WALTZ ANIMAL CLINIC
1300 Osage Drive
Madison, IN  47250
(812) 273-6668
"Our Best Care for Your Best Friend"
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PET NEWS
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It's probably not a problem if the family dog munches on a few cicadas, but cicadas are large enough to be a choking hazard, and dogs that eat too many of the crunchy insects can develop gastrointestinal distress and may need anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medicines. Training pets to leave something alone on command can protect them from ‘cicada overload’.
Brutus, Duke, Coco, Lola and Jake...sure, they're fairly common pet names, but they're also the names of just a few of the pets that died last year because they were left in cars on warm (and not necessarily hot) days while their owners were shopping, visiting friends or family, or running errands. What's so tragic is that these beloved pets were simply the victims of bad judgment.
In proceedings of the Royal Society B. researchers report that puppies respond playfully t high-pitched singsong human speech recordings while older dogs exhibit little response to any type of recorded human speech. The researchers conclude that "puppy talk" is similar to the way humans talk to babies, and it may serve a similar purpose such as helping puppies learn to understand words.
When a naturopathic doctor advised Eric O'Grey to get a shelter dog, he found one that was obese like he was, and the pair started taking 30-minute daily walks together. The dog, Peety, lost 25 pounds; O'Grey lost 140 pounds and was able to stop taking medication for high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. The pair inspired the Mutual Rescue initiative, built on the notion that people who help animals often improve their own lives in the process.
Diesel, a 7-year-old Belgian malinois killed during a shootout in a French police raid seeking suspects in the Paris attacks, was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry by the UK charity People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Diesel was sent into an apartment complex following gunfire to gauge whether it was safe for police to enter when he encountered the suspects and died from multiple gunshot wounds. The Dickin Medal has now been awarded to 30 dogs, 32 messenger pigeons, three horses and a cat.
Pets exposed to secondhand smoke in the home are more likely to gain weight and develop cancer than animals in smoke-free homes, according to research by veterinarian Clare Knottenbelt of the University of Glasgow in the UK. Pets, especially cats, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke because they spend so much time inside, grooming and in close contact with the carpet, where toxins accumulate
Canine Influenza is a highly contagious infection caused by an influenza A virus. It is spread through respiratory secretions, contaminated objects and people moving between infected & uninfected dogs. The virus can survive for up to 48 hours on surfaces, up to 24 hours on clothing & up to 12 hours on people's hands! 
  
Dogs can be shedding the virus before they even show symptoms, which may include coughing, fever, loss of appetite & a snotty nose. 
  
Given the recent outbreak in the Mid-West we are now recommending the Canine Influenza vaccine for all "social" dogs(dogs that go where other dogs gather). The current vaccine available is for the H3N8 strain & it is unknown if it will also protect against the other H3N2 strain recently identified. As always, we will provide your pet the most current & effective vaccines available. 
The case of Ty, a 6-year-old pit bull who disappeared while in the care of Delta Air Lines, has put pet travel in the spotlight. Last year, there were 21 animal deaths, 15 injuries and six lost animals reported to the federal government by airlines. Owners who intend to let their animals fly should take precautions, including not sedating pets during flights, according to the AVMA, as the drugs may inhibit balance as well as cardiovascular and respiratory function. Click the Picture to read more.
At only 2 years of age, Fatcat the pure white English bulldog was stolen. Owner LaShena Harris had a sinking feeling she'd never see her beloved dog again. But eight years and many miles later, Fatcat's microchip led to their happy reunion. The dog needs medical attention to treat heartworm infection and dental disease, but thanks to online fundraising, Fatcat's veterinary care should be covered.
We all appreciate the joy and companionship that a well-behaved dog brings to our lives. What we don't always appreciate is that there are many different factors that can determine whether or not a puppy grows into that wonderful lifelong companion. In this AVMA video, Dr. Christopher Pachel explains the ins and outs of puppy socialization
PET OWNERS should be advised of the problems that occur after pets have been exposed to blue-green algae. BOAH (Board of Animal Health) has already received one report this spring of a dog dying after swimming in a pond with the aquatic plant, which typically grows in stagnant bodies of water after long periods of hot weather. After pets swim in outdoor ponds or lakes (private or public), owners should bathe them to remove any possible algae that the animal(s) could ingest, causing illness and sudden death.
Exposure to secondhand smoke puts pets' lives at risk much as it threatens children, according to veterinary oncologist Heather Wilson-Robles, who recommends ways smokers can help protect pets. Dr. Wilson-Robles says quitting is the best remedy, but owners can also consider smoking outside, washing their hands and possibly changing clothes after smoking. Animal exposure occurs through inhalation and direct contact, as smoke and tar accumulate on pets' fur. Cats, who regularly groom their coats, are of particular concern because they can ingest the toxins while doing so.
Even though the thought of your pet being stuck by a needle can be scary, blood work is an important part of diagnosing and treating a sick pet. In AVMA's latest video, Dr. Joyce Ashamalla covers the basics of why blood tests are needed, how they are performed, and what they can help uncover
Lyme Disease and Tick Prevention Month
The AVMA's National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which starts Sunday, calls attention to the importance of responsible pet ownership, training and other safety precautions. "Understanding how dogs behave and how to behave around dogs could save countless people from the serious physical and emotional consequences of a dog bite," said AVMA President Dr. Douglas G. Aspros. 
For more interesting and useful information about the subject, see the following link from the American Veterinary Medical Association (Click the Widget to the Left for more information).
Whether intentionally or as a result of innate behavior, animals regularly use natural compounds to prevent and address health problems, and studying their habits could lead scientists to new drugs to treat human diseases, researchers say. "When we watch animals foraging for food in nature, we now have to ask, are they visiting the grocery store or are they visiting the pharmacy?" said ecology professor Mark Hunter. "We can learn a lot about how to treat parasites and disease by watching other animals." National Public Radio/Shots blog (4/11), ScienceDaily (4/11)M