Saturday, September 15, 2007

Pet Health Seminar Sept. 30

Dr. Martin Goldstein D.V.M., will be holding a seminar on Animal Healing and Nutrition at the Kentucky Horse Park on September 30, 2007 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Dr. Goldstein is a graduate of Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine and is considered to be a pioneer in the field on Integrative Veterinary Medicine, which combines conventional medicine with alternative therapies.

He is the author of The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for your Dog and Cat.

You can learn more about Dr. Goldstein at his website

Cost is $30 per person.
The seminar is limited to 150 people, so reserve your spot today.
Contact: J. Seidelman at jeseidelman@msn.com

Dog Events in Georgetown, Oct. 5-7

Continental Kennel Club performance competitions taking place the weekend of Oct 5-7:
Friday night - weight pull.
Saturday - Obedience, Agility (precision), Junior Handler and a Conformation "Fun" Show, Sunday will begin promptly at 8 a.m. with Tracking/Article Search with Retriever Trial beginning at 10:00.

Saturdays event should end in time for everyone to get downtown in order to
view the Grand Horse Parade and Sunday, we will end in time to attend and
participate in the Blessing of the Animals and the Pet Parade!

For details, contact Denise or Tony at Thunder Vallies Animal House

Pool Party for Pooches - October 6

Another chance for one last swim of the summer in the pools at Spindletop Hall!!

Spindletop Hall is hosting a pool party for dogs to benefit Woodford Humane Society.
It will be held on Saturday, October 6th, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Rain date is Sunday, October 7th, 2007. The cost is $10 per dog.
All dogs must have their rabies tag or proof of shot. Concessions will be available poolside at their Tiki Hut Grill.

It’s a great opportunity for your dog to socialize and get some great exercise.

Spindletop Hall is on the right side of Ironworks Pike, past the KY Horse Park if coming from I-75. Call 255-2777 for further directions.

Ciao Down For Paws


Fazoli’s and the Woodford Veterinary Clinic Small Animal & Kennel are teaming up to bring you: “Ciao” Down for Paws 15% of pre-tax sales used with coupon below will be donated to the Woodford Humane Society.

When: Monday, September 17 – Sunday, September 23 2007
Where: Fazoli’s in Palomar Center
Animals available for adoption will be present on Kids’ Night, Tuesday, September 18 from 5-8 Fazoli’s Coupons will be given to owners who adopt that night

K9 Cocktail Hour

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Pet Parade in Georgetown, Sunday Oct. 7

There will be a pet parade Sunday, October 7th, at the end of Festival of the Horse in Georgetown.

There will be a blessing of the animals at the Church of the Holy Trinity on the corner of Broadway and Clinton at two and the parade will start at 3:30. The first 25 to sign in will get tickets to pick up gift bags at the end of the parade.

For more information, contact Denise at Thunder Vallies Animal House

Picnic With the Pups this Sunday!

This Sunday, Sept 9, the annual 'Picnic with the Pups' will be held from 12pm-5pm at Keeneland. There will be live music, contests, disc dog competition, food, and rescue groups with adoptable pets.

Proceeds benefit Bluegrass Animal Welfare League spay/neuter subsidy program. $5 fee.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Dog paddle this weekend!









Where: Woodland Park Pool

When: Saturday, September 8, 2007
(Rain Date: September 9)
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Cost: $10.00 per dog
with a limit of 2 people
$5 per person after the limit

All dogs must have a 2005, 2006 or 2007 rabies tag
or proof of vaccination!

Humans will not be allowed to swim

for more details, including directions to Woodland Park, see the Friends of the Dog Park siteLink

storm & fireworks phobia

As promised, here is more info on solutions for dogs who are terrified of thunderstorms and/or fireworks:

Many of the dogs who react to thunderstorms are afraid of the sound of the thunder. The information below may help these dogs deal with this fear, and with fear of other loud sounds such as fireworks.
Some dogs react to other atmospheric conditions associated with storms, such as barometric pressure and other factors that are hard to measure. They are harder to help. If they seek a grounded surface such as an appliance or metal bathtub, let them (one German Shepherd I know gets on top of the family’s washing machine during storms).

There is a very thorough article at this link

Two therapies discussed in this article are particularly helpful for sound-phobic dogs: melatonin treatment and a pressure wrap (described under "Hug Therapy" in the article referenced above) I've heard that, in a pinch, a snug-fitting T-shirt has some of the helpfulness of the body wrap.

The hormone melatonin helps many dogs that are afraid of loud sounds such as thunder and fireworks. It can be purchased over the counter at health food stores. The dose for an average size dog (30-100 lb) is a 3 mg tablet, ideally to be given before anxiety becomes severe (once they're really stressed, it's less effective). Dogs weighing over 100 pounds may need 6 mg. Dogs weighing less than 30 lb should receive 1.5 mg.
The recommended dose can be given up to 3 times per day.
It is most effective if given before the dog becomes anxious. If thunderstorms are predicted and you have to leave the house, you may give your dog melatonin before you leave – it remains effective for several hours.

Before you buy melatonin, read the following excerpt from the site:
"It's important to read the labels on melatonin bottles very carefully. Some are mixed with herbs or nutrients that may not be safe for dogs. Make sure you buy the correct dosage for your size dog. Remember, there are 1,000 micrograms (mcg.) in a milligram (mg.) so a 200 mcg. pill contains only 1/15 of the amount recommended for a large dog.

" Because melatonin is not regulated by any federal agency, the quality varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. If an inferior product is administered, it may not be effective in calming a dog whereas a higher quality product might be. We cannot recommend any particular brand that is best, so the best course of action is purchase the product from a supplier you trust and believe to carry better quality. “

The veterinarian who pioneered this therapy is Dr. Linda Aronson at Tufts New England Veterinary Medical Center. If your veterinarian is curious, the citation for her original case report is J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999 Jul 1;215(1):22-24.