Do spayed dogs get hot flashes?

I wrote this up on my personal blog, so in the art of being lazy I am going to copy it here as a Saturday funny-haha-post.

Our first dog, Maggie, was about 6 months old when we adopted her from Capital Area Humane Society. When we adopted her she was intact, but when we picked her up, as we knew would happen, she had been spayed. For the first couple years of her life she slept in a crate at night. But slowly she made her way into our bed. First she took naps, then when I came home from my mastectomy surgery, she slept at my feet (due to the type of surgery I had I had to keep my knees bent so I used her as a way to keep my knees up), and eventually she slept all nights with us. We always made fun of how wish-washy she was about being under the covers one minute, then out and panting, then back under the covers . . . this would go on through the night. When Sasha came into our lives, we noticed that she too, moved in and out of the covers through the night.

I had hot flashes when I started chemo, and they never completely went away though they did lessen with time. Recently, I had my ovaries removed as part of ongoing prevention and also as a way to finalize the decision not to have children. As fully expected, my hot flashes increased both in frequency and intensity. And I noticed that my nightly temperature fluctuations seemed eerily similar to those of Sasha's.

And so I began to wonder...do spayed dogs get hot flashes? (okay I just got a crazy vibe as I read back through this ending with the question that this post sounds like something out of 'Sex and the City'. I can almost hear SJP's voice in my head as I re-read it!).

I have done some preliminary online research and I am not the first to ask this question. However the answers are incredibly unsatisfactory because they mostly fall into a "no they don't because we are removing their ovaries so no estrogen left to go through menopause." Oh yeah? Because let me tell you, my ovaries are completely gone and I have RAGING hot flashes. So this answer just doesn't cut it.

And how would one know? You can't survey a dog. I discussed this with Dr. Mandi here at HELP FIDO , and she immediately had some good questions one could ask a dog: "Do you find yourself trying to lay on cold tile floors? Do you want to hang your head out the window inappropriately in the winter?"
I asked my mother-in-law about her current spayed female, Belle, and her previous spayed female, Chloe (RIP) and she agreed - both dogs exhibited signs consistent with running hot and cold. And neither of her male dogs have.
I don't quite know where I am going with this other that to say that I find it fascinating!

Cleaning up after the Councilwoman

I am sure many of you are familiar with the lunacy we have been dealing with in Whitehall in the form of Jackie Thompson. Apparently Jackie has found a new website to cozy up with on those long, lonely nights and it is inspiring her to send out more letters to the editor filled with twisted statistics and false information. The following letter is to once again correct her inaccuracies and mistruths that were published in the July 3rd issue of The Other Paper.

Response to Councilwoman Thompson

It is always interesting to read the opinions of those who rely on news snippets and inaccurate data to drive their fear. I would like to correct some of the inaccuracies and add a bit of clarification.

The pit bull is not a breed of dog, but instead the term has come to be widely used to describe a dog that has an appearance similar to an American Pit Bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier. Since other breeds of dog physically resemble these breeds, mistaken identity is frequently made and consequently numbers are inflated for the number of attacks involving so-called "pit bulls". Further, correct breed identification becomes more problematic when the dog involved in an attack is a mixed-breed. Hence, ambiguity exists when using the term "pit bull". Note that other data collection techniques (animal control reports, police reports, witness observation) used for breed identification purposes in dog attacks may also be flawed for these reasons. Recently genetic DNA testing has become available to help with breed determination. Preliminary DNA studies have found that approximately 1 out of every 10 dogs identified as “pit bull” actually has any bully breed DNA at all. This potentially means that 90% of these dogs are misidentified.

Ms. Thompson states that "The American Temperament Test Society argument does not stand up to close scrutiny. The ATTS was not set up to score house pets. It was devised to test dogs for police and guarding type work." Actually, according to Thomas Szebenyi, the Chief Tester of the ATTS, “The test was created to help breeders remove dogs from their breeding stock that have bad temperament. The test is open to all purebred dogs and spayed/neutered mixed breed dogs.” The ATTS tests dogs on a number of behaviors to determine the temperament and stability of a dog, not specific to suitability for police or guarding dogs. A dog that is fearful or overly timid when facing specific stimuli is not a sound, stable dog. Aggressiveness when facing stimuli would be another indicator temperament issues. This test is to determine if the dog has the correct, healthy response to the stimuli.

Ms. Thompson also states that the UK Dangerous Dog Act names the pit bull terrier but not the Staffordshire Terrier or the American Staffordshire Terrier in the Act, thus giving dog owners a loophole. While she is correct in that the Act only specifically lists the pit bull terrier, the UK Dangerous Dog Act classifies dangerous dogs by "type" not by breed label. This means that whether a dog is prohibited under the Act will depend on a judgment about its physical characteristics. To highlight this fact the UK even distributes brochures with pictures and descriptions of the prohibited breed "types."

Ms. Thompson further states that she would like to see bite incidents reported by severity. On this we can agree. I would like to take it a step further and have the dog owners’ responsibility placed in the report, as in the recent incident in New York when the angry boyfriend kicked out a window air conditioner and tossed a frightened dog into a room of children. I would also like to know how many prior incidents the owners have had regarding animal control violations.

To correct Ms. Thompson's belief that there has not been a pit bull related death in Ohio since BSL was enacted. There was a pit bull related death in 1992. Additionally, since BSL was enacted in Ohio, a Husky and a Chow killed a 7 year old, an American Bulldog killed a 5 year old, a Wolf-Dog killed a 5 year old, a German Shepherd and a mixed breed killed an infant, a Rottweiler killed a 54 year old woman and a Rottweiler killed a 40 year old man.

Ms. Thompson also brings up fatalities in the state of Texas. Texas which is the 2nd most populous state had the highest rate of fatal dog attacks in 2007, which were not limited to pit bull type dogs. There were some commonalities. All of the dogs were intact and most were chained, outside dogs, not "family dogs" as it was claimed. Ms. Thompson attributes the higher rate of fatalities in Texas to their lack of BSL. However in 2007 there were 44 states with no pit bull fatalities that did not have BSL enacted.

She also brings up Council Bluffs, Iowa as a success story. Of course pit bull bites are going to decrease if you decrease the population. What she fails to mention is that while there were fewer bites by pit bulls due to the decreased population, attacks by other breeds increased. The question shouldn't be "did pit bull bites go down", but "did public safety improve?" The answer would be a resounding, no.

It also needs to be pointed out that there is no difference between the injuries inflicted by a pit bull versus any other breed of similar size. For nearly two decades the National Canine Research Council has investigated and analyzed fatal dog attack injuries. It is important to note that NCRC has researched EVERY fatal and/or severe attack for which data is available. No other individual or group has even approached the volume of information that NCRC has collected and analyzed. The NCRC states that it is impossible to determine the breed of dog by reviewing an autopsy report or photo, as no breed of dog has a particular method of attack or inflicts an exclusive type of injury. It is virtually impossible for anyone to match the breed of dog with the fatal injuries - as such - claims that one breed of dog inflicts injuries unlike other breeds have no merit.

Any time anyone is hurt by a dog it is an unfortunate situation that should have never occurred. I do know that the “pit bull lobby”, as Jacquelyn Thompson likes to call those of us who are pushing for stronger laws requiring responsible ownership of all breeds, reached out to a recent victim of a local dog attack to be certain that the victim had the appropriate care and assistance while recovering from injuries. I personally have been pushing for much harsher penalties for owners of animals which have attacked as well as pushing for stronger regulation of dogs which have shown threatening tendencies. I have no tolerance for irresponsible people that allow their animals to hurt others and I believe Ms. Thompson would be quite surprised at some of the measures I would like to see taken. In fact, I invite Ms. Thompson to meet with me to discuss these ideas.

Destructive Chewing

Hello all! My name is Dr. Mandi Maimone. Most call me Dr. Mandi or Dr. M. I am a 2004 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio and have been in the veterinary business for about 17 years now. I currently practice small animal medicine (which means that the majority of my patients are dogs and cats) in Central Ohio. I am also a founding member of HELP FIDO. Although I now live in the Columbus area, I have lived most of my life in New York City. Much of my work in New York involved interaction with and treatment of bully breed dogs. They are very near and dear to my heart. I also spent time working at The New York Zoological Society also known as the Bronx Zoo. That was lots of fun!!

My purpose here is to provide all of you with medical and behavioral knowledge and information regarding not just bully breeds but all of our furry canine friends. This time around I would like to talk about a behavioral problem all dog owners have had to deal with (including myself!!) and that is CHEWING!

DESTRUCTIVE CHEWING is very common. Puppies investigate their enviornment by sniffing, tasting and perhaps chewing on objects as part of their normal behavior. Adult dogs might chew when they are searching for food, playing or merely as a means of satisfying a natural urge to chew and gnaw on objects. In some cases, chewing might be an attention seeking behavior even if it yields negative attention or results in chasing or scolding by their owners. Anxiety, conflict, or high-arousal situations may result in destruction and chewing of the owner's possessions and perhaps attempts to escape by chewing windows, doors or the area in which the dog is confined.

The dog may chew to escape or roam because of inadequate exercise, stimulation or environmental enrichment. In rare instances, chewing is accompanied by ingestion of inappropriate objects (pica), which may be caused by a compulsive disorder. This can be a very dangerous situation if the dog develops an intestinal obstruction. This is where I come in, since surgery is many times required to remove these obstructive objects. Surgical procedures can be very risky for your pet and can also be very costly to you.

The first step in treating chewing behavior is to IDENTIFY THE UNDERLYING MOTIVATION. Young dogs and puppies that chew inappropriate items may be engaging in play and exploration. Getting into garbage or other food areas is usually a food seeking behavior and may be part of normal dog behavior or may occur when the dog is on a calorie-restricted diet. Dogs that chew at windows, doors or their crates may suffer from separation anxiety, or may be reacting to outside stimuli. Repetitive chewing that is dificult to distract or redirect might be related to obsessive compulsive disorder. Dogs that are diagnosed with this condition may also chew obsessively on certain areas of their own bodies like the carpus (wrist) or hock, causing sores that may take a very long time to heal and require medical treatment. Intact animals (dogs that are not spayed or neutered) may attempt to escape to roam and seek a mate. Dogs with limited opportunity for social interaction, playtime, exercise, walks and poor enviornmental enrichment may chew as a way to combat boredom.

Keeping a daily diary of chewing episodes, frequency and where such episodes occur may help to determine underlying motivation and contributing factors. If the problem occurs when the owner is absent, a videotape may help determine whether separation anxiety or an environmental stimulus such as noise is the source of the problem.

Treatment options vary depending on the type of chewing behavior as well as the reason behind the behavior. Destructive chewing resulting from separation anxiety, noise phobia (such as to thunderstorms or fireworks) or territorial aggression may require consultation with your veterinarian, a board certified behaviorist, trainer or a combination of some or all of these individuals. These dogs frequently require medication (and therefore close veterinary monitoring of administration of medication and possible side effects), which aids in behavioral modification in order to effectively treat them for these problems.

Other destructive chewing behaviors respond to PREVENTIVE MEASURES. You may begin treatment by redirecting chewing to suitable and appealing alternatives, providing sufficient play and exercise, and preventing access to previously chewed items. Avoid all rewards, either purposeful or inadvertant. Keep food completely out of reach, secure trash and garbage, and avoid chasing the dog and playful tugging at "stolen" items. Preventing access to areas where the dog might chew is essential. Baby gates, closed doors, and leash control all help prevent unwanting chewing.

If destructive chewing occurs in confinement, other measures may be needed such as teaching the dog how to be comfortable while confined or treating any underlying anxiety that may be contributing to the behavior.

Provide OUTLETS FOR CHEWING. Rather than focusing on punishment, it is more appropriate to provide acceptable outlets for chewing. Give the dog a choice of chew toys to determine which ones it finds most appealing. Some dogs prefer plastic, nylon or rubber toys while others prefer edible items that are safe to be ingested. Augmenting these toys with food often increases their desirability. For example, my dogs enjoy their Kong rubber chew toy filled with peanut butter. I find that placing the toy in the freezer lengthens the time they are interested in the toy by making the peanut butter last much longer. Be sure to provide durable toys so that small pieces may not be chewed off and ingested, as well as toys that are appropriate your dogs' size and breed.

One side note, it is very important to NEVER, EVER give your dog natural bones to chew on. Natural bones like chicken, pork, steak, rib, turkey, beef or any bone like these can easily splinter causing tearing or puncture of the stomach or intestinal lining, can cause obtruction requiring surgery, or cause severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. Any or all of these conditions can be life threatening to your pet.

Reward your dog with attention and praise for chewing appropriate items. You must also check items regularly and remove any damaged ones to avoid inadvertant ingestion of broken or splintered toys.

SUPERVISION, EXERCISE AND REPRIMANDS are also an important part of the equation as long as they are performed appropriately. Supervise puppies at all times to prevent chewing on inapproapriate objects and to encourage them to use the toys provided. If supervision is not possible, prevent access to any chewable object or area where chewing may occur.

A dog needs ample opportunity to explore and play in a regular, predictable routine, including social interacions, play, training and exercise. For many dogs a daily walk can be very calming and provides exercise and stimulation. Also, formal training classes can be fun and entertaining for both pet and owner.

A dog should be reprimanded for chewing ONLY if it is caught in the act. All reprimands must be immediate, humane and controlled. Inappropriate reprimands can lead to fear and defensive reactions in some dogs, or may serve as a form of negative attention and reinforcement of undesireable behaviors in others.

Another option is to make the areas where the dog is likely to chew adversive. Taste or odor aversion is often the easiest and most practical intervention, but not all pets are deterred by these types of products, especially if no other appropriate outlets for play and exploration are offered. Because chewing is an inherently rewarding behavior, some form of chewing may be a lifelong habit for some dogs. Always make sure you consult your veterinarian before purchasing or using any of these products as some may not be safe for your pet.

Overall, the best advice I can offer is to take the time to discover the reason behind your dogs' destructive chewing and explore your options carefully. You know your pet best. So work with your veterianian, behaviorist, trainer to devise a plan that works for you, your family and your dog. This way everybody is happy in the end.

Thats all for now.

Dr. Mandi
(PS - I need to acknowlegde Dr. Debra F. Horowitz, DVM, Diplomate ACVB, Veterinary Behavior Consultations, St. Louis, Missouri and her article in NAVC Clinician's Brief for some of the information contained in this blog.)

Whitehall, OH – debate continues

Members of HELP FIDO attended the Whitehall City Council meeting again last night – it’s almost a tradition at this point, at least I know where I’ll be every Tuesday evening. Last night’s meeting was a committee meeting which is open to the public, but the public is only allowed to speak at the full Council meetings. As outlined below and here, Council Member Jackie Thompson’s much publicized pit bull ban was defeated last week, 5-2. But Ms. Thompson’s antics continued this week with her attacks on Council Member Bob Bailey’s comprehensive, breed neutral legislation that is based on action or behavior (not breed). It will be up for 2nd Reading next Tuesday, June 17th (most ordinances go to a 3rd reading) so I encourage everyone to attend - especially if you're a Whitehall resident. If you’d like an entire copy of this ordinance, send me an email (briancluxton@yahoo.com). Ms. Thompson continues to argue the same uninformed, ignorant positions at each meeting about pit bulls and breed specific legislation; there simply is no reasoning with her. I got the distinct impression last evening that many elected officials in Whitehall are tired of her act. I know I tired of it a long time ago.

After the back and forth about Mr. Bailey’s legislation, discussion moved on to other matters, including the standing committees. During the Safety committee discussion, talk among the members turned to general safety in Whitehall – nothing to do with dogs or dog legislation. Pretty much out of nowhere, Ms. Thompson stated that “All of the men on council don’t care that Whitehall citizens feel threatened.” This was at least the second time she has claimed no one supports or agrees with her based on gender. Needless to say, that remark set off a firestorm of discussion and many of the other Council members were furious. Personally, I was dumbfounded – Ms. Thompson has said a lot of stupid things over the past 5 or so months, but that took it to a whole other level. As usual, reporters from both the Suburban News Publications and Eastside Messenger were in attendance. I hope they are accurate in their newspaper accounts of Ms. Thompson’s behavior last evening.

On to a much more pleasant topic – Anna and I were in Iowa City 2 weekends ago for the 4th Annual Bully Workshop. One of the highlights was seeing Wallace the Pit Bull, the 2007 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Freestyle Flying Disc National Champion. Wallace and Roo (his handler/owner) are amazing!! Wallace is also one of the sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet. And to think, people like Jackie Thompson believe dogs like Wallace should be killed simply because of the way they look. Much more about Wallace’s story can be found here.