“Sit! Good Dog!”
A most valuable
and simple tool.
By Alissa Edmands, Reno, NV
A favorite song and
book, Sandra Boynton’s Snuggle
Puppy, reminds me of all the
wonderfulness that embodies
“puppy! Here are my top tips for
working with your puppy!
First and foremost – you love
this animal! You cannot spoil
with too much love. A dog can
be the victim of permissiveness
as can a child, but love – layer
it on! If you train your
dog from a position of love
and kindness, you should not
go wrong.
Teach “sit” in three easy steps
and keep reading for some great ideas on
how to use “sit.”
- 1. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s
nose, slowly lift it above her head. Say
“good dog” when her back-end touches
the floor, release the treat.
- 2. Place your empty hand (no food) in
front of your dog’s nose, slowly lift your
hand above her head. Say “good dog”
when her back-end touches the fl oor, release
the treat.
- 3. Say “sit,” pause for one moment,
provide the hand signal, as in Step Two.
Say “good dog” when her back-end
touches the fl oor, provide the treat.
The Great Beauty of “Sit”
• Puppy says “please” by sitting – before
you open the door to the yard or
back inside, let him up on the couch or
bed, open the crate for him to get out,
give him dinner or a chew, clip the leash
on for a walk or take it off when you get
home, before getting into the car, before
getting out – the list goes on and on!
• Puppy learns how
to greet you and others
politely – how? Because
you’ve told her
that you’d like her to
“sit” before she jumps
up (jumping up to greet
is an innate behavior
in dogs – most of the
time they are trying
to say “I’m a friend”
because we walk on
two legs instead of
four, it can be quite
a challenge to greet
us!) – instead of punishing
the dog for being very polite in his
language, for your snuggle puppy’s sake,
teach him how you’d love to be greeted
– “sit!” – reward immediately with praise
and a pat!
To learn more about raising a great
puppy young or older, please read: After
You Get Your Puppy and How to Teach a
New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar, and
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, all
available online at www.dogwise.com.
Alissa Edmands, The Puppy Professor, is
a dog trainer and behavior counselor. A
graduate of The San Francisco SPCA Academy
for Dog Trainers, and professional
member of the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers, she teaches group classes, offers
private behavior problem resolution sessions,
and one-on-one training, all with
force-free training methods. Call 775-742-
2298, e-mail ohhappydog@yahoo.com, or
log onto www.thepuppyprofessor.com.
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Canine Cancer
What we can do here and now
By Dr. Phil Schoenwetter, Kings Beach, CA
Be careful what you wish
In the next few years we
will witness significant improvements in
the longevity and quality of life of our
canine companions.
This will be
brought about
by the inclusion
of more optimal
blends of vitamins,
minerals, and increasing
inclusion
of higher content
of various antioxidants
in everyday
food and more enlightened use of proper
supplements for our dogs.
As the recognition of the adverse
physiologic impact of sex hormone loss
from spaying and neutering increases,
we pet owners will be incorporating early
use of antineoplastic (anticancer) isofl avone
supplements. These selective estrogen
receptor modulators have been found
to offset all the bone mineral loss, restore
brain nerve growth factors, as well as improve
body lean-mass ratios and maintain
bone density in the mouth and jaw
bones preventing half of the mid- and
late-life periodontal disease that results
in signifi cant tooth loss. Additionally,
maintaining bone density and strength
dramatically lessens the incidence of degenerative
arthritis and need for restorative
therapy later on.
As in all mammals, the longer the life
span the greater the incidence of tumors
and cancer.
Cancer is a big topic. However, there
are some common sense and off-the-shelf
products that are very useful regarding
prevention, vigilance, and treatment that
we as pet owners can do and use right
now.
Vigilance
Knowing “weak spots” will help both
you and your veterinarian keep an eye on
the likely cancer locations. For instance,
mammary tumors are the most frequent
solid cancers in female dogs. This cancer
is much more frequent in pointers,
poodles, and Boston terriers (in that order)
than in other breeds. Knowing what
cancers that the pet’s sire and dame and
grandparents or siblings had is very helpful
to the veterinarian just like family
history is useful for your medical doctor.
Another helpful thing is to give your
pet a good massage every month or so.
This will do wonders for bonding and increase
your familiarity as to “what feels
right or not right” in your dog. If something
doesn’t feel right, please show your
veterinarian.
Prevention
This is where it is our turn to be
on the ball. Diet and safe environment
are things we can readily do something
about. Assuring a safe roam area that is
free of known toxins and environmental
hazards, contaminated water, and other
things our dogs may like to chew on is
doable. Access to safe, clean water is a
must. The roam area may be our homes,
backyard, or vast areas in the region, but
the principles are the same.
Diet
This is where we have an even bigger
infl uence. The diet is in regard to
quantity, quality, and known benefi cial
supplements – just like people. Studies
show that the weight of spayed dogs at
age nine to 12 months (being thin) signifi
cantly reduces breast cancer risk compared
to heavier dogs. It is interesting
that it wasn’t the body weight at the time
of diagnosis that infl uenced the risk; and
being natural (not spayed) showed no
infl uence of weight at any life stage as
infl uencing the risk of mammary cancer.
Spaying does lower the risk of mammary
tumors two-and-a-half to three-fold.
Clearly, body mass and lean-body mass
ratios benefi t our pets (and people) from
not only a cardiovascular but a cancer
protection point of view as well.
Diet balance is a topic that will be
around for years to come. The increasing
inclusion of vitamins and minerals, and
increasingly, antioxidants, will be very
helpful. As we better understand what it
is that dogs seek when grazing on grass
and succulents near streams, these too
will be augmented in daily diets at appropriate
amounts.
Diet supplements are a real boost to
cancer prevention at this time. They are
generally available to us over the counter
and many have solid research backing
their use as antineoplastics.
Antioxidants from soy and other
sources have been shown to be very benefi
cial. The soy germ extracted isofl avones
daidzein and genistein have extensive
published data regarding prevention
of cancer in multi species (and people),
as well as off-setting the life and vitality
shortening effects of sex hormone loss
from spaying and neutering. Antioxidant
effects from pomegranate extracts are currently being studied and early studies
are very encouraging.
Selenium has been shown to be cellular
protective and protect from radiation
exposure. A great generality is that
those chemicals that protect from radiation
exposure very often have cancer
protective effects as well.
There are current studies going
on regarding the radiation protective
effects of vitamin E derivatives
and these are quite promising also.
In human studies, vitamin E by itself
was not beneficial although benefit
was found when taking at the same
time with vitamin C together.
Cancer Treatment
The traditional mainstays of cancer
treatment are surgery, radiation,
and chemotherapy. Increasingly,
acupuncture, homeopathy, and other less
traditional therapies are added to support
mainstream treatments.
If our dogs currently are being treated
for some form of cancer with ongoing radiation
or chemotherapy then what we
can do to help our veterinarians help our
dogs is quite clear: soy germ extracted
isoflavones (genistein in particular).
There are over 4,500 world wide published
studies regarding soy germ extracted
isoflavones. About 900 of them are in
regard to the use in cancer prevention
and treatment. Of the 900 studies, close
to two to three percent show an adverse
effect on cancer treatment, progression,
and growth, 25 to 35 percent show no
benefit nor harm, and 65 to 70 percent
show distinct benefits in limiting growth
and reducing metastasis and increasing
survival, as well as enhancing the tolerability
of chemo/radiation therapies.
A multiplicity of safety studies in various
species including dogs and people
is such that the Federal Drug Administration
has ruled that any natural component
of any part of the soy plant is
officially GRAS (generally regarded as
safe). Genistein by itself is not useful as
a sole treatment for existing cancer but
is an excellent safe adjunct to current
treatments.
Since around 1998, the how and why
of genistein’s benefit in cancer prevention
and co-therapy in chemo/radiation
therapies has emerged. In a nutshell, genistein
enhances the toxic and poisonous
effects of radiation and chemo medications
by limiting the cancer cells to repair
themselves.
Every cell in the body comes with a
set of genes for damage control and repair.
Cancer cells are generally in a hypermetabolic
state. Their tachometers are
way above redline! Toxins, poisons, and
radiation will generally have the most
adverse effects on the most active cells.
That is the reason gastrointestinal tract
and bone marrow are the good parts of
the body that take the first and biggest
hits when people are given radiation and
chemotherapies.
Unfortunately, hyper-metabolic cancers
have hyper-response to poisons and
radiation and have hyper-fast damage
control and repair processes. This is why
cancer becomes radiation and chemo “resistant.”
So when genistein is present,
it prevents the cancer from fixing itself
very well and results in a lot more cancer
cell death and stops metastatic and
growth activity. Genistein also limits new
blood vessel growth into tumors so that
they don’t get as much nourishment by
which to grow.
But Wait, There’s Still More!
Genistein has also been proven to protect
healthy cells from the toxic effects
of chemo/radio therapies, and does this
by preventing the shut down of essential
cell function by limiting gene “down regulation”
that normally occurs when good
cells are exposed to therapeutic amounts
of chemo/radiation treatment. These are
some of the reasons that in March of 2007,
the Armed Forces Radiological Research
Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, recommended
genistein be part of the provision
for our troops in far-forward deployment
as protection in NBC (Nuclear, Biological,
Chemical) warfare and civilian
population protection of a terrorist
“dirty bomb” attack.
The net effect of genistein’s
co-use in cancer treatment is
that it makes radiation and
chemotherapy more effective
and more specific in destroying
existing cancer cells, while
protecting the healthy cells in
the body.
Soy isoflavones are available
as Soy Life from Frutarom
USA, Inc., and is a safe ethanol
extracted preparation of 40 percent
isoflavones. Nutralife provides hexane
extracted 40 percent isoflavones in its
formula. Isoflavones in any strength, unless
masked by other flavorings, by themselves
taste awful.
The only specific dog isoflavone product
available is EstraPet with an average
60 milligrams soy (Soy Life) isoflavone
content of each biscuit. EstraPet is made
with over four percent roasted humangrade
chicken and hypo-allergic grains
and bone meal, and tastes terrific.
Dr. Phil Schoenwetter has been a family
physician for 30 years having done residencies
in Family Practice and Nuclear
Medicine. His interest in medicine, love of
his pets, and decades of experience of the
effects of sex hormone diminishment or
loss in people and canines has inspired a
more enlightened way to manage animal
population control without inflicting the
unnecessary premature aging and mortality
effects of hormone loss due to spaying
and neutering through the development of
EstraPet. For more information contact Dr.
Schoenwetter by e-mail at drphil@estrapet.
com, or you can log onto his Web site
at www.estrapet.com
When Pets Need Pain Control
When Pets Need Pain Control.
ByDr. Patti McCormack,
Kreature Komforts Animal Hospital, Sparks, NV
Increased age brings
increased aches and pains, and our pets’
active, athletic lifestyles eventually lead
to wear and tear on joints, muscles, and
ligaments. When they need help controlling
chronic pain, you should know about
the medications commonly prescribed for
canine osteoarthritis.
Many classes of pain medications are
available. As in human medicine, avoid
chronic use of habit-forming narcotic
pain relievers and limit long-term use of
steroidal medications that may have farreaching
adverse affects on the major organ
systems of the body. While these both
have their proper place in treatments, the
most commonly utilized medications for
chronic osteoarthritis/pain are non-steroidal
anti-infl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
that have pain-reducing, anti-infl ammatory,
and fever-reducing properties.
Common NSAIDs used in the veterinary
field include aspirin, carprofen
(Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), etodolac
(Etogesic), meloxicam (Metacam), and
fi rocoxib (Previcox), to name just a few,
and they are used to inhibit the pathways
leading to production of internal
molecules called phospholipase A2 and
prostaglandins that contribute to pain
and inflammation.
NSAIDs should be used cautiously in
animals with pre-existing gastro intestinal,
liver, cardiac, or blood disorders, as
can compound these problems. Common
adverse effects of NSAIDs are vomiting/
regurgitation, diarrhea, lethargy, urinary/
kidney problems, cardiac, and skin
troubles, usually occurring in less than
fi ve percent. Rare occurrences of death
have occurred. Multiple NSAID medications
should not be used concurrently,
as this seriously increases the risk of adverse
side effects. NSAIDs should not be
used concurrently with steroidal medications
for the same reason. If extra pain
relief is needed, drugs from the narcotic
class are often selected to combine with
NSAIDs short-term.
In general, most of these approved
NSAID medications are generally well tolerated
if they are given at the prescribed
levels on a regular basis. It is very important
to regularly recheck each patient’s
physical condition and bloodwork to ensure
the medications continue to control
pain without adversely affecting the body
long-term. With judicious use NSAIDs
have allowed for consistent and reliable
pain control following trauma, surgery,
arthritis, and many other painful disease
processes. Remember to use these drugs
only as prescribed by your veterinarian
and to keep her/him informed of your
pet’s progress with regular updates and
check-ups!
Dr. Patti McCormack is a 1990 UC-Davis
graduate. Kreature Komforts Animal Hospital
offers complete care for dogs, cats,
birds, ferrets, exotics, and pocket pets at
2205 Glendale Avenue in Sparks, NV. She
loves her work, her family, including husband,
four kids, four kats, four tortoises,
one turtle, one dog, and eight co-workers!
Call her at 775-356-5524.
When Rehabilitation
is Necessary
Or, maybe just exercise
By Peggy Rew, Sparks, NV
Luckily for northern
Nevada,
whether your pet is recovering
from an injury, a
surgery, has contracted
an undetermined
illness,
or is just aging
gracefully, K9 Wellness
Center is here
to help.
With no pet
physical therapists
in the Truckee
Meadows, Beth Williams,
a licensed
human physical therapist decided to help
when her clients would ask her to look
at their pets. Williams is licensed by the
veterinarian board as a physical therapist,
not a veterinarian, and requires a
veterinarian’s referral before evaluating
and treating pets.
Besides treadmills, stairs, rope toys,
and balance boards, the gym at K9 Wellness
Center includes a 7,000-gallon pool
and soft tub for physical therapy along
with more activities to make your pet’s
life more comfortable, reduce weight, or
just help them be a little less rickety.
Animal physical therapy is of benefit
in treating a wide variety of conditions,
many of which are similar to human conditions
commonly treated with physical
therapy, such as amputation, arthritis,
bone fractures, bursitis, elbow and hip
dysplasia, joint sprains or strains, spinal
or ligament injuries, tendonitis, and
more; and Williams’ gym has helped many
pets brought by concerned clients.
Tucker fell ill and could barely lift
his head. Mike and Ruth Hess were faced
with the possibility of euthanasia to end
his suffering when water therapy treatment
and Beth Williams’ K9 Wellness Center
was suggested to them. “Beth
impressed us with her profess
ional i sm
and empathy,”
the
Hess’ said. “We
noticed a steady
improvement and
miraculously, after
each swimming
session and Tucker
got a little better.
After two months
he was nearly back
to normal. Coordination
still slightly off, he could again
climb stairs and jump up onto the couch.
And most importantly,
Tucker regained
his zest for life.”
“Beth’s compassionate,
kind nature
makes her a natural
with her four-legged
patients,” Linda and
Pat Enos said when
their dog, 80-pound
AT had a second knee
surgery. Ultra-sound
and physical therapy
combined with gentle
massage kept AT’s scar tissue to a minimum.
After almost a year of rehabilitation,
AT didn’t need it on a regular basis,
but he and his sister, Cervaza started
swim therapy to maintain their weight
as well as keep AT’s knee fl exible. “I’m
not sure what we would have done had
it not been for Beth. She worked hard to
lessen AT’s pain and ensured his quality
of life stayed as high as possible,” the
Enos’ added.
Archie, a three-year-old purebred border
collie started herding training when
he was a puppy. The trainer noticed Archie
was having diffi culty and their veterinarian
suggested they see a chiropractor
for treatment. A friend suggested K9
Wellness Center. Williams invited them
to visit the center and watch a therapy
session of one dramatic success story.
Enlightened, Archie started his sessions
with instructions for home care, massage,
exercises, and heat therapy. “He lost 10
pounds, gained muscle tone, and was
much more active,” Chuck and Donna Hubach
said. In time, Archie was enrolled in
an agility course,
and his trainer
noticed an unusual
gait pattern
when he
ran. His rear legs
would be to one
side or the other
while he was running
in a straight
line. “Beth exercised
Archie and
he is now running
straight and
true,” the Hubach’s happily added.
K9 Wellness Center is located at 5303
Louie Lane, Suite #21, off Longley Lane,
here in Reno. Williams can be reached for
consultations at 775-750-5087. And for
more information, log onto Beth’s Web
site at www.K9wellnecenter.com.
Peggy Rew is a local wordsmith and pet
nanny. She and husband, Dale, are staff
to four feisty felines
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