Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

April is officially here and so begins the ASPCA's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month!

Animal cruelty is unimaginable but it is something that does exist. It is so important to report cruelty when it is suspected. But before you can report animal cruelty, you need to know the signs.

Here are some things to look for:
The collar is embedded in the animal's neck
Open wounds, signs of healed wounds, or untreated wounds
Extreme thinness- bones may be visible
Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes
Extreme matting of fur and overgrown nails, possibly ingrown nails
Heavy discharge from the eyes or nose
An owner striking or physically abusing animals

These are all things to look for. Please remember many of these are indications of cruelty if they are persistent and medical treatment is not being actively sought to resolve them.

How to Report Animal Cruelty
Stop immediately and call 911
Document what you are seeing, a camera is best
In Maryland, Animal Control investigates suspected animal cruelty cases. Check with your local animal control office to determine the right person to file a report with.

Animal Cruelty Online or in Videos
It is illegal to film or document animals being hurt intentionally with intentions to sell the media.
Such media are referred to as "Crush Films"
Please immediately report any videos you see online where animals are being intentionally hurt!!

If you suspect animal cruelty: DO SOMETHING! There is a link between animal abuse and human abuse. Violence hurts everyone!!

10 Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty:
1. Know who to call to report any animal cruelty.
2. Get to know and look out for animals in your neighborhood.
3. Make the call.
4. Provide as much information as possible when reporting a case.
5. Contact your local law enforcement department.
6. Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws.
7. Set a good example for others.
8. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect.
9. Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization.
10. Start a neighborhood watch program for the pets.

For more information about preventing animal cruelty and how you can get involved, visit The ASPCA's Website.

Hospitalization for Dog Bites on the Rise

Hospitalizations for dog bites increased by 86% over 16 years in the United States. In 1993, 5,100 people were hospitalization after suffering a dog bite-related injury compared to 9,500 people in 2008.

The report from the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimated that 316,000 emergency department visits in 2008 were a result of a dog bite. That translates to 866 emergency visits and 26 hospitalizations a day!

Data shows that annually 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, according to the AVMA and the CDC. Of those, only approximately 17% receive medical attention. The main reason for medical attention is infection resulting from the bite. The second most common reason are open wounds on the extremities and wounds on the head and neck. Other, less common injuries from dog bites include fractures and blood poisoning.

Seniors and young children are most likely to be hospitalized for a dog bite. Children under 10 years of age have the highest rate of hospitalization. Males received medication attention at a higher rate than females.

The report did not offer any suggestions as to why there has been an increase in hospitalizations for dog bites. It may be due people being more eager to seek medical attention, an increase in the number of people owning dogs, or other factors. Regardless of the reasons, please always be responsible with your dogs. Keep them on a leash or in supervised situations. If your dog has aggressive tendencies, please be smart about where you take them.

Loud Pets Getting on your Nerves? Deal With It!

Animal welfare is always a hot topic in state and national legislature with the majority of people on the side of the ones that can't speak for themselves, our pets. Massachusetts has adopted a bill that will prohibit the surgical debarking or silencing of a dog or cat unless the veterinarian files a certification stating the procedure is medically necessary. In Boston, this must go through the police commissioner.

It may sound crazy that anyone would actually have their dog or cat silenced, most of us only joke about that. But before now there were no laws against the painful and elective surgical procedure.

It's always great to hear that there are groups out there sticking up for our pets!

Heartworm Prevention 365 Days a Year!

April is Heartworm Awareness Month so I thought I'd take a minute to explain why heartworm prevention is so important!

The majority of heartworm preventatives also prevent against a broad-spectrum of intestinal parasites.... which never go away. Intestinal parasites survive extreme temperatures. Many intestinal parasites that dogs can carry are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to people. A recent study done by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) show that 14% of Americans have contracted roundworms from cats and dogs.

Heartworms are everywhere. They have been identified in all 50 states. To see the incidence of heartworm and intestinal parasites in your area, check out this interactive map from the Companion Animal Parasite Council: Click Here

Do you think heartworm preventative is expensive? The treatment for heartworms can be very expensive and very hard on the animal. Heartworm diagnosis and treatment can exceed $1,000 compared to $90 for preventatives.

Cats get heartworms too!! And the scary thing is, there is no effective treatment for cats. If your cat is diagnosed with heartworms, the only option your veterinarian has is for symptomatic treatment. This means they can only make your cat comfortable, but never cure the disease. Even indoor cats can get heartworms. I am sure you have seen a mosquito in your house before, even in the winter. These mosquitoes carry the deadly heartworms.

It is important to recognize the importance of year-round prevention for heartworms and intestinal parasites! Contact your veterinarian with any questions. And remember, it is never too late to get started on a preventative program!!

So you got a puppy... Now what??

You've decided where you are getting the puppy from, picked out the perfect breed for you and your family and brought the puppy home! Now the hard work begins, and the first months of a puppy's life are the most important to ensure a long life of good health and good behavior. Read more below!

1. The puppy should be seen by your veterinarian within the first 24-48 hours after bringing the puppy home
You want to be sure your puppy is healthy and there are no obvious problems with it. Puppies adjust to their new home the best when they are healthy. It is also a good time to discuss a vaccination schedule as well as a feeding program to make sure the puppy is getting adequate nutrition. The relationship with your veterinarian will be very important this first year!

2. Purchase a crate
Purchasing a crate for your puppy is very important! The crate will provide a "safe place" for the puppy to voluntarily sleep when it's tired or overwhelmed by a lot of activity in the house. It is also the best way to ensure that the puppy will not chew shoes, scratch doors, or other destructive behavior when you are away. A puppy may whine when you first put it in the crate, but with time and repetition, the puppy will adapt and actually go in the crate on their own. If your puppy will be growing quickly and doubling or tripling in size, get a crate that has a divider that can be adjusted as the puppy grows. This is important to prevent the puppy from going the bathroom in the crate.

3. Decide how and when you are going to begin training
Training your puppy is crucial and something that will make a difference years after today. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training, known as "nothing in life is free", is a great way to encourage puppies to want to do the right thing. It is never too early to begin training, but it will need to be continued throughout the first years of life. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations of local training programs for your new puppy.

4. If you have other pets at home, plan out how you are going to introduce them to each other

For introductions to other dogs: Find a neutral place, in the yard or other place outside the home. For multiple dog homes, introduce the puppy to them one at a time. A lot of fights occur over toys, a rawhide or over food at meal time. Make every attempt to prevent these from happening. It may help to feed the dogs in separate rooms and make sure that if they fight over a toy, remove the toy from the room. If the other dog in the home is a geriatric dog, the puppy may be exhausting or too rough when playing. It is important to ensure the older dog still has enough time to rest and if needed, the puppy may be to be separated for periods during the day to give both dogs time to relax.

For introductions to cats: Begin the introduction with the puppy on a leash or in a crate, so the puppy cannot harm the cat. This will also provide the cat the opportunity to get away if it wants. Having a room or floor of the house where the cats can play, eat, and sleep without the puppy. The new puppy should not have access to the cat's food or litter box and the cat should not have to pass in front of the dog to get to these things. Desensitizing a cat to a puppy may take a considerable amount of time and you should not become frustrated if results are not immediate.

The first year of a puppy's life is the most important. Work closely with you veterinarian to ensure it get the best start!

Questions to ask before you sign a pet insurance policy

So, I've got you thinking that maybe pet insurance is worth considering for your pet? The next thing to do is make sure you ask questions, and the RIGHT questions, before you agree to pay for a policy.

DVM360.com has a great handout that is easy to print out and use when talking to insurance companies.

If you have any questions about the policy or how it works, it is important you ask. Always know your veterinarian is happy to talk to you about policy options as well.

Pet Insurance

I get a lot of questions about pet insurance on a daily basis. While an annual exam with vaccinations may not be very expensive, a complicated surgery or emergency with a visit to an after hours facility can add up really quickly. Sometimes things happen that you aren't prepared for either and having pet insurance can really make the difference.

When deciding which insurance company to use, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1. Some policies may not cover routine, annual vaccines.

2. Most insurance plans have deductibles that may range from $50 - $500.

3. There is usually a copay required by the client, in the range of 10% - 20%.

4. Some policies include coverage for kennel fees, up to a maximum.

5. Many policies will cover congenital or hereditary conditions.

6. A few companies will allow coverage of prescription and preventative medicines.

7. Some policies include advertising and a reward up to a certain amount for a lost pet.

8. More expensive plans may include reimbursement for a trip cancellation due to a pet's surgery.

9. At the time of euthanasia, a few companies will provide assistance with burial or cremation fees.

10. Many policies will cover injuries and illnesses for life. This is important when considering that 30-40% of all pet insurance claims are for chronic conditions that last beyond 12 months.

11. Some policies will cover a specified percentage of the cost, while others will cover the total cost up to a specific amount.

12. Not every policy is written to include alternative medicine such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatment.

13. There are often times separate policies for dogs and cats.

14. Insurance for horses is available but usually not through the same companies.

15. For all insurance, the client has to pay the veterinarian and then is reimbursed by the insurance company later. (This is due to the fact that pet insurance is viewed as a type of property insurance.)

16. All insurance companies will accept claims from any licensed veterinarian.

17. Across the board, pre-existing conditions are not covered. Many companies will cover congenital disorders if the disease was not apparent at the time the insurance policy was started.

18. You get what you pay for. Often times, a cheaper policy provides less coverage.

19. There is a monthly fee required for the majority of companies.

20. All pet insurance is not created equally. Read carefully and ask questions!

Click here to see a side-by-side comparison of many insurance companies.

If you ever have questions about pet insurance, always feel free to ask your veterinarian!!

Want to lose weight? Get a dog!

The New York Times released an article today comparing a number of new studies that were done comparing activity levels of people with dogs versus those without them. The numbers were impressive!

Here it is short and sweet:

Of people that take their dogs on regular walks, 60% met federal criteria for regular moderate or vigorous exercise.

50% of dog walkers exercised an average of 30 minutes a day at least five days a week. By comparison, only about a third of those without dogs got that much regular exercise.

Dog owners averaged 30 minutes a week more exercise than people who did not have dogs.


Most likely to walk dogs: with 18-to-24-year-old owners and college graduates
Does size matter? Yep! Younger dogs were more likely to be walked than older dogs; and larger dogs (45 pounds or more) were taken for longer walks than smaller dogs.

Does owning a cat show the same results? Nope!
Dog owners were about 60 percent more likely to walk for leisure than people who owned a cat or no pet at all.

Is walking with a person as good as walking with a dog? Nope!
Those who walked with a dog increased their speed by 28 percent, versus 4 percent among those who walked with another person. Those who walked with another person were also more likely to cancel plans to walk due to weather or time of day.

To read the full article, click here


The data shows a pet is the way to go if you're trying to increase or maintain your daily exercise!

March for the Animals

Atlantic Remodeling presents the 16th annual Maryland SPCA March for the Animals! This is a fun 1.5 mile walk-a-thon and festival to benefit the animals.

Sunday, April 17, 2011
Druid Hill Park 10 AM- 2 PM

Registration opens at 9 AM and the march will go on even if it's raining cats and dogs!

For more information visit: www.mdspca.org or call 410-235-8826 ext. 138. Also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mdspca

Form a Pack!
Gather a group, from 4 to 25 people and work together to raise at least $40 per person and a total of $500 per group. Each Pack gets to create their own team name which will be printed on your tee-shirts and have your photo taken at the event. Don't miss out though, the deadline for registering a Pack is Friday, April 1st!

Pet Contests and Games
Contest registration begins at 10 AM and judging begins at 11:30 AM.
Smart Pet Tricks Contest- Enter your pup to show everyone how smart he is!
Pet Costume Contest- Get creative and dress your pet to impress!
Doggie Musical Chairs- The winner of each round will receive a fun doggie prize.

There will also be training tips as well as an opportunity of have your pet micro-chipped. An agility course will be set up sponsored by the Oriole Dog Training Club and Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs will do a demonstration to show off their acrobatic canine skills!

Don't miss out on this fun day!

Help Fund Scholarships for Future Veterinary Students!!

A shaky economy and spiraling tuition costs are making financing vet school challenging for vet students. According to the October 1, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association the mean educational debt among newly graduated veterinarians with debt was $133,873.

Here is a chance to help in a very important way that will help future students get the scholarships they need today so that one day they can have the opportunity to save your pet's life.

As its mission, The Maryland Veterinary Foundation, Inc. (MVF) awards scholarship funds to veterinary students from Maryland. They have been doing so for over 30 years and have been creative and effective in raising funds and fairly distributing them to deserving students.

Below is a secured link to the Foundation’s website which I invite anyone who has had a veterinarian make a difference to them or their pet to click and donate to the General Scholarship Fund administered by MVF. I hope that many of you who read this message will be eager to donate in the memory of a beloved pet or family member and this is an easy opportunity to do so.

Thank you for your support!

Overweight Pet? Weighted belts may help!

Pet obesity is a growing problem and a serious medical concern. Owners often struggle to find a way to drop their pet's pounds, and many are unwilling to admit their pet even has a problem with obesity. While traditionally recommendations have included increasing exercise, cutting back on treats or trying prescription diets designed to be lower in calories, there is a new option for pet owners!

A new study was released showing that dogs that walked with the TrimDog Weight Belt were more likely to lose weight than those that didn't wear the belt. As proven in people, the weighted belts can increase metabolic response, resulting in a greater weight loss. After an eight week study, dogs using the TrimDog Weight Belt lost an average of 4% bodyweight.

The appropriate weight is determined by the size of the dog.

For information, visit www.TrimDog.com

Join Betty White and Orvis in the fight against canine cancer

Canine cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over 2 years of age. That's why Morris Animal Foundation launched the Canine Cancer Campaign to prevent, treat and eventually cure cancer in dogs. So far, they have raised more than $300,000.

Want to help? It's easy. Please donate at orvis.com/caninecancer

Or send your contribution, payable to:
Morris Animal Foundation
Canine Cancer Campaign
Mail to: Canine Cancer Campaign
C/o The Orvis Company, Dept. SD
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250

Free Eye Exams Available to Service Animals

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and Merial have teamed up to offer free eye examinations for service dogs during the month of May. The project is called the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event.

Guide and assistance dogs, detection dogs and search-and-rescue dogs rely on their eyesight to do their jobs. For the 4th year in a row, these two great organizations are working together to provide complimentary exams for these hard working dogs.

To qualify, dogs must be active working dogs with certification from a formal training program or be enrolled in a training program. This program is not limited to dogs only! Other service animals, including cats and horses, are invited to participate as long as they meet these requirements.

To participate, owners must register online. Then they may locate a participating veterinary ophthalmologist and schedule an appointment in May. More than 180 veterinarians are expected to participate in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Click here for more information

Registration is open from April 1-29, 2011

Pet Food Recalls

It is not uncommon for pet food companies to put out recalls on commercial foods due to contaminated products. It is important for you to be aware of which foods are recalled and also to watch for any signs of illness if your pet has been consuming these products. Many companies will reimburse veterinary expenses related to illness resulting from consumption of the pet food products as well.

Up-to-date recall information is available by Clicking here