Posts Tagged ‘Pet Health’

This article was written by The Sunbear Squad and is very important for everyone to know. I learned in my Pet Tech First Aid Class how quickly a car gets hot. Please read this and pass along.

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.

Nine rescue dogs were waiting in the back of a closed truck without air conditioning while two animal rescue volunteers readied their adoption setup in a Georgia Petsmart on April 2, 2010. It was an unseasonably warm sunny day. When the volunteers returned to the truck to bring the dogs inside, they found unimaginable hell.

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.

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

A few months ago, I was giving my dogs their monthly dose of Revolution, a flea, tick and heartwork preventative. When I say monthly, that’s what it’s supposed to be, but I had found that the top spot treatment was lasting longer than that, so I only used it once every 2 or 3 months.

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!

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….

Just like what we feed our children and ourselves, what we feed our pets plays an important role in many aspects of their lives and health.

Do you feed your pets a certain brand of pet food? What is it and why did you choose it?

A kindly gesture bestowed by us on an animal arouses prodigies of understanding and gratitude.

- Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Clipping Your Dog’s Nails is Not as Scary as You Think!

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.

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

There are tons of great resources to learn training tips, pet diet tips, read great stories, etc. I’ve decided to make a list of some of these sites that I enjoy visiting and reading on.

Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer’s official website:

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com

On Pet Web Site you will find information on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, and mice.

http://www.petwebsite.com/

Dog breed, adoption, health and care information:

http://www.dogster.com/

Dogster’s fantastic blog:

http://dogblog.dogster.com/

Cat breed, adoption, health and care information:

http://www.catster.com/

Catster’s fantastic blog:

http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/

Horses, horse care, horse riding and driving, and safety:

http://horses.about.com

A site dedicated to saving animals of all kinds. Click the purple button once a day to feed a pet in a shelter for free. Lots of great merchandise, all money goes to animal rescue:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Pet adoption, great blog and lots of info:

http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

All about birds. How to choose the right breed of bird for a pet, health tips, etc:

http://birds.about.com

Victoria Stilwell of It’s Me or the Dog’s official website:

http://www.victoriastilwell.com/

Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen. A non-profit organization helping struggling pet owners with pet food cost:

http://www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com

Lifeline Animal Project, Atlanta’s LifeLine for Homeless Pets:

http://www.atlantapets.org

There are many more websites to choose from, these are just a few. Type any pet question that you may have in your search engine and you’d be surprised how much information you have to choose from. Personalize tips to fit your pet and your schedule and don’t be afraid to modify!

Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~ George Elliot

While researching this subject, I found that there are MANY toxic dangers out there for your pets. I did my best to collect them all and put them in a readable and organized list. Please let me know if I left anything out and I’ll add it. There is so much, make sure that if you think that your pet has ingested or breathed or touched something that is making them act weird or feel bad, get them to the vet first and ask questions later. You could save their life.

PLANTS

Aloe Vera
Amaryllis
Apple (seeds)
Apricot (pit)
Arrowhead
Asparagus Fern
Avocado
Autumn Crocus
Azalea
Baneberry
Begonia
Bird of Paradise
Black Locust
Black Walnut
Bleeding Heart
Boston Ivy
Caladium
California Poppy
Calla Lily
Carnation
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Cherry (seeds, wilting leaves, and pit)
Chinese Evergreen
Chives
Christmas Rose
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Corn Plant
Crocus
Croton
Crown of Thorns
Crown Vetch
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Delphinium
Devil’s Ivy
Dicentra
Dieffenbachia
Donkey Tail
Dumb Cane
Dutchman’s Breeches
Easter Lily
Elderberry
Elephant Ears
English Ivy
Eucalyptus
Fiddle-leaf Fig
Florida Beauty
Four O’Clock
Foxglove
Foxtail
Fruit Salad Plant
German Ivy
Gladiola
Hemlock
Holly
Honeysuckle
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Ivy
Jack in the Pulpit
Japanese Yew
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Kalanchoe
Lamb’s quarter
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily
Lily of the Valley
Lobelia
Locoweed
Lords-and-Ladies
Lupine
Marigold (Marsh Marigold)
Marijuana
Mayapple
Mexican Breadfruit
Milkweed
Mistletoe
Monkshood
Morning Glory
Mother-in-Law plant
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms
Narcissus
Nephthytis
Nightshade
Oak Tree (buds and acorns)
Oleander
Onion
Peace Lily
Peach (wilting leaves and pits)
Pencil Tree
Philodendron
Pigweed
Poinsettia
Poison Ivy
Poison Hemlock
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
Poppy
Potato (all green parts)
Pothos
Precatory Bean
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Cactus
Rubber Tree
Sago Palm
Schefflera
Shamrock Plant
Snake Plant
Snow on the Mountain
Sorghum
Star of Bethlehem
Stinging Nettle
Stinkweed
Swiss Cheese Plant
Taro Vine
Toadstools
Tobacco
Tomato Plant (entire plant except ripe fruit)
Umbrella Tree
Water Hemlock
Weeping Fig
Wisteria
Yew

FOODS
Alcoholic beverages
Apple seeds
Apricot pits
Avocados—toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle and dairy goats
Cherry pits
Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol)
Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
Garlic
Grapes
Hops (used in home beer brewing)
Macadamia nuts
Moldy foods
Mushroom plants
Mustard seeds
Onions and onion powder
Peach pits
Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
Raisins
Rhubarb leaves
Salt
Tea (caffeine)
Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
Walnuts
Yeast dough

This information was gathered from several sources.

The kind man feeds his beast before sitting down to dinner. ~Hebrew Proverb

My husband, Denny, and I have cut some holes in a few cardboard boxes, taped 2 of them together, and the cats are going nuts! I added some catnip, a few of their toys and shine the laser pointer in there one in a while. It is so fun to watch and basically hands free! The best part is, our cats are getting some exercise. Here are a few more ideas for your kitty’s exercise plan, whether they are actually indoor or outdoor cats. Lots of fun and bonding for you and your feline friend!

• Bring out your cat’s primal side and buy some toys with feathers. If they make some sort of noise, even better! Our cats really go for a rattle sound or a bell sound. I suggest something on a string attached to a pole. I can’t tell you how many scratches that I’ve gotten playing with Ajax with a toy in my hand. Ouch!
• You can use that toy on a pole to get your cat to chase it up a tiered cat tree, up and around the furniture, and down and up the stairs. Getting them to move and use their balance and coordination skills is important.
• I also LOVE the laser pointer. Be sure that you don’t shine it in anyone’s eyes, they can do some real retina damage. Get your cat to chase the laser pointer up a tiered cat tree; all the stretching and climbing helps to strengthen and tone the muscles in your cat’s shoulders, legs, hips and back.
• You don’t have to spend extra money to get your cat something fun to play with. Use the cap from your milk jug or water bottle, or even a piece of ice and throw it on the floor so your cat can chase and scoot it across the floor. Be sure that you supervise your cat so that he doesn’t try to swallow the cap or anything. Also, if you have dogs, be sure that the pup doesn’t pick up the caps. Major choking hazard!
• Before you play any of these games with your cat, be sure that they have a clean bill of health. Monitor your cat’s behavior and be on the watch for signs of change in personality, eye color, smell or behavior. Playing with string or yarn with your cat may be funny, but if he swallows the string, thread or yarn (or any other similar object), it could get wrapped around his tongue and if he swallows much of it, the string can wrap itself around your cat’s intestines, causing serious illness and eventually death.

Our cats are now all pooped out from playing. They’re still all 3 a little overweight (well, Ajax is a lot), but we’ll continue to work on it and keep you updated! Please feel free to comment with suggestions, comments or anything that you want to say on this subject!

“The reason cats climb is so that they can look down on almost every other animal…its also the reason they hate birds. – KC Buffington

You might say, “My dog has a huge, fenced-in backyard to run around in all day, he gets plenty of exercise!” Did you know that dogs have a deeply ingrained, instinctual need to migrate with a pack and that there are breed specific activities that you can play to give your dog the balance she needs?

A well-balanced dog has all of her instinctual needs fulfilled, such as walking with their pack, and also exercises that fulfill the type of breed your dog is.

For instance, if you have a high energy dog, you may take him on two or three 30 minute to an hour brisk walks or jogs per day, in addition to some agility course training to satisfy their energetic nature.
If you have a medium energy dog, one or two 15-30 minute walks, plus some fetch in the backyard may suffice.

You might have a couch potato dog. Even if they appear disinterested in walking, you will find that they truly enjoy walking with you, their pack leader, and you might even see a new, more energetic side of your low energy dog.

Confining your dog to the backyard without a walk is comparable to confining a fish to a fish bowl. The world is you and your dog’s ocean. Explore it!

Well exercised dogs are balanced, less destructive and less rambunctious. Walking with your dog also creates a close bond between the two (or more) of you and can reinforce or establish your role as the dog’s pack leader.

If you are having issues with your dog, start simple. Take them for a few short walks a day to start out and see if that helps. They may need to be more challenged, and if that’s the case, you can find all kinds of games and puzzle-type toys for your dog. These can be homemade games and toys; no need to spend a ton of cash. It could be hiding a favorite toy in a sandbox, placing treats throughout the yard or house for your dog to find, or just a Kong toy filled with hard to reach treats.

I suggest checking out Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer and his books and website. He truly understands the nature of dogs and is easy to read and understand. Here is a link: www.cesarmillaninc.com

Dogs are great companions, especially well balanced and happy dogs. Make sure you do your homework on breeds before you go and get your new dog. Remember, your dog is not “human” and is quite happy being “just a dog.” Once you accept that, you are on your way to a strong and healthy relationship with your dog.

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