Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire

      The C-BARQ (or Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire) is designed to provide dog owners and professionals with standardized evaluations of canine temperament and behavior. The C-BARQ was developed by researchers at the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society of the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently the only behavioral assessment instrument of its kind to be extensively tested for reliability and validity on large samples of dogs of many breeds. The current version consists of 101 questions describing the different ways in which dogs typically respond to common events, situations, and stimuli in their environment. The C-BARQ is simple to use, and can be completed by anyone who is reasonably familiar with a dog's typical, day-to-day behavior. On average, it takes from 10-15 minutes to complete.
The C-BARQ is available to veterinarians, behavioral consultants, researchers, shelters, and working dog organizations with an interest in screening dogs for the presence and severity of behavioral problems. For a limited period, it is also open pet-owners interested in comparing their dogs to others in the C-BARQ database.
Go here to access the page.   http://w3.vet.upenn.edu/cbarq/index.cfm

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Dog owners warned against sugar-free items
Commonly used artificial sweetener can cause canine liver failure

     NEW YORK - Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido’s reach. Veterinarians warned Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.

     Their report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure.

Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes.

     Researchers Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Eric Dunayer with staff at a poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Ill., gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol.

     Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be put down because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol.

     One dog who had to be euthanized had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound of xylitol.

     “People don’t think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn’t before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware of,” Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Dunayer, said in a statement.

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Outcome of Paws Issue

     The 109th Congress is effectively over. Members left Washington yesterday and will return for a very brief, 7-10 day "lame duck" session after campaigning for reelection. That post-November 7th week will focus on appropriations bills to keep the government operating and little else. Here’s a status report of the 2005-2006 animal rightist legislation that the Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance (SAOVA) lobbied, with your considerable assistance.

     PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Act of 2005) is totally dead. This Rick Santorum-HSUS-DDAL-AKC-AVMA bill consumed incredible time, energy and resources to kill, but common sense and responsible animal owners prevailed. SAOVA took a leadership role in this fight and, with the support of hundreds of animal owner groups and thousands of individuals, S1139 and HR2669 were soundly defeated. Neither bill ever had a subcommittee vote and their cosponsor lists never matched those of Sen. Santorum’s 2001, pre-PAWS, Puppy Protection Act (PPA). This support shortfall occurred despite the American Kennel Club (AKC) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) switching sides and joining HSUS-DDAL on PAWS, after opposing them in 2001.

     Take it from a retired career lobbyist, this was an amazing achievement! Seldom has a pro bono federal lobbying effort had such an inspired and forceful grass roots component. Much is owed to many, but I’d be remiss in not recognizing the many non-canine groups, supporting agriculture interests, and the officers of the forty parent breed clubs and 140 other AKC clubs that put their members' and dogs interests' before the AKC’s disguised attempt to hurt other registries, and in so doing injure thousands and thousands of innocent animal owners.

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United Against Puppy Mills

We have just heard from Keene Publishing that they have opened their internet sales of the “One Incredible Dog” series in an effort to raise $100,000 for United Against Puppy Mills. To help go to, www.keenebooks.com/dog.asp , order and write UAPM in the special instruction box. Again thanks for all you do for the welfare of animals.
Kathy

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Hernias
by Malcolm Dupries

     A hernia is a protrusion or bulge of a part of the body tissue, fat, or an organ through an abnormal opening of the surrounding tissues.  There are numerous types of hernias, each type named after its affected area.
     A hernia which can be pushed back into the abdomen is called reducible.  Hernias which are not reducible are called incarcerated.  If the blood supply to an incarcerated hernia is pinched off the hernia becomes strangulated.  A strangulated hernia is an emergency situation and must be brought to the immediate attention of your veterinarian.
     Some of the most common types of hernias are:

Umbilical hernia
     An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies.  In the case of umbilical hernias, a portion of fat or internal organs protrudes through an incompletely closed umbilical ring.  Umbilical hernias may be present at birth, or may be acquired.  The most common means of acquiring an umbilical hernia is as a result of the umbilical cord being severed too close to the abdominal wall.
     In most cases umbilical hernias are small and reduce as the puppy grows.  Generally, by the time the pup is six months old the umbilical hernia will shrink and disappear on its own.  If the pup has a large hernia, or one that can be pushed into the abdomen with a finger, consult your veterinarian regarding possible surgical repair.

Inguinal hernia
     An inguinal hernia is the result of abdominal organs, fat or tissue protruding through the inguinal ring.  Inguinal hernias are presented as skin-covered bulges in the groin.  They can be bilateral, involving both sides, or unilateral, involving only one side.
     Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males, but do occur in both sexes.  As with umbilical hernias most inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, although you must keep an eye on the size of the hernia(s).
     Inguinal hernias can also occur in unspayed, middle-aged female dogs.  This may occur as the result of stretching of abdominal tissue due to pregnancy, or atrophy of abdominal tissue and musculature due to advanced age.
Diaphragmatic hernia

     A diaphragmatic hernia is the result of a tear in the diaphragm which allows abdominal organ portions to pass into the chest area.  The most common occurrence of a diaphragmatic hernia is following an accident.  If the tear is small, there may not be any obvious clinical indications.  If the hernia is significant, however, there are indications such as strained respiration, lack of appetite, difficulty swallowing or vomiting.  If a large portion of the abdominal organ have passed through the diaphragmatic tear the dog tends to stand with an extremely "tucked up" abdominal area.

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