Microchip Your Pet for Safety

C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.

Recent natural disasters like the Oklahoma tornadoes, fires like the Black Forest fire in Colorado, and floods and flash floods throughout the Midwest and West have prompted many to prepare a disaster plan that can work well if you have time to take your pets with you. Unfortunately a much loved four legged member of the family can be separated from his humans. Many are found by folks anxious to offer housing, food, and comfort for the lost pet, but the goal is to return him to his family. Thousands of pets – cats, dogs, donkeys, snakes, llamas, horses, and more- were placed in shelters following the Black Forest fire in Colorado. Many were reunited with their owners.

Similarly, scores of pets were left homeless following the May Oklahoma tornadoes. Following a natural disaster, concerned animal lovers use the internet to help reunite people and pets. Twitter and Facebook sites helped following the Black Forest fire while pet rescue groups and veterinarians in Oklahoma City set up www.OKCLostPets.com, a website designed to help get pets back to their owners. In both cases, many pets were reunited with their families, but many remain on the list of the lost. Reunion is much more likely if the owner has planned ahead so his pet has carries identification.

The majority of pets that had a happy reunion with their humans had tags, tattoos, or microchips, that allowed rescuers to contact the owners. Tags on the collar are helpful but are not permanent. A collar can easily be lost in a disaster. Tattoos are time consuming. The cost of the tattoo varies and must be registered with the National Dog Registry for $45. In comparison, insertion of a microchip is relatively quick and usually costs about $45. My dogs have tags that they sometimes wear. All are microchipped for permanent identification.

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice.

Dogs and cats can have a microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice (Fig. 1), injected under the skin between the shoulder blades, but dogs and cats are not the only pets that are microchipped. Horses are microchipped on the left side of the neck, halfway between the poll and withers and approximately one inch below the midline of the mane. Parrots, cockatiels and other birds have the microchip implanted in their breast muscles. Pets of other species including llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, miniature pigs, rabbits, ferrets, snakes, lizards, turtles, toads, frogs, and mice can also be microchipped. Interestingly, penguins, alligators, chimpanzees, rare fish, prairie dogs, wild bison, black-footed ferrets, grizzly bears, elk, white-tailed deer, giant land tortoises and armadillos — even whales and elephants have been microchipped primarily for research purposes.

Each chip has a unique identification number that can be scanned and matched to the owner. But don't stop by just getting your pet a microchip. It is important to register the ID and your contact information, pet name and description, and shelter and/or veterinarian contact information. This information is critical to a rescue group trying to locate an owner. Investing a little time and $45 to have a veterinarian microchip is a small price to pay for a happy reunion if your pet is ever lost.

C.Sue Furman, Ph.D.
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com
C.SueFurman@gmail.com

Raindrops

Raindrops: A Gentle Percussion Massage Stroke

by C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.

Percussion massage strokes were originally known as tapotement, from the French verb tapoter which means to rap, drum, or pat. The very gentle and at the same time stimulating Percussion stroke called raindrops does not at all seem to rap or drum on the dog. The next time you have an opportunity, listen to the whisper soft landing of very gentle rain against your windowpane. This is reminiscent of the raindrops stroke and should serve as an inspiration as you practice and use the technique. As one finger after another gently makes contact, the calming rhythm of raindrops relaxes, and its soft touch leaves one tingling. This move conveys a quite unique and very pleasant sensation that is great for relief of tension.

Most people enjoy practicing the raindrops technique on themselves to better understand what their dog is experiencing. Relax and sit quietly in a chair. Place one hand near your head. Starting with the pad of the little finger of your raised hand, tap your head very lightly. Follow this touch with contact from the next three fingers in a rhythmic succession. There should be no hesitation between the tap of the fourth finger and the second tap by the little finger. The continuous movement of alternating fingerfalls should create a rhythmic pattern that mimics gentle raindrops falling on your head. Do you feel the tingle?

Many dogs seem to enjoy raindrops on their face and head. To see what your dog thinks, place one hand on your dog and place the other nearby. Gently begin the raindrops technique near his nose. Each fingertip should touch the dog lightly at a slightly different time. Work your way along the muzzle toward the cheek, over the head and around the ear (Fig.1). The movement should be slow and uninterrupted. The continuous movement of alternating fingerfalls should create a rhythmic pattern that mimics gentle raindrops falling on his head. Repeat the pattern on the other side of the face and head. Raindrops is a very light stroke that imparts light but excitatory stimulation virtually anywhere on the body.

Figure 1a	Figure 1b	Figure 1c

Figure 1. The thenar eminence and side of the thumb rest gently on a dog when the raindrops stroke is delivered. The gentle taps are delivered with one finger at a time beginning with the little finger (a) followed in succession by the remaining fingers (b-c). Once all four have landed, they are raised as one and the raindrop stroke is repeated.

Dr. C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com

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This article is excerpted from Canine Massge for the Athlete Every Dog© and appeared in the December 2012 issue of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

What is Herding?

by Joyce Norris, Norwood Border Collies

Herding is the controlled movement of livestock. The dog must control the livestock at a certain rate of speed as the dog moves the livestock to a particular location. The livestock must be moved through obstacles, into a pen, to the barn, or into a trailer.

Maddie at work

Herding is like no other sport. It is a true partnership. Handlers are working with two forces of nature. The handler is working with the dog's natural instinct and desire to control livestock, keeping them grouped together and the livestock's instinct which is to fear a predator and to form a flock or herd for self-preservation. Handler and dog must work together as a team.

Rocky at work

In order for a dog to be able to herd any kind of livestock there are Six Basics he needs to learn:

1. Instinct and Desire to work with you
2. Circular Flank Commands - These are Come By which means move clockwise and Away To Me which means move counterclockwise. The dog is to circle around the stock at a distance that does not cause the livestock to move or panic. Once the dog is in the right position he is then asked to do one of the following.
3. Stop (on his feet) or Lie Down
4. Walk Up - This is where the dog actually makes contact with the stock and sets them in motion.
5. Get Out or Back - If the dog is too close to the livestock he can make them anxious or nervous and needs to get out or back off to make them settle down.
6. That'll Do - Once the livestock has arrived at the given destination the dog is to be called off and leave the livestock.

There are several organizations  sanction herding tests and trials including the American Kennel Club (AKC), the American Herding Breeds Association (AHBA), the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), and the United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA). They offer test and trials herding sheep, goats, cattle, ducks, geese, and turkeys. There are several levels of competitions for each type of livestock depending on the experience of the dog and handler. AKC has test classes.

The Herding Test (HT) is for beginning dog and is scored on a pass/fail basis. The Pre-Trial or PT is a J-shaped course and is also scored on a pass/fail basis. Trials can be A Course (arena) or B Course (open field). Both A Course and B Course Trials have Started, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. There are also C Course trials involving large flocks or tending.

Any breed in the AKC herding group plus other breeds accepted into the herding program are eligible to enter test and trials at 9 months of age. Numerous titles can be earned in herding events, from Herding Instinct all the way up to Herding Championships and Master Titles.

If you own a dog in the herding group and you notice him wanting to herd your children or the neighbor's cats, think about getting him involved in a local herding club and let him do what he has been bred to do for generations, to control the movement of livestock.

Editor's Note: Dogs trained by Joyce have earned roughly 300 titles in agility, obedience, and herding.

Joyce Norris
Norwood Border Collies

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Joyce and Rocky

Our guest author is Joyce Norris. Joyce has bred Border Collies for over 30 years with a goal of producing dogs for performance events. Fifteen years ago she started herding with her dogs and they have achieved championships in cattle, sheep and ducks in trials sponsored by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the American Herding Breeds Association (AHBA), and the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). Her dog, Rocky, twice made AKC history by earning a perfect score (100) on Started B course Ducks and by being the first dog to earn the Master Herding title on Advanced B course ducks. Joyce is an approved herding judge for AKC and AHBA. She is also well known in the herding world for her expertise in raising, training, and leasing Call ducks for herding trials.

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This article appeared in the February 2013 issue of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Keeping Animals Safe in the Heat

Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian

We are experiencing record temperatures successive days in a row. This, combined with the lack of rain, is causing serious concerns for pet safety.

On a 90℉ day, an animal left in a car will experience a temperature of 124℉ within 30 minutes and 138℉ within 90 minutes. These temperatures are enough to kill an animal, even if the windows are left partially open. The bed of a pickup truck is no safer for an animal. Not only do they become overheated, but they will also become dehydrated from the wind they experience.

Hyperthermia

Normally, our pets have a temperature of around 101℉. This can be increased during a fever episode or during high environmental temperature. A temperature of over 105℉ can seriously compromise your pet's health. Dogs and cats are not able to sweat to cool their core temperature. Instead, they pant and radiate heat from the surface of their skin. They are able to sweat through their paws but this is very limited compared to a human. If the air temperature is as high as it has been the last few weeks, an animal's body cannot keep up and will succumb to hyperthermia.

Signs of heat stroke

• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive panting
• Uncoordination
• Restlessness, stress
• Changes in gum color (either bright red or even blue)
• Drooling

Risk factors

There are several factors which can make an animal more susceptible to heat stroke. These include:

• Pets with short noses, like the Bulldog, Pekingese, Persian. These animals cannot adequately thermo regulate by panting due to their anatomy
• Pets with dark-colored fur or fur that is thick and does not allow adequate ventilation
• Very young, very old, or animals with an underlying condition such as heart disease
• Very active animals or any amount of exercise for an animal

Prevention

Generally speaking, if you find it uncomfortable outside, your pet will as well. If it is unbearably hot and you are not even interested in going outside, do not leave your pet in the heat. If your pet is confined outdoors, provide them with ventilation via fans. Shade is also extremely important. Fresh, cool water will help allow them to remain hydrated.

If possible, bring your pet inside, even if it is just a cool back porch or garage. A doghouse does not provide shade; instead they heat up excessively and are not safe for use in the summer. If you are convinced you are providing adequate cooling for your pet, put a thermometer outside where your pet is located. Monitor the temperatures it reads. You may be surprised at just how hot it will get!

Treatment

The goal of treating hyperthermia is initially to cool the core temperature to prevent permanent damage to the animal's brain. This can be achieved by applying wet towels to the animal. The main areas of superficial blood circulation, and therefore cooling, are the ears, groin, armpits, and feet. A fan can be applied to help improve heat loss from these areas. Do not apply ice or extremely cold water. Cooling too quickly can cause more damage.

If possible, obtain the temperature of your pet; ideally, you should stop cooling your pet when their temperature reaches 103. Transport your pet to a veterinary facility immediately so the other effects of extreme heat can be treated. Your veterinarian will address the level of hyperthermia and continue treating if necessary. The main concerns for your pet are loss of electrolytes, changes in red blood cells, kidney failure, brain abnormalities, and death.

Dr. Abby Deuel, Veterinarian Deuel Veterinary Services, P.C. 2047 N Broadway Ave Salem, IL 62881 Phone: 618-548-6755 Fax  : 618-548-6855 deuelveterinaryservices.com

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This article appeared in the June 2013 issue of the Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Pet Disaster Plan

by Dr. C. Sue Furman

Hurricane season is in full swing, but disasters of many types can occur anywhere in the country. Wild fires are rampant in many Western states and more may flare up at any time. The Midwest has been devastated by tornados this spring, and torrential rains have caused floods in many states. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that the threat of these natural disaster is over. There is usually little time to prepare for a catastrophe so it is wise to plan ahead for your potential needs and also those of your pets. If you have to evacuate your home, please do not leave your pets behind! They may not be able to survive on their own. If they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.  Take a little time now to design a disaster plan for your pets. In the event of a disaster, you can face it with confidence knowing you have an appropriate plan and the materials to implement it. Take the suggested actions below and assemble the list of essential needs listed for a pet disaster kit. Have a plan for you and your family members including those with four legs!

Pet Disaster Plan!

• Keep all pet ID tags up to date and securely attached to your pet's collar.
• During a disaster, bring your pets inside immediately.
• Take your pets with you if you have to leave town after a disaster.
• Have a secure pet carrier and leash to prevent your pet from escaping if frightened.
• Always leash your pets in new places. Loose pets are more likely to be lost or injured by debris or other hazards.
• Many emergency shelters do not allow pets so plan ahead and make a list of motels and hotels in your evacuation area that allow pets.
• Have a current photo of your pets with you in case they get lost.
• Keep your veterinarian's and local animal shelter's phone numbers handy.
• Keep a pet disaster kit packed in case of emergency. It should include:
• Pet food - moist or canned food reduces the amount of water your pet will need
• Bottled water
• Medications
• Veterinary records
• Can opener
• Food dishes
• First aid kit
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Small flashlight
• Towel or blanket (large enough to transport your pet)
• Other supplies you need for your pet on a daily basis
• Litter pan and litter

C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
c.suefurman@gmail.com
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com

This article originally appeared in the October 2012 Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Massage for Senior Pets

by Dr. C. Sue Furman

One day you are playing with a puppy and all too soon your furry friend is showing signs of aging. Different breeds and sizes of dogs age at different rates, but most breeds reach middle age at about age 7 and proceed into their senior years. Giant breeds begin middle age even earlier. Changes do not occur over night. They creep in slowly and may go almost unnoticed until one day you realize something just doesn't seem right with your pet.

According to the AVMA, approximately 40% of dogs seen by veterinarians are 6 years or older. Old age is a condition not an illness or a disease, but some of the signs and symptoms require veterinary attention. Stiff joints and difficulty getting up are changes that are common in many dogs. Your veterinarian may offer medications to limit discomfort, but you too can help your pet. You can provide massage, a therapy recommended by many veterinarians, to soothe your pets achy joints, increase range of motion, and maintain flexibility. Stretches are excellent for aging pets as well as younger dogs. Stretches relax muscles, increase flexibility and range of motion, improve muscle tone, increase elasticity of muscles, tendons and ligaments, and enhance circulation.

A lateral stretch, or stretch to the side, stretches the muscles of the neck, shoulder and trunk and maintains flexibility of the muscles and joints in the spinal column. Reach in front of the dog and let him sniff a treat or see and hear a squeaky toy. Once you have his attention, guide his head toward his hindquarters using the treat or toy as bait (see Figure 1).

Figure 1	Figure 2

Use your hand or leg to anchor the dog's hindquarters so he stretches toward the rear but does not circle in a tail-chasing motion! Move to the dog's other side and repeat (see Figure 2).

As the dog's nose follows the treat in your hand, he stretches the muscles of the neck, shoulder, rib cage, and trunk. The first few times you try this technique, the stretch should last at least five seconds. Once the dog understands that the stretch will result in a treat, encourage him to hold the stretch at least 10 to 15 seconds before releasing the treat. Remember, the benefit the dog derives from the stretch relies on your ability to entice him to hold the stretch for several seconds. Always stretch both sides of the dog!


C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
c.suefurman@gmail.com
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com

This article is excerpted from Canine Massge for the Athlete in Every Dog© and also appeared in the November 2012 Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.

Canine Massage and Acupressure - A Strong Partnership

Holistic Touch Therapy offers canine massage and canine acupressure courses. Both modalities have incredible power to relax, comfort, rehabilitate, and encourage healing of the body. However, they affect the body differently. Massage manipulates soft tissues by rubbing, kneading, tapping and stretching for therapeutic purposes. These techniques increase circulation, soften superficial fascia, mobilize and move toxins, increase flexibility and range of motion to promote a balanced body.

Acupressure has its origin in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The technique applies fingertip pressure to acupoints located at specific points along the river-like meridians of the body where Qi or the life force energy flows. Stress, injury and illness can block the flow of Qi in a meridian causing imbalance in the body. Stimulating appropriate acupoints releases the blockage, restores the proper flow of Qi and re-establishes balance and well being to the body.

The beginnings of both massage and acupressure go back thousands of years and focus on wholeness of form and function of body and mind. Individually, they have remarkable restorative powers to encourage healing. However, the two modalities complement each other, and when applied together work synergistically to create a strong therapeutic partnership which accomplishes more than either can alone.

The 2013 schedule of Holistic Touch Therapy classes has been posted on my web site. It includes the long-established HTT courses and several brand new online and onsite classes to suit everyone from the pet owner who wants to comfort their personal furry friend to those pursuing canine massage and/or acupressure as part of their animal-based professional careers. These classes have been divided into three categories: Canine Massage, Canine Acupressure, and PetTech® Classes.


C. Sue Furman, Ph.D.
c.suefurman@gmail.com
www.HolisticTouchTherapy.com

This article originally appeared in the December 2012 Holistic Touch Therapy Newsletter.