Here are a few fun things to try with your dogs when the weather prevents you from taking your fur kids to the park or out for a walk:

• Laser Pointer- some dogs chase it, some don’t. A lot of cats do, too! Make sure you don’t put it near your pet’s eyes.
• Obedience Training-it can be fun! Make sure you use positive reinforcement, like Victoria Stilwell and Patricia McConnell. Only train in intervals of 15 minutes or less a few times per day, or it will stop being fun.
• Fetch- down a long hallway
• Hide And Seek- One person holds the dog, another person (treats in hand) runs and hides and calls the dog. When the dog finds you, reward them with a treat!
• Hide your pet’s favorite toy or treat and guide them to help them find them, but don’t give it away! It’s good exercise, both physically and mentally for your dog!
• Toys that dispense treats are a good mental exercise for your dog
• Rope Toys- for a good old fashioned game of Tug-O-War (not recommended for aggressive dogs)
• Got a basement? How about some soccer or fetch down there?
• For good time killers, try Nylabones or Kongs

Just remember to keep it light, fun and positive!

Jake and Gizmo will never turn down a good game of fetch, in or outside.

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.  ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

Signs Of Heat Stroke in Animals

Do you know WHAT to do?

SIGNS

The signs depend upon the extent of heat stroke. In the early stages, your pet will pant rapidly, have thick, ropey saliva, and have bright red gums. His body temperature will be between 104-106°F.

As the body temperature climbs above 106°F, your pet will go into shock with subsequent organ shutdown.

He will have pale gums, be weak and dizzy, with vomiting and diarrhea. The brain becomes affected and he may seizure or fall into a coma. In this case, he requires immediate, life-saving veterinary intervention.

The normal body temperature of a dog or cat ranges between 38 – 39°C or 103°F. Our pets maintain this temperature through panting, however sometimes they are unable to lose enough heat. Dogs and cats probably do suffer from heat cramps and heat exhaustion like us humans but the symptoms are mild and we don’t recognize them. The condition that we see is heatstroke, and it may cause the death of a pet.

CAUSES

BEING IN A HOT CAR. Never leave your pet in a parked car in sunlight. The car heats up to be like a sauna even on mild days.

EXCESSIVE EXERCISE ON A HOT DAY. Minimize exercise in the heat of the day. Avoid exercising your dog in unusually hot or humid conditions especially at the start of summer. Most heatstroke cases are seen at the start of summer.

NOT ENOUGH SHADE OR COLD WATER. Make sure your pet has plenty of shade to escape to during the day. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh cool water (the water should be placed in the shade) available at all times.

SOLUTIONS

AWAY FROM THE HEAT. Remove your pet from the hot environment. Get him out of the car and away from the sun.

TO THE VET ASAP. If you suspect severe heatstroke and your pet has collapsed, get your pet immediate veterinary care. In this case, the organs may be shutting down and he needs specialized care to survive. While in transit it is important to continue to apply cool wet towels to the back of the neck and groin area.

WHAT’S THE TEMP? Use a rectal thermometer and find your pet’s exact temperature: if it is 104°F or higher, he has heatstroke, and you need to take action.

COOL DOWN. Run cold water over the back of your pet’s head. Place cold packs wrapped in towels between the back legs, on the belly and in the armpits. Wet towels can be used instead. You can use a garden hose to run the water over the back of his head.

ALCOHOL SOLUTION. Rubbing alcohol will also speed up heat loss; it can be applied to the belly and groin, cooling as it evaporates. Liberally spread it on the skin; the most important thing is reducing the temperature in a controlled way.

DO NOT IMMERSE IN COLD WATER. This treatment does bring your pet’s temperature down, but tends to overcorrect it and then your pet may be seriously unwell, cold and wet.

RE-HYDRATE. Let your pet drink as much cold water as he can. If you have an electrolyte replacement, such as Gatorade, then add this to his water. If your pet drinks lots of water at once it is very likely to vomit. Once your pet is refusing water you can leave the bowl of water with it.

WATCH FOR SHOCK. Pets with severe heatstroke are at risk for shock. In this case you don’t want to wrap him in a blanket, but you can at least provide sugar. Rub corn syrup or honey on his gums while you are in transit to your vet.

DO NOT OVERCOOL. When your pet stops panting, they are likely at a normal temperature. You can check this by taking their temperature again. If it’s 103°F or 38 °C then stop the cooling.

SPECIAL CASES. Certain breeds are at a high risk for heatstroke, namely the brachycephalics (dogs with pushed-in faces). These include Pugs and Bulldogs; they snore and snort and have difficulty breathing at the best of time. In spite of them being a veterinarian’ s best friend, you should avoid exercising them on hot days, and always be on the lookout for early signs of heatstroke.

Gizmo is a shih tzu, and because of his smooshed in face has a higher risk of heat stroke. We're extra careful with our little fur baby!

Be an earth angel. Adopt a not-quite-perfect dog or cat that needs you, and help it heal. Such a companion will teach you much about selfless love, generosity, and tolerance—becoming an earth angel for you.

www.sunbearsquad.org

It’s already happening: dog deaths due to heat stroke in hot cars

I had another tip prepared for this week, but after reading four news articles this week about dogs dying of heat stroke, I changed my plans. It’s only April but spring is early this year. And as I learned, even the most dedicated animal rescue volunteers can lose track of time with deadly results.

They found four dead puppies, one dead adult dog, one adult dog in extreme distress from heatstroke, and the three dogs suffering and deteriorating. They attempted to revive the dogs and then went the vet clinic, where the adult dog in extreme distress was euthanized. Three dogs lived. The volunteers and the rescue operator (who was not present) were devastated and suspended their rescue operations. The two volunteers are each charged with nine counts of animal cruelty. (Staged photo—no animal was harmed.)

Be prepared to take action to help save a dog from dying of heat stroke

What can you do if you see or hear an animal stuck in a hot vehicle? First, observe the situation carefully but quickly. Walk all around the vehicle, looking at all window openings, and notice if the motor is running with air conditioning on. Is there some shade? Is the dog or cat panting heavily and continuously? Or is the panting intermittent and related to the stress of your approach? Look for signs of drool or spittle around the mouth that might indicate prolonged panting.
If the animal doesn’t appear to be panting heavily and the air conditioning is running, leave, taking note of the time. Return in 15 minutes to check to ensure that the air is still running.
If the animal isn’t panting heavily, and the windows are generously open or the vehicle is in shade, leave, taking note of the time. Return every so often to check that the panting has not increased.
If the animal is already laying down, panting heavily and unable to rise, you must spring into action immediately. Act like a rescuer would, because heat stroke will kill this beloved pet in a few minutes. Enlist a passersby to witness your actions and quickly break a window with your elbow or a heavy object. Ask the witness to dial 911, and ask another one to RUN to the store service desk to insist on an immediate public address to the owner (describe the car and animal). Remove the suffering animal from the vehicle to a shady spot on nearby grass if you can do it safely, and fan the air overhead with anything handy. Ask if anyone has a water bottle; if so, dribble water into the animal’s mouth, and wet his ears and neck to speed cooling. Wait for the authorities and owners to arrive. Ignore any theft alarm; you are not a thief. You are a rescuer saving the life of someone’s pet.
If the animal is standing or sitting upright and panting heavily, you have more time. Write down the vehicle make and model, color, and license plates. Enlist a passerby to go to the service desk to request a public address to the owner. Stay with the dog or cat until the owner returns. If the owner doesn’t return in 10 minutes, and the animal is panting more heavily, call 911.

Why is heat so deadly to dogs?

They can’t perspire to exhaust body heat like we humans can. The only way they can rid their bodies of excess heat is through panting and limited perspiration through their paw pads. Heat stroke is quick to kill, and very young or old, obese, or unhealthy animals are more susceptible. What are the symptoms outside of heavy panting and drooling? Look for signs of restlessness (laying down and rising again and again), lethargy, dark tongue, lack of coordination, and even vomiting.
If you see dogs playing sports or running with their owners on hot days, be sure to say something! Veterinarians will tell stories of how quickly a happy dog can become overcome with heat stroke and die on a hot day. They will play or run until they drop. Vet clinics see them rushed into care by distraught owners, but only some can be saved.

Please forward to animal lovers you know, and reproduce freely. Please credit Sunbear Squad.

This was shortly after we adopted our newest dog, Josie, from Georgia Humane Society (an AWESOME rescue and pet adoption group), so this was the first application of the treatment that we had given her. I noticed that evening that she was acting a bit lethargic, but I wrote it off as sleepy. The next morning it became apparent that something was wrong. I checked her gums and they were pale and as I was getting dressed to take her to the vet, she threw up a huge amount of water.

I had heard a few negative things about flea meds, but never had any reactions in my pets, so I continued to use it. After blood tests turned up with nothing, the vet said there was no way of knowing what was wrong and that I should continue to use the Revolution. I’ve been considering all of this and have decided to go the natural route instead. Below, you will find a story that I found on the MSNBC website, and then under that I will place a few natural flea preventative web links. I’m not sure how any of this works, so if you have experience with natural flea/tick/heartworm preventative, don’t be shy and leave a comment with your knowledge. Here’s the story:

Pet deaths prompt warnings on flea meds

EPA seeks to improve safety after increase in harm to dogs, cats

updated 6:18 p.m. ET, Wed., March. 17, 2010

WASHINGTON – Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer.

The EPA said it will develop stricter testing and evaluation requirements for flea and tick treatments that are applied to a pet’s skin. The agency also will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need to say more clearly how to use the products.

The EPA’s effort follows increasing complaints from pet owners that the “spot-on” products have triggered reactions in dogs and cats, ranging from skin irritation to neurological problems to deaths. Cats and small dogs appear particularly vulnerable, the EPA said, especially when given products intended for larger animals.

Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, said new restrictions will be placed on flea and tick products, with additional changes for specific products likely — including possible changes in some product formulas.

“These are poisons,” Owens said. “These are products designed to kill fleas and ticks — and they do their jobs.”

The EPA is committed to better protecting the health and safety of pets and families, Owens said, but added that pet owners “need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing your pet to a pesticide.”

The agency announced last April it was increasing scrutiny of topical flea and tick products because of the growing number of bad reactions reported.

The EPA said it received 44,263 reports of harmful reactions associated with topical flea and tick products in 2008, up from 28,895 in 2007. Reactions ranged from skin irritations to vomiting to seizures to, in about 600 cases, death of an animal.

An EPA spokesman said he did not have a breakdown of how many deaths were dogs and how many cats.

Dog and cat owners say their pets have suffered burns and welts on their skin; started to drool excessively; begun to shake uncontrollably; lost control of their legs or experienced other neurological problems after using the flea and tick treatments.

A 2009 study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that the majority of illnesses linked to proper use of topical flea and tick products were mild. Cats were more susceptible than dogs to illnesses and deaths from misuse of the products, the report said.

“The important take-home message is that although adverse reactions can occur with all flea and tick products, most effects are relatively mild and include skin irritation and stomach upset,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president for animal health services.

Pet owners should keep using the products as directed when faced with a flea infestation, Hansen said.

Georgia-based Merial Ltd., which makes the popular Frontline tick and flea treatment, defended its product and disputed the EPA data.

“The number of adverse events reported for Frontline has remained consistently low since the product’s introduction in 1996,” the company said in a statement e-mailed to reporters. The vast majority of reactions are minor, the statement said.

In a 29-page report, the EPA said the majority of problems for dogs occurred in smaller dogs, weighing 10 to 20 pounds. Some incidents occurred when products intended for larger dogs were given to smaller animals, the report said. Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, miniature poodles, Pomeranians and dachshunds were among breeds where problems occurred the most, the EPA said.

Similarly, many problems for cats occurred when they were given treatments intended for dogs. The EPA is likely to require companies to revamp labels to clarify that products intended for dogs should never be used on cats, Owens said.

END

Links for Natural Flea/Tick Remedies and Pest Control:

Only Natural Pet Store (I can’t believe the variety they have on this subject)

Earth Easy

Alternatives For Animal Health

These are just a few, there are many safe alternatives to the literal poison in topical flea preventative. Do your research and give your pet a hug!

Gizmo says, "No, thanks" to topical flea meds!

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth

 

UPDATE:

9/29/2011

Through trial and error, Denny and I have found that Ark Natural’s Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! spray in conjunction with their Neem Protect Shampoo and Neem Protect Spray, the fleas, even here in the Georgia woods, pretty much steer clear. I found more ticks on myself this year than on our pets, so that says a lot for Ark Natural’s in my opinion. Maybe I should start using it myself….

Here’s the list:

The recalls on this list are primarily Class I. Definitions of Class I, II, and III recalls. Additional information about how recalls are conducted can be found at FDA 101: Product Recalls – From First Alert to Effectiveness Checks.

Note: This compiled list represents all pet food recalled since January 1, 2006. If and when new information is received, this list will be updated. The “Information Current as of” date provided above indicates when this Web page was updated; it does not indicate the date when the pet food recalls listed below were initiated. Once listed, each of the recalled pet food products remains listed, even if there are no new recalls associated with that product. Although we have taken care to make sure the information is accurate, if we learn that any information is not accurate we will revise the list as soon as possible. For initiation dates of specific recalls, click on the brand name and then the recall numbers that appear on these pages. For recalls that occurred before September 1, 2008, a date range might appear in the initiation date field. The date range indicates the timeframe within which multiple recalls of this product were initiated. For recalls that occur September 1, 2008 and after, the actual initiation date of each recall event is provided for each product. If a new recall is initiated for a product that had previously been recalled before September 1, 2008, the food product will be listed again, with the new recall initiation date. If a new recall is initiated for a product that had previously been recalled after September 1, 2008, the initiation date of the new recall event will be added to the previous date listed.

Healthy and happy Nancy

Quote:

Last night at agility class, a vet, who is a fellow agility student was telling us about a case she had this week. The dog ate a child’s teddy bear and was very sick. When she opened the dog up to remove what she thought was an intestinal obstruction she found a huge gelatin type mess inside and the dogs intestines were black and the tissue dead. The dog will die; no surgery can fix him up because there was no living intestine left from stomach to colon.

This was not an obstruction.

…. so she called the manufacturer of the teddy bear on a quest to find out what the gel was and what killed the dog. Turns out the stuffing in children’s toys contains ingredients for flame retardants and mite control! It is designed to be come a gel. It is highly toxic. Now you would think a child’s toy would be safe because it is for children, but they don’t expect a child to eat the stuffing of the toys… huummmm that seems a bit scary, too. But we all know dogs demolish stuffed toys.

So do not give or buy your dog any children’s stuffed animals… some people get them at Goodwill, etc. The vet will be posting a warning and story and I will send any other facts as needed and as I learn more. Maybe some children’s toys do not have this ingredient, but better to be safe then sorry. So meanwhile, make sure all your dog toys are for dogs. Please pass this on… it is a horrible death she described and one that can be avoided.

HMM. . . makes me think about all stuffed toys we may buy at retail, thrift stores, or that may be given to our children or pets by others. Also, what about the kennel your dog goes to, or doggy day care or the church nursery? This danger can be far reaching! We get notices about high chairs and cribs – recalled ones should not be “recycled” but how can one person keep up with that info?

For the protection of your children and your pets, allow them to play with only items you have bought. And inspect them daily for tears or breaks, in case some type of poison is leaking out!

I wrote some years ago about my friend’s English Springer Spaniel who got very very sick. No apparent reason. But Buddy loved tennis balls. And he had torn up the outside of a “high quality” tennis ball with a titanium center. After Xrays, the vet found that the titanium center had been swallowed by the dog and was stuck in his digestive track. The affected area was removed, Buddy stayed in the vet hosp for 3 weeks, and finally died. Died at a young age from the leeching of poison from the titanium into his system. It didn’t have to be! But how would she have known the center was toxic? I doubt that PetsMart’s tennis balls carry this in the center (it’s probably empty) but what about those used tennis balls of yours in the doggy toy box?

Please, check out the toys at your house, the kennels, doggy and kiddy day care, etc.

It is a scary sight to see your beloved canine pal having seizures. There are many reasons that your pup may be having seizures. Some of the causes are:

* Brain Tumor or Head Injury

* Distemper

* Epilepsy

* Environment (toxins)

* ‘hypo and ‘hyper conditions such as gastrointestinal disease, hepatic encephalopathy, hyperkalemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, renal disease, tick bites, and toxoplasmosis

If you witness your dog having seizures, it is crucial that you note all of the details. There are many types of seizures:

* Generalized Seizure: Tonic-Clonic (can be grand mal or mild): In the grand mal seizure, the tonic occurs as the animal falls, loses consciousness and extends his limbs rigidly. Respiration stops. This lasts 10-30 seconds before the clonic phase begins. Clonic movements include paddling of the limbs and/or chewing. In both phases, you may see dialation of the pupils, salivation, urination, and defecation. The mild seizure involves little or no paddling or extension of limbs and usually no loss of consciousness.

* Petit Mal Seizure: Usually described as very rare or unrecognized in animals. Signs are a brief duration of unconsciousness, loss of muscle tone, blank stare and upward rotation of the eyes.

* Partial Seizure: Movements are restricted to one area of the body, such as muscle jerking, movement in one limb, turning the head or bending of the trunk to one side, or facial twitches.

* Complex Partial Seizure: Associated with bizarre or complex behavior such as lip-smacking, biting at invisible flies, chewing, aggression, vocalization, hysterical running, cowering, or hiding. Other signs are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal stress, salivation, blindness, unusual thirst or hunger, and flank biting. Obvious lack of awareness, but no loss of consciousness. Abnormal behavior could last minutes or hours and can be followed by a generalized seizure.

* Cluster Seizure: Multiple seizures within a short period of time with only brief periods of consciousness between.

* Status Epilepticus: Can occur as one continuous seizure, lasting 30 minutes or more, or a series of multiple in a short time with no periods of normal consciousness.

If your dog has a seizure, be sure to pay close attention to the details of the seizure or seizures and get your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Sources: www.canine-epilepsy.com and www.K9web.com

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”
–Unknown

This is a fantastic article from www.all-creatures.org

EXCELLENT GUIDELINES to SPOT and PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY!

1. Be aware. Without phone calls from the concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn’t know about most instances of animal abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU–that’s why it’s so important to keep your eyes and ears open. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. By being aware, you’re more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight rapidly–a possible indicator of abuse.

2. Learn to recognize animal cruelty. Here are some signs and symptoms that we see in many of the cases we investigate:

· Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal’s death.

· Wounds on the body.

· Patches of missing hair.

· Extremely thin, starving animals.

· Limping.

· An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.

· Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard.

· Dogs who have been hit by cars–or are showing any of the signs listed above–and have not been taken to a veterinarian.

· Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.

· Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners.

3. Know who to call to report animal cruelty. We’re lucky here at the ASPCA in New York City, because we have Humane Law Enforcement officers who have the power to investigate and arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty in the state of New York. But every state and even every town is different. In some areas, you may have to rely on the police department to investigate animal cruelty; in others, you may have to contact your local animal control or another municipal agency. If you aren’t sure where to report cruelty, you can search our Humane Law Enforcement directory online or ask your local humane organization.

4. Provide as much as information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting the investigating officer. It helps to write down the type of cruelty that you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.

5. Call or write your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME–and the police MUST investigate these crimes.

6. Know your state’s animal cruelty laws. They vary from state to state, and even from city to city. You can visit the ASPCA’s website and get a wallet-sized printout with outlines of the animal welfare laws in all 50 states.

7. You can fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.  It’s frustrating when I have built a strong case against someone who has been arrested for cruelty to animals and the judge treats it like a simple violation. But with stronger laws, they’ll be more likely to receive tougher penalties. You’ll receive e-mails asking you to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws–and you can send them directly from our website.

8. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care that they deserve. But it’s more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered. And I always give my own pets lots of hugs when I get home!

9. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. I regularly see children in homes where animal abuse has been reported. If a parent isn’t treating the family’s pets right, I tell kids that their dog or cat would really appreciate fresh water every day, or if they spent some time playing with them. If the animal has been left outside without shelter, I’ll say, ‘You have a nice house, and if you get cold, you can put a coat on. But your dog can’t do that. Don’t you think he’d like a nice warm place to go, too?’ I know of families who watch Animal Precinct together, and I think it can help children realize that animals are living creatures who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness. You can see these emotions on the faces of the animals on the show.

10. Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization. Before I even knew that police for animals existed, I was volunteering at an animal shelter. It’s a great way to make a difference. Some of our ASPCA volunteers foster animals who have been abused in their former homes, giving these dogs and cats the chance they deserve to have a good life. You can find a list of shelters and rescue groups in your area with our National Shelter Directory.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” -Mahatma Gandhi

Once you get your dog used to it, he or she will be relaxed as you trim their nails. This can take time and patience.

It can seem intimating to trim your dog’s nails, but you can save yourself a lot of time and money if you learn to do it on your own.
First, make sure you have proper nail trimmers. You can ask your vet or a pet supply store what they recommend for your particular dog. Some dogs, particularly outdoor dogs, don’t need a nail trim as they shed naturally from the texture of ground they are used to. Breeds such as the dachshund and the Basset hound, need to have shorter nails at all times.

You can use a dremel or grinder as well.

Start from underneath the nail, not the top downward. Be sure to remain on the white area of the toe nail. The pink area has blood vessels (it’s called the quick), and if you cut there, it will bleed. If your pup has black nails, then you can’t see the quick. Just trim a little bit at a time. The dead part is white (you can see this in the middle of the nail as you’re trimming), and as you get toward the quick, the white gets darker. Stop then.
Use quick, easy squeezes on the clippers. If you accidentally trim a little too far and your dog is bleeding, don’t worry. Just apply pressure with a tissue or dip their little toe that’s bleeding in corn starch or flour. If your dog keeps bleeding and it doesn’t seem to be stopping, call your vet.
After you’ve clipped your dogs nails, you can file them down to keep them from being jagged, or you can take them on a nice walk on pavement to file them naturally.
To begin, just clip a little bit at a time every week. You’ll quit being nervous after you and your dog are more comfortable with the process.

“In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.” – Edward Hoagland