Posted on May 13, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

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University to teach vet forensics

(MSNBC) GAINESVILLE, Florida – Only a few investigators in the country are trained to adequately investigate and prepare cases for prosecution of the horrendous crimes against animals that can leave dogs, roosters and other animals maimed and tortured.

Steep vet bills, sour economy doom more pets

(MSNBC) Daisy Mae, a 2-year-old beagle, racked up $3,200 in vet bills after being hit by a car. Her family was on the brink of euthanizing her because they couldn’t afford the bills.

Animal doc in demand for weird surgeries

(MSNBC) Michael Pavletic has removed a butcher knife from a dog’s stomach and tumors from tiny mice. He’s performed plastic surgery on injured hawks. But he draws the line at giving canines body piercings or fat cats liposuction. “That’s just not what I do,” said the longtime head of surgery at Boston’s Angell Animal Medical Center.

CNN’s Why dogs can sense fair play

• Dogs appear to experience emotions like jealousy, pride, scientists find.
• Until now, this behavior had only been shown in humans or chimpanzee
• Dogs hate to see affection to other dogs; can suffer if new baby or partner arrives

Dog proves to be best friend for Parkinson’s sufferer

(CNN) –  More than a million Americans are believed to suffer from Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that gradually steals their independence, slowing them down with stiffened muscles and even episodes of tremors.

While prescription drugs can improve some of the symptoms, they don’t prevent patients from falling. But dogs are learning to do what medicine can’t for these patients.

Pet Therapy Dogs May Carry MRSA And Clostridium Difficile Between Patients

(Science News) University of Guelph in Canada researchers investigated whether MRSA and C.difficile could be passed between pet therapy dogs and patients. The findings suggested that MRSA and C. difficile may have been transferred to the fur and paws of these canine visitors through patients handling or kissing the dogs, or through exposure to a contaminated healthcare environment.

Help for Thunder-Phobic Dogs

(Science News) Video included –  A new study shows that dogs can get very upset during thunderstorms, whether or not their owner holds them. The study measured the stress hormone cortisol to be up to three times normal levels while the dogs heard recordings of a thunderstorm. The company of other dogs did help, though vets say medications may be more effective.

Digging up Celebrity Dogwatcher News

(Celebrity DogWatcher) Check out these adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from Northern New Jersey! They’re pictured here with a buddy, Luke; after the 3 of them along with their families participated in the annual Dogswalk Against Cancer this past Sunday, May 3, 2009! Their team raised over $3000 for the American Cancer Society to help find a cure for animal and human cancers. Awesome!!!!

Dogtown for  Crisis Dogs

(National  Geographic) DogTown trainer John Garcia and Head Veterinarian Dr. Mike Dix are shocked by the condition of Zambi , a black lab mix with a massive growth in her mouth . Worried the condition may be the result of cancer, Dr. Mike and another surgeon must perform a grueling 8-hour surgery in the hopes of giving this dog a new chance at life. Trainer Ann Allums gears up with Casey, a beagle mix whose hyper temperament has kept him from being adopted for the last five years . Ann trains Casey for an agility exhibition in the hopes of attracting potential adoptive families. When Bingo, a painfully shy shepherd mix , arrives at DogTown, trainer Pat Whitacre works to socialize the dog a task that requires both time and incredible patience.

Dog Owners More Likely To Share Germs With Pets By Not Washing Hands Than By Sleeping With Dog

(Science Daily) Dog owners who sleep with their pet or permit licks on the face are in good company. Surveys show that more than half of owners bond with their pets in these ways.

Research done by a veterinarian at Kansas State University found that these dog owners are no more likely to share the same strains of E. coli bacteria with their pets than are other dog owners.

Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons Adapt Human Ankle Surgery Method To Canine Knee Operations

(Science Daily) Video included – Veterinary orthopedic surgeons developed a procedure to fix cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficiencies in dogs. A method adapted from human ankle surgeries, the procedure cleans up the joint tissue and meniscus of the knees by stabilizing the ligament. This is accomplished by inserting a device into the leg via a small incision, ultimately replacing the function of the ligament. Surgeons then drill through the bones to anchor it in place.

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• Dog News – April 2009
• Dog News – June 2009
• Dog News – March 2009
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