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- Dogs helping their people..Dog Is Lifesaver for 3-Year-Old with Diabetes http://t.co/8HUXJWYW via @zite
It’s Tornado Season! Are Your Pets Protected?
Jessie, the responsible dog: Well, it’s tornado season! What are you going to do? If you are Party Marty, the crazy cat, you run outside and play in the storm like a fool. If you are like me, you plan ahead…like this:
Find a safe area in your home large enough for your family and pets…usually a basement or the room most interior to your home on the lowest level.
Do some practice drills getting the family together quickly during calm weather. To keep the place pet-friendly, remove any dangerous tools or toxic products.
Have a crate for every animal at the ready. If possible, place these underneath a sturdy piece of furniture.
Be aware of your pet’s usual hiding places so you can find them in an emergency.
Be sure to have your pet properly tagged with identification.
After the storm has passed, keep your pets on leashes or in their crates until you are certain it is safe. Be aware of any objects that could cause harm to your pet. Keep pets away from any food or water sources that may have been contaminated during the storm and keep them away from power lines that have gone down and from any strewn debris.
As their environment may have become somewhat altered, allow your pets time to sniff around and get comfortable again to avoid confusion on their part.
Thanks to care2.com for this insightful information.
Chip Bags Can Be Deadly
I just finished reading a story on the PETA.org site of a woman whose dog suffocated because of a mylar potato chip bag.
It seems Blue was quite a mischievous fellow, escaping when he got the chance or getting into the trash when his people were gone. One day, while his mom was at the store, Blue decided to raid the garbage can and found a real treasure, an empty potato chip bag with some crumbs left inside.
He stuck his head into the bag all the way to get the crumbs and the bag got stuck on his head. In his panic to get air, the mylar bag became a suction and he was unable to get it off. He eventually lost consciousness and suffocated by the time his mom got home.
The danger of mylar chip bags to pets and children is not widely known. Blue’s family is hoping to bring focus to this issue in the hopes chip companies will begin putting warnings on the bags and eventually change the bag materials.
In the meantime, if you have empty chip bags that are made of mylar, please cut them into pieces before putting them in the trash. Blue’s family has established a Facebook page to enlighten people on the danger of mylar bags. Check out their page at https://www.facebook.com/PreventPetSuffocation
Veterinary Malpractice-A Different Ball Game
We’re all familiar with the term “malpractice” when it comes to medical care, but when dealing with veterinarians the laws are quite different than they are for medical doctors. Examples of veterinary malpractice include incorrect diagnosis, prescribing inappropriate medication, following a wrong course of treatment or abandonment of treatment altogether.
Awards for veterinary malpractice vary dramatically from medical malpractice. In most cases, if the court rules in your favor in a vet malpractice case, you recover only the costs you paid for your pet’s treatment. If your pet dies, most state laws allow for only the “market value” of replacing your pet. Damages for “pain and suffering” are not considered.
It’s best to settle vet malpractice cases out of court whenever possible, mediators can be a great help in keeping emotions on both sides in check and coming to a solution workable for both sides.
Veterinarians are licensed in the state where they practice and it is possible to lodge a complaint with the state licensing board if malpractice is suspected. Once a complaint is filed with the board, they will investigate and take whatever action they feel is appropriate. Normal sanctions include fines, suspension or revoking the veterinarians license. Some licensing boards offer a dispute resolution service which can be more cost effective than a court case.
Info for this post from Whole Dog Journal, March 2012
How to Keep a Cat from Becoming Bored
Party Marty here, still a little worn out from watching that NCAA basketball game last night: So, Kentucky won. Oh, well…what are you going to do? Let’s play! That’s right! Play! As a cat, it sometimes can get boring sitting around all day, waiting for the occasional belly rub or treat. I need more stimulation than that. Just because I am no longer a cute kitty, I do need more mental and physical excitement, if anything, for my state of mind and well-being. After all…would YOU just like to lie around all day and do nothing? No worries? (Don’t answer that!)
Unlike dogs that usually get a walk or two each day, all we live for involves eating, sleeping and, well, pooping. Boring after a while, wouldn’t you think? Let’s switch things up a bit! Take a few minutes out of your busy day and play with me! You just need the right playthings. C’mon! I’ll show you!
Cats love to play! If it involves chasing, swatting and pouncing, we’re in! Besides, just imagine the entertainment value it will hold for you in watching us have fun. Try this one: Tie a feather to a string and then attach it to a stick. As if you were fishing, dangle the feather above your cat’s head and watch him swat for it. Raise it up a bit higher and see what he does. Be sure to let him catch it and “win” a few times or he’ll just get bored and walk away.
Why not make a ball out of a few pipe cleaners? Throw it a few feet away from the cat and watch him go for it…and then try to pull it apart.
Next time the bagger at the store asks you, “Paper or plastic,” opt for paper. I don’t know any cat that cannot resist an empty paper bag. Put it on the ground on its side and watch your cat explore the bag. Scratch the outer surface of the bag when your cat is in there and watch him try to paw your hand from the inside. For more fun, cut a few holes into the bag and poke a feather or pipe cleaner in them to see if he will lunge for them! Just be careful not to poke him in the eye!
Thanks to pets.ca/cats for this great information! Now that March Madness is over, I need a new interest!
Beware The Lily
As stunningly beautiful as they are, lilies are a health risk to your cat. Members of the plant genus Lillium, which includes Easter lilies, Tiger lilies, Rubrums, Japanese show lilies, Stargazer lilies, and Daylilies can pose a toxin risk to your cat. When cats chew on the leaves of these plants, they can sustain kidney damage or even death. All parts of the plant are toxic, and your cat can become ill just chewing on one leaf.
Dogs, rabbits, and rats do not seem to respond to the toxins in lilies as cats do. While dogs may experience some minor tummy troubles from eating the leaves off these plants, they typically do not get renal damage.
Cats who are afflicted with the toxins of these plants will start vomiting, usually wtihing two to six hours after ingestion. While the vomiting may stop for awhile, it will usually return over the course of the next few days.
If your cat has ingested any part of these types of plants/flowers, please get him or her to your veterinarian immediately. If you postpone treatment more than 18 hours, your cat is at risk for kidney failure or death.
Do Your Homework Before Buying From A Breeder
I’m an advocate for adoption vs. buying when it comes to adding a new pet to your home, but for those looking for purebred puppies through a 
breeder, here are some points to check out:
- Breeder should breed puppies that are mentally, genetically and physically healthy. They should have paperwork available for you to review to show screening that’s been done to ensure health of puppy’s parents.
- The breeder should allow you to meet the puppy’s parents.
- They should stay in touch with you and follow up to ensure the puppy you purchased from them is doing well.
- Breeder should require puppy be spayed/neutered unless the puppy will participate in dog shows.
- They should thoroughly screen prospective pet parents and require that puppy be given a secure, loving home.
- Puppies should be well socialized prior to going to their permanent homes.
- The breeder should be willing to take back the dog for any reason for the life of the dog.
Information for this post from Your Dog, April 2011.
The Break-Up: Who Gets The Pets?
When couples split, custody of family pets is becoming an increasingly larger issue.
Although these cases can be quite heated, the parties involved are usually genuinely concerned about the welfare of the pet. Points to consider when deciding custody include:
- Age of the pet (Does it make sense to uproot the animal and force them to adjust to a new home?)
- Separation from friend-animals (would loss of animal friends impact the pet’s quality of life?)
- Stress of long-distance travel (will the animal be forced to travel a long distance to the new home?)
- Any breed-specific statues at new location (are there any breed-specific laws in the new location that could impact the pet’s relocation?)
Shared custody or visiting arrangements can be defined if both parties are willing to negotiate.
For cases involving domestic abuse, some states have passed legislation to include pets in restraining orders and remove them from abusive homes when victims are moved to a safe home. When safe homes don’t allow pets, animal shelters are often called to provide temporary housing.
In states without legislation to protect pets in domestic abuse situations, attorneys can pursue adding pets as family members to restraining orders. Many courts honor this request to protect pets if just cause can be shown.
I’ve Got Soap in My Eyes Again!
Bolt, three-year-old Yorkie-Poo guest blogger: Ugh..what a way to start the day. Just when I thought I could kick back and lounge in the sun, my human came to get me and took me to…are you ready for this?…the dreaded SHOWER! I know, I know…I admit…I feel great afterwards, but the actual process of getting wet and lathered up is just not my thing, especially when I fuss and the soap gets in my eyes.
This begs the question on all water-fearing dogs out there: How often do you get a bath? It seems around here it happens about once a month. I do all that I can to stay clean. I don’t jump in puddles or roll in the mud. I try not to work up a sweat on my daily walks. I don’t go running through the brush. However, the dirt and stuff does accumulate, so I can understand why my human does not want a filthy dog running around her house or getting on the furniture. (Wait! Scratch that last thought! She thinks I stay off the couch!)
I did a bit of research on the internet. (I was too lazy to take a poll of the neighborhood dogs!) It seems the general consensus is to bathe dogs about every 3-6 weeks, depending on how much fur they have. The more fur, the more maintenance. Dogs need grooming, too, which is separate from bathing. We have to keep our fur from becoming matted and gross. I do pride myself on my overall appearance, you know!
Fortunately, my human keeps me well-groomed. My hair is very short and so much more manageable, keeping that shower hose at bay for longer than some of my furrier counterparts may see. That other dog in the house with me also gets bathed as frequently as I do. However, for the record, I will note that we are probably cleaned just a tad bit more than other dogs as some of those little people in our home have allergies, and by keeping us routinely clean, they can enjoy our presence. I do what I can and will take one for the team in that regard! Love those little people….they usually come with treats!
Have a great day! Spring is almost here!
Is Your Pet Into Working Out?
Pets require a regular fitness regimen to keep them on the road to good health, so make an appointment with your pet’s health.
Experts tend to agree that 30 minutes a day, four times a week, is enough exercise for a dog. However, just like it is for humans, a daily workout would be better. For cats, experts suggest 15 minutes of exercise each day to stay healthy. However, two 15 minute sessions for indoor cats are optimal.
Some ideas for the dog set include playing fetch with your pooch. Go for a long walk or jog. Play a wild game of chase. If your dog is a water-lover, go for a swim! Have fun! Whatever game you can drum up that will get your dog’s heart pounding is great!
Cats tend to engage in social play, such as romping, wrestling, and chasing. Or, they get into object play, such as stalking, pouncing, or chasing an object around the house. When it comes to exercising your cat, focus on the object play.
Some objects that make great fitness props include feather toys, furry toy mice, toy balls on slick floors, catnip toys, or even laser toys. (Just make sure not to beam the laser into the cat’s eyes!)
Are there some great benefits to all of this? Pets who experience regular exercise tend to act out less frequently. They will gain social skills through the constant interaction with you. You will bond with your pet. Above all, the health of your pet will be improved and he/she can most likely live a longer, healthier, and happier life!
Landscaping With Your Pet In Mind
With Spring in the air, many folks are putting their green thumbs back into action, and with that endeavor comes a responsibility to keep your pets safe when they roam around the yard. We all love our gardens and yards, but we also want to make sure our animal friends are free from harm and poisonous substances.
For example, when applying fertilizer to your lawn, please follow the instructions carefully and allow for the proper waiting period after application and before letting your pet run free across the yard. If your pet digests any of the fertilizer, it could cause stomach upset or even a life-threatening intestinal obstruction.
When using insecticides, be sure to store them in areas inaccessible to your pets. Be sure to follow the label for proper use and storage. While these products are necessary for a healthy garden, they can be quite dangerous to a dog or a cat.
Cocoa mulch is frequently used in landscapes for it attractive odor and color. However, its sweet, chocolately scent can attract dogs. If consumed by a dog, this mulch can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, and hyperactivity. Consider using shredded pine, cedar, or hemlock bark, but make sure you also keep an eye on your four-legged buddy when he or she is out in the yard sniffing around!
Are you composting? Good for you! Mother Nature loves you! However, be aware of what types of food you may be putting into you garden soil that could be potentially harmful to your pet, such as coffee, moldy foods, and certain types of fruits and vegetables. Those can prove toxic to your pet.
And when using your garden tools, please be sure to put them away when you are finished using them. They may seem harmless, but if a dog pokes himself on a rake or on any other sharp tool, he or she can risk tetanus.
So, go ahead and enjoy your beautiful yard this Spring! Just be sure to employ a few safety tips into your endeavors so you and your pet can safely and happily play in the yard!
Now, go fetch!
(Information for this post was obtained at www.aspca.org)
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