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Serving Brooklyn's Off-Leash Community


Health & Medical Links


EMERGENCY Twenty Four Hour Veterinarian/Hospital Service


Need - Dog Tags?
Dog regulations fall under the New York City dept of Health
New City Health Department on-line registry - painless when the link is not hung up!
Dog Licence - An alternative is to download their PDF application and mail it in. Takes a few weeks! See your veterinarian for rabies tags.

Environmental Working Group
Our mission is to create a healthy and safe environment for all of us including our pets. Sign up for email updates on pet health, food, products as well as a guide full of tips to make the world a safer place for pets. www.ewg.org/

Sidewalk Electrical Hazards
Sidewalk grates; lamp pole bases; all have lethal potential when winter salt and ice melt corrodes electrical cables. If your dog refuses to walk over an area it may be energized. To report a suspicious locations: Call 800 75 CON ED

For more details, see Winter Health Tips below for accounts of Park Slope incidents.

Leptospirosis...

Anecdotal evidence gathered by an informal survey of a few Park Slope Veterinarians suggest that Lepto cases come in clusters; often one to three cases, then nothing for a year.

Drinking from small standing pools of water is a big NO, NO for doggie: leptospirosis, a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, can result in severe illness, or in rare instances, death among dogs as well as people.  Rodents and other wild animals such as raccoons and opossums that are infected with Leptospira can shed the bacteria in their urine, potentially contaminating standing pools of water.  The bacteria can survive for weeks or longer in a warm moist environment.
 
Dogs and other animals can be infected through drinking contaminated water or contact with open wounds or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).  While some infections may not result in illness, symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs may include fever, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, refusal to eat, weight loss, decreased activity, muscle pains, or stiffness.

While ridding the park of rats and other wildlife is impractical; dog owners can take preventive measures to reduce the risk of transmission to their pets such as bringing a supply of fresh water.  Some people use Gator Ade plastic bottles which have swivel-on caps that are "tooth proof".

Vaccines against leptospirosis are available, but you should consult with your veterinarian when deciding whether to vaccinate your dog. The vaccine does not cover all strains of leptospirosis and is not considered a core vaccine according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  In addition, anecdotally it has been associated with adverse reactions in toy breeds and young puppies.

If your pet is diagnosed with leptospirosis, the risk of transmission to family members and other pets is likely limited; but it is extremely important to discuss with your veterinarian what prevention measures to put in place in order to reduce this risk.

Note: Have humans contracted this disease either from contact with Dog Beach water or from dogs which frequent the park? While the Department of Health has seen a handful of human cases city-wide in the past ten year, none have been reported from Prospect Park - though it's always a possibility. The body of water associated with the Dog Beach is supplied by chlorinated city water, the source of which is located within a few hundred feet of the Dog Beach.

Adverse reaction to Lepto vaccinations?

Some have been reported... www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/leptospirosis/

You should make your own decision in conjunction with your veterinarian.

Other links:

Urbandhound section:
http://ny.urbanhound.com/houndHealth/ShowAnswer.asp?QID=176

NYC DOHMH
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cdlept.shtml

CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm

Lyme Disease

Anecdotal numbers from one Park Slope Veterinary Office suggest that they see "...about 3 per year of classic cases. It's almost always in dogs who've traveled to Lyme endemic areas and contracted it there. We get plenty of cases with a positive Lyme titer, but no clinical signs of Lyme disease (fever with acute lameness or kidney failure). Which just means they've been exposed to the organism and their immune system has prevented the illness. They don't have Lyme disease.

"...Recommendations to prevent Lyme disease revolve primarily around repelling or killing the tick vector. In dogs that stay in Brooklyn - Frontline or Advantix. If they travel to endemic areas of Lyme disease a Preventick collar is recommended in addition to Frontline or Advantix.

"The more controversial question is whether to vaccinate or not against Lyme's. In Brooklyn only dogs, I say no. In dogs traveling to endemic areas, I say maybe in a case by case basis. The controversy is about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccination."

Kennel Cough
Recommend remedy for kennel cough is Drosera, a homeopathic elixer. Give 3 pellets, 3x a day and the cough will miraculously disappear.

Winter Health Tips
Cold weather presents it's own set of problems when it comes to proper care of our canine companions. Check out Jennifer Brauer's cold weather advice (newly updated) at: Winter Health Tips.

Hot Weather Health Tips
Did you know that a dog needs one ounce of water per pound of weight on a hot day? Hot Weather Tips

Deadly Canine Virus.
As first reported in the New York Times...

Here's some important info regarding a dog virus going around for some time in the NYC area: www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/news.asp The more people informed and aware of the potential dangers, the better you'll be able to respond to the situation, if it arises.Symptoms resemble Kennel Cough, but can rapidly esculate to pnenomia and death. Has been observed in Kennels just outside the NYC area. Download the PDF

Merk Vet Manual
Two legged friends of four legged creatures should explore this online manual. Know what to ask the vet when going for check ups.
www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp

OFA
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
 To collate and disseminate information concerning orthopedic and genetic diseases of animals as well as advise, encourage and establish control programs to lower the incidence of orthopedic and genetic diseases.
www.offa.org/

Adverse Reactions To Pet Products & Medications
Posting all of the relevant information and updates on this class action lawsuit website:
www.dogsadversereactions.com

CHIC
Canine Health Information Cente
We provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists, that will assist in breeding healthy dogs.
www.caninehealthinfo.org

The Bobst Hospital of the Animal Medical Center
Caring for New York's Animals since 1910
www.amcny.org/asp/homepage/default.asp

Veterinary Cancer Society
Clinical research trials as well as Specialist location services
www.vetcancersociety.org/index.php?c=6

The Pet Place
Founded by Dr. Jon Rappaport in 1999 with the objective of developing an unbiased, authoritative, user-friendly website where pet owners worldwide could go for complete, up-to-date information on all pet issues.
www.petplace.com

TTouch Wellness
http://www.ttouch.com

Pet Guidelines For People Living With HIV/AIDS
 Guidelines For The Prevention Of Opportunistic Infections In Persons Infected With HIV
www.thebody.com/powars/oppinfs.html

Therapy/Service Dogs ...

Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs... and more.

Service Dogs

Service dogs that are trained to assist the individual needs of a person with a disability can provide the amount of physical and/or psychological support necessary to help that person lead a more functional and independent life.

Psychiatric Service Dogs Society
www.psychdog.org

The United States Dept. of Justice also has some
info on service dogs:
www.fbi.gov/kids/dogs/service.htm

Therapy Dogs

Therapy Dog Screening

The Good Dog Foundation
Based here in Park Slope, Rachel McPherson's GDF screens and trains dogs for hospital visitation - pet therapy. Over a dozen dogs are presently working in New York Methodist Hospital. GDF also serves hospitals in Manhattan and Westchester as well. For details:
www.thegooddogfoundation.org/

Delta Dog Society
Contact: Greer Griffith
212-876-7700 ex 4417
greer@aspca.org
www.deltasociety.org

Rabies

Rabies tags come with the Rabes vacination - each tag number logged with your addressand the veterinarian's name; a plus, if your dog gets lost. New York City requires a Rabies shot every three years. Not so long ago it was every year! There's alternative thinking out there that every seven years is sufficient.

The Rabies Challenge Fund
Chris & Peter Christine
www.rabieschallengefund.org/page4.html

Scientific data indicate that vaccinating dogs against rabies every three years, as most states require, is unnecessary. Studies have shown the duration of protective immunity as measured by serum antibody titers against rabies virus to persist for seven years post-vaccination. By validating the 'true' life of rabies virus immunity and moving to five and hopefully seven years, we will decrease the risk of adverse reactions in our animals and minimize their repeated exposure to foreign substances.

Animal Support/Suspension Devices

Comes a time when old age or recent surgery catches up with our dogs and they require assistance walking or navigating stairs. Here's the beginning of what we hope will be a list of service devices.

Animal Suspension Technology
Manufacturers of the Get-a-Grip Harness and custom Pet Support Suit. View their products at: www.petsupportsuit.com

Horse Creations
Support devices and horse blanket styling coats custom made for very large dogs including dogs with missing limbs.
www.horsecreations.com/

 

Need More To Worry About?
Toxic Algae.

The following is third hand, posted by a St Louis dog owner far from Prospect Park...

Subject: Algae in Ponds Kills Dogs
I am posting this as a warning to all dog owners. Do not run your dogs near stagnant ponds with Algae Yesterday morning I lost my daughters Irish Setter to Toxic Algae. Ena, a 1.5-year Red setter had jumped in a nearby pond, about 3 acres, to cool and drink after a short 10-minute workout.
My IRWS did the same but did not drink much. I found her dead in a pool of green less puke than an hour later.

I researched the cause, tested the water and compared the Algae types to the research and found toxic algae to be the cause. The weather here in St. Louis has been 95+ degrees
with no wind for several weeks now. Perfect conditions for an Algae bloom in a standing pond or small lake
Here are but a few links on the subject
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/hab/anabaena.html
http://www-cyanosite.bio.purdue.edu/images/images.html

Feel free to do several searches and cross post. I am
gathering and organizing more on this and will post as I can.

Kevin
Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005

West Nie Virus
See our link

General Health Information

Take the dog age test.

Take the DogAge Test and find out how young and healthy your dog is in people years! The DogAge Test measures your dog's biological age, based on your dog's health, breed, risk of disease, and behavior. The DogAge Test also provides answers to your dog health questions and valuable health information for dogs.
www.dogage.com/index.aspx?cbr=NEXS2_P

Medical Assistance for Low Income Pet Owners ...

Vet Mobile...
www.animalalliancenyc.org/press/pr2009-07-20.htm

Specializing in low coast services. With a staff of seven veterinarians, three veterinary technicians and volunteer administrators, the Vet Mobile is now parked in front of the Manhattan shelter of New York City Animal Control ("NYCACC") at 326 East 110 St. every Friday and Saturday at noon, and the Brooklyn NYCACC shelter at 2336 Linden Blvd. on Wednesdays at noon. Appointments are only required for elective surgeries. Other medical issues are triaged first come first serve.

Friends of Animal Rescue
Friends of Animal Rescue was founded as a direct response to the growing need of individuals and rescue groups to secure financial assistance for their efforts. We provide payment directly to veterinarians, medical boarding facilities, dog walkers, pet supply stores and more. We are able to support individuals and smaller rescue groups who may not have access to large grants or other financial aid. We help keep the dream alive that individuals can make a difference.
http://friendsofanimalrescue.com/?page_id=2


Additional Links...
Garo Alexanian's (the guy who started the low-cost vet program) web site: www.companionanimalnetworktv.org/index.html

He also started an excellent program for people who can't afford veterinary care. Please don't abuse it.

Here is info about the low cost vet care:
www.animalalliancenyc.org/press/pr2009-07-20.htm

www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/07/25/2009-07-25_vets_going_mobile.html

There is also a low-cost boarding program:
www.companionanimalnetworktv.org/Boarding.html

Mayor's Animal Alliance of New York
If you need financial assistance to help pay for veterinary care for your companion animals, you have several options:
www.animalalliancenyc.org/services/assistance.htm

N.Y.S.A.V.E
www.nysave.org/
NY S.A.V.E, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to the aid and assistance of low-income pet owners residing in one of the five boroughs of New York City, whose pet is in need of emergency veterinary care.

Humane Society

Humane Society
www.humanesocietyny.org/ Full Service Clinic: full-service veterinary hospital assists dog and cat owners with limited means, to receive quality treatment for their pets at affordable rates. Services range from basic wellness care and spay/neuter to advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures.

A.S.P.C.A.
www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_nyc_berghhospital

The Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital is located inside the ASPCA’s New York City headquarters at 424 East 92 Street. We are a premier AAHA-certified, small animal, medical, surgical and emergency facility, and have been providing high-quality specialized and general medicine to public and shelter animals since 1912.

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