December 13, 2002 News Releases
Released 12/12/02
NEW
REPORT LOOKS AT PLACE OF WOLVES IN UTAH
LOGAN — After an absence of more than 70 years, gray wolves
have made their appearance in northern Utah. A Druid Pack wolf
from Yellowstone National Park was trapped on Nov. 30 north
of Morgan, Utah.
This demonstration of the dispersal abilities of gray wolves
was not a surprise to Utah State University researcher Robert
Schmidt.
"Descendents of the wolves released into Yellowstone National
Park and central Idaho are dispersing, just as wolf biologists
predicted,” Schmidt said. “The Druid Pack wolf captured
in Utah is the harbinger of future recolonization attempts."
Schmidt, an associate professor in Utah State’s Department
of Environment and Society, coordinated a team of researchers
in the production of a report,
"Wolves in Utah: an analysis of potential impacts and recommendations
for management."
"From a wolf's perspective, Utah has habitat for hundreds
of wolves,” said Schmidt. “Utahns, however, use
these same habitats for livestock production, hunting and outdoor
recreation.”
The report looks at where wolves might colonize, what role they
have in ecosystems, how they impact the livestock industry,
the cost of wolf management programs and how wolf management
programs might develop in Utah.
Copies of the 54-page report are available for $8 from the Quinney
Natural Resources Research Library, College of Natural Resources,
Utah State University, Logan UT 84322-5260. The entire report
is accessible on the Internet at http://www.cnr.usu.edu/nrei.
Dec. 12, 2002
Writer: Nadene Steinhoff, nadene.Steinhoff@usu.edu, 435-797-1429
Contact: Robert Schmidt, rschmidt@cc.usu.edu, 453-797-2536
ASK A SPECIALIST:
HOW CAN I KEEP MY PET SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAY HOOPLA?
The holidays are here -- the lights are bright, delicious food
abounds and holiday plants and trees are set out. Humans love
these things. Unfortunately, so do many pets, and holiday foods
and decor can be hazardous to them. To keep your pets safe,
watch them carefully this time of year and be aware of the following
dangers.
• Chocolate. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine
compounds. These are methylxanthines that cause stimulation
of the nervous system. Milk chocolate contains about 6 mg of
caffeine and 44-56 mg of theobromine per ounce. Baking chocolate
contains about 10 times those amounts of each compound. The
amounts of caffeine and theobromine in semisweet and dark chocolate
fall between milk chocolate and baking chocolate. About 1 ounce
of milk chocolate per pound of body weight can result in tremors
or seizures in dogs. Thus, much lower amounts of semisweet or
baking chocolate could cause the same effect. A dog that eats
a significant amount of chocolate should be taken to a veterinarian
for treatment.
• Plants. Poinsettias have a reputation of being very
poisonous to pets; however, this is a myth. Poinsettia ingestion
by pets can result in digestive upset (vomiting and diarrhea),
but nothing more. Floral arrangements containing day lilies,
tiger lilies, rubrum lilies or lilium type hybrid lilies can
be lethal to cats. Ingestion of as little as two or three leaves
or parts of the flower can result in kidney damage leading to
kidney failure in cats. However, at worst, it causes only an
upset stomach in other animals. Holly and mistletoe are potentially
toxic ornamental plants. Natural evergreen trees, if ingested,
may cause pets to have an upset stomach, but nothing more.
• Water additives. Water additives for natural trees
are generally composed of low concentrations of fertilizers
and sugars. These materials are not dangerous to pets unless
there are high amounts of fungus or bacteria growing in the
water. Keep tree water and additives fresh.
• Holiday foods. Ingestion of poultry bones can cause
pets to have digestive tract obstructions or perforations. Poultry
bones splinter easily, causing sharp points that can be dangerous
and even life threatening if swallowed. Ingesting an excessive
amount of table scraps or grease can cause pets to have digestive
upset or even life threatening symptoms. The ingestion of an
excessive amount of fat can cause a dog to develop pancreatitis.
Moldy refrigerated foods can contain toxins produced by the
molds. Often these molds and toxins attract dogs. Some penicillium
and aspergillis molds produce tremorogenic mycotoxins, especially
when they grow under colder temperatures. This type of toxin
can cause an acute onset of seizures in pets.
• Ornaments. Small moving ornaments may stimulate the
curiosity of pets. If ingested, ornaments can cause choking
or digestive tract obstructions. If ingested, tinsel can cause
obstructions as well. Lights and wiring can be lethal if pets
chew into the cords.
* To see other "Ask A Specialist" columns, visit
http//extension.usu.edu/publica/news/aska/
________
Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-4900; 435-797-1392; julener@sunrem.com
Dec. 12, 2002
Answer by Jeffery O. Hall, DVM, and Utah State University Veterinary
Diagnostician/Toxicologist
PET A PET:
Furry Finals Week Therapy
LOGAN — Utah State University student Heather Bankhead
is working on a degree in Family Finance. She’s taken
three finals, with two more to go.
So what’s she up to? In the stacks cramming? Memorizing
material with a study group?
Nope. She’s petting a pet at the Utah State Counseling
Center “Finals First Aid” event.
The center sponsored the event to help students lower stress
levels during the finals frenzy.
Does it work?
Research says so, according to Counseling Center Director Mary
Doty.
“Pets increase self esteem,” says Doty. “They
provide companionship and alleviate feelings of isolation and
loneliness. They lessen stress and help with depression. They
even lower blood pressure.”
The star of the event was Griffin, a 6-year-old tail-wagger
with friendly eyes and a long, glossy coat. Griffin is used
to dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. He’s the
mascot and therapy dog for the Counseling Center, where he befriends
students who come in for assistance.
Detroit, a regal German shepherd who has served as a volunteer
therapy dog at local convalescent centers, also sat in for the
event. He was raised by his owner, information technology specialist
Nancy Roberts, as a guide dog, but opted for a canine career
in therapy instead.
Several hundred students came by during the week, eager to pet
Griffin and Detroit and receive a wet dose of affection. Both
dogs, and the visiting cat, were extremely well mannered after
they all got used to each other.
The Counseling Center provides free services to students in
a confidential atmosphere.
“We attempt to offer a variety of services in an atmosphere
that is welcoming and comfortable for students,” says
Doty. “The counseling process helps individuals resolve
personal difficulties and acquire the skills and knowledge that
will enable them to take full advantage of their college experience.”
Clinical services include individual, couple or group counseling;
crisis intervention; one-time consultations; and workshops.
Counselors help students with depression, trauma, eating disorders,
drug and alcohol abuse, rape and sexual assault, anger management,
sexually transmitted diseases, sexual orientation, learning
disabilities, attention deficit disorder, anxiety disorders
and schizophrenia.
Students are welcome to call the center at 797-1012 to arrange
an appointment. The center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday. More information is available at http://www.usu.edu/counsel/index.htm.
Dec. 12, 2002
Writer: Nadene Steinhoff, 797-1429, nadene.Steinhoff@usu.edu
Contact: Mary Doty, 797-1012, medoty@cc.usu.edu
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