∙SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

Two upcoming clinics are Thursday, May 30th at SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main) and another on Thursday, June 6th at the Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036.

Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.

∙Humane Society Open House Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Ventura County

Stop by the Humane Society of Ventura County on June 8 and help celebrate its 87 years of nonprofit service to the animals of Ventura County.

The HSVC’s Open House & Birthday Bash will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at its Ojai shelter facility, at 402 Bryant St.

Get a behind-the-scenes peek at its facility, participate in the barking or meowing contest, tour the kennels, meet the staff, and learn about different volunteer opportunities. Visitors also will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Christina Sisk, the HSVC’s new director of veterinarian services, and tour the state-of-the-art spay and neuter clinic.

The HSVC’s Humane Officers will be on hand to give a look at the responsibilities and duties involved in protecting animals throughout the county. And Firefly Ceramics will be back with their Tiles for Tails program, where participants paint tiles to be permanently displayed at the shelter, for a $25 donation.

Of course, a visit to the shelter would not be complete without the main attraction — the animals.

∙The Iowa State Veterinarian confirmed “multiple” cases of canine brucellosis, a disease that can be transmitted from infected dogs to humans and other animals.

The disease originated at a small dog commercial breeding facility in Marion County, the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship said in a statement.

The animals and the facility are quarantined as dogs undergo testing, the department said.

While the threat to pet owners is low, “dog breeders, veterinary staff and anyone who comes in contact with blood, tissues and fluids during the birthing process may be at higher risk and should consult their primary physician,” the department said.

Human infection from the disease is rare. It requires close contact with infected dogs. Infections cause flu-like symptoms — including fever and back pain — as well as joint pain. Rarely, the university said, cases can involve the nervous system, eyes or heart.

This is just one more reason to adopt and not shop.

∙Red Cross has Online Course and App for Cat and Dog Owners and dog walkers to take to help provide emergency care until veterinary help is available.

“Pet lovers will learn what to do if their cat or dog is choking, has a wound or needs CPR,” said Russ Huge, Interim Executive Director of the Central Valley chapter. “They will also learn how to include their pet in their family’s emergency preparedness plans.”

People can access the course on their desktop or tablet at redcross.org/catdogfirstaid and go through the content at their own pace. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the course. The interactive course includes:

How to determine a pet’s normal vital signs so that owners can notice if there are any irregularities;

Step-by-step instructions and visual aids for what to do if a pet is bleeding, having a seizure or is suffering from heatstroke; and

Information on preventative care, health and tips for a pet’s well-being.

The app helps owners learn what emergency supplies to have, when they should contact their veterinarian, and where to find a pet care facility or pet-friendly hotel. Users learn how to assemble a pet first aid kit and an emergency kit. Step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more than 25 common first aid and emergency situations.

The Pet First Aid App can be downloaded by texting ‘GETPET’ to 90999, by going to redcross.org/apps, or by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in app stores.

∙National Police Dog Foundation (right around the corner) is pleased to announce that Peter Fehler is now the Executive Director of the Foundation.

Peter has been helping the Foundation for the last two years with marketing and fundraising. He has been instrumental in the recent growth of the Foundation and in the Foundation’s ability to improve the lives of law enforcement K-9s across the nation.

Peter has over 20 years of consulting and nonprofit growth experience. He will focus on expanding existing services and introducing new services to be offered by the Foundation.

∙The Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is happy to have a member of their team back home after what they called a ‘senseless shooting.’

K-9 Kilo was discharged from the North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital Monday afternoon after he was shot. Authorities said the shooting happened after Kilo escaped his enclosure.

He was rushed to the North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital where he underwent surgery to his leg.

During the three-hour surgery, lead surgeon Andrea Tomas, placed a permanent stainless-steel plate and pin in Kilo’s femur and removed bullet pieces, according to the NC State Veterinary Hospital. Thomas said it appears the bullet hit the bone directly and shattered, leading to extensive soft tissue damage.

Tomas said that Kilo did well after the surgery and was awake, alert and aware of his surroundings on Friday morning.

He will head back to NC State in eight weeks for a check-up and if all is well, Kilo’s handler can start slowly re-introducing him back to work, Tomas said.

Authorities are still searching for the person or person responsible for the shooting. There is a $2,000 reward leading to an arrest in the case.

∙The Canine Companions For Independence Valley to Sea Chapter encompasses puppy raisers and volunteers in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

If you’re looking for deeper engagement as a Canine Companions volunteer, we encourage you to get involved with them. The Valley to Sea Chapter is an extension of the Southwest Regional Training Center. They work to raise awareness, recruit new puppy raisers and volunteers and support one another’s work on behalf of the Canine Companions’ mission.

They are a lively network filled with opportunities for social engagement, from puppy classes to fundraisers. Beyond the satisfaction of doing good work for Canine Companions, lifelong friendships are often formed among chapter members. If you are interested in more information go to http://www.cci.org.

Founded in 1975 the assistance dogs they breed, raise and train aren’t just the ears, hands and legs of their human partners. They’re also goodwill ambassadors and often, their best friends. They open up new opportunities and new possibilities and spread incredible joy. They unite people with dogs in a powerful program that leads to greater independence and confidence.

∙SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

Two clinics in May are: Thursday, May 23rd at Sheills Park, in the parking lot, located at 649 C St., Fillmore,  and another one in the SPAN Thrift Store parking lot in Ventura at 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main) on Thursday, May 30th. Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.

The National Police Dog Foundation (located in our backyard)is pleased to announce it will be co-hosting the 2nd Annual Police K-9 Memorial Service on May 11th to be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. The Foundation will be hosting a luncheon following the ceremony at the nearby DC FOP Lodge.

∙The anti-vaccine movement has come for pets.

In fact, the spreading fear of side effects from pet vaccines led the British Veterinary Association to issue a statement that dogs cannot develop autism from them.

Doctor Raelynn Farnsworth with the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine echoes this for all pets.

“I do hear people that come into the office and say, ‘Well, I don’t believe in vaccines or I think vaccines cause problems,'” Dr. Farnsworth said. “We do hear the autism claim in humans and so what does it do to their pets. There are studies out there that we are seeing a decline in animal visits to the veterinarians. Mostly that’s based on people’s perception that their pet doesn’t like the vet, so they don’t take them. ”

She said it’s important to vaccinate your pets for their well-being, and the well-being of all pets.

“If enough animals are vaccinated it puts animals that are at risk for medical reasons or age reasons can’t get vaccinated, they’re less likely to get sick from the diseases if the general population is vaccinated,” Dr. Farnsworth said. Not only that, but she said the risk of these diseases, and treatment for them, outweigh any potential side effects.

“Most of the diseases we vaccinate against we do so because they’re pretty detrimental to the pet,” Dr. Farnsworth said. “Like with the parvovirus, they can die if left untreated and pets did die before the vaccine was available in large numbers.”

So what vaccines does your pet need and how often should they get them?

Dr. Farnsworth said there are “core vaccines” recommended for all pets. But your vet will make recommendations based on your pet’s health and lifestyle.

In general, dogs or cats should be vaccinated after they’re 12 weeks old, which is good for one year. Some vets will do a rabies vaccine that’s good for three years. This is given to your pet when once they’re at least 15 months old.

The size of your pet doesn’t affect the vaccine dose. It’s just one dose per animal.

The Best Friends Animal Society 2020 calendar cover cuties are Fly, Swim, and Hike! You can get your own calendar by making a membership gift of $25 or more.
Your gift will bring it closer to the day when no cat or dog is killed simply because they don’t have a safe place to call home. And closer to creating a no-kill country by 2025. Working together with shelters, other animal welfare organizations and you, we will save them all.

A leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in collaboration with its nationwide network of members and partners working to Save Them All. For more information and to buy a calendar go to https://support.bestfriends.org.

Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) seeks participants, visitors, and of course, dog lovers of all ages for its 22nd Annual Pooch Parade! This event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 5 at Ventura Beach Promenade Park.

In addition to the parade, there will be races, pet-related vendors and displays, food, live music, beer and wine, demos, a silent auction and fun contests. And the Ventura Breeze booth where you can pick up a tennis ball for your pet.

As the benefit’s main fundraiser, the Pooch Parade is a scenic round-trip walk along the Ventura Beach Promenade, starting at 10 a.m. Entry fees are $40 with pre-registration for individuals (ends May 1); $45 the day of event (8:30-9 a.m.), or $50 for dog teams (more than one walker in the group).

Registration forms are available online at poochparade.org. T-shirts will be given to the first 250 entrants.

A Silent Auction featuring hundreds of special items will be held on-site from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Proceeds will help pay for supplies and medical care for dogs and puppies in C.A.R.L.’s Second Chance Program.

C.A.R.L is a non-profit, Ventura County-based organization almost entirely run by volunteers..

Rescued dogs awaiting adoption are boarded at their large Pet Care Center in Santa Paula.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit poochparade.org or carldogs.org.

Christina Sisk, DVM, is the new director of veterinary services at the Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC). Hired in March, Sisk joins the HSVC team to oversee its low-cost spay and neuter clinic and the general well-being of all the animals in the HSVC’s care, making sure every animal at its shelter in Ojai is properly vaccinated and receiving necessary treatment. Sisk also will provide leadership for the clinic staff, ensure that quality medicine is delivered, and make sure that regulatory compliance of veterinary medicine is practiced. A native of McHenry, Illinois, Sisk attended the University of Illinois, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences in 2000 and completed veterinary school in 2004.

The HSVC is focused this year on raising community awareness about its spay and neuter clinic as well as increasing capacity to perform low-cost surgeries. Research has continuously shown that areas with strong spay and neuter programs, along with community support, have dramatically reduced shelter populations.

SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

First two clinics in May are: Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Thursday, May 9th, and  another one on Thursday, May 23rd at Shiells Park, in the parking lot, located at 649 C St., Fillmore, 93015. Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.

May is National BARKE SALE Month! The Canines-N-Kids Foundation (CNK), a nonprofit working to put an end to the cancers kids and man’s best friend both develop, is encouraging youth across the nation to host a BARKE SALE and is providing a tool kit with step-by-step instructions. Using the traditional bake sale model, a BARKE SALE enables anyone to raise awareness and funds for cancer and the development of better medicines and a cure for both by offering tasty pet and people treats.

The Foundation offers a free BARKE SALE kit containing flyers, postcards and a step-by-step instruction guide. Or, for a small fee, there is a new “BARKE SALE in a Box,” a turnkey toolkit which includes everything from the online kit as well as cookie cutters, a poster, recipes, stickers and more. Groups interested in holding a BARKE SALE need to register on the Foundation’s web site—www.CaninesNKids.org—to receive their supplies.

Funds raised through a BARKE SALE will support the Foundation’s work to promote the promising science of comparative oncology – studying and treating spontaneously developing cancer in canine patients when they get sick.

The Canines-N-Kids Foundation is a recognized charitable nonprofit committed to finding a cure to the devastating cancers that canines and children face in common.

∙Twenty-six animals from the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) were transported to a rescue in Northern California. SPARC, a no-kill, non-profit animal shelter, has been receiving so many stray and surrendered animals since the beginning of 2019 that the shelter had run out of space and adoptions were not keeping up with animal intakes.

A generous business, Holt Transport, which usually shuttles horses statewide, provided a huge horse trailer and driver for free and donations from SPARC supporters covered the rest of the costs.

“The community came together to help us get our animals to rescue to free-up space for the new animals arriving. Transporting animals is always an emotional time for the staff, but it was the best choice for the animals,” said SPARC Executive director Nicky Gore-Jones.

Eight big dogs, two little dogs, 10 cats and six rabbits made up the roster of transported animals and all arrived safely, ready to luxuriate in the green grass of Fortuna, California, where their new rescue home is located. Due to stricter spay and neuter laws, Humboldt County has fewer strays so the rescue organization there is able to find homes for SPARC’s rescued animals faster than homes could be found in Ventura County, Gore-Jones said.

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center’s no-kill mission is to give every animal arriving at the shelter a second chance at life. SPARC relies heavily on donations from the public to provide food, shelter and medical care for every single animal arriving. Donations can be made at www.santapaulaarc.org/donate.

∙By Nicole Karlis

Human sociologists have been long fascinated by the “nature versus nurture” debate over human behavior — meaning, whether human behavior is determined by the environment, or by their genes, or a mix.

Though it may sound unconventional to apply this debate to dogs, researchers from Michigan State University published a study in the Journal of Research in Personality asking whether dogs have fixed personalities or if they change during their lives. The findings have implications for the unproven aphorism that pet owners come to resemble their dogs, and vice-versa.

“When humans go through big changes in life, their personality traits can change. We found that this also happens with dogs – and to a surprisingly large degree,” said William Chopik, professor of psychology at Michigan State University and lead author of the study. “We expected the dogs’ personalities to be fairly stable because they don’t have wild lifestyle changes like humans do, but they actually change a lot.”

The research is the largest study of its kind that sought to examine changes in dogs’ personalities. Chopik and his collaborators surveyed owners of more than 1,600 dogs, inquiring after their dogs’ personalities and their own. The mix of the 1,600 dogs included 50 different breeds; approximately 50 percent were purebreds. Researchers found correlations in three areas: age and personality, the effect a dog’s personality has on the quality of its relationship with its owner, and human-to-dog personality similarities. Interestingly, researchers also found a “sweet spot” for training a dog: at the age of six.

This finding seems to have caught the attention of researchers the most. Chopik argues that learning more about personality changes in dogs can help researchers learn more about personality changes in humans — as well as other species. For dogs, Chopik says, researchers have a good understanding of their genetic history and environment, which makes this easier to test. Obviously, that is not the case for humans.

“Say you adopt a dog from a shelter. Some traits are likely tied to biology and resistant to change, but you then put it in a new environment where it’s loved, walked and entertained often. The dog then might become a little more relaxed and sociable,” Chopik said. “Now that we know dogs’ personalities can change, next we want to make strong connection to understand why dogs act — and change — the way they do.”

∙Three more New Year’s resolutions for the pet buddy:

I will provide my pet with exercise as appropriate to her breed, physical condition and personality. I will move in concert with my pet, understanding that movement for me is as healthy as it is for her. With my dog, I will try to increase her walking time by 10 percent from last year. With my cat, I will invest in interactive toys that can get her leaping and climbing as I am moving the toy around for her.

I will play with my pet every day. We will run around together, chase a ball together, whip a fishing pole toy around together, run around an obstacle course together, and share in the joy that comes from play. I will remember that sharing play with cats and dogs is one of the reasons we humans love them so, and one of the reasons they love us.

I will show my pet the love and care that he deserves. I will be sensitive to his medical needs, his behavioral needs, his play and enrichment needs, and his need for loving contact. I will remember that while my pet is lucky to have me to care for him, I am equally lucky to share my life with him.

∙SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

Clinic will be at the Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Thursday, April 4th. Please call to schedule an appointment(805) 584-3823.

∙Hill’s Pet Nutrition is adding Science Diet and Prescription Diet varieties to its product recall.

They may also have toxic levels of vitamin D as other products did in a previous recall.

Hill’s says consumers should stop feeding the food to their dogs and return it for a refund.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is expanding on its nationwide recall of canned dog food with potentially toxic levels of vitamin D. It took the action after saying it had received “a limited number of complaints of pet illnesses” related to additional products.

The expansion is the result of the same vitamin premix received from a U.S. supplier that caused its prior recall at the end of January.

“We believe that hundreds, if not thousands, of pets have died or become seriously ill as a result of eating Hill’s foods with toxic levels of vitamin D,” stated Nyran Rose Rasche, a Chicago-based attorney with Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel, which filed a class action against Hill last month.

Caitlin Gibson, a features reporter at The Washington Post, in early February tweeted that her dog had died after consuming prescription food from Hill’s and had displayed symptoms of vitamin D poisoning.

∙Jackie Rose has been selected as the new director of the county Animal Services Department. The appointment was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers following a search which included strong internal and external candidates. Rose will be relocating from the state of Washington to assume her duties.

Rose has 12 years of executive experience in animal services. She served as the Executive Director for the Addison County Humane Society in Middlebury, Vermont; the Executive Director for the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hyde Park, New York; and for the last three and a half years, she has been the Director of Animal Services for Multnomah County Animal Service in Portland, Oregon.

Rose will oversee the County’s two animal shelters – one in Camarillo and one in Simi Valley – that care for more than 10,000 animals every year. The department also provides public education, animal cruelty investigations, immunizations and other activities for animals and their owners. Animal Services is staffed by more than 75 County employees and a large and passionate volunteer organization.

Rose, 57, is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and will start her new position at a salary of $175,681.

∙By Hanna Netisingha

A treatment approach that has been in practice in human medicine for decades is now offered for dogs at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana.

Dr. Tisha Harper, a veterinary surgeon who specializes in orthopedics and physical rehabilitation therapy, says platelet-rich plasma joins a host of treatment options—ranging from surgery to rehab to pain medications—for conditions such as osteoarthritis in dogs.

“Every care plan is tailored individually to the patient,” she says. “Just as with human patients, what might work well for one pet may not necessarily be the best thing for another pet. We explore many options when choosing the best treatment for each individual case.”

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is derived from the patient’s own blood. Veterinarians process the plasma so that it has a higher-than-usual concentration of platelets. “The plasma contains growth factors and proteins that may accelerate the healing of tendons and ligaments and may promote regeneration of cartilage or bone,” says Dr. Harper.

PRP injections can decrease pain associated with arthritis by reducing inflammation in the joints. They may also help tendon or ligament injuries heal. Patients with chronic, slow, or non-healing wounds may also benefit from PRP.

Platelet-rich plasma is prepared by drawing blood from the patient. The amount of blood is dependent on how big the dog is and how severe the injury is. Once the blood is drawn, it is either filtered in order to capture the platelets, or it is centrifuged in order to separate the plasma from the erythrocytes. Both of these processes will provide the veterinarian with plasma that contains all the necessary elements.

This treatment usually takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete. It is something that can be done at your veterinarian’s office in one day. For many patients, platelet-rich plasma is a one-time treatment; some patients, however, may need additional treatments. After a patient is treated with PRP, it may be necessary to restrict movement, but only for a couple of days. Afterward, there are no restrictions on movement or activity.

“It’s easy to think that pets naturally slow down as they get older,” says Dr. Harper. And while that may be true, she points out that the underlying problem may be osteoarthritis. “More often than not, our pets slow down due to painful arthritic joints,” she says.

Younger pets also suffer from osteoarthritis. For this reason, pet owners should be vigilant about noticing changes in their pet’s behavior and how the pet moves around. Luckily, whether the dog is young or old, treatments are available to improve the quality of life in pets with joint or lameness issues.

In addition to PRP, surgical treatment, weight loss, physical rehabilitation therapy, laser therapy, and simple pain relief medications can be effective options depending on the individual patient.

“Whatever approach is selected, pet owners need to be consistent and diligent about carrying out the recommended protocol in order for it to benefit their pet,” says Dr. Harper. The rehabilitation process depends on consistency in the treatments.

∙SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

Two Clinics in March: Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Thursday, March 21st, and seco in the SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main) on Thursday, March 28th. Please call to schedule an appointment 805-584-3823.

∙While two of the train cars that comprise Carlee’s Train Wreck were miraculously unharmed during the Thomas Fire in December 2017, one car was destroyed and had to be carefully removed, leaving an empty footprint in its place. Finding a replacement was imperative for veteran Search Teams and canine candidates to continue preparing for this type of industrial disaster, an indispensable part of their training for real-world scenarios.

Thanks to our friends at Fillmore & Western Railway, a new passenger compartment car was located in Salinas and on Wednesday, January 9, the logistically difficult journey began down Interstate 5. After hundreds of miles and a few tire blow outs SDF received word that the train car was about to begin its ascent up Wheeler Canyon Road. When the ground finally dried out from recent storms, the car was officially placed on January 30 in Industrial Park at the top of the campus, once again completing Carlee’s Train Wreck!

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, 6800 Wheeler Canyon Road, Santa Paula (even though is seems like Ventura).

∙Dear Sheldon:

Good news is that Xena (missing dog from last issue) was located and has been returned to her rightful person.  Words are inadequate to explain Xena’s joy when she was returned.  Xena was beside herself with joy and love and could not get close enough to Nancy or get enough of being again with her.

Thank you very much for publishing Xena’s Lost Flyer in the Ventura Breeze.  Often it takes a village to find a lost dog.  Thank you and Ventura Breeze for always doing your part to be of service to this community and to help this community become a better, kinder place to live.

I just learned last night that Marie Callendar’s on Victoria has closed.  Maybe this explains the reason that though I made three separate trips to the usual Ventura Breeze paper stand where I always pick up the paper, no papers had been left and instead the box was full of trash paper.  I am glad to see copies of Ventura Breeze have been left at my vet’s office—East Ventura Animal Hospital way out on the east end of Telephone.

Betty Okrent

∙Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships is happy to announce the expansion of the Camino Real Dog Park. A need arose for a space that would provide smaller dogs their own space, separate from larger breeds. After considering two possible expansion areas to provide the most room, the park was expanded outward adding a 70’ by 70’ area. This additional 4,900 square feet of room allows for small dogs to run and play.

Pamela Hazard and her dog Shula have been two enthusiastic supporters of the project through the whole process. “It definitely fills a need for smaller dogs. Everyone who has used it has been so appreciative,” said Pamela. Now that the expansion is complete, many small dogs and their owners are enjoying the extra space to play. For more information contact Tom Martin, Parks Manager at [email protected].

∙For years, we’ve heard that dogs can be good for human physical and mental health in part because the canines’ need for exercise gets their sluggish human companions out of the house for a walk at least a couple times a day.

University of Pennsylvania researchers point out that those walks sometimes end in broken bones and trips to the emergency room for older dog walkers. They estimate that nationally, the number of dog-walking fractures in people aged 65 and older more than doubled between 2004 and 2017, from 1,671 to 4,396. During that period, the number of older adults increased by 10 percent or 4.6 million. Because the team’s data included only people seen in emergency rooms, the researchers believe there likely are more dog-walking-related fractures than they were able to count.

∙ New Year’s resolutions for the pet owner

I will provide a treat or toy when I leave the house or crate my pet as a “consolation prize” for having to be without me.

I will practice sit/stay with my pet, and I will practice in places and situations where I may really need her to sit and stay. For example, I will practice this in the car when I open the door and before letting her out and at the front door before we go out for a walk. If my cat has the habit of jumping into my lap and spilling my morning coffee, I will practice teaching her to sit when she comes up to me so that I will have the chance to put my coffee to the side before inviting her up.

I will turn my pet’s grooming needs at home into training sessions, using his favorite treats or toys to reward him for letting me brush him, bathe him or clip his nails. If my pet has more complicated grooming needs, I will invest in grooming services with a reputable and certified pet groomer.

∙Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives re-introduced a bill that would make malicious acts of animal cruelty a felony nationwide. A person convicted of the crime could face a fine or up to seven years in prison, or both.

The bill, known as the Preventing Animal Cruel and Torture (PACT) Act, is co-sponsored by Democrat Ted Deutch and Republican Vern Buchanan. PACT would criminalize “crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating and impaling animals.” The measure would also address bestiality and other attempts to sexually exploit animals.

The legislation contains exceptions for hunting, veterinary care, and actions necessary to protect life or property from a serious threat from an animal.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund supports the measure, noting that while most states consider certain acts of animal cruelty a felony, some penalties are still considered misdemeanors. The bill earned 284 bipartisan co-sponsors and more than 200 law enforcement endorsements in the previous session of Congress.

∙Larger-brained dogs outperform smaller dogs on measures of executive functions—a set of cognitive processes that are necessary for controlling and coordinating other cognitive abilities and behaviors. In particular, bigger dogs have better short-term memory and self-control than smaller ones, according to the study in Animal Cognition.

“The jury is out on why, necessarily, brain size might relate to cognition,” says lead study author Daniel Horschler, an anthropology doctoral student and member of the University of Arizona’s Arizona Canine Cognition Center. “We think of it as probably a proxy for something else going on, whether it’s the number of neurons that matters or differences in connectivity between neurons. Nobody’s really sure yet, but we’re interested in figuring out what those deeper things are.”

Canine brain size does not seem to be associated with all types of intelligence, however. Horschler found that brain size didn’t predict a dog’s performance on tests of social intelligence, which the researchers measured by testing each dog’s ability to follow human pointing gestures. It also wasn’t associated with a dog’s inferential and physical reasoning ability.

The study’s findings mirror what scientists have previously found to be true in primates—that brain size is associated with executive functioning, but not other types of intelligence.

Horschler’s study uses data from more than 7,000 purebred domestic dogs from 74 different breeds. Breed standards offered estimates of brain size.

∙By Beth Mueller

Acne plagues many teenagers and even adults, but did you know that animals get pimples too? Dr. Jason Pieper, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sees a few cases of pet acne every year.

Acne occurs when a hair follicle becomes plugged. Hair follicles lie within the skin. They cradle the root of a hair shaft, which grows out of the middle of the follicle, and supply the hair with protective oils from attached glands.

The chin is the most common location for acne in dogs and cats. Sometimes the acne can be seen around the lips and muzzle. It may appear red, brown, or black (like a blackhead), or it may look like pustules (pimples).

One theory is that the acne is a result of damage to the hair follicle, for example, when the pet drinks water from its bowl and repeatedly bumps its chin. A damaged hair follicle may become plugged with oils.

To treat acne, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. The chin and muzzle area are often wet from drinking, which can predispose that area to reoccurring acne. Pet owners can use a washcloth to gently clean the area.

New Year’s resolutions for the pet owner.

I will schedule my pet’s yearly wellness exam with her veterinarian. I will ensure that my pet remains up to date on her vaccinations and invest in another year of flea, tick and heartworm preventative for her.

I will speak with my veterinarian about the healthiest diet for my pet and work to feed him a high-quality diet. I will avoid overfeeding him, understanding that obesity in dogs and cats leads to many health problems and a reduced quality of life.

I will give my pet an informal in-home exam every month, being sure to look inside her ears, examine her eyes for discharge or other changes, lift her tail to ensure she has a clean and healthy rear end, and pet her carefully all over to check for lumps, bumps or wounds. I will contact my veterinarian promptly if I notice anything new or amiss.

I will invest in new toys for my pet. Even though he chews most of them up, I will find a way to incorporate chew toys into my budget if these are his favorite. When I cannot meet his demand for chew toys, I will invest in puzzle toys, activity feeders, bones and other enrichment items that allow him to chew and destroy without breaking the bank.

I will clean up after my pet so that her litterbox or yard is clean and free of feces.

I will practice calling my pet to come for a treat at least once a day, using a clear and happy voice and calling by name (“Fido, Come!”) I will try this from various rooms in the house and also the yard, and will practice more often if I notice he does not reliably come when called. I will remember that cats can learn to come when called, too, and will save my cat’s favorite treats or toys to be delivered when I call him to me.

REWARD LOST DOG.

XENA – Black, medium sized Shepherd mix 5 years old.
Wearing red collar with her license and tag with Xena and phone# 805-207-0235.
If you see her, please contact
Nancy Broadhead 805-207-0235
or
Cappi Patterson 805-766-5920

∙SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

Three Clinics in February: Oxnard Performing Arts Center, on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. Located at 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard and the third in the SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main) on Thursday, February 28th.

Please call to schedule an appointment 805-584-3823.

∙On Thursday, February 7, a three-year old birthday party was held for Sir Charles. The party was held at Rincon Brewery and featured music by Kirby Ali, a raffle and a special birthday cake. Charles is a Bernese Mountain Dog certified therapy dog at Kids & Families Together. Charles roams around the office and loves greeting people especially the kids who can sit on him, pull his tail and some can even ride him around.

Kids & Families Together is one of the county’s leading contractors providing services to children and families within Ventura County’s child welfare system. The not-for-profit organization was founded in January 2000 by David and Faith Friedlander, along with other passionate community members with the purpose of providing services to families that have come together through adoption, kinship care (most often grandparents raising grandchildren) and/or foster (now called resource) care.

To learn more about Kids & Families Together and support their efforts contact them at (805) 643-1446 or [email protected] and www.kidsandfamilies.org.

∙The Oxnard Performing Arts Center (The PACC) presents RESCUECON, a convention like no other, where the human-animal bond takes center stage. Through visual and performing arts, hands-on workshops, talks by inspiring individuals, an artisan marketplace, and so much more, attendees will learn, play, explore, and, above all, refresh their relationship with animals… and each other.

On February 23-24, 2019, RESCUECON sets out to promote the welfare of all animals (wildlife and farm animals too!), create a culturally-enriching environment, and provide interactive opportunities for learning, making, connecting, and relaxing. Keynote speakers include Kitten Lady (Hannah Shaw) and Ellie Laks, co-founder of the Gentle Barn. The goal of event is to rally animal lovers in the region and, in turn, strengthen the local rescue landscape.

In addition, there will be a free Adoption Fair with adoptable animals from Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS), the Bunny Brigade, Surfcat Rescue, C.A.R.L., and a $10 spay and neuter clinic provided by Simi Valley Spay & Neuter Clinic, arts and crafts, and activities for families.

A percentage of ticket sales benefits VCAS, this year’s featured nonprofit partner.

From 11AM – 5PM

General Admission $25/day | $40/weekend

Adoption Fair is Free.

800 Hobson Way, Oxnard (805) 486-2424 | oxnardperformingarts.com | rescuecon.org

Tickets are available at the box office between 12-6pm, Monday thru Saturday, by calling (805) 486-2424 or by purchase online, oxnardperformingarts.com.

∙Dog owners are urged to check their canned foods after Hill’s Pet Nutrition announced the voluntary recall of a select products because of excessive amounts of Vitamin D.

The recall notes that “the affected canned dog foods were distributed through retail pet stores and veterinary clinics nationwide” though “no dry foods, cat foods, or treats are affected.” Owners who bought the affected foods should dispose of the product and discontinue feeding it to any animals. Unopened containers may be returned to retailers.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition encourages anyone looking for more information to visit their website or call 1-800-445-5777. A list of the affected foods and the full FDA recall notice can be found here.

Though it is an essential vitamin for many functions, too much of any good thing can be harmful. According to the FDA, the danger in being exposed to high levels of vitamin D depends on the length of exposure. Symptoms include vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, increased thirst & urination, seizures, abdominal pain, and sudden weight loss.

∙By Jane E. Brody

Humans are not the only residents of the United States who are getting fatter every year. So, unsurprisingly, are our furry friends — the dogs and cats that share our lives and, too often, our tendency to overeat.

Unlike their owners, however, the family dog or cat cannot open the refrigerator or gain access to snacks in high cupboards without human assistance, which means the responsibility for pet obesity rests with you-know-who.

Veterinarians report that nearly half the dogs they see are overweight or obese, although only 17 % of owners acknowledge that their pets are too fat.

“Others know their pet is overweight but don’t think it’s a problem,” said Deborah Linder, who heads the Tufts Obesity Clinic for Animals Clinical Nutrition Service.

According to Nationwide, the country’s largest provider of pet health insurance, obesity among dogs and cats has risen for eight years in a row, along with claims for ailments related to being overweight. In 2017, obesity-related insurance claims for veterinary expenses exceeded $69 million, a 24 % increase over the last eight years, Nationwide reported in January. With only 2 % of pets covered by insurance, the costs to owners of overweight pets is likely to be in the billions.

•Starbucks completed their Community Day of Service at the CARL kennels on January 23. These strong and hard workers picked up heavy artificial turf and took it to the dumpster, sanded and painted a picnic table, pulled weeds and cut down a dead tree. Thank you, Starbucks, for picking CARL to do your Day of Service! Some of the employees may be returning to be volunteers!

•Animal hospital turns to underwater treadmill to help cats and dogs improve their health.

Imagine being able to give your pet the benefits of a one-hour walk with only 10 minutes of effort. It’s a concept that’s being tested by an animal hospital. The Walden Animal Hospital is home to an underwater treadmill. It’s an exercise machine on which dogs — and sometimes cats — can get a really good workout in a short amount of time. The treadmill is being used to help pets recovering from surgery, or to help them lose weight and become more active.

The Walden Animal Hospital has a water treadmill which helps dogs increase resistance, eases pressure on joints and increases circulation.  Hospital staff member Lariviere says the underwater treadmill helps animals build up muscle mass, without it being pain. “The water provides resistance,” she said.

• According to a new study in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology humans may have domesticated dogs 14,000 years ago, during the Epipaleolithic period. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

The study, by archaeologists from the University of Copenhagen and University College London, looks at animal bones found in a Neolithic settlement known as Shubayqa 6, established 11,500 years ago, in the Black Desert of northeast Jordan. The bones suggest that the site’s residents were using their dogs to help them hunt which was the beginning of dog domestication. It hasn’t been clear, the researchers stated, whether that process was deliberate or accidental, but this new evidence of canine-assisted hunting implies that these Stone Age humans were highly dependent on their dogs.

At Shubayqa 6, the evidence for a hunting partnership between humans and dogs, who would’ve been more similar to wolves than the domesticated canines we know today, is written in the bones themselves. The remains bear “unmistakable signs of having passed through the digestive tract of another animal,” said lead author Lisa Yeoma and some are larger than anything even the most determined humans could shove down their gullets.

•Since the legalization of marijuana in California, cases of pets accidentally eating pot have jumped 130 percent. What should you do if your pet ingests marijuana? Get your pet to the vet immediately.

Many times, inducing vomiting is the best solution and then observation until the effects wear off. In most cases this is not life-threatening but leave the care to your vet so they can monitor their vitals.

• Armstrong Ambulance (in Arlington, MA ) EMS staff members received in-depth training from veterinarian Beth Eisenberg that would help them treat a K-9 injured in the line of duty.

EMS providers trained with a black lab to learn how to properly listen to its heart and lungs, as well as how to locate its pulse. They also learned how to provide safe transport, how to treat trauma wounds and practiced CPR on a K-9 mannequin.

“We work closely with police departments and other law enforcement agencies which includes their K-9 members, so we want to be prepared to provide critical lifesaving aid to anyone at a scene who may need it,” Armstrong CEO Richard Raymond said. “Our team members did an excellent job building an understanding of how they can provide immediate help to injured dogs just like they would with an injured person.”

• While vitamin D is “an essential nutrient for dogs … very high amounts can cause serious health problems like kidney failure or death,” the FDA said in a statement. Dog food recalls were issued after pet owners contacted the food and drug agency with reports of vitamin D toxicity in their dogs after they consumed food from some brands.

“FDA scientists have evaluated samples of some of these products, and state and private lab test results indicate that the food contained as much as approximately 70 times the intended amount of vitamin D,” the FDA added.

In severe cases, vitamin D toxicity can lead to kidney failure or even death in dogs. Those who survive may have “long-term impairments,” including kidney or heart disease, which require “life-long management,” according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

If your dog eats one of the affected brands, be on the lookout for vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, weight loss, increased urination and excessive drooling — all of which are signs of vitamin D toxicity, according to the FDA.

“Pet owners should discontinue feeding these recalled products,” the FDA said, noting “the only pet products that have been impacted are food made for dogs” at this time.

Contact your vet to find out recalled products.