Category Archives: Dog Health

AKC Sanctioned “B” Conformation Match October 20

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We’ll be holding our annual AKC Sanctioned B Match this year on Sunday, October 20th, at the Gem City Dog Obedience Club, 1654 Springfield St, Dayton. The match is indoors, climate-controlled and food will be available.  (You can click on the image of the flyer to make it bigger.)

Pre-entries are $7.50 each and should be mailed to Gary Sinck, 725 Xenia Ave, Dayton, OH 45410 and must be postmarked by October 14.  Entries will also be taken on day-of-show, between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. (Day of show entries are $10)  Judging will begin at 12:00 noon.  Junior Showmanship will be judged first, followed by breed judging. There are three age divisions of puppy classes: 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months. There are also classes for adult dogs who have not yet earned a “major” at an AKC dog show.  The match will culminate is Best Adult Dog in Match and Best Puppy in Match.

A few rules to be aware of:

  • Absolutely NO CHALK.  The facility is an agility club, with a specialized floor and chalk makes the floor very slippery, and could result in injury. If we catch you with chalk, we will ask you to leave. And we’d hate to do that, so please, no chalk. None. Nope, not even a smidgen.
  • No taped ears. This is an AKC regulation, and we are bound to observe it. They even go as far as to say that a judge is not allowed to judge a dog if the exhibitor removes the tape in the ring. So if your pup has taped ears, remember to take the tape off at home. We know they’re puppies, and the ears may not be “perfect” yet.
  • Professional handlers are welcome to handle their own dogs at this match. Client dogs are not permitted unless the client is on the end of the leash.
  • Entries MUST be on an official AKC entry blank. We have a downloadable one here (click the link). We will have entry forms at the match too.

The Judging Panel

  • Sporting     Larkin Vonalt
  • Hound     Skip Thielen
  • Working     Sylvia Jones
  • Terrier     Brad Reese
  • Toy     Brad Reese
  • Non-Sporting     Rick Mouser
  • Herding     Charlie Evans
  • Junior Showmanship     Dr. Tracy Leonard, DVM
  • Best in Match    Cindy Benson

A word about the “Ohio Virus”

Many of us in Ohio have been alerted to the presence of an unidentified virus that has stricken some dogs in the Cincinnati and Akron area. We have been in touch with the State Veterinarian who assured us that it would be safe to hold this match. (Unlike dog parks, which he has advised to avoid.) The Gem CIty facility is kept scrupulously clean; swept and mopped regularly. They know that the virus is spread by fecal contact, so we are asking you to be extra vigilant in picking up after your dog. The rate of contagion is very low– dogs in the same households have not been equally affected– and treatment of symptoms gives dogs an excellent prognosis.  Please know that if we believed that this match could endanger dogs in any way, we would not have gone forward with it. So come on out and have some fun. 

Directions

  • From US35: Take the N. Smithville Road exit and follow Smithville Rd. north all the way to the end. At the t-junction, turn LEFT.  Gem City Dog Club will be on your LEFT. It is set back off of the road, behind an auto-parts dealer. There are large colorful dog cut-outs on the building.
  • From Ohio 4: Take the Findlay Street exit towards downtown. (Left if you’re coming from Columbus area, right if you’re coming from I-75) Turn LEFT on Springfield St. Gem City Dog Club will be on your RIGHT. It is set back off of the road, behind an auto-parts dealer. There are large colorful dog cut-outs on the building.
  • From I-75: take the Ohio 4 exit. Turn RIGHT on Findlay Street, then LEFT on Springfield St. Gem City Dog Club will be on your RIGHT. It is set back off of the road, behind an auto-parts dealer. There are large colorful dog cut-outs on the building.
  • From I-70, east of Dayton: Take the Ohio 4 exit. When you are nearing Dayton, look for the Findlay St. exit. Turn LEFT on Findlay, then LEFT on Springfield. Gem City Dog Club will be on your RIGHT. It is set back off of the road, behind an auto-parts dealer. There are large colorful dog cut-outs on the building.
  • From I-70, west of Dayton: Take the I-75 exit. Then get off on Ohio 4. Turn RIGHT on Findlay Street, then LEFT on Springfield St. Gem City Dog Club will be on your RIGHT. It is set back off of the road, behind an auto-parts dealer. There are large colorful dog cut-outs on the building.
  • CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW TO MAKE IT LARGER.

Still Waiting for News

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The problem with television mysteries is that everything gets solved in an hour, and even leaves time for commercials. Even though we know real life doesn’t work that way, we still harbor expectations. But laboratory tests take time, some cultures grow very slowly, “weird” results might precipitate a whole new round of re-tests. We know they’re not twiddling their thumbs at the Department of Agriculture (nor at U.C. Davis) but there is still no news from the Department of Agriculture on findings regarding the “Ohio Virus.”

I called today and was told that they are still awaiting results. The minute we hear something, we will post it, I promise. In the meantime, please be alert for your dog suffering from a set of symptoms that may include vomiting, bloody diarrhea and possibly foaming at the mouth. If you see this, get to a veterinarian right away. (Remember that they believe the means of transmission is fecal.) If your veterinarian needs more information or thinks your case may be related, the telephone number for the State Veterinarian, Tony Forshey, at the Ohio Department of Agriculture is (614) 728-6220.

Some Updates to the Mysterious “Ohio Virus”

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This morning, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association issued an email to all Ohio veterinarians with statements from the state veterinarian at the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  They have confirmed the presence of circovirus in one dog, but test results have not come in yet on the other seven, and it may be weeks before they are finished. Testing takes time, which is, of course, frustrating for everyone, since we all want answers.

Dr. Tony Forshey, the state veterinarian very strongly urged caution before jumping to any conclusions. He said, and I quote, “We don’t yet know the role, if any, that circovirus played in the death of that one dog. ” Nevertheless, people do jump to conclusions and it quite disappointing that some of the people indulging in speculation are out-of-state veterinarians. One of them is any anti-vaccine crusader who has been circulating the baseless rumor that dogs have contracted the virus from circovirus-contaminated vaccines.

The other is an “internet sensation” (“America’s Pet Advocate) who gained fame by sitting in a hot car with a thermometer to show that if you sit in a hot car parked in the sun in a place where palm trees grow that in twenty minutes it gets pretty hot in there. This time, he is circulating grisly necropsy photographs with big red letters heralding the arrival of a “killer virus” which he identified as circovirus. Very much jumping to conclusions, and he advised all who asked to “talk to their vet about circovirus.”

So far, the only deaths identified as caused by circovirus were in California last spring. Does that mean that these deaths are not circovirus? No, it just means we still don’t know, and it would be good for veterinarians to keep an open mind about what they’re dealing with. The fact of the matter is that many of these cases may be “normal” illnesses that vets are already familiar with:  parvovirus or coronavirus, camphylobacter, cryptosporidium, giardia etc.  Many of these have the same supportive treatment: address the symptoms while testing.

Because Dr. Forshey is certain that the means of transmission is fecal, you can best protect your dog by keeping him or her away from the fecal material of other dogs– he specifically mentioned avoiding dog parks. We will add pet areas at rest stops are also a haven for fecal-borne illnesses. Some individuals have taken to washing their dogs feet, with the thought that dogs perspire through their feet. Does it help? Who knows?  But like hand-washing, it can’t hurt!

And please, remember to pick up after your dog.

The OVMA email also mentioned that the Department of Agriculture is now compiling cases that may be this mysterious illnesses, and encouraged veterinarians to contact them if they believe they have or have had cases. Their number is (614) 728-6220.

Finally, as always, if your dog shows any of these symptoms: vomiting, bloody diarrhea and/or foaming at the mouth, get them to a vet. Don’t try to ride this one out, don’t try to treat at home. Dogs that get prompt treatment are recovering well.

Mysterious Virus Kills Dogs in Ohio

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Okay, folks ****IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING THE OHIO VIRUS**** I spoke to Dr. Forshey, the state veterinarian for Ohio, this morning (Friday, September 6), at length. He said that it is TOO soon to state definitively that the problem is a circovirus. The tissue tested did test positively for circovirus, and it is likely that it is circovirus, but they do not know if that is what’s making the dogs so sick. They are still awaiting test results on several other dogs. THEY DO KNOW THAT THE MEANS OF CONTAGION IS THROUGH FECES. They do not yet have a handle on the period of incubation. Dogs cannot “catch” this virus from pigs, He said the best thing that dog-owners can do is to behave as people do in a flu epidemic. Dog parks, especially, should be avoided. As for dog shows, he says that it is up to individuals to determine their own comfort level regarding risk. Clearly, do not allow your dogs to be near the poop of other dogs. It will be incumbent on dog day care providers and boarding kennels to keep their premises very clean. Probably this virus is NOT confined to Ohio. We may just be the first state to recognize that this is it’s own problem. He said they expect to have more information, but it may be a couple of weeks, these tests take time. Please remember, if your dog has any of these symptoms–vomiting, bloody diarrhea, foaming at the mouth; get them to a vet immediately. Do not try to ride this out, don’t try to treat it at home.

 

Please note, as of this evening, September 5, the virus has been positively identified (by the veterinary lab at University of California at Davis) as one of the circoviruses. Transmission may have something to do with pigeons. Or not. There is still very little information. But we are including this, in case it is helpful to anyone trying to rule out or confirm a diagnosis. 

The symptoms mimic many other things: parvo, giardia, salmonella, coronavirus. The State Veterinarian for Ohio, Tony Forshey, has indicated that samples from multiple cases have been tested for these well-known illnesses, but have all come back negative. Tissue samples with the virus have been sent to the veterinary labs at the University of California at Davis, and test results are expected back on Monday, September 9, at which point the Ohio Department of Agriculture is expected to make a formal statement about the virus.

A statement issued August 16th by Dr. Forshey’s office indicated only that they were dealing with an unknown virus, and that testing was continuing. Since then there have been only informal updates, including one through Jill Brown, DVM of the Village Animal Clinic in Columbus Ohio, who issued the following statement:

VERY IMPORTANT HEALTH ALERT FOR DOG OWNERS.

I talked to Dr Forshey, the state veterinarian, and he confirmed that they are working on identifying the cause of death in several dogs. They suspect that it is a virus, possible Circo virus. This virus has not been found in dogs before (it’s found commonly in pigs). They have sent tissue samples to UC Davis, which is the only lab that can identify the virus. Ohio State has already ruled out common causes like salmonella, parvovirus, campylobacter, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE).

He thinks they will have it figured out by Monday and will have a national news release. Ohio is the only state seeing it so far (figures!).

The important thing is that dog owners need to get their dog to the vet ASAP at the first sign of vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Dr Forshey indicated that most of the dogs are surviving if treated early. There is, of course, no vaccine available.

Please share this information to your own Facebook feed so we can reach as many dog owners as possible.

We spoke to Dr. Forshey’s office today, Thursday, September 5 and they confirmed that they are still awaiting test results from California. They have, understandably, been inundated with calls.

There are no websites about this virus, no studies, and certainly no vaccine yet. Whether or not the vaccine for one of the porcine circovirus will be employed is only speculative at this point. We are at the tip of the iceberg with this one, and every one is understandably concerned. The biggest question is how is this virus transmitted, and simply put, no one knows the answer yet. Although it is said to have only been found in Ohio so far, the chance of that statement being accurate is probably nil. As we learn more about this, I think we will find that it is far more widespread and that we may have been dealing with it longer than we think.

As to how contagious it might be, this is yet to be determined. Three dogs died at a Dog Day Care in Norwood– but other dogs in the same facility did not even get sick.

The good news is that dogs who are treated promptly have been making good recoveries, though the treatment is sometimes intense and arduous. Since no one knows quite what they are dealing with, care has come in the form of treating the symptoms and keeping the dog well supported throughout. Please! If you have any concerns about this, contact your veterinarian.

Be alert to your own dog’s health. If there is vomiting, bloody diarrhea, foaming at the mouth– in any combination– not all symptoms may be present, get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

As to whether or not to attend shows, take your dog to dog parks, or to day care or boarding kennels– only you can make this decision. If you will be leaving your dog somewhere, alert the caregivers to this situation. Keep your dog’s immune system hale and hearty. If you have specific questions, the best person to answer those is your vet.

Feel free to share this post. We only want to educate folks to be on the lookout for this. As we get updates, we will post them here and on Fort St. Clair’s Facebook Page.  If you are a veterinarian and you need further assistance with this, the number for the State Veterinarian’s office is  (614) 728-6220.