magazineaugust/september 2010

volume 6, issue 5

bark in translation

canine seizures

a critical time in animal law

lowcountrydog.com

TM

BeyondBest Friendsdogs who guide & comfort

contentsPublisherLeah England (843) 478-0266 leah@lowcountrydog.com

InternsGillian Nicol, Communications Christian Broder, Social Media Salvador Vilardo II, Editorial

Guest PhotographerLaura Olsen Imagery www.lauraolsen.com

Staff PhotographerAshley Smith Blackburn www.lowcountryfocus.com

AccountingCarrie Clark Financial Services (843) 367-9969 carriecl@comcast.net

For Ad Rates Call(843) 478-0266

Lowcountry Dog Magazine PO Box 22 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465 www.lowcountrydog.com

Web: lowcountrydog.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog

august/september 2010

a critical moment 4

top stories on lowcountrydog.com 8

beyond best friends 12

calendar of events 21

health and wellness 22

Canine Seizures

training 24

Bark in Translation

adoption 26

Furlife German Shepherd Rescue

264 12

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 bi-monthly 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.

This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper. Continue the green process by recycling this copy.

Cover photo and middle table of contents photo by Laura Olsen Imagery.

Lowcountrydog 3

Fine Art and Portraitureby

M.C. Churchill-Nash

www.mccn-fineart.commccn@mccn-fineart.com

All Natural Nutrition, Supplements, Herbs, Homeopathics

Fun Toys and Gifts, Self Serve Dog WashPublix Shopping Center Daniel Island

843.377.8740

4 Lowcountrydog

a critical momentby Kimberly Kelly

t’s no secret that when it comes to animal welfare, South Carolina has a lot of room for improvement. With relatively weak legislation and a sometimes appalling lack of law enforcement, too often we

let down the animals who rely on us for protection. Thankfully, one area in which South Carolina has successfully been combating animal cruelty is dog fighting. Thanks in large part to state Attorney General Henry McMaster who, with the unwavering support of the Charleston Animal Society (formerly the John Ancrum Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), created a task force to crack down on dog fighting, the underground society has somewhat diminished. Thus, while dogfighting, and its secondary problems of drug trafficking and gambling still challenges law enforcement officials, there is reason to be hopeful: since its inception in 2004, the task force has made dozens of arrests and convicted scores of offenders. The conviction of David Tant, however, stands out above the rest.

If Michael Vick is the nation’s most notorious dog fighter, then David Tant is most certainly South Carolina’s. Described by prosecutors as “the country’s number 2 breeder of fighting pit bulls,” Tant is a highly recognized, if not well-respected, member of the dogfighting community. A self-proclaimed “old-time dog man,” David Tant has been involved in the underground industry for over two decades. As a recognized referee, trainer, grand champion owner, and most recently, fighting dog breeder, Tant has been involved in just about every aspect of fighting circles. For years he evaded authorities, but following a 2004 incident in which a land surveyor accidentally set off a booby trap and was pummeled by birdshot on Tant’s Charleston County property, it was discovered that dog fighting paraphernalia such as cattle prods, harnesses, homemade gun silencers, caged treadmills, a bear

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trap, dogfighting magazines and a former dogfighting ring were on his property, in addition to forty-seven dogs showing signs of scarring and abuse. So damaged were his animals from years of torture and mistreatment that every single one had to be euthanized. Tant was arrested and charged with forty-one counts of criminal animal fighting and assault and battery with intent to kill. Upon his guilty plea, the charges were reduced, but he was still sentenced to an unprecedented forty years in prison, which was reduced to thirty after paying partial restitution. But, on July 21st, less than six years after his sentencing, Tant appeared before a partial parole board. That meeting resulted n a 2-1 vote in favor of parole and Tant is one step closer to being released. The full parole board will consider his release the end of August. To secure his release in that hearing, he will need 4 votes in his favor.

With the announcement of Tant’s parole hearing, dog fighting has once again been propelled into the spotlight with animal welfare proponents calling for his continued incarceration, and Tant’s supporters claiming he has been punished enough. Whichever side prevails however, one thing is for certain: the parole board’s decision will have a tremendous effect on the future of dogfighting in South Carolina.

Prior to Tant’s sentencing, the enforcement of South Carolina’s dogfighting laws was marginally in line with other states, but since then, only one other out-of-state conviction has carried a harsher sentencing. Perhaps Judge Wyatt Saunders did “make an example” of Tant, but his prison term, in conjunction with McMaster’s powerful task force and harsher penalties passed by the legislature, are important steps in eradicating dogfighting from South Carolina. The efforts have not gone unnoticed, and have even received national attention.

In the wake of Tant’s conviction, the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization, partnered with the task force, pledging up to $5,000 in rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved with animal fighting. John Goodwin, Manager of Animal

Fighting Issues at the Humane Society explains why the Attorney General’s office, the Humane Society, and the state legislature have invested so much time and attention to an activity that to many South Carolinians, seems relatively innocuous: “Dogfighting is lose-lose for a community. The animals endure brutal suffering and ultimately death. The fights attract criminal elements that come to the area to watch the carnage, and municipal budgets are strained dealing with the canine victims that are discarded in the streets and end up in animal shelters. It is important that officials at every level of government, from the parole board to the sheriff’s department

to the governor’s office, understand the negative impact of dogfighting and work to eradicate this nasty pastime.”

In addition to elected officials and public servants however, local citizens serve a critical role in the arrest and conviction of dog fighters. In many cases, the offenders are arrested and prosecuted thanks to the simple acts of citizens alerting police to known dogfighting rings in their neighborhoods. Additionally, citizens can call their local

representatives and voice their concerns about animal fighting; by continuing to pass stronger animal welfare laws, South Carolinians can help ensure that violators are met with consequences far greater than an inadequate fine or short detention. Finally, when an offender such as David Tant comes up for parole, citizens can contact the parole board and submit a statement which may be considered during the review.

For decades, David Tant subjected pit bulls to unfathomable cruelty. Even after he claimed to have left the “sport” of dogfighting, he continued to perpetuate the cruelty by breeding dogs who were sold into a life of absolute torture and misery. Serving only six years of a thirty year sentence hardly seems like a punishment to fit such a crime, and sends the wrong message to other would-be dog fighters. South Carolina cannot afford to lose the hard-fought progress that has been achieved to eradicate dogfighting from our state. Hopefully the parole board will agree.

To oppose Tant’s (Inmate # 306170) parole: www.dppps.sc.gov/oppose_parole.html

Dogfighting is lose-

lose for a community.

The animals endure

brutal suffering...

The fights attract

criminal elements...

municipal budgets

are strained with the

canine victims that

are discarded in the

streets and end up

in animal shelters.

Lowcountrydog 7

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8 Lowcountrydog

lowcountrydog.comonline stories you shouldn’t miss

photo by fanfan2145, Flickr Creative Commons

7 Ways to Stop SC Puppy Mills

Socializinga Rescue Dog

10 Ways toHelp ShelterAnimals w/o Adopting

Signs of a Bad Breeder

Crock Pot Cooking for Pets

Is My DogSeriously Sick?

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If you’ve wanted to cook for your dogs but have no idea where to start, you’ll love this easy crock pot recipe from veterinary technician (and chef ) Renata Dos Santos. Click to http://bit.ly/9Xtsdd

Unless you have a strong medical background, it can be difficult to know if your dog is sick. Dr. Danielle Cain gives us a basic primer on symptoms of common diseases. Click to http://bit.ly/bEIUNf

If you are thinking about fostering or rescuing an animal with a tragic past, this article gives you tips on reintroducing the dog to society. Click to http://bit.ly/aBDCaf

A concise list of actions we can take to raise awareness of puppy mills in our state and how to help lawmakers pass regulations on commercial animal breeding. Click to http://bit.ly/9hT1gC

Budget tight? Still want to help shelter pets? Check out 10 ways to help without spending a dime. Click to http://bit.ly/9EiIIQ

Arm yourself with the know-how to determine if that breeder is truly interested in the welfare of the breed, or just after a quick buck. Click to http://bit.ly/bJsZusA Favorite Reader Comment

This article couldn’t have better timing. Just got a rescue a couple weeks ago. She wasn’t abused but she is a little overwhelmed by other dogs. We just started her in obedience class and she’s making great progress already! ~ anonymous, in response to Socializing a Rescue Dog

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Dear LCD --

Please help us spread the word that

Lowcountry Lab Rescue needs foster

homes! Currently we cannot pull ANY dogs

because we don’t have any open foster

homes. The summer time is very hard for

us because people go on vacation so we end

up juggling foster dogs around or some of

our regular volunteers end up with 2-4

extra dogs for a week or 2. Or we end up

paying for boarding....money we don’t

really have when we need to be paying for

medical care. Adoptions are down in the

summer for the same reasons.

If anyone is interested in adopting or

fostering a loving lab, please contact

www.lowcountrylabrescue.org. We need

you more now than ever.

~San Mitchum

Dear LCD --

Did you know one in every four dogs

dying in shelters is a bully breed or bully

breed mix? Humane Net and the ASPCA,

in conjunction with Pet Helpers and the

Charleston Animal Society, are offering

specially priced spay/neuter surgeries for

these particularly at-risk canines.

This limited-time offer allows bully

breed owners to have their pets “fixed”

for just $20 in an effort to reduce the

number of unwanted puppies that end up

at shelters or in the hands of dog fighters.

$20 surgeries available for the first 100

dogs. The cost also includes necessary

vaccines. Pet Helpers is located at 1447

Folly Road, James Island and can be found

online at www.pethelpers.org. Charleston

Animal Society is located at 2455 Remount

Road, North Charleston and can be found

online at

www.charlestonanimalsociety.org

~Katie Mehle, Pet Helpers

Lowcountrydog 11

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Beyond Best Friends

text by Stratton Lawrencephotography by Laura Olsen Imagery

Grace is attuned to Tate’s every need.

Lowcountrydog 13

ogs, with their infallible trust and loyalty, are naturally therapeutic. Fifteen minutes with your

pup in your lap can quickly quell the anxiety of a stressful workday. With fur brushing through our fingers, our minds calm their clatter.

Some dogs go beyond their duty as pets. From aiding the recovery of hospital patients to guiding the blind, many of the Lowcountry’s brightest dogs are behind the scenes heroes. And of course, there are heroes behind those dogs as well. Learning over fifty commands doesn’t happen automatically. Local groups like Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS) and the K-9 Care Unit literally change human lives through dog-assisted living, and their positive impact on our community is constantly growing.

Distinguishing between guide/service dogs and therapy dogs is important; authorized, trained guide dogs can accompany their owners to places that other dogs aren’t permitted. Therapy dogs are typically pets, with owners as gentle and loving as their animals, an important requirement for working with the infirm or handicapped. Although therapy dogs typically wear a scarf or other identifying garment, they don’t normally have access to businesses and places where pets are forbidden.

Logistical details aside, the real impact of both service and

therapy dogs is in the immeasurable and dramatic changes they bring to the lives of the people with whom they interact.

D

Top: Scamp tells owner Sharon Fields she loves his work as a therapy dog.Bottom: Scamp and a new friend see eye to eye.

14 Lowcountrydog

Life PartnersBefore Smith Pruitt got Aubrey, his three-year-old

yellow Labrador retriever, trips into town could be difficult for his mother, Erin. The thirteen-year-old has moderate to severe autism; conversations are limited to keywords he’s learned.

Among those he uses the most these days

are “lean” and “hug.” When Aubrey hears those commands, she quickly complies. The simple pressure of her warm, soft presence is enough to calm Smith down when he’s upset, easing an unpredictable anxiety that can suddenly arise.

Smith no longer has to hold his mother’s hand

when they’re out shopping or at the library, instead gripping tight to a handle on Aubrey’s harness. And Aubrey attracts people to Smith, which helps his peers to understand that any out-of-the-ordinary movement or vocalizations are a result of his autism.

“She’s been a bridge to a lot of kids in explaining

what autism is and what a service dog is,” says Erin. “Aubrey has been such a great help in terms of signifying that he’s ‘got something up with him’, so people might be a little more understanding, instead of thinking he’s just some weird kid or his parents can’t control him. She’s served to teach a lot of children.”

Aubrey can do everything from turning on and

Aubrey is Smith’s calming force.

A detail shot of the harness that allows Zack to do his job.

Lowcountrydog 15

Zack rests at Audrey’s feet.

off light switches to pulling Smith’s socks from his dresser in the morning. They share a single bed, and Smith is responsible for feeding and walking her.

Training Aubrey to work so diligently with a person with autism

was a two-year process, undergone by PAALS. The Columbia-based group will soon match their second round of about five trained dogs with their owners, who attend an intensive two-week training session (and annual refresher courses) to learn how to make the best use of their dog. Recipients are also asked to contribute to the roughly $28,000 it takes to raise each service dog. In Smith’s case, the boy’s twin sister helped organize a Swim-a-thon, raising $11,000 for Aubrey’s and the family’s training.

“What I like about PAALS is that it’s not a factory of service dogs,”

says Erin. “They really are in tune with the client’s needs and really know what they need the dog to do.”

The majority of PAALS recipients are mobility-challenged, hence

the value of a buddy who can pick up dropped items, close doors, or activate an emergency phone. That’s been particularly useful for Tate Mikell, a Charleston police officer who suffered an aneurysm five years ago, leaving him half-paralyzed and blind in one eye. His PAALS-trained yellow lab, Grace, can even distinguish between a

house phone, a cell phone, and a remote control. She also nudges Tate to alert him when someone is approaching on his blind side.

“He’s been much happier with her around,” says Tate’s mother,

Marsha. “They spend all their time together and go for walks and play ball in the backyard. She attracts people to herself, and by that, attracts people to Tate.”

Most service dogs tend to be labs, although PAALS has trained

two ‘Labradoodle’ mixes. Labs’ intelligence and gentleness are conducive to the work, but they’ve got to be the crème de la crème of their breed to become a service dog. From allergies to temperament issues, the dogs must be nearly perfect to become full service dogs.

Another local group, Dixie Land Guide Dog Users, caters

specifically to the blind. Former club president Audrey Gunter gradually lost her vision over many years due to retinitis pigmentosa, and Zack, her ten-year-old yellow lab, has served as her eyes for the last eight. By the time Audrey retired from her job as transportation director at MUSC, her field of vision was just two degrees in each eye. She wasn’t comfortable crossing streets and parking lots with a cane, so she researched finding a dog guide. Before long, she was at a month-long training session in Florida, matched with Zack.

Grace is skilled at opening doors.

Chai the Border Collie rounds up the children at Buddy Camp.

“He knows right from left, and can find the curb or a set of stairs, doors in and out, gates, trash cans, lanterns, a bench, chairs,” Audrey boasts with pride, as Zack lays at her feet in the West Ashley mobile home that serves as headquarters for Dixie Land. “He also does what is called intelligent disobedience. If I’m trying to navigate across the street and he perceives danger, he’ll do a body block and push me back on the sidewalk. He will literally give his life for me or stand in front of me to block me.”

Audrey calls Zack her guide, and considers herself his handler.

“Together, we’re a team,” she says. The pair regularly use CARTA to travel around Charleston, giving Audrey an independence she’d lost with her sight.

“Before I got him I would have to use somebody as a sighted

guide, which meant I was totally dependent on where they wanted to go and when,” recalls Audrey. “Zack’s ready to go when I am.”

Zack joined Audrey in 2002, and the pair quickly found support

and friends in the newly formed Dixie Land group. They’ve more than doubled their members since then, to nearly twenty, and even hosted a Top Dog national convention last January that attracted over 100 guide dogs and their owners from around the country.

Audrey and Zack coauthored a book together in 2004, “Zack’s Tales - Travels of a Guide Dog.” Using software that reads words on a computer, Audrey sought to tell their story, in hopes of educating and enlightening people who hadn’t had experience around guide dog users.

“I realized most people had never seen a guide dog before,” says

Audrey. “Zack’s paws were too big, so he told me what to write, and I just typed.”

Service dogs like Zack are identified as being individually and

specifically trained for a person who is unable to provide that service for themselves. But a dog doesn’t have to know 50 commands to be useful. Charleston’s dozens of part-time therapy dogs are brightening the days and easing the treatment of the infirm and handicapped on a daily basis.

Instant BuddiesIn a side room at a Daniel Island Baptist church, a group of

kindergarten-aged children rush excitedly through the door. Today is the highlight of their annual trip to Buddy Camp, an outreach that

Grace is skilled at opening doors.

Neelix the poodle is a regular visitor to assisted living facilities and is clearly loved by all the residents.

pairs ten children with Downs Syndrome with a furry friend for a week of learning and play. The kids have been asking about the dogs all week, and now four of the friendliest dogs they’ll ever

meet are awaiting the affection of the adoring children. The K-9

Care Unit is on hand, a local organization of over 50 nationally registered therapy dogs. From that pool, teams visit hospitals, Hospices, nursing homes, and events like Buddy Camp almost daily.

Chai, a Border Collie, shows off her tricks, waving to the children as they approach, then kissing them on the nose. Across the room, Scamp, a Schmoodle (miniature schnauzer and toy poodle), happily offers herself to multiple petting hands. Scamp’s owner, Sharon

Field, took up therapy dog outreach after retiring from Hospice nursing. She and Scamp visit MUSC’s children’s hospital a few times each week.

Sharon tells of one boy terrified about his broken arm who refused to hold still. When Scamp arrived, he quickly settled down and let the doctors set his arm.

“I sat next to him on the opposite side with Scamp right by the

child, and he focused on Scamp the whole time,” she recalls. “It’s amazing to see the kids respond.”

Not every dog can be a therapy dog. They must be friendly to other

dogs and people and have basic obedience training. Owners must clean them before sessions, and follow rules about leash length and maintaining control.

Another local therapy dog group, Southeastern Therapy Animal

Resources, does similar work, with a focus on individual care at hospitals and nursing homes. The group has about 80 handlers, with participation levels varied from one visit a month to several each week.

Top: Chai lays down for some loving.Left: Caroline Hunt with one of her Shetland sheep dogs.

Lowcountrydog 19

STAR member Caroline Hunt has two Shetland sheep dogs, one an entertainer and the other a comforter. Subtle differences in a dog’s personality can make a difference with whether they’re best for the elderly or for a nervous child in the ER. When people inquire with Hunt about training their dog for therapy, she starts with general questions about the owner and their pet. An extremely friendly Golden Retriever might be a great pet, but not suitable for hospital work if they tend to jump on people. Careful questioning may also reveal that a loving but protective Australian Shepherd has nipped at two or three people. That history is enough to discourage therapy work.

If a dog passes the initial questioning, STAR invites the owners out to shadow a therapy session. “That’s when we lose them,” says Hunt. “They’ll say, ‘I had no idea that it would be so depressing to be around people who are this sick.’”

A dog’s good temperament and their owner’s dedication

are the necessary factors for therapy work. When the combination clicks, it’s a consistently rewarding experience that most handlers stick with. Hunt has stories of her dogs provoking speech in people otherwise silent since a stroke or accident. “It’s an experience you never forget,” she says. “All the nurses go nuts.”

On Wednesdays at St. Francis Hospital, STAR brings a team to visit with kids about to go into surgery. “If they can sit with a nice big dog before the anesthesiologist shows up, they’re much more relaxed, and medically a better candidate for what they’re about to undergo,” Hunt explains.

At Your ServiceFrom inspiring smiles to easing anxiety, the potential of

guide and therapy dogs is still being fully realized. PAALS is currently working with veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder, utilizing the same leaning pressure to reduce anxiety that Aubrey uses to help Smith’s autism. Behind the scenes, the same dogs are transforming lives during their training; PAALS recently began a prison program at which approved inmates learn to care for the dogs and assist in their early training, giving the incarcerated a purposeful and calming task.

None of the aforementioned organizations seek to make a profit, and funding is scarce, relying on individual fund-raisers and private donations. Whether it’s a family pet visiting a Hospice or a highly trained Labrador opening doors for the immobile, therapy and service work is truly a labor of love for both the handlers and their dogs. But with tangible results from every visit, these highly intelligent and loving dogs are definitely worth barking about.

Learn more about these groups at www.lowcountrydog.com

Top: Scamp gives kisses at Buddy Camp.Middle: Barbara holds her “STAR” therapy dog, Mac the Westie.

Bottom: Will, an Australian Shepherd, smiles while he works.

20 Lowcountrydog

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upcoming eventsAugust 4th 6:00pm-9:00pm charleston greyhounds yappy hour at red’s ice house. Shem

Creek in Mt. Pleasant. Visit www.

adoptcharlestongreys.org for more info.

august 7th 11:00am-3:00pm cas adoption event at petsmart. Come join us at the Mt. Pleasant PetSmart

to adopt a new pet into your forever home!

Adoption fees start at $105 for dogs and $95

for cats. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org

august 11th 5:00am-8:00pm lcgrr yappy hour at two rivers tavern. Enjoy a relaxing evening with Man’s Best

Friend on the patio of Two Rivers Tavern

on Daniel Island. This is livin’! Don’t

miss the fun. www.lcgrr.org for more info.

august 12th palm avenue shop n’ share with pet helpers. 251

King Street, Downtown Charleston.

Visit www.pethelpers.org for details.

august 14th 7:00am daniel island animal hospital get fit dog walk. In conjunction with Get

Fit Daniel Island. Open to the public

and free for all walkers. Pre-register

by email: info@danielislandvet.com

august 14th 10:00am-4:00pm carolina coonhound rescue meet & greet. Get to know some

hounds who need forever homes and

find out about our foster program!

Buffalo South 1409 Folly Rd Charleston.

august 14th 11am-2pm charleston greyhounds meet & greet at petsmart. West Ashley. Visit www.

adoptcharlestongreys.org for more info.

august 14th 9:00am-1:00pm tractor supply company vaccine clinic. Ravenel Location, 4405

Savannah Hwy. $10 rabies and distemper

vaccines, $15 microchips. Call 302-0556 or

email spay@pethelpers.org for details!

august 14th pet support team. Pet Helpers’ Junior Volunteer Club

for ages 6-11. Meets the first Saturday

of every month in the Pet Helpers

Education Room. Contact Christine

Bush, Volunteer Coordinator at cbush@

pethelpers.org or (843) 795-1110 ext. 25.

august 28th 11am-2pm charleston greyhounds meet & greet at petco. West Ashley. Visit www.

adoptcharlestongreys.org for more info.

september 4th 10:00am-4:00pm carolina coonhound rescue meet & greet. Get to know some

hounds who need forever homes and

find out about our foster program!

Buffalo South 1409 Folly Rd Charleston.

september 5th 12:00pm–1:00pm bully walk. Join the SCPBR and the

Pitchicks for our monthly Bully Walk. It’s

a great way to meet other “bully” lovers

and it gives the dogs an opportunity

to socialize. All breeds are welcome,

no retractable leashes please. For the

locations and specific rules regarding Bully

Walks, please visit www.scpitrescue.org

september 11th leslie mccravy memorial 5k run/walk. Folly Beach. For all the details and

registration information, visit www.

pethelpers .org/Les l ieMcCrav yRun

september 11th the 7th annual pawker run. Dorchester Shrine Club.

All proceeds benefit the Frances R. Willis

SPCA. $20 per person registration fee

includes a BBQ plate lunch, free t-shirt,

and goody bag. The run includes 10 stops

along a 100-mile route. Bluegrass music,

a 50/50 drawing, door prize drawing

and other fun! Ride for the Paws! More

information at frwspcagrants@hotmail.

com or www.summervillespca.com

september 11th 7:30pm charleston men’s rugby team bachelor auction. Music Farm.

Benefits Pet Helpers, Carolina Youth

Development Center, Ralph Johnson VA

Medical Center, MUSC Hollings Cancer

Research Center, MUSC Children’s

Hospital, Charleston Habitat for Humanity.

Visit www.pethelpers.org for more info.

september 18th 11:00am-4:00pm lowcountry paws & claws pet expo. Exchange Fairgrounds, Ladson.

There will be fun and educational

demonstrations and presentations. You

can check out the adorable adoptable

pets and numerous local businesses

looking to cater to your needs. For more

info visit www.lowcountrypaws.com

october 9th 9:00am-3:00pm cas 26th annual paws in the park walk for animals. Park Circle N.

Charleston. $10 per dog. Visit www.

charlestonanimalsociety.org for more info.

october 16th 10:00am grateful goldens tee off for goldens.Oak Point Golf Course, Kiawah River

Estates. $100 per player includes:

bloody mary/mimosa bar, box lunch

BBQ dinner provided by the Crazy

Dutchman. Complimentary water, soda

and beer. Hole in One contest, silent

auction, live auction, and raffle prizes

Live music by Bogan Mask. Visit www.

ggrlc.org or call 810-0146 for more info.

november 12th-14th a way to play dog agility club cpe dog agility trial. A Dog’s Way Inn

Training Facility in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Trial information will be posted on

the CPE website soon. www.k9cpe.com.

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.

Lowcountrydog 21

Watching a dog have a grand mal seizure

for the first time is a very scary experience

for most people, especially when it happens

to your own four legged family member.

Imagine you are making dinner when

Cooper the three-year-old family Golden

starts pacing and acting restless. You say,

“hey boy, what’s the matter?” Maybe he is

panting more than usual, or maybe he just

collapses on the floor with no forewarning.

Then he starts to tremor so violently that

he doesn’t respond when you call his

name. You’re worried he will hit his head,

and then he does. All four legs stiffen, or

start paddling like he’s running a race –

but on his side. His neck arches back in

an unnatural direction. He’s drooling

so much the side of his face is wet with

saliva. Maybe he passes

stool and urinates too.

Jaws clench shut then

chatter fast. Cooper is

crying or barking in a

way that you’ve never

heard before and you

think he must be in

pain. You think he’s

dying! Then it stops.

He just lies there for

a minute, but still

doesn’t respond when

you talk to him. After

a minute, he tries

to get up, but falls.

When he gets up, he’s

wobbly and bumps into

things. He stumbles

around for a while

before lying down to

fall asleep. By now

you’re calling the vet:

who tells you “Cooper

had a seizure – you

should bring him in. “

This is an example

of a classic grand mal

seizure. But even grand

mal seizures can vary

from dog to dog. They

can have some or all of

the symptoms seen in

Cooper. Dogs can have

focal seizures involving

only their head or

a leg twitch, while

remaining fully conscious. These are not

considered grand mal seizures because the

tremor doesn’t involve the entire body. Fly

Biting is an example of a behavioral seizure

where the dog starts biting at imaginary

flies in the air. Petit mal seizures involve

the entire body but are minor tremors, and

the dog often does not lose consciousness.

Seizure severity can range from a two

second focal episode that goes unnoticed

by dog owners for years to a grand mal

“status epilepticus” that lasts indefinitely

and ultimately can kill a dog if untreated.

If your dog has a seizure, keep calm

and don’t panic. The seizure episode itself

usually is not harmful unless it lasts more

than 2-3 minutes. Check the clock and time

the episode because one minute can seem

like an hour when your dog is seizing.

While they are convulsing, protect their

head from smacking into things, but avoid

being bitten. Your dog may bite without

even knowing he’s doing it. Most dogs will

stop seizing before you can get them in the

car, but you should still bring them into

the vet. When a seizure continues for a

long period of time, the body temperature

can elevate high enough that there are

potential life-threatening complications.

We can’t always find out why seizures

happen. Doctors know that the tremors

are the result of uncontrolled/abnormal

electrical activity in the brain. There is a

huge list of possible causes of seizures, but

the majority can’t be traced to a specific

causative factor. When no abnormality is

found, the condition is called Epilepsy.

Currently, there is no blood test for Epilepsy,

although Dr. Munana has been working

on it at North Carolina State College of

Veterinary Medicine. Currently epilepsy

is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning we

have to eliminate all of the other possible

causes of seizures, one at a time. This

workup is important because if a puppy

needs sugar supplements or a senior dog

has a disorder that can be managed with

medications or surgery, it would be best to

fix whatever abnormalities are found or the

seizures may continue despite treatment

with anti-convulsant medications.

When your dog goes to the hospital after

a seizure, many vets will immediately

place an intravenous catheter (IV) into

a vein. Should another seizure occur it

is much easier to inject medications into

a catheter than into a vein on a shaking

leg! Valium is very effective at stopping

most seizures, but is not safe in high doses

or for long-term use because it will build

up in the liver and cause damage. This is

one of the reasons why vets will check a

seizing dog’s blood work - to make sure

the liver is healthy enough to administer

certain medications. The blood work

is also the first step in a full workup for

seizure disorders. Phenobarbital is a drug

used to control tremors in dogs while we

are working them up, or if a diagnosis of

22 Lowcountrydog

SEIZURES

by Danielle Cain, DVM Animal Hospital of N. Charleston

Lowcountrydog 23

Epilepsy has already been reached. But

not all dogs need Phenobarbital after their

first seizure. The general consensus for

when to start the drug is 1. When the

seizures are in clusters (more than 1 in

48 hrs) 2. When seizures occur every

month or more, or 3. The convulsions

are especially violent or prolonged (more

than 3-4 minutes). Once anti-seizure

medications are started, they should

never be stopped (other than very rare

circumstances under direct supervision of

your vet). The blood work that monitors

Phenobarbital levels and liver health needs

to be done several times while initiating

anti-convulsant medication treatment.

When the Epilepsy symptoms are

controlled and the blood medication levels

are within safe limits, then bloodwork can

be reduced to every six to twelve months.

Phenobarbital was first introduced to

human medicine 100 years ago and is the

most commonly used anti-convulsant in

the world. It works really well, and we have

lots of information on how to use it and

monitor it in the body. It usually makes

dogs sleepy after starting treatment, then

with time most dog’s activity adjusts, and

if not the dose can be lowered. But there are

some other options available. Alternative

drugs are usually used in conjunction

with Phenobarbital in order to reduce the

necessary doses of each drug or to achieve

control via two separate mechanisms.

Potassium bromide is less offensive to many

dog owners because it is a natural salt

rather than a drug. It is actually older

than Phenobarbital, and was the first known

anti-seizure medication on Earth. In the

US, it has to be specially prepared by a

compounding pharmacy because it is not

controlled or monitored by the FDA. The

Bromide salt works well for dogs that are

not completely controlled on Phenobarbital

alone, but it takes about 2 months to reach

therapeutic levels in the body. It also has

some potential unwanted side effects like

pancreatitis. The drug companies are

always working hard to develop newer

and better medications. Some of the

human designer anti-convulsants (Keppra,

Zonegran, Neurontin, and Felbatol) have

been used in dogs with varying degrees of

success, and much research is still needed.

Dr. Kendra Findley diagnoses a patient in her clinic on wheels.

Save TIME and MONEY with the VET who comes to your PET!

Call to set upan appointment

843.743.9209

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Jane Miller, MBACharleston’s Pet-Friendly Realtor®

Buying or selling?Call me today!

(843) 323-6903e-mail: ShowMeHomes@comcast.net

Jane Miller.LowcountryDog7.indd 1 5/18/10 3:35:51 PM

continued on pg. 25

Is your animal companion trying to tell you something?

Barbara RawsonAnimal Communicator

843.364.2210

www.completeanimal.com barbararawson@hotmail.com

ou’re sitting at home

trying to enjoy some down time, and

your dog is barking incessantly. The only

thing you can think to do is yell “stop!”

or “quiet!” This does not yield the results

you want. Actually, your dog barks even

more -- as the four-legged feels the intense

energy of the two-legged and is thrilled

you are joining in on their vocal activity!

Since the animal is doing what

is instinctual to them what other

ways could one approach the issue

of barking? Recognizing that the

animal is doing what comes naturally

and honoring this is good first step.

How do we best honor a barking dog?

First, become

more aware of

the different

types of barks

your dog has.

Is it a playful

“I’m bored,

let’s play”

bark or a

“ s t r a n g e r

alert!” bark?

Different

types of

b a r k s

r e q u i r e

d i f ferent

types of

a c t i o n

f r o m

you as

pack leader. If it is a “stranger alert”

bark, then physically go see what the

dog is barking at. Is there an intruder

in your yard? Perhaps the alert is a cat

that is not a neighborhood regular or

a neighbor with a new dog walking by.

Ask your dog to “show you” what it is

that they are barking at. You might need

to be on their eye level to see how things

look from their perspective. Once you

have figured out what they are telling you

about, thank them for alerting you to the

danger and comfort your dog by telling him

that you have seen it and that he is safe.

If it is “I’m bored, let’s play” bark, then

find your dog’s favorite toy, throw a ball

with him for a few minutes, or even get

down on the floor and play a game of

tickling their tummy! Giving them one-on-

one interaction and attention is important.

If none of the above are seemingly

the issue, and your dog’s barking just

keeps going on and on, don’t lose your

cool and scream at the top of your lungs

for him to stop. Instead, concentrate

on what a precious gift this animal is

to you, even when he is barking. The

Bible says: “Make a joyful noise!” So

try saying in a loving, gentle tone,

“Thank you for that joyful noise!”

This does two things; it shows the

animal that you are thankful for his

presence in your life and it assists you

in looking at things from a different

perspective. As you calm down, your dog

will calm down, and more often then not,

the barking will subside. Also consider

that your dog might need more physical

or mental stimulation. Barking dogs are

often bored dogs with lots of pent up

physical energy. A good long walk might

be just what you both need to decompress.

Animals come into our lives because

we are in need of learning various

lessons. Becoming more aware of our

needs and the needs of others help us to

grow in many ways. A deepening sense of

awareness is always a positive thing to add

to our lives! Animals can be our conduit

into the types of lives we are meant to live.

Learn more about Nef’esh Chaya

and her training techniques online at

her website, www.animalpsych.com

24 Lowcountrydog

Bark in Translationby Nef’esh Chaya, animal psychologist

Reba “talks” while Nef’esh and Lucy listen.

photo by Cameron Leslie

Y

Lowcountrydog 25

continued from pg. 23

Many people want to do absolutely

everything possible for their epileptic

dogs and may research alternative and

homeopathic medications. Homeopathic

medicine means the use of life-style

alterations to improve a disease rather

than typical western medications.

Homeopathy does not necessarily mean

herbal remedies. In fact, most accredited

veterinary herbalists will agree that

commercially offered prepackaged herbs

are bogus treatments. Beware of quick fixes

and grandiose promises made by some of

these companies that have great marketing

departments, but almost zero research to

backup their claims. One common example

is “Vet Select Seizure Formula” that claims

to be veterinary developed, when the drug

doesn’t even have the endorsement of

the American Herbalist Guild and is not

used by Herbal Veterinarians in general.

That being said, Dr Linda Shell (a board

certified veterinary neurologist) who

treats many seizure patients has seen 5%

of her caseload improve with some of the

following homeopathic remedies. Keep in

mind that these patients were not cured

of their seizures, but the frequency of the

episodes decreased, or the seizures grew

milder after some of the following changes.

Labs, Goldens and German Shepherds

improved when fed a hypo-allergenic

diet. Hypo-allergenic means NO protein

antigen, although protein molecules are

present, so that the diets are nutritionally

balanced. Ask your vet about prescription

diets. Acupuncture has been studied in

a controlled research setting and shows

some promising results. In one study

nine out of fifteen dogs had half as many

seizures as usual after treatment with

acupuncture over 15 weeks Spaying your

epileptic female dog may actually make

seizures go away since estrogen lowers

the threshold for an episode. Neutering

male dogs does not seem to improve the

symptoms, but it is helpful in preventing

further breeding of the genetics present

in the epileptic dog. Vaccinations are

not thought to be a cause of seizures so

please continue regular vaccinations.

Window is a 3 year-old female lab. She is house broken, crate trained and obedience trained. Window prefers to not live with cats, birds, rabbits, small animals due to her high prey drive. How-ever, she is fantastic with kids and plays very well with other dogs her own size. Window makes a fantastic companion dog. She is a super sweet dog that had a pretty bad start to life, but now she is waiting for her furlife home!

Hannah has so much love to give despite her horrible upbringing. Rescued the day before she was to be put to sleep due to heart-worms and a severe ear infec-tion, her previous owner kept her in the yard with an intact male who bred her repeatedly. She is approximately 6 years old, even tempered, house broken, gets along with other dogs and does well off and on leash.

Meet El D. This gorgeous red and black boy comes from German lines. He gets along with dogs of all sizes. He has a stage 4 heart murmur. According to the vets, he could live a pretty normal life and could have a normal life span for a GSD. He is on medication to help him and it is very affordable!! He really needs someone to love him for who he is. He deserves it. He will melt your heart!

We are in desperate need of foster homes and volun-teers. We are also in need of donations including:

dog food dishes (metal)kennels (medium and large sizes)

paper towels4’ leashes

heavy duty buckle collarstowels

old blankets dog bedsdog toys

chew bones dog food

Bear is a 1-year -old male German Shepherd. He loves to play!! Bear gets along with all animals includ-ing cats and bunnies. He is great with kids older than 6 years old due to him being all shepherd puppy. He is a big teddy bear and is known as our “Velcro” dog. He loves to be with his person. Bear is crate trained, house broken and obedience trained. Please consider giving Bear his Furlife Home!

Furlife German Shepherd Rescue

Furlife German Shepherd Rescue is a new rescue in the

Lowcountry of South Carolina. We became a registered

non-profit organization in February 2010 but have been

working in animal rescue since 2008. We will hopefully

become a 501C3 organization in January 2011.

We have a passion for saving the lives of less fortunate

German Shepherd Dogs and strive towards finding each

one of them a home where they can be loved and cared

for.

Our mission is to educate and protect. We want to

educate the public about how GSDs make outstanding

family dogs! We want to teach dog bite prevention and

want everyone to understand the responsibilities of

owning any dog. We want to inform the public about

animal cruelty and how often it takes place and how

we can help stop it.

We also want to protect our GSD breed! We will take in

GSDs from high kill shelters, abuse and neglect cases,

strays, and dogs with health issues, including seniors

and dogs with special needs.

If you think you may be able to help, please contact

us. Every little bit counts! Our email address is

FurlifeGSR@yahoo.com or 843-225-6188.

26 Lowcountrydog

adoption

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