When learning names for objects, dogs and humans use different information

Dogs learning to associate words with objects form these associations in different ways than humans do, according to research published November 21 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Emile van der Zee and colleagues from the University of Lincoln, UK.

Previous studies have shown that humans between the ages of two to three typically learn to associate words with the shapes of objects, rather than their size or texture. For example, toddlers who learn what a ‘ball’ is and are then presented other objects with similar shapes, sizes or textures will identify a similarly-shaped object as ‘ball’, rather than one of the same size or texture.

Earlier research with dogs has shown that they can learn to associate words with categories of objects (such as ‘toy’), but whether their learning process was the same as that of humans was unknown.

In this new study, the scientists presented Gable, a five year old Border Collie, with similar choices to see if this ’shape bias’ exists in dogs. They found that after a brief training period, Gable learned to associate the name of an object with its size, identifying other objects of similar size by the same name. After a longer period of exposure to both a name and an object, the dog learned to associate a word to other objects of similar textures, but not to objects of similar shape.

According to the authors, these results suggest that dogs (or at least Gable) process and associate words with objects in qualitatively different ways than humans do. They add that this may be due to differences in how evolutionary history has shaped human and dog senses of perceiving shape, texture or size.

The bottom line: Though your dog understands the command “Fetch the ball”, but he may think of the object in a very different way than you do when he hears it. As the authors explain, “Where shape matters for us, size or texture matters more for your dog. This study shows for the first time that there is a qualitative difference in word comprehension in the dog compared to word comprehension in humans.”

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Citation: van der Zee E, Zulch H, Mills D (2012) Word Generalization by a Dog (Canis familiaris): Is Shape Important? PLoS ONE 7(11): e49382. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0049382; Photo credit: Sally Smith

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Financial Disclosure: This research project received financial support from the University of Lincoln, UK. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Click here to read the full and much more scientific version of the study.

Just like the Thanksgiving holiday itself, a version of this article has also become an annual Paw Prints tradition. We all (I include our own family) need a reminder about the precautions we should take on behalf of our pets during the holiday season.

Because we celebrate Thanksgiving and frankly, the entire upcoming holiday season with food (and lots of it), pet owners are often tempted to slip bits and pieces of the feast to members of their furry family. Haven’t we all fallen victim to that “Come-on-who-can-resist-this-face” look? But even a seemingly innocent indulgence can cause digestive and stomach problems. Each year, dogs and cats are fed turkey, ham, gravy and other holiday “people food” by well-meaning owners and wind up in a veterinary emergency room. It’s best to give thanks for your pets by spending some extra time with them (an extra long walk perhaps) or by giving them a holiday treat made especially for pets. While dogs and cats are valued members of the family, they’re still animals. For humans, traditional, rich holiday foods can mean, at most, a few extra pounds and maybe a nap, but present a host of health hazards for the furry members of our family.

A perfect holiday turkey

Skin & Bones

What people probably don’t realize is that the fatty skin from the turkey can cause severe problems. Not only can fatty foods cause the usual digestive system upsets, but these foods can also trigger a pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis). Symptoms of this condition include pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, loss of appetite and in severe instances can be fatal. (I was hospitalized for pancreatitis five times in 2009, so I know first hand how horrible it can be. Trust me, it isn’t something you want you pooch to go through.) Pancreatitis may be most likely to occur in a middle-aged, inactive, overweight dog, but it still isn’t a good idea to indulge even the youngest, healthiest dog. Ham can be especially rich in fat and can trigger a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. If your pet sneaks some ham or turkey from the table and begins showing theses symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Bones from turkey carcasses present the biggest threat to pets during the holiday season. Most people already know that turkey bones are dangerous to pets because, like other bird bones, they are hollow and can splinter into sharp pieces. The splinters can lodge in an animal’s throat or esophagus, puncture the stomach, cause blockages, or perforate the intestinal tract. A pet that has a turkey bone lodged in his digestive system may not show any symptoms for a day or two. When symptoms do occur they may include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting or diarrhea. The bone may pass by itself; other times it may need to be surgically removed. Expensive!

Food Poisoning

Another ailment that can appear in pets that eat leftover turkey is salmonella food poisoning. Salmonella is an organism that lives in the turkey’s intestinal tract. The cooking process usually destroys the organism, making the turkey safe to eat. Occasionally, the center of a turkey may be undercooked, especially if it’s large or full of stuffing. If the meat sits out at room temperature for too long, the salmonella organisms can easily multiply and cause contamination. Pets may become poisoned if they eat any of the turkey that has been sitting out. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, a high temperature, and loss of appetite and listlessness.

The Ties that Bind

Don’t overlook that string from the turkey. The string used to tie the turkey legs is especially delicious to your cats because it’s been soaking in bird juices. It’s important to dispose of the string properly because it can get caught in a cat’s intestine and cause a serious blockage. The carcass, twine and other materials used in cooking the turkey should be sealed in plastic and put in secure, covered containers outside the house to prevent not only your animals, but other animals from getting into garbage.

No Sweets for the Sweet

Heavenly for humans, Hell for hounds

High-fat desserts also pose a danger – especially when it comes to dogs and chocolate. Chocolate contains a stimulant which can harm a dog’s heart and nervous system. An ounce of baker’s chocolate has the potential to kill a 10-pound canine. The high fat and sugar content in holiday deserts aren’t good for your pets either. Baked goods should be placed up high where the animals can’t get to them.

And don’t think you you’re pet is safe around products made with artificial sweeteners like Xyletol. Xylitol is found in a growing number of diet, low-calorie, ‘sugar free’ and diabetic products because it’s considered natural and safe – unless you’re a dog in which case it causes potentially fatal hypoglycemia.

The (dog’s) body processes it as sugar so there’s an insulin surge, but there’s no sugar there for the cells to uptake,” according to Dr. David Henderson, DVM. “It’s like an insulin overdose.”

Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. As if that wasn’t enough, Xylitol also can cause – via a mechanism experts don’t yet fully understand – deadly liver necrosis.

One stick of gum containing Xylitol warrants a call your vet or emergency hospital immediately.

If your pet does suffer a suspected or known exposure to candy or other toxin, call your veterinarian or a professional toxicity management organization (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6880).

Nuts will drive you nuts

This time of year nuts are popular to have around the house – either for baking or munching. My husband’s family has a tradition of having bowls full of nuts still in their shells along with all sorts of holiday themed nutcrackers with which to open them.

Be aware, however, that many tree nuts – especially macadamias – contain one or more unknown doggy neurotoxins that can result in weakness, stiffness, pain and shaking. Walnuts can harbor a fungus deadly to dogs.

Do yourself a favor and keep your pets away from ALL nuts.

Come on! Who can resist this face? YOU CAN!!!

Stay Strong

It’s best to keep your dog or cat strictly away from the holiday goodies. Sticking with treats made especially for your pet (either commercially or in someone’s kitchen) or sweet vegetables such as raw carrots or fruit like apples will avoid the problem. You’re going to have to resist your dog’s best ‘oh-poor-me’ look and your cat’s award-winning starving kitty routine and give your animals special treats made just for them. These products shouldn’t cause digestive problems unless you give too many. Moderation is always the best policy when in comes to ‘extras’ for your pets, but you must completely avoid feeding them sweets, fat and poultry bones.

It is also a good idea to be sure to make it as clear as the crystal on your holiday table to your family and guests that they should not sneak your pets any treats from the table. Explain that the pet will get his or her own special pet treat so they don’t think you’re a Scrooge. Your pet will enjoy the holidays much more without an upset stomach or a trip to the emergency vet clinic, and so will you.

And for your viewing pleasure… Does this look familiar to anyone?

By Stacy E. Smith

November is “Adopt a Senior Pet Month” and if you’ve considered bringing a new pet into your home adopting a senior pet is an excellent idea. It’s also a good way to bring a new pet into the home while maintaining some balance in your life instead of the relative chaos of a puppy or kitten. In anticipation of your inevitable question, YES, senior pets can and do bond very strongly with their new owners. Some people even believe that these pets seem to understand they have been given another chance at a happy life and waste no time in taking the opportunity to love someone and allow themselves to be loved in return.

Animal shelters and rescue groups usually have plenty of healthy senior pets looking for a family or individual to cherish them for the rest of their life. Although shaping the life of a youngster sounds like the most appealing option at first, giving a second chance to an older companion is equally rewarding. They like to share quiet moments, are often already trained in the basics and don’t chew or scratch everything in sight. Older pets have plenty to offer – not the least of which is love and companionship. Instead of passing them by when you go to a shelter or mobile pet adoption, stop to spend some time with an older animal (or two); it’s possible you may just find the most wonderful companion imaginable!

So, what are some of the benefits of adopting a senior pet?

What you see is pretty much what you get

Can you really resist these eyes?

Although an animal’s history may be a question mark, many older pets are often given up by their owners who have given a detailed account of the dog’s personality or behavior challenges, commands and tricks the animal knows and health requirements. With animals that have unknown histories, caretakers are able to fill in those blanks by spending some time with the animal and a thorough veterinary exam.

And don’t forget the age old mystery of size. When you adopt an older animal you’ll be positive about your pet’s adult size. People inevitably ask how big a puppy will grow to be. I’ve heard plenty of potential adoptive “parents” look at puppies and kittens and say, “I want a small dog,” or “I’d love a really big cat.” If neither of the parents is known one can only guess; if one of the parents is known the guess will probably be closer, but a guess nonetheless. When you adopt an adult animal he or she won’t grow a bit (unless you over feed him).

In other words, there shouldn’t be many surprises.

Previous training

Adult animals often already know how to live harmoniously with humans and even other animals. In general, adult dogs and cats require far less supervision and less constant care, which can make them ideal companions for people with already busy lives – including (and perhaps especially) households with very young children. Cats may already be litter box trained and dogs already house trained. An older dog might also have had some obedience training. Even if he hasn’t, contrary to popular belief, it is never too late to take a dog to a training class or two.

Physical demands are lower

Fortunately, senior animals are not as demanding as a younger animal. Like any pet, you should give them quality time

I won't drive you crazy on car rides.

in the form of attention and walks, but they may be more content to curl up at your feet and take a nap. Older animals will prefer quiet walks to running or active play and aren’t as apt to pull you around on the leash or jump up on you or guests that come to your home.

Matching lifestyles

An adult animal’s relatively calm demeanor and less intense exercise needs make them the perfect match for anyone seeking friendship and love and in a full-time working household. Older pets can be an especially good fit for senior humans as well for all of the aforementioned reasons. Bringing home an older pet can also eliminate the anxiety some older people feel at the idea of taking in a very young animal that might outlive them.

If you already have pets in the household, older pets often make excellent or at the very least, agreeable companions for them as well since they aren’t likely to be annoying like puppies and kittens can be.

For more information about adopting and caring for a senior pet contact any shelter or rescue group in your area. They will be more than happy to help.

Happy just to hang out

The poem below is one I saw online somewhere, so if I have re-published something without giving proper credit, I apologize. I just couldn’t help but publish it here for someone to see that may be unsure about bringing a pet into their home that may be a little bit older. I promise you will not be sorry if you do, but if you’re on the fence, read on… it might just help you seal the deal.

ONE BY ONE

- Author unknown

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted and driven away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw through the gray, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

By Stacy E. Smith and Dr. John Rowe, DVM

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While it’s not quite the bionic technology that saved “Six Million Dollar Man,” Steve Austin or the “Bionic Woman,” scientific advances in veterinary medicine is giving virtually crippled pets a new lease on life.

Did you know that crippling conditions can be stopped in their tracks and the body healed by using stem cell derived from our pet’s own bone marrow? This method is now considered the “gold standard” when it comes to stem cell therapy options and it’s available to your pets.

For those of you that are long-time readers, you are often privy to a lot of what goes on at our house when it comes to our pets. You’ve followed our failed attempts at dog training, our pet’s adventures with us, the pets we’ve lost and the new additions. So, we thought we’d let you in on something we think you’ll find very interesting… our dog, Keegan’s, stem cell therapy.

Keegan is a ten year old Border Collie/Shetland Sheepdog mix (pictured above). Several years ago, we noticed that Keegan was struggling to raise his back end from a seated or lying position and had developed a sort of “bunny hop” when he climbed the stairs and ultimately when he would run.

While it didn’t slow him down (it never slowed his will to play fetch or go on lengthy walks or hikes with us), we knew that meant he was pretty uncomfortable.

As it turned out, Keegan was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. I know that term gets tossed around a lot and some of you may have a basic understanding of what that is, but some of you may not, so here’s a basic definition according to VetStreet.com:

This genetically predetermined disease that causes mild to severe changes to the inner workings of the hip joint happens when an animal (usually a large breed dog) inherits a series of genes specific to how this joint’s components (made up of the bones of the femur and pelvis) fit together. More specifically, it has to do with how the femoral head (the ball portion of the femur) and acetabulum (the pelvis’s hip socket) align to achieve the kind of smooth movement a pet requires for a lifetime of weight bearing and normal wear and tear. One or both hips may be involved.

If untreated, arthritis (often referred to as osteoarthritis) is the result in all cases. Because the bones of the joint don’t line up just right, the joint cartilage is subjected to abnormal wear and tear. Over time, cartilage damage occurs, resulting in pain and arthritis.

An X-ray of Keegan's hip joints... NOT good.

What can you do about it? Traditionally, your vet will work with you to control your pet’s pain by giving pain-relieving drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, joint supplements (glucosamine & chondroitin), and weight management. Obviously, being overweight puts a lot of stress on joints, so maintaining a proper weight can help manage the condition.

In severe cases, surgery may be suggested by your vet. Surgical options include hip replacement surgery, reconstructing the hip joint, or removing the abnormal part of the joint and allowing the surrounding structures to form a “false joint” over time.

Surgical options may cost up to $5,000 per hip… perhaps more (or less) depending on where you live.

Keegan needed two new hips. That was going to cost a lot of money and require a heck of a lot of recovery time and rehabilitation afterward. At ten years old, we had a big decision to make.

Well, as all this was rearing its ugly head, Dr. John Rowe, our monthly veterinary guest host on our radio show, Paw Prints Live, and owner of Aid Animal Hospital in Kansas City, happened to mention to us that he had become certified to do stem cell replacement therapy. He went on to explain that although vets, even local vets, are doing stem cell replacement using stem cells derived from fat cells, he had been made aware of another version, one using stem cells procured from bone marrow. He described how that method is being used in horses with great success and is ultimately being called the “gold standard” when it comes to this type of treatment. And, as a bonus, the collection procedure is not major surgery as it is when fat cells are used, meaning almost no down time for the animal.

“How interesting,” we thought. The wheels began to spin and soon, we had an

Dr. Rowe preparing Keegan for bone marrow stem cell extraction.

appointment with Dr. Rowe to get started with Keegan’s treatment plan.

Before I tell you how thing worked out, this is a good point at which Dr. Rowe should chime in and give you the scoop from a scientific/medical perspective…

The field of health and medicine is always changing, always advancing. It is not an exact science, and many would agree that the practice of medicine is an art. The living body with all of its intricacies is an amazing and mysterious thing. We constantly work at discovering the next new drug, the next new therapy to manage an ever-increasing amount of ailments while trying to never forget… “above all, do no harm”.

Preventative medicine is the key. “Physician heal thyself”…body heal thyself. Every cell in the body is in constant communication with its surroundings and working together to maintain homeostasis and wellbeing. There is no better way to perpetuate health than to allow the body to stay in balance. People are familiar with the role of the immune system in detecting invading problems in the body and springing into action. Did you know that special cells in our tissues can respond to these signals and do the constant work of repair and healing? Stem cells are undifferentiated cells present throughout the body in muscle, tendons, joints, fat stores, and bone marrow. They are there precisely to repair ongoing injury, replace damage, and restore function. They become tendon, ligament, bone, liver, kidney, nerve, etc. They have the potential to differentiate into any tissue needed. They are instrumental in our natural healing process!

One of the newest fields in medicine is Stem Cell Therapy or Regenerative Therapy. What better way to target areas of healing than to use our own body’s mechanism? This therapy is not controversial, as these cells are adult stem cells retrieved from the individual in need, and there is also no concern of rejection by the body because they are indeed “self.” The two most common sources of stem cells used today are fat (adipose tissue) and bone marrow. While everyone would agree that sacrificing a little fat for the cause is a good thing, it usually requires an abdominal surgery to do so, and yields a relatively small number of useful cells. These cells are directly extracted from the sample in the laboratory and kept in a protein rich environment. Several hundred to several thousand cells can be retrieved in this way.

Dr. Rowe extracting bone marrow

In stark contrast, bone marrow samples are taken on an outpatient basis through a simple bone needle aspirate. Only a small amount (1-5 cc) of bone marrow blood is required because this tissue is rich in stem cells. The cells are plated and specific cell lines of Mesenchymal stem cells are colonized in laboratory to develop millions of active cells. These Mesenchymal cells will have undergone division in colony and prove themselves to be strong and active in their cellular functions.

Through research on numerous species including humans, horses, dogs, cats, rats, and goats, bone marrow Mesenchymal stem cells have shown themselves to be some of the strongest, most active cells studied. They are the “gold standard” in regenerative therapy, and their record of healing in various species has been very successful.

Through regenerative therapy, we have the ability to place millions of stem cells in a targeted area of need and allow them to play their natural role in the healing process. They not only have the ability to become multiple tissue types, they actually coordinate a complex balance of inflammation and healing by using local tissues present and calling in immune cells and growth factors from the body at large. The most common applications of stem cell therapy in veterinary medicine have been osteoarthritis, tendon/ligament injury, cartilage/meniscal injury, and bone healing. This is where Keegan’s story begins.

Keegan is a ten year old, male, neutered, Border collie mix. He was diagnosed

Keegan leaving for home just moments after stem cell extraction.

with bilateral hip dysplasia in January of 2012 through examination and radiography. Like most patients, his symptoms were not sudden. By the age of five he began to have slow changes in his gait and stride that progressed to a decrease in his amount of play. Through the years he became slow to rise and was unable to jump into the truck anymore, even though he knew he may be going on a hike, one of his favorite activities.

Hip dysplasia is a common problem in veterinary medicine with a genetic predisposition. The hip is a ball and socket joint, and the head of the femur (“the ball”) is supposed to fit perfectly into the acetabulum (“the socket”). The joints will look normal on radiograph at a young age, but the incongruity over time as a puppy grows will manifest in pain, inflammation, and osteoarthritis. Boney changes develop around the head, and cartilage on the articular surfaces of the head and acetabulum become damaged. The joint capsule that produces joint fluid thickens and becomes painful, and the quality of the joint fluid becomes diminished. Routine management of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in current medicine include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), weight management, controlled exercise, and a host of pain relievers. Dietary supplementation with glucosamine/chondroitin and omega 3 fatty acids are becoming more widely accepted and suggested by veterinarians across the country.

Keegan had all of these common changes in his hips, and had a familiar history of progression. Upon examination, he was painful in his shoulders, his triceps, his middle and lower back, his gluteals, his quadriceps, and his inner thigh muscles. The back of his thighs were diminished in size, and his quadriceps were hard and chronically contracted. Though his hip dysplasia was his primary problem, the changes in his gait, stride, and posture over time, caused him to have much myofascial pain throughout his body.  Keegan was taking omega 3 fatty acids and NSAIDS when we met him, but he was not comfortable. A full blood panel was done to check for any underlying metabolic problems and evaluate his thyroid. He was healthy ten year old, and a therapeutic plan was developed.

We began by retrieving bone marrow blood from his right shoulder under anesthesia.  His procedure was quick and Keegan was awake in no time. The sample was sent to a laboratory called Advanced Regenerative Therapies (ART) for stem cell expansion. While waiting for his stem cells to grow, we began weekly acupuncture sessions on Keegan. Acupuncture allowed us to treat his entire body. We specifically worked on relaxing his fatigued muscles, increasing circulation to his hips, reducing pain, and stimulating his immune system.

Millions and millions of Keegan's stem cells in those two tiny tubes!

Within two weeks, ten million bone marrow Mesenchymal stem cells were ready for application. Keegan again was scheduled on an outpatient basis for his procedure. Under anesthesia, his hips were shaved and surgically prepped. Five million cells were placed in each hip – two and a half million within each hip joint and two and a half million just outside each joint capsule. One staple closed the skin incision at each injection site. Acupuncture was performed immediately post injection to stimulate circulation. He was awakened and sent home to rest.

We continued to see Keegan often for acupuncture, twice the first week, then at weekly intervals. His gait improved immediately and consistently as noted on examination and at home. At three weeks post injection we began cold laser treatments on his hips. By this time the stem cells were well established, and laser therapy was added to accelerate the healing process. A class IV, one-watt laser was used for two and a half minutes on each hip, and six sessions were performed at four-day intervals. It is common for patients to feel and move better with less discomfort through acupuncture and laser therapy alone. However, upon examination, patients with chronic boney changes and arthritic conditions require consistent treatments and usually persist with sore reactive acupuncture points even when they are performing well at home.

It was fascinating to note that not only is Keegan performing well at home; he

Keegan had acupuncture to help his body along.

is no longer reactive in the acupuncture points around his hips! His back is relaxed, his shoulders are relaxed, and his posture is near normal. The process continues, the healing continues. At the time of this writing, only six weeks have transpired since Keegan’s stem cell injections and he is doing very well. His first mile marker will be his two-month evaluation and there will also be subsequent evaluations throughout the year. Acupuncture will continue at two-to-four week intervals and each step will be documented along the way.

This process will begin and end with Keegan. His stem cells are hard at work and his body is the driving force. We are simply nudging them in the right direction. “Come on Keegan, hop in the truck. It’s time to take a hike.”

OK, now back to the non-medical part of the story…

The bone marrow extraction couldn’t have been easier. One staple in his shoulder and he was back to normal the same day. We had to insist that he not play ball or Frisbee for the rest of the day, but he was really fine.

The NEXT day, we noticed that when Keegan ran to chase his ball outside, he was actually USING ALL 4 LEGS! He used to hold his back two legs together and hop, but he was actually using them within 24 hours. We were shocked, so we called Dr. Rowe to see if this was possible. He did some checking and found that the procedure itself and the fluid injected along with the stem cells were probably responsible for a reduction in inflammation. He warned us that things may not remain that way as the stem cells had not been given time to take hold.

FEELIN' GOOD!

So, long story short, Keegan received his stem cells on May 2, 2012… a couple of months have now passed and we have seen a steady progression in the right direction ever since.

He is using his back legs in a normal fashion more and more. He runs to chase his ball using all four legs quite consistently. His bunny hopping up the stairs is less and less often and we believe that as the muscles in his back end develop over time, he will be able to use his legs better and better.

We are still seeing Dr. Rowe at Aid Animal Hospital regularly for acupuncture and in addition to aiding in the ability for the stem cells to do their job Dr. Rowe is able to address any new issues we see as Keegan begins to use his body in a new way.

It is clear to us that this procedure has likely provided Keegan with not only several more years of life, but several more years of life that have a quality that, to him, will make it worth living.

Halloween is coming up, but your pets may not think Halloween is quite as much fun as you or your children do. So many things can prove to be stressful or wind up putting your pet, other people or even you in dangerous situations.  There are a few things to keep in mind and precautions to take that should make things much easier on both you and your pets.

NOISES & STRANGE STRANGERS

Trick-or-treaters can cause loud and excessive noise that can be frightening to your pet, so try to keep your pets inside in a quiet room where they are insulated from the Halloween ruckus.

Pets, especially dogs that are easily excitable or threatened by strangers should be kept from the front door so they cannot bite anyone or bolt out into the street. With so many people visiting the home in strange attire, even normally calm pets might overreact.

Keep pets on a shorter-than-normal leash if you plan on walking outside on Halloween. Again, scary and weird looking trick-or-treaters could provoke aggression in even the nicest pet.

PROPERLY I.D. YOUR PET

The frequent opening and closing of your door, paired with the excitement surrounding the arrival of costumed kids, may distract you from knowing where your pet is.

Runaway pets are more likely to be reconnected with their owners quickly if a collar bearing up to date identification is worn. However, collars and tags can fall off or be removed. An implanted microchip can add an extra layer of security. The microchip will be scanned at a veterinary hospital or shelter, but remember, your personal information must be kept up to date with the microchip company to ensure you are contacted.

Proper I.D. can save your pet’s life, so never, ever let Fido or Fluffy leave home without it.

HERSHY’S KISS OF DEATH

Chocolate is the No. 1 food most dog owners know to make sure pets avoid. Chocolate is toxic for animals and can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart disturbances, and even death. However, many vets rank it low on this list because it’s not necessarily a death sentence.

A chemical called theobromine is the culprit in chocolate. It overstimulates a dog’s central nervous system. Caffeine has a similar effect on dogs, so the same advice holds for foods containing it.

Two things matter: the strength of the chocolate and the weight of the dog. Dark chocolate has a higher concentration of the offending ingredient than milk chocolate.

For example, a 50-pound dog can tolerate 18 ounces of milk chocolate before trouble sets in, 8 ounces of dark or semisweet, 2.6 ounces of baking or unsweetened chocolate, and 1.4 ounces of dry cocoa powder.

If your dog weighs less than 15 pounds, rush him to a vet if he eats any amount of any chocolate other than milk chocolate. But if it’s just one [milk chocolate] candy bar, he should be OK – aside from some extra potty trips.

National Geographic provides a great tool, an interactive Chocolate Chart, to help dog owners navigate the potential for illness should chocolate be consumed.

If your pet does suffer a suspected or known exposure to candy or other toxin, call your veterinarian or a professional toxicity management organization. (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6880)

XYLITOL (it’s WORSE than chocolate)

Veterinarians have called this latest miracle sweetener – popular in gum, mouthwash, candy and cookies – a “recipe for disaster.”

Xylitol is found in a growing number of ‘sugar free’ and diabetic products because it’s considered natural and safe. Unless you’re a dog in which case it causes potentially fatal hypoglycemia.

“The (dog’s) body processes it as sugar so there’s an insulin surge, but there’s no sugar there for the cells to uptake,” Dr. David Henderson, DVM was quoted as saying. “It’s like an insulin overdose.”

Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. As if that wasn’t enough, Xylitol also can cause – via a mechanism experts don’t yet fully understand – deadly liver necrosis.

If you think your dog has eaten even one stick of gum with Xylitol, call your vet or emergency hospital immediately.

Perhaps all Xylitol-laced foods should contain warning labels for dog owners.

A good rule of thumb is to never let kids share candy with pets and keep trick or treat goodies out of reach so there are no accidents.

Again, if you suspect your pet has ingested this product, contact a toxicity professional.

CANDLES

Be careful with pumpkins and lit candles because pets can knock them over and start a fire. Be sure all burning objects are out of pet’s reach. Remember that tails wag, cats are able to jump high (sometimes higher than you think), and birds can fly, so try to confine a pet, especially if it demonstrates an “unhealthy” interest in flames (e.g. it puts its paws in lit pumpkins or tries to play with candles). Better yet, try an electric alternative to live flames.

PETS IN DRAG

Avoid costumes held in place by rubber bands. The can be uncomfortable and, more important, rubber bands mistakenly left on a pet can quickly burrow into the animal’s skin and cause injury. Additionally, rubber bands left in the wrong place can choke a bird.

If your pet does wear a costume, make sure it is not constricting, won’t cause your pet to trip, or block his vision. Do not force a pet to wear a costume if he demonstrates discomfort or irritability. All of the above can cause undue stress and possibly cause aggression in even the nicest dog, goldfish, or iguana.

EVIL IN THE NIGHT

Don’t leave pets outside on Halloween. Many animals disappear as pranksters and those with darker intentions tease, abduct, torture, or even kill pets.

Be especially watchful of black cats, which are frequent targets of cruel activities on Halloween. If possible, keep black cats inside for the entire week of Halloween as some devotees tend to begin “celebrating” well in advance. Many animal shelters have even been known to make black cats unavailable for adoption the week before Halloween because of black cat abuse.

* Photo above by istolethetv (flickr)

September 11, 2011

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Researchers report that myxoma – a pox virus that afflicts rabbits but not humans, dogs or any other vertebrates so far studied – infects several different types of canine cancer cells in cell culture while sparing healthy cells. The study adds to the evidence that viruses or modified viruses will emerge as relatively benign cancer treatments to complement or replace standard cancer therapies.

The new study, reported in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, is unique in that it focused on spontaneously occurring cancers in dogs. This allowed the researchers to avoid a common practice: testing viral therapies on mice or rats with induced human cancers. Such animals must be immunosuppressed to prevent their immune systems from rejecting the foreign tissue, complicating the results.

Photo: University of Illinois veterinarian and pathobiology professor Amy MacNeill and her colleagues discovered that an altered myxoma virus infects and kills dog cancer cells but not healthy cells in cell culture. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

Treating cancers with viruses could offer several advantages over standard cancer therapies, said University of Illinois veterinarian and pathobiology professor Amy MacNeill, who led the new study. Many cancers have impaired anti-viral defenses, which allow viruses to target tumors while sparing healthy cells. And under the right conditions, infection with an oncolytic (cancer-killing) virus exterminates cancer cells and elicits an anti-cancer immune response without spurring a harmful inflammatory response, she said. Chemotherapy and radiation kill healthy cells along with cancer cells and radiation can cause abrupt cell death that spurs inflammation and pain, she said.

“Ideally, what would happen is the virus would get into a few cancer cells, cause cell death and then spread to the other tumor cells nearby,” she said.

Recent studies have shown that oncolytic viral therapies can be used successfully in conjunction with traditional approaches, MacNeill said.

“There was a study in cats where they removed the tumor surgically and then they put a viral therapy in the area where the tumor had been removed,” she said. The animals that received the viral therapy had significantly less regrowth of the cancer than those that weren’t exposed to the virus after surgery.

“Other studies (1, 2, 3, 4) have shown that once you’ve eliminated a cancer with an oncolytic virus, if you re-challenge that animal with the same cancer cells, they don’t develop tumors,” MacNeill said. Viral infection of the cancer cells appears to train the immune system to better recognize the cancer, she said.

In the new study, the researchers wanted to see if spontaneously occurring cancers in dogs were responsive to infection with a virus that is not a pathogen in humans or dogs. They found that cancerous and healthy canine cells respond as human cells do to myxoma infection: The virus invades cancer cells and leaves healthy cells alone. The team also showed that a version of the myxoma virus with a single gene deleted was four times better at killing cancer cells than the unmodified virus. The deleted gene codes for a protein that hinders cell death in infected cells.

More preliminary tests are needed and researchers have many more years of tests and trials ahead, but if all goes well they will eventually test the virus or a modified version of the virus in dogs with cancer, MacNeill said.

“We wanted to make sure that the dog cells were like the human cells because we want to use these viruses not only to cure dogs of cancer but also to use the dogs as better models for humans with cancer,” she said. “People are beginning to see the logic of this approach. These dogs have spontaneous tumors just like humans, they’re living in the same environment as humans, they’re exposed to the same carcinogens in the water if there are any and they sometimes even share our food.”

She calls this approach a “win-win” for dogs and humans.

“This way we can test the therapy in dogs while at the same time treating them,” she said. “Other researchers can take our results and use them to develop therapies for human patients.”

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The study team also included researchers from the University of Florida.

September 11, 2012

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Dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with a compound derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. These promising findings offer hope that the compound may one day offer cancer patients — human and canine alike — a viable alternative or complementary treatment to traditional chemotherapies.

The study was conducted by two University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine faculty. Dorothy Cimino Brown is professor and chair of the Department of Clinical Studies and director of the Veterinary Clinical Investigation Center. Jennifer Reetz is an attending radiologist in the Department of Clinical Studies. They published their findings in an open-access article in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known commonly as the Yunzhi mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. In the last two decades, some studies have suggested that PSP also has a tumor-fighting effect.

“There have been a series of studies looking at groups of people with cancer,” Cimino Brown said. “The issue with those studies is that they weren’t necessarily measuring what most people would think is the most clinically important result, which is, do people taking PSP live longer?”

To address this critical question, Cimino Brown and Reetz pursued a study in dogs with naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive, invasive cancer that arises from the blood cells and typically affects the spleen. It commonly strikes golden retrievers and German shepherds.

Fifteen dogs that had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma participated in the trial. Divided into three groups of five, each group received a different dose — 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day — of I’m-Yunity, a formulation of PSP that has been tested for consistency and good manufacturing processes.

The owners were instructed to give their dog capsules of I’m-Yunity, compounded by Penn pharmacists, daily. Each month, the owners brought their dogs to Penn’s Ryan Veterinary Hospital for follow-up visits. There, the researchers took blood samples and conducted ultrasounds to determine the extent that tumors developed or grew and spread in the dogs’ bodies.

Based on the ultimate endpoints — how quickly the tumors progressed and how long the dogs actually lived — the results of the researchers’ trial suggest that the I’m-Yunity was effectively fighting the tumors.

“We were shocked,” Cimino Brown said. “Prior to this, the longest reported median survival time of dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen that underwent no further treatment was 86 days.

We had dogs that lived beyond a year with nothing other than this mushroom as treatment.”

There were not statistically significant differences in survival between the three dosage groups, though the median survival time was highest in the 100 mg group, at 199 days, eclipsing the previously reported median survival time.

The results were so surprising, in fact, that the researchers asked Penn Vet pathologists to recheck the dogs’ tissue biopsies to make sure that the dogs really had the disease.

“They reread the samples and said, yes, it’s really hemangiosarcoma,” Cimino Brown said.

Chemotherapy is available for treating hemangiosarcoma, but many owners opt not to pursue that treatment once their dog is diagnosed.

“It doesn’t hugely increase survival, it’s expensive and it means a lot of back and forth to the vet for the dog,” Cimino Brown said. “So you have to figure in quality of life.”

While I’m-Yunity is not inexpensive, if proven effective, it would offer owners a way of extending their pet’s life without regular trips to the vet. As an added benefit, Cimino Brown and Reetz have found no evidence of adverse effects from the PSP treatment.

The researchers are now getting ready to pursue further trials of I’m-Yunity in dogs with hemangiosarcoma to confirm and refine their results. One trial will compare I’m-Yunity to a placebo for those owners who opt not to pursue chemotherapy in their pet and another will compare the compound to standard-of-care chemotherapy.

Depending on those results, veterinarians could eventually prescribe the compound for treating hemangiosarcoma, and perhaps other cancers, in dogs. The company that manufacturers I’m-Yunity may also pursue large-scale clinical trials in humans.

“Although hemangiosarcoma is a very sad and devastating disease,” Cimino Brown said, “in the long term, if we prove that this works, this treatment can be a really nice alternative for owners to have increased quality time with their pet at the end of its life.”

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On a personal note, some of you may know, but for those of you that do not, we lost our beloved Clyde to  hemangiosarcoma in June of this year. I would have given anything to have had this treatment available to him and am heartened to know that it may be an option for others facing it in the future.

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The study was funded by a grant from Chinese Medicine Holdings LTD.

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Photo: Coriolus versicolor mushroom

169th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs – Story by Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hudson – 08.09.2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan

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When a working dog is sick or injured, the staff of the Kandahar Airfield Veterinary Medical Team is a dog’s best friend. The veterinary medical team here operates a medical clinic for canines deployed to southern Afghanistan.

Whether it is a U.S. military working dog, a NATO dog, a contractor, or Afghan National Army canine – they are all treated here at one of only two Role 3-level facilities for canines in Afghanistan. The second is located at Bagram Air Field and both can provide high-level trauma treatment to those in need.

The staff here is currently deployed for nine months from the 438th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services at Fort Carson, Colo., supporting Kandahar Airfield, as well as the surrounding forward operating bases and outlying veterinary clinics. A typical day is anything but typical for the staff here because their mission includes anything from routine care to critical care. The veterinarian office is staffed around the clock, seven days a week. While health exams and physicals are on ongoing occurrence they never know when their services could be needed for something more catastrophic.

The front door at the veterinarian clinic at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on July 27, 2012. The veterinarian clinic at KAF handles everything from routine veterinary care to critical care, taking care of Military Working Dogs for the United States military, NATO, contractors and Afghan National Army. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Stephen Hudson)

Maj. Bryan Hux is an on-site veterinarian at Kandahar Airfield. A 1997 graduate of Mississippi State University, he completed his residency for emergency critical care in 2011 at Auburn University. That specialty is critically needed when a canine comes in with severe injuries – the team here is prepared for it. However if a canine’s injuries are too severe and cannot be stabilized by the staff here, the dog and an escort, or sent to a larger facility in Germany for in-depth care.

“They’re athletes,” Hux said of the canines. “They work a lot.”

And like any athlete there is preventive maintenance to keep from getting injured and injuries.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gabriel Travers, a military working dog handler, brought in eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, Tora, into the Kandahar Airfield veterinary office to have a quick check-up. Tora, a patrol explosive detection dog, was dealing with bouts of diarrhea and dehydration. They flew in from the horn Panjwai where her job is to search for IEDs and IED making materials as well as weapon cashes.

“The work performed for my dog is without question most appreciated,” said Travers said of visiting the veterinarians at Kandahar Airfield. “If my dog is not healthy then that could possibly jeopardize my safety on the mission and the safety of others.

“To me, even at home station, the Vet is my best friend aside from my dog. As a handler our first action is safety and wellbeing for our dogs. Without them we lose that asset and become just another soldier.”

After being seen by the staff, Travers took Tora around to different offices as a morale boost for the people working there. Sometimes dogs brought in are taken over to Role 3 or the CASF to visit wounded warriors lifting their spirits.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Sager, an animal care non-commissioned officer

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Sager, an animal care non-commissioned officer with the canine Role 3 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, cleans a contracting working dog'€™s leg after removing a cast off the dog'€™s leg July 27, 2012. The dog recently had surgery to repair damaged tendons in his lower leg and the veterinarian staff replaced the cast. The veterinarian clinic at Kandahar Airfield handles everything from routine veterinary care to critical care, taking care of military working dogs for the U.S. military, NATO, contractors and Afghan National Army.

with the 438th, is also deployed from Fort Carson. He is one of the on-site veterinary technicians who handle the dog’s medical needs. It takes many hands to care for one dog.

“Vet medicine is fantastic,” Sager said.

Sager added there is nothing better than having a hand in the recuperation of the dog and getting them back into the field. Outside of the care for the canines their specialties can mean the staff here deals with other animals on and around this sprawling base. The team here also manages a small portion vector control program at KAF to protect those deployed here from dangerous animals. That mission primarily deals with animals that are trapped on base.

“The vector control people bring the trapped animals by for us to evaluate,” said Hux. “If any endangered species are captured we evaluate their health and then they are released outside the wire.”

Other wildlife, like the river cats (a local feline breed that resembles a mix of bobcat and lynx) are also released.

The dedicated staff of professionals here works around the clock to care for these four-legged warriors. The care they provide keeps these canines in the fight.

“We have a really good team,” Hux said praising the staff. “They keep the hospital running and do a great job.”

No matter what the circumstance, or the reason behind the visit, this veterinarian team is fully capable of taking care of these furry heroes. Because without the vets and the technicians these dogs wouldn’t be able to do their jobs, which is saving lives.

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Thumbnail at top: U.S. Army Maj. Bryan Hux (left), a veterinarian with the 438th Medical Detachment Veterinarian Services from Fort Carson, Colo., removes the cast for a Contractor Working Dog during an office visit on July 27, 2012. The veterinarian clinic at Kandahar Airfield handles everything from routine veterinary care to critical care, taking care of Military Working Dogs for the United States military, NATO, contractors and Afghan National Army.  (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Stephen Hudson)

The owner, Tina, is an animal lover herself having dogs and cats roaming about her own house, so she understands the importance of our “other” family members. Mountain Shadows welcomes dogs and cats to the rooms and the first thing that we saw when we opened the door to our cabin was a bag of dog treats and a couple of complimentary bags to help clean up after the dogs. There also awaited us two fresh muffins, yogurt and juice for the humans that would be staying there. These little touches are what make travelling a little less stressful and make you feel a little more comfortable. For me – if anyone wants to win me over…. Do something nice for my dogs. )

By Jeff Scheetz

The first thing you notice when you pull up to the Mountain Shadows Resort in Estes Park, CO is how clean and neat the grounds are. OK, that might not be true – the FIRST thing you think when you pull up is “Holy smokes look at that view!!!”….. then you notice how neat stuff is.

Located on a side street just 2 minutes from downtown Estes you feel like you are much more remote than you are. With pine trees and occasional Elk in the yard you can feel the wilderness while maintaining as close of a connection to civilization as you would like. There are 8 cabins, and while all have the same layout, they are all uniquely decorated with specific themes. We stayed in the “Southwest Mystique” cabin that had as you can imagine a Southwest feel to it which was very tastefully decorated, not over the top, but just enough to make it feel homey.

Mountain Shadows Cabins

The owner, Tina, is an animal lover herself having dogs and cats roaming about her own house, so she understands the importance of our “other” family members. Mountain Shadows welcomes dogs and cats to the rooms and the first thing that we saw when we opened the door to our cabin was a bag of dog treats and a couple of complimentary bags to help clean up after the dogs. There also awaited us two fresh muffins, yogurt and juice for the humans that would be staying there. These little touches are what make travelling a little less stressful and make you feel a little more comfortable. For me – if anyone wants to win me over…. Do something nice for my dogs.

Once you get into the cabins you will see that sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover. Or in this case you can judge the inside of the cabins by the beauty of the outside grounds…  very clean and well organized!

The cabins are equipped with a king size bed that has a very comfortable mattress and lovely sheets that don’t feel like “motel sheets.” There is a small kitchen area with a sink, microwave and small fridge. She provides a few dishes in the cupboards and some silverware as well. There is a nice dresser next to the bed and an area with a couch facing the gas fireplace. With the flick of a switch you have instant fireplace that makes those chilly mountain nights seem so right!

Also in the room is a two-person hot tub so you can relax those muscles after

Hot tub in the room is amazing!

a day of hiking while looking out the window at the mountain from which you just returned. A heated towel rack next to the hot tub is another nice little touch that adds a level of comfort to the place. This resort is billed as a couple’s cabin and it does make a great getaway.  The shower actually includes shower heads on both ends so you can share a shower with your special someone without having to walk past each other to get to the hot water!

Moose in the wild

The dogs loved going for walks around the property, and downtown Estes Park is also very dog friendly, with many restaurants advertising “Dogs Welcome”. There is an actual dog park nearby with a beach so they can get a little more running in. Of course the second day we headed just a few miles south to the Brainard Lakes Recreation Area. There we hiked 3 miles up to Blue Lake. This is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area so dogs are welcome on the trails as long as they are on a leash. We saw Marmots and Pikas along the way that I am certain were glad the dogs were on the leash – and a big bull moose that made me glad the dogs were on the leash! Actually when we got back down the trail there were 6 bull moose all grazing together! That was quite a sight to see!

Back to the cabin where it was so peaceful and the stars were out so bright – really hated to leave! But alas the flatlands were calling – well actually things we had to do in the flatlands were calling – so we had to leave. This is a beautiful place to make an escape to, with VERY comfortable accommodations for both humans and canines! We can’t wait to go back! But before we left, Tina got to meet the dogs, and even though they like to jump and lick – it wasn’t a problem because at Mountain Shadows Resort – they are family too!

For more information, to make reservations or simply to see more cool photos, visit mountainshadowsresort.net

Dogs end their day in front of the fireplace

Relaxing on the deck

What a comfortable room

August 24, 2012

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There are many reasons why it is important to be able to identify farm animals, horses and small companion animals. Unique identification marks are essential for ensuring the correctness of breeding programs, for preventing the spread of disease and for eliminating the possibility of deceit in competitions or when animals are sold. The traditional method of marking larger farm animals relies on branding with hot irons or on ear-tagging but this is deemed inappropriate for use on dogs and cats, which are identified by the implant of a microchip transponder. Until recently, horses were generally branded but following concerns that the practice is unnecessarily cruel there has been a gradual switch towards the use of microchips. Branding has essentially been discontinued in the European Union, although several countries still accept it and breed registries claim that this traditional method is perfectly satisfactory and obviates the need for costly equipment.

Brands become more and more difficult to read over time.

Comparisons between the two methods for marking horses have focused on how they are perceived by the animals: does either method cause more stress or more harm to the horse? Surprisingly, however, no attention has been paid to the other side of the coin. There is no doubt that microchips can be unambiguously decoded, providing the necessary equipment is available, but how well can brand marks be read? The issue has now been examined by Jörg and Christine Aurich of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.

Brands on horses generally combine a symbol to indicate the particular breed with a two-digit number to identify the individual animal. To assess the readability of the markings, the researchers asked three experienced people to record the brands of about 250 horses participating in an equestrian tournament in Germany. All three testers were able to recognize the breed symbols on about 90% of the animals and for about 84% of the animals the symbol was recorded correctly by all three people. However, the situation for the two-digit numbers was dramatically different. While each of the three readers read the numbers correctly on about half of the horses, the correct number was recorded by all three of them for less than 40% of the animals.

To assess the legibility of brand marking under ‘ideal’ conditions, the researchers examined the markings on 28 horses that had been euthanized, in each case for reasons not related to branding. Surprisingly, the brand marks could be clearly identified on only nine of the animals, while for six horses neither the brand symbol nor the two-digit number could be deciphered even after the site of branding (generally the left thigh but in two cases the left side of the neck) had been shaved. This finding confirmed the unreliability of marking horses by branding. At the same time, the researchers naturally examined the sites where the horses had been branded for evidence of tissue damage. Nearly all of the horses had histological changes at the branding sites, consistent with having experienced a third-degree thermal injury.

Jörg Aurich sums up the results concisely. “Branding is clearly associated with local tissue damage and the markings are often insufficiently clear to be decoded, even by experienced observers or after the horse has died. There really isn’t any reason to continue to mark horses in this outdated way.”

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The paper “Readability of branding symbols in horses and histomorphological alterations at the branding site” by Jörg Aurich, Peter Wohlsein, Manuela Wulf, Marina Nees, Wolfgang Baumgärtner, Mareike Becker-Birck and Christine Aurich has just been published online in “The Veterinary Journal”. The field work was carried at the Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science, a joint research unit of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, and the Brandenburg State Stud at Neustadt (Dosse), Germany. The post mortem analysis was performed at the Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hanover, Germany.

Abstract of the scientific article online (full text for a fee or with a subscription): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.006

About the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna is the only academic and research institution in Austria that focuses on the veterinary sciences. About 1000 employees and 2300 students work on the campus in the north of Vienna, which also houses the animal hospital and various spin-off-companies. http://www.vetmeduni.ac.at