Dog Wild Celebrates Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trials

Dog Wild Canine Supply is pleased to once again sponsor the Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trials taking place on Clark Field off Beaver Meadow Road in Cooperstown NY, August 19, 20 & 21. For just $5 per person and children under 12 free, this inexpensive family outing offers an engaging view into the world of dogs and handlers working in concert to move sheep through a designated course around the field. Bring chairs or a blanket and settle back to watch the artistry of the dogs and the skill of the handlers. Bring binoculars to see the top of the field action up close.

Jake working sheep 2010

The Leatherstocking Trial represents one of the last opportunities for many of the handlers to earn points prior to qualifying for the National Trials, which will take place in Colorado this year. Because of this, many of the top handlers in the Northeast will be present at this trial. Some of the notables to watch include the current two leaders in points, Bev Lambert with her dog Awel and Lori Cunningham with her dog Matt. Maria Mick with her dog Bodie is a local favorite from Altamont, NY, and then there’s Chris Bowen and his dog Jake, the winners of last year’s Leatherstocking Trial.

For more information visit http://www.leatherstockingsheepdogtrials.com

Collie and Aussie Owners Take Note

Did you know that 1 in 4 Collies could have a mutated MDR-1 gene? Aussie and Mini Aussies are susceptible too.

Recently a few different studies have identified that dogs with a mutation in the MDR-1 gene are more susceptible to having allergic reactions to certain chemical classifications. Dogs with this sensitivity can suffer acute and often fatal neurotoxicosis (poison of the nerve tissue in the brain or spinal cord.)

The primary concern is with ivermectin sensitivity. Ivermectin is the primary ingredient in Heartgard heartworm prevention, but is also the drug used to treat dogs that are diagnosed as heartworm positive.

While even dogs with the sensitivity SHOULD be able to tolerate a dosage suitable for heartworm prevention, if you have a dog that ranks higher on the susceptibility list, you may want to consult with your veterinarian.

Breeds affected by the MDR1 mutation and approximate frequency %:
Collie 70 %
Australian Shepherd 50%
Australian Shepherd, Mini 50%
Shetland Sheepdog 15 %
German Shepherd 10 %
Old English Sheepdog 5 %
Border Collie < 5%

A complete list of breeds can be found in the report from Washington State University:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/breeds.aspx

For more information on ivermectin sensitivity visit the American Working Collie Association drug sensitivity page: http://www.awca.net/drug.htm.

Blu’s Product Picks – Organic Dry Dog Food

Not that many years ago the number of choices available for high-quality dry dog food was pretty limited, but these days there a quite a few options to choose from. So how to raise the bar on dry dog food? Introduce ORGANIC ingredients!

There are a few different companies that offer dry dog food with organic ingredients, but our dogs are currently enjoying these two: by Nature Organics and Health Extension Original.

by Nature Organics includes not only organic chicken as the first ingredient, but also includes organic grains, vegetables and fruits, such as organic ground brown rice, organic ground oats, organic peas, carrots and cranberries. The kibble is essentially round and the size is quite small, about half the size of a pea. The protein content is 27%.

In addition to the dry kibble, by Nature Organics offers 4 canned food varieties 2 of which are 100% meat (one is organic turkey, one is organic chicken). The other two canned formulas are a mixture of meat and vegetables.

The other food my guys are really enjoying right now is Health Extension Original formula by Vet’s Choice. While the only organic ingredient in this formula is the first ingredient – organic chicken, the rest of the ingredients are high quality, with all formulas including: fish oil, primrose oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, colostrum, blue green algae, prebiotics and probioitcs. The kibble is a thick disc shape, but also small, about the size of a small pea. The protein content is 24%. For folks with small dogs looking for a small kibble size, the Health Extension Little Bites formula has the smallest kibble I’ve seen.

Vet’s Choice claims that All Health Extension products are made in the USA and none of the raw materials used in the production of the food originate in China. The company, located in Melville, NY, family owned and in operation since 1975, has never been involved in a recall.

Advanced New Test for Lyme Disease

Do you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent?

The Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center announces the development of a new multiplex test for dogs and horses that can help determine if the infection is a new development or something that has reached a chronic stage. The test can also distinguish between an infection verses a dog or horse that has been vaccinated against Lyme disease. More information means better opportunities for a targeted treatment plan.

Lyme disease develops from a bacteria transmitted to the host by infected ticks. Typical symptoms in dogs include fever, arthritis and lameness, which usually develop 2-5 months after exposure. With Lyme disease, the longer the disease has been in the body, the more acute the symptoms, so catching the disease early is beneficial.

The cost of the test is listed as $36.00, but related services by your vet, such as drawing blood, means that the total cost will be higher.

This new test was released June 15, 2011, so if you are concerned about Lyme disease, be sure to mention this new information to your vet and have them look it up if they don’t already know about it.

To read more details, see the following PDF released from Cornell:

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/Lyme_Disease_Multiplex_Testing_for_Dogs.pdf

Generic Forms of Frontline

Pet Armor

There’s starting to be a lot of talk about generic versions of Frontline that are hitting the market. The generic forms use fipronil, the primary active ingredient in Frontline. While available in places at close to half the price of the branded Frontline product, there still seem to be some concerns that need to be resolved. Here’s what I’ve heard, but can’t verify yet:

• The patent for part of the formula expired, but not the carrier that distributes the product over the animal’s body, so generic forms are using a different carrier, which has not yet proven its level of effectiveness.
• The patent for Frontline expired, but not Frontline Plus, the version that kills flea eggs and larvae in addition to adult fleas and ticks. Companies that have leveraged the Frontline Plus formula may be pursued by Merial to discontinue production.
• Some veterinarians are reporting more incidents of side effects, such as lethargy from dogs that have been given a generic form.
• Some owners have reported feeling like the generic form is “greasier” than the standard Frontline.

Most veterinarians that I’ve heard from are cautious to advocate one way or the other.

Until the generic products are more widely available in the marketplace and therefore used on more pets, we probably won’t really know if there are any problems to be concerned about.

The first generic version to hit the market is called Pet Armor. Others are sure to follow.

Blu’s Product Picks – Tropiclean Water Additive

Tropiclean Water Additive

If you’ve ever had to pay $500 or more to have your dog or cat’s teeth cleaned, then it might be time to consider some of the oral hygiene products available on the market today. Topiclean’s natural Fresh Breath Water Additive is easy to use and really does work to significantly reduce the amount of plaque and tarter on your pet’s teeth.
Just like with people, when dogs or cats have persistent bad breath, it is usually caused by poor oral hygiene or oral disease. By reducing plaque and improving oral health, the bad breath goes away too.
As a water additive, just add a teaspoonful of the product to your pet’s water at least once a day (the company recommends every time you fill the water bowl). The product ingredients include aloe vera and green tea extract, which you will be able to smell when you use the product. That means your pet can smell it too.
I thought the smell might lead my dogs to drink less water, so I only used the product once a day, but the dogs seemed to get use to the smell after a couple days and it didn’t seem to bother them in any way. I used the product consistently for about two months and definitely noticed a reduction in the amount of plaque and build up on all the dog’s teeth.
If this helps avoid an expensive dental cleaning for the dogs, including avoiding the anesthetic that comes with a dental cleaning, and it improves their overall heath, I’m all for it.
There are other products on the market the make the same or similar claims, such as the water additive from Pet Kiss. Also a natural product, the Pet Kiss product did not have as strong of a smell and seemed to do an equally good job at removing the plaque from the dog’s teeth.

Blu’s Product Picks – Mini Skinneeez Squirrel

Mini Skinneeez Squirrel

Dogs can hone their natural instincts to track and wrestle small critters with the floppy Mini Skinneeez Squirrel from Ethical Pet. It has two squeakers, one the tail and one in the head, and no stuffing, so less mess if it gets ripped. Soft, easy to grab and great for shaking, these toys hold up well to hours of slobber, flipping, tossing and tugging.
The Skinneeez line comes in a wide assortment of critters, from forest animals, such as the squirrel, to an exotic Flamingo or an endangered Polar Bear. They also come in two sizes. The Mini’s, for smaller dogs, range between 14-17 inches long and the standard size critters range from 17-23 inches long.