Volume 2 Issue 4 December 2000
Published QUARTERLY by
SOUTHWEST TEXAS ANIMAL
CARE & CONTROL ASSOCIATION

Inside This Issue

What’s Happening?

Name That Conference!

Employment Opportunities

2001 Continuing Education Statewide

Senate Bill

Winter and Holiday Health Hazards for Animals

Renewals

Special Stars

What's Happening?

We continue planning for the STACCA conference. A conference registration form is enclosed in this mailing. Get your registration in early.

Name That Conference

Since there were no entries for the Name That Conference contest, we will either be deciding on a name among your board members, or perhaps not naming the conference at all. If a name is chosen, we will let you know.

Employment Opportunities

The City of Farmers Branch has the following job opportunity:

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

STARTING SALARY: $26,811 + EXCELLENT BENEFITS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS

2001 Continuing Education and Training Statewide

February 21-22 Basic (Amarillo)
Contact: Dr. Alexander, (806) 655-7151
Contact: (Lubbock) Karen McDonald (806) 767-0427

February 22-23 Administrative Glen Rose
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

February 21-22 Basic To be announced Dr. Nix
Contact: Jerry Wash (254) 778-6744 (Temple)

March 27-28 Advanced (Houston) Gary Johnson, 
Contact: Celia Clay (713) 767-3300

March 29-30 Advanced (Aledo)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

April 10-11 Basic (Houston) Gary Johnson
Contact: Celia Clay (713) 767-3300

May 9-10 Basic (Fort Worth)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923
(Arlington)

May 18 Basic (Tyler) Dr. Wright
Contact: Alice Davis (903) 533-5212

June 5-6 Basic (Houston) Gary Johnson
Contact: Celia Clay (713) 767-3300

July 11-12 Advanced (Bonham)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

July 17-19 Advanced (Tyler) Dr. Wright
Contact: Alice Davis (903) 533-5212

August 16-17 Basic (Dallas)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

August 28-29 Advanced (Houston) Gary Johnson
Contact: Celia Clay (713) 767-3300

September 6-7 Advanced (Garland)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

September 18-20 Basic (Tyler) Dr. Wright
Contact: Alice Davis (903) 533-5212

October 3-4 Basic (Graham)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923(Arlington)

November 27-28 Basic (Houston) Gary Johnson
Contact: Celia Clay (713) 767-3300

December 6-7 Administrative (Arlington)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923

January 8-10 HSUS Euthanasia (Lubbock)
Contact: Nancy Hickman (806) 775-2057 Technician Course

February 13 Presentation Skills (Houston)
Contact Gary Johnson, (713) 767-3300 (TACA Instructor), Celia Clay

March 2 LRCA (Fort Worth)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923(Arlington)

April 17-19 Community Outreach (Mesquite)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923

May 16 LRCA (Denton)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

June 13 Shelter Sanitation/Diseases
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

July 13 Presentation Skills (Houston)
Contact: Gary Johnson, (713) 767-3300

July 17-19 Community Outreach (Mesquite)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 (Arlington)

July 27 Using Information (Irving)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923 Public Health (Arlington)

August 31 LRCA (Arlington)
Contact: Jay Sabatucci (817) 264-4923

North Central Animal Shelter Coalition and Associated Agencies Class Schedule for 2001

January 23, 2001 Wildlife Class - Lake Dallas (Coalition)

March 7-10, 2001 Expo 2001 Dallas - (HSUS)

April 2001 TACA East Texas Conference Lufkin (Date to be announced)

April 3 or 5, 2001 First Aid to Animals - Irving (Coalition)

April 27-28, 2001 STACCA Annual Conference Live Oak

May 20-22, 2001 TFHS Conference - New Braunfels

June 7-8, 200 Cruelty Investigator Training Mesquite (Coalition)

July 24, 2001 Canine Behavior - Arlington (Coalition)

August 2001 TACA West Texas Conference Midland (Date to be announced)

October 16, 2001 Handling Livestock (Cookout) Aledo (Coalition)

November 2001 TACA Annual Conference South Padre (Date to be announced)

For information on the above classes or events, please contact:

EXPO 2001Lou Guyton (972) 488-2964 superegion@aol.com

STACCA - Cheryl Krueger (830) 629-5287 info@stacca.org

TFHS - Patt Nordyke (512) 282-1277 czar_nicolas@juno.com

TACA - Cathy Clark (936) 635-5973 tacaexsc@lcc.net

Coalition Classes - Chick Gardner (817) 441-1541 Leem2@flash.net

Senate Bill 336

Title: Rabies Vaccination Fact Information Sheet

To protect the health and safety of the public by not releasing unvaccinated dogs and cats in to the community.

· To vaccinate dogs and cats that leave the custody of animal shelters under the authority of the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) or his designee.

· To limit the rabies vaccinations to only the animals which are in the custody of the LRCA.

· To require specific records be kept by the LRCA on all rabies vaccinations administered.

· To require training on vaccine storage, vaccination procedure and record keeping for LRCAs or their designees that are administering the vaccine.

· Many of the municipal and county animal shelters are forced to release unvaccinated dogs and cats due to not having access to veterinary services.

· Many city and county animal shelters do not have a local veterinarian or one that will travel to their facility to vaccinate dogs and cats.

· Many city and county quarantine facilities are forced to violate state law by releasing unvaccinated animals from quarantine or they must refuse to release the pet to the owner and destroy the animal.

· This bill would bring relief in the cost and over crowding of animals to animal shelters facilities that have to hold animals for prolonged periods until a veterinarian is available.

· Minimal negative impact to those cities and counties that want the LRCA to vaccinate dogs and cats before release. The Texas Animal Control Association and the Southwest Animal Care and Control Association will initiate certification courses that are designed to train LRCAs or their designees in the administering of vaccine, proper vaccine storage, handling and record keeping as required.

· Positive impact to those cities and counties where LRCAs or their designees vaccinate by relieving the over crowding of their facilities and the cost of keeping the impounded and quarantine animals for long periods of time.

· Only those cities and counties that have LRCAs would be eligible to vaccinate.

Winter and Holiday Health Hazards for Animals

Submitted by
Pam Wilson, RVT, MEd, CHES

With the arrival of the winter months and holiday season, there are additional health hazards which are of concern for animals; some are potentially fatal. A few of these health risks could be brought into
the home inadvertently, thereby increasing a pet's possibility of exposure. To keep the season safe, protect animals from contact with or ingestion of the following:

Antifreeze - this mixture contains ethylene glycol, a product that can cause lethal kidney failure and metabolic acidosis (accumulation of acid in the blood and body tissues) if ingested. It has a sweet taste that attracts animals and can be toxic in small doses (i.e. 1-2 tablespoons can produce toxicity in a medium-sized dog). Antifreeze can be toxic even when diluted in water. At least one brand of antifreeze is available that uses propylene glycol for the active component as an alternative to ethylene glycol. Larger quantities of the propylene glycol-based antifreeze usually have to be swallowed to produce toxicity as compared to ethylene
glycol-based antifreeze. Additionally, propylene glycol-based antifreeze does not metabolize in the animal's system to form products that cause kidney damage; however, it can still cause illness and death via metabolic acidosis. An antidote is available for antifreeze poisoning, but early recognition of ingestion and immediate intensive treatment are imperative for the survival of the animal. The best medicine, though, is to prevent animals from being in contact with this toxic substance by having antifreeze changed by a professional who knows how to properly dispose of it. If individuals change their own antifreeze, they should not drain it into the sewer or leave it setting out in a pan for any amount of time (all it takes is a few seconds for an animal to ingest it).

Baking chocolate. This form of chocolate contains a higher concentration of stimulant theobromine) than regular chocolate. A 1/4 pound can be toxic if eaten by a small dog, such as a poodle.

Mistletoe. The berry of this plant is the most toxic component, especially if it is chewed instead of swallowed whole. If the berry
is ingested in sufficient quantity, it can cause gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, including convulsions.

Poinsettia. Whether or not this plant is toxic has been debated for years. The most recent findings are that it contains no toxic chemical. However, as with any plant that an animal is not accustomed to eating, it can cause diarrhea and vomiting (a protective mechanism to eliminate the foreign substance). Animals tend to be attracted to poinsettias, so it is a good practice to keep these plants out of their reach.

Ivy. This plant is not acutely toxic, but it can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

Christmas cactus. This plant is nontoxic, but it can cause vomiting and transient diarrhea if consumed.

Tinsel. Cats in particular are attracted to playing with Christmas tree tinsel. If ingested, it can cause an intestinal blockage or intussusception (prolapsing of one part of the intestine into the cavity of an immediately adjoining part). If indoor cats are present, it would be prudent to avoid using strands of tinsel. It would also be advisable to place breakable ornaments at the top of the tree. An investment in shatterproof ornaments might also be worthwhile.

Glow jewelry. 1 - dibutyl phthalate is a chemical contained in glow-in-the-dark jewelry, which are popular items at a variety of festivities. Although the chemical may have the potential to cause death via respiratory paralysis, cats generally will only ingest a minimal amount due to its unpleasant taste and the fact that only a small amount of the chemical is present in the jewelry. Cats that have bitten into the jewelry may exhibit heavy salivation, hyperactivity, and aggressive behavior, but they typically recover within minutes. Immediately after a cat happens to ingest this chemical, it helps to feed it small quantities of milk, canned food, or tuna juice to dilute the chemical in its mouth. Wash off any drops of the chemical that might be on the cat's coat and flush the cat's eyes with water if there has been ocular exposure. There is no known antidote for dibutyl phthalate; cats that have ingested large quantities should be closely monitored and given supportive treatment if warranted.

Cold. The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Animal Welfare Act recommends that ambient temperature should not drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, especially when sick, aged, or young animals are present. Additionally, animals should always be provided
with adequate protection and shelter from the direct effect of wind, rain, or snow. Remember, animals in Texas are not acclimated to cold
weather, so they must be protected from extreme weather conditions accordingly.

If you know or suspect that an animal has ingested any of the above items (1-8), immediately consult a veterinarian, animal emergency clinic, or poison control center. The Central Texas Poison Center can be reached at 1-800-764-7661 (1-800-POISON-1). The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at 1-800-548-2423.

Thanks is given to Dr. John C. Haliburton, Head of Diagnostic Toxicology for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Amarillo, for his assistance and expertise in preparing this article.

Renewals

Don’t forget your membership and certification renewals are due by December 31, 2000. Renewal forms were including with the last quarter newsletter and a mini version is in the newsletter. If someone you know is interested in certification through STACCA, please contact the STACCA office and a certification form will be sent immediately.

Special Stars…….

Special stars to:

Triple Kocurek for furnishing a wealth of information for this quarter’s newsletter.

Sherry Cain for her help every quarter!

Jay Sabatucci for articles and Statewide Educational Opportunities for 2001.