New Years Resolutions

So it is the middle of January, how many of you made a resolution to loose weight, eat better, exercise more, make and KEEP annual visits to your doctor?  Are you sticking to it?

The same resolution is important for our pets as well.  Obesity in pets is on the rise.  Numerous studies show that obesity can have detrimental effects on the health and longevity of dogs and cats. The problems to which obese companion animals may suffer from include orthopedic disease, diabetes, cardio disease, respiratory disease, urinary disorders, reproductive disorders, neoplasia (mammary tumors, transitional cell carcinoma), dermatological diseases, and anesthetic complications. 

What are our options? dietary management and increasing physical activity!

Did you know that just 1 ounce of cheddar cheese given to a 20lb dog has the same number of calories as 2 1/2 hamburgers!! Or that 1 cup of milk for a 10lb cat is the same number of calories equal to 5 chocolate bars for us!

A healthy diet for us and our pets is an essential.

Just as important is exercise.  YES, IT IS COLD OUT, we live in Wisconsin.  However, maintaining an exercise routine is important for us all.  A short walk around the block is better than no walk at all.  Not only is exercise important for weight management for our pets but pets tend to suffer from cabin fever as well and your new pair of shoes or the dining room table leg sure look like the perfect new chew toy!  For more indoor tips on what to do with your pet visit:

http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/thebasics/indoor-activities?utm_source=Mobile+Storm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=JanuaryNL_4

K9 officer Mato retires

If you are reading this blog, you of course are an animal lover and supporter.  I can spend hours watching videos, looking at photos, reading stories about the human animal bond that the impact that animals have on our lives.

Today I would like to talk about one very special dog.  At the end of 2012 Mato McQuaid, a K9 officer with the Appleton Police Department retired.  We came to know Mato when he was referred for an orthopedic issue.  Matt, his handler, and Mato became frequent fliers here at the Fox Valley Animal Referral Center so the staff got to know them both very well.  To see the bond that these two have on and off duty is really pretty fantastic.   They both rely on each other so much and at times appear to be more one than two separate entities.

Seeing them prompted us to nominate them to receive honors at the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame which Mato was recognized as the hero he is in 2010.

Many people ask if the K9 officer gets to live with the human officer and the answer is yes, Mato is part of the McQuaid family. Matt and his wife Jacquelyn have 3 children.  Recently I heard that Jacquelyn who serves in the military was deployed overseas......so Matt and Mato are pulling all the parenting duties while she is gone.

Often when I see a K9 officer or any service dog, other than feeling overwhelming respect and compassion, do I think about their "home life".  I thought about Jacquelyn's selfless choice to serve her country knowing it meant a separation from her family.  I then found myself thinking what Mato must feel like when Matt leaves the house in uniform for the day with out him and she is not there either.  I then thought what is Matt feeling leaving the house with out Mato? What does it feel like to come home knowing your spouse may be in danger?  Both Matt and Jacquelyn are military and Matt is actively serving his community as a police officer so they are aware of the risks they face each day.  With all these changes to their families daily routine, it is certainly a huge adjustment for them all.

On behalf of us all at the Fox Valley Animal Referral Center, we want to wish Mato a happy and healthy retirement, wish Matt the best of luck and lots of patience while he is a parenting solo, pray for the safe return of Jacquelyn and thank them all for their service to our country and community.

Here are just a few facts about Police Service Dog Mato:

Born – 4/4/2003 in Czech Republic

Trained as a working dog in Czech Republic, titled SVV1, SVV2, IPO I, IPO II

Imported by Adlerhorst International Police K-9 Academy, Riverside, CA – September 2006

K-9 Training of PSD Mato / Officer McQuaid at Adlerhorst – September thru December 2006

·     Trained in subject detection, tracking, and illegal drug detection          

Mato retired after six-plus years of service. He had some impressive stats with his Handler Officer McQuaid -Mato utilized on a total of 1,044 incidents including:

• 795 drug sniffs
• 73 drug search warrants
• 20 robberies • 20 burglaries
• 25 public demonstrations

   Resulting in finds of: 

• 4,134 grams (9.2 lbs.) of marijuana
• 135 grams of cocaine
• 14 grams of methamphetamine
• 112 drug paraphernalia finds
• 19 successful tracks of suspects

https://www.facebook.com/K9sForASaferCommunityhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=387045354719634&set=a.387045318052971.90839.277702592320578&type=1&theater

Blog submitted by L Schuh of the FVARC

Obesity in dogs... not just a New Years resolution for us

Obesity in Dogs

Is Your Dog Overweight?

If your dog is overweight, talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can recommend an ideal weight range for your dog and help formulate a safe and effective weight loss plan. Begin by evaluating your dog’s food. Check the label; has it been formulated according to AAFCO standards? Your veterinarian can recommend a weight loss diet that ensures your pet receives the right balance of  protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, while supporting successful weight loss. Nutritional counseling from your veterinarian, along with daily exercise, can help your dog successfully lose weight and live a long, active life.

Obesity is on the rise, and not just for humans. Dogs are increasingly overweight and even obese. In the United States, an estimated 43 million dogs are overweight or obese - that’s over half of all dogs! And it is not just dogs in the United States that need to lose a few pounds - canine obesity is also a problem in Canada, Europe, Australia and other countries worldwide.

Canine obesity increases the risk for osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory problems, kidney disease, some types of cancer, and cranial cruciate ligament injury. Thanks to these increased health problems, overweight dogs face a decreased life expectancy of up to 2.5 years.

Even if your dog is just a couple pounds over his ideal weight, those few pounds could make a big difference to your dog's health. For example, a 7lb Pomeranian is considered to be a “healthy” weight and the equivalent of a 145lb, 5’ 4” human female. An extra five pounds on the Pomeranian, however, is the equivalent to a 249lb female, which is more than 100lbs over the female’s ideal body weight. Just a few extra pounds really will make a big difference for your dog’s health.

Why are so many dogs overweight? Unfortunately, some pet owners are literally killing their dogs with too much food and too many treats! For example, only one ounce of cheese for a 20 pound dog is the equivalent of 1.5 hamburgers for the average woman! While dog owners may never intentionally mean to hurt their pet, overfeeding, lack of exercise, and poor dietary choices have led to a pet obesity crisis.

A lack of outdoor exercise is also a problem. Busy pet owners who work long hours simply don’t have the time to take their dog for longs walks, runs or play fetch. Together, too much food and a lack of exercise is the perfect recipe for dog obesity.

Early intervention will help overweight dogs get healthy. Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and exercise program to help your dog lose the extra pounds.

Source:

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention

Association of American Feed Control Officials