Sat April 11 - Santa Fe Adoption Day

REMINDER

When: Saturday Apr. 11th Noon - 3PM
Where: Teca-Tu at 500 Montezuma St. Santa Fe
What: cats and dogs
Contact info: Bridging the Worlds - Beverley 505-501-1887 http://bridgingtheworlds.org/
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Spring is Here ..... Get Your Dog Heartworm Tested in April ! - Raymond Sandor

What is heartworm?

The heartworm is a parasitic worm about the size of thin spaghetti. When an animal is infected with the worm, it lives free-floating in the right ventricle of the heart and nearby blood vessels. The parasites are transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. The first written canine documentation was in the, “Western Journal of Medicine” in 1847. The first documented cat infection was in the early 1900’s. The normal host for heartworm are dogs. Heartworms can live in animals other than dogs, but often have a shorter life, vary in size, or end up in odd locations due to aberrant migration. This is true of heartworm infections in cats. Some of the other animals that can acquire heartworm include wolfs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, tigers, muskrats, raccoons, ferrets, otters, bears, horses, orangutans, gibbons, sea lions, and also …....humans.

Heartworm is usually diagnosed through a blood test, but the worm needs to be mature (about 6 months after entering to the pet's body) to be detectable through antigen testing. Female worms must be present for accurate test results. Cats also can get infected with heartworm. Until about 5 years ago it was believed that cats infected with heartworm are rare, but new studies show that it's more common than previously believed. There is no accurate test yet for cats, but it is in the works. Unfortunately, many cat heartworm infections are overlooked since feline heartworm disease does not commonly present with the same symptoms as dogs and the signs and symptoms look and act like other cat diseases. One worm in the cat's heart can cause sudden cardiac death or sudden (acute) respiratory signs that are indistinguishable from asthma without a medical work up.

Preventative medications

Dogs 7 months and older should be tested each year with a simple blood test. Dogs younger than 7 months but older than 8 weeks can be put on a preventative medication without testing. The most common preventative medication is Heartguard, a once-a-month chewable pill. In heavily infested areas (i.e. parts of Texas, Florida etc.) veterinarians recommend using it all year around. In the northern states with shorter mosquito seasons and less reports, it is usually recommended to use Heartguard between April and October. Holistic veterinarians try to avoid animals ingesting chemicals so many recommend using Black Walnut capsules on a daily basis as a preventative and also in addition to Heartguard. Please ask your veterinarian about your best preventative options and have your dog tested every April.

There is a low-cost clinic held the first and third Friday of each month from 8 to 11:30am and 1 to 4pm in Santa Fe at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter's Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic (next to the Outback Steakhouse). Their contact info: 505-474-6422 at 2570-B Camino Entrada . No appointment is necessary, but please be on time. They charge $15 for a heartworm test.

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"Leave It" - Dog Training Tips by Carol Tharnish

To teach the dog to, "Leave It!" (things he/she can't have):

1. Put the dog on a leash
2. Throw a treat on the ground
3. As you pass by, say "Leave It !"

Do this a few times a day for about a week. When the dog looks to you after hearing, "Leave It!", give him/her a treat from your hand.

At the end of the training session, be sure to pick up the 'no no' treat and praise the dog.

This exercise will come in handy for lots of things!

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Raffle Drawing April 7th 4pm

New Mexico's Animal Protection Voters will announce the winner of their raffle April 7th down at the Flying Star. Tickets are $10 and the prize: Cabo Azul Resort & Spa Three Nights/Four Days:
May 12-15th, 2009 Ocean View Penthouse. Click here for info {End} . Read more!

Sun. April 5 - ABQ - 2nd Chance Adoption Day

Where: Petco on the Westside. (Old Airport Road by the Loew's off Coors Blvd by Cottonwood Mall)
When: April 5th from 11 a.m. til 3 p.m. (that's this coming Sunday!)
What: Great dogs and cats available.

Message from Debbie at Second Chance:
We recently lost a couple of great foster homes (due to economic and housing issues) and we are desperate to find homes for our dogs! Please come check them out and even if you can foster for us, that would be so helpful!!

As always, we are very grateful for any help and can use donations towards our food and vet expenses. You can donate securely on our website home page via Paypal or JustGive or ChipIn.

Thank you all for your continued support - We couldn't do it without you!!

Other contact info where you can see pictures and descriptions of the pets: www.secondchancenm.petfinder.com
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Top 10 Reasons to Love Your Pet - (From a Pet's Perspective)

Top TEN.....

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
    

Take a moment today to be thankful for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without life's little critters.

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Snake Aversion Training

An important topic has been brought up by Freda Donica - snake aversion training. With snake season right around the corner this is a perfect time to discuss various methods of ensuring our pets' safety. Freda will be trying a method of snake proofing taught in Albuquerque and will update all of us. We will also be looking at other methods (ie vaccine, after-bite/antivenin therapy, keeping cortisone on hand, and the many different techniques of snake aversion training). We'll be getting the opinion of professionals and also hearing personal experiences. If you have tried any of these methods or have researched this topic, please email us at clipets@live.com . We would like to include your opinions and concerns and your experiences in an article that will be posted here during April for all to learn from and share.{End} . Read more!