Previously published in the Miami Herald by Elinor J. Brecher Feb 8, 2010.

To some dogs, discovering a dead lizard in the yard is like finding a slice of bacon on the kitchen floor: a Category 5 tasty treat. It also can be deadly.

A month after frigid temperatures killed reptiles all over South Florida, veterinarians are still treating dogs that may have contracted botulism by gnawing iguana carcasses. The result: paralysis so severe that a few had to be euthanized.

Like other cold-blooded creatures, thousands of iguanas froze to death during the freeze. Some dogs mistaking them for chew toys have shown classic symptoms of a disease so rare that most vets don't see a case for a decade. ``I think it's botulism, although it's nearly impossible to prove definitively,'' said Dr. James Dugan, a Pinecrest vet. His clinic has treated several dogs suffering varying degrees of paralysis since the cold snap. All had munched on iguanas. ``Why they want to eat a rotten reptile that smells horrible and could kill you, I don't know,'' Dugan said.

The final rule for the National Veterinary Accreditation program (NVAP) was published December 9, 2009.

Are you a veterinarian? This is a must read!  Are you about to take your pet to a veterinarian for an international health certificate? Make sure they read this ASAP! Regulations were published to enhance the NVAP. As global markets expand and the expectations of our international trading partners increase, the role of the accredited veterinarian is more important than ever. The incidence of emerging disease, especially zoonotic diseases, stress the important role accredited veterinarians have. To meet these demands, the NVAP has been enhanced to require accreditation renewal every 3 years, supplemental training, and category selection. All of which are discussed below.

The NVAP is a voluntary program; it is not mandated by the Federal Government. Accredited veterinarians participating in NVAP must carry out their duties according to the Standards for Accredited Veterinarian Duties in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR), Part 161.

Some vets are charming soft-talkers who recruit your involvement in your pet's care with their winning, whitened smile and a penchant for flattering, incandescent lighting. Others might well be better vets (or not), but their delivery leaves much to be desired. We vets can't always be all things to all people. But some clients demand the whole package — on every visit. And that's not always going to happen. In fact, it almost always won't.

Does your dog wake up in the middle of the night and pace back and forth in a frenzy?

Perhaps your cat scratches up a storm in its litter box, and then relieves itself on the kitchen floor. While these behaviors may be caused by underlying medical conditions, the family pet could also be suffering from dementia, or cognitive dysfunction as the condition is called in veterinary medicine. According to Dr. Thomas M. Burns, hospital director of Cape Cod Veterinary Associates in South Yarmouth, there is no known cause of this progressive disease. "Among the suspected culprits is vascular damage leading to hypoxia in the brain, beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, oxidative stress or modification of proteins in the brain," Dr. Burns discloses. Hypoxia occurs when a particular region of the body is deprived of an adequate oxygen supply. The respected veterinarian reports that companion animals are now enjoying longer lives, thanks to improvements in veterinary care and nutrition.

"With an increasing senior pet population, we are seeing more pets with apparent dementia," Dr. Burns continues, adding that a veterinary study revealed that more than 25 percent of cats ages 11-14, and more than 50 percent of felines age 15 and older experienced at least one senior onset of a behavioral problem. "In dogs, cognitive dysfunction can develop as early as age 10," he informs. "However, it is usually seen in dogs that are older." Dr. Burns notes that published data shows that some prescription medications may be helpful in slowing the progression of the neurological disease. He adds that veterinarians traditionally prescribe Selegiline or Anipryl for both cats and dogs, while newer drugs, such as Senilife and Novofit have shown some progress, and may be used together. "There is some anecdotal evidence that diet can help early to moderate cognitive dysfunction," the veterinarian states, adding that he is unaware of any definitive study that's been conducted to determine if nutrition affects the progression of the disease.

Dr. Burns reports that Hill's, a leading manufacturer of pet foods, produces "Prescription Diet Canine Brain Diet," a specifically formulated dog food developed with a blend of antioxidants and other nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids to fight the symptoms associated with cognitive dysfunction and advancing age. "Veterinarians first must rule out underlying medical conditions that could mimic the clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction," Dr. Burns emphasizes. He lists kidney or liver diseases, high blood pressure, arrhythmias and a reduction in vision or hearing as being examples of medical conditions often found in senior dogs that mirror signs of cognitive dysfunction.