Stay out of my food bowl

File this under gross.

Your pet's food bowl could be making your children sick.

Here's an article in USA Today.

Dry pet food and cross-contamination after feeding a pet in the kitchen is responsible for salmonellosis outbreak in 21 eastern U.S. states between 2006 and 2008. The outbreak sickened 79 people, with almost 48 percent of the cases occurring among children under age 2, according to Casey Barton Behravesh, CDC veterinary epidemiologist and study's coauthor.

"This investigation resulted in identification of the first documented outbreak of human salmonellosis linked to the use of dry dog and cat food," Behravesh wrote.

The story also has links to the recall of several pet foods last week as well as what to look for if you suspect contamination.

Aging dogs equals aging answers

An interesting article by Dan McFeely of the Indianapolis Star appeared in USA Today about studying older dogs to gain insight into aging and cancer.

Read it here.

Researcher David Waters of Purdue University is taking a 23-day tour around the country examining 15 of the oldest-living Rottweilers, all of which are at least 13 years old. Rotties typically don't live longer than 10, according to the article.

Waters is calling the venture his "Old Grey Muzzle tour."

"If you want to understand aging, you have to look to those who have been extremely successful," Waters said. "These dogs are the equivalent to 100-year-old people and we want to find out what is the root of their success."

During each stop, which can last up to four hours, Waters performs a physical examination on the dog. He listens closely to the hearts and lungs. He performs a neurological exam, collects DNA samples, checks bone density and measures body weight and height. Additionally, Waters conducts interviews with owners, exploring the home environment and the things owners have done to keep their dogs healthy.

Waters said decisions owners make can profoundly affect longevity, such as diet, vaccinations and ovary removals.

Waters, 52, focuses on the Rottweilers, he said, because of the similar patterns of aging and cancer behavior for those that are afflicted. Waters says there is a growing need to find out what impacts healthy aging.

Kate would be happy to meet with Waters.

An indoor cat can be a happy cat

A majority of experts recommend keeping your cats indoors.

According to an article in USA Today, a study commissioned by the Humane Society of the United States found that two out of three veterinarians said cats should be kept inside.

The average lifespan of a cat who is allowed to roam outside is estimated at less than three years, compared to 12–15 years for the indoor-only cat.

The two most-cited reasons: dangers from vehicles and transmittable diseases. The consensus is that cats live healthier and longer when not allowed outside.

Besides the two reasons given in the study, which was based on data collected from 600 veterinarians, other incentives for keeping cats indoors are less chance of cats becoming infected with parasites or injured by other animals, reduced exposure to biting and stinging insects and lower vet bills.

And that doesn't include the neighborhood annoyance factor when your roaming cat uses your neighbors flower beds as litter boxes.

Some will question if a cat can really be happy inside 24/7.

Experts say the answer is yes, if you make its environment stimulating. Some suggestions include:

• Give your cat places to climb.
• Schedule regular play sessions.
• Use interactive toys.
• Provide scratching posts.
• Schedule daily quality time.
  

Another kind of therapy dog

Zoey, a golden retriever, is a therapy dog.

She does what dogs do best: provide a vehicle for a good hug when needed.

Only Zoey is a grief therapy dog. See the story about her in USA Today.

She offers empathy and comfort to friends and relatives who have gathered at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home in Flat Rock, Mich., to say goodbye to a loved one.

"It's almost as if Zoey knows that her calm presence just seems to make people who are sad a little less sad," says the dog's owner, Kelly Dwyer, whose husband owns the funeral home where Zoey has become a regular.

She and Dwyer have been doing the work since November and has been invited to nearly two dozen visitations.

Good dog.