If there is one pet that people love, it is dogs. They have proven to be one of the best pets around. They are extremely fun to be around, they provide hours of companionship and they are extremely loyal. As much as dogs can be fun, they can also be extremely annoying. Their method of communication, barking, can cause serious problems in the household. If owners have a dog that will not shut up, it can be extremely problematic. Luckily there are a wide range of products available shut dogs up. We have written this article to take a look at what in particular, the citronella barking collar, the cure for the noise the dog.

What Exactly is the Citronella Collar?

The citronella barking collar is an extremely popular product that is used successfully to stop dogs from barking. There are some studies that state that the citronella collar is 95% effective at stopping a dog from making noise and barking.  If this product works so well, don’t you think it is worth investigating more, especially if you have an annoying barking dog.

How Does the Collar Work?

The citronella barking collar is an extremely simple device. All it is a collar that goes around the neck of the dog. On this collar are a microphone and a canister of citronella spray. The collar is then positioned in such a way where the microphone is able to detect when a dog is barking. Once it recognized the bark of the dog, the canister sprays the dog. Citronella is a smell that dogs try to avoid and they hate the scent of it. The spray does not harm the dog, but it annoys them to the point where they will want to stop barking. This is a learned process, as the dog will figure out that anytime they bark, they will be sprayed with this awful product. To avoid this, they will just not bark.

Is the Collar Worth my Money?

Because the Citronella Barking Collar works so good, many people say it was money well spent.  This product is not expensive and they often can be purchased for under $30. For such a small amount of money spent, some people are able to get rid of the problem of a barking dog.

Source:ezinearticles.com

Like the ring sports it is based on, Mondio Ring separates its exercises into three categories; obedience, agility and protection, carried out in that order. Unlike other sports, such as Schutzhund, there are no tracking exercises in Mondio Ring. Protection exercises in Mondio Ring make use of a full bite suit, no unlike those used in French Ring sport. The decoy has a variety of accessories available to use against the dog, such as a tarp to throw at the dog as it comes in for a bite, or a stick not unlike those used in Schutzhund.

Due to the improvisational nature of the protection exercises, and the fact that it combines what are considered to be the best elements of other dog sports, this is perhaps the dog sport that most resembles true protection work. However, this does not make it a substitute for true protection dog training. A sport is just a sport, no matter how you look at it.

Individually packaged dog meals are the latest trend in the pet food industry, as shown above are two new products from Purina’s “Beneful Prepared Meals” and Freshpet Select’s “Homestyle Meals.” (ZT Pet News Photo by Elisabeth Brock)

New Natural Dog Meals: Name Brand vs. Start-Up. Answering pet owners’ demand for healthier, fresher options for dogs, the pet food industry is cranking out new products, but what are they really cooking up? ZT Pet News compares two options to find out.

NEW YORK — Pets are increasingly becoming more prominent in American homes — lathered in privileges such as special grooming treatments and traveling on family vacations.

But while dogs are often considered children to some pet owners, the parallel ends there, as the mainstream doesn’t literally feed their pets the equivalent nutritional fare as their human offspring.

So for Fido, there is kibble — and these days it might be an organic, all-natural, complete health variety, but it hardly compares to freshly cooked stews or meals. For those hard-core pet parents who achieve the balance in their lives to take to the kitchen in making meals for their furry kids, hats off to you- but what about the rest of us?

Listening to the demand for healthy and delicious pet chow, the pet food industry has now expanded into human-grade options. As these products hit the shelves, the food clearly looks good enough to serve at your own dining table. But ZT Pet News has to ask — is it really as yummy as it looks? Are these new-age pet foods as hearty and tasty as they purport? And are the ingredients really better and safer for pets?

Two recently launched products caught our eye — one a name brand and the other a start-up brand gaining traction nationwide. Both “Beneful Prepared Meals” by Purina and “Homestyle Meals” by Freshpet Select are attempting to fuse nutrition with tastiness.

ZT Pet News decided to explore these new options that not only claim to be healthy alternatives, but are changing the mold — literally. While there are plenty of “all natural” canned foods available like “Mulligans Stew,” “California Natural” and “Homemade Doggy Dinners” — the official grub of first dog Bo Obama — not many brands are individually packaged, in resealable tubs like the chosen two.

The Contenders

Beneful, the premium dog food Purina claims, is the “perfect balance of real, wholesome ingredients and quality nutrition,” which has expanded to include stew-like hearty meals in plastic tubs. Purina, with brands like Alpo, Purina One and Beneful under their umbrella, is essentially a household name — making it an appropriate comparison to the little known competitor.

This competitor? Freshpet Select, the relatively new brand, which markets itself as “fresh food for your dog, not dog food,” is a refrigerated dog food made from 100 percent American-grown vegetables, rice, eggs and meat. The food is cooked with no preservatives which requires constant refrigeration and sets it apart from traditional dog food products where the average shelf life is three years.

Straight out of the blocks, Freshpet Select’s product has a clear advantage over Purina’s Beneful which expires in about two years from first production, versus Freshpet’s three-month expiration. While Freshpet is revolutionary in this shelf-life comparison, how do the two brands stack up when considering other factors?

The Flavors & Ingredients

With only two flavors out as of yet — “Lamb, Vegetable and Barley” and “Chicken, Vegetable and Rice” — Freshpet boasts minimally processed, all-natural ingredients. But the proof is in the pudding — or the stew for that matter — the vitamin and mineral enriched meals are labeled with easy to understand ingredient lists which include whole foods such as lamb, spinach, chicken and brown rice. The most pleasant surprise is that there are no fillers such as corn or wheat gluten, which if included, must be listed on the label by mandate of the FDA.

The Beneful meals have a broader range of flavors, including “Savory Rice and Lamb Stew” “Simmered Beef” and “Roasted Chicken,” however, their ingredients are not quite as recognizable. The “real” ingredients like lamb and chicken, while included, are overshadowed by ingredients like meat-by-products, corn starch and wheat gluten.

The Ins & Outs of Ingredients

While the actual components included are important in these meals, the key lies within to what extent. By law, dog food ingredients must be listed by the amount used in processing — meaning, the first ingredient on the label would transfer as the largest amount used during cooking.

Most pet owners fail to scrutinize the ingredients listed on their pet’s food, but one would think that if a meal is highlighted as a “lamb” product for instance, that it should include a significant amount of actual lamb meat.

That being said, the first five items listed on the Freshpet Homestyle “Lamb, Vegetable and Barley” meal are, in fact: “lamb, lamb broth, chicken, eggs and carrots.” Lamb cannot be found at the top of the ingredient list on the Purina Beneful “Savory Rice and Lamb Stew” meal. Rather the first five ingredients are: “water, wheat gluten, liver, white rice and meat-by-products.” Considering the Beneful meal we examined is called “Savory Rice and Lamb Stew,” this does not bode well for the brand that prides itself on “quality and freshness.”

According to Melinda Smith of HealthierDogs.com, fillers like meat-by-products, which can include intestines, feathers and feet, and wheat gluten are more often than not packed into pet food to significantly reduce the cost of production and boost taste.

With hardly any nutritional value, these fillers are very harsh on animal stomachs and difficult to digest. Smith also says such ingredients are linked to serious problems like gum and heart disease, severe allergic reactions, canine cancer, and more. Eds. note: None of the brands or products in this review were included in such studies.

The Bottom Line

While this misnomer about ingredient listings may slip by even the most diligent pet owner, both brands’ meals meet the nutritional standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and maintenance of dogs.

They are also around the same price — depending on what store and what region you are in — ranging from $1.89 to $2.30, and from human standards, look pretty darn tasty. However, eyes don’t always carry over to stomachs, especially dogs’ stomachs.

ZT Pet News gives Freshpet’s Homestyle meals 5 paws up for exceptional “whole food” nutrition and for stepping out of the box and avoiding the preservatives that unnaturally increase shelf life.

ZT Pet News gives Purina’s Beneful Prepared meals 2.5 paws up for listening to consumer demands, but the product quality falls short on actual “whole food” nutritional value.

As these meals take over as the standard for nutritional pet foods, the Zootoo community deserves first-hand experience on the appeal to canine companions. A mass comparative blind taste test would certainly make for a thorough analysis — perhaps Zootooers would like to get to the bottom of this pet food dialogue for the true results?

Would you consider trying these products and perhaps changing the lives of your furry friends? We want to hear from you! Do you have to sacrifice taste to use top notch ingredients? You be the judge. Should you depend on a classic brand or try something different and new? Try them out! Let us know!

Source:zootoo.com

Bertie, a pointer cross breed, swallowed nine golf balls and survived after emergency surgery in Essex, England. (ZT Pet News Photo)

Dog Survives Swallowing Nine Golf Balls, Gun Shot: Bertie is just an average English family pet, but now he has quite the unusual tale. He has survived being shot in the abdomen and eating nine golf balls.

NEW YORK — A typical walk with owners Mark and Michelle Jewell turned into a narrow escape from death for Bertie, a pointer cross breed, in northeast England.

From being playful and perky to looking rather ill, the Jewell family realized Bertie was in trouble and rushed him to the Clarendon House Veterinary Surgery center in County Essex, England. A quick physical exam by Dr. John Matthews showed startling abnormalities in his abdomen and Xrays were ordered as Bertie was admitted.

Astonishingly, Bertie had swallowed nine golf balls.

“We were absolutely flabbergasted when we saw Bertie’s X-ray,” said veterinarian Emily Nittingale. “His stomach could have easily ruptured from the pressure of the golf balls, which could have been fatal.”

Eds. Note: This article is one of four news stories happening right now in the world of pets and animals. Be sure to watch the Zootoo Pet News videocast above to stay current.

Nittingale assisted Matthews in the emergency surgery, which not only removed the nine golf balls, but also a bullet from the fat around Bertie’s stomach.

The Jewels were shocked to learn that Berti had been shot at some point in his life.

“He had no wounds from the gun shot injury so we suspect he had been shot a long time ago and no there is no chance he could have swallowed the bullet as it was outside the stomach,” Nittingale explained in a reply e-mail to ZT Pet News. “And the fact that the bullet miraculously missed his vital internal organs proves just how lucky this brave little chappie has been.”

Since his July 27 surgery, Bertie has been at home recovering and waiting to have his stitches removed. Relieved that Bertie has made such great progress in healing, the family dog will soon be getting the all-clear from the vets.

Bertie’s amazing story highlights the dangers of dogs swallowing potentially harmful objects and also to shotgun wounds, which dogs and cats are occasionally the victims usually accidentally as a result of mistaken identity.

The unusual X-ray, the bullet and the nine balls that were surgically removed will be on display as part of Clarendon House Veterinary Centre’s Open Day held on September 6.

Source:zootoo.com

Holistic Veternarian, Dr. Babette Gladstein combines cutting edge alternative therapies with traditional veternary care to treat animals throughout New York City. (ZT Pet News Photo Courtesy of Babette Gladstein, DVM)

Ex-Stockbroker Revitalizes Vet Care Options: Pets treated by Dr. Babette Gladstein are seeing a new kind of veterinary medicine where patients experience more comprehensive treatment with quicker recovery times from less invasive techniques like the use of prolotherapy.

NEW YORK — Trading in her fast-paced Manhattan life as a stockbroker for a more subdued career in attending to the needs of ailing furry clients, Babette Gladstein is revolutionizing the way ill and injured animals are treated.

By combining the healing power of unconventional techniques with her knowledge of traditional methods, she allows animals less invasive procedures with quicker recovery times.

Babette became a veterinarian — a radical career change — after she was left unfulfilled by Wall Street. She decided to devote her life to bettering the lives of animals by using an alternative treatment modality, after her experience as a former Melanoma cancer researcher.

Babette tells ZT Pet News a little about her holistic practice and the innovative prolotherapy procedure that is helping debilitated animals regain their strength and improve their quality of life.

When in your life did you know you were/are an animal person?

I realized at 7-years-old when I was away at Girl Scout camp, I really missed my pet poodle, Copper. I was very worried about him because he had a cold.

I insisted on going home as I wanted to be with him and nurture him back to health. He was more important to me than anything.

How did that realization change your life?

I made the decision to go home and take care of my pet and even at that young age I realized what makes me happy is caring for animals.

Obviously, my dog meant more to me than the camp, even though I am very athletic and enjoyed camp activities. My life has been greatly enriched by the many pets I have cared for over the years.

Being a seasoned veterinarian, what is your area of expertise?

Alternative medicine and physical therapy; inclusive of acupuncture and prolotherapy for animals.

What type of therapeutic options do you offer clients for their furry loved ones?

Geriatric care, rehabilitative medicine, acupuncture, ultrasound, laser, physical therapy, prolotherapy and alternative medicine.

Why should someone opt for alternative veterinary services along with or in lieu of traditional veterinary care?

It is best to try non-invasive treatments and medical common sense treatments first before medical intervention that has side effects. Unlike many prescriptions drugs, holistic therapies have few side effects, promote overall natural healing, and can help keep your pet pain-free.

While medical intervention is necessary for acute problems; many times alternative methods work better for chronic problems.

What kind of ailments can benefit from your therapies?

Inflammatory bowel (GI) disease, hip dysplasia, Arthritic and Rheumatic joints, ACL and knee problems, chronic bronchitis, urogenital problems, epilepsy, allergies and skin problems.

You frequently work with horses; do these include rescued, retired or injured race horses?

Usually injured race horses, and occasionally I help the pony horses that take the thoroughbreds to the post.

What benefits can a senior pet gain from your geriatric wellness program?

Senior dogs can benefit greatly from a unique wellness regime designed especially for them. Simple lifestyle changes, such as a proper diet, exercise, and physical therapy, can help an older dog feel and perform better in their daily lives and improve their quality of life.

While aging is inevitable, understanding how we can help our dogs age gracefully, can give a whole new meaning to teaching old dogs new tricks.

What is the most common ailment you treat which is preventable?

Inflammatory bowel syndrome and GI disease is preventable.

What ailments is Prolotherapy used to treat?

We use prolotherapy to treat: ligament injuries and/or ligament degeneration. Prolotherapy can help your pet heal in a simple and non-surgical way.

It is useful for pets suffering from: Arthritis Hip Dysplasia and hip laxity and pain (DJD); Anterior Cruciate injury (ACL); ligament injury; Neck pain; back pain; spinal stenosis Inter ventricular disc disease; Chronic tendinitis; Elbow dysplasia; Sprained ankles and wrists; Partially torn tendons-anywhere in the body;Ligaments and cartilage.

How does prolotherapy work?

I have been using prolotherapy — proliferative therapy, regenerative therapy — injections to treat many problems. Prolotherapy, also known as ligament re-constructive therapy, is a recognized orthopedic procedure that non-surgically stimulates the body’s natural healing processes to strengthen joints weakened by trauma or arthritis.

It is important for ligaments and tendons to be strong because they ensure bones and joints are properly held together. Joints weakened when ligaments and tendons are stretched, torn, or fragmented become hyper-mobile and painful.

Traditional approaches with anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery often fail to stabilize the joint and often fail to relieve pain permanently.

Is it an adequate substitute for surgery?

In many cases the answer is yes. It is completely dependent on the patient’s response to prolotherapy. Dr. Dehaan, has been practicing Prolotherapy for close to 20 years and purports a 90 percent success ratio when dealing with ACL, Knee injuries, in dogs.

Since prolotherapy is a relatively non-invasive way of dealing with many ligament and tendon problems it is well worth the try. Needless to say it is far less traumatic for your animal. In humans the techniques have been used successfully for many years.

How has the implementation of this procedure changed the healing process for animals?

Now clients have a viable non-surgical option. We are also capable of combining this technique with the use of stem cells. To further enhance the healing of the problem areas. The technique combined with science is giving our animal’s with many debilitating lameness issues new hope.

Have you, or do you plan on collaborating with other veterinarians who work with prolotherapy?

We are currently accumulating names of Veterinarians around the country doing these procedures, and we will then be able to access the need and interest of other veterinarians to learn more about prolotherapy. As this network develops the intent is to run seminars for Veterinarians some time in the next two years.

What is one tip that all pet owners can do at home to maintain the health of their pets?

Calorie restriction. Obesity is a cause for multiple diseases and calorie restriction is the kindest thing a pet owner can do for their animal.

Dental hygiene. Good dental health is important throughout a dog’s life in order to protect the heart and kidneys.

Pay attention to their pet’s teeth, either by an oral zinc supplement in their water or brush their teeth and maintain dental hygiene. This will prevent the bacteria from migrating to vital organs. Good dental health is a key to longevity.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have Margarita and Jose. They are Toy Hairless Mexican Chihuahuas. Cute as buttons.

What pet have you always wanted to own, but never have?

I was fortunate enough recently to find Margarita and Jose, as I have always wanted a small hairless dog because of my allergies.

What would the animals in your life say about your presence in their lives?

Being a veterinarian, I am fortunate to not only have my own pets, but also have the opportunity to take care of the pets of my clients that I treat.

If they could talk, they would probably tell me what their owners, my clients, say and that is that they see a big difference in their dog’s lives; they feel better and can get on with the care-free life of a dog.

Pets and animals bring what to your life?

Being a veterinarian is my second career. In my prior life I was a stockbroker and in the hectic world of finance. Working with animals brings a tremendous amount of satisfaction and balance to my life.

What can people do to improve the lives of animals?

Open their homes, heart and lives to rescue an animal that needs a forever home.

In you opinion, what is the biggest issue animals face in our global society?

Animal over-population is a crisis. The most important thing you can do is spay and neuter your pets and support your local animal shelters that work hard to put an end to the tragic euthanasia and homelessness of healthy, adoptable animals with spay and neuter programs.

In New York City alone more than 50,000 unwanted and homeless pets a year enter shelters and nationwide between five and seven million.

For more information on Dr. Gladstein’s Veterinary Practice and upcoming projects, visit her Web sites at AnimalAcupuncture.net and ProlotherapyForAnimals.com

Source:zootoo.com

To help stimulate the economy of pet ownership, New York City’s Animal Care and Control is waiving adoption fees for those seeking pet cats. (ZT Pet News Photo by Richard Gentles)

NEW YORK — It’s a deal even the stingiest of New Yorkers couldn’t refuse: a free cat, which arrives home already vaccinated, spayed or neutered and micro-chipped. A complimentary visit to the veterinarian — and a small goody-bag — is also included in the deal.

New York City’s Animal Care and Control started waiving adoption fees for cats over the age of one year about two weeks ago, and will continue to do so through Labor Day, in hopes of finding permanent homes for New York City’s thousands of homeless cats, even amid a troubled economy.

“Other rescue organizations in the country have done this kind of program with some success, as well, and we figured that it would be a great way to raise awareness, to let people know that we do have more cats than homes right now,” explained Richard Gentles, spokesperson for AC&C.

“When you say something is free, it kind of gets people’s attention. That’s what we are trying to do.”

The city continues to keep pace with its abundant number of intakes, even as its euthanasia rates have dramatically decreased over the years, and adoptions continue to steadily incline.

From July 2008 to June 2009, approximately 27,970 cats and kittens entered one of the AC&C’s city shelters, compared to the 25,584 felines it accounted for from July 2004 to June 2005.

AC&C successfully adopted out 16,648 cats this year, marking a sharp increase from the 10,364 cats that found homes from 2004 to 2005, and the 14,421 cats that left the shelter for good last year.

Only 9,805 city cats were put down this past year, a vast improvement from the 13,882 cats euthanized from 2004 to 2005.

Yet the city continues to feel the dwindling economy’s crunch, according to Gentles, even despite the relatively meager $25 adoption fee per cat.

“We have always been challenged by just the sheer number of cats that come into our shelters every year,” Gentles said.

He noted that since the city enacted this new program, adoptions have increased — a trend he expects to continue through the rest of the summer.

“We have had success and I think that this will continue to play out in an even bigger way,” Gentles said. “But we have already seen adoptions pick up. We have a long way to go, since we are running this program through the entire summer. We hope that this will help make a difference.”

New York City’s ASPCA adoption center has traditionally waived fees for cats over the age of three; other major regional shelters, like the Wisconsin Humane Society, in Milwaukee, Wisc., the Kansas Humane Society in Wichita, Kan., the Charleston Animal Society, in Charleston, S.C., and the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, in Westbrook, Me., also continue to offer special promotional deals geared toward cats.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Protection of Animals is among this roster of shelters banking on a recession special, according to Ray Little, director of adoptions.

When adoptive pet parents select one shelter cat, Little says, they receive another free of charge, as a part of the PSPCA’s “Buddy System.”

“We’re not rally calling it a free adoption, but we are encouraging people who are thinking about adoption to consider the benefits of getting their pet a companion,” Little said. “Especially with kittens, they are far less destructive when they have someone there with them all the time to play with — it’s much better than them trying to scratch up your furniture.”

The PSPCA started the program in June. Since then, Little says, approximately 60 percent of adoptive parents have taken home two cats for the price of one: $75 for a kitten under the age of six months, and $50 for a full-grown cat.

The PSPCA has sponsored comparable programs in the past, but temporarily halted them in face of public criticism from other animal shelters, which were “afraid kittens were being used as bait,” Little said.

This year, however, no other animal shelters or rescue groups have spoken out against the program, perhaps because “everyone knows how difficult it is out there, and how important it is to find these animals homes,” Little said.

“We don’t think that this in any way decreases the quality of our adoptions. We continue to scrutinize all prospective owners in order to ensure that a proper match is being made.”

The Humane Society of New York City, on the other hand, is one such organization that remains opposed to waiving adoption fees, according to Sandra DeFeo, the organization’s co-executive director of public relations.

“We have a pretty steady flow of adoptions, but we have a very strict adoption process and we don’t just hand animals out,” DeFeo said. “People have to be thoroughly vetted and we think it’s important that people step up to pay something, to make a donation. Otherwise, how will we be able to ensure that this animal matters enough to people that they will continue to – and have the resources to — pay for all of its needs?”

The Humane Society, a private, no-kill shelter, is continuously at its maximum capacity of around 200 animals, DeFeo said. The summer months have been expectedly busy, she noted, but that factor is not likely to affect the nonprofit’s policy.

“There has to be the right home. There are a lot more animals out there now being turned in by their families who can’t afford to keep them, but we are also confident that people who meet our standards will continue to materialize.”

Source:zootoo.com

(ZT Pet News Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures)

Animal Lovers Worry as ‘G-Force’ Takes Box Office From ‘Potter’: The 3-D feature edged out the reigning Harry Potter film this weekend with the action-packed plot of super hero guinea pigs. The adorable computer-generated characters has animal organizations bracing for an impulse-pet-buying fallout.

NEW YORK — Scurrying past wizards and spells to claim the No. 1 spot in the box office this weekend was Walt Disney’s 3-D “G-Force.”

Opening with $32.2 million, the Jerry Bruckheimer produced film, ousted “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” which brought in $30 million.

But animal welfare and rescue groups are concerned that the film’s success could bring a fallout to the small rodents featured as the highly specialized team of secret agents on a mission of the U.S. government.

“It brings an awareness,” said Jami LoVullo, the American Humane representative who was on set for the filming of “G-Force.” “It brings an appreciation for people to have animals in their minds, to treat them kindly and to have them in their lives, but then, that’s the downside — that people will want them as pets.”

The real-life concern is based on the phenomenon that occurs when major films feature animals as gregarious — albeit professionally trained — animals. In the months following the release of “101 Dalmatians” and “Babe,” the public’s demand for those same breeds was sparked as the new American “must-have” pet.

While purchasing a puppy or potbelly pig might present enough hurdles to some impulse pet seekers, LoVollo is concerned that with guinea pigs price and care misconceptions won’t get people to think it over enough.

“One of the problems is that they are cheaper and people will think that they are easier to take care of,” LoVolla told ZT Pet News. “But they have to be handled daily to keep them tame because they can be really skittish — if you get one as a baby and handle it a lot, he can be tame, yet it does takes a lot of work.”

Being rodents, guinea pigs need to have a special diet to address the constant growth of their teeth, as well as daily grooming for the long-hair varieties. While some might think guinea pigs are much like hamster, which have a lifespan of about two years, guinea pigs grow to be much larger, about 8- to 10-inches long, and can live up to seven years or more.

Like most pets, guinea pigs thrive under constant attention and play time and the little rodents fare much better living in pairs — but any more than two can cause aggression issues.

“The biggest misconception is that they are easy to care for and they are great with children,” LoVollo said of the pet which can cost around $40 a month in food, hay and bedding supplies, as well as needing medical care from only exotic animal veterinarians.

“They are not necessarily biters, but they stress easily, and they wil jump out of your arms — and they are fast movers,” said LoVolla as the reason why homes with children are not ideal for guinea pigs.

“A rat is actually a much better choice,” LoVolla offered as an alternative to families seeking a small pet. “If you get one as a baby, and handle them, they love people, they are very easily trained, and they are really, really smart.”

As for “G-Force,” LoVolla says that the pet shop scene took about two weeks to film to get every angle needed to capture all the pets in their cages. She also said it was the only scene where real guinea pigs were used in the film.

Source:zootoo.com

Dr. Ola Harrysson, engineering professor, works to change the lives of animals and humans with a new prosthetic limb that is fused to the bone. (ZT Pet News Photo)

NEW YORK — Specializing in biomedical implants Dr. Ola Harrysson has revolutionized limb replacement surgeries for animals and hopefully soon, humans. It’s suffice to say that the associate professor in the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at NC State is on the forefront of medical technology.

Partnering with a orthopedic veterinarian from the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ola is working to perfect osseonintegration technology — the process of fusing a prosthetic limb to the bone. Improving the quality of life for amputees, this surgical development is more efficient, comfortable and will help animals, as well as humans who could never before function with artificial limbs.

Ola talks to ZT Pet News about the four animals he has successfully performed the surgery on and how he plans to make this process accessible for animals and eventually humans around the country.

How did you first become involved with prosthetic limb research?

In the Spring 2004, the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little, an orthopedic surgeon, were contacted by the owners of George Bailey. George Bailey was missing both back paws and one of the limbs very fully functional except for the missing paw.

Dr. Marcellin-Little and I were teaching our bio-modeling course for the first time and decided that George Bailey’s case would be a good course project for one of the student groups. Since external prosthetics do not work very well for animals we decided to try to develop an osseointegrated prosthetic instead.

How does your new process of osseointegration differ from traditional limb prosthetic procedures?

Traditional prosthetics are usually referred to as external prosthetics and use a press fit between the socket and the stump. These prosthetics are loose and can easily be taken off by the amputee. Often, a vacuum is used to hold the prosthetic in place.

The osseointegrated prosthetics are directly attached to the bone in the amputated limb and a portion of the implant is breaking the skin barrier. The external prosthetic is then attached to the protruding portion of the osseointegrated implant.

How many years have you worked developing the procedure?

The development for George Bailey started during Spring 2004 and the surgery took place early the following spring. Since then the osseointegrated implant has evolved and three more animals, one cat and two dogs, have received slightly different versions. A fifth patient, a dog, is scheduled to receive a new iteration of the implant later this summer.

George Bailey was the first cat you performed the surgery on, why him?

George Bailey was the first patient that contacted us and that is why he became the first patient to receive the osseointegrated implant.

When could this procedure become mainstream enough for owners to request this for their handicapped pets?

We are currently doing this procedure for animals in the order that they contact us and if we deem them to be good candidates. Each case takes time since we are still fine-tuning the design to improve the outcome and to make the surgery easier and more precise.

The evolution of these osseointegrated prosthetics is close collaboration between the NC State ISE engineers and the surgeons at the vet school. Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little is the main collaborator at the vet school but several other surgeons have been involved as well. It might take a couple of years before this will be considered as a mainstream procedure with a short timeline. We are still conducting research on several aspects of the implant design and the tissue response to try to optimize the outcome.

How could this benefit or extend an amputated pet’s life, versus using a pet-wheel chair?

The osseointegrated prosthetic becomes a part of the pet’s leg and in all cases the animal has been able to ambulate normally using the prosthetic. It is our hope that these animal patients will be able to live a normal life after the procedure and will be able to walk and run like any other pet. The owners still have to be very involved in the process for the procedure to be a success.

Are there any known complications?

There is always a risk of infections that can occur and we are working on solutions to try to minimize this. All patients have had mild infections that have been treated with antibiotics. The skin interface seems to be the weak point but we are currently working on solving these issues.

Because of this innovative procedure, what are the implications for animals, and eventually humans?

We hope to more efficiently help both animal and human patients in the future and give them back the ability to ambulate normally. Even human patients will greatly benefit from these prosthetics since the current external prosthetics have a number of problems and issues that are difficult to solve.

When do you hope to operate on a human subject?

The research team at NCSU is currently collaborating with a research team at Duke Medical Center to be able to bring this to the human patients. Duke, in collaboration with the VA Clinic in Durham, is currently treating a number of soldiers who have returned from combat with missing limbs. It is our intention to be able to help these war veterans, as well.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, both Denis and I have two dogs each.

What pet have you always wanted to own, but never have?

I always wanted to have a monkey but I think that would be a lot of work.

When in your life did you know you were/are an animal person?

I have had different pets growing up so I have always been an animal person.

How did that realization change your life?

The biggest change in my life came when I joined the faculty at NCSU ISE and started to collaborate with Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little at the vet school. Our first project together started in Spring 2002 when a German Shepherd arrived at the vet school with severely deformed hind legs. Using medical imaging technology and medical modeling technologies we reconstructed the skeleton of the dogs back legs, which allowed Dr. Marcellin-Little to plan and rehearse the corrective surgery.

The outcome of that case was a success and since then, we have collaborated on a large number of cases where we have managed to help animal patients. We are also conducting research that is not currently helping particular patients, but in the future these research projects may change the way we treat both animals and humans with certain deformities or illnesses.

What is one thing others can do to improve the lives of animals?

Adopt pets from animal shelters and take good care of them.

For the animals in your life what would they say about your presence in their lives?

I am sure that the pets that we help are happy that we are around and that we care about their well-being.

In your opinion, what is the biggest issue animals face in our global society?

To have a pet is a great responsibility and many people don’t realize that. Animal shelters around the world are full of pets that people don’t want anymore. Many pets are left alone and have to fight for themselves to survive when the owners get tired of their responsibilities.

Many pets and animals are being mistreated or abused for no reason. I think we need to take better care of our animal friends and make sure that we don’t take on a responsibility that we can’t handle. Many of the animals that we have helped over the years have come from animal shelters.

Source:zootoo.com

The book cover, above, is one example of the friendship of cats and dogs featured in Kim Levin and Christine Monatquila’s latest work, “Frenemies: Cats, Dogs and Lessons in Getting Along.” (ZT Pet News Photo Courtesy of Stuart, Tabori & Chang)

Dog-Cat Relationship Book Gives Lessons on Love: Zootoo Pet News takes a look at the newly released book “Frenemies: Cats, Dogs and Lessons in Getting Along.” Through charming photos and timeless adages about life, this coffee table book doesn’t just give insight into the dynamics between cats and dogs, but lessons for us all.

NEW YORK — Tom chases Jerry and it’s an endless adversarial conflict that quite is often what people think of when considering the relationship between dogs and cats — but savvy pet owners know the truth.

In shared households around the world, cats and dogs often play together, eat together and snuggle together. While it may take small, initial adjustments, two of man’s most loyal friends, cats and dogs, are actually capable of getting along better than many think.

Photographer Kim Levin and author Christine Monatquila combine endearing black and white photos of pet pairs with quirky quotes about life in their latest coffee table book,“Frenemies: Cats, Dogs and Lessons in Getting Along.” Giving an inside look at the bond that these animals share with each other, “Frenemies” brings a lighthearted twist to human relationship lessons.

Levin, creator of 17 other pet portrait books — including “Cattitude” and “PhoDOGraphy” — manages to capture the unique personalities and natural spirit of animals which few can bring to life on film.

Advocating for animals and donating her services to groups like the ASPCA and Petfinder.com, she has now expanded her photography business to include children and families. Her most recent venture being her animal inspired greeting card line, “Molly and Fig” for which she also collaborated with Monatquila.

Monatquila who first used her witty sayings for her “Naughty Betty” greeting card line has struck a balance with her clever quips and Levin’s sophisticated pet photos — proving that if cats and dogs can get along, so can the rest of us.

ZT Pet News give “Frenemies” a furry 5 paws up not only because of the beautiful animal photography displayed but because everyone can relate to the catchy words of wisdom that fill the pages. So whether you need a gift for a fellow animal lover or just a charming book to have around the house, “Frenemies” will bring a smile (or a purr) to everyone who reads it!

In addition, we highly recommend the duo’s amusing and equally witty greeting card line “Molly and Fig,” which is appropriate for all ages and has plenty of styles for every occasions.

“Frenemies” and a plethora other books by these authors are available online and at various stores across the country. For more information on the photography and “Molly and Fig” greeting cards, visit KimLevin.com and CalypsoCards.com.

Source:zootoo.com

Dozens of white ringneck doves were rescued from the wild this week in Queens and are slated to be up for adoption in the coming days and weeks. (ZT Pet News Photo by Jennifer Chong)

Dozens of Doves Dumped in Queens Seek Homes: The domestic white ringneck doves could have been released after a wedding ceremony over the weekend, rescuers say. Unable to survive in the wild, the now-injured birds are slowly being caught by animal organizations.

NEW YORK — They are traditionally symbols of peace, but the dozens of abandoned white ringneck doves appeared anything but tranquil as they squatted together, soaked and injured, in front of the Hall of Science in Flushing, Queens, earlier this week.

Animal rescue organizers say the 40 to 45 birds were likely released following a wedding ceremony in the area. Seventeen of them have been rescued and are being treated for various medical issues, including infections and hypothermia.

“I’m sure the people who did this don’t understand, that they were trying to celebrate something beautiful and good, but when they are doing something like this, they are only causing pain, anguish and suffering to animals,” explained P.J. McKofsky, a volunteer with Empty Cages Collective, a nonprofit organization that is helping to care for the doves.

“People treating animals like they are party favors is just not humane.”

White homing pigeons are more commonly released at wedding ceremonies, as the birds possess wildlife instincts and, given the proper conditions, are generally able to fly home. White ringneck doves, on the other hand, are heavily domesticated animals, unable to fend for themselves outside a caged setting.

“White ringneck doves have been selectively bred for generation after generation, kept in captivity,” McKofsky told Zootoo Pet News. “Despite what people may think, these animals really do not belong out in the open like this, and it presents real problems for them when that does happen.”

A passerby first noticed the birds on Saturday, July 25, while he was walking his dog off-leash around the Queens park. The dog attacked one of the birds, which was perched on the ground, and was later brought to New York City’s Animal Care and Control facilities. AC&C was alerted to the presence of more birds — estimated to be around 45 at the time — perched together on the ground and in surrounding trees.

Jennifer Chong, a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist, is one of the individuals who has taken part in the ongoing rescue of the doves.

“It was dark and raining, and using flashlights we were able to rescue 10 of the birds on the ground, huddled by the base of some trees,” Chong recalled of the Monday evening rescue mission. “There were two perched on tree branches, and we were able to grab them, but others were not visible in the darkness.”

People continued to scan the scene for additional abandoned birds, and have since rescued an additional eight doves — one of which later died from a maggot-ridden infection. Several of the birds remain with Chong, who frequently cares for rescued animals — including pigeons — in her Flushing, Queens, apartment.

Some of the birds continue to suffer from medical ailments, but others are improving rapidly, say McKofsky and Chong, who are now looking for foster — and potentially permanent homes — for the birds. They say the animals will be posted on Petfinder.com in the coming days and weeks.

Remaining doves are still at large, as rescue organizers continue to search for them throughout the week.

“Initially, the birds that I have appear(ed) to be looking very sort of lethargic, and bedraggled from the rain, but they have really improved over the last day or so,” said Chong, noting that she has not yet named the animals. “They definitely have their own personalities, though, you can just tell that some are quieter and some are more outgoing than others.”

McKofsky says he has not seen a white ringneck dove rescue of this scale in New York City before, but that he is not surprised, given the birds’ accessibility and convenience. They can be purchased in most pet stores for around $15 to $20, in contract to homing pigeons, which run from $200 to $500.

“It’s just like anything else, you can readily find these animals from breeders or many pet stores,” McKofsky said. “They are cheap, and it’s unfortunate that people think that because it doesn’t cost very much to buy them, their lives aren’t valuable, as a result.”

But according to White Doves Release Professionals, an industry group that provides guidelines to humane bird release practices, the use of homing pigeons in ceremonial releases does not ensure a safe and humane procedure, either.

Homing pigeons, which are double the size of white ringneck doves and have black eyes, as opposed to the doves’ red, must have enough time to get home before sunset. They cannot fly in poor weather conditions, and should only fly in areas with which they are familiar.

The organization also includes a list of organizations and companies in the U.S. and Canada that adhere to their guidelines.

The release of birds is not illegal, but McKofsky says cases like this one have prompted Empty Cages Collective, a Brooklyn-based organization, to consider pushing for city or state regulations on the practice.

“It’s definitely something that needs to be looked at,” he said. “This is truly an abandonment case. In our mind, if you can’t legally dump a Golden Retriever in the woods with no food and water, you shouldn’t be able to do that for 50 or so birds that are just as dependent on human beings.”

To foster or adopt one of the rescued white ringneck doves, visit Empty Cages Collective at EmptyCagesCollective.Petfinder.com, e-mail EmptyCagesCollective@gmail.com or call 800-880-2624.

Source:zootoo.com