Laurie's Blogs.

Today’s muse was inspired by a recent research article I read: Freeman LM et al.  Nutritional and microbial analysis of bully sticks and survey of opinions about pet treats.  Can Vet J 54: 50 – 54, 2013.

So the article discusses firstly, how “bully sticks” (or “pizzle sticks”) contain roughly 15 calories per inch.  Hmmm – interesting… and it was shown that a whole bully stick may provide anywhere from 54 calories to 132 calories for a 6 inch stick, because width may vary.  The researchers also looked at contaminants within the sticks. Of the 26 bully sticks tested, there was one that was contaminated with Clostridium difficile, one with MRSA, and one with tetracycline resistant E.coli.  One in 26 is 4%, and finding 3 different sticks with 3 different contaminants is 3 in 26, equals 12%.  Not a big number… but perhaps avoid let your dog lick you after he chews on one of those things – just in case!!!  Now, here’s the crux of it all.  When they surveyed dog owners, 28% of them could not identify what bully sticks were made of.   Further (and more to the point of my article…) 38% of veterinarians incorrectly identified their content as well!  I’m shocked… but maybe just because I grew up on a ranch, with a cow-vet for a father, and I learned things about ‘the birds and the bees’, and correct identification of ‘parts’, that most other little girls don’t learn until they’ve left home for post-secondary school… but people… bully sticks are steer or bull penises!  Okay – so that out of the way, here’s why you care!

When you are working with dogs, you are working with people who own dogs, people who do things with their dogs, and generally people who know things about dogs or want to know things about dogs.  They are going to ask you questions about ‘peripheral dog topics’ (i.e. training, food, daycare, kennels, toys, sports, grooming, dog walkers, pet photographers, off leash parks, dog treats, etc, etc.).  So, while you don’t need to know everything about every topic.  I think it’s prudent to become somewhat informed as a generalist of dog knowledge, AND to be curious about the other topics.  If a dog-owner tells you that she competes in Scent Hurdle and you have never heard of it, then be curious and ask questions.  If a breeder comes in and tells you that her dog is on ‘Show Stopper and Cheque Drops”, and you don’t know what those are, then ask and/or look into it.  If a dog owner asks you if you have kennel or daycare recommendations, then have some recommendations – or at least some ideas of what to look for in a good facility to pass along. 

The point is, get to know the dog community & dog world.  Get to know what is available in your area.  Listen to your clients and ask questions.  Join the chat groups.  Go wandering through pet stores and see what toys, treats or foods are available.  Be open to understanding both sides of a ‘debate’  (i.e. dog food and training techniques are two very hot topics).  I would not suggest going on one side or the other – just understand both ‘camps of thought’. 

In this busy world, you may not have time to formally learn all there is to learn…but there is so much to gain from simple conversation.  Ask your clients, ask around… and become better informed.

I hope that gets your head spinning and gives you some good ‘pizzle’ to chew on!

So, until next time…

Cheers!

Laurie