Thursday, March 26, 2015
THE BAMA MIN PIN ANNA NICOLE: Let's Talk Cleaning Tips For Our Pets Health Today...
THE BAMA MIN PIN ANNA NICOLE: Let's Talk Cleaning Tips For Our Pets Health Today...: Dog ownership means a lot of great things, But unfortunately it also means that our homes are likely a little less clean than we’d like...
Let's Talk Cleaning Tips For Our Pets Health Today!!
Dog ownership means a lot of great things,
But unfortunately it also means that our homes are likely a little less clean than we’d like to admit.
With dogs comes fur, dander, dirt, slobber and who knows what else. Keeping our homes clean is not only important for our health, but our dogs’ health too. If you’re stuck trying to figure out how to manage the chaos?
Check out our list below
1{ wash pets bedding
Most people wash their own beds every 10-14 days. It is actually recommended that it done weekly.
But it’s not only your bed you need to clean every week,it is also your dog’s as well.
Their beds collect just as much, if not more, dirt and dander and will greatly benefit from regular washing.
2} brush your pets coat
Bathing your dog too often can irritate their skin and dry out their coats, which will do more harm than good.
Daily to weekly brushing and combing will work wonders for you and your dog. Brushing will remove excess dead hair, leaving less lying around your home.it removes any dirt and dander that’s sitting on top of your dog’s coat. This will significantly decrease the amount of hair that’s found in your home as well as the dirt.
3} Wash you pets collars
When washing your dog and their bed.Do not forget to wash their collar! Many owners don’t even think about washing their dogs’ collars.{I was guilty of these my self.}.
Some dogs are wearing very dirty, very stinky ones. It’s a good idea to wash collars regularly to keep any dirt and dead hair from collecting there. You might just be surprised how much dirt will stick into cotton and nylon collars.
Your dog will be more comfortable and probably smell better too.
4} Lint Rollers & Rubber Gloves
{{just your normal rubber gloves}}
most of us dog owners go through quite a bit of lint rollers.This can get inconvenient and expensive.Especially when trying to remove hair from furniture or car interiors. Using a rubber glove to wipe down these areas will collect just as much hair as a lint roller does and can be cleaned off and re-used continuously. Quick and easy fix when you need to remove hair fastly and even works on clothing.
5} Vacuum & Sweep Regularly
Regardless of how often you groom your dog.
Dead hair will collect inside your home and the best way to keep it at a minimum is to vacuum and sweep regularly.{I tend to do this daily} Whatever is best for your type of flooring, making sure it’s cleaned at least once a week will keep allergens, dirt and even fleas away.
6} Wash Toys
Our dogs’ toys can get very dirty.Whether it is their favorite stuffed animal or a rubber ball. Making sure these toys are washed will greatly diminish the dirt collected on them and the germs that grow from your dog’s slobber.
Besides, you’ll most likely enjoying playing with a clean toy than one caked with dirt.
7} Use An Air Purifier
Using an air purifier will trap any airborne dirt, dust and dander and keep your home clean and healthy. Fresh air is important in decreasing the amount of dust and dirt that builds up both inside your home and inside your lungs. Air filters made especially for pet owners work harder at eliminating allergens and are a great choice for those needing to liven things up around the house.
These are just a few easy things that can help you and your pet be clean and healthy.
1{ wash pets bedding
Most people wash their own beds every 10-14 days. It is actually recommended that it done weekly.
But it’s not only your bed you need to clean every week,it is also your dog’s as well.
Their beds collect just as much, if not more, dirt and dander and will greatly benefit from regular washing.
2} brush your pets coat
Bathing your dog too often can irritate their skin and dry out their coats, which will do more harm than good.
Daily to weekly brushing and combing will work wonders for you and your dog. Brushing will remove excess dead hair, leaving less lying around your home.it removes any dirt and dander that’s sitting on top of your dog’s coat. This will significantly decrease the amount of hair that’s found in your home as well as the dirt.
3} Wash you pets collars
When washing your dog and their bed.Do not forget to wash their collar! Many owners don’t even think about washing their dogs’ collars.{I was guilty of these my self.}.
Some dogs are wearing very dirty, very stinky ones. It’s a good idea to wash collars regularly to keep any dirt and dead hair from collecting there. You might just be surprised how much dirt will stick into cotton and nylon collars.
Your dog will be more comfortable and probably smell better too.
4} Lint Rollers & Rubber Gloves
{{just your normal rubber gloves}}
most of us dog owners go through quite a bit of lint rollers.This can get inconvenient and expensive.Especially when trying to remove hair from furniture or car interiors. Using a rubber glove to wipe down these areas will collect just as much hair as a lint roller does and can be cleaned off and re-used continuously. Quick and easy fix when you need to remove hair fastly and even works on clothing.
5} Vacuum & Sweep Regularly
Regardless of how often you groom your dog.
Dead hair will collect inside your home and the best way to keep it at a minimum is to vacuum and sweep regularly.{I tend to do this daily} Whatever is best for your type of flooring, making sure it’s cleaned at least once a week will keep allergens, dirt and even fleas away.
6} Wash Toys
Our dogs’ toys can get very dirty.Whether it is their favorite stuffed animal or a rubber ball. Making sure these toys are washed will greatly diminish the dirt collected on them and the germs that grow from your dog’s slobber.
Besides, you’ll most likely enjoying playing with a clean toy than one caked with dirt.
7} Use An Air Purifier
Using an air purifier will trap any airborne dirt, dust and dander and keep your home clean and healthy. Fresh air is important in decreasing the amount of dust and dirt that builds up both inside your home and inside your lungs. Air filters made especially for pet owners work harder at eliminating allergens and are a great choice for those needing to liven things up around the house.
These are just a few easy things that can help you and your pet be clean and healthy.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Watching out for your pet during the dog days of summer
It’s time to get out with the family and the family dog to enjoy some recreational activities and some beautiful summer weather. Hot weather can make us all uncomfortable, and it poses special risks for man’s best friend. People need to be reminded of the seasonal dangers so summer fun isn’t spoiled by a preventable emergency or illness.
Courtesy Photo Brutus, a Boston terrier, poses for a photograph June 11, 2013.
On what may seem like a mild summer day, pet owners may think leaving their dog in a locked car for a relatively short period of time isn’t dangerous. However, this puts your dog in great jeopardy by exposing it to heat-related injuries, such as heat stroke. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature in cars can rise to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes; even on seemingly mild summer days.
There are heat stroke symptoms you should watch out for in your pet because heat stroke can be fatal.
Normal body temperatures for canines range from 100-102.5 F. If your dog has a temperature that is greater than 104 F and it exhibits heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling or bright red gums and tongue, immediately take it to the nearest emergency animal hospital. While en route, try cooling the dog down by rubbing alcohol on its paw pads, applying ice packs to the groin area or feeding the dog ice chips and small amounts of cool water. It is important to keep your local veterinarian’s contact information and the address of an emergency animal hospital easily available, such as in the glove box of your car or on your refrigerator door.
Dog houses provide great shelter for dogs staying outdoors. However, on hot and sunny days these structures can be death traps. Always remember to make sure there is adequate ventilation inside the dog house. You should also provide your pet with other shady areas to rest in and ensure that plenty of cool, clean drinking water is available. Try avoiding strenuous activities, such as long runs or walks, during the hottest portions of the day. If you have plans to take your canine companion to the beach or local swimming pool, avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which may burn your pet’s paws. Your dog may be tempted to drink sea or pool water, but do not let your pet drink this because it may cause sickness. Never leave a dog unattended in the water.
Thinking of traveling with your pet by air? Check with your airline first for specific rules when traveling with a dog. Some airlines do not allow pets to travel because of the dangers caused by heat. If you are able to fly with your dog, it’s never a bad idea to put ice packs in your dog’s crate (try frozen water bottles) and provide plenty of water in a bowl and frozen drinking water (as backup) so that it can thaw during the flight.
For the general health of your furry companion, make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, especially since the creatures are outdoors more frequently this time of year and will come into contact with other dogs and people. You should also make sure your pet stays off lawns that have been chemically-treated or fertilized for at least 24 hours. This avoids exposing your dog to toxins that could harm it.
Did you know that fleas, parasites, ticks and mosquitoes carry various diseases such as heartworm and parvo? Dogs are more susceptible to these diseases in the summer than winter months.
Courtesy Photo Brutus, a Boston terrier, poses for a photograph June 11, 2013.On what may seem like a mild summer day, pet owners may think leaving their dog in a locked car for a relatively short period of time isn’t dangerous. However, this puts your dog in great jeopardy by exposing it to heat-related injuries, such as heat stroke. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature in cars can rise to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes; even on seemingly mild summer days.
There are heat stroke symptoms you should watch out for in your pet because heat stroke can be fatal.
Normal body temperatures for canines range from 100-102.5 F. If your dog has a temperature that is greater than 104 F and it exhibits heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling or bright red gums and tongue, immediately take it to the nearest emergency animal hospital. While en route, try cooling the dog down by rubbing alcohol on its paw pads, applying ice packs to the groin area or feeding the dog ice chips and small amounts of cool water. It is important to keep your local veterinarian’s contact information and the address of an emergency animal hospital easily available, such as in the glove box of your car or on your refrigerator door.
Dog houses provide great shelter for dogs staying outdoors. However, on hot and sunny days these structures can be death traps. Always remember to make sure there is adequate ventilation inside the dog house. You should also provide your pet with other shady areas to rest in and ensure that plenty of cool, clean drinking water is available. Try avoiding strenuous activities, such as long runs or walks, during the hottest portions of the day. If you have plans to take your canine companion to the beach or local swimming pool, avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which may burn your pet’s paws. Your dog may be tempted to drink sea or pool water, but do not let your pet drink this because it may cause sickness. Never leave a dog unattended in the water.
Thinking of traveling with your pet by air? Check with your airline first for specific rules when traveling with a dog. Some airlines do not allow pets to travel because of the dangers caused by heat. If you are able to fly with your dog, it’s never a bad idea to put ice packs in your dog’s crate (try frozen water bottles) and provide plenty of water in a bowl and frozen drinking water (as backup) so that it can thaw during the flight.
For the general health of your furry companion, make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, especially since the creatures are outdoors more frequently this time of year and will come into contact with other dogs and people. You should also make sure your pet stays off lawns that have been chemically-treated or fertilized for at least 24 hours. This avoids exposing your dog to toxins that could harm it.
Did you know that fleas, parasites, ticks and mosquitoes carry various diseases such as heartworm and parvo? Dogs are more susceptible to these diseases in the summer than winter months.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Dog Treats Pulled due to Discovery of Antibiotics
Milo's Kitchen Dog Treat Recall
Trace amounts of residual antibiotics in several lots of Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers Home-style dog treats prompts voluntarily recall.
“Pet safety and consumer confidence in our products are our top priorities,” says Rob Leibowitz, general manager of pet products at the San Francisco-based company. “While there is no known health risk, the presence of even trace amounts of these antibiotics does not meet our high quality standards. Therefore, today we decided to recall both products and asked retailers to remove the products from their shelves.”No other Milo’s Kitchen products are affected.
The discovery was made by the New York State Department of Agriculture, which informed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday. Milo’s Kitchen consulted with both agencies before issuing the recall notice.
While antibiotics are commonly used in the poultry industry, “The antibiotics found in the products were unapproved and should not be present in the final food product,” Milo’s Kitchen stated.
Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers are both sourced from the same chicken suppliers, the company reported.
The company noted that it conducts safety testing from procurement to manufacturing to distribution, but “Milo’s Kitchen did not test for all of the specific antibiotics found by the New York Department of Agriculture.”
Consumers who return or discard the treats will receive a full refund, Leibowitz says.
The company is fielding questions about the recall at 877-228-6493
More Dog Treats Pulled due to Discovery of Antibiotics
Nestle Purina PetCare Co. voluntarily withdrew all Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats sold in the United States after trace amounts of antibiotic residue were found in samples.
The action came on the same day Milo’s Kitchen, a brand of San Francisco-based Del Monte Corp., voluntarily recalled Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers Home-style dog treats for the same reason. Read more here>>
All three treat brands were flagged by the New York State Department of Agriculture, which is consulting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the matter. The FDA has been investigating reports of illnesses and deaths associated with jerky pet treats from China, the source of the chicken in the Waggin’ Train, Canyon Creek Ranch and Milo’s Kitchen treats.
The FDA reported that New York inspectors discovered the antibiotic residue while using “a new, reportedly more sensitive method.” The agency noted that the test results did not raise health concerns “and are highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illness FDA has received related to jerky pet treats.”
Nestle Purina was careful to call its action a product “withdrawal” rather than a “recall” and noted that the products posed no health risks.
“Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch products are safe to feed as directed,” the company stated. “However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States.”
The residue was measured in a relatively low parts per billion, the company stated.
“These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S.,” the statement added.
Other Purina treats and pet foods, including Canyon Creek Ranch dog and cat foods, are not part of the withdrawal.
Some time may pass before Waggin’ Train treats hit store shelves again, brand president Nina Leigh Krueger says.
“In the final analysis, our company and our loyal consumers must have total confidence in the products we sell and feed our pets,” she says.
“Once we understand and determine how to comply with the technicalities of different regulatory frameworks, we will work with all appropriate parties to define the best way to supply the market.”
In an update released Wednesday, the FDA advised owners that “jerky pet treats are not necessary for pets to have a fully balanced diet, so eliminating them will not harm pets.”
“Commercially produced pet food, which is very safe, contains all of the nutrients that pets need,” the FDA added.
More information about the Nestle Purina products is available by calling the company at 800-982-0704.
Milo’s Kitchen representatives may be reached at 877-228-6493
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Danielle Guzman shows Princess one of the gifts donated to the Best Friends Animal Angel Tree in North Plainfield. All donations will go to the Plainfield Area Humane Society and the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Guzman is an employee at Best Friends Pet Care in North Plainfield. / For NJ Press Media
For more information
Best Friends Pet Care:www.bestfriendspetcare.com
Plainfield Area Humane Society: 908-754-0300; contact.pahs@verizon.net; www.pahs.petfinder.org
Somerset Regional Animal Shelter: 908-725-0308; SomersetRegional@verizon.net; www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ32.html
NORTH PLAINFIELD
In the classic holiday movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Clarence Oddbody earned his wings by helping George Bailey realize that it really was a wonderful life.
You, too, can be an angel, and you don’t have to help Jimmy Stewart to do it.
Stop in at Best Friends Pet Care — which is conducting its 12th annual Animal Angel Tree campaign — and donate food, toys and treats for homeless dogs and cats. All donations benefit the homeless animals at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter in Bridgewater and the Plainfield Area Humane Society in Plainfield.
The Animal Angel Tree in the Best Friends’ lobby has been decorated with paper ornaments featuring photos and information about needy cats and dogs. Animal enthusiasts can call to select a card from the tree and donate from the shelter’s wish list for that dog or cat. All pets featured on the tree are available for adoption.
“We wanted to try to do something for the holidays to help homeless pets,” said Kelly Lugo, center manager for Best Friends in North Plainfield. “We do support the shelters and rescues throughout the year, so this just seemed a natural thing to do. It would be the perfect way to give back to the community.”
And the community has responded.
“We’ve gotten a lot of donations,” Lugo said. “Last year, every pet on our tree was sponsored. We pre-made gift baskets of items, and each pet had one of those packages. There’s a variety of other donations of food, leashes, collars, toys, treats and those were divvied up between both shelters. So far this year, we have a nice start to donations. We have several boxes full of items.”
Lugo said approximately 50 animals are featured on the Animal Angel Tree this year, ranging in age from younger than a year to elderly. Only dogs and cats are represented on the tree; however, the shelters that are being sponsored do have other animals besides cats and dogs, such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
As for the beneficiaries of the Animal Angel Tree, Lugo said, “We normally always choose Plainfield Area Humane Society because they’re local to us, and then we usually chose one other shelter or rescue.”
Aside from Plainfield Area Human Society, how do they decide on which shelter to choose?
“We just randomly pick,” Lugo said. “This year is Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. In the past, we’ve done St. Hubert’s and some other local groups.”
Lugo said the Animal Angel Tree is bringing an awareness to the shelters.
“Last year, many of the pets on our tree were adopted out during the holiday season,” she said. “And this year I’ve personally given the shelter information to a couple of clients who were going to go and inquire about the pets for adoption.”
This year, superstorm Sandy has contributed to the number of animals that are homeless, Lugo said. “The hurricane has inundated many shelters with an increased number of homeless pets, whether it be people lost their homes or had to relocate and couldn’t take their pets.”
Susan MacWhinney-Ciufo, director of the Plainfield Area Human Society, is thrilled to be chosen annually.
“They live up to their name,” she said. “They’re best friends. They’ve been extremely supportive. It’s a lot of fun. Best Friends is terrific.”
MacWhinney-Ciufo agrees with Lugo that the Animal Angel Tree event has brought an awareness to the animal shelters.
“I think it’s because people that go to Best Friends with their pet see that there are homeless animals that need help,” MacWhinney-Ciufo said.
Donations to the Animal Angel Tree program can be made before Dec. 31 at Best Friends Pet Care, 825 Route 22 West, or by calling 908-822-9200.
In the classic holiday movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Clarence Oddbody earned his wings by helping George Bailey realize that it really was a wonderful life.
You, too, can be an angel, and you don’t have to help Jimmy Stewart to do it.
Stop in at Best Friends Pet Care — which is conducting its 12th annual Animal Angel Tree campaign — and donate food, toys and treats for homeless dogs and cats. All donations benefit the homeless animals at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter in Bridgewater and the Plainfield Area Humane Society in Plainfield.
The Animal Angel Tree in the Best Friends’ lobby has been decorated with paper ornaments featuring photos and information about needy cats and dogs. Animal enthusiasts can call to select a card from the tree and donate from the shelter’s wish list for that dog or cat. All pets featured on the tree are available for adoption.
“We wanted to try to do something for the holidays to help homeless pets,” said Kelly Lugo, center manager for Best Friends in North Plainfield. “We do support the shelters and rescues throughout the year, so this just seemed a natural thing to do. It would be the perfect way to give back to the community.”
And the community has responded.
“We’ve gotten a lot of donations,” Lugo said. “Last year, every pet on our tree was sponsored. We pre-made gift baskets of items, and each pet had one of those packages. There’s a variety of other donations of food, leashes, collars, toys, treats and those were divvied up between both shelters. So far this year, we have a nice start to donations. We have several boxes full of items.”
Lugo said approximately 50 animals are featured on the Animal Angel Tree this year, ranging in age from younger than a year to elderly. Only dogs and cats are represented on the tree; however, the shelters that are being sponsored do have other animals besides cats and dogs, such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
As for the beneficiaries of the Animal Angel Tree, Lugo said, “We normally always choose Plainfield Area Humane Society because they’re local to us, and then we usually chose one other shelter or rescue.”
Aside from Plainfield Area Human Society, how do they decide on which shelter to choose?
“We just randomly pick,” Lugo said. “This year is Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. In the past, we’ve done St. Hubert’s and some other local groups.”
Lugo said the Animal Angel Tree is bringing an awareness to the shelters.
“Last year, many of the pets on our tree were adopted out during the holiday season,” she said. “And this year I’ve personally given the shelter information to a couple of clients who were going to go and inquire about the pets for adoption.”
This year, superstorm Sandy has contributed to the number of animals that are homeless, Lugo said. “The hurricane has inundated many shelters with an increased number of homeless pets, whether it be people lost their homes or had to relocate and couldn’t take their pets.”
Susan MacWhinney-Ciufo, director of the Plainfield Area Human Society, is thrilled to be chosen annually.
“They live up to their name,” she said. “They’re best friends. They’ve been extremely supportive. It’s a lot of fun. Best Friends is terrific.”
MacWhinney-Ciufo agrees with Lugo that the Animal Angel Tree event has brought an awareness to the animal shelters.
“I think it’s because people that go to Best Friends with their pet see that there are homeless animals that need help,” MacWhinney-Ciufo said.
Donations to the Animal Angel Tree program can be made before Dec. 31 at Best Friends Pet Care, 825 Route 22 West, or by calling 908-822-9200.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Top Holiday Pet Hazards To Avoid
Holiday Pet Hazards To Avoid
3. Flowers and plants
Poinsettias get the bad rap, but the plant you actually need to worry about is the fragrant lily (such as tiger, Asiatic, and Stargazer), which is commonly found in holiday arrangements and is highly toxic to cats. Just one chewed leaf can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Yuletide plants (like holly and mistletoe) can easily be mistaken for food, resulting in gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmia. Silk and plastic arrangements are your safest bets; if you prefer real flowers, however, choose bouquets made of nonirritating choices such as roses, marigolds, orchids, or daisies.
4. Ornaments and decorations
If you find your pet chewing on a string of bubble lights, get her to the vet. The dangerous chemical methylene chloride (which bubbles when heated) can cause irritation to her eyes, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. There's also the risk of broken glass ornaments cutting her paws. So avoid hanging any ornaments at pet level—and try to keep lights and delicate decorations out of reach.
5. Tinsel
If you own a cat, toss the tinsel—she's likely to mistake it for a chew toy, and eating tinsel can cause severe damage to the intestinal tract. It can get wrapped around the tongue or caught up in the stomach while the rest of it continues to pass through the intestines, which may require expensive abdominal surgery.
If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, call pet poison animal control immediately. Keep these numbers programmed in your phone:
Holiday Pet Hazards
Decorations, candy, flowers, and plants can cause serious harm to animals. Here are common ones to watch out for.
1. Festive foods
Baked goods and boxes of chocolate are abundant this time of year, but if ingested, they can result in gastrointestinal upset, heart arrhythmia, and seizure. Certain desserts can be deadly too—especially those containing grapes, raisins, or currants (like fruitcake), which can lead to kidney failure. Refrain from tossing meat scraps and bones to your dog (and ask your houseguests to do the same). It may seem like a treat, but pets just aren't built to digest meat prepared for humans; eating it can lead to pancreatitis. To keep your dog healthy, stick to her normal diet.
Pets
2. Liquid potpourri
Filling your house with the smell of pine or peppermint may seem inviting, but if you're partial to heating your scented oils in a simmer pot, know that it can cause serious harm to your feline. These oils are toxic to cats, and even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns in the mouth, fever, difficulty breathing, and tremors. Dogs aren't as sensitive, but it's still wise to scent your home with a nontoxic candle kept safely out of pets' reach.
Poinsettias get the bad rap, but the plant you actually need to worry about is the fragrant lily (such as tiger, Asiatic, and Stargazer), which is commonly found in holiday arrangements and is highly toxic to cats. Just one chewed leaf can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Yuletide plants (like holly and mistletoe) can easily be mistaken for food, resulting in gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmia. Silk and plastic arrangements are your safest bets; if you prefer real flowers, however, choose bouquets made of nonirritating choices such as roses, marigolds, orchids, or daisies.
4. Ornaments and decorations
If you find your pet chewing on a string of bubble lights, get her to the vet. The dangerous chemical methylene chloride (which bubbles when heated) can cause irritation to her eyes, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. There's also the risk of broken glass ornaments cutting her paws. So avoid hanging any ornaments at pet level—and try to keep lights and delicate decorations out of reach.
5. Tinsel
If you own a cat, toss the tinsel—she's likely to mistake it for a chew toy, and eating tinsel can cause severe damage to the intestinal tract. It can get wrapped around the tongue or caught up in the stomach while the rest of it continues to pass through the intestines, which may require expensive abdominal surgery.
If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, call pet poison animal control immediately. Keep these numbers programmed in your phone:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435, $60 fee per incident; aspca.org/apcc.
- Pet Poison Helpline (800) 213-6680, $35 fee (pay by credit card) per incident; petpoisonhelpline.com.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Top 7 Holiday Hazards for Dogs
Don't bring seasonal gloom down upon on your canine friend -- follow my guide for a safe season.
The holidays needn't be especially dangerous, as long as you follow some basic guidelines.
Consumption of chocolate is, by a mile, the No. 1 holiday-related cause of canines coming to my office. Chocolate is everywhere during the holidays, and let me assure you that the overwhelming majority of dogs are bona fide chocoholics. They love the stuff, and they can smell it from 50 yards away. The true menace is chocolate that has been gift wrapped. Humans unknowingly place wrapped chocolate under the tree. The dog knows exactly what's in the package, and helps himself as soon as the owner's back is turned. I see the aftermath all the time. Not only does this place the dog at risk of chocolate toxicity, it also is a waste of a gift. The good news is that chocolate toxicity is rarely fatal when treated. However, the trend towards ever darker and stronger chocolates places dogs at increasing risk. Also, don't forget that chocolate often coats other potential toxins such as macadamia nuts and raisins.
There are many possible solutions to the chocolate problem. My personal favorite is to open gifts early, but for some people that spoils the fun of Christmas morning. If you're among them, consider allowing your dog to sniff the package as part of the standard pre-opening inspection of all gifts (which also includes shaking the package and studying the card). If the dog shows too much interest, then the package might require special care. Another, more Scrooge-ish tactic is simply to bar Fido's access to the living room by closing the door. And here's a reminder: When giving gifts to dog owners, don't give wrapped chocolate.
Last week Denise and I had guests over. Our pal Buster greeted the family as they arrived. Then, as everyone said hello to one another, Buster took advantage of the distraction to help himself to several pieces of salami from the cheese tray. It would have been the perfect crime if he were a true Labrador who swallows without chewing, but he was busted as a result of his smacking lips.
Buster was unharmed, and fortunately the guests were still willing to snack on the cheese tray. However, a combination of parties, special meals, and guests presents a singular holiday pattern, which sets dogs up for massive dietary indiscretion. I have treated dogs that have consumed entire turkeys, whole hams, and other varied and sundry feasts from the table or the trash. Some of these dogs have developed severe gastrotintestinal upset. Others have come down with pancreatitis and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, both of which are potentially life threatening. Keep an eye on the dog, the food, and the trash during special meals.
Short days and long nights mean more night walks, which can mean a higher chance of your dog getting lost or suffering from hypothermia. Use a proper leash and harness and a winter jacket as needed. I also strongly recommend lighting your dog at night. I have found that blinking LED bike lights tend to be more durable than the canine-specific lights from the pet store.
Happy holidays to all!
The holidays needn't be especially dangerous, as long as you follow some basic guidelines.
1. Chocolate
Consumption of chocolate is, by a mile, the No. 1 holiday-related cause of canines coming to my office. Chocolate is everywhere during the holidays, and let me assure you that the overwhelming majority of dogs are bona fide chocoholics. They love the stuff, and they can smell it from 50 yards away. The true menace is chocolate that has been gift wrapped. Humans unknowingly place wrapped chocolate under the tree. The dog knows exactly what's in the package, and helps himself as soon as the owner's back is turned. I see the aftermath all the time. Not only does this place the dog at risk of chocolate toxicity, it also is a waste of a gift. The good news is that chocolate toxicity is rarely fatal when treated. However, the trend towards ever darker and stronger chocolates places dogs at increasing risk. Also, don't forget that chocolate often coats other potential toxins such as macadamia nuts and raisins.
There are many possible solutions to the chocolate problem. My personal favorite is to open gifts early, but for some people that spoils the fun of Christmas morning. If you're among them, consider allowing your dog to sniff the package as part of the standard pre-opening inspection of all gifts (which also includes shaking the package and studying the card). If the dog shows too much interest, then the package might require special care. Another, more Scrooge-ish tactic is simply to bar Fido's access to the living room by closing the door. And here's a reminder: When giving gifts to dog owners, don't give wrapped chocolate.
2. Untended platters of food
Last week Denise and I had guests over. Our pal Buster greeted the family as they arrived. Then, as everyone said hello to one another, Buster took advantage of the distraction to help himself to several pieces of salami from the cheese tray. It would have been the perfect crime if he were a true Labrador who swallows without chewing, but he was busted as a result of his smacking lips.
Buster was unharmed, and fortunately the guests were still willing to snack on the cheese tray. However, a combination of parties, special meals, and guests presents a singular holiday pattern, which sets dogs up for massive dietary indiscretion. I have treated dogs that have consumed entire turkeys, whole hams, and other varied and sundry feasts from the table or the trash. Some of these dogs have developed severe gastrotintestinal upset. Others have come down with pancreatitis and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, both of which are potentially life threatening. Keep an eye on the dog, the food, and the trash during special meals.
3. Inedible holiday items -- which the dog eats
I also see an uptick in gastrointestinal foreign bodies during the holiday season. In case you didn't already know, dogs are silly creatures and they eat the darnedest things. I have treated dogs for eating ornaments, wrapping paper, ribbons, and all other manner of holiday-related items. My personal favorite was the Labrador (of course) puppy who consumed an entire string of Christmas lights. Believe it or not, the lights passed through his GI system and he did not require surgery.4. Escalators
If you're tempted to take your dog shopping, or if you are traveling for the holidays and heading to the airport with your dog, beware of escalators and moving sidewalks. Dogs have no business riding these things, ever. They fail to dismount properly with alarming frequency. When dogs' feet get caught in escalators, the effect is similar to getting caught in a meat grinder. Enough said.5. Outdoor dangers
Short days and long nights mean more night walks, which can mean a higher chance of your dog getting lost or suffering from hypothermia. Use a proper leash and harness and a winter jacket as needed. I also strongly recommend lighting your dog at night. I have found that blinking LED bike lights tend to be more durable than the canine-specific lights from the pet store.
6. Dental disease, the year-round hazard
The nasty bacteria that cause canine dental disease do not take time off for Christmas. How, you might ask, do the holidays pose a special dental disease hazard to dogs? They don't. But since the new year is just around the corner, why not resolve to brush your best friend's teeth every day? It is the simplest thing you can do to help ensure his or her good health in the future.7. Poinsettia and mistletoe
And finally, no holiday discussion about dogs would be complete without the obligatory mention of poinsettia and mistletoe. When I was in vet school, everyone believed these two plants were downright dangerous and grapes were healthy treats for dogs. Since then things have turned around almost 180 degrees. Nowadays we believe that poinsettia and mistletoe are only mildly toxic, but grape or raisin ingestion may lead to fatal kidney failure in susceptible individuals. Maybe in the future the toxicologists will change their minds again, but for now you needn't worry too intensely about these two holiday plants (although they are not healthy treats, and dogs should not be allowed to consume them). However, a toxicologist recently told me, and I quote, "there is no safe dose of grapes or raisins in dogs."Happy holidays to all!
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