Helping Golden Retrievers and Their Owners in Central Texas

 

August 2013

Join Us:  Upcoming Events

 

8/3 - Austin Pet Expo at Palmer Events Center

 

8/25 –GRR Meet Up Lunch at Freddie’s Place

 

9/14 - Sip and Swim at Fawncrest Winery

 

9/21 - VIP night at Shoal Crossing

 

9/22 - Puppy Mill Awareness Day

 

Click to learn more.

 

 

Thank You

GRR Event Sponsors

 

Nutrition Seminar

Dr. John Faught & staff and Dr. Ruth Ann Lobos

 

Book Signing

David Rosenfelt and the Zoom Room

 

 

Support GRR

Shop at Randalls and donate to GRR with no cost to you. Learn how.

Shop at Amazon and help raise funds with no extra cost to you. Learn how.

Purchase Synflex for Humans and Synflex for Pets to promote healthy joints.

Purchase Flint River Ranch Premium Pet Food.  Delivered to your home (use  ID: 2hw2).

 

Ask a Vet: Vaccinations vs. Antibody Titers

Submitted by Dr. Ron Stried, GRR Medical Director

 

Veterinarians have been recommending annual boosters for years, doing so in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.  But differences of opinion exist between veterinarians: many recommend adult dogs should receive core vaccines at 3-year intervals (or longer) while other veterinarians believe adult dogs should receive core vaccines annually.

 

When a veterinarian administers a vaccine, the pet is injected with a preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen; this stimulates antibody production or immunity against that particular pathogen.

 

Those veterinarians who were skeptical of triennial (3 year) vaccination recommendations began measuring antibody titers from individual patients to assess duration of immunity (DOI) and to determine whether a patient required revaccination. 

 

An antibody titer is simply a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a pet’s blood sample. The antibody level in the blood sample reveals whether the pet’s immune system is able to attack and fight off pathogens—without the need for additional vaccinations.

 

In order to understand the results of an antibody titer, tests typically record results as positive or negative and include a brief description of the results’ significance.

 

Today, in-clinic (tests completed in a vet clinic) titer test kits offer testing for canine distemper (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine adenovirus (CAV).

 

Therefore, when these in-clinic tests are performed properly:  a positive test result indicates the patient does have protective levels of antibody against the virus—meaning the patient inherently has the ability to fight off the antigen.

 

A negative test result indicates the patient does not have protective levels of circulating antibody.  However, a negative test result does not necessarily define susceptibility—or a vulnerability of contracting the particular antigen.

 

Factors that influence antibody response following vaccination include:  age, antigen type, vaccination history, health status, genetics, and maternally-derived antibody (antibodies passed on to the offspring through nursing).

 

Current vaccination guidelines recommend administration of the last dose of core vaccines at 14-16 weeks of age.  Antibody titers may be determined as early as 2-4 weeks following completion of the initial vaccination series.  A puppy that is seronegative (lacking the antibody to fight off a specific disease) at 18 weeks of age should be revaccinated not less than 2 weeks following the last dose.

 

Because vaccinations and antibody titers are quite complex subjects, if you have further questions, please email them to katswt19@yahoo.com

 

Look for answers to those questions in next month’s Gold Ribbon Rescue newsletter.

 

Adopt a Golden: Duke aka Choppers #13-001

 

A dog who has mastered “sit,” “down,” and “heal,” who loves to cuddle, is full of energy but knows when to settle down, and snuggles up to his foster pups—Duke’s growth over the past few months in foster care is nothing short of incredible.

 

Duke loves to cuddle with his foster mom’s children; he loves to sit on their laps and roll over for tummy rubs.  He also has learned the unique art “nose nudging”—Duke’s own way of showing you now’s a good time to rub his little head.

 

And you can depend on Duke to be quite the gentleman—showing the most eloquent manners as he lay under the table while his foster family eats their dinner; Duke also just loves to be near his humans as he snuggles up next to his foster mom’s feet while she’s working at her desk.

 

Though Duke connects closely with his humans, he also loves bonding with his foster pups. While his foster siblings lounge around the house, Duke’s tiny size suits him perfectly as he sidles up and props his head on top of his furry friends.  When he’s got a bit of energy, he loves to roughhouse with them, nipping their legs as they trot by.

 

To read more about this fun-loving and gentle boy, please visit the GRR adoption page.

Volunteer Spotlight: Carol Blackwell, Matchmaker

 

   How long have you been volunteering with GRR?

     10 months, but it feels like a lifetime

 

  What made you want to volunteer with GRR?

     Of course my first thought is for the dogs, but the GRR people are amazing!  It is truly a team effort and everyone is so kind.

 

What volunteer position do you hold?

                       Matchmaker.  But I also foster, help with intake and do home visits.

 

Explain the activities you participate in as you fulfill this position. 

      I keep up with all dogs in foster care and talk to approved families to find the right

      fit for the dog; it's all about what is best for the dogs.

 

About how many hours do you typically spend volunteering in this position?

      I spend about 4 hours a day.

 

What is your favorite part about volunteering in this position?

      I LOVE seeing these deserving dogs go to their forever home where they will be

      loved like they should be. I also love seeing/hearing how a great match can heal   

      someone's heart when they have lost their dog.

 

Describe a cute/funny/interesting story while volunteering in this position.

      I have met so many incredible dogs and families that I know I'll be friends with for  

      a long time.

 

Give one piece of advice for volunteers interested in serving in this position.

      You must love people as well as dogs.  It’s an awesome experience.

 

Want to get involved with GRR?  Send an email to shelia@grr-tx.com.

Where Are They Now?

Congrats to Bishop (Simpson #12-117) who is now registered as a Pet Partners/Delta Society Therapy Dog. After his previous owner surrendered this good-natured golden to GRR, Bishop was then adopted to his third and final owner, Monie Fulmer. Fulmer soon enrolled Bishop in a basic obedience class for the fun of it; neither Fulmer nor Bishop knew at the time this would be his forte. Now as a certified therapy dog, his first assignment will be working with the R.E.A.D. program in the Belton/Temple areas. The R.E.A.D. program's mission is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.  Bishop’s mom says, “To think this jewel could have been lost. Saving these jewels is what you all do. Because of your efforts he will bring comfort, healing, and joy to many in his community.”  Congrats and good luck!

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Gold Ribbon Rescue

PO Box 956

Austin, TX  78767

512 659-4653

www.grr-tx.com

Why Join GRR?

By joining GRR, you are helping to cover costs of our rescue not included in the adoption fee.

Basic membership starts at $40.00 per year and allows you to attend and vote at our general meetings.  It also includes electronic delivery of our newsletter for a year, invitations to dog and human social events, and our annual Picnic in the Park.

100% of your donation goes towards meeting the needs of GRR dogs.  The more money GRR receives, the more Goldens we are able to reach.

·         $40 pays for microchipping of one dog

·         $100 pays for Rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella, Heartworm test and fecal exam for one dog

·         $200 pays for one complete male workup including shots and castration

·         $230 pays for one complete female workup including shots and hysterectomy

·         $650+ pays for heartworm treatment for one dog

-    an additional $325 needed for dogs requiring x-rays and bloodwork

To become a member or renew a membership, click the link below to access the GRR Membership page.       

http://www.grr-tx.com/membership.htm

2013 Goldens, as of June 30

Came in:  80 dogs (40 girls / 40 boys) --- 23 owner turn-ins, 53 shelters, 1 strays, 3 returns and 1 other. They came from 10 communities and and 17 shelters.  The oldest: Age 14 and the youngest: Age 5 weeks

 

Adoptions in 2013:  75 goldens  --- 29 from previous years

And 46 from 2013.

 

Upcoming Events: Sip and Swim at Fawncrest Winery

Fawncrest Winery will host a wine tasting for GRR members on September 14th.

This event was a big hit last year offering GRR members an opportunity to socialize with one another while drinking some fine wine.

Members can bring a dish to snack on while the winery gives GRR a deal: $10.00 for two glasses.  Each person pays for the wine he/she consumes.

Look for more details soon in next month’s newsletter.

 

Link to Fawncrest Winery:

http://www.fawncrest.com