magazinedecember/january 2014

volume 10, issue 1

TM

animal advocate of the year award

ready, set, play

hip dysplasia

life affirmingRESOLUTIONSyou can stealfrom your dog.

contentsPublisher

Leah England

(843) 478-0266

leah@lowcountrydog.com

Advertising Information

(843) 284-3094

Communications

Gillian Nicol

gillian@lowcountrydog.com

Staff Photographer

Laura Olsen

www.lauraolsen.com

Accounting

Carrie Clark Financial Services

(843) 367-9969

carriecl@comcast.net

Lowcountry Dog Magazine

PO Box 22

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465

Web: lowcountrydog.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland

Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog

december/january 2014

animal advocate of the year award 4

holiday gift guide 6

osteoarthritis in pets 8

a true gift 12

resolutions 14

calendar of events 21

training 22

Ready, Set, Play!

health & wellness 24

Hip Dysplasia

bone appétit 26

144

Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.

Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.

The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher.

Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

6

This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper.

Continue the green process by recycling this copy.

Cover photo and last Table of Contents photo by Laura Olsen

Imagery.

Lowcountrydog 3

205 Scott Street(Old Villiage)

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464(843) 856-7384

www.DoggieHeavenDaycare.net

Cage-less doggie daycare& boarding

THE ONLY COMPLETELY CAGELESS FACILITY IN THE AREA WITH A HOME-LIKE

ENVIRONMENT!YOU CAN RELAX!

DOGS ARE SUPERVISED 24/7

Summerville’s Only Pet Allergy SpecialistCertified in Pet Nutrition

• Holistic Pet Food & Supplements• Toys & Leashes

• Pet Beds and Accessories• Corn & Wheat Free Store

• Self Serve Dog Wash

phot

o by

Tam

bako

the

Jagu

ar

(843) 871-7977440 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville

www.alliswellpets.com

Jennifer and Salty.

INTRODUCINGthe Lowcountry Dog Magazine Animal Advocate of the Year Award

This award will be given to a member of the Greater Charleston community to recognize his/her achievements in advancing

the welfare of animals through leadership, public service, lawmaking, education, research, or veterinary service. The

magazine’s purpose in bestowing this award is to encourage attention to animal welfare in the lowcountry. LCDM believes in

publicly recognizing and thanking those who go out of their way to improve the lives of animals.

Four Finalists will be chosen by LCDM and featured on the publication’s website and in the print magazine. Online voting will

determine the winner, who will be announced in the Dec/Jan 2015 issue. Recipients must be available and willing to participate

in a photo shoot, be interviewed, attend a presentation ceremony, and participate in other recognition activities.

Criteria for Qualification:

Nominee must reside at least 6 months out of the year in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Nominee’s work must contain specific examples of commitment to one or more of the following categories

in Animal Advocacy:

Leadership

Public Service

Education

Research

Lawmaking

Veterinary Service

Your nomination letter should include:

•Yournameandcontactinfo

•Nominee’snameandcontactinfo

•“AnimalAdvocateoftheYearAward”inthesubjectline

•Atleast500wordsdetailinghowyournomineehasadvocatedforanimalsinourcommunity,

citing specific examples within at least one of the key categories listed above.

•Illustrativeimagesifavailable

Nominationsshouldbeemailedtoleah@lowcountrydog.combyMarch1st2014.Submissionsmustbesentusingthesubject

line:“AnimalAdvocateoftheYearAward.”OnlinevotingwillbegininAprilandcontinuethroughNovember1st.

Lowcountrydog 5

843.881.0800 Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre hairywinston.com

HAIRY WINSTONPet Boutique & Grocery

It’s beginning

to look a lot like

Christmas!Naughty or Nice?

We have everything to make your

pup’s holiday Happy & Bright

at just the Right Price!

Sponsoredby Ruby

Help Keep Charleston

Beautiful& Be Famous

Sponsor a waste bag dispenser at your favorite local park

featuring a photo of your pet!

For more information contactKeep Charleston Beautiful

www.keepcharlestonbeautiful.org

(843)579-7501

Ask aboutbusiness

sponsorships!

6 Lowcountrydog

Gifts for the...

&1.

2.3.

6..

5.

4.

Lowcountrydog 7

• TwoMountPleasantLocations• MassageTherapy• ManyTechniquesincluding

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Main Office3373 S. Morgans Point Rd. #307 Mt. Pleasant

Eco location has Moved426 Coleman Blvd Mt. Pleasant

ARTHRITIS | ACCIDENTS | SPORTS INJURIES | FIBROMYALGIA

AccurateChiropractic

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843.971.8814www.mtpleasantchiro.com

Must present coupon. Cannot be combined. Expires 1/31/14

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OPENSATURDAYS

First Visit $40onlyLose up to

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We accept competitor’s coupons and Groupons!

SOUTH CAROLINA’S MOST ADVANCED, EXPERIENCED & TRUSTED!Your veterinarian’s trusted partner since 1999!

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CARE IN 2 LOCATIONS!

VeterinarySpecialtyCare.com

985 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant Medicine: 843-216-7554Surgery: 843-216-7554Emergency: 843-216-7554

3163 West Montague Ave., North CharlestonMedicine: 843-793-2161

Emergency: 843-744-3372

• BoardCertifiedInternalMedicine,Oncology,Neurology,Surgery&Cardiology• Over100yearscombined,trustedexperienceintheLowcountry• Onlineemergencypre-registrationonourwebsite• Mostadvanced&safestMRIinSouthCarolina• TakeavirtualtourofournewhospitalonourwebsiteWhen your pet is sick or hurt, we know exactly how you feel. We’ve been there, through the worry, anxiety and concern. We offer the most advanced medical care possible along with the tender, compassionate & attentive care your pet deserves.

More than a pet store....we’re a community for pets and the people who love them.

Lucia’s carries the top holistic dog and cat foods, fun toys, stylish

collars, great beds, herbs, homeopathics, supplements & more.

Publix Shopping Center Daniel Island

843.377.8740www.luciaspremiumpet.com

8 Lowcountrydog

7. 8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Gifts for the 12 days of Christmasfrom local purveyors

1. Naughty and Nice treats from Hairy Winston. 2. P.L.A.Y Dog Bed from Bark N Meow. 3. Lumps of Coal treats tin

from Lucia's Premium Pet. 4. Various fun holiday sweaters from Hairy Winston. 5. Catit Design Cat Scratching

Posts from Petland. 6. Hugglehounds Snowman from Lucia's Premium Pet 7. College Sports themed collars and

jerseysfromPetland.8. Oliver Bentley Biscuits made in Savannah, available at Bark N Meow. 9. Curli Luumi LED

Saftey Light from Lucia's Premium Pet. 10. Merrick Christmas Day Dinner dog food from Hairy Winston. 11. Nina

Ottosson dog puzzle from Bark N Meow. 12. Habitrail Ovo Hamster Habitat from Petland.

Hairy Winston 1605 Palmetto Grande Drive Mount Pleasant, SC. 29464 www.hairywinston.com • Bark N Meow 3575 Maybank Highway Suite E Johns Island, SC 29455 www.barknmeow.net • Lucia's Premium Pet 62 Seven Farms Dr. Suite 115 Daniel Island, SC 29492 www.

luciaspremiumpet.com • Petland 975 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 www.petland.com

Lowcountrydog 9

Pet Boarding & Doggie Daycare

111 Acres Drive • Ladson, SC 29456(843) 553-3710 (843) 553-3713 fax

scladson@aol.com preppy pet sc

Mon-Fri: 7-12 and 2-7 Closed 12-2 Sat: 8-1 and Sun:1-4

It’s the playtime that makes all the differenceSix indoor play areas.

Three outdoor runs including NEW, fenced-in field.

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Rule no. 1DON’T FALL FOR THIS FACE.

Private Training Day Training Behavior Modification Group ClassesCindy Carter, CPDT-KA

843-906-9997

mindfulmanners.net

mindfulmanners@me.com

Luxury Daycare & BoardingLocated on Johns Island

1989 River RdJohns Island

NEW SERVICES!The Wedding Nanny& Dawg Tired Fitness

we can help include your dog in your wedding ceremony, or give them the exercise they need!

10 Lowcountrydog

Osteoarthritis is something we hear a lot about in people but did

you know your pet may also be suffering from the same problem?

Osteoarthritis, also know as OA or degenerative joint disease

(DJD), is the development of cartilage loss along with bone and

softtissuechangesassociatedwithajoint.Inpets,osteoarthritis

is typically secondary to another problem. Underlying problems,

or causes of osteoarthritis, include developmental diseases,

trauma, fractures or degenerative diseases. A developmental

disease is one that was not present at birth but occurs or surfaces

during the development or growth of the animal. Hip dysplasia

and elbow dysplasia are common developmental diseases that

ultimatelyresultinarthritisoftheaffectedjointorjoints.The

hip or elbow start out normal at birth but do not develop normally

as the animal grows and matures. These dogs can have significant

OA before they even reach their first birthday. A very common

example of a degenerative disease that results in OA in dogs and

less commonly in cats, is a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL).

The CCL is very similar in function to the ACL (anterior cruciate

ligament) in people and is one of the primary stabilizers of the

knee or stifle. In people, ACL tears typically occur secondary to

asportsinjuryortraumaticeventsuchassteppinginahole.In

dogs, it is more of a chronic degenerative process although the

‘last straw’ to a degenerating CCL can be an athletic event like a

great squirrel chase or running to catch a ball.

What can you do to reduce the chance your pet will develop

osteoarthritis? If you are asking this question and have not yet

found your furry companion, one thing to think about before

you even get a pet is what diseases are specific breeds prone to

and how can I best avoid those diseases. When it comes to the

developmental diseases, they tend to affect the large and giant

breeds more often than our smaller friends. If you are thinking

of a certain breed, do your research. Has the breeder had the

parents evaluated for hip and elbow dysplasia through the

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) (www.offa.org) or the

hips evaluated with PennHIP radiographic assessment (www.

research.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip). While these assessments

help reduce the chance the offspring will have a developmental

disease, and therefore secondary OA, they are not full proof.

Another big factor in the development or expression of

osteoarthritis that you can definitely control is the weight of

your pet. We have all heard the news about the increasing weight

and waistline of the American public. Well the same problem is

occurring in our pets. Food is not love people! And all the extra

weight your pet is carrying around is hurting the joints and

shortening their life span. There was a great study, done a few

years ago, at the University of Pennsylvania that really drives this

point home. The researchers took 2 groups of Labrador puppies

and followed them thru their life. The first group of dogs was

allowed to eat free-choice until a little over 3 years of life then

they were fed a controlled amount of food to prevent obesity.

These are the Labs that I like to call ‘pleasantly plump’. Most

owners know their dogs are a ‘little overweight’ but ‘can’t resist

thosedarkbrowneyes’ortellme‘heenjoyshistreatsandIenjoy

giving them to him’. The second group of dogs from the study was

fed 25% less food then its partner dog in the other group. These

are the dogs that are at the appropriate weight meaning you can

feel ribs along the chest without digging through fat, see a ‘waist’

when viewed from the top and the chest ‘tucks up’ to the belly

when viewed from the side. The group of dogs fed 25% less had far

less development of OA (10% vs 77%), later onset of clinical signs

of OA and other diseases, and lived almost 2 years longer than the

other group of dogs.

What if my pet already has OA? There are definitely causes

of OA or OA itself that can be helped with surgery. Surgery to

correct of an unstable knee secondary to a CCL tear is one of the

most common surgeries we perform at CVRC. But even the best

surgeon can’t undo OA that has already developed. Medical or

conservative management of OA is always indicated regardless

of the surgical intervention provided. The basic components

ofmedicalmanagement consist ofweight lossor control, joint

supplements with glucosamine and chondoitren, omega 3 fatty

acids (fish oils to reduce inflammation) and as-needed use of

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). In addition,

physical rehabilitation, similar to physical therapy in people,

is beneficial in promoting weight loss, maintaining or building

musclemasstoreducestrainonosteoarthriticjoints,improving

rangeofmotionandjointcomfort.

Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, is a specialty referral and 24-hour,

7-day-a-week emergency and critical care veterinary hospital. Dr. Au is part

of CVRC’s Center for Orthopedic and Minimally Invasive Surgery. More

information may be found at www.CharlestonVRC.com or on Facebook at

Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC or (843) 614-VETS (8387).

Osteoarthritis in Petsby Dr. Au

Lowcountrydog 11

thelearningcanine

Dogs of all ages need higher education.Get a Pet Degree with TLC!

Private Training and Group Classes in 7 locations across the Tri-County Area. 15% Discount for Rescue and SPCA Alumni.

www.thelearningcanine.com

(843) 607-1227

Looking for Downtown Veterinary Care?

Conveniently located just off East Bay Street.

OLDE TOWNEVETERINARY CLINIC

843-723-144317 Pinckney St.www.oldetownevet.com

Cynthia P. Smith, DVMKelli Klein, DVM • Laurie Wallace, DVM

Our personalized services includeSmall Animal Medicine • Dentistry

Surgery • Geriatric Care • Boarding

Ask about our College of Charleston discounts & convenient drop off service

Mobile Veterinary Laser TherapyRevolutionary Pain Control

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A Full Service Clinic Offering:• Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Surgery

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Dr. Cheri HooperDr. Lisa Lewis

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20% Off First Exam*with mention of this ad

12 Lowcountrydog

This year, give a gift you know will fit, is the right color,

And captures the real spirit of the holiday season!

Who among us has not dreaded selecting yet another tie,

scarf or sweater to give to a friend or family member during the

holidays? Similarly throughout the rest of the year, who among

us has not tried to find a meaningful response to the loss of a

loved one, whether a friend, family member or companion pet?

This year, forego the hassle of the malls and the disappointment

of a gift you know they’re going to return. Tribute gifts provide a

meaningful way to honor a loved one, human or pet, for the way

he or she has enriched our lives, while providing an opportunity

for reflection and appreciation. Here are some creative – and very

meaningful – gifts ideas that are sure to light up the star on your

Christmas tree.

Gifts Under $20

•Arabiesshotforahomelessdog $12

•Painmedicationforadogunder56lbs. $12

•Fleatreatmentforahomelessdog $17

•Singledoseofheartwormpreventative $17

•Painmedicationforadogover56lbs. $18

Gifts Under $100

•Arabiesvaccination $20

•Amicrochip $22

•Aheartwormtest $23

•Heartwormpreventative(under25lbs.) $25

•Awellnessexamandvaccinesfora

low-incomefamily’spet $43

•Heartwormpreventativeforalargedog $42

•Fleatreatmentforahomelessdog $58

•Neuteradogunder60lbs. $90

Gifts Under $500

•Feedandshelteradogforamonth $100

•Spayadogunder60lbs. $105

•Spayalargedog $155

•Spayareallybigdog(over120lbs.) $180

Gifts That Will Have a Major Impact on the Lives of

Homeless, Injured and Abused Pets for Years to Come

•NameaDogRecoveryKennelintheClinic $2,500

•NameaPuppyorSmallDogAdoptionWindow $7,500

•NameanAdoptionKenneltohousenewmoms

andtheirpuppies $10,000

•NamethePetFoodPantryforlow-incomefamilies$35,000

Nametheclinic’sDogRecoveryWard $50,000

Nametheclinic’snewAdvancedDiagnosticCenter $100,000

We all hope to leave the world a little better than we found it.

“How?”isthequestion.Imaginebeingabletoprotecthomeless

pets from hunger and suffering both now and into the future. You

can! There are so many ways of helping save lives at Pet Helpers

that regardless of your income, assets, time or talent, you can

make a difference.

For ways to volunteer,

contact Jessica Blanton

at 795-1110, or jblanton@

pethelpers.org or for

monetary donations,

contact Leigh Handal,

Director of Philanthropy

and Partnerships, at 795-

1110 or

lhandal@pethelpers.org.

A True Gift

Lowcountrydog 13

3484 Shelby Ray CourtCharleston, SC 29414

info@charlestonvrc.comwww.CharlestonVRC.com

Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC

843-559-50013575 Maybank Hwy. Ste. E Johns Island

www.barknmeow.net

• pet supplies• DIY doggie wash• bird supplies

Hours 10am - 6pm Monday thru Saturday

Daniel Island Animal Hospital

Lynne M. Flood, DVM Bridget E. Luke, DVM Allison Chappell, DVM

Katherine Rainwater, DVM Matthew J. Hosking, DVM

Wellness Care • Medicine • Surgery • Dentistry Dogs, Cats, and Small Mammals • Dog/Cat Grooming

Daniel Island Animal Hospital 291 Seven Farms Drive Ste 103

Daniel Island, SC 29492

(843) 881-7228 • www.danielislandvet.com

Dr. Danielle Cain, DVMOPEN Weekends!

8389 Dorchester Road • Charleston, SC 29418 843.552.8278 • theanimalhospital.net

Dorchester Rd.

Ashley

Phosp

hate R

d.

photography by Laura Olsen Imagery

Whine Less. Beach more.- Buster

Lowcountrydog 15

life affirmingRESOLUTIONSyou can stealfrom your dog.

16 Lowcountrydog

Be constructive, not destructive.- Cookie

Smile.- Mia

Smile.- Mia

18 Lowcountrydog

Lowcountrydog 19

Exercise daily, and share your toys.- Loretta

20 Lowcountrydog

hap

py

ho

un

ds

Upload photos of your happy hound at www.lowcountrydog.com/share/photo All breeds and mixed breeds accepted.

hannah

mae

sidda

bentley

sophie

lily & little roy

frankie

breck

sawyer brown

maddie & henry

ashley

cesare & jade

astro

bandit

lucky

wilson

radar

ponchoolive

upcoming eventsrecurring eventsevery saturday & sunday pet helpers adoptions at petco, west ashley. www.pethelpers.org

every saturday cas adopt-a-thon at petsmart mt pleasant. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org

special eventsdecember 7th 11:00am-4:00pm Photos with Santa Ho! Ho! Ho! Come have your favorite pet’s photo taken with Santa at PetSmart in Mount Pleasant to benefit Charleston Animal Society! Promises to be fun for everyone! Email sobrien@charlestonanimalsociety.org for more info.

december 7th @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm consign charleston shop and shuck For the second year in a row, Consign Charleston is hosting it’s “Shop n Shuck” benefittingCharleston Animal Society. All of the entrance fees plus a portion of the sales will go to help the animals we are trying to save. The event is $20 for all the food you’d likePLUS the chance to shop. Or, there is a $5.00 entry fee if you wouldjust like to shop. 1119Wappoo Rd,Charleston, SC 29407 United States.

december 8th second sunday on king The 2nd Sunday onKingStreet has something for everyone. From Calhoun to Queen walk the street! Bring your pooch and stroll downKingStreet!enjoythestreetactivities, outdoor cafes, incredible shopping and wonderful people.

Your dog will meet the nicest dogs and people in Charleston at this event! FREE parking vouchers! Ask at our info booth. Contact: susan@kingstreetmarketinggroup.com More Info: http://s u s a n l u c a s . t y p e p a d . c o m /secondsundayonkingstreet/

december 14th @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm subaru of charleston share the love event Come out and Share the Love with Subaru and Charleston Animal Society. We’ll bring animals ready for adoption to Subaru in North Charleston and when you drive out in your brand new Crosstreck or Outback, you can take a brand new furry family member with you! Hope to see you there! 8261 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 United States

january 25th-26th 8:00am-5:00pm charleston kennel club dog show. The 77-year-old CharlestonKennelClubshowdrawsone thousand registered dogs. The licensed all-breed show will also accept entries in Obedience and Rally for mixed breed dogs enrolled in the AKC Canine PartnersProgram. Held at Exchange Park in Ladson. Admission is $2and parking is free. Visit www.charlestonkennelclub.org for more info.

Questions? Comments?Call 843-478-0266. Want to submit event information?Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.

mae

lucky

It seems safe to say that most dog/animal

lovers spend time playing with their

companions in some way. Play is fun; it

makes us feel good and relieves stress. Play

can be great exercise. Play helps build a

terrific bond between two different species.

Canplaybemorethan just fun? Can

play be used for training and maintaining

skills? What type of play works best?

Why don’t we talk about play more often?

Talk to any reward-based trainer

and you will learn about food as a

reinforcer for teaching or maintaining

behavior. We use food because it is

fast, so we get a lot of behaviors in a

short period of time -- exactly what we

want when teaching new behaviors.

We don’t talk as much about using

play in training, especially with

companion dog owners. It takes more

time and effort because you actually

have to play for it to be rewarding to the

dog. Is it worth it? I certainly think so.

Using play for training doesn’t mean

that we stop using food. Instead we

can use a combination of the two. It

is very effective to use food during the

training session and end with a game of

tug, fetch or personal play. That makes

training more fun for the dog and sets

him up to start another training session.

Play gives us the opportunity to keep

training fun and interesting for our dogs.

At some point using the same reinforcer

gets boring. If you love lobster but have

to eat it every meal, how long will it be

until it isn’t such a treat any longer?

Through the use of play, we can keep

our dogs excited and engaged with us

during the training process. Many agility

and flyball competitors have been using

play and toys as reinforcers for years.

Some skills are more suited to using toys

and play than others. Consider come when

called. When your dog comes and you

take the time to play with him, he is more

engaged and connected for a longer period

of time. That connection will work in your

favor the next time you call him to come.

There are a lot of different types of

play: fetch, tug, chase games (your dog

chases you) and personal play. It is your

jobtodiscoverwhichgamesaremostfun

and rewarding for your dog. Not every

dog likes to chase a ball or play tug. Some

dogs aren’t fond of personal play. But

having play as part of your toolbox gives

you another option for training and fun.

What about tug games? I hear people

say they have been told to never tug

with their dogs, that tugging creates

aggression. There are some dogs that

shouldn’t tug but most dogs can learn

to play and benefit from the game.

Tug is a great way to teach your dog self

control. Simply put, tug depends on your

dog learning that tug is dependent on his

ability to learn to drop the toy, calm down

and wait for you to resume the game. In

the beginning, it is your job to stop the

game before he goes over the moon and

loses his ability to think. Gradually, you

will begin to play longer periods of time

and at a higher intensity. Tug is the game

of choice for many performance dogs and

certainly the top contender in my house.

Fetch, on the surface, seems to be a

game for the dog only. After all the game

is chasing a ball and the reward doesn’t

have much to do with the person doing the

tossing. But for all of you with ball crazy

dogs, don’t despair -- fetch can be used in

training as well. When your dog brings the

ball, wait until he looks at you or offers

a down before the next throw. Your dog

is learning self control by offering a calm

behavior to get the game to continue.

Chase games are terrific for teaching

your dog to come. How much fun is it for

your dog to be able to run after you and

play when he gets there? The trick is to

have the toy out of sight until he reaches

you. Better still, mix it up by playing with

him without a toy. Play can be a huge

part of teaching a rocket recall; the faster

he comes, the quicker he gets to play!

Not all dogs understand personal play

in the beginning, especially if they have

been discouraged from playing with you

as puppies. Playing with your dog without

toys isn’t comfortable for everyone, at least

in the beginning. It is much easier to grab

a toy to engage your dog than to develop

play skills of your own. It is well worth

learning to engage with your dog this

way. You may not always have a toy but

you will always have your hands or body.

Play is a great tool for helping dogs act

appropriately when guests come to visit.

Using toys can give a shy dog something

fun to do when a stranger comes to

visit. Teaching an overly excited dog

to bring a toy when company comes

gives him a job that works in his favor.

Ofcourse,playcanjustbeplay.When

you come home from a long day and see

your best pal, grab a ball, a tug or that

ratty squeaky toy and have some fun!

Learn more about Cynthia Carter's dog

training at www.mindfulmanners.com

22 Lowcountrydog

Ready, Set, Play!by Cynthia Carter

Play is powerful stuff. It influences so many things, including development, motivation, emotions,

physiology, communication and behavior. Wow! That’s an impressive list. Patricia McConnell, PhD

Photo by potamos.photography, Flickr Creative Commons

Lowcountrydog 23

Located at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms (843) 856-7300

1964 Riviera Dr Ste G, Mount Pleasantwww.tidewaterveterinary.com

Tidewater Veterinary is a full-service integrative practice focused on keeping

your pet happy and healthy.

M-F: 7:30am-7pmSat: 8am-12pm

$15 OFF Senior Wellness Bloodwork with Exam

• Wellness Exams• Vaccines• Acupuncture• Laser Therapy• Dentistry• Surgery

Dr. Cara Daniel, DVM, CVA

$30 shipped!

BarkAvenue

pet resort

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Bark Avenue is THE place to be

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“The best doggone place for yo�pooch to play and stay!”

1032A LeGrand Blvd • Daniel Island off Clements Ferry 843-884-5434 • www.PlayInTheDogHouse.com

4290 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29414(800) 543-4774

�eInnAtMiddletonPlace.com

DOGS LOVE IT HERE!No Charleston hotel has room to run like The Inn at Middleton Place. We even have packages just for our four-legged guests. Visit our website, or give us a call to learn more.

Most dogs live to be active. Whether it

is a hunting dog moving through a field,

a Labrador Retriever chasing a tennis

ball, a Weimaraner jogging with their

owner or a Boykin tracking squirrels

in the backyard, being on the move is

happiness. Hip dysplasia or arthritis is

one of the most common diseases that

limits a dog’s movement and ultimately

can decrease their quality of life. Hip

dysplasia is a disease of laxity within

the normal ball and socket joint of the

hip. In a normal dog the ball (femoral

head) and socket (acetabulum) fit together

perfectlyallowingforahealthyjointand

pain free movement. In the dysplastic

hip, for numerous reasons, the ball and

socket don’t fit together well, leading

to abnormal cartilage on bone contact

causing pain and eventually arthritis

that can be debilitating. A dog that starts

its life with hip dysplasia ends their life

with some degree of arthritis within the

joint.Eachdogisaffecteddifferentlyand

clinical signs range from mild weakness

to a severe lameness. Dogs who have

hip dysplasia show a variety of changes

including stiffness in the back legs after

exercise, muscle loss, bunny hopping

when running, difficulty rising and/or

difficulty jumping. The disease is most

severe in young dogs when the laxity

develops and older dog once arthritis has

set in.

The diagnosis is usually made following

a physical examination with your primary

veterinarian and xrays of the affected

limb. In young dogs xrays usually show

abnormalshapetothejointandinsevere

cases the femoral head can be completely

luxated from the acetabulum (Image

A). Xrays in older dogs usually show

severe arthritic changes with new bone

growth around the entire joint (Image

B). After diagnosis most dogs are started

on conservative non-surgical management

that includes anti-inflammatory

medications, pain medications and

nutraceuticals with the recommendation

for controlled, consistent low impact

exercise to maintain range of motion and

muscle mass in the leg.

Unfortunately some dogs fail to improve

with non-surgical management, suffer

side effects from the anti-inflammatory

medications or in a young dog the

constant cost of medications and trouble

administering them can be devastating.

In these cases surgical management is

indicated and includes either femoral

head and neck ostectomy (FHO) or total

hip replacement (THR). FHO is considered

a salvage procedure in which the femoral

headissurgicallyremovedfromthejoint

taking away the pain of the arthritic bone.

The soft tissues surrounding the joint

enlarge and take over the job of motion

and stability during walking and running.

In these animals the joint is never

biomechanically normal, rehabilitation

can be intensive and most walk with an

abnormal gait but are usually pain free.

The procedure is reported to be more

effective in smaller dogs.

Total hip replacement has been

performed in dogs since the mid 1970s

and is the only way of repairing or

replacing the normal joint. The surgery

involves replacing the socket and ball with

prosthetic implants to allow normal, pain

free motion in dogs of all sizes and most

recently to include cats. The procedure

is used to treat dogs that suffer from

hip dysplasia/arthritis, traumatically

luxated hips, certain types of fractures

and congenital diseases. Candidates from

the procedure are seen through an initial

exam with a veterinary surgeon and the

benefits versus risk of the procedure are

discussed to provide the best long-term

outcome. At Veterinary Specialty Care we

take a team approach to hip replacement

surgeries and have two experienced

surgeons who evaluate each patient,

perform the surgery together and monitor

the cases for long-term follow-up.

Hip replacement implants are divided

into cemented and uncemented implants.

Cemented implants are their strongest

the day of surgery, but slowly weaken

with time. Uncemented implants count

on bone growing into the device in order

to achieve stability. These implants

are weakest the day after surgery and

strengthen each day thereafter. At our

facility we use a Kyon hip replacement

system that is designed and manufactured

by a Swiss company. We feel the system

has the best of both worlds in that it is

uncemented so it strengthens with time

but is held in place with screws that make

it stable immediately after surgery (Image

D). At the initial exam xrays are taken

to find the correct size of the implants as

multiple sizes are available and the system

is tailored to fit each patient. The day of

surgery patients are admitted early that

morning and the surgery can last between

1.5- 3 hours, depending on each dog. Most

dogs will walk on the affected leg that

day and are usually discharged from the

hospital in 2-3 days. At discharge a list of

exercise restrictions and rehabilitation

exercises are discussed to speed the

recovery process. After 4 weeks of rest, a

gradual return to exercise is allowed over

the next 6-8 weeks. Following this period

24 Lowcountrydog

Hip Dysplasiaby Michael Schlicksup, DVM, Diplomate ACVS-SA

continued on page 29

An xray immediately following surgery. The white

arrowhead shows the prosthetic acetabulum, the

white arrow the prosthetic stem and the asterisk

the screws used for initial stabilization.

Lowcountrydog 25

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continued on page 29

dogs are allowed to return to full function

with no restrictions.

Approximately 95% of dogs return

to a pain free active lifestyle for the

remainder of their life. The majority

dogs that have hip dysplasia/arthritis in

both legs usually require only having one

limb repaired with a hip replacement to

return to happy, normal function. While

the complication rate with the surgery is

not high, the risks cannot be completely

removed and include luxation of the new

hip, infection, femoral fractures, nerve

damage or implant failure. Through an

intensive initial exam, precise surgical

placement, high caseload and thorough

long-term follow-up we strictly limit the

number of complications. As a surgeon the

last thing I tell owners at discharge is that

your dogs ‘new’ hip is my responsibility

from here forward. If you have questions

or concerns whether it is 5pm on Friday

or 10pm on Sunday night you call and a

member of our team will be available.

Veterinary Specialty Care is located at 985

Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843-

216-7554

With tourist season winding down and the weather becoming cooler, there are more opportunities to take your dog with you. It’s a great way to meet people since most of us can’t resistant petting a cute, furry face! It also provides good socialization skills for your pooch and an opportunity to spend more time with them. Consider visiting one of your favorite dog friendly culinary spots with your faithful canine companion.

Most restaurants that offer outdoor dining will allow Fido to come along. However other factors to consider are space for your dog to lie down, grass on the outside of the restaurant so they can go potty and shade to stay cool. Since heat and humidity are obviously a factor in the summer months, take them out in the morning or late afternoon/evening and ask for water as soon as you arrive. Although I don’t advocate feeding your pup from the table as it can lead to begging and counter surfing; bring your dogs treats along so they can be rewarded for their good behavior. If you want to give your doggie a special treat, many restaurants will make a grilled chicken breast (boneless and skinless, of course) with no seasoning so your dog can have a healthy snack! Just cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and give it as you would his favorite treat.

Some of our favorite dog-friendly restaurants include Red’s Ice House, Triangle Char N Bar in Mt. Pleasant, Home Team BBQ, Dunleavy’s Pub, Morgan’s Creek and Café Medley. Just remember for all these places, dogs must be on the appropriate patios and NEVER inside. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and ask about specifics

prior to loading Fluffy in the car. A few words of caution be sure to keep an eye on your

pup as sometimes they end up scavenging on the ground eating bits of food. This can lead to stomach upset when you arrive home. Be mindful of where your dog’s tail and paws are located so they are not in the way of servers or other diners.

Make sure your dog is well socialized and trained prior to taking them to dinner. A crowded restaurant is not the

place to train your dog but rather a reward for a well trained dog. If your dog is well behaved but new to the restaurant scene, take them during the less crowded times so they can have a little more room and learn to use their “inside voice” and patience while waiting for mom and dad to finish their meals.

Taking your dog on a walk prior to dinner provides for a calmer canine diner who is less likely to whine and become anxious. Not all restaurant goers enjoy dogs at the adjacent table so ensure he is not sniffing other patron’s plates or being overly friendly.

We take our 160 lb Shepherd to many local restaurants and we are so thankful that all the staff and other patrons are comfortable and usually happy to have a four legged dining companion. However to ensure that restaurants remain dog friendly and welcome us, we must respect their rules and bring calm, well-behaved pooches to their establishments. If we make dining out with Fido a happy experience for everyone, perhaps more restaurants will offer dog bowls and chicken breasts on the menu!

Dr. Barrett owns Island Veterinary Care, a premier housecall service for the Charleston area. For more information, visit www.islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941.

Dr. Barrett owns Island Veterinary Care, a premier housecall service for the Charleston area. For more information, visit www.islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941.

26 Lowcountrydog

Bone Appétit!

By Dr. Shannon Barrett, Island Veterinary Care

Looking for a new best friend?

Pet Helpers Adoption Events Every Weekend at

from 12pm - 4pm975 Savannah Highway, Charleston (843) 852-4563 wwww.petco.com

To fi nd out more about Pet Helpers and the animals available for adoption go to www.pethelpers.org

Lowcountrydog 27

28 Lowcountrydog

As you can see, I’m very handsome – and I’m super sweet! I love my foster mom and dad as well as my furry foster brothers. I dance in circles when my leash comes out, love to go for long walks and I like meeting new dogs. Learn more at www.daisysplace.org

I’m super friendly and I love everyone. I’m also very good in the house, a perfect gentleman. And I’m really good with the little two legged crawler types, too. I sure would like to find my forever family Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org

At 5 years young, I’m the perfect age – just old enough to be extremely well behaved in the house, but with plenty of life left to live and love to give! I’m so easy going that I didn’t even flinch when the doc gave me a mani-pedi! Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org

Monique is heartworm positive and undergoing heartworm treatment. Once complete she will be available for adoption. For more information on wonderful Monique you can call her foster mother at 843-991-8036 or you can email klongwallace@gmail.com.

Hi I'm Allie Mae. I might be seven years old by the numbers but I certainly don't feel that old inside! I love to play with the young pups and can give them a run for their money. I'd love to be part of your family. Learn more at www.summervillespca.org

Meet Bear, a 6 year old German Spitz Mix. He's currently in the Adoption Ambassador Program. We recommend Bear in an ADULT ONLY household. If you are interested in Bear please contact cgumienny@charlestonanimalsociety.org or 843-329-1577.

bear

allie mae

monique jessie

tom sawyer

Adop

tion

Pag

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colby

Spots is a one year old retriever mix. He has a lot of energy but he is sweet and submissive and listens well. Can you consider giving this wonderful boy his second chance? If you are interested in adopting him, please visit www.summervillespca.org

I can be super snuggly at times and love to chew on a good toy. I also have a very playful side! I get low to the ground and hide, waiting to pounce on my next unsuspecting play mate! Sometimes I like to be only around humans and no other animals. See if I am your match at

www.pethlpers.org

Meet Storm, he's wonderful with dogs, cats and other small pets. He is also Great with children! Completely house broken, knows basic commands, no food or toy aggression. If you are interested please contact cgumienny@charlestonanimalsociety.org

Check out Bree, she's currently in a foster program called Adoption Ambassadors. Foster families take dogs that are available for adoption into their homes and bring them around the community with an adopt me vest to try to get them adopted. If you are interested please contact cgumienny@charlestonanimalsociety.org or 843-329-1577

I am a gentle spirit and have never met a stranger! I get so excited about new people that I even talk to them! I am extremely well-behaved on a leash and would love nothing more than someone who wants to take me out and about on the town! Come see me at www.pethelpers.org

I am a sweet girl whose been in a foster home for a while and my foster mother just adores me. She says I am great on a leash and love to go on walks. I have learned how to sit, stay, fetch and I am working on wait. Visit me at www.pethelpers.orgchloe halsey

bree

storm

beeper

spots

$30 shipped!

30 Lowcountrydog