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Halloween a fright for veterinarians
published 11/02/2009 | View all articles from this day
Halloween is to veterinarians what April 15 is to accountants, reports Pet Connection contributing editor Christie Keith in her twice-monthly pet-care column for the San Francisco Chronicle’s Web site. She cites veterinary toxicologist Dr. Steven Hansen of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center in referencing that candy — both chocolate and goodies sweetened with xylitol — can sicken and kill many pets. Hansen says calls about pets who have become ill after eating candy spike to their highest levels around Halloween, noting that the center manages several thousand of these calls at this time every year.
- Dogs do look like their owners. In a study from Bath Spa University, a group of non-dog owners was asked to match photos of 41 dog owners with one of three different breeds: the Staffordshire bull terrier, poodle and Labrador. Owners were matched to their dogs above the level of chance, showing truth to the statement that dogs look like their owners.
- Care for therapy and service dogs can be pricey. Trained service costs range from $5,000 to $50,000, with some organizations donating dogs free of charge to those who need them, although the waiting list is usually long. Regardless of how the dog is acquired, the patient has the responsibility of keeping the dog fed, groomed and healthy. An average yearly food and routine veterinary bill is $1,500, according to Canine Companions for Independence — and of course any health problems beyond routine care can increase the veterinary bills considerably. The high costs associated with service animals present a real challenge to many of those who rely on them, since 70 percent of disabled people are unemployed.
All information copyright 2009 by Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori.
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