DOBERMAN PINSCHER OWNERS:

*December 13, 2010*
>
>
>
> Dr. Mark Neff, Program Director with the Van Andel Research Institute and
> featured health night speaker at National this year, is currently
> following
> genetic leads in the areas of Doberman liver disease, wobblers, and dings
> using cheek swab and blood specimens submitted by owners in recent
> months.
> As many will recall, his Program for Canine Health and Performance
> team is
> actively studying the genetics of the Doberman Pinscher. They are very
> interested in expanding their studies, and research is at a point where
> large numbers of specimens are needed NOW from *healthy* Dobermans for
> the
> *fine mapping* parts of the studies. Their goal is to collect *hundreds,
> ideally thousands, of cheek swab specimens* as quickly as possible.
>
> These projects are completely driven by owner-donated samples, so we need
> the Doberman community to step up and donate in large numbers. In
> order to
> expedite the collection of a large number of samples within weeks, and to
> control shipping costs (Very necessary for such a large effort),
> researchers are requesting that we please batch together as many
> specimens
> as possible. Suggestions for doing this (other ideas anyone?) include:
>
> 1. Breeders, or other owners of many Dobermans, order an appropriate
> number
> of kits and return ship them all together.
>
> 2. Chapter clubs identify the total number of members' Dobes available to
> submit and do likewise.
>
> 3. Rescue organizations with numerous (purebred) Dobermans do likewise.
>
> 4. Dobe owning friends in the same geographical region coordinate a
> similar
> effort. One person might act as the area liaison, identify the total
> number
> of kits needed for that area, order them, distribute/re-collect and ship
> them back all together.
>
> ***Individuals or groups with 6 or more Dobermans available to provide
> cheek swabs, please email Elissa directly as soon as possible to order
> your
> kits at Elissa.Boguslawski@vai.org
>      (not clickable, please type in).
>
> ***Individuals or groups with 5 or fewer Dobermans, please go to the
> website www.tgen.org/doberman    and
> order your cheek swab kits there asap.
>
> As before, this is Free- no cost to you, painless, and takes only a few
> minutes to do in the privacy of your home. Specimen IDs are converted to
> code upon arrival at the lab so it is also Completely CONFIDENTIAL.
>
> Remember, we are blessed to have the interest of a phenomenal, top notch
> researcher, WITH FUNDING (that will NOT be there forever) dedicated
> NOW to
> studying and identifying markers for genetic diseases that kill
> Dobermans.
> Please let's JUMP ON THIS opportunity and respond to this request with
> great haste. I know its the holidays, but make this your Christmas
> gift to
> Dobermans! If you don't celebrate Christmas, please do it in honor of a
> beloved Doberman or human friend.
>
> Dr. Neff and his team have been very impressed with the manner in
> which the
> Doberman community responded to initial requests for samples from
> affected
> dogs. This next step is an essential part of his research, so let's show
> him how much we REALLY mean business when it comes to helping our beloved
> breed!
>
> Thank you very much, and please be in touch with any questions. PLEASE
> CROSSPOST.
> Kathy Davieds DVM
>
> FAQs:
>
> 1. My dog was recently diagnosed with (wobblers, liver disease, etc.). Do
> they still want more samples from affected dogs?
> YES.
>
> 2. Does my dog have to be proclaimed free of these conditions by a vet in
> order to submit as a *healthy* sample?
> NO. You just note your dog does not have symptoms of and has not been
> diagnosed with these conditions at the time of submission.
>
> 3. Can my dog be affected with other health condition(s) besides
> wobblers,
> liver disease or dings and still submit?
> YES. Your dog can have DCM, or any other condition- allergies, etc. etc.
> etc. you should simply note these conditions on the submission form.
>
> ***PLEASE CROSSPOST***
>
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> All DPCA Rep messages are printed in the Pipeline which is the
> official publication of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America.
>
> /DPCA, Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the Doberman Pinscher Club
> of America logo and design, and all associated marks and logos are
> trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of the Doberman
> Pinscher Club of America/
>

Fron Dr. Jon on toxic and dangerous foods for your dog

You know that I'm a big believer in nutrition. A week or so ago, I sent you a newsletter about 5 harmful foods that you should NEVER give to your dog. They were:

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums
• Grapes and Raisins
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda
• Chocolate

While these foods may prove harmful to your dog, this list of dangerous foods was not complete, and I wanted to make sure that no one thought it was. So today, I'm going to tell you about some more foods that you should not feed to your dog.

There are several more dangerous and potentially harmful foods that you should never feed your dog. They are:

1. Coffee (grounds and beans). Coffee grounds or beans can cause "caffeine" toxicity in dogs.

2. Fatty Foods. Dogs love rich fatty foods. They often get these foods as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in any pet except miniature or toy poodles. Cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone to pancreatitis. The dog may become very sick very quickly.

3. Dairy Products . Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. Dairy products have a high fat content, and like other fatty foods, they could cause pancreatitis. The second danger is that pets digest dairy products poorly.

4. Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland or Australia nut, can be toxic ... but we don't know why. The reason may be a mystery, but the evidence is clear. As few as six to 40 macadamia nuts have been shown to cause severe toxic symptoms in dogs.

5. Moldy or Spoiled Food . Dogs love to get into the trash. A medical problem arises when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds.

6. Nutmeg. You may not realize this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic - even fatal. The toxicity principle is not well understood, but signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities and death.

7. Onions or Garlic . Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions. A dog or cat that eats onions may experience gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress. All forms of onion and garlic are problematic, including raw, dehydrated, cooked or powder.ed forms. If large amounts of onion or garlic are ingested, or if onions are a part of your dog's daily diet, the red blood cells may become fragile and break apart.

8. Xylitol (sugar substitute). Xylitol is a sweetener made from sugar-alcohol.It is found in sugar-free human food products, such as chewing gum and candy.

9. Yeast Dough . When ingested, bread or yeast dough will "rise" in your dog's stomach just as rises in bread. This creates two problems. The dough often expands to many times its original size while inside your dog's stomach, causing your dog's stomach to expand as well. As the dough rises and ferments, alcohol is produced which can cause "alcohol toxicity."

So here's a good way to keep your dog healthy. Avoid all the bad stuff and feed him a superior diet. Many veterinarians around the country recommend premium pet foods like Iams® products.

Iams® recently introduced a great food called Premium Protection™ that blends the right balance of proteins, fats, fibers with vitamins and nutrients to create one of the most advanced formulas to help protect your dog's joints and total health. For more information on Iams Premium Protection, go to
www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp?IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DHP

One more thing, if you change your dog's diet, do it gradually. Never go cold-turkey. Instead, make dietary changes over a period of several days by gradually mixing in the new food.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon


P.S. The Iams website has some great information, including an "Ingredients" demo that highlights the benefits of a balanced diet. To check it out, go to:
http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DHP to learn more about the science and the benefits of a balanced diet for your dog's total health

10 Human medications harmful to your dog

Top 10 Human Medications That Poison Our Pets

Although pet parents are well aware of poisons lurking around their home, many don’t realize that some of the biggest culprits are sitting right on their own nightstands. In 2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 89,000 calls related to pets ingesting over-the-counter and prescription medications. To help you prevent an accident from happening, our experts have created a list of the top 10 human medications that most often poison our furry friends.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following items, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. And remember to keep all medications tucked away in bathroom cabinets—and far from curious cats and dogs.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of cats—kidney damage.

Antidepressants
Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome—a condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Acetaminophen
Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate (for ADHD)
Medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil—an anti-cancer drug—is used topically to treat minor skin cancers and solar keratitis in humans. It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing severe vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on discarded cotton swabs used to apply the medication.

Isoniazid
Often the first line of defense against tuberculosis, isoniazid is particularly toxic for dogs because they don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.

Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.

Anti-diabetics
Many oral diabetes treatments—including glipizide and glyburide—can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.

Vitamin D derivatives
Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst due to kidney failure—often don't occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

Baclofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion include significant depression, disorientation, vocalization, seizures and coma, which can lead to death.

Dog lovers - Vaccination information

For the past couple of years the new theory is that dogs who have had innoculations regularly to adulthood need not have them yearly. If you show, or travel extensively with your dogs, or bring them into situations where they will be mixing with other dogs socially (like a dog park), that's a different matter.

Here's a link (and a suscribable newsletter) explaining vaccinations from a vet's point of view.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/the-irreverent-vet-speaks-out-on-what-vaccines-does-your-dog-really-need/page1.aspx