How To Help Emergency Vet Save Your Pet

By Carrie Gustavson Information Specialist

University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

The best thing about summer is spending time outside. And like their human companions, most pets love the chance to romp in the woods, swim in the streams, and frolic with their friends. Fortunately, keeping your pet out of harm's way in the summer just takes a little common sense. "Keep your dog on a leash or under control at all times. When unattended, dogs should be inside or in a secure, escape-proof outdoor enclosure. Never let a dog ride in the back of a pickup truck," says Dr. Marc Raffe, emergency critical care veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana.

But even when you have the best intentions, accidents do happen. Whether it is your dog or cat that is hurt or someone else's, the more you know, the better you'll be able to help. "The first thing to think about in an emergency situation is your safety," says Dr. Raffe. "Don't turn one accident into two. Look for cars before dashing into the street after a pet. If your pet is injured in the street, have someone redirect traffic so you can move the animal to a safe place where he can be carefully looked over."

Before moving an injured animal, check the following. Is the animal conscious? Breathing? Bleeding? "If a dog has stopped breathing, try nose-to-mouth ventilation. Seal the lips by pinching them shut, then blow through the nose to ventilate the lungs. If a pet is bleeding profusely, use direct pressure with a clean towel or T-shirt," says Dr. Raffe. But don't try any of this with a conscious animal in severe pain. "Pets will not behave normally in a traumatic situation. Even friendly pets may bite when in pain," says Dr. Raffe. "Try wrapping the animal in a towel or blanket. Covering the animal's head and eyes serves two purposes: calming the pet and protecting you from getting bit. Leather gloves, if handy, are another option to protect you from injury."

As you assess the animal, think about how you will move it out of harm's way and to the veterinary hospital. We've all seen how the paramedics strap human trauma patients to a backboard to prevent jarring of the spine, neck, or a fractured limb on the way to the hospital. Before moving an injured animal, take the same precautions. "Fractures are common with traumatic events, so place an injured animal on a board, door, or any solid surface before moving it," says Dr. Raffe. But leave the technical bandaging and splinting of a broken leg to the veterinarian. "The key thing is to make sure neither you nor the animal is further injured in the process of getting to the veterinarian."

If possible, call the veterinarian while you're on your way to give an idea of the time you'll arrive. "Make sure you know how to get there -- and drive safely!" reminds Dr. Raffe. It is a good idea to have a relationship with a veterinarian before an emergency occurs. If your pets don't already have a regular veterinarian, now is a good time to locate one.

Pet first-aid kits are important for all animal households. Besides medical supplies, your kit should contain the name, address, and phone number of your veterinarian for quick reference. Some chapters of The American Red Cross offer a class in pet first aid. It is a great idea for all pet owners! For more information about animal emergencies, contact your local veterinarian.

Emergency Medicine Leaps to the Other Side

Jennifer Stone Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Most people have seen emergency medical techniques practiced on television but how many of us have ever had to spring into action during an emergency situation? Of those that have, how many have actually had emergency medical training such as CPR? Emergency medical training is a skill that everyone should have, but the surprising fact is that the same techniques that can be used on humans can also be used on our pets. Dr. Steven Marks, Associate Professor and Head of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital is a firm believer in emergency medicine. He says, "Emergency and critical care veterinary medicine is a rapidly growing area that the University of Illinois Teaching Hospital is trying to expand. We are hoping to develop it into a center of excellence with the help of our dedicated staff of emergency medicine clinicians."

There is a strong incentive to improve emergency medical assistance that actually extends beyond the field of veterinary medicine. There is a nationwide push to improve emergency care and it has manifested itself in some seemingly unlikely places. Dr. Marks says, "These days if you board an airplane, you should look around. More than likely you will see a sign with a heart and a lightning bolt on it next to the standard first aid kit. This tells you there is a defibrillator on board used to help people who are suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest (heart attack)." But how does all of this pertain to veterinary medicine? The fact is that the same life-saving techniques that are now routinely taught to people during CPR classes were originally developed experimentally in animals for use in humans. This means that these techniques can also be used to save the lives of animals in emergency situations. For instance, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can be modified to mouth to nose resuscitation to save a dog that has stopped breathing. The technique is slightly different, but the concept is exactly the same as it is for humans.

"At the University of Illinois, we are training our students in CPR for animals, and we would like to encourage the community to learn these techniques as well", says Dr. Marks. So how should you go about getting trained in CPR and emergency first aid for animals? Dr. Marks recommends taking a basic human CPR class because what works for humans can work for animals too. There are also several books on the subject which may help you to learn what to do in the event of an emergency with your pet, including one that is published by the Humane Society and the American Red Cross called Pet First Aid & Cats and Dogs. Finally, there are some communities that actually offer short classes on first aid and emergency procedures for pets. A canine manikin named "Jerry" the resuscitation-dog (similar to the human Resusci-Annie doll that is used in CPR classes) has even been developed for use in animal CPR classes.

The use of CPR and other first aid techniques can save lives, but sometimes even the best treatment cannot prevent the inevitable. Especially with animals, a catastrophic event such as cardiopulmonary arrest is often the end result of long-standing disease, which has taken its toll on the heart and other organs. Dr. Marks says, "While emergency first aid can save lives, it is important to remember that it may not be successful in all cases." If you are interested in learning more about emergency first aid in animals, contact your local community center to see if they have a class, look for books on the subject, or contact your local veterinarian.

Your Garage Can Be a Dangerous Place!

Jennifer Stone Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Using the garage as a storage area is a great way to get those messy, smelly but useful products out of the house, but it can also mean an area of concentrated danger for your pet. Dr. Petra Volmer, a veterinary toxicologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine says, " Your garage may seem safe to you, but may be filled with products that could be harmful to your pet." One of the most common and most deadly items that can often be found in the garage is antifreeze. While essential for your car, it is a deadly enemy for your pet. The substance seems to have an appeal to pets (perhaps because it is sweet) and most animals will eagerly lap it up. After it is ingested, it is metabolized and then carried to the kidneys where it forms insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, that can damage the kidney and cause renal (kidney) failure. Dr. Volmer says, "Even if you don't own any pets, it may be wise to switch to a different type of antifreeze that contains propylene glycol, which is much less toxic than ethylene glycol."

Salt that is used to melt ice out on the driveway can also pose a problem. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even skin irritation if it gets on the paws. Certain kinds of salt can also penetrate into the brain leading to a buildup of fluid and potentially causing a variety of neurological problems including seizures and death. Garages are also a common storage area for insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers, all of which have different levels of toxicity. Fertilizers can cause severe vomiting and gastric irritation, and most current residential-use insecticides are fairly safe, but there are some fly baits and systemic insecticides such as the kind that are used around rose bushes which can be deadly. Herbicides can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, but are usually considered safe as long as they are used as directed and pets are kept off of the grass until the lawn is completely dry. It is a good idea to read the label carefully whenever buying any kind of lawn herbicide or insecticide because, although not very common, they sometimes contain arsenic, which is extremely toxic to all animals and should be avoided.

Stakes that are made to control ants sometimes contain arsenic as well. Dr. Volmer says, "Watch out for products that contain arsenic trioxide or sodium arsenate, and don't assume that just because it's manufactured for use in your yard that it is safe." Snail and slug baits contain methaldehyde, which can cause seizures in dogs. Dogs are also notorious for consuming mouse and rat poisons, which can produce a variety of fatal effects ranging from uncontrolled hemorrhage to paralysis or renal failure. If inhaled, paint thinners can cause severe inflammation of the lungs, and chemicals used as deck washes are alkaline corrosives, which can cause chemical burns in the mouth or esophagus. Even something as seemingly innocuous as windshield wiper fluid could be toxic. Methanol is an alcohol that can cause vomiting, intoxication, and some even contain ethylene glycol which is the very toxic ingredient found in some antifreezes.

So, what can you do to keep your pet safe from all of these hazards found in the garage? The first step is to keep pets out of the garage if possible and make sure that all products are safely sealed and covered when not in use. Dr. Volmer says, "One of the most important things that you can do to keep your pet and your family safe is to read the label on everything that you buy and avoid products that are particularly toxic." With a little vigilance you can keep your pet from encountering any of these garage dangers.

If you have any questions or suspect that your pet may have been poisoned, please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4ANI-HELP.

Preventative Medicine Saves You Time, Money and More!

Jennifer Stone Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Naturally, it is important to take your pet to the vet when there is a problem, but many people forget the importance of taking their pets to the doctor when they are healthy! Dr. Kent Davis, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, is a strong proponent of preventative medicine. "One thing that is important for pet owners to remember", says Dr. Davis, "is that a dog's life span is shorter than a human's, so going to the doctor every year for a dog is just like humans going to the doctor every 4-5 years. A lot can change for a pet in one year, and it is up to the veterinarian to monitor these changes and to watch for problems." This yearly check up is also a good time for the owner to report any problems or changes noticed in the pet since the last check up.

Many of the initial changes that indicate disease are often very subtle and can be missed by the owner (i.e. the early signs of liver, kidney or heart disease). In the wild, showing signs of illness is a liability, so animals often instinctively hide signs of disease, which can make these subtle changes even more difficult to detect. Bringing your pet in for a yearly check up helps to ensure that diseases can be caught early on. "People don't realize it, but a cat or dog is considered to be middle age at around 3 years and geriatric at around 6 to 7 years of age," says Dr. Davis. The ultimate goal of preventative medicine is to discover disease early and treat it before it becomes serious. This not only saves the owner money in the long run, but it also helps to make sure that a disease can be treated before it causes irreparable damage to the animal.

Another thing that people tend to forget is that "normal" can vary widely from animal to animal. Another reason that the yearly check up is so important is that it establishes a relationship between the veterinarian and the pet so that the doctor knows what the pet is like when it is "normal." If a pet comes in with a problem, and it has never been seen before, it can be difficult to determine what findings are relevant to the animal's problem and what findings are incidental and part of that animal's "normal" state. For example, a dog may normally have a rather low number of red blood cells compared to most dogs, but if no blood work has ever been done on that animal, it could be interpreted as a sign of disease. Having a baseline for what is "normal" for each animal makes the diagnostic process more efficient, saving both time and money.

In addition to watching for disease, yearly checkups give the veterinarian a chance to give recommendations about what diet is most appropriate for that animal. As a pet ages, its nutritional needs can change dramatically. Because pet nutrition has become so advanced, there is a diet available for almost every condition and stage of life. A yearly exam is also a time when vaccines that prevent disease can be given, a fecal exam can be run to check for intestinal parasites and a heartworm exam can be done to make sure that there is no heartworm infection.

Dr. Davis says, " Having a yearly exam for your pet is an excellent way to avoid problems in the future. Ultimately it will save you time and money and possibly, the life of a beloved family member." If you have any questions regarding preventative medicine, contact your local veterinarian.

Holiday Hazards Threaten Pets' Holiday Cheer

While you festoon your home with trees, ornaments, and lights and stock up on special holiday treats, keep in mind that these activities could bring about holiday hazards for your pets. Cats are notorious for consuming tinsel and ribbon. Dr. Kent Davis, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, warns, "Objects such as string or ribbon can cause the intestine to bunch up like an accordion. If this occurs, friction can cause the string to cut into the intestine like a saw, making many small perforations that must be repaired by a surgeon. Other types of foreign objects, such as tinsel or small toys, can cause intestinal blockage."

Both dogs and cats have been known to chew on electrical cords, causing electrocution. Strings of lights present a seasonal electrical hazard. Shiny glass ornaments on Christmas trees can be irresistible toys for many cats. Unfortunately, these can be knocked off and shattered, causing danger for both pets and their owners. Dr. Davis says, "Some cats have even been known to climb the Christmas tree and knock it over, causing a mess and a potential fire hazard!" Some cats are fond of eating houseplants. Several holiday plants, including poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe, are poisonous. All of these plants will cause vomiting and possibly diarrhea if consumed. Likewise the product added to the Christmas tree water to make the tree last longer may cause vomiting if pets drink out of the tree stand.

Dr. Davis says, "Sometimes we see animals come in with alcohol poisoning. In these cases, it is usually due to people giving their animals alcohol because they think it would be funny to see their pet get drunk. Animals are much smaller than people and it does not take much alcohol to make them seriously ill." "Of all the potential hazards," says Dr. Davis, "the majority of holiday-related cases that veterinarians see are food related. The leading problem is probably chocolate toxicity." Chocolate is toxic to almost all animals. A lethal dose for a 20-pound dog is only about six squares of baking chocolate or eight or nine times that amount of milk chocolate. If the dog has just eaten the chocolate, it's best to induce vomiting. However, if the chocolate was eaten much earlier, the contents of the stomach have already moved to the intestine and the only treatment available is supportive care. Onions and garlic contain sulfides, which can cause the destruction of red blood cells, and are toxic to animals. Even foods spiced with garlic or onion salts should not be given to pets.

Gastroenteritis-a fancy term for an upset stomach-is another problem associated with the holidays. Dr. Davis says, "Animals usually get this from foods that they are not used to eating, such as high-fat or high-sugar foods."

Over the holidays, make sure everyone has a good time by preventing harmful situations for your pets. If you have questions related to holiday hazards, please consult your local veterinarian. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Love Is Not Spelled "T-R-E-A-T"

By Theresa A. Fuess, Ph.D. Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

As the proud and loving owner of one roly-poly ball of purring fur, I felt obliged to find out whether and how obesity can affect a pet's health. After all, there is no societal pressure for my cat to be sinewy slim, and she is quite content with her physique. The process of slimming her down certainly poses a risk to her ambient happiness level. How does this compare to the risk to her health of being so round? I asked the advice of Dr. Jennifer J. Brinson, veterinarian and researcher on obesity in pets at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in Urbana. "There may be diseases caused by obesity in dogs and cats, but what we see more often are ordinary medical problems made worse by obesity," explains Dr. Brinson. For example, pets of any body condition can get diabetes, but the disease is more difficult to manage in obese pets because the additional body fat interferes with insulin effectiveness. Problems such as torn ligaments are more common in obese pets both because of their disproportionate size and because they often don't have the muscle tone to balance and support the extra weight. Arthritis is not caused by obesity but maybe worsened by the extra load on the arthritic joints.

Just about every organ in the body maybe affected by obesity, but most at risk are the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. "Obesity also compromises the effectiveness of a proper physical exam. Heart and lung sounds can be masked by body fat. The consistency and size of abdominal organs are difficult to feel through intervening fat," says Dr. Brinson. "This may prevent the veterinarian from finding early indicators of disease and delay diagnosis until a disease has reached advanced stages."

What causes obesity in pets? "There are diseases, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease, that are associated with weight gain. There are also hormonal influences, genetic influences, and individual variation in metabolism and appetite, but unfortunately the most frequent cause of obesity in pets is owner indulgence of treats and/or oversized portions of pet food. Owners don't realize that they are killing their pets with kindness," says Dr. Brinson.

Excess weight is easier to prevent than to lose. The more weight there is to carry around, the more inactive a pet becomes, and the harder it is to exercise and reduce weight. Visits to your veterinarian for your pet's cycle of puppy or kitten shots should include weight monitoring. Then adjustments in diet and exercise can be made early and problems with obesity avoided. If prevention is a missed opportunity, then the first step toward weight reduction and improved health is a visit with your veterinarian. Metabolic problems contributing to weight gain should be corrected before changing your pet's diet or routine. Your veterinarian will also know the ideal weight for your pet and can provide a healthful diet and exercise plan. Well-defined goals and regular weight checks are the recipe for successful weight loss.

Pets are best exercised by playing with them. Take the dog for walks. Play fetch. Give the cat chase toys. If your cat follows you up and down stairs, then walk up and down stairs, tour the house, everyday; don't stop until the cat stops. If an owner is unwilling to exercise, then the pet won't get exercise.

Calories in a pet's diet can be reduced by feeding a lower calorie diet or smaller portions of your pet's regular diet. Your pet will tell you whether higher volume or concentrated calories are preferred. However, owners should realize that low-cal diets often have more fiber and may increase the quantity of feces produced. Dogs may not be able to hold it all day like they could with their lower fiber diet. Cats are finicky eaters and often refuse diet food. Owners of cats should be careful not to let their cat starve or lose weight too fast.

Dr. Brinson emphasizes that a pet's health is the owner's responsibility. "Pets don't choose what or how much to eat. Owners dictate the animal's diet and how much they get. People food, table scraps, and fast-food take-out should not be options. There are dietary treats that are good for pets that will also satisfy the owner's need to indulge the pet." For more information on obesity in pets, contact your local veterinarian.

No Excuse Not to Spay and Neuter

By Carrie Gustavson Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Christine Merle, small animal Extension veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, recalls one client who came to her because he wanted to breed his dog. "Just one litter of puppies for the children," he said. "I told him watching a videotape of the birth process would be a better idea," she says.

"Just one litter" may sound like a good idea-until you consider what adding 12 puppies to your family really means. "If you have puppies, you alone are responsible for that litter. Can you guarantee quality homes for 2 to 12 puppies? If not, are you prepared to have more than just one dog? Have you thought about the cost of veterinary care-check ups, shots, and deworming-for 12 dogs? And that's if they all stay healthy," says Dr. Merle. "Besides that, there are the risks of pregnancy and giving birth, just as in a human pregnancy. The puppies may need substantial veterinary care and the mother may need a cesarean section. This all adds up to a big investment in your time and money."

After that conversation with Dr. Merle, the client changed his mind and had his dog spayed instead: A good choice considering the state of the current dog and cat overpopulation epidemic. One female dog and her offspring can produce more than 4,000 offspring in only 7 years. And for cats, that number is more like 400,000! Unfortunately, only one puppy or kitten of every nine born will find homes. The rest will likely be euthanized.

But besides doing something to curb pet overpopulation, having your dog or cat spayed offers several key health benefits for the animal. Spaying your pet before her first estrous cycle, or "heat," greatly reduces her chances of developing breast cancer and eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers. "There are really not many excuses to not spay your pet. Any shelter and most reputable breeders will require that you agree to have the dog spayed or neutered," says Dr. Merle.

But, like any good tango, reproduction takes two. Though many human males cringe at the mere mention of the word, neutering a male dog is the No. 1 thing people can do to increase a dog's longevity. Why? Why did Spot cross the road? He loved the ladies on the other side. Unfortunately, Spot never made it. About 80 percent of dogs hit by vehicles every year are unneutered males. Fixing your dog or cat decreases his urge to wander and increases his chances of living a longer, healthier life. And that is only the tip of the iceberg for good reasons to neuter your dog. Testicular cancer and prostate problems commonly afflict unneutered male dogs, and neutered males are far less aggressive because they are less territorial. "Even if your have an older adult dog or cat, it is never too late to spay or neuter," says Dr. Merle. "The health benefits decrease the longer you wait, but a little benefit is better than none at all." For more information contact your local veterinarian.

Animal Laws Can Bite Back

By Carrie Gustavson Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Lawyers and courts are not usually the first things that come to mind when you think of your four-legged friends, but pets can be the subject of court cases. Dog and cat bites are one area where owners could find themselves in legal hot water. The CDC reports that dog bites occur in nearly 2 percent of the U.S. population, and most of those cases involved children. That's where animal laws come in. "The statutes of the Illinois Animal Control Act are an incentive for people to keep animals under control and thereby prevent problems," says Dr. Don Uchtmann, professor of agricultural law who teaches veterinary jurisprudence at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana.

Besides requiring that dog owners keep their pets confined or on a leash in order to prevent bites, the laws assign liability when bites do occur. Often, the pet owner will be held strictly liable for any injury or damage a pet inflicts upon another person, whether or not the owner is to "blame." That's why pet owners might want to make sure their homeowner's insurance covers injury due to dog or cat bites. "If a dog or any animal bites a human, the Animal Control Act says that anyone who has a knowledge of that bite must notify Animal Control. That includes a veterinarian, witness, or animal owner," says Dr. Uchtmann. The dog will have to be confined by a licensed vet for 10 days to observe for signs of rabies.

"The law is designed to prevent the spread of rabies," says Dr. Uchtmann. At the discretion of the animal control veterinarian, a dog with current vaccinations may be allowed to be confined in the house of the owner for rabies observation. If an animal shows signs of rabies during the observation period, it has to be euthanized and tested for rabies, and the person bit may have to receive costly rabies treatment.

Common sense can go a long way in preventing dog bites, so always obey leash laws, and rabies license laws. Make sure your dog sports identification tags to aid his homecoming should he become lost. Most dog bites come from male, unneutered dogs who tend to be more territorial and aggressive -- so spay and neuter your pets. If your dog ever snarls or snaps at a person, seek the help of your veterinarian or trainer to nip any signs of aggression in the bud. Don't allow children to walk the dog until they are physically strong enough and emotionally mature enough to understand a dog's behavior. Never leave children alone with a dog.

Children are the No.1 target of dog bites, so teaching them how to act around animals is a key to revention. Many local humane societies can provide information that is useful for teaching children about pet safety.

• Never look into a dog's eyes.

• Don't tease dogs behind fences or chained up in a yard.

• Don't go near a dog running loose, and tell an adult if you see a loose dog.

• Don't run away from a dog; stand very still and quiet if a strange dog comes near.

• Don't bother a dog while it is eating or sleeping.

• Only pet a dog after you ask the owner if it is okay; then let the dog sniff a hand first before petting it.

Dogs and cats add happiness to our lives. But while most people consider dogs and cats part of their family, the law often sees them as property. It gets complicated if your animal bites somebody, so follow the local laws and ordinances, know your responsibilities as a pet owner, and encourage others to do the same. To find out more about local laws and how to prevent dog bites, contact your local Animal Control veterinarian or humane society.

Dogs That Make a Difference

By Carrie Gustavson Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Olympians are not the only ones who start young, train long hours, and show true dedication to their goals. In fact, some of the most dedicated aren't even human. They are Canine Companions who train to help people with disabilities. "Not only can Tullis give my credit card to the clerk in a store, but one of the most important things he does for me is to help break down the barriers," says Nadia Ibrahim, about her Canine Companion, Tullis, a three-year old Labrador-Golden cross. Ibrahim is a graduate student in social work at the University of Illinois in Urbana and has been with Tullis for two years. "People are often fearful about talking to people with disabilities and Tullis breaks the ice," she says.

Canine Companions for Independence is a unique, nationwide program that helps special people with hysical disabilities regain independence and self-reliance by providing them with highly trained assistance dogs. A service dog must master 50 commands, a few more than the basic "sit, stay, come" in many dogs' repertoire. Some of the duties a service dog can help with include retrieving items, turning on and off lights, pulling wheelchairs, and alerting a deaf or hearing impared person to the sound of a smoke detector. "Tullis has been a wonderful help to me," says Ibrahim. "He opens doors, picks things up, and will go find a person to come help me if I need it."

Each dog is specially bred and then socialized by foster families who volunteer to care for the growing pup until he or she is ready to go to "college." Training to be a service dog begins with the puppy raisers: caring volunteers who give the puppy a good start. Puppy raisers bring the pup everywhere to get them used to the noisy shopping malls or busy street corners they might encounter as a service dog. In addition, the puppy gets tons of attention, basic training, love, and time to just be a puppy during this important development period.

When he is about 14 months old, the future Canine Companion begins six to nine months of intensive training. Teaching a dog to turn on lights or pick up dropped items takes a lot of gentle encouragement and persistence from both the dog and the trainer.

In the last two weeks of training, the dog, a trainer, and the recipient work together as a team. For Ibrahim and Tullis, that meant long hours and lots of practice. She says the days were packed with commands and exercises to teach the pair how to work together. Finally, when all the tests were passed, it was time for graduation and on to the real world. "Training to work with Tullis was one of the most challenging things I've ever had to do," says Ibrahim. "And that's saying a lot because I have been disabled my whole life."

Though he may not win any gold medals this summer, this is one dog who is worth more than gold in the eyes of his human companion. The many hours Tullis and Ibrahim spent training to work together shows their true dedication to being the best they can be.

For more information on Canine Companions for Independence check their website (www.caninecompanions.org), or contact OTS (217/367-3790)

Talking to Kids About Pet Loss

Kim Marie Labak Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

"A pet can be a child's best friend," says Cheryl Weber, a client counselor specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. The death of a pet can be a sad and confusing time for children as well as a difficult time for parents. Often parents are dealing with their own grief and aren't sure how to talk to their children about the death of the pet, whether it's a hamster, turtle, cat, dog, or horse. Weber says, "The cardinal rule for talking to children about the death of a pet is: be honest." She says it's important to let children say goodbye and to express their grief.

When a pet dies, some parents have the impulse to lie to protect their children from grief. They may tell the child that the pet was given away, lost, or went to a farm to live happily ever after. "Adults may lie because they want to protect their child from sadness and hurt," explains Weber, a licensed social worker. "It breaks your heart to see a child sob, but it's normal and healthy for children to grieve. When they love a pet and it dies, they need to know it's okay to cry."

Weber suggests sticking to the basic, simple truth, using language the child can understand. If you can foresee a death or euthanasia, you can prepare by talking to the children beforehand, explaining, "Fluffy is very sick and can't get better." "When she dies, her heart will stop and she cannot walk or play or eat or purr any more." Avoid the euphemism "put to sleep" because it can cause a child to be afraid of going to sleep at night. It's better to say "Because Fluffy can't get better, we're going to help her die."

Statements like these will probably lead to a barrage of challenging questions such as "Why?" and "Where is she going?" Weber suggests that adults try to answer these questions and help children learn that death is a natural part of life. Many pets have short life spans. They get ill, body parts wear out, they get into accidents, and sometimes they can't be saved. Plus, parents have the opportunity to discuss their spiritual beliefs with their children.

Other suggestions from Weber include:

• Let children say goodbye to the pet before euthanasia or burial. A teenager away at college may want to know what's going on.
• Let older children or teens be present for the euthanasia, if they want to be, and if they are carefully prepared for what will happen.
• Some clinics make the family a "clay paw" keepsake (see www.claypaws.com). A horse owner may want to keep a clipping of hair from the mane or tail.
• Let children express their feelings. Encourage a child to draw a picture or write a story about the pet. Making a scrapbook or memory book may help an older child.
• Let children help in planning a memorial, whether you have ashes, a burial, or a simple eulogy in the living room.
• Read books together, such as The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, where a mother encourages her son to think of 10 good things about his cat after the cat dies.
• Parents can learn more about pet loss from resources such as Children and Pet Loss: A Guide for Helping, by Marty Tousley.
• Don't rush into getting a new pet.

For more information on talking to children about pet loss, contact your local veterinarian or visit the Companion Animal Related Emotions (CARE) Helpline Web site at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/CARE/.

Breeding Is Not for "Fun and Profit"

Kim Marie Labak Information Specialist University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

You've got a great female pedigree dog with papers, and you figure you can make some extra cash if she has puppies. You think that to breed her, all you have to do is mate her with a stud, and a few months later she'll go into the closet and have puppies. According to Dr. Thomas Graves, breeder, dog show judge, and veterinary internist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, these are just a few misconceptions about breeding dogs. He explains that proper breeding requires time, money, education, and experience, and often yields little or no financial profit. Also, since pet overpopulation is a growing problem, he believes dogs should not be bred unless there's good reason.

Dr. Graves cites the following inappropriate reasons to breed a bitch:

• You want to make extra money. If you do a good job breeding, you don't make much money. Proper veterinary prenatal and postnatal care costs money, and, according to Dr. Graves, hobby breeders don t make huge profits, if any at all.
• You heard motherhood can "calm" a bitch's behavior problem. "Simply not true," says Dr. Graves.
• You think witnessing whelping is a good experience for kids. There are other ways to educate and involve children in the miracle of birth that do not result in unwanted puppies.
• You simply want puppies. Breeding just to bring more puppies into the world can contribute to thegrowing dog overpopulation problem.