Donna Kenny - PRLRC Newsletter Editor & 09 Specialty Chair. Presenting Peggy Lands with OB High Trial Award ribbon
Winter Match
The PRLRC Winter Match was held at K9 Connectioin in Warwick on March 14th.
The judges were Peggy Lands of Nightwind Labradors and Abby Crosby of Sky Farm Labradors, judging Sweepstakes.
Cheryl Curtis judged Novice Junior Showmanship.
See Match photos Under Events
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PennHip Data
The PRLRC PennHIP database will be back soon.
Labrador Fun Day
Donna Crompton is looking for volunteers to work on the club's annual Lab Fun Day event.
If you can help, contact Donna at cromptondonna@hotmail.com
An AKC Plan B Conformation Match is also planned for the morning of this event. Cathy Straub Benedict is Match Chairman. Contact Cathy FMI @ cabinlabradors@yahoo.com
Check out- GENOME BARKS- POD CASTS Brought to you by the CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION & the AKC
Hope you all enjoyed the Pat Hasting Seminar!
The seminar was held Saturday, January 30th at the Crown Plaza in Warwick, RI.
The club hopes to have Pat back next year to speak on Structure and movement.
The club thanks Dr. Wendy Ernst for organizing this event, and Kathy Cipriani for handling the reservations.
Holiday Party- A fun time was held by all at Cooked Goose in Westerly, RI
Thank you, Jack Gordon for chairing this fun club winter get together event!
New England Sport Group Association Show-
was March 20 and 21. NESGA put on another great show this year. Our supported entry was super. See entry comparisons
FOLIC ACID FOR VETERINARY USE by Barbara Forney, VMD
Overview: Therapeutic Class, "B" Vitamin. Species-Dogs, cats and horses
Commonly Prescribed by Vets for: Small-intestinal disease, drug-related folate deficiency, cleft-palate prevention..
FDA Status No veterinary approved products available. Search for Available Dosage Forms
Basic Information:
Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a water-soluble synthetic folate. Naturally occurring folate is found in many foods. Folates have an important role in nucleoprotein synthesis, homocysteine metabolism, cellular division, erythropoeisis, neural development and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Folic acid is absorbed primarily by carrier-mediated diffusion within the proximal small intestine. Folic-acid supplementation frequently is prescribed in humans during pregnancy and when animals or humans are taking drugs that may interfere with folate absorption. There are multiple drugs that may affect folate levels due to competitive, reversible inhibition of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase.
Dogs and Cats
Folic-acid supplementation is used in animals at risk for folate deficiency, particularly animals with small-intestinal disease or malabsorption. Serum-folate levels should be determined prior to therapy; in some instances serum-folate levels actually are increased due to bacterial synthesis of folate within the small intestine. Cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are more likely to have folate deficiency than dogs with pancreatic insufficiency because of the synthesis of folate by small-intestinal bacteria in dogs.
Research on cleft palates in brachycephalic breeds of dogs supports the use of folic-acid supplementation in the pregnant bitch as a means of decreasing the incidence of cleft palate by as much as 48-76%. There is a great deal of research supporting folic-acid supplementation in pregnant women as a means of preventing neural-tube defects.
Hyper-homocysteinemia is a risk factor for thromboembolism in people; there is some preliminary data that supports the use of folic-acid supplementation in cats with hyper-homocysteinemia or those recovering from thromboembolism.
Horses
Folic-acid supplementation sometimes is used in horses, particularly broodmares and breeding stallions, undergoing long-term treatment for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis with the anitprotozoal drugs pyrimethamine and sulfonamides. These drugs are known to inhibit dihydrofolate reductase.
Folic Acid Side Effects
Folic acid is considered relatively nontoxic; side effects are unlikely. CNS side-effects have occurred in humans following very-high doses.
Precautions
Folate levels may be variable in dogs with enteropathy. Before administering supplemental folic acid, colbalamin and folate levels should be established.
Drug Interactions
Drugs that interfere with folate utilization include anti-convulsants (dilantin, phenytoin and primidone), sulfasalazine, barbiturates, nitrofurantoin, methotrexate, trimethoprim and pyrimethamine.
Chloramphenicol may slow the response to folic-acid supplementation.
Overdose
In cases of accidental overdose, excess folic-acid will be metabolized or excreted in the urine.
About the Author
Dr. Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She has a master's degree in animal science from the University of Delaware and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982.
She began to develop her interest in client education and medical writing 1997. Recent publications include portions of The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat, and most recently Understanding Equine Medications published by the Bloodhorse.
Dr. Forney is an FEI veterinarian and an active member of the AAEP, AVMA, and AMWA.
You can purchase books by Dr. Forney at www.exclusivelyequine.com
The information contained on this site is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the products shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular product. You should consult your doctor about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.
Wedgewood compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.
What's the New AKC Title "Grand Champion" all about?
Grand Champion
On May 12, 2010 the Grand Championship competition will start concurrent with the implementation of the 2010-2011 Schedule of Points. Competition for this new title will be judged concurrently with Best of Breed competition at both all-breed and specialty shows.
Why does AKC offer Grand Champion?
- For many owners there is little incentive to continue to exhibit dogs that have completed their championship title. All exhibitors do not have the financial means or desire to extensively campaign a dog in pursuit of top rankings. This title permits quality dogs to be recognized without extensive travel as the Grand Champion title can be earned at all shows with Best of Breed competition.
How does a dog earn the Grand Champion title?
- Only Champions are eligible to earn Grand Championship points. (This includes dogs that are “moved up” to Best of Breed competition from completing the requirements for their CH title at a previous show.)
- Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog and Select Bitch are eligible to earn Grand Championship Points. Select Dog and Select Bitch are Champions that were recognized as the top quality of their sex after BOB and BOS have been awarded. Judges need not award Grand Championship points to dogs that in their opinion are not worthy of the award.
- Grand Championship points are earned using the same schedule of points as is used for Championship points and the title requires:
- Twenty five Grand Champion points including,
- three “majors” (three or more points) won under three different judges,
- and at least one or more of these points won under a fourth judge.
- They must also have defeated at least one other AKC Champion at three shows.
How are Grand Championship points determined?
- Grand Championship Points are determined using the schedule of points for each breed in each division. However, all dogs defeated by BOB, BOS, Select Dog or Select Bitch will be counted in the computation. Grand Champion points may be awarded to eligible dogs as follows:
- Best of Breed – All dogs of the both sexes in the breed or variety exhibited in the regular classes and Best of Breed competition will be counted.
- Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed - All dogs of the same sex in the breed or variety exhibited in the regular classes and Best of Breed competition will be counted.
- Select Dog or Select Bitch – One dog less that the number of dogs of the same sex in the breed or variety exhibited in the regular classes and Best of Breed competition will be counted.
- Champions of Record including champions that are non-regular class winners or dogs that have been “moved up” to Best of Breed competition for the show are the only dogs eligible for Grand Championship points. Although class dogs can win BOB or BOS, they have not yet obtained their CH title and are not eligible for Grand Champion competition. (Dogs entered in non-regular classes are not counted in the computation of Championship or Grand Championship points.)
How does the Grand Champion competition affect the show-giving club?
- Based on the enthusiastic exhibitors’ comments, we anticipate a significant increase in the entry of champions competing for Grand Championship points at both all-breed and specialty shows. The only increased expense will be one additional ribbon if three champions are entered or two additional if four or more AKC champions are entered in Best of Breed competition in that breed or variety. AKC will be sending email to the owners of all dogs that have finished since 1/1/2007 to inform them of this new opportunity to showcase their dogs.
Dogs Shows- What's it all about? ... or Winner's What?!
Winner's What?
A Day at the Dog Show (Part One)
By Kiesha Crawmer, Kismet Sighthounds
I remember the first time I attended a dog show. It seemed like mass confusion. Dogs and people milling about, running seemingly willy-nilly in and out of rings, people shouting numbers. It made my head hurt just trying to make sense out of it.
Most dog shows in the United States are held by the American Kennel Club, the largest registry of purebred dogs in this country. Upon arriving at a dog show, visit the superintendent's table. They will have free schedules available, known as "judging programs." The judging program has a list of breeds, the number of that breed entered, the ring they will be shown in and the ring time.
After determining what breeds you'd like to observe, locate the rings they are being judged in, and arrive a few minutes before judging time starts. You will see a lot of people holding dogs standing outside the ring, many of them wearing numbered armbands. Two people will be standing in the ring, one of whom wears is a badge saying he or she is the judge. The judge is totally in charge of what happens in the ring.
The second person in the ring is the steward. The steward functions as the judge's assistant and keeps things running smoothly. S/he checks in exhibitors, hands out armbands, calls exhibitors in for the classes, gets ribbons ready for the judge to award, and marks a catalog with all absentees and placements (among other tasks).
When showtime arrives, the steward will start calling the dogs into the ring. The dogs are shown in categories based on sex, age, where they were bred, and if the exhibitor is the breeder. They are also shown in categories for dogs who are working toward their championship, and dogs who are already champions. The dogs are shown anonymously; only the handler's armband number identifies them.
Handlers and dogs move around the ring, and when they have completed the circuit, the dogs are examined individually. The judge examines the dog's bite, to make sure the teeth meet in the manner prescribed by the breed standard (some standards also require the judge to check for missing teeth). The judge also checks for condition (muscle tone), proper coat texture, and structure. This is particularly important in coated breeds, where structural faults can be hidden by skillful grooming. While grooming may fool the eye, it won't deceive a knowledgeable pair of hands! All the males must also be checked for two normally descended testicles.
The winners of each category then return to the ring to compete against each dog of their same sex. The male and female winners of this competition are known as the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch; these are the awards that come with the all-important championship points. "First runner ups" known as Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch are also selected. (There is no apostrophe after "Winners".)
What happens next? On to the Best of Breed competition in part two!
Copyright 2002 by Kiesha Crawmer. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Best of Breed and Beyond:
A Day at the Dog Show (Part Two)
By Kiesha Crawmer, Kismet Sighthounds
Part one of this series ended with judging of Winners Bitch (WB) and Reserve Winners Bitch (RWB). Immediately afterward, the steward calls in the dogs for Best of Breed (BOB) competition. This consists of the dogs who have already finished their championships (often referred to as "specials"), the Winners Dog, and the Winners Bitch. The judge individually examines the specials, and evaluates them stacked and moving. Often competition is quite keen, and in this class showmanship can be critical.
After careful consideration, the judge makes three awards. Best of Breed is awarded to the dog that most closely approaches the breed standard on that day, in the judge's opinion. Next Best of Winners is awarded, which is exactly what it says, the best between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch. The last award given is Best of Opposite Sex (BOS). If BOB is a male, BOS is given to the most outstanding female, and vice versa. There is no rule stating that BOB and/or BOS must be champions, and in fact it is not uncommon for class dogs to win these awards.
The dog judged Best of Breed is eligible for the next level of competition, known as group judging. All fully recognized AKC breeds are divided into seven variety groups. They are: Sporting Group, Hound Group, Working Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group, Non-Sporting Group, and Herding Group.
The steward calls each Best of Breed winner into the group ring, and they all line up, stacked and looking their best. All dogs are individually examined and gaited, even if they are showing to the same judge who did their individual breed. It is important to remember that the dogs are not really being judged against each other, but against the perfect specimen of its breed described by the breed standard. In other words, not "is the Papillon prettier than the Pug," but "does the Papillon more closely match its breed standard than the Pug." Four placements are made in each variety group, first, second, third and fourth.
After all of the groups are judged, it's time for the main event! The seven group winners are called into the ring for Best In Show (BIS) judging. Once again, dogs are judged starting from scratch. A BIS judge must know the breed standards for all breeds, a great feat of memory.
Many judges have a theatrical flair, and make the award in a dramatic fashion. With a great flourish, the judge points at the Best in Show winner that day. There are congratulations, tears and laughter. The awarding of Best In Show brings our day at the dog show to an end.
Copyright 2002 by Kiesha Crawmer. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Ten Most Common Pet Poisons
Ten Most Common Pet Poisons of 2009
By ASPCA
Is your pooch mad for people food? Does your kitty like to self-medicate? Sadly, not everything we love is good for us. In fact, many common household goods that we take for granted as harmless can poison our furry friends. In 2009, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic household substances, including insecticides, cleaning supplies and prescription medications.
With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2009, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Below is a list of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2009.
Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Insecticides
In our effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our furry friends at risk. In 2009, our toxicologists fielded 29,020 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.
People Food
People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends, and accounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.
Plants
Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC in 2009. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.
Rodenticides
Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage.
Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
Heavy Metals
It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.
Garden Products
It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, which can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.
Chemical Hazards
In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.
Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.