By Babette Gladstein

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a significant health problem among all dogs. It has been estimated by many veterinarian organizations that up to 30 percent of the canine population are afflicted with this painful hip-socket condition. As a result of the widespread nature of this problem, a non-surgical alternative solution is now available.

Babette Goldstein.

Prolotherapy has been used in human medicine successfully since the 1950s. It is comprised of a series of injections with natural substances that cause natural contraction of tendons and ligaments surrounding the hip joint.

Typically, four treatments are utilized and administered by an experienced veterinarian.

The treatment protocols are determined by the physical findings as well as the response to treatments and the cessation of clinical signs. The addition of Acell is introduced at the end of the sessions and seems to accelerate the ultimate progress of the case. Typically the first session shows some progress. After the second session more progress is visible and by the third the clinical signs are mostly resolved. The fourth session is the one that proves the most significant.

Bejinos is a charming Tibetan spaniel, with the breed’s regal bearing and energy. Yet a few weeks ago, the 9-year-old spaniel was lame and clearly not his cheerful self. His case underscores the value of a combined regimen of prolotherapy and Acell.

The problem was compounded by wear and tear on his left side. The elbow and shoulder on that side were stiff and sore, problems directly related to overuse.

A week later, Bejinos underwent a second treatment. After this treatment his lameness issues resolved to a mild stiffness. The owner reported that Bejinos’ improvement was promptly apparent.

In Bejinos’ case, the results were clearly evident, with the compact dog quickly regaining his playfulness and energy.

Although Hazel, a young Saint Bernard, did not show signs of hip dysplasia, something was definitely going on with her. She was reluctant to go up or down stairs and would sometimes sit down abruptly in the middle of a walk. At just two-and-a-half years old, both of her hips were already painful.

Again, the results of the treatment were profound. Within a week, Hazel was sitting less often and was more willing to go up or down stairs. There seemed to be less tenderness in the hip joints.

Several months ago, Buddy—an 11-year-old chow mix at the New York City’s Humane Society—was presented with hip dysplasia and little hope. Palpitation showed how much pain he was in, and an inability to get up and down comfortably. He was basically walking on three legs and was using one hind leg only for balance.

Buddy’s immediate treatment included two prolotherapy sessions, given at two-week intervals and followed by a third treatment of Acell injections

In the weeks following treatment, Buddy made considerable progress. He is able to get up and down more easily and no longer needs pain medication. He now runs happily on his daily walks and the closeness of his hind legs has gradually lessened. He is bearing weight on all four limbs

But the success of his prolotherapy treatment is not the only good news for Buddy. He has recently been adopted and will go to a new home along with his long-time companion, a yellow lab mix.

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Babette Goldstein is a VMD and owner of B Glad Veterinary.

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Domino the rabbit has a unique ability to make people smile. He is a certified therapy rabbit, which is rare in a field dominated by dogs. Therapy pets visit hospitals, nursing homes and schools to provide affection to people in need.

Domino shows extreme calmness and poise, and loves to be scratched behind his ears. He began sharing his therapeutic talents last year at an army base in Edison, N.J., cheering up soldiers. Ever since, Domino has visited nursing homes, hospitals and other places where people are in need of a smile. The rabbit makes owner and Upper West Side resident Nora Beard very proud.

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The dog days of summer can be hazardous to your dog. Be a cool owner and help your canine companion beat the heat this summer.

Humans have hundreds of sweat glands which help us cool by releasing moisture that evaporates on the skin’s surface. Dogs have only a few sweat glands, all of which are located in the pads of their feet. They cool themselves primarily by the process of panting and breathing, with the moist lining of their lungs, tongue and windpipe serving as the evaporative surface. They also dissipate heat by dilating blood vessels in the face and ears. Dilating blood vessels helps cool the dog’s blood by causing it to flow closer to the surface of the skin.

Minimizing your dog’s exposure to extreme temperatures can prevent life-threatening conditions like hyperthermia or heat stroke. Dogs with thick coats or short muzzles, or that are overweight or suffer heart problems, are at higher risk for heat stroke. Symptoms include hard and harsh panting, deep red gums, drooling, sluggishness, vomiting and diarrhea. Body temperatures over 105 or 106-degrees Fahrenheit can quickly lead to organ failure and death. These temperatures can be reached even with moderate heat and exercise.

Never leave your dog unattended in a parked car, not even for a minute. Temperatures inside a vehicle with the windows rolled up can easily reach 160 degrees in a matter of minutes. Just five minutes inside can lead to death. Consider leaving your dog at home when you run errands on a hot day.

I see many dogs being walked in public places wearing canvas muzzles, presumably because they don’t get along well with other dogs or people. While you may be trying to prevent a bite, you are also preventing your dog from panting and cooling off. Basket muzzles are a much better alternative, as it allows your dog to pant freely, but also adds the layer of protection you are looking for.

If you enjoy exercising with your dog, do so at the coolest part of the day. Noon time jogs are not a good idea.

If you think your pet may be experiencing heat stroke, take immediate steps to cool them down, and then seek veterinary attention. This usually entails hosing off with cool water or submerging in a tepid bath. It may not be enough to just bring them into air conditioning. Ice packs applied to the armpit and groin can help. Once at your vet’s, further cooling procedures can be done. Some of the consequences of prolonged, extreme elevations in body temperature can cause the irreversible process of multi-organ system failure leading to death.

On hot days, the coolest thing to do may be to leave Fido at home.

–
Robin Brennen is the chief of Veterinary Services at Bideawee on the East Side.

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Like so many out-of-towners, Peek-A-Boo has fallen in love with New York. The Pekingese, who hails from Phoenix, Ariz., is here for the summer with owner Sherry Sklar, staying in an Upper West Side vacation home. Sklar said one of Peek-A-Boo’s favorite activities is visiting Central Park and ripping the grass between his toes—a pastime he can rarely enjoy in the deserts of the southwest.

—Max A. Goldstein

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Keeping your city dog happy and healthy into old age is easy, provided owners follow a few guidelines:

• Keep your animal’s weight down—the thinner the dog, the easier it is to handle them and the easier it will be to help lift him to his feet, if needed. Consult a veterinarian about proper weight loss methods.

• Try to eliminate stairs—both up and down are difficult on the joints. Get a ramp, if possible.

• There are many slings and harnesses available. The harness I like is the webmaster, by Ruffwear, and slings from Walkabout. These will help lift your dog and steer him on a crowded street. The Webmaster wraps around the chest so your dog may feel more secure and a bit less anxious in crowds. Also a Halti, or string muzzle that pulls the head, will help lead your dog if a harness is not yet necessary.

• Feeling good is essential, so stretch your dog every day. This increases your animal’s range of motion and will help them walk better and elongate their life. A mere 15 minutes of massage and stretching every day will raise your dog’s sense of well being and yours as well (check out the instructional video on my website, www.animalacupuncture.net).

• Make sure nails are clipped; when they are too long, dogs have a harder time staying steady on their feet.

• Hot or cold pavement conditions may necessitate booties.

• Walking closer to buildings helps your dog feel more secure. Avoid street crowds. Pick a path that is short or interesting. Many doormen love to give dogs treats and I have seen many dogs enjoy even short strolls just to get a small treat or praise. Try less crowded streets or avoid high traffic times. I always avoid Lexington Avenue because there is just too much activity. Avoid crossing streets, when possible.

• After the walk, wash paws with tepid water and baking soda if no booties or socks are used. Even in the summer, the pavement is hot and paws can get dry and cracked. You may need to use Musher’s wax to soften the paw pad and make them less likely to crack.

—
Babette Gladstein, DMV, makes house calls and offers non-surgical and alternative solutions for all animals, but specializes in geriatric dogs.

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By Alexandra Waldhorn

Halloween may be months away, but the costumes are on at Beacon Paint and Hardware.

Since February, the family-run store, on Amsterdam Avenue between West 77th and 78th streets, has exchanged its window display of tools and paint cans for a collection of framed photos of neighborhood dogs dressed up as anything from a pumpkin to “Dogth Vader” and even a trumpet.

Stanley the King, an entry in Beacon Hardware’s pet photo contest.

The pets are in the running for best costume in a contest that benefits Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit guide dog school that has two locations in New York.

Bruce Stark, who had a sister who was blind, decided to start gathering pet photos after learning about other stores that had held similar competitions. So far, he has raised $400 from the $20 entry fee.

“Bring in a photo of your dog in a costume,” Stark said, “no nudes.”

While passersby and school children have loved looking at the quirkily dressed dogs, Stark said he has moved photos online because he needs to put merchandise back in the window.

Vote for your favorite dog at www.beaconpaint.com/dogs. The top three winning dogs will receive one of three prizes worth $75, and all contestants can take home their framed photo afterwards.

The contest will run until the end October and dog owners can still submit a photo.

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Ah, the warm air of spring. New Yorkers celebrate by opening their windows wide—and veterinary hospitals brace for an influx of severely injured felines.
In New York, a city of few mosquitoes and an abundance of rental apartments, many dwellings lack window screens. Unfortunately, a misconception exists that cats’ instincts will protect them from falling from high-rise windows. Nothing could be further from the truth, and “curiosity killed the cat” is far more accurate. Cats focusing on the sights and sounds of the city often jump or tumble from sills, suffering devastating injuries or even death.
Yes, cats are skilled at righting themselves mid air, and some survive a fall that would have been fatal for another species. However, they do so at a price: multiple bone fractures, ruptured lungs and head trauma are often seen. These injuries can be crippling, and may require long periods of intensive hospitalization as well as complex surgical repair. Similar injuries are seen in cats that have fallen from fire escapes or balconies.
And, of course, kitties that fall and find themselves on the streets of the city often become lost and may not be recovered. Any home with a cat should have screens in all open windows. Adjustable screens are inexpensive, easy to use, and can be purchased at most hardware and home supply stores.
Another myth is that cats who have fallen once have learned their lesson—any New York City vet can tell you of cats who have fallen two or three times, and finally met their demise. And yes, dogs fall too. Pooch owners need window screens as well!

Louise Murray, DVM, DACVIM, of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, is the author of Vet Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Protecting Your Pet’s Health.

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Word travels around the dog community fast, and pretty soon Matthys had a website (leashesandlovers.com) with an online community connecting dog lovers from all over the country.

Matthys also started hearing great stories about how pets had affected owners’ relationships, in both good and bad ways. She started recording these stories and, three years ago, realized she had enough material to write a book.

Leashes and Lovers: What Your Dog Can Teach You About Love, Life, and Happiness (Leashes and Lovers L and L Media, $19.95), discusses the many ways in which dogs and other pets can affect human relationships, from friendships to dating.

“It’s all about starting new relationships and rekindling old ones,” Matthys said. “Dogs can help us do both.”

The book launched March 31, and Matthys held a special event at the venue BLVD on Bowery to mark the occasion. Raffle proceeds were donated to the American Humane Association.

Matthys also announced a new partnership with the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a coalition of rescue groups and shelters that is working with Animal Care & Control of New York City to move city shelters toward a no-kill policy. Leashes and Lovers events during the spring and summer will feature dogs available for adoption, through the Mayor’s Alliance.

Matthys said one of the surprising things she discovered through her work is that little dogs aren’t always the best city dogs.

“It’s not about the size of the dog in the city. Great Danes and Mastiffs are great. Greyhounds are perfect apartment dogs,” Matthys said. “They are low maintenance and not high energy.” 

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Decked out in designs by students in the Fashion Institute of Technology’s pet product design and marketing professional development certificate program, the 14 model dogs married New Yorkers’ love of pets and fashion. “Last Bark For Bryant Park,” produced for the second year by undergraduates majoring in advertising and market communications, was held the evening of April 12 at the Fashion Institute of Technology, on West 27th Street.

“It went very well, once the lights went out,” said assistant professor Linda Finnerty, whose class helped put on the show.

“Pets are a big part of our culture,” said Dr. Joyce Brown, the college’s president, whose male bichon frise, Bebe, closed the show by strutting down the cat—dog?—walk in a miniature tuxedo, complete with top hat.

Bebe closes the show in a miniature tuxedo, complete with top hat. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein

The pet industry, she pointed out, is a $4 billion industry.

“I think it’s worth exploring, to try to tap into something that brings so much joy to people,” Brown said.

“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in the program to display their best product possible,” said Joan Volpe, managing coordinator of FIT’s center for professional studies. “These people have all been to college, they’ve put in lots of hard work, and it’s their chance to expose themselves and their work to potential customers.”

At the end of the night, nine of the 25 designs on display were chosen by Mario DiFante, executive director of Pet Fashion Week New York, to accompany the show on tour to Japan and Brazil later this year.

“It was great to see one of my outfits on a real live dog. I hadn’t seen that before,” said designer Lisa Barnes, whose Turtlebacks organic wool knit sweater was among those selected by DiFante. “I was very excited to be chosen. [The show] is such an opportunity, because I’m just getting started.”

Designs were done by students in FIT’s pet product design and marketing professional development certificate program. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein

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