Tails in the News
By Sarah Dahnke
When Kristine Kasper of Scottsdale came home on July 31 she discovered her house had been burglarized, and that her laptop, digital camera, iPod, and 3-month-old Doberman named Kaiser were gone. Friends helped publicize the burglary by putting up flyers and spreading the word about the missing puppy, but in the meantime, a couple found Kaiser wandering on the street about four miles from Kasper’s home. Unfortunately, they hadn’t heard about the crime and intended on keeping him.
“They were cleaning him up to stay with them, but their third roommate convinced them that this dog must belong to someone because he was house trained,” says Kasper.
The couple’s roommate did some research and found an ad that Kasper’s sister had placed on the Pets 911 website. They were convinced enough to take Kaiser to a vet, where his microchip was scanned, and Kasper was contacted. The two were reunited on Aug. 14.
Kasper says Kaiser was covered with hundreds of ticks and was underweight when he was found, but he is doing well now. “He was a little scared at first, but then he recognized me,” she says. “He’s eating like a horse and sitting in my lap and giving me kisses.”
Kasper isn’t sure how Kaiser ended up on the street, but she’s pretty sure he was in the custody of the burglars for quite some time. She says it would have been difficult for the puppy to survive outside in such hot temperatures, and he probably wouldn’t have acquired as many ticks if he weren’t in the company of other dogs. Kasper also thinks the burglars may have decided to put Kaiser on the street after her burglary started receiving media coverage.
The Arizona Piggie Poo Rescue has recently been transporting guinea pigs scheduled for euthanasia from shelters in Southern California to foster homes in Arizona. As a result of the increased workload, the organization is looking to add to its volunteer and foster base to help with its current efforts. The nonprofit does not accept public surrenders and operates by relieving municipal shelters and private rescue organizations at critical capacity in order to eliminate the euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals, according to Amanda Peterson, national coordinator of APPR. It also coordinates transfers of small animals, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, and hamsters. Those interested in helping with transport, foster, or assisting APPR in any other way should contact Peterson at info@PiggyPoo.org.
Leashed pets are welcome and invited to tour the Boyce Thompson Arboretum outside of Superior, as the 320-acre collection of gardens gears up for the fall season with a series of nature-centric events. The arboretum will be hosting a number of plant tours, lizard walks, and butterfly watching gatherings all year, and its two miles of paths and trails are open daily. It is home to more than 3,200 different desert plants as well as Ayer Lake, which includes a number of local water birds. Well behaved and leashed pets of all kinds are allowed on the arboretum grounds. For more information about the area or to find out about special events, visit AG.Arizona.edu/BTA.
Valley Fever, a disease formed from fungus that lives year-round in the soil, can severely affect dogs and cats if it is not discovered and treated in a timely manner. It is especially prevalent during the rainy season and when there is excessive construction, according to Dr. Kathleen Hoffman, a veterinarian with the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
“Pets can get Valley Fever if they inhale the spores,” she says. “If someone is installing a pool, or there is a lot of construction that involves digging up the soil, the spores get out of the soil, and it’s easier to inhale them.”
The spores travel into the lungs, where they can cause fever, coughing, weight loss, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Many pets are able to fight it off in early stages without treatment, but if they don’t, it can spread into the central organ system and cause seizures or lameness. It can also cause eye infections and skin ulcers.
It was previously thought that the disease occurred only in dogs, but veterinarians have discovered it can affect felines as well. Even indoor cats are at risk because spores can travel through the air and into the house. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee prevention from Valley Fever. However, Hoffman says the sooner you discover the symptoms, the easier the disease is to treat.
“The good news is we’ve had good success with treatment,” she says. “There are a lot of anti-fungals out there.”
Hoffman suggests reducing your dog’s opportunities for digging if possible but notes, “Dogs are dogs,” and this may be impossible. Planting grass or adding deep gravel on top of soil may also discourage dogs from digging directly in the dirt.
Researchers are working to produce a vaccine for Valley Fever, but estimate that it is at least several years away from production.
Missing dog reunited with guardian
When Kristine Kasper of Scottsdale came home on July 31 she discovered her house had been burglarized, and that her laptop, digital camera, iPod, and 3-month-old Doberman named Kaiser were gone. Friends helped publicize the burglary by putting up flyers and spreading the word about the missing puppy, but in the meantime, a couple found Kaiser wandering on the street about four miles from Kasper’s home. Unfortunately, they hadn’t heard about the crime and intended on keeping him.
“They were cleaning him up to stay with them, but their third roommate convinced them that this dog must belong to someone because he was house trained,” says Kasper.
The couple’s roommate did some research and found an ad that Kasper’s sister had placed on the Pets 911 website. They were convinced enough to take Kaiser to a vet, where his microchip was scanned, and Kasper was contacted. The two were reunited on Aug. 14.
Kasper says Kaiser was covered with hundreds of ticks and was underweight when he was found, but he is doing well now. “He was a little scared at first, but then he recognized me,” she says. “He’s eating like a horse and sitting in my lap and giving me kisses.”
Kasper isn’t sure how Kaiser ended up on the street, but she’s pretty sure he was in the custody of the burglars for quite some time. She says it would have been difficult for the puppy to survive outside in such hot temperatures, and he probably wouldn’t have acquired as many ticks if he weren’t in the company of other dogs. Kasper also thinks the burglars may have decided to put Kaiser on the street after her burglary started receiving media coverage.
Local small animal rescue seeks to increase volunteer and foster base
The Arizona Piggie Poo Rescue has recently been transporting guinea pigs scheduled for euthanasia from shelters in Southern California to foster homes in Arizona. As a result of the increased workload, the organization is looking to add to its volunteer and foster base to help with its current efforts. The nonprofit does not accept public surrenders and operates by relieving municipal shelters and private rescue organizations at critical capacity in order to eliminate the euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals, according to Amanda Peterson, national coordinator of APPR. It also coordinates transfers of small animals, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, and hamsters. Those interested in helping with transport, foster, or assisting APPR in any other way should contact Peterson at info@PiggyPoo.org.
Local arboretum invites pets to tour its trails
Leashed pets are welcome and invited to tour the Boyce Thompson Arboretum outside of Superior, as the 320-acre collection of gardens gears up for the fall season with a series of nature-centric events. The arboretum will be hosting a number of plant tours, lizard walks, and butterfly watching gatherings all year, and its two miles of paths and trails are open daily. It is home to more than 3,200 different desert plants as well as Ayer Lake, which includes a number of local water birds. Well behaved and leashed pets of all kinds are allowed on the arboretum grounds. For more information about the area or to find out about special events, visit AG.Arizona.edu/BTA.
Soil fungus poses risk to area dogs and cats
Valley Fever, a disease formed from fungus that lives year-round in the soil, can severely affect dogs and cats if it is not discovered and treated in a timely manner. It is especially prevalent during the rainy season and when there is excessive construction, according to Dr. Kathleen Hoffman, a veterinarian with the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
“Pets can get Valley Fever if they inhale the spores,” she says. “If someone is installing a pool, or there is a lot of construction that involves digging up the soil, the spores get out of the soil, and it’s easier to inhale them.”
The spores travel into the lungs, where they can cause fever, coughing, weight loss, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Many pets are able to fight it off in early stages without treatment, but if they don’t, it can spread into the central organ system and cause seizures or lameness. It can also cause eye infections and skin ulcers.
It was previously thought that the disease occurred only in dogs, but veterinarians have discovered it can affect felines as well. Even indoor cats are at risk because spores can travel through the air and into the house. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee prevention from Valley Fever. However, Hoffman says the sooner you discover the symptoms, the easier the disease is to treat.
“The good news is we’ve had good success with treatment,” she says. “There are a lot of anti-fungals out there.”
Hoffman suggests reducing your dog’s opportunities for digging if possible but notes, “Dogs are dogs,” and this may be impossible. Planting grass or adding deep gravel on top of soil may also discourage dogs from digging directly in the dirt.
Researchers are working to produce a vaccine for Valley Fever, but estimate that it is at least several years away from production.
