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Transcript of Lcdmaugsept2014web
magazineaugust/september 2014
volume 10, issue 5
TM
animal advocate diane straney
local veterinary facility earns top certification
sc pet protective orders law
ask the trainer:chase drive
Seaside SullyMeet our 2014 Cover Model Contest Winner
contentsPublisher
Leah England
(843) 478-0266
Advertising Information
(843) 284-3094
Communications
Gillian Nicol
Guest Writer
Kelly Rae Smith
Teri Errico
Photographer
Laura Olsen
Accounting
Carrie Clark Financial Services
(843) 367-9969
Lowcountry Dog Magazine
PO Box 22
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Web: lowcountrydog.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland
Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog
august/september 2014
animal advocate diane straney 4
local veterinary facility earns
top certification 8
sc pet protective orders law 10
seaside sully 14
calendar of events 21
health & wellness 20
Hip Dysplasia and Osteoarthritis
training 22
Chase Drive
144
Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.
Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.
The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher.
Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.
8
This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper.
Continue the green process by recycling this copy.
Cover photo and Table of Contents photos by Laura Olsen Imagery.
Lowcountrydog 3
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Jennifer and Salty.
Diane Straney answered the call of
the wild when she decided to become an
advocate for feral cats back in 1995. While
most of us have had to make that tough
decision before — to feed or not to feed a
poor stray — Straney didn’t hesitate. She
helped the little guy out and then some.
“I retired and decided to move back to
Charleston,” Straney, a Charleston native,
remembers. “My first day back I was at the
house we’d bought, and there was a stray
cat on the porch. He was full of mange and
starving. I started taking care of him, and
the next day we had gone to the marina
and I looked over at the dumpster, and
there were 15 cats there starving. And
so I started feeding them. I just became
very aware once I retired at how many
homeless cats there are, and so I started
feeding cats in Mt Pleasant and getting
them spayed and neutered.”
Before retirement, Straney was a
successful computer programmer and
systems analyst who worked at the
Harvard Medical School Epidemiology
Department. In 1995, she decided to
sell her small software company that
designed Wall Street trading systems
for the likes of Charles Schwab and head
back home to Charleston. Little did she
know a whole new path lay ahead that
would dramatically change the future of
Charleston animals.
Straney’s incredible compassion for cats
began on her porch that day and continued
for 20 years. She’d eventually found the
Feline Freedom Coalition, a nonprofit
organization that has successfully reduced
the feral cat population, helped pass the
Free Roaming Cat ordinance, and is the
only facility in the south dedicated to
work specifically with ferals. “She has
helped lead the way to the development
of all the major programs that have saved
the lives of thousands of the homeless dogs
and cats in the Charleston area,” says Julie
Reynolds, a colleague of hers at the FFC
who has nominated Straney for the
Animal Advocate Diane Straney
TEXT BY KELLY RAE SMITH PHOTOS BY LAURA OLSEN
Top: Diane walks Loki through the 20 acre Feline
Freedom Coalition, which now also welcomes
adoptable bully breeds with medical and behavioral
issues. Below: Midnight gets some love, and a
brighter future.
4 Lowcountrydog
Lowcountrydog 5
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Lowcountry Dog Animal Advocate
Award.
“She has dedicated her life to ending the
euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs
by not only making significant financial
donations but by working daily, hands-
on, giving unlimited time, blood, sweat,
and tears,” Reynolds says. “She has been
the only leader who has focused her laser-
like energy on the plight of feral cats who
historically were the most at risk animals
in our community.”
Straney used her own funds and
whatever grants she could find to start
up the FFC facility. That was over 10 years
ago now. With 20-acres at her disposal,
Straney has been able to build a six-
building sanctuary for animals in need.
Fenced-in cat houses were created by
converting old building containers into
air-conditioned-and-heated rooms with
access to the outdoors, too. Today, she
has around 200 cats that are properly
cared for at the Ravenel-based facility.
Straney has also been working with a
group of volunteers recently called Rescue
Charleston that is dedicated to specifically
helping with pitbulls who are medically
and behaviorally challenged. No matter
how much good is accomplished, for this
animal advocate, also a board member of
Pet Helpers, there is still more work to be
done. And she’s already done a lot.
For instance, Straney, along with the
help of PetHelpers and the Charleston
Animal Society, was key in making
Charleston the only no-kill community in
the Deep South. Straney developed the Free
Roaming Cat Program, a new approach to
feral cat population control. Under the
ordinance, feral cats can be trapped,
neutered, and returned (TNR) to their
original location, preventing them
being otherwise picked up by animal
control and euthanized. Though this
wasn’t allowed before, that didn’t stop
Straney.
“TNR was not legal in Charleston
County at that time Diane began her
efforts,” Reynolds says. “She did all
of her feeding and trapping at night
and took great care not to be seen. She
crawled under fences, snuck onto off-
limit areas, and went into situations
that required stealth in order to care
for the cats. Today, she is the only person
I know who will take these same kinds of
risks in contentious situations… When
something like this needs to be done, they
call Diane. She has never been caught!”
Now, thanks to Straney’s persistence
to change the laws and the lives of cats,
90 percent of all animals in Charleston
County leave shelters alive.
“There are less than 75 communities in
the country that can make this claim,”
Reynolds says, “and none of them are in the
South. The live release rate for Charleston
felines is now overall 84 percent with 91
percent of cats and 76 percent of kittens
being saved (including neo-nates and
kittens under six weeks). Our community
saves almost 50 percent more cats than
dogs, making it one of safest places in the
country for cats to live.”
Straney’s mission seems to be going
better than she could have ever hoped.
The FFC has also teamed up with
PetSmart in finding homes for socialized
kittens that have been nurtured in the
sanctuary. Straney and company are the
sole cat providers for the Mt. Pleasant,
West Ashley, and Summerville PetSmart
stores. And her focus remains firmly on
doing more. Straney continues to fulfill
her calling by spreading the word and
gathering more saviors. It’s important for
her that people understand the mission.
“We’re not trying to save feral cats;
we’re trying to prevent feral cats,” Straney
says. “TNR really is the most effective
way to reduce the feral cat population.
Trap-and-kill doesn’t work. Animal
control does not have enough resources
to trap these cats quickly enough to ever
get it under control — whereas, with
TNR, there are many individuals who
are willing to do that. With trap-and-kill,
you’re not going to be able to get the public
involved in that, so it doesn’t work. With
TNR you literally have an army out in the
public helping to maintain and reduce the
size of these colonies. And that’s the real
secret weapon.”
This is the third article in our series on Animal
Advocates of the Lowcountry. After all nominees
are featured, we will open online voting and one
winner of the Animal Advocate of the Year will be
recognized for their outstanding work.
Top: Diane cuddles Hannah, with Midnight
by her side. Both are looking for forever
homes. Below: Diane checks a kennel with
Ryan, a Rescue Charleston team member.
Lowcountrydog 7
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The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) has awarded its highest certification to West Ashley’s Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, making it one of only six Level I Certified Veterinary Hospitals in the nation and the only facility in the Southeast to attain this designation. David B. Sachs, Emergency Veterinarian and Medical Director of Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, upon receiving the certification, said its purpose is “to recognize those hospitals that meet the extremely high standards and guidelines published by VECCS with goals of raising the standard of veterinary care while also increasing public and professional awareness of emergency and critical care providers.”
Chief of Critical Care Kristin Welch, DVM, DACVECC, explained that the certification program identifies three levels (I through III) based on operating hours, equipment and personnel. “A Level I emergency and critical care facility must have the resources and specialty training necessary to provide sophisticated emergent and critical care using the attendant technologies.
Second, it must be open to receive small animal emergency patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Finally, a Level I facility must have a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care on staff full-time and available or consultation 24/7.”
Electrochemotherapy
Speaking of sophisticated technology, the center now offers yet another weapon to fight cancer in animals. It recently began offering a revolutionary new treatment option called electrochemotherapy (ECT). Electrochemotherapy delivers trains of electrical pulses to cancer cells shortly after injection of chemotherapeutic drugs. The pulses open pores in the tumor cell membranes making them more permeable and enabling better penetration of anti-cancer drug molecules to increase tumor cell kill. Patients will undergo very light, short (5-10 minute) anesthesia for the procedure and typically require two or three treatments (depending on tumor type and size). Because ECT makes tumor cells more sensitive to therapy, this allows lower doses of chemotherapy making systemic side-effects very unlikely. CVRC is pleased to be the first and only veterinary practice in the Southeast to offer ECT. Dr. Kerry Rissetto, DVM, DACVIM, the center’s oncologist, traveled to Rome for training in electroportation and chemotherapy under Enrico Spugnini.
Canine and Feline Physical Rehabilitation Center
Dogs and cats that have sustained injuries, undergone orthopedic or cardiac surgeries, and those that are overweight can all regain mobility, agility and fitness more quickly
and safely in the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center’s Animal Rehabilitation
& Fitness department. Led by Jennifer Au, DACVS, CCRT, who is board-certified in surgery and rehabilitation, CVRC has just opened a newly-designed rehab facility complete with underwater and land treadmills, laser therapy, electro-stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, hurdles, balance balls and boards, and a cushioned floor surface that protects healing muscles, tendons and joints from the jolts of exercise. The room is long enough for dogs to gallop in, and even has see-through windows so owners can watch their pets’ progress.
Founded in 2011 by Dr. Alan Green, Chief of Staff and Dr. Sachs, the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center is on Shelby Ray Court, just off Glenn
McConnell Parkway in West Ashley, and is the only veterinary facility in the Southeast that fulfills all the criteria set by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society to be called a Level 1 Emergency/Critical Care Center. Its 17 staff members are designated according to their areas of expertise, predominantly with dogs and cats. Clinical services include cardiology, dentistry, emergency and critical care medicine, diagnostic imaging (X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Fluoroscopy), internal medicine, neurology, oncology, physical rehabilitation and surgery, including orthopedic, soft tissue and minimally invasive.
Dr. Sachs concluded that “Being a VECCS Level I facility affirms that this respected society recognizes us among the best of the best. It enables us to offer a level of care and service unparalleled in the Southeast and virtually the same as human trauma care facilities. We are able to treat the most critical patients and give comfort and confidence to their owners.”
Local Veterinary Facility Earns Top Certification
Lowcountrydog 9
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10 Lowcountrydog
There is an undeniable link between human violence and
animal cruelty, which is perhaps more apparent in homes where
domestic violence is present than in other human-animal violence
situations. For some victims of domestic violence, a relationship
with a beloved pet may be the only positive connection in their
lives, making that pet especially vulnerable as a mere pawn in a
dangerous environment. Abusers will frequently harm, torture,
or even kill an animal in a brutal manner – sometimes in front
of the victim – to display control and to manipulate the victim
into either staying in the home, or coercing her to return.
Unfortunately, the perpetrator frequently has an additional
advantage in these scenarios as most women’s shelters are not
equipped to accept pet animals, and many victims cannot afford
to board their pets for an unspecified time. Furthermore, the
perpetrator may have ownership rights to the pet, which can
interfere with a victim’s ability to remove the animal from the
home. Law enforcement officers and courts have been reluctant
to intervene with a pet’s placement because such situations are
frequently considered a marital property dispute. Consequently,
many women delay or refuse to leave a dangerous relationship out
of fear of initial or escalating violence towards their pet, which
continues to put both the woman and animal in harm’s way. This
problem is not the exception to the rule. Multiple studies indicate
that between 48% and 71% of battered women report that their
pet had also been threatened, harmed, or killed by their partners,
and in a national survey of women’s shelters, a staggering 85%
reported incidents of women seeking safety who described pet
abuse in their homes.
This situation is particularly dangerous in states like South
Carolina where domestic violence rates are consistently high and
animal cruelty laws are relatively weak. Last year, the Violence
Policy Center in Washington ranked the Palmetto State the worst
in the nation for men killing women. At more than double the
national average, it was the third time in ten years that South
Carolina earned the top spot. The domestic violence crisis in
South Carolina is so severe that the state Attorney General has
challenged the state’s General Assembly to consider legislation
that would help protect victims of domestic violence, calling
the current statistics “inexcusable.” What’s more, The Humane
Society of the United States ranked South Carolina an abysmal
46th in its 2013 humane state rankings, which scores each state’s
animal protection laws. When considered collectively, it’s readily
apparent that a key component to minimizing both human and
animal violence in the home includes measures to protect both
victims of domestic violence: people and animals.
In an effort to reduce crimes committed against women and
animals, state representative, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, introduced
legislation referred to as a “Pet Protective Order” bill, which
would extend legal protections to pets involved in domestic
violence disputes. After repeated attempts to pass the legislation
through multiple sessions of the South Carolina General
Assembly, lawmakers finally recognized its importance, and the
bill was signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley on June 6th,
2014. The law, which has already gone into effect, allows judges
to include pets in orders of protection granted to victims of
domestic violence disputes. In essence, not only will a judge be
able to order an alleged abuser to refrain from harming a human
victim, but under the new law, he can also specifically order him
to refrain from harming a pet. Furthermore, judges can now
grant the temporary legal possession of pets, and order assistance
from law enforcement officers in removing the animal from the
family home if the perpetrator has not been evicted by court
order. Should an abuser violate the new law, he could be subject
to penalties under both the state’s domestic relations laws as well
as state animal cruelty laws.
The new protections afforded women and pets by the
legislation are a tremendous victory and an important step for
combatting domestic violence in South Carolina, but that isn’t
the bill’s only achievement. Thanks to a late amendment offered
by Senator Greg Hembree, the bill also increases maximum fines
and jail times for those convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty,
with significant increases for repeat offenders. Previously under
state law, a first-offense misdemeanor cruelty charge carried a
maximum penalty of 60 days in jail or a fine ranging from $100 to
$500. For a second offense, the penalties previously included up
to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $800. It wasn’t until the third
offense that convicted abusers could face up to two years in jail
and a $2,000 fine. Under the new law, first time offenders could
face up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Second and subsequent
offenders are subject to a maximum of two years imprisonment
and up to a $2,000 fine. Punishments for felony animal cruelty,
including imprisonment ranging from 180 days to five years and
a fine of $5,000 remain the same.
Domestic violence and animal cruelty are serious crimes that
will continue to require additional attention from our state
legislators, judges, and law enforcement personnel. The pet
protective orders law, coupled with increased animal cruelty
penalties, are not solutions to the complicated and widespread
incidents of human and animal related violence across the state.
However, with new laws in place, our legal system now has
additional tools to help protect victims– both human and pets–
in domestic violence situations and that’s an important victory
all South Carolinians should celebrate.
SC Pet Protective Orders LawBy Kimblerly Kelly
Lowcountrydog 11
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12 Lowcountrydog
My boyfriend and I adopted our puppy 10 months ago, and we
joke it’s a tough life owning the sweetest, goofiest, most adorable
dog ever. Whenever we take him out, people stop us to gasp and
coo at him. The people we know best gasp the hardest though—at
me. “I still can’t believe you have a dog!” That’s because I have
spent 30 years terrified of every canine in vicinity, be it Collie or
Shitzhu. My fear stemmed from a bad encounter with a stray as
a child bookended by an attack as an adult. But when I met the
man I wanted to marry, a dog lover to the extreme, I knew I had
to work to get over my fear. And now here I am almost a year later
loving my own four-legged furball.
When I finally conceded to my boyfriend Kyle that we could
adopt a dog, the first thing we did was research. While his family
has always had large dogs, he met me halfway in considering
what I wanted, and needed, too. For starters, big dogs that could
overpower me or outweigh me were out of the question. I’m
of petite stature and it terrified me to think I could enter the
house when Kyle wasn’t there and the dog might bowl me over
leaving me helpless against it. Another factor was barking. While
the sound may be both good and bad, it made me jumpy all the
same and I hoped for a quiet pet. Additionally, I wanted a smart
breed that’s easily trained, and most of all, one that’s good with
children. Kyle accepted my insecurities and we moved ahead
with our checklist.
It was a random search during my lunch break that yielded a
unique but ideal breed for our needs: Toy Australian Shepherd.
The smaller breed of Aussie grows to about 20-25 lbs., which was
just right. Famously loyal creatures, Australian Shepherds are
easygoing and can entertain themselves, which was beneficial if
I got overwhelmed and needed to step back. Australian Shepherds
are also intelligent, quiet and good with children. It was a perfect
match. Kyle and I decided to adopt a puppy so that I could be with
it from the start of its life and help it develop good habits, and we
picked up newly dubbed Luke Bryan Skywalker on November 6,
when he was two months old. I knew he was the one the moment
I met him, but when he peed on me for the third time on the car
ride home, he stamped my role as his momma.
While I adored looking at Luke, my six pounds of adorable fluff,
I knew I still had a long road ahead of me. He was innocent and
clumsy, but I was nonetheless terrified of getting too close, of his
constant nipping and his jump puppy energy. So off to training
class we went at PetSmart in West Ashley, under the tutelage
of Dog Trainer, Emily Gallow. Emily has spent her life training
hunting dogs on her family’s 120-acre farm in Ladson and trained
her first pup at the age of 8. She has taught at PetSmart for two
years and she is incredibly knowledgeable, patient and always
willing to stop and answer questions, even if you just bump into
her walking down the aisle.
To Emily, training is the most important bonding experience
a new dog owner can have with his pet. “Dogs are pack animals
so there has to be somebody in charge,” she notes. “Training is so
important because you’re working with your dog to show them
who is in charge and also to build confidence in them. You’re
teaching positive reinforcement for good behavior so they’ll want
to keep doing it to please you.”
PetSmart has four six-week classes new dog owners can take:
beginning, intermediate and advanced training, as well as a trick
class to teach dogs fun things such as grabbing their leash or
cleaning up their toys. Emily showed us how easy it is to train a
dog, thanks to simple techniques and repetition. Kyle and I saw
or How I Found
Four-Legged Freedom
Part 2
By Teri Errico
a vast improvement in Luke immediately
and signed up for every class. “Every dog
can sit, but it’s important to take that
training further,” Emily says. “Not only is
your dog going to behave if you properly
train it, but it’s going to be a dog you can
take with you anywhere and introduce to
anyone.”
The three most important commands
you can teach your dog, according to
Emily, are: come when called with
major distractions; strict leash training,
including heel and turns; and stay. But
while you may train your dog endlessly,
Emily cautions that dogs will still be dogs.
“No matter how well trained they are,
dogs are still perpetual three year olds
in the human world,” she explains. So
never take your pet off its leash in public
settings, and always be aware of your
surroundings.
I had spent my life afraid of dogs and
no advice or therapy worked until Emily
came along and suggested the best way
to learn to be around dogs, or any fear in
fact, is in a controlled where I would be
happy and comfortable—and also could
walk away. That setting for me was Emily’s
class, a fun atmosphere with my boyfriend
and our puppy in a room that I could
easily exit.
But Luke and I successfully made it
through all four levels of classes, and
this summer, after almost 10 months, I
survived (yes, survived!) five days alone
with him when Kyle went on his yearly
hiking trip. I never thought that would
be possible with any dog. I now play with
my puppy and let him climb all over me, I
scratch his head and don’t fear he’ll bite
me, and I kiss him, too, when he cuddles
up on my chest with his favorite toy. I
understand he just wants to be near me
when he jumps. That he paws at me or
emits a tiny bark because he wants to play.
And it’s all because he has been trained
well by Emily, and so have I. I am so very
lucky he, Kyle and Emily finally were able
to help me overcome my 30-year fear of
dogs—otherwise I never would have been
able to understand what true puppy love
really is.
Lowcountrydog 13
3484 Shelby Ray CourtCharleston, SC 29414
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Seaside SullyMeet our 2014 Cover Model Contest Winner
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA OLSEN
Lowcountrydog 15
Eric and Allison Swanson welcomed German Shorthaired Pointer litter mates Sully and Stella into their lives 13 months ago. Both dogs enjoy pointing birds, chasing squirrels in the local dogs parks, and scent training, but being in the water is clearly their favorite pastime. Sully and Stella are truly in their element when dock diving, running in the surf, and swimming in lakes. Thrilled with her pooch winning our annual cover model contest held at Pet Fest each year, Allison exclaimed, “We believe Sully is the perfect Lowcountry dog because he is as friendly as a puppy can be and is never happier than when he is on the beach running among the birds.”
16 Lowcountrydog
Charleston's Dog Friendly Beaches
Isle of Palms:Dogs must be on leash, except during the following hours: 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. from April 1 through September 14 and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. from September 15 through March 31. Owners must clean up after pets.
Sullivan's Island:All dogs must have a valid Sullivan’s Island permit – residents and visitors. Dog permits are available at Town Hall. $35.00/dog permit. Resident Discount $10 ($25.00) $2.00/license discount available if proof of an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship Certificate is presented at time of permit purchase. See www.sullivansisland-sc.com/Files/DOGS/2013%20dog%20application%20full%20packet.pdf for full application packet and requirements.
SUMMER HOURS (May 1 – September 30)Off-leash: 5:00am – 10:00am • No dogs: 10:00am – 6:00pmOn-leash: 6:00pm – 5:00amWINTER HOURS (October 1 – April 30)Off -leash: 5:00am – Noon • On-leash: Noon -5:00am All dogs must be curbed. Pet waste bags may be found near the entrance of each beach access path.
Folly Beach:Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 1 to September 30 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.In the off-season, though, from October 1 through April 30, your dog is welcome on Folly’s beach. Your pup must stay on a leash and under control, but running, walking, fetching, and swimming are all allowed. There are pet waste bags at beach access points, please use them to keep the beach clean for everyone on Folly, whether they have two or four legs.
Kiawah: Dogs must be on leash on all of Kiawah Island year round, except for 5 areas on the beach. There are 2 dog use areas in which dogs can be off leash year round as long as they are under voice command. The first area extends from Beachwalker County Park for 1,000 yards to the west (towards Captain Sam's inlet). The second area is located between the Beach Club and the Ocean Course pedestrian beach access. Dogs may also be off leash during the winter months (December 1-March 15) on the central portion of the beach between Beachwalker County Park and the Beach Club. In addition, there are 2 Dog Leash areas where dogs can be present year round but must always be on a leash.
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Upload photos of your happy hound at www.lowcountrydog.com/share/photo All breeds and mixed breeds accepted.
brice
bentley
nike
belle
joey
jake
calvin
levi
debbie
amos
copper, katie rose, jake & abby
izzy beewesley
dottie
stella
blue
boone
adaliakirby
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upcoming eventsrecurringevery saturday & sunday pet helpers adoptions at petco, west ashley. www.pethelpers.org
every saturday cas adopt-a-thon at petsmart mt pleasant. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
lowcountry lab rescue adopt-a -thon at whole foods mt p. Adoptable Dogs are usually at Whole
Foods every third Saturday of the
month from 11 - 2. Please visit www.
lowcountrylabrescue.org for more
information.
yappy hours and pups, yups and food trucks by charleston county park and recreation commission at charleston county parks. Pick up man’s best
friend after work and join the fun at
events held this summer and early fall
especially for dog owners! Pups, Yups
and Food Trucks offers on-site food
trucks and live music in the meadow
at Palmetto Islands County Park in
Mount Pleasant, just adjacent to the
dog park.
Yappy Hour features live music and
beverages for sale, directly in the off-
leash dog park at James Island County
Park. The next Yappy Hour will be
on Aug. 7 with a performance by
Dreamland Band.
Both events are free with general park
admission ($1 per person or free with
Charleston County Parks’ Gold Pass)!
Beverages and food are available for
an additional fee. Outside alcohol and
coolers are prohibited.
Event Dates:
Aug 7th 4-8pm , August 21st
5-sunset, September 18th 4-sunset,
September 25th 5-sunset. Visit www.
charlestoncountyparks.com for more
info.
special events
august 25th public court hearing for hound dog cruelty case. This court hearing is for the
Animal Cruelty Case involving 45 Hound
dogs seized on 2/11/13. This hearing is
open to the public and we are asking
for YOUR support. We would like to
see the courtroom and courthouse
parking lot packed with individuals
that are against animal cruelty! In
order to clearly show that we are a
unified group, we ask that everyone
wear SOLID BLACK shirts. If you want
to contribute towards the anti-cruelty
work done by Animal Rescue & Relief,
you can mail contributions directly
to Animal Rescue & Relief at PO Box
13477, Charleston, SC 29422.
Sept. 7th noon - 5:00 pm x 6th annual dog day afternoon at whirlin' waters. Humans can cool
down at beaches and waterparks, but
how does man’s best friend beat the
heat? On Sunday, Sept. 7, dogs will
have free reign at Whirlin’ Waters for
the 6th Annual Dog Day Afternoon!
On that special day, Whirlin’ Waters
Adventure Waterpark at North
Charleston Wannamaker County Park
will be open to canines and their
owners from 12 – 5 p.m. Dogs can
splash around the 27,000-sq. ft. Big
Kahuna wave pool and the Rollin’
River lazy river. The refreshing Otter
Bay kiddie pool area, recommended
for smaller pooches, will also be open
for frolicking.
Admission to Dog Day Afternoon
is $15 per dog. Charleston County
residents may purchase advance
tickets for $12 per dog. All tickets
purchased on site will be $15. Owners
are free with their pets. Spaces are
limited, so sign up today! For more
information, call (843) 795-4386 or visit
CharlestonCountyParks.com
september 13th francis r. willis spca 11th annual pawker run. It is time for the 11th Annual
“Paw”ker Run to benefit the Frances R.
Willis SPCA of Dorchester County, SC.
Our first ten “Paw”ker Runs were very
successful for the nearly 3,140 lost,
abandoned and abused animals that we
care for each year. Those numbers are
rising in 2014 with the poor economy
and housing foreclosures. However,
2014 promises to be a much better year;
in January, February and March our
live release rate matched that of no
kill shelters across the country!
We are projecting over 600 bikers to
participate and we are hoping to raise
over $25,000 or more for the SPCA.
Entry Fee is $20 per person and includes
collectible T-Shirt. Registration begins
at 10:00 am or sign up online in
advance. Run time is at 11:00 am. Hwy
61 E. / .5 Miles off ALT 17 S. Dorchester
Shrine Club. Live music by Double
Nought Spies. BBQ Lunch, Door Prizes,
cash prizes and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
prizes.
More info at www. summervillespca.
org
Questions? Comments?Call 843-478-0266. Want to submit event information?Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.
Osteoarthritis affects animals and
people alike. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the
hip joint in dogs is common. Different
studies show 30% of German Shepherd
Dogs have hip OA and 52% of various dogs
have hip OA in another study. One study
in people showed the risk of developing
hip osteoarthritis in a lifetime is 1 in 4 or
25% of the population. Interestingly, a lot
of the medical or conservative treatment
options for managing hip osteoarthritis,
or osteoarthritis of any joint for that
matter, is very similar between people and
out pets. Maybe while you are working
to reduce the risk of development or the
discomfort from current OA you can do the
same for your pet, making it a team effort.
While there are surgical options for
dogs, and cats, with hip dysplasia or
other diseases of the hip joint resulting
in OA, the good news is approximately
70% of dogs with appropriate medical,
also termed conservative, management
can have a good quality of life, never
needing surgery. There is no cure or single
treatment for OA, but in combination,
the various medical treatments can be
very effective. Basic medical management
consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAID’s), supplements, activity
modification and weight control. More
advanced options include additional drug
therapies, physical rehabilitation, laser
therapy, shockwave therapy, acupuncture
and regenerative medicine therapies
along with other options. Weight control
is actually one of the most crucial
components to managing OA in animals
and people. Since I already stepped on my
soapbox regarding weight control in pets
in a previous article I will concentrate on
some of the other forms of conservative
management today.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
also referred to as NSAIDs, are one of the
most effective drug classes used to control
OA pain and inflammation. While NSAIDs
can be a godsend for both people and pets
they should be used correctly and under
a veterinarian’s supervision, for the pet
that is. Any drug has potential side effects;
NSAIDs are not alone in this category.
NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal issues
such as ulcers, bleeding or perforation
and have deleterious affects on the liver
and kidneys. Ideally blood work should
be performed on your pet prior to starting
NSAIDs to evaluate for underlying liver
or kidney problems and have a baseline
for monitoring, especially if the plan is
for extended use of these drugs. While
the number of dogs that have side effects
related to NSAID use is very small,
the results of the side effects can run
the gamut from very mild and easily
controlled to severe or life threatening.
Any dog on NSAIDs should be monitored
for decreased or absent appetite, vomiting,
diarrhea, blood in the stool or melena
(black, tarry stool indicating digested
blood). If these signs are seen you should
contact your family veterinarian for
assistance. Nonsteroidals should always
be used within the appropriate dose
range (ask your veterinarian) and never
be used with other NSAIDs or steroids as
this can increase the risk of side effects.
Use of nonsteoidals in animals with
underlying liver and kidney disease
should be avoided if possible. I am not
harping on the risks or side effects of
NSAIDs to keep you from using them; I
am trying to make you a smart pet owner.
As I said, NSAIDs are very effective in
controlling pain and inflammation from
OA but use your smarts when using them
for your pet and consult your veterinarian
for more information. Ideally your dog
should receive a nonsteroidal specifically
for dogs. Aspirin in dogs can cause an
increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
compared to other dog-specific NSAIDs
and they affect platelet function that can
result in an increased risk of bleeding.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is toxic to cats.
Did you know, on average, 10,000-15,000
people die every year from NSAID related
complications? Again just trying to make
you a smarter, more informed pet owner.
Nonsteroidals are useful and effective in
controlling signs of OA, just be smart when
using them or giving them to your pet. I
think I might have stepped on another
soapbox there too.
Nutraceutical is a combination of the
words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’.
The origin comes from foods or parts
of food that provide medical or health
benefits, including the prevention and
treatment of disease, but also applies to
specific nutrients, dietary supplements
and even herbal products. Another
term is DMOAS or disease modifying
OA supplements. Whichever term you
prefer, there are several options available
to help with OA. Omega 3 fatty acids,
commonly derived from fish oils, have
been shown in multiple studies to reduce
inflammation in osteoarthritic joints
along with improving comfort and limb
Medical Management of Hip Dysplasia and OsteoarthritisBy Jennifer Au, DVM, DACVS, CCRT
Tucker Daniel
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use in dogs. Glucosamine is another
supplement people have commonly
heard about, and may even be taking for
their own joints, that may be effective
in aiding joint comfort and function.
Glucosamine with chondroitin is reported
to be more effective than glucosamine
alone, allowing for a synergistic action.
There are various studies, both on the
human and veterinary side, reporting
varying degrees of efficacy. One week a
paper comes out saying glucosamine with
chondroitin works, the next week a paper
comes out saying it doesn’t. Personally I
feel it is a supplement with very little risk
or side effects and may help in the battle
against the signs of OA so I recommend
it for my patients. If or when there is
definitive evidence one-way or the other
my recommendations may change.
By now you have probably seen the
Celebrex commercial with the tag line ‘A
body in motion, stays in motion’ regarding
OA and NSAID’s on the human side. This
adage also rings true on the animal side.
We want pets with OA to stay active.
Being a ‘couch potato’ increases the risk
of weight gain, allows joints to stiffen
up and results in muscle loss that causes
more work for the osteoarthritic joints. Of
course the activity needs to be reasonable.
Low-impact activities such as walking or
swimming are ideal for pets and people
with osteoarthritic joints versus higher
impact activities such as running and
jumping. Shorter, more frequent activities
are better than one single long activity.
You should always monitor your dog for
signs of discomfort such as slowing down,
reluctance to walk, limping during the
activity and the following day or two.
Similar to us working out, we may not feel
the aches and pains until the next day.
Any activity that results in your dog being
stiff or sore during the activity or after
should be reduced or eliminated from the
routine or until additional OA treatment
options are added into your pets routine.
Next time we will talk about something
near and dear to my heart, physical
rehabilitation. In the mean time, get out
side and get moving with your pet.
Tucker Daniel Animal Antics, LLC is a company dedicated to providing products that are of the highest quality, made from all natural ingredients and are environ-mentally friendly. As well as services, that exceed expectations and deliver value.
We view ourselves as ambassadors for a better planet; fostering compassion and respect in animal welfare and training, while understanding the science behind nutrition and animal behavior; our focus is on the health and wellness for all pets; to treat our customers with courtesy and gratitude, as well as, being partners in the community.
843-284-89031964 Rivera Drive, Suite J
Mount Pleasantwww.animalanticsllc.com
Animal Antics training philosophy is part of our holistic focus on good mental and physical health for pets. Our cooperative approach teaches socialization skills, modifies problem behaviors, and is the basis for our entire training curriculum.
Pet Care • Behavior & Training • Grooming • Accessories
Check out Charleston Animal Society’s Puppy Parties, socialization classes with a professional dog trainer for puppies 7-24 weeks. Free with donation to the shelter. Registration required.
SANDRA BRETTFine Pet Portraits
The Perfect [email protected]
910.616.6119www.zhibit.org/sandrabrett
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The Problem: How can I teach my dog not to chase people running by or on bikes? -Andy Infante
The Solution:Dogs chase moving objects for many reasons, but all of the
reasons are instinctual. Whether it is prey drive, hunting, herding, guarding/protection or even a defense out of fear…..the chase is initially triggered by the dog’s instinct. Couple that with how much fun and rewarding your dog has learned this behavior is and you find yourself competing with not only instinct, but a self-rewarding behavior. Based on the dog’s trigger for the chase, the rewards can vary between each dog and each instinct. Since I haven’t observed the dog’s behavior, it’s difficult for me to determine exactly why your particular dog is chasing the moving objects, however I have some tips for you to help teach him an alternate behavior.
Before expecting your dog to learn the desired (new) behavior with a biker speeding by, you must practice with him in a setting with little to no distraction. You’re going to start with the “Leave It” command in a controlled setting, such as inside your house. Start out by making it really easy, then slowly increase the level of difficulty. For example, have him ‘Leave’ a piece of dry kibble for a soft yummy treat. When he’s good at that, teach him to ‘leave’ the soft treat for a piece of cheese, and so on. As mentioned in a previous response when addressing a dog chasing the resident cat……this is worth repeating: When I teach Leave It, I never ever let the dog have the item I have asked them ‘Leave’. In other words, don’t have him ‘Leave’ the dry kibble on the floor, then turn around and say ‘Take it’. You want to instill that ‘Leave It’ means ‘Leave it’, don’t ever ‘Get It’. Always reward with something different, and better, than what you are asking the dog to ‘Leave’. You would slowly but surely work up to levels of increased difficulty by having him ‘Leave’ a rolling ball that will serve as a moving object, a piece of cheese you toss, someone walking by, and eventually work up to ‘Leaving’ the bikers and joggers.
When you are ready to begin working around bikers and joggers, it is important that you start out at the easiest level for him to succeed, as well as desensitize him to the bikers’ and joggers’ movement. You will need to recruit the help of a friend or family member for this. Have your dog on leash and have your recruit pass by at a faster pace than walking, but not a full jog. Continue to work that ‘Leave It’ command and reward heavily for the correct response. If your dog is having trouble giving the correct response, you’re moving to quickly for him – go back to an easier step in which he can be successful so you can reward. You’re not looking to keep having him fail so you can ‘correct’. Do the same thing with the bike, but start out with the person walking past you with the bike, not riding by at full speed.
The two things that are going to set you and your dog up to succeed is starting with slow speeds of the joggers and bikers as well as setting distance away from the bikers and joggers. For example, before your dog can resist the urge to chase, and comply to your ‘Leave It’ command with a biker speeding by 3 feet away, he must be able to give the correct response 15 feet away and the biker slowly walking by. Find the threshold at which your dog can successfully comply with the ‘Leave It’ command then slowly have the joggers and bikers increase speed, and you slowly decrease the distance from the moving objects. Don’t increase speed and decrease distance at the same time. An example of this would be if the dog can comply with the Leave It command 15 feet away and the biker slowly riding by, move in to 13 feet, but keep the biker at the same speed. Then, go back to 15 feet away and have the biker slowly increase his speed and so forth. Don’t be tempted to increase difficulty at the level in which you think your dog should be progressing, but at the level your dog is progressing. And as with any training, don’t progress too quickly in a way that will set your dog up for failure.
If you have a young dog that has not practiced chasing for very long, you should see progress and results fairly quickly. If your dog has practiced the chasing behavior for quite some time, it will more than likely take a little more time and energy to extinguish the rehearsed behavior and implement the new behavior. Be consistent and patient and always set your dog up for success. The more he rehearses the desired behavior and is rewarded for it, the better he will get at it. Just remember, rehearsing behaviors and getting better at it work with any behavior…..so the more he rehearses the undesired behavior and is rewarded for it, the better he will get at that also. As mentioned above, the chase itself is rewarding, so even though you don’t personally reward it, if he completes the action, he is rewarded.
Please don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a Certified Positive Reinforcement Trainer if you find yourself needing assistance implementing these tips. Your investment will be well worth it for both you and your dog. Follow this advice from Dr. Ian Dunbar, a world renowned trainer, behaviorist, teacher, and who I like to refer to as the Grandfather of Positive Reinforcement Training: “When I’m training a dog I develop a relationship with that dog. He’s my buddy and I want to make training fun. Training a dog to me is on a par with learning to dance with my wife or teaching my son to ski. These are fun things we do together. If anyone even talks about dominating the dog or hurting him or fighting him or punishing him, don’t go there.”
Kristie Allen, CPDTThe Learning Canine, LLC
Ask the Trainer:Chase Drive
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