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Spring 2013 www.tristatecollirescue.org

Can You Help Us Help Them?

Fosters. Fosters. Fosters. We are always in need of loving foster homes.

Transporters Gas Cards Volunteers

Discounted Veterinary Care Grooming Services

Food, Leashes, Collars, Crates Petco/PetSmart Gift Cards

Cash Donations!

Want to Volunteer, but not sure how you can help? We need people for a variety of tasks, especially

events. Do you like to plan parties? Consider helping us plan an event. Do you enjoy socializing?

Consider attending our events and helping us get the word out to people that we have loving collies in

need of loving homes. Ideas and talents are always welcome. If you would like to volunteer for us,

please fill out an application at www.tristatecollierescue.org under “help”.

Love Chocolates & Collies?

Tri State Collie Rescue is continuing a fundraising activity with Malley's Chocolates of Cleveland, Ohio. A website has been setup specifically for the Tri State Collie Rescue fundraising campaign. All purchases made on that site will directly benefit Tri State Collie Rescue. To participate, please visit http://www.malleys.com/tri-state-collie-rescue

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20 New Collies Rescued From Hoarding Situation

Recently in Ohio, a homeowner was found to have over 100 dogs in her care. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, Tri State Collie Rescue was able to rush to the scene and pick up 20 smooth coat collie boys. Six of these collies have been transferred to other nearby collie rescues, leaving us with 14 new additions. Please keep an eye on our website. More info to come as these boys are evaluated for adoption over the next few weeks.

The Joys of Senior Dogs

By Nicole Z.

Far too few people know the joys of a senior dog. Just the thought of a “senior” can send someone

running in the opposite direction. But the fact of the matter is that seniors make wonderful companions.

Many seniors used to be house dogs. It is a sad fact that once dogs reach a certain age, many owners

will “trade” them in for a puppy. As the owner of three senior dogs, I can honestly say that I don’t

understand how someone could give up their dog just because it’s gotten a little older. Seniors are much

more mild mannered than puppies and young dogs. They are calmer, less likely to chew on your

belongings, often already housebroken and good house dogs, and full of love. Let’s be honest, does

turning 5 years old automatically raise your veterinary bills? Of course not. A five or six; eight or ten-

year-old dog can be just as healthy or just as unhealthy as a 2 year old dog. I love my senior dogs. They

aren’t rambunctious, but they still play. They don’t mind staying in on a rainy day. They want nothing

more than to love and be loved in return. Please consider opening your heart and your home to a senior

collie and see for yourself what a joy they can be.

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Dangerous Foods for Dogs

Many people are aware that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but did you also know that macadamia nuts

are deadly for dogs?

Below is a list of household foods that can be harmful to your canine companion. For further

information on why these foods are dangerous, please view the slideshow at

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat

Xylitol – a common sweetener for gum, toothpaste, candies, etc. (this one is extremely toxic!), Chocolate, Grapes and Raisins (highly toxic), Alcohol, Macadamia Nuts (just a few can kill a dog), Coffee, Tea, and other sources of Caffeine, Milk and Dairy Products, Onions, Chives, Avocado, Garlic, Yeast Dough, Baking items, such as baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and some spices, Fruit Seeds and Pits, Raw Potato, Raw eggs, Raw or Undercooked Meat or Fish, Fat and Bones (Raw and Cooked), Corn Cobs, Salty foods, Sugary foods, Moldy/Rotten foods

Also, beware of plastic grocery bags and potato chip bags. Pets can get their heads stuck in potato chip bags and suffocate.

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Hillary By Teresa H. Foster Mom

I have fostered Hillary (Prissy) for well over a year now. Little did I know she would still be in my care after so long. Many other fosters have come and gone to their forever home while my little Hillary was never chosen; never the bride; never picked for the team; never appreciated for who she is. I guess Hillary is probably close to 10 years old. Not many people know the joys of a senior collie. No, she is not a "perfect" collie in looks or temperament. But I think I understand her. When TSCR rescued her she was a mess. Probably a breeding female from a backyard breeder. She was filthy, un-spayed, no dental care and had a congenital inverted eyelid. This is a very simple surgical repair which should have been done as a pup. Few eye problems cause more discomfort in dogs than this hereditary condition known as entropion. This condition causes the eyelids to roll inward, pressing the eyelashes against the sensitive eye surface, and leading to pain, tearing and vision loss.

I surmise she was at a distinct disadvantage in a backyard pack and was probably attacked, bullied and hungry. She was also in pain and fearful for most of her life. I expect she learned very early to attack her litter mates if she was to survive. TSCR had her spayed, teeth cleaned and eyelid fixed and gave her to me to foster. Hillary's only character flaw is really just that she does not like other dogs, or cat, or children who might represent competition for resources. If there is food or love being distributed she wants it all! Can you really fault her for her attitude? Hillary just needs to be an only child. She is happy and loving and cooperative, intelligent and a "easy keeper" if ONLY she is ALWAYS the "queen of her kingdom". She will be a perfect match for an elderly couple who like to take leisurely walks and keep a very quiet low keyed lifestyle. Surely she deserves a bit of paradise in a home who appreciates her—and only her— for the rest of her life.

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Just Say No! To Ivermectin

Collies are among the select herding breeds that are commonly born with a gene mutation. This gene

mutation, commonly known as MDR1, makes these dogs highly sensitive to certain medications – to the

point where these medications can be deadly to your collie. Some sources say that as many as 80% of collies

can be affected by the MDR1 mutation.

Ivermectin, the active ingredient in Heartguard, is the most commonly known drug that is unsafe for collies.

We all know the importance of keeping our pets on a monthly heartworm preventative, but it is very

important not to give Heartguard or other Ivermectin products to a collie that has not been tested for

MDR1. The heartworm preventative of choice has always been Interceptor. Many people ask what do we do

now that Novartis is not presently producing Interceptor? Some of us here at Tri-State Collie Rescue have

begun purchasing Interceptor from Australia and importing it to the United States. Your veterinarian

cannot recommend this because Australian Interceptor has not been FDA approved, but it is the same active

ingredient as U.S. Interceptor.

Ivermectin is not the only drug that is unsafe for collies. The following drugs are also considered dangerous

for dogs with MDR1 mutation:

Acepromazine (tranquilizer and pre-anesthetic agent) and Butorphanol (analgesic and pre-anesthetic agent)

should be given in lower doses because it can cause prolonged sedation.

The follow drugs should be avoided: Emodepside (a cat wormer that has been approved for use in dogs in

other countries), Erythromycin (antibiotic), Spiramycin (antibiotic), Enrofloxacin (antibiotic), Loperamide

(commonly known as the anti-diarrheal medication Imodium), Selemectin (anti-parasitic, “potential high

risk”, but considered safe at the normal monthly preventative dose), Milbemycin (anti-parasitic, “potential

high risk”, but considered safe at the normal monthly preventative dose), Moxidectin (anti-parasitic),

Doramectin (anti-parasitic), Abamectin (anti-parasitic), Emodepside (anti-parasitic), Selemectin (anti-

parasitic), Vincristine (chemotherapy agent), Vimblastine (chemotherapy agent), Doxorubicin (chemotherapy

agent), Domperidone (anti-ulcer)

The following drugs should be used with caution and extra monitoring: Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive),

Dexamethasone (immunosuppressive), Digoxin (cardiac drug), Digitoxin (cardiac drug), Quinidine (cardiac

drug), Diltiazem (cardiac drug), Verapamil (cardiac drug), Doxycyclin (antibiotic), Grepafloxacin (antibiotic),

Sparfloxacin (antibiotic), Rifampicin (antibiotic), Morphine (analgesic), Buprenorphine (analgesic), Fentanyl

(analgesic), Acepromazine (analgesic), Butorphanol (analgesic), Etoposide (anti-neoplastic), Metronidazole

(anti-parasitic), Cimetidine (anti-ulcer), Ranitidine (anti-ulcer), Ondansetron (anti-ulcer), Phenytoin (anti-

epileptic), Estradiol (steroid), Ketoconazole (anti-fungal), Itraconazole (anti-fungal), Paclitaxel (anti-

neoplastic), Dactinomycin (anti-neoplastic), Mitoxantrone (anti-neoplastic), Etoposide (anti-neoplastic)

When in doubt, simply ask your veterinarian whether or not the medication he or she is prescribing is safe

for collies and other dogs that can have or carry the MDR1 mutation. And never give over the counter

medications to your dog without veterinary advice.

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Tri-State Alumni Corner

Kirby’s New Year’s Resolutions

Kirby found his furever home two years ago. He loves his Tri-State Collie Rescue friends and sends

frequent updates. Recently, he shared with us his New Year’s Resolutions for 2013.

1. I will try really hard to stop chewing on Mom's yarn, her socks and her shoes and whatever is in the

clothes hamper that I can reach. She just started learning to knit and I really like the yarn! Usually I'm

good, but every once in a while, I get a wild hair and go on a rampage with the yarn! Fun, fun!

2. I will not chase Jed around the house -- most of the time.

3. I will stop giving Mom eye rolls when she corrects me. (Actually, I just put this one in there because

she's watching. I'll continue with the eye rolls because it works every time and makes her laugh but

please don't tell Mom!)

4. I will find another place to spend the night other than on top of Dad's feet (not really, but I'll try)

5. No more counter-surfing, even though I really like cheese and other snacks!

6. I will continue to rid the yard of all pesky squirrels.

7. I will not dig under the bush in the backyard because it makes a big mess on the patio.

8. Finally, I will continue to help on all indoor and outdoor remodeling and gardening projects because I

like learning new skills and Mom and Dad need the help!

Good luck with your resolutions, Kirby! If you have adopted from Tri-State Collie Rescue and would like your alumi dog featured in one of our newsletters, please email photos and a story to newsletter@tristatecollierescue.org for consideration.