Author Archives: fetchmin

1. A Brief Overview of Brain Cancer in Pets

   July 15, 2015 5:58 pm Comments Off on A Brief Overview of Brain Cancer in Pets

   A Brief Overview of Brain Cancer in Pets

   by Evan Leibowitz

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   Brain cancer in pets is especially dangerous because it has the ability to remain unnoticed, even after a multitude of blood tests, other bodily examinations, and sometimes CT scans. As with other types of pet cancer, it is imperative to learn more about it in order to elongate the lives of our companions and to have a further understanding of cancer in humans. Many articles about brain cancer can be difficult to understand and tend to be extremely lengthy. However, they contain vital information regarding the identification of brain cancer in pets. Thus, I have written a relatively concise summary about the basics of pet brain cancer.

   Prior to understanding the fundamentals of brain cancer, it is important to be familiar with the basic structure of the brain itself. In simplest terms, a canine’s brain can be divided up into four sections – the forebrain, the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the origin of the spinal cord. The forebrain controls the final behavior of the dog as well as the final integration of sensory information. The cerebellum controls the dog’s coordination and works in tandem with the vestibular system (the sensory system) to maintain balance and posture. The brainstem regulates motor function, wakefulness, and manages the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Finally, the origin of the spinal cord controls voluntary and involuntary reflexes.

   Brain tumors are not only tumors that originate in the brain. A primary brain tumor is one that does whereas a secondary brain tumor is one that originates in another part of the body and spreads to a region of the brain. The latter carries an extremely poor prognosis due to the confirmation of a malignant tumor already in several locations of the body, including the brain. However, the former is also dangerous and life-threatening. Brain tumors are especially dangerous because they are cancerous tumors that also affect the patterns of the brain by compressing it or by disrupting the actions of the various parts of the brain. Consequently, bodily functions and behavioral abilities can be dramatically altered or even shut down.

   The most common primary brain tumor amongst humans and dogs is a meningioma. This tumor originates in the arachnoid mater of the meninges of the brain. In other words, the malignant tumor is formed by the growth of cancerous cells in the outer membrane of the brain. Compared to other primary brain tumors, meningiomas are relatively slow growing but have the ability to be very malignant. They are most common in long-nosed breeds such as the golden retriever. Another primary brain tumor is a glioma. This tumor originates in the supporting cells of the brain and includes astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomamultiforme. Contrary to meningiomas, gliomas are common in short-nosed breeds such as the boxer, the Boston terrier, and the French bulldog. Moreover, a choroid plexus papilloma is a cancerous tumor that originates in the choroid plexus. Even a microscopic choroid plexus papilloma can be lethal because it blocks the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which can dilate a lateral ventricle, a concentrated area of fluid that separates the brainstem from the forebrain.

   The effects of brain tumors vary by type of tumor and the location of the brain that is affected. Tumors located in the forebrain can cause loss of learned behavior, depression, change in appetite and thirst, or constant pacing and circling. A tumor in the brainstem can cause loss of balance, weakness on one side of the body, difficulty swallowing, change in voice, or the inability to move the eyes. More serious effects of a tumor in this location can be paralysis or an inability to control the breath. Lastly, tumors located in the cerebellum can cause hypermetria, intention tremors, swaying of the trunk, or a wide-based stance.

   An aspect of brain tumors that makes them especially life-threatening is that they are difficult to identify. It is essential to use an MRI or a CT scan because brain tumors rarely appear on standard radiographs. In fact, some tumors of the brain do not appear on CT scans. There are many challenges that pets, their owners, and veterinarians face when attempting to perform an MRI or a CT scan. In order for these procedures to work properly, the pet must be under general anesthesia. Also, MRIs and CT scans are not widely offered and cost large amounts of money. In addition to these two procedures, a biopsy must also be performed in order to establish the type of tumor and to grade the malignancy of the tumor.

   Each type of brain tumor has its own type of treatment that is considered to be most effective. However, chemotherapy is not widely accepted as an effective treatment for brain cancer because the drugs involved do not have the ability to penetrate the blood brain barrier, making it nearly impossible for the drugs to kill the cancer cells. New drugs have been created that have the ability to “cross” the barrier and are currently being tested on humans and pets.

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   Works Cited

    Fletcher, T.F. “Lab 2 Spinal Cord Gross Anatomy.” Spinal Cord Anatomy Lab. University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Oct. 2013. Web. 29 June 2015.

   “Neurology Brain Tumors in Dogs and Cats.” College of Veterinary Medicine. North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, n.d. Web. 29 June 2015.

   Wells, Virginia. “Structure and Function of the Brain and Spinal Cord in Dogs.” Pet Place. Ed. Rhea Morgan. Embrace Pet Insurance, 10 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 June 2015.

2. Bennett May’s Pen Pals Exit Story

   May 15, 2015 6:29 pm Comments Off on Bennett May’s Pen Pals Exit Story

   The following is an exit story written by Bennett May, a wonderful handler in the Pen Pals program who recently moved to a different correctional facility.  We will greatly miss Mr. May and appreciate all the work he has done for so many dogs in just a few short years.  Good luck in all of your future endeavors!

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   We all have a tendency to do what works.  Does that make it right just because it works?  Sometimes, we just want instant results, no matter the cost, as long as we’re pleased with the end result.  Oftentimes, with dog training, we use methods that appear to work, but they leave us feeling guilty after we apply them.  Truth is if you feel you need to apologize to your dog after a training session or you feel bad, you need to find a better way for you and your dog.  People who say love hurts probably haven’t experienced real love.  Love is a happy, good feeling that flows without much effort.

   I was taught at a young age how to use conventional training, which usually involved intimidation or physical punishment to get the dog to comply.  I saw results, so I assumed it was working.  I felt the dog knew I was in charge and he was there to comply with my commands.  Ironically, it took me 35 years to learn how misinformed I was about training, in a place where violence and control is an everyday occurrence:  prison.

   I entered the Pen Pals program in December 2010 thinking, “I’ve got a leg up because I’ve trained for years.”  I quickly learned I had it all wrong.  I had a lady trainer who loves hounds and fearful dogs, neither of which I had ever trained before.

   My first fearful dog was Turtle, a boxer mix.  Up to this point, I had dogs that were pretty easy to train.  I finally got her inside and both of us were wondering where to go from this point, both of us were scared.  I was scared because I honestly didn’t know where to start and I can assume she was scared because up to this point, Turtle maybe felt all humans sucked.

   

   Turtle and a Garden Gnome

   I didn’t know where to start with her.  I read book after book trying to find an answer.  What works for one dog might not work for another.  So I did the opposite of what 99% of books I read told me to do:  I put myself in her paws—if I were stressed, I wouldn’t want to be hovered over or forced to do stuff.  I would need time to get to know you and begin to trust you.  That’s when things clicked for me.  I realized Turtle needed a partner in her journey, not a drill sergeant.  She needed structure as all dogs do.  She needed structure to fit her personality until she could build her confidence and trust that I would be with her and she would have nothing to fear if I was there.

   I took what she gave me and put those behaviors on cue.  This opened our lines of communication.  She understood “I do this behavior and I get access to something I want.”  Once she caught on, she soared from there.  Her first cue was “What’s up,” a head twitch I captured.  Years later, I got an update from Turtle’s adopters and “What’s up” is still her favorite cute.  Her fear issues are still there when she is out and about.  However, with her training, she has learned to cope with her fears.  Her adopters understood who she was and her limitations.

   

   Turtle Enjoying the Desert!

   Oftentimes, our dogs take the brunt of all our frustrations.  It’s not our dog’s fault you don’t like your coworkers or there was a traffic jam or it’s raining.  Fido is just glad that you’re home and he forgot already about yesterday when you came home in a bad mood.  Does he deserve to carry all your life’s burdens?  He is a dog, not a psychologist.  He is your partner, your loving companion.  If you give him consistency, he’ll love you even more because you two have the understanding of what the other wants.

   Like it or not, most of our dog’s issues [have been] reinforced inadvertently.  Fido knows how to be a dog and a lot of the behaviors are natural dog behaviors.  Take time to understand what he is trying to tell you and be sure he is understanding what you’re telling him.

   This isn’t a story to offend any trainer, conventional or otherwise.  This is just a story of what the dogs I encountered in the program taught me when I finally took the time to listen to them.  I’ve loved all my dogs, in and out of prison.  I’m not sure I loved the dogs in the right manner before this program.  Choke chains, leash corrections, et cetera; I’m sure I caused pain to those dogs and as I said before, real love isn’t supposed to hurt.

   Once we thought lead paint was a good idea until we found out it was harmful.  Whatever training you apply is your choice and I’m not here to judge and I have no power to say what is right or wrong.  Just know if you get that feeling in your gut that it’s wrong, just think what your dog may be feeling.

   Twenty plus years in a prison and it took a dog to make me realize how selfish I was in the past.  Unfortunately, you can’t always say “sorry,” but you can learn and do your best to become a better human being.  We’re all still learning and we make mistakes, but once you learn, you should never repeat your past.

   Thank you, Pen Pals, for the mirror you gave me:  the scared, hopeless dog paired with a scared, hopeless prisoner who, together, found the right way to do things.

   

   Turtle as a hiking buddy.

3. Why I Foster and Why You Should Too

   February 25, 2015 7:19 pm Comments Off on Why I Foster and Why You Should Too

   by Sarah Hornberger, Pen Pals Coordinator

   

   Sooner and Fitz, exhausted from playing.

    I remember my first foster pet.  I was working in the kennels of a non-profit, no-kill shelter and my friend in the admissions department had a found a kitten and had been able to surrender him to the shelter.  And she wanted me to foster him.  Oscar was a small little thing, but he was spunky and social and so very sweet.  He let me put him in a little scarf and take photos and carry him around.  I have had a slew of fosters since then and I remember every single one (I hope):  Tiberius, Juna, Wilson, Carol, Fitz, Bootsie, Troy, Trudy, Ava, Waverly, some unnamed bottle baby puppies, some bottle baby kittens who looked like werewolves, Sawyer, Wayward, Pilot, and Vivienne.  I’m a foster failure:  Vivienne and Fitz are now a part of my family.  Carol is also an honorary Hornberger—her foster care was actually a lengthy hospice stay.  She lived with us for over a year before finally succumbing to her health issues.  Although it ended painfully, as all of our relationships with our pets eventually do, I would not have traded my time with her for anything.  All of these fosters need time, patience, healing, understanding, and unconditional love, and, in some cases, bottles every 2 hours, and I was happy to provide it.

   

   Carol

   Since I’ve been the Pen Pals Coordinator at FETCH a Cure, I have fostered Copper, Sooner, Ernest, Quen, Annabelle, Flossie, Sawyer (named in honor of the above mentioned Sawyer), and Shortstop.  That’s 8 dogs in 6 months and not counting the time I babysat Buttercup.  I am lucky to have an understanding family and (for the most part) pets.   I love every single one of these dogs and think about them, worry about them, advocate for them, become frustrated when they aren’t adopted after being perfect, loveable guests in my house.  I worry about Ernie’s epilepsy and stranger issues and whether or not someone will finally give him a chance—they would find out that he’s a wonderful, quirky guy who enjoys the feel of a breeze on his face, loves to play with other dogs, and is incredibly loyal once he trusts you.  I worry about Flossie, who is the life of the party and so very sweet, goofy, and happy.  I worry about Quen, a great snuggler, kisser, and toy ripper-aparter; he loved everyone in my house and went right up to them to ask for cuddles.  I worry about Sooner, who is one of the most tolerant and lazy dogs I’ve ever met, who lets me roll him around and runs in such a goofy way, who loves going to the park and meeting horses and kids and geese (and who I would have adopted by now if I hadn’t just adopted Vivienne).

   

   Shortstop helps me study.

   Luckily, Copper, Sawyer, Buttercup, and Shortstop have gone on to live with wonderful families who give them the utmost attention and care.  I have been lucky with all of my foster pets—I’ve met their adopters and have had follow up and knew they really loved all of my babies.  They also really appreciated everything I did for them and the information I could provide about their background, behavior, and likes and dislikes.

   For Pen Pals dogs, foster care is especially important.  Even brief weekends in Richmond for adoption events can show us how our dogs will adapt to the “real world.”  Life in correctional facilities is more structured than dogs can expect once adopted, and they are not exposed to new things—life there is routine and becomes mostly predictable.  We also get our best photos from foster care!  Some dogs like Buttercup and Butterbean need long-term fosters so that they can resolve medical or behavior issues.  Sooner is in foster care just because he’s been in the program for over a year and wanted to give another dog a chance to learn everything he’s learned from the inmate handlers in our program.  Flossie came into town for a weekend and her foster mom held on to her just because “she’s so easy to take care of and fits in so well.”  Becoming a foster parent is so fulfilling and rewarding and I can’t ever imagine going too long without a foster pet.

   If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent for Pen Pals, contact me!  Sarah@fetchacure.com or 804-525-2193.  Trust me:  I will call you.

   

   Wayward

4. An Inmate’s Exit Story

   January 12, 2015 5:07 pm Comments Off on An Inmate’s Exit Story

   Exit Story by Scott Webb

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   The following is the exit story by a Pen Pals inmate who will be released next week.  Mr. Webb trained almost 40 dogs in his eight and a half years with the Pen Pals program.  Thank you so much for taking your time to write about Pen Pals, Mr. Webb, and for serving so many dogs who needed your guidance and patience.  You will be missed in the PenPals program, but congratulations on your release.

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   I’ve been incarcerated for over sixteen years. When I was first sent to prison if you would have told me that somewhere along the line I would be working with dogs I would have looked at you like you were crazy. If you had told me that working with dogs would change my life dramatically I would have said “yeah, right,” but that’s exactly what happened.

   The last eight and a half years of my incarceration, I have been working with, caring for and training rescued dogs in the prison Pen Pals program. I can honestly say that I have never hard a more rewarding, more fulfilling job that has touched my life so much. And I’ve enjoyed every moment of it despite the gloom of being in prison daily.

   Most of the dogs I’ve had the privilege of working with are often abused, abandoned, or neglected, simply left in our local shelters much of the time to be needlessly euthanized, only to make more room for more incoming dogs.  They are often just housed, overlooked and/or forgotten about, and I seem to share a common bond with them.  The dogs and I were both in prison much of the time because of minor behavioral issues.  Who would have ever thought that this unlikely pair [would] band together and have a chance at a new life?

   When I first got this job, I had no experience and no clue of what it truly entailed.  I had a dog or two growing up but I never trained it or anything.  But how hard could it be, right? Quickly I learned that I was now responsible for another living being. No longer did I just have to worry about just myself and simply surviving day to day in prison.  It was now my responsibility to not just feed or take out a dog, but I also had to care for it, totally, train it and help modify any behavioral issues it may have.  The dog(s) would rely on me for everything.  At times I was unsure if I could really do it. Again, I knew nothing about dog training.  As a child if a dog pooped in the house we would rub its nose in it, paddle it with a rolled up newspaper, and hopefully it never did it again. I grew up this same way. If I did something wrong I would get beat and life went on.   I never knew just how wrong those philosophies are until I got into this program.

   See, we didn’t use punishment as a way of training in this great program.  We use what’s known as positive reinforcement training or reward based training, and let me tell you. Not only does it work (and quite well I might add) but it’s a game changer for me.  I mean, I couldn’t expect a dog in my care to trust me, to guide it through training or anything else if I was mean to it in any way.  So I had to learn an entirely different way of approaching dog training.  I learned so much from it and I’m forever grateful to have been a part of this program.

   It is through this program, through positive reinforcement training, that, not only did I learn a valuable skill to take with me [to] one day hopefully give more back to society, but valuable life skills as well.  I learned how to love, how to trust, how to be responsible, how to communicate effectively, how to be a team player, how to see things through.  [I received] the benefits of all that and so much, much more.  Words can’t describe how grateful I truly am and how much I owe to this program and the dogs I’ve worked with.

   I have had the unique advantage of working with close to forty different dogs.  Each one of them is unique and each one with its own problems, strengths, characteristics, etc.  I remember each and every one of them and they all hold a special place in my heart.  It is because of what the dogs have taught me that today I am a better person.  That today I can truly live, have hopes, dreams and goals, and that today I can carry it all through.

   For the first time in my life, I know that I can make it out there in society when my release comes.  I’m far from perfect, but I have a chance now, just like all the dogs I have helped who have gone on to be adopted and have happy lives.  They got a second chance, and now, so do I.

   I would like to extend a special thanks to Pixie’s Pen Pals for taking a chance on me and giving me a second chance.  I would also like to thank all the dogs I have encountered in this program and all the other guys I have worked with in this program who, like me, need a second chance.  And I would also like to thank Katie Locks and Virginia Broitman (the trainers) who taught me everything I know today and for taking a chance on someone like me.

5. Canines, Cancer, and Golf Courses

   January 5, 2015 5:03 pm Comments Off on Canines, Cancer, and Golf Courses

   

   by Jo-De Davis, guest blogger 

    

   Jake was a gentle giant, a lanky collie mix with a plumed tail, and his best friend was Prancer, who was a small, lively shih tzu. They romped and played on our neighborhood golf course regularly. They ate the grass, rolled in the rough, and practiced being good boys by staying off of the green and the bunkers. But, after nine years of romping and rolling, they were both diagnosed with spleen cancer and eventually died from this terrible disease.

   In a recent issue,  “Golf Digest” recommended that you take your dog to the golf course. Sure, there is plenty of space to run after frisbees and chase the old groundhog that lives under the tree on the ninth hole. But, if your dog exercises frequently on the fairway, he may be accelerating his chances of developing cancer. And he may not have a mulligan in his back pocket. A commonly-used pesticide, 2,4-D, has been causally associated with malignancies in dogs. This poison is saturating local golf courses, athletic fields, landscaped yards, and even your dog park.

   For decades, scientific studies have shown correlations of topical defoliants (such as 2, 4-D) with cancer.  A six-year study by Tufts University indicated that exposure to lawn pesticides raised the risk of canine cancer as much as 70%. Publications such as the Journal of Toxicology & Environmental Health, Science of the Total Environment, and even The New York Times have substantiated this subject. Remember the notorious herbicide, Agent Orange?  2, 4-D is one of its two active ingredients. And it continues to be one of the top three pesticides sold in the nation.

   Lots of lawn and garden chemicals can wreak havoc on your four-legged family member. 2, 4-D (dichlorophenoxyacetic) acid is the most serious in risk factors. It is in Bayer, Ortho, Scott’s, and Sta-Green products. The following ingredients have also been shown to be dangerous:

   • Mancozeb
   • Chlorothalonil
   • MCPP (4-chloro-2 methylphenoxy propionic) acid

   Plastic bubbles work for hamsters, but not dogs. Please keep your dog’s environment safer and unrestricted by practicing some of the following steps:

   • Reduce the toxic load in your yard by using a natural, pest-deterrent that is chemical-free. (National Resources Defense Council’s website has plenty of suggestions.)
   • Support local initiatives to get pesticide by-laws enacted. A good place to start is by avoiding insecticides with IGRS (insect growth regulators).
   • Keep your pup on surfaces that haven’t been treated with pesticides (walkways, footpaths).
   • Your pooch’s feet and tummy are the most contaminated areas on his body. If you feel he has come into contact with deadly chemicals, give him a foot soak and rinse off his legs and belly.

   One of a dog’s finest wishes is to have a lush, green lawn or nearby grassy expanse on which she can frolic, dig, and nose about. However, dogs (at least most) don’t wear shoes and outerwear that they can change when they come home from outside play. Modify your best friend’s environment so it limits outside contaminants. Hopefully, doing this will extend her companionship for many more enjoyable years.