ASPCA in the News: Use of Animal Forensics on the Rise

USA Today

Use of Animal Forensics on the Rise

RICHMOND, Va. — The killer had left his mark all over the crime scene. Grayish-tan hairs lay strewn on the ground below the old willow tree on Marylin Christian's Loudoun County farm, inches away from where her beloved cat Cody was found dead.

Cody's distraught owner vowed to seek justice. But when she suggested that animal control officers collect saliva from a neighbor's dog, Lucky, to see if it genetically matched hair found in Cody's mouth and claws, she was met with bewilderment.

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Pet Nutrition Q & A: What's Up w/Ethoxyquin ?

I have heard that some pet foods contain ethoxyquin as a preservative. Isn't this also used in pesticides and rubber?

—Trish

It's true that ethoxyquin can be used as a pesticide and rubber hardener, Trish. However, it also has important antioxidant functions, and has been used as a preservative in pet foods for more than 35 years to protect fats, fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins from spoiling. Ethoxyquin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is considered safe when added to pet foods at a maximum of 150 parts per million.

A 1982 literature study conducted by the FDA resulted in no evidence of cancer-causing properties in ethoxyquin. However, if you prefer not to serve your pet a food that contains this ingredient, there are many pet food products on the market you can switch to that contain natural antioxidants such as vitamin E, rosemary, and citric acid.

Horse Behavior Q & A: Hobbles for Horses? Paws Down!

How do you feel about the concept of putting hobbles on a horse a couple of hours before feeding to prevent him from getting too excited and pawing up his bucket? I recently was caught up in a debate over this. It would never even occur to me to hobble a horse to “teach” him to not get excited during feeding. I was wondering if this is considered inhumane.

-Claire

I would not recommend using hobbles to prevent a horse from pawing and getting excited around feeding time.

There is a simple and humane solution to eliminate the behavior that will take only about seven feedings and a fair amount of patience. Right now the horse is being rewarded for pawing, as he is fed when he is pawing. Simply wait until he ceases pawing, and use that moment to cue the correct behavior by feeding him. He will learn quickly that the way to “turn on” the food is to stop pawing. Be patient, though. The behavior will get stronger at first, because the horse will be frustrated that the pawing behavior is no longer producing food. He will paw more, and harder—so just take a deep breath, relax and wait. Thanks for the question, Claire.

ASPCA Pet Care: 10 Tips For Feeding Your Dog

Adult dogs require sufficient nutrients to meet energy needs and to maintain and repair body tissues. The amount you feed your adult dog should be based on his or her size and energy output. Activity levels vary dramatically between pets, and will play an important role in determining caloric intake.

As a responsible dog owner, one of the most common pitfalls you’ll have to watch out for is overfeeding. Attempts to shower our dogs with love by means of big meals and tons of tasty treats are sweet, but misguided. In dogs, as with humans, extra weight can lead to health problems. Be sure to indulge your four-legged friend with affection, not food—and read our Top 10 Tips For Feeding Your Adult Dog.

Horse Behavior Q & A: Don't Stand So Close to Me!

My horse has some "space issues" with other horses. If another horse gets too close, he'll pin his ears and try to bite. He’s fine at a walk, but at a trot he'll try to bite, and at a canter he'll go so far as to lunge out at other horses he passes. It isn’t bad when he's turned out, but he still doesn't like horses coming too close.

When we're out on the trails, he's perfectly fine until he's too close behind another horse or until another horse actually brushes up against him. My riding instructor has told me to just focus on going forward instead of on what might happen. She also has me ride at different distances from horses next to me, slowly moving closer as my horse relaxes. This has worked wonderfully for him, but I was wondering if you could offer any further advice. When he lunges out at horses, he puts every ounce of his strength into it, and I'm afraid he'll really hurt someone if I ever lose control of him.
—Rebekah

Thank you for your question, Rebekah. The behavior your horse exhibits is not that unusual, though I’m sure that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier for you to deal with! Your riding instructor is giving you great advice. I would continue with her suggestions and also try the following:

Begin with your horse in a halter and lead. Have a friend walk another horse about 15 feet perpendicular to your horse. If he responds by pinning his ears, etc., ignore it and continue to have the friend walk back and forth. If he does not pin his ears—and chances are, at that distance he will not—reward him with a tasty treat, and walk him away from the other horse. Repeat this, getting closer and closer slowly over time. Once he gets the game, begin again, this time on his back. Good luck!

Nutrition Q & A: My Chihuahua Says No to Agua!

My two-month-old Chihuahua hates to drink water. What can I do?
—Venus

Water is is the most essential nutrient an animal can have, Venus. Because it accounts for between 60 to 70 percent of an adult dog’s body weight, you must make sure that your puppy drinks, and that he has access to good quality water at all times. A deficiency of water can have serious repercussions for pets. Inadequate water intake may affect an animal's physical activity and growth, and a 15 percent loss of hydration can result in death.

Food may help meet some of your puppy's water needs. A dry pet food may contain up to 10 percent moisture, while a canned pet food may contain up to 85 percent moisture. Most pets, however, will regulate their water intake appropriately if given free access to fresh water. So generally speaking, if you provide fresh water for your puppy, he should drink when he needs to. Since Chihuahua puppies are so small, he may not need as much water as you think. However, you should still take your puppy to the veterinarian to have his hydration and nutritional status evaluated.

Your veterinarian may also want to begin a vaccination and de-worming program. If this is the case, keep in mind that small dogs like Chihuahuas will sometimes feel ill for a few days after vaccination. It is important to notify your veterinarian right away if illness occurs.

You’ll also find helpful information on the ASPCA's puppy socialization and housetraining pages. Please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further help.

Horse Behavior Q & A: When a Mare's Foal Dies...

Dr. Weiss, I have a mare who recently had her foal put down. My aunt says she has forgotten, but she keeps staring at a horse next door who looks like the foal. Has she forgotten her baby, or does she think this horse IS her baby?
—Cheyenne

First, I am sorry for your loss, Cheyenne. You ask an excellent question—but one that, unfortunately, we just don’t yet have the science to answer. Certainly, your horse has emotions, and she is likely to behave differently when she loses a foal, but we cannot say what it is that she might be thinking.

The best thing to do at this point is to help her move back into her normal daily routine as quickly as possible, and provide her with enrichment (such as a barrel with some treats inside, bobbing for apples in her water trough, etc.) to help reduce stress. Good luck!

Pet Nutrition Q & A: Feeding Cats in Cars

I regularly take my two cats on a five-hour drive to Michigan. During the ride one of them whines for hours, coughs and throws up in the van. I always bring water, food, toys, catnip and litter box, and try not to hit bumps. What else can I do to make the ride more comfortable for them?
―Ikhlas

It's great that you bring all of your cats' necessities along with you when you travel, Ikhlas. When pets travel, they need to have their food, litter box, waste scoop, water and food bowls, grooming supplies, medication, pet first-aid supplies, favorite toys, other comforts from home and even a supply of their own water. It’s also very important to make sure your cats are comfortable throughout the duration of the trip. They should have a large enough area in which to stand, sit, lie down and turn around.

Instead of feeding them throughout the journey, you should consider giving your cats a light meal approximately 3 to 4 hours before traveling, and then not feeding them at all throughout the duration of the trip. This may help prevent your cat from getting sick during travel. With a trip as long as the one you take with your cats, it would also be smart to prepare them for the journey by taking them on several shorter trips of gradually increasing length as the day of the big trip nears. Their area inside your vehicle should also be safe, secure and well-ventilated.

The ASPCA has several travel safety tips that can help you prepare your cats for the journey. You can also do some further reading on the Internet about
automobile safety for pets and
car travel tips.

Just like certain human beings, some pets get car sick. You may consider taking your cat to see your veterinarian to discuss the car-sickness issue and possibly get a medication that will make travel easier for all of you.

ASPCA Press Release: The Dog [and Cat] Days of Summer are Almost Here!

ASPCA Reminds Pet Lovers to Make Sure Pets Are Safe During Those Lazy, Hazy Crazy Summer Days Too

NEW YORK, May 9, 2007—There is no denying it anymore—summer is right around the corner. While we plan backyard barbeques, vacations, and afternoons by the pool, the ASPCA wants to remind animal lovers and pet parents to use caution during some of summer’s most enjoyable traditions.

“Many of our favorite summertime traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, senior vice president of the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, which also houses the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “So as you start to make plans for a fun summer season, remember to be wary of summer-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”

Here are just some of the ways animal lovers can keep their pets safe this summer...

ASPCA Pet Nutrition Q & A: Weight Loss in Mother Dogs

Do dogs typically lose a lot of weight after delivering and weaning puppies?
—Kristi

It is not uncommon for mother dogs to lose a significant amount of weight after giving birth, Kristi. However, they should ideally not lose more than 10 percent of their original body weight. Just remember that nursing puppies will continue to put a drain on their mother's body, so be sure to provide your canine mom with a high-quality food. We suggest a product for active dogs or a puppy formula, which are higher in calories.

It is also ideal to keep food and water available for her at all times while she is nursing. After the weaning period, which lasts approximately eight weeks, the mother dog should begin to steadily gain weight. If your dog is not gaining weight, contact your veterinarian to make sure that she is not suffering from any health problems. Sometimes it just takes time, but parasites or other medical factors could play a role in her slow return to a normal weight.

ASPCA Press Release: Flying the ‘Furry’ Skies? Want to Avoid a ‘Ruff’ Road Trip?

ASPCA Offers Travel Tips to Pet Lovers before the Start of Vacation Season

NEW YORK, May 8, 2007—In a few weeks, the Memorial Day weekend will kick off the unofficial start of the travel season, and families around the country will head to airports to board flights to exotic destinations, or pack up the car for fun-filled road trips. But before you bring along your four-legged friends, the ASPCA wants to remind animal lovers and pet parents of some helpful travel tips for those busy summer months.

“More and more, pets are becoming an important part of our families, so it’s only natural that pets are being included in the summer vacation plans,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “But it’s important to keep certain things in mind before taking your animal companions along on flights or long car trips. That will ensure your pet’s safety, as well as make the trip an enjoyable one for everyone.”

Here are just some of the ways animal lovers can travel safely with their pets this summer...

Pet Food Recall Update: As Pet Food Recall Expands, ASPCA Warns Crisis Not Over: More Cases May Be Seen

With Menu Foods yesterday greatly expanding its recall of pet food products due to new evidence of cross-contamination, the ASPCA today warned pet parents that this crisis is far from over, and urged them to watch their pets closely for any symptoms that may be related to the recall.

“Given the fact that there is new evidence of cross-contamination in ingredients that may have been considered safe prior to this news, we need to be much more aware of where the ingredients in our pets’ food are coming from,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, a board-certified toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), located in its Midwest Office in Urbana, Ill.

“We are strongly recommending that pet parents immediately investigate, via their pet food manufacturer’s Web site or by calling them directly, where the ingredients—specifically protein supplements—are sourced from.”

Given the current situation and until this crisis is resolved, the ASPCA is recommending pets be fed products containing U. S.-sourced protein supplements only.

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ASPCA in the News: The Conquering Hoard - Sniffing Out Animal Lovers Who Care Too Much

The Village Voice
by Kristen Lombardi

By the time Steven, a 16-year Washington Heights resident and former Wall Street broker, had climbed the stairs to his apartment—4D—the smell had grown so strong it consumed the hallway. Jingling his keys, Steven, 62, paused and said, as if giving fair warning, "The cats have really torn up the place."

He opened the door, and a hot, stifling stench came crashing through the corridor.

And that sickly smell—or more aptly, the anonymous complaints about it—is what brought an animal-hoarding interventionist here in the first place. Allison Cardona, the chief hoarding investigator at the Manhattan-based ASPCA, has conducted these types of rescue missions all over New York City lately. In 2005 the ASPCA, as part of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, helped the city get thousands of dollars in grant money to launch an anti-hoarding program. Administered by the city's Department of Health, the pilot project pairs Cardona with a social worker who hooks up troubled hoarders with medical care, food stamps, and other services. Cardona, meanwhile, deals with the animals—first, spaying and neutering them; and then, trying to place them in adopted homes.

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