PAWPRINTS

Archive for May, 2009

Chanel, the world’s oldest dog, celebrated her 21st birthday on Wednesday May 6th with a certificate from the Guinness Book of Records and a visit to a dog hotel and spa.The off-white dachshund, a rescue dog from Port Jefferson in New York, wore an orange sweater and red goggles as her owner, Denice Shaughnessy, accepted the award marking her longevity.

Chanel became the world’s oldest dog following the death of Butch, the 28-year-old former record holder, in 2003. She’ll be listed in the 2010 edition of Guinness World Records, scheduled for publication this October. She celebrated her birthday with a visit to the New York Dog Hotel and Spa where she was  joined by some doggy friends and posed for photographers as she sat on a red mini-sofa.

Shaughnessy said Chanel tires quickly, wears goggles for cataracts when she is in the sun, and booties to cushion a benign tumor on her hind leg.“I just take good care of her,” said Shaughnessy, 51, who cares for Chanel with her husband, Karl. “I treat her like a person.”Shaughnessy adopted Chanel  from an animal shelter in Virginia when she was just six-weeks old. Although Chanel could run miles in her younger days, now she suffers from joint problems and spends most of her days at home.

The oldest dog ever whose age could be verified was Bluey, an Australian cattle dog that died at the ripe old age of 29 years, 5 months in 1939.  

According to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) as well as the ASPCA, the H1N1 virus, previously known as swine flu, appears to present little risk of infecting our furry friends.

The AVMA states that “to date, there is no evidence that pets are susceptible to this new strain of influenza; it appears to be transmitted solely from person to person.”

“Currently there’s no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City.

 ”However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animals’ health more closely and take steps to limit transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa.”

If you do count a pet pig as your animal companion, please consult with your veterinarian about a Type A influenza vaccine, which is available and recommended for all healthy swine.

So dog and cat lovers, we need not fret for our fur kids. But remember to take the necessary precautions for your own health.