Columbia Memorial Health (1) Careers

Soft Paws: Purebred vs. mixed breed, Part 2

In Columns, Columns - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
November 20, 2024
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By Charlene Marchand

For Capital Region Independent Media

Scrappy is a 3-and-a-half-year-old Coonhound mix, pictured with CGHS/SPCA Office Manager Jennifer Maloney. He’s a very easygoing boy who’s looking for the perfect home. Scrappy is incredibly smart; he knows sit, down, paw, speak and roll over! He does need to be the only pet in the home, but we can assure you, you’ll never be bored with this guy! He never fails to make anyone laugh with his goofy personality. Contributed photo

Health of purebred and mixed breeds, continued…

With great frequency, questions come up not only in my classes, but with phone consults regarding purebred versus mixed breed health issues. Many families ready to add a new dog or an additional canine to their family are often misinformed about the studies and statistics on the medical issues of all dogs.

The Dog Aging Project evaluated over 25,000 dogs. Fifty percent were mixed breed and 50% purebred. The results of this study were published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, which can be easily accessed. I will list the research update by comparison.

The header is “Top 10 owner reported medical conditions of purebred dogs”:

1. Dental plaque

2. Dog bites

3. Extracted teeth

4. Giardia

5. Osteoarthritis

6. Seasonal allergies

7. Infections

8. Heart murmur

9. Fractured teeth

10. Cataracts

The same subset of mixed breed dogs:

1. Dental plaque

2. Extracted teeth

3. Dog bites

4. Teeth

5. Seasonal allergies

6. Giardia

7. Osteoarthritis

8. Ear infections

9. Torn/broken toenails

10. Chocolate toxicity

As a professional dog trainer blessed to do my passion, I have dealt with many dogs of different descent on a weekly basis throughout the years. Problems with inappetence and lack of condition, chronic loose stools and more significant diarrhea, seemingly unresponsive to meds, chronic skin allergies, ear infections, inflamed tear ducts, and arthritis are very common.

The majority of my clients’ canines needing ACL and TPLO surgeries are mixed breeds. Dogs that have experienced bloat are almost even. Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease are not particular to a breed.

Many dog owners deal with unsound temperaments and behavior issues based in genetic origin. Mixed breed dogs have greater numbers with these unfortunate challenges.

Last but not least, there is no such thing as a “hypoallergenic” animal. Many specific breed haircoats are less reactive to sensitive owners than others. One of my key colleagues has worked with two shelters in the Midwest for years. As more poodle crosses became popular for their “allergy-neutral” selling point, these shelters experienced an increase in surrenders of these mixes due to the allergic reaction of the owner – very sad.

Be educated with the facts. Purebred breeders will have a significant list of pre-breeding health clearances, and will discuss any vulnerabilities in their respective breeds with potential new owners.

Feel free to call us with any questions at 518-828-6044 or visit our website at www.cghs.org. Our food bank is open to any from the public in need of pet food or for those wishing to donate food from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Spay/neuter clinics for cats are $100 male or female, including a rabies vaccination and a 5-in-1 feline distemper combination vaccination. Nail clipping services are available every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the shelter for a donation of $10 for cats and $15 for dogs (currently prepaid only).

Charlene Marchand is the chairperson of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Board of Directors. She may be contacted at cghsaaron@gmail.com.

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Headshot of a female named Pat Larsen

Body, Mind & Spirit: Pet medicine

In Health & Wellness, Health & Wellness - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
July 13, 2023
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By Pat Larsen

For Capital Region Independent Media

Headshot of a female named Pat Larsen
Pat Larsen

To experience the unconditional love of a pet during trying times is to know a connection to another living creature that is deeper than any other that I’ve ever known in the non-human world.

It’s a relationship that is expressed with a sincerity that transcends the spoken word. Didn’t matter how much emotion I unleashed during the hardest of days after I had surgery, my little ones were there at my side, snuggling, giving me the connection that I needed to know I was not alone. Their actions said, “Go ahead and cry your head off and take all the time you need, we’re here!” 

That’s what “pet medicine” is. They knew I needed them to just “be there.”

Oftentimes, there were those incredibly generous occasions when I was also offered their most precious possessions known as their “baby” toys that were dropped on my sobbing chest in a gesture that said… “Here, Momma, you can play with these until you feel better.” 

Without fail, that drew me right out of the depth of emotion and brought a sincere smile to my face that healed the wound that had broken open at that moment. My smile warmed their hearts and got their tails wagging exuberantly. They and I knew all was well, at least for now.

So, what is this magical elixir? The nectar that fuels the psychological need to be shown love without the actual words that might be said by another, human or pet?

In my field of work, whereby I delve into what’s known as “energy medicine,” I’ve learned the power of just being with another as a witness to an experience. I’ve been just that… a version of “pet medicine.” I may not wag my invisible tail, but I definitely can show love and support through eye contact and a gesture that says “I’m here for you,” by sitting quietly and matching the breathing pattern of the person I’m working with.

Eventually, that closeness and the calming of both of our energies results in a shift of complacency and trust.

This is the duality of being on the needing side of compassion and actively just “being” alongside.

Obviously, our pets, in this case my two pups, came with this program already installed and they showed me how much they were capable of by helping me to get through a really tough time by just having them with me.

Of course, my gratitude was shown by perhaps giving back an extra treat of two, which only tends to happen on the holidays.

Could this be their motivation? I doubt it, but it has left me wondering.

Pat Larsen is a fitness instructor bringing Baby Boomers and seniors music and movement mornings at The Shamrock House, in East Durham. She also is a certified clinical hypnotherapist working in Greene County to uncover solutions to help those seeking to live their best life at any age. Contact Pat at 518-275-8686 or via email at pelarsen5@aol.com, or on Facebook at Pat Larsen. 

Public hearing to mull water rate hike

In News, News - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
December 22, 2022
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By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

A public hearing will be held Jan. 16 to consider a proposed hike in the water rates in the town of Greenville. Courtesy of Pexels

GREENVILLE — The town council has scheduled a public hearing to consider a proposed hike in the water rate.

Water users currently pay $56.20 a quarter for using up to 10,000 gallons, or $5.62 for every 1,000 gallons.

If the proposed rate hike is enacted, the rate would increase to $6.50 for every 1,000 gallons, or $65 each quarter.

Water bills are sent out in the middle of the month in January, April, July and October. The new rate, if it is approved, would likely be implemented with the April bill.

This is the first time water rates have gone up since 2007, Town Supervisor Paul Macko said at the Dec. 19 town council meeting.

“The town water rates haven’t changed in 15 years,” Macko said. “Anybody that is running a household knows how much electric has gone up for residential and it has gone up equally, or even more, for commercial users.”

The cost of both utilities and supplies to operate the plant have increased, he added.

“Water plants and sewer plants traditionally use a lot of electric and chemicals are hard to come by,” Macko noted. “There is a shortage of chlorine and suppliers, and when there is short supply, you are at the mercy of the increased prices.”

The price of chlorine has risen by about 80%, Macko said.

Deputy Water Superintendent Renee Hamilton agreed.

“Yes, and so is the delivery [cost],” Hamilton said.

The public hearing to gather comments from the community will be held Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m., prior to the town board’s next meeting.

In other town news, the town council is moving forward with plans to purchase a five-acre tract of land on Irving Road for $1. The property owner, Jack Van Auken, is essentially donating the property to the town for the construction of a new rescue squad building.

The town council moved forward with hiring a firm to survey the land.

“I heard from the Great Outdoors Land Surveying Company from Altamont, New York, to get in and do the survey on the piece of property on Irving Road that Jack Van Auken is going to donate to the town to build a rescue squad building,” the town supervisor said.

Macko said he inquired about getting the survey done through Santos Associates, based in Catskill, but they are booked up for the next few months.

“Santos told me they couldn’t get in probably for eight to nine months to do it,” Macko said.

The Altamont-based company will also assist Van Auken with moving through the planning board process as a lot line adjustment is needed for the transaction.

“The terms are basic services with a lump sum of around $2,900 to do everything, and that includes assisting Jack Van Auken at the planning board for the altered lot line and all the other things that go along with it,” Macko said. “A deposit of $1,450 is required prior to commencement of the work.”

The five-acre property on Irving Road will be used for construction of a new emergency services building to house the Greenville Rescue Squad, which has been operating out of a small building off Route 32 for years and has outgrown the space.

Construction of the building is expected to cost between $750,000 and $4 million, Macko said in November.

The preliminary concept for the building is for the town to possibly build a modular structure with three bays in the garage to house the squad’s ambulances and for a flycar, but the project’s parameters are still in the very early stages.

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