopters were screened and prepared. But let’s skip to the fun part: the adoptions! Check out two of the many happy tails that came from Joplin (you’ll find more at ASPCA.org in the coming weeks) and a photo slideshow from the event. Enjoy!

Miranda Scott, Paul Ornelas and Pretty Girl

Miranda Scott and Paul Ornelas were in the Joplin area on Saturday, June 25, to pick up a tool when they heard about the adopt-a-thon on KISS FM. They drove the two hours home to Chanute, Kansas, that night, but they were back in Joplin at 11:00 A.M. on Sunday for the event.

Miranda, Paul and Pretty Girl

It’s not every pet parent who can step up to the plate and adopt an animal who needs extra care, but Scott and Ornelas, who already had two Mastiffs and two cats, had the know-how and experience to take on a little extra responsibility. That’s why the couple hoped to adopt an overlooked or special needs animal.

When it was their turn to meet the felines, Scott and Ornelas saw one black-and-white kitty they just had to bring home. When they found a tiny, all-black kitten who was a little bit sick, they fell in love again—and were undeterred when an adoptions counselor said the kitten was feral.

But then they looked around—it was near the end of the event, and several families were hovering near the kitten. “I offered her to them, because seeing families with children…I didn’t want the kids to go without,” says Scott. But after meeting with an ASPCA behaviorist, each family decided they weren’t up to the challenge of socializing a feral kitten. So Scott and Ornelas, who have feral cat experience, took both cats home to their seven-bedroom house.

Now, less than a week later, that feral kitten, named Pretty Girl (“We have funny names for all our animals,” laughs Scott), is a love bug who lets the kids pick her up and snuggle her. She’s even friendlier than the other kitty, who earned the name Pissy Pants because she is still working out some relationship issues with the Mastiffs.

“Pretty Girl sleeps in our bed,” says Scott. “She still scares easily, but she’s nothing like a feral kitty.”

Peggy and Elizabeth Howe and Windy

Peggy Howe of Topeka, Kansas, has been battling cancer for two years, but that hasn’t stopped her from thinking about others. When she heard about the devastation the EF-5 tornado left in Joplin, she knew she had to do something to make a difference for that community. “I’m not strong enough right now to do much physical labor,” says Howe, “but I heard about [the adopt-a-thon], and I thought, ‘This is something I can do to help.’”

Howe’s 16-year-old dog passed away less than a year ago, but she’d finally been feeling ready to adopt again, and she especially missed having a canine around to comfort her through the long days spent at home enduring cancer treatment. So she and her daughter Elizabeth hopped in the car to drive three and a half hours to Joplin in hopes of meeting a new dog.


Elizabeth Howe greets her new canine
sibling at the Joplin adopt-a-thon.

 When it was the Howes’ turn to meet adoptable dogs, they saw her right away: a tiny puppy who was the exact same mix as the Howes’ recently deceased dog. “I started bawling,” says Howe. It was a perfect match, and both Howes were smitten.

The newest member of the Howe family, now named Windy, can be found out and about in Topeka wearing a pink, rhinestone-studded collar attached to a bright-orange ASPCA leash. “I’ve been taking her everywhere with me,” says Howe, who says her unusually calm puppy is very popular with everyone she meets. Windy starts crate training next week and is already enjoying high-quality dog food, treats and brand-new toys of both the squeaky and chewy varieties. She’s also showing high aptitude for playing fetch and is very smart, Howe brags, noting that she might be a tad biased.

“If I could be reincarnated, I’d want to be reincarnated as a dog in my family,” says Howe. “I’m telling you: This dog is not going to want for love, that’s for sure.”

Giving Thanks

There are so many wonderful stories from Joplin, and none of them would have been possible without the help of countless organizations and volunteers. We'd like to extend a sincere thanks to each organization. And, of course, thank YOU. Because of your unwavering support, we were able to assist more than 1,300 animals in Joplin—but thousands of animals still need our help. Please consider consider making a gift to make a difference in their lives today.