November 2005
The Newsletter of Dwight – Pine Bluff – Lakewood Animal Hospitals


 

Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association
    The Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association began in 1989, and since then has found new homes for hundreds of neglected dogs.  IAMRA is an all-volunteer group that relies solely on donations and fund-raising to help the dogs.  All rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, and microchipped before adoption.  In addition, they are temperament-tested so new owners are matched with a dog that will best get along in their house (i.e., with children, cats, other pets).  IAMRA hosts several fun events for their “graduates” every year, including the “Malawalk.”  Visit them at www.IAMRA.org.

The Hairy Side…
The Alaskan Malamute

    The Alaskan Malamute is the oldest and largest Arctic breed in America.  They average 25inches at the shoulder and weigh around 85lbs, although a recent trend toward “giant” Malamutes means many dogs grow over 100lbs.  They are outfitted with a thick haircoat that they shed profusely twice a year.  They also possess the typical sled dog “talk”: while they do bark, they also howl and whine, as if carrying on a conversation.
Bred to be a working partner rather than a pet, Malamutes are independent.  They are NOT a breed for everyone!  Pat Kral, IAMRA coordinator, encourages prospective owners to get to know the breed well.  Mals have a strong prey drive, including raiding the garbage and attacking cats and livestock.  Firm obedience training is necessary to overcome their stubborn streak.  However, while these large, hairy beasts look imposing, in reality Malamutes make poor guard dogs: they are usually friendly to all.  They adapt readily to a new home.
Malamutes are active dogs, especially in the colder months.  If you like outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, the Malamute would love to join you.

Dane 911

    including a litter of 11 pups this summer!  All adoptees are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped, and heartworm tested.  In addition, all dogs have gastropexy surgery done (stomach tacking) to help prevent bloat, which Danes are extremely prone to.  Bobbie Gubelmann, Dane 911 chairperson, is also available to counsel Dane owners who need help dealing with these oversized pets!  You can find Dane 911 on petfinder.com  (IL shelter 269).

Marnaduke Dog:
The Great Dane

    If you can imagine a 150lb, 3-foot tall clown of a dog, who can eat food by the bucket-load and knock you over with one paw, then you’ve got a Great Dane!  Made popular by cartoons like Marmaduke and Scooby Doo, the reality of these giant dogs can be overwhelming…hence their numbers in rescue.  Adorable as small pups, these dogs grow rapidly and soon can drive you to bankruptcy in food bills alone!  Their wagging tail will clear your coffee table and knick-knack shelves, and they can steal supper just by resting their chin on the table!
Although most Danes are friendly and gentle, they do play hard, and they can easily bowl over small children.  Bobbie Gubelmann cautions that Danes do not mentally mature until at least 2 ½ years of age.  In the early years, they can be destrtuctive (ie, eating your couch) and therefore must be crated or strictly supervised.  Unlike many giant breeds, Danes are tremendously energetic.  They need a large yard and plenty of human attention.
Originally bred to be guard dogs, Danes must be socialized early.  They tend to be very defensive and they can be shy, even aggressive, with strangers.
The good news is they are short-haired, clean dogs.  Danes come in many colors (some recognized by the AKC, others not), and Dane fans will swear that body size and structure, and personality, can also vary with color.

Helping Our Southern Friends In Need

    Guardian Angel Basset Rescue, Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association, and Dane 911 all helped with donations of supplies or funding for animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Our clinics would like to thank everyone who has so generously donated to Katrina Relief.  To date, we have collected close to $2900!  Special thanks go out to Maggie McWilliams.  This compassionate Golden retriever worked tirelessly through Dwight Harvest Days weekend and single-handedly raised over $400 for her animal friends!
Rescue workers report the need is still great, with many pets still homeless.  Our clinics will continue to collect donations as long as necessary.

Fleas Out of Control!

    We have been seeing many cases of fleas at our clinics this month. The extended warm dry weather seems to be allowing these pests to take over!  If your dog or cat has been having skin problems or excessive itching, we recommend you bring him in for a flea check.  Suspect fleas if your pet is itching primarily at his rump and hind legs, even if you do not actually see fleas on him.  Many pets have flea allergy dermatitis, meaning they are allergic to flea saliva and can develop severe itching, rash or sores, and hair loss.  These pets often need treatments with corticosteroids and antibiotics in addition to flea control.
Even if you are not having problems with fleas, remember to continue your pet’s flea preventative at least another month or two!

When Fleas Turn Deadly

    Besides being annoying, fleas can threaten your pet’s health.  These blood-sucking parasites carry many diseases that they spread to your pet when they bite.  Fleas, carried on rats and then spread to humans, were the primary carrier for bubonic plague, which killed millions in Europe in the Middle Ages.  Even today, fleas are a known source of plague, especially in the Southwestern US.
Hemobartonella is a red blood cell parasite spread by fleas.  It causes severe anemia and jaundice in cats.  Once infected with hemobartonella, many cats suffer life-long relapses.
A less deadly, but quite disgusting, parasite transmitted by fleas is the tapeworm.  Animals become infected when they swallow a flea.  The tapeworm larva inside the flea then infect the dog or cat.
Just more reasons to keep your pet on flea preventative!